The tables are turned
Campbell interviews Cool Cleveland
Last week Cool Cleveland featured an exclusive interview with Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell [see interview here. This week, the Mayor turns the tables and interviews Cool Cleveland creator Thomas Mulready.
By Mayor Jane Campbell: Hidden jewels under blankets throughout the City? Professional sports in cahoots with alcohol and tobacco companies? Creating a region that includes Akron, Canton, and Youngstown? Each week you’re given a snapshot of what Cool Clevelanders – the movers, shakers, and otherwise interested and engaged citizens – are thinking and feeling about our City and our region. This week, Cleveland Mayor Jane L. Campbell switches seats with Cool Cleveland editor Thomas Mulready as the old man celebrates his birthday and contemplates his existence.
Mayor Jane Campbell: What would you change about Cleveland if you were to wave a magic wand?
Thomas Mulready: “I would tear down all the borders. I would make it one big municipality. I would take this idea of regionalism seriously. I would go as far as Akron, Canton, and Youngstown and make this one region that would work together, because they would be forced to. One tax system, one school system, one economic base. Everybody then would be all for one and one for all. I think it is what has caused the east-west split that we have, the black-white split that we have, the rich-poor dichotomy that we have in this town. I think all those things are reinforced by people’s ability to move farther and farther out seemingly trying to escape these problems. So now, we have a donut hole of a region…”
Read more of Mayor Campbell’s interview of Thomas Mulready
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Join the EcoVillage movement! The EcoVillage Townhouses in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood are selling out quickly – there are only a few units left! Live in stylish comfort with 2-3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a rear courtyard and cozy bay windows. Enjoy the convenience of 1-2 car detached garages, as well as the short walk to the new green-built RTA station coming to W. 65th. With green building features cutting your energy costs to as little as $39 per month, you’ll be saving money and helping to conserve the environment! Become an EcoVillager and you’ll be just minutes from the West Side Market, West 25th Street, downtown and other amenities. An optional rental suite is available. Prices starting at $179,900, tax abatement and special financing make these townhouses a smart investment! Check out the open house this Sun 2/8 from 2-4PM at 2003 W. 58th St, just North of Lorain. http://progressiveurban.com
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Cleveland’s Power 100 While you can (and will) argue with the editors of Inside Business as they “rank the agenda setters” in numerical order. They identified 100 powerful people in the region based on “an individual’s ability to influence the thoughts and actions of not only others, but also of an entire region.” The top 5? Forest City’s Sam Miller, Cleveland Bishop Anthony Pilla, National City CEO Dave Daberko, Keycorp CEO Henry Meyer, and Mayor Jane Campbell. And, of course, someone has to pull up the rear. Guess who lands at #100… See www.Inside-Business.com
Do we have to say it again: Regionalism There’s a grass-roots organization on the east side called PACE- Partners Advocating Community Excellence- that are exploring a joint regional rec center to reduce costs and compete with larger centers in Solon and Westlake. See the PD: www.cleveland.com. But regionalism isn’t all that new. Back in the 1970s, 9 Cleveland-area cities formed the Hillcrest Council of Councils. While their predecessors met with limited success, a new generation of progressive-thinking mayors and members of council are ready to roll up their sleeves and work together. The compelling reason? Tough economic times and fewer big egos. www.cleveland.com
R.I.P. Roberto Ocasio From one musician to another, we are truly saddened that Clevelander Roberto Ocasio, who played 7 instruments and led the Latin Jazz Project, one of the coolest bands in town, passed away on January 31 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. To purchase recordings by Roberto Ocasio and The Latin Jazz Project visit Little Fish Records at http://www.littlefishrecords.com. To learn more about this great man, stop by http://www.latinjazzproject.com
See the PD obit: www.cleveland.com
Wireless Cleveland The OneCleveland project, led by Case Western Reserve University, launched last year a massive undertaking providing current free-access wireless network, and Cleveland’s aggressive approach is leading the pack of North American municipalities implementing wirelesss. The headline says it all, “Go, Cleveland, Go!” www.WiFi-Planet.com
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QC #12 Even the name is starting to give people the woolies, so we’ll just call the Plain Dealer’s Quiet Crisis by its initials: QC. Right now on any list of the best places to start a business, Boston’s at the top, and Cleveland’s near the bottom. Last year when KeyCorp expanded its venture capital practice, it set up shop in Boston (not the “VC dead-zone of Cleveland” as one trade paper put it), because that’s where the action is. The PD’s QC writer Joe Frolik frets (with good reason): “Cleveland, by most accounts, has long been short on just about everything an entrepreneurial hotbed needs: cutting-edge ideas, ready access to capital, managers who know how to grow new businesses, a civic culture that celebrates risk-taking.” “I think two years ago we were still wishing and hoping and waiting for some of the old industry to come back or stay here or not threaten to go,” says Stephanie McHenry, COO of Chicago’s ShoreBank, that invests in Cleveland enterprises and runs a business incubator in Glenville. “I think that we finally understand how big a role small business has to play in whatever we do going forward.” See the PD: www.cleveland.com/quietcrisis
Boston working to retain artists Of more than 2,000 art studios in the city, only 300 are owned by the artists, according to the Boston Redevelopment Authority. A Roxbury community organization is hoping to change that with a property-buying seminar for artists. “Artists,” says Heidi Burbidge, senior project manager for the Artist Space Initiative under the BRA, “are the frontline workers for the cultural economy.” See the Boston.com: www.Boston.com
Do you want fries with that? It’s not just union manufacturing jobs that are headed overseas. High-paying, white collar tech jobs are also fleeing to India faster than ever. They’ll do your $70K job for $11K (and even that is 22X the per capita income in India). Remember that old Silicon Valley mantra, “Change is good”? You’d better visit yourjobisgoingtoIndia.com, and read Wired here: www.Wired.com.
