Boomerang Back

Boomerang Back

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Comment Boomeranging back
* Why Cleveland is (really) Cool by David Budin
* RoldoLINK Starving the beast and Kucinich worth it
* Cool Cleveland Sounds C’mon, C’mere by the Patrick Sweany Band
* Cool Cleveland Preview Contemporary Youth Orchestra’s “Friend Raiser”
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Cleveland isn’t perfect. Far, far from it. But at Cool Cleveland, we do tend to take the approach that the glass is half full. So we’ve filled this week’s issue with a perfectly wild collection of goings on that would keep anyone’s week overflowing with coolness.

Remember that Tues 5/2 is Election Day, which brings hope boomeranging back, but only if you actually vote. Check Emissions from the blogsphere as Cleveland blogs about politics, and watch as Roldo goes overboard with two columns this week, one deconstructing the un-endorsement of Dennis Kucinich, the other deconstructing Cleveland’s deal with Independence over the Cavs moving their training facility. We’ve included news about towing cars and eliminating Innerbelt exits, we’ve also pointed you to fresh art & events to keep you engaged.

May we hip you to a few? 20-30 Club talks about regionalism, a 1-woman show about Asking For It, Harvest For Hunger’s Market Under Glass, a new arts network from COSE, the JazzFest kicks off, a World Music Fest by Detroit Avenue Arts, and Arbor Day at Holden. Don’t hold back. Get out. Have fun. And vote. –Thomas Mulready

Opinion/Commentary
Cool Cleveland Comment
Boomerang back to your roots

At Cool Cleveland, we’ve received many responses to soon-to-be Oberlin grad Chad Kutting’s commentary [See Are We Forced To Leave? here]. Some we’ve published as letters, and others, like this one, as a Cool Cleveland Comment. If you’d like to comment yourself, send it to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

I wanted to respond to a recent editorial called “Forced To Leave”, because as I could relate to the article on a very intimate level to what the author wrote, I also have a “chapter two” version from the perspective of a 37 year old. My background is very similar to the author’s. I grew up in or around Cleveland, in a blue collar, eastern European, Catholic family. Going to college and having the opportunity to advance in the professional world was new to our family, relatives, and neighborhood friends. Having been blessed with a caring family, tight home town support network of friends, and a solid education made successful by an extreme work ethic and several part time jobs, I was able to break away to college and get that big time dream job. After graduation I took a job with a large, fast growing consulting firm and began making my way around the global economy. I knew every 3 letter airport code and all the rental car and hotel folks knew me by name. It was exciting and it was an imperative step to get me to where I am today professionally. That’s probably where “chapter one” ends and “chapter two” begins…
Read the Cool Cleveland Comment by Joe Smucny here

NewsLINKS

• City Council scares away County residents In one of their more boneheaded moves, Cleveland City Council has proposed to start towing cars with more than 4 outstanding parking tickets. If they think this will help them collect the $12 million in parking fines owed, they are wrong. Instead, it will scare away ten times that in squandered goodwill, distrust and lack of passion for Downtown. Check Sam Fulwood III’s column here, and speak out here: Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Congestion in suburbs, not Downtown Not surprisingly, the most congested roads and intersections are not in Downtown Cleveland, but in places like Broadview Heights, Strongsville, Medina, Independence, Beachwood and North Olmsted. So let’s not use traffic as an excuse for not going Downtown. The only street in Cleveland that made the list (11th overall) is MLK Drive. See Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Future Traffic Congestion in the NOACA Region report here: http://www.NOACA.org/cms05.pdf Comments: Letters@CoolCleveland.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.
• “The plan stinks” says Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman, of the “compromise” plan by the Ohio Department of Transportation to close most access ramps off the Innerbelt and construct a new parallel marginal road from Payne to Cedar. According to Cimperman, “the two magic words that are missing from ODOT’s vocabulary” are economic development, reflecting the publics’, businesses’ and Midtown Cleveland, Inc.’s ongoing concerns. Project director Craig Hebebrand says the public will get a chance to comment on the plan this summer. Why wait? Contact him here: Craig.Hebebrand@dot.state.oh.us, and don’t forget to Cc: us at Cool Cleveland here: Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Welcome, Rebublican party And what a party it would be, too, if the Republicans decide to hold their 2008 National Convention in Cleveland. Proving once again that Ohio is the swingingest of swing states, not only would it offer unprecedented international media coverage, the 50K people would drop a cool $100 million in our pockets. Can you say coup? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

• Special: Half Price Tickets for Cool Cleveland readers ONLY Check out the Dance Synergy Festival on Sat 5/13 with exclusive half price tickets! Score regular price $25 tix for only $12.50 each with your online order, only through Cool Cleveland here. The festival will showcase the three top physically integrated dance companies: “Dancing Wheels” of Cleveland, “AXIS Dance Company” of Oakland, CA, and “Full Radius Dance” of Atlanta. Go to http://www.DancingWheels.com for more info.

NewsLINKS

• Cleve Museum treasures tour the world With a collection that is just too good to keep under wraps during the Museum renovations, or even to keep to ourselves – the Cleveland Museum of Art announced that they are taking their show on the road. Audiences around the globe will be treated to traveling exhibitions of more than 500 iconic works from CMA’s impressive permanent collection. Among the touring pieces are masterworks of European painting and sculpture, medieval art, Chinese and Japanese paintings and sculpture, and the decorative arts. Learn more www.ClevelandArt.org. Your thoughts on current renovations and the CMA collection hitting the road? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Sing with the Cleveland Orchestra The Cleveland Orchestra is gearing up for the upcoming season by holding auditions for the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus on Wed 5/3 and Thu 5/4 and for the Blossom Festival Chorus on Wed 5/31. Prospective chorus members should have previous choral experience and must be able to sight-read music. Those auditioning should prepare two classical pieces – one in a foreign language. Sight-reading will also be required. Call 231-7372. All auditions will be held at Fairmount Temple in Beachwood and are by appointment only.
• Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland04.28.06.mp3. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
• Smart Living awards Judson at University Circle announced its inaugural class of Smart Living Award winners. Judson established the Smart Living Awards to recognize both older adults and their “up and coming” younger counterparts who have dedicated their lives to the dynamic atmosphere of University Circle. This year’s winners are Viktor Schreckengost (Arts); Graham L. Grund and Richard Herr Kauffman (Education); Joseph M. Foley, M.D. (Healthcare); Mort Epstein and Allan J. Zambie (Philanthropy) and Helen and Gene Beer (Volunteerism). Up and coming winners include: Mark George, Ph.D. (Arts); Linda Wilson and Louise Steele (Education); Deforia Lane, Ph.D. (Healthcare); Ruth Eppig (Philanthropy) and Frann Zverina (Volunteerism). Winners will be honored during the Judson Centennial Celebration Gala on Sat 5/6 at 6:30PM at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

