Ingenious Metropolis

7.23-7.30.08
Ingenious Metropolis

In this week’s issue:

* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here

How ingenious are we? That depends upon how you look at it. If you examine our balkanized regional governments, our drifting economy, our challenges with race, this region has its work cut out for it. If you zoom in on our world-class health care and cultural sectors, we’ve got a lot to offer. Click below for an interview with an area roboticist, a review of a book on our hometown hero Superman, a video redux of a pedestrian-friendly bash, a challenging story from the Soundbite Laureate, and reviews of 2 new area CDs. This week’s package is wrapped up nicely with our upcoming Cool Cleveland Ingenuity Festival party on Fri 7/25, with a special online discount, showcasing art, technology and all that is good in Cleveland+. Sounds like a smart move to me. —Thomas Mulready

This is your invitation… Don’t miss out! It’s Cool Cleveland’s special offer for the upcoming Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology. Because of our close association with this Festival, we were able to organize a great party package for Cool Cleveland readers on Fri 7/25 from 5:30-7:30PM: open bar featuring beer & wine, hors d’oeuvres, special exclusive performances, plus a comp admission ticket so you can experience the coolest festival of the year! But you must act fast. Get your discount tix here before midnight Thu 7/24 when the price goes up.

We get the party started right inside the Ingenuity Tech Center + Gallery in the Halle Building, the perfect place for our Cool Cleveland jam session. Nosh, drink & network at will, be the first to see the Tech Center exhibits and special performance, then step out and explore the entire Ingenuity Fest on Friday during Opening Night festivities with your complimentary admission to take in the full range of Ingenuity activities and presentations. Map here. Watch our Cool Cleveland video interviews with featured artists: Watch videos here. Get your discount tix here.

Check out everything you get at the Cool Cleveland Ingenuity party:

Be our guest and reserve your place now before midnight tonight Thu 7/24 to take advantage of this offer. Join your friends and colleagues and be a part of the action as Cleveland is transformed by technology and art: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/072508/index.php

Get comp tix to Ingenuity and the Cool Cleveland party by volunteering to usher at our cool event on Fri 7/25 from 5:30-7:30PM. Help out & meet people at the same time. Info@CoolCleveland.com

Cool Cleveland is growing and looking for experienced salespersons looking to put the passion back in their careers. If you’re a top performer ready to engage your community, send resume and comprehensive cover letter to: Info@CoolCleveland.com.

Create, Celebrate, Innovate
An In-Depth Look at Ingenuity’s Fourth (and perhaps best) Installment

Call it “Ingenuity, Volume 4” if you like, but this year’s Ingenuity Festival of Art + Technology has some of the most amazing things you’ll witness this whole summer. If you’ve been reading Cool Cleveland over these past four years, you know we’re big fans — and not just because CC creator Thomas Mulready helped to found the event with organizer extraordinaire James Levin. This town is chock full of talent and Levin and his staff do an incredible job of training their sights on the best of what this town has to offer. Ingenuity stands as but another shining example of who these creative people are, how they create and (in most cases) delivers good on the promise of what makes them tick. There are hundreds of things to soak up this time around — including dozens of live performances, tech exhibitions and art installations.

You already know about our Ingenuity CC Party (if not, see here) but if you’re looking for a sneak preview into what makes Ingenuity the hot ticket of the summer, then you should check out the Ingenuity Premiere Event — a VIP inside look at the featured artists who are participating in the festival this weekend. Live performances and demonstrations will be delivered by artists including Angelin Chang, Lisa K. Locke, Jenny Marketou, Piotr Szyhalski, Jared Bendis, Tom Jarmusch, Kidist Getachew and many more. And with more than 70,000 people expected to attend the festival, this is your chance to get a leg up on all of them! The sneak peek event hits tomorrow (Thu 7/24) from 5:30 – 9PM @ the Idea Center on Playhouse Square Center. You can get tickets for this sneak peek (and for the entire festival) by calling 589-9444 or by visiting http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com.

As for detailing all the spectacular events this weekend? Well, we could editorialize until we’re blue in the face. Just don’t miss Bazaar Bizarre which takes place as a part of Ingenuity. Beyond that, we’ll let the intrigue speak for itself as you peruse here.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Alex Boxerbaum
Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology

Alex Boxerbaum started out life as an Art History major; now he builds robots at Case Western Reserve University where he is taking his PhD. at the Center for Biologically Inspired Robotics Research, where they study how cockroaches move, and build robots that emulate their gate and movement. He and partner Chris Steele will be presenting some of their robots at the Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology and the upcoming Cool Cleveland party on opening night.

In one of our most technologically sweet video interviews, Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready visits with Alex in his lab at Case, examining a number of historically important robots that have used Case’s top cockroach research to create ingenious mechanisms for self-propelled, fully autonomous movement such as climbing stairs, walking over obstacles, and jumping, some of which can move 10 body lengths per second. Plus, Alex shows off some of the robots that Ingenuity Festivalgoers will be able to operate and play with. http://biorobots.case.edu. Get Ingenuity Festival information here. Get your discount party tix online here.

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

Team NEO finds Northeast Ohio real estate market strong in their new report found here
Internet ad sales up and (you guessed it) the opposite is happening in print media, according to the Spinfield blog and supporting links. Read
Akron mayor wants residents to vote on plan to lease sewer system to raise $$ for working class kids’ scholarships. Read
Schools get new ways to save on millions of expenses. Read
Green marketing agency opens in NEO by the name of Wild Geese Creative. Click
Alt-fuels making progress in Cle again with this recent news
Is banking here healthier than in the 1980s? One paper seems to think so. Click
Akron-Canton Airport hooks 7.7% more passengers in the month of June! Click

Ryan Anderson
Anderson, Biro
Cleveland Plus

Ryan Anderson came to the ClevelandPlus area for higher education, did an internship with an area company, and fell in love with the region. Feeling that this region offers tremendous growth opportunities, Ryan started his own business here, and now serves as the president of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club, he enjoys interacting with leaders in the community and fabulous institutions such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Great Lakes Science Center, and because of the almost 5000 young professionals in the ClevelandPlus region, he has been involved in Cleveland Connections to help coordinate YP activities.

