On The Screen

03.18-03.25.09
On the Screen

In this week’s issue:

I have to admit, I’m conflicted about the TV screen. As a kid, I sat in our Parma basement in front of our B&W for hours, poking out reviews on a typewriter my dad brought home from work. It took me 30 minutes to compose a summary of a half hour sitcom. In my performance art days, I put together an evening-length piece, Tom Mulready Within and Without Television, interacting with myself live and on the screen. Nowadays, we’ve dedicated Cool Cleveland to the goal of getting NEOers away from their screens and out into the real world of Cleveland Plus. Of course, we encourage gathering in the dark to witness the annual CIFF, especially the Local Heroes series featuring Cle are talent. We urge you to take the road trip to Canton to see Symphony of Light, and to sign up for Mark Brabant’s Hovering Object. Enjoy the video interview with Mary Verdi-Fletcher of Dancing Wheels, and read about getting away from the boob tube with your kids this week. To come full circle, join us at our Cool Cleveland TV party this Fri 3/20 at the Beck Center and see The Farnsworth Invention, about the creation of the television, and consider our next networking party of the future at CSU on 4/22. Either way, turn off your TV, throw away the remote, and get out to see some of the cool things we’ve selected for you this week. –Thomas Mulready

Join us at the Cool Cleveland TV party this Fri 3/20
40% OFF offer extended until Midnight THU 3/19!

Who invented the TV? You’ll find out when you attend our Cool Cleveland party and receive your ticket to see The Farnsworth Invention at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood on Fri 3/20, starting at 5:30PM.

This riveting show played on Broadway in 2008 and was written by Aaron Sorkin, the creator and writer of The West Wing. It’s about the teenaged Philo Farnsworth, who invented the TV, and was offered $100K by RCA’s David Sarnoff, which he turned down. Receive 40% OFF if you order on line by MIDNIGHT Thu 3/19.

Cool Cleveland TV Party includes a generous assortment of complimentary hors d’oeuvres & wine, sneak peek of CAF exhibition, showcases, coffee, tea & pastries, a TV museum… and a complimentary ($31 value) ticket to see The Farnsworth Invention. Click here for more info and complete menu.

Forget the TV and come out for a night of camaraderie with other cool Clevelanders, hors d’oeuvres, art and excellent theatre, all for $18, more than 40% OFF. But do it quickly, this offer will expire Fri 3/19 at Midnight.

40% OFF tickets here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/032009

Scott Spence is one of our region’s finest directors, and one of it’s longest-serving. In this 360-degree video, Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready circles around Scott in the Beck Center’s Studio Theatre, with the set of Grey Gardens all around. Not only is Scott directing The Farnsworth Invention, (featured at the upcoming Cool Cleveland party), but he’s directed over 60 plays since 1990, and produced over 150! Watch the video, then consider joining us at the Cool Cleveland TV party at the Beck Center on Fri 3/20 with 40% OFF if you order by Midnight Thu 3/19 here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/032009

Do you have a cool idea for the future of Cleveland – in economic development, in housing, in education, in race relations? We want to know – so Cool Cleveland is teaming up with Cleveland State University to present an evening of visionary fun with a career-boosting twist (after all, what are universities for?) on Wed 4/22 from 5:30-8PM. More info here.

Do your ultimate networking with hearty hors d’oeuvres and open bar with beer & wine in the spectacularly renovated Fenn Tower and meet 8 Executives-In-Residence for an F2F discussion about Cleveland’s (and your own) future: Steven Minter, former director of The Cleveland Foundation; former state senator Grace Drake; David Whitehead, former VP of FirstEnergy; Julian Earls, former director of NASA-Glenn; Barbara Byrd-Bennett, former CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and others. Networking, round-robin discussion (think speed dating with a civic twist!), incorporating your cool ideas, with everything live blogged. Order your tickets online before midnight Thu 3/19 for your best value. Or, click here for more info: Newsletter/Csu042209.

