10.31-11.07.2018 Time for Change

10.31-11.07.18
Time For Change

If you’re happy with the way things are going, please stay home. Your dreams are coming true, apparently. If you’re ready to change course, now is the time. Take your pick: Vote early in person, vote by mail, vote on election day, Tue 11/6. Don’t regret not making your voice heard. If just half of the people who neglected to vote in 2016 had voted, we would have different leaders today. Read our ENDORSEMENTS and get out and vote.

Valerie Mayen is up for change. Her final fashion party Hullabaloo takes place this weekend and it promises to be fabulous. Fran Belkin and her husband have been rocking our town for decades, as her new book spells out. The Ohio Independent Film Festival celebrates 25 cinematic years. The Maltz Museum and our entire community mourn the recent slaughter in Pittsburgh, but Jungle Terry brings joy to the little ones this weekend. Kent State Stark presents Guitar Weekend, Ingenuity’s Hamilton Collaborative will get lit for liberation in support of Issue 1, and the NEO Safe Trails & Roads’ Reel Cycling film festival kicks hopes to make positive change in Akron.

Listen to our new PODCAST #06 previewing the upcoming Akron Comicon and featuring new music from Cleveland’s Tim Moon and Hello Bandit, both performing in the area this week. Our election coverage began the middle of August, and we haven’t let up. In this final week before the election, you are offered the opportunity to create change. Grab that opportunity and vote. –Thomas Mulready

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CoolCLE PODCAST #06: Akron Comicon

Time to get your geek on with details of Akron Comicon. We’re joined by Michael Savene, one of the organizers of the annual event that celebrates the comic art medium and its creators. This comic book art convention is a fan favorite and highlights two of Cleveland’s more popular exports – Superman and The Son of Ghoul! The event will host special panels celebrating the 80th anniversary of the creation of Superman featuring the comic creators and the Siegel & Shuster Society. It’s all happening November 3rd and 4th at Akron’s Goodyear Hall.

And also new music from Cleveland’s Tim Moon (pictured above) and Hello Bandit, both performing in the area this week.

You Don’t Vote, Don’t Complain!

In the past two months our writers have shared their thoughts about what’s on the November 6 ballot. Even if you don’t agree with us, we hope you’ll educate yourselves on candidates’ policies and votes and ignore the attack ads; the differences between candidates are too great to dismiss casually. And above all, vote Tue 11/6!

Here’s a roundup of our elections editorials.

Richard Cordray for Governor, Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate

Richard Cordray for Governor, a millennial’s point of view by Jenna Thomas

Kathleen Clyde for Secretary of State

Vote for Democrats downticket for attorney general, secretary of state, auditor and treasurer

Janet Garrett for Congress in OH-04

Betsy Rader for Congress in OH-14

Susan Moran Palmer for Congress in OH-16

Yes on Issue 1

The Ramifications of Issue 1 by Mansfield Frazier

Downticket Races Are Key to Ohio’s Future

When you head to the polls November 6, one of the most important things you can do is vote in ALL the statewide races, not just for governor. We urge voters to choose Democrats Steve Dettelbach for attorney general, Kathleen Clyde for secretary of state, Zack Space for auditor and Rob Richardson for treasurer.

With Ohio mired in lagging job growth, worsening education and an opioid crisis, it’s time to re-focus on issues like jobs, education and health care, which haven’t been at the top of the GOP agenda in Columbus – they’re busy looking for ways to get more guns on the street and taking donations from a for-profit charter school operator who stole millions from public schools. It’s time for the new direction these Democrats offer. Tue 11/6.

Janet Garret for Congress in OH-04

Ohio’s 4th congressional district, one of the state’s worst gerrymanders, starts near the state’s western border in central Ohio and meanders all the way up to Oberlin to create a solidly Republican district. That’s how a rigid ideologue, one of the people most responsible for the current division and lack of action in Congress, and a man credibly accused of turning a blind eye to a sexual predator for years, is easily reelected.

Alas, there’s an excellent chance Jim Jordan will be reelected again, but former schoolteacher Janet Garrett of Oberlin is making a race of it, campaigning hard, proposing to actually do stuff for people instead of blocking it, and raising money from folks outraged at Jordan’s “see no evil” act while a coach at OSU. The arrogant Jordan is not only not resigning, he’s announced a run for Speaker. If you are in this district, please vote for Garrett on Tue 11/6.

