Get Registered

Get Registered

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland People Jason Therrien of thunder::tech
* Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile Neil Adelman of BlueBridge Networks
* Issue 18 Profile John Farina, Beck Center for the Arts
* Cool Cleveland Interview Ward 13 City Councilman Joe Cimperman
* Blackwell v. Strickland Cleveland’s leading satirist illuminates the “Goob-A-Nutorial” Race
* Signs of Life on Planet Cleveland Rethinking Cowtown by David Budin
* Cool Cleveland Preview New Frontiers: American Art Since 1945 at Oberlin College
* Cool Cleveland BizTech Update Nathan Zaremba of Zaremba Homes
* Cool Cleveland BizTech Update Avenue District homeowner Ellen Evans
* Cool Cleveland Eats The Favor of Indian Curry by Peter Chakerian
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Lords of the Highway (DVD)
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

The upcoming mid-term elections in November are expected to radically change the direction of our government. Locally we’re focused on Issue 18, the arts levy, which would raise $20 million a year for 10 years for Cuyahoga County arts. At the state level, we’re picking a new governor & most state offices, and deciding on controversial issues regarding gambling and smoking. Nationally, our Senate race could help tip the balance of power in Washington. As usual, Cleveland is at the eye of the storm. First, make sure you’re registered, then get yourself an absentee ballot; you don’t need a good excuse anymore. Cool Cleveland will be endorsing candidates and issues in coming weeks, but for now, enjoy the 6 short video interviews below, from tech notables to Issue 18 advocates to Ellen Evans, who is moving from Rocky River to the new Avenue District in Downtown. The future around here is bright, but only if you make sure your voice, and your vote, count. –Thomas Mulready

Cool Cleveland People
Jason Therrien
thunder::tech
Movies Behind the Scenes

Jason Therrien is living the dot-com dream, right here in Cleveland. His interactive marketing firm has flipped the model inside out, anchoring clients’ strategies to their web presence, then using traditional marketing such as print, PR and media, to drive traffic to their site. He showed Cool Cleveland ‘s Thomas Mulready around his 2-story loft workspace in Midtown as they talked about the new world of marketing, the growth of thunder::tech, and the importance of finding good talent. http://www.thundertech.com

WATCH THE MOVIE thunder::tech president Jason Therrien

Click here for Windows movie

Click here for Mac movie

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Issue 18: On the Air On Tues 11/7 voters will decide on a ballot issue that can help keep our Arts & Culture assets – and our region – strong. Regardless of location or size, not-for-profit Arts & Culture groups throughout the county, in every neighborhood and suburb, will be eligible to receive funding created by Issue 18. This includes groups and projects in University Circle, the Theatre District, North Coast Harbor, Gordon Square Cultural District, and suburbs from Berea to Independence to Solon. New Issue 18 ads, airing on TV right now, highlight the variety and impact of our arts and culture sector throughout Cuyahoga County. Visit our website and take a look. If you’d like to help us run the TV spots more often, you can help by donating at www.Issue18.org.
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Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile
Neil Adelman
BlueBridge Networks
Movies Behind the Scenes

BlueBridge is one of the new success stories of Cleveland’s tech sector. When they moved into the Sterling Building at 12th & Euclid, telecom giant GTE had wired the building with massive amounts of fiber optics connected directly to the Internet backbone, then went belly up in the dot-com bust. BlueBridge took advantage of this unique tech asset and built one of the wonders of NEO’s tech world. Neil talked with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready about their data center’s redundancy, their work with community networks OneCommunity and Third Frontier, and how they can keep their client’s data flowing even during a catastrophe. http://www.BlueBridgeNetworks.com

WATCH THE MOVIE BlueBridge Networks CEO Neil Adelman

Click here for Windows movie

Click here for Mac movie

Tech:Cleveland

A wild and wonderful array of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

BizTechNEWS

• Intl Assn of IT Asset Mgrs offers 50% off conference in Cle 10/18-20 Info: 330.877.1437
• Compare Cle home prices with the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index Read
• New public art in lobby of CSU Nance School of Business The Growth of Potential Info: 687-2290
• Northern Ohio Live purchased by RightUp Media: Hugh Tobin & Steve Casey Info: 440-484-0100
• SmartEnergy Spire developed by CSU improves over windmills Read
• Cle broadband gets digital ink Story by Cle tech czar Michael DeAloia & Case’s Lev Gonick in nat’l mag Read

BizTechEVENTS

• Nano Week continues thru Thu 10/5 with Nano Summit, Nano Forum and Nano 101 Register
• Connecting Business the United Way, comp networking Thu 10/5 5:30-7:30PM Pickwick Info
• 06 Business Show Beachwood Chamber Mon 10/9 Info
• Mobile Marketing NODMA lunch Tue 10/10 11:30AM Windows Register
• Hard Hat Area forum on Lakewood’s housing boom: The Cliffs, Rosewood, Rockport Tue 10/10 7PM Register

Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

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Holy Moses, It’s Hoppy Hour at the Garden! Tip and sip from Clev’s master meister, the Great Lakes Brewing Company, Fri 10/6 from 5–7PM at Cleveland Botanical Garden. Garden admission is $5 after 5PM and tasting fees are $5 (which includes 6 drink tickets). Learn about the hops, barley, malt and other botanical ingredients used to make beer and sample GLBC’s Oktoberfest, Dortmunder Gold, Nosferatu and Holy Moses. In addition to the drink tix, there will be a cash bar to purchase any 12 oz. beer for $3. Pretzels, sausage samplers and bread pudding will be provided at no charge. At 6PM, Great Lakes Brewing Company will present the history of brewing and techniques for wanna-be brew meisters. For more information call (216) 707-2834 or www.CBGarden.org.
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Cool Cleveland NewsLINKS

• Get registered to vote in the Tue 11/7 election. Get info and forms here, and postmark it 30 days before the 11/7 election.
• 2 Great Lakes beers in Top 15 according to Men’s Journal magazine, Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Burning River Pale Ale is #14 and their Holy Moses White Ale scored #7 in their Best Beers in America rankings. Pop open a cold one and celebrate some of the best beer in America, made right here in Ohio City. See Men’s Journal here.
• People’s Art Show CSU’s unjuried, uncensored (and that’s saying a lot these days) and uninhibited People’s Art Show is legendary for provocation and surprising gems. Drop off your work Fri 10/13 and 10/14 in person, for the show 11/3-12/15. 687-2103 http://www.CSUohio.edu/art/gallery
• COSE endorses Issue 18 “Over the last several years COSE has worked to improve its support for the growth and success of artist entrepreneurs in the region,” says Lou Licata, COSE Board Chairman. “Through jobs, education, and tourist attraction, Cuyahoga County’s arts & culture industry makes this region a better place to live and work, which is why the COSE Board voted to support Issue 18.” http://www.Issue18.org
• Go absentee Get your absentee ballot in advance and take your time to consider your vote. The rules have changed, and you don’t need an excuse to get an absentee ballot. “Any qualified Ohio voter may request an absentee ballot without stating a reason.” Just ask for it, using form 11-A, or by calling 443-3277.Then get it to your County election board by 7:30PM on election day, Tue 11/7.
• Peace Can Work In conjunction with the first stop on their tour in Cle on 10/14 at the Allen Theatre, Beatles supergroup (from Letterman & Conan) The Fab Faux are collecting cans of food to be donated to the St. Augustine Food Bank in Cle. At Tower City Center from Mon 10/9 (John Lennon’s b-day) thru 10/31, the group Peace Can Work is building and displaying a peace sign can sculpture, using thousands of food cans contributed by Annie’s Homegrown, all of which will also be donated. Read. Tix.
• 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.

