Individuality

10.31-11.7.07
Individuality

In this week’s issue:
* Party Celebrate yr individuality in Lake County
* Endorsements No on the Port Author renewal
* Forum Social media mavens share their experience
* Interview Eric Olsen of BlogCritics.org
* Interview Interdisciplinary Artist Natasha Lushetich
* Interview Managing Partner at Baker, Hostetler Hewitt Shaw
* BFD Reactions to questions raised in The Energy Construct
* Youngstown Buzz Urban Visionary Hunter Morrison
* Ingenious Steve Wood, Director, CH-UH Public Library System
* Interview Blogger George Nemeth
* Sounds Headspace from Stratospheerius
* Interview Writer, Musician David Budin
* Previews Martha Graham Dance PLUS American Music Masters
* Straight Outta Mansfield I Just Want to Testify
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here, and introducing Cool Cleveland Little Kids podcast click here

What does it mean to go your own way? The rebellious spirit is still alive, as Cool Cleveland presents our latest networking party (with open bar) on 11/14, with comp seating for The Spirit of Individuality Memorial Folk Festival. Reserve your spot today. Plus, with the click of a mouse, you can watch our exclusive video interviews with some of the most interesting individuals working in the region: Natasha Lushetich from Croatia creating interdisciplinary art; Hewitt Shaw, Managing Partner of Baker, Hostetler, managing an innovative partnership on the Cleveland Orchestra’s current world tour; YSU’s Hunter Morrison, rethinking how a region shrinks to become better; David Budin, the original folk music individualist reprising 1967; and a pair of vids with area bloggers Eric Olsen & George Nemeth, invading the BlogWorld convention Vegas with Jim Kukral and I to spread the good word on how Cleveland is a leader in social networking. Throw in a chat with Steve Wood of the CH-UH Library, Mansfield’s support of snitching, and a review of the latest Stratospheerius release, and you’ve got some righteous individuals making us all proud. —Thomas Mulready

CC Individuality Bash in Lake County 11/14
Super low $11.99 price until Thu 11/1 midnight here!

Grab a Partner or be an individual for an evening at the next CC gig when we invade Lake Erie College on Wed 11/14 at 5:30PM. Partake in a mouth-watering assortment of hors d’oeuvres from area eateries and open bar, surrounded by the College’s fine arts programs with samplings of their dance and theatrical performances.

Be an individual Get your folk groove on at the John Bassette & The Spirit of Individuality Memorial Folk Festival at 8PM featuring “Skinny Little Boy” Alex Bevan (“chase your women and drink your beer…”) and Tiny Alice, who will have you dancin’ your blues away.

More info & map can be found on the Party Page here. See photos and video of past parties here.

Take advantage of the low ticket price if you order by Midnight Thu 11/1 here.

You Get All This for $11.99:

Snag Your Discount Tix here by Midnight Thu 11/1: https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/111407/index.php

Vote NO on Port Authority levy renewal While the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has successfully migrated from managing our ports to making economic development investments using their quasi-governmental powers to float bonds, their board’s irresponsible spending, some of which has been curbed with reforms, and their mis-directed willingness to enforce eminent domain for the benefit of private developers, such as the recent case on the East Bank of the Flats on behalf of developer Scott Wolstein, thrown out by the courts, should raise enough questions in the minds of voters to send a strong message for the Port and their new CEO to better align their mission with the public good.

SPONSORED: Brand Development:: a rhyme from thunder::tech:: It starts with a logo–your company’s mark / Shown on the web or a sign in the park. / Email templates, a press release too, / Are only a few of the things that we do…Business cards help at networking events, / Just like stacks of brochures and some table tents. / Your name in the paper, a blog entry gets / Your brand out to readers, so no one forgets. We can help, so don’t drop the ball / Stop by the site, give us a call:: http://www.thundertech.com • 216.391.2255

Cool Cleveland goes to Vegas

Four Cleveland-based bloggers and social networking gurus have been invited to present featured sessions at the world’s largest blog convention, BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas on 11/8-9/07. Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland, Eric Olsen of Blog Critics, George Nemeth of Brewed Fresh Daily, and Jim Kukral of Ask The Blogger. To celebrate Northeast Ohio’s online leadership, Cleveland State University’s Nance College of Business is hosting a Meet The Bloggers forum in their auditorium, 1860 E. 18th St., Rm. 118, starting at 5:30PM on Thu 11/1. The public is invited, along with the area blog community and the media, to preview the Clevelanders’ Vegas presentations, and to engage in a community dialogue about our region’s leadership in the world of the Internet, blogging and social networking. Catch our video interview with Jim Kukral here. More details and map here. Register for this no-charge event here: http://www.coolcleveland.net/forums/110107/index.php

Eric Olsen
Blog Critics

Eric Olsen has accomplished what many feel was quite near impossible. He’s corralled over 2000 bloggers nationwide, akin to herding cats, allowing them to contribute dozens of daily reviews and commentary to his Blog Critics site, attracting over 2 million viewers each month. Covering topics such as books, music, culture, TV, film, sports, gaming, sci/tech, and politics, Blog Critics is part magazine, part media organization, and part social network. Their 50+ editors pull in over 240 RSS feeds, exemplifying the principles of citizen journalism, distributed content and link aggregation. Eric has a respected background in this town, publishing Networking In the Music Industry with Jim Clevo, and The Encyclopedia of Record Producers with Paul Verna and Carlo Wolff. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready catches Eric as he discusses his phenomenal online success and how he will preview his BlogWorld Vegas presentation at the Meet The Bloggers Forum on Thu 11/1 at 5:30PM at CSU. http://www.BlogCritics.org

Letters about Literature Children in grades 4 through 12 are invited to participate in a national reading-writing contest. To enter, kids must write a personal letter to an author (living or dead, from any genre) explaining how that author’s work changed their way of thinking about the world or themselves. Cash awards are given at national and state levels for winners in three groups: grades four through six, grades seven and eight, and grades nine through 12. Visit the website for official rules, participation guidelines, and an entry form. Letters must be postmarked by Fri 12/14 http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters.html.

The ABCs of Invention In three exhibitions (Art & Animation, Bubble Bonanza, and Cranks & Gadgets), young visitors to the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame in Akron can create flip page animation, mirror animation, and stop frame animation; experiment with bubble shapes and science; and play on the museum’s huge “K’NEX table” – then follow a treasure map through the museum in search of controls and gadgets. Check it out during regular museum hours Sat 11/3 and Sun 11/4. Reservations are recommended; exhibition runs through the end of November. [Call 330-849-6877 or visit http://www.invent.org for details.

HOT Anarchy in the Pre-K Wee lads and ladies are in for a real hoedown when Farmer Jason’s Kid’s Show, presented in conjunction with Arts Collinwood, kicks it at the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo this Sat 11/3 at 2PM in the Tavern. Snacks and crafts for kids are just a part of the fun. All ages, doors open 1PM. Parents might recognize “Farmer Jason” as the same dude rancher who led the band the Scorchers to the top of the alt-country rock heap. “When he pulls his tractor into town, the kids and their parents go wild!” says one national critic. Check ’em out! http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

SPONSORED: Experience – First Hand – Masterworks in painting, drawing, prints, and sculpture by the most important and influential artists of the modernist era: Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Brancusi, Duchamp, and Dalí. Check out the impressive “Impressionist and Modern Masters” exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art now through Sun 1/13/08. This exhibition began its international tour in May ‘06 and will visit three other cities in North America after its stop in Cleveland. Over 500,000 visitors attended in Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul and another 200,000 in Vancouver, Canada. Impressionist and Modern Masters features over 130 works from the museum’s distinguished collection of 19th and 20th century European art. For more info go to www.clevelandart.org.

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom Louis Sachar provides the story, and Karamu Youth Theater provides the actors for this broadly appealing show for “tweeners” and teens alike on Sat 11/3 and Sun 11/4 at 2PM. The winner of 17 Children’s Choice Awards nationwide, here is Sachar’s (“Holes” fame) most beloved novel. Bradley Chalkers is the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls. No one likes him—except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren’t afraid to try. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased by calling Karamu at 795-7070 or at http://wwww.karamu.com.

