Antwone Tells It
Cool Cleveland interview with Antwone Fisher
By Cool Cleveland contributor Tom Perrino
Author, poet, screenwriter and Cleveland native Antwone Fisher attracted more than 400 people to Shaker Heights Public Library on February 4 to celebrate the selection of his book Finding Fish by the North Coast Neighbors Share a Book program. Fisher’s event at Cleveland Library is a result of the library’s public programming to benefit the community. The three-day program of events drew more than 2,500 people. It’s a strong reminder that Clevelanders need to vote for the library’s Issue 23 levy to continue programs like this.
With so many young males in the audience, I couldn’t help but imagine the impact his words might have as they grow and within a few short years, are faced with crucial life choices. With each answer he delivered, he also pled for young people to examine his experiences and to encourage them to never give up hope.
Cool Cleveland:You mentioned Monday night to the audience you’d told your wife “we should move back to Cleveland.” Would you really like to move back? Antwone Fisher: Yeah, I would like to buy a house here. I truly like the area. Hiram maybe, I spent some time out there you know. When you grow up around trees and nature and snow you like to get that in your life and into your kids’ lives…I can definitely see living back here…
Read the exclusive Antwone Fisher interview
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Cool Contemporary Style and design can be yours with brand new construction at Marvin Homes. Huge bay windows create an atmosphere that’s bathed in light. You’ll love these open floor plans that provide extra room to live and work. Entertain guests and prepare meals in your island kitchen, complete with maple cabinets, shining granite counters and hardwood floor. Relax in a soaring, vaulted master bedroom, and enjoy two additional bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. Marvin Homes are located in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, close to Metro Health? Hospital and minutes from Ohio City, Tremont and Downtown, neighborhoods that are brimming with restaurants, galleries and entertainment. With 15 year tax abatement and prices starting at $149,900, you’re not likely to find a better deal for new construction in the City of Cleveland or anywhere else. Check out Marvin Homes from Progressive Urban Real Estate and see what some have dubbed “affordable luxury!” Visit the open house from 2-4 PM on Sun 2/21 at 2922 Marvin Ave off W. 25th St. just north of I-71. http://www.progressiveurban.com
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Ocasio Street James Brown may call himself the hardest working man in show business, but the hardest working musician in Cleveland was Roberto Ocasio. Before his untimely passing, Ocasio was averaging 25 to 30 gigs a month. Serving as a cultural ambassabor, Ocasio introduced Cleveland audiences to mambo, salsa, and the Puerto Rican cha-cha (not to mention his eponymous salsa). Fans have transformed the window of the Our Family Market [owned by Ocasio’s widow] into a shine and are circulating a petition to rename Hancock Ave to Roberto Ocasio Way. Read more
Cities find support of the arts boosts jobs Studies show that arts organizations generate over $1 billion for the local economy and employ as many as 3,700 people in Cleveland – from the musicians, actors, dancers and stagehands of local theater and dance companies, and thousands pay to watch them perform. Now it’s up to voters of Cuyahoga County to vote for Issue 31, the 0.7-mill property tax levy to raise $20 million a year to support our region’s numerous art organizations. Read more
“We strongly urge voters to support a novel solution called Issue 31,” is how the Plain Dealer’s editorial board throws their weight behind the region’s most important new initiative “to keep companies from fleeing our region.” They continue, “Right now, Cuyahoga County desperately needs to clean up the legacy of its industrial past. And it should boost the arts, a key industry of the present and the future.” See the Plain Dealer editorial here.
Back to the city Just six months after moving to the suburbs, one couple is headed back to Cleveland. The reason? Crime. Three weeks after moving from W. 130th St., Kelly Mansell’s husband had to wrestle with a naked burglar who was in the bedroom of their three daughters. Then a neighbor was murdered. “Nothing ever happened like this in Cleveland”, said Kelly, “we’ll take our chances in the city…” Read more
Throwing down the regional gauntlet Joel Giambra, the executive for Erie county in New York [Buffalo is the county seat], declares the race for prominence stating “We have to beat Ohio, beat Pennsylvania. We have to send a message to the country that we’re open for business.” But he isn’t getting much help. About the only one who’s supporting the regionalization plan is the mayor of Buffalo saying, “Sprawl is killing us.” In his state-of-the-county speech last week, Giambra mentioned Cleveland four times, as in “We don’t want Cleveland to show us the way,” and “If we need to create a revolution to force change, then I am ready… Cleveland and Pittsburgh will watch us.” Read more
National City to buy Provident Financial for $2.1B In an “eat or be eaten” world, it’s nice to be on the eating end for a change. But with all the activity [J.P. Morgan Chase’s acquisition of Bank One, and Bank of America’s takeover of Fleet Boston Financial], how long does it postpone the inevitable? Is NCC plumping up to become a sweeter takeover target, or will they get big enough to keep the HQ in Cleveland? See TheStreet.com here.
