Seen in Asterisk Gallery during the Taste of Tremont -- these assemblages made of multiple light fixtures, chairs legs and other recycled things are the most interesting sculptures I have seen in a long time. This is a big year for Dana Depew, besides running a great gallery on Professor (for some years now), he has been very prolific with his own art lately. He is also one of the five artists in "New American Art", what may be Doubting Thomas Gallery's best show yet. Doubting Thomas is about a block away from Asterisk on Jefferson.

To Clevelanders who missed RFTT at the Beachland - oops. To Pittsburgh and the rest of the tour, see Rocket From The Tombs... more to post when my ears stop ringing...

Better late than never! Millennium Park opened in 2004, long after the 2000 festivities. Not a problem, this green space/public art extravaganza has lasting appeal.

I was really thrilled to get access to photograph the Rocket From The Tombs show tonight at the Beachland Ballroom (if you are reading this before 10 PM - get over there now and read the rest later) - but when I got a call this afternoon from their publicist Ilka saying if I wanted to drop by the soundcheck at 6:30 to do a quick interview with lead singer and founder of RFTT and Pere Ubu and all sorts of other art music projects that I love, I was exstatically intimidated, as I've seen both RFTT and Pere Ubu (many times) so know in every way David Thomas is larger than life - and his music and words foretell a seriousness and directness that doesn't give the sense this is an easy person to chat with... and I was right. But nothing worthwhile is easy, so I took my chances and Evelyn and I hit the Beachland for the treat of hearing a seminal musical force tune their sound, and then be intimidated by the man Pere Ubu in person... well worth the punch.

The sound check was clearly a challenge - David and band belted through core works to force into submission a sound system ill-prepared for the force of the Rockets, in a room not easily yielding to the range of rock blasting forth. Just hearing these talented artists work through the challenges of honing their sound was a great experience to behold, and with the right adjustments the show is set to rock very hard and loud tonight... more on that later.

That David Thomas would still sit down for 15 minutes, after an exhausting sound check, shows he is not a man to be feared - but he is a massive artistic force with an intellect to be respected, and addressed with great respect - super-smart, precise, articulate, certain of himself and his work - uber-artist I wish I had a better opportunity to learn from and observe in action... I'd follow the tour if I had the time and money - I will follow up with the other band members later to get more persectives on their whole phenomenum as it is all so impactful - this is a rare group of talented masters of their arts and the art of music.

Here are a few quick notes from my discussion today with Thoms, which I'll clean up and fill in more as I have time to think about what we discussed, and after the show that starts up in less than an hour... your your sake, I wish you would be there... I'll share photos and insight as I'm able to grasp what I may.

Eric Fingerhut and Tom Schorgl will be the featured speakers at this forum to discuss the upcoming ballot issue -- a cigarette tax to fund the arts. Hear and be heard.

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July 29, the last Saturday in July! Music and drumming for drummers and the community!

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How would you describe (Rocket From The Tombs) show to someone that has never seen you playing live?

It is truly one of the great rock experiences you will have. We wouldn't bother otherwise. The people in this band do not belong together. Touring with this band has been the most miserable experience of my life. The only reason I do it is because what we do on stage is so satisfyingly hot.

RFTT have been described as one of the godfathers of punk, a kind of a bridge between the Stooges, hard rock and a more arty sound. What's your opinion about that?

RFTT was, in my opinion, not a punk band. We were a logical step along the progression and evolution of rock music. Our roots seem very obvious. People say the music is so angry you must be rebellious. Yeah, I don't know. It seems to me, as I remember it, what we were angry about was ordinariness. The mainstream rock bands who played in all the clubs were SO ordinary and unambitious, were satisfied with so little when there so much that could be done. That's what I remember. That doesn't seem too punk to me. But I'm not a chicken-hawker either.

What kind of reaction from the crowd did you get while touring? Which kind of feedback from your performances?

Audiences were stunned and extremely happy.

