6.16-6.23.04
A Moveable Feast
Dear Friend,
In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Art/Tech/Dance party tomorrow 6/17: online discount thru midnight 6/16 here
* Cool Cleveland Interview with Phoenix Coffee CEO Sarah Wilson Jones
* Rustbelt Slam Preview on poet Vince Robinson, plus one of his poems
* Cool Cleveland People with Emily Tan, founder of Cleveland Metro News
Cool Cleveland invades the Heights It’s our first adventure in the Inner Ring; this Thu 6/17, we bring the Cool Cleveland vibe to that most venerable and artistic of corners in Cleveland Heights: the corner of Cedar and Lee Roads. Cool Cleveland’s latest Art/Tech/Dance party starts off from 4 to 8PM with our famous open bar and hot hors d’oeuvres from neighborhood restaurants. Wander outside to the outdoor Mini-Park, and even stroll the abundant pubs, restaurants and art galleries right next door. Drop by the Cedar-Lee Theatre for free shorts by Ohio filmmakers. Then at 8PM, enjoy a ticket to the opening night of Grease, free with your party admission. Order online by midnight 6/16 and receive a big discount. Join the hundreds already registered, and enjoy a kickin’ party on one of Cleveland’s kickinest corners. Click here for more info and to pre-pay online and save: http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/thomas/atd8/index.htmlCommunity Partnership is the only way It seems self-evident if you’ve been watching the sometimes painful way that Clevelanders refuse to work together to solve their own problems: what we need is more cooperation. That’s the conclusion of a new report on government reform, released by the Cleveland Bar Association, along with the Greater Cleveland Roundtable (now Greater Cleveland Partnership), the Levin College of Urban Studies at CSU, and the Bliss Institute at the University of Akron. We’ll see if these same institutional forces that have not been cooperating will be able to come together in the coming months. They plan to put together a small group who will identify a broad-range of community stakeholders who will undergo a 10-month Community Partnership Process to determine priorities and an agenda. “We are reaching out to every civic, political, business and labor leader in the county,” Steve Kaufman, president of the Bar Association said. “We want to hear from everyone, and we want them to know that all issues will be on the table.” See the summary here: www.ClevelandBar.org, and the full report here.
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Get to the Pointe Cleveland’s hottest downtown neighborhood just got even better! The Pointe at Gateway offers affordable, 1 and 2 bedroom condominiums that place you at the center of the historic Gateway neighborhood. Take your pick of light-filled one-bedroom units and spacious two-bedroom units with two full baths. Units feature historic details and plush carpets, with available upgrades to hardwood floors. Other features include high ceilings, modern appliances, ceramic kitchen tile and large windows, some with views of the Terminal Tower! Pointe buyers can walk to the Jake or the Gund, and dine on sumptuous food or catch a show at Pickwick and Frolic! One bedroom units start at $77,900 and two bedroom units start at $129,900, plus tax abatement and special financing. The Pointe at Gateway will be open this Sun 6/20 2-4PM, and open for a lunchtime open house this Fri 6/18 11:30-1:30PM. For a complete list of available properties and open houses this weekend, visit our website at http://www.progressiveurban.com
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Calling all art volunteers Those of us who organize events for the Cleveland art scene are looking for volunteers to help with numerous programs happening this summer. It is a great way to network, meet new people, have fun and get plugged into the cool things happening in our great city. Events include Cool Cleveland parties, Sparx In The City events, and other interesting and satisfying stuff. If you would like to help out, contact: Deby Cowdin at Vivid Art Gallery at 241-7624 Deby@VividArtGallery.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Black Coat gifted by MTV Cleveland-based Koyono found their famous Black Coats were included in the celebrity gift bags given to guests at last week’s MTV Music Awards. Recipients included musical artists such as D12 with Eminem, the Beastie Boys and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and presenters like Eve, Jimmy Fallon, Snoop Dogg, Halle Berry, Dave Chappelle, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson and Tobey Maguire. Along with the Apple iPod Mini and other high-end consumer items, the gift bags, offered in lieu of pay, included the Black Coat because it is “unique, innovative, luxurious, hip and cutting edge,” according to MTV. Koyono President Jay Yoo says the Black Coats “have been selling well internationally, primarily to this curious collection of geniuses, artists and innovators.” http://www.Koyono.com/PR050504.htm
Cuyahoga County Cultural Roundtable Issue 31 may have failed in the most recent election, but the arts and culture community of Cleveland has never been more active. Just recently, the Ohio State legislature OK’d a provision to allow Cuyahoga County to create a cultural taxing district. This could be the start of a major effort to institute public funding for the arts, possibly as soon as this Summer or Fall. Cultural leaders and arts supporters are invited to meet Fri 6/18 from 8:30-10AM at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd, to discuss the latest strategy. Hosted by the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, call 575-0331 http://www.cultureplan.org or http://www.supportartsandculture.org
How to get into Cool Cleveland At Cool Cleveland, we work extra hard and stay up late each week to make sure our e-letter is jam-packed with the best that Cleveland has to offer. One way to insure your message gets out is to contact us about sponsorship and advertising. If you’re interested, drop us a line at InfoAtCoolClevelandDotCom, and we’ll be glad to talk with you. We also offer a limited number of free listings under Cool Cleveland This Week. While we obviously can’t list all the excellent things going on each week, it’s a shame when we have to leave something out simply because we didn’t hear about it soon enough. Send your press release with all the pertinent details: who, what, where, when, address, phone, URL and and e-mail address to: Events@CoolCleveland.com. If we get it at least a week before our publication date every Tuesday, you’ll have a much better chance of getting in. If you can do it, two weeks in advance is even better. You can also go to the Cool Cleveland site and enter all the details on the “Contact” page. Keep us informed, so we can keep Cleveland cool. http://www.CoolCleveland.com
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Upscale city living can be found at The Bingham, Clevelands newest urban sanctuary. This classic Cleveland structure located in the Warehouse District, has the amenities you need for your busy lifestyle: fitness center, indoor parking, free basic cable, in-suite laundry hook-ups and a soon to come new market, complete with gourmet deli and coffee shop. Enjoy unique skyline views from your 1 or 2 bedroom unit; or from your two-story penthouse! All models feature contemporary kitchens, neutral decors, maximum sound proofing and some have restored hardwood floors, original brick walls and columns. All this and the convenience of being in the center of Clevelands hippest neighborhood! Visit http://www.thebingham.com or call 216.579.4000 for more information. The Bingham, 1278 W. Ninth St.