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Overwhelmed by all your communications? Wouldn’t it be great to manage all your live calls and voice messages from all your phones: cell phone, home and business? Now you can! You need a personal communications assistant from OnlyOne. How? Tell everyone to “call my OnlyOne number.” You have the option of screening your calls. And you can easily transfer a call from your cell phone to whichever phone is nearest to you. Plus, faxes are sent straight to your same OnlyOne number- you can view and print them from your e-mail. Your voicemail messages are sent to your e-mail as audio files! Click the link below for a free 30 day trial of the OnlyOne service with no obligation. By filling out the form you’re eligible to win a free Sirius Satellite Radio with 12 months of satellite radio service, giving you over 100 streams of commercial-free radio – so cool it’s hot. Support Cool Cleveland and enter at www.MyOnlyOne.com/CoolCleveland
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Cuyahoga Valley Initiative explodes In the most visionary plan in years, this collaborative set of opportunities, developed with the help of the Rocky Mountain Institute, promises to join industry, neighborhoods and restored habitat along the river valley that runs through 12 cities to Cuyahoga’s border with Summit County. Looking at physiography, water, the economy, land use and infrastructure, the plan focused on these areas of the Cuyahoga Valley: the Harbor District, Kingsbury, Harvard, Willow, and Thornburg, which connects to the 15th most-visited National Park. Read more. Visit the site: www.CuyahogaValley.net
Extreme entrepreneur A 38-yr old computer guy got tired of carting his 14-yr old son around Northeast Ohio to lame indoor skateparks. Unimpressed by what he saw, he converted a former carpet warehouse into Big Happy’s Sports Park. Read more
Should be a no-brainer Soccer in the summer, football in the winter. Right? Wrong. Both Cleveland developer Bert Wolstein and Major League Soccer reject the City’s idea of using one stadium for both sports. Says Wolstein, “a soccer team must reap money from such areas as parking, concessions, and signage from its own stadium to be economically feasible.” The spokesman for MLS is a bit more tactful citing the ‘atmosphere’ of a smaller stadium. He does mention profit, as in it’s more profitable because there’s no costs. Has anyone figured the total cost of ownership yet? Read more
Downtown plan drafted by Rocky River planners “If Lakewood’s not interested in developing it’s West End,” neighbor Rocky River seems to be saying, “we’ll do it right across the River.” Proposal includes up to 500 condominiums or apartments, two new streets, plus several parks and office buildings, all within walking distance of the controversial project that was defeated by 47 votes last November over the bridge in Lakewood. Read more.
Cleveland City Council President Frank Jackson on regionalism Not everyone is drinking the regionalism kool-aid. Suburbanites don’t want their tax money going to the perennially-broke city. And City News editor Mansfield Frazier notes “how the proponents of regionalism want to strip Cleveland of its assets such as the airport, Water Department and Port Authority while leaving the liabilities such as the under-funded schools,” in his interview with Jackson, who seems just as unconvinced, “I don’t care what kind of conversations they have, I just don’t believe them.” See City News Ohio here.
Sewage floods Cuyahoga River Ohio Environmental Protection Agency reports show that at least 15 communities dumped an estimated 4.38 billion gallons of sewage into the river last year. Somebody should at least say they’re sorry, wouldn’t you think? Read more.
**************** SPONSORED LINK ****************
Issue 31 for jobs Besides it’s vital support for Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture community,Issue 31 includes money for economic development projects that will create and preserve jobs in our region. Noting the urgency of passing Issue 31, Commissioner Jimmy Dimora notes, “Cuyahoga County is no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was. 40,000 jobs have been lost over the past three years alone. Tragically some of our local manufacturing jobs are gone forever. Northeast Ohio must rebuild our region with a diverse employment base if we are to survive and stem the tide of jobs leaving our local economy. Economic development is the only sure cure to future growth.” On March 2,vote FOR Issue 31. http://www.Issue31.org **************** SPONSORED LINK ****************
BuyNEO This site puts the spotlight on local IT companies, allowing potential buyers of IT services to submit requests for information from local vendors, creating connections to support Cleveland business by keeping cash flow local. See www.buyneo.us It’s about time. See CrainTech here.
Search engine success The PD’s Chris Seper goes over the basics of gaining better search engine rankings in this week’s ChatRoom column. Knowing the formula, getting linked, and thinking about how customers search are a few of the basics. He also points to local SEO (search engine optimization) experts SageRock.com and IdeaStar.com. Read more
BioBucks One and only goal: getting capital flowing to its client companies. And they’ve done it. In 20 months, BioEnterprise has raised $62M, which is 24% more and 4 months sooner than its original goal of $50M in 2 years. Read more
Wall Street’s most wanted Iraq’s most wanted are collected on playing cards, and now Wall Street’s infamous criminals have their own cards too, including the former Enron CEO Ken Lay as the ace of spades and Alan Greenspan as the joker. www.mostwanted.com
The party’s over? Last year, the city supported 34 events and festivals, donating $250K in police services and garbage removal. This year, event planners will have to pay for these services themselves. Why are we pulling the plug on Cleveland’s best? Read more
Art saves the city Indianapolis is boosting the arts. The city has nearly doubled funding it gives to arts groups, and its mayor is creating a cultural tourism initiative to draw on the city’s arts as a way to lure visitors and businesses. Funding for the project is now $10 million over five years. It’s immediately benefitting artists, musicians, dancers and cultural groups with reduced priced live-work spaces and tax breaks. And the city is benefitting even more. According to a CEO, “All the incentive deals and traditional policy deals that Indianapolis and other cities present are nice, but as far as I’m concerned, if you put all that money into making the city nice, both physically and culturally, that would really make a difference.” See ABC News here.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
REI@Weatherhead You know the big new Frank Gehry-designed building. You know the stellar international reputation. Now get to know the Center for Regional Economic Issues at Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management and their community-wide series of events, forums, blogs, websites and actions, all designed to create an open-source model for changing our civic habits with a network of citizens engaged in stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation in our regional economy.This week a series of programs on Creative Arts & Industries, designed to educate the public in the creative digital arts as a medium for economic growth in the NE Ohio region, Interactive Design & Technologies, features speakers from EDR Media, Impact Communications and Kaleidoscope as part of a two-day program taking placeFri 2/20 and Sat 2/21 from 9AM-12PM at the Peter B. Lewis Building on the Case campus. Come check out digital photography, printed computer graphics, and digital video onSun 2/22 from 4-8PM, helping to develop collaborative partnerships to further the creative possibilities at the intersection of art, science, technology and business. Call 368-5534. http://Weatherhead.Case.edu/REI
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Music museums come of age What hath Cleveland wrought? When the NY Times does a big front-page Arts & Leisure story on the Experience Music Project in Seattle, the Gospel Hall of Fame in Detroit, the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas, and soon-to-be-opened [Mississippi] River Music Experience in Davenport, Iowa and the B. B. King musuem in Indianola, Mississippi, you know Cleveland’s starting to lose its competitive advantage in tourist-attracting music museums. See NY Times here.
