Philanthropic

3.12-3.19.07
Philanthropic

In this week’s issue:
* Philanthropic video interview with Federal Reserve chief Sandra Pianalto
* Kids Two (Too) Cool Cleveland Kids Events
* Comment Dennis, Dennis, he’s our man… by Cindy Barber
* Straight Outta Mansfield The Coin Toss and the Coz
* BFD “Job hunting is the most difficult job I have ever had…”
* Ingenious Meet Cle ex-pat Lori Scarlett
* Previews The CIFF’s 2nd Wind and NCMC Brings in a Diva
* Sounds Akron’s Zach (at left) releases 1.19.2007
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here

You could say that philanthropy is Cleveland’s middle name. Although our region recently slipped from the #2 spot nationally for overall giving, we’re still #1 in terms of charitable assets. And although our economy is struggling, we consistently find a way to step up to the challenge. Cleveland Fed Chair Sandra Pianalto takes the reins at United Way, and we spoke with her about their new way of doing philanthropy. As always, we point you to a good number of charity events this week, fun kids stuff and biz events to improve your bottom line. Cindy Barber defends Dennis, Mansfield defends Cosby (sort of), and Cle ex-pat Lori Scarlett defends lesbians. Zach (pictured) has a new live disc reviewed here, and we recommend enough cool stuff for you to start your own Engaged Citizens Committee. Feeling generous? Join the crowd. —Thomas Mulready

Sandra Pianalto
President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Chairman, United Way of Greater Cleveland

As Sandra Pianalto begins her term as Chair of the Board of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, she not only fills the large shoes of outgoing Chair Henry Meyer, Chairman and CEO of Key Bank, but she also helms the organization at a critical point in its history. As she tells Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready as their recent annual meeting at the Renaissance Hotel with over 1300 guests, United Way raised over $43 million in 2007 and are now set to launch their 2008 campaign to raise tens of millions of dollars from NEO’s famously generous and philanthropic community once again. They talk about her 13 years on the United Way board, during which Ms. Pianalto helped develop a new Community Investment Plan which has entailed a new organizational structure, and engagement in research and outreach to see how the funds United Way has raised can be better utilized through their 130 partner groups to meet the agency’s long-term goals on a more regional basis. Check the video for the upcoming Promapalooza hosted by United Way’s YP group Generation NEXT on 04.12 here.

SPONSORED: It’s all about film Catch the Cityscapes Film Series featuring Cleveland locations during Humanities Week 2008 at CWRU, sponsored by the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities. Screening classic films including Billy Wilder’s hilarious Oscar-winning The Fortune Cookie (1966), Jules Dassin’s “intense and furious” (NY Times) Up Tight (1968), and homeboy Jim Jarmusch’s masterwork Stranger than Paradise (1984). Screened at the Cinematheque, 3/24-26 at 7PM. Visit www.BakerNord.org.

Two (Too) Cool Cleveland Kids Events
On either side of town, it means getting involved

East or West? It doesn’t matter. There’s plenty of family fun in Cleveland this week! Get out, get involved, and have some fun!

Head West: Love pups? Want to support a good cause? Get philanthropic and get the family involved with Wags4Kids (http://www.wags4kids.com). With a great mission of providing service dogs (at no cost) to kids with disabilities, this organization will be at the great IX-Center’s Cleveland Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show on Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, March 16. Wags is looking for help to handle 5 adorable 9-week lab mix pups for its “Famous Wags Kissing Booth”. Give them a hand in managing this kissing booth or hand them a $1 for a puppy kiss during your outing to the Cleveland Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show. Details here. Interested in volunteering? Looking for information about Wags4Kids? Email: wendy@wags4kids.com.

East side: Be part of the no-cost “Kidshow” at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Ten years and going strong! Looking for a kid’s product? Entertainer? Someone (or something!) to amuse your kids? With booths of information and crafts for kids, an entertainment stage (with impromptu daily “snack attack” giveaways), variety of inflatables (your kids can bounce off the walls!), and plenty of playareas to wear the little ones out, this event will have something for those young and young at heart! The show runs during mall hours on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16. For more information, check out this site.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Jeannie Fleming-Gifford fleminggiffordATyahoo.com

SPONSORED: What is the Canary Project? It’s a “show, don’t tell” exhibition of photographs, art, and events that forewarn — much like the miner’s canary — the urgent need for increased conservation and preservation efforts. Our climate is changing: glaciers are melting; underwater reefs are dying; droughts, fires, and extreme weather events are mounting. Surely our environment is under stress, but how do we measure the impact and separate the fiction from the solutions? Through a network of artists, scientists, writers, and fashion designers, Canary Project: Landscape of Climate Change encourages everyone, everywhere, to take actions to help create a more sustainable future. The Canary Project is showing Sat 3/15 through Sun 8/10 in Kahn Hall. Free with Museum Admission. For more info go to www.cmnh.org.

The 55th Annual NEO Science and Engineering Fair is going on now through Fri 3/14 at Cleveland State University. Each year, nearly 500 students compete for recognition, cash and the opportunity to advance to the next level — the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair. You should come and check out what the region’s brilliant young minds are creating right in your own backyard. As intriguing for adults as it is for kids, you’ll know by the end of the week who the prize winners are. Learn more at http://www.neosef.org.

Climb for Cleveland Pros and beginners alike will enjoy this night of unlimited rock climbing and children’s activities Sat 3/15 from 7 – 10PM. Bring friends, family, and a sense of adventure. Admission proceeds from the event will benefit City Year Cleveland’s 100 Hours of Power — a 5-day service project in Cleveland’s 5th ward. http://www.clevelandrockgym.com or email: resmith08@cityyear.org for details. Cleveland Rock Gym, 21200 St. Clair Ave., Building B3, Euclid.

Space Communication Discover how NASA utilizes the latest technology to communicate with robotic missions throughout the solar system and to future human expeditions to the moon Sat 3/15 from 10AM – 3PM. James A. Nessel (NASA Glenn research engineer) and Lawrence R. Foore (NASA Glenn research engineer) will present segments during the event. RSVP required; call 433-9653 to do so. Further event info at http://glennevents.grc.nasa.gov. The Visitor Center is located at 21000 Brookpark Rd.

Coit Road Farmer’s Market Pancake Benefit Nothing like a short stack to warm the cockles of your heart and fill up the tummy. Come check out the breakfast treats at the Coit Road Farmers Market Sat 3/15 starting at 9AM. Only costs you a Lincoln and proceeds benefit the market. 15000 Woodworth, E. Cleveland. http://www.coitmarket.org.

Bugged Out! Creepies and crawlies invade the Cleveland Botanical Garden this March, as the Garden honors some of nature’s tiniest but most essential creatures. Local bug experts, enthusiasts and entertainers will take center stage as visitors fascinate themselves with the world of bugs. A special slate of bug-related programs runs tandem to the exhibit, with the “Cooking With Bugs” event Sat 3/15 at 1PM. Look for other really buggy stuff throughout the month at the CBG. http://www.cbgarden.org.

Breakfast With the Bunny The Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood’s annual “Breakfast with the Bunny” event hits Sat 3/15 from 8:30AM – 1:15PM at the Lakewood Women’s Club Pavilion, Lakewood Park (Lake and Belle Avenues). Families can enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, and beverages; a raffle for fun-filled theme baskets, and the kids can get their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny. Proceeds from the event will benefit four Lakewood non-profits. For tickets, call 521-8545.

Meet an Animal Part of the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center’s ongoing series, the Sat 3/5 at 3PM edition features a whole lot of nose-picking and throwing up. Stick with us here… see, to scare off predators, the Turkey Vulture does both and a whole lot more in the fascinatingly gross and unusual animal behavior realm. Families can get up close to this cool creature with the help of the Center’s resident Turkey Vulture “Vern” and Director of Wildlife Dave Wolf. 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village. Call 440-871-2900 or visit http://www.lensc.org for more.

