Culturefest

6.11-6.18.08
Culturefest

In this week’s issue:

We’re having a culturefest here in Cleveland this week. We turn the tables on Carolyn Jack with an interview about her new Geniocity site on creativity. Catch our spotlight on the region’s premiere kid’s playwriting festival. Enjoy our interview with filmmaker Mike Wendt and a sure-to-be-popular preview of our region’s cultural festivals. Roldo draws the line from Carl Stokes to Barack Obama, while Ralph Solonitz is singin’ the foreclosure blues and Mansfield pitches Hillary for veep. We review the new release from Paul Stranahan, and we pick a passel of cool events for kids and families, BizTech news & events for young professionals, and stuff to do for everyone reading this e-blast. Give your mouse a click and create your own culturefest. —Thomas Mulready

Carolyn Jack
Geniocity

Carolyn Jack is usually interviewing Thomas Mulready; now the tables are turned. The former arts writer for the PD has joined forces with artist and critic Dan Tranberg to create Geniocity.com, an online home for creativity. Inspired by a 7-part newspaper story she wrote on creativity, Jack has honed in on an underappreciated fact: creativity in all its variations is embedded in all walks of life. Their new site, Geniocity.com, is part objective news portal, relating the latest advances in science, research, commentary and inventions, and part marketplace for creative work. Their Geniocity Shop will represent global artists, including Clevelanders Robert Thurmer of CSU, and Tracey Lind of Trinity Cathedral. They officially open for surfing on Thu 6/12, so get creative, and contact them to submit your work and reach an international audience. http://www.Geniocity.com

Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival
The First Children’s Playwriting Festival in the U.S. at 30 Years Young

Cleveland trivia quiz: What do these two red-hot young writers have in common?
1. Laura Jacqmin, this year’s winner of the $25,000 Wendy Wasserstein prize for an outstanding script by a young woman, And when we awoke there was light and light and 10 Virgins;
2. Brian K. Vaughn, cult comic creator of Y: The Last Man and Runaways and a writer/producer for Lost;
Answer: Both are former award winners of Dobama’s Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival, celebrating its 30th year this weekend.

It’s nearly impossible to underestimate the influence of this venerable contest, a volunteer-based Cleveland tradition that was the first children’s playwriting festival in the U.S. Says the L.A.-based Vaughn about his experience, “It was easily one of the top 5 proudest, happiest moments of a very blessed childhood — truly life changing. Quite simply, I wouldn’t be where I am today without this contest, so I can’t thank everyone at Dobama enough.”

But famous, successful alums are only a tiny piece of the story. To gain perspective on this unique Cleveland institution, I talked to Ron Newell, former Dobama Artistic Director, who was there from its modest beginnings…
Read more from Linda Eisenstein here

Diggin’ on James Brown The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will host a film screening of James Brown: Soul Survivor. This event will take place on Wed 6/11 at 6PM in the Museum’s 4th Floor Theater and is FREE and open to the public. The film is being presented in honor of national Black Music Month. http://www.rockhall.com.

HOT Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival Want the details on The First Children’s Playwriting Festival in the U.S.? Read Linda Eisenstein’s feature above for the scoop and check the festivities out starting Thu 6/12 and running through the weekend. Celebrate their 30 years of Cle creativity!http://www.dobama.org.

Street Olympics In addition to a lineup of no-cost concerts downtown (the Sparx Concert Series), the Downtown Cleveland Alliance has created a brand new event — Thursday Night Live! The second Thursday of every month this summer (including this Thu 6/12 from 5 – 9PM). street Olympics and live music will rotate between E. 4th St. (for this week’s events) and the Warehouse District. Live music/ entertainment by Sparx; Street Olympics by Cleveland Plays. Call 736-7799 to learn how to compete! http://www.downtownclevelandalliance.com.

Duct Tape Festival Music, food, arts, crafts and kids fun highlight this weekend-long shindig in Avon starting Fri 6/13 from 4 – 11PM. Rides, vendors, a parade, a juried art show and live entertainment round out the fun. No-cost, open to the public. Hours on Sat 6/14 are 11AM – 11PM and Sun 6/15 from 11AM – 5PM. Veteran’s Memorial park, 38975 Detroit Rd., Avon. Call 866-818-1116 for details.

HOT Parade the Circle envelops Wade Oval in University Circle Sat 6/14 from 11AM – 4PM, with the actual parade dropping at high noon. Find yourself in the Circle at summer’s premier family arts happening! Info and details: http://www.clevelandart.org and http://www.universitycircle.org.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo during this pet adoption drive Sat 6/14 from 10AM – 5PM. We don’t normally recommend you pestering Dad for a pet, but what better time than Father’s Day to make a play for Fido, Lucky or Sprinkles, right? Our thoughts exactly… and while you’re there, you’ve got the entire Zoo to check out! 3900 Wildlife Way, off of W. 25th St. http://www.clemetzoo.com.

The Fab Faux returns to Cleveland for a Sat 6/14 8PM concert at Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square Center. One of the better Beatles tributes, the NY collective’s aim is true. The group is joined by the Hogshead Horns and Crème Tangerine Strings. Call 771-8403 or click here for tix/info.

HOT Pickwick & Frolic Father’s Day Brunch Enjoy from over 50 artfully prepared and elegantly presented food selections featuring traditional favorites as well as signature dishes all prepared from scratch. This tasty outing hits Sun 6/15 from 10AM – 3PM and features a live broadcast with Bernie Kimble from “The Wave” WNWV-FM 107.3 . RSVP? Call 241-7425.

Dig for Dinos w/ Dad! The Cleveland Children’s Museum offers up with this kidsfest via Jurassic Park intrigue — along with arts, crafts, children’s activities and snacks — on Sun 6/15 from 10AM – 4PM. Unearth a good time with Dad and thank us for the tip later. http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Father’s Day Car Show at Stan Hywet It’s a Stan Hywet tradition — their annual Father’s Day car show hits Sun 6/15 starting at 9AM. The show features classic collector cars and antiques dating back over 100 years and through the late 1970s. Over 350 cars in 25 separate classes will be judged and awared prizes. It’s like the history of automobiles right in front of your very eyes! http://www.stanhywet.org.

