Ranger Marching Band Makes The Midway
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Volume 6, Issue 17, Posted 8:21 AM, 08.25.2010
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Lakewood Guitar Consort, in residence at the Beck Center for the Arts, is currently seeking new members. All ability levels are welcome, on either nylon or acoustic steel-string guitars. Repertoire ranges from Renaissance to 21st Century. Music is in standard note format, not tabbed. Lakewood Guitar Consort was founded to offer an ensemble playing experience for area guitarists and as an outreach to the community by providing concerts at local venues. Rehearsals are Saturdays 1:30- 3:00 P.M. at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. Contact Chris Ellicott, director, at (216) 398-1401 or email at elkkit@aol.com for more information.
This month, the Root Cafe's walls welcome Stephanie Urban, local fabric artist, and Justin Brennan, local painter!
In May 2009, Stephanie Urban gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Kaia Belle Urban. Before she was born, Stephanie handmade everything for the nursery. Unfortunately, Kaia never got to see her room. Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and she passed away at only 34 days old, almost 3 weeks after having open-heart surgery. During this time, Stephanie’s husband lost his job, and within two months, Stephanie lost her job as a graphic designer as well. But she is one talented, inspiring and resilient woman. She decided that, in honor of her daughter, she would "listen" to her calling. A very creative individual by nature, Stephanie launched Little Lion Designs (Kaia Belle’s nickname was "little lion" because she was such a fighter), and she now makes beautiful re-purporsed fabric artwork for adults and children.
Stephanie’s work is truly unique, beautiful and timeless. It comes completely finished and ready to hang. Each piece comes with a fact flyer on congenital heart defects and what you can do to help. Plus, she leaves as little a carbon footprint as possible--she gathers fabrics from thrift stores, tailors, quilters, etc. and washes all fabric in an eco-friendly baby detergent. All buttons or ribbons are from the clothes she gathers and cuts up for use. She makes her own starch, and uses a child-safe non-toxic fabric glue to adhere the pieces together.
A beautiful summer day, a free concert on an outdoor stage and a singer who will light it up with classics from the Great American Songbook--these are the ingredients of a perfect afternoon in Lakewood. Laura Varcho, a vocalist who knows how to convey the most personal of emotions, will sing jazz and pop, with a touch of blues thrown in, at the Beck Cafe on Sunday, August 15 from 2-4 p.m.
In Mel Brooks’ The Producers Max Bialystock grumbles about off-Broadway, sneering, “I hate it! Mimes, experimental theatre… it’s a jungle out there!” But in the irony of all ironies, Bialystock and his unlikely business partner, tense and timid Leo Bloom, find that the real jungle is not off but on Broadway in this Tony-award winning show. With its fast pace and wild character acting, The Beck Center’s production is no exception.
For the second year in a row, the Beck Center for the Arts has been named the “Best of the West” in Music and in Dance/Theater Instruction by West Shore Magazine. Hundreds of West Shore Live Well readers voted for the best places to eat, shop, and have fun on Cleveland’s west side. Winners were selected from finalists in more than 60 categories.
Beck Center for the Arts is proud to present the Tony Award-winning “boffo” hit musical, The Producers, on the Mackey Main Stage, July 16 through August 22, 2010. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
Lakewood's own Billy Butler (11 years old) is a member of Cleveland's Singing Angel's Performing Chorus. Billy has always been a great believer in making others happy.
"Hello abstraction!" says the Root Cafe. This June they give up their walls to Walley "Two Hawks" and Dale J. Wiersma! Here is a brief look into the minds of two individuals with shapes and lines on their pallet:
What are your dreams? How do you intend to follow them? Langston Hughes said, "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
Darling Ducklings Debut at Beck Center!
