Bedfordtimesregister.com - IngenuityFest returns to Playhouse Square

IngenuityFest, Cleveland's annual showcase of arts and technology, returns for its fifth year July 10 through 12 with an extraordinary mix of artists, performances and high-tech wizardry that will truly electrify the streets and spaces of Playhouse Square.

The 2009 Festival opens at 4 p.m. July 10, with The Big Bang, a spectacular drumming event conducted by the internationally renowned Marcus Santos and depicting in irresistible rhythms the drum's evolution from prehistoric times to the electronic beats of today. Hundreds of drummers, including the legendary Jamey Haddad; Carlos Jones; and East Cleveland's Shaw High School Marching Band, which performed in Beijing, China, as part of pre-game 2008 Olympics events, will shake the ground beneath Star Plaza, where IngenuityFest's 2009 centerpiece installation, the Tesla Coil Orchestra, will keep festival activity crackling every evening of the weekend with a performance called "Bolts."

In "Bolts," which is coordinated by Case Western Reserve University engineering alumnus Ian Charnas, the Tesla Coil Orchestra will transform "lightning bolts" emitted from a tall aerial into musical sounds played by local rock band KB and the Riptides while local dancers perform choreography by Jenita McGowan.

"This will wow people," said IngenuityFest executive artistic director James Levin. "And it's Cleveland- made."

All around Star Plaza, in the storefronts, alleys and signature buildings of Playhouse Square, festival visitors will find an amazing array of technology-infused art, music, dance, theater, video and family attractions. IngenuityFest 2009 features outstanding artists ranging from nationally famed performance artist Tim Miller, in a piece about gay rights called "US," to San Francisco's J.D. Beltran and Scott Minneman, whose creation, "The Magic Story Table," turns visual geographic-search technology into neighborhood exploration and storytelling fun for families.

To its list of music offerings, Ingenuity will add for 2009 The Electronic Café, a new venue on the first floor of the Sterling Building featuring electronic events including "Card 11," a piece orchestrated by New York audio artist Ryan Smith; the masterwork mutantrumpet by Ben Neill and Bill Jones, also from New York; and appearances by local audio artist Ryan Ramer and several local DJs.

Call 216-589-9444 or visit www.ingenuitycleveland.com to purchase tickets, learn more about the 2009 festival schedule and register for festival updates.

Also visit the Facebook page (Ingenuity Fest Cleveland at http://www.facebook.com), Twitter (http://twitter.com/Ingenuityfest) and the YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/ingenuityfest).