Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Minus Signs by Andy Netzel - Cleveland Magazine Jan 09


Anyone who actually hated Cleveland wouldn’t have enjoyed this.

This wasn’t an event for Pittsburghers or Cincinnatians. No, the All Things Cleveland exhibit opening at Tremont’s Asterisk art gallery was personal — a show that took the tired old Cleveland joke and turned it into a funhouse that warped, distorted, amplified and, at times, accurately reflected the state of the place we call home and our stew of feelings about it.

Even the advertising for the exhibit— a “CLE –” symbol that parodies the Cleveland Plus campaign’s pro-Northeast Ohio bumper stickers — drew a brief, authentically Cleveland moment of consternation when an attorney for the Greater Cleveland Parthership sent the gallery a cease and desist letter.

How could outsiders appreciate a trio of musicians all dressed as Super Host who served as the exhibit’s opening-night entertainment? Or a painting of one of the new downtown buses navigating a shaky bridge over a valley full of orange barrels? Or a re-airing of the Tribe’s 1995 World Series loss to the Braves? Or the overwhelming smell of sauerkraut wafting from the Crock-Pots near the entrance?

That’s why curator Dana L. Depew limited his call for artists to those who grew up here. “I asked for a grittier view of Cleveland from Clevelanders,” he says. “I didn’t want pretty publicity shots. I wanted people who grew up in Cleveland to create the work to get an insider view. In the eight years I’ve curated shows, I’ve never had a bigger response from artists.”

But even though I got all the artists’ jokes — maybeespecially because I did— the pieces evoked a full range of emotions in me.

I shook my head with empathy when I saw Eileen Dorsey’s series of paintings depicting Browns fans, which asks viewers to commiserate a fictional interception with her orange-and-brown-clad faithful — one man looking disgusted, another heartbroken.

A work titledGrowth in Midtown prompted a chortle with its vacant industrial building covered with ivy, but the clever “Be Leavin’ Cleveland” twist on the “Believe in Cleveland” billboards around town stung me. And my heart downright broke when I saw the photo essay of vacant homes framed by a door from one of the city’s once-grand neighborhoods.

Outside the gallery, John Friscat, a 27-year-old Cleveland Heights resident, said he didn’t know how to feel. There was some beauty and some laughs, but also something else. It wasn’t anger, he said — maybe a little melancholy.

And in an art-imitates-life/life-imitates-art moment, Toby Radloff (the self-proclaimed nerd-made-cult-figure by way of Harvey Pekar’s American Splendor comics and accompanying movie) offered that maybe it’s because of our toughness that reveling in such self-deprecation is OK for our civic psyche. “Cleveland has a lot of guts and a lot of heart,” he said. “Cleveland can laugh at itself.”

I hope he’s right. But such tough love only matters if it forces us to find the fresh ideas and leadership to combat the city’s problems. And All Things Cleveland only works as humor if reveling in the psychic weight we give our city’s collective negativity and stereotypes finally provides us a way to escape it.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Standing Rock Cultural Arts WHAT: New World Children's Theatre Playwriting Workshop

Greetings, For Immediate Release: WHO: Standing Rock Cultural Arts WHAT: New World Children's Theatre Playwriting Workshop WHEN: Saturday, January 10, 2009. 2-3pm WHERE: North Water Street Gallery, 257 N. Water St., Kent, Ohio SIGN-Up Jeff @ 330-673-4970 AGES: 7 -17. Maximum Students: 10 -More Students are added once the play is written and the production begins in April. -Production Workshop includes Scene Painting, Acting, Lighting, Sound Design, Stage Management, and Promotional Materials (fliers, posters, programs) Cost: $200.00 Per Student Arrangements can be made for low-income families. To learn more or to sign-up, contact Jeff Ingram at 330.673.4970 or info@standingrock.net The workshop will culminate in 3 performances between May 15-May 17, 2009 at The Kent Stage 175 E. Main St. Downtown Kent, OH Classes meet twice a week to write play. (Usually the sessions are3:30- 5pm on Thursdays and 2-3:30pm on Saturdays, although we are somewhat flexible.) Once the play is written, the kids meet three times a week to rehearse and create the sets for the play. The New World Children’s Theater began as The New World Puppet Theater at the North Water Street Gallery in Kent, Ohio, in January of 1993. Originally, it was comprised of home-school children. Throughout the years , however, it has grown to include public-schooled children as well. Eventually, the troupe outgrew the puppets and the ensemble became The New World Children’s Theater, which has produced 23 plays since 1994. In addition to the emphasis on original playwriting, the company is dedicated to using recycled materials in the construction of its sets and props. This fosters an understanding of a sustainable planet as well as an understanding of how to work with limited resources. The only requirement is an active imagination. The New World Children’s Theatre is always looking for donations to support students from low income families as well as our ongoing activities. Donations are tax deductible and can be made to Standing Rock Cultural Arts, 257 N. Water St., Kent, Ohio 44240. Images of past performances can be viewed at www.standingrock.net Thank you for supporting the kids. Jeff Ingram/Director New World Children’s Theatre 257 N. Water St. Kent, OH 44240 330-673-4970 www.standingrock.net NEW WORLD CHILDREN’S THEATRE HISTORY 1. One for the Money, Two for the Show 1993 2. Her Child, Her Master 1993 3. Erie 1994 4. The Face of Fear 1995 5. Juliette’s Balcony 1995 6. The Butterfly Princess 1995 7. East of the Sun, West of the Moon 1996 8. The Case of the Canine Kidnap Caper 1996 9. Ruckus in Portage County 1996 10. Attack of the Killer Coral 1996 11. Bizzare 1997 12. Return to Atlantis 1998 13. Ironic Mousse 1999 14. Skits-o-phrenia 1999 15. The Tycoon 2000 16. Channel Zero 2001 17. Le Poulet Sans Tete 2002 18. The Giving Tree (original adaptation) 2003 19. Zoo Escape 2004 20. Wild Things 2005 21. Island of Stray Cats 2006 22. Fits vs. Fats 2007 23. Elyia and The Ghosts of The Missing Animals 2008