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Latest silly poll: Cle ranked #5 on the unhappiest cities in America list!?! Only if said pollster lives here Details
HOT Cleveland State AND Univ. of Akron make it to the Big Dance known to bracketologists and roundball fans as the NCAA Tournament! Click
HOT GREEN PolyCultures: Food Where We Live promises to be one of CIFF highlights. Learn more about this locally-focused film @ the Cle Int’l Film Fest by clicking here and here
GREEN LakewoodBuzz.com and NonprofitNewswire.com creator Steve FitzGerald has just launched a “greener” search engine called (fittingly enough) Envirogle. Check it out, then hit LakewoodBuzz and NonProfitNewswire
Longtime Cle writer/reporter Michael San Giacomo’s book Tales of the Starlight Drive-in, has been nominated as the 2008 Best Graphic Novel of the year by the Comic Buyer’s Guide. Vote for it here
Check out this new Austin “Walkin’ Cane” music vid featuring one of Cle’s finest blues talents here
With Easter around the corner, this local film looks like an incredibly fun and moving view. Looks fun for the kids, too. Watch Trailer
Are you hip to Bistro Incognito’s launch party in Ohio City? If not, ya better RSVP fast; they’re running out of room. Foodies Unite!
Devo announces new album and concrete touring plans. Are We Not Men?
Cleveland to Host 2011 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships and you can learn more here
Cle Jazz Orchestra names Sean Jones of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as their new artistic director! Read our last interview w/ Jones here (scroll down). Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Help select the winner of Ohio’s first-ever Music Video Challenge 23 original Ohio videos; voting ends today, Wed 3/18. Click
GREEN Very green custom cabinetry shop in Tremont specializes in bamboo, paperstone + concrete countertops!! Wow! Check them out!
Is global world peace in 5 years possible? Check out this local link and decide for yourself. Peace
Are you following the Old Brooklyn Blogs? If not, check them out here

HELP Up for a post-St. Patty’s Day Party? Ya might have just cleared your head, or maybe you had to work and missed out. If either is the case, head to the Old Angle Tavern, 1848 W. 25th St. Fri 3/20 from 5 – 8PM. A portion of the proceeds of food and drink specials help out the children of St. Jude! Friends of St. Jude are putting on the event — they’re young professionals dedicated to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the fight against childhood cancer. They do life-saving work and need your support. http://www.FriendsOfStJude.org/cleveland/.

Roots of American Music (ROAM) holds residencies and programs for kids in schools all over this region, but the Cle Heights-based nonprofit has never held a fundraiser on the West Side… until now. Luxe Kitchen & Lounge — Marlin Kaplan’s relatively new restaurant in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood — hosts a ROAM benefit Thu 3/18 from 6 – 9PM, featuring a wine tasting by Bond Street Imports, music by original contemporary Americana band the Saints, a raffle with prizes including a cooking class by Luxe chef/owner Kaplan and a case of wine, and, of course, food by Luxe. Call 321-9353 or visit http://www.rootsofamericanmusic.org. Learn about Luxe by reading Linda Eisenstein’s feature on them here.

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.

SPONSORED: Strange Culture Steve Kurtz came to national and international attention in 2004 when he reported the death of his wife, Hope Kurtz. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of bioterrorism. Kurtz will speak Fri 3/20 at 2:15PM at CIA, 11141 East Blvd. Kurtz is the subject of Leeson’s documentary Strange Culture, which tells the bizarre tale of how an artist, in possession of recognizably benign bacteria used in museum and gallery exhibits, became the target of a criminal investigation driven by the U.S. Patriot Act. Kurtz is a noted artist and founding member of the Critical Art Ensemble. This event has no admission fee and is open to the public. Info: www.cia.edu. There will also be a screening of Strange Culture on Thu 3/19 at 4PM at CIA. This showing of the film will be free for all CIA and Case community members and $5 to the general public.

Cleveland: Get Going… Get Fit
How to Avoid “becoming one with your living room furniture”

When is the last time you saw Barbie? Yes, Barbie, as in Ken and Barbie. I recently saw her in the buff. My 2-year-old munchkin discovered that Barbie “has parts.” “What’s that?” she asked. “Umm… do you want to get Barbie dressed?” I replied. As with most things in parenthood, redirection works well.

“Just where is she going with this” you ask? Well, Barbie has a body that most of us will never see. Her dimensions aren’t even realistic… but seeing Barbie au naturel reminded me of my annual New Year’s resolution: to shed those last few baby pounds (albeit a few years later). What about you? What about your kids? Let’s face it, obesity has been in the news consistently…

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

Robots + Us If you’ve not been to the Great Lakes Science Center with your kids to see this, better get cracking! They’ll get the chance to interact with all kinds of robots at the GLSC exhibit, which opened in the fall and will be in town through late April. In addition to some very cool exhibits, you can extend your kiddos’ experience through some very cool programs. http://www.GreatScience.com or call 694-2000.

