07.10-07.17.2019 Local Love

07.10-07.17.19
Local Love

We unabashedly wear our hearts on our sleeves when we share our love for local talent, local festivals and local artists.

This time of year, there’s a lot of love to go around. Since 2012, LoveMuffinPalooza has teamed up with The Gathering Place, offering services for families impacted by cancer. The Berea Animal Rescue is spreading the love and breaking ground on a new facility. The Rock Hall is presenting national and local bands for free, outdoor on their plaza, including our heartthrobs, Vanity Crash.

CoolCleveland Video Correspondent Megan Alves drops another incredible VIDEO interview, this one with the indescribable Nate Puppets. And in this week’s CoolCLE PODCAST, J talks with author Erin O’Brien on her new book Rust Belt Burlesque with photog Bob Perkoski, and she samples new local music by Canton’s The Scenic Route and singer/songwriter Kevin Conaway.

We’re dancing in the streets once again as City Stages lands on W. 29th Street. Lakewood is in Meltdown mode all along Detroit. GardenWalk Cleveland pops up in seven Cleveland neighborhoods. Mansfield shares his love for his neighborhood Hough, and for The Daily Beast, but not so much for Major League Baseball. And guest commentator Paul Cusato is not digging the insufferable condition of the West Shoreway. Plus, we’re gearing up for the brand-new Cleveland Photo Fest, coming in September. Some love just can’t wait. –Thomas Mulready

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Photo by Rita Elswick IG:@elswickrita, courtesy Cleveland Photo Fest

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CoolCLE PODCAST #35: Rust Belt Burlesque with Erin O’Brien

On this episode, we have Erin O’Brien, co-author with photographer Bob Perkoski of a new book chronicling burlesque entertainment in Cleveland called Rust Belt Burlesque – The Softer Side of a Heavy Metal Town, which is out now. It traces the history of burlesque in Cleveland from the mid-1800s to the present day, while also telling the story of Bella Sin, a Mexican immigrant who largely drove Northeast Ohio’s neo-burlesque comeback.

And we have brand new music from Canton’s The Scenic Route and a track from singer/songwriter Kevin Conaway.

Cleveland Photo Fest Debuts in September

It’s getting harder and harder not to see the arts as a more significant definer of Cleveland than professional team sports. For one thing, they invite real input and participation from citizens beyond just cheering. And the burgeoning number of festivals showcasing art, dance, music and theater (the BorderLight Theatre + Fringe Festival is just a week away) showers us with cultural riches.

Joining them this fall is the first annual Cleveland Photo Fest 9/1-10/30. Conceived and overseen by three area photographers, Jim Szudy, Laura D’Alessandro and Herb Ascherman, it will take place in partnership with a variety of NE Ohio venues, including Ingenuity Fest. This week, we give you a preview.

SPONSORED: Do you have a story to tell? Don’t know how or where to begin? Maybe an experienced published author/editor/proofreader can help you – from putting the first words on paper, to putting the printed book in your hands! Fiction or non-fiction. There are various ways to accomplish this. Please send phone number as well as e-mail address to: BookMechanic@gmail.com.

Musicians Give Back at LoveMuffinPalooza

For more than a decade, local musician Adam Rich has slogged away, presenting his annual multi-evening LoveMuffinPalooza festivals of local bands. Since 2012, he’s partnered with The Gathering Place, which offers services to people and families impacted by cancer. “I think everyone knows someone who has passed from cancer or has cancer,” he says.

This year, the concerts feature 10 bands and take place at the BOP STOP Sat 7/13 and Brothers Lounge Sun 7/14. They’ll feature a record 45 raffle prizes. Despite the challenges of wrangling bands, venues & donors, Rich believes in his mission and says, “I plan to keep doing this until I die or am physically unable. I’ll be the 75-year-old guy in the wheelchair or with a walker and probably still playing in some sort of a band at LoveMuffinPalooza.”

