5.09-5.16.07
Apogee

In this week's issue:
* CityScape An idea to stop the razing of Breuer Tower
* Interview Meryl Murman Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of Slightly Askew
* BFD Weekly Comments from readers on the recently opened Towpath Trail behind Steelyard Commons
* Cool Cleveland Kids Lots of options for Summer Camp
* Interview Richard King, Principle Horn for the Cleveland Orchestra
* Sounds Happiness is Boring from Brian Lisik
* Cool Cleveland Road Trip Ashtabula Wine Country
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Doesn't it seem like we're at some kind of peak right now? The weather has finally blessed NEO with what some people feel is our finest season, the Cavs are cruising through the playoffs, the Indians are in 1st place, off to their best start since 2000. Look below and you'll see more cool stuff representing our region at its apex: Oberlin's super-tech TIMARA festival, a concert of young and emerging composers, a perfect weekend for the Tremont ArtWalk, a birthday bash for Zygote, an underwater Verb ballet by Cle composer Rich Rinehart, and an innovative classic car show and career fair at Max Hayes. We hip you to some kids summer camps, the Ashtabula Wine Region, and we talk with Rich King, principal horn of the Cle Orch, and former Lakewoodite Meryl Murman doing a cool multi-media educational project in Birdtown. So if it feels like we're all riding high this week, you may be on to something. —Thomas Mulready

Second Life for Breuer Tower?

Some research indicates that architecture firms Kohn, Pedersen, Fox and Cleveland-based Fleischman and Associates proposed to demolish the tower because it is structurally inadequate and a newer structure would be more aesthetically pleasing – or, to quote neo-beatnik M. Doughty, “in other words, fly”. It is alleged to be the location of the “new county administrative center,” though it seems that no formalized timeline or grand design has been unveiled to the general public as of yet. I tend to agree with the protesters here: Do we really need a new county headquarters, or perhaps a vacant lot, to go in the tower’s place? For our tax dollars? C'mon.

I wonder why the building can’t be saved, but I’ve got a slightly different take on this than anyone else I’ve heard, be it protester or politician....

Check out Peter Chakerian's idea here

Agree? Have another idea? Write your county commissioners and ask them how well the alternatives to demolition have been explored. Email Jimmy Dimora (CNJCD@cuyahogacounty.us), Peter Lawson Jones (CNPLJ@cuyahogacounty.us) and Timothy F. Hagan (CNTFH@cuyahogacounty.us) and feel free to copy us at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Meryl Murman
Slightly Askew

Meryl Murman may have grown up in Lakewood, but her work has taken her far afield. After graduating from Magnificat High, she has performed and studied Zulu in South Africa, she has served as assistant to the artistic director at NYC's legendary performance art venue P.S. 122, and now, as artistic director of NYC's Slighty Askew, she is producing multi-city educational community work in Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Austin and the Birdtown neighborhood of Lakewood. Working with up to 25 high school students from all around NEO, Murman and her group have conducted monthly workshops teaching film, sound, graphic arts, animation, photography and movement. In the Birdtown neighborhood, they interviewed residents, drawing from them their oral histories and family stories, using taped interviews as departure points to create improvs, poetry, dance and performance. They'll be back in June studying music, then creating a documentary film in July, and individual film shorts in August. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready tagged onto one of their workshops in Birdtown and spoke with Meryl about the genesis of her art, the multidisciplinary nature of her work, and the crazy travel schedule they maintain. http://www.SlightlyAskew.org

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Are Cool Readers Confident About Entrepreneurship? JumpStart, Northeast Ohio’s accelerator for high-growth entrepreneurship, wants to know how confident you are about entrepreneurs' prospects of starting and growing a business in Northeast Ohio. CC readers can chime in about the current state of entrepreneurism in the region and make recommendations for change. In order to gauge how perceptions have changed over the last year, we are asking for entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike to participate in the new, 2007 Entrepreneurship Confidence Survey. Once compiled and interpreted by our economist friends at CSU, we will report the results back to the public. Take the survey here.
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A wild and wonderful array of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Lakewood Library goes for public art at "Be The First to See The Best'' gala on 6/23, celebrating 40K sf expansion Read
Watch Y-town shrink sensibly The WSJ sees more green space, clearing blight, enfored zoning Read
SBN 2007 Innovation Awards Nominations accepted through Fri 6/8. Details and Entry Form

Regionalism thwarted by our own media? Listen to The Cleveland Foundation's economic development guru Brad Whitehead, who now runs The Fund for Our Economic Future: in his PD op-ed he criticizes our daily paper for ruling out certain regional solutions as "out of reach" before we've even tried. Read

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No Sweat! You could celebrate a beautiful Spring day with yard work and errands, or you could spend it with the family, noshing on popcorn and ice cream while visiting the Children’s Technology Workshop table at the Chagrin Falls Herb and Flower Show on Sat 5/19. While in town, visit our Tech Barn and talk to our instructors to find out why kids are thrilled with the workshops - they get to choose their own projects, and make a video game, movie, animation, robot and other neat stuff! CTW’s for kids grades 2-8. Space is limited for camps in Chagrin Falls and around Cleveland. Learn more: 440.484.2222! Schedules: www.ctworkshop.com/glc. Children’s Technology Workshop is a portfolio company of Beta Strategy Group, LTD, www.betagroup.us, a founding sponsor of Cool Cleveland Tech.
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Plexus Akron Night Samantha Fryberger, Dir of Comm of the CVB of Greater Cle is the feat speaker Wed 5/9 at 6PM. Info
Civic Innovation Lab champions breakfast celebrates Cle entrepreneurs Wed 5/9 at Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Avenue. Send email with "Register" in the subject line to info@civicinnovationlab.org
Morning Buzz Networking and economic dev breakfast in Akron Wed 5/9 at 8AM. Info
Parlez-vous Francais? NEO Chapter of French-American Chamber of Commerce will presents Bridging the Gap seminar on traveling to France on business Thu 5/10 at Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Rd., Warrensville Hts. Info
TechNote 2.0 at Ante Up Studio offers up tech community collab on Thu 5/10 at 6PM. Info
Paul Murray of Herman Miller, Inc. speaks at next E4S event at Cle Mus of Natural History on Tue 5/15 at 5:30PM Register
Lester Wunderman founder a leading global direct mktg/adv agency, is honored at UA as a part of Interaction 2007 Tue 5/15. More Info
Douglas van Duyne talks on integrating Web 2.0 in his NEOUPA talk "The Design of Sites" Tue 5/22. Info
Women of Note luncheon spotlights NEO's rising female business leaders on Wed 6/6 at 11:30AM. RSVP by 5/31. Register

Kuchinich's "sensible" case against Cheney by Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen: "persuasive" Read
A Correction In Mansfield Frazier's column regarding Sam Fulwood's demotion at the Plain Dealer, he wrote that Fulwood came to Cleveland with Clifton from the Miami Herald. That is inaccurate; Fulwood was recruited by Mark Russell, then an editor at the Plain Dealer, from Washington, DC and was subsequently hired by Doug Clifton.
CMA extends Monet in Normandy and everyone in the region sighs with relief. Quit procrastinating and get there before the end of May!! Info
Garden Zoning At Cleveland City Hall, the first land area in Cle to be considered for "garden zoning" -- a new zoning designation developed by the city to protect greenspace and urban gardens in the City -- will be discussed. Show your support by attending public hearings for the Cle City Council on Fri 5/18 at 9AM and Wed 5/30 at 1PM for the zoning designation of the St Paul's Patch at W. 45th and Franklin as a garden.
Cool Cleveland Podcast You know how to do it. Click here to listen: Link. iTunes or other.
To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list.