For the second year in a row, a mother mallard has nested in an inner courtyard at the Beck Center. Appropriately her eggs hatched on Mother’s Day, and 14 fuzzy little ducklings made their debut at Beck. Fondly named “Becky” by students at the arts center, the very protective mother duck guards her precious flock, and they obediently follow her wherever she goes. Beck staff has accommodated the new family by restricting access to the courtyard, installing a wading pool, and providing corn feed for the growing brood. There is always a crowd gathered at the courtyard windows as the ducks provide humorous entertainment for Beck patrons, students, and staff. They will remain safely in their courtyard haven until they are old enough to fly out on their own. Until then, visitors are welcome to come watch the ducks from the lobby at the Beck Center, 17801 Detroit Avenue, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call for weekend hours at 216.521.2540 x10.
Student Art Show at Beck Center
And while you are at the Beck visiting the ducks, take the time to walk through the lobby and enjoy the latest art exhibition featuring works created by talented students from Beck’s visual arts program during the winter/spring semester. The exhibition is free, open to the public, and on display June 2 through July 30 in the Jean Bulicek Galleria at the Beck Center. For a more information on the Beck Center and a complete catalog of summer camps and classes go to www.beckcenter.org.
Warmer weather ushers in the party season and what better way to celebrate the season than attending the Beck Center for the Arts Spring Fling! Summer Socials! 2010, May through July 2010. This series of six exciting and unique art-focused events is held in some of the Cleveland area’s most fabulous homes and hosted by devoted fans of the Beck. All proceeds benefit the Beck Center, one of the area’s most comprehensive performing arts and arts education centers. Our first party was May 15th and two others have already sold out, but there are a limited number of spots available for the remaining three, although tickets are selling fast. Don't miss out on the remaining parties listed below. To purchase tickets, visit www.beckcenter.org, or call the Beck Center at 216.521.2540 ext. 19.
It's that time again and The Roots walls are turning over for May. We welcome street and muliti-media artist Zachary Hart Baker, Chicago native, to give us a taste of what Cleveland means to him.
Matthew Charboneau of Lakewood has been named to the board of trustees of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. A graduate of Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and a professional musician for the past fifteen years—he plays the double bass and electric bass—Charboneau currently leads the Council of Smaller Enterprise’s (COSE) Arts Network, a resource for professionals from Northeast Ohio’s creative industries. Charboneau was sworn in at the annual meeting of the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture board; his term extends through March 2013.
Join the mischievous Cat in the Hat and his friends in this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza as Beck Center Youth Theater presents Seussical! on the Mackey Main Stage, May 14-22. Director Russ Stich leads a huge cast of talented young actors, ages 7 to 18, on this loosey, gooseical, lollapaloozical adventure. All of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and all of the Whos of Whoville.
On Saturday, May 1st three events are occurring in Lakewood each with a mission of supporting the arts and local economy. The Screw Factory Artists, The Cleveland Craft Coalition and LEAF are each hosting events that overlap a one-block radius of the city. Each of these groups promotes creativity and local economic growth proving the diversity and energy that exists in Lakewood.
Lakewood United Methodist Church's newly refurbished Austin organ will be dedicated on Sunday, May 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. during a recital of special music performed by guest artist Megan Denman. Selections will include compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean Langlais, John Ferguson, and Lynwood Farnam.
Beck Center’s Dance Education program presents a condensed version of the Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, Sleeping Beauty, specially choreographed for children, on the Mackey Main Stage April 24 through May 2. This romantic fairy tale tells the story of the beautiful princess Aurora who is cursed at birth by the wicked fairy, Carabosse, to prick her finger on a spindle and sleep for a hundred years until awakened by true love’s first kiss. The ballet concludes with a wedding celebration visited by fairy tale characters.
Spring break is here. It’s not too early to start planning your children’s summer activities. Treat your kids to a unique, creative summer experience by enrolling them today in a Beck Center 2010 Summer Camp. Better yet, have double the fun this summer! Register for two or more camps this summer and save 10% off tuition for each camp.* Beck Center offers summer camps in dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
Starting on Friday, April 2nd, The Root Cafe in Lakewood will be freeing up their walls to welcome two new local artists.
Beck Center for the Arts presents the Tony Award-winning hit musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, on the Mackey Main Stage, March 26 through April 25, 2010. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is no performance on Sunday, April 4.
