Art News

The camera is on Collinwood Recreation Center's Digital Media Class, which is held on Wednesdays at 4:30pm. This year has started off well for the participants of the digital media class, which is a program offered by Institutional Community Development Corporation, an organization whose primary focus is economic and youth development.                                                                                                                             

Rakim Huff, an aspiring young actor and producer was selected to attend a private viewing in January of the new Scenarios USA Cleveland Real Deal film, "Speechless," a film written by 16-year-old Roxanne Lasker-Hall, a student from Cleveland School of the Arts. The actual movie premiered on April 9th at Tower City Cinemas during the Cleveland International Film Festival.                                                                                            

Alexis Nunn, a teen writer, singer and aspiring actress, along with Rakim Huff, were invited in February to be on the Student Selection Committee of the Cleveland International Film Festival. Alexis and Rakim, helped screen and pick films which were going to be included in the 37th Cleveland International Film Festival's FilmSlam.                                                                                                                                         

In March, Devon Merritt, 17, was invited to perform an original song that he had written in one of Detroit Michigan's well-known Showcases.             

Arts Collinwood is pleased to present, Das Wird Sich Alles Finden [everything will turn out alright] an exhibition of international artists. The German title speaks to the origin of the exhibit. In the spring of 2011, a group of international artists were selected to take part in an exhibition called The Berlin Project. The original call-out stated: ‘The aim of this exhibition is  selecting artists who dedicate their time to create original works who distinguish themselves through technical quality, innovation and sensibility toward the detail.’

Weeks went by and the organizers disappeared without contacting the artists or returning their fee. The artists were left without a show. Frustrated but not defeated, the artists organized themselves and set up a touring exhibition as a way of making things right. The title translates as ‘Everything Will Turn Out Alright’,  a sentiment that runs though the project. A curatorial method of picking up these disparate pieces has allowed the exhibition to come together in new and unexpected ways that examine despondency, closure, hope, and accomplishment.

Local artist and Arts Collinwood Gallery Committee Member Mark Keffer was instrumental in bringing this exhibition to Cleveland. Das Wird Sich Alles Funden first showed in Sheffield, UK at Bloc Projects, and has expanded its scope for the Arts Collinwood location. Cataloged and curated by Christopher L. Richards, the exhibit now contains additional works added by many of the sixteen artists to give a greater sense of what may have initially drawn the original organizers to these particular artists.

The Cleveland exhibition will take place April 5 thru the 27, 2013 at Arts Collinwood. The artists included are: Kayde Anobile (London, England), Elia Bettaglio (NYC, USA), Patricia Casey (Sydney, Australia), Yoonsuk Choi (London, England), Amanda Crozat (Paris, France), Niall Dooley (Dublin, Ireland), Lesley Joan Guy (Sheffield, England), Mark Keffer (Cleveland, OH, USA), Robert Lang (Bristol, England), Krystel Marios (Berlin, Germany), Jonathan McFadden (Minnesota, USA), Haroob Mullick (London, England), Lydia Panas (Pennsylvania, USA), Julia Schmid (Berlin, Germany), Mercedes Teixido (California, USA), and Margeret Withers (NYC, USA).

The Artistic Muse Gallery and Neighborhood Forum located at 18322 Lakeshore Blvd in collaboration with Euclid High School art instructor, Meg Garbincus proudly presents our first student art show representing a cross section of area art students from Euclid to Gates Mills. The event kicks off on Friday April 19th from 6 til 9 pm with an opening reception. An Open House will be held on Saturday from 12 until 8 pm, followed Sunday by an open mic session from 12 till 4 pm featuring poetry, music, and comedy.

Coming April 26th - 28, the gallery will be hosting a special fundraiser for HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE INDIA featuring the photography of Halim Ina. Both events are open to the public.

The dance group "Švyturys” (the Beacon) was established in 2003, when 16 young dancers gathered together to prepare for the XII Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Chicago. Over the years “Švyturys” grew, was joined by new dancers and, in 2007, a new group of younger dancers, “Švyturiukai,” was formed.

The dancers are together not only for rehearsals and concerts, but also long after the dance music quiets down; they organize parties, celebrate birthdays, baptize new members and spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve together. A fun packed and joyous picnic ends each season. 

The desire to be together is so strong that each year dancers gather with great enthusiasm for a very difficult and strenuous two-day dance camp at the end of December. These camps are therefore a grand new tradition that ignites the desire for new friendships, travels, dancing, and creativity and encourages us to stride for the more beautiful and nobler goals.

And there is always hope that all these friendships will blossom long after the dancers graduate from the group and go their separate and unique ways. 

“Švyturys” from its inception has been led by AušrinÄ— ŠirvinskienÄ— and RiÄ�ardas Širvinskas. Julia Newberry, Edvinas VaiÄ�ikauskas and EglÄ— JokšienÄ— help with teaching and instructions.  
• The group has performed in Cleveland International Services Center Folk Festivals and was recognized by ISC for its contribution to the cultural life of the city.

For 58 years the Cleveland Lithuanian Scouts have been holding a traditional Saint Casimir's Fair which has its roots in Lithuania, when pilgrims from all around the country would gather in the capital of Vilnius for Saint Casimir's feast day, March 4th. After attending church, artisans and craftsmen would have various handmade goods for sale in the streets. Not only were household goods, such as pottery and woodcrafts, readily available, but a special treat, a decorated heart-shaped honey cookie, became a Casimir's fair tradition.