- David Thomas, of Rocket From The Tombs, Pere Ubu, and Cleveland

These quotes, from the liner notes from the 2004 RFTT Rocket Redux release of luminary Cleveland-honed, UK-based David Thomas, founder of globally significant Rocket From The Tombs (RFTT) and Pere Ubu, offer Clevelanders just a hint of what is in store for them tonight, July 26, 2006, at the Beachland Ballroom - the first show of RFTT's 2006 fast-track blast across the USA...in other words:

Ann Hayes is a talented local artist who recently organized a silent art auction at Becky's, a popular bar and artists' hangout near Cleveland State. Her mixed media painting, 100 YEAR TREE was my favorite work in the auction, but there were so many great pieces -- all by local artists from the Hyacinth Lofts. There were paintings, glass plates and bowls, light boxes and feminist embroideries -- all with very low starting bids. If you were not there you missed a great opportunity to buy great art too cheap! Watch the Realneo calendar, Ann plans to schedule another auction soon.

THIS IS A FIRST TIME EVENT: See Cleveland in a whole new way: WITHOUT YOUR CAR!

Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens will be open for you to enjoy

because MLK Dr will be closed to cars... TWO SUNDAYS IN AUGUST!

New for 2006, “Walk and Roll Cleveland” will be Sunday August 6th and Sunday August 13th, from 11am until 5pm. MLK Drive between Rockefeller Greenhouse and the tennis courts is 2.1 miles which is a perfect distance to encourage bicycle riding, rollerblading, walking, jogging, picnicking and exploring.

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THIS IS A FIRST TIME EVENT: See Cleveland in a whole new way: WITHOUT YOUR CAR!

Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens will be open for you to enjoy

because MLK Dr will be closed to cars... TWO SUNDAYS IN AUGUST!

New for 2006, “Walk and Roll Cleveland” will be Sunday August 6th and Sunday August 13th, from 11am until 5pm. MLK Drive between Rockefeller Greenhouse and the tennis courts is 2.1 miles which is a perfect distance to encourage bicycle riding, rollerblading, walking, jogging, picnicking and exploring.

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Please join us for a BBQ to celebrate the West 28th Street Murals project by
local artist Emily Acita!

WHEN: Monday, July 31, 2006 at 6:00 pm

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Live music, Morrison dancers, hula hooping roller skaters, art, dogs, ice cream, ethnic and gourmet food -- The Taste of Tremont had it all.

Joseph Filak's work is in a  must-see show called "New American Art" going on now at Doubting Thomas Gallery (this work is in a private collection). I consider Doubting Thomas to be the most avant-garde  gallery here in Cleveland -- they would be avant-garde anywhere, we are just lucky to have them in Cleveland. I have been watching Filak's work for about two years now. He uses iconic stenciled images and words like the grenade and "kill" -- words that arouse fear and aggression. I like his artist's statement in the show. His pieces are made of painted boards and metal plates with metal fasteners like nuts and screws. They are priced very low, but the craftmanship is actually quite beautiful.

HUBBARD STREET 2 Kidzart Lecture and Demonstration

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HUBBARD STREET 2

Evans Amphitheater, Cain Park, Cleveland Heights. more details The Chicago Sun-Times describes HS2 as “a wonderful spicy stew of influences, brilliantly performed.” For single tickets contact www.ticketmaster.com or call 216-371-3000.  For a subscription call 440-914-0744 Co-presented with DANCECleveland and Cain Park/The City of Cleveland Heights

Web site: www.hubbardstreetdance.com

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GroundWorks Dancetheater develops and presents new choreography of the highest artistic standards and presents it t audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds. The organization looks for venues that heighten the sense of intimacy between artist and audience and expand the parameters of how and where audiences, both new and initiated, experience dance.

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MORRISON DANCE STREET PERFORMANCE: Taste of Tremont, Sunday, July 23, 1:30 - 3pm STREET PERFORMING In the summer months, MorrisonDance enjoys performing through the city streets in the style of busking. Adorned in beautiful masks created by Scott Radke, the dancers improvise and interact throughout festivals, parties, and other events. Taste of Tremont Street Festival

Fourth Annual Taste of Tremont street festival! Bring the family and lawn chairs to enjoy a day of music, art and sampling the cuisines of all your favorite Tremont restaurants. Admission Free

July 23, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Professor Street between Fairfield and College, Tremont, Cleveland.

google map | yahoo map

MorrisonDance photos posted on flickr

click here for a wonderful history of BUSKING

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This is no ordinary silent auction.