Saturday, December 20, 2008

ASTERISK 09 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

ASTERISK 09 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

Jan
Raw Umber
“raw methodology”
Antonia
Jody Hawk
Joe Day
Bernadette Glorioso
Steve Csejtey
Jan 9, 2009
Show runs through Feb 7, 2009

Feb –
“Thrice is Nice”
Joshua Rex, Michelle Murphy, Todd Leech

Lower gallery
Wes Johansen
“Static Snow” installation

Opening reception Friday Feb 13, 2009
Show runs through


March
KSU Graduate Program exhibition curated by Kirk Mangus
Opening reception Friday March 13, 2009
show runs through April 4

April
“ Image and Object”
curated by Irina Koukhanova Mark Slankard
opening reception Friday April 10, 2009
show runs through May 2

May
Eva Kwong
J. Mutt
Joyce Porcelli
Anderson Turner
Opening reception Friday May 8
show runs through May 29

June
the drawing show
opening reception Friday June 5
show runs through July 26

July –

5th Annual “19” Exhibition
opening reception July 3
show runs through Aug 8

Asterisk @ Ingenuity
Opening July 10 at the Ingenuity Festival at Playhouse Square


August

Matthew Dibble – solo show
opening reception Aug 14
show runs through Sept 5

September
The 3rd Annual Labor and Industry Exhibition
Opening reception Sept 11
show runs through Oct 3

Oct

Ohio University Graduate Program exhibition curated by Tom Bartel
Opening reception Oct 10
Show runs through Nov 7


November
Fridge Door exhibition curated by Daiv Whaley
An invitational exhibition of artwork made on and from scavenged fridge
Doors
Opening reception – Nov 13
Show runs through Dec 4

Dec
4th Annual Xmas sale and silent auction
Benefit for Asterisk Gallery
Opening reception Dec 11

SPACES World Artist Martin Papcún (Prague, Czech Republic) invites the public to join him during an opening reception


SPACES World Artist Martin Papcún (Prague, Czech Republic) invites the public to join him during an opening reception to view his outdoor installation on Cleveland’s West 45th Street.

After completing a gallery installation inspired by the streetscapes of Cleveland’s Slavic Village at SPACES, Papcún extended his stay in the city to work on an ambitious outdoor installation. Touched by Cleveland’s foreclosure crisis and the families affected by it, Papcún spent weeks deconstructing a house in Ohio City to create a project that captures the meaning of the home as a source of protection and shelter, a place for intimacy, a keeper of dreams and memories, and how these structures can deteriorate over time when abandoned or when families are forced to move out.

The artist invites viewers to be onlookers as well as provide them with the opportunity to identify with the intimate spaces strategically exposed from his deconstruction. Papcún restored the original lighting plan, operated by a timer, to mimic the activity that would take place in the house as if people were still living in it.

Did we mention that the opening is tonight? December 20th? From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.? Good.

The exhibition will be on view through January 9, 2009.

Monday, December 15, 2008

COMING IN FEB @ ASTERISK


UPCOMING TREMONT EVENTS

1. Abbey Road bridge opens Dec. 16

CLEVELAND – Officials of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will join City Council members and neighborhood leaders at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, in a ceremony to re-open the Abbey Road bridge.


The ceremony will be at the west end of the bridge, near Gehring Avenue.


The 151-foot long bridge, built in 1924 near the West Side Market, spans the RTA tracks at the West 25th Street Station. It was in poor condition.


The rehabbed bridge, designed by the HTNB Corp. for $280,000:

Provides a safe, aesthetically pleasing link between the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods.
Serves as an alternate to the Inner Belt bridge to access downtown.

On Aug. 16, 2007, the RTA Board awarded a $1.97 million contract to refurbish the bridge to the Schirmer Construction Company of North Olmsted. Construction began in October 2007.


Work included:

Replacement of exterior girders with precast concrete girders.
Replacement of the entire bridge deck and sidewalks.
Refurbishing and reuse of existing decorative railing, patching and repairing deteriorated pier and abutment elements.
Replacement of existing cribwall, wingwalls, and moving all utilities attached to the bridge.
Adding two decorative light poles, provided by Cleveland Public Power.

100 percent of the project was paid with local funds. Both the rail station and the bridge remained open during construction.


The construction caused changes to two RTA bus routes. The #807 Tremont Circulator and the #81 Tremont-Storer route will return to their normal operation on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 17.


Schmirer Construction has also worked on the expansion of the Strongsville Park-and-Ride expansion, and the East 121st Street Bridge over RTA tracks.



2. Lord of the Burgeoning Lumber now at the Liminis Theater

through Dec. 20. Tremonters admitted free on Thursday's show: December 18th.

Tremont's resident professional theatre company, convergence-continuum, presents Lord of the Burgeoning Lumber by Tom Hayes, running Thu-Sat through Dec 20, at the Liminis theatre at 2438 Scranton Rd.