From his residence in Ohio City across from the West Side Market, he enjoys fresh food from the Market, and can walk across the bridge to catch in Indians game at Progressive Field. The night clubs in the Warehouse District and the world-class theatres of Playhouse Square are a short cab or RTA ride away. He also enjoys getting on his bike and riding in some of the parks in the ClevelandPlus region. According to Ryan, there is no shortage of cool things going on for young professionals in ClevelandPlus. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

Hire top talent with Behavioral Interviewing seminar on Wed 7/23 at 9AM. Details
Lecture: Industrialization of Akron hits Stan Hywet Sat 7/26 at 2PM. No cost, reservations required. Call 330-315-3261 or email ckozey@stanhywet.org
Todays Trends in White Collar Crime is subject of latest Beachwood event Wed 7/30 at 11:30AM. Steven Dettelbach, former fed prosecutor for the DOJ in DC, is the speaker Learn about White Collar Crime and how it can affect you and your business. Call 831-0003 or email mail@beachwood.org
Key Priorities in Workplace Writing is the focus of this ERC seminar Wed 8/6. Clarity of Communication
Ops for Next-Gen Implants in Cle event hits Tue 8/5 – Thu 8/7 feat. case studies and real-world outcomes. Dialogue between surgeons, clinicians, biomed engineers, device designers, etc. Register
Cle 20/30’s Around Town at the Garage Bar on Thu 8/7 is a great way to get connected to the YP org. Learn more about them and have fun!Details
Biz Emergency Planning Assoc. 10th Ann conference hits on Thu 8/14 and Fri 8/15, anchored by Red Cross. Register
Does your sales force need Boot Camp? Then send them to this seminar Fri 8/15 starting at 9AM. Ten-hut!
Health Care Heroes awards and networking luncheon hits Thu 8/21. Get your tix and details here
BVU’s Role of the Board details roles of board and senior staff at NPOs feat. Dr. Linda Abraham-Silver of GLSC Fri 9/12 at 8AM Details
Manf’g woes? Can’t find qualified workers? Hear from a panel of employers who have identified unique strategies to address workforce challenges. Wed 9/17 at 7:30AM, Corp. Coll East. Register
3rd Ann NEO Energy Conf Learn energy cost-cutting/savings strategies, help save on bottom line and learn ESPs and MROs on Tue 9/30. Details

SPONSORED: Calling all CSU MBA Alumni! Recent MBA graduates have formed an Alumni Association exclusively for graduates of the MBA program at Cleveland State University. The CSU MBA Alumni Association is hosting a networking social on Thu 7/24 from 5:30-8:30PM at Champps, located in Crocker Park. CSU MBA Alumni and current MBA students are invited to attend. You’ll have a chance to network with fellow alumni and provide input into the future of the organization. Become a member at the event for a discounted rate of $20. You’ll also receive a drink ticket and be entered to win CSU merchandise. Engage with fellow alumni and take advantage of our network! Register for the event at RSVP@csumba.org. To learn more about the CSU MBA Alumni Chapter, visit www.CSUMBA.org.

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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. Learn More.

CMNH honcho Bruce Latimer retires after nearly 20 years with the Museum. Click
Jersey Boys breaks Cle record at the PSC box office! Click
Case Western Reserve University professor co-authors findings paper in Science magazine on Mercury. Read
How to get affordable healthcare in Cle? A new resource for local artists can be found here
Cleveland Bikes is following the Tour de France and gathering steam this Sun 7/27. Click
Neighborhood Connections is accepting proposals for the next round of funding. Proposals are due Fri 8/15 at 5PM. All neighborhood groups in the city of Cleveland are eligible, whether or not they are a registered non-profit. Application and Info
Care about your Great Lake? Help keep the Clean Water Act working by clicking here
Former Cle native Ron Tucker (Infinite Number of Sounds) returns for Ingenuity as a part of an experimental group called City Breathing. Check them out here
Beck Center gets a facelift thanks to Matthew Carlson, a “Life” scout with Troop 435 of the Lakewood LDS Church chose the Beck Center for his Eagle Scout project. Click
Modern and contemporary art is your bag? Shaheen’s got some new acquisitions (including Picasso, Warhol) that you might dig. Click
Holden Arb is seeking volunteers for their fall programming. Click
Get connected with neighbors and play pick-up games in over 100 different sports. Game on!
Summer is a great time to learn a new art form or two, or three… Click
Volunteers are sought for Sparx Gallery Hop in September. Please call Rachael at 440-552-4074 or email rachael@consultrsb.com. Sparx!
Need a little happy hour this Fri? Bluescasters have got you covered here
LeBron gets NBA Community Assist Award for June, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work — including his third annual “King for Kids Bike-A-Thon,” in Akron. Click

OSTN NBS International MediaFest The Ingenuity Festival participants Open Student Television Network will bring more than 1,000 media, film and journalism students from across the United States, Canada and the UK into downtown Cleveland mid-October 2008. The fest plans to put Cle on the map “as the international center for trend-setting television, broadcast journalism and film programming and world-class talent in media production.” Sounds pretty darned cool to us. Can’t wait! Catch OSTN at our Cool Cleveland Ingenuity party this Fri 7/25 at the Ingenuity Tech Center in the Halle Building from 5:30-7:30PM. http://www.ostn.tv/OSTNWebsite/OSTNmediafest/Index.html.

Cleveland families can help to increase understanding between cultures by welcoming a Youth Exchange and Study (YES) high school scholar into their homes this school year. Host families are needed for the students who will arrive from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend a school year studying and living as a member of a family and community in America. Visit http://www.afsusa.org or call 800-AFS-INFO to learn more.

Got a Jones to Write Kids’ Books? “I bet I could write, illustrate, or shoot photos for a kids’ book.” Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Or are you a published author, illustrator, or photographer that needs a boost? If so, check out this local event that publishing industry insiders are calling one of the best of its type — the Northern Ohio Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (NOHSCBWI) 6th annual conference. The theme? The Sky’s the Limit—Take Your Writing and Illustrating to New Heights. Get your details here.

Our thoughts, best wishes to Roy Berko who offers theatre and dance criticism every week in Cool Cleveland and many other online channels in Northeast Ohio. Calling him prolific is an understatement; if you’re a regular “opening night” attendee of stage productions, odds are you’ve shared the room (and perhaps conversation) with him. Roy’s been sidelined with some rather sudden health concerns and was hospitalized recently. We’re all wishing and hoping for a healthy, speedy recovery. Get well, Roy!

SPONSORED: What’s Next – Bold Predictions Join us for a panel discussion from the Collaboration Technology Conference that took place 5/8/08 at Case Western Reserve University – now available on YouTube. The discussion includes the third decade of a technology revolution that is sweeping the world and how it went from cute and convenient to compelling and compulsory. The discussion also includes our great aspirations because of it – and experts confront the issues of assessment and accountability. Find the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ktTlzwLhg.

Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events, in an easy-to-digest 3 minute audio format, for playback on your computer or iPod.

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

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Turning the Corner in University Circle Civic and private-sector partners who are working and investing in that area will discuss development at noon on Wed 7/23 at The City Club of Cleveland. Yvette Ittu, executive VP, finance and operations, at the Greater Cleveland Partnership and vice president at Cleveland Development Advisors, will serve as moderator. Learn about the private, public and philanthropic investment are converging to create the “perfect real estate and economic development storm” in University Circle. http://www.cityclub.org.

Curatorial Voices The Cleveland Museum of Art’s programming includes three really cool forums: Versailles to Revolution: French Art in the 18th Century on Wed 7/23 at 6:30PM and From Sea to Shining Sea: 19th-Century American Landscape Painting on Wed 7/30 at 6:30PM. Jon Seydl, curator of European painting and sculpture, handles the former; Mark Cole, associate curator of American painting and sculpture, the latter. Cole also covers American Painting during the Industrial Revolution on Wed 8/6 at (you guessed it) 6:30PM. Details on these and other events at the CMA can be found at http://www.clevelandart.org.

Chubby Checker and Blue-Eyed Soul The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum hosts “The Twist”-ing legend Wed 7/23 at 6:30PM for a live performance and CD signing for his new double-CD set All The Best. And just up the escalator, their “Night School” installment discusses white singers whose style was heavily influenced by soul and rhythm and blues that grew from African-American culture Wed 7/23 at 7PM. There’s always something cool happening at the Rock Hall. http://www.rockhall.com.

