The week ahead, 7/26-8/1

This has been one of those weeks, the kind you just need to survive. But survive we did, thrive even. And next week holds the opportunity for even more, uh, thriving. So, in the interest of that whole brevity thing, I'll get right to it.

Sunday, 7/26 - Check out the quite amazing Cleveland Food Rocks event, the Rock n Roll BBQ Throwdown, at the Beachland Ballroom. From 1-5 PM, munch on grilled delicacies prepared by chefs from over two dozen local restaurants, including CB fave Momocho and other happening joints like Luxe, Crop Bistro, Moxie, and Flying Fig. Best of all, Bootsy Collins (yes, that Bootsy Collins) will be around to make sure everyone has a dip in their hip and a glide in their stride.

Afterwards, head over to the Grog Shop to catch Austin's Octopus Project, a pretty stellar experimental project that has been getting good buzz for their live sets and their previous LP, Hello, Avalanche. I've also listened to some advance tracks from their forthcoming EP, Golden Beds, and give you my word that they are continuing to bring the heat.

Monday, 7/27 - The return of Anarchy Comedy Night at the Grog Shop. This has been getting rave reviews, so check it out before the crowd gets too thick or the talent gets scooped up by troupes based in bigger cities.

Tuesday, 7/28 - The triumphant return of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Cleveland, courtesy of the talent buyers at the House of Blues. Tix are still available, and Karen O and co are doing mighty well on this tour. Do yourself a favor and have dinner there first - as always, the rosemary cornbread gets the CB HQ seal of approval.

Wednesday, 7/29 - If you work downtown, check out the lunch-time WCPN Around Noon Open Air live concert. Seating at the Idea Center's Smith Studio begins at 11:45 AM. Bring a lunch and enjoy the entertainment. (If you can't make it this week, three other dates remain: August 19, September 9, and September 17.)

Thursday, 7/30 - Check out the BBQ party at Blue Arrow Records! This has gotta be the event I'm looking forward to the most this week, not only because it is free, but because of the featured in-stores by a pair of new and exciting bands, Founding Fathers and Casual Encounters. The party starts at 6 and the music kicks off around 8.



Friday, 7/31 - As always, lots of options for this Friday night. Local rockers Mystery of Two have an album release show at the Beachland, with support coming from Cleveland's 21st Century version of Courtney Love and Hole, Hot Cha Cha. Down the block is the latest Steve Brown Gallery curated event, "Thrown: The Art of Yo-Yo," at the Shoparooni Annex.



Alternatively, stick around University Circle and catch a double feature at the CIA Cinematheque, with Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist showing at 7 and Alex Rivera's astonishing cross-border, sci-fi epic, The Sleep Dealer, screening at 9:30.

Finally, if Coventry seems more your speed, you can't go wrong with catching the reunion Presidents of the United States of America tour. The fellas that brought you tunes like "Lump" and "Peaches" and even "Cleveland Rocks" (at least the Drew Carey Show version) are coming to town one more time. This time, another CB fave has the opening duties, Leia Alligator and her Picklefight Puppet Party. For those who didn't discover Ms. Alligator at the Waterloo Arts Fest last month or in her other random appearances, this is something to cherish.



Saturday, 8/1 - Yet another tough choice for the Cleveland crew this Saturday, too. Catch new indie phenom Zee Avi on her Borneo to USA rise as she plays a gig at the Beachland Tavern or dig an all-day Compound fest at the corner of St Clair & E 63rd. More than twenty bands will take the stage during the day, from art-pop to sluggish metal, and CB highlights include Founding Fathers, Coffinberry, This Moment In Black History, and Arte Povera.



Other stuff to keep your eye on the following week:

- 8/2 - The Horse's Ha @ Beachland
- 8/5 - The Low Anthem @ Grog Shop
- 8/5 - Chairlift/JJ Magazine (FREE) @ Rock Hall
- 8/6 - Los Campesinos! @ Grog Shop
- 8/7 - Silversun Pickups @ Lakewood Civic Auditorium
- 8/8 - Pink Eye Party @ Now That's Class
- 8/8 - Unsparing Sea/Joshua Jesty @ the Winchester
- 8/8 - Vintage Ohio Wine Festival @ Lake Metropark's Farm Park in Kirtland
- 8/9 - Cedar-Fairmont Fest