The four Brooklynites in French Kicks have finally found their cruising speed. Ten years after their self-titled EP, the band has established themselves as lush and chilled indie-pop record-makers, alums of the N.Y.C. school of rock. “It does feel a little bit like a graduate program,” muses singer, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder Nick Stumpf. “It feels like the band has arrived at this essential core. This time, the record all hangs together in a way that our other records haven’t. Doing it as long as we have, I suppose some fat has been trimmed. A few side streets have been taken, but we’ve officially decided we don’t have to take them anymore. A unified direction has emerged and now it’s just a pleasure to play.” The 12 songs on the recent Swimming are ornate and streamlined pleasure ships gliding into the sunset. Tunes like “Abandon” and “Said So What” are trademark French Kicks airlines (bombastic basement drums, raspy, unintelligible vocals, 2 a.m. transient-metro-rock similar to the Walkman or Calla), but now the songs burn like red dwarfs in space (hot atmospheric harmonies, cool, nebulous studio effects and slick adult-rock compositions that sizzle like Fleetwood Mac). But as much as the French Kicks mature, they are still grounded to their musical roots. “I’ve always had a soft spot for Cleveland,” says Stumpf, an Oberlin College alum. “It’s bleak — nobody would argue that it’s not bleak — but I like that. Something about that low-hanging sky — the earth and the trees are exactly the same color. It’s a bleakness I find appealing and in many ways inspiring.” JJ Magazine and Goodmorning Valentine open at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124, beachlandballroom.com). Tickets are $10 advance, $12 day of show. — Keith Gribbins
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Lady Day at Emerson’s
Bar and Grill
In Lanie Robertson’s songbook-and-bio drama, Lady Day at
Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Billie Holiday gives one of her final
performances and chats with the audience. The heroin-addicted Holiday
rambles on about her life and family, while band members —
especially her pianist — try to keep her focused on the music.
Between tales of her impoverished childhood, lots of booze and
anecdotes about performing, there’s plenty of great music, like “God
Bless the Child,” “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” and “Strange Fruit,”
Holiday’s sublime reaction to lynched black men in the South. Caroline
Jackson Smith directs a production that opens at 7:30 p.m. at Karamu
House (2355 E. 89th St., 216.795.7077, karamuhouse.org). Performances run
through May 24. Tickets: $10-$25. — Michael Gill
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Cleveland Orchestra
Most of the time when pianist Mitsuko Uchida plays Mozart with the
Cleveland Orchestra, she conducts from the keyboard — a period
performance practice that gives the soloist more control of the sound.
This week, she follows someone else’s lead, when Colin Davis — a
highly regarded conductor — takes up the baton. Uchida and
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 are in good hands: Davis is best known
for his interpretations of Mozart’s work. Also on the program: Hector
Berlioz’ Overture to Beatrice and Benedict and Sibelius’
Symphony No. 2. Performances are at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday at
Severance Hall (11001 Euclid Ave., 216.231.1111, clevelandorchestra.com). Tickets:
$31-$60. — Gill
Todd Rundgren
Philly boy Todd Rundgren has long been one of Cleveland’s favorite
adopted sons. He headlined a World Series of Rock at the old stadium
back in the day, and his 1978 Back to the Bars live album was
partly recorded at the Cleveland Agora. Plus, he’s a classic-rock
staple here. While enjoying mighty success with sublime tunes like “I
Saw the Light” and “Hello It’s Me,” Rundgren has taken a
“something/anything” approach to his career. Like David Bowie (another
Cleveland fave from way back), he’s a rock ‘n’ roll chameleon. He
effortlessly dishes up classic rock, Philly soul, heavy metal,
prog-rock, show tunes and ribald ditties — sometimes on the same
album, sometimes playing all the instruments too. His eccentric
experimentations have resulted in rewarding whims (like his fun 1980
Beatles parody, Deface the Music) as well as some muddy
self-indulgence (how many remember his ’90s TR-i phrase?).