• Keep an eye on the Dashboard The Fund for our Economic Future, a consortium of 80 NEO foundations, has created a semi-annual economic development Dashboard Indicators for the NEO Economy tracking a full range of factors that influence our economic development: skilled workforce, business dynamics, urban assimilation, racial inclusion, legacy of place, income equality, location amenities, and metro structure. See Dashboard here, and a list of 25 Things You Can Do To Positively Impact Northeast Ohio here. Your thoughts on the dashboard? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

NewsLINKS

• Evert honored in Mexico City Susana Weingarten de Evert , Co-Director of DanceEvert, was honored in her native Mexico City by the Council of Culture and Arts, for excellence and her continued career as both a dancer and choreographer in a foreign land and for her work as an arts-educator by the University of Mexico education committee. Evert’s performance of a program of her solos in the cities of Oaxaca, Yucatan, Merida, Chiapas, Zacatecas, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Cuernavaca, and Mexico City, including a premiered work, entitled, “Prasad in My Heart,” resulted in rave reviews and standing ovations. Susana’s husband and partner, Tom Evert, is busy in Naitauba, an island in Fiji, working on several creative projects, including the construction of a magnificent temple. Visit www.EvertDance.com to learn more about this exciting, Cleveland-based creative team.
• Cool Cleveland Kids No iPod necessary. Just click and listen to 10-year-old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max as he points out a few choice family programs this week. Just click here, then check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS for more kidstuff.
• Retail art sought Next Urban Gear is all about what is next – not only in fashion, but in ideas. If you’ve got something on your mind Next is giving you a place to share your vision – a 10×10 storefront window in their new Beachwood Place store – and a cash prize – $1000. They’re looking for projects in any medium that demonstrate individuality and self-expression and share your vision for social relationships, arts, technology, politics, fashion, music, globalism, or some other subject of your choosing. Proposals due by Wed 5/10. Email NextStore@aol.com to request proposal guidelines and details.
• ecokiss opens in Solon ecokiss décor & gifts, the first environmentally-friendly lifestyle store in the Cleveland area, held its grand opening on Earth Day. The store, which offers an array of quality merchandise that is both stylish and less harmful to the environment than conventional alternatives, is located inside of the Mustard Seed Market and Café (6025 Kruse Drive, Solon). Some of the eco-friendly products up for sale include organic cotton kitchen, bed, bath and baby linens; recycled glass tableware; reclaimed wood furnishings; eco-friendly Interface carpet tiles and secondhand sweater blankets and rugs; and kitchen and home accessories. Soy candles, educational books, recycled paper stationery, organic cotton novelty tees and totes, select jewelry and pet goods will also be available.

• It’s not Cleveland’s climate According to this recent speech at Baldwin-Wallace College by Cleveland venture capitalist David Morgenthaler, Cleveland’s weather is not a factor in our economic competitiveness. Instead, he suggests we study our history and understand what economic drivers made Cleveland competitive 100 years ago: water transport, raw materials for steel, and talented immigrants. But Cleveland got “fat, dumb and happy”, never felt it was necessary to become world class in any industry segment, and never made a plan for the region like Silicon Valley, Austin and Research Triangle did in the late 50’s. Now we need to support our research universities and our public schools, develop a plan for regional development, and focus on health care, biomed, nanotech, fuel cells and alternative energy, where we already have a natural head start. Read his speech here, and don’t forget to read his coda on ethics and integrity. What do you think? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Emissions from the blogsphere Bill Callahan writes about Richard Cordray blaming Ken Blackwell for Coingate. The Psychobilly Democrats pick their candidate for OH-13. Scott Piepho blogs about campaign signs. Eric Fingerhut thinks gas prices should spur innovation. Brian posts another in a series of ideas on improving Cleveland. Dorothy Fuldheim talks of Sam Miller’s indiscretions with Cleveland’s Dead Blogger Society. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian primes for the “Effects of Regionalism on Cleveland” forum by the 20/30’s, ponders the CMA putting the rubber to the road by putting their collection ON the road, cheers the possibility of the Greater Cleveland Poetry Slam being resurrected and debriefs on EarthFest 2006—held the same morning the Plain Dealer ran a front page feature story on Ethanol and alt-fuel infrastructure lacking in Ohio. When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland This Week
4.26-5.03

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT PICK Effects of Regionalism on Cleveland As Cleveland continues to evolve, regionalism has become one of the leading ideas for how the City can potentially grow. To address this growing public interest, the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club will host a panel discussion, on Wed 4/26 at 6:30PM, to address regionalism and the role it can play in the development of Greater Cleveland. Plain Dealer columnist Sam Fulwood III will moderate the panel discussion featuring Garfield Heights Mayor Tom Longo, Voice & Choices Community Organizer Elizabeth Stoops, CSU Urban Affairs Professor Norm Krumholz and Cleveland NCAA Chapter President George Forbes, Esq. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. The Forum at One Cleveland Center, Second Floor, 1375 East 9th Street. http://www.Cleveland2030.com/.

CC KIDS CityMusic Concert Series Celebrate Spring. Browse watercolors by the Plein Air Painters of Cleveland then hear the glorious sounds of Cleveland Orchestra’s principal clarinetist, Franklin Cohen, in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto; Haydn’s Symphony #49 and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony during kid-friendly classical musical performances that are as delightful to the ear as they are to the wallet. Attend the Wed 4/26 concert at 7:30PM at Fairmount Presbyterian Church (2757 Fairmount Boulevard) or attend performances in Slavic Village, Elyria, Rocky River and Tremont, through Sun 4/30. www.CityMusicCleveland.org.

Asking For It Sex, sequins and seminaries. Was Bernadette O’Connell asking for it? This powerful and poignant one-woman comedy written and performed by Joanna Rush is a coming of age story about a feisty dancer and former ‘Outstanding Catholic Youth of the Year’ who takes on New York City where her convictions about religion bump up against the confusions of reality. Don’t miss the Midwest premiere of this one-woman show on Wed 4/26 at 7:30PM through Sun 4/30. Audiences are invited to participate in talkbacks following each performance. Call 440-366-4040 or visit www.lorainccc.edu/stocker for tickets. Lorain Community College Campus, The Studio Theatre, Stocker Arts Center, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria.

Sourcing and Selling Opportunities in Romania Which country in Central and Eastern Europe has: A well-educated labor pool, but a labor cost comparable to China’s? Been called the “India of Europe” because of its highly skilled IT & engineering workforce? One of the fastest growing economies in that region? Guest speakers, George Predescu, Consul General for Romania in Chicago and Gheorghe Gruia, Consul for Economic Affairs will share information about opportunities in Romania during this Thu 4/27 event from 7:30AM to 12PM. Call 363-5447 or email mpierce@wtccleveland.org for reservations. World Trade Center Cleveland, Main Conference Room, 737 Bolivar Road. http://www.wtccleveland.org.