HOT Spring Break Science Day Camps Speaking of the Great Lakes Science Center, they’re combining Rocket Science, “LEGO Robotics” and “Space-Bots” in a cool, hands-on, interactive spring break camp! Students are immersed in unique classes covering everything from the science of magic to the process of discovery inside household appliances. Educate and entertain your kids (K – 8th grade) by signing them up for two Spring Break Camps Mon 3/23; another on Mon 4/13. Both week-long camps run from 8:30AM – 3:30PM with extended hours of 7:30AM – 5:30PM. Available for before- or after-care. http://www.GreatScience.com or call 694-2000.

Guys & Dolls, Jr. Solon Center for the Arts Spotlight Youth Theater program moves this classic American musical to their main stage Thu 3/19 — Sat 3/21. Delighting audiences for decades, this is a condensed version of the Burrows/Swerling/Loesser work and features SCA’s growing troupe of youth theater students. Damon Runyon’s uniquely exaggerated New York City looks to reinvigorate a Broadway classic with unforgettable characters. http://www.SolonArts.org.

International Fair and Dinner American Field Service, (AFS) Cleveland East Region is hosting their annual International Fair and Dinner Sat 3/21 at the Church of the Good Shepard at 23599 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst from 6 – 9PM. Come sample the food and culture from local area exchange students from all over the world and learn about hosting an exchange student or just support a great local organization. Call Rachel at 831-5222 for more information.

Kodo performs at the Palace Theater on PlayhouseSquare on Tue 3/24 at 7:30PM and it sounds cool. Innovations in metallurgy, African and Indonesian inspiration, and spartan communal living on a forgotten island gave birth to this artistic (and elemental) experience. North American audiences may not realize what goes into the sounds they’ll hear when the premier Japanese taiko group performs here as a part of a rare 29-city North American tour. Critics call them “samurai percussionists” — you be the judge. http://www.kodo.or.jp. http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 13-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Dancing Wheels

Mary Verdi-Fletcher and Dancing Wheels are more famous around the world than they are here in their home town of Cleveland. They rehearse at the Masonic Auditorium, and they produce educational programs in the region that reach over 900 kids.

Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with Mary at Akron’s Old Trail School, conducting a residency on the life of Helen Keller, in which the kids not only learned to work with stand-up and sit-down dancers in wheelchairs, they also learned sign language and Braille. Watch the video, and see how Mary and her troupe of physically integrated dancers interact with students and create amazing theatrical productions worldwide. www.DancingWheels.org.

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

Marc Canter has a new proposal for Cuyahoga County ED on realNEO, as Susan Miller points out to us here, here and here
With deadlines looming for Conv. Ctr/Med Mart might it be a good idea to follow this site
Advance our region’s growth with Effective Government Now. Click

Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert on behalf of his Rock Ventures partnership, announced his support of the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan — a new casino ballot proposal calling for an amendment to the State’s Constitution. If passed, the amendment would result in $1 billion in required new private investment, $200 million in licensing fees, $600 million annually in tax revenue – the bulk of it for counties, cities and school districts – as well as create an estimated 20,000 new jobs for the state. Learn more here, here and here

GREEN Tour of the Fiberstars/Energy Focus Lighting Showroom and Factory Energy Focus is a mid-size lighting company located in Solon that has been manufacturing and selling specialty and energy efficient lighting solutions since 1985. They host this cool event — coupled with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America monthly meeting — on Thu 3/19 starting at 11:30AM. Includes lunch, all welcome. RSVP to Wendy Turkuc at 636-5893 or email: turkuc@att.net. Energy Focus, 32000 Aurora Rd., Solon. http://www.EnergyFocusInc.com.