Shaker Family Center Dad’s Day Run What a great way for the whole family to spend Father’s Day! Join Shaker Family Center for the 6th Annual DadsDay Run Sun 6/15 This race features a 5mi run and a 1mi walking course through town starting and ending at the center, 19824 Sussex Rd. Strollers, dog walkers and hikers are welcome; cash prizes will be givin to the top three finishers in the face. Register online at http://www.active.com/search or call 921-2023 for more details.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 11-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

Girls Night: The Musical
Cleveland Play House

Crystal Kellog & Whitney Kathleen Vigil know how hilarious a girls night out can be. Not only have they performed in the show Girls Night: The Musical for the past few months, traveling all around the U.S., they’ve also experienced a few girls nights out themselves. The show is about four friends who go out to a karaoke bar to celebrate, and end up singing, dancing and experiencing the kind of night you can only have with your best friends. Backstage at the Cleveland Play House, Crystal & Whitney talk about the show with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, who appears a bit clueless about what exactly girls do on their nights out. Apparently they have fun discussing everything from marriage, to sex, to babies, to whatever’s on their mind. And get this: it’s probably not the same things they discuss in the presence of their boyfriends or husbands. Crystal, who plays Sharon, the angel narrator, lets us know that it’s her job during the show to get the audience up and on their feet, singing along with the dozen or so girl power anthems, such as “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” “I Will Survive,” and The Play House will have aromatherapy, massages, and, of course, Cosmopolitans. While the show was written in the U.K. and was a huge hit on London’s West End, it is now on it’s first tour of the United States, with Christy & Whitney having just racked up rave reviews in Raleigh, Milwaukee, Baton Rouge, Danville, Paducah, and Columbus before landing in Cleveland and joining our interview. Crystal & Whitney let Mulready in on a few girl secrets, but not many. For that. you’ll have to catch the show, in town at CPH from Thu 6/12 thru Sun 7/6. Get a Cool Cleveland discount to Girls Night: The Musical! $10 off a ticket to any performance thru Sun 6/29. Click the link below, and use the promotion code “COOL.” http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/showinfo.asp?eventID=29

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Our own Rep. Kucinich delivers Bush impeachment articles wants the House to consider resolution. Click
Cle sustainability mvm’t highlighted in MSN.com Click
Arts fund is a draw for Cle as detailed in this article. Read
Cle Orchestra announces long-term plans incl. extending contract of Franz Welser-Möst as Music Director to 2018. Click
Cleveland Public Art launches new temp art/landscape installation on Mall B in downtown Cle by Toronto-based artists. Click
The 1960s and 70s are alive and well and rawking the Kent Stage, inc. classic line-up of the Strawbs. Rawk
Enjoy free bike parking at University Circle for “Wade Oval Wednesday” (WOW) music concerts! Click
Cle Cinemas announce no-cost flick for Dad and the Summer Splash film series to cool off hot days and bored kids. Relief!
Send the kids to Arts Collinwood’s supercool Art & Drama Camp! Click
Hathaway Brown School orchestras ranked as the best in the country. Click
Have you already been Making Sense of Place? Chances are coming again soon across the region. Might be a good time to check it out. Click
What are other cities saying about the Cleveland Plus region? Add this to your bookmarks
Cle Adoption Network looking for volunteers to help them in their mission this summer. Help
“What Good is Sitting Alone in Your Room” when Cain Park has a Cabaret series (and other cool stuff) starting? Go!

HOT PD Bracing for Big Cuts, Drastic Changes Our own Roldo Bartimole breaks some news on the spectacular local website RealNEO.US yesterday and it comes as little surprise. With the words economic crisis pursed on their lips, PD Publisher Terry Egger and Editor Susan Goldberg leveled the news on staffers this week and “that the paper plans to cut 35 pages a week from its news pages and 20 percent of its workforce.” Another round of buyouts? Less local news and arts coverage? About 1,820 LESS PAGES in a year, according to Roldo’s piece? Hoooooboy. Read the full story by clicking here. Send your thoughts and letters to the PD execs Egger and Goldberg (tegger@plaind.com and sgoldberg@plaind.com) be sure to copy us at letters@coolcleveland.com.

Attention Roldo and Mansfield Fans!!! You religiously read them every week, now hear the pair of Cool Cleveland contributors live and in-person talking through Race, Politics & Cities: 40 Years After the Stokes Era on Thu 6/19. This CSU Levin College Forum is no cost, open to the public. Details

My House is Worth What?!? The producers of HGTV’s hit show My House is Worth What? are coming to the Cleveland area in a couple short months and need to find homeowners in the metro area who would like to be considered for the show ASAP! Their deadline is Mon 6/30. Sound interesting? Perhaps you should apply by clicking here.

Make a Difference in the life of child at the Wild Summer Reading Camp! The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Bay Village is looking for some big-hearted people to answer a call to help local kids who need a boost in reading skills. Volunteers ages 13 and up are needed to help in a summer reading camp and to give each child the solid, individual attention they need. Camp starts in mid-July. Sign up for a single shift, one day a week, or more! Email: Julie Mistur juliem@lensc.org or Carole Lynn Stradtman carolelynns@lensc.org if you are interested.

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.

Filmmaker Mike Wendt’s 107.9FM Radio Odyssey
…and The End of the World as We (and He) Knew It

Filmmaker and University of Akron grad Mike Wendt offers a humble grin when explaining the genesis for a film on a storied FM radio station. The former Tribeca Film Fest/Robert DeNiro intern and Cleveland Film Society Short Films Coordinator (they run the Cleveland International Film Festival) has quite the tale. Both opportunities helped him find his voice as a film student and realize that he wanted “to do narrative features down the road.”

In fact, Wendt has ended up in much broader roles in his early career than maybe even he expected. An Associate Manager at the Middleburg Heights Regal Cinema and MLB.com employee when the Cleveland Indians are at home, Wendt has quite the narrative of his own. And yet his most intriguing narrative, or cinematic moment du jour if you will, is the original story of one-time Cleveland alt-rock station WENZ-FM 107.9… known to most of its devout listeners simply as The End.

“Right before I graduated from college, [WXRK-FM] 92.3 “K-Rock” did a Smells like The End weekend where they played a lot of those great songs.” Wendt adds during a recent interview at Talkies Coffee in Ohio City, “I remembered being locked to the station that entire weekend, listening to the old jocks and End music and to me, that really summed up my childhood! Sit by the radio, tape the songs and play them over and over, you know? I clearly was not the median age for End listeners, but it really made an impression on me nonetheless. I think that weekend sent me down the road to making a film about the station.”
Read more from Peter Chakerian here

Tour the World at Cle’s Cultural Festivals

Last week, I focused on many of the art festivals that take place during the warmer months in Northeast Ohio. (In case you missed it, click here). This week, cultural festivals have my curiosity. They are many in number and permeate the immigrant-rich Cleveland summertime scene. Since culture is often tied to religion, they often begin within churches and spill onto the streets. Cultural festivals are very much reminiscent of European street fairs and bazaars, and they allow us to experience a different culture or explore our own heritage. What’s more, most travelers will tell you that cultural festivals help extend their travel experiences… right in their own backyards. Looking for a local multi-cultural experience or two this summer? Here are just a handful of the great festivals one might celebrate locally…
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

SPONSORED: A Mini Maui Giveaway in Sandusky? With so much to do in the Cleveland Plus region, there are cool, mini-vacations around every corner. Whether you’re looking for a one-day trip or a weekend away, Northeast Ohio has a getaway for every age and interest. Register to win the Cleveland Plus mini vacation that includes two nights’ stay at Sandusky’s Maui Sands Resort (one room, up to four people), admission to the attached indoor water park (some blackout dates apply), a $100 gas card to help you get there, and two general admission tickets to Cedar Point (Value: $85.90) OR a $90 gift certificate to a Sandusky-area golf course. No purchase necessary. All entries must be received by 12AM Sun 8/10. To register go here: www.clevelandplus.com/contest.asp.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Inner Harmony, mind, body and music On Wed 6/11 at noon, the Cleveland Institute of Music Women’s Committee will present this unique program and luncheon featuring Dr. Kamal Chemali — a neurologist with the Cleveland Clinic — and CIM students. Focusing on the relationship between music and the brain, attendees will learn about the field of “neuromusic,” which studies the effect of music on the normal physiology of the nervous system… and from the beauty and comfort of the CIM’s new Mixon Hall! Music affects your heart and body. Learn how! http://www.cim.edu.

