Ingenuity 3.0

7.18-7.25.07
Ingenuity 3.0

In this week’s issue:
* Can We Talk? About forwarding CC to others
* Ingenious Ingenuity 2007: Simply Indispensable
* Cool Community Forum A wrap-up on last week’s discussion re: the Med Mart/Sales Tax increase
* BFD Weekly What’s different about AdNEO?
* Positively Negative A Sly Man at Slyman’s
* Sounds Saffron from Return of Simple
* Previews Ingenuity 07 Caters to Dance Fanatics
* Reads Home & Away Games from Greg Cielec
* Straight Outta Mansfield Educating Our At-risk Youth
* RoldoLINK Fast Food Journalism at the Pee Dee
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, Brewed Fresh Daily here

The Ingenuity Festival holds a special place in my heart. As co-founder, along with James Levin, I’ve smiled from the sidelines these past 2 years as the programming has been tightened, the technology has come into focus, and strong partners have emerged in Cleveland State University and Playhouse Square. This 3rd season is critical for Ingenuity and Cleveland, so we’ve amped up our coverage on the dance components and our special picks, in the hopes that you’ll treat yourself to a weekend unlike any other being offered around the world. We round-up the notes, podcasts, feedback and ongoing comments from our Community Forum last week about the County Commissioners’ proposed tax for a medical mart and convention center. BFD Weekly looks at Advance NEO, Sounds reviews Saffron by Return of Simple, Mansfield suggests bribing students for good grades, and Roldo notes the lack of leadership when MSM (mainstream media) cover the topic of leadership. Not to belabor the obvious, but leadership these days seems to be shifting from our dysfunctional, outmoded and redundant government agencies to the voices of our citizens. Click the links below and listen to some of those voices, then add your own. Don’t wait for leaders, be one. —Thomas Mulready

Can We Talk? We recently discovered through our CC survey that, as a result of reading CC, 45% of our readers have become more involved in their community (whoa!), 51% have written an email, and 11% have joined an organization. Could you continue the good vibes by reaching out now and forwarding us to your best friend(s), colleague(s) and family member(s)? If so, you will both be eligible to win one of several video iPhones and iPods! Please include a personal note in the subject line, encouraging them to sign up at www.coolcleveland.com. (iPod winners to be announced in a future issue.) http://www.coolcleveland.com/ipodgiveaway/

An ingenious and innovative array of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Remarks by POTUS to the GCP last week can be found here
Crain’s 40 Under 40 2007 Class Want to be considered? All nominees need a résumé or narrative information, or both, about their accomplishments in their field and their involvement in civic or charitable activities. Submissions must be no more than 1,000 words. The nomination deadline is Tue 7/31 Email to mdodosh@crain.com with “40 Under 40” in the subject line
Hyland Software in Westlake is changing hands Read

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You Snoozed, You Loozed! Children’s Technology Workshop is sold out for the week of July 23 – sorry. But, for those of you who still want to send a kid (or three) to camp, CTW has a few spaces open throughout the summer. At CTW, kids (grades 2-8) can design, make and take home, their own video games, movies, animations or other nifty projects! We offer Lego® robotics as well! Call us for late season registration (same affordable price): 440.484.2222. CTW holds workshops and parties in Chagrin Falls (38 River Street, 44022), around Cleveland or at your place. Schedules: www.ctworkshop.com/glc. Children’s Technology Workshop is a portfolio company of Beta Strategy Group, Ltd, www.betagroup.us, a founding sponsor of Cool Cleveland Tech.
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Cleveland+ Learn about the brand, the campaign, and the tools w/Thomas A. Waltermire, CEO of Team NEO Wed 7/18 @ 11:30AM. Marriott Cleveland East Harvard Rd. & I-271 Register
YP’s for Urban Schools benefit/mixer for Cle School of the Arts Thu 7/19 @ 7:30P at Flannery’s Details
William E. Kovacic Comish of FTC speaks about data security, ID theft and challenges to rapidly changing tech Fri 7/20 at noon. Details
SOUP and Nat’l Black MBA Assoc. hold joint luncheon w/ guest speaker Fred Nance of Squires, Sanders & Dempsey LLC Wed 7/25 at 11:45. Mariott Downtown. RSVP
SEO and Web 20 How Does Your News Rank on Search Engines? Find out Wed 7/25 at City Club. No cost. RSVP by Fri 7/20 to Melissa.Davis@businesswire.com
Dr. Bridget Duffy of Cle Clinic speaks at B’Wood mo luncheon Wed 7/25 @ 11:30. Register
New Biz Plan Svc Intro w/ Melissa DeGennaro, Principal at marketQUEST, Inc Thu 7/26 at noon. Write a biz plan to take your initiative to the next level. Cle Foundation 1422 Euclid Ave. RSVP to jthomas@civicinnovationlab.org
Morning Buzz focus on Importance of Corp Wellness Wed 8/8 feat. Dr. Thomas Stover Details
CAAO Black L’ship Retreat feat. Paul Hill, ED of East End N’hood House Sat 8/25 Read
Maia Beatty asks “Are You Engaging Your Circle of Influence as Powerfully as You Can?” Wed 10/10 Details

One Good Turn? If you dig the volumes of info that you receive from Cool Cleveland, share the love with your favorite friend, boss or illegal alien today. Simply use the link at the top of this email and put your personal message in the subject line, encouraging them to sign up. Thanks, in advance, from the Hard Corps gang at CC.

Ingenuity 2007: Simply Indispensable
More Hot Picks from the Intersection of Art and Technology

Last week, we shared some of our personal picks for the 2007 Ingenuity Festival — the third annual event featuring the thunder of 1,000 drums ushering in a jam-packed four-day schedule of contemporary dance, opera, ballet, theater, step dancing, breakdancing, live music and tons more. Think we could fit all of our picks into one quick offering? No way.

This week, on the eve of the fest, we offer some more exciting previews and people who make up this of cornucopia of Art and Technology. You can check out a complete list of the events here, then follow along with us as we talk about dancer Sarah Morrison teaming up with NASA and the Cleveland Clinic. She leads another batch of personal selections that we’re all looking forward to this weekend…

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

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“Harry and the Potters,” a musical group that’s part of the Cleveland Public Library’s Summer Reading Program “Rap, Rhythm & Read: Poetry in Motion” will perform Wed 7/25 at 6:30PM. This much anticipated concert has no admission fee, is open to the public and will be held at CPL’s Lake Shore Facility at 17133 Lake Shore Blvd., Cleveland. Seating is limited (first come, first served). Doors open at 5PM and the concert will be approximately three hours. Opening for “Harry and The Potters” are “The Whomping Willows” and “Draco and The Malfoys.” Harry and the Potters merchandise will be available at the concert, which is four days after the Sat 7/21 release of J.K. Rowling’s final installment of the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. For information contact www.eskimolabs.com/hp/ or www.myspace.com/harryandthepotters or 216-623-2948 or 216-623-2822.
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Cool Cleveland Podcast You know how to do it. Click here to listen: Link. iTunes or other.
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Photos of last week’s party taken by Thomas Mulready with his new iPhone posted here

Chipotle Cleveland Scholarship Programs Day at Chipotle Mexican Grill on Tue 7/24 starting at 11AM. Help deserving area students achieve their dream of going to college by visiting any Chipotle; 100% of the day’s sales proceeds will go to Cleveland Scholarship Programs — the oldest, largest and most respected college access program in the United States. Go get your burrito fix and help kids in the process.

