Jennifer Jones Demello | The best Christmas ads of the year 2016

Jennifer Jones Demello | The best Christmas ads of the year 2016

Jennifer Jones Demello - Cleveland arts and entertainment: What we loved in 2016

From breakout locals creating designs for Godiva and Urban Outfitters to watching Cleveland on the silver screen in "The Land," 2016 saw Cleveland's arts and entertainment scene shine.

Writers, directors, fashion designers and more all made a splash this year. We talked to the makers, like film writer and director BJ Colangelo, poet AKeem Rollins, dancer Daisun Santana of CityBreaks studio and artist Dinara Mirtalipova.

RISING STAR ARTISTS

This year, illustrators stole the national spotlight. Katy Kosman's playful, tongue-in-cheek line art was chosen to be turned into an Urban Outfitters t-shirt and showcased as one of the RTA Redline's Inter|Urban art murals.

Dinara Mirtalipova's rich, whimsical folk art-inspired work was seen on the nationally-sold holiday packaging for Godiva chocolate.

Rachel Latina had a pop art and '90s nostalgia-inspired solo show at Waterloo's Article gallery and went on to create the new, giant mural for Case Western Reserve University's chemical and biomolecular department celebrating the contributions of women in science. Nathan Ward released his new "Warpwish" comic. The link between grilled cheese empire Melt Bar and Grilled, which announced its eighth location this year, and its support of the local art scene was recognized at an art showdown at 78th Street Studios.

We met up-and-coming artists like Vagabond Comics, Justin Michael Will and Ashley Ribblett at this year's Genghis Con small press and comic book convention. Longtime Cleveland favorites Laura and Gary Dumm took on environmental catastrophe in their BAYarts show, "Here There Be Monsters."

Matt Horak, who creates all the artwork for Akron's Earthquaker Devices effects pedals, was named the new artist for Marvel's "The Punisher." Read Patrick Cooley's interview with Horak here.

New independent venue Blank Slate Elyria opened an art gallery that allows new artists to get their foot in the door. By Jennifer Jones Demello

FILM

 

Best-selling author and artist John "Derf" Backderf's "My Friend Dahmer," his graphic novel about his experiences attending school with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, is being adapted to film and shot in Northeast Ohio. Disney star Ross Lynch has been named a lead actor.

Cleveland was the backdrop of the acclaimed film "The Land," directed by Steven Caple Jr. and executive produced by Machine Gun Kelly and Nas. Read Troy Smith's interview with the director on the making of the film.

Pop culture buff Matthew Chojnacki not only released the second volume of his "Alternative Movie Posters," he executive produced "30 Years of Garbage," all about the cult classic Garbage Pail Kids cards. Peek inside his cinematic world.

Rising star writer and director Robert Putka's "Mad" hit Netflix in December, and we continued to see stellar coverage of horror movie culture by director, journalist and actress BJ Colangelo.

Ten teens created their own documentary, "East Cleveland: A Tale of Two Cities," that screened at this year's Cleveland Urban Film Festival. Read Nate Paige's spotlight on the film here.

The Republican National Convention brought on dozens of artistic responses. Among them was "The Fixers," a series of short films offering a closer look at the often overlooked parts of the city. The films were screened in different corners of the city, offering a chance for discussion around the topics. It became one of the most-talked about projects of the convention. By Jennifer Jones Demello

MUSIC

We shined a spotlight on 35 Ohio bands you should know, including locals Mourning a BLKstar, Part-Time Lover, Archie Green, Agleam and more.

Cleveland saw new music from punk favorites Signals Midwest, longtime hardcore staple Above this Fire, electronic musician Connor Musarra and hip-hop act Muamin Collective.

Marc Bona took the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum CEO, Greg Harris, out to a ball game. Harris was formerly vice president of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Troy Smith challenged those who argue the Rock Hall should not be open to genres such as hip-hop and R&B in a conversation with author Jack Hamilton ("Just Around Midnight: Rock and Roll and the Racial Imagination").

