Older Nan's Notes
ARTS COLLINWOOD ANNUAL MEETING: STEADY GROWTH
The Arts Collinwood Center was crowded on Tuesday evening; we had to borrow chairs from the Café. Eight new trustees joined the board, and a new employee joined the beleaguered staff – both of which need that influx to handle this year’s ambitious schedule. The foundation to support that expansion was laid during 2008 and 2009, when Arts Collinwood worked with Janus Small, arts consultant (thanks to a grant from the Gund Foundation) to create a set of goals and procedures; then began to put them into action. More funding is in the works for capacity building and financial development – and for programs, which is why we exist.
Rafeeq Washington is the new Program Coordinator, and is tickled to be working at a young organization, where he can help shape what it does. Jonathon Cooper has taken a one-year term to work on board development; Cynthia Szafraniec has done the same, to help develop financial procedures (that grant will help). Three-year members are Karolyn Isenhart (a PR professional who chaired last year’s immensely successful home tour committee); Justin Vaughn, a CSU professor who has recently moved to a bijou property on Waterloo (where he can fully indulge his fondness for sausage); Kathleen Sonnhalter, a Euclid artist; William Meyer, a charter member of Arts Collinwood who has recently retired from a long career of teaching music in the Cleveland schools; James Valentino, a life-long resident with two screen plays on file at the Library of Congress; Anthony Hairston, a CSU graduate student and neighborhood resident with faith in the renewing power of the arts; and Joseph Compoli, an E185th St attorney who currently heads the street’s Merchants’ Association.
And the meeting wound up with a birthday cake, because Miles Kennedy can think of no more delightful birthday activity than an Arts Collinwood’s annual meeting.
INLET AUDITIONS COMING UP
Inlet Dance Theatre has announced an audition date for its Summer Dance Intensive 2010 Scholarship: February 20, details to be announced.
Inlet Dance Theatre, 3921 Mayfield Road, Suite # 6, Cleveland Heights, 44121. www.inletdance.org; inletdancetheatre@sbcglobal.net
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ARTS COLLINWOOD
IN THE ART CENTER
After-School Arts Thursdays, 3:30-5:30
A full-year program for kids in grades 1-6. Working with an art teacher, they get introduced to a whole range of arts concepts, and explore art "centers" -- different materials and media -- at their own pace, with input and guidance. It's a very fun, relaxed setting that promotes creative thinking and problem solving, and is free of charge and open to all students in our community, on a space available basis. We currently have openings, and would love to welcome new students. This year, the classes have an intergenerational component – senior citizens are invited to join the young’uns, work on projects with them and generally help out.
Life Drawing Drop-in Sessions Thursdays 7-9:30. Bring your own drawing supplies; $8 a session ($6 for students). For more information call, 216-692-9500.
Kundalini Yoga Sundays at 2 pm. All experience levels welcome; $8 a session.
IN THE CAFE
Jazz on Wednesdays
Jazz on Wednesdays will continue to flow in the Café, with the Will Mason Trio on February 10, the other nights to be announced; no cover charge. Art by Ryan Weitzel, Jeff Deasy and Nick Riley of Mystery of Two will grace the Café walls through February; Michael McNamara follows in March.
IN THE GALLERY
A LITTLE R&R February 12
A show of works by George Roby and GR Hamilton will open at the Arts Collinwood gallery on February 12, with a reception from 6 to 9 pm. George Roby is such a distinguished potter and sculptor (his massive slab and coil-built works combine the disciplines) that he has already been archived (by the Artists’ Archives of the Western Reserve) as well as collected (by both museums and art lovers). GR Hamilton’s theater training emerges in the boxes in which he stages performances by “silent actors in fey settings,” made of scraps, small figures, autographs, clippings and found objects generally. This will be an intriguing show.
A LITTLE MYSTERY
The Winter Residency with Mystery of Two will feature live musical performances in the Arts Collinwood Gallery every Saturday in February. Performances open at 7 pm, with free DJ before-and-after sets from the bands. February 13 Buried Wires, February 20 Freedom and February 27 Founding Fathers.