Today the tradition continues, not only in Lithuania, but also in larger Lithuanian communities, such as ours in Cleveland. The Lithuanian scouts spend many hours making crafts for sale and baking and decorating the traditional honey heart cookies. They also sell another tradition: fresh bagels on a string. A full dinner is available in the lower hall, or, if you just want to satisfy that sweet tooth craving, there is a table of various homemade desserts. All proceeds benefit the Lithuanian Scouts' activities here in Cleveland.

The fair this year takes place on Sunday, March 17th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at Saint Casimir's church hall, 18022 Neff Road, right here in the Collinwood neighborhood. Admission is free, so please stop by and check out the crafts, as well as the delicious food that is availalble.

Virginia Rubinski is the leader of the local Lithuanian Girl Scouts.

M4M (Music for Miles) Series Features Popular African-American Soprano, Pat Harris.

Music is a language we can all understand, from African drums to Peruvian flutes to Beethoven symphonies. So it’s especially appropriate that the M4M concert for February will feature the rich soprano of Pat Harris Thomas.

Pat’s splendid voice will fill the Arts Collinwood gallery on Sunday, February 10, in a program of spirituals, classics from Porgy and Bess, and historic Gospel selections. Pat will be accompanied by pianist Robert D. Mollard, principal keyboardist of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the concert will be free. Light refreshments will be offered for a small charge.

The concert begins at 4 pm and runs a little over an hour. Come early to enjoy juice or wine with fruit, cheese and cookies, $5. Stay after to talk with the musicians and other music lovers.

If you are walking down Waterloo this month, check out the trashy storefront at Barry Hoffman Printing-- 16013 Waterloo Rd. "Trashy" literally because glittered and painted plastic trash is hanging on display amidst festive lights, glitter and ornaments! The installation, titled "All That Glitters Is Not Gold...It's Litter!" is an attempt to shed light on the issue of plastic pollution in Lake Erie. Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach volunteer coordinator Stephen Love partnered with architect by day and artist by night, Allison Lukacsy to develop the installation and utilize plastic trash collected from Euclid Beach park.

In a study conducted last summer by SUNY Students in partnership with the LA based 5 Gyres Institute, they found that:  "Plastic pollutants circulate in pockets of the Great Lakes at concentrations higher than any other body of water on Earth."  According to SUNY chemistry professor and project lead Sherri Mason, “No amount of plastic in the lakes is acceptable,” Mason said. “The best cure is to find ways to reduce plastic use. We’re all part of the problem, and that means we’re all part of the solution. If we change our consumer habits, we change what’s in the water.”  And we can start right here in Collinwood! All of the trash displayed is plastic trash collected from the shores of Lake Erie at Euclid Beach Park in the wake of Hurricane Sandy on November 10th. The plastic trash was collected from Adopt-a-Beach volunteers. While the storm was a single and exceptional event of destruction, its aftermath exposes in stark relief, an even more ominous  threat, growing concentrations of plastic pollution, big and small in Lake Erie.    

From an office on the east side of Cleveland, long-time Collinwood resident and 25-year-old Darvio E. Morrow connects with the rest of the world on a daily basis.

Darvio is the Founder and CEO of FCB Musera, a digital multimedia company that owns several online radio stations and record labels. The stations broadcast to anyone around the world with an internet connection and have a wide range of listeners from Cleveland to Brazil. "I was thrilled to see our numbers going up in Latin countries," said Darvio. "That's where the future is."

Musera Radio, the company's main product, has tens of thousands of monthly listeners and its group of record labels have a digital distribution deal with a company recently acquired by Sony Music Entertainment. But one of the things that Mr. Morrow is most proud of is the neighborhood that he started his company in almost ten years ago, Collinwood.

Darvio was born and raised on the south side of Collinwood and has a particular affinity for the northeast Cleveland neighborhood. "I try to explain to people what it's like growing up in Collinwood, but its hard to put it into words. It's a unique place," Darvio said. "Collinwood used to be an independent city years ago, and I think we still have that independent attitude. We kinda do our own thing over here. I'm proud to be from Collinwood."

If you think of classical music concerts as boring and expensive, patronized by people who look down their noses at you if you clap at the wrong time or don’t know the name of the composer: think again. Arts Collinwood’s M4M (Music for Miles) concerts on Sunday afternoons are relaxed, informal, free, unintimidating and in the neighborhood. You don’t have to dress up (you do have to dress); you can arrive late and leave early (please do it quietly); you can sip a glass of wine or a cup of tea while you listen; and the musicians tell you everything you need to know about the music, and hang around to chat afterwards.

And did I mention that the concerts are free?

With help from Local 4 Music Fund and the Music Performance Trust Fund, Arts Collinwood has turned its chamber music experiment into a continuing series. Launched in memory of Arts Collinwood benefactor Miles Kennedy, Music for Miles concerts will be performed monthly during the season.

The current season started on September 23 with—literally--a bang: the percussion ensemble Duo Anime used drums, cymbals, gongs, marimbas and coffee cans to create remarkably beautiful sounds.

If you missed that concert, take heart—there are more to come. The M4M season will continue with Amphion’s Strings Quartet (Sunday October 14), Silver Keys clarinet trio (Sunday November 11) and a seasonal piano performance at Arts Collinwood’s much loved Holiday Sale in early December (there are rumors of a Teddy Bear’s tea party).