SPONSORED: Mouth Watering Enjoy the sweet surrender of Chocolate: The Exhibition running now through – Sun 5/4 at the Great Lakes Science Center. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of these events: Sundaes on Saturday: Sat 3/15 & Sat 4/12; Candy Chemistry Spring Break Day Camp: Sat 3/22 – Sat 3/29; Doggone Good Chocolate: 4/19 (bring your Chocolate Labrador for an outdoor group photo opp. Proceeds benefit the Animal Protective League). See chocolate science at our Chocolate Bar – our chocolate experiments with a culinary twist include making chocolate ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Browse the Chocolate Store, where you can purchase luxury chocolates from around the world. Members get extra special treats. Details: www.GreatScience.com.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 11-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast in iTunes.

It takes great places to create great cities. Read
Where students nosh in C-town is subject of this CSU piece. Yum
CPAC launches Spring 08 Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute. Course expands to connect regional artists. Click
Bay singer-songwriter Kate Voegele makes EW “10 to Watch List” Click
Now Available: Cleveland Plus Merchandise Sport your pride. http://www.clevelandplus.com.
What’s rocking in Akron these days? Maybe you oughta click here and find out
Are you keeping up with the Cuyahoga Valley Heritage Series Concerts? You should be. Click here to learn more
Canton Museum of Art and its current exhibition “Paws & Reflect: Art of the Canine” are featured segment WVIZ-PBS’s Applause. http://www.cantonart.org.
Here’s a great weather site for all of you snow-obsessed temperature junkies. Click
Volunteers/exhibitors for 2008 EarthFest at the CleMetZoo are needed. Click
Pere Ubu’s David Thomas launches Web-Only Record Label”’ administered by PU’s Smog Veil
Ohio Energy Bill looks to transform utility bills as we know them. Click
Housing near CSU gets a windfall, via Cuy Comms. Click”’

Bring Filming to Ohio! We need a tax credit for our film and media industry passed for Ohio. We lose out $60B that Hollywood spends a year on films — and we lose these gigs to Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Productions in Ohio create jobs and increase population. Write Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Fisher, Senate President Harris, House Speaker Husted and your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support House Bill 196. Tell them what it means to you, and copy ischwarz@clevelandfilm.com and letters@coolcleveland.com while you’re at it.

Century Cycles turns 16! and celebrates Thu 3/13 through Sun 3/16. Meet bike industry reps from Raleigh, Electra, Pearl Izumi, and more, displaying the hottest bicycles and bicycle accessories for 2008. Free bike sprocket keychain for anyone else turning 16 in March, plus $16 deals, 10% off all bikes, 20% off accessories and clothing, and, of course, cake. http://www.centurycycles.com.

Saw it in Cool Cleveland? We get that all the time. Put your message here: InfoATCoolCleveland.com

Broadview Heights native wins service award

After a career in the theatre and arts management (stints at S.O.B.’s and The Blue Note in NYC, and managing Brazilian musicians), Cle native Lisa Urgo (at left in photo, receiving award from Carla Benini the US Vice Consulate of Rio de Janeiro), sister of Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, started Dreams Can Be Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, a non-profit charity partnering with NGOs in Brazil and raising over $1M for impoverished and abandoned youth in the favellas. She is the mother of two adopted Brazilian children and has just won the Ralph Greenburg award of The American Society of Rio de Janiero for outstanding community service. Talk about philanthropy!

The 17th Annual Western Reserve Spring Writers Conference features a load of important info for current and aspiring writers Sat 3/29 starting at 8:30AM. Topics include Writing for Children, Personal Essays, Finding an Agent, Fiction Writing for Beginners and much, much more. There will be a book sale/author signing, networking reception, and a Q & A panel as well. For more info and registration, call 440-525-7116, or visit http://www.lakelandcc.edu/comeduc. Questions? Contact Deanna Adams at deencr@aol.com”’

To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list.

Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Podcast in iTunes.

Dennis, Dennis, he’s our man…
Defending Congressman Kucinich

Former Congressman Louis Stokes said it best on election night. Sitting in the Channel 5 studios, he stated that Dennis Kucinich would successfully defend his 10th Congressional seat in the primary because he provides good constituent services. And he does. He has a dedicated staff that quietly but quickly jump at any emergency and request. When Bernie Sokolowski, co-owner of the legendary eatery in Tremont, got the phone call in the middle of the night (that 3AM phone call) that his son had been struck by a car while on a bike trip through the backcountry of Italy and may be near death, Kucinich’s office made passport arrangements instantly, so Bernie and his wife could fly over as quickly as possible.

Personally, I’m not in Dennis’ district, but I have a Dennis bumper sticker on my car. I will always be grateful to Dennis and his staff for helping to resurrect the Free Times when the two corporate newsweekly chains conspired to each close a paper down in the two markets where they were competing, Cleveland and LA. Dennis’ office went to the Department of Justice and an order came that allowed bidding for the Cleveland Free Times name, enabling a smaller company to buy and re-launch the publication I helped start in 1992 — a paper founded by community activist Richard Siegel to help debate publicly funded deals being cut like the Gateway project for the Indians and a new stadium for the Browns.

So regardless of Dennis‘ seemingly irrational Ralph Nader-like obsession with running for president every four years, that doesn’t really effect anything he’s able to do for the folks he represents in his district. Joe Cimperman’s cartoony commercials about not needing a part-time Congressman, say more to me about his own ambition. Maybe Dennis hasn’t introduced enough meat and potatoes bills, but when you look at the list of House bills introduced on the web, there’s overwhelming number of bills just asking to rename a post office or recognize the historical significance of fill-in-the-blank, by just about every Congressperson.

The reason hardcore anti-war activists like Sean Penn or Michelle Shocked and countless other celebrities have attached themselves to Dennis is because he enters bills that say: we should pull out of Iraq and we should impeach Cheney, with guile and a sense of righteousness that shouldn‘t belong to a little guy from Cleveland with an ethnic name. This brazen attitude has won him fans in places like Austin and San Francisco, where liberal activism and progressive thinking have a bigger stronghold than here in the panic-stricken Midwest.

Lately, the biggest complaint I’ve heard is that Dennis doesn’t return phone calls, especially from the media. But come on, who can blame him for that after the Plain Dealer endorses Cimperman… what, three times? And what was with that yellow highlighter box over the last anti-Dennis rant? I’m sure they were just trying to mimic Dennis’ yellow bumper sticker but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the PD run color on the editorial page, which really made it seem like an over-the-top attack. (Thank you Dick Feigler for providing some balance on the pages of our powerful daily.)

I’d bet, however, that Dennis answers his phone when Bernie Sokolowski calls him. A few weeks ago when Dennis walked into my Beachland Ballroom concert venue unannounced with Sean Penn in tow, one of the people who grabbed his hand and caught his ear was Kiely Cronin, who works in the film industry and just happened to be there. Kiely took the opportunity to tease Dennis about being a fellow union member, since Dennis still holds onto his cinematographer’s union card for Local 600.

Dennis not only remembered Kiely but could instantly recall where and when they first met years ago. Kiely was impressed. And if Kiely called Dennis’ cell, I’m betting he’d take the call. I just called him on Sunday afternoon and he answered the phone. His complaint about the election is that he claims Republican voters were being encouraged to switch to a Democratic ballot in his district so they could vote against him in the primary, much like Republicans in other areas who were switching to Democrat so they could vote for whomever they think gives McCain a better shot in November.

I think the media here is totally missing the boat with Dennis. Instead of trying to run him out of town, we should be celebrating his celebrity. Many musicians from out of town who play my club, have the same curiosity and reverence for Dennis as say Harvey Pekar. He’s so Cleveland. One LA friend who met Dennis at a Hollywood fundraiser, said he’d fly into Cleveland to support Dennis’ Congressional race. To another friend who runs an alternative newsweekly in San Fran, Dennis will forever be a hero for saving Muny Light and keeping it a publicly owned utility in the spirit of Mayor Tom Johnson.

