CoolCleveland.com - Way Too Much To Do

Cool Cleveland 03.19-03.26.03
Way Too Much To Do

Forget the weekend spa visit. It won't wipe out your daily stress. Instead, The Wall Street Journal's Jane Spencer says you need to deal with stress in real time. Here's how: Eat carbs in the afternoon for the serotonin boost, lay off the caffeine, take a 5-minute walk every hour, divert your attention during long commutes with cell phone calls or educational tapes, breathe deeply, and stay calm in the morning when stress hormones are spiking. And now that we've got great Cleveland weather, get outside and hit the Metropark.
See Wall Street Journal

Wormholes expose possible network attacks

Underscored by last week's Deloder and Code Red.F worms, CERT (the computer security response team out of Carnegie Mellon), has advised that the recent rash of Internet worms, while not damaging machines, instead installs backdoors that can be used in coordinated attacks at a later date. Huge networks of hundreds of thousands of computers are connected by bots that can be used to bounce millions of messages off these computers anonymously creating distributed-denial-of-service-attacks that would effectively shut down the Internet. This problem could be solved if the proper patches were applied and current anti-virus software was utilized. Are your network guys on the ball? Read the article at eWeek below, and find the latest patches at CERT http://www.cert.org
See eWeek

Corkscrew Cinema

****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Join wine connoisseur Chuck Zagara of Zagara's Marketplace as we sample nine select California Zinfandels after a night at the movies on Fri 3/21. Tickets for this Madstone "Zin-ema" special event usually sell out quickly, so call 321-1562 or pick up tickets at the Madstone box office at the corner of Coventry & Euclid Hts Blvd. Ticket price $20.50 ($17.50 for Madstone Members) includes movie, wine and snacks.
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
And don't forget to claim your free popcorn & soda any day by clicking here

Dobama Cutting Back

Following the lead of CPT, which announced last year that they were cutting back on this year's season to save money, now Dobama Theatre's board has voted to cancel 2003 productions of Nicky Silver's Raised in Captivity, Dobama Night Kitchen's Punk Project and the Owen Kelly Adopt-A-Playwright Program, the first time that Artistic Director Joyce Casey can recall a production being cancelled in her 25 years at Dobama. In the midst of one of their most creatively successful seasons, Dobama is taking the right approach. "Dobama's reputation for producing innovative, professional theatre is unquestioned," says Board President Spencer Caress. "Our actions regarding the 2002-2003 season reflect our commitment to the future success of Dobama, including relocating to our new home." The award-winning 25th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids' Playwriting Festival will still go on as planned 6/5-8. It is the first children's playwriting festival in the United States, producing ten to twelve plays written by Cuyahoga County students in grades 1-12. Dobama Theatre 932-6838
Dobama Theatre

Progressive Urban Real Estate

****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Progressive Urban Real Estate This week, we're showing you the Sincere Building, located right in the heart of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood at East 4th and Prospect. The building stands out with its white terra cotta and brick exterior and its many, many windows. Construction is underway on 14 condos, each with almost 1,800 sq ft for residential or live/work. Includes hardwood and ceramic floors throughout, granite counters, huge & plentiful windows tax abatement and 1½% reduced rate financing.
****************** SPONSORED LINK ******************
Support Cool Cleveland and check out these lux digs

Free Times resurrected?

The Plain Dealer reports that Free Times Publisher Matt Fabian has received approval from the Justice Department to buy the name and assets of the defunct Free Times newspaper, and according to the Justice Department, he intends to re-launch the magazine. We'll keep our eye on this one.
See The Plain Dealer

Cleveland Names a Tech Czar

North Olmsted native Tim Moran, who has spent the last few years in San Diego, Chicago and Costa Rica, has been named the city's first Senior Executive, Technology Development (but everyone will call him the Tech Czar). He is stepping down as president and chief executive officer of Arboles Technology, his software development firm, leaving his Costa Rican partner in charge. The three things that got him the job are his experience running a technology company, his passion for Cleveland, and his "entrepreneurial intelligence." One sign of his intelligence: he is quoted as saying that Cleveland is "too risk averse. I'd love for Cleveland to be known as the guinea pig. If someone's trying a new wireless product or a medical project, start it here," Let's welcome him, and hope that this continues turning the tide for technology in Cleveland.
See CrainTech

Arts levy going on November ballot

Carolyn Jack of The Plain Dealer is all over it—and she's getting the quotes: "I think it's definitely time that we have to put our money where our mouth is with this particular industry," County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora said, adding that leaders from different sectors "all would like to see the issue hit the ballot in November... We're trying to team up the arts-levy request with another popular issue," he said. "We thought a combination request would be an easier sell." That other issue is probably the Convention Center, and that means more work needs to be done to show that "tourism and the arts have an interconnected economic impact." More tidbits: the levy would raise $14-18 million per year for the arts in the region; the arts & culture generates $1.3 billion in economic activity; the AFL-CIO, the area's strongest union, drafted a resolution in January in favor of "exploring an appropriate public subsidy for the arts"; the other natural alliance, between the arts and health & human services, will be useful in passing the first milestone: the Health and Human Services levy so near and dear to the Commissioners' hearts, up for a vote on May 6.
See The Plain Dealer

Brand America Under Attack

When you think about "Brand America," what comes to mind? McDonald's, Nike, Disney, Hollywood, Fox, Texaco, Gap, Exxon, Starbucks? If Adbusters has its way, these "symbols of American power" will be the targets of a boycott now that the war has begun. They're calling it the Boycott Brand America pledge and they've collected 12,000 signatures since 3/15. It's easy to dismiss its potential impact until you consider the damage to Starbucks during the WTO meetings in Seattle.
See Adbusters

