Made in the 216 Pictorial

We cannot say enough about this past weekend's Made in the 216 event. . .

In a word: WOW.

Room Service owner, Danielle DeBoe really outdid herself -- in the most inspirational way possible, one that makes you truly believe that this is only the beginning of wonderful things to come. A paving of possibility and positivity not only for the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood, but for Cleveland's so very talented artists.

Below is just a glimpse of our experience*

C.L.E. Clothing - "Spreading Cleveland Pride, One T-shirt At A Time"

I wanted everything. . .

Including the beautiful watering can below -- if I own it, perhaps I will actually water flowers and not forget about them, letting them die per usual :(

Great crowd. Great vibes.

Pabst was the perfect sponsor

Looove Messy !!

Also love the way that the merchandise was set up in an aesthetically pleasing boutique-style rather than booth-style

Also, be sure to check out Duo Home, located right next to Room Service -- already want to go back to purchase an item or two (or three. . .)

ps - If you missed this event, no worries! Catch the very next Made in the 216, already scheduled for Friday, November 7th (4-9pm) and Saturday, November 8th (11am-6pm)

What are you doing today?

To put it simply today in the Cleveland if you want to be where it is AT you need to go to the 7th annual Waterloo Arts Festival in Collinwood!



or if you can't go till later you better go to this(see below)


Any Questions?

If you do go here or here or here!

Random Retro Wednesday Song (on a Thursdsay): Jam

This evening we are both very saddened by the passing of Michael Jackson. You can say whatever you want about him personally but you can't deny his talent, nor can you deny his impact on pop music artists today. I remember my dad putting Thriller on the record player and then instantly breaking into dance and air guitar, especially during Beat It.

We first heard something about MJ's massive heart attack while on the way home from work, then came home to skeptically read TMZ's report that he was pronounced dead -- but no other publication had confirmed this at that point. On the way to dinner this evening @ The Greenhouse Tavern in the car a radio broadcaster unfortunately confirmed that he had in fact died.

Coincidentally, prior to leaving for dinner we noticed on Facebook that Chef Sawyer said he would be playing the King Of Pop's tunes in MJ's honor tonight at the GHT. We enjoyed every single morsel of our delicious dinner while we also enjoyed listening and reminiscing to many classic jamz from Captain Neo. During dinner, Kelly and I specifically started talking about Jam and how we had not heard that song in quite some time. Laughing about how stereotypically 90's the music video is -- which includes cameos from Kris Kross, Heavy D, Michael Jordan, among others. We were also fondly recalling during our youth that when MJ had a new music video premiere it was a worldwide event.

On a day where Michael Jackson left us and Shaq came to be with us, it seems fitting to pay tribute with this basketball themed tune:

Michael Jackson - Jam

We did not see James Franco BUT we did see all of this @ The CMA Summer Solstice Party!

Saturday night we had the great pleasure of attending the opening reception for the unveiling of the new east wing @ The Cleveland Museum of Art. It was an awesome event and it was inspirational to see so many people out supporting our fantastic museum.

The CMA truly is a treasure and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a world renowned institution like this in our fair city (and free, no less). We encourage everyone who has not already had the opportunity to view the new east wing to do soon. It opens to the public on June 27th.

People were chowing down on the good eats!

What a gorgeous evening it was -- remarkably, there was almost no rain

These dancers were just a glimpse of the visually pleasing entertainment

Dog Alien part deux?

There were some great fireworks to help put the exclamation point on this very special occasion

More pretty fire works where you can see the red foam wall that surrounds us that night

The towers that help connect the new east wing

During Dan Deacon's set, it started raining which lead to pure bedlam. His fans are hardcore, even while holding a tarp over his gear he GOT DOWN

You can see from the glistening ground that there was a brief period where the rain had picked up. This shot made us think of a music video, perhaps shot in Eastern Europe at night? Maybe Prague? Gotta love that purple haze in the sky!