A No-Cost Game Night Bar Cento, the scintillating spot we recently profiled at 1948 West 25th, Ohio City will be the site for a no-cost, open to the public game night Wed 7/23 at 7PM for ages 16+. Board games, card games and a D&D campaign (we were reeling at that little blast from the past!). Attendees are welcome to bring a game of their own, but must be able to teach it to others. Visit http://www.theclevelandvictus.blogspot.com for more info.

SPONSORED: We’re Listening Since 2001, “The Listening Project,” ideastream’s annual survey, has received over 10,000 responses. This input has helped in the development of special programs, projects and events that address the concerns of Northeast Ohioans. Be part of positive change: complete the survey on www.wviz.org or www.wcpn.org.

HOT Filmalicious The Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque has a bevy of hot stuff this weekend, beginning Thu 7/24. Hollywood Chinese looks at Chinese contributions to Hollywood cinema from the silent era to today with interviews from various luminaries: http://www.hollywoodchinese.com. CJ7 is the latest from director Stephen Chow, a charming tale of an alien being affecting a child’s life: http://www.sonyclassics.com/cj7. Constantine’s Sword tackles that dark side of Christianity in a new, startling documentary: http://www.firstfunfeatures.com. And Private Property stars Isabelle Huppert in a story about family ties that border on savagery. http://www.newyorkerfilms.com. And then there’s a Jean Eustache Double Feature! Check out the details and showtimes at http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque.

Cleveland Institute of Music’s Lunch and Listen Recital The last installment of this round of recitals will take place Thu 7/24 at noon — lunch in CIM’s lounge or on the terrace, with the concert beginning at 12:30PM. Pianist Marshall Griffith, guitarist Joan Griffith, flutist Linda White and double bassist Mark Better will perform Jazz Impressions of Cleveland. No cost, open to the public. http://www.cim.edu.

Cornhole and more at The Winery at Wolf Creek This is an awesome summer venue, frankly. The Winery at Wolf Creek is a bit south of town, but they feature live music from local artists every Monday and Wednesday from 7-9PM. But this Thu 7/24 at 6:30PM, they’re hosting a cornhole tournament to benefit the Akron-Canton Foodbank. A beautiful view of the valley, homespun wine and fun and frivolity for a worthy cause. Head thataway… http://www.wineryatwolfcreek.com.

Fairmount Taylor Merchants Sidewalk Sale features great mom-and-pops like You Two, Sunbeam-a Shop for Children, Jubilee-Gifts on the Heights, Fairmount Letters, Heights Florist, Paul Hamlin Interiors, Paysage and more. The Annual Sidewalk Sale offers big bargains from distinctive, locally-owned retailers, fun “main street ambiance,” some live tunage courtesy of the Fairmount School of Music and chocolate croissants from On The Rise bakery. Starts Thu 7/24 from 10AM – 5PM and repeats Fri 7/25 and Sat 7/26. Fairmount and Taylor Rds., Cleveland Heights. Call 397-3929 for more info.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream hits the Summer Calliope Series at Tri-C West in Parma starting Thu 7/24 at 7PM with a run through the start of August. Tri-C West Associate Technical Director Arthur Grothe directs a fun and physical version of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy; in case of bad weather, performances will move indoors. (Note: there will be no Sunday evening performances). 11000 Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma. http://www.tri-c.edu/events.

HOT Ingenuity 2008 It’s music, art, technology and so much more — all wrapped up into a spectacular weekend of events starting Fri 7/25 and carrying on all weekend long. The 4th annual Ingenuity Festival will transform the Playhouse Square district into a unique art, music and technology extravaganza with dozens of can’t-miss installations and performances for the whole family. The festival inhabits East 14th Street and Star Plaza, The Idea Center Building (home to ideastream), the Halle Building and the PSC theaters. Call 589-9444 or visit http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com for details, tickets and schedules. And read this week’s issue for many other super details.

HOT Freakshow We’ve been waiting years to deliver our favorite lines from the 1932 film Freaks, so here goes: “We didn’t lie to you, folks. We told you we had living, breathing, monstrosities. You’ll laugh at them, shudder at them… They did not ask to be brought into the world, but into the world they came. Their code is a law unto themselves. Offend one, and you offend them all!” convergence-continuum continues its 2008 Season with Freakshow starting Fri 7/25 at 8PM. The Liminis will be transformed into a human sideshow of traveling freaks. Can the Dog Faced Woman break her bonds from the show? Will the Ringmaster find redemption through his love for the Woman With No Arms and No Legs? Can Aquaboy, the human salamander, find love with an obsessed outsider? All this and more will be revealed. 2438 Scranton Rd. Call 687-0074 or visit http://www.convergence-continuum.org. You can read all about this production in Linda Eisenstein’s peek under the big top next week.

Aarón Sánchez is one of the country’s leading contemporary Latin chefs; he’ll be doing a special cooking demo outdoors on East 4th Street on Fri 7/25 at 5PM featuring dishes from his new Zócalo Mexican Grill & Tequilería menu. Sánchez has two acclaimed restaurants in NYC and is author of La Comida del Barrio. A former co-host of Food Network’s “Melting Pot,” he appeared on the network’s “The Next Iron Chef,” competing against friend and ultimate winner — fellow culinary genius and East 4th success story, Lola’s Michael Symon. 2071 East 4th. http://www.zocalocleveland.com.

American Greetings Juried Fine Art Show will be at Spaces Gallery on the Superior Viaduct from Fri 7/25 – Fri 8/8. Both art and writing will be featured, all examined by a group of art jurors from Cleveland State University, MOCA Cleveland, and Akron University. It’s always a nicely installed show with a fun opening, and it gives the AG art staff a chance to showcase their studio work (and a less-commercial side). Learn more here. Details and hours: http://www.spacesgallery.org.

Mercury Project is out of this world. The electronic-based music duo will be performing at Ingenuity Cleveland on Fri 7/25 at 10:15PM on the 14th Street Stage. After the hour-long, multimedia performance, copies of their debut CD, Failure Is Not An Option, as well as t-shirts will be available for purchase. Read more about the Mercury Project in last week’s CC Sounds, as detailed by Managing Editor Peter Chakerian. http://myspace.com/mercuryproject.

Gabriel’s Horns After a great Cleveland Museum of Art gig, the group offers their next melodic affair Fri 7/25 at 7PM at at Antioch Baptist Church. Gabriel’s Horns will be the opening act for the first “Friday Night Live” Concert Series fundraiser event, which also features comedian Marcus Wiley. A dinner package and carryout (of the diner, of course) is also available. Proceeds benefit Antioch Baptist Church Development Outreach Programs and the church Emergency fund. Call 421-1516 for more.

SPONSORED: On Sat 6/28, Footlight Parade, the weekly show of Broadway and Hollywood music hosted by Bill Rudman, observed its 25th anniversary on WCLV 104.9 with a benefit at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Alma Theatre was the site of a two-hour special recording featuring some the area’s foremost musical theatre talent presenting songs and comedy. The program airs on WCLV, this Sat 7/26 at 5PM. Details on all of WCLV’s programming at http://www.wclv.com.