OhioBiz directory

In what is claimed to be Ohio's largest search directory, OhioBiz Web Consulting launched OhioBiz.com two years ago, and now claims to index over 40,000 Ohio businesses and receive about 15,000 unique visitors per week. They are now accepting advertising.
OhioBiz

Pumping Dead Money

Walk down Euclid Avenue and look at the empty buildings, then realize that most of them are owned by family trust funds looking for safe small returns, then think about where most of Cleveland's money is tied up. In another brilliant commentary, CrainTech's Chris Thompson discusses a creative solution for Cleveland's risk-averse culture: reserve 10% of Cleveland's foundation-heavy, old-family, "dead" money (usually earmarked for safe philanthropic investments) for biosciences (this idea from Glenn R. Brown, President of the Generation Foundation). Then Chris comes up with the idea to earmark an additional 1% for "Cleveland's 1% Fund," run by seasoned venture capitalists and targeting regional tech investments. Back of the envelope projections suggest that this would generate $60 million in its first year, a tidy sum for area tech investments. To borrow a couplet, free your money and your entrepreneurs will follow.
See CrainTech

Cleveland Theatre/Film Archives site launched

Theatre maven and publicist Jeon Francis has launched a web site as a companion to the Cleveland Theatre and Film Archive that he established last January. He is collecting and preserving costumes pieces, props, and other related items from locally shot big screen films and prominent Cleveland theater productions. For more information on the project, current archived items, and how to submit your suggestions, visit his site.
Cleveland Theatre and Film Archive

Athersys Death Watch

After failing to convince the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and CWRU to put up $100 million they say they need to stay in town, Athersys started talking to potential partners in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Research Triangle, North Carolina. That apparently got area politicians and economic development folks thinking creatively: what about the $125 billion sitting in the Bureau of Workers' Compensation and state pension funds? For example, 3% of Workers' Comp fund is earmarked for high risk investments such as a venture capital fund that might in turn invest in Athersys. Already about 4% of Athersys' $100 million in equity comes from four of the five state pension funds. Could they put more in, and possibly invest directly in the company, or is this state too risk averse (not necessarily a bad posture for pension funds). Or is this just more highway robbery by the wealthy threatening to leave town unless they get paid? We should be finding out very soon, as officials have said they plan to present a package of loans, tax credits and other incentives to Athersys by 3/31.
See Cleveland.com incentives here.
See Cleveland.com on 3/31 deadline here.
See Cleveland.com on pension funds:

Call for Entries

SPACES Gallery is accepting applications for its 2003/04 season from artists in all media including video installation, as well as proposals for curated exhibitions. Honoraria available to artists, curators. Students eligible only for SPACELab exhibitions. Deadline is 4/4/03. For an application form contact SPACES, 2220 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 621-2314. Applications and information available at the site.
SPACES

Cool Cleveland This Week
3.19-3.26

Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts

If you are an individual involved in the arts and looking for funding to complete a project, mount an exhibition, put on a performance, conduct research, or anything else arts-related, you are invited to learn how to identify funders in the arts, explore the option of fiscal sponsorship, and gain tips on how to create a step-by-step plan to find funding for your needs as an individual grantseeker, including info on the Ohio Arts Council's Individual Artists Fellowship program. Thu 3/20 2-4PM, Foundation Center, 1422 Euclid #1600, 861-1934
Foundation Center

Getting Your Work Out

The Self-Employed Artists Network (SEAN) brings together artists and experts to discuss the business needs of self-employed artists. On Thu 3/20 7-9PM, Mary Urbas of the Valley Art Center discusses working with local galleries, and Ira Sawyer of A Thing Of Beauty discusses the mysteries of corporate art sales. Art House, 3119 Denison 398-8556
Art House

Citizen response to the war

will take place Thu 3/20 at 3PM at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, SE quadrant of Public Square, mass protests from 5-6PM, then the Northeast Ohio Antiwar Coalition will hold a non-violent civil disobedience rally at 6PM. Candlelight Vespers Service at the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Cleveland, 2728 Lancashire Road, Cleveland Heights at 7:30PM. Maybe Rep. Dennis Kucinich will be there. Here's an excerpt of a statement he released just after President Bush made his announcement on 3/19: "President Bush has launched an unprovoked attack against another country. Iraq does not pose an imminent threat to the United States or any of its neighboring nations. Iraq was not responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11. Tonight, President Bush has commanded U.S. forces to go to war in violation of American traditions of defensive war that have lasted since George Washington. This war is wrong; it violates the Constitution and international law." Check Kucinich's Presidential campaign website for the full fury: http://www.kucinich.us
See The Plain Dealer

Community Building Through Art

Lily Yeh, an artist and community activist, is at the forefront of using art as tool for community building. In 1986, Yeh began working with local residents on the Village of Arts and Humanities, a revitalization of an abandoned lot in North Philadelphia. The Village has become a community-based catalyst for art, education, and neighborhood transformation. Yeh will be speaking on Thu 3/20 at 5PM, CSU's Drinko Hall, 2121 Euclid Ave.
Village of Arts and Humanities

NEOpreneur Exchange

The NEOpreneurs are doing it right. They have a business plan, they are organized, and they got hundreds to attend their first event in January. The goal of the Exchange is "to facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, the major corporations here in the region, financiers, and supporters of growing companies." To achieve this goal, they offer "structured networking activities" informal networking, the success stories, words of wisdom and encouragement from national and local entrepreneurs, and food, snacks and entertainment in a great venue. What deals will be hatched over the glistening martini bar in the basement? Thu 3/20 5-10PM Pickwick & Frolic, 2035 E. 4th St.
NEOpreneur Exchange