When a very nearsighted forest ranger stumbles upon two rough-and-tumble cowboys having a really good time roughly tumbling in the woods while camping, all manner of surreal gender-bending, shape-shifting, psyche-shattering mayhem erupts. Can the wily Ranger counter the campy carnal craziness, or will the howling power of the eternal forest overcome them all? Lord of the Burgeoning Lumber is a magical-realism COMEDY that takes some bizarre surrealistic turns as it plays merry havoc with the malleable nature of identity.Note: this show is not suitable for children!)

Artistic Director Clyde Simon directs the world premier of Tom Hayes' winning entry in convergence-continuum's 2008 New Plays Competition. Tickets $15 gen. admission, $12 students and seniors. All shows at 8:00 pm. Thanks to a grant from the Cleveland Foundation's Neighborhood Connections Program, Tremont residents are admitted free for all Thursday shows ( Dec 4, 11, 18). Show up at the theatre at 7:45 and let us know your a Tremonter. Or better yet, call ahead at 216-687-0074 to reserve your seats.

3. Cleveland Landmark Concert

St. Theodosius Cathedral

733 Starkweather Avenue

In September 2001, the Cathedral was

re-consecrated with the placement in its altar of Holy Relics from Saints of America. Almost $750,000 in restoration work was completed and you are cordially invited to participate in our annual holiday event to experience the beauty of this national landmark and an example of Orthodox Christianity in practice.

The Cathedral Choir presents a program

of a cappella liturgical music of The

Orthodox Church followed by sing-a-long

caroling for all!

FREE TOURS of the Cathedral begin at

1:00 P.M. and continue until 2:30 P.M.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008

3:00 P.M.

FREE ADMISSION

For additional information, please call the Cathedral Office at 216-741-1310

You are welcome to attend our

regular liturgical services: Saturday evening VESPERS at 6:00 pm Sunday morning LITURGY at 9:00 am

Visit our website:

www.sttheodosius.org

This year we present our 32nd ANNUAL CONCERT!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

4th Annual Asterisk Gallery Xmas Silent Auction/Sale

4th Annual Asterisk Gallery Xmas Silent Auction/Sale
Benefit for Asterisk Gallery
Come Help Support Cleveland Art
Find that perfect Xmas gift for that hard to shop for person. Dana L. Depew and other Cleveland artists have donated countless works of art The opening bid on ALL pieces starts at a mere $30.
This is a great opportunity to obtain great art at a great price and help support Asterisk Gallery. All proceeds from this event go directly to keeping the gallery open to the public and to help subsidize future events.
Silent Bidding begins Friday Dec 12, 5-10pm
and ends Sat Dec 13, 6-11pm
Auction is over at 11pm sharp on Sat
Asterisk Gallery
2393 Professor Ave – Tremont
www.asteriskgallery.com
330-304-8528

works by:

Jason Byers Derek Hess
Matthew Dibble Meredith Hahn
The Sign Guy Mallorie Freeman
Kortney Niewierski Bridget Ginley
Robert Banks RA Washington
George Kocar Jess Samuelson
Beth Wolfe Meat
Michael Loderstedt Dana L. Depew
Paul Sydorenko Eva Kwong
Douglas Max Utter James Miles
Kirk Mangus Frank Oblak
Rick Ferris Jeff Yost
Mark Yasenchack IM Toth
Mark Keffer Terry Durst
Candy Depew Haley Litzinger
Tom Bartel KRK Ryden
Bill Radawec Tom Kochheiser
Monroe Copper
Jeff Klaum Garret Weider
Arabella Proffer
Craig Lucas Gadi Zamir
Bob Peck William Schwartz
Chris Kaspar Shawn Mishak
Debra Shepherd April Marie
Jess Samuelson CLE Clothing
Ron Gundel Stephe DK
Thom Rossino Pedro Dell
Lou Muenz
John Howitt
Russ Seligman
Grace Summanen
Scott Pickering
Loren Naji

Stephen Yusko Brandon Holschuh Pinky’s Daily Planner

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Opening at River Gallery



Hi Everyone

Once again it is time for our Holiday show, featuring new work from area artists. We hope to see you here on Nov.29th, from 2-7pm. We will have a second opening on Dec. 13th. This Holiday show will go through Jan. 6th, 2009

All Things Cleveland @ Asterisk Gallery from Cool Cleveland

All Things Cleveland @ Asterisk Gallery 11/14 This past Friday evening marked the opening of yet another insightful show at Dana L. Depew's Asterisk Gallery on Professor Avenue in Tremont. All Things Cleveland, curated by Depew, features the work of 37 regional artists who examine a topic near and dear to the hearts of many Clevelanders, insecurity. The dark clouds of the current financial crisis were looming, but had not yet burst open when Depew put out a call to area artists this past summer to submit work that examines our relationship with this city, this economy, and this place that some of us reluctantly call home. Now that the rest of the world is trying to find shelter from the economic storm, Cleveland seems to be used to the rain, even if we have to occasionally share an umbrella.

A commonality shared by the multiplicity of styles, mediums, and subjects in the exhibition is a self-conscious view of our city that, while occasionally being celebratory, is, more often than not, simply ironic. A drawing by Cleveland Institute of Art alumna Amy Casey features a new R.T.A. Euclid Corridor Project bus perilously traversing a bent and battered bridge in the sky, presumably the Innerbelt, over a sea of discarded orange construction barrels. Construction barrels can also be observed in a downstairs gallery in an installation by Joe Ayala. This features a triptych of orange impediments to speedy travel as well as an appropriately awkward arrangement of cones on the floor with yellow caution tape strung between them that direct patrons through the gallery. As the opening night progressed and more people populated the small room a traffic jam developed.