Dennis is the legacy of our progressive, union-supporting roots. He may not be perfect but he’s ours. And fortunately there’s alot of Clevelanders who really know Dennis.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Cindy Barber cindyATbeachlandballroom.com
Cindy Barber is the owner of the Beachland Ballroom in Collinwood, a winner of the Cleveland Arts Prize and former editor of the Free Times.

We’re givin’ ’em away Score a new iPhone simply by registering you and a friend to receive the weekly Cool Cleveland e-blast here. Not only will your friend thank you for turning them on to the cool stuff, you’ll both be sure to stay informed with your weekly blast of coolness. You could win an iPod or iPhone, to be announced in a future issue.

http://www.coolcleveland.com/ipodgiveaway/index.php

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

The Coronation of Poppea Claudio Monteverdi’s final operatic masterpiece about obsessive love, politics, murder, and deception, will be staged by the Oberlin Opera Theater for a run beginning Wed 3/12 at 8PM in Oberlin College‘s Hall Auditorium, 67 N. Main St. (Route 58), between the Oberlin Inn and the Allen Memorial Art Museum. The opera is also presented with the support of the Division of Vocal Studies and the Historical Performance Program at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. http://www.oberlin.edu/con.

Irish Sopranos The Cleveland Pops Orchestra welcomes their special guests for a concert experience presented in conjunction with The Irish-American Charitable Foundation Wed 3/12 at 8PM at Severance Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave. Call 765-1412 for more info. http://www.clevelandpops.com.

Poems Need Legs Heights Writes presents another poetry workshop in its popular series with local poets Wed 3/12 at 7PM at Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights (west side of Library bridge). Kelly Harris leads this poetry workshop, designed to give poets at all levels a workshop atmosphere in which to present poems for group discussion and criticism. Emphasis on the various elements of poetry such as rhythm and meter, imagery, person, tone and diction, form theme and mood will be discussed. Poems by contemporary American poets will also be highlighted. RSVP required at 371-3457 or via email at register@heightsarts.org.

Loving Lockwood Jr. Legendary bluesman Robert Lockwood Jr. posthumously won the 2008 Grammy for “Best Traditional Blues Album.” The Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas features Henry James Townsend, Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins, Lockwood Jr. & David “Honeyboy” Edwards. Robert’s performance was singled out for Grammy recognition. Also credited on the award winning album are the members of The Lockwood All-Stars Band who perform at Fat Fish Blue every Wednesday night, including Wed 3/12 at 8PM, in tribute to Lockwood. No cost, open to the public. http://www.fatfishblue.com.

SPONSORED: Add Us to Your Marketing Plans Looking for an innovative way to get your product or service out to thousands of interested consumers … while supporting your public television station? Donate to the 2008 WVIZ/PBS Televised Auction and receive valuable on-air promotion. Call 216.916.6100 or visit www.wviz.org for information.

HOT Fear of Falling is a multimedia dance project inspired by contemporary ballet, performance art, subcultures and digital arts. It tells of insects, gargoyles and angels, of trust and risk, of pushing forward, and holding back, suspended in motion, encountering freedom and self set limitations. The piece, choreographed by critically acclaimed movement artist Lisa K. Lock, searches for self-empowerment. Runs Thu 3/13Sun 3/16. Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Call 631-2727 for details and performance times. http://www.cptonline.org. http://www.geocities.com/lisalock.

HOT Designer Showcase Meet local artists, enjoy food, wine provided by Heartland Winery, and music provided by FireSide Symphony, and shop the divine Lake Erie Artists Gallery Thu 3/13 beginning at 4:30PM. Reservation includes food, music, and one wine ticket. Guests may purchase additional wine. A raffle includes a prized gift basket valued at $250! Proceeds are being donated to Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Call 664-9920 for more info or if you are an artist and would like to participate. Applications and RSVP info at http://www.lakeerieartists.com.

Soup for the Soul St. Malachi Center’s 8th Annual benefit hits Thu 3/13 at 6PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 777 St. Clair Ave. Soup for the Soul proceeds benefit St. Malachi Center on Cleveland’s Near West Side, whose mission is to empower the individual, nurture the family, and build the community. Experience the tasty warmth from 20 area restaurants, who are donating their favorite and most scrumptious soups. Celebrity servers dish up the fun, with a silent auction, raffles and door prizes and entertainment round out the evening. http://www.stmalachicenter.org.

Yarek Godfrey The “Neo-Classical Romanticist” will be available for a gallery talk and pre-Tremont ArtWalk preview night Thu 3/13 from 6 – 9PM at the Atmosphere Gallery, 2418 Professor Ave., Tremont. The famed European artist, Godfrey’s collaboration with Mam Events, Ltd. runs concurrent to the ArtWalk and the gallery will feature a Post Reception party with Godfrey (and special Musical Guest Pianist Alex Sykes) on Sat 3/15 at 4PM. http://www.atmosphereart.com.

Pale Imitations Every month, grab a seat at The Powerhouse Pub and find out “Who’s Who” in Ohio Sketch/Improv comedy! Each month brings a new group to downtown for a spotlight on the Powerhouse Pub stage. on Thy 3/13 and again Sun 3/20 at 8PM, the group featured is Pale Imitations from Columbus No cost, open to the public; 21 and over for alcohol service. Call 479-3353 or log onto http://www.clevelandimprovinstitute.com for more details.

Ilan Volkov The chief conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will make his debut with The Cleveland Orchestra with a program featuring Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé, Suites 1 and 2, at Severance Hall on Thu 3/13 at 8PM; Fri 3/14 at 11AM; and Sat 3/15 at 8PM. Cleveland Orchestra Principal Trumpet Michael Sachs will be soloist in Eino Tamberg’s Trumpet Concerto No. 1. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Kassaba introduces a dynamic approach to their performances with piano, saxophones, bass and 25 unusual percussion instruments. They perform original compositions and arrangements which remind listeners of jazz, classical and world music. We love Kassaba here at CC… our opinion? They should team up with Mifuné, Drumplay, Carlos Jones and a whole host of others for a regular local world music festival. (OK, editorial message complete!) Experience the colorful sights and sounds of this exciting quartet Sat 3/15 at 7PM. Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights. http://www.kassaba.com.

HOT Unspeakable Cinema 2:16’s local filmmakers are set to premiere the film Unspeakable during the 32nd Cleveland International Film Festival Fri 3/14 at 7PM (repeated Sat 3/15 at 2:15PM) at Tower City Cinemas. Unspeakable is one of 20 films selected from approximately 400 feature film entries and tells the story of a masked man’s search for answers. Holding a suburban family hostage, he frightens them into revealing their family’s dark secrets. Stark, compelling, gripping… and all filmed in Northeast Ohio by writer/director Marquette Williams. http://www.cinema216.com. http://www.clevelandfilm.org.

Goodbye Anne E. DeChant Joseph-Beth Booksellers features an evening with Cle singer-songwriter Anne E. DeChant in one of her last area appearances before her move to Nashville. She will be performing selections from (and autographing copies of) her new CD, Girls & Airplanes. Get your profound jangle on Fri 3/14 at 7PM. Call 691-7000 or visit http://www.josephbeth.com for more info.

Art & Ale Don’t miss the Akron Art Museum’s first-ever Art & Ale beer tasting event on Fri 3/14 starting at 7PM. Enjoy great boutique beers and ales, terrific food pairings from Jazzman’s Café, beer recipes and more. Take a “Fabulous Four Tour,” during which museum docents will highlight four works from the museum’s collection every 30 minutes. http://www.akronartmuseum.org.

Deep Cleveland Poetry Hour This month features writer Paul Skyrm, whose reflections embody life through one good post-industrial eye. True grit was never so compelling. As usual, the featured reader is followed by an open mike for poets, writers and frustrated literary types. Got some material to try out? Shout it out loud Fri 3/14 at 8:30PM at Borders, 17200 Royalton Rd., Strongsville. http://www.deepcleveland.com. http://www.myspace.com/tonightthedeadprayforus.