Computer Technology Goes Hollywood

featuring Jim Kristoff (a John Carroll alum) of Metrolight Studios, talking about the computer animation company that he founded in 1987 in Hollywood. Presented by the JCU Entrepreneurs Association. Jim is an Oscar winner and Metrolight has had effects in Total Recall, Mission Impossible, Batman Forever, and others. Thu 3/20 at Great Lakes Brewery 397-4573 2516 Market Ave
Great Lakes Brewing

Funk-O-Rama

hosted by Chille Mike and featuring guest DJ Paul Cisco Thu 3/20 at Capsule, 13376 Madison, 227-7853

Cleveland International Film Festival

What brings 40,000 people to downtown Cleveland and dumps $725,000 into Cleveland's economy every year? This year's 27th Cleveland International Film Festival kicks off on Thu 3/20 with opening night film American Splendor, about the life of Clevelander Harvey Pekar, filmed in Cleveland, which just won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Also check out The Man Without a Past, which was nominated for a Foreign Language Academy Award, Film Forums (moderated panel discussions about issues addressed in Festival films), and Cultural Journeys -- a multicultural program that helps people learn about the customs, lifestyles and traditions of people around the world through the shared language of film. Make life easy on yourself and pick up a festival pass and take some time off for a mental health day. To get in the spirit, WCPN's Dee Perry talks with Harvey Pekar, filmmakers and Festival organizers on Thu 3/20 and hosts an Oscar call-in on Fri 3/21 with writers and the Cinematheque's John Ewing on Around Noon at 12 noon on FM 90.3. Cleveland Int'l Film Festival Thu 3/20 thru Sun 3/30, Tower City Cinemas, 623-3456
Cleveland International Film Festival

Every Pixel Tells A Story

Stepping all over the boundaries between digital and organic, painter, designer and illustrator Richard Tuschman will show and talk about how to develop ideas, to combine traditional media with digital processes, and how to make a living as an illustrator in the Midwest (sorry, Great Lakes States—see "On The Great State of Cleveland" in Yr Turn below). Come early for refreshments at the Geeks & Gurus Series, Thu 3/20 7:30PM Room G4A/B Galleria Tri-C Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Parma 987-5212. Click here for info.
Tri-C West map

Preserving Memory:

America's Monumental Legacy is a touring exhibit on the history of sculpture-making that reveals intriguing stories about national monuments and discusses common physical threats to outdoor sculpture and what we can do about it. Opening Fri 3/21 5-7PM. The Sculpture Center, 1834 E. 123 St, 229-6527
The Sculpture Center

61st Annual Human Services Institute

hosted by the Federation for Community Planning, featuring keynoters: Andrei Codrescu, writer, professor and social commentator (you may know him from NPR); and The Honorable Oscar Arias, 1987 Nobel Prize Laureate, President of Costa Rica 1986-1990. The theme this year: Think globally. Act regionally. Human Services in our Multicultural Community Fri 3/21 7:30AM-4:30PM at Cleveland Convention Center. Also check out the Federation's great resources, such as their Northeast Ohio Media Guide, an indispensable bible of media contacts in our market, for your press releases.
Federation for Community Planning

In The Blood

by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Sonya Robbins will be presented in a special signed and audio-described performance on Fri 3/21 8PM, where American Sign Language interpreters will be on hand. Dobama Theatre is also equipped with a hearing-assistance system for its hard-of-hearing patrons, who simply notify the theatre of their special need at the time of their reservation. Make reservation at dobama@core.com for the signed performance. Dobama Theatre, 1846 Coventry 932-3396
Dobama Theatre

Boys of Lough

As part of their VIVA! Festival of Performing Arts, the Museum presents the Cleveland debut of the lush sounds and quick wit of this Celtic ensemble who have been recording since 1967. Fri 3/21 7:30PM Gartner Aud, CMA, 11150 East Blvd, 888-CMA-0033
Cleveland Museum of Art

ArtCade Galleries Celebrate the Spring Equinox

with an evening of art and performance. The (art) stars (of the Cleveland underground) will be in alignment for the first (and much anticipated) day of Spring at Cleveland's most aligned art center, the ArtCade Project on Fri 3/21 5-9PM. Just a sample: ArtMetro: Spring Preview Spring inspired paintings by Phyllis Kucan and Patricia Kucan, glass by Brian Benchek, and the closing reception for X, Y and sometimes V -an exhibition of works by women artists whose art utilizes feminine iconography, the female figure, and gender-specific objects (see Amy Bracken Spark's review at Angle magazine http://www.anglemagazine.org/xyv.html). Buzz Gallery: 409 Exhibit, curated by Buzz co-director Colin Toke, this exhibit features illustrative, cartoon, digital and cyber designers who are a part of the 409 collective, including musical performances by members of 409: phonomongrel, Three M, & notekhu. First Peoples Gallery (in ArtMetro): The Art of the Mask II, handcrafted masks representing the cultures of Western Africa, the Inuit of Arctic Canada, the indigenous people of people of the Pacific Northwest and the Iroquois Woodland Indians. groop multimedia/experimental gallery: spring collection, a performance based exhibition. New works by Abe Olvido and Mike Moritz, set in the context of a fashion show with a twist. Lemur House: Lighting Fixtures by Cleveland artists: Andrea LaBlonde (clay luminaries), Chris Topher/Mike Kaplan of the Glass Bubble Project (glass pendants and sconces), Andrew Kaletta (paper and wood lamps). Special performance opening night: Computer Calliope by Ted Flynn; Formal (In) Formal, the Drawings of Tom Yody; Sybaritic Grandeur, photographs by Jennifer J. Jones. Gallery Ü: Energy of the Self, The Art of Xan Underhill (see below). ArtCade at the Colonial Marketplace, 530 Euclid at East 6th, 696-1942 artmetrogallery@yahoo.com