15605 Waterloo Road, 216-692-9500, www.artscollinwood.org. Gallery hours are whenever the Café is open: Tuesday-Saturday 11-11; Sunday 11-5.
LOWLIFE GALLERY – FROM FROZEN DELIGHTS TO CHOD
Frozen Delights has left LowLife (it thawed, so to speak) but it was fun while it lasted. The abstract patterns created by melting frozen paint on large sheets of paper were very appealing – when the paint was black; the bright primary colors came across as unfinished components – the black created an entire palette of greys, the colors were either thickly puddled or washed out. I’d like to see another series with colors mixed. The burnt stencils (created with a chef’s torch) brought to mind two 19th-century hobbies at once – burning designs into wood, and creating collaged scenes. Truly, the artist’s mind ranges widely.
CHOD opens February 6 and runs through the 20th. Mark your calendars.
16101 Waterloo. Thursdays: 6pm-10pm, Fridays: 6pm-11pm, Saturdays: 5pm-11pm.
Get ready to party like it was 1910 at the first Annual Meeting of the Collinwood Nottingham Historical Society, on Friday, February 19. This year is the 100th Anniversary of Collinwood’s becoming part of Cleveland AND of the installation of the Euclid Beach carrousel.
In 1910, Collinwood and Nottingham Villages were prosperous, the railroad, business and industry were growing and the population of the villages was expanding. In 2010, the Historical Society will begin celebrating the decade of 1900 to 1909, and will look forward to commemorating the next decade of 1910 to1919. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM. Refreshments will be served. Lithuanian Hall at 877 East 185th Street. More information from CollNottHistory@aol.com or (216) 486-1298.
PALACINKA BREAKFAST AT ST MARY’S February 21
8:30am until noon - St. Mary’s Church at 15519 Holmes Ave. (Palacinka, you remember, are (a) delicious pancakes (b) pretty girls. Sort of like cheesecake.)
FEBRUARY AT THE LIBRARY
Preschool Story Time
Every Monday during February 10:30 am – 11 am. Stories, rhymes, songs and more for children ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers.
African-American Teen Film Festival: for teens 14 to 18
Drumline, Friday, February 12, 3:30 pm. A talented drummer learns that it takes more than talent to succeed.
Stomp the Yard, Friday, February 19, 3:30 pm. D.J., a street-style dancer, copes with some of life's difficult situations.
Lean on Me, Friday, February 26, 3:30 pm. A factual story about Principal Joe Clark and his success at creating a positive environment at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey.
Adult Prosperity Book Discussion
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 pm. Adults will engage in a lively discussion of the book titled The Prosperity Bible by Napoleon Hill.
Memorial Nottingham Branch Library, 17109 Lakeshore Blvd, 623-7039 or email cpl-memnot@cpl.org.
SNOWSHOE SAMPLER AT WILDWOOD February 21
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore nature’s winterscape and wildlife. Snowshoe rental and instruction provided free of charge, courtesy of Cleveland Lakefront State Park. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 20 participants. Open to ages 8 and up. Sunday, February 21, 1-3 pm. (In the event of no snow there will be a winter hike.)
Lakefront State Park 216-881-8141 ext. 3001. Park office is located at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., at the west end of Bratenahl.
MOOD BRIGHTENERS FROM THE GROVEWOOD
Fifth Annual Winter Whites Wine Dinner February 8
Will feature both some of the "robust" whites that may not get attention in summer, along with some of the more "delicate" wines that are stellar with seasonal winter ingredients -- fruit, seafood, etc.
Intriguing Cocktails include White Spider, Pear & Ginger Mule, Maple Sidecar, White Cosmopolitan.
Four Red Envelope winners are still out there – three holding $50 coupons and one with a valuable $75. Bring them in!
Double Bubbles
Strengthen yourself for Cleveland’s winter by sharing a cheesy pot of bubbly Gruyère fondue and two glasses of Roederer Estate Anderson Valley brut sparkling wine for only $30.
And Help With Entertaining
Are you contemplating a post-holiday party? Private wine tasting dinner? Wedding plans? Call Beth at 216-956-2232.
Grovewood Tavern & Wine Bar 17105 Grovewood Avenue · 216-531-4900