Feat & Loathing in Social Media March Luncheon featuring David Griner, social media strategist from Luckie & Co. and ADWeek “Ad Freak” blog Wed 3/18 at Windows on the River. Register
NEO International Entrepreneurs: Starting local, Growing global is TiE subject matter Thu 3/19. 1100 Carnegie Ave. Register
Healthcare can’t wait Thomas J. Strauss, Pres. & CEO of Summa Health System addresses Akron Roundtable luncheon on Thu 3/19 at 11:45AM @ Tangier, 532 West Market St., Akron. Click
CBIZ Roundtable Luncheon covers fraud, risk mgm’t Tue 3/24 w/ featured speaker. Register
The Brand Marketing Workshop Four-part workshop starts Tue 3/24 and runs the next three Tuesdays. Register
GREEN E4S Zero Waste Network Workshop hits on Wed 3/25 Learn how to turn industrial waste into revenue! Click
Engineering Leadership Breakfast Series offers Jeffrey L. Dean, CAE, ED and Gen Counsel, Int’l Society of Explosives Engineers Thu 3/26 @ Hilton Garden Inn Cle, 1100 Carnegie Ave.
Jim Rokakis: Breakfast Networking Meeting The County Treasurer speaks on how to save Cle/Cuy County Thu 4/2 at this Cuy Valley COC event. Register
Crain’s Cleveland Business Twenty in their 20s Awards ceremony takes place at House of Blues Tue 4/7. Tix onsale now. See what dynamic YPs we have in C-town! Tickets
Navigating Your Nonprofit Through Challenging Times Learn strategies and tools for fiscal planning and decision making Fri 4/17 at 7:30AM at DoubleTree Hotel, Cle South — 6200 Quarry Ln, Independence. Click
Tapping the Power of New Social Media, Social Networks & eMarketing Learn how to maximize your biz impact w/ better outreach Fri 5/8 at 9AM. Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Click
Calm Effectiveness: How to Motivate Self & Others During Times of Stress & Change hits Fri 5/15 at 9AM at Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Register
Creating Brand Ambassadors within Your Board & Staff This BVU event hits Fri 6/26 at 9AM at Penton Media Conf Ctr, 1300 East 9th St. Learn more

HOT Get Out of Jail for Free: Top 10 Deadliest Mistakes for Small Businesses comprises latest Global Gateway Series event Fri 3/27 at 11:45AM at the Beachwood COC, 23230 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 900. It’s presented by Prof. Carole Heyward, Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law; includes lunch and lecture. Pre-registration required. Register at http://www.CSUOhio.edu/business/global/gateway.

Steve Schimoler has a lot of good ideas. For many years, it was his job to come up with new food products when he moved to the Cleveland area to work with Nestle as Director of Innovation and Development after many years of launching 3-star restaurants and food companies like Chefex.com and Chef Stuff. He’s laid down roots in Cleveland with the award-winning Crop Bistro & Bar, and is determined to take advantage of the attention (and the visitors) that will be attracted to Cleveland during the upcoming Rock Hall induction week.

Cleveland Food Rocks is a collaborative effort to have Cleveland’s top chefs offer live music (possibly using talent in their own kitchens), and a signature drink or hors d’oeuvre to visitors during Induction week. Watch the video with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, and Steve can explain better in his own words. http://www.ClevelandFoodRocks.com http://www.CropBistro.com

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Paula McClain The Cle-based author will be discussing and signing A Ticket To Ride this Wed 3/18 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst. Set in the long, hot summer of 1973, McLain’s lyrical debut novel explores what happens when an insecure, motherless teenager falls under the dangerous spell of her older cousin Fawn. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

Speak from the Heart Cleveland Public Theatre Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan presents readings of new work from the CPT/Elyria YWCA Women’s Voices Project Wed 3/18 at 7PM at the Elyria YWCA (318 West Ave., Elyria) and Wed 3/25 at 8PM at CPT (6415 Detroit Ave.). Both performances are no-cost, open to the public and promise to be powerful original works of drama — all created and performed by women in transition. Donations accepted; each performance followed by post-show discussion and reception. Call 631.2727 x 201 or email cseibert@cptonline.org for more info. http://www.CPTonline.org.

Felix Mendelssohn’s 200th Birthday will be commemorated by Cleveland Institute of Music faculty members Wed 3/18 at 8PM with a recital. The 200th Anniversary celebration graces CIM’s Mixon Hall and features violinist Mari Sato, cellist Melissa Kraut and pianist Elizabeth DeMio — all of whom will perform various works by Mendelssohn. Seating passes are required for this event; call 791-5000 or visit http://www.cim.edu for more information.

HOT Cleveland International Film Festival For over 30 years, the Cleveland Film Society has sponsored this jewel of an event. With over 240 film selections to choose from over 10 days at Tower City Cinemas, you just can’t go wrong. Soak up special lectures, panel discussions, and plan meals and other downtown excursions with your friends around this mind/eye-opening thrill ride. Starts Thu 3/19. One of the highlights features CityFresh and other local orgs in the GREEN film PolyCultures: Food Where We Live (left) by Tom Kondilas, about sustainable farming and agriculture in NEO. Call 623-3456 or visit http://www.ClevelandFilm.org to learn more about this 33rd incarnation of the fest.

