Transformation

10.29-11.05.08
Transformation

In this week’s issue:

Both locally and nationally, we not only need a change, but we need to work together to transform ourselves from a way of life that will no longer be sustainable into the 21st century. One step is to vote on November 4th, and to help, we offer our printable list of endorsements for major candidates and issues. Think about joining us as we present our first-ever Cool Cleveland KIDS party on Thu 11/6. Watch the vid of Mike Lang to see how he’s transformed his men’s shop into a full service lounge, complete with full bar. Our blog offers a plain-English explanation of the sub-prime mortgage mess, and we preview new books and plays that push boundaries and take transformative risks. At this stage of the season, “change” as a concept has probably jumped the shark, but true transformation is hopefully right around the corner. –Thomas Mulready

Endorsements for the November 4, 2008 General Election
For complete printable endorsements click here.

President of the United States

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA and JOE BIDEN More than a new leader, we need a new approach to solving our problems. More…

Read & print the complete Cool Cleveland endorsements here.

Bring the kids to our first Cool Cleveland KIDS party!
Maltz Museum on Thu 11/6. Info. Tix.

You and your kids are invited to have some fun at our first-ever Cool Cleveland KIDS party at the Maltz Museum on Thu 11/6 from 5-7PM. For one special price ($15 for 1 adult & 1 kid, or $20 for up to 2 adults & 3 kids), you get admission to the cool Zap! Pow! Bam! exhibition on comic Superheroes, a ride in the Batmobile, unlimited cartoons in the museum’s theatre, hands-on cartoon making, plus kids refreshments.

Includes a copy of our new Cool Cleveland KIDS magazine. Reserve your tix here. More info on our Kids Party Page here.

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

NatCity sale now a political football and given the timing, it’s no surprise. Click
Cle Met Zoo offering no-cost Thanksgiving admission this year for all. Click
Cleveland’s Newest Transit Line has arrived and the details are here.
Here’s some good news for cyclists looking for some equal treatment. Click
Local website making waves on Obama’s middle name. Click
Erick Trickey’s CM political blog has some fascinating stuff on it. Read
UA Press publishes The West Point Market Cookbook highlighting Akron landmark. Click
Ohio Newspaper digitization project hits full swing and details are here

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge and Rep. Dennis Kucinich appeared together last Wednesday for a fundraising shindig for Kucinich’s congressional re-election campaign. The event, held at Cleveland Public Theatre, drew a good audience and included a pre-event reception with complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The event doubled as a birthday nod to Kucinich’s wife Elizabeth, which fell on the very same day. Check out the photos from the event by Janet Macoska Photography here

Cavani Quartet tackles Beethoven In an audacious move, the Cavani String Quartet, in residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 1988, have decided to perform 16 different Beethoven string quartets in area libraries between now and May 2009, at no charge. Each performance of the Beethoven and Brotherhood project will be accompanied by commentary from quartet members, stimulating audience discussion. Find the complete schedule at http://www.cavani.org

The Cleveland Public Library Rice Branch at 2820 East 116th Street is temporarily closed for emergency building repairs. All activities and programs have been suspended until further notice. Customers are invited to visit any of the Cleveland Public Library branches for service. Nearby library service is available at the Union Branch, 3463 East 93rd St., 623-7088; Mount Pleasant Branch, 14000 Kinsman Rd., 623-7032; and Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch, 1962 Stokes Blvd., 623-7018. Items that Rice customers have reserved are available at the Union Branch and book drops are available at all CPL facilities to return items. Rice Branch customers will be forgiven fines accrued due to late materials. For more information, call 623-2822.

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

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

Does it snow on the moon? Find out when you and your kids experience the “Let It Snow” planetarium children’s program at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This special program runs throughout the months of November and December. No cost for members. Call 231-4600 or visit http://www.cmnh.org.

Luxurious Creations at The Cleveland Museum of Art Art is not a luxury, in fact, CMA believes in art for all and has created opportunities for families to experience it together. Plan to explore the “Artistic Luxury” exhibition on Sun 11/2 and Sun 11/9 (2 – 3:30PM) to engage in hands-on discovery of art. Get the opportunity to explore the exhibit and snag all the materials you’ll need to create some of your own luxurious creations. Call 421-7340 or visit http://www.clevelandart.org.

Halloween Spooktacular VI FallFest Weekend hits Fri 10/31 and Sat 11/1 from 10AM – 4PM. Enjoy two fun-filled days at The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, where families can play Halloween games, get their faces painted, wear costumes in the Museum and dance at the Monster Mash Ball! Kids will also get to make their own batch of spooky slime to take home! http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

HOT Big Beat 2008 World Record w/ Stebal Drums Groove with the instructional gurus at Stebal Drums as they attempt to set a world record for charity! The fun hits with “Big Beat 2008” on Sun 11/2 from 3 – 7PM, where drummers and percussionists will raise money for the Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation and the Cleveland Food Bank. It all happens in the Adelbert Gym (Case Western Reserve University). Over $18,000 prizes will be given away and the first 200 paid registrants receive goodie bags filled w/drum stuff! Clinics and performances round out the day. http://www.stebaldrums.com.