SPONSORED: Lakewood Arts Festival on Sat 8/3 from 10AM to 6PM. On one glistening summer day each year, Lakewood hosts a juried arts festival with 180 regional/national artists, drawing 15,000 collectors and festival-goers. Founded in 1978, the Festival is one of Lakewood’s favorite traditions, funding scholarship and grant programs for Lakewood based arts education programs. Join us! LakewoodArtsFest.org

Reclaiming a Racist Narrative Through Puppets

Some creators are so unique, they deserve a second look. Nate Puppets, featured in Nicole Hennessy’s 2018 CoolCleveland article, is a puppeteer, writer, cartoonist and the undisputed master of his Underground World.

Surrounded by a sea of his plush, psychedelic creations, Nate performs some of his most beloved characters, including Rickety Rat, a gonzo spoof of his famous, and profoundly more wholesome Floridian cousin (#VoteRicktyRat). Nate also opens up to us about his latest project, which deals with the profound themes of race and the history of entertainment in America. Watch the video here.

The good news keeps coming for northeast Ohio’s abandoned, neglected and homeless animals. On the heels of the opening of the Cleveland Kennel’s expansive new facility in the Cudell neighborhood in May comes the news that Berea Animal Rescue is breaking ground this week on its new facility which has been in the planning stages for several years. Its first stage is expected to be ready by year’s end. Join them for the groundbreaking Thu 7/11.

In the last two week, Cleveland’s music community has lost two of its most iconic members. Mike Belkin, of the legendary Belkin Brothers concert promotion team and manager of the Michael Stanley Band, died June 26 at the age of 83. And former Rolling Stone editor and Rock Hall curator Jim Henke passed away July 8 at age 65.

Summer in the City, the Rock Hall’s free concert series outdoors on its plaza, starts this week with two female-fronted bands: Nashville’s Soccer Mommy and Cleveland’s Heavenly Creatures on Wed 7/17. There’s food and a beer garden too. We’re already psyched for our heartthrobs Vanity Crash next Fri 7/19 from 5-7PM, for the Rock Hall’s Sun Sets series, which will be broadcast live on WKYC-TV5.

* F is for Fun at the Blazing River Freedom Band’s next concert at Tremont’s Pilgrim Church. Sat 7/13.

* Frolic to Zydeco from Akron’s Mo’Mojo at on the lawn at Lake View Cemetery’s Garfield Memorial. Sun 7/14.

* If you want to hear the Cleveland Orchestra but don’t want to drive to Blossom, they’ll be playing Mahler and Beethoven at Summers @ Severance. Fri 7/12.

WED 7/10
We’ll be dancing in the streets of Ohio City again when the City Stages global music concerts return to their original location in front of the Transformer Station with Niger’s Tal National.

* Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Detroit-Shoreway kicks off its 93rd Italian festival today, which runs through Sun 7/14.

Click here for more events on Wed 7/10

THU 7/11
The Tall Ships are back, and for four days, Clevelanders will have the chance to see, tour & learn about these re-recreations of historic sailing vessels, and take in a nautical-themed festival village on the lakefront, through Sun 7/14.

* The Laramie Project at the Akron Civic Theatre recalls a tragic, transformative event. Through Sat 7/13.

* The Cure concert film opens Cleveland Cinemas’ summer rock film series.

* Yards Projects’ Fresh Air showcases work made outdoors by local artists.

Click here for more events on Thu 7/11

FRI 7/12
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s annual Birds, Beasts, Brats & Beer party helps fund its Perkins Wildlife Center. And the best part is that guests will get to interact with some of residents of the center, including the otters Linus, Calvin and Hobbes.

* Get splattered at Blank Canvas Theatre’s new show The Toxic Avenger. Through Sat 7/27.

* The Transformer Station hosts a reception for its new group photo show I Sing the Body, on view through Sun 9/29.

* Tom at the Farm at convergence-continuum deals with the lies people tell to survive. Through Sat 8/3.

* Country songwriter Gretchen Peters performs at Oberlin’s Riverdog Barn.

* Cain Park Arts Fest returns for the 42nd year. Through Sun 7/14.

Click here for more events on Fri 7/12

SAT 7/13
Lakewood Summer Meltdown is a huge block party in downtown Lakewood, with loads of food, a beer garden, live music, a skateboard park, exercise demonstrations, the popular “Water Moose” sprinkler (make sure the kids wear swim suits!) and even a 5K.