Schreckengostmania He is one of the most important artists ever in Cleveland arts. And the Viktor Schreckengost Foundation is a great example of Clevelanders on a mission: conserving Schreckengost’s work and making it available to researchers, collectors, and his many admirers worldwide. It also advances the principles of Intrinsic Design, Viktor’s teaching methods, design, and philosophy. The Foundation also seeks to advance the precepts and values that are the bedrock of Viktor Schreckengost’s success, while using the Internet to do it. http://www.viktorschreckengost.org
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The Universe is your playground! Pack up the family and head to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; visit the world of wonder where you can see colossal dinosaurs, live Ohio animals and birds, glittering gems and jewels, interactive computers about earth and space, plus awesome planetarium programs. It’s an amazing opportunity to appreciate the world we live in. Don’t forget Cool Cleveland readers receive a special $1 off general admission, click here for details http://www.cmnh.org/coolcleveland.htm The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval in University Circle, 231-4600 x3270 or 231-2070.
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“Are you crazy?” asks Sam Fulwood III regarding developer Bart Wolstein’s proposal to bring Major League Soccer to Cleveland IF local and state officals pitch in. Wolstien quips “That’s why things are so bad in Cleveland. Nobody does anything. Everything is a bad idea”. Our leaders are gunshy, it’s true. But come on, a soccer field? Give Wolstein some credit, he admits “you lose a lot of money if you build a stadium”. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t want to pay for it himself? See Sam’s column here. And see the PD: www.cleveland.com
Art in the South Bronx Every Thursday night, a slick restaurant called the G-Bar attracts a professional crowd with live jazz, lobster ravioli and valet parking. It’s one block from a 900-seat concert hall, around the corner from a soon-to-open Spanish rock nightspot, just west of where a theater group is building a $2 million performance space. Welcome to the Bronx. You heard us. The same place that suffers from a nasty reputation that gets nastier the farther away you get. New Yorkers and regular visitors might have heard about massive housing investments, new loft space for artists and sharply reduced crime. For others the old images are probably more entrenched: Fort Apache. Jimmy Carter comes to Charlotte Street. The Bronx is burning. Hey, if they can turn their image around, we sure can! www.NYTimes.com
VC heats up Could it be we’re finally turning the corner? Venture capital firms seem to think so. Q4 of ’03 was the best business quarter for fund-raising in two years. See Newsday.com: www.NewsDay.com
Cleveland designer SXSW finalist Cool Cleveland contributor Kenn Louis is one of the five finalists for the canvas bag design at the SXSW music festival this year. Over 2K attendees will receive the canvas bags to use during the event, and then take home after their stay. If you visit their site, the Rabblerouser’s design is the fourth one down on the left. Read more about this creative Clevelander below in our Cool Cleveland People column and visit http://www.sxsw.com/interactive/bag_art_comp
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Get charged up Why sit around watching reality TV? Cleveland Public Theatre kicks off the Independent Theatre Club, a discount pass to three unique and original works for only $33! Series begins with the apocalyptic comedy Charge (a hit in last season’s BIG [BOX] series), in co-production with Titlewave theatre, opening Fri 2/13. Then watch for The Cult, the latest from creator Raymond Bobgan, opening 4/23, and look for Dojoji, an adaptation of an 11th century Japanese legend about intense and uncontrollable passion. ITC membership offers a special invitation to a pre-show reception, the production, and a post-show discussion with the artists at the first Sunday matinee of each production. You can also use your membership at your convenience during any of the the shows’ runs. Purchase by phone: 631-2727. Opening this Fri 2/6 in the beautiful Gordon Square Theatre is Uncle Tom’s Cabin; OR, The Preservation of Favored Races In The Struggle For Life, a show the New York Times called “…smart, stunningly inventive…” CPT, 6415 Detroit Avenue, http://www.cptonline.org
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Why is the glass always half-empty? What is more newsworthy, a routine price increase, or a $19 discount off a $20 ticket? The daily paper runs the headline: “Rock Hall rolls out admission price hike,” (which, according to their own reporting is perfectly in line with the competition), and you have to read down three paragraphs to find a cursory mention of the Rock Hall’s offer of practically free admission to Cuyahoga County residents. See the PD for yourself: www.Cleveland.com
‘Bottom Up’ on its way up CNN says the key trend of our time is the shift of power away from centralized institutions and toward the individual — from the center to the edge. “This new style of business, birthed by the Internet, is ignored at any company’s peril.” Or our region’s peril. See CNN.com: www.CNN.com
Pepsi’s “free” downloads This past weekend, Pepsi-Cola joined the growing list of advertisers “giving away” music through the internet by including codes for 100 million free under the bottlecaps of their products. Adcoda, a Cleveland-based company, will use a series of patents to sell a system that supplies ads while the tunes are downloading. See the PD: www.cleveland.com
$18M budget increase for NEA In the 1990’s Congress tried to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts. Will this budget increase (most of it targeted for a new program called American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius) positively affect living artists creating art today, or will it promote traditionally “safe” art created by dead artists ? See the NEA’s press release: www.NEA.gov
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Make our community strong We’ve all been calling it the “arts levy,” but it’s now officially known as Issue 31, presenting a new approach to attracting brand new jobs and expanding County resources to help small businesses grow in Cleveland, while providing operating and project support to arts and cultural organizations and individual artists. Half of Issue 31 will be used to retain traditional jobs and attract new ones. The other half (about $10.5 million a year) will be used to support arts and cultural activities that have a significant economic impact on Cuyahoga County. Support Cleveland’s arts and business future by supporting Issue 31 to protect jobs and create jobs. Vote YES on 31! http://www.SupportArtsandCulture.org
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Lakewood’s secret weapon In this era of public distrust and public/private politican/businessmen ramming through self-serving projects, we should take note of a school system that is successfully involving the community in a 3-year-long conversation about how to renovate most of their 80-year old school buildings. A huge community group researching options, massive public meetings with residents, monthly mailers and communication, and a telephone campaign gauging public opinion, all represent an excellent example of how a city-wide economic development project should be run. See the Sun News www.SunNews.com. See also Free Times for details on how they are doing it right: www.FreeTimes.com
Linux is everywhere On web servers, in data centers – and on Mars. NASA uses it to operate the Mars rover, and it could very well arrive in your car and home appliances very soon. “Linux is pervasive,” says Ross Mauri, general manager of e-business on demand at IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. “Everyone was always pointing to the future. But we’ve stopped pointing. The future is here.” See eWeek here: www.eWeek.com.
