Flux

05.27-06.03.09
Flux

In this week’s issue:

Now is the time to take stock of what Cleveland has to offer. The country is in flux, the economy is in evolution, and our 4-season weather is in a brilliant transition. To help you keep up, Cool Cleveland has hand-picked just a few of the coolest things to do this week, sweetened with some video highlights and insightful features. Clevelander Dee Hoty is a major Broadway star returning home in triumph, CSU’s Imad Rahman inspires NEO writers, breakout band This Is A Shakedown impresses our editor, plus a video of last week’s Greek Fest, and a listing of upcoming Greek Festivals taking you through the season. For a limited time, we offer Cool Cleveland readers an exclusive 2-4-1 discount (see below for code) on tix to the Big Cool Cats Music Fest at Cain Park on 6/20. Plus you’ll find letters, reviews, listings and news to keep you in blissful metamorphosis. Have at it, Cleveland. –Thomas Mulready

For a limited time, Cool Cleveland readers can get 2-4-1 tix

I-Tal is a name well-known to Northeast Ohio music followers from the late 1970’s and into the 1990’s. Originally featuring two native Jamaicans, one of whom, Kingston-born George Gordon, who knew Bob Marley, suggested the band’s name, I-Tal, from the patois for “vital” or “natural,” like what the body does when it hears reggae. I-Tal will be featured in a rare performance at the Big Cool Cats Music Festival on June 20 at Cain Park.

Use discount code BCC50 to receive your BOGO ticket offer here, exclusive to Cool Cleveland readers.

Leader Dave Smeltz, interviewed here by Big Cool Cats Music Festival organizer Thomas Mulready, was tuned into a wide range of music: Hendrix, James Brown, The Grateful Dead, John McLaughlin. The band got bigger and eventually disbanded, spawning top acts such as First Light and Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band, and now I-Tal only makes special reunion appearances, like the one at the Big Cool Cats fest on June 20 at Cain Park. For a limited time, you can receive 2-4-1 discount tickets to the Big Cool Cats Music Festival, by inserting discount code BCC50 when you check out at http://www.BigCoolCats.com

To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list. Learn More.

Sweet Pop-Up City video trailer eschews quick edits for creativity & emotion. Watch
HOT GREEN Are you hip to LocalFoodCleveland.com? If not, ya better click here
Did you miss it? Photos from Cleveland Fashion Week by James Koorey here
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake expands popular kids “Grape Camp” and the fun details are here
Ruth Chakerian, beloved mother of CC editor Peter Chakerian passed away and we are deeply saddened. Memorial

CWRU Study Needs Recruits Women are being recruited to participate in the Study of Pregnancy and Fertility to learn more about pregnancy and fertility decisions among women living in the Cle area. Women between the ages of 20 and 45 are eligible for this short online survey and may click here to participate. This research is being carried out by researchers in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. For additional info, call 368-8960.

Contact your Ohio Senator and urge them to continue to support the $25 million request for the Ohio Arts Council (out of the $56 billion budget). The multiplier effect of investment in the arts means that $25 million stimulates the $25 billion that the creative industries contribute to the Ohio economy annually, according to the study Ohio’s Arts: A Foundation of Innovation, Creativity and Economic Strength found here. Find your Senator by clicking here.

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.

HOT Decade of Dreams The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) will present its 10th annual All-City Musical, A Decade of Dreams, Fri 5/29 – Sun 5/31. This is an unforgettable collection of inspired musical theater with over 60 talented CMSD students in scenes from the last nine years of All-City Musicals including Little Shop of Horrors, Once On This Island, The Wiz, West Side Story and more. Special benefit performance this Sat 5/30. Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare Center. Tickets here. Learn more: http://www.DecadeOfDreams.org.

TrueNorth Symphony doing Peter & The Wolf on Sat 5/30 at 7:30PM at the French Creek Nature Center in Sheffield Village, part of TrueNorth Cultural Arts, http://www.tncarts.org.