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Fall for the Circle: Fun for the Kids, Equally Fun for You Take a break from football and join in the best autumn celebration Cleveland has to offer: Fall for the Circle. Come dressed in your best costume and enjoy Halloween-themed activities and complimentary entertainment on Wade Oval in University Circle, including Radio Disney, Charter One Bank Soccer Camp, and Living in University Circle Trick-or-Treat Lane. Many of your favorite University Circle institutions will be open and packed with fun things to do. While you’re here, be on the lookout for over 30 uniquely dressed 10-foot-tall scarecrows. Join us Fri 10/13 and Sat 10/14 from 11AM to 4PM for this one-of-a-kind community event. For more information call 216-707-5033 or visit www.universitycircle.org.
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Cool Cleveland NewsLINKS

• Lkwd schools + Beck = Arts Academy Lakewood City School District and Beck Center for the Arts collaborate to create additional collaborative programming for all ages. http://www.LakewoodCitySchools.org.
• Cool Cleveland Kids 10-year-old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max Mulready has scoured the Internet looking for a few good events to recommend. Hear his short podcast here even if you don’t have special software. If you’re a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod or your computer and listen with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for our recommendations for a fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids10.06.06.mp3. Add the CC Kids Podcast to iTunes using this link. Adding this link to your program that catches podcasts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.
• Radicool Clevo t-shirts here.
• Cle dancer wins Bessie It’s the dance and performance eqivalent of an Oscar, and Clevelander Dianne McIntyre, known nationally as a choreographer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and other work with generations of women and African-American movement artists. Read.
• Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland10.06.06.mp3. Add the CC Podcast to iTunes using this link. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
• Top theatre presenters huddle in Cleve Theater industry movers and shakers get a first-hand taste of the ground-breaking arts education initiatives happening at the new Idea Center at Playhouse Square from Tue 10/3 – Thu 10/5.

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Know the Score Which is preferred by the masses? Ludwig’s Seventh interpreted by John Cage, John Corigliano or the real deal – Ludwig himself? Compare and contrast by experiencing a performance by Red {an orchestra} in “Assembling Beethoven” on Sun 10/8 at 3PM at the Masonic Auditorium, downtown. For more info and good tickets while they last, contact www.RedAnOrchestra.org or 216-361-1733. Tickets start at $15. The Masonic Auditorium is located at Euclid and E. 36th, downtown.
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Cool Cleveland This Week
10.04-10.11

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

WED

• Workshops for Writers View the entire schedule of workshops, classes and discussions happening at the PWLGC Literary Center throughout the month of October by visiting www.pwlgc.com.
• Myers School of Art Exhibits Posters by internationally-acclaimed graphic designer James Victore are showcased in his provocative exhibition – James Victore Loves His Country. National traveling exhibition, Contemporary American Serigraphs 2004-2006, features recent works by eighteen preeminent contemporary American serigraphers (silk-screen printmakers). Exhibits run concurrently through Sat 10/21. Akron. http://www.uakron.edu/art.
• CC KIDS October Fun at the Children’s Museum The entire month of October is packed with fun programs for the kiddies including “Leaping Lizards,” “Spiraling Snakes,” “Turtle in a Box” and the Halloween Spooktacular Celebration. See the complete listing at www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.
• Cleveland Orchestra Hits the Big Apple on Wed 10/4-8 with three performances at Carnegie Hall. Catch Cleveland Orchestra’s performance in Carnegie Hall’s Opening Night Gala when it airs on the PBS Great Performances series on Wed 10/11.
• Arts & Culture Action Committee Fundraiser Jonathan Sheffer, Artistic Director and Conductor of Red {an orchestra} invites you to a reception at his Downtown loft along with with hosts Cleveland City Councilmen Matt Zone & Joe Cimperman; State Senator Eric D. Fingerhut; Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones; Kit & Ray Sawyer; State Representative Jim Trakas; Zachary Coleman and Betty Vandenbosch and Margaret Wong tonight – Wed 10/4 from 6 – 8PM. RSVP to ihass@jonathansheffer.com or 479-0555. http://www.issue18.org.

THU

• Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling Jane Hyun, author of Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling, discusses strategies for Asian Americans to be effective in the multi-cultural workplace and for companies to realize the full potential of their Asian American employees on Thu 10/5 at 8:30AM. http://www.MotivAsians.org.
• The World Can’t Wait Gathering on Thu 10/5 at noon at the Free Stamp for Clevelanders outraged over current administration’s determination to bludgeon the Middle East into submission and trample on the rights of American citizens. Visit “Camp Creative Resistance” with art, musicians, speakers, an open mic, drum circles and more. http://www.WorldCantWait.org. http://ohioworldcantwait.blogspot.com/.
• Travel the Globe, an Educator Expedition is an open house on Thu 10/5 from 3 – 7PM to inform teachers & community educators about the programs and services offered this school year through University Circle Inc. organizations. Appropriate for teachers, after-school and community educators and home-schoolers. Call 707-5015 or email eziska@universitycircle.org to register. http://www.UniversityCircle.org.
• Van Duzer Live: Beyond the Gallery Walls Join this live bus tour in conjunction with his exhibition The Van Duzer Perspective at the Convivum33 Gallery on Thu 10/5 at 5:30PM. Call 881-0644, or visit www.JosaphatArtsHall.com for details.
• Art House Mix & Mingle Get to know local emerging artists on Thu 10/5 at 5:30PM during a networking event for artists and art patrons. Call 398-8556. www.ArtHouseInc.org.
• Stupendous Event Lister of the Month The Cleveland Children’s Museum sends listings that include all of the essential elements of a classically cool event listing: Who, what, when, where and why we should care from the perspective of both parents and children. Visit http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org and see what they have in store for you lil’ hobgoblin this month. Send your excellent events to us at Events@CoolCleveland.com.
• HOT Techonomic Talk Panel discussion on NEO economic growth through technology, featuring Cool Cleveland ‘s Thomas Mulready, Cleveland tech czar Michael DeAloia, Case CIO Lev Gonick and NorTech CEO Dorothy Banach. Attend live event or webcast Thu 10/5 at 6PM. Register.
• HOT Evolution of Light will WOW you with neon-wired costumes and UV lighting to create the ultimate visual feast plus the music of composer Neil Chastain and costume and set design by Alexandra Underhill and Zoe Schultz. Show opens Thu 10/5 at 7:30PM at Cleveland Public Theatre. Check out the entire Not Your Typical Night at the Theatre lineup at www.cptonline.org
• Gospel! Gospel! Gospel! The Otis Sallid musical which depicts the history of gospel music from slavery to current day premieres Thu 10/5 at 8PM at Karamu House. Contact 374-3095. http://www.Karamu.com.

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40+ Tasty Reasons Visit Holden Arboretum this weekend, relax with friends, live music (by Blue Lunch, an 8-piece blues band), and partake in over 40 flavors at Holden Arboretum’s Beer!Garden on Sat 10/7 from 3PM to 6PM. Taste unique brews like the Dead Guy, Double Chocolate and Honkers Ale from master meisters like Hofbrau, Goose Island, Ommegang and many more. Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Receive a discount of $5 off if you mention Cool Cleveland when registering. Only 30+ minutes from Cleveland at 9500 Sperry Road in Kirtland. See directions here. For info contact www.holdenarb.org or 440-946-4400.
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FRI