Cle Arts Prize Congrats to 2006 Arts Prize winners: Cindy Barber of Beachland Ballroom, Brendan Ring of Nighttown, Susan Channing of SPACES, Toby Devan Lewis of Progressive, playwright Eric Coble, visual artist Christopher Pekoc, CSU urban planner Norman Krumholz, Tom Schorgl of Community Partnership for Arts & Culture, Lewis Nielson of Oberlin. They will be honored at a ceremony on 7/28. http://www.ClevelandArtsPrize.org

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

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Oberlin TIMARA The Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s Technology in Music and the Related Arts program (TIMARA) is honoring the career of retiring Professor of Electronic and Computer Music Gary Lee Nelson with a festival of electronic music. It launched on Mon 5/7, but it continues Wed 5/9 - Sat 5/12. The festival features TIMARA alumni, current and former Oberlin faculty, and current students presenting concerts and lectures at various venues throughout the Oberlin campus. All events are no-cost, open to the public and super cool. http://www.timara.oberlin.edu.

HOT Real Low Calorie Diet Check out the screening of the NAC/City Fresh Documentary Real Low Calorie Diet at Talkie's Wed 5/9 at 6PM. Did you know it takes 10 calories of fossil fuel energy to put 1 calorie of food on a plate? Local food systems are about going on a "societal diet". As we wean ourselves off of fossil fuel energy, we re-discover the power of community and meaningful connection to place. Watch the Trailer here. Talkies, 2521 Market Ave. http://www.talkiescoffee.com.

Race for War Kids Relief John Carroll University Alumni host an event to raise money and awareness for the War Kids Relief program. War Kids Relief, founded by JCU alumni and Iraq War vet, Captain Jonathan Powers, helps children in Iraq recover from the disruptive effects of war and gives them hope for a better future. The benefit takes place at the Clevelander bar & Grill on Wed 5/9 from 6-9PM. All funds raised from this event will support the War Kids Relief programs in Iraq. For more information on War Kids Relief, please visit http://www.warkidsrelief.org; for tickets, email warkidsreliefcleveland@yahoo.com or call 288-6444.

Slave Syndrome Heights Community Congress and Dick & Melodie Yates hold a book discussion on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy Degruy Leary on Wed 5/9 at 7PM. HCC is an advocate of social justice, a monitor of fair housing and a facilitator of community building. Call 321-6775 or visit http://www.heightscongress.org for more info.

Regionally Speaking A series of programs on The Livable City and Its Neighborhoods continues this Wed 5/9 at Case Western Reserve University. Moderated by Gladys Haddad, Professor of American Studies and Director of the Western Reserve Studies Symposium, this week's speaker is Richard Baznik, Case Western Reserve University Historian and Director, Institute for the Study of the University in Society. http://www.case.edu/artsci/wrss.

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The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands is the hottest and coolest party in town! Still going strong after four sensational years on London's West End, this acclaimed production vividly recreates a legendary evening at the Sands Hotel with the most famous performers of our time: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin. The three wisecracking hip-cats bring their inimitable magic to the finest music ever recorded: "I’ve Got You Under My Skin," "That’s Amore," "Mr. Bojangles," and "The Lady Is A Tramp." Cleveland will relive the excitement of those nights with the Rat Pack for a limited two week engagement, Tue 5/8 – Sun 5/20. For tickets contact 216.241.6000 or www.PlayhouseSquare.org. "The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands" is a part of the Keybank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square.
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At The River We Stand This film deals with Martin Luther King and the Garbage Collector's strike in Memphis, TN. The screening takes place Thu 5/10 at 7 PM at C-Space, 4323 Clark Ave. There will be light refreshments and a discussion afterwards. The showing is sponsored by Working America and Stop Targeting Ohio Poor. For further information, call 321-1677.

Paavo Järvi and the King makes his Severance Hall debut leading The Cleveland Orchestra in concerts featuring Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 at Severance Hall on Thu 5/10 at 7PM (repeating Fri 5/11 and Sat 5/12). Principal Horn Richard King is soloist in the Orchestra’s first performances of Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 2. Read Kelly Ferjutz's interview with King in this week's Cool Cleveland. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Digging Our Roots Enjoy an evening of American roots music to benefit the Cleveland Municipal School District with this Roots of American Music (ROAM) program on Thu 5/10 at 6PM at Nighttown in Cleveland Hts. Live music program features Afi Scruggs on Gospel Piano, the Crescent City Cats with traditional jazz sounds and Jen Maurer offering up Cajun/Zydeco styles. 12387 Cedar Rd, Cle Hts. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com. http://www.rootsofamericanmusic.org.

Dancing Sheep Gallery hosts a trunk show of the dynamic, hand-dyed garments of Ocelot, and jewelry by Rebecca Williams -- who employs vintage sequins in her designs -- beginning Thu 5/10 at 11AM. A Mother’s Day celebration featuring the artists’ works will also be held all day Sat 5/12. 12712 Larchmere Blvd. Call 229-5770 for info.

HOT David Szekeres The local artist celebrates his latest show at 806 Bistro on Thu 5/10 at 7PM. Stop by for a glass of wine, a great martini, some excellent food, or just to see some art. A part of the Tremont ArtWalk, his oil on paper and other works will be displayed in the back area, along with works by Cambridge photographer Michelle Black. The show will run for 2 months. 806 Bistro, 806 Literary Rd., Tremont. http://www.806martinibar.com.

Literary Cafe Poetry Nite On the second Thursday of every month, join some of Cle's most talented poets for a thought-provoking evening. This month's edition falls on Thu 5/10 at 9:30PM, offering feature readers, an open mike session, and a "Penpad-Padpen Spontaneous Poetry Open." Write on the spot, share, and get into their year-end chapbook. Literary Cafe, 1031 Literary Rd., Tremont.

The Rat Pack: Live From the Sands After 4 years on London's West End, this sharp Vegas kitschtacular swings into Cle on Thu 5/10 - Sun 5/20. Celebrate w/ Ol' Blue Eyes, Dino and the Candy Man -- three hepcats cracking wise between classics like 'I've Got You Under My Skin', 'That's Amore', 'Mr. Bojangles' and 'The Lady Is A Tramp'. Ring-a-ding-ding! Palace Theatre, Playhouse Square. http://www.playhousesquare.com.

Young and Emerging Composer Concert Who says you have to be dead to be great? Discover the nascent works of the greatest composers that you've never heard of on Fri 5/11 at 12PM. http://www.ClevelandChamberSymphony.org.

Classified Creative The annual Tri-C West Visual Communication and Design portfolio show has been classified as creative. Visitors can view over 100 pieces of graphic design, digital video, illustration, and interactive media from 14 graduating students. You can hit up the showing Fri 5/11 from 5-9PM and Sat 5/12 from 12-4PM. The Galleria on East 9th St. http://www.classifiedcreative.net.

Asterisk Gallery features "three" works by Ann Bralliar, Pamela Dodds and Carol Hummel in their Upper Gallery and "recent works" by Stephe DK (of New Lou Reeds) in their Lower Gallery. Explore both in an opening reception Fri 5/11 at 6PM. 2393 Professor Ave. http://www.asteriskgallery.com

Iris DeMent One of the most celebrated country-folk performers of her day hits the Kent Stage for an intimate show Fri 5/11 at 8PM. Her vocal style and introspection is peerless. Kent Stage, 175 East Main St., Kent. http://www.kentstage.org.