Book review sexism in the 21st century The New York Times Book Review overwhelmingly favors books and book reviews written by men, according to a new study from Brown University. Over the course of a year, the study reveals, 72 percent of all books reviewed in the NYTBR were written by men, and 66 percent of all reviews also carried a male byline. In other words, the most influential venue in the publishing world showcases male authors and reviewers by an average of two to one. Read it at http://www.VillageVoice.com
Hip theatre Love edgy theatre? You’re invited to CPT-Associates Launch, a cool, free evening where you’ll get to hear about what’s up at Cleveland Public Theatre and their new volunteer group called CPT-A. There’ll be mingling, networking with other arts supporters and urbanites, beer and wine, plus food from some awesome restaurants including Bruno’s, Fat Fish Blue, Johnny Mango and Kimo’s Sushi Shop on Wed 2/4 from 6-8PM. You can listen to music and get a sneak preview of a musical number from Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Cleveland Public Theatre 6415 Detroit Ave. RSVP not necessary but appreciated. jross@cptonline or call 631-2727 x 211.
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Scooters, snacks, cameos and collaboration Where else can you get a taste of ten area restaurants; bid on bid on an a killer classic Vespa scooter, specially-designed local artworks, or a cameo in an upcoming theatre production. Or enjoy a spirited musical revival featuring an intergenerational cast of over 100 actors – come help honor arts advocate Andy Randall and the tireless dedication of the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture’s Tom Schorgl. And support 25 years of ordinary people creating extraordinary theatre at Near West Theatre on Sun 2/15 at the Hermit Club and Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre. These will be the sites of Near West Theatre’s “The Best of All Possible Worlds” benefit. Be sure to get your tickets now for this popular evening. Find out how by calling 621-1919 X106. www.NearWestTheatre.org/
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Cleveland’s business creatives “Heads up, Cleveland. You’re probably more creative than you think.” Even in the business world, Cleveland is filled with unexpectedly creative types bubbling with innovation. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready spoke with five creative business types and Inside Business published the results in The State of Creativity. See Inside Business: www.Inside-Business.com
Silentfusion Collective a group of writers pooling resources to work together in the craft of writing and increasing writers’ exposure. They’ve relaunched their website with a fantastic new design, and look for their ongoing call-out for submissions of poetry, short fiction and random prosody. Submissions will be collected at the end of each month and put into a monthly e-zine featuring the best work. See the site to get a feel for their vibe; they’re open to anything that’s interesting and innovative. http://www.silentfusion.com
Gibson’s dystopic interaction of technology and human society The man who coined the term “Cyberspace” is obsessing over American politics. William Gibson notes, “It may be that it has finally become so grotesque and so peculiar that it’s become part of my territory.” See www.FT.com
Where to meet in SF A downplayed nonevent, described as a “spontaneous, digitally organized” party on the Bay Area Rapid Transit and other oddball locations is becoming the new rage for partying/connecting. Read it at www.NYTimes.com
Orienteering The North Eastern Ohio Orienteering Club offers outdoor map and compass navigation events for recreation and/or competition. Beginners are welcome at all local events, for info call 440-729-3255 or visit http://neooc.home.att.net
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Rock your world for $1! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not just for tourists anymore. If you haven’t yet checked it out and you live in Cuyahoga County, come out to get an eyeful at the coolest glass pyramid this side of Egypt. Inside you’ll see Lead Belly’s 12-string acoustic guitar and all kinds of rock memorabilia for an amazing $1 admission to the Museum. It’s special for Cuyahoga County residents, every Wednesday from 6-9PM between now and 3/31/04. Simply show a driver’s license or State of Ohio I.D. at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum box office to receive $1 admission to the Museum. http://www.rockhall.com
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Issue 23 for the library Did you know the Cuyahoga County Public Library is one of the nation’s 10 busiest, and best library systems? With 28 branches that serve 47 communities throughout the county, it is used by area families for research, reading, schoolwork, children’s programs, business information, and computer access. This levy funds nearly 60% of the total budget. Because of state cuts, the system has had to reduce purchases of books and other materials, staffing levels and services. Help keep our libraries open and thriving. Send a check made payable to: “Citizens For Cuyahoga County Public Library” PO Box 31111 Independence, OH 44131-0111. And remember Issue 23 on March 2.