• Turning Points Autumn 2006 Exhibit at the Log Cabin Gallery from Fri 10/6 to Sun 10/8. Call 330-657-2670. Peninsula. http://www.TheLogCabinGallery.com.
• HOT Discover the Wild World of Gourds through exhibits and programs offered on Fri 10/6 through 10/29. Enjoy lighthearted folk art displays of sculptures and structures, and even some scarecrows – all created with the oddly shaped vegetables that have become such an integral part of fall fun. Cleveland Botanical Garden. cbgarden.org.
• Polish Festival Hit the Slavic Village-Warszawa Historic district for Polka music and homemade Polish delicacies on Fri 10/6 beginning at 4PM through Sun 10/8. Call 341-9091 or visit www.StStanislaus.org.
• HOT Drive-In Date Night Cinema Wasteland presents a weekend of B grade horror and science-fiction movies from the drive-in era and a host of movie memorabilia at Holiday Inn Select 15471 Royalton Rd, Strongville starting Fri 10/6 at 5PM. Visit http://www.CinemaWasteland.com/ for more information.
• First Friday w/ArtCetera Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while networking with Akron’s young professionals on Fri 10/6 at 5:30PM at the Summit ArtSpace. The event includes a comp pass to the provocative, edgy exhibit Restless in Akron – artwork done by young, local artists. http://www.art-cetera.org.
• Catastrophic Failure is Uri Davillier’s glimpse into the nature of success on Fri 10/6 from 6 – 11PM. Delicious hand-made indulgences by Mari Jane Campbell, live tabla rhythms by Josh Sherman, and Julia Pankhurst on stilts round out the night. Take a peek here. Paradise Gallery, 2199 Lee Road, Cle Hts.
• HOT Enigmatic Poetics, Swirling Melodies, and a Voice Richard Buckner, folk artist extraordinaire brings his latest offering Meadow to Cleveland on Fri 10/6 at 8PM. He will be performing with Doug Gillard, The Black Swans and Brian Straw. Reserve tickets at www.MillerWeitzelGallery.com
• WCLVnotes The Cleveland Institute of Music’s very popular “Offbeat” series returns to WCLV Sat 10/7 at 11AM. The first of 26 programs features host Merry Peckham interviewing herself! It’s kind of quirky, and it’s a lot of fun. The next installment in the series features “Doctor Cool” himself, Doc Severinson on 10/14. In case you didn’t know, the Canton Symphony has gone Platinum! This season is the ensemble’s 70th anniversary and to celebrate, Robert Conrad will preview the upcoming season with Music Director Gerhardt Zimmerman in the first of three one-hour programs 10/10 at 9PM. In case you’re wondering about the Platinum bit, Platinum is the traditional theme of a 70th wedding anniversary. It’s rarer than gold and sells for a cool $1000+ per ounce. For info go to www.WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

SAT

• CC KIDS Corn & Pumpkin Harvest Weekend Make corn husk dolls, challenge a 3-acre corn maize, press apple cider, sample apple butter, climb through the kids’ hay maze and see a corn harvesting demonstration with antique farm equipment on Sat 10/7 and Sun 10/8 from 9AM to 5PM. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland.
• Fine Print Fair Calling all Art Buffs! The 22nd annual Fine Print Fair is set to impress this year, showcasing Cleveland’s largest and most comprehensive exhibition of fine prints spanning five centuries. This year’s raffle print is valued at $2,500 and tickets may be purchased in advance. Make sure you’re there on Sat 10/7 & 10/8 from 10AM – 5PM. This year the event will be held at a new location, Cuyahoga Community College’s Corporate College, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights. Call 765-1813 for more info visit www.ClevelandArt.org.
• HOT CC KIDS City Artists at Work Visit more than 50 artists in 11 buildings during this Open Studio event on Sat 10/7 and Sun 10/8 from 12 – 6PM. Check out Reflect and Respond – an interactive project by Robert Schulte of Blue Robot utilizing computer, video and live participant facial responses. Demonstrations in pottery, stained glass, printmaking and much more will also be held. This year’s theme revolves around the question: “Art is the key to…?” Learn more at http://www.CityArtistsAtWork.com.
• Bilgere, Black, McMahon, and Janssen read at Gallery 324 on Sat 10/7 at noon and every Saturday in October at Gallery 324 – The Galleria at Erieview, 1301 East Ninth Street.
• HOT Radical Reels Film Festival The Radical Reels Tour comes to Ohio for the first time on Sat 10/7 at 7PM for an exclusive showing at the new Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street in downtown Akron. Call 556-0016 or visit www.TheEdgeFilms.com.
• Uncle Waldo’s Coffee House presents Chuck Pyle appearing live on Sat 10/7 at 7:30PM. Uncle Waldo’s presents live acoustic music by nationally touring singer/songwriters in a completely smoke-free, listening room environment. Call 440-333-2255 for more info. West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Boulevard, Rocky River.
• 1001 Cleveland Nights Cleveland Public Library curators will unveil rarely seen and unusual art and artifacts from the Far and Middle East on Sat 10/7 at 7:30PM – VIP Party at 6:30PM. Call 623-2821. www.cpl.org.
• Betty Buckley The Tony Award winning actress and her band Quintessence perform perennial cabaret favorites and jazzy new arrangements with pure energy and raw emotion on Sat 10/7 at 8PM. www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.

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It’s Downright Mania, Man United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum are seeking artists to submit their guitar designs for the next GuitarMania® in 2007. The GuitarMania Artists Jury will select designs to present to the GuitarMania sponsors. Artists chosen by sponsors will develop their designs into the oversize guitars that will adorn Cleveland streets throughout the Summer and Fall of 2007. Artists will be recognized in all public references to their guitars as well as through a permanent plaque attached to the guitar throughout the months of display. Design submission and application deadline is 11/17. For more information and to download the application, go to www.Cleveland.com/guitarmania/ or contact Dave Shriber at 216-436-2247 or dshriber@uws.org.
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SUN

• CC KIDS Hike, Bike & Run on Sun 10/8 at 9AM to benefit the Jenny Fund. All events begin and end in the parking lot at 2600 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights. Call 321-5935 or visit www.ShakerLakes.org.
• Progressive Gypsy Power-Duo Inhale a curry of Moorish, Mediterranean, Indian and blues improvisations during a performance by Jay Krasnow & Marceau James on Sun 10/8 at 2PM. Lakewood. www.lkwdpl.org.
• HOT Assembling Beethoven Encounter Beethoven’s masterful Seventh Symphony through the lens of the twentieth century by the geniuses at Red {an orchestra} on Sun 10/8 at 3PM. Get tickets at http://www.RedAnOrchestra.org.
• A Toast to A.J. Robey Friends of A.J. Robey will celebrate his musical life on Sun 10/8 at 5PM. Call 902-4663 or visit http://www.WilbertsMusic.com for info.
• HOT Parish Hall is Rockin’ Catch The Evens featuring punk legend Ian MacKaye (from Fugazi) on vocals & baritone guitar on Sun 10/8 at 8PM. http://www.ParishHallCleveland.com.

TUE

• LakewoodAlive Fall Forum “Hard Hat Area: Lakewood’s Residential Building Boom” on Tue 10/10 at 7PM. Register for this open event at info@lakewoodalive.com. http://www.LakewoodAlive.com.
• Beaux Arts Trio at the Fairmount Temple Auditorium on Tue 10/10 at 8PM. http://www.ClevelandChamberMusic.org.

WED

• Public Relations Past, Present and Future Learn about The Changing Face of Journalism and PR during an event featuring Cool Cleveland ‘s own Thomas Mulready; Chris Thompson, Vice President, Edward Howard; John Kroll, Deputy Business Editor, Plain Dealer and Denise Polverine, Editor-in-Chief, Cleveland.com on Wed 10/11 at 8AM. RSVP to adam.booher@businesswire.com or call 781-0220. The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue.
• In Jennifer’s Shoes Best-selling author Jennifer Weiner (book-gone-movie In Her Shoes) brings her charm and wit to Cleveland to discus her books, personal experiences, sisterhood, family, and a woman’s search for a sense of self on Wed 10/11 at 11:30AM. Call 622-0920 or visit http://www.wcfcleveland.org for tix.
• HOT Internet2 Performance Event The Case Dance Program participates in the Pre-conference Performance for the 24th International Network of Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education Conference, Miami Beach, Florida via Internet2. Other participating organizations include the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, University Circle, Inc., New World School of the Arts, and the University of Florida at Gainesville. Learn more about this no-cost event that is open to the public on Wed 10/11 at 1PM. http://dance.case.edu.
• Cle Orch on PBS Great Performances After barnstorming New York City with performances on Wed 10/4, 10/5 & 10/7 at Carnegie Hall, then on Sun 10/8 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the best orchestra in the world will be featured on Wed 10/11 at 10PM in a national PBS broadcast of Great Performances hosted by Paula Zahn, featuring their 10/4 performance. Locally, WVIZ/PBS ideastream will broadcast the concert at 10PM on 10/11. The Cleveland Orchestra has made more than 200 appearances at Carnegie Hall, and this is the second time since 1990 that they have performed at the Opening Night Gala at that esteemed hall. Info