Paul Sydorenko’s short film New York is an Attitude was shot at a previous Asterisk opening and features dozens of art scene denizens buzzing about an impressive new painting by an artist of unusual talent. A talent that was perceived to be unusual for Cleveland at any rate since the unnamed artist was, in fact, from New York.

“That is some of the best work I have seen in a long time.”


“You know the artist is actually from New York?”


“Oh! That explains it.”


The majority of the people in the film enjoyed their pseudo-intellectual superiority while sipping from miniscule glasses of Champagne. A platter of those same small flutes of domestic bubbly was made available for consumption to those viewing the film.


I want to make it clear that I did not find the message of All Things Cleveland to be negative. The art in this exceptional exhibition was created by Clevelanders who have earned the right to poke fun at our history, our local “celebrities”, and our economic malaise. The future of this city depends on people willing to buck the attitude that says, “The good get out.” There exists an attitude pervasive among many of us that fosters an inferiority complex about the home team. Cleveland is not New York or Los Angeles and it never will be, nor should it be a goal to become like them. We have outstanding artistic talent in this city that does not have to apologize for anything.

All Things Cleveland curated by Dana L. Depew


Show runs through Saturday, December 6th, 2008, hours by appointment. Call 330-304-8528 for details. http://www.asteriskgallery.com


Featuring the work of: Joe Ayala, Zachary Hart Baker, Josh Banaszak, Matt Bartel, Amy Casey, Bruno Casiano, Jeffry Chiplis, Cleveland SGS, Munroe Copper, Pedro Dell, Eileen Dorsey, Stephe DK, Bridget Ginley, John Howitt, James Hurley, Beth Kappa, Mark Keffer, Ryan Jaenke, Noel Maitand, Jerry Mann, Sam Mazzola, Doug Meyer, James Miles, Lou Muenz, Frank Oblak, Scott Pickering, Arabella Proffer, Donald Rogers, Thom Rossino, John Ryan, Anna Tararova, Jess Samuelson, Dott Schneider, Debra Sheperd, Paul Sdorenko, RA Washington, and Chris Zahner.


From Cool Cleveland contributor Daniel G. Neforos danielneforosATgmail.com

Sunday, November 23, 2008

BENEFIT for local Collinwood artist, JOAN DEVENEY

BENEFIT for local Collinwood artist, JOAN DEVENEY
aka Joan of Art – OLDE HOME NIGHT @ THE BEACHLAND TAVERN, Sunday, December 21, 2008.

Joan was involved in a serious car accident in October, breaking 5 ribs and fracturing her hip. Since her release from the hospital, she has had to rehab away from her home, as going up and down stairs is problematic.

To help her to defray medical and other expenses, a short auction will be held during the festivities, featuring a number of Joan’s stained glass pieces, custom made jewelry by Margo Maimone King and a 50/50 raffle, whereby ½ of the money will go to Joan and the other 50% will go to the lucky winner!

The entertainment lineup includes Home and Garden, featuring Scott Krauss and Tony Maimone, Jamie Klimek & Paul Marrotta, California Speedbag, The Kidney Brothers and readings by Mike DeCapite.

Invite all your friends and come down, enjoy the great local talent and support a really worthy cause.

Donation fee of $5.00 –Doors open at 6:00 P.M.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Contact: Hannah Verbeuren

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2008






TWISTED INTERPRETATIONS OF THE HOLIDAYS at LOW LIFE GALLERY






Cleveland, OH November 20, 2008:

The holidays aren’t always the happiest time of year!
Nestled within a seemingly festive family ritual burrows the buckle of an anxious stomach or the pop of frustrated knuckles. Therefore, in both holiday merriment and perplexity, Low Life Gallery is kicking off the holiday season with a collection of artists who have put a magnifying glass to the otherwise obscure holiday sentiment.

In the name of our profound love/hate relationship with the season, observe an endearingly twisted group show that bears a warped rendition of the classic American holiday.

Featured artists include but are not limited to:
Amanda Davidson
Chris Kulscar
Ed Boyle

Hannah Verbeuren
Gabriel Van Horn

K. Stewart
Kerry Lange

MalPractice U.J.

Mik Mackey

Low Life Gallery
16001 Waterloo Road

Cleveland, OH 44110


Opening Reception

Friday, November 28th, 2008
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM



Hannah Verbeuren and Kerry Lange recently curated “Crying Polyester Peckers” their first show in a series of shows that include multiple artists attacking a common theme from their own idiosyncratic perspective.

Kerry and Hannah have started a different approach to independent art shows by setting up shows that keep their work and subject matter fresh and contemporary. “We want to keep ourselves and our audience interested or inspired” says Hannah, “by choosing one topic, then creating the art around that theme, we initiate a challenge for ourselves and the artists we chose to work with. For us, this formula is more stimulating than simply compiling a regurgitation of our past work.”

"Crying Polyester Peckers" opened to an encouraging crowd of 100 plus art lovers/Clevelanders and took sightseers on a journey into the unconventional world of John Waters.


# # # #


Hannah Verbeuren Photography
http://web.mac.com/hannah138
http://hannahverbeurenphotography.blogspot.com

Kerry Lange
http://kerrylangeoffbeatart.blogspot.com

Low Life Gallery
http://www.myspace.com/lowlifecleveland

Die Crawling Media
www.diecrawlingmedia.com
www.myspace.com/diecrawling

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Creative laughing:

Creative laughing:

The "All Things Cleveland" exhibit that opened Friday night at the Asterisk Gallery is billed as a "visual roast" of the city highlighting our trademark self-deprecating sense of humor.

