Category Archives: New Utopia

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.

See the original post:

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!

Hey guys!

Were so grateful to our friends, our families, our neighbors, and especially our readers for chipping in, sharing, and donating to the cause of local progressive media. Your support has lifted us up so much and will most assuredly not be lost or forgotten.

If you care about local independent progressive media in an era where multi-millionaires such as John Georges are monopolizing our local press, then please donate any amount you can to make our operation a success. We can do this! Do not give up.

What else can you do if youve already donated and cant donate anymore? Share our content on Facebook and tell people about our fundraising operation. Call and email others who may be able to give. We believe in you because you believe in us and together we can ensure Big Easy Magazine becomes a progressive icon for New Orleans and an inspiration for the expansion of progressive media around the world.

Thank you,Scott PloofPublisherBig Easy Magazine

Originally posted here:

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

Last week, the Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency announced 800 more houses in Orem have the ability to connect to its fiber optic network.

We are building faster than we ever have, said Roger Timmerman, executive director.

Orem is on track to be completely built-out by 2022. Other cities in the 11 city consortium have already reached their goals, according to Timmerman.

West Valley City, the largest city in the consortium, is half way done, while Murray is about 60% built-out, according to Timmerman.

Tremonton, Brigham City, Perry, Centerville and Lindon are built-out. However, Timmerman says that build-out continues as growth comes to the cities. If developments have open trenches, fiber optic cables will go in them as well as other utilities.

Timmerman said the good news is that as Orem residents have access to UTOPIA, many are choosing to connect to the service.

Orem is exceeding expectation with take rates of 30%, Timmerman said. Lindon was built out about 10 years ago and has 55% residential takes.

Timmerman said those take numbers will go up as residents get informed about the availability of UTOPIA.

Having Orem and other consortium cities connected to UTOPIA has been a long time in the making. It was first discussed and approved by the Orem City Council in 2002. The first rounds of bonds were issued in 2004 and refinanced in 2008.

To help with financing, the Utah Infrastructure Agency or UIA was created as a funding mechanism to finance new builds in the consortium.

On rumors that UTOPIA was being financially mishandled, Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, went to the Legislature and called for a complete audit in 2012. They concluded that it was being handled properly but set performance benchmarks as they moved forward.

There is $185 million plus interest (bond debt) over the entire consortium, Timmerman said.

Orem has 20 years left on its UTOPIA bond payments. Timmerman said when Orem is built-out that it will see a decrease in what it pays out.

Over the past few years, UIA has operated in the black and has been able to pay back to Orem and other consortium cities the compounding interest each year. Orem capped out a few years ago. That interest is going to pay off the UTOPIA Bond.

UIA is the most successful (fiber optic network) project in the U.S., Timmerman said. We are the largest open access network in the country and considered a success. Ten years ago we were a failure.

So much has changed since UTOPIA first came on the scene, according to Timmerman. YouTube, Facebook and Netflix didnt exist.

Financially, Timmerman said there are two things that make UTOPIA/UIA so successful.

We are in a financial position to finance projects with no backstop, Timmerman said. Number one, we took out our last $40 million bond last year and no city had to pay for it. Number two, city obligations have been capped and are expected to go down.

Timmerman said for a time in 2008 there was discussion in Orem and elsewhere that cities might cut their losses and look for something else.

If wed cut out losses in 08 wed be on the hook for all of it (the bond) without service, Timmerman said. At a certain point, Orem will not be paying anything and the goal for UIA is to pay back the city anything paid previously.

The customers will be paying, Timmerman concluded.

Timmerman added, Its a really good team effort. A lot of people have suffered and fought for this over the years. The Board directs us. The Board has made us successful.

Both boards at UTOPIA and UIA are made up of representatives from the consortium cities. Jamie Davidson, Orem city manager sits on the UIA board and Councilwoman Debby Lauret sits on the UTOPIA board.