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

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COSE Endorses Issue 18 to create a badly-needed, stable public funding source for Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture assets. The 9,000 small businesses in Cuyahoga County agree that arts and culture are vital to our region! Why? Arts and culture helps strengthen the network of local art entrepreneurs and the hundreds of small vendors that rely on those entrepreneurs for business. Arts and culture creates jobs, spurs tourism and attracts businesses (and residents) that wish to relocate in a region with strong arts and culture assets. Issue 18 will generate approximately $20 million dollars every year that will be devoted to support our Arts & Culture assets. This is not a property tax, but a tax increase on cigarettes throughout the county. See more and learn how you can get involved at www.Issue18.org.
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Issue 18 Profile
John Farina
Beck Center for the Arts
Movies Behind the Scenes

Beck Center development director John Farina was one of Cuyahoga County’s most active and effective Republican operatives, running for office and serving on their executive committee. But when his party pushed Ohio’s marriage amendment and the president began scapegoating gays and lesbians with a constitutional amendment, John switched parties. He now raises money for Lakewood’s Beck Center for the Arts, and serves as arts liaison for Issue 18, the arts levy. Cool Cleveland ‘s Thomas Mulready spoke on video with John about his political journey, the tough decisions facing the Beck Center, and what $20 million a year for the arts would do for Cleveland’s economy. http://www.BeckCenter.org

WATCH THE MOVIE Beck Center’s John Farina

Click here for Windows movie

Click here for Mac movie

Cool Cleveland Interview
Joe Cimperman
Ward 13 City Councilman
Movies Behind the Scenes

Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman is everywhere all at once. It’s best to catch him early in the day, before his 3rd cup of java, as he cruises at top speed throughout Ward 13, which covers most of Downtown Cleveland. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready spoke with Joe on camera about critical issues facing his Ward: the intractable ODOT’s insistence on closing access ramps to Downtown on the Innerbelt, the arts levy Issue 18, and what makes a city worth living in.

WATCH THE MOVIE Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman

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Blackwell Versus Strickland
Illuminating The Ohio “Goob-A-Nutorial” Race

Sarcastic fashion critic versus journeyman point guard. Solid NBA experience versus the fleshy experience of designing dresses for Jayne Mansfield. Ohio voters must decide, and the ramifications will reverberate from The Warehouse District to The Garment District and beyond.

The facts are clear:

Blackwell
Blackwell is 84 years old, but still capable of describing Renee Zellweger as “a painted pumpkin on a pogo stick” and Kate Hudson as “a cyclone victim from the OK Corral.”

Strickland
Conversely, Strickland is 41, and averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 2.25 steals per game for the San Antonio Spurs in the 1991 playoffs versus the Golden State Warriors.

Neither of them are originally from Ohio. They’re both from New York. Blackwell is a native of Brooklyn (New York), and Strickland grew up in the pastoral splendor that is the South Bronx.

Both have had minor brushes with the arts. Strickland is mentioned in a couple of Wu Tang Clan lyrics. Blackwell wrote an autobiography entitled “From Rags To Bitches” in 1995.

In 1999, Blackwell noted that Brad Pitt looked better in a dress than Jennifer Aniston.

After Strickland broke his hand during the 1992 playoffs, the Spurs were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in four games.

It’s a tough decision, but now, you’re an informed electorate.

Assuming them new-fangled “computer” voting machines work, the choice might be yours.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Clyde Miles clyde.milesATgmail.com

Signs of Life on Planet Cleveland
Rethinking Cowtown

This is not about the Cleveland Indians or Jacobs Field. But… as long as we’re on that subject, I might as well mention that I went to the Indians game at Jacobs Field a few Fridays ago. I was given – yes, given! – two club seats owned by a couple who are both well-known writers in town. Apparently, they went in with a group of people to buy some sort of package and split up the games, couldn’t use the tickets that night, and probably couldn’t get anyone else to go. My wife and I were more than happy to use the tickets. I would have gone if they had been bleacher seats, but club seats are really great.

These tickets were worth nearly $70 each. Not only does the section provide a terrific view of the field, but you also get unlimited food up there at no charge (well, it was for us because we hadn’t paid for the tickets). Jalapeños! They have big crocks of jalapeños among the condiments. I put them on my cheeseburger. And when I went back to get a slice of pizza, I was disappointed that they only had plain and pepperoni, and I don’t like pepperoni, so I got plain. But then I remembered: Jalapeños!

Surprisingly, the farm team that they called the Indians this season was much more exciting to watch than they were at the beginning of the season. They scored four runs against the league’s best pitcher, and were leading for most of the game. Not surprisingly, they blew that lead in the ninth. Surprisingly, though, the Indians rallied to win the game in the 10th. Then there was a fireworks show.

When Jacobs Field was new and the Tribe was winning most of the time, they sold out more than 400 consecutive games and didn’t bother with fireworks shows. They didn’t need to bribe people to come to the games, so why spend the money? Now they need to drag people in there, so they have fireworks, they give away lots of things, including bobblehead dolls of practically every player. Even the fans – well, represented by one drumming fan named John Adams – have their own bobblehead.

Anyway, it was a nice night at the game. On the way home, because I had parked in the BP Building garage, I took Superior Road, heading east. I drove through what the City of Cleveland has been trying to promote as its “arts district” – Superior, somewhere in the 20s or 30s; it’s kind of hard to tell. I mean, there may be something happening there – I keep hearing about things that might be going on, or in, in the area – but from what I could tell driving through the area, it was totally dead.

But, you might say, it was 11 p.m. Just what was supposed to be happening at that time of night? Hmmm. This column is called “Signs of Life on Planet Cleveland,” but, well, this is hard to spit out, but the answer may be about 140 miles south.

A few years ago, I met with someone in Mayor Campbell’s office. I had contacted the office about some ideas I had concerning arts, entertainment, quality-of-life and tourism in Cleveland. This guy actually loved some of the ideas, and he said what everyone who liked my ideas was telling me at the time: Go do them. But I didn’t have many millions of dollars at the time – and, somehow, still don’t – so instead of launching my ideas, I wrote about them in Northern Ohio Live. The article generated a lot of interest. But that was all.

At that City Hall meeting, the guy told me that he was going to Columbus the next day to see the arches with lights that Columbus had installed over High Street in its arts district, to see if it was something Cleveland should do in that Superior section.

Now, I’ve visited Columbus a few times during the past couple of months, and I have to say that while it’s true that the lights on those arches don’t actually work, that seems to be the only thing there that’s not working. And even the lights are being fixed.

Many of us here in Cleveland like to think of Columbus as a “cowtown.” But Columbus started growing and changing at the same time, and at about the same rate, as did Cleveland. The difference is that Columbus appears to have kept going. Cleveland seems to keep starting and stalling.

When you drive or walk through Cleveland’s arts district, at any time of day or night, nothing appears to be going on. In Columbus’s – an area called Short North, which takes up about a mile of the city’s main road, High Street – there always seems to be something happening. I played a concert in downtown Columbus on a Sunday night. When I left the theater at about 11 p.m., I was sure I wouldn’t be able to find an open restaurant – like you can’t in Cleveland. We found many open restaurants, some open until 2 a.m., and all filled with people.

The Short North area was kind of a slum – or at best, nothing – for decades. Then, apparently, someone opened an art gallery there about 10 years ago and people started coming to it. Then someone else opened another one. Today there are about 20 galleries and about 50 other businesses, ranging from antiques shops to yoga and fitness centers, to music stores and unique clothing shops.

