Around Noon: May 2008

The Kids in the Hall
Friday, May 30
Today Dee crushes some heads with Canadian comic actor Mark McKinney, who comes to Playhouse Square this weekend with the cult favorite comedy troupe -- The Kids in the Hall. Photo by Dan Dion

All City Musical, The Gamblers and Art Song Festival
Thursday, May 29
Today we raise the curtain on the annual CMSD All-City Musical with the director and one of the stars of this year's production -- Dreamgirls. Plus Dee rolls the dice with The Gamblers, the latest Russian drama production from the Cleveland Museum of Art's Viva and Gala Around Town series. And, we meet the editor-in-chief of Opera News, who's in town for the Baldwin Wallace Art Song Festival.

Firewater, Subversive Sounds and Jay Reynolds
Wednesday, May 28
Today we share the musical travels of Tod A as his band Firewater gets ready to hit the Beachland stage. Plus, ideastream music director Bobby Jackson hears the "Subversive Sounds" of New Orleans jazz with CSU professor, Charles Hersch. And, our resident space ambassador, Jay Reynolds from the Schuele Planetarium looks back on the Phoenix Mars landing.

Vatican Splendors, PlayhouseSquare Broadway Series and Matt & Ben
Tuesday, May 27
Today we enjoy the Vatican Splendors of the latest exhibit on its way to the Western Reserve Historical Society. Plus, we preview the new season for PlayhouseSquare's Broadway series. Also, meet the two actresses taking on the roles of Matt and Ben in the upcoming production from Cleveland Public Theater.

Silent Generation: From Saipan to Tokyo
Monday, May 26
Eugene "Bud" Clark, a pint-sized scrapper from Macon, GA, mowed down Banzai warriors, watched mass suicide on Saipan, and was severely wounded on Iwo Jima. Howard Terry was traumatized by his accidental killing of an Okinawan boy, returned home angry, belligerent and unable to hold a job. These are just a few of the voices in The Silent Generation, a documentary that follows more than a score of men through the definitive year of their lives. Their memories are not for the faint-hearted. To listen is to understand why they, like tens of thousands of others, could not speak for so long. Around Noon will return on Tuesday.

Eddie Izzard
Friday, May 23
Today we share Dee's interview with the incomparable Eddie Izzard of the FX hit "The Riches" who brings his new stand-up show Stripped to PlayhouseSquare.

Julian Stanczak, GrandMixer DXT & Scott Huler
Thursday, May 22
Today we frame a conversation with local op-art legend Julian Stanczak, as ideastream's David C. Barnett profiles the artist whose work is on view now at the Beck Center for the Cleveland Artists Foundation. Plus, guest host Jim Goldurs spins songs with the first DJ ever to win a Grammy -- Grand Mixer DXT -- who takes the stage with The Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Also, former Clevelander Scott Huler travels the trail of Odysseus in his new book No-Man's Lands.

Bardstock FM 2008
Wednesday, May 21
Today it's the annual Great Lakes Theater Festival / ideastream Bardstock FM program, as Dee shares the winners of this year's student songwriting competition. This year there's a twist as the students wrote songs inspired not by William Shakespeare, but by Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Also joining Dee to put the songs in perspective is Arthur Miller scholar Betsy Shevey.

Girls Rock!, The Daring Book for Girls & Erin O’Brien
Tuesday, May 20
Today Dee salutes girl power with the filmmaker behind the new documentary -- Girls Rock. Plus we make a connection between The Daring Book For Girls and the students of the Cleveland Institute of Art. (see images of student creations below) Also, Free Times columnist, Erin O'Brien remembers her brother John O'Brien (author of Leaving Las Vegas) for The Lit.

The Deadliest Catch, Adam Rapp and Gao Xingjian
Monday, May 19
Today Dee gets aboard the Time Bandit with the Hillstrand brothers from The Deadliest Catch prior to their appearance at Joseph Beth Booksellers. Plus, she speaks with playwright Adam Rapp about the Bang and Clatter production of "Blackbird." And, we shine the spotlight on Chinese playwright in exile, Gao Xingjian, whose work is onstage at Cleveland Public Theater.