Don’t miss your chance to witness the inspired acting performances of a select group of adult volunteers from one of Northeast Ohio’s hardest working children’s theatre companies, UpStage Players. Produced by special arrangement with The Lakeside Players, Tafton, PA, the group will perform three fundraising performances of the hilarious Polter-Heist, an audience-participation murder mystery comedy. These performances will take place in late October.

The UpStage Players’ Murder Mystery Troupe’s opening performance will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 12th at Branches Art Gallery (18322 Lake Shore Blvd.; Cleveland). Admission to this special fundraiser is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Wine and cheese will be provided with admission, and fine art will be for sale. Seating is limited for this engagement, and the proceeds of this performance will directly benefit the children of UpStage Players.

The group’s second show will take place at Trader Jack’s (35901 Lake Shore Blvd.; Eastlake), and begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13th. Admission to this fundraising performance is $20 per person, and includes appetizers. A cash bar will also be available. This will be a great opportunity for families from all over Northeast Ohio to enjoy a fun evening of mystery, food and fun. The proceeds of this performance will also directly benefit the children of UpStage Players.

We want you to be one of the first to hear a special announcement.

As some of you know, Beachland co-owner Cindy Barber has been working on launching a new non-profit with the help of many veterans in the Cleveland music scene called Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future. The mission is: To support and preserve Cleveland’s popular music culture and enrich local social welfare and economic growth by stimulating music-centered initiatives. Last week Cleveland Rocks PPF was awarded its nonprofit status from the IRS, so we are ready to move forward with programming and fundraising. The project will work to support and grow Cleveland’s music scene and also document the rich legacy of the region as an important historic center of rock and roll and other popular music.

The legacy part of the project was inspired by the loss of our friend and music industry legend Steve Popovich, who passed away suddenly last year before many of his stories were able to be captured on tape or on in a book. So we are creating the Legacy Project, which will schedule a series of oral history interviews with people in the community who helped shape our music history, from nightclub owners and radio DJs to promotion men and performers who came to Cleveland frequently. Steve Popovich knew and understood the importance of preserving Cleveland’s rock and roll legacy. In fact, in 2005, he granted a special interview at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to share some of his own stories and document his history for posterity. Through a new collaboration with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, these interviews will then be available to the public and future researchers at the Rock Hall’s new Library and Archives, located on the Metro Campus of Cuyahoga Community College.

Do you want to expose your kids to some truly unique and exciting music at the Beachland Ballroom? I am a local Cleveland musician who has been collaborating with musicians to offer free educational concerts and workshops, geared for kids between the ages of 5 through 9. There are two events that will be held at the Beachland Ballroom in August, featuring some outstanding local artists rich with cultural history.

On Sunday, August 19th at 2 pm, I have invited local blues musician Austin Walkin’ Cane to present his old-style, traditional blues music to the kids. On Sunday, August 26th at 2 pm, Wood has invited Russian musician Oleg Kruglyakov to feature some of his traditional Russian instruments.

Both concerts will include traditional and original songs performed by the artists. I will moderate the concerts and engage kids in the music, and answer questions to help them learn about the different forms of music.

The Collinwood Recreation Center has been hosting a new digital media program for teens! The particpants learn broadcasting and communication skills, along with those skills, they learned how to launch a radio show to be broadcast over the internet. The youth, ages 12-17 created a radio news program called, "The Forum." Each week the teens discuss one of the top ten issues that affect their lives including topics such as bullying, teen violence, peer pressure, human trafficking and drugs. The teens provided a unique insight and perspective on these issues. They became citizen journalists, by writing, producing and recording the topics that were covered. The program was created by Institutional Community Development Corporation, in partnership with FCB Musera Entertainment, who provided the technical assistance and instructor. Shirellda Terry and Alexis Nunn had an opportunity to interview Councilman Michael Polensek of Ward 11. This interview will be seen on YouTube in the near future. The classes are held at the recreation center on Wednesdays at 5:00pm to 6:30pm. For more information, contact Darece Daniels at 216-812-6954.

I am the middle child of three, attending Strongsville High School in my last year before college. I’ve seemed to have a real talent for the arts ever since middle school. Since the beginning of high school, I’ve been working to develop my talents and take them seriously to grow as an artist. Recently I was accepted to the Columbus College of Art and Design, and I’m ecstatic about what my future holds. 

I’ve been branching away from my usual pencil pieces and have begun working with watercolor paints as well as other types of media like polymer clay sculpture and stencil printmaking. My mind works from the ground up, trying to understand every little detail of a piece before the pigment hits the paper, planning out each element of the composition to achieve maximum results and a professional look.

Science, philosophy, and sociology inspire me to create more and more by the day, as do other works of art. Being able to tell a story or get a point across in a piece makes it all the more appealing to have the opportunity to display my art. I put forth my best effort every day, confronting an intellectually starved, consumerist society, trying to make people think.

This is my first time putting my artwork up in a gallery and so far it’s been a rather pleasant and educational experience. I’ve learned a lot just from listening to Jerry take care of everyday things and even more from inputting my own ideas for improvement. I’m working with Branches as a part of my high school’s Senior Project program, allowing me to shadow a profession that I find relevant to what I want to do after school. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to get out and see what the local art scene is all about --it’s bound to come in handy when I arrive in Columbus.

