Holiday Help
In this week's issue:
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Echoes on the Ground by Mr. Gnome
* Cool Cleveland Dispatch Winterfest post-mortem
* RoldoLINK Feagler, bloggers, and the mainstream media
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here
This week, finally the hype ends, our relatives return to Cleveland, and we settle in for some serious reconnecting. Funny how people love to love the coasts, but when the year ends, everyone loves to come home to Cleveland. If your family includes some returning students or recently-departed young professionals, make a reservation to take one of the upcoming Emerging Cleveland tours of underappreciated Cleveland highlights.
Read how venerable journalists like Roldo and Feagler take to the new world of blogs, and check out some great news regarding MOCA, the governor's race, Ingenuity and the marriage ban. Listen to the week's hottest podcasts and check out our CCKIDS recommendations for families.
Whatever you do, don't stay in all week. Check out the dozens of alternatives under Cool Holiday Shopping. There's lots to do and lots to see during this mystical time of year. Take a visiting relative out on the (home) town. --Thomas Mulready
Cool Cleveland Sounds
Echoes on the Ground
Mr. Gnome
Tucker Records
Alt-rock duos, well, rock. Unlike a full-blown ensemble, alt-rock duos have a daunting list of tasks to check off every time they pick up their instruments. It's only rock and roll to you, but the power of two can be a lot of work; to construct and maintain such a sound takes more than just intention. First, there's this little thing called charisma. With two or three other members in a band, you can have an off-night on energy and people might not notice. You don't get that luxury in a duo. Then there's the matter of providing passion and emotion through your sound, while attempting to fill the space AND maintain a minimalist edge.
It ain't exactly easy... but plenty have done so with incredible success: Local H, Tegan and Sara, the Inbreds, Portishead, Black Keys and the notorious White Stripes all come to mind rather quickly...
Read the review by Peter Chakerian here
Wanna get reviewed? Send your band's CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107
Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We've got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you're interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
Cool Holiday Shopping We've been collecting alternatives to spending your money at the shopping malls. Instead, we recommend purchasing one-of-a-kind, handmade art and objects from local entrepreneurs and artists. Check out complete list of Cool Holiday Shopping online here: Cool Holiday Shopping
Ingenuity 2006 volunteer coordinator sought The countdown to the new year means that the next Ingenuity Arts & Technology Festival is on the horizon. Read about plans for the '06 Fest, kicking off with the Cleveland Orchestra's annual event on Public Square in July here. Hundreds of volunteers helped make last year's inaugural festival a complete success, and this year will be no different. If you have experience coordinating volunteer efforts; would like to get in on the action and have the will, the drive and the vision needed to dive head first into what will be a near-volcanic eruption of creativity, have we got the job for you. Send your note of interest & resume to: James@IngenuityCleveland.org.
Ohio marriage ban ruled unconstitutional The state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage may need some amendment of its own, according to the recent ruling of Domestic Relations Judge James Celebrezze, who declared it unconstitutional this week. Celebrezze's camp feels the amendment was the result of gimmickry by politicians seeking to bring out “a certain demographic of voters” for the 2004 presidential election, and that it wasn't thought out clearly. Read the story here. What do you think about the state amendment; should it be rewritten, should it never have been written, or is it fine the way it is? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland12.23.05.mp3. Don't forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
Flannery for Governor In a bold move, former Lakewood councilman and former state rep from NEO, Bryan Flannery has announced his bid for Governor of Ohio in the 2006 election, with a site that stresses Ethics, Education and the Economy, and a voicemail blast announcing, "as your next Governor, I will fix school funding... I will permanently cut your property taxes and end the school levy as we know it." Finally someone with guts with a focus on the critical issues. Read Micheal Gill's coverage in the Free Times here. Last week, Flannery spent an hour being interviewed by area bloggers. Listen to that interview here. http://www.FlanneryForGovernor.com.