Roger has given a lot of guidance, said Kim McKinley, chief marketing officer.

McKinley said the number one argument she hears is that Wi-Fi is the future.

But wireless plugs into fiber. Most wireless companies in the state use UTOPIA, McKinley said. A lot of people in other states come and look at UTOPIA.

Timmerman said that demand is so good its paying for itself.

McKinley said the consortium now has more than 27,00 users with about 500 being added each month.

Its a win-win, Timmerman said. We can avoid pitfalls and build-out at lower cost and we make money. We see ourselves as the go-to solution for fiber optics.

View original post here:

Orem's UTOPIA build-out on schedule - Daily Herald

An ancient habit of Western elites is a certain selectivity in condemnation.

Sometimes Westerners apply critical standards to the West that they would never apply to other nations.

My colleague at the Hoover Institution, historian Niall Ferguson, has pointed out that Swedish green-teen celebrity Greta Thunberg might be more effective in her advocacy for reducing carbon emissions by redirecting her animus. Instead of hectoring Europeans and Americans, who have recently achieved the planets most dramatic drops in the use of fossil fuels, Thunberg might instead turn her attention to China and India to offer her how dare you complaints to get their leaders to curb carbon emissions.

UC BERKELEY REMOVES BOALT HALL NAME FROM LAW SCHOOL AFTER DISCOVERY OF NAMESAKES RACIST SPEECH

Whether the world continues to spew dangerous levels of carbons will depend largely on policies in China and India. After all, these two countries account for over a third of the global population and continue to grow their coal-based industries.

In the late 1950s, many elites in the United States bought the Soviet Union line that the march of global communism would bury the West. Then, as Soviet power eroded in the 1980s, Japan Inc. and its ascendant model of state-sponsored industry became the preferred alternative to Western-style democratic capitalism.

Once Japans economy ossified, the new utopia of the 1990s was supposedly the emerging European Union. Americans were supposed to be awed that the euro gained ground on the dollar. Europes borderless democratic socialism and its soft power were declared preferable to the reactionary U.S.

By 2015, the EU was a mess, so China was preordained as the inevitable global superpower. American intellectuals pointed to its high-speed rail transportation, solar industries and gleaming airports, in contrast to the hollowed-out and grubby American heartland.

Now the curtain has been pulled back on the interior rot of the Chinese Communist Party, its gulag-like re-education camps, its systematic mercantile cheating, its Orwellian surveillance apparatus, its serial public health crises and its primitive hinterland infrastructure.

After the calcification of the Soviet Union, Japan Inc., the EU and the Chinese superpower, no one quite knows which alternative will next supposedly bury America.

The U.S. and Europe are often quite critical of violence against women, minorities and gays. The European Union, for example, has often singled out Israel for its supposed mistreatment of Palestinians on the West Bank.

After the calcification of the Soviet Union, Japan Inc., the EU and the Chinese superpower, no one quite knows which alternative will next supposedly bury America.

Yet if the purpose of Western human rights activism is to curb global bias and hate, then it would be far more cost-effective to concentrate on the greatest offenders.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER

China is currently detaining about a million Muslim Uighurs in re-education camps. Yet activist groups arent calling for divestment, boycotts and sanctions against Beijing in the same way they target Israel.

Homosexuality is a capital crime in Iran. Scores of Iranian gays reportedly have been incarcerated and thousands executed under theocratic law since the fall of the Shah in 1979. Yet rarely do Western activist groups call for global ostracism of Iran.

Dont look to the United Nations Human Rights Council for any meaningful condemnation of worldwide prejudice and hatred, although it is a frequent critic of both the U.S. and Israel.

Many of the 47 member nations of the Human Rights Council are habitual violators of human rights. In 2017, nine member nations persecuted citizens who were actively working to implement U.N. standards of human rights.

There are many reasons for Westerners selective outrage and pessimism toward their own culture. Cowardice explains some of the asymmetry. Blasting tiny democratic Israel will not result in any retaliation. Taking on a powerful China or a murderous Iran could earn retribution.