Ready… Set… Bid for kids! Junior Achievement’s 2007 Online Auction offers JA supporters and members of the greater Cleveland community the opportunity to donate and bid on unique gift giving items or something special just for yourself. Bid on tickets to sporting events or theatre tickets, gift certificates and fine getaways for you and someone special. Bidders can also find unique items not found in your Big Box store. Log on to the JA website, http://www.jacleveland.org/ja07auction.htm, and place your bids November 7-14th! It’s a great way to support JA programs from the comfort of your own home or office. From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor (also a Junior Achievement participant) Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com.

HOT Gongtopia Michael Bettine and his Gongtopia project will be returning to Passport Project Sun 11/4 – Tue 11/6 He will be performing at the Passport Project Community Center at 12803 Buckeye Rd., touring in support of 3 (count ’em) new CDs: Meridian, Mandala and Microcosm. Bettine’s expertise and melange of influences will make this 5th residency something special. Check out the complete list of events (including a special Kids concert) and performance times at http://www.passportproject.org.

You don’t want to miss what 11-year-old Max has for you and your family this week. Listen here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids11.02.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

And introducing… Max’s sister, 8-year-old Elena, with her first ever Cool Cleveland Little Kids podcast. Since Max started producing his weekly podcast almost 3 years ago when he was 9, Elena thought she would get started a little sooner and produce her first podcast in her eighth year, this one focused on the younger set. Let us know how you like it, and she might even do another one! http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandLittle10.30.07.mp3

The latest on the Breuer Tower and the preservation thereto can be found here
Public officials weigh in on where the Med Mart should be. Read
CMA hires Paola Morsiani as new curator of contemporary art. A great move. Read
A move to ban trans fats across Ohio gets legs. Read
CSU’s Schwartz talks regionalism in the context of university collaboration. Some call it a merger; others not so keen on the idea. Read
Ohio moms may get more time off if civil rights panel has anything to say about it. Read
Tri-C and Rock Hall collaborating on Center for Creative Arts bldg on Metro campus. Read
Oberlin grad is a hit in the literary world. Read
Philadelphia, Cleveland and Durham harness arts & culture for economic development. http://blog.christophercarmody.com.
Terrence Spivey, AD of Karamu House nominated for 2008 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio. Award recipients will be decided mid-November and announced the following month. We wish him well! http://www.oac.state.oh.us/events/govawards.
For the ladies If you’re looking for the hot locale that has a special running just for you, check out this local gal’s new website. http://www.ladiesnightcleveland.com
Cle Orch gets rave reviews from current East Coast & European tour: “razor-sharp ensemble…” Read
Akron Art Museum gets rave reviews from Art in America: “a triumph of bold visual statement…”
Cool Cleveland Podcast You know how to do it. Click here to listen: Link. iTunes or other.
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.

Voters planning on voting absentee for the November 6, 2007 General Election must have their absentee ballot applications submitted to the Board of Elections by noon on Sat 11/3. The Board of Elections will be open on Saturday from 8:30AM until 12PM for receiving absentee applications and in-house absentee voting. (And for those of you who are voting at the polls, don’t forget your ID!!!) For absentee ballot applications or more information on the general election, voters can call the Candidate & Voter Services Department at 443-3298 or access the Board’s website at http://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us.

Rejecting HIV Prevention Funds? Late last week, we learned that the Ohio Department of Education decided to turn down $1.25M in grant funding from the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH). The DASH funds would be used to to hire staff at the Dept of Ed to promote “evidence-based HIV prevention among Ohio’s school-aged youth.” The state is all but guaranteed the funds if the state applies, but it must do so by Wed 11/21. If Ohio does not apply for the funds, it joins Utah as the only other state in the country to reject DASH funding. Read More Here

Cuyahoga E.I.T.C. Coalition will open over 30 free income tax filing sites late in January 2008. They are seeking volunteer tax preparers. Can you help? http://www.refundohio.org.

SPONSORED: There Comes a Time in Life when you have to choose sides. Like say, when you’re planning to squeeze in a trip to Florida before the holidays hit. Will you go to the east coast or west? Stay near the Gulf or the Atlantic? Will it be Fort Lauderdale or Fort Myers? Orlando or Tampa? Well, one thing that’ll be easy to decide, is where to fly from: the Akron-Canton Airport. Because right now, AirTran Airways is offering great fares from CAK to every one of these great, sunny Florida destinations. And you’ll get to enjoy the calm, warm atmosphere of our concourse, before enjoying the calm, warm waters of the Gulf. Or will it be the rockin’, chilly waves of the Atlantic? Check out www.airtran.com.

Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology has extended their deadline to apply to participate in the 2008 festival to TODAY, Wed 10/31. Ingenuity is currently seeking projects combining the highest quality for art of all disciplines with advanced technologies including Internet connectivity, video applications, emerging technology installations, multi-media projects and audience interactivity. The application and guidelines can be found at http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com.

Cle gets Some SPIN This month’s SPIN magazine features Cleveland in its monthly feature on an American city’s music scene. There’s a little blurb about Derek Hess, a rundown of local clubs, a few short band profiles and other neat points of interest. Our Cool Cleveland correspondent and I Rock Cleveland blogger tells us more about it here.

This might be the coolest thing any Presidential candidate has ever done to raise campaign funds. Dennis Kucinich’s campaign is holding a raffle in which, for a $25 donation, you could win one of three grand prizes: a trip (airfare and hotel paid) to Las Vegas to sit with Elizabeth Kucinich at the next Democratic Presidential Debate on November 15, and meet Dennis and get an exclusive behind the scenes look at the presidential debate; backstage passes to an Ani DiFranco concert (transportation and accommodations paid; city to be determined), at which Kucinich will be speaking; a double date with Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich at the restaurant of your choice. Three people will win those grand prizes; then there are other, smaller ones, too. Even if you’re not planning to vote for Kucinich, it’s worth $25 to try to win one of those prizes. Check it out here. From Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin popcyclesATsbcglobal.net

State of the Beck In a public meeting this week, new President/CEO Cindy Einhouse discussed their $10M economic impact reaching 65K people per year, announced their Revitalization Project to meet their $200K nut, new goals consolidating operations on their 3.5 acre footprint, incl. new housing & retail, and a visioning exercise with drawings from Westlake Reed Leskosky & KSU Urban Design Collaborative, using a grant from the City of Lakewood, showing extension of their facility to the street, enlarging their lobby, restoring historical street fronts, adding housing and retail and classrooms to connect the theatres to the Armory where 3000 are enrolled in art classes. http://www.BeckCenter.org

SPONSORED: Turn Your Ideas into Reality with an understanding of materials! The Material About Materials Workshop for Designers will be held Thu 11/29 – Fri 11/30 at Studio ASM @ Idea Center. Key ingredients to a successful design include choosing the right materials and processing them to produce products your customers desire. This workshop, developed by ASM’s initiative for the design community, will provide knowledge and tools to combine the art and science of materials selection for your designs. Be a source of knowledge for your clients, engineering staff and production houses by understanding and designing sharply with metals and polymers. For details got to www.asminternational.org/mtrl.