Jerry Schmidt is a second generation metal sculptor, son of the sculptor Fred Schmidt. Jerry's work can be seen at his studio gallery and in the local Collinwood area. (15315 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, 44140) Jerry's son Tyler Schmidt is the third generation of the family now working beside his father sculpting. Jerry has his work displayed in an exhibit at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport. His work can also be seen at Branches Art Space, (18322 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland, 44119) a gallery which he manages. To see more of Jerry's work, visit his website at schmidtsculpture.comor to set up an appointment with him at 239-293-9548.

Branches Art Space Open House - Fundraiser Saturday, May 12th, 2012  2 p.m.-7 p.m. 18322 Lakeshore Blvd, across from VASJ High School. 2-5 pm: Children's tent with fun crafts and activities, 5 pm: Live auction, 6 pm: Chinese auction ticket drawing- ART- MUSIC- FOOD-FUN!!! See the art gallery, artists' studio and student learning space! Enter a "Chinese Auction" to win art by local artists and items donated by area businesses! Talk with Branches artists and check out the classes being offered. All proceeds will help Branches fulfill its mission and offset the cost of art materials for our students.

More info: Meg Garbincus: (216) 482-7085 Jerry Schmidt (239) 293-9548 Tracy Fuzie: (440) 527-4018

Hi Collinwood!

As you might have seen here, Branches Art Space - the brainchild of Evelyn Copan-Bute - has opened its doors. Just like art, the space is ever changing and evolving. 

I am one of the artists at Branches, and a Schenely Road resident. You've probably seen me walking day and night around the water, park and pretty much everywhere with my dogs - a large black one, Shadow, and a more recent addition, white Luna. Yes, I'm the redhead getting walked by them.

One of the reasons I love this neighborhood is because it truly has an identity and a real grasp of community. I need the community's help right now, and am appealing to everyone to help me give back to others.

I'm a jewelry artist and am currently displaying at Branches & the SunnySideUp Collective on Murray Hill. Less than a month ago, my Shadow was taken ill. My healthy 16-month-old Shadow had surgery and although many vets tried, no one was able to save her. Our other dog, Luna, came from a great rescue organization, Dogs Unlimited Rescue. The assistance they provided me during the week of Shadow's ordeal was unheard of. They were on the phone with me day and night, helped get her to specialists and emergency care when I couldn't take her, met me at the emergency hospital and consoled me the whole time. I simply can't thank them enough, for all that they did for us!

wedge:  3.  Any action or procedure that serves to open the way for a gradual change.

Webster's Dictionary 

The definition above exemplifies the changes that have happened and are happening on Waterloo. My concept takes all of that change in consideration. In the sunlight, The Wedge installation becomes a vibrant shape of color with its tonal bands glowing in a rhythmic pattern. During those gray days of Cleveland, the installation is a bright and uplifting stroke of massive color and provides an atmospheric backdrop for performances. It is a fantastic beacon of art, ingenuity, and collaboration for the Collinwood area.

Abe Olvido is the creator of The Wedge.

Waterloo Road  is already famous for the Beachland Ballroom; now it’s adding a little classical music.

Clarinetist Bill Meyer (an Arts Collinwood board member) presents mellow classics every month in the Cafe at Arts Collinwood, played by himself and visiting artists. Cafe Music, as the name implies, provides a pleasant background for an evening out. For more serious listening, Bill, in concert (pun intended) with Nan Kennedy has arranged a concert series in memory of Nan's husband Miles Kennedy, who was a founder of Arts Collinwood and deeply devoted to both Waterloo Road and classical music.

M4M (Music for Miles) will present a series of classical concerts at Arts Collinwood, with support from the Cleveland Federation of Musicians Local Four and the Arts Collinwood Friends Committee.

Sunday, April 29, 4 pm: Patricia Harris (who has a five-octave range and has sung for everyone from Barry Manilow to president Bill Clinton) and William Clarence Marshall, whose impressive bass has been heard in performance from Severance Hall to Karamu House, performing opera selections, art songs and spirituals, with piano accompaniment.

Branches Art Space celebrates Spring with artists, classes, and much more

With our wonderfully successful Grand Opening behind us and with Spring sprouting its way to full greening, Branches Art Space is blossoming into its own with a talented group of founding artists, a class schedule, and regular gallery hours. 

April and May adult classes include creative experiences in Mandala making, Found Object Sculpture, Introductory Bookmaking, and “The Shoe Project.” Come by, check out the project samples, and even sign up for a class.  Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 11am-7pm,  Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm. 

The gallery will be open during the lunch hour for enjoying the outdoor space and exploring the beauty you'll find both  inside and out. For the Easter holiday we will be closed, we wish Easter blessings to all who are celebrating.

The community artspace will continue to celebrate its grand opening, with an exhibit of a talented group of founding artists through May 5th. Art on display during this exhibit will feature some beautiful art from local artists all over the Greater Cleveland area, most from around Collinwood, so come and meet your local artists.  

The variety of work in this exhibit includes thought-provoking paintings, photography that caused reflection, soft and colorful scarves, mind-expanding mandalas. Also on view are colorful sharpy images, Lake Erie beach glass and driftwood sculptures, fine jewelry, fine fiber arts, metal sculpture, and much more.

Have you noticed any new activity happening in the old Key Bank on Waterloo? KaleidoArts Productions Inc. has begun to establish residency as a “creative business incubator” in the top floor of the building, in conjunction with Northeast Shores Community Development Corporation.

