As we mark the 20th year for CoolCleveland, we are reminded why we started this thing in the first place. Fed up with the mainstream media and civic conversations that ignored the community of enterprising artists, artisans, performers and entrepreneurs who were making our region as lively as any place on earth, we asked, why not honor and privilege these emerging creatives? For decades, we had suffered from “institutionalism-itis,” only respecting big businesses and big art, blessed as this community was with the nation’s second largest performing arts complex, an orchestra that rightly called itself “second to none,” and the world’s only hall of fame dedicated to rock & roll. In the ensuing two decades, we’ve taught ourselves how to start up, we’ve embraced our authenticity, and we’ve developed a vocabulary for calling ourselves cool. We’d like to think CoolCleveland had a role to play in that.So this week, let’s not take our community’s assets for granted. Rhiannon Giddens, a 2000 Oberlin Conservatory alumna in opera who has crafted a remarkably diverse career in music, returns to Finney Chapel with her partner and collaborator Francesco Turrisi. You can check out some jazz in Chagrin Falls or a double dose of Led Zeppelin in the Flats. Build your community by attending the cool benefit that Refugee Response hosts at Ohio City Farm. The F*SHOW artisan furniture show returns and that “second to none” orchestra kicks off their 104th season with the sonic fireworks of Mahler. And there’s no better way to impact your community than by registering and voting in November. Read our COMMENTARY on the important judicial elections, and watch our VIDEO ENDORSEMENT of State Rep. Mike Skindell. It’s your community, after all.
Rhiannon Giddens is an American artist of folk and traditional music, played on fiddle and banjo; Francesco Turrisi is an Italian pianist and percussionist well versed in jazz, early music, and Mediterranean music. Their worlds have come together on two albums, both earning Grammy attention and a win in 2022.
You can hear them at Oberlin’s Finney Chapel in their only Ohio performance this year! 12 noon on Tuesday, October 4. Tickets: Oberlin.edu/artsGuide.
When Pete & Debbie Gulyas opened Blue Arrow Records on Waterloo 13 years ago, they realized how many abandoned and stray cats lived in the area. And the Waterloo Alley Cat Project was born.Now a team of dedicated volunteers cares for dozens of neighborhood cats and has had 100s fixed to reduce the population. Its benefit at Cavotta’s Garden Center in Collinwood is an afternoon of camaraderie for cat lovers. Read more
Last week we talked about the importance of the state supreme court races and electing the Democrats who support fair elections and democracy. But the races for county judges are equally vital.
In Cuyahoga County, the GOP often doesn’t offer a challenger, or if they do, the candidate is unimpressive, given the low odds of winning. But in two races we urge you to vote for the “Republican” (we guarantee neither is an election-denying Trumpster): Joan Synenberg (pictured) and Wanda Jones, both incumbents, are far superior to their opponents, as candidate-rating website Judge4Yourself makes clear. Read more
Adele Bertei left Cleveland for NYC in 1977 & has had a long, productive career in music, writing & film. She hadn’t released any new music in 34 years though, until the school shooting in Uvalde inspired her new single, with more songs in the pipeline. Read more
Monarchs and other pollinators rely on milkweed throughout their life cycle. Help the Cuyahoga Soil & Water District help them by collecting milkweed pods to reseed their habitats. Read more
While the anniversary concerts at the Maple Grove are sold out, we wanted to congratulate Cleveland’s heavy metal spark plug Bill Peters for 40 years on the air with his WJCU FM 88.7 Metal on Metal radio show. Read more
Mike Skindell has earned a reputation as a reliable progressive with consistent positions supporting every-day workers, labor unions, higher wages, job training and access to health care. He’s championed environmental issues to create healthier living conditions for Ohioans, and he’s been an ardent supporter of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. He’s now running to return to the state house; he’s an asset to the legislature and should be sent back to Columbus.
CoolCleveland spoke with Mike Skindell about his experience working in both the state senate and house, and his upcoming re-election in State Representative District 13. Read more.
Shortly after Labor Day I attended a conference thinking that I would be safe. Well, I was not. I returned home on the evening of September 11, feeling tired from a long flight.When I woke up the next morning I could barely get out of bed. I tested positive for Covid. Thanks to Cleveland Clinic I was able to get a virtual visit with a physician who prescribed Paxlovid for me and I started the medication the same day. Read more