Energy of the Self:

The Art of Xan Underhill One of Cleveland's originals, Xan Underhill has returned from designing costumes on tour with Cirque du Soliel, and she's showing Cleveland what it means to be an artist. This show features an organic sculpture garden, along with her costume design, jewelry and home decor. The opening on Fri 3/21 6-9PM should be just as special, as it features art and live performance by members of SAFMOD performing every fifteen minutes in costume designs by Underhill to drumming of Neil Chastain, drumming and didgeridoo of Mark Webster, and world jazz by Tim Beaman. Gallery Ü, ARTcade at the Colonial Marketplace, 503 Prospect Avenue and East 4th Street 323-0085

Beachland Ballroom

A big Friday night, with Akron's two-piece Black Keys holding a CD release party (with special guests the Apes from Washington, D.C.), celebrating their second release thickfreakness, a follow-up to their critically acclaimed (Rolling Stone, Spin, Village Voice, and MOJO all loved it) debut The Big Come-Up, in the Ballroom. Over in the Tavern, two drummers who've played with Cleveland's Pere Ubu: Chris Cutler, hard line socialist, ethnomusicologist and record exectutive known for his progressive and experimental project; with support from Homeless Gardens, a re-amped Home and Gardens featuring ex-Ubu drummer Scott Krause and his friends creating a free-form improv scene. Almost too much for one night Fri 3/21 9PM Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo, 383-1124
Beachland Ballroom

Queens of the Iron Mic

Women: a chance to go out and say what's really on your mind, (bring your girlfriends, too) at the all female poetry-hiphop-soul-spoken word evening out Sat 3/22 9PM at the Grog Shop in Coventry presented by Nappyhead, Inc. Featured performers are: Earthtone, Miko, Azzia, Jusrel, and Mystory along with many other gifted, outspoken ladies. Grog Shop,1765 Coventry, Cleve Hts 324-7818
Grog Shop

Compagnie Marie Chouinard

as part of Tri-C's Contemporary Vision Series, this Sat 3/22 at 8PM, "anyone with the slightest interest in dance, and in the shells of flesh we inhabit and imagine, should rush to see" Compagnie Marie Chouinard, said the Toronto Globe and Mail, if you believe what you read. She spends most of her time touring in Europe where they appreciate her envelope-pushing technique: dancers that shake, writhe and lurch, industrial music, sheer costumes, intense dancing. The Georgia Straight noted, "at the end of the performance, audience members sat still in their seats for a second or two before bursting into applause, as if stunned and deeply moved by what they had just seen." Catch this international troupe at Tri-C East Performing Arts Center, 4250 Richmond Road, building E2, 987-2543. See Wilma Salisbury's preview at Cleveland.com
Tri-C East Performing Arts Center

Funk/Hip Hop Party

only happens once a year, this time around former Nine Inch Nails keyboardist DJ Lee Mars will be spinning his brand of old school hip hop and R&B, while DJ Mazi, the King of Diggin', will be laying down his signature style of rare soul, jazz and funk. Get in the basement for this one on Sat 3/22 Touch Supper Club, 2710 Lorain
Touch Supper Club

Mardi Gras Again!

Just a little late for Fat Tuesday, Bad Epitaph Theater Company is back with a benefit at CPT on Sat 3/22, but this isn't your ordinary benefit, with all of the following: live power pop by This Is Exploding, DJ Darclight, comedy by The Mike & Al Show starring Tom, prizes for "Greatest Beadwhore," palm and tarot readings, exotic delights for the senses, live dancers, and the ubiquitous Cage of Wrath. CPT, 6415 Detroit, reservations at 566-0919 or check the site.
Bad Epitaph Theater Company

An Evening With Dave Brubeck

Cleveland Institute of Music presents The Dave Brubeck Quartet- Dave Brubeck, piano, Bobby Militello, alto sax, Michael Moore, bass and Randy Jones, drums, who, along with the CIM Orchestra will perform classics like Take Five and Blue Rondo a la Turk, in the incomparable Severance Hall. Brubeck has come a long way since serving under George Patton during WWII. He returned to the US to study composition with Darius Milhaud and started developing his unique harmonic and rhythmic approach that both became wildly popular (he was the first jazz artist to go gold with the 1960 album Time Out, containing the two hits above), and gained him critical approval. He has played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz among others, won the National Medal of Honor, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from CIM. This event is also a benefit for the Cleveland Institute of Music presented by the CIM Women's Committee, offering cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dessert in addition to premier box and dress circle seating for the concert. For benefit info: 791-5000 X311. Sat 3/22 7PM Severance Hall 231-1111
Cleveland Institute of Music

Waterfronts 101

Everything you need to know about designing a livable lakefront, part of the Northeast Ohio's Waterways Forum Series, co-sponsored by EcoCity Cleveland in partnership with the Cleveland Lakefront Partners and WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream on Sat 3/22 9AM-12:30PM. What are the principles that make waterfronts great? What can Cleveland learn from other cities? Plans to transform 40 Acres of Whiskey Island recreational area to 20 acres of lakefront access will be discussed. To meet the demands of decreased Great Lakes shipping, details of the expansion of the Cleveland Port Authority, for the first time in 100 years, will be presented. Join citizens in developing a common vocabulary for waterfront planning and design. Watch the webcast at the site. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Cleveland State University, 1717 Euclid Ave. Free. Registration required: 523-7330 or check the site.
CSU College of Urban Affairs