You could also sample some of the best of the city on compilations like the experimental-leaning "Cosmique Cleveland" or from dance night Heaven is in You. By Jennifer Jones Demello

LITERARY

2016 was the year of Cleveland's slam poetry revival. Earlier in the year, Eric Odum gave youth an outlet to perform spoken word with One Mic Open. In December, AKeem Rollins launched The People, a new adult poetry slam, that creates a direct bridge from Odum's program to grow Cleveland's literary scene.

D.M. Pulley used Richfield's rustic Stone Garden Farm and Village as inspiration for her newest novel, "The Buried Book." We caught up with her at the farm as she showed how each location played into her writing.

Christmas TV expert Joanna Wilson watched the entire 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" and wrote about the experience and why the story of an imperfect holiday resonates with so many people. By Jennifer Jones Demello

DANCE

CityBreaks Studio, which once operated in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, opened its doors in Gordon Square this December. When former Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team member Daisun Santana pitched his idea of a breakdancing studio in Gordon Square to the "Cleveland Hustles" television team, he wasn't yet ready for prime time. One investor took note of his idea and ambition, however, and helped make his dream happen.

Cleveland Progressive Arts Alliance celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Hip-Hop Summer Arts Camp in downtown Cleveland. By Jennifer Jones Demello

PHOTOGRAPHY

Laura Wimbels put a spotlight on locals with her photography book, "Faces of Cleveland." Its pages are full of service industry workers at our favorite restaurants, artists, musicians, comedians and more movers and shakers.

Polaroid film is back, as Cleveland Print Room assures us. Their classes, which make use of the Impossible Project's recreation of the discontinued film, use technology to create Polaroid photos from cell phone shots.

Eric Rippert used vintage family photography to create his interpretation of the American Dream of the 1970s in his show, "Full of Promise," at Waterloo's Maria Neil Art Project. By Jennifer Jones Demello

FASHION

Three rising star fashion businesses challenged gender roles in 2016. Mooi Kind baby and toddler clothing and the RVAH line both showed off gender neutral clothing with style. Tremont's Sweetlime Alterations - Queer Tailor used stitching skills to make Clevelanders comfortable with their fashion options.

Retro Rosie brought pin-up chic to Lakewood with its new boutique of vintage recreations.

Vintage lovers reveled in the re:COLLECTION pop-up events that brought together vendors throughout the city. By Jennifer Jones Demello

MAKERS

The demand for local, handmade products continues to rise in Cleveland. Homegrown businesses Triple Threat Press has found a studio space in Slavic Village, where its vintage letterpress will be found in action for anyone walking by the Fleet Ave. storefront.

Legacy Village saw a brick-and-mortar retail shop dedicated entirely to locally-made goods with the addition of Merchant's Mrkt.

Cleveland Public Library's 4th annual Mini Maker Faire showed off Cleveland's booming do-it-yourself culture with a fusion of art, technology and science.

Art powerhouse duo of Dott and Helen von Schneider turned their fine arts background into wax vessels that can be used as planters for succulents, incense holders and more.

Looking for more makers to follow in 2017? We compiled a list of some of the best on Instagram. By Jennifer Jones Demello

GAMING

It's no secret Cleveland loves its games, from barcades to board game cafes popping up around town. This year, Theater Ninjas launched an interactive game, "The Last Day," in the Gordon Square Arcade. Part "escape room," part storytelling, part "choose your own adventure," the journey was innovative and mysterious. Just don't expect any actors.

The newest addition to the gaming scene, Weird Realms, brings together board games, role playing games and more. It also has a floor made out of board games. By Jennifer Jones Demello

DESIGN AND EVENTS

Haley Himiko Morris, the event designer behind the intricate, elaborate New Year's Eve events at Mahall's for the last three years, offers her insight on how to throw an unforgettable party.

Danielle DeBoe, known for founding the boutiques Room Service and Dredger's Union, launched her own design venture, DeBoe Interiors. She offered tips for home decorating for the holiday.

Wedding specialists - from florists to decorators to pastry chefs - weighed in on the latest and greatest trends. Read More...

Jennifer Jones Demello | Fifth Harmony Sets the Record Straight on Camila Cabello's Departure One Last Time

The remaining four ladies of Fifth Harmony are setting the record straight once and for all on Camila Cabello's departure.

