Art News

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.

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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'' 

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Skyline *

After watching the movie “Skyline,” I would give it one star. There is a group of young adults who try to escape brain sucking aliens. The movie doesn’t explain why the aliens need human brains. Most of the cast do not survive. The most interesting part of the story is at the very end, which causes you to wonder if there will be a part two. I hope not. This movie is not worth your time.

Alice in Wonderland ***

I enjoyed watching the remake of the movie, “Alice in Wonderland,” staring Johnny Depp.  Alice is now a young lady expected to be engaged.  However a turn of events sends her back to Wonderland.  The characters in Wonderland expects her to save them from the Red Queen.  Alice believes she is in a dream and has no desire to fight.  While in Wonderland, Alice regains something she has lost and learns about herself.  The movie was entertaining and humorous at times.  I give this movie three stars.

Have you noticed The Tower at the corner of Waterloo and E185? Its appearance startled many and displeased some; I find it’s growing on me – and it’s undeniably a great landmark (“Meet me under The Tower,” sort of like “Meet me under the clock,” at Grand Central). Would you like to know what’s planned for the final stage of the Waterloo Streetscape (of which The Tower is a small but very visible part)? Come hear – and contribute to – the plans for the final stage of the Waterloo Streetscape Project. Nov. 29th, 6 – 8pm, Slovenian Workmen’s Home, 15333 Waterloo Rd. Questions? Contact John Boksansky at Northeast Shores, (216) 481-7660 or e-mail jboksansky@northeastshores.org

The Beachland is the greatest music venue in the world. Apologies from all of us here to all the other music clubs in the land. You can only compete for second place. The Beachland did not reach this lofty position due to its fine selection of beer, wine and spirits. Nor is it the charm and history of the place’s original mission as a home for Croatian immigrants that rockets us to the top.

The sound and acoustics of the Ballroom are unparalleled. The intimacy of the Tavern evokes a sense of being in your friend’s basement watching a high school band. Only the bands at the Tavern are national acts using a state-of-the-art sound system designed by Big Audio Mike. Yes, Mike performs magic seven nights a week with his encyclopedic knowledge of sound and deep love for music. But even that is not what has led the Beachland to conquer all concert halls.

It’s Love. That is the secret ingredient. Mark Leddy and Cindy Barber are alchemists. They took their incredible love for music, for Cleveland, for the North Collinwood neighborhood that Beachland calls home, and for all who are fortunate enough to walk through Beachland’s door and created something timeless and beautiful. To understand the Beachland you must understand its parents.

Independent Pictures and the Ohio Independent Film Festival present RRIICCEE, featuring actor/director Vincent Gallo.

The event will take place at the Beachland Ballroom Tavern, located at 15711 Waterloo Rd. in Cleveland on Saturday, November 13, at 8PM. Limited tickets for the event are $15 and can be obtained by calling Beachland Ballroom at 216-383-1124 or by visiting their website at www.beachlandballroom.com.

Vincent Gallo is one of this generation’s most exciting indie actors and filmmakers. He received critical acclaim for his films “Buffalo 66” “The Brown Bunny” and more recently as the lead in Francis Ford Coppola’s 2009 film “Tetro.”  Born in Buffalo in 1961, Gallo moved to New York City in 1978 and began playing in the experimental music band Gray with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Since then he has had a wildly successful and at times, controversial career as a conceptual and visual artist, filmmaker, musician, race car driver and music collector. Highly prolific, Gallo is one of the most misunderstood, misquoted and misrepresented talents of the last 25 years.

RRIICCEE is a spontaneous collective between Gallo and two other musicians - Woody Jackson and Nico Turner – and exhibits the creation of composition within a live performance. In addition to the performance, Clevelanders will be treated to a special screening of Gallo’s four-minute short film, “Honey Bunny” as well as a selection of short films from the Ohio Independent Film Festival.

During the summer, two of VASJ’s exceptional artists, Olivia Biondo and Derek Witcher, participated in the "Mural My Neighborhood" program and contributed to the painting of two beautiful murals in North Collinwood. Olivia and Derek, both juniors, underwent interviews and had to show examples of their work before they were accepted into "Mural My Neighborhood," a program of Cleveland’s Bureau of Cultural Arts. “I like painting and art so I thought it would be fun and a chance to meet other kids in my neighborhood who enjoy art as well,” Olivia explained.