Becky's bar and grille has long been a favorite hang out for artists in downtown Cleveland. The flavor of the crowd, as well as the food, is always exceptional. Drinks are stiff, however the clientel is anything but. Saturday, July 22nd at seven o'clock characters of all types are welcome to join Cleveland artists as they spice up the joint with a show that includes paintings, glass, multi-media, prints and more. Things should get livley as all of the artwork is up for auction. Artists will include: Anne K. Hayes, Liz Maugans, P.J. Doran, William Greenburg, and Streets of Manhatten. Becky's is practically a Cleveland landmark. It is located at 1762 East 18th street, between Chester and Payne. The silent auction begins at seven p.m. and ends promptly at nine p.m.

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In honor of my favorite TV show, Project Runway, I'm choosing some of my favorite locally made  wearable art for "art of the day". Carol Nesper has had a studio in Cleveland's Little Italy at the Murray Hill School for many years. She is a fiber artist,certified elementary teacher and teaches tie-dye work shops. Unlike many designers she does not forget that kids need cool clothes too. Most of her creations feature her own unique  style of  tie-dye. The model is wearing a one-piece outfit in blue-gray 100% cotton with a subtly goth style black, gray and off-white textured tie-dye panel in the center.

Friday, July 21 | 8pm The Great ARTdoors: MUSIC + FILM In collaboration with the Miller-Weitzel Gallery $5 MOCA Members and Students with valid ID $7 Non-Members

In this annual event, MOCA Cleveland partners with theMiller-Weitzel Gallery and Warp Films (literally) an “off the wall” evening of visual and sonic entertainment. At 8PM, DJ r.a. washington gets the party started with a summery set of jazz, avant rock, and soul before the films start at sunset.

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Friday, July 21 @ 7pm The Artist's Perspective: SARAH KABOT FREE and open to the public Join Sarah Kabot as she shares insights into the influences and work featured in her exhibition, On the Flip Side currently on view at MOCA Cleveland. The eighth artist in the Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist Series, Kabot is an Assistant Professor of Drawing at the Cleveland Institute of Art

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Points of View: DAN TRANBERG FREE and open to the public

Join Dan Tranberg for a captivating gallery talk on the art and ideas presented in The Persistence of Geometry Using this all-encompassing exhibition, which spans various media, ages, artistic movements and cultures, Tranberg will discuss the enduring impact of geometry on the visual arts from his viewpoint as an artist, critic and educator. 

Tranberg is a freelance critic for numerous national and international publications including Art in America, BOMB, NY Arts, and Art on Paper. He is a co-founder and frequent contributor to Angle and is the Arts Columnist and Critic for The Plain Dealer.

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Perusing racks of designer clothes while eating ice cream? Sounds dangerous to me, but if Anne van H. insists ...
This ice cream social is to celebrate the expansion of the Anne van H. Boutique.

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Just some overall comments on this past 'Greening Ingenuity' effort:

GREAT thanks go out to you, Zebra Mussel, for so much of the preparatory work, writeups, analysis, etc you played such a pivotal role with.  We must not forget the dialogue never even started until Mike Shafarenko brought the possibility of greening to our attention- Super thanks, Mike!.  Sheer economics (energy costs) made the initial outreach a reality... from there it was simply a matter of calling up and convening the true enviro-experts, those truly experienced with these processes and technologies - At my current level (an MBA from Case with a passion for sustainability) I am certainly not one nor have never claimed to be: I have only studied these processes and their importance at a very general level.  Yet I know there is no issue I have more passion for in my life than the enhancement of quality of life for every living creature on this planet.  We crazy humans, however, are exacerbating and accelerating our own extinction - yet paradoxically are the only ones with the creativity, potential and technology to reverse the problem and not only achieve sustainability but perhaps someday create a place infinitely more generative.