Almost exactly 24 hours after news broke that the singer would be leaving the girl group, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane Hansen, Lauren Jauregui and Normani Kordei penned a lengthy letter on Instagram explaining their side of the events. By Jennifer Demello

Camila Cabello

"To our harmonizers, we know you are hurt and confused, we are too. We know you want answers. And you deserve them, as you are just as much a part of this group as the four of us are," the post began. "The last thing we want is to engage in a battle of we said, she said, but we've let our story play out in press and on social media for too long. So to our Harmonizers, who we care so deeply about, we want you to hear everything from us, unedited, not manipulated, just us, to you."

The ladies confirm that in mid-November, they were informed by Camila's manager that she would be leaving the group. At the same time, they were informed that Sunday night's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball performance would be her last with the group.

But the performers are also ready to share how they tried to keep the group together, without much help from Camila. By Jennifer Demello

"Over the past several months we have consistently made every effort to sit down and discuss the future of Fifth Harmony and Camila. We have spent the past year and a half (Since her initial solo endeavor) trying to communicate to her and her team all the reasons why we felt Fifth Harmony deserved at least one more album of her time, given the success of this past year that we'd all worked so hard for," the post read. "We called for group meetings which she refused, we asked LA Reid and the label to step in and try to set meetings, which again, she refused. We even went as far as group counseling which she did not show up to."

The girls continued, "So no, after months of rejection from her and her team, these supposed lengthy conversations in fact never happened, although we pleaded. We have tried with exhausted efforts and hearts to keep this group alive as the five of us, and we want it to be very clear that unfortunately those efforts were not mutual." Read More...

Jennifer Jones Demello | Acting Tips from established actors

Find the joy, from Jonathan Groff

As “Looking” premiered in January, Groff chatted with the magazine that helped him get his start (“I believe in Backstage. It changed my life.”). Between the HBO show and his role in Disney’s hit “Frozen,” the actor has found plenty of opportunities to perform on a foundation of pure joy. “People create from different places,” he said of his process. “Some love to create from a tortured place, some from a joyful place. And when I feel like I’m a 5-year-old kid in my backyard playing pretend, that’s when I’m happiest.” By Jennifer Demello

Study, study, study, from “Enlisted” actor Keith David

The acclaimed voiceover veteran told Backstage in January that “voice acting is still acting.” In an interview full of helpful tips, David went on to emphasize the study of theater as a fundamental building block for actors. “Study theater, because theater is the greatest training ground that you can have,” he said. “There are people who have never done theater who can be wonderful screen actors, but it all depends on your training. We all have great natural instincts, but they need to be honed.” By Jennifer Demello

Don’t worry about what the casting director is thinking, from “Trophy Wife” star Michaela Watkins

“[Auditioning is] like dating boys when you’re a teenager,” Watkins told Backstage in February. “You spend so much time wondering what they’re thinking. They’re not thinking about anything! They’re not thinking about you.” Having now cast several projects herself, Watkins can verify this from personal experience. “All you want is someone to come in and solve your problem. They can be as great as great can be, but if they don’t solve your problem, you just wish them well.” By Jennifer Demello

Risk failure to make truthful discoveries, from Lupita Nyong’o

The “12 Years a Slave” star talked to Backstage amidst her awards season whirlwind about failing gracefully, the Yale School of Drama, and working with director Steve McQueen on the movie that eventually won her the Oscar. “As actors, you become an expert at starting over,” Nyong’o said. “Every single role brings with it an ignorance and an insecurity, and so you have to approach it with the same curiosity and humility. I’m always nervous. Doesn’t matter how many times I do this. But I remind myself it’s because I care. Steve would say, ‘Fail and then fail better!’ And that environment was so liberating. It’s not about getting it right. It’s about getting it truthful.” By Jennifer Demello

Believe in your goals—however lofty, from “Mad Men’s” James Wolk

When Wolk attended the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, casting directors would warn students of how difficult the business can be. He told Backstage it was his conviction that things would be different which enabled him to forge onward. “That blind ignorance is so important—otherwise, who would pursue acting? But if you believe it, it’s just like a self-fulfilling prophecy, right? Because if you don’t believe it, it’s definitely not gonna happen.” By Jennifer Demello

