FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, August 6, 2012

Get a Hearty Taste of Classical Music During Live Radio Broadcast from The Happy Dog on Aug. 15

90.3 WCPN and WCLV 104.9FM to simulcast Ensemble HD concert at 8 p.m.

A lot of what works at The Happy Dog, located in the Gordon Square Arts District, admittedly sounds weird at first, but after giving it a try, it ends up making a quirky sort of sense. Like the staff’s suggestion to add chunky peanut butter to your hot dog. Or having a classical music group play live at the rockin’ West Side bar.

In fact, the place is usually filled to capacity when Joshua Smith, principal flute of The Cleveland Orchestra, and members of his Ensemble HD (Happy Dog/High Definition) perform a selection of the classics in this classically comforting setting. But, when Ensemble HD plays its next concert at the Happy Dog on Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 8 to 10 p.m., you can listen live on 90.3 WCPN and WCLV 104.9FM for a sitting-room-only performance and simulcast in the comfort of your home.

In addition to Smith, Ensemble HD includes Cleveland Orchestra members Amy Lee, violin; Joanna Patterson-Zakany, viola; Frank Rosenwein, oboe; and Charles Bernard, cello, adding pianist Christina Dahl, who is an associate professor at Stony Brook University. Whether you’re enjoying the concert on the radio or at the Dog, you’ll hear a cornucopia of classical compositions from Dvorak, Debussy, Ravel, Britten, Dohnanyi, Arvo Part and Bolcom.

The live broadcast will be hosted by 90.3’s Dan Polletta, with classical color commentary by WCLV’s Mark Satola. Listeners will also get exclusive insight from Smith and the following scheduled guests: Sean Watterson, co-owner of the Happy Dog; author and arts advocate Charles Michener; and Tom Welsh, Cleveland Museum of Art’s associate director of music.

“The Happy Dog has become a nexus of culture for the community,” explained 90.3 producer Dave DeOreo. “And there are a lot of people who have heard about the Ensemble’s concerts at The Happy Dog but haven’t gone to a show yet. This live broadcast is a good way to bring the community together and give people a chance to experience this unique combo.”

###

ideastream is a public service, multiple-media organization with a mission to strengthen our communities.