Guilt also explains some of the selectivity. European nations are still blamed for 19th-century colonialism and imperialism. They will always seek absolution, as the citizens of former colonial and Third World nations act like perpetual victims even well into the postmodern 21st century.

Western elites are perpetually aggrieved. But the next time they direct their lectures at a particular target, consider the source and motivation of their outrage.

Virtual-signaling is increasingly common. Western elites often harangue about misdemeanors when they cannot address felonies a strange sort of psychological penance that excuses their impotence.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

It is much easier for the city of Berkeley to ban clean-burning, U.S.-produced natural gas in newly constructed buildings than it is to outlaw far dirtier crude oil from Saudi Arabia. Currently, the sexist, homophobic, autocratic Saudis are the largest source of imported oil in California, sending the state some 100 million barrels per year, without which thousands of Berkeley motorists could not get to work. Apparently, outlawing clean, domestic natural gas allows one to justify importing unclean Saudi oil.

Western elites are perpetually aggrieved. But the next time they direct their lectures at a particular target, consider the source and motivation of their outrage.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM VICTOR DAVIS HANSON

Read more:

Victor Davis Hanson: Woke elites love to point fingers. Always consider the source of their outrage - Home - WSFX

World renowned bass player Kasim Sulton will once again celebrate his longtime association with the ground breaking progressive rock band Utopia and their legacy by performing a limited number of shows consisting entirely of Utopia music with a full band. The bands set list will be comprised of songs hand picked by Sulton, spanning the 10 albums he appears on, including deep cuts as well as many more familiar songs. The show is set for March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

World renowned bass player Kasim Sulton will once again celebrate his longtime association with the ground breaking progressive rock band Utopia and their legacy by performing a limited number of shows

Photo: John Atashian / Contributed Photo / John Atashian

World renowned bass player Kasim Sulton will once again celebrate his longtime association with the ground breaking progressive rock band Utopia and their legacy by performing a limited number of shows consisting entirely of Utopia music with a full band. The bands set list will be comprised of songs hand picked by Sulton, spanning the 10 albums he appears on, including deep cuts as well as many more familiar songs. The show is set for March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

World renowned bass player Kasim Sulton will once again celebrate his longtime association with the ground breaking progressive rock band Utopia and their legacy by performing a limited number of shows

Concert Connection: Utopia, Kasim Sulton coming to the Kate March 5

World renowned bass player Kasim Sulton will once again celebrate his longtime association with the ground breaking progressive rock band Utopia and their legacy by performing a limited number of shows consisting entirely of Utopia music with a full band. The bands set list will be comprised of songs hand picked by Sulton, spanning the 10 albums he appears on, including deep cuts as well as many more familiar songs. The show is set for March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Sulton joined Utopia in 1976, when the group settled into its most recognizable quartet of Todd Rundgren (guitar, vocals), Kasim Sulton (bass, vocals), Roger Powell (keyboards, vocals), and Willie Wilcox (drums, vocals). All four band members wrote, sang, produced, and engineered the material on their critically acclaimed albums. Sulton wrote and sang lead on Utopias biggest hit, Set Me Free, from their best-selling album Adventures in Utopia (1980), which reached #27 on the Billboard Top 40 charts.

For tickets to see Kasim Sultans Utopia at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, call the box office at 860-510-0453.