We just really liked this shot -- especially the shadows against that green light

The cube in the new east wing. Do you see that guy is actually wearing a kilt?

You can see the progress the museum is making on this wall with highlights of the past, present, and the future laid out.

DJ Rehka was thrownin down on the 1's and 2's!

Couldn't help but capture an image of these trippy totem guys that definitely caught our eye

The view from outside the festivities as we departed*

Top Five Sngs of the Week (Summer Solstice Celebration Edition!)

The weather that has descended upon us this weekend has been the kind that causes hair to frizz, skin to gloss, clothes to stick, and moods to deflate (or is that just me?). Sweltering humidity with a chance of rain isn't exactly the forecast that makes you want to do anything other than bask in your AC half naked. . .that, or perhaps drink chilled beverages poolside.

Well, the weather might win other days but not today :)

This evening we'll be heading out to The Cleveland Museum of Art's Summer Solstice Celebration in honor of the East Wing Unveiling. I'm also lobbying for a drink at RumbaR prior to entering into the craziness. They are bringing a new wave sound of female fronted indie girl dance rock that makes us think of Blondie, Elastica and Metric.

But before doing so, just thought we'd share some tunes to help cool you off and get you in the mood to go out on the town:

5. {Mp3} Mason Proper - Get Innnoculous/Love Lockdown You may recall that back in November we posted their video for Lock and Key because it is a great song and was shot in downtown Cleveland. This time those lads from Michigan are back doing a great job blending the best elements of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" along with LCD Soundsystems' "Get Innocouus" ”

4. {Mp3} Miracles of Modern Science - MR 2 This 5-piece got their start at Princeton University. Guess where they live now?... yep Brooklyn, big surprise right? They play indie rock that is full of beautiful orchestration with some nice sea chanteys too They remind us of Vampire Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, Andrew Bird and Margot and The Nuclear So & So's.

3. {Mp3} Amazing Baby - Bayonets This band is bringing their glam meets Elvis Costello straight out of Brooklyn. This is one that once it got stuck in our heads it is has become a serious ear worm and will not leave.

2. {Mp3} My First Earthquake - Cool In The Cool Way This aptly titled foursome hail from San Francisco and they too will make you shake like an earthquake. They are bringing a new wave sound of female fronted indie girl dance rock that makes us think of Blondie, Elastica and Metric.

1. {Mp3} The Fire and the Reason - Do It Again (Blogua Remix) This international duo of Bella Saona (from Brazil) and Steve Navarez (from Ecuador) are bringing the fire and making some dirty and downright dangerous baile, funk, pop, dance. Reminds us as if the energy of the Ting Tings were mixed with sass of Santigold and the vocal swagger of Anya Marina.

Random Retro Wednesday Song: After Laughter (Comes Tears)

Prior to heading out for an evening this past week, we were energized while listening to random hip-hop and remixes when our iTunes unexpectedly shuffled to a song that made us both fall silent. This particularly beautiful track struck us in such a way that we played it multiple times in a row. Not to mention, the more we listened to the song the more it started driving us crazy because neither of us could quite place where we had heard the familiar soulful chords and vocals.

Our questions were soon answered upon reading this wiki article, where we discovered that the catchy melody and chorus was sampled in a Wu-Tang song [listen here] and featured in a scene of The Wackness while being covered by the likes of Alicia Keys, El Perro Del Mar, and. . .oh yes, of course I (now) remember Lykke Li singing a rendition when I had the pleasure of seeing her perform in Boston last fall -- if you're also a fan, I highly recommend watching the youtube clip from that very show here.

{Mp3} Wendy Rene - After Laughter (Comes Tears)

Bonus: {Mp3} Lykke Li - After Laughter (Comes Tears)

Ooh La La. . .Anthropologie

Most ladies will agree that it's quite the challenge to enter and exit the warm, inviting confines of Anthropologie without doing some major damage. . .