The 14th Oberlin International Piano Competition and Festival The Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s annual event for young pianists hits Sat 7/26 and runs thorugh Sun 8/3 at the Conservatory. The weeklong competition culminates in a final round held in Warner Concert Hall on Sat 8/2 at 8PM. The first-prize winner on that night will take home $10,000 — the largest first-prize offered by a youth piano competition internationally — and will receive orchestral concert engagements in Beijing and Shanghai, China. No cost and open to the public, the finals round will also be broadcast live on 104.9 FM WCLV. http://oberlin.edu/con/summer/piano.

HOT Family Unity Day in the Park is a no-cost, family-friendly event that drops Sat 7/26 from noon – 9PM Luke Easter Park — the largest urban park in the state of Ohio! Aside from a giant health fair with no-cost screening services, live entertainment from local and national artists will fill the air with music! Legendary R&B pioneers The Whispers headline, with Enchantment, neo-soul diva (and Cle School of the Arts grad) Conya Doss, Dwele, AB & The Souljourners, Gordon Chambers and N’Dambi. A kiddie park for kids and picnic grounds make this a perfect chance to catch up with the family outside. Details/directions at http://www.thefamilyunityinthepark.com.

Materiality from the Mind: An Artists Panel features lively presentations by artists Leticia R. Bajuyo, Matthew Boonstra, Delanie Jenkins, and Eric Mirabito about the complex relationship between their creative process and their varied materials and working methods. On Sat 7/26 from 4-5 PM, they’ll join the closing party in the sculpture courtyard. Meet these artists and many of the other 20 whose work is included in On A Pedestal and Off The Wall: The Fourth Annual Exhibition of Small Sculpture from the Region, juried by Gregory Amenoff, painter and Chair of the Visual Arts Division of Columbia University’s School of the Arts, New York. Sculpture Center, 1834 East 123rd St. http://www.sculpturecenter.org.

Simone appears at the Beachland Ballroom on Sat 7/26 at 8PM. Enjoy an evening of Nina Simone music performed by her daughter and a 7-piece band. You can learn more about how she honors her mother’s legacy here. Details at http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Massage Therapy Awareness Week Westpark Massotherapy offers up a health and wellness fair Sat 7/26 from 10AM – 2PM at their location at 4168 Rocky River Dr. Tours of the facility, chair massages and other services provided, with the proceeds going to the Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market. Also participating will be related therapy and wellness services from the neighborhood such as Anytime Fitness, Time For Change Hypnosis, Kamm’s Corners Chiropractic, CPR Ohio, and more. Free drawings for valuable door prizes. For info: 671-6080.

Peninsula Art Academy’s Fiber Café This cool Juried Fiber Art Show is the 5th of its kind and launches a month-long exposition with an opening reception Sat 7/26 from 2 – 5PM. Explore amazing fiber art works alongside the artists, and enjoy a lively little shindig as you do. There will be categories for both functional and non-functional works; prizes will be awarded. Details at http://www.peninsulaartacademy.com. Read more about Peninsula in Claudia J. Taller’s Comment this week.

A Summer Market The Avon Lake Landmark Preservation Society is hosting a unique, outdoor event Sat 7/26 starting at 10AM. Grab your friends and family and join them for a day of shopping and dining on the shores of Lake Erie. Several shops, boutiques and artists will offer fabulous items, with proceeds from this event go toward the restoration of the Thomas Folger Home in Veterans Park. Details at http://www.folgerhome.org/summermarket.

Jenna Fournier Closing The closing reception for the Studio of 5 Rings show of her work hits Sat 7/26 from 6 – 9PM. Soak up the new digs for the art gallery/winery in Rocky River; Fournier’s work is sure to engage. She has drawing, sculpting, and creating art “since she could use her hands,” and primarily paints in oil these days. She’s also a member of Sparrows & Arrows, and indie-rock band. http://www.studioof5rings.com/index.htm.

Claudia J. Taller’s The Writing Life Want to learn to be a writer through guided writing exercises and discussion? Check out this day-long workshop Sat 7/26 from 10AM – 3:30PM at the Lit, 2570 Superior Ave. #203. The Cool Cleveland contributor will look at the writer’s soul and the importance of writing for self; finding a voice; making connections; and living in the moment. Call 694-0000 or visit http://www.the-lit.org for more info.

Tour de Geauga Channel your inner Lance Armstrong and pedal your way through Geauga Park District’s unique bicycle challenge. Not quite ready to pedal through the 21 stages (over 2,174 miles) of the Tour de France? Try this shorter, and less hilly course out east!. Oil up your bike chain, bring your own yellow jersey and ride along in Tour de Geauga being held on Sun 7/27 from 1 – 4PM at The Maple Highlands Trail Mountain Run Station, 12601 Chardon Windsor Rd., Hambden Township. Helmets are mandatory!!! Learn more at http://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

A Union Man Cleveland Jobs with Justice has invited 91 year-old living legend Julius Margolin to town for an evening of film, folk music, fun and justice Sun 7/27 at 7PM. A special screening of A Union Man will take place, followed by a discussion and live performance of labor and folk classics by Margolin and George Mann. Unitarian Universalist Society of Cle, 2728 Lancashire Rd. Call 440-333-7007 for more info. http://www.clevelandjwj.org. http://www.georgeandjulius.com.

Altar Boyz Critically acclaimed and wildly hysterical, this musical-comedy spoof about a Christian boy band riding the wave of America’s latest fascination with religion is fun. Complete with “hip melodies, weird moves and hair products,” the apostles of pop — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan, and Abraham — bring their soul-saving tour to the Big Apple. Check out the matinee Sun 7/27 at 3PM. Production runs into August. Beck Center for the Arts on Detroit Ave., Lakewood. http://www.beckcenter.org.

Going for Baroque Nicholas McGegan, music director of San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, will conduct The Cleveland Orchestra in the second program of a two-concert engagement at the Blossom Festival on Sun 7/27 at 7PM (he makes his Blossom Festival debut with the Orchestra the night before). His “Baroque Evening,” will feature two suites from Handel’s Water Music along with Vivaldi’s Concerto in C major for Two Trumpets with Principal Trumpet Michael Sachs and Second Trumpet Jack Sutte as soloists, plus music by Leclair, Mouret and Haydn. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Tremont Farmer’s Market If you want fresh, this is one of the prime spots to check out. Tremont hosts a weekly farmer’s market every Sunday through the summer including this Sun 7/27 starting at 10AM. They’re located in Lucky Park, at the corner of Starkweather and Professor. Email tremontmarket@yahoo.com or call 575-0920 for more info.

A Taste of the Markets Fund Grazer Check out the Countryside Conservancy’s first fund raising soiree Tue 7/29 from 6 – 9PM at Anthe’s at the Lakes, 4315 Manchester Rd., Akron. Chef/Owner David Uecke will be featuring seasonal hors d’ouevres created from fresh items available at the Countryside Farmers’ Markets. You can support the mission of the Countryside Conservancy to provide healthy food choices by preserving farmland and supporting farmers throughout Northeast Ohio just by attending. We think that’s pretty cool. For info/tix, call330-657-2178 or email: farmersmarket@cvcountryside.org. http://www.cvcountryside.org.