HOT Lightbulb The 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) will open with this Jeff Balsmeyer film. The rags-to-riches story of two friends (actors Dallas Roberts and Jeremy Renner) will screen on Thu 3/19 and is based on the life of screenwriter/producer Mike Cram. Call 623-3456 or visit http://www.ClevelandFilm.org to learn more about this and other CIFF programming highlights.

Knuckle Sandwich Pop Shop Gallery’s latest opening is this Sat 3/21 at 7PM — and it’s a collection of works by Cle’s most “competitive artists”! This no cost, open to the public exhibition runs through late April. After enjoying a nice Knuckle Sandwich, adult guests can wash it down with a cold drink at Mullen’s (located next to the gallery). 17020 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Call 227-8440 or visit http://www.PopShopGallery.com for details.

En Francais Join your friends in Ohio City for a celebration of Spring’s arrival with An Ohio City Tasting of French Wines, held on Thu 3/19 at 6PM at the Joy Sweeney Gallery, 1990 Fulton Rd. Wines to be served with be matched with interesting hors d’oeuvres and conclude with a chocolate dessert. A wine rep Q&A on featured vintages and souvenir wine glass round out the event. Tix here or call 781-3222. Limited capacity event; proceeds benefit Ohio City Near West Development Corp.

Cavani String Quartet Master Classes The esteemed group, in-residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music, will coach a student ensemble in master classes that are no cost and open to the public on Thu 3/19 at 7PM in Studio 113 of the CIM (repeating at 4PM on Mon 3/30). For more info, call 791-5000 or visit http://www.cim.edu.

HOT 16th Annual Absolute Art Auction For the past nine years, Harris Stanton Gallery has organized this cool fundraiser for the Akron Art Museum (and its Saturday Family Workshops). Works by over 80 international and regional artists and craftspeople will be available for bidding starting Fri 3/20, continuing for a week and culminating with a swell vodka tasting party on Fri 3/27 from 5:30 – 7:30PM. 2301 W. Market St., Akron. Details and info at http://www.HarrisStantonGallery.com or call 330-867-7600.

Come Together: Imagine Peace Prominent local poets read their newest material about peace at this uplifting, provocative evening for the whole family Fri 3/20 from 7 – 10PM. Support peace and art and sharing by joining in; proceeds will benefit the 2009 Cleveland Peace Show. Enjoy fair trade coffee, appetizers, cookies, and fresh fruit. The Lit 2570 Superior Ave., #203. Call 397-4528 or visit http://www.the-LIT.org for details.

Crime and Punishment Get this: Cleveland Play House delivers a new, award-winning adaptation of the great Russian Dostoevsky’s masterpiece… and they do it in 90-minute freaking minutes?!? This psychological thriller finds the lead — a desperate young man struggling with poverty — driven to commit the ultimate crime of passion. Absolutely brilliant stuff; worth a view Fri 3/20 at 8PM. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

Isabel Bayrakdarian The Art Song Festival at Baldwin-Wallace College announces their major event of 2009 and it features a rising star — Armenian soprano Bayrakdarian. She will appear in recital with her husband, pianist Serouj Kradjian on Fri 3/20 at 8PM in Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building. Bayrakdarian burst onto the international opera scene after winning first prize in the 2000 Operalia competition founded by Placido Domingo. Since then she has performed in many of the world’s major opera houses and concert halls. 96 Front St., Berea. A pre-concert dinner ticket combination (at the yummy Bucci’s) is also available. Works by Schubert, Bellini, Heggie, Berlioz, Gomidas, Ravel and Obradors. Call 440-826-7664 for tix/info.

This is a Shakedown! Sounds like our kinda band. Cleveland’s own electro rock outfit hosts their first live video shoot @ Touch Supper Club Fri 3/20 at 10PM. The night will kick off with RoeVy, the dirty electro duo from Columbus. DJ Chico is coming in from Pittsburgh to spin in between sets. Get your blood pumping and your body moving. Dancing shoes required! 2710 Lorain Ave. http://www.TouchOhioCity.com. http://www.MySpace.com/ThisIsaShakedown.

SPONSORED: If you hear a piece of music on WCLV that you want, simply click on the ArkivMusic logo found on each page of the WCLV website at http://www.WCLV.com. This takes you to ArkivMusic’s 95,000 CD and DVD collection of classical and Broadway music. There you can search by composer, artist, title and record label. And each purchase you make through the WCLV website supports WCLV’s 24/7 classical music programming.