Jonathan Cohn The senior editor at The New Republic speaks about his book Sick: The Untold Story of America’s Health Care Crisis—And the People Who Pay the Price on Fri 5/11 at noon at the City Club of Cleveland. This first-hand account takes a crack at America’s failing health care system. http://www.cityclub.org.

Anna Quindlen The Pulitzer prize-winning writer and author of Rise and Shine, Quindlen will be signing copies of her newly published paperback book about two sisters finding the true meaning of success. The signing takes place Fri 5/11 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Legacy Village. http://www.josephbeth.com.

HOT Cleveland Fashion Week It's a hot showcase of emerging designers and local boutiques, featuring unclothed, a Mixed Media Runway Event, on Fri 5/11 with wearable art. Or, check the fantastic runway show on Sat 5/12 at 8PM featuring designer Wendy Pepper from Project Runway. Black Tie/ fashionista dress is preferred; enjoy appetizers and a cash bar. Eton Collection, 28801 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere. Call 765-7520 for more info. http://www.FashionWeekCleveland.com

HOT Dreamweaving Ocean Depths Verb Ballets performs the surreal Dreamweaver world premiere as a part of Cleveland Play House's FusionFest. Their work is accompanied by a world premiere symphonic piece called Ocean Depths. Originally crafted as a ballet in the vein of the great Stravinsky works, local composer Richard Rinehart's odyssey takes place mostly under water. Verb's performances at CPH are Fri 5/11 and Sat 5/12, both at 8PM. CPH, 8500 Euclid Ave. http://www.verbballets.org. http://rinestock.com/symphonic/index.html.

HOT Tremont ArtWalk Don't miss the latest installment Fri 5/11 beginning at 6PM. Take particular note of the Reception at the Brandt Gallery beginning at 6PM, where an audience interactive performance installation gives participants an opportunity to have stylists dress you in original thrift store vintage clothing! Then be seated in a Robert Banks set to have your photo taken. Robert Banks film shorts begin at 9PM. Brandt Gallery, 1028 Kenilworth. Call 621-1610 for more info. http://www.tremontartwalk.org.

The Unexpected Man by French playwright Yasmina Reza is translated by Christopher Hampton for a May/June run of weekends at Kennedy's Down Under beginning Fri 5/11 at 8PM. Two strangers on a train, reveal desires, self-invention and the imaginings of a brief encounter through inner monologues. Sunday matinees begin at 3PM. Runs through mid-June. Playhouse Square Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. http://www.caesarsforum.com.

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WCLVnotes WCLV 104.9 FM will be live at Severance Hall this Sat 5/12, at 8PM for The Cleveland Orchestra concert conducted by Paavo Jaervi, music director of the band in Cincinnati. The program will include Sibelius’ “Night Ride and Sunrise,” the Richard Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 2, with Orchestra principal horn Richard King, and Prokofiev’s foremost symphony, No. 5. On Sun 5/13 at 4PM, you get to revisit Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo’s TCO concert which featured Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. And look forward to Sat 5/19, Sun 5/20, Sat 5/26 and Sun 5/27 when WCLV presents a Mitsuko Uchida mini-festival in which she conducts Mozart Piano Concertos from the keyboard. She winds up her 5 year traversal of all of the Mozart Concertos at Severance. For complete details on all of WCLV’s programming, visit www.wclv.com.
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Rhythm Culture Fair Trade Celebrate the World Fair Trade Day Festival on Sat 5/12 beginning at 11AM at Tri-C Metro (Campus Center). Move to the music of multicultural performers and learn all about fair trade as a just, viable alternative to corporate globalization. Kids can participate in a collective art project, test their geography skills and win prizes. Enjoy fair trade products and services. http://www.irtfcleveland.org or call 961-0003 for info.

CrossFit Cleveland The group's first CrossFit outdoor workout is set for this Sat 5/12 at 10AM in the Cleveland Metroparks. No-cost, bring a friend and get healthy! Dogs welcome. Valley Parkway under the I-90 and Hilliard Road Bridges, 1/2 mile south of the Dog Park. More Info.

Poetry in the Park The 2nd annual event is hosted by KSU poetry professor Maj Ragain and features David Hassler from The WICK Poetry Outreach Program of KSU, Alice Cone, Merle Mollenkoff, Hal Walker and The Maplewood Career Center Student Poets on Sat 5/12 at noon. Home Savings Plaza, Downtown Kent. http://www.standingrock.net.

Two Big Premieres Karamu House's Young Adult Series features two Ohio premieres in their Beyond the Classroom series. The relationship between Malcolm X and his mentor Elijah Muhammad during Malcolm's last days with The Nation of Islam in When Chickens Came Home To Roost. Then explore sex trafficking in the US with true survival accounts with Body & Sold. Both productions premiere at Karamu on Sat 5/12 starting at 2PM on the same Karamu Arena Theater stage. Both run through Sun 6/3. http://www.karamu.com

Art + Antics In the spirit of their Silly Putty installation, Parish Hall Cleveland offers up another program full of surprises on Sat 5/12 at 8PM. Attendees will be participants with the opportunity to interact with a slew of happenings, “carnival-themed attractions” and non sequiturs. Highlights include Pie Eating Contests, Free Haircuts and Stylings, Hula Hoop Contests, an Art Trade Counter, a Kissing Booth and Cle’s amazing jump-rope sensation, Double Dutch Will Take You Higher! New York’s “post-vaudeville” indie band the Lisps offer the sonics. http://www.parishhallcleveland.com.

Learn to Row So, you always wanted to learn to row? Here's your chance! The Cleveland Rowing Foundation once again is offering a no-cost, public Learn to Row Day. In just 3 short hours, you’ll get the basics and be on the water of the Cuyahoga River on an eight man shell. Check it out their two sessions Sat 5/12 at 9AM and 1PM. Cleveland Rowing Foundation Boathouse, 1948 Carter Rd. Register by emailing mark@clevelandrows.org, and visit our website at http://www.clevelandrows.org for details.

25th Annual Plant Sale The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes hold its green thumb event Sat 5/12 at 10AM. Guests can choose from the variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets, and native plants available for purchase; proceeds benefit the Nature Center. In the past, this important event has helped fund educational programming; publishing of the Nature Center’s newsletter; and several other projects. http://www.shakerlakes.org.

Scotch Auction Bid on an array of antiques, collectibles, services and special event tickets in this Sat 5/12 auction. Evening includes silent and live auctions, open bar and hearty appetizers. Proceeds support the Dunham Tavern Museum, a nonprofit historic house museum and the oldest building still on its original site in the city of Cleveland. Call 431-1060 for more. Dunham Tavern Museum, 6709 Euclid Ave. http://www.dunhamtavern.org.

HOT Zygote Birthday Bash Enjoy a 10th Anniversary Party for the non-profit fine-arts printmaking organization on Sat 5/12 at 7PM. Feast on cake, ice cream and finger foods, have a couple tasty bevvies and bid on a number of prints by some of the area's finest artists, as you dance to the rockin' sounds of house band, Pompous Ass. Zygote Press, 1410 E. 30th St. http://zygotepress.com.

Mother's Day Brunch Cruise Looking for a unique place to take Mom for Mother's Day? Try the Goodtime III's Brunch Cruise Sun 5/13 beginning at noon. A dinner cruise repeats at 4:30PM. 825 East 9th St. Pier, North Coast Harbor. Call 861-5110 for reservations or visit http://www.goodtimeiii.com for more.