Music in the Meadow Grab a blanket and a picnic dinner, and bring your family to hear this no cost, open to the public music performance in Cuyahoga Valley National Park Wed 6/11 starting at 5:30PM. The “vintage ensemble” Lost State of Franklin launches the festivities with soulful country and western, energetic bluegrass and raucous rockabilly played on bass, trumpet, guitar, washboard and harmonica. BYOB is prohibited. Concerts begin at 6:30PM. Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls. (In case of rain, 500 W. Streetsboro Road (SR 303), Peninsula). Part of a series. http://www.cvnpa.org.

HOT China Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Performance feat. Angelin Chang The Cle-area, Grammy-winning pianist Chang, pianist — accompanied by Erich Eichhorn, violinist, takes place Wed 6/11 at 7PM. Cleveland State University, Music and Communication Bldg’s Drinko Recital Hall, 2001 Euclid Ave. (at E. 21st St.) Tickets available at the door one hour before show time; proceeds (by check) made payable to the Red Cross Society of China – Earthquake Relief. No cash or charge cards will be accepted. All donations are tax-deductible. Call 781-3730 ext. 102 for info.

Lewis Black The time is always right for the comedic (and perpetually irritated) Pundit-in-Chief. Hear and meet him in person Wed 6/11 at 7PM as he signs his new book Me of Little Faith. No cost, open to the public. Barnes & Noble @ Eton, 28801 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere. Call 765-7520 for info/details. http://www.lewisblack.com.

Take Flight with Sake SASA is Cleveland’s premier Sake Bar featuring over 40 different sakes and they want to share it. Beginning Wed 6/11 and every Wednesday after, SASA will be hosting a Sake Night with flights of sake. Each week will feature different sakes from SASA’s extensive selection; you can purchase what you like afterwards. A cool, unique event that will get you feeling all warm inside, no doubt. Call 767-1111 or visit http://www.sasamatsu.com.

SPONSORED: A Visual and Audio Masterpiece Tonight at 9PM on WVIZ/PBS, Franz Welser-Möst and The Cleveland Orchestra perform Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5 beneath the soaring arches of the Abbey of St. Florian in Linz , Austria . This critically heralded performance, co-produced by WVIZ/PBS, airs nationally on PBS. (Encore: Sun 6/15 at 1PM.) More info: www.wviz.org.

Literary Cafe Poetry Nite One of the cooler lit events in the area, this gig offers a featured reader, an open mike, and the “Penpad-Padpen Spontaneous Poetry Open.” Write on the spot and share with your fellow attendees. It happens Thu 6/12 at 9:30PM. Literary Cafe, 1031 Literary Rd., Tremont. http://www.whatsinthebag.us. http://www.literarycafe.net.

Late Night Catechism 2 The Cleveland Play House delivers a superb sequel to Late Night Catechism where the audience has a critical role to play — the student body. The production launches Thu 6/12 at 7:30PM and runs through early July. 8500 Euclid Ave. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

Girl’s Night: The Musicial The Cleveland Play House delivers a stage production filled with fun geared for female audiences. Need a girl’s night out? Want to send your girlfriend/wife out for a fun night with their gal-pals? Then check out the festivities starting Thu 6/12 at 8PM. Show runs through early July. 8500 Euclid Ave. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

HOT ArtSpace Cleveland Members Show The Wooltex Gallery presents the 2nd annual event with an opening reception launch party Fri 6/13 from 5:30 – 8:30PM. This exhibition features the work of two dozen extraordinary talents, showcasing their skills in a variety of mediums. Immerse yourself at the Wooltex Gallery, Tower Press Bldg., 1900 Superior Ave. http://www.thewooltexgallery.com.

HOT Tremont ArtWalk The Cle institution marches on with a bevy of art openings Fri 6/13 starting at 6PM. New Landscapes by Jeff Pasek is offered at doubting thomas (856 Jefferson Ave.). On Professor Ave., Atmosphere Gallery (2418 Professor Ave.) offers Paintings by Yarek Godfrey. Brandt Gallery touches on censorship, art and what it is, racism, activism, and free speech. Asterisk* (2393 Professor Ave.), Brokebridge Gallery (2278 West 14th St.) and Visible Voice Books round out the new works. And Prosperity Social Club (1109 Starkweather) features music by Martini Five-O @ 10PM. Call 522-0006 or visit http://www.tremontartwalk.org for more info.

Deep Cleveland feat. Ray McNiece Deep Cleveland’s Poetry Hour at Borders features the poet, musician and author Fri 6/13 at 8PM. McNiece is an on-again, off-again Cleveland resident with enormous insight and literary capacity. If you’ve never experienced him, this is a great chance to do so… and stick around to test out your own poetry and prose on the audience with an open mic post-performance. Borders, 17200 Royalton Rd., Strongsville. Call 440-846-1144 for more info. http://www.raymcniece.com. http://www.deepcleveland.com/borders.html.

Chagrin Valley Home & Garden Walking Tour features a walking tour of five historic homes, two specialty gardens and a delightful “In the Good Old Summertime” exhibit at the Historical Society Museum Fri 6/13 and Sat 6/14 starting at 10AM. 83 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls. Tickets: 440-247-1895 or visit ”’http://www.chagrinfalls.net.

10th Year Members Show The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve celebrates the end of their May Members Show with a closing reception Fri 6/13 beginning at 5PM. Check out some exceptional artwork, meet some of the talented members and artists and explore a slew of mediums — paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, fabric, and much more — as you partake in refreshments and great conversation. AAWR, 1834 East 123rd St. Call 721-9020 or email: artistsarchiveswest@yahoo.com.

Cletus Black & the Revues will perform Fri 6/13 from 7 – 11PM at the John Christ Winery in Avon Lake. This will be an outdoor/indoor event depending on the weather and will mark the official release of the group’s brand-spankin’ new CD, That’s the Story. John Christ is a pretty cool spot, located at 32421 Walker Rd., east of RT. 83. No cost, open to the public (but bring you’re wallet… they’ve got some good wine out there and are selling the new CD). http://www.cletusblack.com.

Northern Blues’ JW Jones Fat Fish Blue welcomes this buzz band and Toronto Maple Blues Award winner for a pair of performances Fri 6/13 and Sat 6/14. With rave reviews and a wicked-busy schedule, this band is one of the hardest touring blues acts in the country. 21 Prospect Ave. They’re hot stuff. Check them out!! Call 875-6000 or visit http://www.fatfishblue.com for times and details.

Wine XIII: A Weekend Celebration of Wine The Akron Art Museum presents this 3-day wine benefit weekend starting Fri 6/13. Enjoy a lively wine tasting Fri 6/13; the Akron Wine Auction on Sat 6/14; and an elegant champagne brunch on the morning of Sun 6/15. All proceeds benefit the Akron Art Museum. Details and schedule at http://www.akronartmuseum.org.