Boys of Steel & Superman Boys of Steel author Marc Tyler Nobleman will be in town promoting his book about Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster and their creation, comic book legend and superhero Superman. He’ll be in town starting Wed 11/5 at 7PM at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood celebrating Zap!Pow!Bam! The Super Hero: The Golden Age of Comic Books exhibition. He’ll speak, autograph his book and then fly off to other stops on his itinerary: Thu 11/6 at 4PM at Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch and then 6PM at the CPL Glenville branch. He’ll also appear at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland Sun 11/9 at noon and at the Western Reserve Historical Society at 2PM. http://noblemania.blogspot.com.

Bring yr kidz to our first-ever Cool Cleveland KIDS party at the Maltz Museum on Thu 11/6 from 5-7PM, to celebrate Superheroes and all things comic with a post-Halloween kids bash, complete with kids refreshments. This is one cool party you won’t want to miss! Kids can enter our costume contest and parade (prizes for best costume and best superhero), ride in a Batmobile that’s just their size, draw their own comics, watch cartoons and vintage serials and read as many comics as they wish, plus receive admission to Zap! Pow! Bam! exhibit and complete Museum admission. Specially-priced tickets are $20/family (up to two adults and up to three children), or special $15 admission for 1 adult & 1 child. (You Save! Regular price for Zap! Pow! Bam! entry alone would be $12 for adults + $5 for kids). Comp copy of new Cool Cleveland Kids guide for each family (pictured). Reserve your tix here. More info on our Kids Party Page here.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 12-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

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

PNC Financial acquiring NatCity ending sale speculation, starting worries of cataclysmic layoffs. Click
3 Ohio banks ask for $7.3B in the bailout cashola, potentially for acquisitions. 5/3 is looking for $3.4B of that total. Click
Cleveland to rent part of convention center at no cost to Nehst Creations for filmmaking purposes. Click
Akron-Canton Airport has best September ever and the details are here
Continental has most stable employment situation of all airline carriers. Click
Suriving a potential recession is the subject of this BW multimedia. Click
Ohio’s stake in GM, Chrysler enormous and manf’g is likely to take a hit. Click
Our state colleges are gaining students amid econ fears. Is this an attempt at recession-proofing? Click
Could Chrysler sale hurt Ohio more than its layoffs already have? Click
Iconic Firestone brand name will vanish from Akron, the world soon. Click

Justin Vaughn
Professor of Political Science, Cleveland State University
Cleveland Plus

Justin Vaughn has spent time living all around the country, in Chicago, Texas, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. When he was making up his mind about where to start his career as a professor, he chose Cleveland State University in the Cleveland Plus region. He may have been looking for an urban environment in the North, but what he found exceeded his expectations. As a fan of major and minor leagues sports, Justin is enamored of his adopted hometown, especially when combined with the great architecture and the fabulous beers available at the Great Lakes Brewing Company.

But it’s not just the mainstream entertainments that caught his eye. “The arts scene is really rich here, too. Whether you’re interested in modern art or poetry or literature, or live music, whether you’re interested in pop or rock, or classical music, this is a vibrant community…” It seems like Justin has found his home. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

SPONSORED: Entrepreneurial Spirit! The Nance College of Business at Cleveland State has been a leader in entrepreneurship education for over 35 years. Some of Northeast Ohio’s most successful entrepreneurs are graduates of The Nance College, such as Monte Ahuja, who, as founder and Chairman of Transtar Industries, Inc., has grown the business to be the world’s leading distributor of OE quality transmission parts for the motor vehicle repair industry, and Ellis Yan, who’s compact fluorescent light bulbs have made Technical Consumer Products the world’s leading innovator in energy-efficient lighting. Cleveland State University’s academic departments work together to engage students in programs, classes and activities that strengthen the skills needed for global entrepreneurial success. Learn more about our highly effective, globally focused entrepreneurship education at www.csuohio.edu/business.