I should also mention about 40 restaurants and plus 10 bars of different types that are there as well. I’ve eaten at three of these restaurants, all of which were quite different and quite good, and – this is also really painful to say – in one of them, I had the best restaurant meal that I’ve had in a couple of years. My tally includes meals I’ve eaten in restaurants in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Cleveland.

On the first Saturday night of every month, the Short North district holds what it calls its Gallery Hop. It’s been going on for several years, and I’ve been there for two more recent ones. For about six hours, the Gallery Hop draws literally thousands of people, most of them in their 20s and 30s. And they’re not just filling up the bars, but the art galleries and everything else as well.

At the southern end of the Short North district, Columbus has routed a major highway, I-670, under High Street. And over that highway they’ve constructed two very attractive matching buildings – on both sides of what you don’t even notice is the bridge over the highway – that house nice restaurants and other stores, sidewalk cafes and a wine bar. The project is called “The Cap,” and not because it’s a few blocks from the state capital, but because it caps the highway. So rather than letting the highway (or the bridge over the highway) cut off Short North from downtown, it actually connects them and encourages foot traffic, of which there is plenty.

Just a few blocks from the other end of Short North – to the north of Short North and south of the Ohio State University campus – the City and the University partnered successfully to build an enormous project called South Campus Gateway, in what was another near-slum area. The project contains hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail, office space and housing, including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, stores and services.

Maybe the most significant thing that has happened, though, is that throughout all the dozens of streets west of Short North, people are living in old and new housing. Some of the beautiful old Victorian homes that the City sold for one dollar a decade ago are selling for $700,000 now. Small and contemporary apartment buildings, all brand-new, are popping up in the district as well. And right on High Street, in Short North, great old buildings are being renovated into condos and apartments.

You might say that Columbus doesn’t have as much arts, entertainment and cultural activity as does Cleveland. That’s probably correct. But having it is one thing, and using it is another. Obviously, many Clevelanders participate in arts and cultural events. But many don’t. How often do you buy tickets to plays presented by Cleveland’s 20-some professional companies, other than the touring Broadway shows? How many galleries have you visited? How many concerts have you attended by the Cleveland Orchestra, Red {an orchestra}, Apollo’s Fire, City Orchestra, the Contemporary Youth Orchestra and the other orchestras that are in residence in Cleveland? When was the last time you attended any dance concert?

You could say that Columbus has no major league sports teams. But they have the Ohio State Buckeyes. The football team sells out its 110,000-seat stadium for every game – without promising fireworks shows. And the Buckeyes tend to win. I still love the Indians, but it’s hard to argue that Cleveland’s sports situation is much better than Columbus’s.

So what’s really going on? The population of the City of Columbus is over 700,000. Cleveland’s population is around 400,000. Columbus has seven City Council members. Cleveland has 21. Let’s review: Cleveland has about half the population of Columbus, but three times the number of Council members.

I asked third-term Columbus Councilwoman Maryellen O’Shaughnessy how they get so much done in Columbus. She said that for one thing, Columbus is not divided into wards, so all the Council members work on the whole city, not just their wards (as is the case in Cleveland). In Columbus, all Council members serve on a few different committees, so they’re all working with each other all the time – not against each other. Everyone in the city votes for all seven Council members, not just the one for their ward. With no wards to represent, Columbus Council members aren’t fighting for money for their part of town, they’re working together on the whole city. When people in Columbus have problems, they contact the committees that deal with their problems.

I’ve seen a lot of Cleveland, what goes on here, and what doesn’t. And lately I’ve seen quite a bit of Columbus. I don’t pretend to know a lot about government or politics. I just know what I see.

From Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin popcyclesATsbcglobal.net

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Cool Cleveland Preview
New Frontiers: American Art Since 1945 at Oberlin College

Following the progression of American art-making over the past 60-plus years, New Frontiers: American Art Since 1945 covers a wide array of post-WWII artistic styles and delves into the psyche and stream-of-consciousness that emerged in our culture during the era.

This exquisite and compelling exhibition features modern and contemporary works by artists including Willem de Kooning, Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Andy Warhol, Eva Hesse, Agnes Martin and Kiki Smith. Of particular focus is Abstract Expressionism, which transcended the European form of Modernism (Cubists, Dadaists, Surrealists) to create art that emphasized the act of painting and physical nature thereto. Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art and works featuring new media comprise a portion of the exhibition, organized by Andria Derstine, Curator of Western Art.

New Frontiers: American Art Since 1945 opened at the Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College on Tuesday, August 29 runs through Saturday, December 23. Hours at AMAM at Oberlin are Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM – 5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. The AMAM is closed on Mondays and holidays, so plan accordingly for your visit. This is a no-cost event.

For more information, please visit http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/ or call 440-775-8121.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian PeterATcoolcleveland.com

Cool Cleveland BizTech Update
Nathan Zaremba
Zaremba Homes
Movies Behind the Scenes

Zaremba’s Avenue District is one of Downtown Cleveland’s bigger bets, with 450 units selling for $232K to over $1 million , and it may be one of Downtown’s better bets as well. Unlike other projects that have dragged on, the $250 million Avenue District broke ground last week, and pre-sales are strong. Developer Nathan Zaremba took time out from their groundbreaking ceremony last week, attended by Mayors Jackson and Campbell, to speak with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready about why 13th & St. Clair is such a great location, what his online survey has told him Downtown homeowners want, and how (not) hard it is to work with the City of Cleveland. http://www.AvenueDistrict.com

WATCH THE MOVIE Zaremba Homes president Nathan Zaremba

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Cool Cleveland BizTech Update
Ellen Evans
Avenue District homeowner
Movies Behind the Scenes

Why would someone move out of Rocky River and pay almost a half million for a place in the heart of Downtown Cleveland? For the answer to this, Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with Ellen Evans, who works in commercial real estate and recently graduated with a degree from CSU’s Urban Studies program. They spoke on camera at the Avenue District groundbreaking last week, and they talked about the enchantment of city living, investing in Downtown real estate, and the wonders of the empty nest. http://www.AvenueDistrict.com

WATCH THE MOVIE Avenue District homeowner Ellen Evans

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Cool Cleveland Eats
The Favor of Indian Curry

It’s a staple in Thai, South Asian and Indian cuisine and a favorite of tens of millions worldwide. Yet, if you ask the person next to you what “Curry” is, they’re likely to tell you it’s some spicy powder that you “add to the cooking pot.” The term Curry (meaning “stew”) would lead one to such a claim; colonization of India by England in particular, led to a Westernizing of Curry. You might make a run for fast food here in the States after a night of party drinking. Curry is the pub-closing, “hangover helper” in the UK. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface.

How do you sum up the history of Curry in one small column, when the “real estate” in the newsletter is already packed? You don’t. Read on here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry. Just not yet.

Your favorite world traveler, savvy food freak and friends from said cultures will also tell you that each and every Curry is unique. There are literally thousands of variations, ranging in composition, color, texture. Some feature popped fenugreek and mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, tamarind, clove and even rosewater in addition to the curry leaves themselves. Like pizza, you might expect to get a more Americanized version of Indian Curry here in the Cleveland area, but the expats who create it here do a spectacular job… here are but a few great places to get an Indian Curry.

Café Tandoor has three locations in the Cleveland area (Heights, Aurora, Westlake) and does a smashing job on many different Curries. Their Bombay Fish Curry (pictured) features boneless, farm-raised catfish simmered with garlic, ginger, lemon & spices in a tomato-based sauce. With a piece of their porous garlic nan and a Taj Mahal on the side, heaven isn’t too far away. The best part is that Tandoor’s menu is similarly striking: their lamb Rogan Josh has a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture; the Shajahani Curry features tender chicken in a cashew curry sauce and their secret recipe Paneer Makhani (fresh Indian cheese in tomato curry) is just heavenly.

