Cleveland Summer Festivities

Photo by: David Brichford, CMA Staff Member

CMA Summer Solstice

Balloon patterned outfits, performances, pyrotechnics, visions of Cleveland projected onto the 1916 Building, this was the atmosphere at the fifth annual Cleveland Museum of Art Summer Solstice party. Just as the previous parties, the crowds danced and visited the many galleries especially the opening of the new Asian Galleries. The new galleries were bright and spacious that allowed a visitor to see the long awaited Asian collection. I told a friend right after I exited the space, did we have all this on view before in the downstairs galleries - the dungeon (the only reason I say this is they were dark and hard to see the many wonderful pieces)? The patrons to the new Cleveland Museum of Art space have no idea how crowded it once was. There was never a time where I was alone in a gallery to view my favorite art pieces nor an immense atrium that amazes me still. There was a lot of grumbling when it closed its doors but I know now it needed to be done - an expansion that celebrates how fantastic our museum is and will be in the future.

As I do every year, I volunteer my time to this “must attend” event because I love to people watch. There were fashionably decked out people with certain extravagance to others in jeans and flip flops. Everyone was enjoying the outdoor bands in yet another heat wave to DJs in the atrium. There were so many people wandering around that unless you had a specific place to meet, you will never find your party. That is a successful party, for sure.

Photo by: David Thal

This year, I spent more time in the galleries trying to catch up on art that I’ve missed or listening to my favorite contemporary piece, "Forty-Part Motet." My friend didn’t realize this piece was exhibited since it was a little hard to hear with all the traffic. It was exciting to see, however, the many bodies hopped from one speaker to the next. I enthusiastically told my friend please stop back, it’s something you don’t want to miss.

Photo by: David Thal

Unfortunately, the suspended contemporary sculpture, “The Controller of the Universe” was closed for the event displaying countless hardware tools from chisel to saws. Can you name that tool? My friend and I were trying to figure out what this tool is called,that takes two people to saw a log (two-man-saw). This piece just glowed in the moonlight as iPhone photos were taken.

If you forgot or have never attended this event, pencil it for next year. Please buy your tickets early since it sells out.

“The Book of Mormon” at Playhouse Square

As I do with book or films, I never read the reviews. I just need a basic thumbs up or thumbs down so I don’t waste my time. The only thing I heard about this play is it won a bunch of Tony’s and it’s part of Playhouse Square’s Broadway series. That’s good enough for me.

I was so excited to see this play for all the positive buzz it has received. My sister said honestly the seats aren’t great for its popularity - seats are selling fast. Great for Cleveland, I say. Moreover, it was wonderful to see people spilling out along Euclid Avenue at 3:30 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. We do have the second largest theater district behind New York, if you can believe it.

We walked up many steps to reach the upper balcony. The seats were not bad; there were more people further up. The stage perimeter was decorated in stain glass and soon the performers were singing boisterously, “Hello, Hello” as they were ringing doorbells to preach the “Book of Mormon.” Again, the seats were high but not enough that I couldn’t get the full effect of the show. They were loud enough to hear no matter where you sat.

The actor who played, Elder Cunningham was wonderful - hilarious as he glided along the stage singing and portraying this lively character that lies about the Book’s content to get Ugandans baptized. The costumes and choreography were brilliant; the ensemble cast played many characters such as devils, Yoda, Darth Vader, Ugandans and Elder Mormons, just to name a few.

Of course I laughed and was entertained. However, there were a few things that didn’t sit well with me such as explicit language, rape and body part references that probably didn’t need to be there. Then again, you know what you’re getting from the creators of South Park. Overall, I did like it a lot.

If you love the theater, I wouldn’t miss it.

http://www.playhousesquare.org/

More activities this weekend.

Friday, June 28 MOCA
http://mocacleveland.org/

Saturday, June 29, WaterlooArtsFest
https://www.facebook.com/WaterlooArtsFest

Summer in Cleveland

Free Concerts

Technically summer hasn’t officially started but I’ve attended a few things going on around town. For one, the free concert series at Wade Oval had a good crowd in spite of the threatening heavy gray clouds overhead. The band, "The Chozen Few Band," wasn’t deterred either. Around my North Collinwood neighborhood, we have free concerts along the Lake. Honestly, I considered not attending because the cool breeze was too cold to sit by the lake. What can I say; I’m a freeze baby and probably the rare few that likes it hot? Since the sun came out, I decided to walk the block and a half. A less than normal crowd but everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. The band, Lost State of Franklin will be performing at Wade Oval this week (last night).

