Arts & Entertainment

Bay Village native Patricia Heaton was the guest of honor at BAYarts’ fundraising event on July 6. The Hollywood actress, who is well-known for her Emmy Award-winning role on the television series “Everybody Loves Raymond,” still maintains strong ties to the community. Heaton returns to Bay Village often with her husband, David Hunt, and four sons.

She was interviewed by Dick Feagler in front of a live audience of BAYarts supporters and her fans (some of whom came from as far away as Mentor to see their favorite actress). Feagler, a former columnist for The Plain Dealer and host of “Feagler & Friends,” is also a Bay resident.

The event raised $5,000 for the restoration of the Irene Lawrence Fuller House on the BAYarts campus, with completion scheduled to coincide with the Bay Bicentennial in October.

The comedy, “The Miser,” by Molière, translated by Albert Bermel and directed by Douglas A. Farren runs through Sunday, May 23, at Clague Playhouse in Westlake. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (note later curtain time) and Sunday at 2 p.m. (Sunday, May 23, is sold out.)

About the play: One of the funniest plays in dramatic literature, this modern version abounds with laughter. The son and daughter of the miser fall in love and are about to declare their intentions when the miser announces his own wedding plans: he, to the girl with whom his son is in love, and his wealthy friend, to his daughter. After a few rollicking laps around the block in which the miser’s hidden treasure figures, it is revealed that the rich friend is the long lost father of the boy who loves the miser’s daughter and of the girl who is loved by the miser’s son.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Westlake and Bay Village! Get out and take pictures of the changing season to be printed in the next issue of the Observer! Sign in to the Member Center and upload your photos, along with captions, by October 30th.

A panel of highly qualified and gifted artists will discuss “Issues in Contemporary Sculpture” on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library. Ann Albano, executive director of The Sculpture Center in Cleveland, will moderate the panel discussion. Following the panel’s dialog, there will be time for audience questions and responses.

Albano will begin the program with a PowerPoint presentation on the Cleveland-Boston Sculpture Exchange which was held this past summer. The exchange brought the works of ten Boston sculptors to Cleveland while works of 12 northeastern Ohio artists were exhibited in Boston.

The panel of four Cleveland-based artists who will share their expertise are Elizabeth A. Emery, Irina Koukhanova, Nancy Prudic and Robert Thurmer. Each of their life stories, schooling and experiences are as unique and individual as their art, which was included in the Sculpture Exchange.

Bay Rockets Athletic Boosters will host a Halloween costume party for adults on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 7-11 p.m. at St. Clarence Church Hall, 30106 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted. Cost of the event is $25 per person and ticket includes heavy appetizers, beer, wine, pop, music and dancing. Event proceeds support Bay High School and Bay Middle School athletic teams and programs.

Bay Rockets Athletic Boosters President Steve Kowalski said, “We decided it would be fun to throw a Halloween party for adults and came up with the tag line, ‘Why should the kids have all the fun?’"

When the 2012 "Community of Fine Arts” opens on Aug. 6, it will mark the largest collection of works in its 13-year history. CFA is a juried art show presented annually by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council.

This collection of original works by amateur and professional artists will be on display through Aug. 18 at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., during library hours. Following the two-week exhibit, a “Meet the Artists” reception, which is open to the public, will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18.

The Westlake-Westshore Arts Council and Clague Playhouse hit a grand slam homerun on March 3 without using a ball and bat. A Cabaret Night, the fundraising event co-sponsored by these groups, had the aura of success from beginning to end. 

Over 200 guests gathered at Wagner’s Country Inn generating a positive energy that continued to build during the evening filled with socialization, tempting auction items, good food and fine entertainment. The event drew supporters of the arts not only from Westlake and Bay Village, but also from Solon, Lyndhurst, Strongsville, Parma, Richfield and Maumee. The sellout crowd was welcomed by WWAC president Marge Widmar and Clague Playhouse president Lillian Boehmer, who expressed gratitude for the wonderful support for the arts that the overflow audience represented.

