12.21-12.28.2016 Confronting the Present

12.21-12.28.16
Confronting the Present

We don’t think it’s ironic to be wishing our readers happy holidays while asking you to confront our past and our present. Racial politics, issues of gender, economic disparity, violence and religion are all front and center this week as our nation prepares for transition, and also on display at CMA in The Ecstasy of St. Kara, through the end of the year.

Akron’s EarthQuaker Devices reminds us that their guitar pedals are sold around the world. And we defy you to find cooler things to do with the kids over the holidays than the typical corporate fare: GLSC, Lake Erie Ink, CBG and Lake Metroparks all have fun, local, educational programs. We can attest to longer holiday hours at the West Side Market, Crafty Mart and Coit Road FM, as well as some brilliant once-a-year opportunities from “home for the holidays” artists.

And one of our finest local theatres, convergence-continuum, is asking the community to face up to their own challenge: raise enough by the end of the year to buy their building, or risk going away for good. We hope you’re celebrating the holidays in fine spirit this week, while confronting the needs of your own community, however you choose to define that. –Thomas Mulready

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NY-based artist Kara Walker is known for her cut-paper works whose decorative appeal draws viewers into her disturbing narratives about slavery and racism.

In The Ecstasy of St. Kara, her show of new works on view at the Cleveland Museum of Art through the end of the year, Walker eschews that intimate medium for large-scale charcoal and graphite pieces. They continue to deal with racial politics, along with issues of gender, economic disparity, violence, myth and religion – both historically and today. Don’t miss it. Through 12/31.

Celebrating his birth and death dates, this acclaimed presentation on David Bowie’s life and music, featuring rare video, needle drops, archival photos and insider secrets by CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready on Fri 1/13/17 and Sat 1/14/17 at the BOP STOP, now in two sessions, presented back-to-back. Tickets are selling briskly.

Part 1 begins with his half-dozen failed attempts at stardom in the 1960’s to worldwide “Fame” with Young Americans, during which Bowie bottoms out, as the excesses of mid-1970’s stardom threaten to engulf him. Part 2 covers his Mid- to Late-Period, from “The Berlin Trilogy” through Let’s Dance to his mysteriously choreographed death and his final recordings. Tickets are now on sale. Last year’s shows sold out four times.

Akron’s EarthQuaker Devices has grown from a one-man operation to a 50-employee business that’s one of the best-known makers of sound-effects pedals. They’re working to raise the local community’s awareness that they have this internationally respected business in their midst. One way they’re doing so is by hosting events such as a movie night at Akron’s Nightlight Cinema this week.

It will feature two short films, one about EarthQuaker and the other about a similar company, Death by Audio, in Brooklyn. John Benson has the scoop. Tue 12/27.

Tremont’s little convergence-continuum theater has just closed its last production of 2016, The Knife Is Money, the Fork Is Love. It’s got a typically offbeat con-con sensibility that sets it apart from other area theaters.

Our theater critic Roy Berko tell you all about the show. But he also fills you in on the group’s life-or-death fundraising drive to buy the Liminis, the building it performs in. They need to raise the money by the end of the year, and they are very close. Local theater lovers should consider giving them a donation as a Christmas present.

All week long at the Great Lakes Science Center, visitors will find a bunch of special activities, demonstrations and programs relating to winter. That includes daily fruitcake explosions on the front lawn and a giant balloon drop on Fri 12/30. Mon 12/26-Sat 12/31.

* Lake Metroparks’ Wild Days of Winter features a life-size board game that takes players through the seasons and teaches interesting facts about nature. Crafts, scavenger hunts and snowshoeing round out the fun. Through Sun 1/1.

* Send the kids over to Lake Erie Ink for a Creative Play Day of indoor and outdoor fun. Thu 12/22.

* Youth botanical art workshop is a morning of creativity at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Wed 12/28.

Click here for more CoolCleveland Kids events

If it’s the day before Christmas and you still don’t have everything you need for Christmas dinner, don’t panic. Both the West Side Market and the Coit Road Farmers Market will be open regular hours. Sat 12/24.

* Less than three months after stepping down as director of the Countryside Conservancy, Darwin Kelsey, who founded the farm homestead program at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and helped jumpstart NE Ohio’s local food movement, has died at the age of 76.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Eats and Drinks.

SPONSORED: Confront the Music at The Kent Stage with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dale & Ray, Sara Watkins, Taylor Hicks, Al DiMeola, Beth Hart, The Smithereens & The Motels, Norm Pikelny, Morgan James, Richard Thompson, plus more. TheKentStage.com.

Teen garage/punk duo Archie & the Bunkers toured Europe this year. Now they bring it home to Cleveland to headline Punk Rock Festivus at the Beachland with Bridesmaid and FYPM. Fri 12/23

* 90s Cleveland trio the Librarians reunites for a one-time show at Mahall’s. Fri 12/23.
* Carlos Jones’ Reggae Revival at the Music Box helps chase away the post-Christmas blues. Mon 12/26.
* Former Pere Ubu musicians celebrate their annual Old Home Night. Thu 12/22.
* Moko Bovo’s Dan Bode is moving to Seattle & his musician friends are giving him a sendoff at the Beachland. Thu 12/22.

Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Cool Events.

If you own a local shop, restaurant or attraction that’s listed in one of our free CoolNEIGHBORHOODS, either in the ShopLOCAL or SUSTENANCE areas, you’re eligible to receive a free window cling, a sticker, and as many Favicards as you can hand out to your customers.

On the other hand, maybe your local business should be included on CoolCleveland, in which case, feel free to get in touch. We’d love to tell the world about you during this all-important holiday season! Details.