Janis Ian The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter signs her memoir Society’s Child Tue 7/29 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst. In Child, Ian chronicles her more than 40 years in the music business, sharing what it felt like to move in and out of the public eye and what inspired her return to music after a self-imposed hiatus. Visit http://www.josephbeth.com for details. She also performs at Cain Park the following night, Wed 7/30. http://www.cainpark.com.

Going Bananas Need a little tropical paradise to get you through the summer? Check out the Cleveland Botanical Gardens this Tue 7/29 from 10AM – 5PM. They’re in the midst of celebrating the “world’s most beloved fruit” as the CBG’s Terrace is transformed into an beautiful island paradise/oasis, full of lush tropical plantings. And don’t forget their evening hours on Wednesdays (including Wed 7/30) when they’re open until 9PM. 11030 East Blvd. http://www.cbgarden.org.

HOT Brothers’ Adaptive Reuse of Space, Great Nosh and Jazz Been to the Brothers Lounge Yet? We can tell you the place is amazing… and if you hit it this Tue 7/29 at 8PM, you can check out NEO jazz legend Ernie Krivda and his Fat Tuesday Big Band kickin’ it old school. Brothers just reopened in March to much pomp and circumstance. The storied club is downright opulent, has great food, a wildly enticing atmosphere and is easily one of the most amazing adaptive reuses of space in all of Cleveland. Don’t take our word for it; go see for yourself. (And look for Peter Chakerian’s interview with Brothers lead man Chris Riemenschneider in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland). http://www.erniekrivda.com/schedule.php. http://www.brotherslounge.com.

HOT Oliver Mtukudzi The Zimbabwean Afro-pop icon who joined the Heads Up International (Telarc) label with the 2005 release of Nhava, examines the lasting effect of those indelible traces of humanity in the August 28, 2007 release, Tsimba Itsoka. Walk with “Tuku” and The Black Spirits at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights Wed 7/30 and Thu 7/31 — two shows each night at 7 and 9PM. 12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights. This is a great (and rare) opportunity to see this master in action. If you dig world music, you need to go. Call 795-0550 or visit http://www.nighttowncleveland.com.

Wade Oval Wednesdays & ArtWorks Summer Showcase! Enjoy Summer Family Fun and Art Wed 7/30 at 6PM! Over 80 local high school students will be performing and exhibiting their works of art at Wade Oval in University Circle. Bring your family and take a seat to enjoy music, dance, theater, and visual arts! The events are no-cost, open to the public. Hosted by Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio. And of course, the fun of WOW — live music, food vendors, arts and crafts — reigns supreme as well. For more info on ArtWorks, visit http://www.yaneo.org or call 561-5005. Wade Oval Wednesdays.

Ten Out Of Tenn debuted three years ago to shine a light on a few of the many Nashville artists who haven’t waited around for the world to hear about them. The group of independent, Nashville-based musicians “have a lot more to offer than rhinestones and country-pop” and will deliver the good at the Grog Shop Wed 7/30 at 8PM. http://www.grogshop.gs.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Walk+Roll Lakewood

Inspired merchants, homeowners, government leaders, corporations and large non-profits such as Lakewood Hospital, The Beck Center for the Arts, the YMCA, and the Lakewood Public Library, all got together to organize the first Walk+Roll Lakewood on Sat 7/19. They closed Lakewood’s main streets to vehicular traffic, along Detroit Avenue, then up residential Belle Avenue to Lakewood Park on Lake Erie, for 5 hours. Thousands of pedestrians, bikers, sk8ers, baby strollers and curious onlookers gathered right in the middle of the busiest streets in town to explore shops, restaurants & bars, and experience entertainment, balloon twisting, belly dancing, and demonstrations by pilates, karate and fencing schools. And it’s all caught on video by Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, including an interview with organizer Mary Anne Crampton of Lakewood Community Progress, Inc., and an answer to the age-old question: “How many bikes does it take to pull a Humvee?”

Walk & Roll was started by Lois Moss, who, after co-founding and eventually departing leading area bike retailer Century Cycles, was looking for a way to achieve some profound goals: get people healthier by riding bikes, help reduce pollution, and put people in touch with their communities that they usually speed past in their autos. She created an annual event celebrating Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens, and the 3rd annual version will take place on Sun 8/24. We’ll see you there! http://www.WalkRoll.com

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
Marc Tyler Nobleman and Ross MacDonald
Knopf Delacorte Dell/Random House

It’s the “Summer of Superman” in Cleveland and while you might be hard-pressed to see much pomp and circumstance at the moment, a lot of great local related events are coming faster than a speeding bullet. Prime your kids for the Man of Steel’s 70th Anniversary this summer with Boys of Steel” The Creators of Superman. As the book so eloquently details to young audiences, “Before Metropolis, Smallville and Krypton, Superman came from Cleveland.” The book is the comic-illustrated story of Depression-era Cleveland teens Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who created the Man of Steel while growing up in Glenville and follows the creative process leading up to Superman’s debut in Action Comics in June of 1938. The book shows the ups and downs of imagining and pitching this hero — which both teens hoped would join the ranks of fictional characters like Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Doc Savage and The Shadow. Little did they know what impact on popular culture Supe would have…

Read more from Managing Editor Peter Chakerian

SPONSORED: Idea Center is Ingenuity’s Hotspot for Families The Family Village at Idea Center will be bustling with activities for the whole family at this year’s Ingenuity Festival (running Fri 7/25 – Sun 7/27). Fly a NASA flight simulator; meet Zeno the interactive robot; play in a 3-D maze and more! Info: www.wviz.org or www.wcpn.org.

KidzArt at Cain Park this Wed 7/23 features the Inlet Dance group, which you can read all about in this week’s CC Preview section. It’s no cost, the kids get a whole lotta culture in a beautiful setting and get to see some of the area’s best dance work performed live and on stage! What could be better? http://www.cainpark.com.

And speaking of Inlet… A highlight of the Cain Park Evans Amphitheater summer season is their annual Inlet Dance performance. Returning for its eighth year, IDT presents a dynamic program showcasing professional dancers alongside students from its Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) – a multi-week instructional camp for dancers of all ages and experience levels. Includes no-cost performances Wed 7/23 and Thu 7/24. http://www.cainpark.com. http://www.inletdance.org.

HOT Lake Erie Adventure Week continues at the Great Lakes Science Center Wed 7/23 with the best Lake Erie has to offer. The week-long celebration of everything that makes our lake great features screenings of Mysteries of the Great Lakes, an OmniMAX film and a number of live, interactive exhibits! Explore density by experimenting with objects that sink or float, then follow a rain drop from your back yard, to Lake Erie and back to your kitchen sink! Enjoy family games and activities, hear experts and scientists speak about the lake and learn about the anatomy of wetlands and fish! See daily schedule for additional times and programming at http://www.greatscience.com.

The Music Man Meredith Willson’s ultimate All-American musical The Music Man begins a run Thu 7/24 at 8PM and will continue through early August. Shows run Tuesday through Saturday at 8PM; Sunday at 2PM. If you’re a fan of the sound of “76 Trombones” and love the tale of trouble right there in River City, this is all you… and the kids love it! Snag tickets at http://www.porthousetheatre.com or call 330-672-3884. Porthouse Theatre @ Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls.