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Now Playing: “Dream a Little Dream,” Tonight & Tomorrow; “Artie” 5/4 Check out C-Tix for mega discounts to great shows every week: The story of The Mamas and The Papas in “Dream a Little Dream,” chronicles the rise and fall of one of America’s most fabled singing groups, tonight 4/26 and tomorrow 4/27; and the Artie Shaw Orchestra has recorded some of the most popular swing music of all time including “Stardust,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Moonglow,” and “Carioca.” Go to www.CTix.org for a no-cost sign-up and up-to-the-minute discounts every week to shows at Playhouse Square, the Cleveland Play House and more. A service of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland. For more information about attractions and events in northeast Ohio visit www.TravelCleveland.com.
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Robert Cooper Seminar Learn about creating and launching superior new products from Dr. Robert G. Cooper, founder and developer of the Stage-Gate(r) process, widely used by leading firms around the world to drive new products to market, as he presents a day-long seminar on Thu 4/27 from 8:30AM-5PM. Call 831-0003 or visit www.Beachwood.org. Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Road, Mayfield Heights.

HOT PICK Ann Curzan’s Look at English and the Internet Revolution As acronyms like BTW and LOL and spellings like i for I become commonplace written communications, language experts and professional communicators might wonder if accepted rules of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization are headed straight out the window. To answer these and other burning language questions, Ann Curzan, Ph.D., University of Michigan, will chair this lively discussion revolving the future of formal language, on Thu 4/27 at 11:30AM. Register at www.iabcCleveland.com. The Forum Conference Center, 1375 E. 9th Street.

Out of Darkness Screening Join Alex Michaels and the cast of Out of Darkness on Thu 4/27 from 5:30 to 8PM for a sneak peek at the first five episodes of the dramatic TV series being filmed in Cleveland. The event is just 5 bucks and includes the screening and appetizers. A cash bar is available. RSVP here. Velvet Dog, 1280 West 6th Street.

Market Under Glass Attend Market Under Glass, on Thu 4/27 from 6-9PM, and spend an evening sampling superb cuisine and delicious wines from 50 of Cleveland’s premier restaurants and beverage purveyors. The event will feature live cooking demonstrations from Cleveland Magazine’s 2006 Silver Spoon award winners and live entertainment. Terrific prizes are available in the silent auction and raffle – including the chance to win a vacation package for Hawaii, Denver and an exciting international destination. Call 738-2046 or visit http://www.cleveland.com/marketunderglass/ for tickets to this event to benefit Harvest for Hunger. The Galleria at Erieview.

COSE Arts Network Kick-Off Learn about COSE’s new initiative to connect the local arts community to COSE’s health care and professional development resources. Hear about several exciting partnerships and promotions, to be announced for the first time, view the exhibit, Afrofuturism and enjoy dance and music by Oberlin College performers during the open, no-cost COSE Arts Network launch event on Thu 4/27 from 6-8PM. Call 592-2303 or register online for the event at www.cosearts.org. Spaces Gallery, 2220 Superior Viaduct.

Kickball Don’t call it a comeback…kickball has always been around and it’s going full bloom in Northeast Ohio – The World Adult Kickball Association is preparing to begin its second season of kickball in Cleveland. To join this exciting sport/social league, email ohcleveland1@kickball.com or go to http://www.kickball.com to register. Games will be played Thursday nights in Cleveland Heights. Take part in their drop-in, pickup game Thu 4/27 at 6:30PM. Beaumont School, 3301 North Park Boulevard, Cleveland Heights.

Vegan Vittles Mercy for Animals (MFA) is giving away delicious vegan meals during a special dinner on Thu 4/27 from 6:30-8:30PM, followed by an informative and engaging presentation on animal cruelty in the egg industry during the lecture, “The Hidden Cost of Eggs.” Executive Director, Nathan Runkle, will paint a compelling picture of what life is really like for the over 280 million egg-laying hens currently confined in battery-cages in the US. Visit http://www.MercyForAnimals.org for more info. Coventry Village Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights.

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Genius + Jazz = Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland The 27th Annual Tri-C JazzFest Wed 4/26 – Sun 4/30 features a star-studded line up that includes Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Diane Schuur with Dave Samuels and The Caribbean Jazz Project, The Yellowjackets, Randy Weston, Regina Carter, Lizz Wright, Jason Moran and the Bandwagon and more. For jazz like you’ve never heard it before, don’t miss Cleveland’s own premiere jazz festival, complete with performances, seminars, workshops and lots of fun. Join us for the Debut Series of rising stars, an elegant jazz brunch, jazz for kids and nonstop jazz music from 4/26 through 4/30. Discount ticket packages available to Cool Cleveland subscribers starting at $49 by visiting www.tricpresents.com. Tickets, call 800.766.6048 or order online. Presented by Cuyahoga Community College.
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HOT PICK Randy Weston’s African Rhythms The NEA Jazz Master pianist will envelope audiences with the spiritual essence of music as he lays down rhythmic grooves of rich and melodic jazz when he performs on Thu 4/27 at 7:30PM with his African Rhythms Quintet. Call 987-4400 for tickets. Details at http://www.TriCPresents.com. Tri-C Metro Campus Main Stage Theatre, 30th & Woodland Avenue.

Spring Dance Performance The Thu 4/27 and Fri 4/28 performances at 7:30PM, will feature pieces choreographed by Bill Wade, Joe Booth, Cha-lee Chan and Amy Compton Schulz. Audiences will enjoy a traditional Chinese ribbon dance choreographed by Cha-lee Chan and a highly energized contemporary dance piece choreographed by Joe Booth set to music by Bach. Also featured will be two pieces performed by Cleveland State University’s dance company. www.lec.edu. Lake Erie College, 391 West Washington Street, Painesville.

All In the Timing This contemporary series of comic sketches about love and the impossibility of communication will preview on Thu 4/27 at 8PM with an official opening on Fri 4/28 at 8PM, followed by a reception with the cast. Performances run through Sun 5/14. Call 330-342-0800 for tickets. Actors’ Summit Theater, 86 Owen Brown Street, Hudson. http://www.ActorsSummit.org.

Namaste Honor the spirit of diversity during this cultural celebration on Fri 4/28 from 6-10PM – the International Women’s Day benefit hosted by International Partners in Mission (IPM). The event will feature international music, dance, food, wine and a silent auction in celebration of a diverse range of cultures and the important work that IPM is doing. Call 932-4082 or click here for tickets. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue.

Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Named “…the most provocative thinker in current jazz” by Rolling Stone, the multi award-winning jazz pianist’s music is packed with contrasting elements, as diverse as hip-hop and the purist jazz philosophy, which eventually fall harmoniously into place. Oftimes edgy, yet always high-impact, Jason Moran and his trio, The Bandwagon will perform on Fri 4/28 at 6:30PM. Call 987-4400 for tickets. http://www.TriCPresents.com. MOCACleveland, 8501 Carnegie Avenue.

