Reverend Albert Wagner was nearly 50 when he started pursuing his other life's calling. Almost 30 years later, Wagner's East Cleveland home is filled with thousands of cryptic paintings and drawings, and his most recent work is now on display at Dead Horse Gallery. The best of them -- like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Super Fly" -- are mere lines that bend, twist, and converge to produce vaguely familiar shapes that are just a little bit spiritual (this from a guy known for making crucifixes out of tree roots). Wagner's work is up through May 3 at Dead Horse (14900 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood). Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free; call 216-228-7214.
Friday, April 18
The 25th anniversary version of Champions on Ice skates into town tonight with Olympic Gold medalist Sarah Hughes, two-time Olympic winner Michelle Kwan, bronze medalist (and former Lakewood resident) Timothy Goebel, World Champion Irina Slutskaya, and Elvis Stojko. Pretty much every skater worth his spangled jumpsuit is part of this thing; Champions on Ice is at Gund Arena (100 Gateway Plaza) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $65, available by calling 216-241-2121.
Saturday, April 19
Today's all-natural Easter egg dyeing at Cleveland Metroparks gets the job done quickly and cheaply: Metroparks staff show you how to apply colors and designs to eggs using common plants (leave the Paas tablets at home). The results aren't always look-at-me spectacular, but they are naturally impressive, in an earthy kinda way. Bring your own hard-boiled eggs (half a dozen is recommended) to the Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway in North Olmsted, from 11 a.m. to noon. Admission is free, but registration is required; call 440-734-6660.
Two years ago, Mark Morant grabbed $640,000 that fell out of an armored car downtown. A couple of days later, he turned it in to claim a $75,000 reward. But instead of a thank-you, the security guard was interrogated by the FBI, which doubted his motives. In 48 Hours Rich, Morant's wife, Stephanie Storey-Morant, tells his tale. "It's all about the joys and sorrows of finding money, and the truth behind finders-keepers," she says. "We heard everything from how stupid he was to give it back to how he did the right thing." Morant eventually received a reward, but looking back on it, the Morants say it wasn't worth all the trouble. Will they act differently the next time they encounter a stray bundle of cash? "We'd probably do the same thing," Storey-Morant shrugs. "But we'd probably give the money back a lot sooner." Storey-Morant signs copies of 48 Hours Rich from 2 to 4 p.m. at B. Dalton Bookseller, 8041 West Ridgewood Drive in Parma. Admission is free. Call 440-888-3612 for more info.
Sunday, April 20
The Nautica Queen's Easter Sunday Cruise features the ship's usual amenities -- food, a relaxing voyage, great view of the city -- but it also includes the Easter Bunny, who will hop aboard to dispense candy and chat up the little ones. The Easter cruise takes place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on the Queen, which boards at 1153 Main Avenue in the Flats. Admission is $34.95; call 216-696-8888 for more information.
Monday, April 21
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Global Shoes is about way more than just stuff we wear on our feet. "It's a good way to introduce world culture," explains Sharon Dean, the museum's curator of cultural anthropology and visual arts. "It shows how different people live in different environments." With interactive exhibits that allow visitors to try on sandals, flippers, and moccasins from more than 40 countries and compare their foot size with, say, some Finnish guy in reindeer boots, it's also enlightening. "Walking a mile in someone else's shoes helps you to understand and appreciate other cultures," Dean says. Who knew footwear could inspire such empathy? Global Shoes is at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (1 Wade Oval Drive) through July 27. It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3.50 to $6.50. Call 216-231-4600 for more info.
Tuesday, April 22
Becky Goldberg's Hot and Bothered: Feminist Pornography explores the differences and similarities between the porn industry and contemporary feminism. The 60-minute documentary ties together the two seemingly disparate worlds through interviews and theses, among them the oft-cited empowerment that adult film actresses feel when they appear in skin flicks. Ultimately, it's a political and personal look at sexual identity and the blossoming "feminist pornography" movement. And it's about a hell of a lot more than just the money shot. Hot and Bothered: Feminist Pornography shows at 8 p.m. at 1300 (1300 West 78th Street). Admission is $5. Call 216-939-1300 for more information.
Wednesday, April 23
He's already a hit at the movies, on video shelves, in comic-book shops, and at toy stores. So it's little surprise that Spider-Man is also now onstage, stretching his thespian muscles in Spider-Man Live! The show tells the story of nerdy high-schooler Peter Parker, his encounter with a radioactive arachnid, his blossoming relationship with neighbor Mary Jane Watson, his showstopping debut at a wrestling match, and the webhead's battle with the villainous Green Goblin. In other words, it's a live-action version of last year's megahit movie. And with flying actors, trapeze stunts, pyrotechnics, and dazzling special effects, it's sure to thrill kids and adults alike. Spider-Man Live! is at the Palace Theatre (1519 Euclid Avenue) through Sunday, April 27. Show times are 7:30 tonight through Friday, April 25, and 11:30 a.m., 3:30, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27. Tickets range from $15 to $26, available by calling 216-241-6000.