Troika Ranch

This is the way art should be presented, by bringing in a group for a week to do workshops, collaborations and free performances. In fact, everything is free because of the wonder of non-profit funding (The Harriet B. Storrs Fund of The Cleveland Foundation). Using technology supplied by Troika Ranch, participants will learn to use their gestures or movements to control interactive computer tools including sound systems, video playback devices and theatrical lighting. Start with workshops on Thu 3/20 and Fri 3/21 on theatre technique, then check out the cutting edge performance that uses live computer interaction between dancers and real-time projection of visual images and creation of music, exploring the often uneasy relationships between humans and technology. See the performance free at 7PM on Sat 3/22 in the B.K. Smith Gallery of Lake Erie College's Fine Arts Building, 440 639-7856. Check Troika Ranch.
B.K. Smith Gallery of Lake Erie College

I Know That I'm Too Bold

Since 1993, the three members of Zorgina (Basque for "wise woman") have been purveyors of early and modern vocal music. This program on Sat 3/22 at 7:30PM presents songs and madrigals about love, politics, philosophy and folly, a storybook of the musical life of women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Harkness Chapel, 11200 Bellflower Rd 368-2402
CWRU Music

Glass Harp

"How's it going man! I'm working away here in Boulder, jamming with some folks and working for this booking agency. I'll be back for a series of Sultans gigs in late April-early May... but more on that later. The purpose of this email is to ask you to please include news of the impending GLASS HARP show at the Beachland Ballroom on Sun 3/23 7:30PM in your Cool Cleveland newsletter! I cannot imagine you don't know who Glass Harp and Phil Keaggy are, so I won't bore you with the legendary tale of Hendrix on the Dick Cavett show.... Dick: So, Jimi, what's it like being the best guitar player alive? Hendrix: Uh, I don't know, Dick... you'll have to ask Phil Keaggy. I understand Glass Harp is just finishing up a new studio album, recording it in Northeast Ohio, no less. You can also check out their websites, http://www.glassharp.net and http://www.philkeaggy.net (uh, or maybe it's http://www.philkeaggy.com). anyhow, hope all is well in c-town! looking forward to seeing you cats soon. please drop me a line and let me know what's up if you get the chance. talk with you soon! peace." from Cool Cleveland reader Tim Askin, Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo, 383-1124
Beachland Ballroom

Songs In Flight

featuring Oiseaux Exotiques by Messiaen, Narrative by Ross Lee Finney and Clawhammer by Gerald Plain, by Cleveland's only full-time new music ensemble, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony on Mon 3/24 8PM Free Drinko Hall, CSU, 2001 Euclid Ave
Cleveland Chamber Symphony

Creative Essence

Steel and rubber, oil and iron, salt and concrete. Cleveland's contribution to the American mosaic has largely been summed up in terms of heavy industry. But art has also been nurtured and exported from the creative rolling mills of the North Coast - materials stoked in the furnaces of the imagination, the factories of the mind. The product of a series of public discussions held beginning throughout Cleveland in January 2000, the film Creative Essence grows from an effort by the Cleveland Artists Foundation to define what is distinctive about the character of arts and aesthetic design in this region. From this new threshold at the dawning of the 21st century, Creative Essence allows you a look back on more than a hundred years of artists and cultural development in the region, where the likes of Viktor Schreckengost, Frank Ghery, Paul Travis, Margaret Bourke-White, Frank Wilcox and Henry Keller left an indelible imprint. Public art and monuments from WPA projects in the 1930s still surround us, while the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, SPACES Gallery, the Akron Art Museum, NOVA Gallery, the Canton Art Museum and other institutions continue to bequeath a legacy of invention, decoration and "some sort of magic," for today and tomorrow.' See the film at the Cleveland International Film Festival on Mon 3/24 3PM, then immediately following, Cleveland Foundation Program Associate for the Arts Ann Mullin will moderate a discussion with Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman, Cleveland Institute of Art President David Deming, Young Audiences Executive Director Marsha Dobrzynski, Former Northern Ohio Live editor Dennis Dooley, and Cleveland Museum of Art Executive Director Katharine Reid. The panel will discuss the past, present, and future roles of the arts in our city. Learn how the arts are the key to Cleveland's cultural and economic renaissance.
Cleveland International Film Festival

Extinguishing the Torch:

The Immigration Crackdown Post 9/11 Did you know that The FBI has announced plans to interview more than one out of every five people of Iraqi origin living in the United States? On Tues 3/25 at 7:30PM, join attorney David Leopold as he discusses the detrimental impact that the immigration crackdown has had on immigrants' rights. Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center 4506 Chester Ave, RSVP to 472-2220
American Civil Liberties Union

godspeed you! black emperor and Black Dice

offer a politically charged, confrontational, wall-of-sound punk aesthetic. They'd probably be playing Speak In Tongues if that place were still running. Tues 3/25 9PM Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo, 383-1124
Beachland Ballroom

MetaScape

is the first exhibition of Museum of Art Contemporary Curator Jeffrey Grove's Project 244, showcasing experimental work in a 600 square foot space (formerly a closet). Metascape features four artists of a new generation who intersect technology, video, performance and the visual arts. Read Dan Tranberg's excellent review in the first issue of Angle magazine (not online) and check out the Project 244 space up on the 2nd floor in the Contemporary galleries thru 6/15. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, 421-7350
Cleveland Museum of Art

Lisa Kenion & John Ranally

Now might be a really good time to think about this quote from artist John Ranally: "The presence of art allows those who respond to it to pause and focus on our humanity." Check out his new human figure sculptures made from farm tools inherited from his grandfather. Lisa Kenion's female figures in dreamscapes are influenced by Neolithic and bronze age matrifocal cultures. Thru 4/15 Dead Horse Gallery 14900 Detroit 228-7214
Dead Horse Gallery

What Keeps the CIOs up at Night?

