Daily Archives: February 27, 2020

David Harsanyi Published 10:53 p.m. ET Feb. 26, 2020

A record-high number of Americans 90% say they are satisfied with their personal lives, according to Gallup. And 74% are optimistic that they will continue being financially satisfied moving forward. Needless to say, the United States will never be a utopia, but for the vast majority of its citizens, most things are going in the right direction.

During the ninth Democratic presidential debate last week in Nevada, Bernie Sanders, lamenting how a once-prosperous society had been hollowed out by capitalism, claimed that we are no better off today than we were many years ago. It's a shame that not a single debate moderator ever challenges this farcical assertion. In Sanders' telling, "people ... after 45 years of work are not making a nickel more than they did 45 years ago."

For those who weren't alive then, the 1970s were largely a crime-ridden decade of stagnant economics, city bankruptcies, crushing energy prices, sky-high interest rates, institutional rot, garbage and retirement-destroying inflation. Though it was a far better place than the communist hot spots Sanders praised during those years, it certainly was not ideal.

And a big part of the post-'70s economic boom we're still experiencing today the one that certain progressive and some statist right-wingers like to disparage was propelled by policies that freed Americans from overbearing technocratic oversight, intrusive regulations and stifling taxes that undermined growth.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during First in the South Dinner, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Charleston, S.C.(Photo: Matt Rourke, AP)

The alleged "wage stagnation" to which Sanders and others are constantly referring is a myth. For one thing, "wage stagnation" fails to take into account the health care benefits, pensions, vacations, family leave and other perks now embedded in job packages somewhere around 30% of an employee's overall benefits. Once those benefits are added, Americans probably have seen about a 45% wage increase since 1964. More important, the amount of time we work to buy things we need is less. What we buy does more, and it's of higher quality. Does anyone believe that a dollar spent on medical care in 1975 equals a dollar spent today?

Partly because of a worldwide retreat from collectivism, extreme poverty has dramatically decreased. Massive new markets have opened to us. Despite the perception of many, medium household incomes are at an all-time high. The middle class is growing especially the upper-middle class. In the past 50 years, spending on food and clothing as a share of family income has fallen from 42% to 17%. Your house is probably more expensive than the average house was in 1975, but it's also more comfortable and safer.

The year Sanders graduated from college, less than 6% of his fellow Americans the majority of them wealthy, very few of them minorities or women were enrolled in higher education. In 1975, only around 11% were enrolled in college. According to the Federal Reserve study, millennials are the most educated generation, with 65% of them possessing at least an associate's degree.

Better education, soaring productivity and technological advances allow an increasing number of Americans to pick vocations that are safer, less monotonous and more rewarding.

In 1970, around 14,000 workers were killed on the job in the United States. That's somewhere around 10,000 more deaths yearly than the number of those who perished in the entire Iraq War. Although the workforce had more than doubled since then, the number of occupational deaths in the United States has dropped to around 5,100.

There's a decent chance that Sanders' heart attack would have killed a 78-year-old man in 1975. If not, it would have required dangerous surgery. Despite a small dip recently, life expectancy has skyrocketed in the United States over the past 45 years adding more than six years since 1975. The cancer casualty rate has fallen more than 27% in the past 25 years which adds up to more than 2 million deaths averted during that time. We've been able to mitigate the damage of so many diseases and ailments over the past 45 years allowing millions to lead longer, more active and less painful lives that it would take a book to lay out the miraculous number of advances properly.

Most of these developments, not incidentally, were brought to us by profit-driven companies.

In 1975, the child mortality rate was 18.8 per 1,000. In 2019, it was 5.7. Fatalities due to weather events have plunged. Deaths due to air pollution -- surely near its smoggy height in 1975 have fallen, as well. We have cleaner water and cleaner streets.

In 1975, Sanders' hometown of New York City saw 1,645 murders and rampant criminality. In 2017, there were 286 homicides in NYC. Vehicular fatalities per 100 million in 1975 were at 3.35; now they're near a historic low of 1.13.

Also, you have a supercomputer in your pocket that offers you instant access to all of human knowledge.

Yes, some Americans still suffer, and some of our goods and services are more expensive than they once were (usually due to market intervention). But we are, by nearly every quantifiable measure, collectively better off today than ever before. And what sufferings millennials do experience today often are a result of their making different choices than their parents did. Bernie should understand this better than most.

It's not in every country that a professional revolutionary can afford to buy a dacha on Lake Champlain.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at National Review and the author of the book "First Freedom: A Ride Through America's Enduring History With the Gun."

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Opinion: Bernie, we're better off today than we were 45 years ago - The Detroit News

Spring is almost here, and so too is a first glimpse at some of the years biggest exhibitions. The first stop for a Yoshitomo Nara retrospective set to travel to three continents will be at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the first major survey ever devoted to Artemisia Gentileschi will make its debut at Londons National Gallery of Art. And thats not all: this years Venice Architecture Biennale and Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art are both set for May, and major exhibitions of the work of Donald Judd, An-My L, Judy Chicago, Otobong Nkanga, and others are also in the offing. These highlights and more are below, in ARTnewss guide to the springs essential shows.

Spotlight

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Paris!Centre Pompidou, ParisMarch 18June 15

The artist known as Christo and his late wife, Jeanne-Claude, are the worlds most ambitious wrappers. Theyve wrapped the Reichstag, the Pont Neuf bridge, and the coast of Little Bay, in Sydney, Australia, making enormous sculptures out of landmarks. In April Christo will continue his conquest of the worlds monuments by wrapping the Arc de Triomphe in 270,000 square feet of fabric and 23,000 feet of rope. Such wrappings often take decades of bureaucratic wrangling, but Christo got his start doing more low-profile work in the French capital, and this exhibition surveys documentation related to sculptural works made by the couple in Paris between 1958 and 1964. The show culminates in a history of Christo and Jeanne-Claudes 1985 wrapping of the Pont Neuf, one of their most iconic artworks. It is hard to imagine this show wont earn the exclamation point in its title.

March

JuddMuseum of Modern Art, New YorkMarch 1July 11

Writing recently about her early years at MoMA in the 1970s, curator Barbara London recalls that Donald Judds Minimalist sculptures distinguished the museums aesthetic. That aesthetic synergy between the work of Judd, who died in 1994, and MoMA brings a certain piquancy to the museums current Judd retrospective, the first anywhere in more than 30 years. The museum has changedthere have been three renovations and expansions since the 70sand perhaps so, too, has our understanding of Judds steely, boxy objects.

Cao Fei: BlueprintsSerpentine Galleries, LondonMarch 4May 17

For Cao Fei, the online virtual world Second Life became a tool for art. Within it, she created her sprawling RMB City, its name a reference to Chinese currency. Dealing with fantasy worlds and their opposition to real-life ugliness, her work made her one of Chinas most closely watched artists before she turned 30. In her largest-ever exhibition in the United Kingdom, Cao will bring out some of her classic worksincluding Whose Utopia?, a 2006 video in which a group of Chinese factory workers briefly stop laboring and start dancingand place them alongside a new VR project and her latest feature-length film.

Gerhard Richter: Painting After AllMet Breuer, New YorkMarch 4July 5

There are (at least) two Gerhard Richters. There is the Richter of the gorgeous, multilayered abstractions made by pulling paint across a canvas with a squeegee, and there is Richter the exacting figurative painter who references photographs. Some of those figurative paintings, such as his 1988 series about a radical left-wing terrorist group, have taken as their subject German politics. On view for the first time in the United States in this 100-work survey at the Met Breuerthe largest presentation of Richters work since his MoMA retrospective in 2002are works from Richters 2014 Birkenau series, which brought the two Richters together, with the artist alluding to a World War II concentration camp through abstraction. The Met is showing these works alongside pieces from the 1960s that made the artist a sensation in his home country. Richter fans can be assured his work is in good hands: Met curator Sheena Wagstaff has organized the show in close collaboration with Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, an art historian who has written prolifically on Richter.

Remedios Varo: ConstellationsMuseo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos AiresMarch 6June 15

For years, the work of Remedios Varo, who died in 1963, languished in obscurity, not unlike that of other female Surrealists. But lately, it has been making a comeback. Last year, Varos bizarre tableaux featuring floating figures and fantastical creatures showed up in MoMAs permanent collection rehang, and Eduardo F. Costantini, who founded MALBA and is one of Latin Americas biggest collectors, snapped up one of her paintings at a Christies auction for $3.1 million. This showamong the biggest ever devoted to the artist in Argentina, where she worked for much of her lifemay very well cement her fame.

Franz Erhard Walther: Shifting PerspectivesHaus der Kunst, MunichMarch 6August 2

Long before participatory art became widespread in museums and galleries, Franz Erhard Walther was engineering pieces that made use of the viewer, often by having people hold large pieces of fabric together. A pioneer of Conceptual art and a winner of the top prize at the Venice Biennale, Walther is now being given the retrospective treatment with this 250-work show.

Mark Bradford: End PapersModern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TexasMarch 8August 9

A little over two decades ago, Mark Bradford began making a series called End Papers, employing the paper strips used to keep hair from overheating that he first came across in his mothers South Los Angeles beauty shop. Made before Bradford became one of todays most celebrated painters, the resulting paintingswhich are surveyed in this show delicately allude to his family history, transposing grids of end papers over detritus.

Studio 54: Night MagicBrooklyn Museum, New YorkMarch 13July 5

In 1977 Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell cofounded Studio 54, the famed New York watering hole known for its wild parties. In a recent documentary, Schrager said, when I look back now, it is so preposterous. What were we thinking? Is there a Studio 54 aesthetic? Find out in this exhibition, which surveys the clubs impact on New Yorks 1970s social scene and art world through photography, paraphernalia, and more.

An-My L: On Contested TerrainCarnegie Museum of Art, PittsburghMarch 14July 26

Having grown up in Vietnam during the American war there, An-My L went on to produce documentary photographs covering war, its impact on the landscape, and the way conflict is represented in mass media. For a few memorable images, she shot on the set of a Hollywood film about the Civil War, leaving it largely unclear to viewers who didnt read the adjacent wall texts that the explosions depicted were faked. At last, this season brings her first major mid-career survey, which includes 125 photographs.

Biennale of SydneyVarious venues, SydneyMarch 14June 8

Australia may be one of the few countries in the world where it is common to acknowledge historical violence against Indigenous peoples, but its art institutions have not yet adequately recognized the art of Indigenous communities. It is therefore momentous for Brook Andrew to be the first Indigenous curator of the 47-year-old Biennale of Sydney. A member of the Wiradjuri people, Andrew has included a significant quotient of Indigenous artists, among them Nogirra Marawili (Darrpirra/Yirrkala), S.J Norman (Wiradjuri), and Demian DinYazhi (Navajo).

Hlio Oiticica: Dance in My ExperienceMuseu de Arte de So PauloMarch 20June 7

Hlio Oiticica died in 1980 at just 42 years old; his impact on art has long outlasted him. Oiticica changed the way artists in his native Braziland far beyondthink about the relationship between art and life, and made them recognize in a new way the possibilities of utopian societies. This year, two of Brazils biggest museumsMASP and the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeirowill pay homage to Oiticicas enduring art, with his early experiments with geometrical abstraction, his performances, and his interactive works all represented.

Art in the Age of AnxietySharjah Art Foundation, United Arab EmiratesMarch 21June 21

A recent poll by the American Psychological Association suggests that peoples anxiety levels are risinga fact that no doubt has to do with a tense political climate around the world, the introduction of new technologies, and the increasingly fast pace of daily life. Curator Omar Kholeif addresses that phenomenon with this survey exhibition, featuring work by Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Simon Denny, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Guan Xiao, and many more.

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Le Grand JeuPalazzo Grassi, VeniceMarch 22January 10

We know what youre thinking: Another Cartier-Bresson show? Luckily, this one has a twist: people of noteincluding artist Annie Leibovitz, filmmaker Wim Wenders, and collector Franois Pinault, founder of the Palazzo Grassihave been brought on to curate their own selections from Cartier-Bressons 385-work Master Collection. Their results could very well change the way the French photographers work is seen in the years to come.