HOT Tour of Cain Park Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Evans Amphitheater with a tour of the historic Cain Park Sat 6/14 from 10 AM – noon. This behind the scenes glimps of a Cleveland Heights landmark features a park walk, history review and drop-in backstage. See the crew readying the Amphitheater stage for its rehearsal of The Wiz and stick around to watch that show’s “technical rehearsal” — where actors and crew work out the logistics of the show, such as set changes, lighting cues, and sound effects! Part of Cle Hts’ Historic Preservation Month activities. http://www.clevelandheights.com. http://www.cainpark.com. http://www.futureheights.org.

HOT Parade the Circle The venerable, family-friendly fest-artistique envelops Wade Oval in University Circle Sat 6/14 from 11AM – 4PM, with the actual parade dropping at high noon. There’s also some great nosh and strong local and international music and dance groups performing in the Circle Village on five stages located throughout the event! This is not just a great family event, but one of Cleveland’s greatest local assets. Don’t miss out! http://www.clevelandart.org and http://www.universitycircle.org.

Aleks Raskin Opus Gallery presents the artist’s “whimsical, colorful, creative, large-scale photography” in an exhibition that launches with an Opening Reception Sat 6/14 from 4 – 8PM. Live music performed by Kenny Davis and Al Krasel; the exhibit runs through mid-July. 27629 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere. Details and gallery schedule at http://www.opus-gallery.com.

HOT Catching Salinger at the End of the World Two local documentaries by NEO filmmakers premier at the Cleveland Cinematheque on Sat 6/14 starting at 7:30PM. Catching Salinger finds three fans of The Catcher in the Rye setting out to retrace steps taken by the novel’s Holden Caulfield, and to track down reclusive author J.D. Salinger. The End of the World as We Knew It examines changes in mass media programming and the effects it had on WENZ-FM 107.9 (a.k.a. “The End,” Cle’s one-time alt-rock radio station during the 90’s). Read Peter Chakerian’s interview with End flimmaker Mike Wendt in this issue! http://www.catchingsalinger.com. http://www.myspace.com/1079_the_end. http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque.

MegLouise Dance presents Sneak Reviews (vol 6) at Parish Hall on Sat 6/14 at 7:30PM. Check out some of NEO’s coolest dancers kickin’ it with an intimate look into new works by area choreographers. Then discuss your reactions when they’re through. No cost, open to the public (donations accepted at the door). Parish Hall/CPT. http://www.meglouisedance.com.

Old Home Workshop Series Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, The Cleveland Restoration Society, and Progress Through Preservation announce a series of four workshops to be conducted at the Carriage House on the Grounds of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Each workshop will be conducted at the Carriage House on Saturday mornings ; the first is scheduled for this Sat 6/14 from 9 – 10:30AM. These workshops cover topics sure to be of interest to owners of historic and older homes who are contemplating restoration or upgrade projects. Details: http://www.stanhywet.org.

Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia We’ve told you repeatedly that NEO is a hotbed for jazz talent. Check out Stranahan and his band on Sat 6/14 at 9PM at Pete’s Tavern, 1318 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland Hts. Paul Stranahan is a drummer, composer, band leader, marimba player and teacher and his jazz-fusion is something to hear. Call 291-0400 for details or visit http://www.paulstranahan.com. And check out a review of his CD in this week’s CC.

Spooktacular Old School Sinema, the Cle film production company that focuses on horror, B-Movies, exploitation and cult cinema, is back with an all-new monthly show called the OSS SPOOKTACULAR which starts Sat 6/14 at 9PM. OSS founder Joe Ostrica usually hosts shows with movie screenings, live bands and sexy burlesque girls and we fully expect this little shindig will follow suit. Event repeats on the second Saturday every month. Roc Bar, East Bank of the Flats, 1220 Old River Rd. http://www.myspace.com/osstour. http://www.myspace.com/ossprojects.

Fine Art Fair at Crocker Park The Guild of Artists & Artisans is bringing back a slew of art award-winners to Crocker Park for their 3rd Annual Crocker Park Fine Art Fair Sat 6/14 and Sun 6/15. And we can surely get behind that. This year’s event features 130-juried artist booths with specialties in jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass, photography, fiber, wood, leather, mixed media and more. While you’re there on Saturday, check out the North Union Farmer’s Market (near Trader Joe’s). Details at: http://www.crockerpark.com and http://www.theguild.org.

HOT A Marjorie Talalay Tribute “Without Marjorie Talalay, MOCA Cleveland would not exist.” So says the MOCA Cleveland website. Her story as a pioneering tastemaker who blazed a trail for contemporary art in Cle helped turn a small, struggling commercial gallery into one of the most important art centers in the Midwest. Celebrate her spirit w/ an afternoon of dance, music, and stories from her family, friends, and collegues Sun 6/15 from 1 – 3PM. MOCA Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Ave. http://www.mocacleveland.org.

Poolside BBQ in Geneva for Dad For nearly 100 years, Americans have been honoring fathers. This long-standing tradition continues as The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake hosts a Father’s Day Poolside Beer & BBQ on Sun 6/15 from 11:30AM – 3PM. Guests can partake of a special BBQ package or a full-blown Sunday getaway on the lake, with The Lodge’s Spring Special Bed and Breakfast package (includes Sunday night accommodations and breakfast for two). http://www.thelodgeatgeneva.com.

Happy Bloomsday Visible Voice Books, located at 1023 Kenilworth Ave. in the Tremont n’hood, hosts the event Mon 6/16 from 3 – 6PM. Celebrated around the world, Bloomsday commemorates June 16, 1904 — the day Leonard Bloom wandered through Joyce’s novel, Ulysses, and discovered the world. Banned in the US and UK until 1933, Ulysses altered the way fiction has been written and read; a reading of Chapter 10 (“Cyclops”) from the book on the VV courtyard anchors the event. No cost, open to the public. http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com.

SPONSORED: Pianist Pierre Reach, who performed a recital on French radio and TV from a Pyrenees mountain top at an altitude of 8400 feet, gave a recital at the lower altitude of Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus on Sun 6/1. You can hear this recital by Pierre Reach, who was the First Prize Winner of the Olivier Messiaen International Piano Competition, on WCLV 104.9 FM, next Tue 6/17 at 8PM. Full details of all of WCLV’s programming can also be found at http://www.WCLV.com.

HOT Here come the NEOphytes! Whether you are new to Cle or a passionate local who wants to help welcome those who are, mark your calendars for the first NEOphytes Meet & Mingle on Tue 6/17 at 7PM. Meet other new locals, discuss and share ideas about the future and mission of the NEOphytes group, and enjoy libations, light appetizers and live music at this MOCAMix event. RSVP requested (but not required). Click http://www.neo-phytes.com to do so. http://www.mocacleveland.org.

