Our future is inescapably tied to the past, and this week’s three Fresh Picks show just how important remembering that really is. A forum on the future of our Sixth City explains how important immigrants have been (and continue to be) to Northeast Ohio. A dark comedy reveals how important our ties to others are. And a film festival reveals to all of its viewers just how important it is to remember that we are all citizens of the world. If it's not an epiphany, at least it's another Fresh Start to your week in Cleveland:
Cleveland’s Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Cleveland’s robust immigrant population had a lot to do with its success as the Sixth City well into the early 20th century. Can the city’s latest generation of immigrant entrepreneurs restore economic success and commerce here? If so, what will that triumph look like? Lev Gonick, the VP for information technology services and chief information officer at Case Western Reserve University moderates a panel discussion about it Wednesday, January 27 at 7PM. Panelists include Forest City Enterprises board co-chair Albert B. Ratner, AlphaMirror CEO Yehuda Borenstein, and 5iTech Founder/President Leon Polott. The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage hosts.
Anna Bella Eema by Lisa D'Amour
Written by the Obie Award–winning playwright, this intriguingly dark comedy is a co-production between Cleveland Public Theatre and contemporary theatre troupe, Theater Ninjas. Staging at CPT’s Storefront Studio, Anna Bella Eema is set in a trailer park on the edge of oblivion and spins an eerie tale of a woman, her daughter and a strange girl made of wet earth [Pictured: (L to R) Cassie Neumann, Faye Hargate and Beth Wood in Anna Bella Eema at CPT; Photo by Steve Wagner]. When the trailer park is scheduled for demolition (making way for a highway), something supernatural happens. Think campfire ghost story meets social commentary in one act. Theater Ninjas Artistic Director Jeremy Paul directs the production, which debuts Thursday, January 28 at 7:30PM and runs until mid-February.
The Standing Rock Film Festival
For the past seven years, Standing Rock Cultural Arts in Kent has hosted an incredible, indie short film festival, allowing filmmakers and videographers from all over the world to showcase their original cinematic works. Every year, Standing Rock gurus Jeff Ingram and Gary Lockwood are inundated with a steady stream of DVDs, High-8s and VHS tapes to consider screening at the festival. Last year, the duo debuted experimental films, music videos and work from 2007 People’s Choice Award Winner, Julia Pott of London, England. Take in this year’s selections Saturday, January 30 at 8PM.