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Online mag for young Cleve adults A young Cool Cleveland reader writes: I am working with the Civic Innovation Lab to create an online magazine for young adults ages 12-18, living in Northeast Ohio. This magazine will include things such as fashion, artwork, sports, education, lifestyles, music, movies, and most importantly, things to do in Cleveland and the surrounding area. I also hope to incorporate the topic of economic development (young people need to be aware of this too) into the magazine somehow. My goal is to get kids from all different backgrounds to communicate and to convince them that there are tons of things to do in the area. I am looking for teens to send in articles for this magazine. The only criteria I have is that the article must be original and appropriate. Also, the writer must be from the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Lorain-Elyria, or Youngstown areas. If any readers know middle or high school age students that may be interested, they can e-mail me at tinkerbelle_0324@yahoo.com. Thanks, and keep up the wonderful work! Cool Cleveland has helped me find interesting things to do on the weekends instead of sitting on my computer and playing The Sims all day. Sincerely, Erin age 15 tinkerbelle_0324@yahoo.com
Coventry Farmer’s Market Where can you find fresh produce, incredible edibles, and unique artistic creations, all in one of Cleveland’s liveliest neighborhoods? Check out the Coventry Farmer’s Market every Thursday from 6-9PM beginning Thu 6/24. Check out the live music, like Blue Lunch and Rude Staff Checkers on 7/15; Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band and Will Bowen Band on 8/12; Hillbilly Idol and Xela on 9/9. Enjoy the numerous outdoor cafes and sidewalk sales. Plenty of parking can be found in the Coventry garage, with access off Euclid Heights Boulevard just East of Coventry, or Lakeview Cemetery (enter next to Mayfield Cemetery entrance, just West of Coventry). Their tag line: one-quartermileofsomethingforeveryone.
Bushido innovation An article in the Spring 2004 Strategy+Business proposed that Japan is now on the verge of massive innovation resulting from philosophies not typically associated with innovation: patience, frugality and constant self-improvement, which are tenets of bushido. See Strategy+Business here.
Wanted: music writers If you have a passion for Cleveland music, we’d like to hear from you. Cool Cleveland is looking for writers to contribute regularly on the Cleveland-area music scene: local bands, new CD releases, live shows, the economic realities and impact of the music business on our local economy. If you have opinions and awesome writing skills, drop a line to EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom or visit http://www.CoolCleveland.com and submit your thoughts on our “Contact” page. Include some notes on why you want to write about Cleveland music for Cool Cleveland, and point us to some of your writing samples if they’re on the web. Know someone who should be writing for Cool Cleveland? Forward this to them…
Cleveland literature gets ink Clevelander and Oberlin college professor Dan Chaon’s new novel You Remind Me of Me is reviewed this week in the New York Times. And they have good taste, calling it a “delicately hypnotic new novel.” They especially appreciate Chaon’s mournful and eloquent tone, pointing out that “the new book is a peculiarly haunting work, since it has as much to do with what is absent from its characters’ stories as with what is present.” They call the work “a lovely, insinuating book with a special staying power…” See New York Times here.
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We’re Cool in the Summer Looking for a place to take the kids now that schools out? Why not bring them to The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and tour the exhibits, see a planetarium show and visit the Ohio wildlife area – it features live bobcats, river otters, birds of prey and more! Also check out Senenkunya: Many Voices, One Family. Its a sub-Saharan village designed to show how many African cultures live. Open a new world of learning: with interactive displays, sculptures, masks and musical instruments. See and learn about these amazing artifacts and objects at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History; for information call 216-231-1177 or 800-317-9155 x3279. Discover the nature of your universe at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, 216-231-4600. The Museum is now open Wednesday evenings until 10PM! http://www.cmnh.org/senenkunya.html
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CPT Academy lifts off This is what makes Cleveland Public Theatre so essential to Cleveland’s cultural life. Not only do they present avant-garde theatre works year in and year out for the past 20 years, now they are offering cutting edge theatre training for children, teens and adults. CPT Academy offers classes taught by resident artists which provide innovative training such as how to audition or present a solo work. This Summer, they present three offerings: Theatre Experience Mini-Camp, 6/21-25; Acting 101, 6/26; and Family Puppet Day 7/17. Faculty includes Holly Holsinger, voted Best Actress in Cleveland by the Free Times. To register, call 631-2727 X202 or e-mail cptacademy@cptonline.org
Internet sales tax Often, online sellers of taxable items do not collect sales tax, claiming that calculating taxes all over the country is too complicated. Now, Ohio and 41 other states are working on a standardized database to make it easier to calculate the tax, which could bring in over $500k in additional taxes to Ohio alone. See CrainTech here.
