WCLV 50th Anniversary Performance Rundown - Part 2

From 2-3, Apollo's Fire performs Baroque madrigals. The Cleveland State Jazz Ensemble is featured from 3 to 4. Two ensembles from the Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory will be hosted by yours truly from 4 to 5, and I'll also host the Oberlin Trio from 5 to 6. Quire Cleveland offers Baroque and Classical vocal selections between 6 and 7. The Music Settlement's Almeda Trio will present a recital from 7 to 8, and the Big Finale is the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in the Westfield Theater from 8 to 9. You're welcome to attend at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square, at 14th and Euclid in downtown Cleveland. Seating for some concerts is outside the studio, during which time you can chat with WCLV announcers, take tours of the Radioquarium and WCLV's office, have coffee and a cupcake, and just hang out with the DJs. That's Thursday, Nov. 1 -- be there or be square.

WCLV 50th Anniversary Performance Rundown - Part 1

WCLV's "First Program" will air as usual Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6-10 a.m. Beginning at 10, WCLV will present live recitals from the three Idea Center studios. At 10, an ensemble from CIM, plus a pre-recorded performance by students in the Rainey Institute's "El Sistema" program. At 11, the Cavani String Quaret, and at noon, Bill Rudman and the Musical Theater Project. The Big Work at One is a digitized recording of the first Cleveland Orchestra broadcast on Oct. 12, 1965. All day, you'll hear interviews with performers and local musical luminaries on 104.9 & wclv.com. Part 2 of the day's broadcasts will be posted soon.

WCLV at 50 - Be There or Be Square

Are you coming to the Idea Center at Playhouse Square Thursday, Nov. 1 to celebrate WCLV's 50th anniversary? We'll have live performances from local ensembles, including the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Oberlin, Baldwin-Wallace, and CIM, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Stop by, register to win prizes in our drawing, and have a seat while you watch and listen to the live concerts. The voices you hear will be on duty, not only hosting the live broadcasts, but chatting you up at the cupcake table and giving tours of the Radioquarium. WCLV's "First Program" will still take place that morning from 6 to 10 a.m., followed by "WCLV at 50." Watch this blog or my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Queen of the Morn, for specifics, including parking information. At a pre-broadcast meeting this week, WCLV's co-founder and President, Robert Conrad, introduced himself this way: "I'm Robert Conrad, and we're here because of something I did 50 years ago." I told Bob I wasn't sure if the Statute of Limitations had run on what he did 50 years ago. He laughed.

My WCLV 50th Anniversary Radio Diary

As WCLV and its listeners remember 50 years of broadcasting in Cleveland, culminating in our official November 1st anniversary, here's a memory from my Radio Diary. Morning drive announcers live life 4 hours earlier than the audience does. For example, if most people get up at 6:30, the morning announcer gets up 4 hours earlier. This differential also means that you hit the sack 4 hours earlier than your audience does. For anyone who works other than the day shift, you know how disorienting it can be. The rest of the world is 9-to-5, and when Clevelanders are getting ready to go out to dinner and take in a show at Playhouse Square, morning announcers have just arrived in the boudoir for a cheap date with the Sandman. It takes two years to get used to this schedule. Until then, you live in a state of jet lag every day of the week. A few months after I started as WCLV's morning drive announcer, profound fatigue caught up with me one afternoon at home when I'd fallen into a deep sleep. I woke suddenly, and after a few fog-filled seconds, I realized I was talking to a woman on my bedside phone. I had no idea why. I didn't recognize her voice. I was too embarrassed to ask the woman why we were talking. She seemed rather amused. Hastily, I said, "Well, I'd better get going," and rang off. This had to have been an incoming call. I vaguely remembered hearing the phone ring and answering it. I doubt I would have called someone in my sleep. "Sleep-dialing?" Moi? Although I was certain the caller was a telemarketer, nothing ever was charged to a credit card, and nothing was shipped to me, so I think I got off rather lucky.

50 Shades of Alma

This week on WCLV, I'm spoofing the best-selling erotic novel "50 Shades of Grey," by adding the musical tale of Alma Mahler, a woman whose juicy romantic exploits reportedly included much of musical Vienna, before and after her marriage to Gustav Mahler. She subsequently married the architect Walter Gropius and the author Franz Werfel, as deliciously set out in Tom Lehrer's satirical song, "Alma," which you heard last Friday on 104.9.

You can hear "50 Shades of Alma" at 8:20 this week on WCLV. You can read the episodes on this blog begining Wednesday, August 1st.

Summer Color

How about these hydrangeas? They look like cotton candy gone wild.

I May Melt

This looks like fireworks, but it's really spontaneous sparking in the hot air over Cleveland, as we endure another day in Mother Nature's EZ-Bake Oven. It will feel 20 degrees cooler tomorrow.