Bark in the Park & DockDogs This year’s Clay’s Park festival Bark in the Park [pictured] hosts the high-flying DockDogs World Qualifier for the World Championships! Experience the fastest growing sport for canines in North America during three days of camping, contests, food and family fun starting Fri 5/29. Of course, dogs on a leash are welcome! A “Strut Your Mutt” dress-up your dog contest, “Best Pet Photo Contest” and a “Pooch Parade” make up the remaining attractions. Information on camping, schedules and contests at http://www.ClaysPark.com.

Journey to Tomorrow The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, in partnership with NASA’s Glenn Research Center, brings the excitement of space exploration to the Museum with this limited-time interactive environment — packed with hands-on activities and digital learning stations. The exhibition will be offered Sat 5/30 and Sun 5/31 from 10AM – 4PM. Access to the exhibit is included with paid Museum admission or Museum membership. Details at http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.

HOT XainGO! FLM and todd v present this exposition of art + dance + theatre Sun 5/31 at 4PM and 8PM. Looking for an exciting show for the whole family? This fast-paced, exciting show features celebrity artist “todd v” creating a series of large scale paintings — live on stage — and all set to modern, heart-pounding music and surrounded by a team of wild dancers choreographed by Robin Dolan! Sounds like amazing fun! http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org. http://www.XainGO.com.

Brother Charlie McElroy knew that there was a lot of state & city grant money available for area businesses to support green renovations- $170M focused on energy efficiency issues alone. And Brother Charlie knew that 80% of his students at John Carroll University have to pay for all their college expenses with no family support. He developed College Interns for Energy Efficiency to help local manufacturers with green renovations and improve their energy efficiency, and at the same time help raise money for scholarship programs for his students, who are often burdened with tremendous debt.

After approaching the Civic Innovation Lab and receiving funding and mentorship to pursue his program, Brother Charlie gained the benefit of professional resources, advice, connections and exposure for his fledgling program. To discover how your program might benefit from Civic Innovation Lab funding and mentorship, and to learn more, visit http://www.CivicInnovationLab.org

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

HOT Best Cities for New Graduates? Yep, Cleveland is ranked 5th on the list! Read HOT Cleveland Fed sez root problem of Ohio foreclosures is not subprime lending, but over-lending. Six of one, half-dozen of the other

AMPLIFY Luncheon feat. Joe Roman of Greater Cleveland Partnership and focuses on new and current development projects in NEO Wed 5/27. Details here
Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders What’s the role of Generations X and Y in advancing the success — and sustainability — of your organization? Find out Tue 6/2 at 8AM. Register: 440-525-7116 or click here
Show Me the Money: Deal Making Strategies in a Tight Economy is the latest “Ideas at Dawn” biz breakfast Thu 6/11 at 7:30AM @ Ritz-Carlton. Registration
Creating Brand Ambassadors within Your Board & Staff This BVU event hits Fri 6/26 at 9AM Learn more

Linda Chavez-Thompson Cleveland Jobs with Justice holds their 12th Annual Spring Celebration featuring keynote speaker Chavez-Thompson, Executive Vice President, Emerita, AFL-CIO, this Wed 5/27 from 12:30 – 2:30PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 777 St. Clair Ave. Call 440-333-7007. Tickets/sponsorship info at http://www.ClevelandJWJ.org/spring2009.html.

Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders What’s the role of Generation X and Y in advancing the success of your organization? How can you attract this important demographic and help nurture the next generation of leaders? fIND OUT Tue 6/2 starting at 8AM. Networking and sign-in begin at 7:30AM. Lakeland Community College, Main Campus 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland. Call 440-525-7117 or visit http://www.LakelandCC.edu/nonprofit.

Have you ever seen the inside of a massive data center? Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready interviewed FIT Technology’s VP of Technology right inside the ideastream data center, where all the Internet, IT, television, radio, and business technology for WCPN, WVIZ, and FIT Technology data is housed.

With many businesses looking for ways to improve their services while improving their bottom line, FIT Technology offers the opportunity to outsource critical IT functions to raise the quality of service while lowering cost. http://www.FITtechnologies.net

SPONSORED: A think tank for your new ideas MAGNET’s Product Design & Development team works with clients who want to improve profitability by developing exciting new products for the industrial, consumer and medical marketplace. Our award-winning engineers, world-class facility and extensive network of industry experts can successfully guide you through the entire product development cycle. http://www.Magnetpdd.org.