HOT Creative Voices Arts Education Summit What significant role can the arts play in engaging and improving entire communities? On Tue 6/17 (Arts Education Day in Cleveland, btw!) Cleveland State University examines the invigorating and transforming power of the arts in a summit featuring special guests Anna Deavere Smith (acclaimed actress and MacArthur fellow), and Harriet Fulbright (Pres., J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center in Wash D.C.). NOTE: Participants must RSVP by FRI 6/13!. Details: http://www.csuohio.edu/music/cai.

The Hummingbird Minister Written by new playwright Georgia Reash, and director by Rose Leininger (Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions) this story of one woman’s healing from violence hits the Cleveland Public Theatre Dark Room Tue 6/17 at 7:30PM. With insights into the hidden life of the psyche and struggle for personal transformation, this artistic work is sure to move you. FYI: CPT’s Dark Room offers emerging playwrights the chance to develop new works in a supportive, yet critical environment. http://www.cptonline.org.

Chris Botti The smooth-jazz trumpet master and composer (and Sting collaborator) performs at the Palace Theatre Tue 6/17 at 7:30PM. One of the few trumpeters who has broken through stereotypical expectations to crossover from jazz to mainstream acceptance, Botti will include songs from his current hit album, Italia. Vocalist Nyee Moses opens. http://www.playhousesquare.org.

HOT Gourmets in the Garden This succulent, gastronomic series at the beautiful Cleveland Botanical Garden kicks off Wed 6/18 6PM with a bevy of flavorful taste sensations and showcasing local purveyors of culinary delights. Themes, regions and cooking styles abound during this regular summertime series, which runs through early September. Make your palate happy and enjoy al fresco dining (weather permitting). http://www.cbgarden.org.

Jersey Boys Playhouse Square offers up the nat’l touring production of this Broadway musical on pop sensations, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. This documentary-style stage production won four 2006 Tony Awards starts Wed 6/18 at 8PM; performances run through mid-July. See http://www.playhousesquare.org for schedule, details and tix.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Bernie Moreno
President, Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted
Cleveland Plus

Bernie Moreno lived a nice lifestyle in Boston until Mercedes-Benz asked him to open a dealership in the Cleveland Plus region. Never having lived here, he and his wife and four kids thought it would be a five-year assignment. Instead, he fell in love with the place, along with his 10 employees who also moved their families from the East Coast. Now he tells Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland that he and his family enjoy boating on our lakes and rivers, exploring the fresh water playlands of Sandusky and the Put-In-Bay islands, with warm summer water that you can actually swim in, unlike the ocean that he was used to. They can now experience water skiing, jet skis, and unheard-of amenities such as dockside dining on the Vermillion River or at the Shoreby Club. Speaking of dining, they thought they would find Applebee’s, but didn’t expect the nationally recognized chefs throughout the region. The kids spend time at the Nature Center at Huntington Reservation, doing sleepovers at the Great Lakes Science Center, and strolling the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Rock Hall. Being a sports fan, Bernie points out that in Boston, tickets to events are much more expensive than they are here, parking can cost as much as dinner, and the accessibility means you get home by the time you would have gotten to your car in a larger city. Bottom line: Bernie has made a huge investment in his business, and plans to make Cleveland Plus his permanent home. http://www.ClevelandPlusLiving.com

Doesn’t your business deserve a series of Sponsored Videos from Cool Cleveland? Get details: Info@CoolCleveland.com

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

Ameritrust Breuer Tower to house brand new Hotel Indigo. K&D Group and InterContinental Hotels Group helm this great Adaptive Reuse
Nat City under the microscope as well as U.S. scrutiny, according to WSJ. Click
A Cleveland City Council resolution for a foreclosure moratorium. Click
Trulia.com shows nearly 3,000 Cle foreclosure home sale listings in their current dbase. And that’s just one major online outlet…Staggering
Cle/Germany connection works wind potential in power dev process. Click
Lake Hospital System offers Wii-habilitation tapping into the latest video game trend to help gamers heal. Click
Ohio’s workers will be essential in tomorrow’s clean-energy economy; help reduce global warming. Read Report
How’s about ya go Google yer health? Will it ever catch on? Click
Check out info on the Mittal Steel doc film by clicking this link

Four childrens hospitals in Ohio rank in USN&WR Top 15. Click
So, what are other cities saying about the Cleveland Plus region? Find out adding this to your bookmarks

Kolman Rosenberg The successful photog/bizman speaks at the Lake Communicators luncheon Wed 6/11 at 11:30AM at the Lake Metroparks Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Rd. (SR 84). RSVP: 440-255-8932 or email: wolfeshirley@yahoo.com
Making $ense of $ustainability at Corp. Club @ Landerhaven Luncheon Thu 6/12 feat. David Beach of GreenCityBlueLake Institute and Holly Harlan of E4S. Details and Registration
10,000 Little (micro) Ideas Presents “Lighting the Trees of Tremont” Fri 6/13 as a part of the Tremont ArtWalk. Network, learn about the org and help the n’hood! Details
Women’s Enterprise Network (WEN) Interactive TV show hits Sat 6/14 at 8AM. Click
Looking for a girls night out? Use code “COOL” for discount here
Pump up the Volume at WHACC Luncheon at Winking Lizard Wed 6/18 feat. David Gilbert, Prez of Gtr Cle Sports Comm. More
Race, Politics & Cities with Cool Cleveland’s Roldo Bartimole & Mansfield Frazier at CSU Thu 6/19 here
Think Plexus at Cle Pride and meet the LGBT Professional Org Sat 6/21. Learn more about their networking events! Click
Learn about ops in the wind industry at this Ohio ICE event Mon 6/23 at 6PM. Details and Registration

Fred Franks on Help Desk
FIT Technologies

It’s your worst nightmare: your computer system is down, you’re in the middle of a critical task, and you can’t get hold of anyone. Maybe that’s why FIT Technologies started up their Help Desk, with the capabilities to manage your technical support 24/7/365. Whether it’s problems with your desktop computers, laptops, servers, PDAs or peripherals, it’s always good to know there’s one number to call to get your problems addressed. As FIT Technologies’ Director of Managed IT Services, Fred Franks explains to Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, many issues can be resolved right on the phone, since the FIT Technology Help Desk personnel have seen many of these problems over the years. If not, the issue can be escalated to experts in specific tech knowledge areas. If necessary, personnel can be dispatched to your location to handle the issue onsite. That sounds better than a nightmare to us. FITTechnologies.net

Online video is changing the world as we know it. Are you online? Call Cool Cleveland to discuss getting your own series of Sponsored Videos that run in Cool Cleveland, on your own web site, and can be sent out in e-mail. Info@CoolCleveland.com

The Agony of Defeat

Who could blame Hillary Clinton for dragging her feet in arriving at Washington’s National Building Museum to “suspend” her campaign for her party’s nomination for the presidency of the United States? She must have been thinking, “Why rush my feet to admit defeat?” However, Hillary will get another shot at the presidency in eight years, based on the speech she gave and her ringing endorsement of Barack Obama.

Even in 2016 she’ll still be younger than McCain is now, as he begs his aged and aching bunions to hold up a little longer as he makes his Quixotic bid to become Commander-In-Chief of the nation. Methinks that he really doesn’t want to be president as much as he wants to be the supreme leader of the most powerful military force the world has ever known… and that scares me.