KaleidoArts Productions is a nonprofit collective of young local independent artists. Its mission is to enrich the community by providing support and resources to young independent artists through the collection, presentation, and production of local fine art. Saturday, March 3rd is an open house to give you a chance to come down and see their vision for the future of this space, and to see if you want to be a part of it. There will be live music, DJs, independent film, and a silent art auction from 5pm-10pm. For more information contact Karah Vance, founder and executive director of KaleidoArts Productions. karahvance@yahoo.com.

Matt Donovan is the Chief of Operations at KaleidoArts Productions. They will be renting art studios and giving free music lessons at 15619 Waterloo Rd.

Branches Art Space, the new Collinwood based artists' alliance announces its Grand Opening Art Exhibit featuring local artists. Join us on Friday March 23rd from 6-10 pm to view a variety of art including jewelry, photography, metal sculpture, beachglass jewelry and driftwood sculpture, painting, mixed media mandala work and much more.

This will also be an evening to meet and get to know the local artists in your community and share some wine and cheese. Branches Art Space, located at 18322 Lakeshore Blvd. in the old Lakeshore Florist location next to Beachland Hair Design, is a shared studio, gallery, and teaching space.

After our Grand Opening, this art exhibit will run through May 4th before we change the exhibit.

We had a wonderful response to our call to artists on February 19th. Many artists, neighbors and friends joined us in sharing coffee, wine, cheese and goodies throughout the day. Now we’ll busily be preparing for our grand opening! We look forward to seeing you there!

Thirty local art organizations pooled their resources to create The CAN Journal, an informative directory describing the depth and breadth of the many unsung art organizations in the greater Cleveland area. CAN (Collective Arts Network) is the brainchild of Liz Maugans, director of Zygote Press in Cleveland. Frustrated by the lack of media attention to smaller organizations, this free journal was made possible by a partial grant from the Ohio Arts Council, contributions from each participating organization and a few classy ads. It is available at all the participating organizations, including Arts Collinwood, as well as libraries, bookstores, hotels and other venues. To get your copy of the CAN Journal stop by the Café at Arts Collinwood, Thursday through Saturday from 11am-11pm.

It is our pleasure to introduce Branches Art Space, a new Collinwood-based artists’ alliance that will provide up to 24 artists shared studio, teaching, and retail gallery space-- affordably. We’re inviting artists in all mediums to our first reception Sunday, February 19th at Branches,18322 Lakeshore Blvd in Collinwood, from 11:00am - 4:00pm.  Artists will be interviewed and considered on a first come--first serve basis, so call us and make arrangements to visit. We’re looking for all types of artists. Our Grand Opening will be in the beginning of March.

Branches is a space where artists can work, discuss, collaborate, and create art in and for our neighborhood--along with a delicious cup of coffee, as we plan to have a small retail coffee bar. Branches has over 1600 square feet of space which will be divided into retail gallery space, artists' work area, teaching space, and a lounge area, and a book nook featuring books about our neighborhoods, Lake Erie, and the Cleveland area. The space boasts beautiful, natural light to showcase our work. There is plenty of room for parking and bicycles, is in a walking-friendly area, and near the RTA bus line. The property is also owner occupied.

The event will be a Benefit for the Second Annual Children’s Poetry Festival of El Salvador. The festival is being organized by children’s book author Jorge Argueta and the Talleres de Poesia based  in San Francisco and El Salvador with the collaboration of the Director of the National Library of El Salvador Manlio Argueta. It will be held in San Salvador during the week of November 6th. The festival is designed to promote literacy and culture among Salvadoran youth to help offset  the legacy of a  twelve year civil war, poverty, and the gang violence that continues to plague the country. The civil war left its mark on Cleveland by the rape and murder of Cleveland churchwomen Jean Donovan and Dorothy Kazel by members of the Salvadoran military. The war also resulted in the death of approximately 80,000 civilians and the exodus of over 2 million Salvadorans from the country.  The theme of this year’s festival is  the importance of reading and significance of peace for Salvadoran  youth. Children who attend workshops in the capital of San Salvador and other cities in El Salvador will also have the opportunity to enhance their writing skills and learn techniques on how to write their experiences through poetry. The workshops will feature presentations by prominent artists including Maya Cristina González, ,Elli Simmons, Jack Hirschman, Jurgen Trautwein, Michael Roman, Cachi Cartagena, Romeo G. Osorio, ,Juan Fuentes,Mauricio Mejía,, Alex Aleph Sánchez, María Elena Palomo,  and , Sandro Sardello.

continued.

Why should Halloween be just for kids? Upstage Players is having an Old Fashioned Adult Halloween Party. The event will take place on Saturday, October 22 from 6:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. at the Slovenian Workmen's Home, located at 15335 Waterloo Road.

There will be appetizers, Halloween games, a cash bar, prizes for best and worst costume, and on top of all of this fun, there will be a performance of the UpStage-directed adult Murder Mystery, "Murder on the Oriental Rug." This is an adult event.

The event will serve as a fundraiser for UpStage, a children's theater company. For ticket information, log on to the group's website www.upstageplayers.com. If you go to the website, you may even find a coupon for discounted tickets to the event! For questions, e-mail Kris at KrisUpstage@aol.com.

The Cleveland YoYo Club was proud to host the Ohio State Yo-Yo Contest and to crown Darnell Hairston the ultimate champion. 

With the arts and food districts gaining momentum throughout Cleveland, it is impossible to overlook what has settled on Lake Erie’s shore. A site with local flare and casual yet upscale dining, the Eastshore District has emerged as the east side destination.