April

Christina QuarlesMuseum of Contemporary Art ChicagoApril 4August 23

Christina Quarles practices a slippery kind of figuration. As one body of one color merges into another of a different hue, we are forced to confront difficult questions about gender, race, and sexuality. Whose parts belong to whom? Her works have tapped into todays shifting social mores, and not surprisingly, museums have responded with an unusual degree of excitement for a young artist. Not yet 40 years old, the Los Angelesbased Quarles has already appeared in the Hammer Museums lauded Made in L.A. biennial in 2018 and a major New Museum show about gender and sexuality in 2017. In this, her largest museum show to date, she will present paintings made over the course of the last four years.

ArtemisiaNational Gallery, LondonApril 4July 26

In a landmark 1971 essay for ARTnews titled Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?, art historian Linda Nochlin wondered why we didnt hear more about the Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, daughter of painter Orazio Gentileschi. Nochlin attributed this to art-world misogyny, and since then Gentileschis 1610 masterpiece Judith Slaying Holofernes has made its way into survey courses the world over, with scholars seeing in its graphic sexual violence a kind of feminism avant la lettre. This show at the National Gallery is the first major one devoted to her work in the United Kingdom.

Hilma af Klint: Artist, Researcher, MediumModerna Museet, Malm, SwedenApril 4September 27

What are the chances that the best-attended show ever at the Guggenheim Museum in New York would be that of an early 20th-century abstract painter interested in spiritualism? No, we are not talking about Wassily Kandinsky. An exhibition of Hilma af Klint, a far lesser-known female contemporary of Kandinsky, brought a whopping 600,000 visitors to the museum. Now, another af Klint show is coming to the Moderna Museet, wherewho knowsit may make an even bigger splash. The expansive survey features the first complete showing of one of af Klints most famous series, The Ten Largest (1907).

Yoshitomo NaraLos Angeles County Museum of ArtApril 5August 23

When the Japanese painter and sculptor had his first New York gallery show 20 years ago, New York Times critic Roberta Smith wrote a memorable description of the characters that would make him famous. Looking at his cast of cute but demonic cartoon toddlers, Smith wrote, might put you in mind of the scathingly arch, big-eyed infant of Family Guy crossed with a Kenneth Noland target painting or an Yves Klein International Blue monochrome. For an artist whose reputation is based on something of a punk aesthetic, Nara has awfully high prices: last fall, one of his paintings made $25 million at auction. LACMAs survey, staged in partnership with collector Budi Teks Yuz Museum in Shanghai, will travel to the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain.

Niki de Saint PhalleMoMA PS1, New YorkApril 5September 7

Niki de Saint Phalles bright, colorful, curvaceous figural sculptures were out of sync with her time, but they are looking more and more relevant to our own. The self-taught artist brought the female figure to a monumental scale and made it exuberant during a period when the avant-garde was more focused on stern minimalism, but since her death in 2002 (and especially in the past few years) there has been a surge of interest in new ways of defining and celebrating women in art. This will be the first-ever museum survey devoted to Saint Phalle, and it will feature 100 objects ranging from paintings to sculpture and jewelry. Included will be works that attest to Saint Phalles activist spirit, which led her to create feminist works during the 1960s and drawings about the AIDS crisis during the 80s.

Sanford Biggers: CodeswitchBronx Museum of the Arts, New YorkApril 8September 6

Asked in 2018 by the New Yorker what he hopes to achieve with his work, which often involves sculptural installations alluding to Black history, Sanford Biggers said, to have there be layers of history and politics, along with a good dose of humor. He said that, with his works, he wants to flip through different timelines and localesto code-switch, as he put it, using the word that forms the title of this show, which includes 60 works by the Harlem-based artist that are constructed from quilts, in an homage to the history of the Underground Railroad.

Chen ZhenPirelli HangarBicocca, MilanApril 9July 26

Throughout the course of his relatively short career, Chen Zhen, who died in 2000 at age 45, repeatedly pondered the changes Western values and globalism had wrought on his native China. For one of his most famous works, he constructed a 65-foot-long dragon out of bicycle inner tubes and wheelsan allusion to both industry and Chinese history. Little more than a year after that work hovered over a major Chinese art survey at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Pirelli HangarBicocca is staging a retrospective of the late artists large-scale installations.

The Paradox of Stillness: Art, Object, and PerformanceWalker Art Center, MinneapolisApril 18July 26

Performance art typically calls to mind bodies in motion, but this show proposes that this need not always be the casethe most cutting-edge works being made in the medium these days are making art out of stillness. For this enterprising survey, the Walker Art Center has brought together 100 works by 65 artists, among them Maria Hassabi, Senga Nengudi, Pope.L, and Jordan Wolfson, in an exploration of how performance relates to aesthetic concerns more often found in painting and sculpture. Included will be Anne Imhofs lauded 2019 performance Sex, which in past iterations involved performers slowly enacting complex choreographies amid strobing lights.

Betye SaarMuseum Ludwig, CologneApril 22July 26

The 93-year-old artist has long grappled with racism and its legacy in such works as The Liberation of Aunt Jemima (1972), a sculpture in which a mammy figure appears armed with a broom and a rifle. Having won the Museum Ludwigs $110,000 Wolfgang Hahn Prize earlier this year, shes being honored with a solo show.

STARS: Six Contemporary Artists from Japan to the WorldMori Art Museum, TokyoApril 23September 6

Takashi Murakamis iconoclastic anime-inspired work has gained a foothold in popular culture worldwide through, among other things, his collaborations with Kanye West. Along the way, the works relationship with Japan has been somewhat lost. This presentation brings Murakamis work home, along with that of five other world-renowned Japanese artists: Yayoi Kusama, Lee Ufan, Tatsuo Miyajima, Yoshitomo Nara, and Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Otobong NkangaGropius Bau, BerlinApril 30August 2

For a 200708 piece called Baggage, Otobong Nkanga shipped bags of sand from Antwerp, where shes now based, to Nigeria, where she was born, and then had people in the African country send similar objects back to Belgium. She was alluding to the way our globalist world impacts the environment, broaching all sorts of heavy issues about colonialism and the flow of ideas in the process. Such a heady blend of ideas has made Nkanga an artist beloved by curators, with her work celebrated at last years Venice Biennale, as well as at the Sharjah Biennial. In 2019 she was also the recipient of the inaugural $100,000 Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award. Her show at the Gropius Bau comes on the heels of a yearlong residency there.

May

Judy Chicago: A RetrospectiveDe Young Museum, San FranciscoMay 9September 6

Judy Chicago is far more than her iconic Dinner Party (197479), an installation that imagines a table set for a feast for female pioneers throughout history, and has become a cornerstone of feminist art history. Chicago has long hoped that the public would embrace the whole of her outputI used to say [I hoped Id live] long enough to come out from behind the shadow of The Dinner Party, she told ARTnews in 2019and with this retrospective she gets her wish. (The Dinner Party, on permanent display in the Brooklyn Museum, wont travel for it.) Including 100 pieces, the show will turn the spotlight on some of Chicagos more recent works, which deal with climate change and the rise of fascism .

Riga International Biennial of Contemporary ArtVarious venues, Riga, LatviaMay 16October 11

At last years Venice Biennale, the Golden Lion award for national participation went to Lithuania, one sign that the Baltic region has moved to center stage. For its second edition, the organizers of this biennial, which is dedicated to showcasing homegrown artists, have tapped Rebecca Lamarche-Vadel, a former curator at the Palais de Tokyo museum in Paris. Around 85 percent of the work included is being produced specifically for the show. Among the artists on tap are Pawe Althamer, Nina Beier, Dora Budor, Lina Lapelyte, Hanne Lippard, and Augustas Serapinas.

Kara Walker: Drawings 19932020Kunstmuseum Basel, SwitzerlandMay 16August 23

Kara Walker has recently been associated with her sculptures recalling the horrors of slavery, such as her 75-foot-tall sugar sculpture of a mammy figure-cum-sphinx, which was installed in 2014 in a former Domino Sugar factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This show is a welcome reminder that she is also a master of works on paper. With hundreds of pieces, including some new ones debuting here, Walkers first major survey in Switzerland will pinpoint how she so intelligently synthesizes her disturbing images of racism and misogyny with art-historical traditions.

GoyaFondation Beyeler, Riehen, SwitzerlandMay 17August 16

Alongside the modern and contemporary offerings trotted out by the worlds biggest galleries at this years Art Basel fair in Switzerland will be an unusual presentation: Francisco de Goyas painting Witches Sabbath (179798), which is traveling from the Museo Lzaro Galdiano in Madrid to hang in Fondation Beyelers booth at the fair. The occasion for such a loan is the Beyelers major show devoted to the Spanish Romantic artist, who is known for his bizarre paintings about dreams and states of irrationalityand the horrors of war. Organized in collaboration with the Prado in Madrid, this is one of the biggest Goya shows ever mounted outside Spain.

Jennifer PackerMuseum of Contemporary Art, Los AngelesMay 17November 30

Among the stars of last years Whitney Biennial were Packers beguiling paintings in which Black sitters melt into their backgrounds. Though not yet 40 years old, Packer has established herself as one of the most important figurative painters working in New York today. This is her first West Coast survey.

Lynette Yiadom-BoakyeTate Britain, LondonMay 20August 23

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye has spoken of her paintings of Black men and women rendered in muted tones as being like what Zadie Smith once called character studies of people who dont exist. Her alluring pictures have captured the attention of critics, curators, and young artists alike, and now Tate is mounting the first major survey of her work, with 80 pieces representing her output from the past 17 years.

To Tame a Wild Tongue: Art After ChicanismoMuseum of Contemporary Art, San DiegoMay 21August 23

During the 1960s and 70s, a group of Chicano artists used their work to radically redefine Mexican-American identity, presenting it as something far more complex than previously acknowledged. This survey, which takes its name from an essay by scholar Gloria Anzalda, explores the aftermath, during which artists delved deeper into that complexity. Some 30 artists are represented, including John Valadez and Ester Hernandez.

Venice Architecture BiennaleVarious venues, Venice, ItalyMay 23November 29

Considering the worlds current refugee crisiswhich often boils down to the question of who will share space with those who have become placelessthe theme architect Hashim Sarkis has chosen for this edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale is an apt one. He looked for work that deals with the spatial contract, the means by which people agree to live together. The offerings here are sure to range from the hippy-dippy to the academic, and all will likely point a way forward.

Somewhere DowntownUCCA Center for Contemporary Art, BeijingMay 30August 30

There are few moments in art history more iconic than the 1980s New York art scene, which witnessed the rise of stars like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and then saw many of them fall during the AIDS crisis later that same decade. That vibrant culture will be transported halfway around the world this season for Somewhere Downtown, a survey curated by critic Carlo McCormick, who has worked on some of the most important exhibitions and scholarship concerning the 80s art world. The material in this show is relatively new to China, with some Haring and Basquiat works making their way to the country for the first time.

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Spring Preview: 33 Essential Museum Shows and Biennials to See This Season - ARTnews

New York curator and cultural critic Carlo McCormick is proud and serene as he describes the National Gallery of Victorias blockbuster 2020 exhibition, Crossing Lines, as a celebration. Hes also quick to note that this is not just a celebration of the men whose names are on the door.

Keith [Haring] and Jean-Michel [Basquiat] are really ciphers that signify a whole group of artists and community, says McCormick, who guest curated the show. Every bit of modernism was actually a gang of friends getting together. And theres no arguing that this gang a bunch of bratty kids defined an era.

At that time, museums were very insular, McCormick says. They were for blue-haired old ladies ... And there was a whole group of narcissistic white men who thought they knew better. They looked down on us.

Haring, and Basquiat defied this. Coming from marginalised communities Haring was gay, Basquiat was black they made vibrant and often political art that was vernacular and younger and more youth-oriented, and then they made that kind of art the norm.

McCormick discussed with the Guardian 10 works (and the people behind them) that cemented this radical legacy three of which are currently on show at the NGV.

Whether on subway walls, scraps of paper or large industrial tarps (like this piece), Keith Harings work was meant to be universal. The young artist developed an iconic visual language of simple motifs dogs, babies, hearts and used them to communicate his generations not-so-simple energy and anxieties.

We were all Cold War babies, McCormick says, reflecting on his reading of Untitled 1982, which is part of Crossing Lines. Every age is an age of anxiety theres plenty for kids to be worried about now but for us it was knowing that, at any moment, our world could blow up. He notes that Harings dogs arent barking, as usual: Theyre almost like Egyptian statues that you would see guarding the dead.