I fell in love with Dr. Dog when I first heard the first song off their first album, “The World May Never Know”. I was in college, which was a vital place for all kinds of new music, probably most of it downloaded from the Internet. When I played the song for my dad, he said, “That’s a total Beatles rip-off”. Well, if you don’t want to listen to any more Beatles re-recordings, then you should listen to Dr. Dog.

Speakeasy II, a fundraising night to benefit Collinwood's own UpStage Players and the Slovenian Workmen's Home, was a festive celebration of fun, food and a variety of entertainment options. The October 2nd event was packed with supporters, whose donations netted roughly $1,500 for each organization after expenses. Over 30 volunteers helped organize and promote the event.

Local children's theater company, UpStage Players, based in the Waterloo Arts District, invites interested area 7- to 15-year-olds to audition for the troupe's Spring 2011 musical, "Seussical: The Musical," this December.

“Hope for the Picture Guild” is the title of Matt’s latest show which opened Friday September 17 at the Arts Collinwood Gallery on Cleveland’s east side and is appropriately named as the show itself seems to be a counterpunch to the Postmodernist assertion that painting is dead.  

Arts Collinwood presented Collinwood Unveiled Sunday, September 19th. The evening began at the Arts Collinwood Café located at the corner of East 156 Street and Waterloo Road.

The first honor of the evening belonged to Sarah Gyorki, Sarah recently retired from Arts Collinwood. Councilman Michael D. Polensek and State Rep. Kenneth "Kenny" Yuko were in attendance and presented Sarah with City and State Proclamations honoring her for her dedication and hard work.

After the ceremony, the party moved across the street to welcome Azure Stained Glass Studio to Waterloo and to marvel at Mary Zodnik and Ben Parsons stained glass creations and restorations. The team of craftsmen at Azure Stained Glass Studio specializes in the fabrication, preservation, restoration and repair, of ecclesiastical, commercial, and residential stained glass. Words cannot describe the beauty of their work. A visit to their studio is a must-see the next time you are in the Waterloo area.

Next, the party was chauffeured by Shima Limousine to seven Open-House parties at Bonniewood Park Club and Villa Beach Club. Hosts included Kathleen Sullivan, Sue Lather, Miles and Nancy Kennedy, Glen and Marie Cunningham, Marcia Egbert, Jeff Hagan, and Suzi Darlin. Their warm receptions could not have been nicer. The hosts were gracious enough to open their beautiful homes for all to tour. The seven parties all featured wine and food. The homes spotlighted just what a great community Collinwood is to live in. I overheard several folks pondering why anyone would look in any other area to purchase a house. I was fortunate enough to witness a spectacular sunset while enjoying the Cleveland Philharmonic Duo, featuring Stephen O’Block and Margaret Lynch.

At the end of the evening, we were whisked off by the Shima Limousine back to Arts Collinwood Café for a nightcap.  Sarah Taylor had laid out a spectacular spread of appetizers for all to enjoy. The Collinwood Unveiled event is one that should not be missed. I would encourage everyone to contact Arts Collinwood and request that they are placed on their mailing list so next year's event may be enjoyed, as well as all the other fantastic events and gallery openings that Arts Collinwood sponsors throughout the year.

The Slovenian Workmen’s Home, located at 15335 Waterloo Road in the Waterloo Arts District on the east side of Cleveland will have polka dances every Sunday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM in their “Waterloo Ballroom”. Cost per person is $10 which includes a sandwich and soft drink. A cash bar will be available so there will be no byob.

The schedule through the end of 2010 is as follows: October 10 – Bobby Kravos & the Boys in the Band (Meet State Representative Kenny Yuko and Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek at this dance.) October 17 – Al Batistelli Band October 24 – Don Wojtila Band October 31 – Jeff Pecon Band (Halloween costumes optional) November 7 – Wayne Tomsic Band November 14 – Joey Tomsick Orchestra November 21 – Ray Polantz Orchestra November 28 – Don Wojtila Band December 5 – Al Batistelli Band December 12 – Eddie Rodick Band December 19 – Frank Moravcek Band December 26 – No Dance New Year’s Eve – December 31 - Bobby Kravos & the Boys in the Band – Watch for details of this special celebration dinner/dance.