A Quiet Memorial

A deceased mouse found and disposed of Saturday in one of the office cubicles is remembered with respect and offerings.

Choppy and Chilly

A cold blast from this crashing wave would have been welcome during the recent hot weather. Yesterday at Cleveland's East 55th Street Marina on a cool day, this example of aquatic fireworks riveted observers who, for their own safety, kept a goodly distance from Lake Erie's shore.

Dolls and Guys at Ohio Light Opera

We had lots of both, as the winners of our "Guys and Dolls" ticket contest attended opening night at yesterday's "WCLV Day at Ohio Light Opera" event in Wooster. Last night's performance of one of American's greatest musicals was beautifully sung and great fun. And you could understand every word of every song. How often does that happen? Several listeners were photographed wearing "The Tiara of Traffic," on display at the WCLV table. They all looked like Miss America. They looked so regal that afterward they were practicing their waves. Before the show, I chatted with one of OLO's best-known actors, Ted Christopher, and OLO Artistic Director Steven Daigle. Those interviews will be aired soon on WCLV 104.9. Keep listening.

Remembering Ann Rutherford

Actress Ann Rutherford, who visited WCLV during a trip to northeast Ohio in 2010, died Monday at the age of 94. When she visited WCLV in 2010, she was in town to attend an event at the Kent State Museum. You can find her interview from that date, with a "web extra" feature, plus a 2009 phone interview, on www.wclv.com. Click on "Arts Resources," then on "Interviews." She tells how she got into radio, and how she happened to run into producer David O. Selznick on a train, which meeting led to being cast as the youngest O'Hara sister in "Gone With the Wind."

Lake Erie Winds Can Walk!

Saturday's "Parade the Circle," in Clevleand's cultural hub of University Circle, was all about Nature, including this depiction of cold north winds, about which everyone in Northeast Ohio has an opinion. But not all cold north winds have a mug like this, not to mention that of the blue-faced sibling bringing up the rear.

Off to Europe

At left in the Radioquarium is Joshua Lauretig, who plays oboe in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. Joshua just graduated from Beachwood High School. He described his COYO audition, held many years ago in a darkened Reinberger Chamber Hall, as one of the most nerve-wracking things he's ever done. This fall, he'll continue his oboe studies at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. COYO will embark on its inaugural European tour June 13-21, with a preview concert Saturday night at 8 Eastern Time. You can attend the concert at Severance Hall or listen to it live on WCLV 104.9 and wclv.com, hosted by WCLV's Robert Conrad. In the middle is COYO manager Ashley Smith. At right is your announcer.

Preparing for the Transit of Venus

This was the scene about 3 Tuesday afternoon, June 5, as local astronomers set up their viewing stations in preparation for the historic Transit of Venus, in which Venus crossed the face of the sun. About 2,000 took the opportunity to see the transit through these specialized optical devices. The next opportunity will be in 2117. You and I will miss that one.

We Want to Know What YOU Look Like, Too

Every few weeks, WCLV invites a group of listeners to tour the station and have lunch on us as we chat about the station, classical music, and radio in general in our "Bach's Lunch." If you're interested, go to www.wclv.com and fill out an online form. If you've already done so, no need to do a new one -- we've already got you on file. We'll let you know if you have been chosen to attend. This is from a thank-note resuliting from our most recent session: "I enjoyed the tour, the lunch itself, and best of all, meeting the 'voices' I have listened to for so many years." "In a world that is increasingly visual and of short attention spans, WCLV is always there to bring some 'class' to everyone via the music offerings scheduled, and through the association with our great Cleveland Orchestra. And after all, doesn't each of us aspire to something better for our lives? I think it demonstrates the eternal human attempt to rise above the tedium of our daily living and the striving for something more worthwhile."

Creative Voices, Literally

Entertainer Ben Vereen on the State Theater stage motivated the audience at the Creative Voices Arts Education Day Luncheon today. He had good things to say about Cleveland's emphasis on arts, plus encouragement to keep at it. Violin students from El Sistema at Rainey played Beethoven. Students from the Citizens Leadership Academy played the African drums and told the audience what makes them learn well. And a young Citizens Leadership Academy student named Malcolm demonstrated public speaking skills that will no doubt put him on the debate squad at whatever high school he attends. The luncheon was part of the Creative Voices Summit, which also presented a panel discussion on "The Creative Mind," at the Westfield Theater at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. The panelists, including local architect Paul Westlake, Jr., riffed on what makes people creative, and what keeps them that way.

Backstage at Jubilation

Before the second night of the Jubilation finals Friday at St. John's Cathedral, WCLV's Bill O'Connell does a script run-through at the lectern. Behind him is that Grey Radio Eminence, Robert Conrad, as well as Nancy Gage, who did a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination for the two-night event, heard live on WCLV 104.9. The decision of the three-judge panel resulted in a top-prize finish for St. Noel of Willoughby Hills. The audience also voted for its favorites. I'll announce them tomorrow morning 6-10 a.m. ET on WCLV's "First Program."