Kasm Sulton photo by John Atashian

Upcoming concerts

Billy Gilman - Katharine Hepburn Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Jan. 31

Lettuce - College Street Music Hall, Hartford - Feb. 1

Richard Thompson - The Warehouse, Fairfield - Feb. 4

The Might Be Giants - College Street Music Hall, Hartford - Feb. 6

Galactic - The Warehouse, Fairfield - Feb. 6

The Wood Brothers - College Street Music Hall, Hartford - Feb. 7

Little River Band - Palace Theater, Stamford - Feb. 8

Mikey Dolenz - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Feb. 15

Citizen Cope - Infinity Hall, Hartford - Feb. 12

Ron White - Palace Theater, Stamford - Feb. 13

Allman Betts Band - Garde Arts Center, New London - Feb. 13

Rodger Hodgson (Supertramp) - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - Feb. 14

The Weight Band - Infinity Hall, Hartford - Feb. 14

Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - Feb. 15

Popa Chubby - Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk - Feb. 16

Jane Monheit - Katharine Hepburn Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Feb. 20

Richard Marx - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - Feb. 20

Los Lobos - Infinity Hall, Hartford - Feb. 21

Eileen Ivers - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Feb. 22

Richard Marx - Infinity Hall, Hartford - Feb. 23

Jane Monheit - Stage One, Fairfield - Feb. 23

Geoff Tate - The Warehouse, Fairfield - Feb. 27

The Lumineers - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville - Feb. 29

Peter Asher & Jeremy Clyde - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Feb. 29

Branford Marsalis Quartet - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - March 1

John Lodge (Moody Blues) - Infinity Hall, Hartford - March 4

Eric Johnson - The Warehouse, Fairfield - March 4

Louden Wainwright III - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - March 5

Kasim Sultans Utopia - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 5

John Lodge (Moody Blues) - The Warehouse, Fairfield - March 6

Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters - Infinity Hall, Hartford - March 7

Rascal Flatts - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - March 7

Lucy Kaplansky & Richard Shindell - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 7

Paul Ellis - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 8

Dana Fuchs - Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk - March 13

Tony Bennett - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - March 13

Roomful of Blues - Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk - March 14

Glen Phillips & Chris Barron - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 15

Kat Edmonson - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 19

Survivor - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - March 20

Dave Mason and John Mayall - Garde Arts Center, New London - March 21

Styx - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - March 21

Dave Mason and John Mayall - Infinity Hall, Hartford - March 22

Lee Ritenour - Infinity Hall, Hartford - March 25

Sebastian Maniscalco - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville - March 27 & 28

Masters of the Telecaster - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - March 29

Lee Ritenour - Stage One, Fairfield - April 1

Three Dog Night - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 2

Melissa Etheridge - Garde Arts Center, New London - April 3

Josh Turner - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 4

The Music of Cream - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 14

Rosanne Cash - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 16

Iliza - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - April 17

Tracy Morgan - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - April 17

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 17

Art Garfunkel - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 18

Madeleine Peyroux - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - April 19

Jonny Lang - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - April 22

Peter Yarrow - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - April 23

Jeffrey Gaines & Cassidy Catanzaro - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - April 24

Kathleen Madigan - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - April 25

Tracy Morgan - Palace Theater, Stamford - April 25

Martin Sexton - Katharine Hepburn Arts Center, Old Saybrook - May 1

Leslie West and Robbie Kreiger - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - May 2

Lewis Black - Palace Theater, Stamford - May 2

Jeff Pitchells Legends - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - May 2

Popa Chubby - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - May 7

Kansas - College Street Music Hall, Hartford - May 9

Howie Mandel - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - May 9

Sinbad - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - May 9

Shawn Colvin - Infinity Hall, Hartford - May 13

Beth Hart - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - May 15

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - May 15 & 16

The 5th Dimension - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - May 17

Herb Albert & Lani Hall - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - May 20 & 21

Randy Rainbow - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - June 4

Gordon Lightfoot - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - June 7

Ozzy Osbourne - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville - June 20

Trevor Noah - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - June 26 & 27

Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville - July 2

Harry Styles - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville - July 12

Journey and The Pretenders - Xfinity Theatre, Hartford - July 17

Janis Ian - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook - Aug. 5

Gabriel Iglesias - Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket - Sept. 6

Martin Barre Band - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield - Sept. 23

Original post:

Concert Connection: Utopia, Kasim Sulton coming to the Kate March 5 - Middletown Press