I can personally attest that Kashmir Palace (North Olmsted), India Garden (now in Lakewood, owner Sonny Sharma ran Passage to India in Westlake before rent skyrocketed) and downtown’s Royal Saffron all boast delectable menus and an incredible variety of Curries for the palate. Some are sweet, some strong and zesty (Kashmir’s fish curry is far bolder spice-wise and begs for a Kingfisher). All are different. All are unique. All will keep you from attempting Jaime Oliver’s bright yellow Indian Curry, which is also great. I’ve got the recipe. Email me, post haste. But if I go into much more detail, I’m going to short out my keyboard for all the drooling… I gotta go… get… some… lunch.

Where do you get your Indian (or other) Curry fix, Cleveland? Write and tell us. Letters@CoolCleveland.com

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian PeterATcoolcleveland.com

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Lords of the Highway (DVD)
Lords of the Highway
Rock & Roll Purgatory

They’ve shared stages with Reverend Horton Heat, Wesley Willis (RIP), Hank Williams III, Dick Dale and U.S. Bombs. They’ve done CBGB’s and the notorious Daytona “Bike Week.” Their sexy, “punkabilly-from-hell” sound has generated interest “across the pond” in the UK, where a possible compliation CD is being talked about. Their image owes much to truckstops, mudflaps gas station attendants and B-movies, but does well attracting outwardly disparate audiences.

They’re the Lords of the Highway and they put on one of the more spirited live rock shows in town. This trio has a new self-titled DVD out, which certainly threw this reviewer off. Perhaps I’m showing my age, but it was not clear to me that music video was still a viable medium. The Lords (guitarist Dennis Bell, drummer Joey Hissem and the incomparable upright bassist who goes by the name Sugar) shake off those concerns like dust from a cross-country bike rally and embrace the camera like a lover.

There’s roughly a dozen videos on Lords of the Highway, some smashingly stylized indie film trailers featuring the trio’s songs and great live footage that explains their word of mouth popularity both here in Cleveland and elsewhere. At one point, you get a titillating glimpse of Sugar’s (gulp!) uber-sexy “performance” on that upright bass.

And then there’s Purgatory ringmaster/catalyst/firebrand Ben Lybarger, who appears on the DVD. Guitarist Dennis Bell told Cool Cleveland Lybarger’s always hamming things up. He’s come to shows dressed as a 13th Century Bishop and offers holy water enemas to the crowd. “And he actually had a taker at the end of the night?!? You’ve gotta include a guy like that!” So what does he do? Buy it and see.

In the end, if you are a B-movie fan, or loved the B-Ware store in Lakewood before it closed, this DVD has your name written all over it. If you love the Lords, you’ve probably drooling for this. And if you’ve not been to a Lords show, you don’t know what you’re missing. This DVD will help break ya in.

Lords of the Highway celebrate the release of their self-titled DVD this Friday, October 6 at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern. Special guests include Marauders & Kill the Hippies. For more information, visit the Lords’ website at http://www.lordsofthehighway.com or the Beachland at http://www.beachlandballroom.com

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian PeterATcoolcleveland.com

Emissions from the blogsphere
Scott blogs about the closing/sale of the Memphis Drive-In. Michael thinks “what happened in the Oval Office 10 years ago” is tame compared to Pagegate. During their Meet The Bloggers interview, Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone asked Cool Cleveland’s George Nemeth if he could share a video of the Vigil for Peace held shortly after Masumi Hayashi’s murder. Chris Butler attempts to say 10 nice things about Pennsylvania. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian gets down and dirty with abbreviations. He wants the 411 on the knowledge future from V&C Town Hall (Haul?), talks about CPD’s adds to staff, ABJ’s subtractions to staff, ODOT’s Shoreway “Plan”, GCP’s backing of “I-18” and the BOHICA (pronounced: bow-hee-ka) political climate du jour. Somebody send the guy some Alka-Seltzer already! When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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

Cleveland Wine Festival @ Voinovich Park 9/29-30 A baseball cap at one of the vendors read “Got Wine?” One female patron laughed, “Wine’s my milk,” and a guy standing near her said “It seems like you’re not alone on that one.” Yes, the Cleveland Wine Festival, which took place last weekend, on September 29 and 30, had wine, and the festival at Voinovich Park felt like a party in the park with the Rock Hall lit like a monument against a backdrop of Cleveland architecture.

The festival was well organized and the layout of the tents in a triangular horseshoe was intimate. At $20.00 a ticket, patrons received ten tasting coupons, a souvenir wine glass, entertainment, demonstrations, and the opportunity to buy food. The proceeds for the event benefited The Womens Center of Greater Cleveland. Jazzy music filtered through the air until a local band played a eclectic alternative music.

The wines featured were from all over the world and most of them sell for under $15. Heck Estates sold Lake Sonoma Dry Creek Zinfandel at $15.99 a bottle, and Don Sebastiani and Sons vineyards offered Aquinas Merlot from Napa Valley, which was very drinkable at $9.99 a bottle. rinchero Family Estates, with 200 acres of estate vineyards in the Napa region, offered its Chicken Ranch Vineyard 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, a cabernet aged in oak with a 14.2% alcohol content, and their memorable Folie a’ Deux Menage a Trois Red.

While Napa was well represented, Biltmore Estates (only 7-1/2 hours south of Cleveland in beautiful Ashevlle, North Carolina), offered their wines, including a Pinot Noir worth tasting twice. Moving from tent to tent, we also enjoyed Asara’s Bell Tower Stellenbosch, a Bordeaux blend from South Africa, which was excellent. Pine Crest Wines, also from South Africa, featured Pinotage, from a grape unique to South Africa.

Debonne, one of few local wineries whose wine is widely distributed in groceries, showcased its usual wine in bottles with new labels crafted by Hector Vega, among them Warehouse District Riesling, East Fourth Street Jazz White, Tremont Chardonnay Reserve, and Little Italy Cabernet Franc. In a marketing coup, the vintner will offer the newly-labeled wines at special tastings in Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Against the backdrop of his bold, crisp-lined paintings, Hector Vega explained that he used architectural photographs to recreate the feel of the neighborhoods

Emerine Estates of Jefferson, Ohio, made a friendly showing with their blueberry and country apple wines, among others. We discovered Studio of 5 Rings, downtown Cleveland’s only winery and art gallery (located at 2400 Superior Avenue), which buys its grapes from California and makes their wine here, available for parties and open for limited hours. Wine Works Ohio offered other-than-Ohio wines, and our local Cleveland Wine School was on hand to tout a professional certification program, classes, events, and vineyard tours.

Gayle Absi of Bay Village commented favorably on the high quality restaurants and their strategic placement along the tasting route. She was sipping Fahrenheit’s butternut squash soup from Chef Rocco Whalen, the perfect food for a cool Fall evening on the lakefront. Panera provided various sliced breads with dipping oil and tapenade. Saucy Bistro’s duck potstickers and ahi tuna were freshly-made works of art, and La Dolce Vita sold several kinds of pasta.

The Traveling Vineyard promised to bringing a tasting party home, like a Tupperware party with wine. D’Mare, Inc. sold their frappe and dip mixes and Tuscan triangles and we sampled their “adult slurpees”—a frappe vino, basically frozen and sweetened wine, described by one patron as “like jello shots only with wine.” Vendors sold cheese, wine accessories (including a necklace with a wine glass holder), cork art, resort vacations, and airline tickets—it was a good mix of vendors that help pay for the event by buying advertising space and wine vendors who were offering samples of their wine. Colonial Wine & Beverage sold wine at the Festival.