Medical Mart City and county officials have teamed up with Cleveland Clinic president, Dr. Toby Cosgrove, to suggest a year-round showplace for the latest and best medical supplies and technologies in Downtown Cleveland. The proposed "Medical Mart" would be based on the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Our world-renowned medical institutions make placing the medical marketplace here, possibly as part of a new convention center, a good fit. Check out the story here. Is a Medical Mart the missing component that would assure the success of a new convention center? Or, is this just a new dress on an old idea? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
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Gross, Beautiful or Extinct? What's the link between a Cherokee peace pipe, an East African wooden sculpture, a meteorite from Australia and a mounted ostrich from Tanzania? They're all part of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's What's New? exhibit. Come see the interesting additions to the Museum's permanent collection - like flat headed peccary skulls and mandibles from now-extinct creatures; baskets, pottery and textiles from the Oaxaca region of Mexico; rare moths and even gross things in jars - all at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. For more information visit www.CMNH.org.
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ODOT still not listening ODOT's delay in producing an economic impact report; hiring of a design firm without giving serious consideration to alternate plans, and circulation of pretty, but conjectural images of what a new bridge could, sorta, maybe, kinda, look like has got Clevelanders, including the PD's Steven Litt, all riled up. Read the story here. Is there any possibility that ODOT will give C-Town citizens some respect, or does their selection of Michael Baker Jr. Inc., a design team, which includes Christian Menn of Switzerland, designer of the acclaimed Leonard Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, and others around the world, show that they are starting to get it? Read more here. Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
MOCA gets $2.1 million to move It would transform the corner of Euclid, Mayfield and Ford, a critical junction in University Circle with additional planned retail and residential space. The $2.1 million from George Gund Foundation means MOCA has raised a total of $5 million towards an unspecified capital campaign goal for their new facility. See release here.
Vinyl sale Cleveland State University Library is holding an amazing vinyl record sale through Fri 12/30. Browse through more than 6,000 LPs, mostly classical, that date from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s. Major labels include Mercury Living Presence, RCA Red Seal (Shaded Dogs), Columbia Masterworks, and Philips, all for $1 each! Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Library. Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM. 1860 East 22nd St. 687-2475.
Volunteer for robotics competition The FIRST Robotics competition will engage 50 teams of high schools students from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Texas in a no-holds-barred contest where each team pits their robotic creation against the others. Both technical, and non-technical volunteers are required to make this exciting event a total success. Check it out here. Call 916-6430 with questions.
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Beethoven Unleashed Da Da Da-Daaa! The Cleveland Orchestra performs these famous opening notes along with the rest of Beethoven’s magnificent, dramatic Fifth symphony Thur 1/5 - Sun 1/8 at Severance Hall. Don’t miss your chance to hear some of the most recognizable and powerful classical music ever written. You’ve heard Beethoven’s famous Fifth used in film and on TV including an adapted-for-pop-culture version used in the movie Saturday Night Fever, Disney’s Fantasia 2000 and an episode of The Simpsons. Experience the thrill of hearing Beethoven's most famous symphony performed live at Severance Hall Thur 1/5 - Sun 1/8 only. For tickets contact (216) 231-1111 or www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.
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Artists rebuild the city The always-trenchant and relevant Phillip Morris comments on what ails Cleveland and suggests that artists and entrepreneurs are a better bet for reviving our region than a 20-year-old b-ball phenom. And he's right. Referencing a recent New York Times article here, he suggests a city Department of Cultural Affairs to raid the big cities of their creative class, inviting them to Cleveland so we can become "one of America's greatest undiscovered artist colonies." See his column here.
Call for Fresh Art Cash awards of $1000, $500 & $250 will be given to the top three artists who live, work or attend a university in Summit, Portage or Medina counties, during Summit Artspace Gallery's second annual juried exhibition. Artists may bring their work, for consideration, to Summit Artspace Gallery at 140 East Market Street, in Akron, on Fri 3/3 or Sat 3/4 from 10AM to 5PM. Two and three dimensional art, in all media, created in either 2005 or 2006, and not previously exhibited, will be considered. Artists interested in entering their work into the Fresh Art exhibit should call 330-376-8480 to request an application.