Each Cirque Imaginaire event showcases a different variety of artists, and demonstrates the raw talent that fills our city streets. These events enable local artists to network with one another, while making their creations more visible in the community. With a new location and rotating selection of artists at each show, there is always something unique to see.
Beck Center for the Arts, in collaboration with Solon Center for the Arts, is proud to announce Focus 2010, a photography competition bringing communities together through art. Amateur photographers (adults and students) are eligible to submit their competition entries no later than April 10, 2010. The competition is juried with cash awards in all categories—people/portraits, architecture/cityscape, nature/landscape, animals, botanicals, macro, and “Best in Show.” Applications are available on the Beck Center website at www.beckcenter.org. An opening ceremony, which is open to the public, will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 23 at the Solon Community Center at 35000 Portz Parkway. The FOCUS 2010 photography exhibition will be on display May 4 through May 23, 2010, at the Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. For exhibition hours, call the Beck Center at 216.521.2540 ext. 10.
Is He Dead? revolves around a small group of friends living in Paris during the turn of the century attempting to make ends meet in any way they can. Trapped by a contract, painter Jean-François Millet owes either his paintings or an enormous sum of money to the despicable Bastien Andre. While considering buying one of Millet’s paintings a potential customers asks, “Is he dead?” and explains that an artist is so much more talented once he or she is deceased. Millet’s companions Chicago, Dutchy, and O’Shaughnessy are inspired by this question and decide to fake Millet’s death in order to drive up the prices of his paintings. They decide that it would be best if it were an exotic, drawn out disease during which they can really milk the art world for all it’s worth. But there’s only one problem: what to do with the real Millet who is still alive and well? The answer turns out to be quit simple: why, put him in drag, of course!
The Lakewood PTA takes an active role in promoting the PTA Reflections Program throughout its nine eligible units: Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA), Roosevelt Elementary PTA, Horace Mann Elementary PTA, Harrison Elementary PTA, Grant Elementary PTA, Lincoln Elementary PTA, Garfield Middle School PTA, Harding Middle School PTA, and Lakewood High School PTA. This year Lakewood had a total of 353 entries at the unit (school) level with the largest number of entries from Grant Elementary School (91) and Harding Middle School (65).
Did you know that students who study the arts have significantly higher verbal and math SAT scores than those with no experiences with the arts? According to the National Governors Association for Best Practices, children who study the arts are: four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement; three times more likely to be elected to class office in their schools; four times more likely to participate in a math or science fair; and three times more likely to win an award for school attendance.
This holiday season, take off on a high-flying adventure as the Beck Center for the Arts presents Peter Pan, a musical based on the classic play by J.M. Barrie, on the Mackey Main Stage, December 4, 2009, through January 3, 2010. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (no matinee performance on December 5), and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. There is a special 7:30 p.m. performance on two Sundays: December 27 and January 3. There will be no performances on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
One of the nation’s most significant sources of local public funding for arts and culture, CAC supports nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga County, Ohio with the proceeds of a ten-year levy on cigarette sales approved by voters in 2006. Having made awards totaling more than $33.5 million in just over two years, CAC is a vital resource for organizations and institutions throughout Cuyahoga County struggling to navigate the challenges of the current economy while sustaining the stellar quality for which they are known. General Operating Support grants account for the majority of CAC grantmaking. Currently, sixty-three area nonprofits receive a combined total of $14.9 million in CAC General Operating Support each year while Project Support grants totaling nearly $1.8 million have been awarded since 2008. According to CAC interim executive director Meg Harris, organizations that wish to obtain a grant from CAC must first submit an Intent to Apply form and eligibility documentation. Intent to Apply forms and instructions for their completion can be downloaded from the CAC website. These materials must be received at CAC’s downtown Cleveland office by 4:30 pm on:
While Halloween may have ended almost three weeks ago, patrons of Lakewood’s Phoenix Café might have a different story to tell. Upon entering this humble establishment, even the regular customers find themselves looking over their shoulders to catch a glimpse of a werewolf…or two. The walls are practically teeming with skeletons, robots and nightmarish creatures that almost defy description.