We hope the Cleveland Wine Festival returns next year. Our local vintners better start grafting more vines now—our appetites for good Ohio wines increase and we would like to see more of them next year.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia J. Taller ctallerATssd.com

75th Anniversary of Severance Hall 9/30-10/1 It was an entirely different sort of weekend that kicked off the Cleveland Orchestra’s 88th season. The first concert was a Friday matineé, which this reviewer did not attend. Saturday evening’s was a combined short version concert and gala celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Severance Hall, and finally, a Sunday afternoon performance which featured the United States premiere of a work given its world premiere one month earlier at the Lucerne Festival. There were four soloists, all told, and each concert was different from the others. Music Director Franz Welser-Möst was on the podium for all three performances, and was, as always, a careful and observant collaborator. The orchestra sounded in mid-season form, having had just one week’s vacation after their long tour to Europe.

Saturday evening began with Mozart in a splendid rendition of the Piano Concerto No. 17 by the Norwegian Leif Ove Andsnes. Each note was treated with lyrical clarity, yet still allowed for the occasional syncopation or ornamentation inserted by the composer. The second movement was all dramatic intensity while the third jauntily displayed its theme and variations, the dialogue between piano and first violins and humorous ending. This work was also part of Sunday’s program.

Bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff was outstanding in five songs from Gustav Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn. Three of them were written as dialogues between two persons, while the other two were only for one voice. Mr. Quasthoff literally threw himself into the dramatic possibilities, with varying vocal quality and facial expression to indicate the various personas. Even if you didn’t know the German words, it was extremely easy to know when he was the soldier, the young girl, or the representatives of the animal kingdom: fish, cuckoo and donkey! The latter rendition fairly brought down the house!

To end Saturday evening’s concert, Mr. Welser-Möst treated the large audience to three examples of the marvelous musical versatility of Johann Strauss II. It is such a pleasure to hear these works treated as serious music, and accorded the dignity they deserve. Mr. Welser-Möst has a special affinity for the afterbeat that is so often missing in renditions by other orchestras. The Artist’s Life waltz was all languid elegance and fluidity, while the Annen-Polka was sprightly and charming. The overture to Die Fledermaus was sheer perfection, with the conductor alert to every possible nuance. The audience was very enthusiastic, but unhappily, there was no encore! I’m sure I wasn’t the only one there who was hoping for yet more Strauss!

Sunday afternoon’s program began with the third annual piece commissioned jointly by Roche, Carnegie Hall and the Lucerne Festival for The Cleveland Orchestra. touché by Hanspeter Kyburz and Sabine Marienberg was premiered in Lucerne early in September, and after this U. S. premiere performance in Cleveland, will receive it’s New York premiere this coming week.

Patterned after a ‘game’—fencing—it is a sort of verbal joust between an estranged couple, soprano Laura Aiken and tenor John Mark Ainsley. The fascinating piece is very cleverly written. The singers projected well, and were generally very understandable. At times, however, the orchestra was louder than they were, rendering them nearly silent. The music, which is rhythmic and mostly tonal, matches well with the piquant lyrics, making it a work well worth hearing again. The composer and his lyricist wife were happily present for the well-deserved accolades.

After intermission, the orchestra and Mr. Welser-Möst turned to the seldom-played Fifth Symphony of Antonín Dvořák. It’s a mystery why this should be so, as it would fit in quite well with any list of ‘Fifth’s! This particular one begins in F major in a pastoral mood with bits of syncopation here and there. The second movement is a bit melancholy, but shifts to a playful scherzo, which featured a beautiful bass clarinet solo by Linnea Nereim just before the end. The final movement contains diverse elements; calm, turbulent, forceful and lyrical—all splendidly performed.

The orchestra will play in Carnegie Hall this week, returning home for concerts on October 12 and 14. For tickets or information about these or other upcoming concerts, call (216) 231-1111, or visit the orchestra’s web-site: http://www.clevelandorchestra.com

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Hamlet @ Beck Center (Through 10/22) Sarah Morton gives an outstandingly nuanced performance that the Beck Center´s intimate Studio Theater allows the whole audience to appreciate. The play itself is a substantial re-interpretation of Shakespeare, opening, and then continuing through the performance, with silent movie subtitles projected on a wall, followed by the beginning fragment of the grave-digger scene, a stylized silent movie acting interlude explaining the gender-change thirty years before, and then moving on to the court scene that usually follows Shakespeare´s opening on the battlements of Elsinore with Horatio, the guards, and the Ghost.

Nick Koesters plays a Horatio role that Director David Hansen´s editing of the play expands into a very different significance. Koesters and Morton are given time to develop the Hamlet/Horatio “thing”, as Hansen calls it in the Director´s Notes, from the liege/liegeman male bond to an interestingly eroticized attraction by Hamlet for Horatio. Hansen changes the exchange between Hamlet and Horatio by giving almost all Rosencrantz´s and Guildenstern´s lines to Horatio, and eliminating them altogether. Morton´s and Koesters´s playing enliven that exchange. Morton´s Hamlet is clearly taken with Horatio in a way Horatio finds discomfiting. Koesters´s Horatio takes refuge in the laconic stoicism of the liegeman, drawing back where Morton´s Hamlet presses in, because Horatio´s eyes are all for Ophelia, played by the sweetly-voiced and convincingly emotive Rachel Lee Kolls.

Watch for the quickly-passing moment when Claudius (Mark Cipra, playing a large and oily-friendly used car salesman of a king in public scenes, and a guilty and tormented man in private moments, so that even Claudius seems human after all) interferes with Horatio´s intense intent to safeguard the afflicted Ophelia, just before Ophelia escapes to commit suicide. Koesters´s body language, his face, and his voice combine Horatio´s consent to the King and despair at Ophelia´s escape, to show how he´s torn between duty and love – and sets up his later leap into Ophelia´s grave to challenge her brother Laertes (Joshua D. Brown) in professions of love for her.

That is the one moment of eye-popping discord as Horatio, instead of Hamlet, charges Laertes in Ophelia´s grave, but Koesters has so well convinced us that Horatio is completely taken with Ophelia that the discord is brief – a startling example of Koesters´s technique and Hansen´s direction.

Sarah Morton brings a fresh music to the soliloquies included here. There is none of the strange bombast most actors bring to these famous set pieces. Morton transitions into reflection in front of and to the audience, and back into the action of the play, with great facility. Hamlet´s thoughts seem naturally to occur rather than interrupt the action.

George Roth does a fine job finding the every-day humanity in the aped-aristocratic manner of Polonius. It´s a difficult role, and Roth catches its spirit well. Polonius clearly thinks he´s a good deal smarter than he really is, but Roth, instead of playing him for an old fool of a windbag, which is the easy way out, shows Polonius´s eagerness to please grows out of honesty and love, not mere pretension and ambition. Well done.

Rachel Lee Kollis, in the role of hypoteneuse in the love triangle among Hamlet, Horatio, and Ophelia, brings a naturalness to the tough role of Shakespearean daughter/lover/madwoman. She slides down the continuum from confusion to grief to despair to madness to suicide convincingly, and with an impressive economy of means. She has, I think, the fewest lines of the three lovers, but she makes the most of them. It often seems Ophelia´s death is only there to enrage Laertes in some productions, but here Kollis makes us feel her fall apart as she is overpowered by the blows of fate, all oblivious to Horatio´s interest.

Anne McEvoy as Gertrude has a tough role, too: to humanize the silly old cow Gertrude, but she´s up to it. Gertrude´s motivations are as hazy in this version as in Shakespeare´s original, but McEvoy gets us past that quickly, and shows Gertrude to be tugged back and forth between the demands of Mark Cipra´s Claudius´s manipulative salesmanship and maneuverings, and her love of Hamlet.

Don McBride´s set is ingenious: suggesting a sort of Danish-modern castle, and making it easy for the actors to use the oddly-configured Studio Theater stage. The lighting, by Jeremy K. Benjamin, never failed to subtly and accurately direct the audience´s attention without interfering in the action.