Oberlin Orchestra tours China This regional asset will receive an international showcase on a 9-day tour visiting six cities. This opportunity gives the Oberlin Orchestra the chance to perform in world-famous venues, visit major schools to get a sense of their philosophy of teaching, and to establish at least an informal relationship with the leaders of those institutions. With a growing number of musicians hailing from this burgeoning economic power, including several who are currently studying at Oberlin, the tour offers an excellent learning experience for students. The ensemble leaves for China on Fri 12/23 and will return on Thu 1/5. Your thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
Cool Cleveland Kids Are the kids home for the holidays... and you don't have a clue about how to keep them busy? See CC KIDS below, and listen to a few tips from 10-year-old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max Mulready, as he points out a few family-friendly events to cure your kids' cabin fever. No iPod necessary! Just click and listen: http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids12.23.05.mp3. Adding this link to your program that catches podcasts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.
Storefront Cleveland Initiative update As reported in Cool Cleveland 11/23 here, a new initiative intends to fill storefronts of Lower Euclid with "creative art installation, architectural or planning display, mural, visual poetry, technical wonder, or...?" I just wanted to touch base quickly to let you know that the project (now called the Storefront Cleveland Initiative) is moving along. We received many wonderful emails from artists who want to participate (including two from dance companies - one in Chicago and one in Grand Rapids - who would like to come to Cleveland to perform! Both of them heard about us through CoolCleveland). We have a list of about 15 artists and are putting together a portfolio of sorts to show potential participating storefront owners. Right now we're looking at an opening (we would like to have an opening party, hopefully in a storefront, but aren't to that point just yet) in mid to late February. More ideas? clevelandstorefronts@gmailDOTcom.
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For Those who Wonder how Songs become Recordings, how recordings become hits, or how the show gets on the road, the Songwriters to Soundmen series at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will offer both answers and anecdotes beyond expectation. On Wed 12/21 at 7PM, the Rock Hall welcomes Bob Moore. Life magazine honored Moore as the number one "Country Bassist" of all time in September 1994. Over 17,000 recording sessions to date, Moore has worked with some of the most influential music artists including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, Connie Frances and Bob Dylan. One can hear his distinctive bass lines in Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and Patsy Cline's "Crazy." Tickets are $5. For more information contact the Rock Hall at 216-781-7625 or www.RockHall.com.
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Emissions from the blogsphere Tina Vance is grateful they live here in Cleveland because of Rainbow Children’s hospital. Steve Goldberg dreams of hitting the slopes. Jack Ricchiuto explains how the future works. Don Iannone comments on Bob Farley leaving Team NEO. Continuing last week's theme, Kevin Poor suggests that Feagler get on the cluetrain. Bridget Ginley expands the criticism here. Jill Miller Zimon relates Cleveland.com's chat with Dick that includes Cool Cleveland's CHQ. This week’s installment of the Cool Cleveland weblog finds Peter Chakerian commenting on the new Money Museum, a deluxe-sized Cleveland Clinic headache, “Waiting for gODOT,” waving goodbye to the Odeon… and yes, you guessed it… he’s got a fever and the only prescription is more Feagler. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, then add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
Cool Cleveland This Week
12.21-12.28
Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com
Navidad is a no-cost exhibit featuring the work of some of the most exciting Latin American artists in Northeast Ohio. The exhibit runs now through Fri 1/13, Mon-Fri from 10:30AM-2:30PM. Call 440-366-4040. Stocker Arts Center, Lorain County Community College, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria. www.LorainCCC.edu.
Project Yitzhak which runs now through Sun 2/26 features the work of Jewish, Muslim and Christian artists from Israel and the U.S.The project revolves around characters named Yitzhak, and was originally prepared for the Yitzhak International Arts Gathering held in Israel earlier this year. An installation of sculptural work by regional artists, Priscilla Roggenkamp and Keith McMahon will be featured, along with a photo exhibit by Israeli photographer, Yachanan Kishon and the work of several other artists. Canton Museum of Art, in the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Avenue North, Canton. For directions, click here. www.CantonArt.org.