HOT Parade the (Brazilian) Circle Afro-Brazilian traditions and art of Maracatu grace this visually striking workshops, led by Cleveland Museum of Art guest artists, Myra Rasmussen (U.S.), and Ana Paula Jones and Cacau Arcoverde (Brazil) starting Mon 5/14 at 4:15PM. Participants will creating costumes for the Parade the Circle Celebration, learning dance and rhythms. Registration is required. Passport Project Global Community Arts Ctr, 12801 Buckeye Rd. http://www.passportproject.org.

15th Annual R. Joyce Whitley Festival of New Plays (a.k.a. Arenafest) is presented by Karamu House as an opportunity for writers to submit new work for reader-format stage recreations. Starts Mon 5/14 and runs through Fri 5/25. No-cost. Karamu's Arena Theatre, 2355 East 89th St. http://www.karamu.com.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place Aron Ralston is best known for his inspirational survival story of being trapped beneath a boulder in a Utah canyon -- an event which required the amputation of his own arm, a 60 foot rappel, and a several mile hike in order to save his own life. Meet the man behind the story on Tue 5/15 beginning with a 5:30PM reception. The Green Building Initiative hosts a rare speaking engagement. Reservations required, includes dinner. Windows on the River, 2000 Sycamore St. http://www.neogbi.org.

Lake Erie Monster It's a Beer Cellar exclusive at Great Lakes Brewing Company on Tue 5/15 at 5PM. The new Lake Erie Monster IPA comes in 22 oz. bottles and will be available to taste and purchase. The first of their private bottle series, this is sure to sell out. Act fast, space, beer and tickets are all limited. Call 771-4404, ext. 222 for tickets. http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com.

Rock ‘N Roll Barrel Rolls The International Women’s Air & Space Museum (IWASM) takes a closer look at Women in Aerobatics with an exhibit of the same name Tue 5/15 at 8AM. Take a trip through aviation history, highlighting women in aerobatics Ruth Law, Patty Wagstaff and others. While you’re there, check out Nancy Lynn: Inspiration Was Her Mission. This tandem exhibit explores the life and career of an aerobatic pilot who died tragically in an air show accident in October 2006. No cost, open to the public. Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road http://www.iwasm.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

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

Bill Callahan posts pictures of the section of the Towpath Trail that runs behind Steelyard Commons, and his own thoughts: "Lucky Towpath visitors can now glimpse Cleveland’s recent industrial past juxtaposed with the symbols of our postindustrial future — prefab architecture, loading docks, dumpsters, the whole exciting World Class Retail package…" That post is drawing the following comments:

Boom, Boom! Ain’t It Great to be Camping?
NEO Summer Camp Options Offer Something for Everyone

While summer camps like mine still exist, today they’re in the minority. In Northeast Ohio, as in other parts of the country, traditional outdoor summer camps are now just one option in broad palette of summer camp choices, ranging from sports and academic camps to performing arts and science camps...

Read more from Jennifer Keirn here

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What Could be Cooler than Getting Your Buds Together this summer and hanging at CMA’s Art Classes for Children and Teens? Create lotsa stuff and get splashy with your BFs. Study the elements of line, shape, and color with these classes. Saturday Session: 5 classes, 6/30 - 7/28. Or Weekday Session: 10 classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6/26- 7/26. Most classes are offered both morning 10-11:30AM and afternoon 1-2:30PM. Register now for art classes for children ages 3-17. Students' classes include “Art For Parent and Child” (age 3); “Mini-Masters” (ages 4-5); “Summer Breeze” (ages 8-10); “Teen Printmaking” (ages 13-17); and many, many more for children of all ages. For info and prices call 216-707-2483 or visit www.clevelandart.org. The Cleveland Museum of Art is a Cool Cleveland Kids partner.
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Elephant, Gorilla and T. Rex featured in Zoo Trading Cards Kids have a shot at 10 different animal collectors cards this summer at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The limited-edition series commemorates the Zoo’s 125th anniversary, and individual cards will be given out to kids at special Zoo events through the end of the year. http://www.clemetzoo.com.

Daily Dose of Reading™ Spring storytimes blossom on Wed 5/9 at 9:45 and 10:30AM. For ages birth-24 mos. Cleveland Clinic Beachwood, Family Health & Surgery Ctr. 26900 Cedar Rd., Beachwood. http://www.dailydoseofreading.org.

Blast Off! Families can explore this stellar space exhibit together on Wed 5/9 at 10AM. Start off at Mission Control and end up on the Moon and even further into the far reaches of the galaxy. Fun, informative and on display for a limited time as a seasonal exhibit. Cleveland Childrens Museum, 10730 Euclid Ave., University Circle. Details. http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

HOT Shoreway Classic Car Show The venerable family event drops Sat 5/12 at 11AM at Max Hayes High School, 4600 Detroit Rd. Students can tour Max Hayes and see exciting careers in construction, manufacturing and transportation and car enthusiasts can check out all the cool hot rides. http://www.shorewayclassic.com.

Smile With Me! This 5K run/1 mile walk event is hosted by the Hannah Wernke Memorial Foundation - a group formed in memory of 8-year-old Wernke who died of a sudden heart disorder in May 2005. Proceeds from this event support research efforts of the Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic. Starts Sat 5/12 at 7AM. 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville. http://www.hannahwernkememorialfoundation.com.

Run Wild for a Cure This 5K race and 1 mile walk helps hundreds of local families coping with mitochondrial disease. Join them for a morning of family fun at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sat 5/12 Registration starts at 7:30AM; challenging and chip-timed 5K race through the Zoo at 8:30 a.m. (includes the big hill!); family-friendly 1-mile walk at 9:00 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Ohio chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. http://www.runwildforacure.org.

NOYO Tryouts Auditions for the 2007-2008 Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra concert season begin Sat 5/12 from 9AM - 3PM. Musicians from grades 5 through 12 who are prepared to make a commitment to the entire rehearsal and concert season can expand their musical horizons. Tryouts continue Tue 5/15 from 5-8PM. Oberlin Conservatory of Music, 77 W. College St., Oberlin.Call 440-775-3059 for more info, or visit http://www.noyo.org.

Treemendous Treehouses Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens commemorates its 50th anniversary by hosting this exhibit beginning Sun 5/13 at noon. Features 11 custom-designed and imaginative structures, as well as two imaginitive tree-art constructions. Check out the variations on the classic treehouse! Fun for the whole family. http://www.stanhywet.org.

An Evening with Kevin Lyman The producer/creator of the Vans Warped Tour speaks at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's 4th Floor Theater at Wed 5/16 at 7PM. Lyman's creation is the longest-running music and extreme sports festival tour in the world today, reaching over 500K kids every summer. Learn how he pioneered the event, followed by a Q&A session. http://www.rockhall.com

You don't want to miss what 11-year-old Max has for you and your family this week. Listen here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids05.11.07.mp3. Click here to subscribe: iTunes or other.

Richard King
Principal Horn, Cleveland Orchestra

Richard King is an amiable young man who is one of the best in the world at what he does for a living. That’s both awesome and an awesome responsibility, but it doesn’t seem to cause him any distress. In fact, it seems rather obvious that he glories in it. All of it. He has the best of all possible worlds, right here in Cleveland. And to think that just twenty years ago, when he first came here in 1988 to audition for the Cleveland Orchestra, he didn’t even realize that Cleveland was on a lake! Oh, well. He knows better now! We know him a lot better now, too, because not only did he get the job as Associate Principal horn then, but subsequently, he was promoted to the post of Principal French Horn in 1997.