Crescendo 2006! This festive evening will include gourmet food stations, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, cash bar, silent auction, a soothing and sensational jazz ensemble, and a live performance by The Cleveland BoyChoir on Fri 4/28 from 6:30-10PM. Robert Conrad (co-founder and President, WCLV), Dr. William Woods (Director of Choral Activities, Cleveland School of the Arts), and Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chalker (Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church) are recipients of this year’s Crescendo Awards. Call 401-0872 for tickets. http://www.clevelandboychoir.org. Cleveland Athletic Club, 1118 Euclid Avenue.

L’Art du Vin: A Wine and Art Auction to Benefit the Human Fund takes place on Fri 4/28 at 7PM. The event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and auction. Come dressed in casual chic attire for this live and silent auction of rare top California varietals. A special silent auction of art created by Cleveland Municipal School District students will be part of the festivities. Call 287-6758 to purchase tickets for this exciting event. The Club at Hillbrook, 14800 Hillbrook Drive, Chagrin Falls.

CC KIDS Once Upon A Mattress Learn the real story behind The Princess and the Pea during this Beck Center Youth Theater performance which kicks off on Fri 4/28 at 7:30PM and runs through Tue 5/9. Revived on Broadway nearly 10 years ago by Sarah Jessica Parker, Mattress tells the story of Queen Aggravain who has created an impossible royalty test for every princess who has come to ask the hand of her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab. Along comes Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, a perfect match for Prince Dauntless and his overbearing mother. The result is several misadventures and one very uncomfortable night of counting sheep. Call 521-2540 or visit http://www.BeckCenter.org for tickets. The Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood.

EVENT Listing Tip of the Week When is Capitalism bad? WHEN YOU SEND YOUR PRESS RELEASE OR EVENT SUBMISSION IN ALL CAPS. Definitely not cool. Take it down a notch, then send those great event listings to Events@CoolCleveland.com.

One-Act Festival Experience a collection of ten, unpublished, original 10-minute plays by playwrights from all over the US, hot from the oven, during this event which runs Fridays and Saturday, beginning Fri 4/28, and running through Sat 5/13. All shows are at 8PM. Call 440-951-6637 or visit http://www.FineArtsAssociation.org for tickets. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby.

Resonance: World Music Festival Enjoy the music of four continents during this event on Fri 4/28 and Sat 4/29 when ten artists and ensembles will perform music originating from around the world. The festival kicks off Friday night with an East European-themed concert featuring Slavic Soul Party!, Goralska Muzyka and Harmonia. A dance party with live music by all three groups follows the concert. Saturday the festival begins with a series of workshops and concerts from 12 noon to 6PM. Call 961-4242 x239 or visit http://www.DetroitAvenueArts.org to learn more. Detroit Avenue Arts, 6516 Detroit Avenue. Saturday events at Old Parish Hall and Orthodox.

Dream On Monkey Mountain This complex allegory by Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott masterfully weaves together fantasy and reality to address racial identity. The play, which runs Fri 4/28 at 8PM to Sun 5/21, includes very strong situations, language and one nude scene. Two nights are already sold out so call 795-7077 or visit for tickets. Jelliffe Theatre at Karamu, 2355 East 89th Street. www.Karamu.com.

Diane Schuur and the Caribbean Jazz Project Go island-hopping through the Caribbean with the Grammy Award-winning vocalist as she performs with the fiery Caribbean Jazz Project ensemble on Fri 4/28 at 8:30PM. Special guests, The Yellowjackets, have set the standard for fusion jazz while demonstrating remarkable virtuosity in musical genres ranging from R&B to Salsa-laced fusion, and acoustic jazz. Visit www.PlayhouseSquare.com for tickets. State Theatre, Playhouse Square Center.

Journalists: Sharpen Your Skills The Cleveland Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will hold a “Sharpen Your Skills” professional development seminar Sat 4/29 from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. Session topics include: “Writing Better and Publishing More on Deadline”; “Freelancing and Keeping Your Day Job” and “do’s and don’ts” for journalists to advance their careers. Call 440-333-7382 to register. http://www.spj.org/cleveland. Independence Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 6361 Selig Drive.

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Quit Staring at Me! Yes, this is your computer talking and YES, I’m talking to you through a paid advertisement in Cool Cleveland. It’s about time we talked . . . You sit in that chair and stare at me for hours at a time. Blink, for God’s sake! Then get up and DO some of the things you’re reading about in CC. Isn’t that why you subscribe? For the love of God, LIVE a little. To learn more about advertising in CC (and how to get your computer off your back), click here.
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CC KIDS Jazz for Kids is an unforgettable rockin’, be-boppin’ interactive experience for kids on Sat 4/29 at 10AM, which will explore this “made in the U.S.A” art form which appeals to everyone from 2 to 92. Call 987-4400 for more info. Playhouse Square Center. www.PlayhouseSquare.com.

CMA @ the Zoo The exhibition Animals in Art: Clay Creatures by Viktor Schreckengost, on view Sat 4/29 through 8/13, comprises ceramic animals from CMA’s permanent collection and tiles created by Schreckengost for the former bird house at the Zoo. The exhibition is included with regular zoo admission. Learn more at www.ClevelandArt.org. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way. http://www.CleMetZoo.org.

Insight and Transformations Tammi Quigley offers a visual cornucopia of unique, organic jewelry new to the Cleveland area, accompanied by surrealistic images of Terri Snider dealing with change and transformation. Both artists will be present to afford explanation and demonstrations of their work during the event, on Sat 4/29 from 12 – 6PM. Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood. http://www.LocalGirlGallery.com.

HOT PICK Making Art Work – The Business of Art Artist Development Workshop is a can’t miss event for visual artists. You’ll learn how to build a successful business; about financial planning; marketing and promoting your art; gaining access to capital; healthcare initiatives for Ohio artists and legal and business issues facing visual artists. Professionals will also be on hand to do a portfolio review during this Sat 4/29 event from 1-3PM. Seating is limited to 30 participants so call 791-2437 to register in advance. Cleveland State Art Gallery, 2nd Floor 2307 Chester Avenue.

CC KIDS Arbor Day Weekend We hesitate to list these cool family events at Holden, cause everytime we do, they sell out! Celebrate Arbor Day Weekend this Sat 4/29 and Sun 4/30 from 1-4PM with tree climbing, crafts, a scavenger hunt, comp guided tours, a tree obstacle course, and a visit by Johnny Appleseed. All visitors get a tree seedling to take home. Come early on Sat at 11AM to commemorate Holden Arboretum’s 75th b-day with the planting of a tree. 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, 440-946-4400 http://www.HoldenArb.org

HOT PICK Other People’s Art Show Emigration Liquidation Sale features art from the collection of Steven B. Smith. Attend the opening reception on Sat 4/29 from 6 to 10PM for this exhibition, which runs through Sat 5/13. See pieces by Anna Arnold, Bill Brouillard, Melissa J. Craig, Joan of Art Deveney, George Fitzpatrick, Frank Fleming, Delia S. King, George Kocar, Ken Motz, RC Naso, Ken Nevadomi, Ed Raffel, Matt Sesow, Cat Smith, Kathy Ireland Smith, Mother Dwarf Smith, Pappy Smith, Steven B. Smith, Brenda Stumpf, Steve Tokar, and more. Brandt Gallery, 1028 Kenilworth Avenue. http://www.BrandtGallery.org.