But it took awhile for the Cleveland Plus booster campaign to get the joke. The symbol for the show is a clever twist piece on the CLE+ bumper sticker, which is modified to read CLE--. A lawyer from the Greater Cleveland Partnership sent a cease-and-desist letter to the gallery, an "only in Cleveland" move that seemed to fit perfectly with the theme of the show.

But now everything's cool.

"Our attorney did send that letter. That's what she does whenever there is a violation," said Cleveland Plus spokesman Rick Batyko. "We had a chance to talk to [owner] Dana (DePew) at the gallery and we think it's a great exhibit."

Which is a plus.

ALL THINGS CLEVELAND

ALL THINGS CLEVELAND
A little sensitive, are we? Asterisk Gallery proprietor Dana Depew conceived a show of self-deprecating humor about Cleveland and branded it with clear parody - a riff on the white oval stickers once used to indicate where a car came from when it crossed some international border. Lately those stickers have been appropriated for every promotional cause under the sun, including the Cleveland Plus campaign, which placed the abbreviation CLE+ in the little white oval. Depew's answer was CLE-, which didn't go over well with the Greater Cleveland Partnership; it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the little Tremont gallery. As a result, Depew has issued a disclaimer, ensuring anyone who might be confused that GCP and Cleveland Plus don't have anything to do with the art show, called All Things Cleveland. Depew assembled approximately 35 artists whose work represents "the continual grief and despair we feel each and every day, the adverse effect our sports teams have on our mental state, our bleak and depressing outlook on life, etc, etc. All the good things." The show opens with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. and continues through December 6. There will be a live polka band (with members dressed as Superhost), sauerkraut and kielbasa, and lukewarm POC beer. Asterisk is at 2392 Professor Ave. in Tremont. Call 330.304.8528 or go to asteriskgallery.com.

All Things Cleveland will be on display in Asterisk Gallery


All Things Cleveland will be on display in Asterisk Gallery
by John Petkovic/Plain Dealer reporter Tuesday November 11, 2008, 6:01 PM

Courtesy of Asterisk Galley
CLEVELAND, YOU GOTTA BE TOUGH: That's the message of "All Things Cleveland," an art show opening tonight at Asterisk Gallery in Tremont. It roasts the city and the things associated with it. I've never eaten pierogis. My parents never played polka in the wood-paneled rec room.

Who stole the kishka? Uh, what's a kishka anyway?

And yet I'm a Clevelander. Or am I?

I guess I should go to "All Things Cleveland" to find out for sure. The art exhibition at Asterisk Gallery -- 2393 Professor Ave., in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood -- features artists roasting the city, its associations, stereotypes and psychology.


It's a "nostalgic trip down memory lane," as the show mission states, the show "promotes a self-deprecating view of Cleveland." It also roasts Cleveland pride and chest-thumping, not to mention Clevelanders' sense of defeatism.

Woohoo, let's party hearty!

At 6 tonight, the show opens with a Cleveland-themed party. You, a polka band, people singing "Bernie Bernie," and sauerkraut and kielbasa.

Just gimme a can of P.O.C.

The free show runs through Saturday, Dec. 6. Call 330-304-8528.

CALL FOR ARTISTS - INGENUITY 09

AN OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INGENUITY 09 WHICH WILL BE HELD JULY 10 -12 TO BE HELD IN THE PLAYHOUSE SQUARE AREA. OPEN TO ALL FORMS OF VISUAL AND PERFORMED ART. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND REPRESENT CLEVELAND. FOR QUESTIONS CALL 216-589-9444 OR EMAIL james@ingenuitycleveland.org by Dec. 1, 2008.

CALL FOR DONATIONS FOR ANNUAL ASTERISK SILENT AUCTION/BENEFIT

ASTERISK GALLERY IS SEEKING DONATIONS FOR ITS 4TH ANNUAL XMAS SILENT AUCTION/ BENEFIT.
Hello all - it is time again for me to beg a plead with artists to graciously donate a piece of artwork for Asterisk's annual benefit/Xmas silent auction that will be held on Dec 12 and 13. I kindly ask if you could possibly donate a piece of work to the event - something valued under $100. I especially want any artists that have previously exhibited at Asterisk to donate a piece- so as the event will showcase work of artists that have exhibited from past shows. This event is extremely important to keep Asterisk going. My full time job at the chemical factory in Medina does not cover all the expenses that keeping the space open incurs. All proceeds generated from this event go directly to my landlord for rent and to pay winter utilities. Any work that is not sold will be returned to the artist. Thank you all for your consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 330-304-8528 or email at contact@asteriskgallery.com
Thank you for your consideration
regards,
Dana

About Giraffe Traps and Other Dilemmas (nine works on paper by Douglas Max Utter on display at William Busta Gallery, Nov 21-Dec 27, 2008

About Giraffe Traps and Other Dilemmas (nine works on paper by Douglas Max Utter on display at William Busta Gallery, Nov 21-Dec 27, 2008, opening reception 5-9pm 11/21)