A panel discussion with some of the most respected CIOs in the region: Tom Andriola of Philips Medical Systems, Bob Rickert of KeyCorp, and Len Steinbach of The Cleveland Museum of Art. They'll discuss the following topics: IT Strategies vs. Corporate Goals, Top Priorities (yours and management's), ROI Expectations and Justification of IT Spending, Disaster Recovery Plans, Vendor Relationships, Dream Projects and Missed Opportunities, plus audience Q&A. Wed 3/26 7:30-9:45AM The City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue
See Crain's

Instant Karma
quik reviews of last week's events

Ball In the Bank @ Cleveland Environmental Center 3/15

Possibly the most impressive achievement of this event, besides raising some money for the enviro groups moving in to the old AmeriTrust bank building at 3500 Lorain, was the diverse mix of people this party attracted. That's hard to do in this town (partly because hardly anyone really tries), but we saw east side greens drinking with near west side urban pioneers dancing with old-money foundation types learning the merengue next to suburban-heart-in-the-right-place donors. The eclectic mix of DJs, live music by hot hot hot Grupo Fuego, and a decadent mélange of cuisine from Ohio City's finest eateries kept the body politic flowing in and out of the basement (straight out of Nefertiti's tomb) and onto the dance floor. The stroke of genius was to invite Tera and Angel Fonanez to instruct the partiers in Latin dances. Instead of standing around in a circle watching (think of the last party you went to), dozens of men and women lined up across from each other (the gay couples only threw them off for a second) and got down with some simple but sizzling dance steps. Full disclosure—I was a participant, but from my perspective, everyone was having fun, no attitudes, no egos, just a good time in a great building. And the bonus was the ability to announce that Fifth Third would be the banking tenant in the astounding first floor space, completing the circle nicely while geothermal pipes pump fresh blood into an old building that's definitely new again.
The Ball In The Bank

Gilded Age or Gilded Cage?

Cleveland Museum of Art's The Gilded Age brings 19th century American art collections on tour from the Smithsonian Museum, boasting canvases of predictable American icons Homer Winslet and John Singer Sargent. The Gilded Age is more aptly named The Gilded Cage, portraying via canvas the wealth of successful American Industrialists caged within their excesses. Dominant are influential themes from 18th and 19th century French masters in Singer Sargent's Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler portrait, paying homage to Francoise Boucher's Marquise de Pompadour (1758) portrait; both artists make little or no use of psychological investment within their sitters (typically the patron), as content is based on sumptuousness and very little else. Walter Gay's Novembre, Etaples (1885) borrows from Frenchman Jean Baptiste Chardin's moralistic themes associated with domestic life (perhaps this canvas protests the artificiality of Americans' lifestyle of wealth?). The show's surprise lies in the inclusion of outsider artist Albert Pinkham Ryder, who lost most of his sight during childhood and painted despite his near blindness. His irreverent painting techniques included using palette knives instead of paintbrushes to spread paint on his canvases. This unconventional use of imposto creates arresting visions and atmospheric effects within all of his paintings. Included in the show are Flying Dutchman (1887) Jonah (1885-95) and Sloping Mast and Dipping Prow (1880-85) to name a few. The works of Ryder reward viewers with dark imagery, successfully outshining even his more celebrated contemporaries. The Gilded Age, thru 5/18 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, 421-7340
Cleveland Museum of Art

Classic Cleveland Poetry Slam @ Beachland Ballroom 3/16

"Instead of spending Sunday evening in front of the RubeTube, I decided to experience something new. I had never been to a poetry slam before, and I'm glad I read about it in Cool Cleveland. The open mic was good, the featured speaker better, and the slam itself was excellent. We got to be one of the judges of the slam, and the competition was fierce. I'd encourage everyone in Cleveland to get out and support the local performance poetry scene. You'll be glad you did!" from Cool Cleveland reader George Nemeth george@brewedfreshdaily.com

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Cleveland 3/17

"Hey! went to the parade downtown today, or at least tried to. Started by taking the red line from Brookpark. By the second stop is was standing room only, third and fourth stops no one could even get on. Downtown wasn't much different, elbow to elbow. It was more like timesquare on new years. only 60 degrees. It had to have been the largest draw for a St. Pats day ever! But you know, it was a celebration. Not an angry word in the crowd, everyone was peaceful. Just enjoying the day, and (for the lucky ones up front) the parade. Happy St.Pats Day." from Cool Cleveland reader Terrence A. Snider sniderta@mcosm.net. A collection of works by artist Terrence Snider are on exhibition at Arabica Coffee House, 6285 Pearl Rd through the month of March.

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write

On Athersys Death Watch

"Regarding 'Athersys Death Watch,' don't forget that Dennis Kucinich also came up here and made a big fuzz about not letting LTV die. I personally didn't (and still don't) think that the steel mills should have been saved. I feel even more validated when I think that if we hadn't spent this $100 million doing it, we would now have it for Athersys instead. However, whether we agree with Dennis or not the truth is that he was very effective at rallying the troops and 'saving' the steel mills. We should all ask him to come up here and do the same thing for Athersys. Here is his contact information: https://www.kucinich.us/contact.htm" from Cool Cleveland reader Rueben Garcia rgarcia@digiknow.com