Lunch and Learn Recruiting & Retaining Young Professionals hits Thu 10/30 at 11AM feat. Steve Melfi, Managing Director, Amotec Inc. Click
Driving Organic Traffic Need help with your off-site SEO efforts? Check out Web Assoc panel Wed 11/5 at 11:30AM. Details and Registration
AdVENTURES 2-day small biz symposium hits Corp College E Thu 11/6 and Fri 11/7. Details and Registration
Growing Businesses in Engineering Bioscience and Technology by Accessing Government Funding on Fri 11/13. Details here
CES First Friday Social at Mc Nulty?‘s Bier-Markt, Sponsored by Blue Technologies and Boundless Flight Fri 11/17. Details here
Cleveland + Pittsburgh + Youngstown Regional Learning Network mtg hits Fri 11/7 and details are here
6th Ann Medical Innovation Summit This amazing three-day event starts Mon 11/10 and runs through midweek. Jim Tobin, Pres/ CEO of Boston Scientific headlines. Learn about it all here
GREEN 2008 Biz breakfast focuses on Green Businesses Tue 11/11. Get details here
Founder Frustrations: CEO Mistakes is subject of Thu 11/13 event w/ JumpStart. 737 Bolivar Rd., First Floor. Register
Crain’s 2008 Forty under 40 networking event offered up Mon 11/17 at 6PM, Exec Caterers Landerhaven. Details and Registration
Always Connect: Web 2.0 Advance your organization’s mission with social media technology Wed 11/19 at 6PM at the Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Ave. Email: events@csvp.org or call 231-2300.
Crisis Communications & Media Relations is a seminar for board and senior staff members of NPOs Thu 11/20 at 8:30AM. Call 736-7711 or email: ckotkowski@busvol.org with any questions. Register

Fred Brace & Lauren Buerkle
The Avenue District

Fred Brace & Lauren Buerkle Fred Brace and Lauren Buerkle are both ready to move a little closer to the action. Lauren is anxious to get out of her cramped apartment in Shaker Heights, and Fred is ready to leave his place in Willoughby to be in the heart of the city in The Avenue District Townhomes. They both enjoy nightlife, Lake Erie and Indians and Cavs games, and Lauren is a self-admitted “musical theatre junkie.” One thing they won’t miss is chain restaurants every week.

Lauren and Fred chose a Townhome over a high rise- they have their own front porch and their own 2-car garage. Listen as Fred describes the layout of their new Townhome and the superior finishes that they selected. Lauren also talks about the ceramic tile, hardwood flooring, granite countertops in the kitchen, and Corian in the bathrooms. And the bottom line? The tax abatement was “really the only reason we were able to move down here,” says Fred. Compared to a starter home in a moderately taxed area, they will have $75K more home (for the same monthly payment) at The Avenue District because of the tax abatement. http://www.TheAvenueDistrict.com

Debriefing: The 2008 COSE Small Business Conference

Not everyone can be a Goodyear, Ernst & Young, Parker Hannifin, Hyland Software, or Avery Dennison. Many companies are small, some by choice and design; others are new start-ups, or maybe operating during difficult economic times. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small business is defined as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees, generates 60-80 percent of the net new jobs, and characterizes 99.7 percent of employer firms…
Read more from Susan Schaul here

SPONSORED: Lake Erie College Theatre Presents: “One Acts by Beckett.” Four famous short plays by Samuel Beckett will be featured: Catastrophe; Come and Go; What, Where; and Breath. Catastrophe is considered Beckett’s most political play, while Come and Go is a re-imaging of the three witches from Macbeth. What Where features mysterious robed figures who interrogate one another in a series of scenes and Breath is considered the shortest play in the English language. Directed by Assistant Professor of Theater, Jerry Jaffe, the performances will take place Thu 11/13 – Sat 11/15 and Thu 11/20 – Sat 11/22. All shows start at 8PM, except for the 11/22 production which begins at 2PM, and takes place in the Fine Arts Building. All tickets $5. Information: 440.375.7450.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

GREEN From the Blue Bag Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Then check out this cool, green event Wed 10/29 from 5 – 9PM. Say “thank you” to your best friends, clients, etc. with an everGREEN gift in From the Blue Bag’s fine line of Eco-friendly gifts. You can even personalize your purchases. Enjoy wine, appetizers and see what CC writer Diane DiPiero was writing about in her feature last week. Wine and appetizers round out this one-night-only art event. Atmosphere Gallery, 2418 Professor Ave. (across from Fahrenheit). http://www.fromthebluebag.com

Midori Nearly a quarter century after she burst onto the scene as a teenage violin prodigy, the incomparable Midori continues to impress audiences, combining “dazzling technique” with “interpretive depth” (The Washington Post). In this recital with longtime collaborator Robert McDonald, she performs classic sonatas by Schumann and Beethoven alongside 20th-century works by John Cage and George Enescu Wed 10/29 at 8PM at Oberlin College. Details and ticket info.

Eating Columbus-based Mercy for Animals offers a no-cost screening of the compelling doc film Eating on Wed 10/29 at 6:30PM. The 90-minute film features the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr. and details how food choices impact health, the environment and animals. The doc includes interviews with individuals who completely reversed heart disease and testimonials from people who have reversed a wide range of diseases — including genetically-based high cholesterol, gout, arthritis, chest pains/acid reflux, high blood pressure, asthma and adult-onset diabetes — with thoughtful diet alternatives. Cleveland Heights Library 2345 Lee Rd. Cleveland Heights. http://mercyforanimals.org.