Rick Porrello didn’t write because he necessarily wanted to, he wrote because he had to. Generations of untold stories caught up with him, and it was his job to finally put them on paper. His grandfather died before he ever got to know him, and it wasn’t until Porrello grew up that he discovered why his death was never discussed.

“Nobody talked about it,” he said. “But I was curious.” The more he researched the more he discovered the weight behind his family’s name. He soon began to realize that his grandfather and great uncles were killed by Cleveland’s mafia. This is when he knew it had to be documented into a book.

Cleveland’s organized crime history begins during prohibition when the fight for corn sugar was rampant. It was the easiest sugar to ferment into alcohol, and therefore, the most coveted. Collinwood is a landmark location because of its placement right on the lake, just across from Canada where illegal goods could be brought into the city. Homemade distilleries in the basements or attics of Collinwood homes were also part of surviving prohibition. During snowy winters, authorities could identify those making liquor in their attics by the melted snow on the roof. 

Organized crime continued into the 70’s even though the fight for corn sugar was no longer an issue. “There is always someone who wants to be in charge,” Porrello said. Danny Greene was no exception to this, where his goal was to be liked by everyone. He gave away turkeys to the needy on holidays or paid the tuition of young girls wanting to attend Villa Angela. Though his attempts may have seemed unselfish, they were acts to gain people’s trust. As president of the worker’s union, he had the opportunity to be in charge.

Throughout all three of Porrello’s books, the story of Cleveland’s organized crime history is thrilling, especially to realize what went on in our own backyards. There is more to come in next month’s issue on this tale of Collinwood’s riveting history.

Presenting… THE TOWER, a new addition to the Waterloo District. But what the heck is it? If you don’t already know the intent behind this place-maker, the Waterloo Tower is just the beginning of an ongoing public art project. That’s right, it’s still not done and with your help it never will be. It will always change. It is meant to change. What you see on the corner of East 156th and Waterloo is a framework for site-specific art installations, an outdoor stage and a sort of urban gazebo designed to change throughout the years.

Elena Tomorowitz, volunteer Collinwood Observer Arts reporter and columnist, took a moment to interview Chris Seaman,  the featured artist at the Arts Collinwood Gallery this month. Take a moment to get to know him, and then head down the street to see his amazing show. For free!

ET: When did you know that art was your passion, and what inspired you to get involved in it?

I knew very early on I wanted to create. I always felt a need to express myself through pictures. Comic books really inspired me. I wasn't a good student so I read a lot of comics to learn how to read when I was 7 and 8. Visual story telling captured my soul very young.

ET: Were you always interested in fantasy art?

Yes. I remember drawing a lot of knights on horseback fighting off orcs and ogres. Rushing home from school as a kid to watch the next episode of He-man or Thundercats had a hand in my creative stimuli.

ET: You come from a creative family, were they a big part of your enthusiasm for art?

Absolutely! Trips to museums and art galleries were always a part of my childhood.  I remember a lot of natural history and national parks were something my parents enjoyed and my brothers and I did too.  Exposure to theater and staged plays were also very important at my young age. I think it gave the storyteller edge in my art.

Speakeasy II, a fundraising night of fun, games of chance, food, and a few surprises, will benefit Collinwood's own UpStage Players and the Slovenian Workmen's Home. The October 2nd event will begin at 7:00 p.m. For only $10, patrons will surely get their money's worth and more!

"Memories of Our Lake", is the title given to the 14th mural, produced by the City of Cleveland Bureau of Cultural Arts Mural My Neighborhood Program. On display at 18324 Lakeshore Blvd., the mural was the second one in North Collinwood. It depicts activities in and around the lake neighborhood, and includes picture of our beloved Euclid Beach.

It is my pleasure to tell you that one of my favorite bands played recently at our very own neighborhood Beachland Ballroom. You may not have heard of Roger and his Peacemakers, you may not have heard of his former band the Refreshments, but I’ll guess that you’ve heard the theme song of King Of The Hill. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are a hard band to define, although they have hints of rock, pop, folk and country, they don’t fit into any one of these categories.