Among my favorite books is an antique, over-size work, a Victorian-era compendium of marvels titled “Wonders of the World.” It includes semi-scientific accounts of exotic flora and fauna, profusely illustrated with wood engravings. Several of these have inspired sketches and paintings over the past few years. One work recently shown at William Busta Gallery, “Man with a Red Mustache,” was based on an illustration found in a section dealing with national “types” and costumes.
Also derived from one of those engravings is a sketch in mixed paint media on canvas titled “Giraffe Trap.” The original illustration showed giraffes standing up to their shoulders in square pits, dug in a level field near a cattle pen. The caption was “Domesticating the Giraffe.” Accompanying text described an ill-fated expedition to the interior of Africa and attempts to bring back live specimens for display in Europe. The giraffes eventually died in transit.
The giraffe painting was a present for my daughter. Recently I borrowed it back from her and re-read the entry dealing with the image. Day-dreams about confinement and the incongruity of willowy giraffes sprouting like daisies, planted by deranged gardener-explorers, led to the current series of fantasy works.
The mysterious transfer of numinous properties from one image and era to another has been one of my preoccupations. There is that so-called, fast-dissipating “aura” attaching to the artwork in the context of late Western art and the advent of mechanical reproduction, as Walter Benjamin famously observed. But there is also the destructive, irreligious neutrality of any art work, as Islamic philosophy insists, as imagery approaches the divine or takes the Godhead as its subject matter. That is perhaps part of my subject in these basically playful recent works. Giraffes here seem to acquire their halo or charismatic presence by being enclosed in a black or red, roughly geometric space. This “power” is then transferred to the humans and animals who contact the captive creatures. The energies born of confinement constitute a contagion of significance. Spread by the art work to its viewers, it inspires odd acts, sacrifices, and dreams.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

more images from the opening





ALL THINGS CLEVELAND






IMAGES FROM THE SHOW - IT WAS TOO BAD NO ONE SHOWED UP TO THE OPENING

Sunday, November 9, 2008

all things cleveland






a quick view of works dropped off for the show

Friday, November 7, 2008

MORE WORKS IN PROGRESS





ALL THINGS CLEVELAND




OPENING FRIDAY - NOV 14 - PICS OF WORKS IN PROGRESS

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008

Jan Jones and Mr. T



Dorothy Fuldheim


Many women have followed in Dorothy Fuldheim's footsteps. But no one has filled her shoes.

She was the first woman to anchor a newscast in the U.S., broadcasting her opinions across WEWS airwaves when women had just barely gained the right to express their views in the voting booth.

A fiery redhead who interviewed kings, presidents and celebrities, she spoke with equal ease and grace to the local farmer or the adoring listener.

For 37 uninterrupted years, Fuldheim was the nation's only female news analyst, a public figure in high demand who did not even begin her broadcasting career until age 54. Fuldheim remained on the air until 1984, just past her 91st birthday.

And those later years were not idle. At age 88, Cleveland's most popular television personage traveled to London to cover Prince Charles' wedding, then straight to Cairo for Sadat's funeral, followed by a stop in Ireland to interview the mother of IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands.

Known for flamboyance, fashion and rare genius, Dorothy Fuldheim preceded a generation of female broadcasters who have yet to match her achievements, but can gain confidence through her success.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

cleveland




Kai Haaskivi


Kai Haaskivi

Kai Haaskivi (born December 28th, 1955 in Lahti, Finland) is a former indoor soccer star, North American Soccer League player, and Finland national football team member. He now coaches in the United States.

The 178 cm midfielder began his NASL career in the summer of 1978 with the Dallas Tornado. Haaskivi played in 1979-80 with the Houston Hurricane and 1981-82 with the Edmonton Drillers. He led the league in assists in 1981 with 21 and helped the Drillers win the '80-'81 NASL indoor championship. He finished his NASL career with 112 points in 135 games.

Haaskivi began his MISL career in the league's inaugural season of 1978-79 with the Houston Summit. Playing the next season with the Summit as well, he was named an MISL all-star in both seasons. The team lost the championship to the New York Arrows in 1980.

Haaskivi went on to star with the Cleveland Force (1982-83 through 1987-88), Baltimore Blast (1988-89), before returning to Cleveland as player-coach of the Cleveland Crunch in 1989. He retired as a player after the 1991-92 season when the MISL, by then named Major Soccer League folded. The Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. Haaskivi served as color analyst on the team's radio broadcasts.

Haaskivi was fifth all-time in points in the original MISL with 683 in 425 games. His 386 assists ranked second. He was an eight-time league all-star selection and named MVP of the 1987 All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

Haaskivi played 12 full internationals for Finland. In a 1982 friendly in Helsinki against England celebrating the Finnish F.A.'s 75th anniversity he scored a penalty as the team lost 1-4.

During the 1990s he served as a director for IMG's soccer academy in Bradenton. He was assistant coach of the U-17 U.S. National (boys) Team. From 2001 to 2004 he was head coach and general manager of Pittsburgh Riverhounds, an A-League soccer team.

Haaskivi is brother-in-law of former star Finnish ice hockey player Matti Hagman and uncle to Dallas Stars Left Wing Niklas Hagman. He is divorced with one son, Olli, and one daughter, Nina.

Neville A. “Nev” Chandler, Jr. (1946—1994) was a Cleveland, Ohio-area sports broadcaster.


Neville A. “Nev” Chandler, Jr. (1946—1994) was a Cleveland, Ohio-area sports broadcaster.

Chandler graduated from Rocky River High School and, in 1968, Northwestern University. In the 1970s, he worked for several television stations in Ohio and sometimes hosted a sports talk show on WWWE-AM.

From 1980 to 1984, Chandler served as WWWE’s sports director and teamed with Herb Score on Cleveland Indians radio broadcasts. In 1985, he moved to WEWS-TV as sports director and sports anchor.