The PNC “Learning is All About Me!” Mobile Learning Adventure is a traveling exhibit that provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn about the importance of early childhood education while they engage in fun, hands-on activities together.

The free exhibit will be at BAYarts on Saturday, July 16, only. It will be hands-on and feature lots of give-a-ways! Look for the orange tents in front of BAYarts. For more information, call 440-871-6543.

The Westlake Garden Club “decked the halls” at Westlake Porter Public Library on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Garden club members arrived at the library with bags, baskets and boxes of holiday trimmings. 

A seven-foot-tall tree was put into place, lights were meticulously attached to limbs, baby’s breath garlands were draped, and the ornaments were hung. A nature theme had been selected and the tree decorating committee met several times, including a workshop to craft some of the unique and creative ornaments. 

Pine cones were decorated with ribbon, dried cockscomb was fashioned into angels, dried gourds became birds, and twigs became critters. Snow people with twig arms, hats, scarves and whole clove eyes add a touch of whimsy. There are owls in abundance, including a large owl gracing the top of the tree. Dried flowers tucked in here and there add color and continue the nature theme.

Three Westlake teenagers, all students at Rocky River’s School of Rock, will perform July 3-10 at rock venues throughout the Midwest alongside professional bands and with the franchise’s most talented young musicians hailing from surrounding states. Students landing a spot on School of Rock’s AllStars Tour represent the top tier talent coming out of the national music program.

Westlake teens making the LOVE HOPE STRENGTH AllStars Tour include Westlake High School students Jake Cohen, 17, and Dan Hyland, 16, and recent St. Ignatius graduate Evan Nickels, 18.

On February 7, 119 years after Richard Strauss conducted the original production of Englebert Humperdinck’s "Hänsel and Gretel," a preview presentation of an upcoming production delighted the audience at an FYI: Opera program at Westlake Porter Public Library. 

The music, story and history of this fairytale opera were skillfully related by David Bamberger, director of opera theater at the Cleveland Institute of Music and three CIM voice students, who were expertly accompanied on the piano by John Simmons, CIM music director. 

April Martin as Gretel and Huiyu Zhang as Hänsel opened with a duet of the children’s complaints of hunger as well as playful antics of a brother and sister. Baritone Daniel Grambow sang the part of Peter, the children’s father who is a broom maker. The gingerbread witch was sung by mezzo-soprano Alicia Bousner. The outstanding quality of these voices was enhanced by the expressive, animated acting of these singers.

Experienced band musicians from Westlake and surrounding communities are invited to join with high school musicians to perform in the Westlake Music Boosters’ 4th Annual Patriotic Band Spectacular at the Westlake Performing Arts Center.

This special summer concert will be held on Thursday, June 30. It features patriotic music and a special recognition of veterans. Four rehearsals will be held in June. If you would like to participate, please contact Mr. Ray Walczuk at 440-250-1014 or walczuk@westlake.k12.oh.us for further information.

Great Lakes Theater Festival, in partnership with Clague Playhouse, invites you to a free world-premiere one-act comedy, “Twice Told Tales of the Decameron” on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. at Clague Playhouse.  

In 1350, Giovanni Boccaccio wrote his masterpiece, "The Decameron," a collection of 100 short stories. Some 250 years later, William Shakespeare took several of those tales and expanded them into full-length plays. Come and see two of the original stories that inspired Shakespeare to write "Cymbeline" and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" in this free, one-hour world-premiere touring play!

The Friends of Porter Public Library will present their monthly Sunday Sounds program on Sunday, October 24, at 2 p.m.  Featured will be an Oberlin College Conservatory trio, who will present an afternoon of classical music. The trio consists of:

• Simon Bilyk, a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory. He is a violinist who now freelances in the greater Cleveland area. His interest in both orchestra and chamber music has led him to diverse places like Beijing, Shanghai, New York City, Manchester, Vt., and Bangor, Maine.