Cleve artist to Czech Republic Cleveland artist Jeff Chiplis is headed to the Czech Republic to build recyclable neon sculptures. He is traveling at the invitation of Czech artist Vladimir Merta, who recently completed a residency at SPACES Gallery. Chiplis will attend a conference and be in residence for 4 weeks with accomodations, studio space and an assistant, then will be taking in the culture of the region and will “set about on a mystery tour of Europe” for 2 more weeks. Chiplis’ neon work can be seen around Cleveland, and at http://www.agentofchaos.com/chiplis
Corrections
The CAAO Executive Online Auction of over 113 area executives, hosted by the Consortium of African American Organizations, is an opportunity to bid and win an hour of time with attorneys, non-profit leaders and experts in access to capital, business strategy, business consulting, and marketing strategy. The actual closing date of the auction is 7/9 at 7PM. Make your bid here.
Ferry to Canada? Many readers were interested in last week’s story about the proposed ferry to Canada [here], especially CC’s comments about the high prices or families vs. the low prices for trucks. The correct address to write to the Port Authority is: info@portofcleveland.com
Save the date Summer is the best time to party in Cleveland. So mark your calendar for Cool Cleveland’s next Art/Tech/Dance event from 4-8PM on Thu 7/29 in Downtown Cleveland’s Warehouse District. The location is the Bingham Building, where they’ve built 350 apartments (!) and, get this: a grocery store! We’ll party right inside this magnificent Walker & Weeks building, and get you in on the ground floor of some big time Downtown Living, including a tour of the sweet new units. Enter the date in your Palm Pilot, and pass the word: July 29 is gonna rock. Watch the site for more details http://www.CoolCleveland.com
Cool Cleveland This Week
6.09-6.16
Send your cool events to: eventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
A Moveable Feast Join Cool Cleveland and a few hundred of your newest friends for the party of the week. Be there from 4-8PM on Thu 6/17 for the open bar, hot hors d’oeuvres, and a sampling of the pleasures on the intersection of Cedar & Lee Roads. Mingle in the outdoor mini-park, stroll the art galleries, catch Ohio films for free in the Cedar-Lee Theatre. Then, at 8PM, your party admission gets you a free ticket to the opening night of Grease at Cain Park. If that weren’t enough, register online by midnight 6/16 for discount admission: http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/thomas/atd8/index.html
Connecting 13 Elevation Art announces its premiere exhibition featuring art by 13 prominent Italian artists including Achille Pace, Luigi Boille and Aldo Bertolini. The exhibition explores the visual language that connects artists through shared relationships, history and a common sense of purpose while exposing cultural, personal and unique characteristics of the individual artists and their work Thu 6/17 from 5-9PM. Elevation Art on Playhouse Square, 1240 Huron Rd, 5th Floor. 430-2751. http://www.cia.edu/galleries/communityexhibitions.asp
Tuesday in No Mans Land Red Hen Productions Feminist Theatre presents a play that takes place in the waiting room of an abortion clinic. Trapped inside the clinic with a gauntlet of protestors and potential violence outside, three women with three very different lives confront their choices. The production looks point blank at the issue of abortion and the many ways it affects womens lives. Because of the nature and volatility of the topic, performances will be followed by a facilitated audience talk-back Thu 6/17 at 8PM. Call 556-0910. SPACES Art Gallery, 2220 Superior Viaduct. http://www.SpacesGallery.org
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It’s getting hot out there… and the entertainment on the downtown sidewalks is even hotter as Sparx in the City continues to energize the scene in Lower Euclid, the Warehouse District, Gateway and the Theater District. For 14 more weeks, see performers like dueling violinists, break dancers, steel pan musicians, or a living mannequin every Friday during lunch and after 6PM and Saturday after 7PM. On Fri 6/18 from 6-8PM experience The Fantastics, a Stomp-inspired troupe who will provide a backbeat for visitors to the ARTcade Artwalk at 530 Euclid Ave. Plus, check out the new beer and wine cash bar located inside the ARTcade every 3rd Friday from 5-9PM!