Shouldn’t you be urging Gov. Taft to veto the so-called Defense Of Marriage bill. Ohioans can contact Taft and insist that he stop promoting a “state of intolerance” and urge him to veto DOMA, which not only prohibits marriages between same-sex couples, but also precludes the “recognition or extension of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes.” DOMA will make Ohio an undesirable place for companies and organizations to do business. Major newspapers across the state have editorialized that DOMA is a job killer and antithesis of the direction the governor says he wants to lead the state. http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org or visit http://www.clevelandstonewalldemocrats.org
Poetry is a subversive act in a consumer culture. Poets don’t buy anything but pens and paper. They don’t expect their work to earn much, if anything. While Hollywood moguls and big-time publishers might not show much interest, they don’t exert the power to edit poets, either. www.SATicket.com
Writers wanted Wanna write reviews of theatre productions, business meet-ups, music concerts, networking events, dance performances or speeches? Cool Cleveland needs your brain and your typing fingers. Contact us with your interest area atEventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Cool Cleveland This Week
2.4-2.11
Kurt Vonnegut He is undoubedly an icon of modern American literature and author of numerous classics: Slaughterhouse Five, Welcome to The Monkey House, Cat’s Cradle, Mother Night, Piano Player and so much more. Get out for an afternoon of progressive discussion Wed 2/4at 4PM; it’s sponsored by Case Western Reserve University’s College Scholars Program. For tickets call 231-1111. Severance Hall 11001 Euclid Ave, and visit http://www.vonnegut.com
Cleveland’s fastest growing business networking group probably isn’t who you think it is. In just three months, the Ryze business networking mixer has grown to over 100 people. Why is it so popular? When you sign up [basic membership is free], you get a personal page where you can list info about your business. When you RSVP for the mixer, people will see you’ll be there. Where else can you introduce yourself to someone before you actually meet them? Visit the ever growing and popular http://clevelandevent.ryze.com to see who’ll be attending. Did we mention that the Cleveland mixers have become one of the largest in the country? Wed 2/4 from 5:30-9PM. For more info, email ryze-cleveland@ryze.com. The Club at Key Center 127 Public Square 241-1272 http://www.theclubatkeycenter.com
Issue 31 campaign huddle Issue 31 is the much-anticipated arts and culture levy which will raise $10 million per year to support the 3000+ jobs and $1.3 billion in economic impact that Cleveland’s cultural sector provides. The election is March 2, so join the campaign by marking your calendar to join the activities this Thu 2/5 and every Thursday at 8:45AM at the Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Avenue for an Issue 31 campaign update meeting. Learn the inside strategy and what you can do to help move Cleveland into the future by supporting its creative class. The update happens the same time and same place through the end of February. For more information, call 931-3130, or visit www.SupportArtsAndCulture.org
A new American Dream For 22 years, Robert Liberty has been working to replace the American pattern of sprawl with a new American Dream, a dream of compact, livable cities that provide people with choices in housing and transportation while conserving farm and forest lands and natural resources. He’ll speak at the next First Thursday Forum presented by the League of Women Voters, Cuyahoga Regional Area to be held at Trinity Commons on Thu 2/5 beginning at 8:30AM. For info: http://www.earthdaycoalition.org or call 781-0555. Trinity Cathedral 2230 Euclid Ave 771-3630 http://www.trinitycleveland.org
Life Transformation-Art Mutation by Eduardo Kac, internationally recognized for interactive net installations and bio art. A pioneer of the unpredictable telecommunications art in the pre-Web ’80s, Kac emerged in the early ’90s with his radical telepresence and biotelematic works. His visionary combination of robotics and networking explores the fluidity of subject positions in the post-digital world. His work deals with issues that range from the mythopoetics of online experience, to the cultural impact of biotechnology and the changing condition of memory in the digital age. See his transgenic art Thu 2/5 at 7PM; his work has been featured in contemporary art publications AR Tnews? and Kunstforum, as well as BBC, PBS, Boston Globe, and New York Times. Donahue Auditorium, Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University in University Heights. http://www.ekac.org
Suddenly a wry, black and white comic road movie and multiple film festival award winner that’s been likened to the early work on Jim Jarmusch. Two punk girls kidnap a lingerie sales woman and the trio heads out to sea on a journey of love, discovery and adventuresome hijinks. Variey mag calls it “Outrageously funny and hip.” See it Thu 2/5 at 9:35PM. Cleveland Cinematheque 11141 East Blvd. 421-7450. http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque
Cleveland Social Venture Partners and Cleveland Bridge Builders present informative conversations about maintaining, preserving and redeveloping Cleveland’s mature and fully developed suburban communities. Lou Tisler, Executive Director, First Suburbs Dev. Council along with special panelists Hon. Edward J. Kelley, Mayor of Cleveland Heights, Hon. Judith H. Rawson, Mayor of Shaker Heights and others will speak about upcoming challenges Thu 2/5 starting 5:30PM. Trinity Commons 2230 Euclid Ave (Free parking behind Trinity Cathedral) http://www.clevelandsvp.org
No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs @ Karamu In a play by John Henry Redwood set in Halifax, North Carolina, the year is 1949, and the title refers to signs commonly posted in the region in that era. The Cheeks Family is visited by Yaveni, a Jewish scholar from Cleveland, who is researching the effects of prejudice on both Black and Jews, and Aunt Cora, a mysterious local black woman who wanders around wrapped in a black garment with a dark secret, show begins Thu 2/5 through 2/29. Show times are Thu, Fri, Sat 8PM and Sun @ 3PM. Karamu House’s Arena Theater 2355 East 89th St. 795-7070 http://www.karamu.com
The Making of Radical Abolition: The Lane Debates and the Oberlin Commitment to Racial Egalitarianism. Join this 3-day symposium on Thu 2/5-Sat 2/7 featuring 18 nationally prominent historians, including Oberlin College President Nancy Dye and Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (OHIO) members. They’ll be re-enacting the debates held at the Lane Theological Seminary and the January 1835 trustees meeting by which Oberlin became the first U.S. institution of higher education to confirm a policy of student admissions irrespective of race. First Church, 106 N. Main Street, Oberlin, 440-774-1700 http://www.OberlinHeritage.org
Consumer protection week Federal, state, and non-profit consumer groups have joined forces to provide you information on home and car loans, credit card offers, health insurance plans, and other ways unsavory types try to rip you off. You can talk to them in person on Fri 2/6 from 10-11AM at the Tri-C Western Campus, 11000 W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma. If you’d like the info in the privacy of your own home, visit www.cleveland.com.