While listening to the band, I was infatuated by this dog that kept running down to the lake to retrieve this stick she found. The routine was: she threw down the stick; Her owners threw it down to the lake (there was a hill from where I sat to the Lake’s edge); she enthusiastically ran to retrieve it. She did it about three times. She rested for a bit; then the cycle repeated. I couldn’t stop myself from watching her. She wasn’t exactly the most agile of dog breeds but she kept running up and down this hill like it was nothing.

The Convention Center

I rode my bike downtown to attend the opening of the Cleveland Convention Center. Honestly, they did a fantastic job. The inside was contemporary with clean silver signage; the bench seating had plugs along the front and sides for your electronic devices. The bench seats’ fabric had a repeating pattern of our historic bridges in earth tones. The interior was spacious with many meeting rooms with all the current technologies; I just learned this center is the most technologically advanced. The Ballroom was huge; it overlooked the Amtrak Train Station. This was the first time I was able to see it at eye level. Everyone standing in front of the large windows were probably thinking the same thing.

What I enjoyed most was how the old Mall C was re-envisioned with green space that was sorely needed downtown. They added contemporary metal benches where you can sit comfortably looking out along the lake and view Browns Stadium (First Energy Stadium). Many onlookers had their camera’s set and gazed off into the distance. I’m sure the benches will fill up during lunch with people craving the view or people just milling around. I was impressed with this space.

Bonfoey Gallery

As an art lover, I try to visit as many openings as possible. The Bonfoey featured artist, Joseph O’Sickey, that beautifully captured landscapes using watercolor and oil. I was most impressed with his watercolors because it is a medium that I cannot do very well. God knows, I’ve tried. What I admire most about his watercolors is they’re simply interpreted without much detail such as “Four Sailboats Near Land.” Moreover, you can still see the faint pencil lines as he meticulously worked on the composition, visualizing what inspired the artist. Seeing the care and skill he took in creating these landscapes. Next to the watercolor, a dynamic, bold colorful piece that reminded me of Matisse hung there as I wondered how differently he interpreted these patio scenes.

The Bonfoey played a video of O'Sickey where I learned how he met his wife (love at first sight) and began his career in watercolors. Furthermore, it was his obscure watercolors that eventually awarded him admittance to the Cleveland School of Art (now Cleveland Institute of Art). Just like another artist I adore, Schreckengost (an industrial designer and artist that created the vibrant Jazz Bowls), O’Sickey also chose to stay in Cleveland and paint. Art openings and galleries, I learn about artists that I probably wouldn’t have known before.

Bonfoey Gallery until July 13, 2013

http://www.bonfoey.com/OSickey.html

Sound Installation: Forty-Part Motet at The Cleveland Museum of Art

I initially heard the Forty-Part Motet played on WCPN Around Noon that just gave me chills coming out my radio. I couldn’t wait to listen to this piece in person. There are forty mounted speakers (hence the name) arranged in an oval where each speaker represents a choir member in the Reid Gallery (Italian Baroque Gallery). Honestly, I didn’t know what this piece represented when I walked by earlier in spring as the installation was in progress. My favorite art pieces are those that have a well thought out concept that keeps my mind going, what the artist is trying to say. Hence, I want to discuss this art with others.

This work by Janet Cardiff did not disappoint. I walked up the steps and I instantly heard the music. Standing right inside the gallery, I was awestruck by the clarity of the choir. I first walked around to each of the speakers to see if I can distinguish between any of the voices. I couldn’t until the piece ended; I can hear quiet murmurings and breathing. The artist recorded each choir member separately even during breaks.

This is a piece that everyone must experience. It will undeniably take your breath away. As I sat and listened to it twice, I watched patrons walk around and sit; children running up to each speaker not fully understanding it. I was in my own little world with this majestic sound surrounding me, comforting me as I listened. I didn’t want to leave. This piece will forever be imprinted in my mind. I’m sorry that I missed Ms. Cardiff’s other piece, “The Paradise Institute” at MOCA. This piece, however, has been extended until July 7, 2013.

http://www.clevelandart.org/events/exhibitions/forty-part-motet
Lastly, I went to a talk at Sims Park Beach in Euclid about shale rock. I learned how different each beach looked by the wave deposits. Sims park had rocks that washed up on the beach whereas Euclid Beach did not. Plus, Sims Park had sand with a purple tint from other minerals that wash up.  I never thought about it until the presenter mentioned it.