WED 12/21
50 years ago, the bones of a mastodon were dug up in Fairlawn near Akron. Now Summit Metroparks is hosting an “Unearth Day” party to learn more about these extinct critters who coexisted with prehistoric people. You can even come dressed as a caveman.

* The Natural History Museum’s Think and Drink With the Extinct will give adults the chance to learn about the scientific aspects of winter while drinking wine or beer.
* The Fred Hughes Trio will be “home” for Christmas at BluJazz Akron.
* Rockabilly Holiday returns to the Beachland for its 21st year.
* Lakewood’s Side Quest Bar celebrates Hogswatch, a respite for those OD’ing on Christmas.
* Check out the annual Festival of Trees at PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre. Through Fri 12/23.
* CJ Boyd rambles through upright bass soundscapes at Maple Lanes.
* Enjoy a pop-up dinner by the fire at Chagrin Falls’ Centerville Mills Park.
* The Candlelight Walk at Geauga Park District’s West Woods illuminates the science and traditions surrounding the Solstice at outdoor luminary-lit stations.

Click here for more events on Wed 12/21

THU 12/22
One of the many “home for the holidays” artists is Bedford-born jazz trumpeter Curtis Taylor, now based in NYC where his music career is flourishing. He’ll be back to play at Nighttown.

* Hear three up-and-coming Cleveland singer/songwriters at Music Box showcase.
* Take “a lesson in rhythm & cadence” from the Admirables & friends at the Grog Shop.
* Humorous seasonal band Missile Toe entertains at the Akron Art Museum.
* Shaker Heights native Jim Brickman comes to Severance Hall with his annual Christmas tour.
* Cleveland Daniel Reichard, who conquered Broadway, is home for two shows at the Music Box. Also tomorrow.
* Christmas will be cosmic with five spacy/noisy bands at Maple Lanes
* The annual Red Black and Green Christmas show lands at Now That’s Class.
* Akron math rockers From Borealis and If Only Band release a split single with a show at Musica.

Click here for more events on Thu 12/22

FRI 12/23
This one’s for the folks who REALLY procrastinate. Akron’s Crafty Mart is bailing out your ass with its super-last-minute market at the East End Goodyear Auditorium – one final chance to shop local vendors or your holiday gifts.

* Jazz singer Vanessa Rubin performs at Nighttown.
* The Modern Electric headlines a “Northeast Christmas” at the Grog Shop.
* Mushroomhead freakfest is a gift for local fans at the Agora.
* Vocalist Amanda Powell & her jazzy friends share songs of the season at the BOP STOP.
* The holiday edition of Drag Bingo at the Music Box should be fabulous.
* The Boys From the County Hell stop by the House of Blues for some holiday revelry.

Click here for more events on Fri 12/23

SAT 12/24
Workmen’s Circle, an organization devoted to promoting Jewish culture, hosts a Christmas Eve Party in South Euclid with music, food, raffles and comradeship. Come make new friends and eat! Your grandmother is watching!

* Come to the Beachland for its weekly brunch (yes, they’ll be open) and then head downstairs to pick up a few stocking stuffers from vintage boutique This Way Out.

Click here for more events on Sat 12/24

SUN 12/25
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is open on Christmas, of course. It’s a chance to see their current exhibit of photos from the 60s Civil Rights movement, catch a film about the Freedom Riders of the era, and make cards to send to new immigrants welcoming them to NE Ohio.

* The Secret Soul Club hosts a dance party at the Grog Shop with DJs and live bands.
* Potato pancakes will be on the menu when Blue Lunch plays its annual Christmas latke party at the Beachland, this year with special guest, jazz sax player Ernie Krivda..

Click here for more events on Sun 12/25

MON 12/26
All week long, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be featuring special activities including music, crafts and cookie decorating during its December Days. There’ll be lots of chances to learn about the animals from zookeepers as well. Through Fri 12/30.

* Alex Bevan’s Boomer Gang rides again at the Beachland Tavern.

Click here for more events on Mon 12/26

TUE 12/27
Cities and Coast’s symphonic pop has been getting a lot of favorable attention, no surprise given its cross-generational appeal and Nathan Hedges’ strong songwriting. The group headlines a local music showcase at the House of Blues with Oldboy and Ryan Humbert.

Click here for more events on Tue 12/27

WED 12/28
On the fifth day of Hanukkah, the Maltz Museum is holding a family-friendly candle-lighting party that includes storytelling, sing-alongs, dreidel games and cookies.

* Go back in time to a pre-digital Christmas at Historic Lyme Village.

Click here for more events on Wed 12/28

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Heartless Felon Douglas “Duke” Shine Jr. is a mere 21-year-old 6’3″, 275 lb. man-child… who allegedly was so cold-blooded that his blood pressure never rose as he was pumping bullets into rival gang members, and he damn sure didn’t show any emotion when Joan Synenberg bravely sentenced him to 3 life sentences plus 380 years, without the possibility of parole.

Duke has the size, speed and grit to be playing tight end on someone’s pro football team… if only his mother wasn’t so trifling that she wouldn’t take him to practice; and where the hell was Douglas Shine Sr.?

* Jim Brown’s Pro Moves My inbox was filled to overflowing the other day with comments from folks outraged over the fact that Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown met with President-elect Trump to “discuss ways to support minorities.” Now the fact that Brown had to go through that faker Pastor Darryl Scott – whom I detest – to get to Trump…

Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here

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

1) MANSFIELD: Blood for Blood

2) Fairview Park Resident Builds Tradition One Gingerbread House at a Time

3) MANSFIELD: Lies That Will Keep Democrats From Winning

4) Poets Unite to Compete at Inaugural Cleveland Poetry Slam The People

5) Don’t Just Go Shopping, Go Uber-Christmas Shopping at Lakewood’s Screw Factory

It’s your present,

–Thomas Mulready

Letters@CoolCleveland.com

 

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