SPONSORED: Let’s Talk About Race A series of Town Hall Meetings has been scheduled to further discuss the contemporary experience of race and racism in the United States and our local community. Each Town Hall Meeting is free, however, registration is required. Event dates: “Let’s Talk About Race” – Wed 11/5; “Race and the Law” – Tue 11/11; “Race Where Do We Go From Here?” – Wed 1/19. All start with a 6PM reception with 7PM conversation. Info: www.cmnh.org/site/AtTheMuseum/OnExhibit/Race/TownHall.aspx.

HOT No Copper: Artists Address the Foreclosure Crisis is an exhibition of twelve artists, designers and activists with roots in Cleveland, showing artwork on the foreclosure crisis and bringing a local perspective to a national epidemic. This exhibition promises to be a stunner and asks how we got to this point and considers where we all might go from here. Check out the exhibition opening event Thu 10/30 at 5:30PM. at Cleveland Public Art, 1951 W. 26th St., Suite 101. Features the work of a dozen concerned citizens including CC contributor Lee Chilcote. http://clevelandpublicart.org.

Art In Everything, a Cleveland initiative from the office of Mayor Frank G. Jackson, presents Art in the Rotunda, every other Thursday from noon to 1PM. On Thu 10/30, The Cleveland Public Theatre/Y-Haven Project, co-sponsored by the Cleveland YMCA, presents their 10th Annual Performance Project, an original production created through a collaboration between the organizations, to help homeless men in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Directed by Denis Griesmer. Bring a lunch, tables and chairs provided, in the rotunda at Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue. No admission charge.

Ralph Nader The consumer advocate, lawyer, and author, is running as an independent candidate in the 2008 Presidential Election. This is his 4th attempt at a presidential bid. Nader will speak about the current economic crisis and the proposed government bailout at 4PM on Thu 10/30 at The City Club of Cleveland. Since the 1970’s, Nader has acted as a consumer advocate, gathering evidence and alerting the public, Congress, and the media to many issues related to health, safety, economics, environmental pollution, worker rights, and excessive corporate influence. http://www.cityclub.org.

HOT Hallo, Cleveland! The Beachland Halloween Party sounds like a riot, not to mention a dream for local music fans. On Thu 10/30 check out a number of great local acts doing cover sets of the legendary acts (in parentheses): The Hot Rails (J. Geils Band) , Helper T-Cells (Flaming Lips), Living Stereo (Alice Cooper), Devil Moto (Creedence), Good Touch Bad Touch (The Kinks), and The Muttering Retreats (Beck). Should be a blast. Details and performance times at http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Axé! Brazilian Dance and Drumming On Thu 10/30 at 8PM at Sergio’s SARAVA, the students of the Percussion and Dance Department of the University of Akron team up to bring a high energy showcase of Brazilian culture featuring traditional folkloric styles as well as exciting drumming dancing made famous in the Brazilian Carnaval. A Brazilian cartoon, “Aquarela do Brazil” will be shown with live percussion & dance accompaniment. SARAVA provides refreshments. Shaker Square Cinema. http://www.sergioscleveland.com. Guest artists Marcus Santos and Ana Carla Laidley join the fun with another Axé! performance Fri 10/31 at 8PM. Daum Theatre, Kolbe Hall, 328 Buchtel Common in Akron. Call 330-972-7591, or visit http://www.uakron.edu/music.

Scott Reynolds Nelson Bringing a folk legend to life — and researching whether he even lived at all — is no easy feat. But this Anisfield-Wold Award-winning author has done just that in his exploration of John Henry through his acclaimed book, Steel-Drivin’ Man: The Untold Story of an American Legend, where he mines the fertile intersection of John Henry, the man and the myth. Meet Nelson, get a book signed and talk about his inspiration at The LIT’s wine and cheese reception for Nelson on Thu 10/30 at 7PM. http://www.the-lit.org.

Jon Langford is a founding member of legendary British rock band the Mekons. He continues to play with the Mekons, as well as Chicago band the Waco Brothers. His multi-layered paintings take imagery from old country music publicity photos and sheet music and envelope them in a haze of ironic nostalgia. His work is represented by the legendary outsider gallery Yarddog in Austin, Texas (http://www.yarddog.com) and Clevelanders can get a taste at an exhibition opening for Langford Thu 10/30 at 6PM at Waterloo 7 Gallery, 16006 Waterloo Rd. Langford and his band the Skull Orchard will perform later that night at the Beachland Ballroom down the street. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

HOT Bones, Bugs & Dead Animals Sounds creepy? The Nature League’s Annual Halloween this Fri 10/31 at 9PM could be the Hallow’s Eve party of the year! Enjoy a costume contest complete with prizes, live music by Abby Normal & the Detroit Lean, plenty of tasty nosh and a two-buck cash bar. Admission includes two drink tickets. Call the Box Office at 231-1177 for tickets. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr., University Circle. http://www.cmnh.org.

Waitin’ 2 End Hell Dante and Diane Jones have been married for twelve years. What does Diane really want? The play raises issues about relationships, family values, and divorce problems in our community. This comic family drama was an Off-Broadway hit first produced by Woodie King Jr. It plays on the title of Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale. and starts at Karamu House Fri 10/31. Details and showtimes at http://www.karamu.com.