Throughout his career, he’s been a sought-after producer, with a
résumé that includes Patti Smith, the New York Dolls,
Grand Funk Railroad and Meat Loaf. Rundgren recently fronted the New
Cars, which helped revitalize his love for guitar rock and led to his
latest effort, Arena. While not hitting his heyday’s highs, it’s
a strong rock outing solidified by muscular tracks like “Gun,” “The
Last Recluse” and the shimmering “Courage.” He may not dress up in
Egyptian regalia anymore or have flowing, multi-colored hair, but he’s
still Todd — a dream that goes on forever. Doors opens at 7:30 at
the Palace Theatre (1501 Euclid Ave., 216.241.6000, playhousesquare.com). Tickets range
from $10-$40. — Michael Berick
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Cirque Dreams
Thanks to a particular Canadian company, the word “cirque” now comes
with a certain connotation. You know it’s a circus, because that’s what
the word means. But it also means that you’re in store for a circus
that’s big-tops away from the Ringling Bros., with spectacular
lighting, a hot soundtrack and some kind of storyline replacing the
dancing poodles. Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg formed his troupe
in 1993 (nine years after Cirque du Soleil formed), but by then he was
already adept at putting on the glitz. He’s created productions for two
Super Bowls, a pair of Miss Universe pageants and Disney. His Jungle
Fantasy show comes to PlayhouseSquare this weekend, promising
juggling frogs, balancing giraffes, owls on trapezes and a chorus line
of bees, all accompanied by a live band and a tree that plays the
violin. Don’t take the brown acid! Performances are at 7:30 tonight,
1:30 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, at the Palace
Theatre (1501 Euclid Ave., 216.241.6000, playhousesquare.com). Tickets:
$10-$55. — Gill
Collecting Regional Art
There’s a pretty significant difference between browsing galleries
and decorating your house or hitting opening receptions and collecting
regional art. Collecting implies focus and purpose — a survey of
the culture and maybe even a thorough look at a particular aspect of
it, whether it’s a time period or a stylistic development. The
Cleveland Artists Foundation — which has collected and presented
regional art from a historic perspective, with emphasis on the
Cleveland School — presents a lecture by a guy who has a lot of
experience collecting: William H. Gerdts, who has written 25 books as
well as exhibition catalogs and articles. He also owns a personal
library of books about painting, sculpture and graphic design that
ranks among one of the greatest in the world. Tonight, he’s talking
about “Aspects of Collecting Regional Art,” which should supplement
your understanding of the region and its history — especially if
you get lubed up at the cocktail reception first. The drinks start
flowing at 6:30 p.m., followed by Gerdts’ lecture at 7:45. A dessert
reception follows. It’s at the Union Club (1211 Euclid Ave.,
216.227.9507, clevelandartists.org). Tickets:
$50-$100. — Gill
Heaven’s My Destination
Three years before he wrote his most celebrated and popular play,
Our Town, Thornton Wilder penned Heaven’s My Destination, a comic novel about a traveling textbook salesman who also happens to
be an evangelical Christian. It’s a story of faith, dogma and
tolerance, with plenty of humor as protagonist George Marvin Brush
travels from Texas to Illinois, stopping along the way at railroad
smoking cars, houses of ill repute and other places where morals are a
little looser than he’d like. Cleveland Play House artistic director
Michael Bloom directs the world premiere of Lee Blessing’s new
adaptation, which Bloom calls “the first major Play House commission in
years.” Michael Halling stars as the salesman. It opens tonight at 8,
with performances through May 17 at Cleveland Play House’s Drury
Theater (8500 Euclid Ave., 216.795.7000, clevelandplayhouse.com). Tickets:
$43-$64. — Gill
TNA Live: The Frontline Revenge Tour
When the national wrestling group was founded in 2002, the double
meaning of “TNA” wasn’t as pronounced. Established by second-generation
wrasslin’ professional Jeff Jarrett, Total Nonstop Action originally
offered a family-friendly alternative to the WWE’s racier storylines.