Oh Sister Where Art Thou: Women in Film
Friday, May 16
Today Dee welcomes Jungian Analyst Dr. Virginia Apperson who explores the role of women on screen and "Finding the Feminine in Film." She previews her appearance at Ursuline College this weekend presented by Jung Cleveland.

Roberta Flack, “The Cleveland Plays” and City Artists at Work
Thursday, May 15
Today ideastream music director Bobby Jackson shares his interview with acclaimed vocalist, Roberta Flack, who's in town this weekend to perform on behalf of the Cleveland School of the Arts. Plus, we raise the curtain on "The Cleveland Plays Part One," Dobama Theater's new production for Fusion Fest. And, raising creative banners for City Artists at Work.

Farm to Table Call-In Show
Wednesday, May 14
Today Dee hosts a special call-in program on Northeast Ohio chefs using produce from area farms and purveyors. Joining her are Northern Ohio Live food editor, Ivan Sheehan, Heather Haviland of Lucky's Cafe, and Maurice Small of City Fresh.

Cleveland Duo and The Great Garden Adventure
Tuesday, May 13
Today Dee spotlights the music of The Cleveland Duo and James Umble as they perform in our Key Bank studio, to preview tonight's concert for the Cleveland Composers Guild. Plus, we discuss the Last Child in the Woods with Dr. Cheryl Charles prior to her appearance at The Cuyahoga Valley National Park for Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens' Great Garden Adventure.

Maya Angelou, Kazim Ali and Cleveland Poetry Scenes
Monday, May 12
Today Dee shares her conversation with world renowned poet and performer Dr. Maya Angelou prior to her appearance at Playhouse Square tonight. Plus, we open the pages of the new Bottom Dog Press book -- Cleveland Poetry Scenes -- with Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate, Mary Weems. And, Oberlin College creative writing instructor Kazim Ali explains the dangers of poetic verse today.

Marjorie Talalay and The Swell Season
Friday, May 9
Today Dee remembers the late co-founder of MOCA Cleveland - Marjorie Talalay - who passed away last week. Plus Dee talks with one half of the Oscar-winning musical duo The Swell Season and the film "Once" -- Glen Hansard -- who performs this weekend at Playhouse Square.

Keith Gessen, Donald Ray Pollock and The Magpies
Thursday, May 8
Today Dee opens the covers on a couple of acclaimed books -- All the Sad Young Literary Men by Keith Gessen (who's coming to Macs Backs Paperbacks) & Knockemstiff by Ohio writer Donald Ray Pollock. Plus, we spin the new CD "Eastern Standard Time" by local rockers The Magpies.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Steve Earle and New CIM President
Wednesday, May 7
Today Dee spells out the new Broadway production at Playhouse Square -- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Plus, ideastream's Jim Goldurs travels to Washington Square with folk music hero Steve Earle, who's onstage at the Ohio Theater. And Dee introduces us to the new president of the Cleveland Institute of Music -- Joel Smirnoff.

From Rust Belt to Artist Belt
Tuesday, May 6
Today Dee hosts a special call-in program about taking Northeast Ohio from Rust Belt to Artist Belt with CPAC president Tom Schorgl.

Jennifer Koh and Fashion Week Cleveland
Monday, May 5
Today Dee welcomes back Oberlin Conservatory graduate and world-renowned violinist Jennifer Koh who previews her City Music concerts with a live performance in the Key Bank studio. Plus Dee hits the runway with Tad B and Miss America for Fashion Week Cleveland.

John Caparulo
Friday, May 2
Dee shines the spotlight on Ohio comedian John Caparulo as he prepares to tape his new comedy special at Playhouse Square.

Tommy Ramone and the Cinematheque
Thursday, May 1
Today Dee welcomes back regular irregular guest John Ewing to preview what's onscreeen at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Plus, former punk rocker Tommy Ramone is singing a new bluegrass tune with Uncle Monk, as he gets ready for his gig at the Beachland Ballroom. Photo of Uncle Monk by Shana Novak