Planning Your Escape? If you hate your job, your boss, your spouse or all three, and Cool Cleveland is your weekly escape because Maui is too expensive, help a frustrated friend (or several) and pass this on.

Art + Entertainment + Martini = Benefit Don’t miss this annual event that kicks off with a Martini Lounge Preview Party on Sat 4/29 at 7PM that features an open bar with complimentary special recipe martinis, a sumptuous food bar and a special musical performance. You’ll get a glimpse of what is in store this year and an opportunity to indulge your passion for art during a silent auction featuring prints, ceramics, paintings, jewelry and more by favorite local artists. Call 631-2727 or visit http://www.cptonline.org. Cleveland Public Theatre’s James Levin Theatre, 6415 Detroit Avenue.

Photographer Nancy Rotenberg The nationally-known nature photographer will help photographers of all skill levels step up their game during her seminar, “The Creative Process in Photography: Moving Your Images Beyond the Handshake.” Attend the showcase of Nancy’s work on Sat 4/29 from 7-9:30PM or the all-day seminar on Sun 4/30 from 9-4:30PM. For pricing and registration information, call 440-942-0604, email diemwoman@sbcglobal.net. Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland.

Yesterday is Tomorrow At war abroad and culturally divided at home, we find ourselves in a situation which mirrors 1970, just weeks after the Kent State shootings. The lessons of the past are unlearned and the mistakes of the past are repeated in unending cycles. This multi-media art exhibition featuring Genral Jackett and Martyn Flunoy explores the popopdadelic movement which came out of Kent in the late sixties and early seventies. Yesterday is tomorrow and this exhibit looks back to see the future. Attend the opening reception on Sat 4/29 at 8PM. The show runs through Sat 5/27. Call 330-673-4970. North Water Street Gallery, 257 North Water Street, Kent. http://www.StandingRock.net.

HOT PICK Jazz Meets Hip Hop, Part 4 Clevelander, Bill Ransom, is joined by Cincinnati-based hip-hop group, IsWhat? for an explosive fusion of old school jazz, socially enlightening rhythms and beat box mastery on Sat 4/29 at 10PM. IsWhat? has been hailed as “downright stunning” and “one of the most creative acts to ever erect a bridge between jazz and hip-hop.” Get your piece of the action by calling 987-4400 for tickets. Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road.

Hayashi at Trinity Cathedral Japanese Taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi, the world’s only orchestral solo Taiko artist and founding member of the world-renowned percussion groups Sado-Ondekoza and Kodo, will showcase his breathtaking performance style and mastery of this traditional Japanese art that have brought him countless honors and recognition on six continents. Hayashi will perform a prelude at the Cathedral’s worship on Sun 4/30 at 9AM and present a forum from 10:10 – 11AM. Call 771-3630 for info. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue. http://www.TrinityCleveland.org.

New Words 2006 Poetry Reading Enjoy a delightful afternoon of poetry on Sun 4/30 at 2PM. Guest poet Clare Rossini will read selections from her recently released, second book of poetry, Lingo. Finalists from Akron Art Museum’s New Words 2006 poetry contest will also read their award-winning poems and the afternoon will conclude with a reception in honor of all the poets and a book signing by Rossini. Call 330-376-9186 x241 for more info. The O’Neil House, 1290 West Exchange Street, Akron. www.AkronArtMuseum.

HOT PICK CC KIDS National Dance Week This family-friendly event offers a whole lot of something for absolutely nothing. Families can see dance in a variety of genres: hip hop, folk, ballet, swimng, tap, modern and jazz, performed by dancers of all ages, ethnicities and abilities. See complimentary performances by O’Hare Irish Dancers, Csardas Hungarian Dancers, Ohio Youth Ballet, Dancing Wheels, Get Hep Swing, Raks Chandani, Royal Youth Ballet Company, American Commodore Hip Hop Dancers, The Hot Flashes, Shenee’s African Dance Ensemble and many more on Sun 4/30 from 3 to 5PM. The Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood. http://www.BeckCenter.org.

ArtCares: An Art Auction benefit for AIDS Bring your appetite for sublime artistic creation and don’t forget your checkbook as the fourth annual ArtCares affair hits the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sun 4/30 from 5-9PM. Elegance reigns supreme as you dip into the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream bar while bidding on the best of Cleveland art in silent and live auctions. Visit http://www.ArtCares.com or call 357-2223 for more details. MOCA Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Avenue.

Entrepreneur’s Dream Auction Fifty-five executives in Northeast Ohio are donating their time to entrepreneurs, non-profit executives, and those looking to develop their careers. Entrepreneurs can bid online for a tête á tête with top executives like: Season 4 winner of “The Apprentice,” Dr. Randal Pinkett; GE CEO, Lloyd Trotter; Cavs majority owners, Dan Gilbert; Steris CEO, Les Vinney; our own Thomas Mulready, Cool Cleveland creator and many more. Bid in the online auction for one on one time with your favorite exec at http://www.caao2006.cmarket.com , Mon 5/1 through Fri 5/12. Attend the Online Silent Executive Auction Kickoff Event on Fri 5/5 from 5:30PM to 9:30PM. Call 432-9481 for tickets. NEORSD, 3900 Euclid Avenue. http://www.caao.net.

CC KIDS Cleveland Orchestra Education Concerts provide many children in our region with their first exposure to the world of classical music – spurring a lifelong love of orchestral music. One teacher or chaperone for every 20 students is recommended for the exciting programs, “The Virtuoso Orchestra,” for grades 4 & 5, featuring Assistant Conductor Andrew Grams and young violinist Caroline Goulding in her Cleveland Orchestra debut or “Carnival of the Animals,” for grades 1-3, featuring a menagerie of animal-inspired music hosted by narrator Damon Gupton. Performances run from Tue 5/2 through Fri 5/5. Teachers should call Sandra Jones, Manager of Education and Family Concerts, at 231-7349 to check on ticket availability, and to confirm performance times. Severance Hall.

Silver Anniversary Luncheon The annual Providence House luncheon will hit new heights this year with an exclusive appearance by BMG recording artist Jim Brickman as twenty-five years of history meld with impressive plans for the future on Tue 5/2 when the doors open at 11:30AM for the noon program. For ticket information or reservations, call Providence House at 651-5982 ext. 226 or visit http://www.ProvHouse.org. Cleveland Renaissance Hotel, 24 Public Square.

Ruby Dee in FusionFest Legendary actress and Cleveland native, Ruby Dee, will take a one-night turn, on Mon 5/8 at the Cleveland Play House’s FusionFest, a multidiscipline festival scheduled for Tue 5/2 to Sun 5/21. Dee and actors from Cleveland’s Karamu Performing Arts Theatre will perform a staged reading of playwright Bridgette Wimberly’s “Saint Lucy’s Eyes.” The incredible list of events includes new works by Ally McBeal actor Greg Germann and Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser. Visit www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com or call 795-7000 for tickets or a listing of events. Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Avenue.