HOT Incorruptible skewers both celebrity worship and material worship, live on stage. They play is based on an actual ninth century feud between two French monasteries over the bones of St. Foy (a young girl who was beheaded by the Romans in 303 A.D. for refusing to renounce her faith), and uses Monty Pythonesque dark humor to explore the age-old dilemma of whether the ends justify the means. Check it out Sat 3/21 at 8PM, with dates/times running through early April. 40 River St., Chagrin Falls. http://www.cvlt.org.

Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight features the Cle-born actor and stage legend Holbrook in his career-defining role. What more do you need to know? Check him out Sat 3/21 and get your details and tix at http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org.

March on the Pentagon This Sat 3/21 is the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Layoffs abound in the corporate/private sector, major military contractors have reaped enormous profits — with compensation reaching into the millions for top corporate officers. This bus tour will visit the giant corporate offices of Boeing Co., Lockeed Martin Corp., General Dynamics, and KBR in Washington D.C. Bus transportation leaves from Cleveland to D.C. Fri 3/20 at 11:30PM from the ACLU Building, 4506 Chester Ave. Wanna go? Visit http://www.PentagonMarch.org.

Treasures Uncovered! Call it the Antiques Roadshow at Temple Emanu El. Nadeen Katz and Temple Emanu El are offering a fun and enlightening way to discover the value of collectibles. Katz (an active and Accredited Member of The International Society of Appraisers) will be joined by other experts. Guests are invited to bring their treasures for a verbal “Opinion of Value.” The event is Sat 3/21 from 7 – 11PM. Ticket includes beverage voucher and “Opinion of Value” ticket. For more info, visit the Temple’s web site, http://www.TEEcleve.org or call 454-1300.

HELP Lucky Paws Animal Rescue Fundraiser hits the Jigsaw Saloon in Parma on Sat 3/21. It’s a party that includes beer, well drinks and food for an Andrew Jackson. Raffle tickets for $5 each for a chance to win $. The drawing will be at the fundraiser. Proceeds benefit Lucky Paws — a non-profit, no-kill rescue group made up of all volunteers who rescue stray, abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats. Tix and info at http://www.LuckyPawsRescue.org.

HOT Generation Rx At a time when at least 10 million American children are consuming psychiatric medications, Kevin P. Miller’s documentary film explores whether this is occurring for commercial or scientific reasons. Cle filmmaker Miller’s Generation Rx is unprecedented in scope as a “scientific but humanistic” documentary film; Miller’s pulled back the veil on homeless war veterans, kids in crisis and race relations in film before. He claims this was the most disturbing to work on. See it Sun 3/22 4:30PM at the Cleveland International Film Festival, then stay for a Q&A and head to a premiere party at Bang & Clatter Theatre. 224 Euclid Ave. http://www.GenerationRxFilm.com. http://www.ClevelandFilm.org.

HOT 20th Anniversary International Folk Festival This venerable, eye-opening world experience stages at the historic Allen Theatre in PlayhouseSquare on Sun 3/22 at 3PM. The annual festival celebrates the contributions, artistic expressions and dramatic performance art of historic and contemporary heritages found in Northeast Ohio. To commemorate this 20th anniversary, two new features are included — a special performance by the Cleveland Firefighter Memorial Pipe Band and the recognition of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients from NEO. Family friendly. Details.

The Grammy-award winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony will give a no-cost concert of works by Marilyn Shrude, Darius Milhaud, Keith Fitch and a World Premiere by Larry Baker, led by Music Director Steven Smith. The concert will take place Sun 3/22 at 3PM in Gamble Auditorium at Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory, 96 Front St, Berea. Score tix and details at http://www.ClevelandChamberSymphony.org.

Euclid Orchestra Spring Concert takes place Sun 3/22 at 3PM at the Shore Cultural Centre, 291 E. 222nd St, Euclid. Kids under 12 are admitted at no cost with a paid adult. Featuring music by Bizet, Mozart, Borodin and more, this promises to be a great afternoon of classical music. The City of Euclid wants to tear down the Shore Centre, so a big show of support for the orchestra might show the city that the building (and the group) is very much needed. http://www.EuclidOrchestra.com.

Kodo performs at the Palace Theater on PlayhouseSquare on Tue 3/24 at 7:30PM and it sounds cool. Innovations in metallurgy, African and Indonesian inspiration, and spartan communal living on a forgotten island gave birth to this artistic (and elemental) experience. North American audiences may not realize what goes into the sounds they’ll hear when the premier Japanese taiko group performs here as a part of a rare 29-city North American tour. Critics call them “samurai percussionists” — you be the judge. http://www.kodo.or.jp. http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org.