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The Usual Suspects show for Cleveland’s real art afficionados launches with a new website complete with a calendar of this year’s upcoming shows; celebrate the new effort and catch the buzz while sampling scrumptious edibles and liquid spirits for your pleasure. Special tunes will be spun by a super secret guest DJ, and view the kick-off show with all new works by the Buzz staff and friends: Raymond Brown, Gina DeSantis, Bridget Ginley, Andrew Kaletta, Brian Kelly & Colin Toke. The opening reception gets live Fri 6/18 from 6-10PM. Call 522-1836. Sponsored by Pod Studio http://www.podstudio.com. Buzz Gallery, 1836 West 25th Ave. # 1B. http://www.BuzzGallery.com
Jazz and Poetry at Nia Coffeehouse Meet up and chill with an impressive crowd of urban spoken word enthusiasts and performance warriors in the Cleveland Museum of Art; it’s a way to get loud and push the poetic agenda in the CMA’s sacred halls. Bring your own material to read for open mic, and listen to featured poet One Truth, plus Cleveland’s Vince Robinson & The JazzPoets bringing the sound of soul to life Fri 6/18 from 6-8:30PM. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd. Call 707-2486. http://www.ClevelandArt.org
Social Justice Supporters For Celebration Local and national social justice supporters will come together for a special evening of enjoying art and celebrating the successes of Clevelands social justice movement at Greater Cleveland Community Shares 2004 Annual Meeting. The event begins with an Art Walk through several galleries. The meetings keynote speaker is David T. Abbott, Executive Director of The George Gund Foundation Fri 6/18 at 5PM. Colonial ARTcade, 530 Euclid Ave. Call 361-9920. Make reservations at http://www.CommunityShares.org
Valley of Fire: Photographs from the Nevada Desert, a new body of fiber based black and white infrared photographs by Cleveland photographer Jim Metrisin. His work reflects an ancient history of a region transformed from sea to sand, where wind and climate sculpted the landscape creating unique shapes and textures; and all are emphasized by the artists choice of infrared film in these dramatic compositions. View the blurred division between abstract art and representational art in high-speed black and white infrared film, creating dramatic and dreamlike images. Catch the opening reception Fri 6/18 from 5-9PM. Show runs thru 8/7. ArtMetro, 530 Euclid Ave., Suite 43. Call 696-1942. ArtMetrogallery@yahoo.com
Employee Internship Workshop Experience a hands-on, interactive workshop to help employers get the most value out of their internship programs. A panel of students and area emloyers will share and discuss their internship experiences and best practices Fri 6/18. iCleveland, BP Tower, Suite 3820, 200 Public Square. 241-5587 http://www.iCleveland.org
Learning Through the Arts: Teacher Institute Opening Luncheon Cleveland’s leading cultural institutions will present world-class clinicians who will teach exciting ways of integrating the arts into your classroom; keynote speaker is Harry Belafonte, the internationally renowned entertainer, human rights activist, and advocate for the arts and children. Fri 6/18 at noon. Cleveland State University Convocation Center, 2000 Prospect Ave. Call 687-5022. http://www.CSUohio.edu/Convo
Artist Reception Featuring local glass artist and gallerist Deby Cowdin of Vivid Gallery; meet the artist to engage in discussions that address the creative process and check out a killer art space Fri 6/18 from 6-9PM. The Vivid Gallery in the ARTcade, 530 Euclid Ave. Suite #40. Call 241-7624
Hot ‘n’ Throbbing Charlene is the mother of two teenagers, three if you count her estranged bum of a husband. To support her children, Charlene works as a screenwriter of erotic films for women. She must also work hard to keep her alcoholic husband from barging back into their lives, and if thats not enough, why dont we throw in some domestic violence, a little sexual innuendo, a dash of voyeurism, and a gunshot wound? Forget traditional theatre and get into the new generation of performance expression Fri 6/18 starting 8PM. For reservations, call 687-0074. Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd in Tremont. http://www.Convergence-Continuum.org.
Pow wow American Indian singers will raise their voices in chant with songs of their ancient grandfathers, and you’ll see dancers of all ages and different tribes wearing brilliant regalia while they turn, dip and spin in blurs of flying colors. Taste a new culture by sampling foods cooked in time-honored ways, see artisans demonstrate skills handed down through generations, and hear true stories of a vibrant oral tradition starting Fri 6/18 at 4PM. Call 351-4488. Edgewater Park here.
Open mic at the Whatnot Join in every third Friday for an evening of mixed entertainment of folk and poetry, hosted by Gusti and Jenny. Bring your work to share with a relaxed and friendly crowd, pick up a bite and take in some good music Fri 6/18 6-9:30PM. Whatnot Coffee Shop, 16001 Waterloo Rd., a couple blocks east of the Beachland Ballroom. Call 404-0751.
Cleveland Comedy Benefit serving up improvisational and sketch comedy performed by four of Clevelands top comedy groups. Get into an evening of non-stop performances with alt bands Something Dada, Quatro, Last Call Cleveland and The Public Squares Fri 6/18 at 8PM. All proceeds are being donated to the American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter. Odeon Concert Club, 1295 Old River Rd. 574-2525. http://www.theodeon.com
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Cleveland Metro News Art Bazaar They’re a new online presence with a beautiful cultural portal; meet the people behind the effort at CMN’s benefit party/art where you’ll mix it up with every genre of art possible. Hear performance poetry, drama, on-site painting, and collaborative music. Plus, you’ll get manja, Buddha, dance, photography, drum and film; stay on for the silent auction and spontaneous art Sat 6/19 6-10PM. See Cool Cleveland People below, featuring Cleveland Metro News’ Emily Tan. Visit the website to print a ticket with the option to donate toward their efforts at http://www.ClevelandMetroNews.com, or at the ARTcade, 530 Euclid Ave.