HOT Café Bellas Artes This imaginative poetry event at the Cleveland Museum of Art features Eloy Nepo — a PA native who began reciting poetry from at age 5 in Radio, school presentations and competitions in his native Peru. Nepo has appeared numerous times in cultural events in Peru, and the United States and delivers the goods Fri 3/14 at 6:30PM. A favored form of the popular poets in Latinamerica is the Décima. Eloy will interpret décimas written by Peruv ian, Chilean and Venezuelan and Spanish poets. He will also interpret other poems by Argentinean and Uruguayan poets. Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gallery 101, 11150 East Blvd. http://www.clevelandart.org.

Sammy DeLeon y Su Orquesta One of Cleveland’s favorites “Con Salsa Y Sabor…” Sammy is a renowned Timbalero with sticks of fire. A true Salsa Band which has been together for over 10 years. They play tight classic Salsa along with original compositions. Accompanying Sammy on Fri 3/14 at 9PM is pianist Jackie Warren — one of the most in-demand and prolific jazz artists working in the Great Lakes region. She has just produced her first CD and will be highlighting cuts from it that evening. Ladies 18 & over, Guys 21+. View Nightclub, 618 Prospect Ave. http://www.myspace.com/viewultralounge.

HOT Rome If You Want To Playhouse Square Partners holds their highly anticipated 17th Annual Jump Back Ball (JBB), Rome If You Want To on Sat 3/15 starting at 7:30PM. Yes, Rome (as in “Friends, Romans, Clevelanders…”) is the backdrop for this evening of irreverent fun in the State Theatre on Euclid Avenue. A first class evening of food, spirits and a venerable who’s who of NEO young professional civic and business leaders raise funds and awareness for the Partners in the Playhouse Square “coliseum.” Decade and Abby Normal and The Detroit Lean provide the live music; gambling, raffle, silent auction, games, dancing and a feast fit for royalty round out the event. There is no other event like it. http://www.playhousesquare.org/jumpbackball.

Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Winetasting Benefit This great organization is hosting a d-vine benefit, with 75% of the proceeds raised going directly to patient services and research. The wine tasting will be held on Sat 3/15 from 2 – 4PM, with 8 different wines to sample, tasty appetizers and the owner of The Cleveland Wine School, Marianne, will be there to answer questions about the wines. Call 570-8565 for details and tickets. The Cellar Door, 3355 Richmond Rd., Beachwood.

Alexander Jorgensen The American poet who lives in China, will present an exhibition of his Visual Poetry, read his poems, and give a talk about poetry and Robert Creely at The Lit Sat 3/15 at 7PM. Jorgensen is an incessant traveler, who has lived all over the world. His work has appeared in Big Bridge and other literary repositories. His “Letters to a Younger Poet,” correspondences with the late Robert Creeley, appears in Jacket Magazine #31. He is a visual artist and current managing editor of Black Robert Journal. http://www.alexanderjorgensen.com.

SPONSORED: This Saturday’s 3/15 Cleveland Orchestra concert is live from Severance Hall on WCLV 104.9 FM at 8:00 PM. Guest Ilan Volkov and principal trumpet Michael Sachs present the Tamberg Trumpet Concerto. Also on the program, the two Suites from Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe.” Guaranteed to be a musical aphrodisiac. More live music from Cleveland State University with a faculty recital from Cleveland State University on Tuesday, 3/18, at 8PM. Full details on all of WCLV’s programming at www.wclv.com.

Irish Coffeehouse Benefit This fundraiser features singer-songwriter Jim Gill and other live performers, all to raise money for the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation on St. Patrick’s Day, Mon 3/17 at 7PM. For more info on the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, check out http://www.curetay-sachs.org. Learn more about Jim Gill at http://www.jimgillmusic.com. West Park Evangelical Friends Church, 3780 W. 140th St.

Bringing St. Patty’s to the Public Come and join the fun at the St. Patrick’s Day party at Gray’s Armory on Mon 3/17 from 11AM until the fun is over. Live music, hot dogs, beer… you know it’s gonna be a cold one, so why not find a home base for it?!? Duck in and out around the parade, or hang there until things slow down. Call 440-265-3680 for more info. 1234 Bolivar, between East 9th and East 14th. Sponsored by the USO of Northern Ohio.

A Walk into the Sea Directed by Esther Robinson, with John Cale, Albert Maysles, Paul Morissey, et al. Independent filmmaker Esther Robinson attempts to excavate and reconstruct the short life of her uncle, Danny Williams, in this new portrait. Williams was a Harvard dropout who became a filmmaker at Andy Warhol’s “Factory” during the 1960s, as well as the artist’s lover. (Excerpts from his work are included in the film). In 1966, at age 27, he mysteriously disappeared. The Cleveland premiere of the film hits the CMA Wed 3/19 at 7PM. http://www.awalkintothesea.com. http://www.clevelandart.org.

Pushing the Envelope This MOCACleveland Public Lecture bolsters their Nesnadny + Schwartz Visiting Critics Program, and features critic Gregory Volk Wed 3/19 at 6PM. The program is one in a series that provides critical dialogue and national exposure for artists living and working in our region and introduces our guest critics to the wealth of artist talent in Northeast Ohio. No cost, open to the public. http://www.mocacleveland.org.

The Wines of Italy Master Sommerlier Matthew Citriglia, the only Master in Ohio, is teaching The Wines of Italy right here in NEO at the Cleveland Wine School Wed 3/19 at 6PM. The class will include a lecture and a tasting of 8 different wines from the country shaped like a boot. Ciao Bella! Cleveland Wine School, 3355 Richmond Rd. #191, Beachwood. Call 831-9919 for more info. http://www.clevelandwineschool.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

SPONSORED: The city as a crucible of change in art, literature, politics, and society—is the focus of the Baker-Nord Center’s Cityscapes Conference, at CWRU 3/27-29, with sessions on Creating and Performing Community, Contested Spaces and Social Divisions, Organizing the City, Knowing, Remembering, and Imagining the City, Representation and Urban Spaces, and Marketing the City. Complimentary admission; visit www.BakerNord.org.

The Coin Toss and the Coz

At the risk of proposing what — at first blush — might sound like an overly simplistic solution to the seemingly complicated conundrum leaders and members of the Democratic Party now find themselves in, I’d like to suggest that Clinton and Obama agree to a coin toss. Since their positions on most issues of import are mirror images of each other, it matters little which one of them is on the top of the ticket. And, after all, that’s all this fight is about.

However, the damage they’re about to do to their party — not to mention how their increasingly bloody bickering could cause younger and newly engaged participants in our democratic processes to quickly disengage — might prove irreparable. If we, the people, demand they desist from this dangerous silliness and simply toss a coin, which one of them would have the courage to say no, out of fear the other candidate would savage them for lacking courage? Or are we just too much in love with brutal combat in the political arena to enforce such a demand? However, we’d better do something soon … before we lose our golden opportunity to head the country in the right direction.

Part II

Bill Cosby: So right… and so wrong

Comedian Bill Cosby brought his “Poor Blacks should just get a grip on themselves” message back to Cleveland, and, as usual, Black folks (as well as others) were lapping it up as if his words were Gospel. Do we have a huge, huge problem in the Black community (and the Hispanic and poor White communities as well) with teenaged pregnancies, which produce too many ill-raised kids that — at around age 14 or 15 — turn into heartless and mindless thugs that wind up killing each other … and sometimes beloved police officers? Certainly we do. And it’s a problem that has gone unaddressed for far too long.

Cosby says that we shouldn’t be afraid of “airing our dirty laundry in public,” and he’s right … as far as he goes. But — while I don’t doubt that he means well — I can go up to the corner tavern in any Black neighborhood on virtually any night of the week and there will be someone perched on a barstool spouting off much of the same anger-inspired verbiage as the Coz However, merely saying that we have problems is much easier than offering real solutions to those problems.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if Bill Cosby’s beating up on ignorant parents who fail to properly supervise and raise their progeny would solve the problem, if it had even the slightest chance of solving the problem … hell, give me a two-by-four (with a sharp nail in it) and I’ll help beat them up. And, unlike Cosby, who lives on Nob Hill and only occasionally comes into towns like Cleveland to scold residents of poor neighborhoods, I know where these parents live because I elected to live among them by moving into the Hough community. These are my neighbors, the people I grew up with, that he’s talking about.