But, I must say (quite proudly, in fact) that this evening I simply perused the outdoor tent sale, staying strong and focused. Although I admittedly tried on multiple items and was inevitably tempted by the aromas of several beauteous candles, I walked out of the store purchasing only one oh so lovely item. Half-priced no less. Whew!

Um, anyhow.

So, this brings me to a safe and harmless alternative to dangerously shopping the isles of Anthropologie or addictively clicking away within their website: there is no harm in innocently browsing the delicate pages of one of the catalogs, right??

Right :)

Especially if the catalog is able to combine musicians and fashion so effortlessly as Anthropologie did in their June issue.

Not only was I pleased upon discovering Anya Marina's pretty face donning a couple pages, but then flipping through to see the ethereal ladies of Au Revoir Simone (btw, there's no denying how super excited I am to see them Friday, June 26th at The Grog Shop). Oh yes, and Annuals had a nice little spread as well. Never having heard of the other musicians featured, I was intrigued enough to check them out. So here you go!

Lenka

{Mp3} Lenka - Don't Let Me Fall Definitely won me over with her playful and graceful Regina Spektor-esque style. And, how freaking adorable does that zigzag dress look on her??

Honey Honey

{Mp3} Honey Honey - Little Toy Gun Their sound possesses an intensely energetic melody that saunters into your subconscious, bound to leave a lasting impression. I imagine it's only a matter of time before this song is used in a movie trailer or commercial.

Okay, so Anthropologie -- I must say that I happily approve of your music selections and look forward to future catalog features such as this*

Tonight : Low Life Gallery Presents This is Cleveland - All The Stuff I See

The latest opening at Low Life Gallery tonight features the work of 30 local artists who had 14 days to take 27 pictures of Cleveland using single shot disposal cameras. On display this evening will be each artist's 16 best pictures and the artists themselves. Just some of the artists who participated in this awesomeness are Cleveland (Heights) Bachelor (our boy), Genna Petrolla (aka Miss Messy), Melanie from Music Saves, Rick Sans, The Sign Guy, Dave Desimone (aka Mr. Low Life), Mallorie Freeman, Bill Rupnik and Leia from The Afternoon Naps.

The opening reception is this evening from 7pm - 11pm. It is sure to be a good time :)

It is not time for cookie party. . .It's time for FOOD PARTY!!

Tomorrow night on IFC @ 11:15 est is the debut episode of Food Party which is a very imaginative and novel approach to a cooking show. The program stars Cleveland's own Thu Tran. She is a graduate of the CIA -- pretty cool huh. . .? Well, not that one. . .she actually is a graduate of the CIA that is equally as impressive -- that being the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Her cooking show, which started out a web-based series amongst herself, her friends, and her boyfriend (Dan Baxter the head puppet maker/creator of Kreppy Doll Factory), is produced by some very creative artists who either are from Cleveland and/or have gone to CIA with her. It is a collaborative effort where everyone seems to lend a little of their personality to the show. Since graduating they have (of course) relocated to Brooklyn. We can't blame them at all, however, it is too bad that they were not able to make such a cool thing work and stay in Cleveland -- especially since the show started here in 2006.



Her show is completely a surreal odyssey into cooking. While it does not give the viewer any actual recipes that you can concoct yourself, it does make you wish your kitchen was this animated. We love that the host is accompanied by a darker and edgier version of Jim Henson's muppets on a set built from the mind of Michel Gondry.

Bonus: Great piece about the show in the New York Times {here}

(mp3) Girl Talk - Cleveland Shake (Thu Tran is friends with Girl Talk, aka Gregg Gillis, another alumni of CIA) An oldie but a goodie, but we gotta represent C-Town!

Top 5 Songs Of The Week (Do You Have Soul Edition?)

CIA is now showing a collection of Andy Warhol prints featuring his work from 1974-1986. These prints are on loan from Cochran Collection and will be available for free viewing in the Reinberger Galleries thru August 16th.

Now for some music that may or may not match his work....