Local artists Liam Hoban, 23, and Evan Lang, 24, have taken one of Lakewood’s most popular hangouts hostage with their art for the month of November.
The West End of Lakewood was transformed into a spooky art gallery this Halloween by over 100 Lakewood students in grades K-12 in the 5th Annual West End Halloween Window Walk. Over 80 Lakewood business store front windows were painted with images of witches, cobwebs, pumpkins, ghosts – even a fantastic depiction of a monsters vs. skeletons basketball game!
Beck Center for the Arts invites you to take a sneak peek of the exciting new classes we are offering next semester by checking out the winter/spring 2010 class catalog, now available online at www.beckcenter.org. Dance with a former Radio City Rockette; throw a pot on our new electric wheel; train to be a Tony Award winner. Enroll in one of more than 140 classes offered each week in dance, music, theater, and visual arts at the Beck Center, winner of the 2009 “Best of the West” award for both Music and Dance Education by West Shore Magazine. Classes fill up fast, so register today! Call 216.521.2540 x10 to sign up for classes.
Super Saturdays @ Beck Center
Musician’s Hall of Fame 2009 Induction Ceremony - Review
On Wednesday, October 7, 2009 master acoustic guitarist Brian Henke appeared at an open-mic event at Lakewood's new Beck Center Cafe. Brian and I go way back to the days when he dragged around his guitar in an old sack, and played the guitar using his thumbnail for a pick! On his website, it tells that Brian was a winner of many acoustic and electric guitar awards, and that Brian's also been a finalist in the National Fingerstyle Contest in Winfield, Kansas. His successes also include being a finalist at the Guitarmageddon regional finals in Boston, as well as being in the New Age Reporters Top 10 for 2006.
See the unveiling of Lakewood’s newest public art on Thursday, October 15, 2009, 5 p.m., at Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue. Mayor Edward FitzGerald will lead the celebration of the unveiling of the new outdoor mural by artist Natasha Turovsky and the dedication of the Red Stage Courtyard at the Beck Café. The Beck Café is a winner of the 2009 Beautiful Business Award from the Keep Lakewood Beautiful Committee. A reception and a special performance by pianist Vanessa Haynes will follow the ceremony in Daniels Lounge at the Beck Center. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 216.521.2540 x10. Born in Russia, Natasha Turovsky is a Montreal-based surrealist artist, professional musician, and filmmaker whose work has been acclaimed throughout the United States and Canada. Her works are in many private and corporate collections in the U.S., Canada, England, Spain, France, Russia, China, and Iran.
As a subject for a musical, the plight of a Jewish community in Tsarist Russia could be depressingly bleak. But the charm of Fiddler on the Roof is that it's a story not only of suffering but of humor, grace, and hope. The play, set in 1905 in the village of Anatevka, centers on Tevya, a milkman, and his efforts to keep his family's religious traditions alive in the face of outside influences. His three oldest daughters choose husbands that fall increasingly further from the family customs and the Tsar eventually evicts the Jews from their village.The play's title is a reference to a painting by Marc Chagall, the Russian Jewish painter. The fiddler was a recurring figure in his work, often shown floating over Russian villages. The enigmatic fiddler maintains tradition and joyfulness despite a precarious position, just as the villagers of Anatevka adapt to life's changes and mix of "happiness and tears."
At the Beck Center, we are proud of the tradition we’ve established as a premiere arts resource for the region. We will continue to present exceptional theater productions, showcase talented local actors and critically acclaimed directors, and provide top-quality arts education and exhibitions. But ever so often traditions need to be tweaked. And we’re very excited about some changes we think will better serve you.
Earthy colors, are used in the natural state of this rattlesnake, the display has won awards when shown in competition. Come see it up close it will be at the Carabel Beauty Salon & Store from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on the second Sat of Oct. Come in costume for the first halloween party of the season. We will be giving away pumpkin product to all who dare to dress up. Tom Fencl is the artist/ taxidermist.
For five weeks this fall, Lakewood’s HiFi Concert Club will transform into the stage for one of contemporary musical theater’s most intriguing and colorful icons: Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