Blueshift: a site happening with full-scale artistic creativity engineered by groop directors Mike Moritz, Abe Olvido and Ken Chapin of Move Art/Audience generating fascinatingly creative atmospheres. An evolving cast of hip characters and moments will serve as a backdrop for a series of “out-of context” scenes to be filmed throughout the evening: internationally-renowned filmmaker Robert Banks will be filming a much anticipated scene within the newly redesigned groop interior, while Cleveland alt-rockers will be shooting a video for their latest single. Hear poetry performances by Charlene Coates, and stick around for gallery Sweet Thirty Six throwing a collaborative reception for Kiril Prashkov, an installation artist from Sofia, Bulgaria. Prashkov is a founding member of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Sofia, whose recent work was part of the exhibition in the Gorges of the Balkan (Kassel, Germany). It’s a hot event, be there Fri 2/6 from 6-9PM. AR Tcade? 530 Euclid Ave. http://www.moveartaudience.org
Metal Forever Sandy R’s last night at Capsule is coming up on Fri 2/6, and Uncle Scratches Gospel Revival will be playing 9PM in honor of her departure. Let’s show her some support, she’ll also be doing a special Metal night with the Brave Words Bloody Knuckles Metal Festival, details to be announced! 13376 Madison Ave. in Lakewood, across from Chris’s Warped Records and B-WARE video. http://capsulebar.com
African Tales of Earth and Sky Safari into the jungles of Ghana to discover the origins of ancient African folklore and mythology. With a magical blend of vibrant costumes, pulsating rhythms, storytelling and dance, the mischievous and imaginative cast answers mysteries such as “why does lightning and thunder live in the sky?” Show up Fri 2/6, shows begin at 10AM and 12:30PM at Allen Theatre, 8500 Euclid Ave. 348-7074. http://www.playhousesquare.com
Flamenco Festival: Jose Merce Among flamenco’s stars, Merce’s limitless talents have earned him the highest awards of his native Spain. His recording with Virgin Records have surpassed the double platinum status, making him the most successful flamenco singer of his generation. Hear him in Cleveland Fri 2/6 at 7:30PM. For info call 888-CMA-0033. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd. http://www.clevelandart.org
Cats @ 2527 Kicking off the Mardi Gras season a little early, Cleveland’s fave house band Cats On Holiday help 2527 celebrate their one-year anniversary. Unwind from your too-busy week on Fri 2/6 at 9:30PM. You can also experience an extensive martini menu at one of Cleveland’s poshest yet friendliest spots, 2527 W. 25th Street, just South of the West Side Market. 771-2527. www.CatsOnHoliday.com
WCLVnotes WCLV 104.9 probably presents more live classical music broadcasts than any other station in the country. Witness this: On Wed 2/11 at 8PM the CIM Orchestra under Louis Lane broadcasts from Severance Hall; on Sun 2/15 at 3PM the Norton Memorial Organ recital with Ben van Oosten; a Matinee Concert from Judson Manor with violinist Nicolas Di Eugenio? and pianist Michael Schneider on Wed 2/18 at 12:30PM; a Baldwin-Wallace Faculty Recital at 8PM on Fri 2/20; and on Fri 2/27 at 8PM duo pianists Shaprio and Tsachor from Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Institute of Music perform. And be on the look out for the San Francisco Symphony live from Severance Hall on Fri 3/19+] a Cool Cleveland partner http://www.wclv.com
Art, design and music environment Get into Cleveland’s newest form of multi-entertainment events supporting and featuring artists that you need to know and love. With computer animation, film, painting, video, scupture and more art than you can handle in one evening, check it out at All Go Signs’ art/design/music collective featuring a kick @ss underground scene. Then give your eardrums the gift of noise with experimental sounds of Chalk, Racerhead, Infinite Number of Sounds and DJ Santina Protopapa Sat 2/7 at 10PM. All Go Signs, 1935 West 96th St. 659-4528 or visit http://www.allgosigns.com
Raised in Captivity This play unravels the beginning of a quirky, comical stream of events, it’s a ball of energy brimming with crazy characters, twists and turns based around a family reunited at a gathering due to a funeral. Catch the play Sat 2/7 at Dobama Theatre, for info call 932-6838. 1846 Coventry Rd in Cleveland Hts. http://www.dobama.org
Big Wu, Wasabi Hippies Wanted! Well, not really. But dancers, wanderers, freaks, heads and thrill-seekers might want to check this out. The band Big Wu has one of the most unique sounds in a large underground scene of jam music. Elaborating on musical influences like The Allman Brothers, Phish and the Grateful Dead, BW has gone on to play the most honorable festivals and venues of the jam scene. They’re mastering a different kind of fun energy that dissipates into free-flowing currents of high-energy and gentle jams; get in on their Minneapolis sound Sat 2/7 at 9PM, and hear their impeccable musical interaction that placed their recent Phoenix Presents album, Live at the Fitzgerald Theatre among Entertainment Weekly‘s all-time Top 10 Contemporary Jam Band Albums. Find out why Minnesota’s alternative groove culture is exploding throughout the Midwest and across the nation. Beachland Ballroom, 11571 Waterloo Rd in Collinwood. 383-1124 http://www.beachballroom.com
Fourth Annual Tyrian Brigid Peace Festival Tyrian is a for impact 501(c)3 educational network dedicated to promoting creativity and compassion, and it’s endorsed by over 30 partner organizations. Join in to network with local peace activists at Trinity Commons; sample goodies at Fair Trade Cafe; shop at 10000 Villages and the Sacred Path cathedral bookstore. Best of all, everyone is invited to experience free Polarity bodywork, courtesy of Arc Ancient & the Ohio Institute of Energetic Studies. Rev. Tracey Lind will also celebrate ecumenical Vesper services, and Susan Braham Koletsky, Museum director at The Temple-Tifereth Israel will be honored for her leadership in creating an appropriate home for the extraordinary Holocaust Wall Hangings by Judith Weinshall Liberman, check it all out Sat 2/7 from 4-9PM. Event is free to all, but “free will” offerings will be accepted and appreciated. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave. http://trinitycleveland.org
Terminal Tower stair climb This exhilarating event consists of a massive stair climb up the 42 flights Sat 2/7 at 9AM. It’s a worthwhile benefit to financially assist the Ronald Mc Donald? House in Cleveland. For info call Hermes Sports and Events at 623-9933 or visit the web site at http://www.hermescleveland.com
Aftermath Still life photographs with nine large-scale images. Like the 17th century Dutch, Italian and Spanish still-life painters, artist Laura Letinsky explores the table as a place of intimacy and metaphor. Viewers are invited to ponder the perishable nature of all wordly things and evanescence of the sensual Sun 2/8 at CMA. 11150 East Blvd. 1-888-CMA-0033. http://www.clevelandart.org[