Exceptional Young Composers aged 14-19, from around the country who have congregated at the Cleveland Institute of Music for an intense week in the Young Composers Program will see two concerts of their music performed by CIM students. Bring the family Fri 7/25 at 8PM and Sat 7/26 at noon! Both events are no cost and open to the public! http://www.cim.edu.

Verb Ballets Cleveland’s National Repertory Dance Company, returns to Hardesty Park in Akron for the second year as part of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival Fri 7/25 and Sat 7/26. The family-friendly events feature a world premiere dance and all at no cost to the general public. Both performances begin at 8:45PM with a children’s program starting at 7:45PM each night. Hardesty Park, 1615 W Market St., Akron. http://www.verbballets.org.

HOT Ingenuity 2008 It’s music, art, technology and so much more — all wrapped up into a spectacular weekend of events starting Fri 7/25 and carrying on all weekend long. The 4th annual Ingenuity Festival will transform the Playhouse Square district into a unique art, music and technology extravaganza with dozens of can’t-miss installations and performances for the whole family. The festival inhabits East 14th Street and Star Plaza, The Idea Center Building (home to ideastream), the Halle Building and the PSC theaters. Call 589-9444 or visit http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com for details, tickets and schedules. And read this week’s issue for many other super details.

HOT Family Unity Day in the Park is a no-cost, family-friendly event that drops Sat 7/26 from noon – 9PM Luke Easter Park — the largest urban park in the state of Ohio! Aside from a giant health fair with no-cost screening services, live entertainment from local and national artists will fill the air with music! Legendary R&B pioneers The Whispers headline, with Enchantment, neo-soul diva (and Cle School of the Arts grad) Conya Doss, Dwele, AB & The Souljourners, Gordon Chambers and N’Dambi. A kiddie park for kids and picnic grounds make this a perfect chance to catch up with the family outside. Details/directions at http://www.thefamilyunityinthepark.com.

Wade Oval Wednesdays & ArtWorks Summer Showcase! Enjoy Summer Family Fun and Art Wed 7/30 at 6PM! Over 80 local high school students will be performing and exhibiting their works of art at Wade Oval in University Circle. Bring your family and take a seat to enjoy music, dance, theater, and visual arts! The events are no-cost, open to the public. Hosted by Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio. And of course, the fun of WOW — live music, food vendors, arts and crafts — reigns supreme as well. For more info on ArtWorks, visit http://www.yaneo.org or call 561-5005. Wade Oval Wednesdays.

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.

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“Today several partners, including the Fund for Our Economic Future (my employer), issued research done by the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester, NY, that details what governments in Northeast Ohio spend on various services. The research examines local government revenues and expenditures for hundreds of governmental entities in Northeast Ohio’s 16 counties….” (posted by Chris Thompson).

BFD readers have this to say:

Thoughts? Add yours on BFD

The CNN Special: Black in America

Beginning in the early 1950s, and on throughout the following decades, a phenomenon occurred whenever a Black person was slated to appear on television: Black people all over the country called each other to make sure friends and relatives know about it and tuned in. Of course Black faces are now commonplace on the tube (too commonplace, in my opinion, when you factor in the buffoonery and minstrel shows sometimes evidenced on BET). Nonetheless, the CNN special “Black in America,” part one of which is set to air on Wed., July 23, has Blacks waiting with eager anticipation. I know of no less than a half dozen “viewing parties” slated in Black residences around the county.

This, of course, is not the first TV special examining race or race relations in America and it no doubt won’t be the last. A few years ago an excellent program “Race in America” aired to great reviews. But (and this may be due to the ascendancy of Barack Obama) this current special is drawing an extraordinary amount of attention… at least in the Black community. I can only hope that Whites as well will watch the special in large numbers also…
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

Reveling in Peninsula’s Glory
Where Creativity is Sparked by Nature

We never made it to the white-tent exhibits near the ski slopes of Boston Mills for the Boston Mills Arts Festival this year. We saw plenty of art, inspired by nature, in Peninsula. We would have missed an afternoon of discovering Peninsula if not for my quest to see the Summer Mindscapes exhibit at the Log Cabin Gallery. Award-winning photographer Diane Seskes sent me a Log Cabin Gallery announcement after I thanked her for the beautiful misty-valley photo cards I purchased at Loganberry Books.

Peninsula was once a Canal Town and a railroad stop. Lock 29, the ruins of Moody and Thomas Mill on the Cuyahoga, and an old railcar reminded us of that history as we walked along the railroad tracks from the parking lot. At the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad Station, a prominent sign announced that bicyclists can ride the train for $2. Peninsula has become a cycler’s destination, evidenced by the number of mobile cyclists and immobile bikes we had to meander around on our way to Main Street.

But we also discovered how much Peninsula has become an artist’s enclave. Elements Gallery, housed in an old wood building east of the tracks, was filled with beautiful Valley-inspired mosaic tiles, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. I overheard the tile artist-hostess say “the Cuyahoga Valley has so much to offer” as she went on to show another customer how nature inspires local artists’ work…
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

How concerned are you about the level of lead poisoning in NEO?
You’re invited to a Yoga for Kids benefit for The Home of Hope Orphanage in Entebbe, Africa at Horseshoe Lake Park, Shaker Heights.
Bazaar Bizarre will take place 25-27 July as part of Ingenuity Festival Cleveland.
Are you a good neighbor?
The Free Times ends with a nice salute by Barber, Roldo & Co.
Cutting RTA isn’t trimming the fat; it’s removing the heart.
County Land Bank Bill for foreclosed properties is finally introduced.

Still…
Conya Doss
Conya Doss Songs, Inc.

Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just A Pistol
Hot Cha Cha
Exit Stencil Recordings

There’s never been a doubt about the musical talent pool in Cleveland. If you’ve followed the scene for any length of time, that should come as no surprise. In this week’s Cool Cleveland Sounds, we’d like to point you toward a pair of fantastic local artists who are playing some high profile gigs this weekend. And these ladies are truly among the best in town:

Conya Doss is about as soulful as they come. She’s got a silky, divine voice full of soulful honestly that can give anyone goosebumps. Doss ranks among the best of the neo-Soul singers in the country; the one woman tour de force has been performing from the age of 5 and was an attendee of the lauded Cleveland School of the Arts. Kedar Massenburg’s genre buzzword aside, Doss channels inspiration from Billie Holliday, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone, and her songcraft elevates her to the likes of peers Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott. Her latest effort Still… might be her masterwork, with songs like the uptempo “Something 2nite,” “Message” and a Massive Attack-inspired “Right On Time” leading the charge. Smart and smoldering, this diva’s vocal tone is like oleo. Check her out along with the rest of a star-studded lineup at the Family Unity in the Park Celebration this Saturday 7/26 at 3PM. Details can be found at http://www.myspace.com/conyadoss and http://thefamilyunityinthepark.com.