A new camera club for adults, The Westlake Photo Guild, is forming at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd. Anyone who owns a camera and enjoys photography, from hobbyists to professionals, are encouraged to attend the next meeting which will be on the first Thursday of the month, July 1, starting at 7 p.m. We will be meeting in the library's Craft Room.

The meetings are a fun and social way to spend a few hours a month, talking photography with like-minded people. One of the subjects to be discussed is Adobe Photoshop Elements and its tutorials. Membership is free. For more details, contact me by e-mail at putrguy12@yahoo.com or call me at 440-835-1185. Hope to see you there!

Wood block printing and movable type are medieval technologies. The techniques are more precise than potato printing, but it's the same basic idea: You roll ink onto something, and press that on something else.

That's what I'm bringing to show you, starting March 8 at BAYarts: "Cats, Mice, and Movable Type" is an exhibit of my children's books – stories and rhymes – printed by hand, with wood blocks and movable type.

I started making children's books when my kids were learning to read. I had written some stories based on characters they invented. I wanted to give my kids the stories as a gift, to them and their cousins. So I went looking for ways I could print my words. I began in my kitchen, with linoleum blocks from the craft store. I carved words and pictures into them, then pressed the paper onto the blocks, using the round side of a spoon as a barren.

Now nineteen years strong, the St. John Medical Center Festival of the Arts will bring more than 200 fine artists and craftpersons from across the country to Westlake. The 2012 Festival of the Arts will welcome the community on the following dates and times: Friday, July 6, from 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, July 7, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, July 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To assist with parking issues, a shuttle bus service will drop off and pick up festival-goers at the Church on the Rise (directly across the street from the hospital on Crocker Road). There will be ample parking close to the event, and a small fee for parking.
 
As in the past, admission to the Festival is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items which will be donated to local food banks. Also SJMC's Community Outreach will offer free health screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday only. The free screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. The tradition of an outdoor Sunday Mass on the last day of the Festival will continue this year at 9 a.m. on July 8.

On Sunday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., the West Shore Chorale & Orchestra will present their annual Carols & Choruses of Christmas concert at the Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts. John Drotleff will conduct the 80-member group, which has been performing on the West Side since 1968.

This year, the Chorale will welcome back the Monday Morning Bell Choir from Westlake United Methodist Church, under the direction of Ardith McCloy. The program will feature traditional carols and seasonal pieces from Vivaldi, Handel, Christiansen and others.

Bay United Methodist Church youth will run a “Family Fun Patch Day” on Sunday, Oct. 23, from noon-6 p.m. at the church located at 29931 Lake Rd. in Bay Village. The event is free and open to the public and will feature tailgate trick-or-treating in the church parking lot from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and additional young children’s activities including face and mini-pumpkin painting, a jumpy house and a hay bale pyramid from noon-6 p.m. Children are welcome to come in costume.

The event will be held in conjunction with the church’s annual “Pumpkin Patch Sale,” with proceeds from pumpkins, baked goods and hot cider benefiting the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) – the church’s annual youth mission trip to Central Appalachia.

Clague Playhouse's Annual "Barn Sale" will be held on Saturday, June 18, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. 

We will be happy to accept donations of tables, lamps, furniture, decor items, pictures, kitchen and bath items, lawn and garden equipment, small appliances, toys, games, crafts, and sports equipment (no clothes please) at the theater from Wednesday, June 8, through Saturday, June 11, 1:00-6:00 p.m. and from Wednesday, June 15, through Friday, June 17, 1:00-8:00 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will be used for operating costs for the 2011-2012 season.

The Westlake High School Center Stage Players wowed a packed house on Friday, Nov. 13, with a strong opening-night performance of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." The two-hour-long play, a dramatization of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, showcased the talents of 21 student-actors and eight backstage crew members.

Derek Lancashire's portrayal of John Proctor, the man caught in the center of the storm and later accused of witchcraft himself, was nothing short of spectacular. He perfectly conveyed the character's incredulity at the hysteria engulfing the town, and his booming voice and powerful stage presence captivated the audience.