Sculptural Angels of Lake View It’s one of Lake View Cemetery’s most popular programs with an in-depth exploration of the angel statuary that adorn many of the cemetery’s memorials. Learn about the various sculpting styles and discover the deeper meanings behind this popular symbol Sat 6/19 at 10AM and Sun 6/20 at 1:30PM. Call 421-2665. Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave. http://www.lakeviewcemetery.com
Better Living Thru Rock promises all of the groupies, poseurs, rock stars, fashion victims, wimps and weirdos you can handle, along with artworks by Arabella Proffer and photography by Kristin Cassidy. A special record release of The IT Men with a live art performance will kick off the chaos Sat 6/19 at 6PM. Asterisk Gallery, 2393 Professor Ave. in Tremont 781-7401. AsteriskGallery@Eudoramail.com
Festival of India pairs up Eastern music and a free vegetarian feast with vendors displaying and selling traditional and spiritual wares; spend a day outside in the historic area of Tremont and settle in to watch the ethnic parade Sat 6/19 beginning 11AM-7PM. Admission is free. Lincoln Park, 2409 W. 14th St. Call 440-895-1005. Visit the City of Cleveland’s website here.
Cleveland live/work studios tour As Clevelands work force continues to change dramatically, find out how artists are making a huge mark on the economic revitalization of our great city as you look at Cleveland through the eyes of local artists. ArtSpace Cleveland and Art On Wheels have created a tour that’s easy for guests to experience; enjoy refreshments as you walk through local artists’ cribs and leave your car behind. Instead, you’ll get around via the trolley, taking you through Cleveland’s hottest alternative spaces: Loft Works, Wakefield Lofts, Mid City Lofts, Tower Press CIG (Creative Impetus Gallery), and Art On Wheels Sat 6/19 at 1PM. The Trolly tour begins at ArtSpace, 1400 E. 30th. Call for reservations at 241-4355 or email carolina@aowinc.com
State of Being Haywire CD Release Party Rough it up with serious Cleveland noise bands State of Being, Vanity Crash and Missile Command Sat 6/19 at 9:30PM, and get a first hear of the Haywire CD while kicking back with down-to-earth music lovers. Hi-Fi Club & Grill, 11729 Detroit Ave. Call 521-8878.
16th Annual Cleveland Pride Parade, Rally, and Festival Are you proud, out, and involved in making change? Bring your pets, frisbee and friends to browse thru more than 130 vendors, take a break in the court, or enjoy top-notch entertainment with national headliners like RuPaul. The festival has something for everyone of all ages; learn more about area services and programs for everyone including the differently-abled Sat 6/19 from 2-8PM with a raging post-party later on at Bounce, starting 10PM. Call 371-0214. Voinovich Park, East 9th St at Lake Erie. http://www.ClevelandPride.org
Crooked River Arts Fest Take a tour through the unique studios of Art On Wheels in an historic 100-year-old building that’s been transformed into busy visual art and music studios. Views from the studio are amazing, so take your time browsing through artist booths to absorb the wide variety of artwork created by local artists, showcasing and selling their incredible artwork on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. There’ll be hands-on art activities for kids and a masseur on hand to give much-deserved massages to the adults in the shade of a tree by the river Sat 6/19 from Noon-6PM. Call 941-7643. Art on Wheels, 1284 Riverbed St. in the Flats.
Deconstruction Event will explore construction and destruction as we move forward in an experimental environment with entertainment by Ben Kamen and Passenger Revolt (guitar, voices, electronics, and devices), the techno tag team Funk Detective and Optomas, mixed media by Ramzi, thumpin’ house by Semaj, breaks by Miss Switch and live drums and bass from Zyklus. Guests are asked to bring a photograph or clipping that captures the theme of either “construction” or “destruction” to interpret its various meanings Sat 6/19 from 9PM-3AM. Venue capacity is limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance to guarantee admission. Orthodox Cleveland, 6415 Detroit Ave. Get the 411 and surf to http://www.ramzisrareaudiovisualexperience.net
Summer Solstice Festival Kick-off the summer with fun events at the Shaker Colonnade with musical performances, strolling minstrels, jugglers, and vendors selling food and crafts. Stay all day and enjoy a dramatic climax of the sun staying bright for the longest day of the year Sun 6/20 at 6PM. Bring your blanket, chair or just sit on the grass and picnic! Sponsored by Shaker Heights Art Council. At Van Aken and Lee Rds. 491-1360. http://www.shakeronline.com/calendar/EventDetails/event829.asp
10,000 Villages Father’s Day festivities will help shoppers show love for the important men in their lives: dads, mentors and grandfathers. Take a trip to the store and select gifts that set you apart. You can purchase fantastic fairly-traded coffee, handcrafted mugs and quality art hand designed by artists of Third World countries Sun 6/20 at their Rocky River location. 19321 Detroit Rd. 440-333-7709.