Since getting picked up by the Spike TV network, the action has taken a
slight turn into PG-13 territory. Pay-per-views like the recent
Lockdown cage extravaganza still have more blood than boobs, and
the Phantasy Theater’s house show — that means it won’t be
televised — promises more energy than injury. If you haven’t
actively followed pro wrestling since the glory days of the WWE/F-WCW
rivalry, you’ll still recognize most of TNA’s marquee names. Most of
its roster will appear tonight (except hardcore icon Mick Foley and
painted veteran Sting). Scheduled for the six-sided ring are veterans
like Jarrett and Scott “Big Poppa Pump” Steiner, alongside upcoming
stars like Shark Boy and tag-team champs Beer Money Inc. And as a
special bonus for TNA’s first Cleveland appearance, the main event
features Samoan submission machine Samoa Joe vs. Pittsburgh’s Kurt
Angle — who probably thinks he’s better than you because he has a
gold medal and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. In a small venue like
the Phantasy, heckling is half the fun. Brawlin’ starts at 7:30 p.m. at
the Phantasy Theatre (11802 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216.241.5555,
tnawrestling.com). Tickets:
$20-$75. — D.X. Ferris
Wale
Wale could very well be the future of hip-hop. His 2008 release, a
Seinfeld-inspired collection of tunes appropriately titled
The Mixtape About Nothing, tackled a number of issues —
from racist language and the music industry to artistic integrity and
hip-hop’s declining state — with a barrage of intelligent and
aurally pleasing rhymes. His sound is that rare combination of informed
and lively, bridging the otherwise massive gap between the ear-pleasing
mainstream and the thought-provoking underground. His witty lines drip
with charisma and integrity, making them entertaining songs that carry
much weight. Wale’s terrific live shows and well-chosen collaborations
(including gigs with Lil Wayne and Lady GaGa) back up all that hype.
UCB, Doxx, Microphonx, Keyel and Smokescreen open at 8 p.m. at the Grog
Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Hts., 216.321.5588, grogshop.gs). Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at
the door. — Whelihan
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Dora the Explorer Live
No, it’s not drawn in front of a studio audience. In Dora the
Explorer Live: Search for the City of Lost Toys, totally perky
actors and puppets reprise the animated characters’ roles in an
audience-participation blowout. The road show is a victory lap
celebrating the educational cartoon’s 10th anniversary. This live show
— dude, you’ve got to see Dora live to really
get it — was written by Dora co-creator Chris Gifford and
directed by Gip Hoppe, who’s worked on similar shows featuring
Nickelodeon characters like the Blue’s Clues crew and Dora’s
cousin Diego. In this romp, Dora and monkey pal Boots solve problems,
learn Spanish words and look for toys — while being doggedly
pursued by kleptomaniac nemesis Swiper the Fox. It’s the kind of
bilingual, high-energy, interactive bliss that’ll exhaust the little
ones for a nice early bedtime. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 and 5 p.m.
today, and 2 p.m. tomorrow at the State Theatre (1519 Euclid Ave.,
216.241.6000, playhousesquare.org). Tickets:
$10-$38. — Ferris
Headlights
In some respects, Headlights’ music is mere indie-pop-by-numbers,
complete with boy/girl vocals, bouncy bass lines and keyboard riffs
straight outta Apples in Stereo’s playbook. But while any band can
follow a template, only a handful are good enough to stand alongside
their influences. Based in Champaign, Illinois, Headlights are an iPod
commercial away from their mainstream breakthrough. The quintet’s 2008
album, Some Racing, Some Stopping, serves up more hooks than a
hat rack and showed a considerable evolution in craft from their
previous work. Along with cutesy singles like “Cherry Tulips,” the
album also delves into some slightly darker territory on the Death
Cab-ish “Get Yer Head Around It” and the infectious “School Boys.”