The Greek Heritage Festival in Tremont over Memorial Day weekend is the largest, but one of many in our region: 6/6: St. Haralambos, Canton; 7/16: St. Paul, N. Royalton; 7/18: St. Demetrios, Rocky River; 8/19: Holy Trinity, Canton; 8/20: Sts. Constantine & Helen, Cle Hts; 9/15: Annuniciation, Akron; 9/25: St. Nicholas, Lorain.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, is visible from the Innerbelt bridge on W. 14th Street in Tremont, with its silver domes. What has to be tasted to be believed is the homemade Greek food that people wait in long lines to taste: Moussaka (eggplant), Pastichio (pasta), Plaki, Soujoukakia (beef & pork), Lamb Shank, Smelts, Greek Style Green Beans & Potatoes, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Spanikopita (pastry dough with spinach), Calamari, Souvlaki (lamb shish kebab), and the famous Leg of Lamb. And then there’s the desserts: Baklava, Finikia, Loukoumathes, and Galaktoboureko (look ’em up yourself).

Watch the video, full of Greek dancing and revelry, with students in authentic costume carrying on the traditions, plus a flea market, a boutique, a healthy sampling of Greek beer & Ouzo and fabulous music by Stigma Band, all captured on this video. One question: how did they get Billy Joel to play the Bouzouki? Opa! http://www.AnnunciationCleveland.org

SPONSORED: Everybody dance now! Registration is now open for The Dancing Wheels Company & School summer intensive training programs. Dancers, dance instructors and choreographers will have the opportunity to train in this unique dance form that has global appeal. Master instructors Mark Tomasic, Lisa Lock, Kristen Stilwell and Mary Verdi-Fletcher will offer a wide range of classes that are open to those with mixed abilities. Join us for our Adult Workshop (June 15-20) and our Youth Workshop (June 22-27) For more information or to register, call 216.432.0306 or email proflair3@aol.com. http://www.DancingWheels.org

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Poetry Back in the Woods Poets Cavana Faithwalker and Kisha Foster, read their original poetry, and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones reads from his works, this Wed 5/27 from 7 – 8PM at the Bertram Woods Branch, 20600 Fayette Rd., Shaker Heights. Call 991-2421 or learn more here.

Our Own Backyard: Terrorism in Northeast Ohio Hear the inside story from law enforcement officials who have investigated local plots/ weapons caches, groups and other terrorist activity in our community Wed 5/27 at 7PM at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood. Speakers include United States Marshal Peter J. Elliott and bomb expert, retired Police Chief Edward Kovacic. Moderated by Eric Wellman, host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Part of the Maltz’s Enemy Within programming and exhibition. http://www.MaltzJewishMuseum.org.

Maintain Your Brain Learn how with Kerry Lanigan, a care consultant with the Cleveland area Alzheimer’s Association, presents lifestyle and nutritional advice and strategies for all ages to help keep your memory sharp. The program will be held at 7PM this Wed 5/27 at Shaker Library, located at 16500 Van Aken Boulevard. Call 991-2030 for details. http://www.ShakerLibrary.org.

HOT Michael Ruhlman The Cleveland native and culinary expert (not to mention arch-nemesis of Anthony Bourdain in the Cleveland episode of Bourdain’s No Reservations) signs and discusses Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking on Thu 5/28 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst. The scribe of 12 books, including the bestselling The Making of a Chef and The French Laundry Cookbook, Ruhlman is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and Gourmet Magazine. And if you’re not following Ruhlman’s blog, you’re missing out: http://blog.Ruhlman.com. 24519 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

Wild Urban Transparent watercolor artist Mary Lou Ferbert brings her observations of new life and regeneration in the city to the Old Stone Church in downtown for an exhbition that runs through the end of August [pictured]. Wild Urban “speaks loudly of the world’s ability to reclaim its original beauty in spite of our efforts to dominate and engineer our environment.” Striking images of everyday objects juxtapose hope for the city. Check out the opening reception Fri 5/29 from 5 – 7PM at Old Stone Church, 91 Public Square. Call 241-6145 or visit http://www.OldStoneChurch.org.