On the Convention Center debate

"Cleveland, Ohio is noisy with debate on its convention center issue. With public officials signaling willingness to spend as much as $500 million to replace the community's current antiquated, cramped facility, developers have built plans and cost estimates for five potential downtown sites. Community development corporations and business groups are busy passing and publicizing resolutions supporting their favorite locations, and the City has held three public meetings seeking resident input on facility siting. Yet the debate on where to build the complex ignores the more central question of whether it should be built at all. Some officials have attempted to make the general case for convention center upgrade, but only as formality. While the notion that "We have to do something!" (the most popular rationale for building a new facility) may be true, it isn't enough. Yet, sadly, our public reasoning does seem to stop there. We must establish - even if we agree that something must be done - that upgrading our convention facility is the specific something we must do with our $500 million. For a new convention facility to be the wisest use for our half billion dollars, we must agree that the old building is a primary constraint to meaningful convention industry growth in Cleveland, an assertion that might wilt in the face of a stiff argument, given (permanently!) the region's cold and wet climate and (temporarily, hopefully) its national reputation as an industrial dinosaur. But even if everyone in the community did agree that building a new facility would make Cleveland significantly more competitive as a convention destination, there is another hurdle that must be cleared in order to justify an investment of this size in a time of such scarcity. We must establish that a growing convention industry would more effectively drive broad growth to the regional economy than other potential uses of our money. If an argument exists that passes these two criteria - one that shows that a new facility will accelerate convention industry growth AND shows that accelerating convention center growth will generate broader economic benefit than the innumerable other investments we might choose - now would be a good time for advocates to share it with the public. Come November, Cuyahoga County voters will decide whether to pay for the facility at all, not where to build it. The opportunity cost question is a critical one. If we choose not to build the center, what else might we do with our $500 million? We could provide a gigantic boon to local research and commercialization efforts in strategic industries. We could provide meaningful support to our anemic entrepreneurial community. We could rehabilitate many of the tainted, vacant brownfields of the central city and inner ring suburbs, opening more of our land for profitable private investment. We could go a long way toward transforming the lakefront-choking Shoreway to a boulevard, providing citizens with precious access to Lake Erie. We could support implementation of the ongoing Innerbelt study, which could open isolated neighborhoods to other parts of the community. (Might we hope for the end of the legendary East Side/West Side split?) We could invest directly in our neighborhoods. We could finally bring our truly embarrassing level of public support for the arts into the respectable range. We could invest in primary education, and send thousands of promising-but-poor young Cleveland residents to college every year. To her credit, Mayor Campbell has made clear that the convention facility upgrade would be just one part of a more comprehensive plan to ignite economic growth in the region. There is talk about asking voters for $500 million over ten years for neighborhood development, as well as funds for the arts on the November ballot issue. These additional measures must not be viewed as throw-ins or appeasements to lure non-Cleveland voters to the Yes side of the convention center issue. They are important on their own merit. We should be developing and publicizing innovative strategies for neighborhood enrichment at least as energetically as we push for the convention center. The very best convention centers are beautiful, hollow structures that adapt very well to an enormous range of outside needs. They have their merit. But perhaps at this point in this community's history, we are ripe for something bolder: a monument to our shared values, a lightning rod for civic engagement, or a real point of public pride. While convention facilities are valuable assets, they are not any of these things. In a sense, their value lies in their very fickleness. We should be very careful not to say the same of ourselves with our investment choices. Intelligent people can debate the best uses of public funds, but we absolutely must recognize the range of options available to us. We must recognize that we will not be able to fund all of our promising projects at the same time, in part because of the dwindling state and federal investments in local initiatives. In weighing this decision, we will speak very plainly about our priorities as a community. It is not just about where to build our new convention center, but rather how best to use our public resources in pursuit of a future Cleveland that we can all aspire to." from Cool Cleveland reader Tony Bodak tonybodak@hotmail.com

On The Great State of Cleveland

"I recently read an article by Jim Vickers in Cleveland Magazine about Tom Mulready and Cool Cleveland. I was moved to finally put in writing my comments and observations regarding this lumbering Sacred Cow we call Cleveland, America's North Coast City. And, let's start here. We, along with everyone else in this Great State of Ohio and our common neighbors in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota are woefully, inadequately labeled as "Midwest". We clearly are NOT! The Midwest is quite obviously Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and even Arkansas and Oklahoma if you will. We suffer from lack of knowing where to place us, how to identify us, what give us character and instant recognition. We are the Great Lakes States and nothing less. Other parts of the Country benefit from association with their respective identifiers - New England, the South, the Pacific Northwest, The Four Corners, etc. It's time we break away from the dust bowl and stand and declare ourselves and bring the Great Lakes regions and Great Lakes States to the same level of prominence as other regions of the Country. Fact: folks on the West Coast think we are East Coast. Folks on the East Coast don't have a clue. The weather channel lists at least Ohio and Michigan as the Northeast and the South is just lost. Come on tell the Country who we are already! We are the Great Lakes - stand proud. Remember we have all the water that alone should stand for the greatest respect. >>>> Now that we know where we are let's move on. For my job I travel extensively throughout the 6 Great Lakes States, 4 of the 6 Midwest States, Kentucky, West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Let me tell you as a first hand observer, Cities throughout this entire central section of the Country are growing by, excuse the obvious term - quantum leaps placing them far, far, far ahead of our beloved Cleveland. Cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Columbus, Nashville, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis even Fort Wayne and Madison are extremely robust and alive and growing exponentially. New or greatly expanded airports. New or greatly expanded convention centers - both the lifeblood of a healthy growing vibrant city are in place or currently being built. Easy air travel with direct flights vs all the connecting flights we are hampered with not to mention the multitude of available flights direct to oversees Cities without again having to connect through someplace else first. Businesses literally popping up everywhere in and around these Cities. Development of every kind every where. Vital Downtown areas especially, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. >>>> Cleveland has gone from one of America' premier Cities, (at one time in our past we were the 7th largest City in the Country) to a third rate, out-of-mind, pass-through spot on the map. Our downtown is a disaster and an eye sore. Can you imagine what visitors think. We've wiped out all shopping - major Department stores. There is no continuity to the few areas of interest Downtown. It has gotten dirty and very dingy. What's up with America's most famous and prominent Avenue - Euclid Avenue? This is progress? How have we come from a City shamed by a burning river, and the first city to face default under a horribly inadequate, narrow, non-progressive provincial character as Dennis Kucinich, who by the way wants to take us down that same stilting dirt road as President of this Country, to a City charming the Nation as the "Come Back City" with its cooperative spirit of Business Community and Political Community partnership to an abrupt halt and about face or at least do nothing resolve. We have thrown away Employer after Employer after Employer. We encourage no one to stay in Cleveland and grow. We are in a Great State of Malaise, a morass, a quagmire wallowing in our wonderfully comfortable mediocrity. At this point these other Cities have passed us by so far it might be difficult to catch yet alone recapture our rightful place a "major US City" replete with Regional influence where others turn to Cleveland for hope. >>>> We need to at least double the size of the airport - immediately, and provide true direct International flights to a multitude of International Cities as well as more direct flights to US Cities - now. We need to build a larger more accommodating Convention Center, now. We need to continue to build, renovate and encourage living space downtown. We need to provide all the necessary amenities for people living and working in downtown, grocery stores, pharmacies, convenient stores, auto repair and auto supply stores, etc., now. We need better mass transportation. We need to focus on growing the downtown area and making it safe, now. The cultural advantages of this City are truly plentiful and world class and we should be thankful for that. The sporting facilities and variety and levels are again superburb and the Emerald Necklace has no equal. These are great draws but what are doing to grow as an International City, a World Class City, a destination City, a City where people want to come to, want to move, want to make their Home? And please do not use the weather as an excuse. Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and all the rest have very similar weather and are growing and growing and growing. Why have we closed up shop? Why have we stuck in the fork? Is it done! No more excuses!" from Cool Cleveland reader John Nemec