Perhaps even more significant to their hopes of success, Headlights
have quickly established a reputation as a killer live act, infusing
already danceable set lists with plenty of improvised acrobatics. The
band has enjoyed high-profile tours with Mates of State and the
Submarines in the past year, and its current pairing with post-rockers
El Ten Eleven should introduce the group to a whole new audience. Kong
Sauce starts things off at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern (15711
Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124, beachlandballroom.com). Tickets:
$8. — Andrew Clayman
KlezmerPalooza
A Klezmer revival took hold about a decade ago, when a slew of heady
jazz bands from New York (led by avant-garde guys like John Zorn and
Don Byron) started incorporating traditional Jewish dance tunes into
their music. Cleveland’s klezmer scene followed suit. Tonight’s
KlezmerPalooza features local combos like Yiddishe Cup, Workman’s
Circle and the Steven Greenman Trio. Part of the weekend-long
Eco-FestAviv ’09 festivities, the show starts at 7 p.m. at the
Temple-Tifereth Israel (26000 Shaker Blvd., 216.831.3233, ttti.org). We’re told non-denominational types
are more than welcome to attend. Snacks, fruits, cheeses and desserts
are included in the price of admission. Tickets: $12 advance, $15 day
of show. — Jeff Niesel
MDC
Though not as feted as the Dead Kennedys, MDC came out of the same
Bay Area hardcore scene after transplanting from Austin in the early
’80s. Behind the ever-shifting acronym — which has stood for
Millions of Dead Cops/Christians/Congressman and Multi-Death
Corporation at different times — lurks some totally eviscerating
agitprop. Singer Dave Dictor’s rhetoric is more unsparing than the
Texas legal system — from the signature “John Wayne Was a Nazi” and
vegetarian ode “Chicken Squawk” to sociopolitical rants like “Your
Death Wish Is Sick,” “Corporate Deathburger” and “Henry
Kissmyassenger.” Dictor kicked a late-’90s meth habit before reuniting
the original lineup for 2005’s 25th anniversary tour. MDC have been
hitting the road with greater regularity ever since. While they cut
their teeth on hardcore, they’ve since toned down the tempos (if not
the outrage), settling into a hard-edged groove reminiscent of the
Supersuckers on 2004’s Magnus Dominus Corpus, their first album
in 11 years. MDC recently released a couple of split 7-inches and are
supporting a whole new batch of songs (including “Mary Jane for
President” and “Patriot Asshole”). For one-time teacher Dictor, it’s
all about education. “I taught special ed,” he says. “And punk’s
definitely that.” Mouth Sewn Shut, Embrace the Kill, Counterfeit
America and Wreak Havoc open at 7 p.m. at Now That’s Class (11213
Detroit Ave., 216.221.8576, myspace.nowthatsclass.com).
Tickets: $8. — Chris Parker
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Ani DiFranco
One of the first artists to achieve mainstream success on her own
indie label, Ani DiFranco was heavily impressed by the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina — so much so that she and her family make the
Crescent City their home these days. Over the past decade, DiFranco has
collaborated with musicians outside of the folk realm — like
Prince and James Brown’s saxophonist Maceo Parker. She’s also
experimented outside of the usual singer-songwriter boundaries. Her
2006 album Reprieve featured tons of electronic sounds.
DiFranco’s standing as a truly independent artist (she still runs and
records for Righteous Babe) allows her to take her music in any
direction she wishes without having to run it by creativity-stifling
executives. Hamell on Trial opens at 8 p.m. at House of Blues (308
Euclid Ave., 216.523.2583, hob.com).
Tickets: $24-$48. — Ernest Barteldes
Art Cares
Ever since her uncle died of AIDS in 1989, artist Bridget Ginley has
watched public awareness of the disease climb. “It’s easy for people to
think of Keith Haring or Freddy Mercury as the face of AIDS and think,
‘Oh, it’s just those crazy artists,'” she says. “But it touches regular
people.” Still, a lot of them happen to be artists. Art Cares started
in 2003 as a project by Cleveland Institute of Art students and was a
resounding success, featuring work by 90 regional artists. In addition
to student pieces, this year’s outing includes art by established
names, like paper artist Tom Balbo, scratch-board illustrator Cathie
Bleck, painter of colorful geometric compositions Hector Vega and
others. There’s wine and hors d’oeuvres too. ArtCares starts at 6 p.m.
at the AIDS Task Force (3210 Euclid Ave., 216.621.0766, atfgcevents.weebly.com/artcares.html).