If you lean more in that post-punk/ indie rock direction, then Hot Cha Cha’s slapdash bilingual approach is for you. They’re a sassy, dizzying outfit and puts on one of the best live gigs in town. Theirs is a meaty, beaty, big and buzzy sound – a brawny mix of edgy garage and 80s New Wave, with splashes of Detroit Cobras, The Donnas and Blondie thrown in for good measure. Their EP, Rifle, I Knew You When You Were Just a Pistol, is just sugary enough to pull in a pop sweet tooth… but they’re definitely “Big City,” as one local blogger coined them recently. To wit, if Hot Cha Cha was a NYC band playing in one of the club districts, you wouldn’t be able to get in to see them (and nevermind how much the PBR would cost). Their sound is mischievous and commanding, with that power coming in intermittent bursts. Somehow, they maintain the balance in the same way that fellow stream-of-consciousness rockers in Humphry Clinker do. Sexy and sophisticated stuff. Check them out at the Ingenuity Festival this Friday 7/25 on Star Plaza at midnight. Details can be found at http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com/festival-info and http://www.myspace.com/hotchachahotchacha.

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

Read on to discover how you can enter the charity raffle to win a new 2007 Corvette while benefitting Janet Kubec and Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute’s Barbara A. Leslie Patient Care Fund. This fund provides patients with financial assistance for basic living needs while they are undergoing cancer treatments.

How can a positive result be so negative?
A mother’s personal journey living with an incurable cancer

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Janet Kubec, and shortly thereafter was caught up in the undertow of a life caught up in, and capsized, by a disease called cancer. What follows is not so much her story – as stories have a beginning, middle, and end – but her journey; and just as our lives are now forever intertwined, so is our narrative that follows. It is written as a diary, an intimate, soul-searching quest – reflections in search of an explanation – and the one entry she would want read when she can no longer speak for herself:

Date: The day my life changed forever.

Dear Diary: Yesterday I had another treatment…
Read more from Soundbite Laureate Doug O’Bryon and learn how you can enter the charity raffle

We’ll find a new way of living…
West Side Story at Near West Theatre thru 8/3

We’ll find a new way of living/ We’ll find a way of forgiving/ Somehow, someday, somewhere… Those words can never have been sung in a more heart-felt and sincere fashion since they were first heard slightly more than 50 years ago, than they are currently at Near West Theatre. They were written by a young man, then barely older than the youngsters who were to sing them, and who has gone on to become one of the more famous composers of our time — Stephen Sondheim. Leonard Bernstein wrote the fantastic score — cross between musical theater and opera, sort of — while Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins actually got West Side Story up and on its feet, running head-long into the pages of history…

Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

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

Ethical Frontiers of Science @ Chautauqua-in-Chagrin 7/15 With the recent advances in medical research and treatment, there is a “new face” to medicine. As prospective patients ourselves, the more informed we are, the better decisions we can make about our treatment. The Ethical Frontiers of Science evening offered a full program schedule starting with a classical music recital performed by Jared Jacobsen, then a lecture about medical therapies by Martha A. Reitman, M.D., a presentation about stem cell research by Dr. Gerard Magill, a lecture about reproductive choices by Judy Norsigian, and at the program’s conclusion, a Music in the Park performance by Hot Jazz 7.

The Arts Summer Series has kicked off its second season with a bang by presenting these highly respected speakers and musicians from the famed Chautauqua Institution in western New York to audiences here in Chagrin Falls. The Tuesday evening series, running from July 15 to August 5, covers different subjects at various locations throughout Chagrin Falls. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation is provided from venue to venue.

Gerard Magill, Ph.D., Vernon F. Gallagher Chair for the Integration of Science, Philosophy, Theology, and Law at Duquesne University gave a fascinating presentation about embryonic stem cell research and addressed the associated ethical dilemmas to a near capacity crowd at the United Methodist Church. Magill explained in his lilting Scottish accent that the problem with stem cell research is that the cells are from adult donors and they can also be from human embryos. Research on adult stem cells is legal and conducted at medical centers throughout the country. However, there is no federal funding allowed for embryonic stem cell research. From the limited findings so far, the potential benefits in using stem cells are tremendous. So the international race is on, particularly in China, to advance this line of medical research and apply for the profitable patents.

“It is a conundrum,” said Magill, “because church leaders and other people wonder if embryos have souls or when do they develop souls?” He explained that last November, for the first time, scientists were able to develop artificially derived stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) which have been shown to be the equivalent of embryonic stem cells without using the human embryo. This discovery has opened up the door for further exploration because these cells are remarkably valuable for research helping humans with cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and other diseases. Magill encouraged his audience to work with the government’s policy makers to determine what legal limitations should be drawn around medical research so that a national consensus can be arrived at for everyone’s benefit.

For more information about the Chautauqua-in-Chagrin program, visit http://www.chagrinfoundation.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net

L’Etoile (The Star) @ Ohio Light Opera (Wooster) 7/16 Good laughs. Call it opera-bouffe or call it farce, this delightful version of the 1877 French operetta by Chabrier (music) and Leterrier and Vanloo (libretto) owes a lot to the witty translation by Robert Ackart and Gene Boucher. Director Julie Wright has got the ridiculous story camped up just right. Jack Beetle (King Ouf) and David Kelleher-Flight (his astrologer/adviser) play off each other perfectly in this story about a king who needs to execute someone every year as part of the royal birthday celebration. That may not sound funny, but it works out that way, especially when the intended executionee has already captured the heart of the princess who is being brought to town to marry King Ouf. Yeah, it’s a kinda familiar plot, but the music’s great and the cast is too. This show (worth the drive) repeats 7/26 (8PM), 8/1 (8PM), and 8/6 (2PM).
From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Altar Boyz @ Beck Center 7/16 It’s great fun to watch John Riddle (playing Altar Boy Mark) get two laughs every time the script expects one. Josh Noble, Dan Grgic, Ryan Ragru, and Connor O’Brien (Matthew, Luke, Juan, and Abraham, respectively) energetically leap and shout and sing and dance, but Riddle, a high school senior, steals the show from these excellent pros. Altar Boyz is one of those lightweight shows that flirts with satire from too far away to allow any biting, but feeble as the writing is, the high-powered enthusiasm, well- performed choreography and lively on-stage performances take you past the rusty irony and the gummy satire, and energize the audience. Hernando Cortez’s choreography is demanding, and not every step is crisp and sharp, but the actors’ spirits are willing where their timing or flexibility is a little weak. Here again Riddle seems lightest on his feet. Larry Goodpaster’s musical direction is sharp, Trad A Burns has designed an excellent cross-shaped ramp on the set that the Hernando Cortez’s choreography uses well, and Jenniver Sparano’s costumes do more than the writing of the show to define the characters. The look and polish of the show is high, and a good time is had by the audience. Altar Boyz! one of those shows where everything has an exclamation mark! so you’ll know! you’re having a good! time!, but the actors have huge energy, and John Riddle will make you laugh or smile the whole time. It’s the kind of cool thing that everyone always assumes Cleveland can’t do, but John Riddle, Josh Noble, Dan Grgic, Ryan Ragru, and Connor O’ Brien show (along with Martin Savidge the announcer-like Voice of God) that high-energy talent can and does overcome, and everyone in the theater has a great time.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Blossom Music Center 7/19 Conductor Andris Nelsons led The Cleveland Orchestra in a trio of popular Russian works that didn’t wilt despite heat, humidity and [our] familiarity. The highlight of the evening came early when soloist Julia Fischer stunned and thrilled (yes, really) with an intense, articulate, and passionate interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major. After the first movement half the crowd (and Blossom was packed) jumped up and applauded.