Sims Park in Euclid - Moss Point
http://bluestoneheights.org/bsh/?s=moss+point

This past week has been filled with discoveries and knowledge that I love. Cleveland provides so much richness in culture and art. Summer has begun and there is much more for me to explore.

Pulling a 10-Ton Truck through Cleveland

Photo by Cool Cleveland - @MartinBielat

A drab, cool evening as I drive down to the Beachland Ballroom to “Pull” an old GMC truck through the city - a performance piece promoting work by Artist William Pope.L. Quite honestly, I was getting a little nervous about this task ahead of me. How easy or difficult will this be?

A brass band playing to a good crowd gathered in front of the Beachland Ballroom anticipating this historic event that was about to take place. Photographers, videographers, art enthusiasts, residents and “pullers” gathered around an old truck that was transformed with bold typography, imagery and headlines stating: Wealth Vs. Money; The Right to be Lazy, What is the Point of Working? I Can’t Wait to Get Off Work, and I Love My Job. I noticed an image of a Homeless man on the lower left of the truck along with a headline promoting the Men’s Shelter metal works program creating bike rakes for the city - A photographer took my picture as I was awestruck of this wonderful project.

How did I learn about this project? My sister sent me an email where the subject line simply said, “Pull.” My curiosity peaked and looked up the event. I wasn’t wild about the time (8:30 until 12:30 A.M.), but it was right in my neighborhood so I decided to sign-up. I have been tweeting and talking about this event all week. Moreover, I won the Cool Cleveland Hashtag contest where a representative was sent to publicize my event. How cool is that?

Push off time was 9:00 P.M., and I was getting antsy to get the ball rolling. There will be eight-pullers (four on the right and four on the left of the vertical bar) in front of the truck pulling this crazy one-wheeled, wooden apparatus. I stood confidently on the driver’s side, both hands on the second wooden bar. I wanted the first shift for this historic event. We all wore bright yellow safety vests with a yellow and black PULL sticker. I was excited and nervous at the same time.

The Spaces executive director explained this has been a two-year project that has finally come to fruition plus verbalizing all the partnerships that helped make this event a reality. Walking in front of the truck, the band continued to play as we “pullers” began to move the truck awkwardly along the uneven asphalt with the police as our guide. We’re off! All pullers were hooting and hollering and waving to onlookers. Driver’s in their cars wondering what the heck is going on. Priceless expressions.

One young driver has such an emotional response to the truck, “What happened?” I can just image what it looks like to people who have no idea what this project is all about - eight people with bright yellow jackets pulling an old jalopy. Our truck brought interest from a young family - a stroller with baby and dog, Rex to walk along with us.

We moved on a good clip along Waterloo Road along a neighborhood that I haven’t really experienced before. As you pull, you have the time to see homes that are abandoned or need some tender loving care. This is also the time to see how people live in these troubled times - a time to reflect. There were potholes and standing water that you needed to be aware of. I was surprised how hard I was working especially in my biceps. I am in good shape, but this was kicking my butt.

After about 20-minutes, it was time to turn the reins off to the other volunteers anticipating their turn to “pull.” We all rotated from pulling to pushing - the back of the truck. The hardest part of the “pull” was pushing from the back, a sharp incline along St. Clair. We were all spent when the truck reached the top - huffing and puffing, at least I got a good workout after that stretch of road. Everything was going well; we were doing such a good job that we were way ahead of schedule - one-hour. We reached our destination at 11:00 P.M. “Seriously, we’re done.”

I was sadden that we reached our destination so quickly. I was enjoying watching passersby looking dumbfounded by what this truck signifies; the smartphones taking photos and local residents waving as we traveled along their street. What I learned? There are so many people that need help; there are local businesses trying to survive and this project has embraced volunteers that really wanted to come together to be apart of “PULL.” What can we achieve as we “pull” together? I’m so proud that I was a “puller.” Thank you Spaces and William Pope.L for bringing this project to reality.

Spaces PULL Project
http://www.spacesgallery.org/project/pull

The Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/06/pull_offers_city_a_labor_of_ar.html

Captain America Filming

White trailers, orange and white road closing signs and burned out, smashed up police cars, this is how the downtown Cleveland landscape has looked for the Captain America filming. I don’t work downtown so I have not been affected by these inconveniences. I am sympathetic to a certain point but everyone knew these road closures were coming. I can’t help but be in awe that Captain America is here in town filming. I might be alone in this but I do think this is a huge plus for our city and it could definitely lead to more films.