His work always seems really nice, but when you look at it the TV sets etc it was always a lot about control, McCormick says. Haring also frequently cited homosexuality and Aids (the artist died of Aids-related complications in 1990). This was a moment where the politics [in art] turned into a kind of social politics [Haring] could express his difference or his fears but it was kinda smiley.

Jean-Michel Basquiat rocketed to fame in his late teens and early twenties. Within a few years, the Brooklyn-born artist of Haitan and Puerto Rican descent went from doing local graffiti under a pseudonym, to exhibiting at the countrys best galleries.

This work is at a moment when [hes] getting bigger, McCormick says. In the work, which is currently hung at the NGV, Basquiat is depicted (on the right) with fellow black artists Toxic and Rammellzee. Theyre living large, but theres a lot of tragedy built into their success.

Its kind of a tribute to his fellow black people in the art world [and a] barbed joke. African Americans were not well represented in our cinema, and if they were they were caricatured and marginalised. It was sort of a way of saying, Hey, were the Hollywood Africans. Its the same deal: were playing like blackface for white people.

This was an era in which art became enmeshed with celebrity and while that meant young artists like Basqiaut could prosper, it also ensured their work was seen as spectacle, rather than art. It was given the same degree of analysis that we might give a K-pop star today, McCormick says. That degree of analysis has certainly changed since the artists death from overdose, at age 27 in 1988.

Keith really loved Jean-Michel, McCormick says. Its a memorial. Think of the momento mori in Renaissance paintings; the reminder of death. The crown was Basquiats most iconic symbol, used frequently in his work.

[They] had this incredible mutual respect, he adds. They had much in common, generationally and in terms of [being outsiders] All these people came [downtown] because they were different. They were ostracised and alienated from this normal America.

This era of artists met and bonded on the street and in the nightclubs. People liked to dance, McCormick reminisces. Now, maybe Jackson Pollock liked to dance, but Im sure he danced like the ugliest white guy on the planet. This was a generation that had the beat, it had the rhythm.

This work came at a time of great change, in the midst of the Aids crisis. We went from partying every night to going to memorial services every week, McCormick says. He notes a tremendous gravitas in this; they are aware of a moment passing. [Its] the way that spring is fun, but fall is something else because you feel winter coming on.

Yes, Vivienne Westwood is British. But her iconic punk aesthetic had a lasting impact in the US and McCormick argues it actually had its origins in New York. I hate to be such a provincial New Yorker, but before [Westwoods collaborator Malcolm McLaren] created the Sex Pistols as his little boy band, he managed the New York Dolls ... Malcolm was very influenced by what was going on in New York.

By the 80s, he recalls, we were all a little bit punk even if some people were into dance music, others were into hip hop There was this hybridity, and fashion was very much interspersed in our culture.

Keith [whose work was featured in the Witches collection] cared very much about the ability for his art to interact with the real world the day-to-day. This continues today, with his work most accessible on T-shirts and fridge magnets.

People forget, McCormick says, that Andy Warhol was at the total nadir of his career in the 80s.

He was very uncool. [But] what really brought him back was the fact that there was this whole generation me included who adored him. Many of us had moved to New York because of the Factory and Warhols books.

Two decades on from his seminal work in the pop art movement, Warhol became something of a mentor to artists like Haring and Basquiat. Everyone talks about how he was a little vampiric in his relationship to people, but he was very generous and very supportive. There was a beautiful connectivity an intergenerational conversation.

In this portrait, one year before his death, Warhol renders himself with the same pop art methods that inspired others. He had a particular way about reaching people, McCormick says. About how you can do signifiers without being didactic, and how personality and life can become part of the art. Also, he adds, Andy queered things up.

Francesco Clemente migrated from Italy to join the scene in New York. He wasnt the nightclub type less Mudd Club, more like Mr Chows, McCormick says and his work had a different energy to it. It was all pastels and soft edges.

Clemente had been going to India since the 70s and he brought in much more poetic, much more Italian, a little more mythical, allegorical [influences]. But he was also just an incredible painter. Great painters recognise great painters as something entirely distinct from all the people who dont push paint in such a magical way.

Clemente and Basquiat are also often lumped together as neo-expressionists; whether you agree with that label or not, its true that they defined an era of raw and emotive art. This then went out of favour towards the end of the 80s with the rise of neo-geo (think Jeff Koons) which was much more about intellectualising your emotions.

This is an ecstatic thing, McCormick says. If its not a photo of an orgasm, its one to bring you towards that ecstatic state. It might sound provocative, but when seen in the context of Robert Mapplethorpes broader work its just a statement of fact.

Maybe Jackson Pollock liked to dance, but Im sure he danced like the ugliest white guy on the planetThis was a generation that had the beat.

The New York-based photographer had a wonderful sense of beauty, which was based off the other, McCormick says.

Obviously sexuality and fetish are part of it, but its more interesting than that Beauty had been so codified by then from Boticelli to the pinup girls in the Hollywood magazines.

Mapplethorpe portrayed the beauty of people who were inherently different by lifestyle or by body. Alistair Butler, the model used for this work, was a New York dancer originally from the Bahamas. Haring, Basiquat, all of them, this is a generation of really questioning people theyre all sponges. They take from everything around them.

Kenny Scharf grew up on the west coast, but met Keith Haring at art school in New York. Like Haring, McCormick says, his stuff looks so cartoony, happy really fun. But its all candy-coated. Its a bitter pill. When The Worlds Collide is another work about nuclear catastrophe: a grotesque and lurid collision of utopia and its demise.

[This] generation was promised a beautiful future. There was going to be better living through technology ... we were all going to be flying around in space! Instead were the punk generation of no future.

Feminist art was fantastic in 1980s New York, McCormick says, but unfortunately it was just being ignored. Barbara Kruger was the exception: the graphic designer-turned-artist became known for her acid-tongued text works that took aim at consumerism, the patriarchy and the intersection of the two.

She took the seductive language of advertising and consumerism, to throw it back in a way that rips it apart, McCormick says. Pop art took popular culture in a kinda acquiescent way, without really questioning so much its just a Brillo box [but she used it] to subvert and to question.

In this work, the images are taken from 1950s advertising: the boys posture is reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter, and the title is a Tina Turner song from two years prior. Kruger led the way for dense, appropriation-fuelled art while profoundly speaking to the womens condition from [the New York] scene.

Like Warhol, Nam June Paik was a forefather figure in the 80s scene. Paik grew up in Korea and moved to New York in the 1960s where, McCormick says, he became one of the seminal figures of Fluxus with Yoko Ono and all sorts of interesting people. It was another gang of friends getting together that, in fact, had much in common with Haring, Basquait and co.

Fluxus wanted to playfully destroy the boundaries between art and life, and experiment with the nature of what art could be. The movement was also fiercely anti-consumerist and, for Paik, this was most evident in his work relating to television. I remember his first video was like the earliest TV you could imagine, just a video of the moon, called Moon Is The Oldest TV, McCormick recalls.

In the MTV generation of the 80s, Paik went on to become the father of video art. In Video Flag Z, he reconstituted American identity as a Korean living in America. He may not have been a bratty kid but, like Basquait, Paik had a perspective so few others in the white art world could offer.

NGVs Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines is showing in Melbourne until 11 April 2020

The Stories of a Scene series is supported by the National Gallery of Victoria

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'We were all a little bit punk': Haring, Basquiat and the art that defined 80s New York - The Guardian

Progressive initiative

Throughout Out of the Wreckage, Monbiot makes tangible his discursive proposal with a wide review of progressive political initiatives from all over the world, in fields as diverse as electoral systems, taxes, environment and employment.

For instance, Monbiot explains innovative policies such as different forms of basic income put in place around the world. However, the major strength of the authors compilation of innovative policies is those projects that simultaneously meet different aims (participation and social justice, protection of the environment and popular empowerment...). One of these examples is the community bill of rights set up by certain American cities, which has allowed some communities to legally reject threats to the local environment such as fracking an example that suggests that re-municipalising politics can pave the way to more progressive and inclusive policies, as shown by Ada Colaus government in Barcelona.

In a similar sense, Monbiot explains how participatory budgets have succeeded in improving Brazilian cities social policies, reducing infant mortality and reinforcing healthcare. The book also pays great attention to community-related projects, such as Rotterdams dense network of 1,300 cultural and social community projects, which range from cultural hubs to care cooperatives and green projects.

The gender dimension is not excluded from Monbiots analysis, but the book would have benefited from a more explicit adoption of a feminist approach. The long list of political proposals reviewed by Monbiot shows that todays societies are not as paralysed as the ruling elites would like, but in some points the explanation reaches such a high degree of detail that the reader might forget the main thesis of the book: the need for building a new political tale.

Regardless of the degree of efficacy or feasibility of each one of the policies addressed by Monbiot (some are short-term reforms while others are more ambitious), Out of the Wreckage has the major virtue of proposing a courageous utopia, which at some moments seems slightly naive, but never stops being inspiring.

This book is particularly valuable in a period in which short-term issues monopolize parliamentary politics in many countries. State institutions all over the world seem impermeable to the major questions faced by modern societies: which kind of economy do we want? How to guarantee sufficient living standards for all? How to slow climate change and guarantee a fair ecological transition?

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A new political story to get out of the neoliberal wreckage - Open Democracy

Hulu is billing Utopia Falls as the primary ever sci-fi hip-hop tv collection, and its simple to see why such a factor hasnt been created earlier than. Sci-fi has been a typically white style, and one whichs extra involved with drama than dancing, singing and rapping. That will sound like were being wiseasses, however nothing might be farther from the reality; the concept a sci-fi present might be made out of a youthful, extra various perspective is a welcome change. However is Utopia Falls that present?

Opening Shot: As we see an aerial shot of the clouds over Earth, then we begin panning into Earths barren panorama, we hear a voice over go, They are saying, time is the best thief there may be.

The Gist: As we pan over, we see that a lot of the land is uninhabitable. However then we see, below an environmental bubble, the colony generally known as New Babyl. Its the final working colony on Earth, established lots of of years after the ancestors of apocalyptic survivors went underground to dwell. Its the day when the 25 teenagers from the colonys numerous sectors are chosen to coach for a musical-dance competitors referred to as The Exemplar.

Aliya (Robyn Alomar) is a information within the Progress Sector and is the daughter of Gerald (Jeff Teravainen), a member of the Tribunal, who advise the Chancellor Diara (Alexandra Castillo), the chief of the colony. Her boyfriend Tempo (Robbie Graham-Kuntz) has additionally been chosen. Over in Reform Sector, primarily a nicer model of a jail colony, finest buddies Mags (Robbie Graham-Kuntz) and Bohdi (Akiel Julien) are picked; the primary time two from that sector are going. Sage (Devyn Nekoda), from the Nature sector, is so certain she receivedt go she doesnt even watch the announcement.

After the announcement, Diara and the Tribunal discover out that there was a breach within the colonys protecting bubble, that means that both somebody got here in or somebody left.

Once they college students get to the power the place they practice for The Exemplar, theyre greeted by Mentor Watts (Huse Madhavji), who tells them that their first efficiency is in ten minutes. Throughout that point, Bohdi and Aliya get in a tiff over what Bohdi thinks are her apparent benefits. After the efficiency, Watts takes down the mostly-confident college students by saying the performances have been common, and instantly kicks out the three worst performers to indicate the scholars how severe that is.

A lot of the new college students are invited to a mysterious celebration proper exterior the borders of the colony, which is taken into account to be off-limits; the invite says anybody who attends will get a leg up on the competitors. When Bohdi and Aliya separate from the remainder, they discover a door within the woods. Once they go in, they discover one thing referred to as The Archive (voice of Snoop Dogg) that introduces them to an historic type of music: hip-hop.

Our Take: Theres a number of good issues about Utopia Falls, created by R.T. Thorne, recognized for guiding collection like Discover Me In Paris and Blindspot. Each Alomar and Julien are interesting leads (its fairly obvious that theyre the leads of whats going to be an ensemble), they usually each do good work in a primary episode that roughly appears like Glee set lots of of years sooner or later. The complete ensemble must be multi-talented, both as dancers, singers, musicians, in addition to actors, and it appears like Thorne has discovered actors that may create plausible characters with some depth.

