This week’s Fresh Start brings the edge of the universe to you – all without the need for a rocket ship or a map of the stars. All you need to do is scroll. This week, launch with one of the nation’s premier astrophysicists. Then reach the outer limits with a rare concert appearance of a true composing legend. Then plunge back into the atmosphere with Cleveland’s premier multidisciplinary arts festival, held this weekend on the lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge. Commence your orbits now.
Making Science Hip
Carl Sagan once had the market cornered on mainstream astrophysics. While it’s hard to say if wry, witty Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson will score the “billions and billions” (natch) of viewers Sagan did, the director of New York’s Hayden Planetarium and host of PBS’s "Nova ScienceNOW" is endeared to many. In his book Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, Dr. Tyson envisions the universe “not as a collection of objects, theories, and phenomena, but as a vast stage of actors driven by intricate twists of story line and plot.” A compelling lecturer, he speaks at the Ohio Theatre in PlayhouseSquare Center Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 pm. Part of the “Writers Center Stage Series,” Dr. Tyson is presented by the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation. Learn more here.
An American Original
There’s a short list of musician-composers deemed critical to the expansion of the American popular music lexicon. Van Dyke Parks is on that short list. After molding four decades worth of legendary melody, the elusive producer, arranger and former A&R guru for Warner Brothers Records resurfaces in Cleveland thanks to the Grog Shop and the Cleveland Museum of Art. He’ll perform at CMA’s Gartner Auditorium this Wednesday, September 22 at 7:30 pm with Clare & The Reasons opening. No doubt he’ll spill on his ties to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, The Byrds, U2, Ry Cooder and the Beach Boys’ legendary Smile album. And speaking of “elusive,” we mean it in that Brian Wilson sort of way. Dig? You may not get another shot at this guy again. Details here.
Bridges to Babylon
Organizers of the cutting-edge Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology are upping the ante for the fest this year. Literally. As in several stories. After years gracing downtown Cleveland’s streets and theatre district, this year’s shindig gets elevated to the streetcar sublevel level of Veterans Memorial (aka “Detroit-Superior”) Bridge. Starting Friday, September 24 and running through the weekend, check out the region’s top dance troupes, The Digital Kaleidoscopic Mandala Project, Theater Ninjas, singer-songwriter Zee Avi, Icho Daiko’s Asian percussion, Grammy winner Angelin Chang and much more. All that and more, tucked inside a bridge party. Filmmakers, tech firms, local universities and round out the fun. Tickets and a full schedule of events can be found here.