Messiah Sing! Join in as part of the chorus during this annual presentation by the Music and Performing Arts at Trinity Cathedral. The audience will contribute their vocals to the melodious sounds of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra and hear a variety of impressive soloists from the Cathedral choir on Wed 12/21 from 12-1:30PM. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue. http://www.mandpa.org/brownbag/brownbag.html.
CC KIDS Holiday Fun at CCM Celebrate snow and read a story about a very special snowman, then create your own Snow Painting to take home, on Wed 12/21 at 2PM; Make Your Own Menorah and learn more about Chanukah on Thu 12/22 from 11:30AM-2PM, or listen to Kwaanza Storytelling on Fri 12/23 at 11:30AM. Call 791-7114 for more info. Cleveland Children's Museum, 10730 Euclid Avenue. www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.
Menopause The Musical makes it's triumphant return, as four women share their commiseration over memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, wrinkles and either too much (or too little) bed-boogie, to the tune of reworked, popular songs. From Puff, My God I'm Draggin to Stayin' Awake, Stayin' Awake, this annual favorite offers a stompin' good time, for both those who got it, and for those who don't get it. Catch the show today, Wed 12/21 at 2PM through Sun 1/22. Call 466-2208 for days and times, or purchase tickets at www.PlayhouseSquare.com. East 14th Street Theatre, 2037 East 14th Street.
Open Jazz Jam Sessions Looking for somewhere to flex your musical chops? Join the Jazz Action Movement Wed 12/21 from 6-10PM, or any Wednesday night, for an opportunity to sit in on an open jam session. Call 330-848-3333 for info and directions. Kenmore Cultural Arts Center, 754 Kenmore Boulevard, Akron. http://www.HeartOfKenmore.com.
CC KIDS Country Lights Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the park to see a spectacular, 500,000-light display in farm themes; visit Santa's workshop where kids can help the elves build a toy that they will get to take home; see a splendid horse show and live entertainment, then visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Event runs now through Fri 12/23 from 5-9PM. Call 440-256-2122 to pre-purchase your tickets. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Chardon Road, Kirtland. http://www.LakeMetroparks.com.
A Holiday Celebration with Organ, Brass, and Chorus features a program of Christmas carols and other holiday favorites, on Thu 12/22 and Fri 12/23 at 8PM. Don't miss organist Todd Wilson, Burning River Brass, and members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. Call 231-1111 or visit www.ClevelandOrchestra.com for tickets. Severance Hall.
Old Home Night an evening of inventive improvisation, cool collaborations, and remarkable reunions, is happening on Thu 12/22 at 8PM. The third edition of CLE music's original holiday homecoming shindig is the most jam packed yet! Featuring readings by author Michael DeCapite (Through the Windshield), music from Kick a Dead Horse, the Kidney Brothers (Bob and Jack from the legendary Numbers Band), the reunion of Cleveland's seminal alt-country rockers, California Speedbag, acclaimed pop songstress Amy Rigby, and more. Stories will be told, drinks will be had, and dancing will occur. Get in on the action at the Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road. http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com.
A Christmas Family Affair Front man, Jim Miller and The JiMiller Band will perform an all ages show, in conjunction with his son, Mike Miller, and his group, Sevant, on Fri 12/23. The first set kicks off at 8:30PM. The Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Heights.
Ten Friends Holiday Extravaganza Celebrate the holidays with Cleveland's Tastemakers at this fifth annual event on Fri 12/23 at 9PM. Sample tasty offerings and sip flowing spirits for a minimal cover charge during this festive soiree. Call 702-5511 or email WordOfMouth_2000@yahoo.com for more info. House of Blues, 308 Euclid Avenue.