How to get money for your art If you didn’t apply for operating support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (cigarette arts tax), you can apply for Project Support. Informational workshops are being held: Fri 11/2 at 3PM at Cuyahoga Public Library, Southeast Branch, Bedford; Fri 11/9 at 3PM Cuyahoga Public Library, Berea Branch; and Fri 11/16 at 3PM at Trinity Commons, Cleveland. http://www.CACgrants.org

Natasha Lushetich
Interdisciplinary Artist

Natasha Lushetich has a problem. No business card is large enough to fit her prodigious skills and talents. Performer/Director/Actor/Theatre Artist/Producer/Performance Artist. Growing up in Zagreb, Croatia and then living in England and the Netherlands, Lushetich absorbed fully her theatre training: the use of props, lighting, staging and script to create an experience in the mind’s eye of the audience. But a desire to engage people more fully drew the artist to develop her own strategies for breaking down the “fourth wall” separating audience from art. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready interviews her about her work, which appears on the streets, drawing in passers-by, placing them in vehicles, both physical and metaphorical, and speaking to them individually about their own lives. She’s in town for a few weeks, her research being hosted by Cleveland Public Theatre on a grant from ArtsLink, which funds artist residencies mainly from Central Europe, and she’s planning a large work to be sited in the Cleveland area sometime during 2008, possibly on the streets, possibly using busses to move audience through pre-determined set pieces integrated into the urban landscape. We’ll keep you informed of her perambulations as her work ripens. In the meantime, interested visual artists, performers, technical artists, dancers, theatre artists or anyone interested in participating in or viewing the artist’s work is invited to attend a no-charge informational session on Sun 11/4 at 6PM at the Cleveland Public Theatre bookstore at 6415 Detroit Avenue, and interested folks can contact Natasha at Natasha.LushetichATgmail.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Topilow & CIM On Wed 10/31 at 8PM, the CIM Orchestra will perform in Kulas Hall, directed by Carl Topilow. Violinist Chloé Trevor will serve as soloist in the concert that features works by Wagner, Prokofiev, Brouwer and Strauss. The concert is presented in honor of The Lubrizol Foundation. No-cost, open to the public. Due to anticipated capacity attendance, seating passes will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the performance. Passes are now available two days in advance by calling the CIM Box Office at 791-5000, ext. 411. http://www.cim.edu.

The Fall Colors Right. So, this space is usually reserved for an event, but we thought we’d give you a heads up that the fall colors are coming in a bit late this year. And there’s no place like Holden Arborateum to see that full color explosion. Fall fans, photography junkies and nature lovers need to head out to Holden’s 3,500 acres — the largest arboretum in the United States! Yep, and right here in Northeast Ohio, a mere 25 minutes from Cleveland. We put this listing in for Wed 10/31, but the next week or so is supposed to be the peak of color! And if you call ahead before the visit, you might even get lucky and have a horticulturist help guide you to the coolest places on their property. Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Rd., Kirtland. http://www.holdenarb.org.

SPONSORED: It’s Great to Go Home for the Holidays Unless you already live there — then it’s nice to get away and have some fun before you’re cooped up in the same house with a hundred and one visiting relatives who won’t clam up for two seconds. Ah, there’s an idea! Why not head to Boston and some of the most wicked-good cherrystone clams and lobstah to be found anywhere! After which, take a stroll down the Freedom Trail, shop on Newbury Street, or hit one of the many great places you’ll find at www.bostonusa.com. But first, visit www.airtran.com for great deals to Boston during AirTran Airways’ big fare sale going on right now. The turkey and stuffing can wait . . . pass the warm butter!

Jane Weinzapfel The 2007 Richard N. Campen Lecture in Architecture and Sculpture will be presented by Jane Weinzapfel, FAIA, a founding partner of the award-winning Leers Weinzapfel Associates in Boston, Mass. whose services encompass urban planning as well as building design. She speaks Thu 11/1 at 6PM in the Thwing Center (Ballroom), 11111 Euclid Ave. Part of CWRU Baker-Nord’s CityScapes programming. Visit http://www.bakernord.org”’ or call 368-8961 for more info.

Captured! By Robots is a band made up of (surprise) robots and a human named Jbot, who is said to have played with the Blue Meanies and Skankin’ Pickle. They put on an amazing, enigmatic show and perform at the Beachland Ballroom this Thu 11/1 at 9PM. They’ll be performing their 7 year retrospective on the Bush presidency, entitled The “Dub-ya” Fall Tour 2007. Motivational Speaker Dance Party (which features members of local band Coffinberry) open the show. Beachland Tavern, 15771 Waterloo Rd. http://www.capturedbyrobots.com. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

Thrity Umrigar The Society for Philosophy and Literature presents a reading and book signing by Dr. Umrigar on Thu 11/1 at 4PM. A native of India, she lives in the Cleveland area and teaches creative writing at Case Western Reserve University. She and her novels are internationally known; her memoirs explore the social and cultural nuances of contemporary India. She has worked for the Lorain Journal and the Akron Beacon Journal, as well as the Washington Post and Boston Globe. Appetizers will be served; books will be available for purchase. No cost, open to the public. For details, email Erin Butler at society.philosophy.literature@gmail.com. Room 101 of Mather Mansion on the campus of Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave.

HOT World Series… of Wine Northeast Ohio’s premier wine-tasting experience promises an extraordinary three-day celebration of wine and food in support of WVIZ/PBS ideastream. Celebrating 12 years and aging beautifully, the Heinen’s/WVIZ World Series of Wine is the premier wine event in Northeast Ohio for all wine lovers – from novice through expert. It starts Thu 11/1 and runs through the weekend. With a rich variety of grape offerings, 13 events scheduled through Sat 11/3, and a feast of hors d’oeuvres and menus paired with exceptional wine, you just can’t miss this. Tix go fast, so visit http://www.wviz.org or call 1-888-281-WINE to get yours. We don’t throw our “HOT” designation around — this is truly something special.

Open Spaces Cathie Bleck’s works grace the Annex Gallery at Loganberry Books beginning with an Opening Reception Thu 11/1 from 6 – 8PM. The local scratchboard artist has been recognized throughout the country and awarded a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustration. A book released last year, Open Spaces, features her fluid and multi-dimensional style of story telling. This new gallery exhibition will feature new and old works, as well as a book signing. Show runs through early December. http://www.loganberrybooks.com.

Open NPO House The Mandel Center at Case offers an Open House for its Master of Nonprofit Organizations degree and Certificate in Nonprofit Management program, which are ranked in the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report on Thu 11/1 at 5:30PM. Learn about the advantages of working in the nonprofit sector, the types of jobs that are available, and how a Mandel Center degree or certificate can impact your career in this field. Full tuition scholarships available for Fall 2008. Be one of the first to attend an Open House in the Mandel Center’s new building. Brunch will be served. Parking available in the Ford Rd. Garage (near Euclid Ave.). Mandel Center Building, Room 115, 11402 Bellflower Rd. http://www.case.edu/mandelcenter.

Runway Rhapsody A high fashion fundraiser, will take place on Thu 11/1 at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven in Mayfield Hts. The event will benefit The Cleveland Orchestra’s education and community programs… a stroll through elegant boutiques arranged by area vendors including Adina & Company, Chic et Mode, Fibres, Joss, Marcell, Mulholland & Sachs, Nicky Nicole, RR Freestyle, and Statements. At noon, guests will enjoy a luncheon prepared by Executive Caterers. The event culminates at 1PM with a showing of fine fashions and accessories from the stores of Crocker Park and Eton Chagrin Blvd. For further info, contact Adrienne Rowe at 231-7556.

SPONSORED: Are You Dreaming of a . . . “White Christmas” this year? Carousel’s theatre turns white when it snows throughout the entire theatre in this live production based on the movie musical. Feisty romance ignites several times over when two couples scramble to save a nearly bankrupt New England ski lodge in “White Christmas,” now playing at Carousel Dinner Theater (through Mon 12/31). This musical show tells the story of a song and dance team, Wallace and Davis, who, after WWII, head back to civilian life to become big stars. This show has it all: Broadway actors, gorgeous costumes, and large song-and-dance numbers including “Blue Skies,” “Happy Holidays,” “Snow” and, of course, “White Christmas.” Good Seats are available! Dinner plus this phenomenal production – under $55! Purchase tickets at www.carouseldinnertheater.com or 800.362.4100!

HOT to masumi The stunning exhibition honoring the life of Masumi Hayashi departs with a Closing Reception at the host gallery, doubting thomas in Tremont, this Fri 11/2 from 6 – 10PM. Don’t miss the chance to see the many students and artists touched by the Cle photographic icon. 856 Jefferson Ave., Tremont.