HELP Beech Ball Beech Brook’s own “Blues Brothers” are on a mission: to raise $90K for children and families at their Beech Ball Fri 5/29 at 6:30PM the House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave. Under the leadership of Honorary Chairman Bruce H. Akers and Co-chairmen Harry “Elwood” Holmes and Art “Joliet Jake” Treuhaft, this Blues Brothers-inspired evening of dinner, music, dancing, auctions and more supports Beech Brook’s mental health programs for troubled and at-risk children and teens. Call 831-2255 for tix. http://www.BeechBrook.org.

HOT Object Lesson & On the Other Side This Fri 5/29 from 5 – 8PM, Cleveland State University’s Art Gallery hosts an opening reception for this ready-made or found object assemblage exhibition by Joan “of Art” Deveney, Timothy Haas and Nick R. Square. This show marks the first major local exhibit that Joan of Art has participated in since her TRUE ART Gallery robbery and bad car accident, both occuring last year. The main gallery’s exhibition On The Other Side includes paintings and sculptures by four artists — Tracy Heneberger, Kam Shun Lee, Yong Han and doubling as curator, Andrzej Siwkienwicz. There will be a gallery discussion Sat 5/30 at 2PM. 2307 Chester Ave. Call 687-2103. http://www.CSUohio.edu/artgallery/.

HELP Strike Out Illiteracy! Did you know Cleveland has a 69% illiteracy rate? Easy to take for granted, even when merely reading CC every week. Local org Seeds of Literacy provides no cost, one-to-one tutoring in basic education and GED testing to adults in Cuyahoga County and they need (y)our help. The only adult literacy program in the county to be nationally accredited by ProLiteracy America hosts a benefit at Fairview Lanes, 21847 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park. Bowl, nosh and help out. Call 661-7950 or visit http://www.SeedsOfLiteracy.org. Details are here.

GREEN A Pestival Join the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for their 4th Annual Pestival — a cocktail reception featuring creative cuisine made with Garlic Mustard, the invasive, edible species pulled from the Nature Center’s grounds each year. Chefs Sergio Abramof (Sergio/Sarava), Ben Bebenroth (Spice of Life Caterers), Dante Boccuzzi (Dante), Scott Kim (SaSa) and John Pistone (J. Pistone) serve up the tasty good Sat 5/30 from 6 – 9PM. Desserts from A Cookie & A Cupcake and Mularo’s Gourmet Ice Cream. Call 321-5935 or click here to reserve your tickets.

HOT Cleveland Fine Art Expo hits the Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus Fri 5/29, Sat 5/30 and Sun 5/31, celebrating its 10th anniversary as Cleveland’s “only large-scale arts & cultural event,” featuring Paul Goodnight [pictured], Walter Beasley and others. It’s family-friendly, no-cost, open to the public and full of cool things for all to take in. 4250 Richmond Rd., Highland Hills. Call 541-2787 or visit http://www.ClevelandFineArtExpo.com for details.

HOT Rock and Roll Benefit for Robin Stone Check out the live tunes from Jason Meyers, Mediocres, Seeking Asylum, Attack Cat and others Sat 5/30 at the Hi-Fi, 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. The concert is in support of Stone, a singer/songwriter and recent “Best Vocalist” of 2009 award winner, who was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Disease/ Syndrome and a partially paralyzed voice box due to a cyst. Proceeds will help defray Stone’s medical bills. For more info on the benefit, please call Theresa at 235-3669. http://www.MySpace.com/TheHiFiConcertClub. http://www.SheLovesYouRecords.com.

Vegan Chili Rumble Cook-Off Who’s got the best chili? This even looks to settle the score, all while offering a supercool “fun(d)raiser” for our Virgie Ezelle’s Salon des Refuses gallery/ community arts space and Green Scouts Summer Workshops. Both are gearing up for summer; can you “take the heat”? An Alexander Hamilton scores you all you can eat and a shot at some prizes; should make your Sat 5/30 from noon – 4PM a lot more fun. Let It Bee Garden, 1387 East Blvd.Email nsarnelleATgmail.com for details.

