Weekly video updates and live performances broadcasted online!!! Check out our GLTV page for great shows, discussions, movies, and more!

Tues March 9 will be the Toledo Premier of Jason Gilmore’s short film “How Shawn Parker Fell in Love!”  Jason is a Toledo native whose currently living and filming in California.

Shawn Parker, a smug, attractive advertising exec, has little on his mind except bedding hot chicks. His next conquest will be Donnita Miller, an earthy young sista who is happily engaged and oblivious to his charms. Seeing the challenge, Shawn pursues her, and instead, a friendship develops. Caught between his newfound desire to lead Donnita out of darkness and his lifelong history of leading similarly fragile women into darkness, Shawn has to decide whether he’ll walk down the alley or down the aisle.

Here’s a  Special Thank You from the Director/Writer himself!!!

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:30 P.M., the documentary by Byron Hurt, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes will be shown @The Ground Level Coffeehouse.

This profound documentary explores the current state of hip-hop and the impact that it has on our culture, society, and youth. It addresses misogyny, violence, and the exploitation of women in music videos. It includes interviews with, among others, Mos Def, Chuck D, Michael Eric Dyson, and Russell Simmons.

It will be followed by a panel/audiance discussion. The panel will include Kamaron Kyser of Thosefellows, LLC, poets Naki Akrobettoe and Edward McDanial, Lance Ellis, and local dj Martini of The Juice, 107.3. This event will be both informative and educational for youth and adults.

Hope you are able to attend.

Check out this 2min Preview.

Also:  Wednesday Feb. 24, we’ll be having an encore presentation of the documentary “To Shoot an Elephant”. @7pm.

Hosted by Steve Athanas (with musical accompaniment provided by THE COOSTERS: Dick Lange (guitar), Dave Saygers (tuba/upright bass), Larry Reinstein (mandolin), Jim Briggs (percussion) and El Extreme (guest percussion) the monthly 30 minute program explores the RADICAL VAUDEVILLE (RV) movement globally.

The Ground Level Coffeehouse is proud to present our First Ever Independent Films Series. Beginning Tuesday, January 19 (and the next 2 consecutive Tuesdays) we will be showing a series of entertaining, provocative, and inspirational movies directed and produced by creatives from the Toledo area and across the World.

All of these events are FREE and Open to the Public. Donations may be collected to help support various film makers.

WARNING: Some of the films discuss material of a mature nature and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Tuesday, January 19,2010:
Feature Film: Athena (2009)/20min
Writer-Dir Nicole Tarver

Come out for a screening and discussion of “Athena,” the award winning, emotionally charged documentary that explores the little known world of prostitute mothers in Toledo. A Q and A with the film’s director, Nicole Tarver and the real-life Athena will follow the screening.   Also featuring the work of other Toledo natives

Tuesday, January 26,2010:
Feature Film: To Shoot an Elephant/113 min
Arabic w. English subtitles.

An award winning eye-witness account of the invasion of the Gaza Strip in December 2008.  21 days of footage from film makers embedded in Palestinian ambulances.  Also screening: Sacred Space Denied; Bethlehem and the Wall.

Tuesday, February 2,2010: Tue. Feb. 9, 2010
Feature Film: How Shawn Parker Fell in Love
Writer/Dir Jason Gilmore

Shawn Parker, a smug, attractive advertising exec, has little on his mind except bedding hot chicks. His next conquest will be Donnita Miller, an earthy young sista who is happily engaged and oblivious to his charms. Seeing the challenge, Shawn pursues her, and instead, a friendship develops. Caught between his newfound desire to lead Donnita out of darkness and his lifelong history of leading similarly fragile women into darkness, Shawn has to decide whether he’ll walk down the alley or down the aisle.

If you were to ask me what exactly is THE INTIMATE VACUUM.  I’d tell you what they told me:

Intimate Vacuum: Premiere Show Taping, Hosted by Steve Athanas, live music, performance artists, off beat interviews, an alternative to the alternative scene, 8 pm, $3

And after that I STILL wouldn’t be quite sure. I’m sure its one of those things you have to see FIRST HAND. I can almost guarantee you’ve never seen ANYTHING like it in Toledo, Ohio. And I can almost guarantee YOU will be a part of the Show. So expect nothing less than wall to wall debauchery!

The promotional video Totally whets our appetite for the 23rd!  CHECK IT OUT BELOW.

Usually, we have all of our Big events the First week of the Month.  January is turning out to be a bit different.  We started out slower than usual and the momentum will be steadily picking up the next few weeks.

Check out these great events along with our weekly OPEN MIC, POETRY NIGHT, and KIDS STORYTIME DRAMA CLASS.

• Thu 1-14 Village Voice Cafe 8pm, $3

• Fri 1-15 Mood Swing: Huntorprey 8pm, $3

• Sat 1-16 Steve Masternak 8pm

P.S.

Great interview with Huntorprey thanks to WEPAwebTV.  Indulge!

The Ground Level, with the help of our good friends at WEPA TV, is proud to present this great video interview of Jesse Lipman, one of the proprietors of our great establishment.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What better way to kick off the New Year with a Week of Bangin Events!!

Jan. 4-9

MON: OPEN MIC 8-until FREE! (Come early!! The list fills up FAST!)
WED: Storytime Kid Drama Workshop 4-5:30, $8
THUR: Poetry Power Summit: feat. Hunter Prey, Bob Phillips. Open Mic. Slam. 8pm, $5
FRI: Watson St. Loft w. Besty and a Ukulele 8pm, $3
SAT: Amplified Resonance Showcase: feat. Solo Bassist Steven Guerrero, Ambient musician Jake Hildreth, and Acoustic Guitarist Steve Jad, 7pm, $5

FYI: We now carry cds and other merchandise featuring some of our favorite poets, musicians, mcs, etc.  As well as 1/2 lb. and 1 lb. bags of our locally roasted Flying Rhino gourmet coffee AND exclusive prints of work by fine artist Yusuf Lateef and photographer Larry Orsborn.

Oh, by the way.  If you’ve been wondering what OPEN MIC NIGHT is like at the Ground Level.  Here’s a taste.

Video courtesy of WEPAwebTV.

Check out these video highlights of our Poetry, open mic, and music events.  And there’s a lot more where these came from.  Special thanks to our good friend El Extreme and WEPA TV for the enormous catalog of footage.