5. (mp3) Naomi Shelton and The Gospel Queens - What Have You Done My Brother? Is the latest release from the awesome funk & soul of The Daptone record label. (home to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Budos Band and for those who'd know the Dap Kings were the backing band on Amy Winehouse's smash album Back In Black). Naomi Shelton brings the soul (ala Otis Redding, Low Rawls) and then some on this track. Along with some old skool gospel from her days singing in a Baptist church while growing up in Alabama.

4. (mp3) Casxio - Seventeen I asked Kelly what she thought of this track she said that it sounded like Jameraqui. I then explained to her that Perez Hilton called his band "lo fi disc soul". I think that is a fairly good description. But for me personally this L.A 4some remind me of Prince or Midnite Vultures era Beck being back by Chic and having Nile Rodgers bring some of that disco funk.

3. (mp3) Hi Ho Silver Oh - Perjury is Casey Trela who is currently touring from L.A. On the bands myspace it actually says they are playing in Cleveland tonight. When we got an email promoting them this week they never mentioned this :( . Which is too bad this duo make some great melodic folk indie rock in the vein of David Bazan, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes. There is a lot of great soul in the songs they make.

2. (mp3) Unsparing Sea - All I Want This locally based quintet recently just released their new ep The Crystal Canyon . They are going to be playing @ The Matinee in Cleveland on June 17th. Often I do a terrible job of describing things this being one of those times. Regardless these guys play some great serene indie folk music. Tara Klien their cellist is classically trained and has played with Kanye West, Foot Fighters and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. This is good, their songs bare the soul of our great lake. listen for yourself.

1. (mp3) Viva Voce - Octavio Tonight we are going to see this Portland based duo as they headline a show at Musica. Cut Off Your Hands and Houseguest are on the bill as well. The last time we went to Musica we went to see Cut Off Your Hands but we never got to see them :( Viva Voce are some sweet souls who make very bright, earnest indie rock tunes . Below is the video for their song "Alive With Pleasure" it is one of our favorite jams of the last couple of years.

The Bus Stops Here

The Bus Stops Here from Qian Li on Vimeo

Qian Li in addition to being a talented local artist is also a resident of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood . You may recall a few weeks ago we went to her loft for a Chinese Dragon Celebration, having tasted her cooking (yum!) and seen her art (very cool) it should come as no surprise that this production was top notch too. This short film features the Detroit Avenue streetscape and focuses on Robert Maschke Architects bus shelter design.

Two Reasons to Smile :)

First there is this video by the New York/Berlin duo called The Glass for their song "Wanna Be Dancin". This is a song that will help you to get your butt in gear this morning as you get down. The Glass sounds like Erlend Øye, Justice and LCD Soundsytem aka good indie electronica. This video features legos at a rave "dancin". We think this is such a ultra cool and yet at the same time cute concept. Of course nothing can ever beat this lego video!

(mp3) The Glass - Wanna Be Dancin

Tonight @ Sonic from 8pm - 12am you can get a free 10 oz root beer float!
We know that for a lot of you that is far drive for a free tasty treat but if you go it will be worth it. We can attest from personal experience.

Mondays aren't so bad, right?

A couple years ago I was suffering from the winter doldrums and a minor "Case of the Mondays" (kind of a lame phrase, isn't it?) and put up this post. After revisiting this entry, all I have to say is that I look really sad (and pale) in that picture and that there is still a soft spot in my heart for the song, "I Don't Like Mondays."

[Mp3] The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays
[Mp3] Tori Amos - I Don't Like Mondays (cover)

Thankfully, this particular Monday is a much warmer and sunnier one. . .perfect for enjoying dinner outside on Gamekeeper's Patio with some friends -- which is exactly where I'm headed to in just a moment*

Hope your Monday has been a pleasant one :)

Bonus:

[Mp3] Tegan & Sara - Monday Monday Monday
[Mp3] Nouvelle Vague - Blue Monday (New Order cover)
[Mp3] Lavender Diamond - My Shadow is a Monday

ps - Picture above courtesy of the lovely and talented, Sarah Roos