Santina Protopapa is Executive Director of the Progressive Arts Alliance, one of Cleveland's newest non-profit arts organizations. PAA is a collective of musicians, dancers, poets, MCs, visual artists, actors, and D Js?/turntablists with a strong commitment to dynamic arts education. Programs include performances, workshops, assemblies, lectures, conferences, and residencies focusing on the contemporary arts. It provides students of all ages with interactive arts experiences committed to highest qualities of performance and professionalism in an interdisciplinary context. It promotes experiences in the contemporary arts stimulating critical thinking and progressive thought, making the arts accessible to students of all ages regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, or income level. Santina's also worked at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Rock Hall's Education Programs Manager, where she produced programs on various subjects such as hip-hop culture and social justice. As a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, she's a classically trained percussionist and a jazz vibraphonist, playing vibes with the seven-piece jazz-funk group the Aphrodesiatics. Check out this brainy cultural activist at Moda Nightclub this Sat 8/9 as Santina's band opens up for internationally acclaimed deep house DJ King Britt. Read her interview below and support Santina's effort with Progressive Arts Alliance, a worthwhile nonprofit actively seeking donations:

· Sound, video and computer equipment to be used with students in our educational programs.

· Office space and office equipment

· Individuals and corporations interested in making monetary donations to invest in arts programming in the Cleveland Municipal School District.

· Individuals and corporations interested in sponsoring a live music series

· Corporations or individuals interested in donating printing services

· Members of the community interested in becoming a part of Progressive Arts Alliance as board members.

CC: What it the best thing about Cleveland? The worst thing?

SP: The best thing about Cleveland is our rich history and our diverse cultural heritage. The worst thing about Cleveland is that people often don't believe in the city enough and what it has to offer. Many often harbor the "grass is greener on the other side" mentality that moving to a larger city will solve their problems.

CC: What does Cleveland have that no other place has?

SP: Cleveland allows individuals to have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of different activities all at the same time, especially in the arts scene. Other places often have very segmented populations and do not afford individuals a variety of opportunities.

CC: What does Cleveland have to do to make itself indispensable in the 21st Century?

SP: Cleveland has to believe in itself more to be indispensable in the 21st Century. Clevelanders need to better embrace our cultural resources and opportunities and realize that just because it's "local" doesn't mean it isn't "national" quality.

CC: What does Cleveland have to stop doing?

SP: Stop complaining about Cleveland. Many in Cleveland are quick to blame things that go wrong on the city or the scene itself. There's a negative attitude that is often perpetuated by many people who dwell on things that have gone wrong or that need to be improved. Clevelanders need to be more proactive in correcting our downfalls.

CC: What has been your greatest contribution to this region?

SP: I like to think that I haven't made my greatest contribution to this region yet. Two of my professional highlights in Cleveland have been producing the Rock Hall's Hip-Hop: A Cultural Expression conference in 1999, a national event that brought together the pioneers of hip-hop culture to talk about the art form and its evolution. The event drew 800 attendees from around the world. The second highlight has been launching the Progressive Arts Alliance, a nonprofit designed to enhance the arts-in-education scene in Cleveland through the utilization of the contemporary popular arts as a compelling educational tool.

CC: And here's a couple that are more personal: What do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?

SP: I want to be remembered as someone who worked very hard for what she believed in. I also want to be remembered as a strong leader.

CC: Cleveland is not a town that celebrates failures, but maybe it should. What was your biggest "failure" and what did you learn from it?

SP: The situations that I have encountered that many would consider "failures," I've always considered additional challenges. What I've learned from each failure has been the importance of having the ability to think on your feet.

CC: Who do you look up to?

SP: I look up to anyone who is driven to achieve his/her goals and is committed to excellence. Individuals who have greatly influenced me are Robert Santelli, CEO of the Experience Music Project, and jazz great Thelonious Monk.

CC: Do you have a motto?

SP: The most important thing is to be happy.

CC: What's the best advice you've been offered.

SP: "Think and dream big, then scale back later only if you have to." - Robert Santelli

CC: Where are you most likely to hang out in Cleveland (your favorite places)

SP: The Lava Lounge in Tremont or Touch Supper Club in Ohio City.

CC: Where are you least likely to hang out?

SP: the Flats. (Editor's Note: Geez, no one wants to hang in the Flats these days.)

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