However, to Cosby’s credit, his message is changing somewhat. When he started his rant in 2004 he only picked on poor people; now he is adding Black churches and other institutions to his list of malefactors who need to step up and assist in solving the problem. So there is hope that eventually he will think on these problems long enough to come to the conclusion that, absent some massive effort to break the cycle of poverty, ignorance and low goals that infect minority and poor communities across America, nothing much is going to happen … unless Cosby is ready and willing to step up to the plate. Unlike the poor people he rails at (people who, by the way, pay no attention to him) Cosby does have the options money provides. I’m waiting for him to pony up just one of his many billions of dollars (yes, he is a billionaire) to fund a pilot program in some city based on the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City. Maybe he could even do it here in Cleveland.

But in reality, what can we expect when a standup comedian — albeit a wealthy and much-loved one — attempts to start setting social policy for the national Black community without funding any projects? No other race on the face earth would listen to someone who only talks at poor people— while only giving funds to already-wealthy universities. I sincerely hope Cosby’s impetus isn’t just to simply remain on center stage … to keep our attention focused on him for a few more years before he slips into his dotage.

Be that as it may, the person I’m really upset with is Cosby’s enabler, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a Harvard professor who should — and most likely does — know better. By traveling the country with Cosby as his paid Sancho Panza, lending the weight of his credentials to this incomplete message, he is doing little more than propping up the aforementioned guy on the barstool after he has had one too many. The real danger, of course, is, that people will hear their incomplete message and give it more validity than it deserves (as a means of escaping any personal responsibility or guilt), and will ultimately fail to attempt to formulate real, thoughtful, and workable solutions … because Bill Cosby said the victims are to be blamed for their own substandard condition because they lack the requisite skills to navigate their way out of their reduced circumstance.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com

SPONSORED: What’s PROMapalooza? Calling all the young, restless and hip: relive your prom (with or without irony) with glitz at the Ritz. GeneratioNEXT, a group of young professionals age 25-40 who support our community through United Way of Greater Cleveland, will hold PROMapalooza, its first gala fundraiser for the annual United Way campaign. This nostalgic evening of 80s glamour and glitz will take place at the Ritz-Carlton’s Silver Grille in the Higbee Building on Sat 4/12 from 7:30PM to midnight. Sponsorship packages and volunteer opportunities are available. Contact Sarah Trimble at 216-436-2185 or strimble@uws.org for more information. Complete sponsorship information can be found at www.uws.org/promapalooza.

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

Toni Chanakas would love to hear some successful techniques in the world of job search. “I have heard so many ideas, post your resume on a job board, talk to recruiters, and send out resumes from the standard job postings on Careerboard and Monster. I, unfortunately, have not had most success in a lot of these vehicles. I would definitely venture to say that job hunting is the most difficult job I have ever had…”

* There’s a whole bunch of things you can do, and it sounds like you’re on the right track. Getting out and meeting people is important not only because of the connections you’re creating but just for your own state of mind. Sitting around at home searching job sites desperately is no way to live. My first step would be to go to the library and pick up a copy of “What Color is Your Parachute?” It covers everything from finding a new job to figuring out what the heck you want to do with your life. It really focuses on networking, which is what you’re already doing, so that should be a piece of cake… comment by Jamie Carracher

* Sorry to hear about your job situation. I worked for a company which has been in perennially bad financial shape. I would recommend contacting your state’s Department of Labor to report the money owed to you. I have never had much luck finding a job. I have posted my resume on job boards. I have found that responses to my resume generate more activity than replying to job board ads. Also, if you post your resume on a job board, make minor changes to it at least once a week to keep it at the top of new resumes. The last three jobs I’ve gotten have been the result of professional contacts… comment by Dan McGuire

* Have you considered starting something yourself…perhaps creating your dream job? comment by Rick Pollack

* Also, check out the Career Center at the Maple Heights Library. They offer free career counseling and resume advice, among other things. comment by Christine Borne

Share what’s worked (or what hasn’t) for you at BFD

Meet Cle ex-pat Lori Scarlett
Her Notebook production at the Beck is a dream-come-true

Now based in Los Angeles, local actor-turned-songwriter Lori Scarlett considers herself a lucky woman. Why? Her new musical The Break-up Notebook: The Lesbian Musical is getting a hot professional production at Lakewood’s Beck Center, helmed by her dream-come-true director: musical maven Vicky Bussert. “When I first started working on this project, I knew that Vicky was the right person to direct it, and to help move it further along,” says Scarlett.

As any musical theater creator knows, developing a musical, shopping it around, and getting it picked up for production requires a kind of alchemy: a potent brew of talent, lucky breaks, hard work, and just the right connections. Sometimes those connections go wayyy back, to the people you first met in college.

So it was for Scarlett and Bussert. Their association started back in 1991, when Lori was a student at Kent State University and Vicky was a guest director at Porthouse Theatre, directing her in a production of Quilters. Flash forward 15 years. After years of directing Broadway tours, Chicago productions, and a long-standing gig at Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Bussert was now the head of Baldwin Wallace’s Musical Theatre Program, taking young actors and turning them into crack professionals.

Scarlett was in L.A., where she and her writing collaborator Patricia Cotter had just applied for the prestigious National Association for Musical Theatre Festival in N.Y., an opportunity to get a 45-minute version of the show in front of New York producers hungry for new product. “I went straight to Vicky,” says Scarlett. “She has done wonders to shape the show into what it is today.”

Scarlett’s journey from performer to writer has taken a winding path. She has had a strong stage presence and clarion voice since she was a teenager. I should know: she lit up the stage in the premiere of my own first musical The Last Red Wagon Tent Show in the Land at Akron’s now-defunct Actors’ and Playwrights’ Theatre back in 1986, when she was just in high school. Bitten by the acting bug, she went into a BFA program at Kent State, but left school before graduation with her Equity card, moving to Chicago to find acting work like so many young hopefuls.

“That was a mistake,” she admits ruefully. “In Chicago they like you to come up through the ranks. Nobody would hire me. There was even an article about me in the Tribune about how I couldn’t get acting work there.”

In 2001, after a break-up with a boyfriend, Scarlett moved to Los Angeles, hoping for better opportunities. In order to get seen and make work for herself, she started writing her own material. Some of her songs eventually became part of the snarky new musical Sneaux, a parody of V. C. Andrews’ horror-romance novels directed by Andy Fickman, the guy who helmed the long-running Reefer Madness. The chops she showed brought her to the attention of Cotter, who was looking for a female composer/lyricist to turn her play The Break Up Notebook into a musical. The L.A. premiere won the 2006 Ovation Award for Best New Musical.

It’s no surprise that the show has been making waves, from its award to a whole lot of buzz at NAMT. The Break Up Notebook is witty and original – often laugh-out-loud funny – with terrific roles for one male and 6 women who play everything from lawyers to sex-club dominatrices to line-dancing cowgirl lesbians. Much of its success comes from Scarlett’s delightfully clever songs, which have more in common with alt-rock groups like the Indigo Girls than the typical warmed-over Sondheim wannabe. How can you not love a lyricist who writes memorable songs about bad first dates – “Meaningless chatter on a Saturday night” – or an obsessed lover who imagines her ex “laughing at my name on the Caller-ID” – or reminisces about a first concert at the Richfield Coliseum?

I ask Scarlett how different the Cleveland production is from the one in L.A. “In L.A., they pushed the comedy almost to a sitcom level. But Vicky doesn’t just go for the easy laugh. She wanted to go deeper, and it shows. She found the show’s heart. The cast is…well, awesome. And Russ Borski’s set! We couldn’t be happier.”