Dining sites Beachclub Bistro and the Grovewood Tavern and Wine Bar coupled with a splash of entertainment from Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore have pulled their marketing dollars to create the east side dining and entertainment destination - the Eastshore District.
 
When it comes to satisfying your taste buds, proprietors Greg Jurcisin of Beachclub Bistro and Beth Davis-Noragon of Grovewood tavern are committed to great dining experiences. Both are proud members of Cleveland Independents, displaying not solely their commitment to quality food but also to the community.

cont.

In 2006, Cuyahoga County approved a ten-year cigarette tax to support local arts and culture. At the halfway mark, CAC, the public entity which administers the tax dollars, has granted more than $65 million dollars to 150 local arts organizations, big and small. Arts Collinwood received $27,000 for its Portfolio Project, an after school program which allows middle and high school students to work with and learn from professional artists and create a public work of art.

Arts Collinwood Director, Cheryl Carter, said, “CAC’s work keeps our city culturally enriched and vibrant. We are excited to be part of this public funding program which allows us to continue reaching children in our area. Through the arts, we are not only providing them with important lifelong skills such as critical thinking and collaboration, but also keeping them motivated and engaged in education.”

Over more than five decades Cleveland has been a hotbed of rock and roll. “Visual Music: Northeast Ohio Photographers Look at Rock and Roll” presents the work of a dozen photographers who lived and worked in Northeast Ohio from the 1960s through today.

The show opens at the Waterloo Gallery at 16006 Waterloo Road, a block from the Beachland Ballroom, on Saturday, June 11 with a reception from 7 to 11 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. It will run through Saturday, June 25, concluding with an all-day open house from noon-8 p.m. to coincide with the Waterloo Arts Festival.

Over the years, these talented shooters have documented Cleveland’s vibrant music scene from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen to the White Stripes. George Shuba was Cleveland’s pioneer photographer in the ’60s when groups like the Beatles and the Stones came through town and all the top acts appeared on WEWS-TV’s Upbeat Show. Bob Ferrell, Stephanie Saniga and I  began shooting in the ’70s when Cleveland was a breakout market for many major artists; they were joined in the ’80s by Scene photographer Linda Woods. Karen Novak captured the legendary Euclid Tavern underground concerts of the ’90s. Ken Blaze recorded the life and times of ’90s DIY venue Speak in Tongues. Jay Brown and Greg Donley focused on the sweaty intimacy of small clubs while Aaron Mendelsohn travelled around the country to major festivals like Bonaroo. Joe Kleon has documented many top metal bands as well as more mainstream rockers. And Bryon Miller has turned his camera on some of Cleveland’s most creative local bands of this moment.

AT ARTS COLLINWOOD

Members’ Show opens June 17 

Waterloo Arts Fest  Saturday, June 25. Go to www.waterlooartsfest.com.

Regular Attractions Happy Hour every day: 4-7 pm, $2 Stella Artois, Live Jazz every Wednesday: 8 pm, new band every week, Acoustic Showcase Jam Night every Thursday: 8 pm with Jeff Powers Band. All enhanced by wine, coffee, beer (they have several besides Stella) pastries, soups and really good bread in the sandwiches. 

Arts Collinwood  15605 Waterloo Road, 216-692-9500, www.artscollinwood.org. Gallery and Café hours: Tuesday –Saturday 11-11; Sunday 11-5. Community Center, 397 E156.

AT THE BEACHLAND

06/02 - Northeast Ohio Drum & Music Jam * FREE SHOW!!!

06/03 - New Wave Rave V

06/22 - The Building (feat. Anthony from St. Vincent, Dean & Britta) * In One Wind (NYC) * Good Morning Valentine * In association with Blue Arrow Records

06/25 - Rock n' Roll Flea Market * with Waterloo Arts Festival * Free Admission 

06/25 - Waterloo Arts Fest After Party * Cloud Nothings * Filmstrip * Jukebox Value * Crave * Sunspots * NIGHTS * Supermoon * More to come!

The presenters assembled this show because: “Since the Recession began in December 2007, the American economy has lost nearly 8 million jobs. The unemployment rate, which stood at 5% at the end of 2007, is now close to double-digits, and many of the unemployed have been without a job for at least six months.

“For those workers who kept their jobs, the picture is also bleak: many have had to accept wage freezes and furloughs -- and yet are being commmanded to increase productivity, even as their co-workers are laid off and departments and resources shrink. Many rank-and-file endure all of this out of fear of losing their own jobs, and express gratitude to even be employed at all. How does this affect the way in which we assess the value of our work?

“And as rank-and-file wages have stagnated, executive pay has more than doubled -- perpetuating a steep trajectory of salary inequalities that began 30 years ago.

“Twenty regional artists were invited to address these issues. It is our hope that through art we can contribute to the larger dialogue about where we are now as a society in terms of labor-management dynamics, how we got here, what transformations have taken place in the context of the recession, and perhaps most importantly, where might we possibly be heading from here forward.”

With a career that spans over twenty years, Abstract painter Liliane Luneau has always been able to fuse her interest in visual language with the idea of her paintings having a poetic, minimal beauty. In "New Work," Luneau concentrates on her ongoing interest in integrating a number of disparate elements that involve drawing, the geometric, and the painterly.
 
The drawing is set against or within translucent, sometimes iridescent fields of color. The energy and the rhythm of the drawings and the juxtaposition of color with unexpected opposites create tension and resonance in the work. This visual language serves as a metaphor for spiritual and physical balance in our own experience and being.