Windustrious Cleveland to Premiere a Song Promoting the Installation of the World’s First Fresh-Water Wind Farm on Lake Erie. Call 408-794-0873, then dial 406 # (pound) to hear a sample. Schedule. http://www.windustrious.org
Cle Peace Show needs Volunteers and Co-sponsors E-mail peaceshow@timroff.com or call 320-1316 for details
Envisioning Cle Upcoming photo exhibition looking for entries Read
Les Dames D’Escoffier Int’l O Cleveland Chapter joins forces with the Steelyard Commons Chipotle to benefit The Urban Learning Garden Thu 7/26. Located beside Lucky’s Café in Tremont, this agri learning/biz skillbuilding helps at-risk youth. Call 321-4692 for more info
Portrait Project Heights Arts launching exhibit presenting portraits of individuals and groups who work at Cle Hts biz/orgs. Submission can be in any media, framing/matting optional. Deadline for submissions: Sat 8/18. Entry form available from heightsarts@heightsarts.org or call 371-3457
52 Weeks 52 Works is an annual desk calendar designed, produced, and distributed by Academy Graphic Communication (AGC) highlighting NEO artists. Wanna be considered for inclusion in next year’s 52? Submit
Former Last Call Cle members Jef Etters and Chad Zumock are now Tragically Unemployed

Jot It Down Interested in writing for Cool Cleveland? Let us know your area of interest, cause we’d love to hear from you. Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Every week, all of us here at Cool Cleveland pour through gads of fantastic things happening in CLE and NEO, all in an effort to answer that ever-nagging question: “What’s cool to do this week?” Submitted for your approval, here’s a snapshot of what we found. Got a unique event coming up? Know of something that is a totally Cool Cleveland worthy event? We want to hear from you about it; our tens of thousands of readers do, too. Be a civic and cultural activist and turn on your fellow readers.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Words Alive! A partnership between Cleveland State University Summer Dance 07 and Imagination Writers Workshop, Words Alive! features innovative contemporary works choreographed by CSU Summer Dance faculty members past and present including Jeanine Durning, Susan Van Pelt Petry, Claire Porter, and Helanius J. Wilkins. These works will be performed by Porter and Wilkins, as well as Tammy Metz Starr and participants in the CSU Summer Dance program Wed 7/18 at 7:30PM in the Drinko Recital Hall of CSU’s Music and Communication Building at 2100 Euclid Ave. Email l.deering@csuohio.edu or call 687-4883 for more info.

HOT The Changing Face of Cleveland The Gordon Square Arts & Cultural District and Cleveland District of Design — a pair of very exciting community development initiatives — are the subject of a City Club of Cle program Wed 7/18 at noon. Ward 17 Councilman Matt Zone, Dan Cuffaro, chair of the Department of Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Dr. Ned Hill, vice-president of economic development for Cleveland State University will speak, with synergy being the call of the day. http://www.cityclub.org.

The Future of Food Here’s a wake-up call for anyone who wonders where their daily nourishment comes from. The Future of Food, a 90-minute film that was one of the best-reviewed documentaries of 2005, will screen at the Euclid Public Library Wed 7/18 at 7PM. The film explores unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. Think you’ve got something wholesome? The only thing missing from some of these Frankenstein foods are the bolts in the neck! Light refreshments will be provided. Euclid Public Library (Shore Room), 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid. http://www.thefutureoffood.com.

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“Ingenuity ‘07” is Here! Ingenuity, a seismic celebration of 1000 artists, performers and creative types from Clev and around the world, is also the best entertainment value of the summer ($5 daily). It begins in Playhouse Square tomorrow, Thu 7/19 – Sun 7/22, with four days of creativity and innovation. Here’s a sampling…Have you heard Rock Hall inductee “Grandmaster Flash” in concert? Or how about “Beat the Donkey,” the Brazilian-based percussion ensemble (like “Stomp” on steroids). Try the 40th Anniversary of America’s moon landing with the movie premiere of “In the Shadow of the Moon.” See tech exhibits, a fab Family and Children’s Pavilion, local bands on two stages, good food and fireworks. It’s only here once a year – don’t miss Ingenuity! For schedule contact www.ingenuitycleveland.com or (216) 771-8403.
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HOT Ingenuity It’s the samba sound of 1,000 drums. It’s live jazz, hip-hop, folk, rock, classical and techno. It’s opera, theater, ballet, and breakdancing. It’s digital art, cutting-edge video games, technology exhibitions, and indoor and outdoor events for the whole family. It’s creativity and innovation. It’s 3rd incarnation of Ingenuity! Experience it all in alleys and halls throughout downtown’s Theater District starting Thu 7/19 and running through Sun 7/22. Get all the latest festival activities by going to http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com.

Mixer on the Marsh The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is holding its annual Mixer Thu 7/19 at 5:30PM featuring live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the Center’s boardwalk overlooking the marsh. This year, the fundraiser will also feature Mixer After-Party will be held at the B-Side Liquor Lounge in the Coventry neighborhood at 8PM, featuring live entertainment by local artists including XeLa, Billy Catfish and Ngina Fayola. Details at http://www.shakerlakes.org.

Return of Simple Explore the indie pop styles of this local alt-trio this Thu 7/19 at 9PM. Rob Kovacs, Gary Thobaben and Joe Scale angle for unmined Ben Folds Five territory — with a great deal more earnestness. Miles opens. A great low dough pop show. Read Peter Chakerian’s review of their Saffron CD in this week’s ish. http://www.wilbertsmusic.com. http://www.myspace.com/returnofsimple.

Meet the New Boss Join the Poet’s and Writers League and Cleveland State University’s Imagination Conference for a summer party and picnic at the Lit Center, 12200 Fairhill Rd. on Thu 7/19 at 6PM. They will be introducing PWLGC’s new Executive Director, Judith Mansour Thomas and CSU Poetry Center’s new Executive Director, Michael Dumanis. Come meet other members of NEO’s writing community. The event is no-cost, open to the public with a suggested donations to help support the work of the PWLGC. http://www.pwlgc.com.

A Bright Breuer Idea Gallery It’s been a hot subject of debate for the last couple of months, both here at Cool Cleveland and across the region… what to do with the Marcel Breuer skyscraper. 1305 Gallery at 1305 Euclid Ave. hosts a wildly inventive and creative exhibition in conjunction with the Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology, asking artists and laypeople alike, What would you do with the Breuer Building? The results may surprise you. An opening reception celebrating the work starts at Thu 7/19 at 5PM. http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com.

OSTN Film Festival The Open Student Television Network (OSTN) and Internet2 pair up for their first joint film festival as a part of Ingenuity, showcasing student work during three nights of screenings beginning Thu 7/19. Student directors and producers participating in the festival will use Internet2 technologies to submit and screen their films for the festival. Event runs 7-9PM daily through Sun 7/22. Cleveland State University’s Monte Ahuja Hall, 1860 East 18th St. http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com. http://www.ostn.tv.

Jazz in the Square The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra kicks off the Willoughby Summer Concert Series Thu 7/19 at 7PM at Willoughby City Hall, 1 Public Square, Willoughby. Concertgoers should bring lawn chairs for seating in City Hall parking lot and get ready to swing with Music Director Jack Schantz and the crew. Call 440-953-4190 or visit http://www.willoughbyohio.com for info and a listing of the other live concert events. http://www.clevelandjazz.org.

Kindred Spirits Does Cool Cleveland Speak to You? If so, first check your Prozac prescription for expiration dates. Then if everything’s okay, consider sharing your Cool Cleveland friend with other friends who would also enjoy a good read by forwarding it now.

Urban Landscapes David Buttram’s paintings and the photographs of David Bergholz hold a common theme and will be celebrated in an exhibtion at Heights Arts with an Opening Reception Fri 7/20 at 6PM. Get a vision of urban landscapes as you’ve never seen them — depicting working-class Cleveland neightborhoods and a unique portrait of Carnegie Ave. Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd. http://www.heightsarts.org.

In the Realm of the Gods The Wooltex Gallery presents the work of Krisztina Lazar in her solo exhibition In the Realm of the Gods launching Fri 7/20 at 5PM with an opening reception. Featuring a wide variety of Lazar’s stunningly bold and ethereal paintings (done in the mische technique), Lazar’s depth of skill and detail creates confident lifelike visions. Wooltex Gallery, Tower Press Bldg., 1900 Superior Ave. http://www.thewooltexgallery.com.

It’s A Mad, Mad Verb! Verb Ballets celebrates its 6th triumphant season at Cain Park in Cle Hts with Artistic Director Hernando Cortez’s World Premiere Polka Madness, as well as Heinz Poll’s Bolero and Cortez’s Planet Soup on Fri 7/20 at 8PM. Melding world influence with modern dance, it wouldn’t be summer without Verb in the Park. Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheater, at Lee Road & Superior. http://www.verbballets.org. http://www.cainpark.com.