Aspiring Filmmakers Bootcamp Experience how to write, produce, cast direct and sell your own feature step by step starting Fri 10/31 and running through the weekend. Get practical, hard-nosed strategies for navigating the movie business. Explore marketing and web distribution, and exciting alternative routes for breaking into the business. Then, experience the rare opportunity to pitch your ideas to a studio head with a major film fund and the power to green-light. Some past ideas have been good enough to lead to production and development deals. Details at http://www.filmboot.com and http://www.clevelandfilm.com.

Spooky Halloween Salsa Fiesta Don’t miss this fun theme party featuring the zesty live act/Timbalero Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta on Fri 10/31 starting at 8PM. Prizes for best costumes will be awarded and attendees are invited to dance the night away. View Nightclub, 618 Prospect. Call 440-263-5842 for details. http://tropicalcleveland.com.

The FOCUS Festival of Contemporary Music hits the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music this weekend and its filled with “firsts” this year. Three concerts, Fri 10/31 at 8PM, Sat 11/1 at 8PM and Sun 11/2 at 4PM, will feature the music of Chen Yi, the first Asian and first woman composer featured at the biennial event. All concerts are no cost and open to the public — another first for the FOCUS fest. Kulas Musical Arts Bldg., 96 Front St., Berea. http://www.bw.edu/academics/conservatory/focus.

Sexy Scary Seductive It’s a Halloween party with a twist. Mercury Lounge and promoter Fabiola Galarraga are kicking out a sassy, high-energy Halloween fashion show Fri 10/31 with doors at 5PM. Complimentary Bacardi and Bacardi Flavors will be served from 8:30 – 9:30PM, with the fashion show commencing at 10:30PM. Fashions by Chain Link Addiction will be accompanied by dunes by DJ William Russel and a special appearance by the sassy Bacardi Bat Vixens. The Mercury Lounge, 1392 West. 6th St. Call 566-8840 or visit http://www.themercurylounge.com. http://www.fabiolatamayo.com.

Halloween Party w/ Zach Deputy This no-cost, earthy-blues shindig at Wilbert’s downtown is gonna be a treat. Hailing from the South Carolina coast, Deputy has infused his blues sound with roots-rock, soul, hip-hop beats, dance hall rhythms and a bit of the tropical humidity of Calypso and reggae. It might be colder in Cleveland, but Zach’s kicking out his family roots (Puerto Rico, St. Croix) with an original sound as comfortable and accessible as worn flip-flops, open and inviting like a seaside cabana and full of flavor surprises like a New Orleans gumbo. Soak in the sun Fri 10/31 at 9PM. Wilbert’s Food and Music on Huron. http://www.wilbertsmusic.com.

SPONSORED: This Fri 10/31 at 8PM, WCLV is live at Baldwin-Wallace for its Focus Fest. And Sat 11/1 evening at 8PM, WCLV revisits a Cleveland Orchestra concert from 2006 conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. You’ll hear two works by Aaron Copland: Our Town and Symphonic Ode, and the Beethoven Symphony No. 3 “Eroica.” On Sun 11/02 at 4PM, two days late for Halloween, the Orchestra plays H.K.Gruber’s Frankenstein. Full details at www.WCLV.com.

HOT ¡Mambo Muerto! Get out your brightest britches, slickest dancing slippers, and any of those skeletons hiding in your closet! This year SPACES Annual Benefit and Auction gets a jolt of Latin flavor, thanks to a little inspiration from Day of the Dead. On Sat 11/1 from 9PM – 1AM, Cle creatives will don their wildest garb, enjoy fab food and music and soak up the gallery’s nod to El Dia de los Muertos. Guests are asked to bring something to honor their family and friends who have passed on to place on the SPACES altar. Part of the SPACES 30th Anniversary celebration. 2220 Superior Viaduct. Call 621-2314 or visit http://www.spacesgallery.org.

HOT Lar Lubovitch Dance Company Don’t miss this opportunity to see Lar Lubovitch Dance Company Sat 11/1 at 8PM at the Ohio Theatre on PlayhouseSquare. They’ll celebrate their 40th anniversary with an extraordinary evening of dance including the renowned Concerto Six Twenty-Two set to Mozart’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, the stunning Dvorak Serenade and a world preview of Lubovitch’s newest work, Jangle, which is set to the music of Bartok. http://www.dancecleveland.org. http://www.lubovitch.org. Tickets.