Just an aside, but we never say or write “President of America,” but we will say the “American president.” Why is that? But I digress, back to Hillary.

Once she arrived at her Waterloo and put to rest her own presidential ambitions for the nonce, she quickly proved herself to be among the most able stateswomen of this, or any other, era. She gave an electrifying and magnanimous speech in which she not only secured the presidency for Barack, but virtually assured herself the vice-presidency in the process. Rarely has one speech accomplished two such worthy goals…
Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

Cuyahoga County needs a workforce strategy but it’s no secret Cleveland’s business, government and foundation leadership is having a tough time putting one together. (It’s not easy.) Here’s a good model to follow. Racine County, WI released its workforce development strategy last week. The event is notable for a number of reasons. BFD readers comment:

Add a comment of your own on Brewed Fresh Daily

Singin’ The Foreclosure Blues
With stars in hot water, can Robin Leach be far behind?

This foreclosure thing is running amok. I thought it only affected poor people. I’m really bummed now. I see on the news, that the plight has reached far beyond Northeast Ohio and landed on the doorsteps of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous set. Ed McMahon — the famous sidekick to Tonight Show host Johnny Carson — has gotten himself kicked out of his Beverly Hills home. And former heavyweight boxing champion (and the one-time ringside snack to Mike Tyson) Evander Holyfield is also being threatened with eviction from his suburban Atlanta pad. I guess Ed’s $4.8 million mortgage loan is seriously past due; that is so sad! And Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield has also been knocked to the mat, look’n to hear a proverbial ten count. He will be TKO’d from his 54,000 square foot, $10 million estate anytime now. It’s enough to bring tears to the eyes…

Read more from Ralph Solonitz here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

YTD home sales stats for Cuy Co.
Cuy Co Treasurer Jim Rokakis discussing the county land bank proposal at Midtown Brews.
File under can’t be good for CLE: Continental to cut 3000 jobs, 60+ planes, CEO & Pres forego salaries.
June is berry month in NEO and many farms let you pick yr own.
Cleveland.com rated the 15th best newspaper website gets a C-.

PSI
Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia
Self-released

He’s a tenacious jazz drummer, instructor and the rhythmic anchor for local acts Rare Blend and Broadview Collective. He’s Paul Stranahan and he’s got a flair for jazz fusion and King Crimsonesque progressive rock; in this new collection of tunes on PSI, he synthesizes all of it in a wakeful bit of melodic prowess. From the thrilling opening cut “Blue” — with some exceptional Chris Bober guitar leads and space-rock nods — the sonics suggest you leave that Ambien in the medicine cabinet. That energy informs/powers “Free Form Freak Out” (with its shades of Zappa), “Sojurn,” “Mann, wo ist mein Auto?” and “You’re Getting on My Nerves,” which clearly owes a cup of espresso to Robert Fripp and the 80s “quartet Crimson” lineup.

Does PSI abbreviate the band’s name or stand for pound per square inch? This 11-track disc is compelling and forceful enough to suggest the latter in some parts. Fans of prog and fusion will love the peaks, valleys and iconoclastic shading — not to mention the fact that each member of the virtuoso band manages to avoid stepping on the others’ toes. With experimental jazz acts like John Scofield, the Bad Plus, Alex Skolnick Trio, Charlie Hunter, Esbjörn Svensson Trio and Medeski Martin & Wood hitting their collective strides, it’s hard not to think of PSI and Stranahan’s offbeat angles. Whoever’s booking him locally should be losing sleep… looking for an opening slot on an upcoming tour for one of those acts, that is.

Experience Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia this Saturday, June 14 at 9PM at Pete’s Tavern, 1318 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland Heights. The drummer, composer, band leader, marimba player and teacher leads his act through two mind-bending sets (and while you’re at Pete’s, get dinner. Their food is excellent). Call 291-0400 for show details or visit Stranahan online at http://www.paulstranahan.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

From Carl Stokes to Barack Obama

I’ve been reading old material about Carl Stokes in preparation for a panel session at Cleveland State University on June 19 (See here).

Of course, it’s a momentous time to think about the achievement in 1967 of Stokes when he was elected the first black mayor of a major American city.

There is a direct line from Stokes to the nomination of Barack Obama as the first black Presidential candidate of a major national party. Stokes blazed the trail when he broke the political strictures on race in elective politics. His election in 1967, after a near miss in 1965, opened the way for others to succeed as black political candidates. Now, amazingly, we have a black candidate as the Democratic standard bearer. History has caught up with Carl Stokes…
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Matt & Ben @ CPT 5/30 I like a good comedy. I like a good comedy that has a message. I like a comedy that once I leave the theatre doesn’t evaporate from my memory before I get to the car. I don’t think Matt & Ben, which is now on stage at Cleveland Public Theatre, fits those criteria. It isn’t a bad play. It isn’t a bad production. I just don’t think it’s worth the time and effort that it takes to stage a script to get the results of this show. With that said, let’s examine what Matt & Ben is all about. It concerns best friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck who, according to the plot, just finished filming School Ties, a coming-of-age teenage flick. Sitting in Ben’s living room, they try to adapt Catcher in the Rye into a movie. And in case your pondering it, no, it hasn’t been done. J.D. Salinger won’t give permission for filming.

All of a sudden a manuscript named Good Will Hunting falls from the ceiling with their names on it as the authors. We spend the next 75 minutes as the boys work through whether they will claim it as their own. (Hint: they won the Academy Award for best screenplay for Good Will Hunting.)

Written by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers, the script has some cute, some dumb, and a few very funny scenes. And oh, by the way, both Matt and Ben are played by females. Yep, two women! Why? I’m not sure, but Kaling says, “I think it helps the play come off as more affectionate than just mean and jealous.” (I guess men are mean and jealous and women are affectionate.)

In the off-Broadway production Kaling and Withers played the roles. The reason? Kaling states, “We’re not competing with them for roles, so there’s no underlying bitterness or meanness towards them. It’s also just funny to have Brenda and I playing them, because we obviously look completely different.”

Okay, if that’s what she thinks. As for me… I don’t get the real reason.

There is some gossipy stuff…mainly about Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben’s brother Casey and David Schwimmer. Not People magazine quality, but maybe mildly amusing.

The play suggests Affleck is kind of stupid (well, he didn’t get into Harvard as Damon did), but creative. Matt is the brighter, the more accomplished, and the better actor. (Reality seems to be bearing out the better actor part as he consistently appears in top flight flicks, while Ben, in general, is doing B-level gigs.)

Matt & Ben won Best Overall Production honors at the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival. I’m not sure why. The CPT production, under the direction of Dan Kilbane, works as well as the script will let it. He has paced the show well.

Though I don’t necessarily agree with the character interpretations, they were consistent. Nicol Perrone (Matt) and Elizabeth Wood (Ben) don’t look, or sound, or have the charisma of the real guys; but, I guess that’s not the point. (I won’t even get into the subject of the lack of Boston accents, which the dynamic duo is famous for using). The actresses both seemed to be having a good time. So, seemingly did much of the audience. As for me… I was mildly entertained.