He was best-known for calling play-by-play for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993, a time during which the team made the playoffs five straight years. He had no real catch phrase, save maybe for counting down “5-4-3-2-1-touchdown!” as a Browns player ticked off the last few yards before a score. Chandler was a true fan of the team but did not hesitate to criticize his employers, especially when coach Bill Belichick persisted in running speedy halfback Eric Metcalf up the middle.

However, the quality of Chandler’s broadcasts and the excitement of his voice made him a fan favorite and a regular choice for the soundtrack of NFL Films productions. The title of NFL Films’ movie about the 1986 Browns, Pandemonium Palace, comes from Chandler’s call of the team’s double-overtime playoff win over the New York Jets.

Chandler died of colon cancer in 1994. He is buried in Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River.

HICKORY HIDEOUT

Hickory Hideout was a television program for children which aired in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1980s.

It had human hosts (Cassie Wolfe and Wayne Turney) as well as a puppet squirrel characters (Nutso and Shirley), as well as a handful of other characters, such as Buzz Buzzsaw and Cecelia C. Seesaw. Kathryn Hahn (Crossing Jordan),who grew up in Cleveland, had her first TV appearance on the show. It addressed psychological issues that children face and was a change from the usual lineup of Saturday morning animiation based cartoons.

Produced by Cleveland's WKYC it also aired early Saturday morning on then-sister station WNBC in New York.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

SUPERHOST


Superhost was a character portrayed by TV personality Marty Sullivan at independent television station WUAB-43 in Cleveland from 1969 to 1990. He wore a baggy suit, cape and red nose (like a clown version of Superman) to host the station's Saturday afternoon monster movie.

The show would begin at noon with an hour called "Supe's On," generally an hour-long warm-up to the movies with a Laurel and Hardy short sandwiched between two Three Stooges shorts. Superhost would appear between these, cracking jokes and talking to the TV audience.

He'd greet fans with his famous "Hello, dere" and follow with sketches like "The Moronic Woman," "Caboose Supe" and "Fat Whitman." His most famous Super Host bit was a takeoff on "Convoy," the popular trucker song. He was also known for referring to the movies as "flicks" as in "Let's get back to da flick."

After "Supe's On" was finished, he would host the afternoon of films called "Saturday Mad Theater." Generally two films were shown: an old horror film such as "Frankenstein" followed by a Japanese monster film such as "Godzilla."

Stadium Mustard



Ask any Clevelander about their favorite regional foods and Stadium Mustard is sure to be near the top of the list. We North Coast residents love our mustard, that spicy brown concoction sure to keep you warm during a cold autumn football or baseball game.
Two Kinds of Mustard:
There are actually two different brands of Cleveland mustard. The first is Bertman's Ballpark Mustard and the newer and more common one is Authentic Stadium Mustard. The later is the official mustard of Progressive Field and is featured at 150 stadiums and arenas throughout the United States.
The Taste:
For out-of-towners, Stadium Mustard has a rich brown color and a spicy, semi-hot taste. It's perfect on the hot dogs at Progressive Field or on bratwurst cooked out of the grill. It's reminiscent of a German mustard, but not quite as complex.
Buying Stadium Mustard:
Stadium Mustard is available at most Northeast Ohio groceries. For those out of the area, it can be ordered by the case from the manufacturer's Web site.

hot ticket item for Spaces Benefit next Friday



Spaces benefit is next Friday. Each year 20 artists are selected to transform an object into a piece of artwork. This year it was differing colored glass candle holders. The pieces are auctioned off and start at around $45. This is a picture of Dana Depew's submission entitled Camo Stoplight Spotlight.

Arabella Proffer's submission to "All Things Cleveland"

WE KEEP IT POSITIVE IN CLEVELAND

childhood memories of Cleveland

Other things only a Clevelander would know/appreciate

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1) "The Interception"
2) "The Drive"
3) "The Fumble"
4) Cleveland stadium mustard
5) The Prize Movie
6) Superhost
7) Dick Goddard
8) Wooly Bears
9) Big Chuck and Houlihan/Little John
10) Michael Stanley Band
11) Calling KFC "Kenny Kings" (may be a Mentor thing, not sure)

Here's a few:

1. Kid Leo
2. Lawsons (you can still see all of those distinctive, ugly buildings everywhere...but now they're Dairy Marts, etc...)
3. Jose Mesa
4. Barnaby
5. Beaucoup (anyone remember that 80s band?)
6. "Garfield1-2323" jingle
7. "Riverfest"..the city screwed up big time by cancelling that thing
8. "Miracle of Richfield"
9. The Colliseum
10. 10 cent beer night
11. Who killed Danny Greene?

p.s. Superhost Rocked...and the "certain ethnic" jokes on Big Chuck and Houlihan/Little John we're hilarious

I forgot about Barnaby! And who could forget the Coliseum, with the worst acoustics of any arena in the country! Three other things that I miss about Cleveland: Mr. Hero, Millbrook Bread, and Cherikee Red Pop (Cotton Club?).