Read the interview by Kelly Ferjutz here

Links to interesting NEO blogs
The Tech Czar blogs about a panel about gaming he was on recently, and shares his next steps.
Ed Morrsion shares a quote from Lt. Governor Lee Fisher on the relationship between educational obtainment and economic prosperity.
Gateway Church partners with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance to spruce up the Warehouse District. See also FunFest @ WSEM.
"What are the chances we could ever reclaim the glory days of Cleveland Radio?"
Meet.The.Bloggers* is one of many great receipients of the second round of grants from Cleveland Collectivo.
Adam Harvey publishes a poem for Cleveland.

Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian comments on the news of the week in the Cool Cleveland e-blast. When you're through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Happiness is Boring
Brian Lisik
Cherokee Queen

Read the review by Peanuts here

An Ashtabula Wine Country Adventure

The first time Paul and I drove the wine trails of Ashtabula County was right after their Covered Bridge Festival in the fall. We drove along the backroads surrounded by spent corn stalks and then, all of a sudden, we were no longer on pavement, but on dirt. Using a printed on-line map, we searched for bridges and wineries. Once we found a bridge, we read the plaques, walked on it, looked down at the water, and snapped a smiling picture.

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Lincolnesque @ Cleveland Play House 5/2 With lines such as “Never was there a time when we needed Lincoln more than now,” John Strand’s play Lincolnesque, is both current and topical.

The show observes the machinations of the nations’ capital and its political inhabitants through the eyes of two brothers: Leo, a speech writer for a struggling, inept and boring congressional candidate; and Francis, an intelligent and passionate individual, who just happens to believe he's Abraham Lincoln. Well, maybe he believes he’s Lincoln and maybe he’s crafty at playing that he is Lincoln.

When Leo begins to use some of Lincoln’s historical words for inspiration, as supplied by Francis, the level of politics is raised to new ethical heights. There is actually a turn toward the truthful and the honest. Well, at least from the standpoint of the speeches being given. In the process, Strand’s pointed dagger digs deep into innuendos about the present inept leader in the White House and members of congress.

The term Lincolnesque is generally defined as “like or characteristic of Abraham Lincoln: a Lincolnesque compassion.” That’s the definition, but don’t get the idea that this is a play about the legacy of Honest Abe. Lincolnesque is a comedy. It is a highly entertaining story of brothers who exasperate each other, adversaries who step on each other, and co-workers who spar—then sleep with—each other.

As delightful as many of the lines are, without superb casting and on-target directing, the play could fall flat. Fear not. CPH has a fine cast ,and under the adept direction of Michael Bloom, the production is a pleasant exploration.

This is one of those rare productions where every actor seems well suited to and at ease in their roles. As a result, you have a chemistry between the players that allows for excellent comic timing. The result is that everyone, cast and audience, has a good time. (Of course if you are a member of those 70 or so percent who have no confidence in Bush and company, you’ll be totally delighted as the barbs pierce the facade of “compassion” and “honesty.”)

Donald Carrier, who plays Francis, doesn’t portray Lincoln, but is an obvious nut case who thinks he’s Lincoln. His fake beard and deadpan delivery are right on target. Brian Carter, who looks and sounds like T. R. Knight of TV’S Gray's Anatomy, perfectly creates the role of Leo, the insecure speech writer with enough self-esteem issues to make the word “neurotic” seem like an understatement in describing his psychological state.

Tracey Conyer Lee has the attitude edge that makes her a freight train, filled with blind ambition, who doesn’t have the slightest idea of what she is doing as a campaign manager. The play’s laugh highlight is her undressing the toady Leo as she seduces him.

Walter Charles is fine in the dual roles of Stanton, Francis’ indigent friend, and Daly, a brash political king maker.

Capsule judgment: Lincolnesque is well paced, well-conceived and well acted. It is a delightful way to start FusionFest. Special appreciation to Roe Green, the honorary producer of FusionFest. Roe, who is a former student, does me proud each time she steps up to sponsor this and many other Cleveland area arts projects. So, a standing ovation to Roe!

The play runs through May 20. For tickets call 795-7000 or visit http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

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

Reach to Recovery American Cancer Society Luncheon @ Landerhaven 5/2 Women love to usher in Spring with the concept of adding bright colors and the latest styles to their wardrobe. And the American Cancer Society lunch was a great place to get the low down on the latest trends from Anthropologie to Blis to Chico’s and much more, while donating to a worthwhile cause. Last year the ACS luncheon raised a whopping $70,000 for research and treatments with a silent auction and lunch at Landerhaven. If you would like to get involved in this Spring’s fundraising and festivities, it’s not too late: The ACS has a 5K walk on Sat 5/19 at Jacobs Field. For more info contact 888-227-6446, ext. 1211 or http://www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

From Cool Cleveland contributor T.L. Champion

Lincolnesque @ Cleveland Play House 5/2 If all the world is crazy, who is sane enough to run the asylum? Probably not a politician. Lincolnesque, a new play by John Strand, explores this rather wide-ranging topic, but the resolution doesn’t quite answer that question. Perhaps it’s not answerable. Still, it’s an enjoyable look at the cynical world of politics mixed in with a liberal dose of political side-effects deriving from the last twenty years or so.

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, almost always comes out at the top of presidential popularity polls, and for good reason. He had the necessary courage to say things that weren’t popular with the citizens of the country, no matter how much truth his words held. He did a good many right and proper things, even if some of them were for the wrong reasons. At least he didn’t have to worry about being politically correct.

Perhaps his greatest gift was that of wordsmith—-he knew how to use words to their best effect, whether spoken or written. So, then, who could blame Francis for thinking he was Lincoln. But then, who could be sure that Francis really did think he was Lincoln? Maybe he was more intelligent and clever than the rest of us put together, and was just putting one over on all of us. Donald Carrier brings Lincoln to vivid life, switching with ease from one earnest personality to the other, while looking for all the world like a younger Al Gore! Incredible.

His brother Leo, played by Brian J. Carter, is well-intentioned, but not at all memorable, in his job as speech-writer to a congressman running for re-election. We never see the congressman, so we have no good idea of how well the speeches will work, or have in the past. We certainly do see his high-powered image maker, Carla, in an almost over-the-top performance by Tracey Conyer Lee. She should get extra credit for running around as she does on those stilettos!

In a dual role, Walter Charles is excellent, whether as Lincoln’s homeless ‘Secretary of War’ or the ultimate polished executive, owner of the building in which Francis cleans the floors. It is this latter acquaintance which triggers the conclusion, bringing the entire world down on the heads of all concerned. Michael Bloom directs with a steady hand, keeping things moving briskly throughout without losing any details in the process.

The set by Todd Rosenthal – a slightly off-kilter rendition of the Lincoln Monument, with huge pillars aslant, provides a marvelous background to the action, although at times a desk or sofa or chair or copy machine is wheeled on for a more intimate setting. Lighting by Robert Wierzel and sound by James C. Swonger create the needed ambiance, along with costumes by Catherine Norgren.

2008 is another major election year. This play should see a lot of action between now and then.

Lincolnesque runs through Sunday, May 20 in the Drury Theatre. For tickets or more information, call 795-7000, ext. 4, or visit the website: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Lincolnesque @ Cleveland Play House 5/2 The closing effort in a fine season at the Cleveland Play House is the political satire Lincolnesque, which contains enough laughs and political insights to make it a fitting ending to a quality season at the Play House.

Lincolnesque is the story of Francis, a struggling Washington speechwriter played by Donald Carrier. His incumbent candidate is fifteen points behind in the polls and his A personality boss Carla the Campaign Manager, played by Tracy Conyer Lee, is on his case constantly. In an act of desperation he turns towards his brother Leo the mental patient, played by Brian Carter, who spends most of his days pretending to be Abraham Lincoln and reenacting some of his most famous speeches and policies. Leo’s best friend is a homeless street person, played by Walter Charles, who thinks he is the Secretary of War.