Capsule judgement: This is one of those plays that many will enjoy. If you are looking for something other than light escapism, you may not be overjoyed. I just think that CPT is of a higher level than this script. If they are going to do comedies, The Confessions of Punch and Judy is a lot more CPT!

Matt & Ben runs through June 14. For tickets call 631-2727 or visit http://www.cptonline.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com
Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

Cleveland Orchestra’s Rusalka @ Severance Hall, 6/5 Semi-staged opera – mid-way between concert and fully staged and costumed productions- has been a hallmark of the tenure of Music Director Franz Welser-Möst with The Cleveland Orchestra. With any luck at all, this practice will continue for the next ten years of his tenure here—and beyond! The never-before-performed-in-Cleveland Rusalka of Antonin Dvorák brought the 2007-08 orchestra Severance Hall subscription season to a rousing conclusion last weekend. The performances were totally marvelous, and one can only wish to hear it again in August at the Salzburg Festival, when Rusalka is fully-staged and costumed, with our marvelous orchestra in the pit! All five performances are already sold out!

Where to start? The music, of course, was the composer’s always enjoyable and melodic best. He was at the top of his game, as they say, when this opera was composed toward the end of his life. As a supremely nationalistic Czech musician, Dvorák was readily accepted across nationalistic lines, as one of—if not the most—eminent composers of his era. He had produced multitudes of music in every genre, including opera, during his compositional lifetime, but perhaps influenced by Wagner and Verdi, he decided to limit his output to opera during the last decade of his life. Rusalka is most likely the best of the batch. Unhappily, the libretto was not up to the standards of the music, leaving gaps in the story, here and there.

Even people not familiar with opera will readily recognize the ravishing Song of the Moon, a plea sung by the heroine, Rusalka, a water nymph, who wishes to become a human because she’s fallen in love with a human Prince. Her father, the Water-Goblin, tells her to ask the witch Jezibaba (who may be Rusalka’s aunt) for help, as he cannot perform such magic. Yet, he wishes she’d stay as she is.

Part of Jezibaba’s spell renders Rusalka mute for nearly half the opera, which is one of the problems caused by the libretto. The Prince, unhappy because of her silence, falls under the charm of a Foreign Princess, who finally gives up on him and sends him back to Rusalka. Of course, by this time (this is opera, remember!) Rusalka has lost faith in love, especially as it is unrequited, and asks to return to her original home—the water. Jezibaba will grant her this wish—but only if she kills the prince. Unable to do this in cold blood, Rusalka will still perform this cursed act with her first-ever kiss.

This theme of the woman from a watery world falling in love with a human man exists in nearly every language, including our own modern era – thanks to Disney’s The Little Mermaid. However, when the music and the voices are so wonderful, the lesser parts don’t seem to matter so much.

The orchestra, reduced in size to fit in the pit at Salzburg’s Mozart House Theater, and with rearranged seating as it will be there, was superb, especially the winds and harp. The strings and brass sounded lush. Mr. Welser-Möst had every nuance at the tips of his fingers.

The international cast of singers were marvelous, across the board. As Rusalka, Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund found the many emotional sides of the water sprite, whether the hopeful young girl in love, the disappointed cast-off woman, or the unhappy woman, resigned to her fate. Her voice easily carried over the orchestra, displaying all the coloration of her many moods. Her father, the Water-Goblin, was warmly sung by the American bass-baritone Alan Held, showing the many sides of a father, trying to figure out what to do for his love-lorn daughter.

German mezzo Birgit Remmert was a formidable Jezibaba, whose mere glance could express more than many a long-winded speech. The Prince was beautifully sung by the Polish tenor Piotr Beczala. He was totally convincing at the end of the opera when he asks Rusalka for a kiss, even after she’s told him he’ll die if he touches her. American soprano Emily Magee while enticing and seductive as The Foreign Princess, was somewhat lacking in patience with her Princely host. American baritone Christopher Feigum was amusing in his two smaller roles as the Prince’s Gamekeeper and Huntsman. Eva Liebau, a soprano from Austria was charming as the young Turnspit, who nevertheless had the good sense to stay out of Jezibaba’s way. The three wood nymphs (all making their American debuts) were Austrian sopranos Anna Prohaska and Stefanie Atanasov, along with Czech-born mezzo Hannah Esther Minutillo.

After a short holiday, the next event for the orchestra is the July 2 concert – The Star-Spangled Spectacular – on Public Square in Downtown Cleveland. While the concert doesn’t begin until 9 pm, other festivities begin at 4 pm. Guest conductor will be Giancarlo Guerrero, and the soloist is Indra Thomas. Weather permitting, there will be fireworks following the 1812 Overture. This program is no cost, and open to the community.

The Blossom Festival season begins on July 3. For tickets or more information about the Blossom Schedule, call 231-1111 or visit the website http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com

Cleveland Orchestra’s Rusalka @ Severance Hall, 6/5 At the point when most fairy tales, end–that is, the Prince wins the maiden he woos–things mysterious, tragic, and utterly musical happen in Rusalka. Last week Franz Welser-Most directed The Cleveland Orchestra, Chorus, and guest soloists in a vibrant presentation of Dvorák’s “Rusalka.” It’s not just the sensational solo for soprano (“Song to the Moon”) that comes early in the opera (and the one people might have heard even if they’ve never heard the whole opera), it’s the whole exquisite package. To dismiss the plot in a hurry–what opera is sensible?–it’s a moralistic tale of a nymph who forgets her [fishy] people, changes herself into human and loses her voice. Bad idea. The Prince, a cad, then dumps her because now she’s boring and anyway, people are gossiping about his weird girlfriend. Of course, it ends badly for him anyway–don’t mess with magic. But the real magic was this splendid production…
Read more from Laura Kennelly here

Camilla Nylund’s silky-smooth soprano brought Rusalka to life. Piotr Beczala’s tenor, rich and romantic made Rusalka’s obsession with him perfectly sensible. Birgit Remmert, mezzo-soprano, electrified us (singers were lifted above the orchestra) every second she menaced, mocked, and cast spells as Jezibaba, the witch. Soprano Emily Magee (the bitchy Foreign Princess), bass-baritone Alan Held (Water-Goblin and Rusalka’s father), baritone Christopher Feigum (the Gamekeeper), baritone (Huntsman) Christopher Feigum, soprano Eva Liebau (kitchen boy), and sopranos Anna Prohaska, Stefanie Atanasov, plus mezzo-soprano Hannah Esther Minutillo (nymphs) all deserve praise for keeping the opera’s dreamy illusion and, at times, adding some comic relief. The only weak point (and it’s tiny) is that as soon as the soloists no longer had a part to sing, they left the platform. This made the prince, for example, look pretty silly singing a love song to himself. Individual orchestra members–harpists with water sounds, horns, flutes, English horns–really the whole ensemble–created a seamless flow of enchantment. Bottom line: Utterly beautiful production, much applause, many curtain calls, wish I’d gone back Saturday night, hope a full version appears one day soon, love.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

On a Pedastal and Off the Wall @ Sculpture Center 6/6 The fourth annual Exhibit from the Region at The Sculpture Center entitled On a Pedestal and Off the Wall is in my view much more off the wall than on a pedestal – but in a good way. The pervasive thread throughout the display seems to be to take everyday items and twist them in form, material or purpose. The tricks employed by the artists include a piece by Delanie Jenkins entitled Untitled (from the Traces of Absorption Series), which at first blush looks like four enlarged, cushy, square panels of paper towels, but on closer inspection turns out to be made of cast white chocolate.

