Northeast Ohio produces more events each week than it would
be possible to attend, even if you had a full-time maid,
chef, and/or babysitter. Hot Picks: This Week’s Smart
Stuff sorts through the lists of concerts, festivals, exhibits,
plays, readings and all sorts of other events and pulls
out a few that seem out-of-the-ordinary. There will be new
things each week, with the list updating each Monday.
Even though we like to think of ourselves as “in
the know,” there will always be things that escape
our notice. Please feel free to make suggestions to
(be aware, we make no promises and the final decision rests
with us). Enjoy!
April Verch
October 11 at 8 p.m.
Happy Days Lodge
In Canada, a young woman can be a Celtic fiddler who also performs traditional dances and still be considered cool. Since she burst on the scene, April Verch has expanded her repertoire to encompass singing and songs that reach include a rootsy Americana sound. Her high-energy concert style has made her a fan favorite across North America.
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David Sedaris
October 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Playhouse Square
The sardonic, sometimes self-depreciating wit of David Sedaris comes to Playhouse Square. David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. His latest collection of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, was released last summer.
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Robin Williams
October 10 at 8 p.m.
State Theatre, Playhouse Square
One of the world's most unpredictable and unforgetable comedians, Robin Williams is one of the few entertainers can convincingly combine crazy with funny. As anyone who has seen any one of his many appearances on late night TV can attest, there is literally no way to know what is going to come out of his mouth next (although, considering that this is Ohio and the presidential election is in 30, politics - and the current state of the economy - would be a safe bet). Maybe he'll even riff on his latest divorce. Whoo hoo!
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Magical Theatre Company: Holes
October 10-19
Magical Theatre Company
The wit of Louis Sachar's 1998 Newbery Medal-award winning novel Holes comes to life on the MTC stage. Stanley is under a curse, a curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great great grandfather. This hilarious and richly-woven tall tale has fate conspiring all along in the world of Holes. The great wheel of justice has ground slowly for generations, but now is about to reveal its verdict – in a very unusual and funny way.
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Harvest Festival
October 11-12
Hale Farm
Fall is here and there's no better place to take it all in than the Cuyahoga Valley. Hale Farm celebrates the harvest this weekend, with food and demonstrations. This month Hale Farm is marking 50 years of historic preservation and presentation - so head out to one of Northeast Ohio's often overlooked gems to join in the fun.
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Tom Paxton
October 11
The Kent Stage
The word legend is oftern overused but Tom Paxton is without dispute a folk music legend. He got his start in the early Sixties as a part of the Greenwich Village folk revival of the time. Many of Paxton's songs from that time were political in nature, and Pete Seeger was an early fan. Elektra Records signed Paxton in 1964, and his debut album for that label included two songs that remian among his most beloved to this day, "I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" and "The Last Thing On My Mind." Paxton has continued to record and perform since that time, and his most recent CD was released early this year.
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The Black Keys
October 11 at 8 p.m.
E.J. Thomas Hall
The Black Keys, guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney, have accomplished some rather amazing things in their relatively short tenure. They've released 5 full length CDs, garnering more fans and greater critical raves with each effort. The duo have established themselves as a killer live act, and have attracted interest from some high profile acts (rod Stewart, ZZ Top) who might want to collaborate. They still live in Akron, and by all accounts they are still down to earth guys. No small feat when you are playing to crowds of thousands all over the world.
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The Cleveland Orchestra: Beethoven's Fifth
October 10-12
E.J. Thomas Hall
The Cleveland Orchestra and Maestro Franz Welser-Möst welcome world-renowned pianist Lang Lang to the Severance Hall stage. If you watched the opening ceremony for the Bejing Olympics this past summer, you saw his spellbinding performance watched by almost 1/3 of the world's population. At 26, he is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras.
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Girls with Guitars
October 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Stocker Arts Center
A creative fundraiser for the Koman Foundation, Girls with Guitars brings together three Hot Country artists. As half of Laura & Sophie, Chardon youngster Laura Fedor nearly made it to the finals of this year's Nashville Star competition. Australia-born Jamie O'Neal is now one of Nashville's most-prolific songwriters. Grammy Award-winning Lee Ann Womack was a respected songwriter before she became one of Country's favorite female performers.
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Wooster Chamber Music Series
October 12
Gault Recital Hall
The Aspen Chamber Ensemble launches the 24th season of the Wooster Chamber Music Series. Born out of the Aspen Music Festival, the Aspen Chamber Ensemble is unusual among chamber music groups because it combines strings with piano and flute. The five members of the group use their unique talents to perform an uncommon repertoire.
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