The screenwriter and novelist William Goldman once said that if you got a good script and you cast properly 95% of the job is done. So is the case with Lincolnesque, the casting is almost perfect and the script is witty and insightful. Written by Washington based playwright John Strand, Lincolnesque is not only a commentary on modern day politics, but also touches on relationships, mental illness, prescription drugs, consultants, lost greatness, and penis size. There are more than a few great lines sprinkled equally among the characters.

Todd Rosenthal’s set design is once again outstanding, and Charles should also be given special note of not only his portrayal of the street bum but also as Daly, a rival political consultant. Not until the closing bow do you realize he plays both parts. The Play House’s Artistic Director Michael Bloom is the play’s director, and does a fine job of setting things up and getting out of the way and letting the actors do their jobs.

I have seen almost every show this year at the Play House, and there was not a dud amongst them. They are to be commended for a solid season, and a first look at next year seems just as promising. Amongst the offerings will be the musical Man of La Mancha; the return for the third year of the holiday favorite The Christmas Story; adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, The Chosen, and a Sherlock Holmes adventure; s follow up to this year’s successful Ella Fitzgerald musical Ella with George Gershwin Alone; several new plays; and the Cleveland premier of Doubt, which recently has won both a Tony and a Pulitzer. To check out more about Lincolnesque, the Cleveland Play House, and next year’s schedule go to http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com'''.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic @ Severance Hall 5/3 Touring orchestras have appeared at Severance Hall, with varying degrees of frequency. I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a concert by a touring university orchestra before. At least not at Severance Hall. It was a splendid performance, however, last Thursday evening, when the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic from Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University appeared with their music director, Juan Pablo Izquierdo. Mr. Izquierdo, a native of Chile, has conducted all around the world and taught at Indiana University before joining the faculty at CMU.

He treated his young musicians with respect and fondness, drawing marvelously nuanced performances from them in a program consisting entirely of works by the 20th century German-American Paul Hindemith. Two of the pieces were for full orchestra, and two were for chamber groupings; string quartet with varying additional instruments.

Perhaps the most successful was the first of these, the Kammermusik No. 1, Op.24. The Starling String Quartet, consisting of graduate string players, Eunice Keem and Ashley Buckley, violins; Jason Hohn, viola and Marianne Dumas, cello. They were matched in excellence by the additional instrumentalists: piano, accordian, percussion (2), xylophone, bass, flute, clarinet, bassoon and trumpet. There was almost a South American aura to this piece, redolant of the bandoleon music, with its variety of rhythms and sounds. It seemed like the next generation of the ‘salon’ music that originated in the early years of the 20th century. It was all well done, but the bassoon of Elise Wagner was especially lovely in the third movement.

Der Dämon, Op. 28 was a later and slightly smaller work, consisting of five brief dances. In addition to the string quartet, added instruments were flute, clarinet, horn, trumpet, piano and double bass. The movements were fiendish, cheeky (percussion and muted trumpet), slightly mournful, frenzied (unison octaves which had the conductor dancing on the podium) and slashing notes and chords. The performers put their hearts into it, but the music itself was not of the same caliber as the previous piece.

Leading off the evening was Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber with its familiar melodies. The second movement Turandot was suitably mysterious, but throughout, the winds were crisp, the brass played with vigor and enthusiasm. The strings exhibited an excellent togetherness, while the percussion was lively throughout.

Symphony Mathis der Maler was written at the same time as Hindemith was composing his opera of the same name in the early 30s. He was still living in Germany at the time, and these two works were his tribute to the German painter Matthias Grünewald. There are similarities, but also differences between the two. The orchestration is very lush and rich, almost organ-like in its sonorities, amply aided by the acoustics of the Hall. The horn section bathed itself in glory during the final movement as did the un-named principal flutist.

Mr. Izquierdo was generous in according extra bows to all the musicians who performed. The medium-sized audience was properly appreciative. Carnegie Mellon’s College of Fine Arts should rightly be proud of this orchestra. Thank you, too, to Severance Hall for making the experience possible.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted @ Cleveland Play House 5/4 What a shame that Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted, although given a marvelous staged reading, couldn’t have had a full-length run. It certainly deserves it. This simple—really—demonstration of the power of theater consists of two men on a stage, an older gentleman sitting behind a table for nearly all its 80 minutes or so, and a younger one who does move here and there, is without question, one of the most enthralling evenings of theater I’ve seen in a long time. And it wasn’t just me, either.

The Bolton Theatre is notorious for its poor acoustics, but on Friday evening, there was barely a sound to be heard from the audience, other than the fairly constant laughter. Both actors were miked, (in perhaps the best sound I’ve ever heard in that theatre – many kudos to James C. Swonger!) but still, the audience was entirely hushed, listening intently to every word! There were few, if any, coughs or sneezes or rustling of candy wrappers, and only one cell phone . . . The words were the same ones (or mostly) that we use every day, but yet, the way they were put together was incredible. Michael Bloom's direction was sure-handed and skillful at keeping the action to a minimum while allowing the words to take center stage at all times.

Dalton Trumbo was a man of letters and words. He was an elegant, witty and literate writer of all kinds of things—books (Johnny Got His Gun) film scripts (The Brave One, Exodus, and Spartacus, among many others) letters, you name it! Robert Vaughn (he of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) brought more than just his acting persona to the role. Indeed, he’s made a serious study of the black-listing era, and was awarded a Ph.D. for his dissertation, which later became the acclaimed book, Only Victims. On stage, he literally became Dalton Trumbo. Cleveland actor Chuck Kartali’s main role was as Christopher Trumbo, Dalton’s son, who wrote the play, and the occasional interviewer. The set, by Erik M. Seidel, was very basic—a desk/table with chair, flanked by two leather-covered chairs, with a movie screen to the rear. Lighting by Katrina Yeigh was unobtrusively effective.

But Dalton Trumbo was much more than a writer—he was a man with the courage of his convictions, who lived by those convictions. If only we had more such people in our current world! Parts of the story were infuriating—this is America! after all—and there were sad portions, but there was much that was also very slyly humorous. As for instance, very near the end, when Father reads a letter written to his son, then a 1st or 2nd year student at Columbia. The letter accompanied the gift of a book Sex Without Guilt by Albert Ellis. Trumbo senior was explaining how much better life would be without the guilt attached to masturbation, and how every time he forgot anything as he grew older, he was convinced that it was because of his misbehavior as a teen-ager. It was hoped that the gift of the book would alleviate such difficulties for his son. And so on. The letter was absolutely priceless! Mr. Vaughn had been marvelous throughout, reading with inflection and expression and meticulous diction. This particular letter, however, had a bit more of everything. It was hysterical – some of the women in attendance may not have thought it so funny, but the men were absolutely falling apart laughing!

In all, this was a veritable banquet of words!

Trumbo: Red, White and Blacklisted was one of the opening events of FusionFest 07, a celebratory collaboration between a wide variety of artists, mostly presenting new works through May 13. Details are readily available by calling (216) 795-7000, ext. 4, or visiting the website: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Cleveland Botanical Garden and Little Italy 5/4 Friday was the kind of day every Clevelander dreams about from the moment the rains turn cold in October. If one could actually feel a jolt of Instant Karma, I felt it on Friday. The weather was perfect and my afternoon travels made me remember why I brave the gloom and snow to say I’m a Clevelander.