Who to vote for? This one’s been circulating among the undecided and the fence-sitters (every else knows who they’re voting for, even if they don’t quite know why). Answer the questions in the survey on your views, and the sofware will rank all Democratic candidates and the expected Republican nominee, President George W. Bush, and tell you who matches your views. Which candidate do you think most people are matched with? Read more
Fund for Our Economic Future Couldn’t they have come up with a snappier title for a pioneering collaborative fund with 28 foundation partners, raising almost $30 million to be used, “as seed corn for new industries in the region,” according to Ronn Richard, president of the Cleveland Foundation, which contributed more than half, to be invested in solicited proposals? See CrainTech here, and the PD here.
Orwell was right Iowa’s Drake University was subpoenaed last week and ordered to provide records of four activists who attended a Nov. 15 forum at the school. The Lawyers Guild, who had sponsored the forum, said they hadn’t heard of such a subpoena being served on any US university in decades. Read more.
Innerbelt plan calls for fewer downtown exits, a less-curvy Dead Man’s Curve, and possibly a new boulevard linking University Circle to I-77. CSU and CCC may lose exits at their front doors. But seriously, ten years of orange barrels and $1 billion tax bill? The roads are fine– spend the money on things worth driving to. Read more.
The Innerbelt tightens As usual, the Free Times Michael Gill is right on the issues. The City planning commission is “hoping for a velvet revolution” with a vote that would force the feared Ohio Department of Transportation to come before them an additional 7 times for approvals at every stage. See the Free Times here.
Dissing WalMart Toy makers, embittered over the gouging they took this Christmas, are protecting themselves from discount chains like WalMart by signing exclusive releases with specialty toy stores before sending them to mass market. Read more
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Issue 31 needs you Everyone in Cleveland’s cultural community and beyond is gearing up to help pass Issue 31. Join friends thisWed 2/18 at Moda, 1871 W. 25th Street, for free admission and half-price drinks starting at 5PM, with the crew from Cleveland’s WAR (Women And Records) spinning discs. Join the Campaign thisThu 2/19 at the Cleveland Play House at 8:45AM to get inside the strategy. Send your contributions to: Cuyahoga County Cultural Action Committee, c/o Andrew E. Randall, Treasurer, US Bank, 1350 Euclid Ave #1100, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Offer a loaned executive, your mailing list, or send a check to help get out the message.Call Kent Whitley, field director, at 216-931-3130, or send a note to CCarmodyIssue31@aol.com, or visit www.Issue31.org. And don’t forget tovote FOR Issue 31 on March 2.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Delta offers poetry audio selections While whisking though the clouds, you can listen to poetry from Billy Collins, Stephen Dunn, Sherod Santos, Miller Williams, Jane Hirshfield, J.D. McClatchy, David Lehman, and Robert Wrigley. The first 45 minute program is on the theme of love. Wouldn’t it be more fun if they’d feature confessional poets’ themes of love, sex, and death? Read Poets and Writers here.
‘A sad day for Ohio’ Ohio lame-duck Governor Bob Taft signed the anti-gay DOMA “defense of marriage act” on February 6, claiming that the measure is “not a law of intolerance,” but takes the unusual step of issuing an exlanation to those who think it is, and the understandably outraged Gay People’s Chronicle covered the pathetic details. The story includes this chilling statement, “DOMA is opposed by major corporations including NCR of Dayton for its possible interference in their ability to recruit employees and offer benefits.” Read more.
FirstEnergy reneges The lastest FE plan witholds customer benefits the company agreed to back in 2000. The proposal on the table has FE customers continuing to pay a surcharge for construction costs, but FirstEnergy has already collected $6.9B with that surcharge. And why are they rushing it through the PUCO Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hearings? Read more
Teaching ‘intelligent design’ In what appears to be another bid to secure Ohio’s educational rankings at the bottom, the State Board of Education granted preliminary approval to a 10th-grade biology lesson that scientists say could put the teaching of ‘intelligent design’ in Ohio classrooms alongside evolution. Apparently, our State hasn’t evolved all that much… See the PD here.
Breast implants linked to increased suicide risk If you’re into plastic surgery, odds are you’re prone to a list of other risks. See BBC News here.