Luneau states in her essay for the upcoming show, "My intent is to create balanced compositions with these disparate elements that conjure notions of constraint and freedom, of poetic order and chaos, of the structured and the intuitive. This balance is achieved through a process of searching and editing, revision and adjustment, layering and scraping until the composition is resolved to a point of meaning. The process is about the residue of things, about the marks and the traces that are left behind, about resonance and echoes." Luneau's "New Work" illuminates the very idea of space, really the poetics of space, and is as much about the erasure of the previous image as it is about the final image. It is about unseen layers, what lies in between and beneath.

The National Arts Program’s All-City Show holds its grand opening and awards ceremony on April 1,  6-9 pm – in the Arts Collinwood gallery, which is already full, full, full of art and, with the addition of food (good food, past experience suggests), drink and people, will be one big party.

I enjoyed a quick tour just after it was hung (very effectively hung, as is usual) and was charmed by the works of young Clevelanders, as well as noting some entries by familiar names – Linda Zolten Wood’s girly little cat, Michele Biondo’s grandbaby photo, Scott Goss’ landscape on glass. Lots of good stuff – and the award ceremony is always fun, because there are so many (awards, that is) and everyone is so thrilled about winning.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the spring musical performances of one of Northeast Ohio’s hardest working children’s theater companies, UpStage Players. From April 15th through April 17th, the group, numbering over 70 children and several adult volunteers, will be producing and performing the stage adaptation of Seussical, Jr., a heartfelt, feel-good, and often comical story that incorporates many of Dr. Seuss’ most recognizable characters.

The National Poetry Month Workshop Series will concentrate on Emily Dickinson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sylvia Plath and Audre Lorde. April 3, 10, 17 and May 1, Sunday afternoons, 3 – 5 pm in the Arts Collinwood Café, facilitated by Michelle R. Smith, MA. The workshops will explore these poets’  iconography and work as a basis for discussions of poetry writing and personas. Participants will be asked to complete some pre-reading-- an article on the poet, a prose piece, and a small collection of poetry. Each workshop will be divided into two parts: a discussion of the reading material, aimed at identifying and further developing useful concepts for the participants’ own work, followed by a writing workshop in which the participants will share pieces inspired by the featured poet of the week and the pre-reading. Scans and links to all reading will be provided.

Michael Romanik, a 1989 graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and an East Cleveland resident, received a one-year, $20,000 fellowship for his outstanding work as a craft artist in Cuyahoga County, OH.

TNV Productions presents, "The Wiz, a journey through streets in own community." Joey Ruffin, Director and CEO of TNV Productions, stated that his intentions are "To bring the fantasy aspect of the original Wizard of Oz and the soulful greatness of the movie, The Wiz, to life, while addressing some of today's social issues" while using our own community as its setting. Joey Ruffin's wish is for the movie's message to look familiar. "It is a great adventure for the whole family to enjoy.'' 

After three sold-out screenings at the Cleveland International Film Festival, Atlas Lakeshore Cinemas will be the ony theater to feature "Danny Greene; The Rise and Fall of the Irishman," the documentary by producer Tommy Reid. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see real documentary footage of our own Collinwood legend, Danny Greene. Kaboom.

Atlas Lakeshore Cinemas, 22624 Lakeshore Blvd, Euclid, Ohio. 216-731-1700.

What a wonderful place for poetry, I thought, when I began working at the Café at Arts Collinwood just about a year ago. When the Sunday Roast reading series first began, it was simply a chance to host one of my favorite poets, Zachary Schomburg, who was on an American tour to promote his new book. I was thrilled to not only meet him, but also give him a venue. Since then, each month has been a surprise, and just when I think I’m out of readers, I stumble upon someone interesting or they stumble upon me. In April, the reading series will celebrate its one-year anniversary.

Sunday Roast isn’t the only reading series that makes Arts Collinwood its home. She Speaks, which also began last April at Visible Voice Books, soon outgrew their space there and decided to head east. According to their website (shespeaksup.org), “She Speaks works to cultivate a safe environment so that women can gain personal confidence and strength through written and spoken word�. They offer a women’s writing workshop, an open mic, and a performance by a local female slam poet every fourth Saturday of the month (fifth Saturday in April due to Easter). With great performers and a lively audience, it’s a great night out, for both you and your boyfriend.

With only a few of these events around the city, Arts Collinwood is bringing the best of the best right to your neighborhood. Be sure to check out the next Sunday Roast on April 17th with a writer/performer published by the local press, Artless Dodges. And if that leaves you wanting more poetry, no worries, She Speaks will bring another great evening of poetry on April 30th. Be sure to check the website, artscollinwood.org or the Facebook page for more information.

This movie about music, sausages, and Slovenians in Cleveland was made for Slovenian TV. It's a valentine to polka, "the happiest sound around." Slovenians started coming to the U.S. as farmers in the 1860's, then helped build the new American industry here. About 80,000 people of Slovenian descent now live in the Cleveland area. Cleveland-style polka, which contains elements of jazz and ragtime, was featured on Slovenian radio programs starting in the 1920's. Tony Petkovsek's radio broadcasts continued the tradition, bringing the music to later generations. Community treasures in the film include the Slovenian Workmen's Home, the Slovenian Museum and Archives, Mitzi Jerman's pub, and the Polka Hall of Fame. There's footage of many polka greats including Eddie Simms, the Vadnal brothers, Johnny Pecon, and Frankie Yankovic, who at the height of his fame competed against Duke Ellington in a popularity contest-- and won. Sausage festivals and Father Frank Perkovich's Polka Mass round out the festivities. Don't miss a beat; POLKA!'s a treat. (In English and Slovenian with subtitles)--B.B.