Battle 4 Beauty Dino Palmieri and John DiJulius, both proprietors of their own salons and spas, decided to use their talents and work together to give back to the Northeast Ohio community, with a reality makeover show Fri 11/2 to end violence against women and girls. Palmieri and DiJulius will go “head to head” for a fundraising competition, with artistic progression of styles from contemporary to avant-garde to classic glam. While the friendly competition will be fun, the real winners will be two women selected from the Cleveland Domestic Violence Center and the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties. Each will receive a full makeover, representing the new life they are struggling to create; a life without domestic violence. Doors open at 6:30PM. The Boneyard, 5900 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Hts. http://www.boneyardusa.com. http://www.dinopalmierisalon.com. http://www.johnrobertsspa.com.

Women’s Wellness Weekend The Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association and Mind-Body-Spirit-Connected partner to host a weekend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and enlightenment starting Fri 11/2 at 6PM and running through Sun 11/4 at 11AM. Learn ways to enhance your overall wellness through sessions focusing on yoga, meditation, massage and much more! Knowledgeable instructors, blissful sessions, beautiful hiking trails and scenery are sure to relax your body and rejuvenate your spirit! Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center near Peninsula, Ohio. Visit http://www.cvnpa.org or call 800-642-3297 for details.

HOT The Joy of Text Festival An exhibit of artist alphabet books from the collection of The Cleveland Institute of Art is celebrated with an Opening Reception Fri 11/2 from 6-9PM. The Non-fact Archive, installation by visual artist Kate Kern and participants in her month-long Ohio Arts Council residency at Heights Arts Studio; the announcement of “Harvey Likes It Award” (7PM) where you can channel Harvey Pekar (or not) by writing copy for a comic drawing created exclusively for Heights Arts by Gary Dumm and Laura Dumm; Print a copy of the drawing to enter! Artworks by Gary Dumm and Laura Dumm Artist Book Sale of books made by artists Kate Kern, Amy Fishbach, Jess Stork, Rob Latkovich, Bree, Melissa O’Grady, Bonné de Blas, Ellen Strong, Gene Epstein, Ben Blount The book sale will continue throughout the weekend. Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd., Cle Hts.

Dance Master Class The CSU Dance Program in collaboration with DANCECleveland is pleased to offer a master class with Blakeley White-McGuire of the Martha Graham Dance Company on Fri 11/2 from 5 – 6:30PM. The class will be held at the Idea Center Dance Studio on Euclid Ave at Playhouse Square. Although this class is offered at no cost, space is limited and it is necessary to reserve a space via email. To reserve a space for this exciting master class, please email dance@csuohio.edu ASAP.

Realistic Regionalism Deborah Sutherland, president of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association and mayor of the City of Bay Village, will speak about regionalism in Northeast Ohio—its history, its current impact, and its potential for the future—and success stories from other cities at noon on Fri 11/2 at The City Club of Cleveland. Sutherland is currently serving as the west shore representative to NOACA and was selected as “Outstanding Fellow” for CSU’s Leadership Academy XI in 2002. http://www.cityclub.org.

A Tribute to Lynda Sackett Beck Center’s long-time Director of Dance bids farewell on Fri 11/2 at 6:30PM with a soiree celebrating her 40+ years of service in arts education. Proceeds from the event will support the Lynda Sackett Endowment for Dance Education – a fund established to carry on the dance programs she developed at the Beck Center. Roberto Ocasio’s Latin Jazz Project and the Beck Center Dance Workshop. Sackett will then meet and greet guests at a Dessert Reception in the Daniels Lounge immediately following the performance. To reserve tickets, call the Beck Center Box Office at 521-2540. http://www.beckcenter.org.

The Chosen Based on one of the greatest American novels by Chaim Potok, Cleveland Play House offers Aaron Posner’s stage adaptation of The Chosen in the Drury Theatre starting Fri 11/2 for a 3-week run. The play centers around the friendship between Danny Saunders, a Chasidic Jew, and Reuven Malter, a more liberal religious Jew in Brooklyn, New York during World War II. 8500 Euclid Ave. http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

Celtic Woman A smash hit around the globe, the 19-member group featuring four gorgeous sopranos and one breathtaking fiddle player is capturing the hearts of fans across the country on a whirlwind tour of America. The show hits E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron Friday 11/2 at 8PM. Their critically acclaimed new television special, Celtic Woman – A New Journey, was filmed live from Slane Castle. Their unique renditions of Irish standards, classical favorites and contemporary hits will capture the imagingation. Info.

SPONSORED: WCLVnotes Tomorrow, Thu 11/1, WCLV 104.9 celebrates its 45th anniversary as northeast Ohio’s classical music station. A few trivia items: WCLV is the only commercial radio station in Cleveland that hasn’t changed its format in this period, and one of the few that hasn’t changed its call letters. It has the longest running commercial program in Cleveland broadcasting – KeyBank’s Symphony at Seven (it’s been on the air since 1964). Here are a couple of firsts: WCLV was the first Ohio station to play compact discs, and it was the first radio station in the world to broadcast in high fidelity and stereo on the world wide web. Complete details on WCLV’s programming can be found at www.wclv.com.

HOT Garden Noir Explore “Where the Wild Things Bloom” with SPACES Gallery’s 25th annual benefit and silent auction Sat 11/3 starting at 6PM. Enter a transcendant garden, filled with lush, lascivious landscapes of libations and lounging (try saying that ten times over). This ain’t your grandma’s garden party. It brings all new meaning to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Call SPACES for info and tickets at 621-2314. http://www.spacesgallery.org.

HOT Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound: A 1967 Coffeehouse Concert The band Long Road (Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin, Julia Mell, Kevin Richards, Ray DeForest and Bob Sandham) reprise their show from Cain Park in August at the legendary Kent Stage this Sat 11/3 at 8PM. They perform the best of those late-60s songs, done acoustic, and Budin, also a former comedian, provides lots of humor, along with some historical perspective on the music and the times — all in this beautifully restored 600-seat vaudevillian theater. 175 E. Main Street, Kent (at the corner of E. Main and Depeyster). You can get directions and tickets at http://www.kentstage.org.

Countryside Holiday Farmers’ Markets will offer a variety of fresh seasonal produce from high-quality local farmers and vendors Sat 11/3 from 10AM – 2PM. A few of the offerings include apples, potatoes, fresh greens, winter squash, pumpkins, cabbage, onions and garlic to name a few. Also available will be local honey, cheese, jams and jellies, hand-crafted soap, photographs and beaded jewelry. In addition, kettle korn, fresh pastries and hot-from the oven breads will be for sale. The producers-only markets are managed by the Countryside Conservancy. Grab your coffee or tea and head out to enjoy what might be the last beautiful fall Saturday! Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Rd., Peninsula. http://www.cvcountryside.org.

Cross Connection Dance Workshop World-renowned dance instructors and chorographers will be coming to Rocky River, to The Dance Centre by Heidi Glynias, to teach a weekend workshop on urban dance Sat 11/3 and Sun 11/4 at 9:30AM. Dancers of all levels are invited to participate in an inspiring, educational and fun dance workshop. Instruction will be offered in Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical dance. The instructors, Tymme and Aury Reitz and Misty Rascon- Smith, are nationally noted for their experience with major artists, and are known for their distinctive inspirational method of teaching, encouraging students to challenge themselves. this is their only scheduled Midwest workshop. Call 440-871-1317 for details.

Oberlin Jazz Ensemble The acclaimed group kicks off the Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s 2007-08 performance season in style on Sat 11/3 at 8PM in Finney Chapel with a program of works by Jean-Baptiste “Illinois” Jacquet. Considered by most musicians to be the greatest tenor saxophonist of the 20th-century, Jacquet (1922-2004) contributed numerous standards to the repertoire, including “Flying Home,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “More Than You Know,” and “Three Buckets of Jive,” all of which will be performed by the OJE under the direction of Visiting Professor of Jazz Dennis Reynolds. Info, tickets and directions at http://www.oberlin.edu/com.