The Break Up Notebook continues at Beck Center for the Arts thru 3/22. Visit the Beck online at http://www.beckcenter.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein lindaATcoolcleveland.com

Planning your 08/09 online marketing budget? Cool Cleveland can help: InfoATCoolCleveland.com

A hot selection of tech and business news & events from around the region. Got business news? Send it to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Gov. Strickland wants 3C Rail Corridor connecting Ohio for passengers. It’s been on the table before — can he get it to happen? Hopefully
Team NEO Econ Dev Impact Awards coming up; call for noms has Fri 3/14 deadline. Get in fast!
USN&WR focuses on our Phoenix Coffee House as an example of how business “fights the downturn.” Great, great piece. Read
Biotech firm nudged by investors to move to the North Coast. Click
Ohio has worst 4Q07 foreclosure rate in the whole country. But no mention in the last Dem debate…? Read
County, developer start talking Med Mart. Read
Local Mktg & Adv Programs win big at AAF-Cleveland’s Annual ADDY Awards. Click
Civic Innovation Lab funds $90,000 to three new projects Grants target new business owners, city residents and urban teens. Learn more
10-year, $110M capital improvement plan announced by CAK today. Click

Research ShowCASE returns with 2-day public exposition and forum in the Veale Convocation Center on the campus of CWRU. See all the collaboration, creativity and innovation in this no-cost, open to the public event Wed 4/16Thu 4/17. Watch Cool Cleveland for an upcoming feature on this cool event, written by Susan Schaul. http://showcase.case.edu.

SPONSORED: An Innovation Celebration! JumpStart’s Annual Public Meeting is just around the corner and there’s no better time to celebrate our region’s economic accomplishments. Join us on on the evening of Thu 5/15 at Corporate College East and hear firsthand how advances in entrepreneurship are having a positive effect on our region and beyond. Featured JumpStart Portfolio Companies will share their entrepreneurial stories while distinguished members of the economic development community provide valuable insight into the past year’s growth and offer predictions for what the future may hold. Expand your horizons – and your network – by attending the JumpStart Annual Public Meeting…it’s one you won’t want to miss! Click here for event details.

Cleveland AMA Marketing Mixer and Bowling Night hits Winking Lizard Lakewood Wed 3/12 at 5PM. Call 440-646-9932.
Planning and Executing a High-Impact “Done-in-a-Day” Fri 3/14 at 8:30AM Key Center 127 Public Sq., 27th Floor. Register
Accelerating Innovation Networking Luncheon and Webcast hits Wed 3/19 at 11:30AM feat Moderator/Host Dr. Stephen Brand, Innovation Fellow at NorTech. Register
Web Assoc. hosts informal CSU discussion on Wed 3/19 at 6PM on best practices in site architecture and web usability. Register
Preparing/Enhancing the Cle Workforce is the subject of this Fri 3/28 day-long seminar at the Cle Conv Ctr. Details
Research ShowCASE 08 Scientists, scholars in 2-day collaboration highlighting research @ CWRU Wed 4/16 & Thu 4/17. More
Networked Approach to Building Prosperity in Regions 2-Day Wksp at Punderson Manor Resort beg Wed 4/23. Details
Cleveland Opportunity + Expo 2008 is designed to provide small and mid-size businesses in Cle an opportunity to promote and introduce products or services and establish new relationships. It hits Fri 5/23 at 10AM at the Galleria. Click

2nd Annual Global Healthcare Investing Conference features over 70 health care venture capital firms and investors from Mon 4/29Thu 5/1. Register

Going Green The Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America hosts Going Green: Communicating & Understanding the Relevance of one of the most important business trends of the new century on Tue 3/18 at noon at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Rare Book Room (2nd FL), 1 Wade Oval Dr. Participants will learn about the overall relevance behind timely environmental or “green” trends, better understand who their consumers are, identify the challenges in communicating environmentally friendly programs, and generate solutions that can help products or services become one of the “in” brands. Call the local chapter at 440-899-1112, or inquire via e-mail: prsacleveland@oh.rr.com.

SPONSORED: People who spend some of the winter away from Cleveland in Florida, Arizona, or elsewhere and don’t want to leave WCLV behind, can continue to enjoy the station through the Internet. Likewise, those Cleveland listeners where WCLV reception may be a problem, including in office buildings, are able to tune in to WCLV’s classical music via their computer. But, if you want to hear WCLV in locations other than just at the computer, such as in the kitchen or in the bedroom, go to www.wclv.com and click on the blog about the SoundBridge Internet Radio.

A Second Wind at the Cle Int’l Film Fest

Didn’t get there last weekend? OK, you get one blizzard excuse every ten years. Although their Saturday attendance was cut in half because of the winter storm, over 3000 stalwart Clevelanders still managed to follow the arrows and make their way to Tower City Cinemas. And now we’re making up lost time: Mon 3/10 was the single largest Monday ever for the CIFF, according to development director Patrick Shepherd. You have a few more days to partake in the greatest film festival that the Midwest has to offer — the Cleveland International Film Festival. Last week, stalwart CC columnist Claudia J. Taller offered you a glimpse into ”’the importance of the stories brought to light at this 32nd annual festival. (We happen to think it’s worth a second read). This week, we’re here to clue you in on two really cool (and different) offerings as a part of the “Local Heroes” series at the Festival:

‘Unspeakable‘ is a “dark thriller” set in Northeast Ohio that was conceived, written and directed by Cleveland native Marquette Williams. The filmmaker and his production company (Cinema 2:16) deliver the story of a masked man who takes a suburban family hostage, then frightening them into revealing their own mysterious pasts. Before you know it, Unspeakable twists and turns into disturbing territory — the story matching the jittery, hi-def digital filmmaking in an organic and appropriate way. In contrast, Swing State feels like a folksy home movie. Directed by Shaker Heights native Jason Zone Fisher (son of Lee Fisher), the 90-minute flick emphasizes the political importance of Ohio’s gubernatorial elections as predicting the outcome of the 2008 presidential decision. Filled with more politicos, candidates and campaign workers than your average spin zone,” the film features former president Bill Clinton, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, and presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Swing State screens today, Wed 3/12 at noon and Thu 3/13 at 9:30AM. Unspeakable screens Fri 3/14 at 7:15PM and Sat 3/15 at 2:15PM. Our advice? Blow off work for a two-hour “meeting” and go see the former, then head back downtown for the latter this weekend. Whatever you do, don’t miss these locally focused/produced gems. The 32nd CIFF runs through Sun 3/16. For a full schedule of films, directions, parking and screening info, visit the CIFF online at http://www.clevelandfilm.org.
From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

North Coast Men’s Chorus Brings in a Diva

It’s a rare and unique event. On Friday, March 28 at 8PM in the Allen Theatre on Playhouse Square, Tony award-winning diva Bernadette Peters will collaborate with the North Coast Men’s Chorus in a revue of song, comedy and dance. The program will also feature the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Peters is a legendary stage presence and has appeared in such Broadway shows as Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, Sunday in the Park with George, The Goodbye Girl, Mack & Mabel, On the Town, and Into the Woods. The world renowned Broadway actress and exquisite vocalist is a champion of animal rights; her name and voice are nearly synonymous with composers Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Weber.

This is not Peters’ first appearance with men’s choruses — in 1996, she made her highly-anticipated solo debut at Carnegie Hall in a concert benefiting the Gay Men’s Health Crisis — but it’s a special night that shouldn’t be missed. This special benefit performance is a part the NCMC’s 20th Anniversary season; NCMC will open the show with a set of Broadway numbers that they will be taking to the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival in Miami this July. Tickets for this unique event are now on sale at the Playhouse Square Ticket Office or online at http://www.playhousesquare.org. You can also call 241-6000. Visit the NCMC online at http://www.ncmchorus.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Warren Buffet concurs. The economy is in recession.
Even renters have to worry about the foreclosure crisis.
If Cimperman had won all the votes that were cast for the four challengers, the primary have been a photo finish.
The Cuy Co BOE must not know how to throw a party.
Paid Sick Day proposal very popular in new poll.
WKYC’s Frank Macek describes working with the bloggers on Election Night.
Our regional and national challenge boil down to building brainpower and accelerating innovation.
High Skill Immigration Zone proposal for the Rustbelt Region could attract companies to co-locate, remain, and grow.