February was jam-packed at Arts Collinwood with a gallery opening featuring photography, sculpture and neon light artwork by Stephanie Kluk, Elizabeth Emery and Jeff Chiplis respectively. “Homescapes” will be on display in the Art Gallery through March 14.

The “She Speaks” women’s poetry program held their first poetry workshop and slam on Saturday, February 26 in the Café at Arts Collinwood. The event was well-attended by people who came out to hear women poets compete to win a cash prize. This dynamic nonprofit poetry group led by Shelly Gracon-Nagy, Blaire Miller Bommer and Kisha Nicole Foster encourages women to express themselves through poetry and will make Arts Collinwood their home every fourth Saturday. 

In celebration of Black History Month, Arts Collinwood’s Dramatic Reading Series was met with a standing room only crowd of nearly one hundred attendees for the dramatic performance, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Not Enuf” under the leadership of poet/educator, Michelle Smith.

Other events at Arts Collinwood in February included Wednesday Jazz nights, Friday night Art de Rockus band concerts, and the Café Music Series featuring a classical music evening with clarinetist, Bill Meyer and the duo MiZ on strings and woodwinds.

Last week I thought I'd shoot off an email to Rick Porrello to  see if he would be willing to be interviewed regarding the soon to be released film, "Kill the Irishman". He graciously agreed and we met up Saturday morning at Fotina's on East 156th near Waterloo. The movie is based on Rick's 1998 book "To Kill the Irishman," which chronicles the life of Collinwood racketeer, Danny Greene.

Rick, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, started out following in the footsteps of his father and older brother Ray, in becoming a drummer. At the age of eighteen he got the opportunity to take over for his brother as the drummer for Sammy Davis's band and traveled on the road with him for the next 2 years, which would include venues such as Las Vegas and The Tonight Show.

Some of you were no doubt present a few months ago at the opening of the annual Members’ Show at the Arts Collinwood Gallery, when Sarah Gyorki announced her approaching resignation from the position of Executive Director of Arts Collinwood. Whereupon Councilman Mike Polensek read from a certificate that Cleveland City Council had authorized to commemorate the wonderful service that Sarah has performed in bringing Arts Collinwood to life and building its numerous programs that so much enrich our neighborhood. Not to be outdone, Representative Kenny Yuko then read a motion passed by the Ohio Legislature that similarly recognized Sarah’s many accomplishments.

At first the Board of Arts Collinwood was in a state of shock. How could they possibly replace the founding director? They approached the Cleveland Foundation, who were optimistic and provided funding to cover the transition and support the search. Janus Small of the Mandel School at Case was retained as a consultant to help manage both the transition and the search. A subset of the Board was appointed to a search committee, advertisements were placed and to their pleasant surprise, more than forty applicants expressed an interest in the position. A review of resumes enabled the committee to narrow the field; five highly qualified applicants were interviewed and the field was further narrowed to three extremely good possibles. On closer examination, they found that Cheryl Carter, one of the three, was all they had dreamed of. In a special meeting, the full board unanimously approved her selection. Question was – would she accept? Fortunately, Cheryl had heard high praise for Arts Collinwood from all the referees she consulted, so the attraction was mutual.

They might be called the Attention-Deficit Glee Club Band, but they’ve managed to play music together for three years. The A-D G Club Band celebrated their third anniversary with a CD release party at the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo Road on Friday, December 10.

The band is a collection of home-grown musicians who live three doors from one another in Collinwood and several blocks from the Waterloo entertainment district. The two husband/wife duos (Dan Chambers and Louise Foresman and Leila and Dave Snodgrass) discovered their common musical interest during a series of Collinwood open mics funded by the Cleveland Foundation's Neighborhood Connections grant several years ago.

Although they started playing covers of Carter Family songs and 60’s folk music, most of what they do now are original pieces about life, work, and politics. This original work was recorded during a performance at the Beachland Ballroom and is featured on the CD released this year. One of their signature pieces describes the neighborhood they all live in—Beulah Park.

Artists are invited to submit their work for the upcoming exhibition, “Transformation.” All artists must be willing to show works in a non-traditional commercial location.

Eligibility: Artists of all disciplines who currently reside or work in the Greater Cleveland area are eligible to apply. All media will be considered: paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, prints, performance art, mixed and new media. Artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including students.

Requirements: All submissions must fit the theme of “Transformation.”

For those who track these things, in 2010:

• Vinyl cat put on more lbs.

• Timployee and Raysistant helped keep the HMS MUSIC SAVES afloat.

• The store was rearranged to make room for MORE VINYL!

• Store won second place in Secretly Canadian's Yeasayer display contest.

• Record Store Day was the best day they ever had, and it nearly killed them.

• Local Natives packed 'em in for their best-attended in-store ever.

• The new National record flew off the shelves.

• Melanie got an American Analog Set tattoo.

• Wolf Parade DJ'd our 6th anniversary show.

• They got to dine with their Menomena friends again. They put out an awesome record, AND finally played Cleveland again.

• The TEAM helped Matador celebrate their 21st Birthday in Las Vegas, and Melanie got her own birthday hug from Stuart Murdoch.

• They bought an awesome collection of 800 used records for the store – biggest stash yet.