Uncorked Unconventional. Unsurpassed. Unexpected. It’s an uncanny combination of fine wines, good food and great music on Tue 5/2 from 6-8:30PM that is unbeatable. Taste wonderful wines. Savor scrumptious samples from local eateries. Enjoy mesmerizing music performed by talented Cleveland Institute of Music students. Browse exciting silent auction finds. Call 791-5000, x411 or click here to purchase tickets. Windows on the River, 2000 Sycamore, The Flats.

Magee Marsh Birding Adventure Bring a bird-loving adult pal on this unique adventure to one of the hottest bird-watching spots in North America on Wed 5/3 or Fri 5/5 from 6AM – 5PM. Registration for this popular event begins on Mon 4/3. Fee includes transportation, lunch, snacks and a field guide. Eastsiders can rendezvous at Garfield Park Nature Center, 11350 Broadway Avenue, Garfield Heights. Westsiders will be picked up at the Columbia Road RTA Park-N-Ride off I-90. Call 341-1704 for info.

The Business of Art I: Practical Information for Artists and the Attorneys Who Represent Them is a half-day seminar, on Wed 5/3 from 8AM – 12PM, packed with important information for artist entrepreneurs and their legal representatives. The event covers important information ranging from Business Entity Basics to That’s Mine: Intellectual Property and much more. Register online at www.ClevelandBar.org. Cleveland Bar Association, 2nd Level, 1301 East 9th Street.

American Cancer Society Fashion Show This event – part fundraiser, part fashion show, and part local business showcase – is a win-win-win situation for everyone. Professional models, breast cancer survivors and some of Cleveland’s top breast cancer physicians will heat up the runway sporting smoldering fashions from Toni’s of Chargrin Falls, during the Reach to Recovery Spring 2006 Luncheon & Fashion Show and Auction on Wed 5/3 beginning at 10:30AM. Call 377-2611 to make reservations. Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights. http://www.Cancer.org.

CC KIDS AIDS Memorial Quilt in Cleveland You can view this remarkable quilt when you attend the opening event on Wed 5/3 from 6-9PM; Thu 5/4 from 10AM-2PM & 6-9PM; Fri 5/5 from 10AM-2PM & 6-9PM and Sat 5/6 from 10AM-4PM & 6-9PM. A special memorial service with begin with a candlelight ceremony Sat 5/6 at 7:30PM. All events are open to the public without cost. Call 987-5508 for more information. Tri-C Western Campus Theatre, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road, Parma. www.tri-c.edu.

Eitetsu Hayashi Hear Japan’s premier solo taiko drummer, on Wed 5/3 at 8PM during a special, no-cost concert. Eitetsu will perform on stage with students in the CSU Orchestra, Chorus and Chorale and Cleveland School of the Arts. The evening will feature performances of Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole and Tokuhide Niimi’s Fujin-Raijin for Japanese big drum, organ and orchestra soloist. Call 687-5100 for info. Waetjen Auditorium on CSU Campus, Music and Communication Building at 2001 Euclid Avenue. www.csuohio.edu.

WCLVnotes Tonight at 8PM, WCLV 104.9 FM will be at Severance Hall for a special Cleveland Institute of Music Live broadcast featuring the CIM Orchestra conducted by Carl Topilow and the 2005 Cleveland International Piano Competition winner Chu-Fang Huang. The program is an especially attractive one with Michael Torke’s “Javelin” the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 2, “London.” This coming Sun 4/30 at 3PM, Bill Rudman, perhaps the nation’s most knowledgeable expert on Broadway musicals, will be the guest on “Arts on the Air.” Bill is the host and producer of WCLV’s “Footlight Parade,” heard on some 100 stations nationwide and on XM Satellite. You can catch “Footlight Parade” on WCLV, Saturdays at 6PM. Complete details of all of WCLV’s programming can be found in the WCLV Program Guide at www.WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Opinion/Commentary
Why Cleveland Is (really) Cool
by David Budin

I’m going to Los Angeles in a few weeks. I was planning my trip a few days ago and I was thinking, “Cleveland’s really nice and there’s a lot to do here – but it’s not Los Angeles. But then I had three days that reminded me of why Cleveland is so cool (and I’ll tell you when we get to the really cool part).

The Rock Hall has a party on Tuesday, April 18, for the opening of its exhibit about Roy Orbison, one of the most influential artists in rock history. The party’s open to Rock Hall members, so on one hand, it’s a private party, but on the other hand, anyone can be a member, so you could have gone. Roy Orbison’s widow, Barbara, is at the party. As a media member, I get to talk to Barbara Orbison before the reception, so I feel privileged. Then, at the party, she’s walking around all over the pace and talking to anyone who wants to talk to her.

In the exhibit, there’s a photo of Roy Orbison performing at the last concert he ever played, at the old Front Row Theater. The photo is by Cleveland photographer Janet Macoska. The next night, April 19, I’m back at the Rock Hall for a lecture in the 4th floor auditorium and I find myself sitting next to Janet Macoska.

Originally on that night, I was going to go to the Beachland Ballroom to hear up-and-coming singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. But then someone gave my wife tickets to the Cavs game. I say, “Well, Josh Ritter is up-and-coming, he’ll be back. But this is the last Cavs game of the regular season and I haven’t been to a game this year.” So I’m going to do that…
Read more of Why Cleveland is Cool here

Opinion/Commentary
RoldoLINK 1
Urban Renewal by Starving the Beast
By Roldo Bartimole

“Habit conditions more deplorable scenes than conspiracy could contrive.”

That’s one of those gems written by Murray Kempton that I have used before because it presents such a concise summation of how most human events unfold.

I think, however, that “habit” often has the element of planned deception without having the formal structure of a conspiracy.

Why is Cleveland the way it is?

If you don’t know the “way it is,” I’ll explain it from my perspective.

Cleveland is a dying organism. Maybe a manslaughter victim, too…
Read RoldoLINK here

Opinion/Commentary
RoldoLINK 2
Kucinich Worth A Million Pee Dee Editorials
By Roldo Bartimole

You really have to wonder if the Plain Dealer thinks it can fool all the people all the time.

That’s my thought when I see a rather long editorial “un-endorsing” Rep. Dennis Kucinich and telling readers to vote for a woman who ran as an independent in 2004 and who appears to be a Republican now.

No matter to the Plain Dealer. She is not Kucinich. That is what seems to matter to this Republican newspaper. On the other hand, maybe they believe by electing Ferris, the Republican candidate will win District 10 in November.

I gather her Republican leanings from a ringing endorsement on her web site from Republican Robert Brown. He heads up a “Republicans for Ferris” though she’s running in a Democratic primary.