The Peacemakers always play at the Beachland when they come to town, and they and always put on an epic show. Although the band is consistently excellent, the best part of the show has to be the fans that come from near and far, sing along together, toast shots and beers together, and become friends for life bonding over the amazingness that is Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.

The East 185 street ARABICA presents... ARTS ALIVE! An ongoing series of Arts events engaging audiences with Gallery showings, Live Theater, Vocalists, and Poets.

Last month's featured event was the play; Malcolm's Conversation, a hot stage play that appeared for two nights, Friday, June 11 and Saturday June 12. Friday night's standing room only crowd demonstrates the hunger in the community for accessible arts programming. 

The corner of East 185th and Lasalle will be abuzz again, Friday, July 23, with "Friday Expressions". The frappes and coffee will be chilled and the open mic and gospel offerings will be hot! This is the second time owner/operator Jim Edsall has partnered with Pam Scott to bring Collinwood, "Friday Expressions".

I’m not sure what they have to do with mathematics, but they certainly have spirit. Delta Spirit brought what sunshine they had left from their hometown in Long Beach all the way to the Beachland Ballroom  on June 24. Lovers of bands like O.A.R. or Phantom Planet would be interested in this group. The crowds were young and some even traveled from Athens, Ohio to see this band. Love was in the air as the men took off their glasses to impress their dates, who they held onto from behind.

The SS+W Boardwalk has put together quite an event that has never before happened on Waterloo, a classic car show! The block between East 160th and East 161st will be closed down from 4-10 pm on July 24th to host as many as 50 cars as well as vendors and entertainment.

Racer, musician, and long time Boardwalk friend, Gene Schwartz, will have one of his race cars parked right outside the Boardwalk! The Schwartz Brothers will be performing later that evening in the Beachland Tavern.

The big question was: “Will it rain?” The big answer: “Apparently not. But who cares? I’m staying for the Helper T-cells.”

That handsome painting of Waterloo shops that ran in the Friday tab, along with the write-up on the Waterloo Arts District? It came to life on Saturday, as 10,000 people (more or less) flowed up and down the road: listening, talking, eating, shopping, laughing. From the pre-opening ceremony of unveiling the mural at 11:30, to the official closing at 7 pm (when vendors had to be gently invited to pack up, as the last shoppers made their lingering choices), the Waterloo Arts Fest 2010 was one long series of happy encounters: People meeting people. People finding that one piece of pottery they’d been dreaming of. People hearing music they loved. Or encountering music they’d never heard before. Quite a lot of people meeting food.

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, is the true story of a brave little 10 year old Yemen girl, who challenged age-old customs, and set a precedent in her country, by getting a divorce from her abusive husband. 

After her father arranged for her to marry a man three times her age, the man promised to wait until she reached puberty, before consummating the marriage. But he lied! He was cruel to her. He made her drop out of school. He beat her.  Nujoodhas no one to turn to for help.  Her mother-in-law told her son to "hit her even harder."

With great courage Nujood found a way to leave, to seek help, to go the courts, and demand to see a judge, saying, "I want a divorce!" She endured a long struggle, before finally being granted freedom from the abuse that stole her childhood.

Here is an e-mail interview between A. Boles and Upstage Players Improvisational Troupe leader Carrie Walsh-Hilf.

AB: What is the Upstage Players improv group?

CWH: UpStage Players Improvisational Troupe is a group of actors who dedicate time to working on the craft of acting and improvisation. They perform original scenes at different venues. Our future performances will be at the East 200th Street Stroll and at the Waterloo Arts Festival. This group is a piece of UpStage Children's Theater, but differs in that it is open to ages 5-whatever. We have about twenty participants and are always looking for more.

AB: What do you when you get together?

CWH: It depends. We do traditional vocal warm-ups and body warm-ups. Then we play a variety of games. The games will turn into our scenes. However, the scenes that we practice are just practice; we will create new scenes when we perform at whatever venue we are at. Sometimes we create a show out of ordinary boxes big and small, other days we turn ourselves into out-of-the-ordinary super heroes such as Bubble Man or Fashionista Girl with crazy super powers. You never know what will happen when you plan the games. Creativity fills the auditorium the instant you announce the game. We play different improvisational games each meeting. It is interesting to watch how a story can shift depending on who is leading it.