However the story, as with most Sci-fi thats attempting to construct a brand new world out of nothing, can get complicated. As a lot as Thorne tried to present some exposition to start with of the episode, it felt like we dont know practically sufficient about New Babyls numerous sectors, what The Exemplar truly is, how some persons are associated to one another (Sage, as an example, has a Gran Chyra (Diane Johnstone) and Gran Reale, however were undecided in the event that they raised her or are simply two of her grandparents). Additionally, stilted language abounds, like when persons are mentioned to be of their 17th 12 months as a substitute of simply saying theyre 16. The temptation to jargonize on a regular basis speech to make it sound futuristic has at all times been a pitfall of sci-fi, however the very best of the style has its characters talking in up to date talking patterns; when Thorne strays from that, it instantly loses us.

We get that this present is probably going geared in direction of a youthful viewers, however we hope that the concept the colony might seem to be a collective however in actuality comes off as a North Korea-esque totalitarian state will likely be addressed. Everybody vows loyalty to the leaders, and when these leaders name to their costs on large screens, the present feels much less like a teen dancing and singing present and extra like 1984. Maybe because the affect of hip-hop, and far of the styles message to problem authority, permeates with the scholars, that subject will come to the foreground.

Intercourse and Pores and skin: Nothing.

Parting Shot: Surrounded by holographic photos of album covers, music movies and breakdancing, Aliya and Bodhi sit and soak up the historical past of hip-hop.

Sleeper Star: Wed watch each episode solely to listen to Snoop Dogg because the voice of The Archive. If we didnt see his identify within the opening credit, listening to his voice would have been one of the out-of-left area issues weve encountered on TV thus far in 2020.

Most Pilot-y Line: Moore Instances (Dwain Murphy), an influential buddy from the Reform Sector, tries to get Bodhi and Mags to present out black market footwear to the scholars. Bodhi refuses. Hes been like a father to us! Mags says to Bodhi. To start with, you may hold that father speak, Bodhi replies. Whoo boy, plenty of historical past in that sentence.

Our Name: STREAM IT. Were undecided if Utopia Falls goes to get higher than the primary episode, which we discovered hokey at instances. However well hold watching simply to listen to extra Snoop Dogg, and if the present improves, all the higher.

Joel Keller (@joelkeller) writes about meals, leisure, parenting and tech, however he doesnt child himself: hes a TV junkie. His writing has appeared within the New York Instances, Slate, Salon, VanityFair.com, Playboy.com, Quick Firm.com, RollingStone.com, Billboard and elsewhere.

StreamUtopia Falls On Hulu

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Stream It Or Skip It: Utopia Falls On Hulu, Where Teens From A New Earth Colony Who Discover The Power Of Hip-Hop - Checkersaga

How much culture can one person absorb in three days in New York City? I decided to find out over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. For months I had compiled a list of shows and exhibits to see; because I knew Id be moving at breakneck speed, I opted to go solo and traveled light, with only a purse and small overnight bag.

On Saturday morning, I drove to South Station and parked at a nearby garage. I boarded a Megabus for a four-hour trip, and shortly after noon was dropped off at Seventh Avenue and 27th Street in Manhattan.

I had a hankering for Korean food and made my way to missKOREA, which bills itself as having the citys best Korean barbecue. I ordered the $11.95 Galbi lunch box, which included marinated short ribs, rice, kimchi and soup.

Thus fortified, I headed south from Koreatown on swanky Park Avenue. The falling snow made sidewalks slippery, yet I marveled at how many impossibly chic New Yorkers went about their business sporting smooth-soled, high-heeled boots.

I logged several miles on foot through Union Square Park and onto Broadway; just as I started to feel weary, Max Brenners Chocolate Bar appeared through the snowflakes like a welcome apparition. I ordered the thick Belgian hot chocolate complete with caramelized biscuits which, according to the menu, came in an oblong mug shaped to be hugged in both hands to create a cozy drinking experience.

Next stop: the downtown Staley-Wise Gallery to see Harry Bensons behind-the-scenes 20th-century photographs of rich and glamorous people such as Jackie Kennedy and Ralph Lauren. On a whim, I asked gallery staff the cost of a framed photo of Bensons famous 1964 Beatles image titled The Pillow Fight at least $10,000. Um, never mind.

On I schlepped to my SoHo Airbnb, a second-floor Sixth Avenue walkup. My room was barely larger than the queen-sized bed in it, but it was clean and quiet, and the Houston Street subway station was only a block away.

I settled in, then set off for a bowl of cabbage-and-pork dumpling soup before heading to the Vineyard Theatre to see Is This a Room. This off-Broadway production staged the official word-for-word transcript detailing the FBIs interrogation of 25-year-old Reality Winner, a former Air Force intelligence specialist and linguist, at her Georgia home on June 3, 2017.

Winner was charged that day with leaking classified information to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United State elections, and was later sentenced to more than five years in prison (she is still incarcerated). With its spare set and taut, chilling dialogue, this real-life drama was hands-down the most compelling piece of theatre I have ever experienced.

On Sunday morning I began walking north towards The Museum of Arts and Design at Columbus Circle. I wanted to absorb the sights and sounds along the way, but by 25th Street I was tired and hailed a cab.

The museum showcases art, design and craft from the 1950s to today, and our tour groups charismatic docent guided us through exhibits that included the work of fashion designer Anna Sui and the scarves, textiles and myriad other creations of mid-century artist Vera Neumann. I wanted to stop for a light nosh at the museums top-floor restaurant, Robert, but the place was packed, so I settled for a glimpse of its glorious view of Central Park.

Walking in Manhattan, its impossible to ignore the stunning juxtaposition of wealth and poverty the ever-growing gap between the haves and have-nots. One street would be lined with elegant row houses and stretch limousines parked in front; the seemingly omnipresent scaffolding on many buildings across the city attested to its inexorable march towards complete gentrification.

Yet within the same few blocks, people without homes huddled beneath blankets in building alcoves. One man sat begging on the street, a cat held in his lap, while within walking distance a mobile pet spa was parked outside an upscale apartment building.

That afternoon I saw a matinee Broadway production of David Byrnes American Utopia, an exuberant mash-up of rock music, singing, dance and wry political commentary. At 67, Byrne still has the clear, slightly nasal voice and sinuous stage moves from 40 years ago when fronting the Talking Heads. Here, as one of a dozen barefoot musicians sporting shiny gray suits against a backdrop of silver chains, Byrne and his percussion-heavy band performed original songs and Talking Heads covers such as This Must Be the Place and Burning Down the House.

In keeping with the shows sincere theme of longing for a better world, he reminded audience members to vote and gave a nod to his multi-ethnic band, noting that immigrants are essential to our culture. The enthusiastic audience called for several encores in a show that lasted almost two hours.

But I wasnt done yet. Ducking into a Hells Kitchen pizzeria, I stumbled upon a clutch of people filming a movie titled What Doesnt Float and watched them do multiple takes. Then it was off to the nearby Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, the New York home of improv, sketch and stand-up comedy shows launched in 1996 by actress Amy Poehler and three others who formed the UCB4.

On this night, some 10 comedians performed long-form improvised sketches based on the bare bones of a guests narrative. I have often found live comedy to be gratuitously crude and cringe inducing, but to my delight this was a night of fast, fun, clever humor.

On Monday morning I checked out of my room and took the 1 Broadway-Seventh Avenue train uptown to 72nd Street. My first stop was Fine & Schapiro, a kosher deli/restaurant where I had cherry blintzes for breakfast.

I then sauntered along the Upper West Side elegant streets and across Central Park to the Neue Galerie along the famed Museum Mile. I had long wanted to see this gallerys collection of early-20th-century German and Austrian art and design.

Alas, due to preparations for a future installation only one gallery was open, but I did get to see Gustav Klimts dazzling, gold-hued portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, known as The Woman in Gold. As consolation for the paucity of artwork, I visited the museums caf and had a Sacher Torte and a Viennese coffee.

Before catching the bus home, I tallied my expenses. All costs including transportation, parking, lodging, activities, and meals and drink totaled $841. And though I took a cab and used the subway, I walked almost 20 miles over three days. Ill do it again, just as soon as I have the energy.

Peggy Dillon is a Cape Ann resident and professor at Salem State University.

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How to spend three warp-speed days in New York City - Wicked Local North of Boston

Here is a brief rundown of some coming entertainment options in Northeast Ohio. Make submissions for consideration via email to entertainment@morningjournal.com or entertainment@news-herald.com. You must include a phone number and/or web address for publication.

Allen Memorial Art Museum: Oberlin College, 87 N. Main St., Oberlin, presents "The Enchantment of the Everyday: East Asian Decorative Arts From the Permanent Collection, through July 19; "Ukiyo-e Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection," featuring 100 prints from asurprise gift of more than 1,500 Japanese woodblock prints featuring actors, courtesans, and landscapes of the floating world of 17th- to 19th-century Japan, through June 14. Call 440-775-8665 or visit oberlin.edu/amam.

Cleveland Museum of Art: 11150 East Blvd., presents "PROOF: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet,"through April 12; Tiffany in Bloom: Stained Glass Lamps by Louis Comfort Tiffany," through June 14; "Michelangelo: Mind of the Master," through Feb. 23; "Second Careers: Two Tributaries in African Art," through March 8; "Picasso and Paper," May 24 through Aug. 23; "Revealing Krishna: Journey to Cambodias Sacred Mountain," Oct. 18 through Jan. 3. Call 216-421-7340 or visit clevelandart.org.

Lakeland Community Colleges Gallery at Lakeland: 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, presents "frm WOMAN XIII... Created by women, of women and about women," Feb. 23 hrough March 27 (artist reception 3:30 to 5 p.m. March 22); "Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition," April 5 through 29 (artist reception and awards ceremony 7 p.m. April 9); "11th Annual May Show at Lakeland Juried Arts Exhibition," May 14 through June 26 (artist reception and awards ceremony 6 p.m. May 14). Call 440-525-7029 or visit lakelandcc.edu/gallery.

Sculpture Center: 1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland, presents "Revealed Emerging Artist Series 2020," featuring works from Lisa Walcot and Nate Ricciuto," through March 13. Call 216-229-6527 or visit sculpturecenter.org.

Ursuline College's Florence ODonnell Wasmer Gallery: 2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, presents "Community: Together We can," second Women's History Month Student Art Showcase," Feb. 28 through May 1 (opening reception 5 p.m. Feb. 28). Call 440-646-8121.

Valley Art Center: 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, presents "Identity THINGS, the final iteration of a three-year series of exhibits exploring concepts of identity, through March 4. Call 440-247-7507 or visit valleyartcenter.org.

Lorain Community Music Theater: will hold auditions for "Mamma Mia," 1 to 4 p.m. March 14, 2 to 5 p.m. March 14 and 2 to 4 p.m. March 21 at St. Peter School, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain -- bring sheet music to sing a 32-bar cut of a vocal selection in the style of the show. Visit loraincommunitymusictheater.org or email LCMTshows@gmail.com.

Wolstein Center: 2000 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, presents "Sesame Street Live! Let's Party!," April 4 and 5. Call 877-468-4946 or visit http://www.wolsteincenter.com.

Agora Theatre & Ballroom: 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents "Letterkenny Live," March 27; Nikki Glaser, April 11; Whitney Cummings, April 25; Sal Vulcano, May 13; Nate Bargatze, May 29; Heather McMahan, June 11. Visit clevelandagora.com.

Cleveland Improv: 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, presents Eddie Griffin, Feb. 21 and 22; Michael Colyar, Feb. 27 through March1 . Call 216-696-4677 or visit ClevelandImprov.com.

Hilarities 4th Street Theatre: 2025 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, presents Adam Carolla, Feb. 27; Chris Distefano, Feb. 28 and 29. Call 216-736-4242 or visit pickwickandfrolic.com.

MGM Northfield Park: 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, presents Tracy Morgan, Feb. 29; Trevor Noah, March 14; Deon Cole, April 17; Sinbad, April 18; Ron White, June 6. Call 330-908-7625 or visit mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com.

Playhouse Square: 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents Iliza Shlesinger, March 5; Trey Kennedy, April 24. Call 216-241-6000, or visit http://www.playhousesquare.com.

Wolstein Center: 2000 Prospect Ave., presents Jim Gaffigan, March 6. Call 216-687-2000 or visit http://www.csuohio.edu/wolsteincenter.