Hail to the Chefs Clevelanders have had their fair share of cabin fever this year; with the weather finally breaking, the city of Hudson is inviting all of us to a premier gala Sat 5/30 from 7 – 11PM to showcase chefs who will be participating in this year’s “Taste of Hudson” festival. The event hits the Hudson Library and Historical Society; proceeds benefit the Safe Kids Coalition of Summit County and other local charities. Guests will enjoy an outdoor wine and beer tasting garden, a showcase of culinary offerings, a coffee and dessert station, silent auction and live music. Tickets by reservation only: http://www.TasteOfHudson.com.

SPONSORED: This Sat 5/30, WCLV 104.9 FM wraps up this season of live broadcasts of The Cleveland Orchestra’s Saturday night concerts with Franz and the band presenting Mahler’s Symphony No. 6, “Tragic.” One of the most ethusiastic audience responses at Severance this season was to the Azul Concerto Cello with Alisa Weilerstein as soloist. That program gets its first airing on WCLV on Sun 5/31 at 4PM. Even if you don’t like much contemporary music, you’ll like this. WCLV program details at http://www.WCLV.com.

HOT XainGO! FLM and todd v present this exposition of art + dance + theatre Sun 5/31 at 4PM and 8PM. Looking for an exciting show for the whole family? This fast-paced, exciting show features celebrity artist “todd v” creating a series of large scale paintings — live on stage — and all set to modern, heart-pounding music and surrounded by a team of wild dancers choreographed by Robin Dolan! Sounds like amazing fun! http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org. http://www.XainGO.com.

GREEN Joe Outlaw’s Walk for the Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market Part demonstration, part parade, part appreciation for local Cleveland food, this 30-year resident of the neighborhood is rocking a fun family-friendly event Sun 5/31 at 9AM at West 168th St and Lorain Ave! We’d tell you more, but honestly, Joe Outlaw says it all best here.

GREEN Edible Plant Walk On Sun 5/31 at 11AM, naturalist Tom Laskowski will take you into an urban setting to search for the edible plants that we’ve been stepping over/on for many years. Meet at the Glass Bubble Project (a destination in and of itself) for some local snacks and local food smarts, then hit a hidden-away trail smack dab in the middle of C-Town! After the walk, it’s back to Glass Bubble for more eating and talking. The class will last approximately three hours; wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Glass Bubble Project, 2421 Bridge Ave. (directly behind West Side Market). Contact Stephanie Richards planetorganics@aol.com or 324-2073 for reservations.http://www.OffTheGridInSuburbia.com

“txt-ing”: the tenth Oddyfest show This month, the “Oddyfest” goes intertextual; during two odd Wednesdays (Wed 6/3 and Wed 6/17) the engaging stage program investigates texts and texting in this postmodern world. Both shows start at 7:30PM (doors open at 7:15) at Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights. Warning: this is “Rated F for bombtastic for language” (their words, not ours). Email oddyfestATgmail.com or call 926-8641 for info/details.

Let’s Talk Art & Architecture in Cleveland This joint lecture with Steven Litt and Philip Wasserstrom offers some insight into the happenings on Cleveland’s skyline — including the highly polarizing topics of the Medical Mart and the Convention Center. Check out what promises to be a lively conversation Wed 6/3 at 7:30PM at the home of Katie & Michael Shames (there’s a limit 35 guests). Tix: contact Bonnie Marks at bmarksATclevejcc.org or call 593-6201.

Dave Marsh The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum welcomes the music critic and SIRIUS XM radio host for the Museum’s monthly program From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits on Wed 6/3 at 7PM in the Museum’s 4th Floor Theater. Marsh will be interviewed by Dr. Lauren Onkey, VP of Education at the Rock Hall. Audience Q&A follows the interview. Email edu@rockhall.org or call 515-8426 to RSVP. No cost, open to the public.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Love You More Than You Know
Janie Reinart and Mary Anne Mayer
Gray & Company, Publishers

Reading this book of essays written by 45 mothers whose sons and daughters chose to enlist in the United States Armed Forces is an exercise in compassion, awe and empathy. And coming off a Memorial Day weekend, this collection carries the engaging emotional weight even further.