THE FUMBLE


In American football, The Fumble refers to a specific incident in the AFC Championship Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium. With 1:12 left in the game, running back Earnest Byner appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown, but lost a fumble at the 3-yard line.
Background
During the game, the Broncos jumped to a 21-3 halftime lead, but Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar led them back with 4 second-half touchdowns. By the middle of the fourth quarter, the game was tied 31-31. The Broncos then took the lead on a long drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway to running back Sammy Winder, making the score 38-31 with 4 minutes left in the game. Cleveland responded by advancing the ball down to Denver's 8-yard line with 1:12 left, setting the stage for the play that would make this game one of the most famous games in NFL Lore.
The play
Browns running back Earnest Byner took a handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown. But he was stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille, and fumbled at the 3-yard line. The Broncos recovered the ball, gave the Browns an intentional safety, and went on to win 38-33. While Byner took a lot of heat from Browns fans and the media for his fumble, what is often overlooked is that he was one of the main reasons Cleveland came so close to winning the game. He had a superb performance with 67 rushing yards, 7 receptions for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Reactions
On a broadcast of "ESPN Classic: The Fumble, the Story of the 1987 AFC Championship", head coach Marty Schottenheimer analyzed the play, showing that the fumble was not entirely Earnest Byner's fault. Schottenheimer states: "The wide receiver [Browns Wide Receiver, #84, Webster Slaughter] is supposed to take 10 steps then block [Denver Broncos cornerback Jeremiah Castille] to the outside. Instead, he wanted to watch the play."
Castille himself had this to say: "I was thinking, 'I got burned the last time I tried to bump-and-run this guy (Slaughter)', so instead I stepped back 6-to-8 yards before the snap, so I could better see the play unfold. I saw it was a draw play and that Byner had the ball. I remember thinking that Byner ran all over us that entire second half, so there was no way I was going to tackle him. Instead, I went for the ball the whole time."
Schottenheimer further defended Byner: "Earnest never saw Castille coming. Earnest was the reason we were still in the game at that point. He had several heroic runs and catches over the course of the second half that allowed us to have a chance to tie the game at 38. All of these heroics, unfortunately, were overshadowed by a single draw play from the 8-yard-line."
Dick Enberg, one of the announcers of the broadcast on NBC, had this to say: "And wasn't it ironic that Denver got the ball back on the 2-yard-line? Wasn't it just 1 year ago where the Broncos were on their own 2 before putting together what became 'The Drive'?"
Aftermath
Despite being primarily remembered for "The Fumble," Byner went on to have an extremely successful career. After spending another year with the Browns, he was traded to the Washington Redskins prior to the start of 1989 season for running back Mike Oliphant. In his five seasons with Washington, Byner was selected to play in the Pro Bowl twice (1990, 1991) and won a Super Bowl ring with the team in the 1991 season. In that season's Super Bowl XXVI, in 1992, he caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter, and the Redskins won, giving him the NFL Championship ring he could not win with the Browns.
He ended up going back to Cleveland for two more years, and then finished his career in 1998, after spending two years with the transplanted Baltimore Ravens. In his 14 NFL seasons, Byner rushed for 8,261 yards, caught 512 passes for 4,605 yards, and scored 72 total touchdowns (56 rushing, 15 receiving, 1 fumble recovery). At the time of his retirement, Byner ranked within the NFL's top 30 all-time leaders in rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns, rushing yards, and total yards.

Friday, October 24, 2008

DEFINITION OF PARODY

PARODY -
par·o·dy [ párrədee ]

noun (plural par·o·dies)

Definition:

1. amusing imitation: a piece of writing, music, or art that deliberately copies another work in a comic or satirical way


2. parodies in general: parodies as a literary or musical style or genre


3. poor imitation: an attempt or imitation that is so poor that it seems ridiculous

transitive verb (past and past participle par·o·died, present participle par·o·dy·ing, 3rd person present singular par·o·dies)

Definition:

to imitate somebody or something comically: to write or perform a parody of somebody or something

[Late 16th century. Via late Latin< Greek parōidia< para "secondary, indirect" + ōidē "song"]

pa·rod·ic [ pə róddik ] adjective
pa·rod·i·cal [ pə róddik'l ] adjective
pa·rod·i·cal·ly adverb
par·o·dist [ párrədist ] noun

HUMOR - A DEFINITION

hu·mor [ hymər ]


noun (plural hu·mors)

Definition:

1. funny quality: the quality or content of something such as a story, performance, or joke that elicits amusement and laughter
couldn't see the humor in it


2. ability to see something as funny: the ability to see that something is funny, or the enjoyment of things that are funny
He has no sense of humor.


3. funny things as genre: writings and other material created to make people laugh


4. somebody's usual temperament: somebody's character or usual attitude
a writer of melancholy humor


5. mood: a temporary mood or state of mind


6. history body fluid: according to medieval science and medicine, any of the four main fluids of the human body, blood, yellow bile, black bile, or lymph, that determined somebody's mood and temperament

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to denote not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression is closely related to, yet distinct from, the concept of freedom of thought or freedom of conscience. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on "hate speech". This is because exercising freedom of speech always takes place within a context of competing values.
The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression".[1][2] Furthermore freedom of speech is recognized in European, inter-American and African regional human rights law.
Freedom of speech, or the freedom of expression is recognized in international and regional human rights law. The right is enshrined in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.[3]
The freedom of speech can be found in early human rights documents, such as the British Magna Carta (1215) and "The Declaration of the Rights of Man" (1789), a key document of the French Revolution.[4] Based on John Stuart Mill's arguments, freedom of speech today is understood as a multi-faceted right that includes not only the right to express, or disseminate, information and ideas, but three further distinct aspects:
• The right to seek information and ideas;
• the right to receive information and ideas;
• the right to impart information and ideas.[3]
International, regional and national standards also recognise that freedom of speech, as the freedom of expression, includes any medium, be it orally, in written, in print, through the Internet or through art forms. This means that the protection of freedom of speech as a right includes not only the content, but also the means of expression.[3]