What have I seen other than the emphasis road closure signs? Not much to be honest. I have ridden my bike downtown in hopes that I might see Samuel L. Jackson or another famous person; no such luck. I did see, however, that the old Ameritrust bank rotunda was transformed into a D.C. gallery with banners streaming along the exterior. I have seen huge cranes but every time I walk by, the crew is idle.

I was one of the crazy bike riders on Memorial Day where the sky looked ominous and threatening rain. I pedaled through East Cleveland on Euclid Avenue to avoid the many parades plaguing the city. As I got closer to Lakeview Cemetery, I saw a security guard sitting by two large semitrailers. Wow, I thought. They are going to use Lakeview cemetery for filming. How cool is that?

As I pedaled through the Euclid Avenue bike lane, I kept thinking what wonderful, old nostalgic buildings we have. Perfect for film without the heavily traveled street traffic. I remember again riding my bike downtown when the Spiderman 3 was being filmed. I completely forgot when I saw clusters of people standing around Tower City in dark, woolen suits in the middle of the summer. Then it occurred to me that they were filming. My thoughts even then what a cool thing that was going on in the city.

But as the film industry goes, there is much standing around and waiting. You set up a shot then you wait for a very long time before you see anything “happening.” When they were filming for Spiderman 3, I remember being able to stand pretty close on Euclid Avenue with countless others gawking, hoping to see something cool. I recall seeing the camera track going up and down; I’m assuming they were prepping the shot and getting the right angles and light. I was ready to stand there all day but a friend of mine was eager to get going. I kept saying, “Just a few minutes and we’ll get going.” Those few minutes ended up being an hour; I finally gave in and left the scene.

I was engrossed in the filming process and didn’t want to miss something. Another friend became an extra for Spiderman 3 and he told us the ins-and-outs. You do wait a very long time in the “green room” sort of speak. My friend stood on East 9 right by the yellow NYC cabs and newspaper stands, being part of the NYC crowd. He spent at least two weeks hanging out in the snack line waiting to be called. I do recall that he enjoyed himself even though there was a lot of time wasted.

I did wait in the crazy casting call line for “The Avengers” in the summer of 2011. I will never forget that experience, boiling to death for hours hoping that I will be called as an extra. I never did but my chances were slim since there were thousands of people wanting the same chance to be in the film. Oh well, I tried but what I remember most is the engaging, intelligent conversations I had with four people. We were strangers at the beginning but became friends at the end of our journey. I was sadden when I finally exited the Holiday Inn; who knows if I’ll ever see these people again. Captain America, I didn’t attempt the casting call line but it would have been a memorable experience.

What I noticed with this filming is they have been using much of Cleveland’s skyline unlike the other films that concentrated on Euclid Avenue and Tower City. They have used Rockwell and Superior Avenues close to the Cleveland Public Library. Someone told me that they saw Samuel L. Jackson; darn, I completely missed that memo. Now they have completely shut down the West Shoreway; that has never been done before. I hope the film crew has given the city a ton of money for that inconvenience.

I happen to be downtown on the first day they shut down the Shoreway. Admittedly, it took me over 20-minutes to reach West 29th Street from downtown. At one point, I shut off my car and sat idle as the traffic completely stopped. Not only is the Shoreway shut down, but there is road construction on both West 6 and 9 streets, which is adding to the bottleneck.

Oh well as I said in the beginning of this piece. Clevelander’s need to just suck it up. Take alternative transportation such as the RTA or ride a bike. We have been spoiled that our traffic is nil compared to other cities. I’m just as guilty thinking this way; I am running late and I assume that it will only take me 15 minutes to get downtown. I’m lucky that I live east and I don’t have to deal with the Shoreway but it will only last an other 9 days.

If I know in advance there will be a delay, I would opt to ride my bike. I did it yesterday as I attended VegFest at CSU. I felt empowered that I didn’t have to deal with many frustrated driver’s. This landscape needs to change with more public transportation and bike share, maybe! Cities are changing and commuters want more options.

Cleveland.com
Captain America Filming (I don't have any personal photos)
http://www.cleveland.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/05/captain_america_the_winter_sol_5.html