Glass Harp ROAM Benefit Join the fun at the Roots of American Music (ROAM) benefit for education Sat 11/1 starting at 6PM at the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo in Collinwood. A VIP party with buffet dinner, live jazz and a fabulous silent auction start out the night, with a 7:30PM Reunion Concert by Glass Harp featuring Phil Keaggy (Jimi Hendrix’s favorite guitarist!) rounding out the night of music for a great cause. ROAM does a lot, particularly for kids and they’re worth supporting. Call 321-9350 to reserve your tickets. http://www.rootsofamericanmusic.org. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Afro-Cuban Rhythms Enjoy the captivating styles of benbe, bolero and samba with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s performance at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood Sat 11/1 at 8PM. The CJO will explore the influence of Latin American & Brazilian music on American Jazzmen featuring guest percussionist Ricardo Flores. Hear the music of: Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Duke Ellington, Mario Bauza and many others. http://www.clevelandjazz.org.

HOT I.O.U.S.A. The Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque has been on fire lately with spectacular screen sights. Their current schedule is rocking. Just in time to coincide with the economic crisis, the timely new documentary about the ballooning national debt, I.O.U.S.A., will be given an exclusive Cleveland premiere Sat 11/1 at 3:45PM and Sun 11/2 at 2:15PM. It’s been called “An Inconvenient Truth for the debt crisis” and the description is dead-on. Aitken Auditorium, Cleveland Institute of Art, 11141 East Blvd., University Circle. Call 421-7450 for details. http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque. http://www.iousathemovie.com.

Klezmer Madness! Cleveland Museum of Art’s acclaimed VIVA! & Gala Around Town concert series presents the second performance of the 2008-09 season, David Krakauer and Klezmer Madness!, on Sat 11/1 at 7:30PM at Murch Auditorium in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. As the foremost musician of the vital new wave of klezmer, Krakauer tours the globe with his celebrated ensemble, firmly rooted in Jewish tradition and new creativity. His music simultaneously reaches out to those who remember “yesterday’s” klezmer and to the world music enthusiasts of today. Details.

HOT Cleveland Restaurant Week kicks off Sun 11/2 and runs through Fri 11/14 and if you’re a foodie, it’s all you. It’s the Cleveland Independents’ promotion of the year! Over 40 members of the organization display their culinary talents offering three course prix fixe dinners. Log on to http://www.clevelandindependents.com and check out all the participating restaurants and menus. We’ll let their site spell out the rest for you because it’s (here it comes…) a mouthful. http://www.clevelandindependents.com.

Inside the Political Studio Comedian Eddie Izzard will interview and moderate a Q & A benefit event with U.S. Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D–OH) on Sun 11/2 at PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre at 3PM. “Inside The Political Studio” will find Izzard and Kucinich sharing an unscripted, uncensored discussion (both humorously and seriously) along with a Q&A in the areas of politics, entertainment and the world at large. A premium ticket — which includes attendance at an exclusive luncheon reception following the presentation, complete with one-on-one conversation with Izzard and Kucinich — is also available. Tickets at http://www.playhousesquare.org or by calling 241-6000.

Cleveland Contemporary Players presents “Celebrating Betsy Jolas” this Mon 11/3 at 8PM. Pianists from around the country will present a concert of music by French composer Betsy Jolas (in residence at Cleveland State University), Steve Reich, Olivier Messiaen, Elliott Carter, and a performance of the rarely-heard version of Amériques by Edgard Varèse (arranged by the composer for two pianos-eight hands). The concert is no cost, open to the public. Drinko Recital Hall at 21st and Euclid Ave. Details at http://www.csuohio.edu/concertseries/ccp.

One World Un-corked Held at one of Cleveland’s most exclusive venues, The Club at Key Center, this event brings together professionals & trendsetters, who have expressed an interest in enhancing their knowledge of Wine and different World Cultures. Drink up the global gravitas and grapes and more Wed 11/5 from 5:30 – 8:30PM. Register here.

Ten Plants That Changed the World Dr. W. Hardy Eshbaugh, professor emeritus of Botany at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and research associate at Missouri Botanical Garden, has spent a lifetime studying the origin and domestication of domestic plants. His special focus is the chili pepper. Eshbaugh will deliver an engaging presentation on the origin, evolution, history and uses of many cultivated plants and the ways they have changed human life Wed 11/5 at 6:30PM at Cleveland Botanical Garden. Details at http://www.cbgarden.org.

“Classical rock star” Joshua Roman performs the Schumann Cello Concerto in a no-cost, open to the public concert event with CityMusic Cleveland on Wed 11/5 at 7:30PM at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights. No tickets are required, all welcome. No cost childcare provided as well. What a deal! http://www.citymusiccleveland.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Mike Lang
M. Lang Executive Attire & Lounge

Mike Lang is keeping Cleveland’s hip businessmen from falling into the Full Cleveland cliche. Mike was one of the original founders of the Downtown Merchant’s Association, which morphed into the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which created a Special Improvement District and instituted the Clean & Safe program. His haberdashery, for 20 years on Euclid across from the Wyndham Hotel at Playhouse Square finally has a new sidewalk, courtesy of RTA’s new HealthLine, so he’s taken the next step and added a full liquor lounge, right in with his suits, shirts and accessories for men (and a few for women as well).