Cleveland native at Ground Zero On 9/10/01 Cleveland native Drew Roth finished a whimsical painting of backhoes set in a debris-strewn landscape. The next day, he looked out his NYC apartment and saw the deafening explosion of the first WTC tower being hit. Roth’s friends who saw the paintings remarked on its eerie foreshadowing. Roth felt the right thing to do was to make up posters and hand them out to the people affected by the tragic events of 9/11. Read Cleveland Jewish News here.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Beat the winter doldrums and leap toward spring when you attend “I Love Downtown! A Tour of Downtown Cleveland…and just beyond” on Leap Year Sunday,2/29 from 1-5PM. The event is presented by the Historic Gateway Neighborhood and Historic Warehouse District in cooperation with the City of Cleveland. Thomas J. Yablonsky, executive director, Historic Gateway Neighborhood and the Historic Warehouse District, stated, “We hope people will come Downtown to enjoy their City in the midst of winter, and see that downtown Cleveland is a vibrant, healthy neighborhood to live, dine, shop, play and do business.” Tickets are only $20.00 in advance, $35.00 the day of the event. For reservations or more information call 771-1994 or visit: http://www.historicgateway.org/ILoveDowntown!.html.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Cool Cleveland This Week
Cultural Conformity: Criteria for Corporate Success? panel discussion will examine issues of economic and social inclusion, and how people are marginalized as they assimilate into a large organization. Do they have to give up their cultural identity in order to succeed? Find outWed 2/18 noon to 1:30PM at the City Club. Reservations are required, call 621-0082 or email info@cityclub.org The City Club of Cleveland 850 Euclid Ave, 2nd Floor http://www.cityclub.org
Global Lens: New Cinema from the Developing World with ten recent feature films from Latin America, Asia and North Africa. Cleveland is one of only 13 U.S. cities presenting this dynamic series of cultural reflections transposed to film. OpeningThu 2/19 at 9PM, catch Wretched Lives, a potent Philipines drama where duplicitious liberals exploit the poor. And stick around to see Nothing, an Amelie ripoff done Cuban style that was an audience hit at last year’s San Francisco Film Festival. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinemathque, 11141 East Blvd. 421-7450. See schedule: http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque
Art/Action/AIDS an amazing, award winning, art-based social marketing campaign. Designed by local artists for area women, learn more about the creative side of generating a billboard, postcard, and print ad campaign. This effort debuts art by Christa Donner, whose art explores body image, media and women’s health onThu 2/19 from 5:30-7:30PM. Gallery 1300 West 78th St. http://www.13hundred.com
Mayor Jane Campbell’s State of the City speech should raise eyebrows this year as she’s confronting challengs that will affect the future of Cleveland. The budget deficit of $61 million has forced upon the city dramatic cutbacks in safety forces, and all ears will be listening to the Mayor’s plan for the 2nd half of her 4-year term,Thu 2/19 at 12PM. Sheraton City Center, 777 St. Clair Ave
Portable Universe exhibition tells the story of womens’ lives by exploring common behaviors: women rarely leave home empty handed, creating portable universes of belongings that reveal their secrets, histories and how they earn a living. See the show’s opening reception with still and video installationFri 2/20 from 5-9PM at Art Metro. 530 Euclid Ave in the 530 ARTcade. Call 696-1942 or email artmetrogallery@yahoo.com
Renaissance To Revolution To Reality a retrospective look at Black Poets of the past century will be on tap in the next session of Poetry at The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Nia Coffeehouse observes Black History Month with the presentation of poems by famous contemporary poets presented by some of Cleveland’s best, including Kelly Harris, Thomas Sayers Ellis, and other selected poets. Also catch the JazzPoets with featured vocalist Shannon Sigler and MAC-G, the Trumpet Supreme. They’ll also have an open mic session on the lower level of the museumFri 2/20 at 6PM. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd in Cleveland. Call 1-800-CMA-0033 www.ClevelandArt.org
World Artist Program with Carlos Montes de Oca, from Santiago Chile as the latest participant in this unconventional SPACES exhibit program, allowing international artists the opportunity to create new work and interact with the Northeast Ohio community. De Oca is a curator and artist who studied philosophy, design and audiovisual communication, his pieces respond to urban environments, embedding political themes in visually lush installations. Hear the artist’s discussionsFri 2/20 at 6PM. SPACES, 2220 Superior Viaduct. 621-2314. http://www.spacesgallery.org
Creative Arts & Industries is one of the core Initiatives of The Center for Regional Economic Issues’ new mission of Making Change: Networks for our Innovation Economy. The first program, Interactive Design & Technologies will involve presenters from local companies including EDR Media, Impact Communications and Kaleidoscope. REI@Weatherhead at Case Western Reserve University will present a series of related digital arts and business programs to educate the public in creative digital arts as a medium for economic growth in the Northeast Ohio region. The two-day program beginsFri 2/20 andSat 2/21 from 9AM-12PM each day. OnSun 2/22, catch the Digital Art Exhibition displaying interactive media, digital video & computer graphics from 4-7PM. Peter B. Lewis Buiding on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. 11119 Bellflower Road For info call 368-5534. www.weatherhead.case.edu/rei