Jammin' at the Happy Dog

Today at the Happy Dog we had a Chicago Dog and Tater Tots while listening to a quartet of musicians who are appearing at Severance Hall tonight following the Cleveland Orchestra concert. Michael Ward-Bergeman, Keita Ogawa, Jamey Haddad and Marcus Santos gave the audience a half-hour accordion-percussion jam. They'll be joined by cellist Alisa Weilerstein tonight as part of the popular "Fridays at Seven" series. The Happy Dog is at West 58th and Detroit, in the Gordon Square District. The photograph above says all you need to know about the prevailing decor "chez" Happy Dog. One of my WCLV colleagues says the pinball machine is probably worth more than the Elvis lamp. True?

Jubilation, Part One

This was the scene last night at St. John's Cathedral as the First United Methodist Church Epworth Youth Choir rehearsed prior to the first session of the Jubilation finals. The second and final night of choral performance is tonight at 8. Attend in person and enjoy sacred music in this exquisite setting; you can also vote for your favorite choir. Listen on WCLV 104/9 or wclv.com and enjoy the music on the radio. That fellow in the blue shirt at the left is Bruce Egre, one of the audio engineer wizards who make these broadcasts sound like you're sitting in the performance hall.

Hovering Over Euclid Avenue

There's no Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Cleveland, but this cloud formation bearing down on Euclid Avenue yesterday reminded me of that parade's stories-high balloons. Snoopy? Homer Simpson? Big Bird? Underdog?

Back in the Saddle Again

I still don't understand completely how my bio and photo disappeared from cyberspace on the WCLV website, but they have now been restored. Our computer whiz said that there was some kind of kill date on my section, and once that date was reached -- POOF!! -- the bio disappeared.

I translate that to mean that my "freshness date" expired. Oy.

You'll notice that the announcer bios are now alphabetized. Go to wclv.com; click on the beige "About WCLV" tab. Move your cursor over the "The Voices You Hear." When the drop-down menu appears, click on the name you want.

Are They Trying to Tell Me Something?

Some months ago, I noticed that my bio and photo were missing from WCLV's website, wclv.com. Nobody seemed to know why it happened. Recently, a senior member of the staff said he assumed the deletion was at my request. I said no, it wasn't.

That was several weeks ago. Still no bio. Go to the "About WCLV" tab and move your cursor over "The Voices You Hear."

Do you think they're trying to tell me something?

Were You at the Same Performance I Was?

The dimly lit auditorium at Oberlin wasn't the greatest place to take photographs, but in this snapshot from Wednesday's first day of Oberlin's Rubin Institute for Music Criticism, the hands of WCLV's Robert Conrad and those of the New Yorker's Alex Ross are communicating on their own during a pre-institute interview heard Thursday on WCLV 104.9 & wclv.com.

Mr. Ross was one of the featured speakers at this new institute at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He spoke Wednesday night; Anne Midgette of the Washington Post gave last night's address. Still to speak are Heidi Waleson of the Wall Street Journal, former Washington Post critic Tim Page, and John Rockwell, formerly of the New York Times.

Go to oberlin.edu/rubininstitute for more information. Panel discussions and musical performances are also a part of the institute, which concludes Sunday.

Stephen Rubin of the publisher Henry Holt & Co., and whose background in cultural reporting makes him a compelling advocate for informed criticism, is the benefactor.

Student fellows are working with the critics during the 5-day institute. Audience members are invited to submit their own reviews of the musical performances; the winner of the audience prize receives $1,000.

As a former music and theater critic in a mid-sized American city, it was comforting to know that these distinguished music writers had all received letters of dismay beginning, "Were you at the same performance I was?"

Charles Michener, former New Yorker editor, in his opening address Wednesday, answered the question perfectly: No one is ever at the same performance becase we all come to concerts with different ears, experiences and expectations.

A Visit from Mariette Hartley

What a treat to meet actress Mariette Hartley, who plays actor Alfred Lunt's mother in the upcoming Cleveland Play House production of Jeffrey Hatcher's play, "Ten Chimneys." She visited WCLV Friday, January 6th, to record an "On Stage" feature with the Play House's Lisa Craig.

Left to right are Mariette Hartley, Lisa Craig, Jim Mehrling (WCLV's production manager), and the Queen of the Morn. After the taping, Jim Mehrling was overheard chatting with Ms. Hartley about her memorable Poloroid television ads with James Garner.

Performances of "Ten Chmineys" begin January 13th. "Ten Chimneys" is named for the estate Mr. Lunt and his wife, actress Lynn Fontanne, owned west of Milwaukee. Actress Carol Channing has been quoted as saying, "What the Vatican is to Catholics, 'Ten Chimneys' is to actors." Visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com for more information and to buy tickets.