HOT A Day with the Masters The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) presents a rare offering: a private viewing of Paul Gauguin’s prints and drawings from the exhibit Impressionist and Modern Masters from The Cleveland Museum of Art. Led by associate curator of drawings Heather Lemonedes, this gallery talk welcomes home the museum’s distinguished collection of European early modern masterworks after its tour in Asia. Seize this rare opportunity Sat 11/3 from 10AM – 4PM. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., University Circle. Registration is required to 707-2461 or visit http://www.clevelandart.org/education.

Bourbon Street Bash The 5th Annual North Coast Community Homes Dinner, Reverse Raffle and Silent Auction hits Sat 11/3 at 6PM at St. Michael’s Woodside Party Center. Choice of jambalaya, prime rib, or a vegetarian entree. All proceeds from this event benefit North Coast Community Homes, a non-profit organization that develops and maintains housing for individuals with mental retardation, mental illness, and other disabilities. 5025 East Mill Rd., Broadview Hts. To make reservations, contact Andrea Dean at 440-944-1157. For more about North Coast Community Homes, visit http://www.ncch.org.

Martha Graham Dance Company The revered troupe performs for the first time in Cleveland in over 10 years on Sat 11/3 at 8PM and Sun 11/4 at 2PM in the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square Center. The performances are co-sponsored by DANCECleveland, Playhouse Square Center and Cuyahoga Community College Performing Arts. MGDC was founded in 1926 by the world renowned dancer and choreographer and is the oldest and most celebrated contemporary dance troupes in the world. Notable celebrities who have performed with the company include Mihail Baryshnikov, Claire Bloom, Liza Minnelli, Rudolph Nureyev and Kathleen Turner. http://www.marthagraham.org. http://www.dancecleveland.org.

SPONSORED: A Surprise Gift She’s Guaranteed to Love . . . Because she gets to pick it out! Huh? Let us explain: Right now, AirTran Airways has low fares to great places like New York. So go to www.airtran.com and book a couple of tickets. Then surprise your special one with the news that you’re whisking her away for a special pre-holiday trip to NYC! And that you’ll take her to any show, museum or site she wants to see! She can pick them out at www.mustseenewyork.com. Your perfect trip will begin in the intimate surroundings of the Akron-Canton Airport and continue aboard your comfy AirTran flight with free XM radio. Who knows? This may even make up for the fuzzy socks you surprised her with last year!

HOT Brian Ulrich Known for his photographs portraying contemporary consumer culture, the photographer presents Copia as part of the Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell Photography Series at The University of Akron’s Mary Schiller Myers School of Art on Mon 11/5 at 6PM in Folk Hall (150 E. Exchange St., Akron). Ulrich, 36, is a NY native and a UAkron grad. His photographs are a part of major museum collections at the Art Institute of Chicago, The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the Museum of Contemporary Photography. For more info, call 330-653-5951 or email dwatt@uakron.edu.

HOT Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University celebrate the legacy of one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, piano badboy Jerry Lee Lewis, during their 12th Annual American Music Masters® series starting this Tue 11/5. The weeklong event schedule features panels, films, educational programs, an all-day conference at Case Western Reserve University and an all-star tribute concert at Playhouse Square’s State Theater. For details and a complte list of programming, check out http://www.rockhall.com.

Local News, Next Steps “Backpack” and “Citizen” journalism, the pressure on “old media” to become “new media” and the impact of all of these trends on news will be on the table for discussion by a panel of Cleveland news professionals Wed 11/7 from 6 – 7:30PM at The Little Bar, 614 Frankfort Court, in the Warehouse District. “Happy Hour” pizza, snacks and a cash bar will be available. RSVP by 5PM on Mon 11/5 to Tom Moore at 440-333-7382 or sending an e-mail message to tmoore56@msn.com.

SPONSORED: Join Us in Celebration! The Cleveland Institute of Music sounds a fanfare for a new era with the dedication of its expanded campus and the opening of Mixon Hall. Thanks to 1000+ donors, this project has become a reality and an elegant enhancement to University Circle and the Northeast Ohio region. CIM opens its doors to the community on Sun 11/11 to celebrate the tremendous support it has received to provide an architecturally and acoustically superb space for teaching, practice and performance. Join us as we officially dedicate the new performance wing at 1:30PM. An open house will follow until 5PM with ongoing recitals in Mixon Hall, a panel discussion featuring the architect and acoustician, tours of both new additions, refreshments and more. Visit www.cim.edu for more information.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

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

Midtown Brews Shuffle hits Thu 11/1 at 5:30PM and focuses on BlogWorld in Vegas, baby! Register
2007 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Marriott Downtown at Key Center Fri 11/2 at 6PM Details
Private Equity Roundtable on emerging trends in growth capital Mon 11/5 at 3:30PM at Ritz Carlton, 1515 W 3rd St. Register
Web Assoc. event Understanding Web Analytics held Tue 11/6 at 11:30AM at Windows on the River. Register
Join the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club as they take a closer look at the economic impact of sports on Cle Thu 11/8 at 5:30PM at the Terrace Club at Jacobs Field. Details
N. Ohio Minority Business Council 2007 Awards Gala drops Fri 11/9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Cle Hotel Register
Sales for Entrepreneurs Conference feat. Keynote Speakers Bill Caskey, Hal Becker, and Marvin Montgomery Fri 11/9 Register
Enterprise Community Partners national conference hits in Cle Wed 11/14 – Fri 11/16 Details
AARP Editor in Chief to Speak at November AAF-Cle Luncheon Wed 11/14 at Windows on the River. Networking starts at 11:30AM. Register
Crain’s 2007 40 Under 40 Reception hits Mon 11/19 at 6PM at Landerhaven in Mayfield Hts. Register
John M. Stropki Chairman, President and CEO of Lincoln Electric is Leadership B’fast spkr Fri 11/30. Visit http://www.cesnet.org to register or call 361-3100

SPONSORED: thunder::tech combines the skills of an ad agency, technology firm, amateur softball team, public relations agency and design studio all in one. We offer integrated marketing services within these four main areas :: advise :: brand :: communicate :: interact. Stop by the site, give us a call:: http://www.thundertech.com • 216.391.2255

Hewitt Shaw
Managing Partner, Baker, Hostetler

Hewitt Shaw is a true business innovator. He runs the Cleveland office of Baker, Hostetler, but when Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with him, he was in New York City, on Fifth Avenue at 51st Street during rush hour, in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, across from the New York offices of Baker, Hostetler, where a reception for the Cleveland Orchestra was about to begin. They discuss the many decades that the law firm has supported the Orchestra, going back to founder Newton Baker, who was an original member of the Musical Arts Association, which operates the Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center. But this was the first time the firm went on the road with the Orchestra as they swung through the East Coast leg of their recent tour, which continues on to Europe. Both in Washington, D.C and in New York, Hewitt and his associates hosted receptions and reached out to clients and employees while basking in the glow of the Orchestra’s triumphs in both cities. Interestingly, they also use their innovative Orchestra affiliation to recruit young people, who are looking for sports, restaurants and cultural amenities as they make choices in their careers. http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com, run by Cool Cleveland’s George Nemeth

Ben Cipiti authors a new book called The Energy Construct which raises some great questions about our use of energy. BFD readers comment:

* A real problem when discussing energy issues is most of the population have little gut feel for how we crank our electricity. This includes pundits, politicians, press and academics… comment by James Aach:

* While solar power theoretically can be used to generate all of our energy needs, there are problems with storage and distribution. Most solar energy is generated when it is not needed, in the middle of the day, and where it is not needed, in the uninhabited desert… comment by J. Murray

* There has to be a middle ground. We are highly invested in coal and it is plentiful here, what do we do with all the coal plants? Can they be retrofitted to provide cleaner energy… comment by Tim Advent