CBG is getting ready for the 2007 Flower Show but in the meantime; the Japanese Garden is manicured and blooming, the Children’s Garden is open, and the gift shop is stocked with spring’s most beautiful giftware, tableware, jewelry and more. I had to force myself to keep my credit card in my wallet. From there, I headed to Little Italy where the latest buzz is $2 Valet parking on Friday and Saturday nights. Yes. For $2 you can drop your car off in front of one lovely establishment and pick it up later from another with no hassles and no parking fines. Thanks to the local merchants and Little Italy Redevelopment Corporation (http://www.littleitalyredevelopment.org), enjoying some of Cleveland’s cool just got easier.

And speaking of cool things in Little Italy, how about pianist Min-Jeong Kang performing free of charge May 19th at 2PM at Scaravilli Design and Studio Gallery (http://www.scaravillidesign.com). If you miss her there, you can catch her in June at Carnegie Hall. While you are at Scaravilli’s you’ll find interesting photographic art with unique images of Little Italy, Cleveland and more. I couldn’t resist. My credit card came out of my wallet.

After the concert, stop next door for an impromptu wine tasting at Little Italy Wines (http://www.littleitalywines.com). The new courtyard will be finished soon where the official wine tasting festivities will be held regularly this summer, but you can always pop in to have a sip of the featured selection and a bit of cheese. I left with a couple bottles of Viansa Sangiovese and a block of sharp tasting artisan’s cheese. It was the perfect end to a perfect Cool Cleveland day and best of all; my car wasn’t ticketed or towed.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Nan Frost nanettehfATsbcglobal.net

West Side Story @ Carousel 5/5 In the program for West Side Story, now on stage at Carousel Dinner Theatre, the show’s director, Marc Robin, states, “West Side Story is one of the most remarkable shows in the musical theatre catalogue. It has everything: great story, challenging dance sequences, unforgettable music and characters and enough conflict to span five musicals.”

Robin is right on the mark. Often appearing on most musical theatre aficionado’s top five list of great shows, in a good production, the script is a sure-fire audience pleaser.

Carousel’s production has many strong elements, but fails to reach its potential because of an uninspired male corps, dancing which feigned intensity, and a shallow performance by one of the major cast members. The result was polite, if not prolonged applause at the curtain call.

West Side Story uses Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as its base. In this version two opposing cultural groups conflict over the right to mark off their psychological and physical territory. Set in the west side of New York, the Jets, a gang composed of second generation “Americans” of various ethnicities, conflict with the Sharks, new immigrants from Puerto Rico. The ridiculousness of their warring comes to a head when Tony, a former member of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, whose brother is the leader of the Sharks. A series of killings spells disaster for all.

Set to Leonard Bernstein’s amazing music and Stephen Sondheim’s poignant lyrics, the perfectly integrated book by Arthur Laurents has the story unfold in emotional detail through not only song, but dance. The original choreography by Jerome Robins was some of the finest ever conceived for the theatre.

The show’s score includes such classics as “Something’s Comin,’” “Maria,” “America,” “One Hand, One Heart,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

Carousel’s production of West Side Story is blessed with some strong performances. Stephanie Iannarino is glorious as Maria. She sings, acts and dances exceptionally well. She makes the play’s final scene compelling due to her well-crafted intensity.

Nathan Scherich starts slowly as Tony, but builds into the role. At times his voice is powerful, hitting the high notes with ease. At other times he goes into a falsetto to achieve the needed sound and at times sings words rather than meanings. His acting is quite believable.

Julie Kotarides (Anita) displays the right Latin temperament, sings well and dances powerfully. As her lover, David Villella creates a believable Bernardo. Jonelle Margallo’s solo in “Somewhere” was emotionally on-target. The female corps, especially those portraying Puerto Ricans, were excellent.

However, in a very pivotal role, Matthew Steffens (Riff) is extremely weak. His acting is shallow, his singing off-key and his character development lacking. Much the same can be said for many of the male chorus. From the opening number where the rumble lacked reality and emotional tension, to the gym dance, through the rumble, the acceptable choreography was ruined by the lack of spontaneity and dynamism on the part of the male corps. The only male ensemble highlight was the delightful “Gee, Officer Krupke.” It is surprising that a professional theatre of Carousel’s repute, couldn’t find male dancers and actors of higher quality, especially to play major roles.

''Capsule judgment: Carousel’s West Side Story in spite of some strong performances, is less than it should be. The main problem lies in the hands of many of the male members of corps and a lack of fine honing by director Mark Robin.

'West Side Story'' runs through June 30. For tickets call 800-362-4100. Show times are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 8PM, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30PM and Sunday evenings at 5PM. Wednesday and Saturday matinees start at 2 PM.'''

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

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

The Corner Alley @ East 4th Street and Euclid 5/5 It’s not the same bowling alley anymore where your parents bowled in leagues. This is the new generation of bowling with automatic electronic scoring monitors, wide screen plasma TVs, and blinking decorative lights lining the alleys. The cushioned benches and upholstered couches are actually comfortable. Even the bowling shoes look cool yet stylishly understated. Welcome to The Corner Alley located at East 4th Street and Euclid. Yes, you heard right, a new 12-lane bowling alley located in downtown Cleveland, cohabitating under the same roof with the 4th Street Bar & Grill.

This is life in the fast lane, or so their clever advertising says. There is also a separate, fully outfitted Executive Suite with four additional bowling alleys for those special corporate, team-building events. Customers have been enthusiastic to find something else to do in downtown Cleveland after work or after a ball game. On the weekend, suburban clientele take field trips into the city to check out the place for the novelty of it. Birthday parties or family gatherings can be scheduled and catered. DJs and live music get the place rocking every Saturday night.

While we were bowling, a dozen or so people were socializing together playing at two alleys while enjoying glasses of wine, a buffet of beautiful snacks artistically displayed on top of the bowling ball storage carts, and white table cloths covered the table tops. My group of friends enjoyed sharing the delicious Margherita pizza and cokes served by attentive friendly staff. Thumbs up to the Corner Alley! And now go put that thumb along with two other fingers into a bowling ball and rediscover the fun of bowling. Visit the Corner Alley at http://www.thecorneralley.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul susn1ATatt.net

Lunacy @ Dobama 5/6 Every once in a while a theatre-goer sees a play and a performance so stunning that the only word that describes it is mesmerizing. That is the case with Dobama Theatre’s world premiere production of Sandra Perlman’s Lunacy. Perlman, a Cleveland playwright, who is a member of the Cleveland Play House’s Playwright’s Unit, and a professor of play writing at Case Western University, has penned a short one and a-half hour play (including a brief intermission), which grabs and holds the audience’s attention. This is a fine script!

Perlman is fortunate that director Mark Alan Gordon has a clear grasp of the necessary mood and pacing the script needs, and a cast that gives flawless performances. With a lesser production, the excellence of the script might not come through as strongly as it does.

Lunacy takes place in 1827, but its implications are timeless. As written, it concerns Edwin Forrest, a twenty-one year old rising star. His acting specialty is Shakespeare. As he is rehearsing King Lear, Cornelia Lamb, a young Quaker woman, enters the theatre. As a result of her challenge, Forrest becomes wrapped up in the mystery of why Benjamin, Cornelia’s father, not only thinks he is, but is the perfect Lear.

Questions abound. What makes for a perfect performance of a fictional character? Who is crazy, the person who attempts to portray something he is not, or someone who believes and feels that he is the character? What can we learn about reality from those who are, in fact, lunatics? Is our role in life to seek out the perfect role and then live it until we complete the very last line of the character’s play?

Michael Regnier gives a career high performance as Benjamin Lamb. He doesn’t perform Benjamin, Regnier is Benjamin, and, therefore, the perfect Lear. This is a mind blowing enactment. Wow!!! I only wish I could experience Regnier doing a full-length production of King Lear.