Agora Theatre & Ballroom: 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents Radiate 2020, Feb. 21; Space Jesus, Feb. 28; The Floozies, Feb. 29; Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Goose, March 5; Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, March 10; Neon Future IV -- The Color of Noise Tour featuring Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, Riot Ten Godlands, Global Day, March 11; Three 6 Mafia, March 13; Lupe Fiasco, March 14; DragonForce, March 17; Silversun Pickups, March 18; Subtronics, HeSh, Chee, March 19; All Fizzed Up: Ohio's First Hard Seltzer Event, March 21; RUFUS DU SOL, May 23; A Bowie Celebration The David Bowie Alumni Tour, March 25; Cody Johnson, March 26; Tiny Meat Gang, March 28; Boogie & & Boogie T.rio, April 3; In This Moment, Black Veil Brides, Ded, April 4; Big Gigantic, April 5; Liquid Stranger, April 8; Citizen Cope, April 17; The Front Bottoms, April 29; Tech N9ne, May 11; Jacob Collier, May 19; Bikini Kill, May 22; Symphony X, May 24; Awolnation, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, The Beaches & Bleeker, June 2; Simple Plan, New Found Glory, Knuckle Puck, June 10; Ministry, July 13; Coheed and Cambria, Sept. 8; Ty Segal & The Freedom Band, Sept. 25; Krokus, Oct. 2; Amaranthe, Oct. 3. Visit clevelandagora.com.

Akron Civic Theatre: 182 S. Main St., presents Michael Stanley and The Resonators: "Stage Pass Revisited," March 7 (sold out). Visit AkronCivic.com.

Beachland Ballroom: 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, presents Whitney Fenimore, Feb. 21; Into the Blue, Feb. 21; John's Little Sister, Beach Stav, Feb. 22; John Wlton & the Awakening, Erie Waters, Feb. 22; Bluegrass jam, Feb. 24; Nektar, Feb. 26; DOOMSQUAD, FREAKwents, Ghost Noises, Feb. 27; Dodapod, Feb. 28; an evening with Fred Eaglesmith, Feb. 28; Danielle Nicole, Feb. 29; The Stolen Faces, Feb. 29; Radical Face, March 1; The Brook & The Bluff, March 3; Black Lips, March 4; The Yawpers, March 4; Reigning Sound, The Alarm Clocks, March 6; Bro Dylan, Mimi Arden, Sol Fox, March 6; New Bomb Turks, The Chargers Street Gang, March 7; Angela Perley, March 7; Of Montreal, Lily, Horn Horse, March 8; Theo Katzman, March 10; Gladie, March 10; Consider the Source, March 11; Squirrel Nut Zippers, March 11; Kendall Street Company, CBDB, March 12; Caroline Roas, Good Baby, March 13; Rumpke Mountain Boys, March 13; Nora Jane Struthers, Austin Stambaugh, March 14; The Nubmers Band (15-60-75), March 14; Brett Cobb, March 18; In the Pines, March 18; Lucky Chops, March 19; James Supercave, March 19; Keller Williams's Grateful Grass featuring Love Cannon, March 20; A Celebration of Cleveland Rock History with Deanna Adams and Ray Carr, March 21; Revival ABB, March 21; Wussy, The Amprays, March 21; Ward Davis, Josh Morningstar, March 22; The Bombpops, Tightwire, Billy Liar, March 22; Dark Water Rebellion, Harriers of Discord, March 23; Betcha, March 25; Cherry Pools, Jet Black Alley Cat, Small Talks, March 26; Tab Benoit, March 27; Joey Harkum, March 28; Pussy Riot, March 29; That 1 Guy, March 29; Alicia Witt, April 1; Brand X, CSC featuring the Cuda Brothers, April 1; The Sadies, April 3; The Unlikely Candidates, April 4; Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors, April 4; Ghost-Note, Passafire, April 8; Clern Snide, April 8; "Hell's Decibels 2020: with Satan, Night Demon, Haunt, Bewitcher, April 10; Nine Pound Hammer, April 10; Fleetmac Wood's Rumours Rave, April 11; Joint Operation, Dutty, Ride the Vibe, April 11; Fly Golden Eagle, Desert Noises, April 12; Lilly Hiatt, The Harmaleighs, April 14; Litz, Baccano, April 15; Chris Jacobs Band, April 16; King Buffalo, Oregon Space Trail of Dom, April 16; Dixon's Violin, April 17; Stephen Malkmus, Qais Essar & the Magic Carpet, April 18; Torres, April 21; Brandy Clark, April 21; Kitchen Dwellers, April 22; Parsonsfield, April 24; RDGLDGRN, Little Stranger, April 26; Tod MacDonald, Madchild, Nova Rockafeller, April 26; Greg Dulli, April 28; Amyl and the Sniffers, April 29; Steve Forbert, May 1; Satsang,May 9; They Might Be Giants, May 12; They Might Be Giants, May 13; Red Wanting Blue, May 14; MolchatDoma, ChrystaBell, May 19; Dan Rodriguez, May 20; Joy Wave, May 21; Caligula's Horse, Moon Tooth, Ebonivory, May 23; Pokey LaFarge, June 9; Jill Andrews, June 13; Fuzz, June 19; The Guillotines, The Strains, Obnox, June 20; The Claudettes, June 24; Big Thief, Aug. 3; Oh Sees, Sept. 13. Call 216-383-1124 or visit beachlandballroom.com.

Blossom Music Center: 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, presents Kenny Chesney, Michael Franti & Sperhead, May 28; Thomas Rhett, Cole Swinell, Hardy, June 6; Tames Taylor and His All-Star Band, Jackson Browne, June 12; Maroon 5, Alice Cooper, Tesla, Lita Ford, June 14; Meghan Trainor, June 18; Halsey, CHVRCHES, Omar Apollo, June 21; Dave Matthews Band, June 23; Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae, June 25; Journey, The Pretenders, June 30; Chris Young, Scotty McCreery, Payton Smith, July 9; Daryl Hall & John Oates, Squeeze, Kt Tunstall, July 14;Rod Stewart, Cheap Trick, July 21; The Doobie Brothers, July 22; Tim McGraw, Midland, Ingrid Andress, July 24; Dead & Company, July 27; Backstreet Boys, July 28; Foreigner, Kansas, Europe, July 29; Nickelback, Stone Temple Piots, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Aug. 4; Chris Stapleton, Elle King, Kendell Marvel, Aug. 6; Sammy Hagar & The Circle, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Aug. 12; The Black Crowes, Aug. 18; Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, Travis Denning, Ernest, Brandi Cyrus, Aug. 20; Distrubed, Staind, Bad Wolves, Aug. 21; Incubus, 311, Badflower, Aug. 26; Rascal Flatts, Sept. 4; Zac Brown Band, Sept. 10; Brooks & Dunn, Sept. 18. Call 330-920-8040 or visit blossommusic.com.

Canton Palace Theatre: 605 Market Ave. N., presents Donnie Iris and The Cruisers, Hey Monea, March 28; Chicago, Aug. 9. Call 330-454-8172 or visit cantonpalacetheatre.org.

FirstEnergy Stadium Home of the Cleveland Browns: 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, presents Rolling Stones, June 19; Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, July 3; Justin Bieber, Aug. 14. Visit FirstEnergyStadium.com.

Goodyear Theater: 1201 E. Market St., Akron, presents American Authors, MAGIC GIANT, Feb. 22. Call 330-690-2307 or visit goodyeartheater.com.

Grog Shop: 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., presents The Blue Stones, Feb. 22; Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band, Feb. 29; Cam'ron -- Purple Haze 2, Feb. 26; We Were Promised Jetpacks, Feb. 27; OM, Wovenhand, March 9; Weedeater, March 10; BBNO$, March 11; Avi Kaplan, March 17; Pussy Riot, March 28; AlexG & Empath, March 30; Chris Renzema, April 3; Damo Suzuki's Network, Ma Holos, April 4; Soccer Mommy, Tomberlin, April 9; Jon Mark McMillan, April 14; The Beths, May 2; Red City Radio & Decent Criminal, May 7; The Record Company, May 21; Nada Surf, May 30; AJJ, Xiu Xiu, Emperor X, May 31; Neil Hamburger, June 3. Call 216-321-5588 or visit grogshop.gs.

House of Blues: 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents Iration, Ballyhoo!, Iya Terra, Feb. 21; Local Brews Local Grooves, a craft beer and music festival, Feb. 22; flor, Winnetka BowlingLeague, Feb. 25; G Herbo, Feb. 25; Nicole Bus, Tone Smith, Feb. 26; Ross Mathews, Feb. 27; Who's Bad (Michael Jackson tribute), Feb. 28; Gaelic Storm, Feb. 29; Young Dolph, Key Glock, March 7; Elohim, Bahari, Mehro, March 7; Audrey Mika, March 9; Jaux, Drezo, March 10; Bad Omens, Bloodline, Thousand Below, March 12; Fit for a King, Chelsea Grin, March 12; NEFFEX, March 13; Mod Sun, March 13; Mr. Speed (KISS tribute), March 14; Dayglow, March 15; Devin Townsend, The Contortionist, Haken, March 15; The Wonder Years, Free Throw, Spanish Love Songs, March 16; The Purple Madness (Prince tribute), March 20; R&B ONLY featuring Tiara Monique and Apex Laurent, March 21; Social House, March 21; beabadoobee, Eliza & The Delusionals, March 31; Hippie Sabotage, ilo ilo, March 24; Fleshgod Apocalypse featuring the Veleno Quartet, The Agonist, March 26; COIN, Sure Sure, March 27; Andrew Santino, March 28; Grieves, The Holdup, March 28; Davido, April 1; Circa Survive, April 4; Lauren Sanderson, April 4; James Arthur, Delacey, April 5; Sepultura, Sacred Reich, Crowbar, April 6; Jade Novah, April 8; Silverstein, Four Year Strong, I, The Mighty, April 10; Eli Young Band, High Valley, April 11; The Glitch Mob, Ivy Lab, April 12; Hot Chelle Rae, April 13; The Infamous Stringdusters, April 16; Trevor Hall & Brett Dennen, April 19; Organ Grinders Ball 25, April 25; Noah Reid, April 26; Girl Talk, April 29; Palaye Royal, The Hunna, Arrested Youth, May 7; GBH, MDC, May 7; Here Come The Mummies, May 9; Fetty Wap, May 12; The Devil Makes Three, May 13; Tanya Tucker, May 20; Trap Karaoke, May 30; The Cypertronic Spreee, May 31; Bayside, Senses Fail, Hawthorne Heights, June 3; STARSET, Physics Girl, June 27; Angel Olsen, Okay Kaya, July 20. Call 216-241-5555 or visit hob.com/cleveland.

Jacobs Pavilion: Nautica Entertainment Complex, West Bank of the Flats, Cleveland, presents NF, May 8; AJR, May 22; Above & Behond, May 24; Melanie Martinez, June 12; Joe Russo's Almost Dead, June 18; Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, July 3; Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium, In Flames, July 8; David Gray, July 14; Kidz Bop, July 19; Lauv, Maisie Peters, Role Model, July 26; Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse, Forest Blakk, Aug. 12; Alicia Keys, Aug. 21. Call 216-861-4080 or visit http://www.nauticaflats.com.

Kent Stage: 175 E. Main St., Kent, presents Hard Day's Night, Feb. 22; The High Kings, Feb. 24; The Numbers Band, Feb. 29; We Banjo 3, March 4; Dave Mason, March 7; Carbon Leaf, March 8; Eric Johnson, March 9; Howard Jones, March 10; Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, March 12; Robert Cray, March 14; Marc Cohn, March 21; Bob Mould, March 25; The Music of Cream, April 22; Justin Hayward, Aril 25; Shawn Colvin, May 18;Tab Benoit, June 2;Wishbone Ash, Sept. 25. Call 330-677-5005 or visit kentstage.org.

Lorain Palace Theater: 617 Broadway, Lorain, presents Journey to the Heart (Heart tribute), March 21; Stars of the Sixties starring Bobby Rydell, Shirley Alston Reeves, The Duprees, The Vogues, April 17; Winger, Firehouse, April 24; Back to the '70s tour, featuring Blue Swede, The Trammps, Norman Greenbaum, Looking Glass featuring Elliot Lurie and others, June 20. Call 440-245-2323 or visit lorainpalace.com.