One Last Chance to Hullabaloo

Project Runway contestant Valerie Mayen hit the Cleveland fashion scene with a bang in 2012 when she launched her clothing line Yellowcake. It’s been through a number of incarnations, including a brick-and-mortar shop in Gordon Square that sold her own designs alongside curated outside lines, sales at events like the Cleveland Flea, custom designs and ready-to-wear.

She’s also been putting on an annual fashion party called Hullabaloo featuring food, drinks, music, dancing and shopping. Now with her ready-to-wear business exploding, she’s pulling the plug with one last fling at new event space, the Madison, in AsiaTown. The theme is “The Sweet Escape,” and the designs shown will be … confectionary! Sat 11/3.

SPONSORED: Rock Hall Nights: Play See it, feel it, play it in this hands-on Rock Hall experience. Grab your $20 ticket which includes VIP check-in, touring of the current exhibits from 6-9PM, a complimentary drink voucher, and free giveaways. Get inside the new exhibit Part of the Machine: Rock and Pinball, and test your skills on the drums, become a pinball wizard, and compete to be a Rock Band champion.

Rocking the Town

Fran Belkin is well known to local music fans as the wife of Jules Belkin, who started Belkin Productions with his brother Mike in 1967 and quickly became one of the biggest concert promoters in the country in the heyday of the big concert event. Fran was there for the whole ride. And now she’s put together a 144-page book called Rock This Town! featuring some of NE Ohio’s prime musical moments from an insider’s point of view.

Originally intended to showcase promotional T-shirts she found in her attic, the concept expanded to feature more than 465 images and stories from Jules, Mike and people who worked for them over the years. “We were so lucky – everybody that lived through the ’70s, ’80s and even the ’90s,” she says. “It was a very special era.” She’ll share her stories at the Rock Hall Nov 11/1.

Discover Filmic Treasures

The Ohio Independent Film Festival has been through many formats in its 25 years. But the one thing it’s always done is unearth low-budget and no-budget films with no hype machine behind them that are are often more creative, more thought-provoking and more worth seeing than many heavily reviewed films with name actors.

It kicks off Friday evening with a networking party at the BOP STOP before the films screen there on Saturday – 18 shorts and films submitted from all over the world. “With us, everybody has an equal chance of getting in,” says OIFF board president Therese Grida. “Lately, we’ve had a hard time narrowing it down to one day of films, which is crazy and a great problem to have.” Fri 11/2-Sat 11/3.

Animals on Parade

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage has an unexpected visitor Sunday. It’s Jungle Terry, who will be bringing along some of his petable menagerie. But there’s an educational purpose to his visit: he’ll be sharing information about animals native to Israel. Crafts, including decorating animal masks, round out an afternoon of family fun. Sun 11/4.

Click here for more CoolCleveland Kids events

VIDEO: Author Anthony DeCurtis on Lou Reed at Rock Hall

Anthony DeCurtis’s recent book, Lou Reed: A Life, peels back the layers of a brilliant, complicated and difficult genius who’s impact on rock and roll cannot be overestimated. DeCurtis visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to read from his book and engage in a discussion with Rock Hall Archives and Library senior director Andy Leach, and take questions from the audience.

CoolCleveland spoke with DeCurtis about Reed’s relationships with key figures like Andy Warhol and David Bowie, and whether his reputation as a tough guy was deserved.

Kent State’s Stark campus presents its third annual Guitar Weekend – three days of workshops and concerts to appeal to both musicians and music lovers. Thu 11/1-Sat 11/3

* Akron’s Red Sun Rising performs at the Goodyear Theater en route to an east coast/midwest tour. Sat 11/3.

* Quire Cleveland sings music from across seven centuries at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Fri 11/2.

* Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard leads local musicians and poets in a piece about voting rights at the Maltz PAC. Sun 11/4.

* Reggae fall revival at the Winchester warms a chilly evening with sunny sounds. Sat 11/3.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Cool Events.

WED 10/31
Dress up as your favorite rock star – or anything else you choose – and celebrate Halloween at the Rock Hall with a special playlist, a look at Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking “Thriller” video, a chance to be photographed with Alice Cooper’s electric chair and $10 admission for anyone in costume.

* The Akron Municipal Court is marrying couples at the Akron Civic Theatre in special Halloween weddings. Stand outside and toss treats.

* Local ghost book authors offer haunted stories on Halloween at the Music Box Supper Club.

