bookstore with that lost independent feel -- a relaxed, inviting environment conducive to discovery, where quality takes precedence over quantity, where the books marginalized by commercial concerns have a home. If you come in looking for something specific, we will have it or we will find it for you. If you come in looking for nothing in particular, you can lose yourself in a world of new ideas.

Courtyard Music Series: Chris Hatton

May 18, 2013 | 7:30-10pm

Chris Hatton doesn't believe in genres. In fact, he doesn't even know what the word means. Whether going full on electric with his band, The Italian Sound Machine, or looping sleazy grooves as a solo acoustic act, Chris is a musical chameleon, drawing from a multitude of influences and bending styles to create one unique sound. In October of 2011, Chris decided to focus completely on making music. He quit his cushy office job and moved into a house with a recording studio. There, he spent 7 months writing, recording, and producing his latest LP, titled The Beard Album, which was released in August 2012 on Analog Beard Records.Current solo shows showcase Chris acting as a one man band, by utilizing a technique known as looping. On stage by himself, he blends and combines sounds and textures, harmonies and backgrounds to grow songs before your eyes. Each handclap, guitar tap, beatbox, shaker, and guitar riff combine to add layers of music to both originals and covers.

Stealing All Transmissions Book Signing

May 18, 2013 | 7pm-9pm

Stealing All Transmissions is a love story. It’s the story of how The Clash fell in love with America, and how America loved them back. The romance began in full in 1977, when select rock journalists and deejays aided the band’s quest to depose the rock of indolence that dominated American airwaves. This history situates The Clash amid the cultural skirmishes of the 1970s, and culminates with their September 1979 performance at the Palladium, in New York City. This concert was broadcast live on WNEW, and it concluded with Paul Simonon’s impersonation of Paul Bunyan.
This story, which takes its title from the 1981 single “Radio Clash,” includes original interviews with key figures in radio and the New York punk scene. Many of these musicians, deejays, and program directors eventually joined the staff of Sirius XM Radio, where the long-standing clash between art and commerce is repeating itself anew. This secret history concludes with an analysis of how we listen to music today and its impact on the written word.
Randal Doane grew up in Northern California on a diet of casseroles, iceberg lettuce, and rockabilly. He spent decades collecting college degrees, and has published essays and articles on music and aesthetics, illegal file-sharing, Ralph Ellison, Sigmund Freud, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Springsteen. He works as an assistant dean at Oberlin College. In his spare time, he still listens to vinyl records on his hi-fi. Randal also blogs about the post-punk era @ stealingalltransmissions.wordpress.com, and tweets episodically @stealingclash. Stealing is his first book.
ANTICIPATED READERSHIP: rock fans of all ages, but especially forty- and fifty-somethings who

Monthly Public Poetry Workshop

May 23, 2013 | 6-8pm

The Public Poetry Workshop comes to the West side every fourth Thursday of the month. Poets of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to bring a work-in-progress and receive recommendations for improving it. Our goal is friendly, yet serious critiques by emerging and experienced writers. Improvement of craft through reading, writing, and workshopping with Instructors Claire McMahon and a guest host.

Claire McMahon has an MFA in Writing & Poetics from Naropa University (Boulder, Colorado) and a Ph.D. in 20th Cent. American & British Poetry from Kent State University. She is co-editor of MoonLit poetry journal (Drag City Press, Chicago) and the author of a book of poems entitled, Emergency Contact (Van Zeno Press, Cleveland). She has taught English writing courses locally at Lake Erie College, Baldwin-Wallace College, Cuyahoga Community College, and Chancellor University. Currently, Claire is an Adjunct Professor of Humanities at Bowling Green University’s Firelands campus.

Courtyard Music Series: Brian Straw

May 24, 2013 | 7:30-10pm

Since the early 2000s, Cleveland underground musician Brian Straw has been actively involved in creating, shaping, and bending music that doesn't allow for easy categorization. He's been known to play ambient, abstract compositions; he's performed with free jazz-influenced improv ensembles; he's also a singer-songwriter whose tunes bring to mind performers like Bill Callahan (Smog), Richard Buckner, and famed "slowcore" band, Low. Currently Brian works out of his art gallery/performance space, Survival Kit, located in Cleveland's Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.

Ohio City to Tremont Group Ride

May 24, 2013 | 7:30pm

Courtyard Music Series: Quinn Sands

May 31, 2013 | 7:30-10pm

Quinn Sands is a singer-songwriter from Euclid Ohio. Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, she grew up surrounded by music of every genre, providing a wonderful and eclectic soundtrack for her life. The songs are simple tales about life, love, loss and hope with a little edge and a few laughs. Quinn's solo and duo performances are engaging and light hearted, with just the right amount of rhythm and twang to help illustrate her stories.

Courtyard Music Series: Thor Platter & Michael Bay

June 1, 2013 | 7:30-10pm

A seasoned musician based in Cleveland, OH, Thor Platter blends the sounds of folk, country, rock and bluegrass into a mid-west Alt. Country sound for the discerning ear.  Growing up in Western New York, the influences of blues, jazz, country, singer-songwriter and rock had a profound effect on his musical orientation. Thor took to music at a young age. After several bands in his high school years, Thor joined The Fatbacks, a high energy Blues/Rock band that played regular gigs in premier clubs and bars around New York State. The Fatbacks' debut EP Sampler, was released in early 2006 to critical acclaim.  Thor followed up with a solo acoustic EP entitled The Orange Attic Sessions.  After moving to Cleveland, OH in 2008, Thor formed the bluegrass/Americana group, The Whiskey Lock. Their 2012 EP Flight includes an eclectic mix of original songs. Thor's debut CD, Looking For Sunshine, is now out and available. Tonight, Thor will play with Tremont-based blues master and educator, Michael Bay, known best as a member of the popular Wednesday night blues jam at the Parkview.