MGM Northfieldd Park: 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, presents Jill Scott, Feb. 21 (postponed to June 12; Great White, Slaughter, Feb. 22; Ms. Lauryn Hill, March 12; Dennis DeYoung, March 13; Grand Funk Railroad, March 21; Gordon Lightfoot, March 27 (rescheduled from Sept. 20); Gary Gallen, April 10; Straight No Chaser, April 4; Chicago, April 16 (sold-out); Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd tribute), April 25; Gladys Knight, May 7; Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, May 8; Todd Rundgren, May 14 and 15; Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, May 16; Jill Scott, June 12 (moved from Feb. 21); Buddy Guy, June 25; Happy Together Tour starring The Turtles, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night, The Association and more, Aug. 16. Call 330-908-7625 or visit mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com.

Music Box Supper Club: 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, presents Motown Night with Nitebridge, The Ark Band (Bob Marley tribute), Feb. 21; Bill Toms & Hard Rain, Feb. 21; Mardi Gras Brunch with Mo' Mojo, Feb. 23; John Gorka, Amilia K. Spicer, Feb. 23; Sinatra Brunch featuring Michael Sonata, Feb. 23; The Diamond Project (Neil Diamond tribute), Feb. 28; Van Morrison tribute by Nitebridge with Colin Dussault, Feb. 29; Maura Rogers & The Bellows, Liz Bullock & The Tremonts, Feb. 29; Hot Jaz Brunch with Hot Djang, March 1; Tom Petty Brunch featuring Shadow of Doubt, March 1; Mr. Jimmy (Led Zeppelin show), March 4; Kevin Griffin, March 5; Remember Jones, March 6; Tweed, March 6; Peace Frog (Doors tribute), March 7; Thornetta Davis (Aretha Franklin tribute), March 7; Irish Brunch with The Kilroys, March 8; Raul Malo, March 9; Kasim Sulton's Utopia, March 10; Bluewater Kings, March 11; St. Patrick's Brunch with The Portersharks, March 15; Kat Edmonson, March 16; Ronnie Baker Brooks & Coco Montoya, March 20; Dolly Parton Night with Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys, March 20; Austin Walkin' Cane, March 21; An Acoustic Evening With Michael Stanley & Friends, March 21; Beatles Brunch with The Sunrise Jones, March 22; Dweezil Zappa, March 24; Swearingen & Kelli: Fire & Rain, March 26; Katmandu (Bob Seger tribute), March 27; Odyssey & Company, Hubb's Groove, March 28; Alejandro Escovedo, March 29; Eagles Brunch with Out of Eden, March 29; James McMurtry, March 31; Mary Bridget Davies, April 2; Chicago Farmer and The Fieldnotes, April 2; E5C4PE (Journey tribute), April 3; Billy Joel Brunch, April 5; Bluewater Kings, April 8; Marcia Ball & Tommy Casto & The Painkillers, April 9; June Sladek & The Side FX Project, April 9; Moving in Stereo (The Cars tribute), April 10; Church of Cash, April 10; Jonah Koslen, April 11; Easter Brunch with Marys Lane, April 12; Easter Beatles Brunch with The Sunrise Jones, April 12; Vanessa Carlotn, Jenny O, April 13; Jazz Is Phish, April 16; Los Lobos, April 17; Becky Boyd & Groove Train, April 17; Linda Ronstadt Brunch with Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys, April 19; Crystal Bowersox, April 19; Rickie Lee Jones, April 22; Sinatra Night with Michael Sonata, April 24; Penny & Sparrow, April 26; Roaring 20s Brunch with Eric Seddon's Hot Club, April 26; TUSK (Fleetwood Mac tribute), May 7; Patrick Sweany, May 9; Alan Doyle-TX, May 13; Rhett Miller (acoustic), May 14; Broken Arrow (Neil Young tribute), May 15; Poi Dog Pondering, May 23; Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses, May 29; Doobie Brothers Brunch with China Grove, May 31. Call 216-242-1250 or visit musicboxcle.com.

Nighttown: 12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, presents Moises Borges Quartet, Forecast, Feb. 21; Alice Blumenfeld-ABREPASO'S Tabloa Flamenco, Feb. 22; Baldwin Wallace Musical Theatre, Feb. 24; Jiggs Whigham & Friends, Feb. 25; Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Feb. 26; Lionel Loueke, Feb. 27; Eric Everett Jazz Quintet featuring Charlene Smythe, Feb. 28; Cyrille Aimee, Feb. 29; Debi Lewin -- "Marquis Showcase," March 1; Hudson HS Big Band, March 2; Westbound Situation, March 3; Nanny & Dani Assis Brazilian Sextet, Moises Morges, March 6; Bill Rudman's "Seize the Day," March 7 and 8; April Verch & Joe Newberry, March 8; Joe Hunter & Pete Cavano, March 12; Gerald Skillern, David Thomas Trio, March 13; Tim Lekan plays Cole Porter featuring Celine Opdycke, March 14; Disney @ Nightown -- Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater, March 16; The New Barleycorn, March 17; Chip Stephens, Glenn Wilson Duo, March 18; Howie Smith & Organ Ism, March 19; Hard Day's Night (Beatles tribute), March 20 and 21; Dominick Farinacci -- "Spirit of the Groove," March 22; JazzWorks, March 27; Stephane Wrembel, March 28. Call 216-795-0550 or visit nighttowncleveland.com.

Playhouse Square: 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents Steven Curtis Chapman, March 1; Joe Bonamassa, March 6 and 7; "A Cappella Live!" featuring The Filharmonics, Committed, Blake Lewis and Women of the World, March 20; Rain (Beatles tribute), March 28; The Musical Box's "A Genesis Extravaganza Part II," March 29; Celtic Woman, April 10; The Cleveland Pops Orchestra Performs Windborne's The Music of Queen, Apri 24; Alison Krauss, April 29; "An Intimate Evening With David Foster," featuring Katharine McPhee, May 3. Call 216-241-6000 or visit PlayhouseSquare.org.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame And Museum: Cleveland, presents Big Sam's Funky Nation Concert, 8 p.m. Feb. 28. Call 888-588-ROCK or visit http://www.rockhall.com.

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse: 1 Center Court, Cleveland, presents The 1975, Phoebe Bridgers, Beabadoobee, June 3; Harry Styles, July 15; Janet Jackson, July 28; Rage Against the Machine, July 29. Call 216-420-2200 or visit rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.

Stocker Arts Center at Lorain County Community College: 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, presents In My Life (Beatles tribute), March 11 in the Hoke Theatre; Helen Welch, "A Little Brit Different," March 20 and 21; O Soul Trio's "Hooray for Hollywood," March 27 and 28in the Cirigliano Studio Theatre;Farewell Angelina, May 6in Hoke Theatre; Rachel Brown & The Beatnik Playboys' "Patsy Cline and Friends, May 15 and 16; Sisters in Song (Rachel Brown and Kristen Jackson), May 29 and 30in the Cirigliano Studio Theatre. Call 440-366-4040 or visit http://www.StockerArtsCenter.com.

Tri-C JazzFest at Playhouse Square: presents Take 6, Kirk Whalum, 7:45 p.m. June 25 at KeyBank State Theatre; Fly Higher: Charlie Parker, 6 p.m. June 26 at Ohio Theatre; Angelique Kidjo, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, 7:45 p.m June 26 at KeyBank State Theatre; John Mayall and Walter Trout, 10:15 p.m. June 26; Julian Lage, Emmet Cohen, 1 p.m. June 27 at Ohio Theatre; Karriem Riggins, Joel Ross, 3:30 p.m. June 27 at Allen Theatre; Charles Lloyd, 6 p.m. June 27 at Allen Theatre; Punch Brothers, 7:45 p.m. June 27 at KeyBank State Theatre; Cha Wa, 10:15 p.m. June 27 at Allen Theatre. Visit tri-c.edu/jazzfest.

Wolstein Center: 2000 Prospect Ave., presents 70's Soul Ja, featuring The Stylistics, Heatwave, The Emotions and more, March 7; Erykah Badu, March 21. Call 877-468-4946 or visit wolsteincenter.com.

Broadway in Akron: a series at E.J. Thomas Hall in conjunction with Playhouse Square, presents "Riverdance," April 24 through 26. Call330-253-2488 or visit broadwayinakron.com.

Oberlin College & Conservatory: presents "The Foreigner's Home," 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Apollo Theatre, 19 E. College St. Call 440-775-8160 or 800-371-0178 or visit http://www.oberlin.edu/artsguide.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame And Museum: Cleveland, presents "Amazing Grace," which spotlights Aretha Franklin as she records live gospel album at New Tmemple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972; "Chuck Berry," 7 p.m. Feb. 26; "CURATION-25: From There to Here/From Here to There," March 6; "Sound of My Voice," March 25; "Dennis and Lois," May 13; "ZZ Top," May 30; "Miles Davis: Birth fo the Cool," June 3; "John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky," June 10. Call 888-588-ROCK or visit rockhall.com.

Shot on an iPhone 7+ for less than $1K, directorKevin Naughton Inside Akrons Tent City documents a local homeless communitys attempt to self-organized and the Akron city governments efforts to displace them. Juxtaposing interviews with city officials and the houseless residents of the tent community, the documentary web series subverts stereotypes and humanizes a marginalized portion of American society. The film will be shown during theShort. Sweet. Film. Fest., which boasts more than 150 films under 30 minutes from around the world and which has an emphasis on local films. It runs Feb. 26 through March 1 in the Alex Theater at the Metropolitan at The 9, 2017 E. Ninth St., Cleveland. Visit ShortSweetFilmFest.com.

Short. Sweet. Film. Fest.: featuring more than 150 films under 30 minutes from around the world with an emphasis on local films, runs Feb. 26 through March 1 in the Alex Theater at the Metropolitan at The 9, 2017 E. Ninth St., Cleveland. There also will befilm workshops, networking events, and screenplay table readings throughout the festival, which are free and open to the public. Visit ShortSweetFilmFest.com.

Stocker Arts Center at Lorain County Community College: 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, presents the Winter/Spring Film Series (all films at 7 p.m. in The Hoke Theatre) -- "Give Me Liberty," Feb. 21, "The Station Agent," March 6, "The Red Violin," March 27, "Working Woman," April 10 "Britt-Marie Was Here," April 24. Call 440-366-4040 or visit StockerArtsCenter.com.

CityMusic Cleveland: presents a "The New World Revisited, featuring John Clayton, soloist, Dominick Farinacci, soloist, Orlando Watson, spoken word, 7:30 p.m. March 11 in Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, D-Building, Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, 7:30 p.m. March 12 in Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. March 13 in Lakewood Congregational Church, 1375 W. Clifton, and 8 p.m. March 14 in Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th St., Cleveland. Call 216-321-8273 or visit citymusiccleveland.org.

Cleveland Orchestra: performing at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, presents a program of the music of John Williams, conducted by Williams, April 26. Call 216-231-7300 or visit ClevelandOrchestra.com.

Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra: presents a program featuring Lu's "Good News From Beijing," Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Westlake Performng Arts Center, 27830 Hilliard Blvd., and 3 p.m. March 8 at Cleveland State Berkman Hall Auditorium, 1899 E. 22nd Ave. Call 216-556-1800, or visit clevephil.org.

Fine Arts Association: 38660 Mentor Ave. Willoughby, presents The Fine Arts Association Community Chorus, "Mozart Requiem," March 29; The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, April 18. Call 440-951-7500 or visit http://www.fineartsassociation.org.

First Music: a concert series by First Lutheran Church, 1019 W. Fifth St., Lorain, presents Jonathan Moyer performing Bach's Clavier-Ubung III on the church's new Fritts pipe organ, 3 p.m. Feb. 23. Visit FirstLutheranLorain.org/firstmusic.

Lake Ridge Legacy Chorus of Sweet Adelines International: presents Pot O' Gold Night at the Races, featuring horse races, raffles, wine tasting from Giuseppe's Wine Celler in Amherst and more, 6 p.m. March 7 at Amvets Post 22, 1517 State Road, Vermilion. Call 440-934-0265 or visit elyriasweetadelines.com.

Lakeland Community College: 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, presents the Lakeland Civic Band, "March Bdmess," 4 p.m. March 1; the Lakeland Civic Orchestra, "Songs of Change," 4 p.m. March 8; 48th annual Lakeland Jazz Festival, March 20 and 21 (Big Band Evening Extravaganza, featuring the Lakeland Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m. March 20, and Carol Weisman Trio, featuring Carol Weisman, Anne Drummond and Brandi Disterheft, 8 p.m. March 21); the Lakeland Civic Chorus, "It Might as Well Be Spring," 4 p.m. April 5; the Lakeland Civic Band, "Of Sailors and Whales," 4 p.m. April 19; the Lakeland Civic Orchestra, "Orchestral Games," 4 p.m. April 26; the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Impact, "Dealer's Choice: Big Band Favorites Through the Decades," 4 p.m. May 3. Call 440-375-7225 or visit http://www.lakelandcc.edu/arts.