Loosen up in the audition room, from Sam Rockwell

In March, Backstage chatted with screen veteran Rockwell about categorizations, focusing on craft over networking, and the advice he gives acting students: “You cannot try to get the job. Just go in there, have some fun, and do your version of that part. This is what I’m selling. If you want to buy it, that’s cool. Have some adjustments for me? That’s fine, I’ll make some adjustments, but this is basically what I want to do. That’s the attitude, sort of a ‘fuck it’ attitude. Not fuck you, but fuck it.” By Jennifer Demello

Put faith in your director, from , James Franco

Hollywood’s most prolific multitasker took to Broadway this year in “Of Mice and Men,” and spoke with Backstage in April about the importance of working closely with a director’s vision. “When I design a character, I’m doing it with the director. I view it as the director’s creation as much as mine,” he said. “And I give credit to the directors as well: If I give a good performance, I give at least 50 percent of the credit to the director. That’s just the way to work in a collaborative medium.” By Jennifer Demello

Treat auditions like rehearsals, from comedian Amy Schumer

Having now worked on both sides of the audition table, the writer-producer-star of “Inside Amy Schumer” knows how actors can make a solid impression. She told Backstage in April that when casting her show, she looks for performers who commit truthfully to their delivery, a philosophy she has incorporated into her own approach. “The way I audition now, I just treat it like a rehearsal,” she explained. “I treat it like I already have the role and I’m just going to rehearsal.” By Jennifer Demello

Follow what you love, from actor-dancer Derek Hough

In April, the “Dancing with the Stars” alum stressed the importance of simply loving what you do. “Try to be honest with yourself and not just sort of fall into something that you think will make you popular, or you think that you’ll get respect from,” he advised readers. “Ask yourself the right questions, you’ll get good answers.” By Jennifer Demello

Pay attention to what you know, from Patrick Stewart

With about half a century’s worth of stage and screen experience, Stewart knows a thing or two about acting. In a revealing interview in April, he discussed his personal discoveries during the filming of “Match,” especially a telling revelation about his father. “I thought I got him,” he said. “I thought I got my father absolutely in place—how wrong I was. Those kind of things really get my attention these days. One of the really nice things about being an actor is that no experience is wasted.” True! By Jennifer Demello

Auditioning is an opportunity to practice, from David Walton of "About a Boy"

The star of NBC’s family comedy told Backstage the fascinating story of his big break—selling knives to a Fox executive!—and his subsequent struggles. When an acting coach advised him to see auditions as an acting opportunity rather than a potential job, Walton was able to turn his career around. “If you do good work, you start to make a name for yourself and things can come around. Weird little happenstances happen,” he said. “It’s just one of those things. Do good work and do it for yourself.” By Jennifer Demello

Draw from personal experiences to make characters resonate, from “A Raisin in the Sun’s” LaTanya Richardson

“I’m trying to homogenize a lot of different women whom I have known, including my grandmother, and trying to bring it to a more modern existence so that it does stay relevant,” said actor LaTanya Richardson, who earned a Tony nomination for her work in the recent revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s play. She talked with Backstage about the tricky work that goes into evoking a modern sensibility while performing a classic onstage. By Jennifer Demello

Go ahead and produce your own work, from Kevin Spacey

Two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey brought his signature gravitas to the May 7 Backstage cover, and offered aspiring actors plenty of food for thought. As one of the faces of new media—“House of Cards” has been instrumental in legitimizing Web series—Spacey is somewhat of an expert on pioneering innovative production techniques. “[The industry is] opening up with these new streaming series, and young people are being discovered producing their own things,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I decided ultimately to self-produce.” By Jennifer Demello

Make the role yours, from “Veep” actor Timothy Simons

The man behind everyone’s favorite loser on “Veep” advised Backstage readers to approach an audition from a personal perspective, rather than the perceived perspective of those on the other side of the table. “You don’t want to go in trying to force yourself into some archetype that has been thought up by a director and translated by a casting director,” he said. “If you have a particular read on it, go in with your point of view, because it doesn’t make sense trying to go in with somebody else’s point of view.” Read More...