This news seems to have escaped the Pee Dee editorial writers…
Read RoldoLINK here

Cool Cleveland Sounds
C’mon, C’mere
Patrick Sweany Band
Nine Mile Records

A glance at the tavern clock is sobering you up. You know it’s late, especially when you add those 24 odd minutes of BST (that would be Bar Standard Time, true believers). And yet, you just can’t let go of that “happy hour haze” or your rockin’ summer night. That sweaty tumbler with a double Jameson and that ice-cold lager chaser has served you well; your night is as nice and smooth as your choice of libation.

Across the bar, there’s a dynamic blues/roots rock trio really ripping it up. The singer/guitarist can certainly handle his guitar (he’s a pro) and he has this Fogerty-esque vocal quality about him. The group’s sound is new and yet familiar, their performance seemingly effortless. They’re weaving impeccably-crafted Americana with a woozy garage-rock mindset and modern inflections. Theirs is more than just another “dirty boogie”—at some moments, it sounds downright filthy. Greasy. Dirt-under-the-fingernails. “I get my back into my living.”

You dig? Yeah, I thought you might.

There are intricate, acoustic moments recalling music from the Mississippi Delta. These tunes smolder like the glowing embers in the ashtray next to you. Occasionally, southern-fried melodies drift into your senses like the smell of soul food from the kitchen down the bar. Some of it borders on that new “fringe-country” style that No Depression readers rail against, but it’s nothing that would ever offend. The night should never end, but you know the credo: (S)he who rocks and rolls away lives to rock another day.

You order up a coffee from the bartender, gather yourself and leave. Your timing is as perfect as the band onstage.

There’s no better way to describe the latest release from the Patrick Sweany Band. The Massillon, Ohio singer/songwriter has dashed his rhythm and blues with hot sauce. He’s got a new version of his powerful trio: Bob Basone replaces Ted Pecchio on baritone guitar, with Clint Alguire remaining on drums. He’s got a smart and historically-accurate producer, Jimbo Mathus from the Squirrel Nut Zippers. He’s even got a new record deal with a major-player indie label, Nine Mile Records.

But perhaps best of all, Sweany remains convinced and “unconventional,” dipping into swaggering blues and roots music like a man possessed of bygone eras. C’mon, C’mere has all the makings of a bonafide smash, and if the gravity of “Nobody’s Dance,” “An Understanding” and the set-closer “Bounce” don’t get you, then the sure-fire hit “Stark County” (yeah, that one) will kick you square in the breadbasket. This is a simply undeniable effort.

Join the Patrick Sweany Band for what’s being dubbed “a combination CD Release/Birthday Throwdown” for C’mon, C’mere at the Beachland Ballroom this Thursday, April 27. For more information, visit Sweany’s website, http://www.patricksweany.com/ or the Beachland Ballroom at http://www.beachlandballroom.com/

From Cool Cleveland contributor 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

Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We’ve got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you’re interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland Preview
Contemporary Youth Orchestra’s “Friend Raiser”

The stunning and historic Gwinn Estate will be the site of Contemporary Youth Orchestra’s “Friend Raiser,” Friday, April 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by the Divertimento, a string quartet, during the reception.

The award-winning Contemporary Youth Orchestra, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1995 by its Music Director, Liza Grossman. CYO is the first and only youth orchestra in the country dedicated exclusively to the study and performance of contemporary orchestral literature. By the end of this season, its 1tth, CYO will have performed 36 world premieres, all with the composers present.

CYO is composed of more than 100 of the top high school-age musicians in Northern Ohio, representing more than 40 schools. CYO also presents its annual Rock the Orchestra concert every May, featuring legendary rock artists – so far including Graham Nash, Pat Benatar, Jon Anderson (Yes), Ray Manzerak (Doors), and this year Styx – performing their music with the orchestra.

The Gwinn Estate, built in 1906 on Lake Erie in Bratenahl, was originally the home of two of the most prominent Clevelanders in the city’s history, William Gwinn Mather and Elizabeth Ring Mather. When Mrs. Mather died in 1957, she left the estate to be used by non-profit civic, cultural, educational and medical organizations.

The Gwinn Estate is at 12407 Lake Shore Boulevard. For tickets to the Friend Raiser, call 216-321-3525.

For more information on Contemporary Youth Orchestra, please visit: http://www.CYOrchestra.org

Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Dr. Dolittle @ Palace Theatre 4/19 Nearly everyone knows the name of Dr. Dolittle even if they don’t know the origins of the much-loved tales. (They were written during WWI by the British-American Hugh Lofting.) Thanks to an earlier musical and a movie or two (with another one imminent) he’s a familiar character. But, once you’ve seen this version, you’ll always remember the man who IS Dr. Dolittle—Tommy Tune.

He’s also the imagination behind this colorful new production that generally zips right along, letting us hear his delightful chats with the animals he tends, interspersed with songs and comic patter, and wonderful visual effects. (By now, the recalcitrant sets and curtains and so forth at Playhouse Square’s Palace Theatre should have worked out their kinks and be performing properly, as well.)

The supporting cast is terrific! Clevelander Dee Hoty is one of Tune’s favorite co-stars, and no wonder! They’re perfectly matched as singers, dancers and actors. In this version Hoty plays Lady Emma Fairfax who turns out to be the Doctor’s love interest…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 4/20 Even though he’s never guest conducted here prior to this week, we can still feel that Herbert Blomstedt isn’t exactly a stranger, thanks to the radio and his many recordings. And now, we can say we’ve had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, and perhaps he’ll return again—soon.

The esteemed conductor brought two old friends with him this week: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Opus 60, and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5, Opus 50. One might almost say it was a rather short but sweet—and filling performance.

Although the two symphonies were written somewhat more than one hundred years apart, they have one similarity—they each start off in a quiet, ethereal manner. This is a quality in which our orchestra excels, and indeed, it is sometimes difficult to tell if they really are playing or are waiting to play…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Greater Cleveland Flute Society @ Judson Manor 4/23 If you’re among those who think the flute is just a sweet, high-pitched instrument, I have news for you! That may sometimes be true, but not necessarily always, as was proven in a most innovative recital presented by the Greater Cleveland Flute Society at Judson Manor on Sunday evening.