A beautiful and delicate sculpture by Jon N. Cotterman had me recalling when toys came with their pieces connected by extruded plastic tubes and you had to punch them out by hand. His pieces, however, were skillfully produced in dainty blown and flame-worked glass. The “toy” in this case which needs to be punched out is a most fragile-looking wine glass with an intricately-crafted pink stem, and its parts are connected by glass tubing so much like the plastic extrusions of childhood toys.

Another twist on the everyday was Brandy Agnew’s We Don’t Want to Know. Small religious status are “dressed” in little thermal-sleepingbag-like pouches, so that only their little angelic tacky faces show, and the figures are arranged somewhat like a child might arrange his toy solders. Each of these artists have taken an ordinary item and put them into an anything-but-ordinary material or setting.

Some of the more questionable pieces include a piece entitled Pile, which is a heap of cut wooden pieces in a circle of saw dust; a piece entitled Chipped Off the Tallest Radio Tower in Cleveland, which is a tiny display box with even tinier chips of what looks like red paint propped up on ever-so-tiny metal rods; and Entitlement Pills: Wisdom and Joy, which is side-by-side candy machines, dispensing Good & Plenty Candies. These items either seem more accidental then purposed works of expression, as though the artists have a bet going to see if they can get their pieces into an exhibit.

The works that have me thinking about them the most include three fabricated steel pieces by Matthew Boonstra, each meticulously copying everyday items (beer bottle, school desk and umbrella) but made entirely out of steel, with a grid of holes punched out of a steel tube. On the desk is what appears to be an exhaust pipe with the grid of holes on it sticking out the back of the backrest and the umbrella has what resembles a stove pipe poking through its steel awning. Joshua Parker’s Mailman is what appears to be a literal, graphic interpretation of the word “mailman”. It is a life-sized “man” made out of what looks like only yellow shipping envelopes. The artist revealed that there is actually a steel armature holding the 8,500 (or 17 boxes of 500) envelopes in place. The positioning of the limbs has you back to childhood again, expecting the toy-like figure to walk out of the gallery and save the world.

Finally Nick Vanderpool’s Coffee Overkill left me pondering my mis-impression long after leaving the gallery. It was the first piece I saw, and as I contemplated the mouse-trap-like contraption which stood approximately four-foot high and two-foot wide, I could never have guessed that all the tubes, wires, LED lights, gauges and even the intercom speaker actually work, and the piece actually brews a pot of coffee. The artist is an electrical engineer and the piece was designed as his engineering thesis.

I don’t know if this year’s prestigious juror, Gregory Amenoff of the Visual Arts Divisions of Columbia University is a fan of tromp l’oeil, but the exhibit certainly tricks the eye, as well as the brain, and even the memory of childhood, so that what you think is a familiar item, is bent and manipulated beyond it’s original purpose, and into curious and often comical sculptural pieces. The exhibit runs through July 26 at which time there will be a closing party, and is located at 184 East 123rd St. and Euclid Ave. Visit http://www.sculpturecenter.org for more details.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Carol Drummond carolATdrummonddesign.com

Raul Malo @ Beachland Ballroom 6/6 I went back in my notes to when I last reviewed Raul Malo at the Beachland in October of 2007, and I said to myself how can he top the show he gave that night? But after watching last Friday’s show, I can tell you how… bring a two piece (trumpet and sax) horn section, and have the show on a hot summer Friday night, when the beers where going down and the audience wasn’t going to be content to sit and listen to too many romantic ballads. In front of a SRO crowd that included everyone from children to grandparents, the former lead singer of the Mavericks put on another amazing show to remember…
Read more from Greg Cielec here

Using his new horn section to bring the tempo of the concert up a couple on notches, Maul again mixed the show with old Maverick tunes, some new originals, songs from his solo albums, and a couple of covers that he has made his own. When he sang a ballad, you could hear a pin drop. When he turned it up a couple of notches with his own unique Latin swing country sound, people were up dancing along.

Amongst the Maverick highlights were “Every Little Thing About You” and “Here Comes My Happiness Again” which he opened the show with; and “All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down” which was his first encore. The Latin flavored songs included a great version of “Love Me Forever and Let my Dreams Come True,” featuring the new horn section and sung mostly in Spanish with the last verse in English. The best of the new songs was a ballad he performed solo “Just Because”; and amongst the covers were J.D. Souther’s “Only the Lonely” and Van Morrison’s “Bright Side of the Road,” which was the last encore.

I’ll say what I say every time I see him, Raul Malo is on his way to some big things. For more information on Malo and his music visit http://www.raulmalo.com. It was another great night of music at the Beachland which has a lot of good things on tap this summer including in June alone local favorites the Numbers Band on the 14th; country legends Junior Brown on the 21st and Wanda Jackson on the 28th; and Shooter Jennings on the 26th. For more info on these and all other Beachland events visit http://www.beachlandballroom.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Pangs of the Messiah @ JCC 6/7 The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland presented a staged reading of award-winning contemporary Israeli playwright Motti Lerner’s script, Pangs of the Messiah. This was a preview of the play which will be fully staged next season. The reading, directed by Cleveland Play House’s Seth Gordon, featured an excellent cast. And the play — as was obvious during the after-reading talk session — is going to incite much discussion within the community. It is a probing script which is filled with words, not on-stage actions. And the words are incendiary.

The interactions center on what may happen, in the near future, when a peace treaty with the Palestinians, is about to be enacted. What will happen to those “settlers,” mostly ultra-religious Jews who live in Samaria, basically the northern part of the West Bank of the Jordan River. How will they respond? Will they be willing to give up what they think is the very heart of religious Israel for peace?

Visit http://www.clevejcc.org for more info.

Capsule judgement: Look for the staged version next year!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

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

1) This may be the best Cleveland baseball shirt of all time.
Shitleys.com

2) A Celebration of Art in the Offing Plotting Out Cle’s Art Festival Circuit
www.CoolCleveland.com

3) Can’t bear the thought of leaving your pets for a vacation? This innovative location solves your travel dilemma.
LittleRiverPetResort.com

4) All We Are Saying, Is Give Art a Chance Catherine Boyle, Executive Director of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
CoolCleveland.com

5) Eating local on a budget in NEO requires some creative genius.
NEOCreativeGenius.blogspot.com

Hot enough for ya? There are three seasons in Cleveland — July, Winter and Construction. But thanks to your friendly, neighborhood Hard Corps, it’s HOT all year long! Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Douglas O’Bryon, Ralph Solonitz, Claudia J. Taller, Mansfield B. Frazier, Kelly Ferjutz, Roldo Bartimole, Laura Kennelly, Greg Cielec, Linda Eisenstein and introducing Carol Drummond. And lastly, though certainly never least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. This episode has been brought to you by a back-up monitor, lemonade and the wading pool. 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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