Rachel Cooke, playing Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, matched his performance with her own, expressing the emotional turmoil of a dutiful wife and one of the accused while maintaining the softness of the character's reserved nature.

Huntington Playhouse is at the halfway point of their season and have a lot of activities going on and not just on the stage.

The theatre is offering acting classes for children beginning on Sept. 18. Classes are on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon and will end on Oct. 30 with a performance for family and friends. Registration forms are available online at www.huntingtonplayhouse.com.

The theatre is also putting together a clambake/silent auction on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The cost is $60.00 per person and includes one dozen clams, one half chicken, sweet potato, corn, rolls, butter, deserts, and beverages. The silent auction will feature restaurant gift certificates, lunch with Dick Feagler, and much more. To get a brochure, contact the theatre at 440-871-8333.

It has always been a dream of mine to have my own photo show. In the past I always exhibited with my camera groups at numerous places in Northeast Ohio from art galleries and libraries to the President Garfield Memorial in Lakeview Cemetery.

My dream is about to come true with a One-Man Show. The photographic exhibition will be at the Westlake Porter Public Library from May 3 through May 31, 2010. The library is located at 27333 Center Ridge Road in Westlake. There will be a ”Meet the Artist” reception on Sunday, May 16, 2010, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the library.

The work exhibited is varied. My first commercial-industrial job at age 19 was for the company I was working for. The show as presented has a few pictures of that first job. Also a photograph of a machine I photographed, which was one of the biggest and tallest I had ever photographed. It was 10 feet square at its base and over 30 feet tall.

Clague Playhouse presents “The Chalk Garden” by Enid Bagnold and directed by Ron Newell on Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 28, 2010. Show Times are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (No performance on Sunday, March 7 and limited seats remain on Sunday, March 21). Reservations are strongly recommended.

Tickets are $12 for seniors (60+) and students, and $13 for adults (with a $1 discount on Thursdays) and may be purchased by calling the Box Office, 440-331-0403, Wednesday - Saturday 1:00-6:00 p.m. Cash, check, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

As a long time student of Abraham Lincoln I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to have heard him speak – in the debates with Stephen Douglas, at his inaugurations, and at Gettysburg. To hear the golden words of that great writer/speaker/politician would have been a wonderful experience, especially for a history junkie like me.

Even better would have been to be in the various inns and taverns where Lincoln stayed as he rode the circuit as a lawyer. There he would be, after everyone there had a hard day – maybe in courts arguing against each other – telling his stories and yarns. It would be the informal Lincoln, relaxing among his old and new friends. No one enjoyed hearing or telling tales as much as he did.

My wonderings led me to imagine a scenario that would combine formal and informal talks – to bring some of my dreams to life in a way that would entertain, inform and honor the president in a presentation to an audience.

The arts were the catalyst, a feast of food provided incentive, and the result was a sold-out gathering of amiable people enjoying “A Spring Celebration and Feast.”

The Westlake-Westshore Arts Council’s successful fundraiser held April 21 at Dadonna’s Fine Italian Restaurant in Westlake, not only endorsed the group’s dedication to provide art programing in the community, but gave thrust to its newly established Scholarship Fund.

Four strong voices performing arias from a mixed bouquet of operas impressed an audience of over 50 people, at Westlake Porter Public Library on April 2. The talented Cleveland Institute of Music students were accompanied by David Bamberger, artistic director of the CIM Opera Theater, who narrated the program, and accompanied by music director John Simmons at the piano.

Singing the Fire aria from Ravel’s "The Child and the Enchantments," soprano Min-Kyeomg Kim portrayed the angry child with great vitality. When she later sang the chambermaid Adele’s laughing song from "Die Fledermaus," she was joined by the other three singers, who expertly supported her captivating portrayal and lovely voice.

Luke J. Toratzky credits his experience at Baycrafters and falling under the spell of former director Sally Price for his lifelong journey as an artist.