1.19.2007
Zach
Buffalo ZEF Records

Live recordings can be a mixed bag. They don’t always capture the essence of an artist in the way that studio recordings do. Some live recordings suggest the artist(s) abilities are more a studio creation than pure talent; others deliver an overwhelming, over-the-top sense of kinetic energy that completely reframes their work. Recorded on a night that would have been this artist’s father’s 56th birthday, Zach’s 1.19.2007 live effort is definitely the latter. Early reviews of the Akron-via-Parma native suggested a Dave Matthews vibe, but clearly this cat has more soul and heavy-hearted introspection going for him than the neo-hippie messiah does. No doubt the date of the gig had something to do with that, too.

Zach’s colorful, acoustic-folk is coffeehouse fare: melodic, introspective, lilting with summoned pinches of blues and blue-eyed soul among the strumming at those perfect moments. With a slate of solid originals and intriguing covers (Prince’s “Purple Rain,” Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready”) he seems to know exactly where he’s going in this show. While the audio mix on the disc leaves something to be desired (it sounds a bit “bootleggy” and out of balance to these ears) the passion on cuts like “Liar,” “Walk Into Sunshine” and the swell, one-two of “Manifest” and “Little Bird” really shines through. And that’s what matters, really. In all, 1.19.2007 offers a fair representation of Zach’s handful of previous releases — as most live efforts do — and that makes it a very worthy introduction.

Zach performs at The Pub of Rocky River, 19304 Detroit Rd., Rocky River this Saturday March 15 at 6PM. Hear a sample of his work by clicking here. For more info, visit his website, http://www.zachmusic.net.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Quick reviews of recent events
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Doubt @ CPH Drury Theater 3/5 There’s a world of difference between doubt and certainty and all of these increments were reflected on the faces of the audience members at opening night of Doubt at the Cleveland Play House last Wednesday.

John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play moves briskly through the one long (90 minutes) act, as directed by Seth Gordon. The acting is excellent throughout, as are the production values. Having little experience of the Catholic faith, I am not certain of all the doctrines expressed in the play, but have no reason to doubt them either, I suppose. I’m also not sure that the major premise of the work (possible sexual abuse by a young priest) was thought of all that much at that time. Seems to me it didn’t really become a BIG topic until into the 1970s. (That’s not to say it wasn’t happening then, just that it wasn’t considered as a topic for discussion at that time.) Then again, all too many topics not ever discussed in public have become very much in-your-face media fare in the last few years. So, who’s to say?

The set, by Russell Parkman, is cleverly contrived to present both the exterior of the church yard (between church and school) and the office of Sister Aloysius, who is in charge of the elementary school. It is her certainty that trips up the young priest, Father Flynn. A young nun, Sister James, who is naïve and oblivious to the older woman’s beliefs, is thus pushed to be aware, to observe. And to report. Of course, when you’re encouraged to see something, you’re more likely to notice it, even if it isn’t all that noticeable.

Lighting by Trad A. Burns is properly atmospheric and appropriate, as is the sound of James C. Swonger. Costumes by Jeffery Van Curtis are interesting, to say the least. I’d never seen a nun wearing a mob-cap that tied under her chin as part of her habit, but as I said earlier, I’ve little experience in such matters. The vestments of Father Flynn were very colorful. Stage manager Amanda Harland kept the production moving smoothly.

There are always people who will believe the worst of any situation, and one can’t help but wonder if Sister Aloysius, ably portrayed by Barbara Andres, isn’t predisposed to be that kind of person. Certainly, the young Sister James (Jennifer Ruffner) is the opposite, seeing only goodness wherever she looks. She finds it hard to even contemplate what her superior ‘thinks’ might be happening. Michael Frederic is properly boyish as the young priest Father Flynn, and convincing in his sermons. He doubles as boy’s basketball coach, which contributes to the gossip.

The catalyst for this situation is a new student at the school, the first black student, an 8th grade boy. He only needs to graduate before moving to a larger school, and his mother Mrs. Muller (Cherene Snow) responds to the summons from Sister Aloysius in a totally unexpected way. She knows her son better than Sister ever will, and regardless of anything else, ‘it’s only until June’. The ovation she received on opening night was well-deserved.

Doubt continues in the Drury Theatre at the Play House through March 23. For tickets or other information, call 216-795-7000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Doubt @ CPH Drury Theater 3/5 John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt: A Parable, now in production at the Cleveland Play House, won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony for Best Drama, as well as the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play of the season. There is much anticipation concerning the movie version, starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, which is presently in production.

Not only is the script well crafted, with the right direction and casting, the results can be compelling theatre. Fortunately for Play House patrons, Seth Gordon, who directed the show, proves once again he is a master at his craft. The show is well-paced and hits all the emotional chords. Both the laughs and the dramatic tensions are highlighted. This is professional theatre as its best.

On Broadway, all four members of the cast were nominated for Tony Awards. I saw the show shortly after it premiered and that ensemble had nothing on the CPH group. What’s more, the 90-minute play runs without intermission. This is a wise choice, because any break in the constantly building tension would ruin the over-all effect.

The story is housed in a Catholic elementary school presided over by Sister Aloysius, a traditional no-nonsense nun who wears her habit as armor against modernism and change. She is in a battle for the hearts and minds of her pupils with a young priest who believes the clergy should be accessible to the parish and be thought of “as members of their family.” These divergent thoughts are accented by the Sister’s “feelings” and “instincts” that the priest is molesting the schools’ only black student. Aloysius confronts Flynn with her suspicions.

To give away any more of the plot would eliminate the doubt of the conclusion and thwart the “second act,” which probably takes place as theatre-goers travel homeward, discussing their doubts about the priest’s innocence or guilt.

Barbara Andres is appropriately unbending and scary as Sister Aloysius. The women sitting next to me, a product of Catholic schools, moaned, “Oh my God, she’s my old principal, every Catholic school kid’s nightmare!” Early-on Andres wisely underplays the vocal aspects of the role so that when she needs her verbal power, it becomes even more emphatic than if she had over-projected through out.

Michael Frederic is convincing as the Priest. He makes us want to believe him. But, are we intentionally led by his charm and demeanor to make us assume his innocence, or are we being tricked by a master manipulator?

Jennifer Ruffner, noted for her performances on local stages, hits all the emotional right notes as Sister James, a dynamic but naïve young teacher who is caught between the opposing forces of the Sister and the Priest.

Cherene Snow, who received extended applause as she made her exit after a tense but pivotal scene, is compelling as the mother of the Black student who understands the realities of life as they relate to her son.

Russell Parkman’s set and Trad Burns’ lighting enhance the production.

Capsule judgment: Seth Gordon and his CPH cast deserve accolades for their compelling production. If you don’t see this, you will miss one of the highlights of the local theatrical season!

For tickets to CPH shows, call 795-7000 or go to http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

Doubt @ CPH Drury Theater 3/5 Running at the Cleveland Playhouse’s Drury Theater until March 23, Doubt delivers on its promise that it will lead to thought and discussion long after the curtain closes. The play set in the world that I once grew up in, the absolute Catholicism of the 1960’s, where priests and monsignors ruled over parishes, and mother superiors and old school principals ran shotgun over convents and grade schools. Doubt is a short (75 minutes without an intermission) look into the lives of four characters, a young charismatic priest Father Brendan Flynn (Michael Frederic), the old style school principal Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Barbara Andres), the young and enthusiastic but innocent eighth grade teacher Sister James (Jennifer Ruffner), and Mrs. Muller (Charene Snow), the mother of the half Italian half Irish parish school’s first black student.

