Nate’s Northcoast Notes • The Power of Music and Social Justice • Gaetano’s Jazz Quintet • Open Mic at Twelve Literary Arts • “Love Letters”

By Nathan E. Paige

Catch a live stream performance of the Gaetano Jazz Quintet this Sunday on the BOP STOP’s Facebook page.

Gaetano’s Jazz Quintet Live Stream at BOP STOP – January 31

Gaetano’s Jazz Quintet, consisting of Bill Ransom (Drums); Theron Brown (Hammond D3); Bob Esterle (Saxes); Matt DeRubertis (Bass); and Gaetano (Tom) Letizia (Guitar) will perform a live streamed concert Sunday, January 31 from The BOP STOP at the Music Settlement.  The concert, which offers listeners a preview of the upcoming nine-song CD “Chartreuse,” will be accessible on the BOP STOP’s Facebook page at 7PM.  Free, but donations encouraged.

The Politics of Sound in Cleveland Museum of Art dialogue series – February 3

Nwaka Onwusa

On Wednesday, February 3 at noon, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Manager of Collection and Exhibition Programs Andrew Cappetta, and the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame’s vice president of curatorial affairs and chief curator Nwaka Onwusa team up for a virtual discussion on the power of music and artists who have harnessed word and sound to fight for social justice and racial equality. Register for this free event on Eventbrite.  The Museum’s Desktop Dialogue series takes place every first and third Wednesday of the month.

The monthly Twelve Literary Arts, Inc. poetry event, One Mic Open, takes place Thursday, February 4 at 5:30PM via Zoom.

Inspired by Amanda Gorman? Twelve Literary Arts offers open mic opportunity  – February 4

Nearing its sixth anniversary, the Twelve Literary Arts One Mic Open series continues virtually on Thursday, February 4 at 5:30PM via Zoom.  Please register. Sign-up runs from 5:30-6PM.  Artists of all ages and mediums are welcome to attend and participate. One Open Mic takes place the first Thursday of each month. For more information about the event, please contact Youth Program Coordinator Eric Odum.

Local black journalists present ‘Love Letters’ in fundraiser – February 13

The Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists (GCLEABJ) presents a virtual production of "Love Letters," A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize nominated play on Saturday, February 13 at 7PM via Zoom. Suggested donation: $8. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. A silent auction will take place during intermission. Directed by, and starring Emmy Award-Winning TV Anchor Leon Bibb, and Talk Show Host, Minister and Motivational Speaker Sandra Bishop. Proceeds will support the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention which will be held in Cleveland in 2025.

Comedian Michael Colyar comes to the Cleveland Improv February 4-6.

Michael Colyar at Cleveland Improv - February 4-6

Affectionately known as the King of Venice Beach, comedian/actor Michael Colyar comes to the Cleveland Improv for four shows Friday, February 4 through Sunday, February 6.  Tickets are $20. Colyar can also be seen on Amazon Prime’s “The Rich and The Ruthless”, portraying the character Willie Turner. This soapy drama, returning for Season 4 this year, was created by Victoria Rowell, who many fans of “The Young and the Restless” will remember as the feisty Drucilla Winters.  

Is there an upcoming event you’d like included in this column? Please send the details, along with a high-resolution photo/graphic, to northcoastnotes@therealdealpress.com at least two weeks prior to the event.

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