A graduate of Bay High School (class of '72), Tornatzky says, “Some of my favorite childhood memories came from this small park, whether exploring the creek, drawing at the beach or sledding on a perfect winter day. No visit to Ohio would be complete without a stop at what is now BAYarts; a showing here is sort of a rite of passage to me.”

Tornatzky now finds much of his inspiration living in Port Townsend, a small coastal town on Puget Sound, Washington, a close-knit community of artists and boat builders. The opening will be a reunion of sorts for Luke’s friends and family. Opening Friday, Jan. 11, 7-9 p.m., in the Sullivan Family Gallery in the Fuller House, the exhibit will run through Jan. 31, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Call Eileen at 440-871-6543 to schedule.

The discussion on “Issues in Contemporary Sculpture” which was canceled due to the notorious Sandy, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library. 

Ann Albano, executive director of The Sculpture Center in Cleveland, will moderate the panel of highly qualified and gifted artists. Following the panel’s dialog, there will be time for audience questions and responses.

Albano will begin the program with a PowerPoint presentation on the Cleveland-Boston Sculpture Exchange which was held this past summer. The exchange brought the works of ten Boston sculptors to Cleveland while works of 12 northeastern Ohio artists were exhibited in Boston.

The 13th annual "Community of Fine Arts,” a juried art show presented by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council, will take place August 6-18 at Westlake Porter Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., during library hours.

Original works by amateur or professional artists, 18 years or older, that are one of a kind, and not previously exhibited in this show, may be submitted by the July 14 deadline.

Four professional artists will judge accepted entries in four categories. A $150 cash award will be given for the first place choice in each of these categories: Oil/Acrylic; Watercolor; Charcoal/Pastel/Pencil/Ink Drawing; Photography. For further entry information, call Jean at 440-835-1877 or Tom Nowicki at 440-871-0957.

Students at Rocky River's School of Rock spent many hours in November crafting their own version of Mike Peters and The Alarm’s classic "Love Hope Strength.” It was all part of a three-day recording workshop which provided an interactive educational music experience with an emphasis on vocal, instrumental and arrangement pre-production. 

“The students learned how detailed and competent one must be to cut tracks in a recording studio. And on the last day of the workshop, we did just that at Elevation Studios in downtown Cleveland," said music director, Tommy Rich.

At the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., George Ryan, retired president of the Lake Carriers' Association, and Rob Catalano, former deputy director of the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum, will take you time-travelling through the history of our Great Lake.

Entitled 500 Years in 50 Minutes: Brief History of Great Lakes Shipping, they will use images, stories and models courtesy of the Great Lakes Historical Society to regale you with fascinating facts about how shipping has evolved since Native American times. Sail through the War of 1812, drop anchor in the 20th century and discover what’s in store for the future!

For the small fee of $7/adult in advance or $10/adult at the door, you will learn the answers to the following questions and more!

Overlooking the Slieve Mish Mountains of the Dingle Peninsula on the edge of Tralee, Ireland’s Town Park is the Siamsa Tire Theatre of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland. On Friday evening, June 16, my husband Bob Scarr and I attended the opening reception of the Student Art Exchange between the Sister Cities of Westlake and Tralee.

The international student art exchange is part of Westlake’s 2011 Bicentennial celebrations and reconnects Westlake with one of the countries from which Westlake’s early settlers emigrated. The combined communities’ approximately 130 works of art are on display in three gallery areas of the Theatre. The exhibition is part of Tralee’s Feile na mBláth (Garden Festival).

Upon entering the Theatre a wall of portraits created by Westlake K-12 students greets the viewer. The portraits are in a variety of media and are created from many different viewpoints. A torn color-paper collage “Self Portrait” by Daniel Dobish, grade 11, Westlake High School, with its emotional, dramatic and powerful facial expression, is centrally positioned on the wall.

Dr. Alan Montgomery, Assistant Director of Oberlin College’s Opera Theater, and singers will provide an entertaining preview of Mozart’s "La Clemenza di Tito" on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd. This program is part of the FYI: Opera series, presented free to the public by the Westlake Westshore Arts Council.