Pride & Joy An off-the-wall, over the rainbow celebration with moving Pride anthems and joyful dance numbers recognizing the gifts we all have in each other; prepare yourself for sequins, leather and boas with Cleveland’s creative community Sun 6/20 at 3PM. Cleveland State University, Waetjen Auditorium, Music & Communications Building, 2001 Euclid Ave. at E. 21st St. Call 556-0590. http://www.NCMchorus.org
Writing the natural ghazal You’ll be writing your own ancient Persian couplets which can be used for stimulating nature poems; group activity and individual work will be included if time permits on Tue 6/22 from 7-9PM. Poets and Writers League of Greater Cleveland Literary Center, 12200 Fairhill Rd, Townhouse 3-A in Cleveland Hts. Call 421-0403. http://www.PWLGC.com
Send your cool events to: eventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
WCLVnotes WCLV 104.9 FM spotlights new and especially interesting compact disc releases with its Choice CD of the Day, heard three to four times each weekday. This month, featured recordings include the new Mozart Symphony album by Apollo’s Fire, Angela Hewitt’s album of keyboard music by Couperin, music of Charles Griffes by the Buffalo Philharmonic conducted by Jo Ann Falletta and overtures and concertos by Johann Fasch performed by La Stavaganza. Then on Saturdays at 6:05 PM, an hour is devoted to reviewing the Choice CDs played during the week. Remember that many of the recordings that you hear on WCLV can be purchased at a discount from amazon.com through the WCLV website, www.wclv.com. It’s one way you can help support classical music on the radio in northeast Ohio. a Cool Cleveland partner www.wclv.com
Cool Cleveland Interview: Sarah Wilson-Jones
Sarah Wilson-Jones is CEO of Phoenix Coffee Company, with several specialty custom roasted coffee houses in Cleveland. Recently she returned from a trip to Mexico, where she learned the finer aspects of coffee bean growth, production, roasting and importing. She’s also involved in community activism, and is currently organizing Cleveland’s first Coffee Festival to unify the arts, our neighborhoods and local businesses with the coffee culture. Phoenix will be featured at the Cool Cleveland Art/Tech/Dance event, A Moveable Feast, this Thu 6/17 at the corner of Cedar & Lee Roads. Register online here. http://www.phoenixcoffee.com
Cool Cleveland: When you boast to people outside Cleveland about Cleveland, whats on your list?
Sarah Wilson-Jones: Parade the Circle, Hershey Childrens Garden at the Botanical Gardens, affordable real estate, and the wonderfully low cost of living here.
Whats your vision of how Cleveland should look and feel?
Not so clean and neat. The clean and neat neighborhoods and commercial districts filled with national brand names wont yield the growth and the creativity that Cleveland needs. This may seem unrelated, but recently I made a sales call at Broken Wheel Auto Wrecking in Brook Park. This place is the quintessential example of Cleveland grit and grime. Not that its a hot bed of creativity, but there was something culturally meaningful about the dusty shelves of dismembered automobile parts, the sagging 1940s office furniture, the grease stained uniforms and the acres of twisted metal. Seattle managed to make grunge cool. We have acres of empty, dilapidated warehouse space as well as very talented local artists. I think these two need to come together to create Clevelands brand: the blue collar workaday world and the vibrant visual arts. I drove down Chester Ave this morning and imagined the gaping empty warehouse windows filled with paint and color, the piles of demolition dirt pushed into sculptured forms, just like a playground for adults. What if?
Read the Cool Cleveland Interview with Sarah Wilson-Jones here
Rustbelt Slam: Vince Robinson
Vince Robinson is one of Cleveland’s most seasoned performer-poets, and he’s a member of the Nia Arts Alliance, a not-for-profit entity that provides mentoring for Cleveland-area students involved in arts and media related activities. Vince was recognized by Cleveland City Council for promoting literacy and history, and he’s widely recognized for his performances with his group Vince Robinson and the JazzPoets in their coffeehouse poetry and art events at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Vince is also a former Cleveland news reporter and produced and co-hosted Down To Business, a television show that aired on WOIO Channel 19 in Cleveland. A member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, he’s been involved with the production of documentaries and films, and he’s also a voice over announcer. This is not the first time Vince has landed on Cleveland’s slam team to represent our city at the National Poetry Slam, he won a coveted spot on the team last year as well. Hear Vince’s smooth delivery at the Rustbelt Regional Slam on Fri 6/25 and Sat 6/26 at the Beachland Ballroom, and head out to witness The JazzPoets for jazz and a serious spoken word throwdown in the Cleveland Museum of Art Fri 6/18 at 6PM.
What is it about poetry that speaks to you and drives you to produce it, instead of utilizing another creative outlet for expression?
The immediacy of poetry is one of the most appealing aspects of it as an outlet for creative expression. As a musician, I can create moods and feelings with music. As a poet, I can create images with words. The written medium of poetry allows me to present my words as I speak them and share them with others that may not be in a position to hear them.
How do you prepare mentally and emotionally for the demands of performance art in slamming?