The ballroom at Judson is a charming room, perfect for a mid-sized recital, as this was, with very lively acoustics. In some cases, this made for a certain amount of shrillness when playing in the upper register of the instrument, but also made for warmth and richness at the other end of the instrument’s wide range. The flute family encompasses not only flute and piccolo, which we all know and love, but also an alto flute (longer and with a larger diameter) and a bass flute, which somewhat resembles (from a distance, at least) the slide portion of a trombone, but with keys added to it…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On being Forced to Leave (See Are we forced to leave? by Kutting here and Jumping in with both feet by Mullaney here) Messrs. Mullaney and Kutting are local natives who went to local universitites. I would like to present a different perspective: that of a native who went to school in another area, Chicago in my case. If staying in Cleveland after graduating from a local school is a wasteland, then trying to come back from an the outside is the Sahara Desert. Everyone I know from John Carroll landed good jobs in Cleveland. I remember attending an honors dinner at the Renaissance for top performing high school students. The featured speaker was Julian Earls, then director of Glenn Research Center, who shook every students’ hand and asked their school and intended major. When I said “University of Chicago and Physics” he replied “come work for NASA”. While this was of course just talk, it was the spark that led me to apply for an internship at Glenn. Three times. No luck, even though at the same time I was getting research internships at Purdue and Chicago. After my third rejection I contacted the admissions group to enquire as to where I went wrong, when I gleaned this bit of information: this was the first year the program wasn’t openly discriminating against out-of-state students. In previous years, I had been turned down for attending an out-of-state school, and even now the program probably still frowns on non-local applicants. They discriminated against applicants from out-of-state, even ones whose families had lived in Ohio (for 3+ generations in my case) and paid taxes there, at an institution financed almost entirely by federal tax dollars. When I finished my A.B., I tried to apply for a full-time position to NASA and was told that all hirings are done through the internship system. So I was locked out of the largest science and technology employer in Greater Cleveland, for the crime of deciding to attend the most prestigious school of physics in the country. Now I’m in Indiana working on a Ph.D., still hoping to get back to Cleveland someday, still doubtful of ever being able to return. All is not lost, however. A month ago at a colloquia I met a new professor at Case who was very friendly and interested in helping me come back to the region. Ironically, he is a recent arrival from the East Coast. So perhaps there is some hope after all. This isn’t meant to be a lament, but rather a reminder that Clevelanders must lose their provincialism and pay attention to not only halting Brain Drain, but actively searching for opportunites for Brain Gain, if they hope to bring new business to Northeast Ohio.
from Cool Cleveland reader T. R. Stratton trstrattonATgmail.com

On the Innerbelt project (See Yr Turn letters from Susan Miller and Ed Hauser here) In response to Mr. Hauser’s and Ms. Miller’s letters about the Innerbelt project, this is just one more example that the officials and agencies who are supposed to be serving us, the taxpayers, in reality have no regard for ANYTHING save their own agendas. They will invite public comment as a sop to forestall any potentially embarrassing and problematic outcry from the citizens, and then will proceed to do exactly as they originally intended to do—-completing plans that were drawn up without notifying or consulting the people who are footing the bill. The proposed new convention center, the backdoor machinations involving Whiskey Island and Steelyard Commons, the Fulton Road Bridge project, the new county office building—–all these are more examples of the selling out of Cleveland residents. The Innerbelt project just happens to be the latest and most visible. Officials and planners have the goal (stated more than once before witnesses) of keeping the public in the dark as long as possible, so that the deals and plans, when finally released for public consumption, can be presented as faits accomplis. After all, they know what’s best, and what we don’t know won’t hurt us. Until it’s too late and we get the bill for the latest fiasco. Though Mr. Hauser mentions the Broadway Mills/Gillota Fuel Products Building, what’s really damning is the seeming arbitrary value of landmark status in relation to various planned projects. At a “community” meeting in February, in the face of pointed and vocal opposition to the re-configuration/elmination of Innerbelt exits, ODOT officials cited the landmark eligibility status of the Walker Weeks building and the Juvenile Justice Center as partial reasons for their decisions. Those buildiings, said ODOT, had to be preserved, even though they are currently only “eligible” for the National Register; hence, the closing of the Carnegie exit. Similar eligibility of the Broadway Mills building, however, doesn’t matter a whit, because ODOT has already decided to destroy it to implement the northern bridge alignment. Supporters of the preservation of the building filed a petition to grant emergency landmark status for the building, which the city is fighting to deny. The Cleveland Landmarks Commission has slated a local decision on the building’s status for this week. Why is historic significance a deciding factor in some of ODOT’s plans and totally irrelevant in others? Only ODOT knows for sure. Another interesting fact is that Baker & Associates, the firm which has been hired to design the new Innerbelt bridge (northern alignment) is also the entity which is preparing the paperwork aimed at denying the Broadway Mills building landmark status. Apparently, conflict of interest considerations mean nothing in this case. Nor did they in the case of the Fulton Road Bridge. A desperate attempt was made to save the bridge by obtaining national landmark status for it. However, ODOT and the city of Cleveland had already decided that the one-of-a-kind, salvageable bridge had to go, so the city saw to it that the landmark petition was scotched. Who provided the report to bolster denial of the petition? None other than Baker & Associates, which had been retained to design the new Fulton Road Bridge. We as residents of Cleveland must stop this pattern of abuse, before our historic structures AND our choices are all chipped away, one at a time.
from Cool Cleveland reader Denise Donaldson zoonorthATnetzero.com

On ODOT and the Broadway Mills Building ODOT [Ohio Department of Transportation] seems to have by-passed National Historic Preservation Act because they did not reconsider the Southern Bridge Alignment Alternative that doesn’t affect the historic Broadway Mills Building and Central Viaduct remnant. The historic building and viaduct may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is ODOT property take #19- currently Gillota Fuel Products, located across from Jacobs Field. The historic Broadway Mills Company Building was built in 1894 and is attached to the historic Central Viaduct remnant, built in 1888. John N. Richardson, a renowned Cleveland architect, already has three designated Cleveland Landmarks, which includes the Powerhouse in the Flats, St. Stephen Church and Franklin Circle Christian Church. Will Broadway Mills be his fourth? Come see ODOT present its opposition to our potential landmark and Ed Hauser, the nominator, standup for our landmarks and heritage in Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Valley. The Cleveland Landmarks Commission will vote on the nomination of the historic building and viaduct as Cleveland Landmark, this Thursday (4/27) at 9 a.m., in Cleveland City Hall, 501 Lakeside Ave, Room 514.
from Cool Cleveland reader Ed Hauser ejhauserATameritech.net

On Cool Cleveland It seems you’re about the only media release in town which lets Clevelanders know about exciting events before they happen. Thanks again for putting out such solid, positive news on this town.
from Cool Cleveland reader Chris Whipple whippleusATadelphia.net

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) Favorite bike rides Springtime in Cleveland. Time to get out and get active.
www.GreenCityBlueLake.org

2) Crain’s 20 in their 20s A lot of you wanted to meet some of Cleveland’s freshest creative minds; barely legal and already making their mark on the business world.
www.CrainsCleveland.com.

3) Cleveland gets press Rachel Ray munches stops @ Slyman’s, Tommy’s, the Rock Hall & Little Italy.
www.FoodNetwork.com.

4) Cleveland gets press redux Leisure Group Travel Magazine visits the Maltz Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and a few historic Ohio hotels.
www.LeisureGroupTravel.com.

5) RoldoLINK Mayor Jackson needs to go where the money is.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

They keep coming back No matter what you throw at them, the Hard Corps have some mettle. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Roldo Bartimole, Kelly Ferjutz, David Budin, 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 podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine here. 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. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

If you don’t throw it, it won’t come back,

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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