HOT PolyCultures: Food Where We Live is a local documentary film and multimedia production project screening at the Cle Int’l Film Fest as a part of the “Local Heroes” film series. It gets its title from the word “polyculture” which describes farm systems that mimic natural systems with diverse and interdependent elements. It screens at the CIFF this Wed 3/25 at 6:45PM and Thu 3/26 at 11:30AM. The March 25th screening will include a film forum. Click here for details.

Breaking Machines & Making Music The Cleveland State University Center for Public History and Digital Humanities is sponsoring an event at Western Reserve Historical Society on Wed 3/25 entitled Breaking Machines and Making Music: Technology and Creativity in American Popular Music. More details than we can cram into one listing! Learn more here.

Autobahn This work by Neil LaBute, screenwriter of In the Company of Men and The Shape of Things, has been enjoying a healthy run at Cleveland Play House under the direction of Alan Rosenberg. See today (Wed 3/25) through Sat 3/28. Call 795-7000, ext. #4 or click here for details on the show. East 85th St. and Euclid. http://www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Connected to Change and the Future
Inside this year’s Cleveland International Film Festival

Last year’s Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) asked “how did it change you?” This year’s CIFF asks “how can you bring about change?” and encourages us to connect with the issues and each other. The Festival starts tomorrow, Thursday, March 19 and continues through March 29.

The Festival takes audience participation to new territory this year with a media center that encourages people to blog about the movies and the experience and presence on the Web at http://www.ClevelandFilm.org, as well as on Facebook YouTube, Twitter and Flickr. “[The] social media piece is very big,” says Associate Director Patrick Shepherd…

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Silken Splendors Wake Up Cantonites
Behold the Bevy of Kimono Arts Treasures in Stark County

When Joy and Jack Timken journeyed to the foot of Mt. Fuji, no one imagined that their awe of the silken splendor of Itchiku Kubota’s life work would bring the world renowned artist’s eclectic, shimmering collection to the Canton Museum of Art.

One of only two museums in the country to stage the exhibition, the delicate beauty of Itchiku Kubota’s elegant kimonos will grace the halls of the Canton Museum of Art, until late April…

Read more from Deb Dockery here

“We’re all in the same boat now.”
Does Cleveland have the leadership it deserves?

I’m strongly considering initiating a nonprofit organization to collect funds for the express purpose of erecting a statue of Cleveland City Council President Martin J. Sweeney. The Rotunda of City Hall might be a good place for it to reside in majestic perpetuity.

The statue would be in honor of his unremitting efforts to organize the citizens of Cleveland by continually pissing on us and then telling us it’s only raining…

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“How many of you realize that George Nemeth with Brewed Fresh Daily, was Twitter before Twitter?” asks BFD contributor Doug Craver.

Read and add your comment on the BFD post Twitter before Twitter

Mark Brabant: 21st Century Digital Renaissance Man

Westside printmaker / digital artist Mark Brabant creates ethereal prints inspired by stark Midwestern landscapes, odd situational moments and alleged alien invasions. He was born and raised in Ohio, attended Bowling Green and graduated with a concentration in graphic arts in the 1980s; relocated back to the Cleveland area upon completion of his studies.

As a graphic designer by day, he wanted to start using his digital medium to create works that reflected some of his interests and imagination…

Read more from Bridget Ginley here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

David Beach cites numerous examples of Greater Cleveland’s sustainability strength.
A Youngstown public transit flash mob complete with pina coladas to bring attention to the fact the restoration of Saturday service thanks to the levy approval.
Do you miss the contrast with Cleveland and the suburbs too?
Don’t let rabbits sit on your keyboard or cable modem.
A Saturday in CLE+, sketched.
Tech Czar Michael DeAloia blogs on his Marshall Fellowship and his travels to Brussels and beyond: “Americans are Calvinists,” and “No Pomme Frites for You.”

Funland
Unknown Instructors
Smog Veil

“Side projects” are often vanity projects at best and a jumbled miasma at worst. Yet, somehow the Unknown Instructors have avoided either classification through three albums worth of material. The group is but one of dozens of side projects taken on by former Minutemen and fIREHOSE bassist, songwriter and vocalist, Mike Watt.

