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