Quire Cleveland: presents "Journey Home: Finding Unity After Loss," a program centering on two settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah by Thomas Tallis and Robert White, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at St. John Cantius Church, 906 College Ave., Cleveland, and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at St. Vitus Church, 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland. Call 216-223-8854 or visit http://www.QuireCleveland.org.

Towne and Country Players: present "America's Finest Singing Machine," featuring the Bowling Green State University Men's Chorus, 3 p.m. March 22 in the former BGSU Huron Playhouse, 325 Ohio St., Huron. Call 419-668-0637.

Troy Township Contra Dance: at Troy Community House, 3950 Main Market Road/Route 422, presents a dance with live folk music, 7:30 p.m. (lesson at 6:30 p.m.)Feb. 1 and March 7. Call 216-316-0068 or visitneohiocontradance.org.

Environmental Learning Center: 7250 Alexander Road, Concord Township, presents Science Day!, featuring hands-on activities, noon to 4 p.m.. Call 440-358-7275 or visit lakemetroparks.com.

Observatory Park: 10610 Clay St., Montville Township, presents guided night sky viewing, 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 22, March 14 and 28; astronomy nights led by Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society Volunteers, March 21. Call 440-286-9516 or visit geaugaparkdistrict.org.

West Woods Nature Center: 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township, presents "Earthscapes and More," featuring quits by artist Deb Berebile, through April 20; Armchair Adventures Travelogues, 2 to 3 p.m. -- "Michigans Upper Peninsula Adventure," with Shane Wohlken and John Kolar, Feb. 23. Call 440-286-9516 or visit geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Theater

Beck Center For The Arts: 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, presents "The Scottsboro Boys," through Feb. 23. Call 216-521-2540 or visit http://www.BeckCenter.org.

Broadway in Akron: a series at E.J. Thomas Hall in conjunction with Playhouse Square, presents "Waitress," April 28 and 29. Call330-253-2488 or visit broadwayinakron.com.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre: 40 River St., Chagrin Falls, presents "The Taming," a comedy by Lauren Gunderson, Feb. 21 through March 7 in the River Street Playhouse. Call 440-247-8955 or visit cvlt.org.

Cleveland Play House: Performing at Playhouse Square, presents "CLUE, A New Comedy," through Feb. 23 in the Allen Theater; "Antigone," March 28 through April 19 in the Outcalt Theatre; "A Doll's House, Part 2," April 25 through May 17. Call 216-241-6000 or visit clevelandplayhouse.com.

Cleveland Public Theatre: 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, presents "Breakout Session (or Frogorse)," by Nikkole Salter, Feb. 22 through March 14; a collaboration with Teatro Publico de Cleveland and in Spanish with English subtitles, "Marisol," by Jose Rivera, March 5 through 21. Call 216-631-2727 or visit cptonline.org.

Dobama Theatre: 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, presents "Dance Nation," by Clare Barron, March 6 through 29; "The Other Place," by Sharr White, April 24 through May 24. Call 216-932-3396 or visit http://www.dobama.org.

Fine Arts Association: 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, presents "Charlotte's Web," through March 11; One Act Festival "Then Below!," March 27 through April 5; "Chicago," June 5 through 20. Call 440-951-7500 or visit http://www.fineartsassociation.org.

French Creek Theatre: located within the French Creek Nature & Arts Center, Sheffield Village, presents "The Drowsy Chaperone," through Feb.23; "And Then There Were None," by Agatha Christie," April 24 through May 10; The Music Man," July 10 through 26; "MacBeth," Aug. 14 through 16. Call 440-949-5200, ext. 221 or visit metroparks.cc/theatre.php.

Great Lakes Theater: at the Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, presents "Sleuth," a whodunit thriller, through March 8. Call 216-241-6000 or visit greatlakestheater.org.

Hanna Theater: Playhouse Square, Cleveland, presents "Sex n' the City: A (super unauthorized) Musical Parody," March 12; "The Golden Girls Show," March 13 and 14. Call 216-241-6000 or visit http://www.playhousesquare.org.

Near West Theatre: 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, presents "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," by Charles Dickens, Feb. 21 through March 8. Call 216-961-9750 or visit nearwesttheatre.org.

Playhouse Square: Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, presents "Anastasia," through Feb 23; "Divorcees, Evangelist and Vegetarians," a ppresentation of the LatinUs Theatre Company and performed entirely in Spanish, Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28 29 and March 1; "Jesus Christ Superstar," March 10 through 29; "A Bronx Tale," Chazz Palminteri's one-man show, March 22; Disney's "Frozen," July 15 through Aug. 16; "Hamilton," Sept. 22 through Nov. 1. Call 216-241-6000 or visit http://www.playhousesquare.com.

Barnes & Noble: 7900 Mentor Ave., Mentor, presents Dylan "Hornswoggle" Postl, "Life Is Short and So Am I: My Life Inside, Outside, and Under the Wrestling Ring," 1 p.m. Feb. 22. Call 440-266-0212.

Youngstown band The Vindys are among the acts slated to play Brite 2020, a winter music festival that also will feature Ra Ra Riot, Red Rose Panic and other. Brite gets underway at 3 p.m. Feb. 22 in the West Bank of the Flats. Visit BriteWinter.com for more information, and learn more about The Vindys at TheVindys.com.

Brite 2020: a winter music festival with performances by Ra Ra Riot, Red Rose Panic, The Vindys and more, will be 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Feb. 22 in the West Bank of the Flats. Visit BriteWinter.com.

Cleveland Botanical Garden: 11030 East Blvd., presents the 14th annual "Orchid Mania," the theme for which is "Vibrant Vietnam," through March 1. Call 216-721-1600, or visit cbgarden.org.

Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society: 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, presents "Breaking the Mold": The Art of Thelma & Edward Winter, through Aug. 2. Visit wrhs.org.

Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo: featuring an appearance by Ty Pennington of TLC's 'Trading Spaces," will be March 20 through 22 at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Visit HomeandRemodelingExpo.com.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History: 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle, presents "Ultimate Dinosaurs," through April. 26. Call 216-231-1177, 800-317-9155, or visit cmnh.org.

Cleveland Public Library: presents "Cleveland 20/20: A Snapshot of Our City," featuring nearly 200 photographs with cour central themes -- intimate moments, geogrphy, water and leisure, through November in Brett Hall in the Main Library, 325 Superior Ave.Call 216-623-7039 or visit cpl.org.

Great Lakes Science Center: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, presents inaugrual Great Science Gala and Ion Awards, March 7. Call 216-694-2000 or visit greatscience.com.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage: 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, presents "Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music," an exhibition, through March 1. Call 216-593-0575 or visit MaltzJewishMuseum.org.

Music Box Supper Club: 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, presents in partnership with Western Reserve Historical Society's Cleveland History Center, Cleveland Stories Dinner Party, Wednesdays through May. Call 216-242-1250 or visit musicboxcle.com.

Playhouse Square: Cleveland, presents "The National Geographic Live -- "Coral Kingdoms and Empires of Ice," Feb. 26; "The Bachelor Live!" hosted by Becca Kufrin and Ben Higgins, Live," April 3; National Geographic Live -- "Nature Roars Back," April 22. Call 216-241-6000 or visit playhousesquare.org.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse: 1 Center Court, Cleveland, presents Dude Perfect, June 4; Cirque du Soleil's "Crystal," June 24 through 28. Call 888-894-9422 or visit rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.

Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub: 348 Mentor Ave. Painesville, presents Public Guided Tour. Feb. 25; Public Guided Tour, March 26; Murder Mystery Dinner, April 4; Public Guided Tour, April 28. Call 440-639-7948 or visit SteeleMansion.com.

Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama: featuring Amanda Berry's restored 1986 Monte Carlo, will be March 13 through 15 at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Visit PistonPowerShow.com.

Tri-C High School Rock Off: featuring 37 acts representing 63 schools from Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania, presents the Final Exam, Feb. 29, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. Visit rockhall.com/rockoff.

Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland: featuring appearances by "Outlander" cast members Caitriona Balfe, Richard Rankin, Colin McFarlane and Duncan Lacroix, "Teen Wolf" cast members Tyler Hoechlin, Khylin Rhambo, Ian Bowen and Dylan Sprayberry, "The Princess Bride" cast members Cary Elwes and Wallace Shawn), "Overwatch" voice actors Anjali Bhimani, Benz Antoine, Carolina Ravassa and Chloe Hollings," as well as other guests, the "Animation Celebration" and more, runs March 6 through 8 at Huntington Convention Center. Visit wizardworld.com/comiccon/cleveland.

Wonderstruck in Cleveland: a music festival featuring Portugal, The Man; Walk the Moon, Of Monsters and Men, Third Eye Blind, Brittany Howard, will be June 6 and 7 at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland. Visit Wonderstruckfest.com.

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Happenings what's coming up in Northeast Ohio starting Feb. 21 - News-Herald.com

There are a lot of bars and restaurants in New Orleans that serve delicious cocktails. Because of the vast number, it can be hard to find the right one youre looking for. To help you with your search for the best spot to sip at, weve come up with a list of the best places to drink in New Orleans. From easy day drinking spots for your brunches with the girls that turn into all-day affairs, to the late-night bars for your friends bachelor party, we want to make sure you know all the best spots. Take a look!

Even if youre not a tourist, this bar is still an enjoyable place to visit and sip at. The bar was built into a moving carousel. If youre worried about getting motion sick, dont worrythe bar spins slowly enough that youll barely notice. You have to try out the bars most famous cocktail, the Vieux Carre.

If you and your friends are beer lovers, then youll definitely want to head to the Bulldog. Its got a great patio and some of the best bar food in the area. Its an awesome spot if you want to get away from the tourists of the French Quarterfor a chill night, this patio is the place to visit. They have around 50 beers on tap, so dont miss out!

On the other hand, if youre more of a wine lover, then Bacchanal is the place to be. Previously a quirky little wine shop, its now evolved into this wine garden utopia where people can spend a night sipping on crisp wine, order wine and cheese, and enjoy live music. The backyard is massive, but if thats not what youre feeling, they also have a cocktail and wine bar upstairs.

Just finished up your walk or bike ride? Make a pit stop at the Wrong Iron to slake your thirst with their wide selection of beers, cocktails, and frozen cocktailsall on tap! They have racks for your bikes, a beer garden if you havent gotten your fill of sunshine, and an atmosphere that youll have a hard time leaving.

The dive bar to end all dive bars, Lafittes Blacksmith Shop is the late-night place to be. Sure, everyone has their own opinion on which is the best dive out of the 582 bars on Bourbon Street, but this one is one of the oldest bars in America. Theyve been serving beer and frozen drinks since the 1700sits a must-visit.

Live music describes New Orleans in a nutshellTipitinas is its institution. Though you could close your eyes and point to find a live music join on Frenchmen Street, this is one of the best places to go for music and drinks in the whole city. Plan to come when a local brass band is playingits an experience youll never forget.

As fun as it is to explore New Orleans and find your favorite new drinking spot, make sure youre doing so responsibly. Never drink and drive, and always understand how alcohol affects your body. Even if youre walking, alcohol affects your mood, so play it safe and know your limits. Happyand safesipping!

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6 of the Best Places to Drink in New Orleans - Big Easy Magazine

Davide Sorrentis photographs defined an eraand, unfairly, came to define 'Heroin Chic. Here, Francesca Sorrenti describes her son's bright, painful genius, and sets the record straight.

Alongside his brother Mario and peers like Glen Luchford and Harmony Korine, Davide Sorrenti captured the mad and gritty youth culture of New York, which came to define the era. In just a year and a half, the work of the previously little-known, but pivotal, 90s fashion photographer has been inescapable. Its been featured in the full-length documentary See Know Evil by Charlie Curran, in the extensive exhibition Our Beutyfull Future at Camera Club Projects in New York, and now in a second editionthe first 750 copies sold out immediatelyof Davide Sorrenti ArgueSKE 1994-1997 (IDEA Books). The retrospective monograph features Davides photographs, graffiti, tearsheets, and other ephemera, and releases at Dashwood Books in New York tonight, February 25.