So now you can sip a martini while trying on your suit or having your duds fitted by a professional tailor. With computerized tracking, Mike and his staff can advise on your entire wardrobe. The new Lounge is also perfect for corporate parties, and with complimentary parking, it’s the smartest place to stop by before the theatre to give your style an upgrade. Maybe that’s why Mike says, “You know you could look better…” http://www.MLang.com

SPONSORED: The Cranberry Goes Seven Rounds Did you know that the cranberry is one of only three commercially grown fruits native to North America? Better yet, did you know that the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will make a big deal out of it on Sat 11/8 at 6:30PM (reception) and 8PM (dinner)? Check out the History of Food Series featuring a seven-course meal dedicated to the celebration of this little red fruit. Info www.cmnh.org/site/ClassesandPrograms/SpecialEvents/NaturalHistoryOfFood.aspx.

A Fairy Tale?: Chicken Dinner Politics

Once upon a time, in a land (actually it was more like a “ward” but who’s telling this tale, you or me?) that was located three miles from a crooked river, there lived a ruler named “Queen Annie.” The queen had ruled over the ward for years and years, and when she died, some of her subjects came up with this novel idea: It was called “democracy.” Yep, some of them had heard rumors that in other parts of the country the “people” actually decided who their leader would be… and they wanted to try this concept called “democracy” in their ward.

They even formed a group called “Community Voices.” This group actually had the audacity to believe that the people of the ward should have the strongest voice in how the ward was run, which frightened the hell out of some of the downtown bosses, who, by the way, didn’t even live in the ward. The bosses were afraid a dangerous concept like “We, the People…” might take root and spread like wildfire to other wards in the city. “We can’t have that,” one of the bosses was overheard saying, “people running their own affairs… that’s our job, to tell them what’s best for them…”
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

SPONSORED: Right about Now, we could all use a good comedy. The Cleveland Institute of Music has just the ticket! November 12-15, join director David Bamberger, the CIM Orchestra and students from the CIM Opera Theater in a fully staged production of Beatrice et Benedict. In his last great work, Berlioz created a wonderful comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. This production finds us in 1960 at an American University with action surrounding the “big game!” It’s all sun, fun and young love! Tickets are on sale by calling 216-791-5000 or purchase online here. Mention you saw it in Cool Cleveland or enter “COOL” in the promo-box when ordering online for a $2 discount. Click here for a complete CIM concert schedule.

A Conversation with Lar Lubovitch

When we heard that Lar Lubovitch Dance Company was coming to Cleveland, we called DanceCleveland to arrange a phone interview with the man himself. Lubovitch (center) is widely recognized as one of the top 10 choreographers in the entire world; top companies perform his work and top dancers line up to audition for his company. But the Lubovitch Dance Company hasn’t toured for over a decade. Their last performance in Cleveland was in 1993; Lubovitch’s work was last seen here in 2006 when the Limon Dance Company previewed Recordare at Playhouse Square. His conversation with Cool Cleveland last week covered a lot of territory…

Read more from Vic and Elsa here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“There has been a lot of talk about all of the ills of subprime,” writes Rick Pollack, “and a fair amount of discussion over what happened and who is to blame. I thought it might be helpful to see what an actual subprime loan looks like and see why it was issued in the first place…

Read and add your comment here

The Shock of the New
New Productions By CPT, BNC, 4WP Offer Cool Risks, Rewards

Here’s a dirty little secret: most theaters just can’t make themselves book untested new plays. Which means between all the “classics”, “old favorites”, “literary gems”, and “audience pleasers” you’ll see on theater seasons, a frequent playgoer can start to feel like she’s stuck in Summer Rerun Hell.

That’s why it’s important to give a shout-out to three venues that are taking risks this week by programming fresh, unseen work by area authors. New plays are kind of like trick-or-treat. You don’t know which you’re going to get, but there’s one thing you can be sure of: it won’t be the same-old, same-old…

Read more from Linda Eisenstein here

Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?
From the Projects to Prep School
Charlise Lyles
Gray and Company, Publishers

A little girl whose father casually names all the stars in the various constellations can hardly help but reach for those stars, even if he’s no longer a presence in her life. It’s those early years that truly matter in the very special relationship of a father and his daughter. I know this for a fact, as my father and I shared a similar background.

Author Charlise Lyles was named for her elusive father, and used his teachings as a springboard to a more challenging educational experience. Even though his presence wasn’t a constant in her life, his love for words and books opened her young eyes to the world, and she never looked back…

Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Freeze The Foreclosures rally Thursday 10.30 because enough is enough
If you live in CLE be familiar with the charter changes on the upcoming ballot.
Kathleen Cerveny offers 3 poems for wisdom, solace, and inspiration in light of the upcoming election.
The Park Building located on Public Square is a downtown Cleveland success story.
Amtrak ridership coming up roses in the Midwest.