Summer Fashion in the City The world premiere summer fashion preview, replete with designs, DJ, dancing and drinks, hits Anatomy Nightclub + Ultralounge Fri 7/20 at 9PM. The show presents new T-shirt designs by LaFamiglia Clothing and guest models including members of The Burning River Roller Girls — Cleveland’s first all-female, skater-owned, flat-track derby league. Hair Designs by the The Ohio Academy-Paul Mitchell Partner School. 1299 W. 9th St. No-cost, open to the public. http://www.level6marketing.com. http://www.lafamigliaclothing.com.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s big summer musical is a crowd pleaser, the Tony-award winning Sondheim musicomedy classic set in ancient Rome. It launches Fri 7/20 at 8PM and will run on Fridays and Saturdays until mid-August. The farcical story is based on the writings Plautus and follows the antics of the slave Pseudolous, who attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero, win the girl of his dreams. Mistaken identities, clever social commentary, and lots of hummable melodies. 40 River St., Chagrin Falls.http://www.clvt.org.

Underground Literary America Tour Author/musician/poet Wred Fright and Crazy Carl Robinson, whose novel Fat On The Vine is being published by Underground Literary America Press this year will be featured at bela dubby in Lakewood Fri 7/20 at 9PM. Fright’s novel, The Pornographic Flabbergasted Emus tells the comedic story of a garage rock band in a college town. Both gents will offer readings from their works along with Cle’s Dad of Rock and the Balomai Brothers, a self-proclaimed “junk rock band from Brookpark,” providing the grooves. bela dubby in Lakewood. http://www.myspace.com/beladubby.

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WCLVnotes The 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition takes place from Wed 7/25 – Sat 8/4 at the Cleveland Play House and at Severance Hall. And WCLV 104.9 FM will be there to bring you every note live. Rounds One, Two and Three take place at the Bolton Theatre of the Cleveland Playhouse. Then on August 2nd and 3rd, the action moves to Severance Hall for the Final Concerto Rounds with The Cleveland Orchestra and Jahja Ling. Complete details on all of WCLV’s programming can be found at www.wclv.com.
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Stitch Cleveland Launch Party Celebrate the new studio/workshop space for fiber and fabric fans when it opens its doors in Lakewood Sat 7/21. Bring a friend to Stitch ‘n Bitch, and check out demos of everything from dyeing and felting to wire crochet, sewing and embroidery. For more information, or to sign up for classes, check out http://www.stitchcleveland.com or call 220-4808.

HOT Music Saves Birthday Bash Celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the House that Indie Rock Built with an afternoon of great live music by Bears, Coffinberry, The X Bolex and Soft Spots Sat 7/21 from 2-6PM at the Beachland Tavern. There will be DJ sets by WRUW-FM’s stonecoldbikini and food by neighbors Cafe Marika. Then hit the store next door, mow a piece of gratis b-day cake, grab a new shope t-shirt, some great tunes for the road and be sure to pet mascot Vinyl the Cat on your way out. http://www.musicsaves.com.

Perfectly Normal Toronto novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and musician Paul Quarrington is in Cleveland this week, participating in CSU’s Imagination Writers’ Conference. His visit offers the Cle Cinematheque an opportunity to replay a favorite that he co-wrote and won a Genie (Canadian Oscar) Award for. Perfectly Normal is a quirky tale of beer, ice hockey, and opera in which a sullen brewery worker (Michael Riley) is sucked into the orbit of a fat, fast-talking, shady entrepreneur who talks him into opening an opera-themed Italian restaurant. Quarrington will answer audience questions after the screening on Sat 7/21 at 8PM. http://www.csuohio.edu/imagination. http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque.

Family Unity in the Park Check out the soulful sounds, fireworks and family friendly fun at Luke Easter Park for the Family Unity in the Park celebration Sat 7/21. This all-day affair is open to the public and will frame your summer up right. And to prime you for the event, the organizers are holding a primer concert the night before (Fri 7/20) at 8PM at the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo. Hidden Beach Recording artist Keite Young (http://www.myspace.com/keiteyoung) and Eric Roberson (http://ericrobersonmusic.com). http://www.myspace.com/familyunity.

Backpack Journalism With the Internet changing the way journalists package news, the Cle Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists concludes its “Future of News” programming year with a Sharpen Your Skills seminar Sat 7/21 at 9:30AM. Award-winning journalists with TV, radio, online and newspaper backgrounds will cover the how-to and the dos and don’ts for shooting pictures and video, collecting audio and writing for news web sites. Writers, bloggers and aspiring journalists are invited. Cuyahoga County Public Library 6365 Selig Blvd., Independence. RSVP to tmoore56@msn.com.

HOT Bump, Set, Splat The 22nd annual Mud & Grass Volleyball and Mud Dodgeball Tournament to benefit WAGS4Kids will be held Sat 7/21 at 9AM at the Cuyahoga County Airport, 26300 Curtiss Wright Pky, Richmond Hts. Children and adults come from around the country to play or just watch, enjoying good food and music. Participants are eligible for tournament and raffle prizes, plus each receives a free T-shirt listing event sponsors. And all for a great cause — WAGS4Kids in Berea provides working service dogs at no-cost to children with disabilities. For further information or to register, visit http://www.mudvolleyball.org or call 440-897-1300. http://www.wags4kids.com.

Chuck Mosely Credited as a pioneer of the Rap Rock genre, Mosley was the original frontman of Faith No More (pre-Mike Patton). Mosely was featured on FNM’s debut album We Care a Lot and on their second effort Introduce Yourself. He performs at bela dubby in lakewood Sat 7/21 at 9PM. Hoodoohash (formerly The Bug Guys) and Andy Basinger open the show. http://www.myspace.com/beladubby.

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Back by Popular Demand – 2003 Tix Sold Out! A tribute to a musical legend, “Always . . . Patsy Cline” is now playing at the Carousel through Sun 8/26. Guests are already saying it is better than the 2003 production! The six-piece band on stage accompanies the sound that still echoes in our hearts today and will reach to the rafters with memorable hits like “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces.” Good Seats are available! Dinner plus this phenomenal production – all for under $55.00! Purchase tickets online at www.carouseldinnertheatre.com or by calling the Box Office 800.362.4100!
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HOT 5th Annual Taste of Tremont Held in the heart of Tremont’s restaurant district, this street fair showcases the best culinaria, chefs & restaurateurs and that Tremont has to offer — all alongside some smashing art and entertainment. No cost, open-to-the-public event hits Sun 7/22 from 1-8PM on Professor Ave., between Fairfield and Jefferson. http://www.tremontwestdevelopment.com.

A Gala Event The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland will be throwing a benefit for the LGBT Center Sun 7/22 at 2PM. The Perennial Garden Party hosted by David Bailey and Mike Zinicola will treat you like royalty at their impeccable garden in Bay Village. Fine food, open bar, silent auctions, complimentary valet parking and plenty of entertainment will leave you hungry for next year. Click on the passport at http://www.lgbtcleveland.org.

Ugly Radio Rebellion A Detroit-based Frank Zappa Tribute band crashes the Phantasy Nite Club Sun 7/22 at 8PM. They are a very unique act, as a FZ tribute, the only one in Detroit, and one of few in the whole country. Ike Willis (Frank Zappa’s former guitarist/vocalist of 17 years) sometimes performs with them. If you’re jonesing for tickets to Zappa Plays Zappa, but it’s a tad too step, consider this supercool alternative. 11802 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. http://www.phantasyconcertclub.net

Fine Arts, Antiques and Furniture It’s an auction with everything in Cleveland’s Clifton/near west neighborhood. With a wide array of collectables, furniture, fine arts and antiques for every budget — from colorful 50’s Pyrex dishes to a handsome George III oak Chest of Drawers — you’re bound to find something spectacular. The catalogue of auction items can be found at http://www.graysauctioneers.com in advance of this Sun 7/22 event, from 1-5PM. Gray’s Auctioneers 10717 Detroit Ave.

Ohio City Gardeners Tour Reggae and calypso sets the mood for this mini-vacation in the Caribbean… er, Ohio City. If you need a tropical getaway and you love the vibe that comes from exploring gardens and passion that other green-thumbers have, check out the featured gardens on the Ohio City Gardeners’ Fourth Annual Garden Tour on Sun 7/22 from 9:30AM – 3PM. Asiatic lilies and wild grasses, hostas and irises, fountains, hammocks and umbrellas are just the beginning of this urban island retreat. Funky. Urban. Tropical. Paradise! http://www.ohiocitygardeners.com/home.html.