Namely Muscles is a one-woman show by Cleveland favorite Claire Porter alternately moving her bodily muscles and reading poems while enacting 68 major muscle groups in her performance. Village Voice Dance critic Sally Sommers noted, “Porter, mistress of the short, sharp character portrait, is that rare breed of nimble, witty comedian…with a neat collection of personas, sketching them with the perfect physical gesture.” Check out this collection of alternative theaterFri 2/20 at 7PM. The C.K. Rickel Theatre located in the Lake Erie College Fine Arts Building. 440-375-7455 http://www.lec.edu
WCL Vnotes? You may have noticed a new line up of the jocks on WCLV’s sister station, WRMR 1420 AM. WRMR, indulges in “classic pops” done by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby, as well as by contemporary singers such as Diana Krall and Steve Tyrell. Yes, it may be your grandfather’s music, but more and more “30 Somethings” are discovering what really great songs there are in the Great American Song Book. Oh, yes, the new line up: Ted Alexander hosts WRMR’s “Breakfast Club”, weekdays, 6-11AM. WCLV’s Music Director John Simna and host of WRMR’s “Jazz All Night” on Sundays, puts on his AM hat as maitre d’ of the “Midday Café”. Jim Davis, voted the best midday host in Cleveland radio, has moved to afternoon drive, 2-7PM. And “Captain” Carl Reese holds forth weeknights, 7-10PM.A Cool Cleveland partner http://www.wclv.com
Troupe Hareem Shar’eem a Cleveland based group of Middle Eastern inspired dancers and drummers will be performing a 90-minute dinner show with their inimitable Middle Eastern Cabaret, Tribal Fusion and Rom (gypsy) styles of danceSat 2/21 from 7:30-9PM. Grab dinner and get into an evening of hypnotic dance. Kasba, 1932 South Taylor Rd in Cleveland Hts. Reservations are recommended, call 371-1045.
Don’t Blame Cleveland benefit show for the eponymous monthly zine covering local artists, music, political opinion and Cleveland’s underground culture. Show up at their eventSat 2/21 starting 9PM with music by Cleveland bands Kiddo, Coffinberry and others; hang out and meet like-minded artists while browsing DBC back issues and other cool items. Pat’s in the Flats 2233 West 3rd. 621-8044 http://www.dontblamecleveland.com
Underground Garage Live with The Romantics, The Chesterfield Kings, The Reigning Sound, The Fondas, and Cobra Verde hosted by Little Steven Van Zandt; come hang with social misfits, damn noise, and Little Steven himselfSat 2/21 at 8PM. Get into Cleveland-based rockers Cobra Verde whose new video, “Riot Industry”, has been smacking the airwaves, plus The Fondas with their sexy Motor City rock n’ roll and a release due out on hip Sympathy for the Record Industry (who’ve put out records by the White Stripes). Hear Chesterfield Kings’ latest, The Mindbending Sounds of the Chesterfield Kings produced by Mr. Van Zandt himself, which means he’s got to be digging their fuzzed-out animalistic pounding. And stick around for The Romantics, whose FM reputation preceeds them. It’ll be an extravaganza with all the pomp, circumstance and revelry that you can handle. Beachland Ballroom 15711 Waterloo Rd in Collinwood. 383-1124 http://www.beachlandballroom.com
Split Whiskey Reading The New Yorker isn’t the only publication that regularly features the “f” word. Experience avant-garde open mic poertry with Jim Lang’s Split Whiskey “bagozine” reading, including some of Cleveland’s best: Russ Vidrick, Wendy Shaffer, Terry Provost and transgressive poet Steven B. SmithSat/21 at 3PM. Bookstore on West 25th. 1921 W 25th St. 566-8897
Redheaded Step Child Love powerfully rough vocals, classic folk, blues, jazz and bluegrass? RSC from New York is one of the best folk-venue bands touring the east coast. If you missed them at the Barking Spider a few months back – you better plan on seeing themSat 2/21 at Ryders Inn; they may not get back to Ohio for a while. 792 Mentor Ave. Call 440-942-2742 or visit http://www.redheaded-stepchild.com
Dead Horse Satellite shows The gallery will be closing its retail space in April, but the Avon Lake Public Library’s gallery space will serve as Dead Horse-in-exile for the months of February, May and June. See new works by Reverend Albert Wagner with paintings conveying stories that range from biblical prophecies to intimate portrayals of African American street life and home life. Special events being held in the Library Gallery during the Wagner show include Harmony! The Power and Beauty of DiversitySat 2/21 from 1-3PM. Also singer/poet Hazel Chapman will entertain & discuss her new book at 1PM. Avon Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. http://www.alpl.org or http://www.deadhorsegallery.com 228-7214
An Afternoon with Sister Souljah Provocative personality and best-selling author of No Disrespect and The Coldest Winter Ever, the very talented writer/rapper/philanthropist Sister Souljah’s books are among the most requested at Cleveland Public Library. In addition to her controversial reputation as a social commentator, Sister Souljah is Executive Director of Daddy’s House Social Programs, Inc. and has been a tireless advocate for hip-hop performers giving back to their communities. Hit the event and meet the woman behind the activismSun 2/22 at 2PM. Cleveland Public Library’s Main Library, 325 Superior Ave NE http://cpl.org
Beethoven–The Man and His Music Through his masterful concertos, sonatas, operas, and of course, the immortal nine symphonies, Beethoven had a profound influence on classical music. His deafness prevented him from hearing much of his music, and actor Ted Bronw movingly conveys Beethoven’s extraordinary and tragic ife. Experience this moving eventSun 2/22 at 3PM. For more info call 231-1111. The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/html/index.asp
Untying the Knots that Bind Us: Creating from the Center of Our Power and Passion. Art is not an act of self-indulgence, rather it’s an act of faith, moving the parts toward the whole. Discover how creating is taking what we know to the unknown, session startsMon 2/23 7-8:30PM. Designed to take you on a journey that’ll help you find your voice and commit to expressing that voice, despite the obstacles you find in your path. Guaranteed to energize your creativity and bolster your confidence. To register call 440-526-6232. Old Town Hall 49 Public Square in Brecksville. http://www.brecksvillearts.org