WCLVnotes Colorful holiday programming abounds on WCLV 104.9 FM this week. Karl Haas' legendary program, "The Story of the Bells," airs Fri 12/23 at 8PM. Christmas Eve afternoon at 1:30, The Cleveland Orchestra performance of the "Non-Christmas Christmas Opera" Hansel and Gretel will be broadcast, followed at 6PM by Apollo's Fire's Christmas Vespers Concert. Then at 8PM, we go to Severance Hall for a concert by Todd Wilson on the Norton Memorial Organ, the Burning River Brass and The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. At 10:30PM, Robert Conrad on his Weekend Radio Christmas Program will feature Dylan Thomas reading his immortal "A Child's Christmas in Wales." Highlights on Christmas Day including Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet at 9AM, The Cleveland Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists performing Handel's Messiah at 4PM, and Apollo's Fire returning at 9PM for the first three cantata's from Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Full details on all of WCLV's programs can be found on the WCLV website at WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.
Emerging Cleveland Tour – Tired of staring at your relatives, the boob tube and the same old leftovers? Then grab the gang and take them for a night out on the town - Cleveland style - during the Emerging Cleveland Tour on Tue 12/27 and Tue 1/03. Returning students and young professionals home for the holidays will have a blast on this half-day tour of new developments and off-the-beaten-track gems led by two CSU urban planning students and a host of special guests. E-mail jgville@gmail.com or call 216-269-0770.
Nighttown Events Jazz up the days between holidays with the stylings of Cleveland-born percussionist Jamey Haddad, as he shares his smooth brand of jazz percussion on Tue 12/27 & Wed 12/28 at 7PM. Help native sax man Joe Lovano, celebrate his birthday, as he performs on Thu 12/29 at 7PM & 9PM, with a little help from his friends, including Haddad, Dave Morgan, Carmen Castaldi, and vocalist Judi Silvano. Call 795-0550 to make your reservations. Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights. www.NighttownCleveland.com.
CC KIDS Warp Drive, When? Mankind's preoccupation with space travel dates back for centuries, and has led to many creative, yet real, engineering concepts to allow faster exploration beyond the confines of our solar system. Bring your pint-sized, future space traveler for a full day of fun exploring the concepts of interstellar travel and propulsion. There will be fun, "Make & Take" crafts for the kids and complimentary pictures to remember your fun-filled "space journey" during this Wed 12/28 event from 9AM-4PM. Click here for more info. Call 433-9653 to register and don't forget, all adult visitors must present a government-issued photo ID to be admitted to the Nasa Glenn Visitor Center, 21000 Brookpark Road.
Beer School 2005 Get a complete beer education on Wed 12/28 from 7-9PM during Great Lakes Brewing Company's Beer School. Take an in-depth tour of their facility and learn all about the ingredients, the brewhouse, the fermentation process, packaging and the various styles of beer. Participants get to sample some of Cleveland's finest craft brews, then take home a "Beer School Graduate" t-shirt and a logo sampler glass. Call 771-4404, Ext. 222 to make your reservation. http://www.GreatLakesBrewing.com. Great Lakes Brewing Company, 2516 Market Street.
Hillbilly Idol Acclaimed Cleveland Americana ensemble Hillbilly Idol celebrates the release of their new CD, Lights of Town, at the Beachland Ballroom, Wed 12/28 at 8PM. Also on the bill are Cleveland favorites Cats On Holiday, blasting their own blend of swamp pop originals. Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, 383-1124, http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com.
Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com
Cool Cleveland Dispatch
Ohio Ballet Cancels Season
Ohio Ballet’s latest press release announced the cancellation of their Winterfest Program, six performances scheduled for Akron and Cleveland in February. We heard about it on the radio and read about it in the paper here. But between quotes from Artistic Director Jeffrey Graham Hughes, Ohio Ballet board members, and Akron mayor Don Plusquellic, what did it all mean? Was this the end of Northeast Ohio’s small but excellent professional ballet company? Were the big wigs just letting us down easy before the inevitable demise?
We ran it by our long time friend, Margaret Carlson, Executive Director of Verb Ballets, confident that she would reply with insight and candor. “They just cancelled their winter season, that’s all. If we didn’t have the money would we do a project? Would you? That’s just being fiscally sound like any business needs to be.” As Carlson described it, grants expire and fall through “all the time.”
As Ohio Ballet’s Director of Development and Marketing Peter Grossetti put it, “the ballet is operational. We’ve cancelled some performances. The key to our ongoing sustainability will be the ability of the ad hoc commission to take a careful look at our overall operations and help the company to garner new or renewed support.”