All Women, All Art Opus Gallery’s 12th Annual Art Show hits Sun 7/22 at noon, featuring hand-crafted hats, sculptures, oils, Encaustic, fine sterling silver jewelry and photography. The show runs through Sun 9/1, giving emerging women artists the spotlight. 27629 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere. Call 595-1376 for more info.

HOT Oberlin Int’l Piano Competition & Festival This 13th annual event is sponsored by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, starting Sun 7/21 with a 7-day run. Directed by Oberlin Professor of Piano Robert Shannon, the competition is for pianists between the ages of 13 and 18, includes participants from Canada, China, Cyprus, Korea, Taiwan, and the US, and features the largest first-prize award for an international youth piano competition: a $10K cash prize plus orchestral engagements in Beijing and Hong Kong. Several public events included. Oberlin Conservatory of Music, 39 W. College St. Oberlin http://www.oberlin.edu/con.

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Rock ‘n Roll Triple Play The Lake County Captains host the triple bill of Counting Crows, Collective Soul and Live Tue 7/24 starting at 6:30PM at Classic Park in Eastlake. If you go, let us know what’s up with Adam Duritz’s hair. Tickets for the concert are onsale at the Classic Park Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone, or online here.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Hip-Hop Summer Arts Camp Limited spaces are still available for Progressive Arts Alliance’s Hip-Hop Summer Arts Camp, recently recognized in the World Almanac for Kids as a featured “fun camp.” Open to students age 12-19, this two-week intensive program features day-long hands-on workshops that allow students to learn more about the history and aesthetic expressions of hip-hop culture: DJing, MCing (rapping), dancing, and graffiti art. Program includes master classes by national guest artists Popmaster Fabel and DJ Rob Swift from NYC. The camp will be held Monday-Friday, July 23-August 3, 9:30 am-4 pm at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square, 1375 Euclid Avenue. For more information, call 556-0337 or visit http://www.paalive.org.

AST Dew Tour An extreme sports fest flourishes in Voinovich Park starting Thu 7/19 and runs through the weekend. Headlined by rock act Puddle of Mudd and a glut of the world’s most adept X-sports athletes compete. Schedule of Events. http://www.astdewtour.com

Chill n’ Grill for the Arts Solon Center for the Arts rocks out on Fri 7/20 starting at 11:30AM celebrating the SCA’s 5th Birthday pARTy. Festivities include chalk art and other kid’s activities, dancing with the Tony Koussa Jr. Band, and birthday cake. Lunch is available for purchase, with burgers, dogs and chicken sandwiches prepped by Solon High School Drama Club; proceeds go towards the Drama Club’s scholarship program. Cle rock photog George Shuba’s Cleveland Rocks – Legendary Rock Stars exhibit featuring over 40 provocative original photos of 1960 rock stars who came through Cleveland will be on display as well. Exhibit runs through 8/10; Shuba’s national tour kicks off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in the fall of 2008. http://www.solonarts.org

Harry Potter Festival Mac’s Backs in Coventry is hosting special events/programs throughout the Coventry neighborhood from 6PM-midnight on Fri 7/20, in conjunction with the release of the final Potter book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on sale at midnight (7/21) at Mac’s. The Coventry Movie Series will feature Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone starting at 8PM. Bring a blanket and an FM tuner/radio to the Coventry Elementary School soccer field starting at 8PM for pre-flick music. Movie starts at 9PM. http://www.macsbacks.com.

Cats Take a ninth-life leap with an all-teen reinvention of Cats, the musical setting of T.S. Eliot’s whimsical collection of poetry. Cats transports its audience into a fantastical world that could only exist in the theater, making it one of the most dazzlingly theatrical musicals ever created. The song Memory is one of most popular theater songs of all time. Showing from Fri 7/20 through 8/5. Visit www.nearwesttheatre.org for dates and ticket availability or call 961-6391 to reserve seats. Patrick’s Club Building, 3606 Bridge Avenue.

Harry Potter Deux Obsessed with Missster Potter? Hit the Westlake Borders reimagined as the Grand Hallows Ball this Fri 7/20 starting at 9:30PM. Try your hand at Potter spelling bee, take sides in the Great Snape Debate – is Severus Snape good or evil? Enjoy strolling magicians, the roaming Harry Potter Prize Patrol, and more. Don’t forget to call ahead to reserve your copy of final Potter book! Borders, 30121 Detroit Rd., Westlake. http://www.bordersstores.com.

Potter Party in the Village Even more Potter? Not to be outdone in the Harry-ness, Joesph-Beth Booksellers has their pre-party party Fri 7/20 at 10PM called Potter Party in the Village in honor of the release Rowling’s finale in the blockbuster series. Divinations (e.g. fortune telling), Tri-Wizard Tournament Maze, Potions class, trivia, a Quaffle Toss, Wand Making and other events keep the cauldron bubbling! 24519 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst. http://www.josephbeth.com

Plastic Yarn? What does one do with all those plastic bags from the grocery store and retailers? Besides using them as garbage bags or recycling them to be remade into more bags there is another alternative. This class will teach you how to convert plastic bags into useable plastic yarn Sat 7/21 starting at 12:30PM. With instructor Heather Quiñones. http://www.peninsulaartacademy.com or call 330-657-2248 for details.

Space Rovers Learn about the use of wheeled vehicles in the exploration of our solar system Sat 7/21 @ NASA Glenn Visitor Ctr. Learn how future Mars rovers could be equipped with new instrumentation that could better help scientists determine if the Red Planet has signs of life.http://www.glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.

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Hands On Photography Lessons for Families Learning Together Children, parents and grandparents (in any combination) are invited to learn about photography in classes held at the Cleveland Museum of Art: “Black and White and Everything in Between.” This is a two-class series on Sundays, 7/29 and 8/5, from 2:00-3:30PM. Kids must be at least 5 years old. Families will visit both photography exhibitions at CMA and CIA as part of this class. $15 PER PERSON. Advanced registration required. Spaces limited to 20. Register at our Ticket center at 216-707-2182. For more info contact www.clevelandart.org.
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Y.O.U. Bowl-a-Thon Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Northeast Ohio’s largest youth workforce development organization, kicks off its inaugural Y.O.U. Bowl-a-Thon Sat 7/21 at 10AM at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe, 28801 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Register online at http://you.kintera.org/bowling.

Wings of Wonder Over the last 5 years, hundreds of area kids dealing with serious illnesses get the chance to temporarily soar above their problems through Kids in Flight™, a local non-profit org founded by cancer survivor Maria Weybrecht, 24, of Eastlake. This year’s event is Sat 7/21 at Burke Lakefront Airport; some 300 kids and their families are expected to experience sightseeing flights around the Cle area with licensed pilots. Come share in their experience. http://www.kidsinflight.org.

One Concert to Rule Them All Join The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus for a musical journey into the realm of Middle-earth, as they deliver J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy as composed for the recent films by Howard Shore. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning score from the films hits for one night Sat 7/21 at 9PM at Blossom Music Center. Original illustrations from Tolkien artists, Alan Lee and John Howe, projected above the stage. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

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/CoolClevelandKids07.20.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

July 12, 2007 was a watershed event for Cool Cleveland, and our partners Brewed Fresh Daily, the Meet.The.Bloggers* network of blogs, and the Cleveland Public Library. Gathered together to discuss the proposed Medical Mart, as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners’ intention to raise the sales tax to pay for it and other “economic development” plans, the discussion was civil, rigorous, and even passionate at times. While a number of subject matter experts attended as resources in the fields of government, economic development and convention centers, anyone willing to step to the mic could ask questions and raise issues about the 1/4% sales tax recently proposed by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to raise money for a yet-to-be-determined convention center and attached medical mart. There weren’t any panels, long presentations or speakers. After a brief powerpoint by Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready to frame the issue, the audience raised point after point (with comments from both Cool Cleveland and Brewed Fresh Daily tossed in by Thomas for good measure) while Meet.The.Bloggers* partners Tim and Gloria Ferris took notes. You can download a PDF of the issues here and of the questions and comments here.

See photos from the forum by Janet Century here.

Listen to these audio excerpts:

• Tom Turner of Lakewood asks about the port authority. Joe Marinucci responds.
• Jill Miller Zimon inquires about the risks/rewards. “It appears at this time that the bulk of the risk is on the public side. What are the risks taken by Medical Mart and Forest City Enterprises?”
• Carla Rautenberg wonders about profits. Kelly Brewer of the CVB calls them “loss leaders”.
• Anastasia Pantsios questions the rosy projections. Samantha Fryberger, Director of Communications for the CVB responds. Kelly Brewer reinforces.
• Jeff Buster: “We have our priorities distorted in this town. We continue to line the pockets of the rich at the expense of those in our midst who can least afford it.”
• The entire recording is here.