Ugandan music A very rare and exciting concert of East African music harps, lyres, xylophones and drums. James Makubuya is an expert traditional musician of the Baganda people of Uganda, East Africa and holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of California. He specializes in the ndongo (8-string bowl lyre) and has toured internationally and recorded several C Ds? of Ugandan music. Catch his performance Sun 2/8 at 3PM, it’s free to the public. Kent State University Stark, Main Hall Auditorium Campus in North Canton. 673-1352 http://imagine.kent.edu/directions/Stark/directions.asp and http://www.wabash.edu/depart/music/Makubuya.html
Did coffee really inspire the Renaissance? What can coffee do for Cleveland? Taste the cultural history and magic of coffee, the fuel of artists and scientists alike at one of Cleveland’s coolest un-discovered coffee houses. Show up to taste five of Phoenix Coffee’s specialty roasted varietal coffees, starting with Yemen_Mocha Mattari, moving through Indonesia (Java Timor) and ending with coffees produced in the New World (Costa Rican Tarrazu). Carl Jones, founder of Cleveland’s coffee house culture shares his wealth of knowledge he has collected over decades in the industry, as well as his philosophy about why humanity has such a unique relationship with this particular bean. Palate-cleansing munchies will also be served during the discussions. Carl founded Arabica in 1976 and Phoenix Coffee in 1990; he’s been connected to the pulse of Cleveland’s cafes and restaurants for over 25 years. Coffee lovers can hit this free event Sun 2/8 starting 11AM. Lucky’s Cafe, 777 Starkweather in Tremont. RSVP at 622-7773. http:www.phoenixcoffee.com/shop
Civic Vision 2004 and Beyond a meet and greet event with Tim Hagan, presenting a shared vision for the future of Ohio City and Cuyahoga County. He’ll discuss a unified modern economic development strategy and job creation for all of Cuyahoga County; event is open to all Ohio City residents, merchants, and local non-profit affiliates Wed 2/11 starting 5:30-8:30PM. Where else can you hang out with Tim Hagan at a night club? Only at Moda, 1871 West 25th. St in the Market Square District. http://www.timhagan04.com
Fugitive’s Path – Escape on the Underground Railroad is a free lecture from the Underground Railroad series at Western Reserve Historical Society, allowing participants to travel to the year 1852 and become freedom seekers fleeing from the bonds of slavery. You can experience first-hand some of the many obstacles that slaves encountered during their bid for freedom. A Fugitive’s Path – Escape on the Underground Railroad will be presented on Fri and Sat evenings 3/5 through 3/27. Wed 2/11 6-7PM in the Hassler room. Western Reserve Historical Society 10825 East Blvd. 721-5722 http://www.wrhs.org
Send your cool events to: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Cool Cleveland People: Kenn Louis
Kenn Louis is founder and creator of http://www.spongi.com, a creative collision of cable TV meets the web where visitors can see independently produced video from around the world. Kenn also snagged a nomination for the Canvas Bag Design for SXSW music festival in Austin, TX. When he’s not out and about winning awards for his morphemic visions, he keeps busy as a multi-media web designer. We recently nailed him down to get his insights on our fair city.
Cool Cleveland: What are the best things about Cleveland?
Kenn Louis: Its strong, diverse ethnic heritage and its arts and music scene; for a town this size, Cleveland has a huge arts and music movement going on…
Read the Cool Cleveland interview with Kenn Louis
Blog’s Eye View‘
What are cool Clevelanders writing on the web?
Sponsored by Smart Meeting Design Getting people on the same page… one meeting at a time. www.SmartMeetingDesign.com
Jack Ricchiuto frequently contributes to CoolCleveland.com. He posts to his personal blog on a daily basis at Gassho (pronouned gah-‘show): http://www.gassho.blogspot.com
“I started blogging in August of ’02. 400 plus posts and whole lot of guest comments and links later, it’s become a part of the fabric of my life in community. It’s a communion of minds and hearts around things of significance we share. When I want to penetrate beyond the social persona of people, I go to their blog. When I meet interesting people who don’t blog, I’m disappointed in the inaccessibility to their lens and the new spaces through that lens. Some blogs are pure crap. They are broken, twitching neons signs on an all-night 7-Eleven – pimping their goods to anyone walking by. Some are the autistic scratchings on the walls of Platonic caves. Others are an oasis of serendipitous grace, nodes in wonderful celestial constellations of discoveries that a thousand Googles couldn’t aggregate. When I do serious research on the web, I add the word ‘blog’ to the search hoping to the Google-gods that I stumble on blogs that represent priceless digestion of expert links and mindshare. I write blogs because I’m a writer. It’s about the kind of observing, word-sketching, researching, and storytelling craft that is writing. It’s all about the storytelling.”
Commentary: Cleveland’s creatives do Experimental Behavior Cleveland’s creatives are beginning to get it. After years of operating individually, segregating the arts by compartmentalizing it through its specified media, artists have found that they’re ill served in our city; challenges brought on by lack of exposure and local recognition have left them deeply disillusioned, hardend and frustrated. But the tired paradigm of segregated art is hitting a seismic shift; last Friday an impressive effort highlighting the intersection of arts gathered to create a noticeable buzz. And when the arts intersect in Cleveland, the vibe is culturally thrumming. Our city received its first taste of this prototype arts collective, containing artists of various medias including musicians, performance artists and writers unifying to present a new self awareness and creative approach to audiences. This collaborative group of creatives is Experimental Behavior, who made their formal introduction publicly last week at their Beachland Ballroom launch event. They delivered a magnified image of what Cleveland’s doing right, and it’s going to take our region some time to adapt to this new confidence and leadership generated by artists…
Read the commentary by Tisha Nemeth
Kucinich Beat
Cool Cleveland covers the campaign
This week, Kucinich Beat clears up the misconceptions and some of the conflicting statements of the Democratic candidates on the dubious justification for war in Iraq. Kucinich talks about his message strategy. And Cool Cleveland spoke with Kucinich press secretary William Russell Pitt just a few hours after the results of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results came in.