And while I’ll take the ensemble cast pedigree of his debut solo effort Ball-Hog or Tugboat? any day of the week, Funland is a pretty solid, 12-track affair that features members of Iggy & the Stooges and Cle iconoclast, Pere Ubu’s David Thomas. You do the math — yep, it’s brilliantly edgy (and occasionally scary) cacophony…

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

I saw Lisa Fedor at an art opening. I was immediately entranced by her retro dress, intricate and elegant tattoos, and smiling face. I photographed her with a friend’s 1963 Buick LeSabre 225 in front of the screen at the now vanished Memphis Drive-In in Brooklyn. — Herbert Ascherman, Jr.

Faces and Places: The Photographic Art of Herbert Ascherman, Jr. runs now through Fri 4/3 at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 East 123rd St. Call 721-9020 or visit http://www.ArtistsArchives.org for more info. They’re open from 10AM – 4PM Monday – Friday and noon – 4PM on Saturdays. Ascherman is a longtime Cleveland photographer, artist and contributor to Cool Cleveland.

Click here to see a larger version of the image

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

Militant Language @ The Bang & The Clatter 3/6 Militant Language: A Play in the Sand is in a unique production cycle. The script is simultaneously being world premiered at Cleveland’s Bang and Clatter, Theatre of Cincinnati, Available Light [Theatre] of Columbus, Halcyon Theatre in Chicago and Next Stage in Seattle. Set in modern day Iraq, the story unfolds from an opening scene in which a pair of American soldiers return from a routine surveillance detail filled with angst. What happened…?
Read more from Roy Berko here

Virtuoso Fire: Alex Klein & Apollo’s Fire @ St. Paul’s Episcopal 3/7 Jeannette Sorrell is an absolute master when it comes to delving through centuries of music to come up with engaging themes for programs featuring her Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra and renowned guest artists who specialize in that era, as well. Last week’s program was no exception…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra & Youth Chorus @ Severance Hall 3/8 The large stage at Severance Hall on this Sunday afternoon was filled with more than 200 young musicians. The level of talent on display was awesome. Unbelievable, in fact…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 3/12 We expect the Cleveland Orchestra to sound lush. But how can a smaller portion of it sound so rich and full? I don’t know the answer, but if it’s possible, this orchestra will do it…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

The Farnsworth Invention @ Beck Center 3/13 If you believe The Farnsworth Invention, now being staged at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, some historical “facts” aren’t facts at all. The Wright Brothers didn’t invent the first airplane, Thomas Edison didn’t create the first light bulb, and though he had the first U.S. patent for a television receiver, Vladrmi Zworkin didn’t develop the first working television in this country…
Read more from Roy Berko here

Contemporary Youth Orchestra @ Lakewood Civic Auditorium 3/14 If the Contemporary Youth Orchestra ever decides to change its name, I have the perfect suggestion for the new one: The High Energy Band. If you’re not careful, you can wear yourself out just watching and listening…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Cool Cleveland readers write

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Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

Yo, Cool Cleveland Hey man! Thanks for doing what you do to keep Cleveland cool!
from Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend Tom Falkenberg

You have got to be one of the coolest guys around!! Up on all that is going on!! You rock! I love getting my cool Cleveland emails!
from Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend Becky Boyd

I think Cleveland is cool. I read Cool Cleveland weekly. (Sometimes I even get out to the events featured.
from Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend Kathryn Tuckerman Little

Yet another great thing happening in Cleveland. Been a fan. Thanks for showing the positives once again Thomas. Need CC more than ever to combat the horrendous negativity spewed by Triv.
from Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend John Hannibal

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 TV Party on 3/20. Party at the Beck with Aaron Sorkin play, food, bev & lotsa TVs!
Get info here and Get 40% OFF tickets here

2) PD makes “The 10 major newspapers ‘that will either fold or go digital'” list according to Time, and the PD’s response. Time.com and responses as compiled by Jill Miller Zimon Writes Like She Talks

3) Swingo’s closes and makes national news.
MSNBC.msn.com

4) Cle Hopkins “AirMall” lands 7 new tenants.
CrainsCleveland.com.

5) The Future of Cleveland networking party at CSU with execs-in-residence on 4/22. Tix available now.
CoolCleveland.com

Roll the Credits In Cleveland, the Cle Int’l Film Fest is on our A-List this week and next… and so is the ensemble cast, known quite simply as the Hard Corps. They keep you focused on the plot. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Claudia J. Taller, Kelly Ferjutz, Roy Berko, Mansfield B. Frazier, Deb Dockery, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford and Bridget “djbg” Ginley. 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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