Janie Reinart and Mary Anne Mayer collected the stories of women unprepared to watch their boys and girls leave childhood behind to become soldiers and protectors. In the process the mothers turned to others like themselves for understanding and support, to their equally unprepared family members and to their spiritual faith for sustenance and hope…

Read more from Gloria Hanson here

False Promise

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
–Bob Dylan, Forever Young

How can two of America’s brightest, most revered, and obviously caring men be so right… and so wrong, at the same instance?

Colin Powell and Bill Cosby were in town last week, courtesy of America’s Promise Alliance to remind us of the continued failure of Cleveland’s schools. They’re doing a U.S. tour, so don’t think that it’s just Cleveland schools that are doing badly (you know that we have this deep-seated inferiority complex) Unfortunately, the drop-out rate hasn’t improved under Eugene Sanders’ watch, and, despite promises of new initiatives and schemes to impact on the problem, it’s probably not going to improve enough to make a significant difference…

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

Meet Dee Hoty
Local Celeb Makes it BIG and Pays Back

What do Lakewood, Ohio, Mama Mia, Tony Award nominations, The Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Richard Oberlin, B. Neil Davis, Higbees, Clinique and the Cleveland Play House’s Annual Gala all have in common? The answer is Dee Hoty. Hoty, a native of Lakewood, who graduated from the local high school in 1970, is now a major Broadway star. And fortunately for all of us, she’s headed back our way.

In a recent telephone interview, Hoty credited then Lakewood drama director B. Neil Davis and choral director Ulah Gilmore with infecting her with the theatre bug. She also shared that being the youngest child in her family inspired her to be an out-going, get attention type of kid. Her local roots are still present as her mother lives in Rocky River. Her dad, who is deceased, will be remembered for operating J.D. Hoty’s, a well known steak house on West 6th and Superior…

Read more from Roy Berko here

Imagination and Inspiration
CSU’s Imad Rahman Aims to Inspire NEO

Imad Rahman wants to inspire Northeast Ohio writers. As the director of Cleveland State University’s Creative Writing Program and the Imagination Writers’ Conference, he can definitely supply the inspiring environment. Since 1990, the Imagination Conference has brought together students of writing with regionally and nationally established writers for five days of workshops, craft talks, and readings.

From its inception through 2008, the conference was run by Dr. Neal Chandler, who was well known to just about everyone in the regional literary community. Rahman has ably filled what to some might be uncomfortably large shoes and has started to put his mark on the conference — one which is right around the corner…

Read more from Susan Petrone here

Love Kills
This is a Shakedown
Reversed Image Unlimited

Back in 1989, Trent Reznor tapped into a cultural zeitgeist with his full-length debut release Pretty Hate Machine. Under the moniker nine inch nails, Reznor melded cold technology, sweaty decadance and a royal flush of musical influence. He put the “I” in industrial and the purest feeling (natch) this reviewer felt hearing Machine has come back in the dirty-sexy dance menagerie that is This is a Shakedown. The quartet’s steamy, smoldering electro-pop may owe a debt of gratitude to Reznor, but it has an identity and approach that is all its own. Multi-platinum award-winning producer/engineer Michael Seifert (Tori Amos, Fountains of Wayne) and producer/ engineer Sean Beavan (NIN, Marilyn Manson, System of a Down) channel TIAS into an impressive-beyond-measure debut, Love Kills.

Charging out of the Cle scene last year, Brandon Zano (vocals/ guitar), Daniel Lee (bass/ synths), Stephen Nicholson (drums), and Justin Nyilas (keyboards/ programming) energize with a dizzying blend of industrial, techno, goth-metal, punk rock, R&B, and dance music. But it’s not a Cuisinart approach; all the elements stand alone and together exquisitely well. Tracks like the intense “Can’t Stop,” “You Make Me Wanna” and “Circles” (an instant classic) remind this reviewer of the energy and spirit of those early NIN shows at the Phantasy in Lakewood. As for the title track and the brilliant cover of Sinatra’s “My Funny Valentine”? Worth the price of admission alone.