Click here for more events on Wed 10/31

THU 11/1
Two things to know about local burlesque queen Bella Sin: she’s all about diversity and she’s proud of her Mexican heritage. She’ll be spotlighting both at her second annual Hispanic Burlesque Showcase at the Beachland Ballroom, with performers from a variety of Latinx/Hispanic backgrounds.

* WordStage celebrates late legendary Cleveland poet d.a. levy at the BOP STOP.

* Pianist Kirill Gerstein tackles difficult Rachmaninoff concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra. Through Sat 11/10.

* Drag queens take over the Grog Shop for “Anhedonia’s Anomalies.”

Click here for more events on Thu 11/1

FRI 11/2
If you used to chortle at dirty words as a child, the child inside your adult might enjoy “The Dirty Songbook,” a cabaret performance centered on naughty, off-color and suggestive tunes, at Kennedy’s at Playhouse Square. Also tomorrow.

* Cleveland Museum of Art’s monthly MIX party takes on a “Thriller” theme.

* Playwrights Local presents a pair of one-acts by Cleveland dramatists. Through Sun 11/18.

* Kiss Me Deadly holds Day of the Dead/Halloween party at Becky’s Bar.

* Valley Art Center opens its annual juried art show.

* Youthful Americana quintet Roanoke brings a breath of fresh air to Peninsula’s G.A.R. Hall.

Click here for more events on Fri 11/2

SAT 11/3
For 14 years, Cleveland Public Theatre has joined with community members and organizations to present an all-day Dia de Muertos Festival that honors the traditions of this Hispanic holiday, engages the arts community and is a lot of fun for all ages.

* “Get Lit for Liberation” at the Hamilton Collaboration supports Issue 1’s drug-sentencing reform.

* Akron ComicCon celebrates Superman’s 80th anniversary at this superhero-themed edition. Also tomorrow.

* L.A. Guitar Quartet’s Shaker Heights program features music by Rossini, Liszt and Pat Metheny.

* Are Slovenians scary? Find out at Fright Night at the SNPJ Farm.

* Ghastly musical “Tell-Tale Heart” at Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall takes its cue from Edgar Allan Poe story.

* Pancake breakfast and book event at the Women’s Air and Space Museum features local author signings.

* Gerbil Show at Westlake Doubletree promises a unique experience for rodent-lovers.

* SPACES’ annual benefit marks 40 years of fabulousness.

Click here for more events on Sat 11/3

SUN 11/4
Bicycling is growing in NE Ohio so it’s a perfect time to start a film festival catering to all aspects of cycling. NEO Safe Trails & Roads’ Reel Cycling film festival, featuring shorts from around the world, makes its debut this afternoon at Akron’s Highland Square Theater.

* Cavani String Quartet plays in Hudson for Music From the Western Reserve.

* Joshua Roman opens Cleveland Cello Society season with workshop and recital at The Music Settlement.

* French gypsy jazz guitarist Stephane Wremble plays CVNP’s Happy Days Lodge.

* Paris Underground jazz series returns to Chagrin Falls.

Click here for more events on Sun 11/4

MON 11/5
Can you picture what the Big Creek watershed area looks like eons ago as a sea bed or covered by glaciers? Learn what formed this area and how it’s evolved at the Cleveland Metroparks monthly Monday MeetUp at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Click here for more events on Mon 11/5

TUE 11/6
Nothing on the calendar today is more important than making sure that by the time the polls have closed at 7:30pm, you have voted. The future of the country, the state of Ohio and your own life is at stake, and complaining about the result if you don’t participate won’t cut it. Don’t be sitting on the sidelines.

Click here for more events on Tue 11/6

WED 11/7
Do you love big cats as much as we do and want to see these gorgeous animals protected? National Geographic photographer Steve Winter has dedicated his career to capturing images of their beauty to encourage efforts to save them. He’ll share them at “On the Trail of Big Cats” at Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre.

* Gretchen Pleuss and friends honor the music of Joni Mitchell at the Music Box on her 75th birthday.

* Short opera Trouble in Tahiti is the centerpiece of Oberlin Opera Theater’s Leonard Bernstein concert.

Click here for more events on Wed 11/7

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Those Dastardly Democrats

Well, the truth is finally out: those lowdown, lying, fake-news-spreading Democrats will stoop to any level to make our great – and I do mean great – president look bad right before the midterm elections. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, they come up with another scheme designed to tear the country apart…

* Hammering Away The hammer and nail seemed amazingly simple: there was a wooden railroad tie on a counter and all you had to do was to drive a fairly short nail into it with one hammer stroke to win a prize. The man even demonstrated for me how easy….

Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here