Bloggers followed up with these comments:

• Jill Miller Zimon calls it a citizen journalism bonanza.
• Roger Bundy has a blow-by-blow account here
• Jeff Buster expounds on his ideas in this post
• Other BFD comments here and here

Don’t forget The Cuyahoga County Commissioners will be having a public hearing Thu 7/19 (and again 7/26) on the proposed sales tax increase @ 11AM in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium at the Cleveland Public Library, 525 Superior Ave.

Think that’s it? Think again. After you’ve reviewed the above info, head to Brewed Fresh Daily to continue the conversation:
http://www.brewedfreshdaily.com/2007/07/03/coolclevelandcombfdmtbyoucool-community-forums/

BrewedFreshDaily.com, run by Cool Cleveland’s George Nemeth, scans over hundreds of area feeds everyday and provides links and commentary on a range subjects—from coffee to economic development in Northeast Ohio. Here’s an excerpt:

The program formerly known as Voices & Choices, is touting that “there are now about 70 partners in Advance Northeast Ohio.” George Nemeth visits the page listing the partners, checks out the “action plan”, and gets the feeling that things haven’t changed a whole lot. To double-check, he asks “What do you see different about it?”

Here’s what BFD readers see:

Read and add your comment here

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Summertime and the Living is Easy There’s no better time than summer to visit Cleveland Botanical Garden. Take time out to enjoy life . . . Kids can frolic in the Hershey Children’s Garden with its squirting fountains, dwarf forests, scrounger garden, worm bins and wheelchair-accessible tree house. Adults can enjoy an al fresco lunch — or Wednesday evening cocktail — on the Geis Terrace, the best summer dining spot in all of University Circle. Food enthusiasts can stop by for a summer cooking demonstration during our “Gourmets in the Garden” series on Wednesday Evenings. And everyone can bask in the beauty of our 10 acres of jewel-like gardens in all their summer glory. Visit www.cbgarden.org for more information.
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Commentary from Clevelander Ralph Solonitz

See more of Ralph’s work at http://www.RalphStuff.com

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Do blogs make a difference? We’ll find out soon if they do in Lorain.
TWOTW blogger Jonathan Rees is in town “delivering two lectures on the history of steel in Cleveland at the Western Reserve Historical Society for community college professors”.
The Chronicles of Arrogance begin with entries on Hagan, Dimora.
Last week’s forum “might be the best example of citizen journalism turned activism we’ve seen locally.”
Who needs casinos downtown? There’s plenty of gambling just south of here.
Puppies and kitties that need homes.
Look for roving librarians at Ingenuity this year.
10 Answers from Momocho chef Eric Williams

Check Brewed Fresh Daily here, where Peter Chakerian comments on the news of the week in the CC e-blast. When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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It’s All Guitars! Buy ’em, display ’em, play ’em! Created by high school students from 27 schools around Greater Clev. Now’s your chance to see and purchase one of 27 Fender® Stratocaster® guitars artistically transformed for It’s all Guitars!, a project of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s GuitarMania® that introduces public art, guitars and community involvement to high school students throughout Greater Cleveland. Display the guitar in your home or plug it in and play it! The guitars will be auctioned at the House of Blues, 308 Euclid DT, on Sat 7/28, with proceeds benefiting United Way and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs. Auction admission is $10, doors open at 1PM. For more information, visit www.cleveland.com/guitarmania.
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Saffron
Return of Simple
Self-Released

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It’s an acquired taste, but if you love it, you know it. Derived from the violet-blossomed crocus, the flavor from saffron threads is as surprising as the autumnal depth, warmth and color they possess. They start out wily, a deep burgundy, but with a little butter and some heat, they yield to a bright, redemptive yellow with nothing less than a luxurious flavor. Could there be a better way to describe the piano-based alt-pop sound of local trio Return of Simple and their most recent effort Saffron? This reviewer certainly thinks not.

With a sound culling the sap from the taproots of Ben Folds Five, Jack’s Mannequin and Aqualung, RoS goes for a 20-something anthemic sound — compartmentalized in a classic jazz trio set-up. Though their modern flavor never overreaches into Coldplay pretension, Return of Simple’s 9-track release is poised, sincere and reflective. Singer/pianist Rob Kovacs keeps the tempo upbeat like Folds, but he is far less willing to go wry and tongue-in-cheek the whole way through. Think of RoS this way: If someone slipped Aqualung (Matt Hales) some Zoloft, the results might sound like this…
Read the review by Peter Chakerian here

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

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Luxury Condominiums with Sweeping Views of Public Square! The Park Building, an historic building in the heart of downtown Cleveland, has been converted to 27 luxury condominiums. With pre-construction pricing from $189,900, these 1-3 bedroom condominiums offer refinished hardwood floors, oversized, light-filled windows, elegant historic details, granite countertops, secure, attached parking, outdoor decks on some units, and many other amenities. You can walk to the excitement of East Fourth Street and the Warehouse District! Buyers will also benefit from 12 year tax abatement and reduced rate financing. Act now to secure your unit at pre-construction prices! The Park Building is open Sundays from 2-4PM, and is located at 140 Public Square (corner of Euclid & Ontario). More info is available at www.progressiveurban.com.
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Ingenuity 07 Caters to Dance Fanatics

Much as we enjoy the high tech exhibits and the general festival atmosphere, dance has always been the highlight of Ingenuity for us. At this year’s Ingenuity, in addition to having more really great stuff than ever before, the Festival’s curatorial committee has assembled an unusually good assortment of dance performances that make use of technology in ways new to Cleveland audiences.

Talking with Linda Jackson, Ingenuity’s Dance Coordinator for Playhouse Square, we asked: What’s the highlight of this year’s Ingenuity? Grandmaster Flash? 10,000 drums? Jackson replied, “This year, throughout all kinds of programming, through all kinds of disciplines, things are going to be reaching new heights, especially in dance…”
Read the preview by Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson here

It’s A Mad, Mad Verb!

Continuing to connect to Cleveland themes, Verb’s artistic director and choreographer in residence Hernando Cortez’ latest ballet, ”Polka Madness,’ is set to the music of longtime Clevelander Frankie Yankovic, piano accordionist, bandleader, and America’s Polka King until his death in 1998.

Cleveland-style polka, the easy-listening, Slovenian-style polka popularized by Yankovic was a world away from polka-as-serious-concert-music by the Strausses, Smetana, and Stravinsky, but Yankovic’s music had enormous staying power as a popular form, resisting even the inroads of jazz and rock and roll. At Verb’s Cain Park performance, Yankovic’s music will be played live by a young local bandleader, Johnny Koenig, arguably the principal exponent of the Yankovic musical legacy today.

In a nod to the legacy of Ohio Ballet’s founder, Verb brings Heinz Poll’s Bolero back to the stage. Poll’s vision for Ravel’s climactic tone poem largely eschews balletic style, entrances and exits, and color. Costumed in black sarongs with the men bare-chested, the dancers characteristically hold their arms straight out to their sides with thumbs extended; only as the music reaches crescendo does the prima ballerina flash the red lining of her costume. The asceticism of his approach may sound off-putting, but in our experience audiences have always responded enthusiastically to this piece, exemplifying the unlikely appeal of Poll’s German modern dance-influenced approach to ballet.

Also on the program, Cortez’ signature piece Planet Soup. Set to a world beat, Soup’s athletic hybrid of dance styles shows Cortez’ debt to his former boss, modern dance giant Paul Taylor, as well as his own mastery of pop materials.

Verb delivers on Friday July 20 at 8PM at Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheater. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Cain Park Ticket Office. Call 371-3000 or visit http://www.cainpark.com for details.