Erika Henningsen in "Mean Girls," Major Attaway in Aladdin, Caissie Levy and Patti Murin in "Frozen"(Photos by Matthew Murphy, Deen van Meer, Joan Marcus; Composite by Ryan Casey for Broadway.com)

FEBRUARY 16: Utopia UnlockedDavid Byrne's American Utopia has been bringing audiences to their feet at the Hudson Theatre since October and will play its final night on Broadway on February 16. Named after the 2018 studio album, American Utopia goes through Byrne's greatest hits from both his solo career and his time as the frontman of rock band Talking Heads. Assisted by a diverse group of artists and musicians, including #LiveAtFive guestsTendayi Kuumba and Chris Giarmo, American Utopia is truly a must-see night on Broadway.

FEBRUARY 16: The End of a ReignFor almost three years, Caissie Levy and Patti Murin have been breathing new life into Princesses Elsa and Anna in Frozenas they led the new musical from its world premiere run attheBuell Theatrein Denver, Colorado to Broadway's St. James Theatre. On February 16, the leading ladies will travel to Arendelle for the final time. Although Levy and Murrin's reigns may be ending, it's just the beginning forCiara Reneand newcomer McKenzie Kurtz who will take on the roles of Elsa and Anna, respectively. Joe Carroll, who took over the role of Hans from original cast member John Riddle, will also take his final bow on February 16 and be replaced by Ryan McCartan.

FEBRUARY 16: One Last WishAladdin audiences only have until February 16 to get their wishes granted by Major Attaway, who has been the show-stopping Genie since September 2019. This marked Attaway's second full-time stint in the show after making his Broadway debut as a stand-by for original company member, Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart. Fear not, Michael James Scott, a veteran of the Broadway, Australian and London productions, is returning to Agrabah to take over lamp duties.

FEBRUARY 22: Too Grool for SchoolBroadway's original home-schooled jungle freak Erika Henningsen has set her Mean Girlsgraduation date for February 22. Henningsen has been bringing Cady Heron to life on stage since the show's 2017 world premiereat theNational Theatrein Washington, D.C before it landed at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre. During her time in the Tony-nominated hit musical, Henningsen took Broadway.com viewers behind-the-scenes as a vlogger and was even named the 2018 Broadway.com Star of the Year. Although we don't currently know who the next mathletes champion will be, we do know that she'll be grool.

Read the original:

Closing Time! Last Chance to See the Original Royals of Frozen, Erika Henningsen in Mean Girls & More - Broadway.com

A soldier facing the Tiananmen Gate stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, in 2016.(Jason Lee/Reuters)If the West is guilty of carbon crimes, racism, and bigotry, what are China and Iran? Woke elites prefer not to say.

An ancient habit of Western elites is a certain selectivity in condemnation.

Sometimes Westerners apply critical standards to the West that they would never apply to other nations.

My colleague at the Hoover Institution, historian Niall Ferguson, has pointed out that Swedish green-teen celebrity Greta Thunberg might be more effective in her advocacy for reducing carbon emissions by redirecting her animus. Instead of hectoring Europeans and Americans, who have recently achieved the planets most dramatic drops in the use of fossil fuels, Thunberg might instead turn her attention to China and India to offer her how dare you complaints to get their leaders to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

Whether the world continues to spew dangerous levels of carbon dioxide will depend largely on policies in China and India. After all, these two countries account for over a third of the global population and continue to grow their coal-based industries.

In the late 1950s, many elites in the United States bought the Soviet Unions line that the march of global Communism would bury the West. Then, as Soviet power eroded in the 1980s, Japan Inc. and its ascendant model of state-sponsored industry became the preferred alternative to Western-style democratic capitalism.