[There’s something about that ending that calls for it, but often classical music audiences stifle the “yay” impulse until the end of the work. Why bother? Go ahead, show some feeling!] But the young (b. 1983) German violinist’s Cleveland Orchestra debut performance brought such life to the concerto that it was easy to imagine that she was communicating essential information from her to the world and/or channeling what the composer heard in his head as he wrote. Nelsons and the orchestra brought eerie life to Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain (playing an edition re-worked by Rimsky-Korsakov). Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, especially the jazzy (first movement) and a meticulously pizzicato (third movement) ended a terrific evening–an evening marred only by the odors of slightly burned onions (or grease) from the vendor stands dotting the grounds and the people behind me who brought candies (candies are OK) in a crinkly cellophane bag (Aunt Crabby suggests cloth next time!).
From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Hamlet @ Stan Hywet 7/20 Ole William Shakespeare really did know how to write! He could string together a catchy phrase, capture the moment or add depth to the situation, like no other playwright. Popular phrases like “To thine own self be true, frailty thy name is woman, to be or not to be, to die…to sleep…perchance to dream, get thee to a nunnery, the lady doeth protest too much” and many more originally come from his most famous tragedy, Hamlet. If you remember your high school English class, this play has many twists and turns as the plot unfolds, but basically a young prince of Denmark, Hamlet, sees the ghost of his dead father, has a love interest, and seeks revenge.

The performance of Hamlet by the Ohio Shakespeare Festival at the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is the perfect venue to show off Shakespeare’s skills. The multi-level outdoor stage, constructed in the naturalistic Lagoon area toward the back of this historic country estate, provides an intimate theatre setting complete with a running creek, deep-throated bullfrogs, and remnants from the stone quarry located on this site.

Hamlet, convincingly played by Andrew Cruse, was energetic in his portrayal, whether flirting with Ophelia, played by Lara Mielcarek, or in turmoil dueling with Laertes, played by Andy Nagraj. Polonius, father to both Ophelia and Laertes, grew stronger in his role, from providing light hearted, humorous sidebars about everyone else’s behavior, to being a sounding board and source of moral support for the protagonists.

Stan Hywet, located a hop, skip, and jump from Cleveland (Akron), is the former home of F.A. Seiberling, the founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The historic estate, completed in 1915, includes a 65-room Manor House and more than 70 acres of artfully landscaped gardens and grounds.

Theatre-goers can enjoy a picnic dinner and walk around the gardens before the performance. Tram service is available from the entry gate to the Lagoon stage before and after the shows. Visit http://www.stanhywet.org for more information and to order tickets.

Comprised of an experienced and talented line-up of actors, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival Company is performing more Hamlet, and also Two Gentlemen of Verona, and the comedy adaptation, I Hate Hamlet during this summer’s season. Looking for a special summer evening with family and friends? Seeing the Stan Hywet gardens and a Shakespeare performance at the Lagoon stage is highly recommended!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net

A Love Affair with Texture @ Atmosphere Gallery 7/21 This exhibition in Tremont will have you contemplating the connectedness of such disparate entities as a planet, a skin cell and a grape. If you haven’t yet been to Atmosphere Gallery, which has been open for about five months, this is the time to go. The current exhibit featuring works by Kathy Skerritt will have you wanting to reach out and touch the canvasses. The artist’s abstract works in tempera on large canvasses not only explore texture and color, but much larger and deeper issues such as universal patterns in nature, stopping a moving moment in time, multiple states of being in an instant and so much more.

The first group of paintings that captures my interest are canvasses on which is what appears to be moving, flowing liquid that stops mid flow. Something you cannot see in the natural world, without stop-action photography. These are abstractions, yet when contemplated, you try to identify what you see with something you know. The first one resembles what you would see if you were in a helicopter hovering above a body of water, the force of the propellers pushing the surface of the water in a circular configuration, away from the center of the canvas. The second painting in this group makes me think of a tire traveling through a runny mud puddle, but the instant captured in this work is before the liquid runs back to a flat surface, you see the splats away from the point of impact, the line of the tire’s path, you anticipate the next moment when all the muck runs back together again.

Many of the works can be identified as more than one thing at one time. An irregularly-shaped orb can be identified as a cross section of a cell, showing it’s structure and parts, a celestial body, or a piece of fruit. Other canvasses can launch the viewer to a birds-eye perspective of the earth with its rivers of water and mountains, or to some electronic scope mapping a piece of the human body, with its arterial pathways, tissues and shapes, or an erupting volcano. These universal visual themes, consistencies in creation, are visually tied together on her canvasses, reminding us of our connection with the most minute structure, or the cosmos.

To get the most from this exhibit, spend time with the pieces, consider them from across the room and close up, discuss what you see. One captivating piece at first glance appears to be a grey, somber glimpse of a woman subtly fading into and out of the grey canvas. On closer inspection, you see the entire canvas is alive with vibrant color, peaking through tiny cracks in the grey surface. You are reminded of the cracked grey coals in a fire which appear to be burned out, but when poked, they glow radiant heat from deep within.

The most recently created work featured is a subtly-colored, highly-glossed tall canvas with many repetitious tooth-like shapes, among other bone-like shapes which make the viewer believe that they are witnessing the unearthing of some tiny ancient civilization. In reality, the artist reveals that this piece was made by applying to the canvas layers of paint that had been scraped off other works and saved. With this in mind, by assembling remnants of previous works, maybe it is unearthing other worlds.

Kathy Skerritt has achieved her goal of enticing the viewer by using the beauty of color and the intrigue of texture to consider the uneasy contemplation of multiple states of being in an instant. To put the viewer at ease in order for them to open up to the possibilities that her works consider. Meeting her and getting an understanding of her intentions within her works does the same thing, she puts you at ease, then opens you up to her world of possibilities.

You can understand her love affair with texture more fully by visiting Atmosphere Gallery, 2418 Professor, in Tremont through August 23rd. From Cool Cleveland contributor Carol Drummond carolATdrummondesign.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) A Piece of Cleveland and Much More Than That.
CoolCleveland.com

2) Cool Cleveland’s Ingenuity Party with open bar, snacks, exclusive performance, and a comp admission.
Kidist Getachew video interview here, Party info here and ticket discount here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/072508/index.php

3) Straight Outta Mansfield League Park: What it Could Become by Mansfield Frazier.
CoolCleveland.com

4) Akron Nat’l burger fest makes Real Simple Top 10.
RealSimple.com and burger fest info here: HamburgerFestival.com

5) Great Lakes Brewing Co. celebrates 20 years with a phenomenal limited edition of their Dortmunder.
GreatLakesBrewing.com

The fine print… goes to a wealth of creators and collaborators this week. Nods and winks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Claudia J. Taller, Susan Schaul, Douglas O’Bryon, Diane DiPiero, Marcus Bales, Carol Drummond, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Linda Eisenstein and Laura Kennelly. Also, our best wishes go out to Roy Berko and his family. 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: LettersATCoolCleveland.com
Receive your own copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine at http://www.CoolCleveland.com

All packed into our cozy town,
–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Cool Networks LLC / 14837 Detroit #105 / Cleveland, OH 44107

All contents ©2008 Cool Networks LLC all rights reserved

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