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

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Come Be Seduced by “NINE,” a sultry and enchanting musical directed by Victoria Bussert, who, according to the P.D., is “unequaled in Cleveland in her direction of musicals.” Cain Park invites you to experience what the N.Y. Times has described as “a galloping fantasy [with a]…ravishingly inventive and tuneful score,” Thu 8/2 – Sun 8/19 in the intimate Alma Theater. Based on Fellini’s comic masterpiece of biographical filmmaking, “8 1/2,” “NINE” follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini as he prepares his latest picture and balances the numerous women in his life. And when you introduce yourself as a Cool Clevelander to the Cain Park Ticket Office 216-371-3000, you’ll get a cool $2 discount off full-price tickets August 8-19, while supplies last. Limit 2 tickets per person www.cainpark.com.
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Home & Away Games
Greg Cielec
Pink Flamingo Press

If you are a longtime Ohioan, you might strain your brain wondering which small Ohio town that author Greg Cielec’s Home & Away Games was fashioned after. Could it be Sandusky? Delaware? Wapokoneta? The list of inspirations goes go on and on. This slim volume novella is the sophomore effort of Cleveland writer Cielec (his My Cleveland Story was published in 1998) and was actually written and produced while he worked on his second full-length novel, A Poem on a Barroom Wall (of which excerpts are printed at the end to whet your appetite).

Home & Away Games is about a major league football coach who gets the boot and then tries to reconnect with his divorced wife and 3 children. The kids are now teenagers and “Coach” finds himself in for a few surprises.

A great secondary theme runs through the story with coach’s insights and feelings about the world of coaching: the endless round of recruiting, training, game film, practices… football, as in My Cleveland Story, is a major player in the story (no pun intended?) Some CoolCleveland.com readers will recall that aside from being a contributor to this e-blast, Cielec is a coach himself, affiliated with Case Western Reserve University and John Carroll University.

This is a good family story; the characters are fairly rote and no one deviates from their script. You have the Harrassed Single Mom, the Mixed-up Teen, etc… some of mom Emily’s language is out of character for her, especially when talking about a sexual assault. To that end, Cielec exhibits a commendable sympatico for the harried single moms of our day. In all, this is a nice introduction to Cielec and his voice. The book is dedicated to the memory of Chris Kowalczyk, former Clevelander who provided the cover artwork and design for MCS.

(As for telling this review which Ohio town Home & Away Games was modelled after, Cielec just explains that it is a composite of the myriad of small towns he travelled to when promoting My Cleveland Story).

”Learn more about Cielec at http://www.gregcielec.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Ginny Parobek slovakgirl5ATyahoo.com

Educating Our At-risk Youth

Former State Sen. C.J. Prentiss is heading up a statewide effort to stem the tide of Black males dropping out of inner-city high schools. Gov. Strickland promised during his campaign that he would provide assistance in regards to finding a solution to this troubling phenomenon, and he is now delivering. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds, in the amount of $20 million over two years, is being earmarked to allow school districts across the state to focus on 9th graders in schools where the graduation rate is under 70 percent.

The amount per student works out to around two-thousand dollars for each 9th grader that exhibits certain behavioral tendencies that are predictive of them being in eminent danger of falling through the cracks and eventually dropping out of school — which, of course, is all too often a pipeline to prison or an early death due to street violence.

Each school district across the state gets to determine how the money is spent to help the at-risk students, and, judging from early indications there will be almost as many ideas on how to use the funds as there are students to use them on. So, with that being the case, I might as well lobby for my pet solution: Bribes…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

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What is the Best Entertainment Value of the Summer? Ingenuity, a festival of art and technology, is a creative collaboration celebrating 1000 artists, performers and creatives from Clev and around the world ($5 daily). It begins in Playhouse Square tomorrow, Thu 7/19 through Sun 7/22, at Playhouse Square, with four days of creativity and innovation. Check out amazing talent that includes the sound of 1,000 drums, live jazz, hip-hop, folk, rock, techno, classical, opera, theater, ballet, step dancing, breakdancing, contemporary dance and more! Enjoy visual exhibits, concerts, poetry slams, stilt walkers, jugglers, parades, good food, flowers, activities for kids and fireworks. It’s only here once a year – don’t miss Ingenuity! For schedule contact www.ingenuitycleveland.com or (216) 771-8403.
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Fast Food Journalism at the Pee Dee

The front page of the Pee Dee has become a forum of Fast Food Journalism – just about as protein deficient in information as the McDonald’s servings are absent nutrition.

Sunday’s edition reveals the lack of thought now a trademark of the PD front-page slide. The five-and-half, 12-inch display – about leadership and regionalism – has the photos of 75 politicians imbedded. Seventy-five cropped photos!

Is that supposed to be powerful? Is that supposed to be creative…?
Roldo Link Fast Food Journalism At The Pee Dee Read more from Roldo Bartimole here]]

Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Booth @ CSU Factory 7/5
The lowdown: Some shows can’t be done without a star and Austin Pendleton’s Booth is one of them; it requires a huger-than-life performance by somebody who can convince you they were a supernova. Luckily Michael Mauldin entertainingly tears up the stage as the bombastic, egotistical Junius Brutus Booth, patriarch of the 19th century acting royal family that spawned superstar Edwin and presidential assassin John Wilkes. Austin Pendleton’s play mostly holds interest, Holly Holsinger is strong as Booth’s long-time mistress, and Jill Levin utterly captivates in her 2nd act appearance as his icy wife Adelaide.
Caveats: Geoff Knox has some annoying tics as Edwin and doesn’t have the chops to convince you that he’ll become the greatest actor of his time, but luckily the script doesn’t require him to be.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Jekyll and Hyde @ Beck 7/6
Reasons to go: The sets and costumes are lush and the singing is terrific in this poperetta version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of good and evil. And when Aimee Collier’s on stage as the earthy London prostitute Lucy, you’ll momentarily think you’re seeing Broadway quality at Beck Center prices.
Caveats: Frank Wildhorn’s adaptation itself is dreary and obvious, a waxworks version with no subtlety either in its June-moon rhymes or subtextless book. And though his effortless baritone voice is as dreamy as ever, Dan Folino’s characterization is over-the-top wacky: making Jekyll a twitching, obsessed wreck and Hyde a bad boy rocker from a hair metal band. Although the opening night audience mostly ate it up, we found his “Rain Man becomes Bon Jovi” transformation unintentionally hilarious. Add Hyde ripping out rubber intenstines, and we were in helpless paroxyms of laughter.
Details: Thru 8/5, Beck Center, Lakewood. http://www.beckcenter.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

The Turn of the Screw @ The Cleveland Play House 7/11 A deliciously chilling, 19th-century concoction was brewed up in the latest Opera Cleveland production of Benjamin Britten’s take on Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. The story as envisaged by Britten and Myfanwy Piper begins when a pastor’s spinster daughter is persuaded by a man she has the hots for (and one she can never have) to live in a remote country estate and care for his two prepubescent wards. Add her growing feeling of isolation once there, her religious upbringing, a huge splash of Freudian erotic a la Henry James, blend in a couple of ghosts (or are they? and can we sensibly debate whether or not ghosts exist?) and stir to expose volatile emotions that may lie within the calmest, most conventional of hearts.

Director Nick Olcott does a superb job with the patient and ambiguous ways of a Henry James story. He’s helped by a balanced and strong cast seemingly born for their parts. As The Governess, soprano Amy Burton alternately strikes one as sane or hysteric. Her lovely voice floats from happy and melodic when she first sees her new residence and then turns shrill and off as she sees what she thinks is beneath it. David Korn, with that rarest of voice types, (he’s a male soprano), plays the innocent, impish “bad” boy Miles with verve and vocal dexterity and some really cool “air piano” (when he “plays” an invisible piano). Flora, as sung by perky-sweet Vivian Krich-Brinton, is his perfect little sister as she dances around the stage and follows her brother’s lead.

Steven Ebel as Peter Quint (and doubling as the handsome guardian) allows his lyric tenor a seductive energy. Meghan McCall is fetching as the shade of the tragic Miss Jessel, the previous governess who fell into the clutches of the wicked Peter Quint. Soprano Michelle Rice, whose character the housekeeper Mrs. Grose is seemingly the only sane person on the stage, projects a sense of reality and common sense that provides a refreshing counter to the hysterics of The Governess. The Opera Cleveland Orchestra conducted by David Angus plays Britten’s evocative score with the finesse one has come to expect from this fine ensemble.