Verbal Groove at Touch where spoken word, jazz, poetry and hip-hop collide, hosted by Q-Nice with rhythms by poet R.A. Washington laying down rare groove, vintage hip-hop and forgotten soul. The Freedom Park All-Stars pump out live fun and jazz backing the poets, drop in and get in on it Tue 2/24, doors open 9PM. Touch, 2710 Lorain Ave in Ohio City. Call 631-5200 or visit http://www.touchsupperclub.com
Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course for new grantseekers, learn how to prepare your organization to seek grants with an introduction to the world of foundations and how to identify potential funders. Series includes presentations, group exercises, and a case study where you’ll learn crucial terminology related to the grantseeking process, what qualities grantmakers look for in an organization when reviewing grant proposals, and what methods are best to approach each type of grantmakerWed 2/25 from 9AM-4PM. The Foundation Center, 1422 Euclid Avenue, 12th Floor. http://fdncenter.org/marketplace/catalog/product_training.jhtml?id=prod460057
NEObio educational series this month concentrating on the broadcast media at the City Club. Come by for breakfast and hear Eileen Korey, Director of News Services at University Hospitals of Cleveland speaking on how local bioscience companies can maximize the broadcast media industry to get their message out. She spent 6 years as a news reporter in radio, business newspapers and television, and has won six Emmy awards for her television journalism. Get in on itWed 2/25 at 7:30AM. Registration is required. NEOBio is a grassroots gathering of bioscience companies in Northeast Ohio on a mission to promote clustering and growth of bioscience in our region by networking, training, and marketing. The City Club, 850 Euclid Ave. Register at rsvp@neobio.org and visit http://www.neobio.org
Cool Cleveland exclusive interview with Rufus Wainwright
Cool Cleveland senior editor Tisha Nemeth sinks her teeth into musician/songwriter Rufus Wainwright and gets a mouthful of his complexities, creation processes, and the confessional side to his writing life.
Cool Cleveland: Your lyrics propel deeply personal observations into the public arena, and psychologically, how do you protect yourself when doing this?
Rufus Wainwright: I have to say that being confessional, we do pay the price for it. Certainly having these personal distresses and then sitting down and putting it in a song, getting it out of your system, and as a result having it leave you, is really amazing – the feeling to just let go. And you do pay a price eventually; people put you in a different category as a different type of human being. It’s like the mystery has dissipated, others can see everything inside you. The downside to it is other people can get anything they need or want from you through your writing; they don’t really need you…
Read Tisha Nemeth’s exclusive interview
Instant Karma Quik reviews of last week’s events
Rufus Wainwright @ The Odeon 2/16 Musical Weapons of Mass Seduction Rufus nailed the audience’s nerves, launching his slow burn, stratified emotional buildup of “Go or Go Ahead,” maintaining an impressive fidelity to feelings where little distinction is made between the pained pleasures of desire and longing, “I’ll never know / What you’ve shown to other eyes.” Each song’s expressive delivery translated a deeply felt transition from sonic threshold to threshold. The melancholic “Pretty Things,” with its defiant message “So what if I like pretty things?”, “Vibrate,” and “11:11” from the Want One CD interlaced its audible stylistics. Rufus also supplied an energetic preview from his soon to be released Want Two CD with “Gay Messiah” evoking a huge response from the mostly gay crowd, as well as the reflective and beautiful piano solo “The Art Teacher” in musical deference to Philip Glass…Read the review by Tisha Nemeth
Spiritual Cinema @ Unity of Greater Cleveland 1/24 Spiritual cinema is not traditional religious film, a la The Ten Commandments, but encompasses movies that explore humanity and our search for meaning. These films examine the nature of reality and time (The Matrix, Vanilla Sky), life in the hereafter (The Sixth Sense, Field of Dreams) and our fear of technology (Terminator). “Film is used to impart cultural ideas, not simply to entertain…”
Read the review by Marcia Bryant
Glengarry GlenRoss @ Spaces Gallery In the true spirit of the art of derive’ (on wheels), this past Friday evening I took off my Lakewoodian colonial pod in search of the unexpected artistic experience, one that Cleveland can surely provide by means of a craved surprise. Drove east on I-90 with the White Stripes on full blast, through West 25th past a packed Nimbis Gallery and then half chance-half curiosity brought me to Spaces for a play; a performance that caught my attention earlier in the week via e-mail by promising it “wouldn’t dent my wallet”. Serendipity raved that night bringing along Anastasia Pantsios and soon politically incorrect conversations lead up from the ground floor galleries to the more inviting red brick, dark wood and up for rent 3rd floor space…
Read the review by Niko Angelis
Earl Palmer and Cosimo Matassa @ Rock Hall 2/11 Inductee Earl Palmer is called the most recorded drummer in history, so his playing has literally served as the backbeat for popular music of the last 57 years, since he started in Dave Bartholomew’s band in New Orleans in 1947. Cosimo Matassa’s legendary J&M Studios was the scene for Palmer’s great early drumming with Fats Domino, Joe Turner, Lloyd Price (Lawdy Miss Clawdy), and Little Richard (Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Slippin’ and Slidin‘). Then, fed up with The Big Easy, he became LA’s first-call drummer and played with Eddie Cochran (Summertime Blues), Ritchie Valens (La Bamba), Dinah Washington, Herb Alpert, Nat King Cole (Ramblin’ Rose), Jan and Dean (Dead Man’s Curve), Righteous Brothers (You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling), plus dozens of other artists: The Monkees, the Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, the Jackson Five, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, the Temptations and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins…