Once Japans economy ossified, the new utopia of the 1990s was supposedly the emerging European Union. Americans were supposed to be awed that the euro gained ground on the dollar. Europes borderless democratic socialism and its soft power were declared preferable to the reactionary United States

By 2015, the EU was a mess, so China was preordained as the inevitable global superpower. American intellectuals pointed to its high-speed rail transportation, solar industries, and gleaming airports, in contrast to the hollowed-out and grubby American heartland.

Now the curtain has been pulled back on the interior rot of the Chinese Communist Party, its gulag-like reeducation camps, its systematic mercantile cheating, its Orwellian surveillance apparatus, its serial public-health crises, and its primitive hinterland infrastructure.

After the calcification of the Soviet Union, Japan Inc., the EU, and the Chinese superpower, no one quite knows which alternative will next supposedly bury America.

The U.S. and Europe are often quite critical of violence against women, minorities, and gays. The European Union, for example, has often singled out Israel for its supposed mistreatment of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Yet if the purpose of Western human-rights activism is to curb global bias and hate, then it would be far more cost-effective to concentrate on the greatest offenders.

China is currently detaining about a million Muslim Uighurs in reeducation camps. Yet activist groups arent calling for divestment, boycotts, and sanctions against Beijing in the same way they target Israel.

Homosexuality is a capital crime in Iran. Scores of Iranian gays reportedly have been incarcerated and thousands executed under theocratic law since the fall of the Shah in 1979. Yet rarely do Western activist groups call for global ostracism of Iran.

Dont look to the United Nations Human Rights Council for any meaningful condemnation of worldwide prejudice and hatred, although it is a frequent critic of both the U.S. and Israel.

Many of the 47 member nations of the Human Rights Council are habitual violators of human rights. In 2017, nine member nations persecuted citizens who were actively working to implement U.N. standards of human rights.

There are many reasons for Westerners selective outrage and pessimism toward their own culture. Cowardice explains some of the asymmetry. Blasting tiny democratic Israel will not result in any retaliation. Taking on a powerful China or a murderous Iran could earn retribution.

Guilt also explains some of the selectivity. European nations are still blamed for 19th-century colonialism and imperialism. They will always seek absolution, as the citizens of former colonial and Third World nations act like perpetual victims even well into the postmodern 21st century.

Virtual-signaling is increasingly common. Western elites often harangue about misdemeanors when they cannot address felonies a strange sort of psychological penance that excuses their impotence.

It is much easier for the city of Berkeley to ban clean-burning, U.S.-produced natural gas in newly constructed buildings than it is to outlaw far dirtier crude oil from Saudi Arabia. Currently, the sexist, homophobic, autocratic Saudis are the largest source of imported oil in California, sending the state some 100 million barrels per year, without which thousands of Berkeley motorists could not get to work. Apparently, outlawing clean, domestic natural gas allows one to justify importing unclean Saudi oil.

Western elites are perpetually aggrieved. But the next time they direct their lectures at a particular target, consider the source and motivation of their outrage.

2020 Tribune Content Agency LLC

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The Cult of West-Shaming - National Review

The Broadway season switches up a gear in February as a handful of new productions begin performances on the Great White Way and the Off-Broadway scene is really heating up with new offerings from renowned companies such as the Public Theater, The New Group, Roundabout Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theater Company, MCC Theater, Signature Theatre, Second Stage Theater, Playwrights Horizons, and Lincoln Center Theater, among others. Yes, there's plenty for theatre fans to sink their teeth into this month, but which theatrical gems will make our Top 5?

Before we get to our picks, here's a little 'Last Chance Saloon' reminder...

- New wave fans be warned, you only have until February 16 to catch Talking Heads iconDavid Byrneup close and personal at the Hudson Theatre, asDavid Byrne's American Utopiacomes to the end of its extended Broadway engagement.

David Byrne's American Utopia Ticketsare available now for performances through February 16, 2020.

- Four-time Tony Award nomineeLaura Linney's Broadway return in the solo showMy Name is Lucy Bartonis currently scheduled to play its final performance atManhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on February 29, 2020.