Unfortunately, after his death, which was wrongfully attributed to a heroin overdose, Davides work unfairly came to define Heroin Chic. What most people didnt know was that Davide suffered from a serious illness that was rapidly deteriorating his body and caused him constant pain. I sometimes would say, Your girls always look like theyre sad, reflected his mother, Francesca Sorrenti, as we sat in the living room of her Downtown Brooklyn apartment a few months ago. And he said, Well Im melancholy and thats what I project. And sometimes its not even really that; its a dream world. Im projecting a dream world.

Over our six-hour conversation, Francesca discussed Davide, raising her tight-knit family, and how one woman created such an empire of creative talent.

All images from Davide Sorrenti ArgueSKE 1994-1997, courtesy of IDEA Books.

Paige Silveria: Tell me about your earlier years in New York.

Francesca Sorrenti: When I was 18, I ran away from home in Queens to Manhattan. I lived a crazy life; I stayed with a girlfriend for a bit who was a groupie and seeing Marty from the Jefferson Airplane. I found a job at a small club called The Scene and met a lot of groups there: Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin. At the time, some groups who were really hot played in stadiums, but mostly they played in small venues. You just hung out and partied. At Maxs Kansas City, I met Donna Jordan and I started hanging out with her and Jane Forth. At night thered be Lou Reed or [Pablo] Picasso. It was really a scene. I was friendly with Karl Lagerfeld, who was a young guy in his 20s, and Antonio Lopez.

I had met Andy [Warhol] at The Scene and he invited me down to The Factory, but it was too crazy for me. Ive always been on the outskirts. I wasnt too wild. I always thought Id write a book called, Whats A Good Catholic Schoolgirl Like You Doing In A Place Like This? Im not religious, but I went to Catholic school and have all of those fears. [Laughs] You dont think about it; youre just fearful. Its in the back of your mind: Oh, Im not going there! Its not going to end well.

Paige: You also spent time in Italy?

Francesca: Since I was 11, wed go to Italy in the summertime. My mother inherited all this property from her father. Wed go down to Naples, Capri, or the little town that my mother was brought up in. Its funny because my mother was so chic and glamorous when she was young, but the town she grew up in was so small.

Paige: Where did she get it from?

Francesca: It was in her blood! Her family was extremely wealthy. I remember when I first walked into my grandmothers place, there were these huge 30-foot wooden doors pushing open into the courtyard. She had this huge terrace. Below the house, all of the workers who served her lived. She didnt even have running water. Every day they would bring her cauldrons up for the kitchen and bathroom. In America, we were used to taking showers every day. So wed be on the terrace with the cauldrons taking baths. People would say, If you take a bath every day, youll die. They didnt really have schooling. So there were these two worlds: up on top at the castle and then down at the bottom, where it was so poor.

Paige: When did you meet your first husband?

Francesca: I met Ricardo, whos the father of my three kids, one summer while I was there. He came from a very well-to-do family of builders and architects. We had a great life in Italy. It was a great time to be in Europe. Here we were, these funky parents dressing unusually. When Mario was born, he came out of the hospital wearing these old jean overalls Id found. In fashion, everything was new.

Paige: What did you do for work?

Francesca: I had my own little jean shop that I was forced to close, because I got robbed all the time because it was Naples. [Laughs] And then I was offered a job at Fiorucci, which was a mega company. They allowed me to work out of Naples because I had kids. Id go to Milan maybe once a week. Those were the days when you could get on the plane, literally, if the steps were still attached.

Paige: What was it like working for Fiorucci back then?

Francesca: I was there [from] 73 until 1980 and it was amazing. In the beginning I was in charge of designing recycled denim. We were a team of friends, a community. It wasnt just about making clothes; it was about going to the store, meeting the customers, doing the window dressing. We were never exhausted. We were always laughing. I remember once getting kicked out of this big fashion convention for ready-to-wear. In the 70s, fashion shows were only for couture. And at these conventions, the big companies would build these huge closed-off rooms, so you couldnt see their designs. Once, with my American accent, I pretended to be a buyer from Chicago and snuck in. My friends had put this big sticker on my back saying, Im with Fiorucci. I had maybe three-to-five minutes to look at everything before someone noticed the sign on my back and I was escorted out of the building. Everyone was clapping for me, because we were all spies. It was fun. Then I changed my outfit and put a hat on and went back in through another entrance.

Paige: When was Davide born?

Francesca: In 1976. At the time, they didnt know much about the illness, Thalassemia. It was rampant in Italy; its a Mediterrean disease. Those with the illness werent living long at the time. A transfusion at the time only lasted a week. I was devastated.

Paige: How old was he when he was diagnosed?

Francesca: He was a year and one month, and he was on his deathbed. I was in Africa and I had this horrible dream; I knew that something was wrong and that I had to call home. It was like mothers intuition. So I called and my mother said that Davide wasnt well. So I flew back from Algiers. I looked at him and I didnt want to believe it, but it popped into my head that he had Thalassemia. It was really hard, bringing Davide back to life and dealing with it. Bringing him to the hospital and doing so much. I went back to Fiorucci and just fell out of love. I wanted to go home to New York. I didnt want to be there anymore. And there were other factors too.

Paige: What were they?

Francesca: Well my husband and I had broken up two years prior. I would have acquired, as I got older, a reputation as a divorcee. People would tell me I had to be more womanly and settle down. Stop dressing like a freak. Take care of your kids. There was still a lot of classism back then, especially in Naples. When you come from a well-to-do family, you stay that way; you dont mingle. At some point you put on that pleated skirt and the twinset. Be a proper woman. But then I would come to New York for work. And there was Studio 54 and Xenon, shiny stretch pants and sequin tops. And Id take Davide with me sometimes to go to the hospitals here. People would tell me, You have children? Youre too young! In America I was too young and in Italy I was too old. Being separated, you have every male neighbor knocking on your door asking, Do you need any help? just the Italian way. No I dont need help. And so I decided to just go home. I didnt see a good future for my kids. And then Davide, there [were more treatment options] for his illness in the States.

Paige: What was treatment like for him in Europe?

Francesca: I had gotten together this Thalassemia committee to get more progress for the illness. I would bring them news from New York, where one of the best centers was. In Naples, I used to see parents from the rural areas come into the hospital with six kids, and three had Thalassemia. They wouldnt be transfused in time, so theyd start to be deformed. If you dont get the blood, your extremities grow longer, your face distorts. Ill never forget being at the hospital just after he was diagnosed and seeing all of these children that were so disproportionate. I went into the bathroom and banged my head on the wall. I cracked my skull. Thats how freaked out I was. It was a very hard time. But it gave me strength. It all made me stronger.

Paige: After moving to New York, you worked at a coffee shop for a while and did other odd jobs. Then your first job in fashion was styling?

Francesca: Where you made your money as a stylist then was through catalogs. They were like books. If you wanted to find out about an outfit, youd go to the credits in the back. I did really well with it. This woman who hired me, she thought I had all of this experience working in Italy. She says, You know it really doesnt pay much; its only $500 a day. $800 for the shoot. And Im like, Oh shit! I went to the coffee shop and said, Fuck you, and threw my dress at the owner; they were so vile. So things got better and we moved to a bigger apartment on E 16th Street. I met my current partner, Steve. Weve been together ever since.

Paige: What were your kids up to?

Francesca: Mario became a fashion model. Davide started to dress real cool like his brother. This was before grunge had hit. Johnny Depp had this TV show, 21 Jump Street. Davide was 13 and he resembled Johnny Depp; he emulated him. Hed do his hair like him. He always had a knack for style. Then the 90s came along. Mario had a girlfriend then named Kate Moss, a nobody, just a young girl. They were in love. The story is that he brought her over to stay with us at our apartment. He was doing a job for Interview, his first magazine [assignment]. He told them that hed like to use his girlfriend. Joe Mckenna said, No. But Mario convinced him. And that was Kates first exposure. There are so many stories about this, but this is the real one. From there, their careers really started. Davide was very influenced by his older brother. And they were still very close. Of course there were fights; You touched my film! Fuck! Davide started experimenting. He started walking around with a camera. He wasnt feeling well. Unfortunately, by the time he was 18, his bones were that of an 80-year-old. He suffered a lot in his back, his legs, his stomach. But he never said anything. Then he started to smoke a lot of weed. He said it made him feel so good when he smoked, so I allowed him. It helped him with his pain.

Paige: What was your first photo job?

Francesca: In the 90s Mario told me to pick up a camera, so I did. I was really lucky because I had all of this experience from all of the different things Id done. Mario said, Ma, youre such a player. Youre always workin it. My first job was a catalogue for Macys. Patrick Demarchelier usually did it. And they gave it to me, this mega catalogue. I freaked out. It turned out amazing. It was their best-selling catalogue ever. This is when department stores were mega. Steven Meisel was an art director there, at Macys. There are a lot of things people dont know about the past; they just get to the glamour part of fashion. And then all of a sudden there was this whole grunge movement going on and drugs started to come into the scene.

Paige: When did drugs begin to change things?

Francesca: Its really nobodys fault. We had the 60s; there was Woodstock, pot, Haight-Ashbury, communes, hippies. It was a global youth movement. In the 90s, it was the youth within the fashion industry. Kids were coming in from London and getting hired by Americans because theyre EnglishI dont think we ever detached ourselves from loving the English. And they were bringing a lot of drugs with them. The well-to-do European kids always had a problem with heroin. In Naples, I had friends who did heroin that were very wealthy. It was the rich mans drug. But there was this whole movement. We were about to come out of the recession. And these kids came in with all of these great ideas, this kind of photography and way of dressing. Fashion was unfashion. Girls didnt have to wash their hair; they didnt have to wear makeup. They could just wear their clothes any way that they wanted to.

Paige: Was there a nihilistic bent?

Francesca: It was just out of control. Youd go to modeling agencies and all of the bookers were kids. And all of the people, I dont want to name names, but a lot of the designers and company owners, since the recession of 89, had been going under. So they were giving free reign to bring business back: Wow, this is amazing. Go on a trip. Shoot whatever you want. It was all about Kurt Cobain and Nan Goldin, these tortured souls. People became idols, and justly. Kurts music was fabulous. Nans pictures are beautiful. But the kids wanted to be her and she had issues. Kurt kills himself, and now suicide is cool. You would say to a kid, Youre going to die. And they say, Oh well, Kurt died.

Paige: How did your kids cope with it?

Francesca: Davide would come home sometimes and say, Hey ma, you have to help this girl whos on drugs. I started to see girls on set who were wasted and I knew it wasnt pot. I sent girls home. I called their mothers. I sent kids to rehab. And then Davide met James [King]. They fell in love. James had her problem. But you know, they never did heroin together. Never. She was very aware of how sick he was. Davide tried to help her. It didnt work. They always fought. They loved each other. They were so in-tune. Then one day in August of 96, he ends up in the hospital. I found out later that the real culprit wasnt heroin; it was half a pill of Oxycodone. Anything he did, it was minimum. Hed only have a pill here and there, because he took a long time to recoup. He had the body of an 80-year-old. He had osteoporosis. He had liver deterioration. So he knew he couldnt overdo it. But then he tried heroin, and ended up in the hospital again. No one knew about the Oxycodone.

Paige: That must have been so scary. He was so young and yet had all of these constraints.

Francesca: Towards the end he was very heartbroken. He just didnt know where he was heading. And he didnt feel well. He became a little lax with his transfusions. It just snowballed, the whole thing. But to talk about his talent, to call it Heroin Chic? Really? I was over his body saying, This is not cool. This is not chic. And then Ingrid Sischy calls it Heroin Chic. Years later I was at Zac Posensat the time he was a student at Central Saint Martins and Vanina was staying with him and they invited me to visit. Zac was fabulous and had these amazing fashion books. He had this one encyclopedia of fashion. I was looking in the back for Marios name. And they had Davides name and it says, Davide Sorrenti, ended the era of Heroin Chic. And, well, that is a true statement. Kids were dying of overdose. People were dying of suicide. It got really dark. But it didnt start that way. It started with a sense of freedom. We can do what we want. But society cannot survive in anarchy. So few of us know how to be civilized and be moderate. If we were, it would be utopia. But were not. And unfortunately thats the way it is. I just happen to have three very talented kids who were sponges and voyeurs like their mother and father and stepfather.

Read more here:

Francesca Sorrenti recalls the anarchy of '90s New York, and how Davide provided a light - Document Journal