Read the review of Earl Palmer and Cosimo Matassa
[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
Todd Stuart writes about the controversial Ohio legislation on his website http://www.unextraordinary.com/:
“Do I seem concerned? Well, I am! Something has clicked inside me…barely audible…but I cannot bear any more of this hyper-conservative rhetoric. I used to be able to roll my eyes and drop it…but I find it impossible to do so any longer. There is an increasing acceptance of discrimination against the GLBT community, and I find that completely alarming. If you are a fair-minded person, what have YOU done to stop the discrimination to the GLBT community? If you have stood by as this “defense of marriage” legislation has passed in Ohio, your apathy makes you complicit. This stunning (or not-so-stunning) legislation is just one more reason why young, talented and creative minds are leaving Ohio and other locations where discrimination has been legislated. I may not want to be “married,” but I know I do want to be able to share benefits, hospital visitation and inheritance rights, among many other basic rights. This has never been about special rights…it is about EQUAL rights. I am seriously pissed-off right now. You should be, too.”
Commentary/Preview
Until recently, the only way you could get me to listen to WNCX 98.5 past the end of the Howard Stern Show would have been to put a gun to my head, and even then I would have had to think it over for a bit. In fact, a certain on-air personality for the station who will remain nameless (hint: his initials are B.L. and he thinks Bowie stopped releasing albums after Ziggy Stardust) is still on my ass-kicking list for cheap shots he fired at the Ramones when they got inducted to the Rock Hall of Fame. But all that has changed thanks to one man, the talented multi-instrumentalist and Sopranos actor Little Steven Van Zandt, host and creator of Little Steven’s Underground Garage. The Underground Garage does something neither the crap ‘classic’ rock stations or crap ‘alternative’ stations have ever dared to do, something that has previously been confined to the realm of college radio: it makes manifest the link between the gritty rock of the sixties to the indie rock of the eighties to the contemporary garage rockers reviving the scene today…
Read the commentary by Sean Rapacki
Kucinich Beat
Cool Cleveland covers the candidate from NEO
Cool Cleveland caught up with U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich on the phone in his car just before the e-letter was sent out. We just had time to ask him two quick questions:
Cool Cleveland: Congressman Kucinich, you said in early December at Massimo di Milano’s that you need Greater Cleveland’s vote in order to win Ohio. There are voters here that believe you are embarrassing Cleveland by continuing to run without winning any state delegates. Are you running and staying in the race because of your ego?
Representative Dennis Kucinich: “Well, obviously they haven’t watched any of the debates. Not ony have I held my ground, but I have won some of them. An embarrassment? Who else knows about the concerns of Cleveland better than I do? Who else has brought, will, and can deliver Cleveland’s message to national attention? I ran third in primaries, beating Clark and Edwards. My campaign is a national campaign. I have always conducted my campaign with honor and integrity. This campaign is about my community. I’ll tell you what’s embarrassing: 43 million Americans without health insurance is embarrassing. (Millions) of Americans without jobs is embarrassing…”
Read the exclusive interview with Dennis Kucinich
Yr Turn Cool Cleveland readers write
On the “creative class”“I am not opposed to same-sex marriage, but have seen several references here and in other places indicating that the creative class is in part the gay class. I personally don’t believe in the creative class concept and believe it could be distorted into a form of discrimination. I am not alone, there are many essays challenging this concept. Note that further down in the Cool Cleveland newsletter there is a reference to creative people with families relocating to Cleveland. If there is anything positive about the Creative Class concept, it’s that it can cut across any and all boundaries. However, I think we need to closely examine the concept of the creative class before it takes root and becomes another mainstream negative euphanism like “yuppies” in the 80’s. We need to stop defining ourselves by our differences, especially when most of the categories simply migrate from sales and marketing analysis into the mainstream.” ”’
From Cool Cleveland reader William Anderson”’ wsaarchitect@yahoo.com
Roldo responds Dear Thomas: Since my name is mentioned by Tim Hagan in your interview I’d like to say that Hagan indebted this county with some $300 million in Gateway bonds, not a penny of the interest to pay off that debt has been paid by the teams. More than $82 million has been paid by the County since 1992. In addition to that and to taxpayers paying “sin” tax $216 million thus far, the County loaned Gateway $11 million when it came up short on payment to contractors. Not a penny of that has been paid back. Since the early 1990s I’ve attended more Gateway meetings than any Gateway board member. Indeed, probably combined I’ve attended more board meetings than any five members of the Gateway board through those years. Though Mr. Hagan played a major role in incurring those incredible debts, I can’t remember ever seeing him at a Gateway meeting, nor have I ever heard of him pressing for a resolution of the financial debacle he helped create. I think Mr. Hagan ought to spend more time in West Palm Beach rather than collect another County salary.
