Northeast Ohio produces more events each week than it would
be possible to attend, even if you had a full-time maid,
chef, and/or babysitter. Hot Picks: This Week’s Smart
Stuff sorts through the lists of concerts, festivals, exhibits,
plays, readings and all sorts of other events and pulls
out a few that seem out-of-the-ordinary. There will be new
things each week, with the list updating each Monday.
Even though we like to think of ourselves as “in
the know,” there will always be things that escape
our notice. Please feel free to make suggestions to
(be aware, we make no promises and the final decision rests
with us). Enjoy!
Antony & Cleopatra, The Winter's Tale
Now through Aug. 2
Locations throughout Cleveland, see website for details
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival is at an advantage and a disadvantage. The traveling theatrical company has no real home, so that means you have to do a little sleuthing to discover the performance space. But, this freedom from bricks and mortar allows them to do edgy work in repertoire - taking it to their audience instead of the other way around. This summer's fare is the hot and sexy Antony & Cleopatra and the provocative Winter's Tale (which includes a killer bear).
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Little Shop of Horrors
Now through Aug. 2
Beck Center for the Arts
One of the most-fun musicals of the late 20th century is an homage and throw-back to the 1950s. Taken from a B-movie starting Jack Nicholson, Little Shop adds Doo-Wop riffs to the story of a killer alien plant and poor Seymour who loses everything as he tries to woo the lovely Audrey away from her evil dentist boyfriend. And, nothing is sure to cheer you up more than a giant plant eating the cast one by one.
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No Doubt
June 29 at 7:30 P.M.
Blossom Music Center
Gwen Stenfani could have been a caricature. Her look is swiped from WWII pin-ups, but her sound is pure contemporary pop. Getting married and having a baby couldn't slow down the only singer able to take a song from Fiddler on the Roof to the top of the charts. Since she's touring with the band, they'll probably focus on hits like "Just a Girl" and "Don't Speak" (but I'll bet that "Hollaback Girl" shows up). It's No Doubt that Gwen is always ready to put on a good show for her fans.
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Diana Krall
June 30 at 8 p.m.
State Theatre at Playhouse Square
The modern queen of smooth jazz ballads, Diana Krall has built a new career by singing old songs. She began by pulling gems from the American songbook and graduated to writing her own material and finding contemporary songs that sound like they would have fit into the post-war landscape. The lovely Canadian is now married to Elvis Costello and a mother of twin boys, giving her music an even greater romantic edge.
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The Fray
July 1 at 7 p.m.
Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City
A staple of Top 40 radio (such as it is), The Fray broke out with their massive hit "How to Save a Life." Like so many contemporary pop bands, they really built their fan base when the single was featured on TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs and One Tree Hill (leading to piles of teens downloading the song immediately onto their iPhones). In an era where everyone wants everything for free, their first CD sold 2,000,000 copies. And, unlike many other young pop bands, The Fray's follow-up release has actually been a success (because they love them at Grey's).
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Livingston Taylor
July 2 at 8 p.m.
Evans Amphitheater at Cain Park
Liv Taylor returns to the Evans Amphitheater stage - back where he belongs. A Cleveland Heights summer favorite, Taylor's romantic and engaging singer/songwriter style brings out the crowd each time he appears at Cain Park (which is a great place to see a concert - laid back and perfect for the season, right in the heart of Cleveland Heights).
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Rib, White & Blue
July 2, 3 & 4
Lock 3, downtown Akron
Three days of music and ribs in celebration of Independence Day. Barbecue meisters from across the country will set up shop (No outside food will be allowed in but, honestly, why would you want to eat anything other than big hunks of smokey pork? It's a holiday!) as Lock 3 hosts rock from tribute bands on Friday and Saturday and roots and Americana on the 4th (including the Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans followed by fireworks on the Innerbelt). So bring your appetite and your groove thing, because you'll need to dance to burn off the ribs.
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Salute to the USA
July 3 & 4 at 8 p.m.
Blossom Music Center
The 2009 Blossom Festival kicks off with a bang as the Blossom Festival Band takes the stage for its annual set of patriotic concerts for July 4th. Loras John Schissel leads members of the Cleveland Orchestra (mostly brass, woodwinds and percussion, because the strings aren't known for their abilities to play Sousa) in a rousing concert focused on summertime favorites and a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Guests can pay for the burger cook-out or bring their own picnic. Fireworks follow (so you can wait for the crowd to thin before leaving the parking lot).
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Whatever Works
July 3 through 9 (with possibility of extension)
Cedar Lee Theatre and Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill
Woody Allen's latest feature sat on a shelf waiting patiently for 30 years after the death of its proposed star, Zero Mostel. During the Hollywood writer's strike, Allen dusted off the script and enlisted Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) in the role of a misanthropic near genius who finds unexpected romantic fulfillment in the guise of a sweet young runaway (Evan Rachel Wood).
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Guy Forsyth Band
July 5 at 8 p.m.
Beachland Tavern
Formerly of the Asylum Street Spankers, Guy Forsyth brings his many instruments back to the Beachland (Oliver Buck & the New Madrids open). Since going solo, the Austin musician has embraced the nature of Americana and incorporated a host of styles - including folk, rock, country and Tin Pan Alley. And, he's not coming alone. While Forsyth is playing guitar, ukulele, harmonica and saw, the others take up where he leaves off.
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