Dan Hammond (Edwin) is Regnier’s near match as an actor. Edwin, early in the play, is trying to learn Lear’s lines. He fights to make the character both real and flawless. As the play develops, so does Edwin’s understanding of Lear. Hammond is wonderful while allowing us to experience his awakening to what a real character development is all about. Another wow!

The third wow? Bernadette Clemens’ sensitive portrayal of Cornelia, Benjamin’s daughter. She gives nuance and texture to the role, thus creating a real person who experiences rather than acts feelings.

Director Mark Alan Gordon has created a near-perfect theatrical image. He is sensitive to the characters’ needs to underplay certain segments and rant in others. He has masterfully worked with the actors to key ideas, and correctly pace scenes.

Capsule judgment: Lunacy has to be ranked near the very top of shows in this area’s local season of fine productions (Equus at Beck, Fat Pig at the Bang and the Clatter, The Price at Ensemble, Hay Fever'' at GLTF .) Lunacy is a go-see, a must-see, and an absolutely don’t miss!''

Dobama’s Lunacy runs through May 27 in the Brooks Theatre at the Cleveland Play House. For tickets call 795-7000 or visit http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Roy Berko royberkoATyahoo.com

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

Emergence-See! @ CPH Fusion Fest 5/9
One of the best of the year: Solo performer/poet Daniel Beaty is so brilliantly talented, he's like a human fireworks display. In a highlight of Fusion Fest, Beaty's funny, profound one-man show imagines the slave ship Remembrance arising from the Hudson River next to the Statue of Liberty and its effect on multitudes of individuals -- especially a hip-hop Slam poet, his gay brother, and their cracked-by-grief professor father. Beaty's razor-sharp ability to change characters in mid-sentence is awe-inspiring -- he can go from spare-change wino to 7 year old girl in the blink of an eye. The pyrotechnic writing is inspiring, uplifting, and unforgettable. Run, don't walk!
Back story: Beaty is a triple-threat actor, poet, and singer whose huge voice goes from resonant baritone to sweet falsetto. Featured for several years on Russell Simmon's Def Jam, the dude has enough charisma to light up Cleveland Stadium -- so to see him in the intimate 150-seat Brooks is a thrill.
Details: Thru 5/10 (tonight only), Cleveland Play House, http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein lindaATcoolcleveland.com

The Rat Pack, Live at the Sands @ Playhouse Square 5/8 Wow! One of the best shows I’ve seen in years. With a fifteen-piece big band backing up Frank, Dean and Sammy, spectacular music and impersonations, “The Rat Pack, Live at the Sands” certainly was a crowd pleasure. What seemed to be a sold out house opened to Frank Sinatra singing “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” and ended with “My Way,” with a lot of good music and fun in between. The three cool cats sang over 20 great songs, joked on each other, drank a lot, danced, drank a lot, and had the fabulous Burelli Sisters as back up singers/dancers. Sammy Davis Jr. was my favorite, but, of course, he was my fav as a kid. I thought this impersonation was spot on. Frank was also a close one with looks and voice. (But Sammy had that AND tap dancing!) My mother thought Dean Martin was the best, but he’s always been her hero. Check out the pack and tell us who you think was the best Rat during this limited two-week engagement now through May 20th. Tickets are going fast. From Cool Cleveland correspondent T.L. Champion, tlATcoolcleveland.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On Kucinich & ODOT (See Kucinich plans to impeach Cheney and Is ODOT out of control? here) I have two comments in response to stories in the 4/25 issue of Cool Cleveland. First, bravo, Dennis!! You've not only done the right thing, you've proved you have more guts than anyone else in the House. Second, about the Innerbelt Bridge debacle: all the outrage here is totally justified. Very glad to see the publicity for this impending debacle. The only thing I have to say is that it’s L-O-N-G overdue. But this is not the first time Baker & Associates has pulled this nonsense. Nor will it be the last, unless their activities are scrutinized by the authorities. Our Fulton Road Bridge (at this writing, slated to be destroyed in less than 48 hours) is another victim of Baker’s and ODOT’s combined greed and total disregard for what is right and what is practical. Even now, a local bridge expert finds that the Fulton Bridge is/was salvageable; i.e., the outer facings are/were deteriorated, but the inner structure is/was rock-solid. But Baker was allowed to both submit a report saying that a new bridge was necessary, AND receive the contract to design said new bridge. There were untold shady dealings in the formation of this project, including failure to follow due process and hold public hearings regarding the bridge’s historical significance. It's great to see the outrage over the Innerbelt project, but I wish with all my heart that similar attention had been paid to our lost Fulton Road Bridge, which was UNIQUE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
from Cool Cleveland reader Denise Donaldson zoonorthATnetzero.com

On red light cameras in Cleveland For the past several months, a black & white (with no cherries or decals on the doors) sits idling while it takes pictures of cars for speeding. The speed limit in this area changes from 35mph to 25 mph, for really no apparent reason. They take the picture and mail you a $100 ticket. Now I could maybe see it if this area featured a school or day care center, and wanted to send a signal to slow down for kids. But there isn’t either in the area. Instead he’s parked there…slumped down in his seat…because it is a high traffic busy area with growing businesses, and with companies with customers such as Suttons Hardware. Would they be there for our safety due to a high accident area? Doubt it. I’ve worked on this street for almost 3 years and have seen only one fender bender. Would it be there for the “red light” speeders? No, because he never parks by an intersection. No, it’s Cleveland’s way of generating revenue! That’s why he’s parked on a busy street. You can go out there and stand and look at him and see the camera going off on dash. It’s really sad. Customers of ours come into town…only to receive a $100 ticket from Cleveland weeks later. I’m not the only one that has received this nice mailing from Cleveland. I’ve talked to several people that work on this block. The word is out. This is my first speeding ticket in over 25 years…and it came from a camera in an unmarked taking pictures. How sad. Cleveland, you should be ashamed of your tactics.
from Cool Cleveland reader Michael Roth mjroth4ATaol.com

On whether to raze or renovate the Breuer tower (See AmeriTrust Tower Protest here) I won't be able to make it Thursday, but I completely agree with the decision to NOT raze the Ameritrust building but instead renovate it for county/other use. I'm "done" with all the wasted money in this county/city--it MUST instead go to the schools, after school programs, etc. Thanks for informing us all about the rally.
from Cool Cleveland reader Rev. Dean Van Farowe malachideanAThotmail.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) Straight Outta Mansfield “Ace Boogie” is dead, and Mansfield Fraizer's not feeling so good himself.
www.CoolCleveland.com

2) Unclothed Wearable art in the form of an avant-garde parade, all to the soundtrack of DJ Santina.
www.FashionWeekCleveland.com

3) Interview Kristie Van Auken of the Akron-Canton Airport.
www.CoolCleveland.com

4) Interview Rick Batyko re: Cleveland+.
www.CoolCleveland.com

5) Emissions from the Blogosphere One twenty-something says she would "write off any region that tried to brand themselves". Is she unique?
www.ChristineBorne.net

In Orbit There are still signs of life on good ol' Planet Cleveland. All you have to do is set your controls for the heart of the action... which you can find every week, courtesy of the Hard Corps. (And by the way, Go Cavs!) Rocket-propelled thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Kelly Ferjutz, Jennifer Keirn, Roy Berko, Linda Eisenstein, Susan Schaul, Nan Frost, Claudia J. Taller and Peanuts. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

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

Why Be Earthbound?
--Thomas Mulready
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