The effects of this story may linger longer than that of the usual “dumb people doing dumb things and dying” opera plot lines. As a start, consider the title. The idea of “screwing” to “implant firmly (a notion) by means of gradual insinuation” dates to the 17th-century according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It took another century for its use as a euphemism for sex to work into recorded English usage. But both meanings were current during James’ time (and most surely very common by Britten’s). Considering the plight of the story’s Governess, it seems likely she could have been victim of a ghost, of rumor, of bored children, her own desires and hormones; or she could be a hero, the only one sensitive enough to intuitively grasp the danger facing the children. We get to debate it post show if we wish. And James, of course, has the last laugh since he’s just screwed with our heads.

The stage is the only element not ambiguous, set entirely in black and white (a visual pun since it’s the only thing about “Turn” that is black and white). The costumes, a mirror frame and the four bone-white chairs used for “Turn” work perfectly. The set adds a suggestion of skeletal outlines for the six characters to thread between, sit on, kneel on and even turn into a desk. The spooky old Drury Theatre at The Cleveland Play House, though cramped, is the perfect setting for a story designed to make us squirm a bit in our seats. That night I dreamed of bones and skulls beneath the skin. Wonder why?

Other performances are scheduled for 8PM July 18, 21, and 2 p.m. July 22. See http://www.operacleveland.org for more information or tickets.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

Gourmets in the Garden @ Cleveland Botanical Garden 7/11 The heat finally dissipated and a cool breeze came in off the lake as Clevelander’s enjoyed the festivities on Wade Oval last Wednesday. Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Gourmets in the Garden series resumed after the July 4th break with a demonstration by Grovewood Tavern & Wine Bar (http://www.grovewoodtavern.com) but the really cool thing was the ever changing bloom in the gardens. I attended the May 2007 Flower Show so seeing the changes in the installation gardens was a thrill. The Opera Hortensia Garden by Frieden Landscape and Design in Kirtland was more beautiful now than it was then. Having seen the outdoor amphitheaters in Pompeii, I can see the inspiration for this garden that I didn’t quite see in May when the plantings were fresh and new. Time has given character to this display that is worth a second look. CBG is also getting ready for its upcoming event: A Taste of Tuscany. The garden store is stocked with items from Italy and the Geis Terrace has begun its transformation but there is much more to come. In the meantime, Blue Point Grille is on deck for tonight’s Gourmets in the Garden. (Details Here) From Cool Cleveland Contributor Nan Frost nanettehfATsbcglobal.net

Shaw Festival @ Niagara-on-the-Lake 7/11-14 Each year the Shaw Festival selects a central theme for their play selections. The 2007 season of the best repertory company in Northern America is centered on “matters of the heart.” The plays being performed all deal with love, marriage, desertion, relational conflict, shifting allegiances and eccentric couplings.

The Shaw season runs from April through October an encompasses ten major productions plus a noon-time series and many special events. This year’s offerings are good, but not up to last year’s superb productions…

On a recent four-day visit to the Shaw, which is located in what is undoubtedly the prettiest little city in Canada, I saw 7 shows and a reading. Here are reviews of some of the selections. Additional reviews will be presented in a future column.

Capsule judgment of the season: Last year, production after production at the Shaw was excellent. This season, though almost every show was quite acceptable and worth seeing, there were no master strokes. Part of this may have been that seeing show after show which were all variations of each other got a little tedious. Seeing one or two shows in a visit may relieve some of that feeling of “I’ve seen this before.”

SUMMER AND SMOKE

Tennessee Williams is noted for his exploration of spiritual, sexual and psychological themes. His plays, many of which have biographical content, reflect southern US morality and customs. Many of his leading women find themselves in societal settings in which they misunderstand their surroundings and are misunderstood by those around them (think Blanche in Streetcat Named Desire and Amanda in Glass Menagerie). This theme parallels that of the writer’s mother being forced to leave her home in the deep south and move to the more northern Missouri. She never adjusted to that setting.

Williams’ plays may be grouped as tour-de-force scripts, such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and the aformentioned Streetcar and Menagerie, and lesser successes such as A Rose Tattoo, Camino Royale, and Night of the Iguana. Summer and Smoke is one of his less performed and more moderate writings.

Summer and Smoke which is set in Glorious Hill, Mississippi, centers on Alma Winemiller, a repressed spinster, who, like smoke, is smoldering with inner fire and her long-time felt love toward Dr. John Buchanan, the boy next door who grew up to be a man of the world, full of youthful bloom and sexual heat (the summer).

The premise of whether a person has a soul and, if so, what are the ethical values inherent in that acceptance. This is a reworking of themes Williams previously explored. There’s the refined but fading Southern belle, the crude lothario who strains her principles, a struggle between love and lust, and characters dealing with unrealized expectations. In this writing, however, Williams has his heroine make a complete turn about with no obvious motivation for the change.

In spite of the play’s problematic ending, the Shaw production works well. Director Neil Munro has paced the play properly and has developed clear characterizations within the writer’s limits.

Nicole Underhay is properly conflicted as Alma. She textures the role with moods that swing between euphoria and depression. Though quite good, Guy Bannerman is not quite as effective as the young Dr. Buchanan. At times, his characterization was unbelievable. There were some excellent supporting performances.

The original incidental music aids in mood development. On the other hand, set designer Peter Hartwell’s set doesn’t work. It fails to show the duality that is needed and, after a while, the constant need to move curtain screens becomes tedious.

Capsule judgment: Though not one of Williams’ great plays, Summer and Smoke” carries many of the playwright’s basic themes. The Shaw production is good and worth seeing.

MACK AND MABEL

Mack Sennett is long remembered by those who are fans of silent movies. He did the kind of comedy shtick that gave the world the Keystone Cops, Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Norman, the comedy queen of non-talkies. Norman was also Sennett’s on-and-off lover. The duo is the subject of the musical, Mack and Mabel.

Mack and Mabel has words and music by Jerry Herman (Mame, Hello Dolly! and Le Cage Aux Folles) and the book is by Michael Stewart (Bye Bye Birdie, Grand Tour). The script being presented by the festival is the work of Francine Pascal (George M!), who revised the original offering for a London production which was better received than its US staging.

The show opened in New York in 1974 to generally poor reviews. The production starred Bernadette Peters and Robert Preston, and despite eight Tony nominations, ran only 66 performances. (Side note: I saw one of those Broadway performances and agreed with reviewers’ comments regarding the melodramatic writing and lack of memorable musical score.)

The rags-to-riches story line centers on the hyperactive Sennett, his rise to fame producing short silent films, and his tumultuous love affair with Norman. Sennett was a genius of slapstick comedy and could gage what audience’s wanted. The duo met when they were bit players on the Biograph film lot, but in the musical he discovers her when, as a delicatessen delivery girl, she walks onto a movie set in New York and spontaneously convulses the production team. As in real life, the duo went on to be the comedy’s king and queen of silent flicks, but had a chaotic personal life. The play’s melodramatic conclusion has the two apparently living happily ever-after following one of their many reconciliations. In reality, Norman died at 38 of tuberculosis after being involved in a scandal and becoming a drug and alcohol addict.

The Shaw production, under the direction of Molly Smith and choreographer Baayork Lee, is uneven. Part of the problem is the script, but Smith fails to take advantage of some excellent opportunities to excite the audience. Two of the “show stopper” musical numbers were flat. “Make the World Laugh” is supposed to be the audience’s opportunity to see all of Senett’s character’s in action. Though the music was lively, the pacing was slow and the visuals not dynamic. “Hit Them On the Head,” another musical number that lent itself to all-out farce, was also lacking in needed frenetic pacing and lacked creativity. On the other hand, aided by a strong dancing corps, “Tap Your Troubles Away” displayed what the production numbers should be.

Glynis Ranney was excellent at Mabel. She textured the portrayal with just the right elements of comedy and pathos. Benedict Campbell has an excellent singing voice. Unfortunately, at times he overacted the role of Mack, making dramatic scenes melodramatic. The rest of the cast was excellent.

Capsule judgment: In spite of its somewhat weak script and production flaws, as evidenced by the response the day I saw the production, audiences will like the Shaw production of Mack and Mabel.

HOTEL PECCADILLO

George Feydeau, the author of Hotel Peccadillo, is noted for writing hilarious farces about the war within people concerning their sexual desires and their ability to act on those desires. His style is so unique that the viewing of one of his plays is referred to by critics as a trip to “Feydeauville.”