On the Lysistrata Project

"I want to follow-up on the Lysistrata Reading project, a terrific success, here and around the world. On behalf of Cleveland area coordinators Susan Petrone and Enid German, I'm pleased to followup. On March 3rd, the world-wide theatrical community and peace advocates joined in the Lysistrata Reading Project, hosting and attending theatrical readings in their community and making a statement for peace. Lysistrata, Aristophanes' 2,400 year-old comedy, served as the first global theatrical event for peace, with more than one thousand performances around the world and readings in each one the 50 states and 59 countries worldwide. The play highlights the adventures of an Athenian woman who rallies women from the warring states to end the Peloponnesian War by seizing the treasury to deny funding for war and abstaining from sex until the men agreed to negotiate a peaceful solution. The Ohio theater community hosted three readings in Cleveland and thirteen readings around the state (from A to, if not, Z, at least X and Y in Xenia and Yellow Springs). While many focused on the star-studded readings in New York and Los Angeles, featuring Mercedes Ruehl, F. Murray Abraham, Kevin Bacon (well, so much for that 6 degrees of separation game) and Kathleen Chalfant, these readings were linked with performers and audiences in each of the 50 states, from Gulfport to Fargo, and in 59 countries around the world. While some readings required major theatrical houses, like the Brooklyn Academy of Music, others were held in churches and residential basements. Some of the readings, those in Beirut or China, couldn't even be publicized due to governmental fear of democratic protest, artistic freedom or human rights. Groups in Jerusalem, as well as Karachi, Pakistan called for peaceful resolution with readings, as did refugees in a Kosovo refugee camp. The Cleveland community responded as well, with performances from Juliette Regnier, Laura Perotta, Scott Plate, Doug Rossi, Dawn Pierce and others acting locally, but thinking globally. While tempting to look at the readings as the global event it was, on another level, the event was simply theaters doing what theaters do every day, taking the written word and offering it to the public in a new contemporary light. That's what theaters do. War and peace issues aside, please join and support your area theaters." from Cool Cleveland reader Kevin Cronin, Bodwin Theatre Company croninkh@hotmail.com

On Springer's Senatorial ambitions

"Well, you've succeeded in shocking me in the latest issue of Cool Cleveland. Stumping for Jerry Springer? Unbelievable! I thought Cool Cleveland was about raising the bar culturally and intellectually in Cleveland, not embracing the lowest form of pop culture. Are you championing him because you believe his name recognition and money might be the only chance to put an Ohio Democrat in the U.S. Senate? I can't imagine any other reason than that. In the interest of fairness, perhaps you should take a look at Eric Fingerhut's qualifications and education, and publish them in next week's edition. Otherwise Cool Cleveland has lost some of its 'cool.' " from Cool Cleveland reader Lori O'Neill LoneillPost1@aol.com

Thanks to Cool Cleveland

"Kudos on your great newsletter! I saw it today for the first time. It's great "one-stop shopping" for all the interesting stuff taking place in and around Cleveland." from Cool Cleveland reader Jeffrey Bendix jxb34@po.cwru.edu

"Your site as always feeds my soul! As I scroll down I remember over and over again that Cleveland is such a rich and wonderfully diverse town...a real gift to those of us lucky enough to live here. Thank you for being our one stop shopping site for leisure and spiritual refueling time!" from Cool Cleveland reader

"You hang the moon! I loved the Art/Tech Dance party, appreciate Cool Cleveland even more. You have become my primary news source. Keep up the good work." from Cool Cleveland reader Rod DeFoe rdefoe@ameritech.net

Corrections

In the 3.12 Yr Turn, Cool Cleveland reader Crain Smith's letter contained a misprint. Here is the corrected sentence: "Why not get Charlie Boulton or Primus, Pat McCartan (Jones, Day- retired, sounds like a good hobby) or one of the venture groups to create a public trust and sell little baby pieces, and probably a few bigger chunks (5-8 mil) of Athersys to the citizens of Cleveland."