I try to find a quiet place within myself and focus on the task ahead. Listening to Coltrane or Miles Davis takes me where I need to be…
Read about Vince Robinson and his work here
Cool Cleveland People: Emily Tan
Emily Tan is the driving female force behind Cleveland Metro News, a new online effort utilizing local artists, writers, thinkers and educators. This Sat 6/19 they’re hosting an art/party benefit at the ARTcade, 530 Euclid, featuring a silent auction, manja, dance, photography, film and drums. Learn how you can support them at http://www.ClevelandMetroNews.com or email emilyltan@hotmail.com.
When you boast to people outside Cleveland about Cleveland, whats on your list?
The woods and the lake. Cleveland nature scenes render souls serene. As a jaded urban dweller, I feel revived, rejuvenated, enthused after hanging with gulls, naiads, dryads, Erie fish, tadpoles, and butterflies. Cleveland has charm.
Whats your vision of how Cleveland should look and feel?
Cleveland as an open gallery and Cleveland as an open classroom. Art and learning as part of everyday life. People experience illuminating moments inside and outside classrooms. People experience art and artists inside and outside museums and galleries. Naturally, collaboration is key. Competition is not. I believe in the “You look good, I look good; I look good, you look good. We (Clevelanders) all look good together” theory. Complementary collaborative relationships make beautiful gestalt. If Clevelanders integrate art, learning, culture, and community in the spirit of mutual enhancement and straight talk, we may be a wee bit more neighborly, less suspicious, less envious, less fearful, and more trusting.
What are your passions and how does it manifest itself in your life?
Acceptance of individual differences, acceptance not tolerance. Acceptance means understanding. I consciously introduce different perspectives (an easy thing since I am a Pacific Islander and a woman predominantly raised and nurtured by women in a patriarchal world) so that those I connect with understand the earth is indeed inhabited by diverse individuals from diverse cultures and diversity is central to growth of a pulsating, synergistic community local and global…
Read Cool Cleveland People with Emily Tan here
Instant Karma
Quik reviews of recent events
Artefino Gallery/Café Opening @ Tower Press Building 6/12 This past weekend Hector Vega officially opened the doors of Artefino Gallery/Café located in the Tower Press Building, 1900 Superior Ave. By most accounts the Friday night opening was a success, there were lots of people there for free food and drinks ergo the word was spread far and wide. I dropped in on Saturday night thinking that Hector was adventurous expecting to have plenty of local folk two nights in a row. No he wasn’t. Born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico and raised in Cleveland, Hector Vega is on of the area’s renown and influential artists. Influenced by his cultural heritage Hector’s work can be found in distinguished galleries and in private and corporate collections throughout the country. Hector is very involved in the Cleveland community and well known in this community and of course in the arts community where he is well respected by his peers. He is apparently the consummate businessman also…
Read the review by Cavana Faithwalker here
Dirty Story @ Mapleleaf Theater 6/12
What: A relationship between an elder male writer and an idealistic young woman turns kinky, then veers into edgy geopolitical cartoon. The Ohio premiere of one of this season’s most memorable, unpredictable comedies.
Reasons to go: John Patrick Shanley’s red-hot provocation of a script boasts brilliantly daring writing — it’s razor-sharp and continually surprising. Geoff Griggs convinces as literary lion Brutus, whose audacious tactics turn wide-eyed Wanda (Marlene Kelly) from victim to vampy villain. Doug Rossis unforgettable, swaggering cowboy Frank - an Uncle Sam archetype by way of George W. — will render you helpless with laughter, with Mike Kelly as his droll British sidekick. Go plenty early to sample: its performed in the idyllic outdoor amphitheater of a vineyard 50 minutes east of the city. The contrast between bucolic setting and outrageous content is mind-blowing — and utterly delightful.
Caveats: The set budget is maybe $1.27 but the plays the thing. Shanley lays on the Middle East political allegory with a trowel, and his take is controversial. You may get puzzled or pissed, but you wont be bored.
Backstory: Shaggy visionary Steve Ritchey is an area treasure, the director who has made semi-pro Mapleleaf a home for new, risky work for 16 of its 22 seasons. He runs a unique venture: the only theater at a working winery in the U.S.
Target audience: People who arent afraid to think when they laugh.