My Name is Lucy Barton Ticketsare available now for performances through February 29, 2020.

And, without any further ado, here are our Top 5 picks for February 2020...

Mark your calendars, Broadway fans! On February 20, Tony Award-winning directorIvo van Hove's fresh and reportedly violent take on the Bernstein/Laurents/Sondheim classic musicalWest Side Storyfinally celebrates its official opening at the Broadway Theatre. The new revival has been in previews since December 10 and hasn't been without its own controversies already as a couple of injuries have been sustained by cast members, including leading manIsaac Powell. We have our fingers crossed that all the blood, sweat and tears will have been worth it, when the New York critics share their opinions on February 20! And in the massive confines of the Broadway Theatre,there's a place for you... somewhere a place for you...

West Side Story Ticketsare available now for performances through September 6, 2020.

There is a "Hurricane" heading to the Great White Way from February 7 in the form ofConor McPherson's classy musical Girl from the North Countrythat showcases the greatest hits of oneBob Dylan. Set in 1934 in the midst of The Great Depression, this original and universal story of family and human connection plays out in Duluth, Minnesota; Dylan's hometown. The production has embarked on an illustrious journey since 2017, with its world premiere at London's Old Vic, two limited West End engagements, an Off-Broadway premiere at the Public Theaterand a Canadian premiere in Toronto, but now it finally takes its rightful place on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre.

Girl from the North Country Ticketsare available now for performances from February 7 through September 27, 2020.

The Real Housewives of Tudor, anyone? The UK's musical phenomenonSIXfinally lands on Broadway this month, beginning performances at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 13. This smash hit show, which was nominated for four Olivier Awards last year (including 'BestMusical'), rides in a lane all of its own. Part history lesson, part pop concert,SIXhas already burst out of the theatre bubble and boasts a cast recording that has been streamed countlessly across the globe, second only toHamilton.Get ready to witness the testimonies of the six ex-wives of Henry VIII... through the medium of a girl band gig! And see if you can spot the influences of the music queens of today, including Beyonc, Britney Spears, Adele, and even Nicki Minaj!

SIX Ticketsare available now for performances from February 13, 2020 through January 3, 2021.

Our Off-Broadway pick for February sees two iconic characters of gothic literature treading the boards once again, courtesy of Classic Stage Company. Two brand new adaptations of Bram Stoker'sDracula(byKate Hamill, who also stars as Renfield) and Mary Shelley'sFrankenstein(by Tristan Bernays) are now in repertory at CSC's Lynn F. Angelson Theater andcelebrate their official opening on February 17. Matthew Amendt stars as Dracula, whilst Stephanie Berry takes on the dual roles of Frankenstein and The Creature. So, if you like your theatre on the darker side and if you don't shy away from things that go bump in the night, why not check out these innovative new takes on everyone's favorite classic monsters?

Dracula Ticketsare available now for performances through March 8, 2020.

Frankenstein Ticketsare available now for performances through March 8, 2020.

Our final pick for this month is a sentimental choice, but a deserved one. The Broadway community mourned the loss of two-time Tony Award-winning composer & lyricistJerry Hermanon December 26, 2019. He was probably best known for his scores of classic musicalsHello, Dolly!,La Cage aux Folles, andMame, and thanks to the Encores! program, another one of his better-known works,Mack and Mabel, will be gracing the Mainstage of New York City Center this month. With a cast led by Tony Award nomineeDouglas Sills(as Mack Sennett)andAlexandra Socha(as Mabel Normand)and, as always, accompanied by The Encores! Orchestra, Mack and Mabel will offer up the perfect farewell to a true Broadway legend.

Mack and Mabelruns from February 19 through February 23, 2020 at New York City Center.

Check out our full Broadway listings for February 2020hereand our full Off-Broadway listingshere.

More here:

Editor's Top 5 Picks for February 2020 on Broadway and Beyond - New York Theatre Guide