Tickets: $50-$100. — Gill
CIM New Music Ensemble
There’s no telling what you might hear at the Cleveland Institute of
Music’s New Music Series. You’ll be hearing fresh music, that’s for
sure — and it’s all written by CIM composition students. Keith
Fitch, who became chair of the Composition Department last year, earned
his doctorate in music from Indiana University and has won tons of
accolades for his compositions, which have been performed all over the
U.S., Europe and Japan. He conducts the CIM New Music Ensemble in a
performance of new student works today. Showtime is at 4 p.m. at CIM’s
Mixon Hall (11021 East Blvd., 216.791.5000, cim.edu). Admission is free. —
Gill
Cleveland Women’s Orchestra
Founded 75 years ago, when females couldn’t get jobs in professional
ensembles, the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra has certainly outlived its
original purpose. Today, it’s a really good orchestra that plays great
music — not just “greatest hits” or other obvious choices, but
challenging works in a range of styles. Its spring program features
pianist Jean Geis Stell — a well-traveled instrumentalist who’s
played with the Boston Symphony, N.B.C. Symphony and the Cleveland
Orchestra — performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G Minor.
Also on the program: Camille Saint-Saëns’ Marche Militaire and
César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor. The orchestra’s music
director, Robert Cronquist, conducts. It starts at 3:30 p.m. at
Severance Hall (11001 Euclid Ave., 216.231.1111, clevelandwomensorchestra.org).
Tickets: $10-$25. — Gill
TuESDAY, APRIL 28
Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf holds the distinction of being the first rock ‘n’ roll
guy to sign with Cash Money, the record company that made Lil Wayne a
millionaire. And that connection helped propel Rudolf’s debut album,
In the City, to some sorta fleeting success when it was released
earlier this year. But Rudolf’s biggest score is Weezy’s cameo on “Let
It Rock,” an iTunes hit that bops innocuously along until Wayne blows
in with one of his typically outer-space rhymes. “Let It Rock” is the
nucleus of Wayne’s new career as a rock star, so be sure to thank or
blame Rudolf if you go to his show tonight. The rest of In the
City is built on a similar platform of huge clomping beats and
fist-raising singalongs that really don’t say much beneath all their
bluster. Still, Rudolf works the digital riffs for maximum power, so
even if you don’t totally dig what he’s doing, you’ll be too beaten
down by his sonic assaults to care. Rudolf (with Cash Cash, Hyper
Crush, Go Crash Audio and the Audition) plays House of Blues (308
Euclid Ave., 216.523.2583, hob.com) at 7
p.m. Tickets: $16.50-$19. — Michael Gallucci
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
Silverstein
When emo/screamo/hardcore bands look around for names, they
typically err on the side of gothic ennui. Shrouds, veils, despair,
pain and darkness all get a fair shot; children’s authors are generally
low on the list. But Silverstein sport plenty of dichotomies — just
like their namesake, Shel Silverstein, who wrote kids classics like
Where the Sidewalk Ends while penning bawdy songs for grownups
and drawing cartoons for Playboy. Assembled nearly a decade ago
as a side project, Silverstein burst out of Ontario with a pair of EPs.
Their debut album, 2002’s When Broken Is Easily Fixed, moved a
quarter of a million units without traditional promotion or radio play.
Their next three CDs — Discovering the Waterfront, Arrivals
and Departures and the just-released A Shipwreck in the Sand — have followed the same pattern and showed off the band’s
diverse pop-subtlety-to-metal histrionic range. Be sure to check out
Shipwreck on iTunes — it includes bonus covers of the
Beatles’ “Help!” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.” That’s
something ol’ Shel would have appreciated. Before Their Eyes, Norma
Jean and Blessthefall open at 7 p.m. at House of Blues (308 Euclid
Avenue, 216.523.2583, hob.com). Tickets:
$18 advance, $20 day of show. — Brian Baker
Snarky Puppy
Local singer, guitarist and songwriter Jesse Barnes is one busy
dude. When he’s not busy with his day job at the Roots of American
Music (an education-minded nonprofit), he’s spending time with Snarky
Puppy, a jazz/funk group he put together when he was living in Dallas.
The band includes cats who have jammed with Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg and
Morcheeba. Featuring old-school jazz and funk grooves on songs like
“Celebrity” and “Loose Screws,” the band’s debut album comes out this
week. To celebrate, Snarky Puppy play Brothers Lounge (11609 Detroit
Ave., 216.226.2767, brotherslounge.com) at 9 p.m. Tickets:
$5. — Niesel
This article appears in Apr 22-28, 2009.