* Existing coal plants can be retrofitted to produce clean energy, but carbon sequestration technologies are still immature and expensive. It will likely be through a series of gradual emissions reductions before we can build an economical zero emission coal plant. But if we don’t start pushing for those gradual emssions standards now, we’ll never reach the zero emission plants when we really need them. comment by Ben Cipiti

* Biomass fuels,gases and materials are solar energy storage. The energy ROI of biodiesel is 3.2 by current methodology, which is using significant fossil inputs,i.e., diesel, coal, natural gas, plastic components, etc. And still for every BTU of fossil energy invested, 3.2 BTU’s is realized. Why? Because photosynthesis rocks, it is really efficient and really green. It also is not partisan, much as we try…. comment by Phil Lane

Catch up and join the discussion here

SPONSORED: Hear What the World is Talking About This week The Cleveland Orchestra began their third biennial residency at the Musikverein in Vienna, the first of its kind for an American orchestra. These four concerts will include works by Mozart, Debussy, Beethoven, Ligeti and Mahler. In addition to these pieces, the Orchestra will be performing Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9, which will be recorded for international television broadcast and DVD release by Clasart. Read rave reviews from the Orchestra’s tour here.

Hunter Morrison
Director, Office of Campus Planning & Community Partnerships, Youngstown State University

Hunter Morrison has served as planning director of the City of Cleveland, and his wife Jane Campbell served as Mayor of Cleveland. More recently, he’s been dealing with the aftermath of Black Monday exactly 30 years ago, when Youngstown Sheet & Tube suddenly closed, washing out not only the tax base in the Mahoning Valley, but also a way of life. But a new, younger generation of leaders weren’t even born when the steel mills closed, and they approach the future with a new sense of opportunity and possibility. Hunter helped sync a collaborative planning effort to update both the Youngstown State University and the city with the Youngstown 2010 Plan. He’s become known for the Shrinking Cities concept that relates to many cities in our region: 1) accept that you will be mid- or small-sized city 2) view opportunities in a regional context 3) address issues of quality life and place 4) take action, including recognizing the value of green space. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready reached him on the streets of Youngstown and they discussed the past, a smaller future, and how Thinkers & Drinkers in Y-town are creating a dialogue. http://www.Youngstown2010.org

A Chat with Steve Wood
Director, Cleveland Hts-University Hts Public Library System

“I love being a library and living here.” If a library could talk, that’s what this one would say. Oh, you don’t have to take my word for it. No less an authority than Steve Wood, Director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library System issues that statement, most emphatically, on behalf of his library. “Ohio is a wonderful place to be a library,” he continues, a huge smile on his face. “Ohio is extraordinary for supporting its libraries, being the only state with state funding for doing so. Cuyahoga County has commissioners and taxpayers that feel very strongly about libraries and are willing to pay for them. We are blessed in this respect.”

Even though one of his first experiences with a library – the rather staid and formal Library of Congress – was not a particularly happy one, he didn’t let that get in the way of his love of books and reading. At age 12 or so, growing up just outside Washington DC, that visit “was a very scary thing. Not intentionally so, but awesomely scary, nonetheless.” Some years later, it was a somewhat similar incident in another library that put him on the path to being the director of a library system that has been consistently ranked in the top ten in the country, for the size of the population it serves…

Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

SPONSORED: Bugs Bunny on Broadway Join us with family and friends as that ‘cwazy wabbit’ takes center stage at Severance Hall on December 7 and 8, accompanied by his Looney Tunes friends Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Featuring Warner Bros. cartoon originals projected on a giant screen above the stage and live synchronized music by The Cleveland Orchestra! To order tickets or for more information visit http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Wal-Mart won the Battle of Cleveland but citizen groups winning the war.
Imam declines Cleveland position due to blog criticism.
Third world countries are typically the ones with a “hope gap”. Then there’s Cleveland.
Is it possible to start a business with $20?
Several regional blogs made the Top 100 Biz blog list.
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams makes the case for raising taxes to pay for better education.
Ohio using the Great Lakes Science Center’s Leader as a poster girl for attracting talent.

George Nemeth
Brewed Fresh Daily

George Nemeth is at the vortex of the Internet world in this region, a vortex he has helped create. As top technical guru for Cool Cleveland, he’s kept our links, videos and podcasts tweaked so our readers can click on all the coolest stuff as fast as we can get it up on the server. As founder of Brewed Fresh Daily, this coffee connoisseur has exhibited leadership and a synergetic spirit which have brought unity to an often disparate and sometimes contentious regional blogsphere. By allowing a select number of other bloggers to not only comment, but actually post to BFD, it has gained the widest readership of the hundreds of regional blogs focused on economic development. His innovative Meet The Bloggers brings together a loose affiliation of independent bloggers to conduct interviews with politicians and business influencers, recording them for hour-long podcasts. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready finally turns the camera on George, and you can catch him live in person on Thu 11/1 at 5:30PM at the no-cost Meet The Bloggers Forum at Cleveland State University. http://www.BrewedFreshDaily.com

SPONSORED: Cultural Ambassadors Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with Cleveland Orchestra Executive Director Gary Hanson in New York at the outset of the Orchestra’s current tour. Click here to listen as they discuss the role of the Orchestra as a tool for economic development and an ambassador for Cleveland. While you’re there, check out video interviews with Cleveland Orchestra musicians and Stage Manager. For more information on the Orchestra’s tour, and to read the reviews, visit http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.

Headspace
Stratospheerius
Fiddlefunk

It’s familiar, but like absolutely nothing you’ve heard before. That’s about all this reviewer can muster as a lead for reviewing the latest Stratospheerius release, Headspace. Lead by electric violinist/vocalist/mandolinist and former Clevelander Joe Deninzon, the quartet unleashes their fourth full-length effort with an assortment of songs that simply careen from your speakers. Following up their critically-acclaimed Live Wires disc, Headspace contains a frenzied mélange of alt-bluegrass, progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly, with shades of the neo-hippie 90s and space rock for good measure. If Bela Fleck and Frank Zappa had a love child in outer space, it might grow up to sound like these guys do.

Band leader Deninzon brings it from the word go, channeling every bit of voracity through his 6 and 7-string Viper electric violin. No joke, he pushes bandmates Mack Price (guitars, vocals) Bob Bowen (electric and acoustic bass) and Lucianna Padmore (drums) into the stratosphere. You know their name is fitting after the set opener “New Material,” which pinballs through an array of time signatures and chord progressions that stop on a dime. In contrast, “Old Ghosts” “Today is Tommorrow” and the manic “Gutterpunk Blues” go for a bigger, louder and faster Jam Band ethos. Pay particular attention to the inimitable cover of The Police classic “Driven to Tears” and the set closer, “Heavy Shtettle II,” which you simply have to hear yourself to believe. Even I’m a bit lost for words about it. Memorable hooks, gravity-defying instrumental prowess and a kitchen sink move toward rock and Zappa-esque fusion fill Headspace. Let it fill yours.

Listen to a sample of Stratospheerius here

Stratospheerius performs at the Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd., next Wednesday, November 7 at 8PM. Singer/songwriter and former Clevelander Jann Klose opens the show and Ryan Montbleau headlines. Visit Stratospheerius at http://www.myspace.com/stratospheerius. Visit the Beachland at http://www.beachlandballroom.com. Pick up the new Stratospheerius CD at http://www.cdbaby.com.

See next week’s issue of Cool Cleveland for an interview with Jann Klose.