The performances are terrific; knowing and seeing these actors, they´d have been just as terrific and, I think, a lot more resonant, were they performed within a more traditional order of the events of the play. But see it for yourself: it´s worth the trip.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com

SHAKESPEARE I: M4M @ CPT 9/29
What: A sizzling all-male adaptation of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, a troubling drama about sexual hypocrisy and the abuse of power.
Reasons to go: A towering performance by new-to-town Michael Mauldin as the ambivalent Duke makes this a must-see. Add hot shirtless guys in tight leather pants and the tale of a public puritan who is a sexual predator, and you’ve got something that feels ripped from the Rep. Foley scandal headlines. Director Craig J. George’s stark staging feels right, down to the club techno soundtrack.
Caveats: Mauldin’s performance is so rich and complex, sometimes it overshadows the talents of the ensemble. But it’s still worth seeing.
Backstory: With Broadway, Off-Broadway, & many regional credits, Mauldin is the new theater program chair at Cleveland State University.
Details: Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. 216-631-2727. Thru 10/14. http://www.cptonline.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

SHAKESPEARE II: Love’s Labour’s Lost @ Great Lakes 9/30
What: Drew Barr’s luscious-to-behold rendition of Shakespeare’s verbose comedy.
Reasons to go: Barr’s production is, first and foremost, a feast for the eyes. Then it’s the vaudevillian subplots that rule, starting with an incomparably funny Andrew May as a Daliesque Spaniard, Jeffrey C. Hawkins as a pratfalling hayseed, and Dougfred Miller as an insufferable pedant.
Caveats: There are many, many funny moments — but Barr gives each one the same weight, and without cuts the play feels overlong.
Backstory: Russell Metheny’s gorgeous sets and some of Barr’s staging include witty homages to surrealist paintings by Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali.
Details: Great Lakes Theater Festival, Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, Cleveland. (216)241-6000. Thru 10/21. http://www.greatlakestheater.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein Linda@coolcleveland.com

SHAKESPEARE III: Hamlet @ Beck 10/1
What: David Hansen’s adaptation posits the melancholy Dane as a princess posing as male. Sarah Morton stars.
Reasons to go: Oozing misery and nerves, Morton plays a Hamlet pierced by grief and drunk on death. She handles the language flawlessly, and several of her scenes are the best I’ve ever seen — her death, and the “nunnery” scene with Ophelia (a sensitive Rachel Lee Kolis).
Caveats: The 8-actor production is uneven, including the unnecessary prologue and a truly atrocious wig for Gertrude (the able Anne McEvoy).
Backstory: Hansen based his version on a 1920 silent film by Asta Nielsen, but the gender-switch backstory isn’t necessary: Morton is sufficiently androgynous without the explanation.
Details: Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. 216-521-2540. Thru 10/22. http://www.beckcenter.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

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Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On gambling in Cleveland What’s with all the doom-and-gloom hysterics from gambling neysayers? This isn’t “Les Miserables,” folks; it’s two lousy casinos that will be set up in already existing entertainment and retail districts in Cleveland. As opposed to the free-for-all gaming in Detroit, a city hopelessly mired in crime and void of any kind of urban infrastructure to begin with, the plans for Cleveland are quite contained and take advantage of and enhance existing developments (or developments on the drawing boards). Its proceeds are much more heavily earmarked for education, and they will be catering almost exclusively to visitors well outside inner-city neighborhoods. (I can’t wait for Roldo’s column about how those “snobby” casinos won’t let the poor street people inside.) I have yet to see how an absence of casinos has been such a wonderful boon for Cleveland. It certainly hasn’t stopped anyone from heading to the corner store to blow their paychecks on lottery tickets, or from heading to a half-dozen other nearby cities to unload millions of dollars into the economies of other states. For every Atlantic City — erroneously made the classic whipping boy for anti-casino crusaders — there’s a Minneapolis — which has a thriving casino that has literally become an extension of one of the most blandly wholesome of all American institutions, the Mall of America. I have no delusions that these casinos by themselves will turn around Cleveland’s half-century decline into suburban oblivion. But it can be yet another piece of a puzzle to finally juice up this town and start getting middle-class tax revenue to really help the poor. We need to FIGHT poverty, not DEFER to it. If we continue to treat Cleveland like it’s one big housing project, that’s exactly what we’ll wind up with.
from Cool Cleveland reader Howard Gollop howieegAThotmail.com

On the arts in Cleveland Hello my name is Aleksander Kaplun (joke name Abajur) apart from being a painter i have a very serious job title : Polysomnographic Technologyst 🙂 I have come to Cleveland on a buisness trip as a marketing rep from Houston tx where i have lived for the past 10 years. (originaly i’m from russia, which i left at the age of 15, to move to Houston). Long story short, after less then a week here “To hell with Houston” i said to myself “I ain’t going back !” So i’m sitting here wondering about organising a small exhibition of my paintings (poor as they may seem perhaps , and marvelous as they perhaps may seem). So i was pondering and planning , yet my lack of knowlege of anybody in this wonderful city seems to be the biggest ditch in my path. I’m asking for an advice, most of my paintings are still in Houston though they’ll be mailed to me shortly. And the place i so far have in mind, is my companies 4 room, officelike sleep lab. My main inquarie is to find a way to to find people who don’t are both interested in starring at paintings on the walls and cramming together in a weird place. I have no clue what help (if any) you (whoever “you” may be in this situation) can offer, but what i’m looking for mostly is a way to advertise this exhibition, at wich NO paintings (drawings etc) are projected to be for sale at this point. Just good old fun, meeting people who breath the same air , no one else breaths. I thank you for your attention and I will be awaiting any reply , be it an advise or a simple “Go to hell!!!” both passionatly and impatiently. Thank you in advance P.S. few (very FEW) and by far not the best of my stuff can be found if one was to google SWAMPYFROGNESS, and then open my gallery on Deviantart.com, to see if i was worth talking to in the first place 🙂 Humbly and infinitly superior in my inferiority : Aleksander Kaplun known by the wild monkeys in the forests of Brazil as Abajur.
from Cool Cleveland reader Aleksander Kaplun swampyfrognessAThotmail.com

On the arts and culture levy Issue 18 (See http://www.CoolCleveland.com/artslevy) “Recognize Greater Cleveland’s arts and cultural institutions as necessities not amenities.” This quote from Ronn Richard, President and CEO of Cleveland Foundation, brings to mind the tremendous impact of arts education on the developmental growth of youth that has proven to level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries. Arts Education has a measurable impact on youth at-risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems, while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention. Organizations such as the Foluké Cultural Arts Center at the Cleveland Masonic & Performance Arts Center at 3615 Euclid Avenue provide after school and summer arts activities geared to insure that at-risk youth rise to the heights they are capable of achieving The discipline of performance arts training and arts education instill a certain work ethic; to be prepared, to be on-time, and to take instruction while developing leadership qualities. This discipline also teaches professionalism and teamwork, all qualities needed for success academically and in the workplace. The support of public funding such as the Cultural Arts Issue (18) on the November Ballot is needed for institutions such as Foluké, as an intervention.
from Cool Cleveland reader Dava Cansler dcansATfolukeculturalarts.com, Foluké Cultural Arts Center, http://www.folukeculturalarts.com

On Cool Cleveland I always enjoy reading Cool Cleveland. Honestly, not as much for the events (our kids are 2, 3, and 4 and we don’t get out much during this phase of our lives) as for the insights into the goings on in this town. The last two issues you all have sent out (since the RTM) have been particularly good. The political season makes good hunting for folks in your business, I know, but I really like the updated format and these video interviews you are doing. I’ve had to extend my time allocation for Cool Cleveland to allow for watching the interviews. Keep up the good work.
from Cool Cleveland reader David J. Akers david.akersATneoso.org

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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1) Rather earn $200K in NYC or $100K in Cleve? The answer may surprise you.
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2) Cool Cleveland Eats Quick & healthy takeaway.
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3) Cool Cleveland Preview Cleveland Wine Fest.
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4) Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile Cathy Panzica of the Beta Strategy Group.
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5) Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile David Moss of CIA’s FUTURE program.
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