From Cool Cleveland reader Roldo Bartimole pointofview@stratos.net
On the Rock Hall induction “The reason so many people ‘whine’ about the Rock Hall induction ceremony is because the refusal to hold it in Cleveland is a blantant show of disrespect. The Football HOF ceremony is held in Canton; likewise the Baseball HOF ceremony is held in Cooperstown. However, the institution of rock and roll, the bastard child of music, is “Too Good” for the humble likes of Cleveland, Ohio? While we all lament the draught of revenue in this fair city, has anyone calculated the sheer volume lost because the elitist music industry insists on New York City as the center of the western world? Travel, lodging, restaurants, entertainment – not to mention the induction event itself. While we throw the term “creative class” around, we consistently allow this large faction to piss on our collective leg like a surly dog.”
From Cool Cleveland reader Cristy Wright cristy@scorerocks.com
On Taft’s signing of the anti-gay bill “I love your website. I sure am discouraged about this state. Enclosed is a copy of a letter I sent to Govenor Taft: Governor Taft, Your decision to sign H.B.272, the D.O.M.A. law you passed has inspired me to write you. I will do everything in my power to get as many voters to the booths next election to get you and your party out of office. You and your Republican party have made Ohio one of the least desirable places to live in this country. This state will be filled with retired people financially unable to move away and the unemployed. When studies were done to discover what it would take to revitalize Cleveland, one of the answers was to support the arts and its artists. A large number of the most creative and talented people in all the arts are gay. You have insured they will not come to Cleveland to live…nor will their family or friends, and if they live here already they are looking at places to move away from this ignorant, backward, bible-thumping state. Your decisions as Governor will some day be looked at historically as the darkest days of what was once an incredible state.”
From Cool Cleveland reader Jim Allen jimsaysletitgo@netscape.net
On soccer stadium silliness “From the last Cool Cleveland: the best local news I’ve heard in a while (sorry to see Summit County falling for the same line of crap): What’s with this stadium fetish anyway? Do you go to Chicago for the stadium? Seattle? Toronto? New York? San Francisco? Heck, Pittsburgh, even? Sure, many of these cities have one or more new stadiums (stadii?) but I don’t believe that the stadium and/or sports team that plays in it is the main factor in making ANY of these cities interesting to live in and visit. A “major league” soccer stadium will not make Cleveland a better place to live or visit, either. With job losses, education cutbacks, and unemptied trash cans all around, we have more important things to talk about, let alone invest in. We’ve been down that road before, and like it or not we now have our “required” new baseball, football, and basketball venues. I take some hope in the fact that our local politicians are astute enough to realize that most voters aren’t interested in helping another team owner make money using our taxes.” From Cool Cleveland reader Al Wasco
On Cool Cleveland “You are a wondrous voice for all of Cleveland….but, particularly, for all the disenfranchised artists who need a strong voice for positive social change i.e. more support for the arts…you are a Godsend. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou.” From Cool Cleveland reader Brad Mason b_solidheart@yahoo.com
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)Cleveland Chaos Finally, t-shirts as cool as Cleveland itself. Visit Cleveland Chaos for unique shirts that celebrate the positive power of our town’s chaotic past, present and future. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll want one on your back. http://www.ClevelandChaos.com
2)Exclusive Cool Cleveland interview with Tim Hagan Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones is in an enviable position these days. Since no one has chosen to run against him, he’s sure to be elected to another 4-year term in November. Read the exclusive Cool Cleveland interview. [[http://www.pulsarmail.com/show_article.php?p=61P0E874R9575N36H The Cool Cleveland interview
3) Sexy suburbs The First Suburbs Development Council, a 14-city group that is buying old-style, up and down duplexes (of which there are hundreds in the inner ring suburbs of Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and Euclid), and turning them into cool, side-by-side townhouse condos. Read more.
4)Calling Cleveland home Casey Allen and Natalie Nelson moved here from Seattle three years ago. They found their home on the Internet, came here without a job and don’t have family here. So why they’d pick our city? An attic and garage. Read more.
5)Music and the brain Recent discoveries reveal how people’s emotional reaction to music can alleviate pain, why certain musical intervals sound more pleasing than others, and how musical training alters the growing brains of children. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994563
Cool Cleveland is even bigger than we thought. Why? Because you’re turning your friends onto CC. If you know someone who doesn’t yet receive it, tell them where to go: http://www.CoolCleveland.com or have them send an e-mail to Signup@CoolCleveland.com.
Developing your marketing plans? Cool Cleveland is a proven way to reach thousands of influential people in the area. Find out more by dropping us a line, then check the packages we’ve put together with Cleveland Magazine, WCLV radio and Cool Cleveland. Drop us a note to Info@CoolCleveland.com and let the cool Clevelanders hear from you.
Hardy Hard Corps is working hard for you. Props to Tisha Nemeth, Deb Remington, George Nemeth, Tom Perrino, Niko Angelis, and Marcia Bryant – who are just a few of the writers and contributors collaborating to bring you the important 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: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotComFor your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-mail newsletter, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com
Once a Clevelander,
always a Clevelander… (:divend:)