* Morgan Conservatory hosts outdoor farm-to-table benefit in its garden.

* Unravel the confusion around medical marijuana at the Ohio Cannabis Health Summit.

* Check out gardens & green spaces in seven Cleveland neighborhoods at GardenWalk Cleveland. Also tomorrow.

* Everyone can fish – and learn about healthy water – at Family Fishing Day at Rockefeller Park Lagoon.

* The Cleveland Flea returns for its two-day summer event at Tyler Village, Also tomorrow.

* The Cleveland Orchestra offers a triple hit of Russian music at Blossom Music Center.

* St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral shares its culture & food at two-day SerbFest. Also tomorrow.

* La Bastille party raises money for EDWINS’ training programs for people returning. from prison.

* Pioneer and contemporary times mingle at Hale Farm & Village’s Music in the Valley Folk and Wine Festival.

* New local handmade market the Hootenanny debuts at Crocker Park.

Click here for more events on Sat 7/13

SUN 7/14
At one time, France was virtually synonymous with fashion. Rich women made voyages to Paris for their wardrobes, and what was made there influenced what was sold here. The new exhibit at the Cleveland History Center, Si Jolie, tells the story of Paris’ influence on Cleveland. It open with a garden party today.

* Pioneer Days at Frostville Museum re-create 19th century life.

Click here for more events on Sun 7/14

MON 7/15
Karamu has a summer film series going on, showing classic Spike Lee films. Tonight, it’s 1990’s Mo Better Blues, with Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes, the story of the travails of a group of jazz musicians. There’s a bar available, and live music following the screening.

* A mainstay in Little Italy, La Dolce Vita serves classic Italian pastas along with pizzas. And on periodic Monday nights, it also serves up opera along with food, as singers regale patrons with popular arias.

Click here for more events on Mon 7/15

TUE 7/16
How’s Cleveland doing in the air quality department? And how does that impact the health of its citizens? The questions will shape the discussion at the free outdoor City Club forum on Public Square called “Air: Breathing Life into Tomorrow”.

* Cleveland Orchestra musicians play chamber concert at Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Happy Days Lodge.

Click here for more events on Tue 7/16

WED 7/17
The Musical Theatre Project is known for its programs that feature the great pop songs and theater music of the 20th century. But their “For Good: The New Generation of Musicals” programs shines a light on 21st-century musicals. They present Volume 4 tonight at Cain Park.

* Singer/songwriter/guitarist Gretchen Pleuss performs a lunchtime concert at the Worthington Yards courtyard for Warehouse Wednesdays.

Click here for more events on Wed 7/17

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Enduring Three-Plus Years of West Shoreway Construction

“Many Clevelanders have by now visited the renovated Edgewater Beach Park,” says Cleveland resident Paul Cusato. “No one can deny that since the Cleveland Metroparks has taken over the management of the park, it has been elevated to a standard that is now nationally recognized.”

The downside, he tells us, is the delayed work on the West Shoreway that runs along Edgewater Park. “Every day I drive the Shoreway and every day I look over at the lake, seeing what the beach and the park have developed into, and I say to myself ‘This is why I live here!’ Now I avoid looking over because I have to look through brown scraggly trees. Weeds. Dead things. And I’m sad to see it all. We’ve endured years of inconvenience while anticipating our boulevard and we have been slapped in the face…”

Who Speaks for Hough?

Since my residence will be a mere three houses from the Cleveland Foundation’s new home, I suppose one could say that I’m a part of the community, but I don’t recall anyone reaching out to me or anyone else in Hough to discuss this issue. However, I did hear that the dissidents were collecting signatures in front of the Cleveland Heights Public Library…

* Kudos to The Daily Beast When the news of Epstein’s arrest ran in The New York Times, The Beast was given its credit and due. While other newsgathering organizations from Miami back to New York have more staff and deeper pockets, evidently no one at these organizations had the sense of outrage…

* MLB, Still Racist In spite of the fact players of color are saving the sorry asses of baseball team owners around the country, they still won’t stop their events managers from engaging in racist practices. While I don’t normally watch baseball, I decided to watch the Home Run Derby that was part of All-Star Week and it didn’t take long for me to regret my decision….

Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here