Air: Debussy & Takemitsu
Telarc

We can blame Debussy for the enigmatic title (Air) of this new CD that mixes harp, flute, and viola into an oft-smoothing and always lovely rendition of the French composer’s work as well as that of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Debussy wrote that “Music is a free art, gushing forth — an open-air art, an art boundless as the elements, the wind, the sky, the sea! I love music passionately, and because I love it I try to free it from the barren traditions that stifle it.”

One of life’s little ironies is, of course, that Debussy himself has now become a tradition, one that Takemitsu seized on a generation later when he sought to combine dreamy spiritual and physical elements such as “water, trees, gardens, sky, birds, wind, the flickering images of film, and the quiverings of the human heart” to the “quiet inner place where the spirit dwells…”

Read more from Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly here

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

Blundering Mayor Jackson and City Council

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and all but one Cleveland City Council member (Mike Polensek) thoughtlessly voted to give $1 million cash to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for its induction dinner.

Now that’s what I call absolutely disgusting. The poor feed the rich.

This is business as usual in Cleveland. Mayor Jackson should break from the give-away policies of former mayors, George Voinovich and Michael White. Those mayors favored corporate interests to the severe detriment of city people. Jackson knows better.

Why does Cleveland have to pay a cent for what they’ve already bought with city taxes…?
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Goldstar, Ohio @ CPT 10/18 Being in the audience opening night at the world premiere of Goldstar, Ohio at Cleveland Public Theatre was a surreal experience. Many of those in the sold-out crowd were wearing pictures or badges with the facial images of members of the 325th Marine unit who were killed in the Iraq war during the first week of August, 2005…

Read more from Roy Berko here

David Byrne @ Allen Theatre 10/23 You never really know what to expect with David Byrne, even if you’ve seen him a few times since he and Talking Heads parted ways. To hear that he had rekindled his musical partnership with Brian Eno, who produced the Heads’ three mid-career albums and released the experimental instrumental My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts, with Byrne in 1984, was excitement enough. But the lucky Cleveland crowd received so much more… Read more from Thomas Mulready here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 10/23 When conductor Nicholas McGegan took the podium for a mostly-Baroque concert it was clear this was not to be one of those classical music concerts that feels like church. It felt, instead, as if we were visitors in an elegant house (of course, after all we were in gorgeous Severance Hall) where everyone just happened to be having a good time playing musical instruments at a very high level… Read more from Laura Kennelly here

Macbeth @ Great Lakes Theater Festival 10/25 Get thee to the Hanna! Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays, perhaps because the story line is easy to follow for those whose ear is not attuned to late-16th century English. The story of Macbeth’s dreary fall from honor and his very human pride and determination despite harrowing guilt is classical theater at its best. The audience does not need to know the historical background to become wrapped up in the drama on the stage… Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

People’s Art Show @ CSU Art Gallery 10/25 The 18th People’s Art Show at Cleveland State University’s Art Gallery is a visual cacophony of color and styles, attitudes and opinions. This is an unjuried show, so everything from beautifully rendered paintings and labored over pencil drawings to student art projects and angry political statements splattered violently are there to take in… Read more from Carol Drummond here

Cool Cleveland readers write

All letters must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional).
Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

On the Cool Cleveland party at Ray’s Mountain Bike Park on 10/16 Feedback has been amazing. People had never been to an event like that with such great karma. Ray [Petro] – everyone wants to hold a party there! Thomas [Mulready], you have received many kudos. Thanks again to both of you for creating such a smash hit party for the Lab. I was so impressed by your coordination and attention to detail. It’s because of your great work that the Civic Innovation Lab has been a success. Nichelle [McCall], you worked very hard to make our party diverse, another reason participants were impressed. Great job overall.
from Cool Cleveland reader Jennifer Thomas, director of Civic Innovation Lab jthomasATcivicinnovationlab.org

On the Cool Cleveland Endorsements (see complete Cool Cleveland endorsements for the 11/4/08 election here) I love my Cool Cleveland and if we were to break up I would probably stalk you for weekly event ideas. Now with that being said I feel the need to comment on your political suggestions…
Read the letter from Cool Cleveland reader Michael Norris

Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

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

1) Cool Cleveland endorsements You don’t have to follow our suggestions, but please vote.
CoolCleveland.com

2) Devo, Black Keys & Chrissie Hynde rock the Civic & we have the pix by Janet Macoska.
CoolCleveland.com

3) PD cuts 38 more union jobs and the ugly details are here.
Cleveland.com

4) Cool Cleveland KIDS party Superhero fun at a kid-friendly price
CoolCleveland.com

5) Ed Begley is coming to Cleveland on 11/27. On his bike. In November. To talk about heating your home.
ChangeHappensInDegrees.org

Transform… and Roll Out Many thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Linda Eisenstein, Roldo Bartimole, Laura Kennelly, Susan Schaul, Carol Drummond, Roy Berko and Greg Cielec. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

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Take transformative risks,
–Thomas Mulready
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