Cool Cleveland: Tonight, in the Super Tuesday primary, Kucinich received 5% of the vote in New Mexico, 3% in North Dakota, and 1% or 2% in the remaining states. Based on tonight’s Super Tuesday results, what does he need to do to stay in the race?
William Russell Pitt: “Dennis needs to contuinue to do what he has been doing – by showing his sharp differences between himself and the current frontrunners…”
Read Kucinich Beat
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Pssst… wanna be on the inside and help pass the most important levy for Cleveland’s future? Issue 31 needs your help in a couple of ways: 1) Come to the Issue 31 Campaign Update every Thursday at 8:45AM at the Cleveland Play House starting this week on Thu 2/5. 2) Attend Speaker’s Bureau training to learn the talking points, then we can send you out to give speeches in support of Issue 31. Training is held at campaign HQ every Thursday at noon & 4PM. 3) Send your contributions: Cuyahoga County Cultural Action Committee, c/o Andrew E. Randall, Treasurer, US Bank, 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1100, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. 4) Offer your mailing list, which will be used only for this campaign (we’ll sign a non-disclosure) by contacting campaign manager Chris Carmody at 931-3130 or ccarmodyIssue31@aol.com Issue 31 Campaign, 1400 W. 25th Street, 4th Floor. http://www.SupportArtsandCulture.org
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Yr Turn
On big business “From the speech at Inside Business Magazine’s NEO Success Awards luncheon on 1/23; it sure sounded like all the haves (big biz and a certain power co.) want more and more from the have nots (cities and state). Big biz with Team NEO? sure sounds like abatement, free land and relaxed work and enviromental policies and maybe even more biz friendly perks. Development is good but at what cost to me a small biz owner and a TAXPAYER not avoider like the big boys.” From Cool Cleveland reader Jamie Janos+”’ jamie@ameriserve.net
On Ohio’s anti-gay laws [See Commentary of 1/28 here.] Dear Mary Mason, Thank you for writing this powerful piece on the pending anti-gay laws in Ohio. I commend you, thank you, and am moved by your conviction. If only more business leaders — or political or religious leaders, for that matter — would speak up like this. As the tide of anti-gay sentiment and legislation continues to rise around the U.S., few leaders are willing to speak up on behalf of gay people. This silence teaches people that it is just fine to discriminate against gays, and, worse yet, that our relationships, our families, our very lives deserve contempt. Your essay challenges all that. Thank you very much for taking the stand you did. From Cool Cleveland reader Patrick Letellie letpatrick@yahoo.com
On the Cool Cleveland interview with Mayor Jane Campbell, headlined “Mayor Jane Speaks?” %blue”I enjoy your e-newsletter a lot, but want to pick a tiny gender-related nit. Would you have headlined an interview with her predecessor: ‘Mayor Mike speaks’? I cavil about the tendency to be more familiar with her because she’s a woman here at the PD, too. Thanks for listening.” from Cool Cleveland reader Debbie Van Tassel, Business Editor, ”The Plain Dealer DVanTass@plaind.com
On the Cool Cleveland interview with Mayor Jane Campbell [See interview here.] “On your interview with Jane Campbell: I’m astounded. Jane Campbell had the opportunity to rehabilitate her image (at least somewhat), but instead she just rambled on and on without any logic and without answering your questions. For example…”
Read this letter from Stephen Gross
On the Cool Cleveland interview with Mayor Jane Campbell [See interview here “The one question that truly irritated me in the interview was the one about union entitlement. The belief that we as workers, union members feel entitled to anything other than respect and fair treatment is ridiculous. We have organized our employees and worked out an agreement with our employer for treatment of our members with regards to hours, wages, and work conditions of employment. If you personally believe that this is wrong, please say why rationally and not use assumptions of what we think. Do not put your perceptions of us and our actions as feelings we have. Without the ability of organizing and representing our members, 80 additional fire fighters would now be unemployed…”
Read this letter from Bob Fisher, President Local 93, Cleveland Fire Fighters Association
On the upcoming arts levy “I am writing to you regarding the upcoming Arts Levy that will be on the ballot in Cuyahoga County as Issue 31 on March 2nd. As we are all aware, Cleveland’s “Quiet Crisis” is now not-so quiet. Brain Drain, loss of jobs, loss of residents, budget cuts, test scores in the school system, the list of problems seems to be growing. In my career as a business owner, I have learned that the tougher the problems, the more creativity is necessary to solve them. There’s the old saying that necessity is the mother of invention, and invention, or innovation, is what our region sorely needs…”
Read this letter from Sarah Wilson-Jones
Instant Karma
quik reviews of last week’s events
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change @ Playhouse Square 1/15 It’s Playhouse Square’s first locally produced show in eight years, and it’s an enjoyably light and funny “date” show. The Hanna theatre, transformed into an intimate cabaret space with cozy four-person tables, is the perfect setting for this musical that explores the trials and tribulations of dating and marriage through entertaining skits and songs. Everyone, single or married, will find one of the pieces hits close to home – sometimes a little too close for comfort. Though the show provides no earthshaking analysis of the human race or relationships, the short skits, adroitly directed and choreographed by Ray Roderick, are well put together with engaging characterizations by the delightful Cleveland-based ensemble. The exceptional musical direction by Angelyn Fullarton blends the voices of the cast together very harmoniously. The entire cast is truly wonderful, with the winning Larry Nehring, the sultry Tricia Bestic, and the appealingly perky Julie Hogan. But Nicholas Koesters’ superb comic talent stands out even among this terrific ensemble. From Cool Cleveland?.com contributor Marian Fairman marian.fairman@cwru.edu
Marino Formenti @ Reinberger Chamber Hall 1/26
