Keeping Up

02.07-02.14.24

How do we possibly keep up?

In today’s world, it may seem impossible to stay ahead of the curve. But some of our artist entrepreneurs make it look easy, and this week, we’d like to call them out by name. Cleveland native Marquette Williams returned from the movie biz in Hollywood and is now offering on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs in the film industry through his nonprofit iFilm216. CoolCleveland correspondent Liv Ream interviews him at his creative co-op workspace Studio Zero in Downtown Cleveland to see how he keeps up.CPT challenges itself with a dramedy about self-identity by Peruvian-born Cleveland playwright/performer Tania Benites that was a hit in a “test flight” version last year. Oberlin College Theatre & PHS examine women’s rights in a new theater piece by Holly Holsinger and Chris Szajbert. No Exit New Music stays ahead of the curve at CMA. The weather may not agree, but the Slovenian end-of-winter festival Kurentovanje throws an all-day party at the National Slovenian Home. Gambling sucks billions of dollars from people in Ohio who can’t afford it; instead, support Mary Verdi-Fletcher’s award-winning integrated dance ensemble Dancing Wheels at their Night at the Races this weekend. And try to keep up with Mary Urbas as she assembles her From Women show of mostly area women at Lakeland Community College Gallery.

Our region is cursed with a football team’s inability to satisfy its fan base, and the constant fumbling of our local arts funders. Using an amusing sports metaphor, CoolCleveland’s CULTURATI columnist Liz Maugans wryly examines the AFL (the Arts Fearless Leaders) and the ACN (Artists, Creative Businesses and Nonprofits) to see which are making a difference, and which are just making excuses. Need help keeping up? That’s what we’re here for.

–Thomas Mulready

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Photo by Thomas Mulready
CoolCleveland.com

VIDEO

Marquette Williams: Leading Change in the Ohio Film Industry

CoolCleveland correspondent Liv Ream interviews Marquette Williams: director, writer and producer of Studio Zero. Studio Zero is a creative co-op workspace that opened in 2019, offering on-the-job training in the film industry and apprenticeship programs through the nonprofit iFilm 216.

The studio houses a full production space complete with a staging area, post-production department, set construction department, music studio and equipment rentals.

Originally from Ohio, Marquette honed his craft in California before returning to Cleveland. The workforce development he initiated aims to uplift minorities and women in his community. Read more.

NEWS

Zoo’s Tiger Cubs Go Public

Get ready for cuteness overload! The baby Amur tigers born in November at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have now joined their mother in the Rosebrough Tiger Passage. The zoo is also currently holding its usual naming contest where a small contribution to conservation efforts gets you a chance to vote for one of three pre-chosen names for each cub. Read more.

CUISINE

February at Melt Bar and Grilled

Join the fun at Melt Bar and Grilled in February for the Grilled Cheese feature: General Tso’s Delicious Manchu Dynasty Melt, and Sweet Stuff: Fried Oreos, Root Beer Float, New York Style Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake (add a scoop of vanilla ice cream).

And why not try a Cocktail: Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Chai Apple Mule, A Pear of Roses, Winter Apple Harvest. Read more.

SPONSORED

CULTURATI

LIZ MAUGANS

The Art of the Replay

Perhaps it’s the buzz of the fast-approaching Super Bowl that has me thinking about how art and sports are more alike in this sports town of Cleveland than we might think. The parallels are how foundations, city and county arts agencies, and other regional cultural leadership insiders model the professional sports franchises’ power structures.

I wrote “We Are the Champions“ a few weeks ago for CoolCleveland’s CULTURATI column about the true champions in town. The op-ed celebrated the countless artists, creative businesses and nonprofits that truly hold the key to championing the arts in this region. This town has experienced a rivalry between two factions the AFL (the Arts Fearless Leaders) and the ACN (Artists, Creative Businesses and Nonprofits). The current AFL make the offensive calls while never having played the actual game. The AFL sit comfortably in their lofted loges, developing arts and culture for the region… Read more.

THIS WEEK

WED 2/7
Love Songs
Trinity Cathedral’s spring BrownBag concert series kicks off with a program featuring Johannes Brahms’ romantic Liebeslieder Waltzes.* Avant-garde NYC quartet & Cleveland percussionist expand musical boundaries.* Brewery honors Cleveland musician Dreadlock Dave with new ale.

THU 2/8
Play Premiere
Cleveland Public Theatre debuts Alter, a “dramedy“ about finding one’s self-identity that was a hit last year in a “Test Flight” version.* CityMusic Cleveland performs an evening of lesser-known pieces.* Play at Oberlin looks at history of women’s rights.

FRI 2/9
A Sweet Evening
Glamor, humor and sizzle will fill the Beachland stage when Cleveland Burlesque kicks off its 20th year with its Sweetheart Showcase.* No Exit New Music gets surreal at CMA.* Ensemble Theatre stages Brecht’s Mother Courage.* Exhibit explores how the U.S. military uses gaming to lure youth.

* Musical about teens killed on roller coaster opens at Beck Center.

* Cleveland author Connie Schultz signs her first children’s book.

* Walkabout Tremont will jumpstart your heart with new art.

* Cleveland Orchestra plays classical music’s most familiar symphony.

SAT 2/10
Chasing Away Winter
Slovenian end-of-winter festival Kurentovanje once again welcomes the community to an all-day party at the National Slovenian Home.* Jazz bassist Christian McBride honors civil rights leaders in music at Matlz PAC.* Trey McLaughin & his ensemble blend gospel, pop & R&B at Oberlin.* Indulge at Akron Civic’s Wine, Cheese & Chocolate, Darling!

* Dancing Wheels holds Night at the Races benefit.

* Shop for your sweetie at Cleveland Bazaar’s Valentine Bazaar.

* Akron Symphony’s popular Gospel Meets Symphony is back.

SUN 2/11
Mardi Gras Party
The Music Box’s weekly brunch is devoted to celebrating the upcoming Mardi Gras holiday with Akron-based “party-gras” band Mo’Mojo offering zydeco, Cajun and other American roots music.* Hear Bach’s complete Goldberg Variations in Hudson.

MON 2/12
Art from Woman
Each year, Lakeland gallery director Mary Urbas assembles the From Women … show of work by mostly area women artists. This year 33 artists take part in the 17th iteration of the show. * Akron U professor & jazz ensemble play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on its 100th anniversary.

TUE 2/13
Indulge Before Lent
Gorge on those Polish filled treats called paczki at Rudy’s Strudel with a Paczki Day polka party starting at 5am, or if you can’t get up that early, hit an evening paczki party at Edwins Too at Shaker Square.* Jazz & classical pianist Aaron Diehl honors both traditions in Akron concert.

WED 2/14
Dark History
Doris Salcedo’s piece at the Akron Art Museum memorializes victims of violence in her native Colombia. It will be the subject of the museums Coffee with the Collection program.* Jazz singer Olivia Van Goor brings musical romance to the BOP STOP.