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

David Budin
Musician, Writer

David Budin is one of the originals. Most Clevelanders know him as the only person to have edited Northern Ohio Live and Cleveland Magazine, and he currently writes a column for Cool Cleveland called Signs of Life. But his musical life started when he dropped out of Heights High in 1967 to play folk music in Cleveland’s few folk clubs, opening for Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys at La Cave, then migrating to Cambridge, then New York City. He was signed to Sire records as a solo artist then hit it big in a duo as David and Denise. Then after success as Baxter Shadowfield, he shopped his album around but retired rather than do music after the age of 30. Last summer, he put together a show of late-Sixties folk music that sold out Cain Park. So this week, he’s presenting “Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound: A 1967 Coffeehouse Concert,” with Long Road: Julia Mell, Kevin Richards, Ray DeForest and Bob Sandham on Sat 11/3 at the Kent Stage. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready met him overlooking the skyline of Cleveland to talk about his musical history, and how he’s bringing it all back home. KentStage.org

Martha Graham Dance Co.

DanceCleveland’s offerings this year are one blockbuster after another; this weekend it’s the Martha Graham Dance Company. For dance audiences, that’s enough said; we’ll see you there. For other audiences, we’ve discovered that it’s necessary to explain ‘Who is Martha Graham?’ She was one of the founders of something called ‘modern dance.’ Many of the dancers in her company left to form important modern and postmodern companies of their own: Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Erick Hawkins, Pascal Rioult, Pearl Lang, and Jacqulyn Buglisi to name a few.

One measure of Graham’s excellence as an artist is the many excellent artists who collaborated with her. Dances to be performed this weekend incorporate music composed by Gian Carlo Menotti, Alan Hovhaness, Carlos Surinach, and Wallingford Riegger, costumes, sets and lighting designed by Halston, Isamu Noguchi, and Jean Rosenthal.

Anybody can google the titles of Graham’s dances and learn what they’re about and what critics have said about them. We decided to phone the company’s Artistic Director, Janet Eilber, and get her take. First we asked her about Sketches from Chronicle, the oldest dance on the program.

Janet Eilber: My favorite thing about Chronicle, it’s an all-woman cast delivering a powerful political message 16 years after women got the right to vote.

Cool Cleveland: We understand there’s a story of reconstruction behind Ardent Song (Redux). It results in a dance that’s completely new to Cleveland audiences.

JE: With Ardent Song we had no film record. We did the archaeological dig, we found the original score, the original stagecraft, beautiful innovative use of fabric, we knew what the theme was, we knew who the characters were, but we didn’t know what the actual steps were. So we decided to use all of that foundation that Martha had laid out but re-imagined the choreography with a more contemporary energy for today’s dancers.

CC: We hear the male chorus is provocatively clad.

JE: (Laughing) Martha’s men are always provocatively clad.

CC: Tell us about Diversion of Angels.

JE: All about love. You can see the phrases brought to life, ‘head over heels in love,’ ‘falling in love.’

CC: Errand into the Maze is the dance we know least about.

JE: You’re in for a treat. This is one of her Greek works and one of the great Noguchi collaborations. It’s based on the myth of Theseus traveling into the maze to fight the monster, the Minotaur. Created by Martha in 1947, she decided to send a woman on that journey. You can think of it as a psychological study, a woman traveling into the interior of her own mind doing battle with her own fears, sort of Freudian, Jungian. Noguchi’s set is evocative, cavernous. You feel like you’ve gone some strange place, whether it’s an actual cavern or your brain! It’s a wonderful ballet – and the Menotti score is driving, fabulous.

CC: Acts of Light.

JE: Acts of Light is very late in her career and her career resonates within Acts of Light. The center section is called The Lamentation and it’s a clear descendant of Martha’s early solo, Lamentations – the woman with this dress of stretchy fabric. The final section, Helios, the ritual of the sun, is a theatrical essay on her classroom technique, all that has transpired in 80 years of discovery. It’s beautiful; the company loves to dance it. It’s like a typical daily class but it’s Martha’s homage to that daily dancer’s ritual. It’s actually the last dance that she choreographed that the company dances.

‘Saturday, November 3 at 8PM features Errand into the Maze (1947), Ardent Song (Redux) (2007), Diversion of Angels (1948), Acts of Light (1981). Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2PM the company will perform Diversion of Angels, Embattled Garden (1958), Sketches from Chronicle”. Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square Center. Call 241-6000 for tickets.

From Cool Cleveland contributors Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas vicnelsaATearthlink.net

The Rock Hall’s American Music Masters Series

One of the things the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum does best is also one of the things that’s the most overlooked. It’s the educational stuff. I mean, it’s called “educational” – and, of course, it is educational, but it’s too bad that it has be called educational, because that makes it sound like it may not be entertaining, but it always is.

A good example is the series of evening programs the Rock Hall presents, where, for instance, musicians, song writers, producers, or record company execs come in for discussions with someone like the Rock Hall’s Public Programs Producer and Education Advisor Warren Zanes about their careers and their work with other seminal rock artists. These interview/discussions usually take place in the Rock Hall’s small 4th-floor theater and always include questions from the (often-tiny) audiences. And they’re almost always fascinating, enlightening and totally entertaining. You’ll hear things there that you’d never find out in any other way.

Then there are the week of lectures that precede the annual American Music Masters series conference and concert. The AMM series, which the Rock Hall presents in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University, focuses on an influential rock artist’s life and work, with lectures, panel discussions and performances. This year’s AMM subject is Jerry Lee Lewis, a true rock ‘n’ roll pioneer. This is the first time in the series’ 12-year history that they’re featuring a musician who’s still living.

Everyone hears about the AMM’s culminating concert that takes place on the evening of the final day, featuring a bunch of musical artists – past and present stars – performing music of that year’s subject.

And many people know about the all-day conference – featuring panel discussions with the subject’s friends and former cohorts, and pop music historians – that takes place during the day of that night’s concert, this year on Saturday, November 10.

But, apparently, most people don’t know – or maybe don’t care – about the Monday-through-Friday events that happen during the week leading up to the conference. Those are the things I often enjoy the most.

Monday through Thursday of that week – November 5-8, there are lectures, discussions and presentations by various experts; a rock piano demonstration by local piano legend Mike Petrone (a comparison of the piano playing of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino); a multi-media presentation, “Jerry Lee Lewis in Film and on TV,” presented by Ideastream reporter/producer by David C. Barnett; and the world premiere of a new documentary, Jerry Lee Lewis: Killer Piano, including interviews with Lewis and others, followed by a discussion with Warren Zanes and the film’s producer, Aaron Stang. All of these events take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Rock Hall’s 4th-floor theater and they’re free, but they require reservations, at education@rockhall.org or 216-515-8426.

The tribute concert on Saturday, November 10, in Playhouse Square’s State Theatre, includes performances by Chrissie Hynde, George Thorogood, Shelby Lynne, Kris Kristofferson, the Del McCoury Band, Sleepy LaBeef,Terry Adams, Wanda Jackson, Narvel Felts, Billy Lee Riley, Cowboy Jack Clement, Jason D. Williams, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart (Jerry Lee Lewis’s cousin), and Linda Gail Lewis (Lewis’s sister). Concert tickets: 216-241-6000.

General info can be found at http://www.rockhall.com or call 781-7625.

From Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin popcyclesATsbcglobal.net

I Just Want to Testify

Much ado has been made about the “stop snitching” Zeitgeist that seems to be infecting minority communities of late. Rappers are issuing warnings against testifying in their lyrics, and some are even doing interviews where they virtually encourage violence against those who cooperate with police.

However, as I stated in an earlier column the issues of cooperating with police and taking the witness stand are much more complex than they seem at first blush. Rather than the stark black or white of “either you’re a good citizen who helps the police and prosecutors, or a bad citizen who doesn’t,” in reality it’s much more variegated. But there can, perhaps, be answers to the problem — keep reading…

Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

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

Great Lakes Bioneers Conference @ CSU 10/19-21 Beam me up, Cleveland! Cleveland celebrated its first Beaming Bioneers Conference (click here) during the weekend of October 19-21. Bioneers inspires, educates, and connects people with nature-based solutions for restoring the Earth, and healing our human communities. A 1990 California origination, Bioneers began beaming its message to satellite cities in 2001. This year, Cleveland joined Traverse City (2002), and Detroit (2005), Michigan to form Great Lakes Bioneers-Cleveland.