Hotel Peccadillo is typical Feydeau. It is filled with scheming, discovery of attempted amorous affairs and the acting out of sexual dreams. It, in some ways, parallels the old joke concerning Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with the 10 commandments. Moses says, “I have good news and bad news. I got HIM down to ten, but Adultery stays.” It is the playing around with a desire for, but the avoidance of getting caught in Adultery, that motivates Feydeau’s writing.

The plot of Hotel is thin, in fact, almost irrelevant. It is the characters and their actions that carry us into the laughter. For what it’s worth, here is the premise: A psychiatrist wants to bed a patient’s wife. The patient is frustrated in his marriage and wants to bed someone other than his wife. A pilot friend of the psychiatrist brings three beautiful Russian stewardesses and their macho female chaperon for a tryst. The psychiatrist’s assistant is sexually interested in her boss’s teenage son. And, it goes on and on. (See why I said the plot was irrelevant?) This is pure silliness for sillness’s sake. After watching a Feydeau play you gain an understanding of why Jerry Lewis is so popular in France.

Feydeau, as is typical of many writers of farces, depends on sets of double doors by which the adulterers, or those desiring to be adulters, duck in an out. The script requires fast pacing, quick costume changes and the viewer’s willingness to go along with the ridiculousness. He does not write plays to be enjoyed by the uptight, the moralist, the religious fundamentalist or those looking for a serious message.

The Shaw production is fun, but uneven. The first and fourth scenes, those that take place in the psychiatrist’s office are hilarious. The word plays, the farcical interactions, the exaggeration is well done. Unfortunately, the visual farce in scenes two and three, those in the hotel setting with the multiple doors, is sluggish. In order for visual slapstick to work, there must be total abandonment. Director and adaptor Morris Panych is better with the word play segments than with the slapstick.

Set designer Ken MacDonald has fashioned a set centering on perspective of large to small. The front of the triangle set has full-sized doors, the back doors are half-sized. If properly used, the set could add to the fun. But, as is, the pacing is slowed down by the door configurations.

”Capsule judgment: If you just want to have a good time and leave your troubles and reality at the stage door, Hotel Peccadillo is your kind of thing. It is too bad, however, that the director wasn’t able to correctly pace the farcical middle of the play more effectively so the full effect of Feydeau’s concept is evident. As is, it’s like a sandwich made of fine bread with a tasteless middle layer.

‘In my next column I’ll review The Philanderer, Lillies, the Kiltartan Comedies, The Circle” and offer some information about other attractions in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Be aware that the days of low cost due to the high value of the American dollar against the Canadian dollar, are over. The exchange rate is almost equal, dollar for dollar. Also, the original intent to check passports at the US-Canadian border has postponed for a while. All you need to get to our neighbors to the north and back again is some official form of identification (e.g., driver’s license or government id card). Visit http://www.shawfest.com for more info.”’

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

Roy Berko’s blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info.

Spawn of the Petrosexuals @ convergence-continuum 7/13
Reasons to go: Think Mad Max meets Arthur Rimbaud on LSD: Christopher Johnston’s scifi dystopian underground comic is about a world after the oil is gone, and he gets a committed ride from the Tremont company. Johnston has fun with wordplay and invented slanguage, and several of his monologues are strong. The cast is physically knockabout, Noel Maitland’s multimedia is hot, and Mitch Domer’s costumes look great.
Caveats: Expect atmosphere and style over plot and coherence in the episodic, violent script, which has Angerboy (Geoffrey Hoffman) and the Arab intruder Hemad (Tom Kondilas) both lusting after Jovana Batkovic’s Freegirl. But credit director Clyde Simon for taking on a new script and giving it his all.
Details: thru 8/11 at The Liminis, http://www.convergence-continuum.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Mahler and Bruckner @ Blossom Music Center 7/14, 7/15 It was a delicious case of first and last symphonies this weekend when The Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Franz Welser-Most played Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 on Saturday and Bruckner’s ninth symphony (which he never completed) on Sunday. Although both works were written in the late nineteenth century, it’s easy to see that Mahler’s sprang from the heart of a young man, one dashing headlong into his future. It begins with sunrises and energy and new beginnings and cuckoo calls, continues with a dance (the Landler) theme and even when it’s seemingly acknowledging death (with a macabre version of Frere Jacques in a minor key) it’s still full of spunk. Saturday’s program also included a haunting version of Ligeti’s Atmospheres (which is a great piece if you don’t expect music to “go” anywhere) and Debussy’s dashing Spanish-themed Iberia.

On Sunday, Bruckner’s symphony, in contrast, seemed to speak of “last things.” The brass passages were wonderfully played by the Orchestra’s mighty brass. Though they could be sweet and subtle, at other times, they evoked an idea of life’s end coming in a blast of bold notes that sounded like the Storm Troopers of Death.

Before the Bruckner, guest artists Johannes Moser, often playing as a duo with concertmaster Bill Preucil, soloed in Joseph Haydn’s “Cello Concerto in C major.” It was awe inspiring to see this young performer’s control over (seemingly) every nuance and aspect the cello had to offer in Haydn’s work: a work for which only virtuosos need apply.

It was a beautiful weekend, gently bright, cool and perfect–the sort of weather Blossom and the Cleveland Orchestra can combine in to make a person feel lucky as can be to live in Ohio.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com

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On the Medical Mart/Convention Center Taxpayers started the decision-making process soon after the Commissioners announced their vote to raise the county tax earlier this month. And this paper has covered it. So please, don’t be shy about noting that residents are already commenting. This paper has been receiving comments as they’ve been posted to places like the PD ‘s own blog forums. Editors and reporters from this paper read the comments on the topic at Brewed Fresh Daily – which receives tens of thousands of visits by locals. And the community forum held last Thursday, July 12, at the Cleveland Public Library (sponsored by Cool Cleveland/Brewed Fresh Daily/ meet.the.bloggers*) solicited comments, questions and some answers from residents, convention bureau staff and a representative of Peter Lawson Jones, among others. Audio of the entire 90 minute event is available at http://www.meetthebloggers.net. As Dennis Roche, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland noted to the audience at that forum on July 12, he is encouraged by residents’ comments precisely for the reasons you state in your 7/15 editorial: no one is saying that a medical mart is a bad fit. But the people – we are talking and working on that “decision-making process” already. And we’re not choosing to be constrained by when the county commissioners can fit us in.
From Cool Cleveland reader Jill Miller Zimon jillzimonATmac.com

On the Cool Cleveland Party at Blossom If a person wants to be reassured about the future of the world in general, and Cleveland in particular, they should spend an evening at an orchestra concert at Blossom. I had the good fortune to attend last Saturday’s Cool Cleveland party at Blossom, and am pleased to report that it was a smashing success. The food was great, the beer and wine were excellent and flowing, and even the weather got into the party spirit. Despite the prediction of scatter thunderstorms, the evening was dry, expect for a very brief sprinkle right before the concert. Shortly before the Franz Welser-Most made his entrance, those of us on the lawn were treated to a spectacular rainbow that spanned the sky behind the clam shell – how cool is that? Then we all settled in to a concert of music written by some of the world’s greatest composers, played by one of the world’s greatest orchestras. Looking around me at my neighbors on the lawn, I couldn ‘t help but be impressed by the display of civility and culture. Quite a few people had set up little tables for picnic dinners, complete with tablecloths, candles, and wine. The entire evening was a delight from beginning to end. Nice work and kudos to Cool Cleveland, Cleveland Orchestra, and God. Many, many thanks! From Cool Cleveland reader Sharon Vrettas svrettasATedr.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) Ingenious Peter Chakerian with the 411 on the upcoming fest.
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2) Emission I The PD spins a story of the decline of 185th St. North Collinwood’s CDC sets the record straight. Textbook case of blog v. mainstream media.
NortheastShores.Blogspot.com

3) RoldoLINK George Forbes, the Misdemeanor Culprit
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4) BizTech Video Thomas shows off his new iPhone.
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5) Emissions II Jim Eastman wonders if Joe Cimperman is down on nightlife.
www.JimEastman.com

The Credits Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Mansfield B. Frazier, Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson, Linda Eisenstein, Roldo Bartimole, Nan Frost, Laura Kennelly, Roy Berko and introducing Ginny Parobek. Oh yeah, and we give a special “welcome back” this week to Kelly Ferjutz! 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.

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Join the conversation at Brewed Fresh Daily here. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

See you at Ingenuity,
–Thomas Mulready
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