Mozart wrote a compelling score for the rich plot of murder, mayhem and love during the Roman Empire. In one of the last operas of his career, Mozart captures the essence of powerful emotions such as love and jealousy, and how they survive in tumultuous societies. "La Clemenza di Tito" is a must-see event for opera and music lovers alike.

Huntington Playhouse is offering a “Buy One-Get One” subscription package for their 2011 season. This package is good for the first Thursday or Friday evening performances of each production. This is a limited-time offer and good for new subscribers only. The cost of this series subscription is $140.

The Huntington Playhouse Season opens on May 12 with a production of the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone” (runs through June 5), followed by “Perfect Wedding” (June 16 to July 3), “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” (July 14 to Aug. 7), “Man of LaMancha” (Aug. 18 to Sept. 11), “The Foreigner” (Sept. 22 to Oct. 9), “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” (Oct. 20 to Nov. 6) and “Miracle on 34th Street” (Nov. 25 to Dec. 18).

A sweet, romantic drama, "Last Train to Nibroc" by Arlene Hutton is set in the 1940s and tells the story of a young couple, May (Kristen Levy) and Raleigh (Jeff Bartholomew), who first meet on a train going to a small town in Kentucky. The play then follows the couple for two years, painting a touching portrait of two people searching for happiness.

The play is directed by Robert Gibb and will run Friday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 6. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (No performance on Sunday, Jan. 16; and Thursday, Jan. 27, is sold out.)

June is going to be a very busy month for Huntington Playhouse!

The comedy "Leading Ladies" opens on June 17 and plays through July 3 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday, June 27, at 2:00 p.m. In the play, two English actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. Hearing that an old lady in York, Pa., is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces!

The theatre is also planning a New York Theatre tour in 2011. The trip will include a motor coach to New York City, three nights at the Sheraton Manhattan, two Broadway Musicals, dinner at Sardi's, tours of the NBC studios, a boat tour of lower Manhattan, tour guides and subway passes. 

The 18th annual Ballroom Blitz will take place on Saturday, April 24, from 6:30-10:00 p.m. at Bay Middle School. This year, the middle school will be transformed into a New Orleans supper club – the perfect setting to enjoy vintage jazz and swing performed by the Bay High School Jazz and Stage Bands and the Bay Middle School Jazz Ensemble. 

Besides superb music, Ballroom Blitz guests also will be treated to dinner with appetizers and desserts, a variety of beverages including the famous smoothie bar, balloon raffles and a silent auction. 

For reservations, contact Teresa at 440-835-2164 by April 10. Admission for the evening is $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, or $200 for a table of eight. All proceeds benefit the instrumental music programs of the Bay Village City Schools.

Dianne Frye lives in Bay Village and is the Membership Chair for Bay High School PTSA. 

Former leader and founder of McKendree Spring and Arista recording artist now focused on sacred music, Fran McKendree began his professional career playing at coffee houses in and around Syracuse University before forming "McKendree Spring," a four-piece folk-rock ensemble that the legendary promoter/manager Bill Graham dubbed "one of the best unknown bands in the world." They played with some of the world’s best musicians, and are now included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with their own exhibit.

A visit to a small Episcopal church in New York led to an epiphany that launched a new spiritual direction, prompting him to explore his calling: doing concerts, as music leader and coordinator for conferences, keynote presenter, mentor and workshop leader in churches across the country.

An evening of entertainment for the benefit of two esteemed organizations includes the talents of Cleveland newspaper columnist, playwright and television personality, Dick Feagler. A variety of entertainment will be offered on Saturday, March 3, when the curtain goes up on “A Cabaret Night” produced by Greg Violand and Maryann Nagel at Wagner’s Country Inn.

Utilizing its resources and talents, the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council and Clague Playhouse are collaborating to sponsor the Cabaret as a fundraiser. These respected non-profit groups are charting new waters in this cooperative venture.