Sounds interesting? Check out This is a Shakedown this Thu 5/28 at 9PM at the Beachland Ballroom. The band celebrates the release of Love Kills with a CD release party. Special guests Kickdrums, Terry Urban and Kosher Kutz open the show. Admission includes a free CD! Visit the band online at http://www.MySpace.com/ThisIsAShakedown. Visit the Beachland at http://www.BeachlandBallroom.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

Political Laugh In at City Hall
Plus: PD Cuts Time, Pay and Much More

The three Cuyahoga County Commissioners date at City Council on the Med Mart/Convention Center became a laugh and love in this past Monday, May 18. Nary was a contrary word could be heard. Tim Hagan started the discussion saying he was “delighted to be here” and nothing could have changed his mind as four City Council legislative committees “grilled” the Commissioner with banalities.

Commissioner Jimmy Dimora stroked the Council members as he addressed “this august body,” commending them for “all the good work you do in these difficult and challenging times.” Stop guffawing.

“Public service is very difficult,” he stroked and wished them “success in their re-election bids” this year. What that had to do with the business at hand no one knows. He made another inaudible joke about “wards and wallets” as Hagan jibed, “Let me disassociate myself.” Great comedic stuff…

Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Antaeus Dance @ Cleveland Public Theatre 4/30 Read more from Roy Berko here

Ohio Dance Theatre @ Cleveland Public Theatre 5/7 Read more from Roy Berko here

Alvin Ailey @ State Theatre 5/15 Read more from Roy Berko here

Rhys Miller @ Nighttown 5/19 Read more from Greg Cielec here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 5/24 Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Contemporary Youth Orchestra & Donnie Iris @ Lakewood Civic 5/24 Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Cool Cleveland readers write

All letters must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional).
Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

On tearing down the Howard Johnson’s hotel at E. 55th & Marginal Road (here):

That building would make an awesome residential/condo opportunity and what a spectacular view. I’m ready for the penthouse. Is the structure in such bad condition that it is irretrievable? The site is one example of what could be cool about Cleveland…

As a community, we need to be able to make distinctions and rally scarce resources when we can, distinguishing between “old and worth saving” versus “just old.” The Howard Johnson on the South Marginal Rd. has sat under utilized for decades. Theses building were put up all over the country and are not unique or particularly noteworthy to NE Ohio, even if they do, for some, trigger warm fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. If the owners haven’t found a productive re-use in thirty years, let’s start over…

On wedding photos on East 4th Street (here):

Just wanted to let you know that the picture of the wedding party under “Tech News” is my wedding!! That’s so cool!!! What a great choice of a photo! We had a blast shooting on East 4th. There’s something to be said for shooting downtown and being able to stop into bars for shots during the photo shoot. It definitely took the stuffy and boring out of stuffy boring wedding pictures…!

Read the Yr Turn letters here

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

1) Big Cool Cats Music Festival Just announced. Get 2-4-1 tix for limited time with discount code BCC50. Plus, watch band videos.
BigCoolCats.com

2) Grog Shop co-founder Matt Mugridge dies He “helped lure acts like Oasis, the Offspring and the Flaming Lips early in their career.”
TheDailySwarm.com

3) Best Cities for New Graduates? Yep, Cleveland is ranked 5th on the list!”
CNN.com

4) Oh, Now I Understand! There really are some good people working in the Department of Building & Housing.
CoolCleveland.com

5) Keeping up with the Gordon Square Arts District? If not, check out all the cool events on their site.
GordonSquare.org.

Sum of our parts We do what we do every week thanks to the tireless work of the Hard Corps. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Claudia J. Taller, Kelly Ferjutz, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Greg Cielec, Mansfield B. Frazier, Susan Petrone, Roldo Bartimole, Roy Berko and introducing Gloria Hanson. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. 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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