A remarkable performance took place. Marino Formenti, an Italian pianist, performed a recital concert that was intellectually driven by his artistry, re-examining every piece and performing with an in-depth knowledge of the history of music. Arnold Schoenberg – Five Piano Pieces, Op.23 – An introspective performance, airy, spacious, performed in a post Cagian manner. Franz Schubert – Moments musicaux, D.780 – A cool and even performance, tightly controlled with a firm lid on the emotional dynamics, performed in a non-romantic fashion. Anton Webern – Variations, Op. 27 – Beautifully structured and accented, a piece that might crumble in lesser hands. HK Gruber – Six Episodes from a Discontinued Chronicle – The first half of the concert coolness was dropped for a wild jazz inspired performance. Igor Stravinsky – Tango and Circus Polka (“for a young elephant”) – Two odd little Igor pieces which contained humor and fun. But, Formenti held tight control of these little nuggets to not let the fun spirit of the pieces diminish his intellectual play. Kurt Weill – Six Songs from The Threepenny Opera (arranged by Marino Formenti) – The performer’s own arrangement of these Weill songs cut to the core of the piece, played with remarkable phrasing and touch resulted in a standing ovation. Debussy’s – Des pas sur la neige (Footsteps in the Snow) – An encore piece that was the perfect dessert, played with the most delicate of touch to the keys on the piano. I savored it as I walked out into snow and ice of a January Cleveland evening. From Cool Cleveland?.com contributor Brian Schriefer briancpa@msn.com
Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 1/29 Where did they get the audacity to mount a gala concert in the middle of the damn season? An unbelievably soaring evening of contemporary and modern music starring piano wizard (and Cleveland favorite) Mitsuko Uchida, and presided over by genius French conductor and composer Pierre Boulez. The brilliant highlight was Concertate il suono, a 2000 Cleveland Orchestra commission by Marc-Andre Dalbavie, with the orchestra in four sections spread around the upper balconies of Severance Hall, like a Quadrophonic demonstration disc. It makes you wonder how one of the best “classical” orchestras in the world, known for Beethoven and Haydn, can be so good at modern music? And Mitsuko Uchida kicked serious tail on Olivier Messiaen’s Oiseaux exotiques and Mauice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, singing to herself, flinging herself into the keyboard. The night was a surprisingly straight journey backwards in time visiting works that felt anything but straight when they first premiered. The link? Boulez, who’s been there, and, it seems, always will. It’s hard to tell what made the greatest impression: Uchida’s complete and awesome mastery of the keys, the Orchestra’s brilliant ensemble tonalities (even when segregated throughout the hall), or Boulez’s mighty presence and steady hand. www.ClevelandOrchestra.com
Antwone Fisher @ Cleve Public Library 2/2 When Antwone Quenton Fisher was born, the first person to hold him was a social worker. They don’t allow babies to be raised in prison so Antwone’s mom stayed incarcerated while baby Antwone began his life in the arms of strangers. “What’s his name?” she asked the mother. “Antwone”, she replied, after her favorite performer Antoine “Fats” Domino. As the story goes, the social worker placed the baby next to her and started the car. Turning on the radio she is stunned to hear Fats wailing from the tinny car speaker “I’m gonna be a wheel someday, I’m gonna be somebody.” She looked down on the little helpless creature and knew someday she would be hearing from this child. And hear from him she did, as did more than 200 Clevelanders who packed the Cleveland Public Library Auditorium Monday night… Read the review by Tom Perrino
Review: West Side Market Cafe The West Side Market Cafe is located in the back right side of the market if you enter from W25th, and it’s the highest point of the Market, since the whole joint was laid out so that one could easily hose it out and everything would run out the front doors (a factoid related to us by the Cafe’s resident hipster chef Mike Harrison). The cuisine served comes straight from the market, and it’s completely fresh – just ask your server and they’re happy to tell you where your meal came from, in case you want to grab the ingredients to fricassee, fry, bake or boil within the confines of your own home… Read the review by Michael Salinger
Top 5
We use IdeaStar.com tools to track which articles were clicked the most. Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.
1) Exclusive interview with Mayor Jane Campbell As the Mayor of Cleveland prepares for her upcoming State of the City address and arrives at the midpoint of her four-year term, the honeymoon she and her administration enjoyed is certainly over. Read the exclusive Cool Cleveland interview here. http://www.pulsarmail.com/show_article.php?p=21P0E474R0345N36H
2) Ohio’s Anti-Gay laws I have been entranced by your description of Cleveland as THE place for [my company] Missing Lynx to move its operations. http://www.pulsarmail.com/show_article.php?p=21P0E474R2545N36H
3) Montana Townhomes in Midtown features 10 contemporary townhomes with impressive brick and stone facades http://www.Progressiveurban.com
4) Election Ohio Register to vote by Monday or lose your voice It’s easy, get your registration form online or do it in person at various locations. http://www.electionohio.com/
5) Cleveland Wine School Are you into wine and computers? http://www.airoldi.org
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The Hard Corps kick it hard when it comes to Cleveland’s important content, getting it to you every week. Thanks to Deb Remington, George Nemeth, Brian Schriefer, Michael Salinger, Charlene Coates, Marian Fairman, Cavana Faithwalker, Tisha Nemeth, Tom Perrino, Jack Ricchiuto and Bill Nagode – who are just a few of the writers collaborating to bring you the cool stuff you need to know. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom.
See the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Read Thomas Mulready’s column Up Front in the Free Times. Send your cool events to: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom For your copy ‘ of the free weekly Cool Cleveland” e-mail newsletter, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com
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