The play revolves around gray matter in a world where everything was black and white, and everyone thought he or she knew his or her place. Before women’s lib, before the Beatles, before Vietnam, before the pill. It was the time of everyone having two parents at home, and no one would second guess a teacher or a parish priest. Sister Aloysuis suspects the young priest Father Flynn is getting “too close” to one of the students, the school’s only black student. Sister James gets caught in the middle as the boy’s teacher. Father Flynn comes off at first as just a priest reaching out to a confused and troubled youth. And the mom Mrs. Muller comes along and puts a whole different spin on the situation in the play’s best seen between her and Sister Aloysius. The ending is surprisingly predictable because of the time period which the play is set in, but bearing to mind what has happened since then in the scandals of the Catholic Church it gets you really thinking of things that you once thought as gossip or hear say, and puts a little doubt into each and every one of them.

It reminded me of when I finally left behind the convent I went to school at and finally made it to an all boys Catholic high school. A thousand boys from thirty different parishes, and as in all all male environments, nothing was sacred when it came to jokes and put-downs. And every so often someone would tell a joke about some dirty old priest doing something to an innocent alter boy and everyone would laugh, except for a couple of boys who would look and away and pretend the joke was funny. The cast is almost perfect, and would meet the approval of anyone who did attend Catholic school. The play was written by John Patrick Shanley, who attended Catholic school in the Brooklyn in the 1960’s. He won both a Tony and a Pulitzer for Doubt. The Playhouse’s production is directed by Seth Gordon, with scenes designed by Russell Parkman.

Up next at the Playhouse are an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice opening March 21, and their annual FusionFest from April 18 until May 11. For more info visit their website at http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 3/6 One never quite knows what to expect these days when entering Severance Hall. The last three weeks have seen entirely different stage configurations for the opening work on the programs. Interesting, to say the least. As two weeks ago, we started small and ended large, this time with Music Director Franz Welser-Möst in command of the Cleveland Orchestra. This concert began with all the brass, winds and percussion you could ever want, but with no strings, attached or otherwise. French composer Olivier Messiaen delighted in doing the unexpected, and his Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum is one of the most unexpected creations you might ever encounter. The first performances were given in large cathedrals, and the reverberations in those spaces must have been awesome, indeed! (His intention was for it to be performed in great open spaces.)

Ever picturesque, the composer began his five-movement suite with the lowest-pitched instruments rumbling around in their very lowest registers to demonstrate words from a Psalm ‘from the depths of the abyss. . .’ Likewise, when the mood changed to joy, a great clamor rose up from the percussion section, with bells and chimes ringing for themselves, and the resultant harmonics. In between was exotic and oriental sounding percussion, while the ending was designated by inexorable beating rhythms.

Gustav Mahler’s wrenching Das Lied von der Erde displayed his life-long angst to wonderful effect. Tenor soloist Jonas Kaufmann and baritone Christopher Maltman easily conveyed the emotion and vocal technique necessary to the work. Kaufmann’s voice is bright and heroic, Maltman’s softer and more mellow, although sufficient to be heard over the orchestra. Which is good, as his part was by far the larger.

Based on German translations of the original Chinese poetry, the words are made clear (even if you don’t understand the language being sung) by the music which supports it. Throughout the huge work, the orchestra provided subtle or forceful accompaniment, with marvelous solo work by the principal wind players. There was even a mandolin tucked away in the violin section, and at times the flute or oboe imitated bird calls. Unhappily, someone in the audience also contributed to the sounds made by the orchestra – a high-pitched whistle – which provided a serious distraction.

Nevertheless, the audience responded with a loud and enthusiastic ovation at the close of the piece. This week, principal trumpet Michael Sachs is soloist in Tamberg’s Trumpet Concerto, as Ilan Volkov makes his conducting debut. Also to be heard is Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé Suites 1 and 2. For tickets or information, call the ticket office at 231-1111 or visit http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Brooklyn Boy — JCC @ Tri-C East 3/6
You Can’t Go Home Again: As Eric Weiss, the beleaguered author whose autobiographical novel hits the best-seller list just as his life is falling apart, Charles Kartali centers Donald Margulies’ play with his usual subtle portrayal. He’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast, particularly the crusty Bernard Canepari as his dying father, Dawn Youngs as the wife who is divorcing him, and teddy-bear Noah Budin as his neglected childhood friend. Ben Needham’s simple but effective turntable set makes Weiss’ life look like a merry-go-round spinning out of control.
Uneven tone: The mostly serious play goes over-the-top in the 2nd act when Weiss meets the Hollywood producer (a coarsely hilarious Maryann Elder) who wants to “de-Jew” his story by casting a blond TV heartthrob who finds his character via his hairstyle (an energetic but too old Ron Cuirle).
Details: @ Tri-C East, http://www.clevejcc.org/BrooklynBoy.asp
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Nellie McKay @ Nighttown 3/6 I saw someone at Nighttown last Thursday who some people think could be the next big thing. I’m not sure if she is main stream enough to be it, let along the luck and breaks and all those other things she’ll need, but jazz singer/piano player Nellie McKay gave a standing room only crowd a very enjoyable evening of music that I could best describe as Dianna Krall meeting Joan Rivers. She’s good singer whose range got better as the night ran on. She sings mostly origins, but did a real good job with the standards she threw in. She is very witty between songs in her slight monologues on everything and anything, with a stutter and ramble very similar to Ms. Rivers. And she is unique.

I’ve never before seen an artist borrow one of her own CD’s from an audience member because she didn’t remember the lyrics to one of the songs. Whether planned or not, it was down right funny. As the night went on I heard a variety of influences in her music, from Lulu (she was born in England) to Marianne Faithful to a whole lot of early Rickie Lee Jones. As the night went on she reminded me more and more of Rickie Lee and the first few times I saw her way back in the 70’s and how the audience just loved her, much like the Night Town crowd adored young Ms. McKay. When she played a serious ballad everyone listened, and when she got humorous the audience loved that too. Amongst her originals “Feminists Have Lost their Sense of Humor,” “Identity Theft” (from here most recent release Obligatory Visitors), and “Long Lazy River to your Soul” stood out.

The covers that shined included Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” which she did while playing the ukulele; Ella Fitzgerald’s “A Tisket a Tasket”; and a great version of “You Don’t know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.” At Nighttown she was accompanied by two local musicians of note, Roy King on drums and Marty Block on bass. If the buzz about her continues, I assume the next time through town she’ll come with her own band. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Nighttown has some great shows coming up, check out their website http://www.nighttowncleveland.com for more information. Two of my favorite Nighttown regulars are appearing in the near future, St. Louis jazz singer Erin Bode on April 2 and Brian Auger on March 26 and 27. Erin Bode is another young female jazz singer, but what sets her apart is her own terrific song writing. Brian Auger of Oblivious Express fame is one of the true legends of the progressive rock/jazz era of the 70’s, who still is at the top of his game. I highly recommend either show.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Most clicked
Here are the Top 5 most clicked links from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Cleveland Cupcake Company launches their new website.
www.ClevelandCupcakeCompany.com

2) RoldoLINK Hagan, Dimora Comedy Act Makes for Tragedy.
www.CoolCleveland.com

3) Clinic & UH pay to rename section of Euclid Corridor/RTA bus.
www.Cleveland.com

4) Victoria’s Secret of Ohio is too sexy for its ads.
www.ColumbusDispatch.com

5) iPhone giveaway and you could win.
www.CoolCleveland.com

“A 24/7 Civilization” Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Steve Copley, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Linda Eisenstein, Roy Berko, Jeannie-Fleming-Gifford, Greg Cielec and Cindy Barber. This episode was brought to you by National Sleep Week. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

Download the Cool Cleveland podcasts and videos each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com
Join the conversation at Brewed Fresh Daily http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com
Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time
Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Receive your own copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine at http://www.CoolCleveland.com

Philanthropically yours,
–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Cool Networks LLC / 14837 Detroit #105 / Cleveland, OH 44107

All contents ©2008 Cool Networks LLC all rights reserved

(:divend:)

Post categories:

Comments are closed.
[fbcomments]