Grossetti put things in perspective even more succinctly last summer. “There’s a world of hurt in northeast Ohio arts organizations,” he said. “Ohio Ballet’s situation is not unique.”
From Cool Cleveland contributors Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson vicnelsaATearthlink.net
RoldoLINK
Bloggers – Too Much Competition For Feagler?
By Roldo Bartimole
Pee Dee columnist Dick Feagler spewed out loathing and mockery wholesale at a new and growing outlet of information – blogging [here].
Columnist Feagler contemptuously poked fun at bloggers – a growing army of self-styled commentators – as pretenders and illegitimate vendors of what should be the product exclusively of mainstream journalists, i. e., those with jobs at mainstream media outlets.
Feagler ridiculed, “President Abner Lincoln, despondent over a bad marriage and at loose ends after the Spanish-American War, shot himself in the Chevy Theater in New Jersey. Shirley Wilkes Booth was a patsy. The Warren Commission set her up.”
That’s how bloggers would report Lincoln’s assassination in Feagler’s limited mind.
The purposely error-ridden paragraph apparently represents to Feagler the model of the blogging.
He leans as proof on a false posting made, not by a blogger, but someone taking advantage of the ability to post something that goes on an internet site. Not worth the trouble explaining.
However, Feagler makes clear he does not trust any of them and tars them all with a wide brush.
Why should he? Feagler tells us, “It’s because I’m worried. And I worry about how little some of you value that morning newspaper out on the driveway in the snow.”
His column, noted in George Nemeth’s popular Brewed Fresh Daily (BFD) blog, brought out energetic blog comments. The last time I checked the reaction comments on BFD, hit 80 comments, most critical of Feagler...
Read RoldoLINK here
Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what's really happening. We'd love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com
Beauty and the Beast @ the Beck Center 12/18 You’ll have to go some distance to find a higher-energy production of Beauty and the Beast than the one currently at Lakewood’s Beck Center for the Arts through December 31.
The costumes and the dancing are terrific. But then, so are the acting and the singing. It’s a tad long (2½ hours) but that’s certainly not the fault of director Fred Sternfeld, who keeps things moving briskly throughout. It’s a bit difficult for some young children to maintain their attention for such a long time, and especially during the fight scene between Gaston and Beast...
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here
Tree Chic @ the Waetjen Auditorium 12/17 Carols and comedy seem to go so well together, especially when the North Coast Men’s Chorus present their annual Christmas concert. The title for this year’s program was Tree Chic and there were beautiful trees all over and around the stage area in Waetjen Auditorium. In addition to the lights decorating the trees, colored overhead lights changed frequently, turning them from green to white to red to blue, etc. It was gorgeous!
The men were gorgeous, too, in their tuxedos with a deep burgundy-colored weskit beneath. But I’m getting ahead of myself just a bit...
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here
Black Nativity @ Karamu 12/16 We went to Karamu’s Black Nativity last Friday with the idea of writing about the dancing. Gospel music drove the production but the dancing played an important part. Director / Choreographer Terence M. Greene used 6 dancers from Cleveland School of the Arts as a kind of non-singing chorus. Michael Medcalf and Kathleen Turner of Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre portrayed Joseph and Mary.
The dancers and the three pit musicians started Act I with a bang. Greene’s afro-modern choreography really got those kids moving and the effect was electric. From the first the dancers treated the multi-level set by Richard H. Morris, Jr. as an opportunity, not an obstacle...
Read the review by Victor and Elsa here
Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.
Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Thinking outside the Big Box I agree with all of your recent contributors about Clevelands potential for greatness. However, it all biols down to jobs!...and not just big box jobs,or on the flipside; jobs that need a Masters degree for. I mean creative, interesting, dynamic positions that allow people to grow and challange themselves. Where are those jobs? I fall in the middle of these catagories and in other cities have a wealth of positons open to me and in Cleveland it seems I am unable to move ahead out of the few big box opportunites that exist here....I feel that Cleveland has got to attract diversity, open minds, and risk takers! Thanks for your efforts and I wish you all the best for a healthy and safe holiday!!
from Cool Cleveland reader Jenn Erwood freshsqueezed216AThotmail.com
Uncool Cleveland "Cleveland is a great town!" -- "There's so much to do!" -- "The people are so friendly" -- "There's so much heritage!" -- This is me talking all the time to my friends in Cleveland, to friends in other towns, to people on airplanes, you name it. I grew up here, I've lived elsewhere, but I came back and I really want to believe in this town. But, it's not easy. Last weekend, a group of friends and I went downtown to see the U2 concert. We had been planning for this event since we got our tickets in March. An early start with a great dinner, the concert, some drinks in the Warehouse District and then back to a hotel where no one would have to worry about driving back to our suburban homes. The concert was great, and that's about it. Outside the arena the people were rude and the service we received at a not inexpensive restaurant was amazingly poor. Okay fine, I suppose the people and service could have been singular occurences. However, there's one thing I can't get past. Primarily, because it is so essential to a thriving nightlife in this and any city. No less than four cabs refused us service from the bars on West 6th to our hotel because it was "only" a mile away. This - I'm pretty certain it's illegal - amounts to penalizing people who support the hotels downtown. So, what's my point? I, and lots of other people like me, don't have to go downtown to have fun. That's nothing new. What's new for me, is now I won't.
from Cool Cleveland reader Todd Vura toddvuraATyahoo.com
ODOT is A-OK (See ODOT still doesn't get it here) I just wanted to share my experience with the public meetings for the Interbelt project. I attended several of the public meetings several years back held by ODOT at Cleveland State University. I have to say I was impressed. My concern was the effect on traffic it would have on W.14th St. These concerns were throughly addressed by ODOT and I was put at ease. They really did act on residents suggestions. They even provided child care for these meetings and the newsletters distributed by ODOT were printed in English as well as Spanish. This was a huge help to many of the people in my neighborhood. I found out along the way that they had presented something like 10 plans and the final plan was based on public suggestions. I also will say that they had set up information Kiosks in Tower City and had all of us attending the public meetings fill out post cards with opinions and concerns we had with the project. There was a very big amount of community influence in this upcoming (overdue) project. I semi regular visitor of coolcleveland.com. I was semi-confused when I read the negative comments on your site because I participated in the process. In my opinion did a great job with this. Merry Christmas to coolcleveland.com.... great site.
from Cool Cleveland reader Angela Mendez ang_1975ATlycos.com
Cool Cleveland party (See Cool Cleveland Holiday Appreciation Party here) It was a great idea having the event at Fat Fish Blue on Wednesday. We had great food and a chance to try the Thirsty Dog Beer. With $2 parking, discounted tickets, and a place to check your coat, these were good combinations! The staff was very efficient with the beer distribution and the replenishment of the hors d’oeuvres. It looked like a hit based on the heavy turn out. Thanks for setting it up and Go Cool Cleveland.
from Cool Cleveland reader Len Nagel lNagelATAexcelCorp.com
Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Top 5
Here are the Top 5 from last week's issue, with one more chance for you to click.
1) Ingenuity Festival announces 2006 dates It's back—bigger and better than last year.
www.CoolCleveland.com
2) Ohio City calendar Lovely photos of the OC, with proceeds benefiting the ongoing work of the Ohio City Near West Development Corporation.
http://www.OCNW.org
3) RoldoLINK Are charities solutions or evasions?
www.CoolCleveland.com
4) Shopping local A handy guide for supporting the local living economy.
www.RestoreCleveland.com
5) Arborwear.com Gift ideas for aspiring outdoorsmen and women.
http://www.Arborwear.com
The Hard Corps are making merry Working harder then Santa's elves are Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Roldo Bartimole, Victor Lucas, Elsa Johnson and Kelly Ferjutz, along with everyone who partners with us. If you see them, make sure they get some of those cookies and eggnog. 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. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine 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.
Have a great holiday season,
--Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com
all contents ©2005 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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