Details: Mapleleaf Theater, Harpersfield Vineyard, 3.5 miles east of 528 on 307, Geneva. 440-942-7075. Thru June 26. http://www.mapleleaftheater.com.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Dobama Kids Playwriting Festival @ Dobama Theatre 6/11 Dobama has never been your “ordinary” theatre. One week it does this, and another week it does that, and then it does something else entirely. Dobama is a risk-taking theatre, presenting a raft of World, Ohio or even Cleveland premieres. Quite possibly the very best thing Dobama has ever done is the Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival! This year is the 26th time theyve sponsored the contest, and produced some of the winners for the community to see. Unfortunately, not all the winning plays can be produced, due to logistics, funding, and various other constraints, such as size of cast, sets, etc., but what is presented is eye-opening, to say the least. The Festival is open to young playwrights between the ages of 6 and 18 who live in Cuyahoga County. This year, the winning productions were divided into two batches, a group of seven from the younger contestants, (grades 1 through 6) and in the Night Kitchen, two plays by high school seniors. Due to my own time constraints, I could not stay for the later performances, so saw only the works of the younger students. They were funny, imaginative, poignant and touching, and wonderfully creative. What a tremendous boost is provided to the morale of these young playwrightsto be able to have a professionally staged performance to add to their resume…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here
Come to Me in My Dreams and The Diary of Ann Frank @ Ohio Theater 6/9 The Cleveland Opera closed both its 2003-2004 season and an era last weekend, with an intimate double-bill at the Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square Center. David Bamberger, Founding and General Director for 28 years will, in the future, be known as Founding Director, as he heads eastward to Cleveland Institute of Music in a different phase in his career. Fittingly, he was the originator of this program, honoring the 75th anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank. He knew of the mono-drama, The Diary of Anne Frank, by the Russian composer Grigori Frid, but it was too short to occupy an entire evening. Therefore, he created a companion pieceCome to Me in Dreamswhich had its world premiere on Wednesday evening, June 9. Many of the poems for this work were composed by victims of the Holocaust, some who survived, some who didnt. While listening to various song cycles as well as individual songs by the American composer Lori Lait-man, Mr. Bamberger realized that by pulling the cycles apart and rearranging them, a slight story emerged…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here
Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
Send your letters to: lettersAtCoolClevelandDotCom
On the convention center rising from the dead [here] Actually, the greater Cleveland area desperately needs a new convention center. It is patently clear that additional revenue streams are needed to invigorate the area and help sustain the tremendous resources that we have here. In short, we need a constant influx of dollars from outside this region. A steady flow of large conventions can help accomplish this as successfully demonstrated by the majority of progressive metropolitan cities. Please dont encourage archaic thinking and short-sightedness when Cleveland is in such critical need of advancement to secure the future! I wouldnt dare send the message below without also congratulating you and Cool Cleveland for creating another area asset. I love the concept and (with the exception of the Convention Center comment) I think Cool Cleveland is a breath of fresh air. Best wishes and much success! from Cool Cleveland reader Gail E. Wright WrightG@Battelle.org
On regionalism While regionalism is almost certainly a good thing, what is not good is pushing it for incorrect reasons. A little thought about those library numbers tells you that a very big chunk of the difference has to do with who pays vs. who uses it. For the municipal systems (except for Cleveland) their users and their tax base are pretty much the same thing. Cleveland is different because the whole county uses Cleveland Main Library. The county library primarily services residents of those cities that do not have their own municipal libraries (a bit less than half the population of the county) but they support this by taxing the whole county. Since this effect accounts for so much of the difference in tax rates, it seems premature to declare that there are big total cost savings to be had by merging the systems. There certainly will be significant capital costs incurred in merging the operations to the degree needed to start saving money through merged operations. How much savings there will be is a great deal less certain. My conclusion is that the surest piece of tax savings will come from shifting half the tax burden for supporting the county system from those who already support local libraries to those who don’t. In other words, those who are only served by the county system will see their library tax double. Regionalism will not be well served if we push it by claiming savings that are not really there. from Cool Cleveland reader Bill Bruml wbruml@apk.net
Send your letters to: lettersAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Top 5
Cool Cleveland uses Opticast tools to track which articles were clicked the most. Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.
1) Zoomable map of Cleveland Sweet! http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/gis/cpc/basemap.jsp
2) I’m Miss World…Somebody Kill Me I am frequently repulsed by what I see and by what many people deem entertaining…I was shocked and then infuriated, as I paused on the Miss Universe pageant. Iam Miss World Somebody Kill Me
3) ClevelandTheatre.com With such an over-abundance of professional and semi-professional theater organizations in Cleveland, this site should get a lot of traffic. http://www.clevelandtheater.com/
4) DoubleTongued The Double-Tongued Word Wrester tracks words as they enter and leave the English language. It focuses upon slang, jargon, and other niche categories. http://www.doubletongued.org
5) A Moveable Feast To get your discount, pay online before midnight on Wed 6/16. The time is right for partying on one of the coolest corners in Cleveland. A Moveable Feast, from 4-8PM on Thu 6/17 is such a wide-ranging affair, with open bar, hot hors d’oeuvres from neighborhood eateries and eclectic grooves. http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/thomas/atd8/index.html
Cleveland’s change agents Our readers are changing the city by supporting its communities, various cultures and events by reading CoolCleveland.com and we have gratitude for their incredible support. Thanks for referring people you know to CC.com; you can also send folks to register for our e-zine at http://www.coolcleveland.com (and check out our new site) or have ’em send an e-mail to signupAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Maximized marketing Get your business plan revitalized with the new breed of internet advertising: CoolCleveland.com. Every week we reach tens of thousands of subscribers who are addicted to what we do and visit the links to our sponsors. Find out more by emailing us a note to infoAtCoolClevelandDotCom and let us hear from you.
Hard Corps sacrificial efforts make Cool Cleveland your favorite in-box content, and we’ve come a long way with the help of our team who scout the city. Their dedication and love for Cleveland helps deliver Cool Cleveland week after week. Enormous kudos to Deb Remington, Linda Eisenstein, Tisha Nemeth, Bill Nagode, DJ Hellerman, George Nemeth, Marc Majercak, Kelly Ferjutz, Cavana Faithwalker and all our contributors who deliver the goods. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: eventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
See the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: eventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.coolcleveland.com
See you Thursday,
–Thomas Mulready
LettersAtCoolClevelandDotCom (:divend:)