The conference was held at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs Center for Civic Education. Event funding was primarily received from the George Gund Foundation, Mount Sinai Heath Care, and the Cleveland Foundation. Bioneers Cleveland Chair, Nancy King Smith, and her dedicated steering committee, deserve kudos for a job well done.

Participants had morning options of touring various, local, eco-friendly attractions, including sustainable neighborhoods and urban gardens, or attending workshops. Afternoon Plenaries were beamed live from San Rafael, California.

Friday morning’s keynote, Designing a Tool Kit for Building a Better World, was delivered by Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management Professor, David Cooperrider. His message advocates the Appreciative Inquiry Model, which focuses on business innovation as a force for sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Bioneers workshops showcased Northeast Ohio’s environmental expertise, including Peninsula’s Countryside Conservancy (http://www.cvcountryside.org). Executive Director, Darwin Kelsey, and his complementary team, presented Connecting the Dots in Our Local Food Community: Our Land, Our Food, & Our Health. “Eating local will provide food that tastes better, and is healthier,” says Kelsey. “It also enhances your local economy and the quality of your community.”

Plenary highlights included Majora Carter and Evon Peter. Carter is a leading figure in the environmental justice movement, and founder of the groundbreaking organization, Sustainable South Bronx (www.ssb.org). She and her compeers are doing amazing things in the name of ‘greening the ghetto.” “You don’t have to have a ton of green to go green,” she says.

Peter is the premier voice for the plight of indigenous cultures and oppressed people worldwide. Global natives, adorned in genuine garb, graced the stage, speaking and singing in their original tongues, to help illuminate his message.

During Saturday afternoon’s intermission, Cuyahoga County Commissioner, Peter Lawson Jones, endorsed the affair’s mission. “Bioneers is a progressive group of people who really is our society’s conscious,” he said. “It’s setting an agenda, that, we as elected officials are going to have to respond to, if we’re going to be true to our pledge and vows when we became elected. That’s to ensure that every American has the opportunity to prosper and live the American dream.”

Thereafter, seven year-old musical prodigy, Pierce “Stixx” Braxton, captivated the audience with his Drum-playing abilities. Stixx attends Citizens’ Academy in Cleveland, and he’s destined to make his creative mark.

Saturday’s experience culminated with the Home Grown Folk Concert at nearby Ideastream Westfield Insurance Studio Theater. Beth Gatchell, Peter McDonald, Hal Walker, and Rebecca Wohlever, each accomplished musicians in their own right, conjoined that evening for an unforgettable performance (Walker entertains Saturday, December 8th, at the West Shore Unitarian Church (http://www.wsuuc.org). If your schedule permits, indulge yourself in his musical genius. He’s sure to highlight his signature composition, “My State Ohio,” where he mentions all 88 Ohio counties in one song).

Sunday’s Networking Brunch featured local foods, and an opportunity to connect and share feedback regarding the weekend’s occasion, and offer ideas for next year.

“I think there are so many wonderful programs going on in Cleveland that people don’t know about, and they get discouraged,” says Smith. “Bioneers is about turning fear into hope.”

From Cool Cleveland contributor Tim Zaun timATtimzaun.com.

Zaun blogs on business, entrepreneurship, and the environment at http://www.timzaun.com.

Ki Allen @ East Cleveland Public Library 10/28 Hearing Ki Allen sing is always a pleasure, but that was particularly true on Sunday afternoon when she led a killer quintet at the East Cleveland Public Library. Ki, whom many regard as the best jazz singer in Cleveland, is preparing her first CD, with Bob Fraser, whom many regard as the best jazz guitarist in Cleveland. Ki, Bob, pianist Jackie Warren, bassist Peter Domingues and drummer Ron Godale worked the Greg L. Reese Performing Arts Center at that library at 14101 Euclid Ave. for almost two hours Sunday afternoon, covering tunes from a swinging, Latinate “Out of This World” to a raucous, wacky “Darktown Strutters’ Ball.” There were numerous highlights, including a weird “Mr. Paganini” showcasing Ki’s empathy with Domingues and an unbelievably plush and naked take on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” featuring Domingues, arranger Fraser and Ki at her most expansive and enveloping.

I’ve been a fan of Ki for going on 20 years. While you can hear influences—there’s some Ella, some Shirley Horn, a little Sarah, and she’s clearly listened to a whole lot of music—Ki is unique. When I hear her, I imagine diving into a bowl of sound that never ceases to pleasure me. She masticates her lyrics, wrestles the emotional undercurrents until they cry uncle, and positively occupies the song, spreading it into corners its composer never thought it could reach. In so doing, she stretches her listeners, who become loyal fans the first time they’re exposed to her artistry. I’m biased; I’m writing the liner notes for her first CD, a very intimate affair that we’re trying to get out as fast as possible. It’s way, way overdue.

I also want to note the room where she played. East Cleveland isn’t a place I would normally venture, but I’ll go back to that library, now that I know what a wonderful performance venue it contains. The Greg L. Reese Performing Arts Center, like Cleveland State University’s Drinko Hall where saxman Howie Smith delivers his Work in Progress every February, is an acoustic marvel. It looks to seat about 300; there were maybe 175 there Sunday. The sound was fabulous, suggesting it’s a great place for music no matter the size of the ensemble. The Jesse Palter Quartet, featuring a singer who, it is said, is making waves on the Detroit jazz scene, is playing there next Sunday afternoon at 4. Sounds good to me.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Carlo Wolff carlo.wolffATgmail.com

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On Cool Cleveland I want to thank you for all the coverage you have given my store over the last few months. Between you picking up our press releases and also the related information in the blogs you cover has really helped my store. Just wanted to know that it is very much appreciated. From Dave Ferrante – Owner, Visible Voice Books

On Tiffany Town (See CityScape here) Just read with interest the article by Chris Whipple on Tiffany glass windows in Cleveland. I am struck by the frequent comments on “lost/misplaced/dissappearing” Tiffany windows from our town. Such a shame that no one has been minding the inventory in our town for some time (wonder what else we have lost…). These assets were, no doubt, “transplanted” where they were more appreciated. I was in Chicago last weekend and, as it was a lovely, summery day on Saturday, we visited Navy Pier. There is the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows there in Navy Pier that hosts a large collection drawn from all local churches and private homes in the Chicago area. These creations span well more than a century. Much of the collection is Tiffany, made in the second Tiffany studio that was in Chicago (headquarters was NYC). Every window has proper attribution. Certainly some spectacular pieces there, and nicely showcased with backlighting, too. Why can’t we provide for preservation of this sort here? Can we “borrow” the Cleveland Trust Rotunda for starters to use for our displays? Better yet, why can’t we build a “Cleveland Pier” like theirs, while we’re at it? I’m overreaching, perhaps, but you gotta dream. I say we begin to elevate our consciousness in Cleveland about our local treasures and take a stand for now and the future. Yeah, you gotta dream. From Cool Cleveland reader Barbara Bissett Kitchen issett9005ATaol.com

On The Curse (See Mansfield Frazier’s column here) At the same time Bellecourt cursed The Cleveland Indians back in 1995 he also cursed the Atlanta Braves. He said this while the division series playoffs were going on. Unfortunately for him both teams made it to the World Series that year. From Cool Cleveland reader Jeffrey Gossett jdgossettATsbcglobal.net

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1) Straight Outta Mansfield Is it time for the Tribe to make a trade?
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2) CityScape Tiffany town.
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3) Food & Wine Mag features a brief article and sidebar on Cle restaurants.
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4) BizTech Profile Tim Zaun interviews JumpStart’s Ray Leach.
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5) Harvest Moon Barn Dance After a 7-year absence, Mike’s Barn brings back the tradition of their legendary Harvest Moon Barn Dance show.
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The rebellious spirit is still alive with the hardcore Hard Corps. Give it up for Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Carlo Wolff, David Budin, Tim Zaun, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield B. Frazier, Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson. This episode has been brought to you by the letter B. 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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