Vinyl | CoolCleveland

07.20-07.27.16
Vinyl

Let’s not get distracted here. Even if the economics don’t pan out, it’s great that we had 50,000 reasons to make some much-needed infrastructure improvements, most of which remain for our benefit. And the momentum continues.

In 1900, the city boasted 23 breweries; by 1984 they had all closed. Our local craft beverage industry continues to grow with CLE Urban Winery and Goldhorn Brewery opening recently. Our Library is turning into America’s Civic Square. Cleveland History Center is turning into Euclid Beach Park. Beck Center is turning red.

Vinyl gurus Sarah Barker and Heather Gmucs spins off from Gotta Groove to form their own colored vinyl business, Wax Mage Records. And we couldn’t be happier. I got to interview Lewis Zou, a 16-year old at Solon High who’s already made his Severance and Carnegie Hall debuts, and is now shooting for the top prize at Oberlin College’s Cooper International Competition. And I hope he cuts a vinyl LP soon. I’d buy it. That’s the thing about vinyl. It never gets old. –Thomas Mulready

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Photo by Elisa Vietri

Getting Creative With Vinyl

Sarah Barker and Heather Gmucs were working as pressers at Cleveland’s Gotta Groove vinyl pressing plant when they started playing around with the colored vinyl and coming up with some exciting, psychedelic designs. So they formed their own spinoff business, Wax Mage Records, working out of Gotta Groove.

Although some people buy their records just for the design, there’s music on them! Wax Mage is releasing its first compilation, Heavy Haze, and celebrating the milestone at the Happy Dog. John Benson talks to Barker and tells us what they’re all about. Sat 7/24.

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Crafting your online advertising budgets? Consider CoolCleveland Sponsored Links, Sponsored Features and Sponsored Videos. Info@CoolCleveland.com

VIDEO: Inside the Cooper International Competition

What’s it like to compete at the highest level, for some of the largest cash prizes ever?

Lewis Zou, a 16-year-old at Solon High School, began formal piano studies at the age of 5, debuted at Severance Hall when he was 13 and made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 14.

He’s up for some of the $40,000 in awards and scholarships, including the $20,000 cash first prize, and an opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra as part of the 2016 Cooper International Competition, free at Oberlin College through July 21.

SPONSORED: Join Cleveland Public Library as Pianist Nikita Mndoyants gives a FREE preview concert for the Cleveland International Piano Competition. This FREE preview on Sat 7/23 at 2PM at Main Library is made possible by the Cleveland Foundation. Visit CPL.org for more details about Music at Main.

Adventures in Space

The NASA Glenn Visitor Center at the Great Lakes Science Center is one of only 11 such centers in the country. That’s an incredible opportunity for Clevelanders to learn about advances in aerospace research and the applications that research is being put to.

While you can visit the center anytime GLSC is open, this week is a particularly good time to go because it’s Space Adventure Week with a host of activities relating to the science and technology behind space exploration and travel. Kendall Embrescia-Hridel tells us what’s going on. Mon 7/25-Sun 7/31.

Adventure Zone Lets You Fly

Have you always wanted to fly 60 feet above the ground? Now you can at Geneva-on-the-Lake’s family fun center, Adventure Zone! The all new “Zip Zone” zip line is ready to fly you across the park. Plenty to satisfy the adrenaline junkie; Screaming Eagle go carts, Bungee Tramp, Blaster Bumper Boats, Adventure Golf and Arcade.

Looking for a cool place to host your child’s birthday party? Check out Adventure Zone’s party packages.
AdventureZoneFun.com.

As anyone who follows CoolCleveland regularly knows, Cleveland is a creative town, filled with a rising generation of makers and entrepreneurs. And for them the Republican National Convention was an opportunity not to be missed. They came up with a bunch of cool things to make their stay in Cleveland memorable for the delegates.

But natives can take advantage of these offerings too, ranging from chocolates to T-shirts to art to giant script signs for your selfie-taking. Dru Thompson offers us a guide to things you might want to check out.

SPONSORED: Euclid Beach Park Day: All American Fun. Unplug and celebrate old fashioned summer fun at the Cleveland History Center! Experience the nostalgia of Euclid Beach Park with unlimited Grand Carousel rides, Thriller Car rides, crafts, games and more on Sat 7/23 from 10AM-5PM. Reserve your tickets today at WRHS.org.

Corn Roast! Sweet!

Join Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market volunteer Steve Lorenz this Sun 7/24 as he shows you how to prepare sweet corn in the husk over charcoal. The corn is plentiful at the market, which takes place every Sunday from 10AM-1PM.

Learn how to perfectly roast the corn to bring out its maximum sweetness, and then stick around for a hot, buttery sample! The demonstration will take place this Sunday at 11:30AM. Enjoy your corn with a healthy dose of musician Roger Hoover performing 10AM-1PM, and shop the bevy of market vendors for the freshest vegetables, meat, bread and many other great products.

Cleveland lovers of quality drinks now have two more spots to enjoy locally crafted beverages. Last week, Goldhorn Brewery at E. 55th & St. Clair’s Hub 55 finally opened, bringing Cleveland’s growing craft brewing scene to a new neighborhood. And up in Cleveland Heights, Cle Urban Winery offers a cool new spot in which to sample wines produced on site.

* Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Countryside Conservancy announces the lease of farmsteads to two new teams of growers.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Eats and Drinks.

SPONSORED: Sounds As Good As Vinyl at The Kent Stage Louie Anderson, Indigo Girls & Great Caesar, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver w/special guests The Bluegrass Sweethearts, Brett Dennen & Esme Patterson, Anders Osborne & Oliver John-Rodgers, Hot Tuna Acoustic, The Bacon Brothers, Asleep At The Wheel, An Evening With WAR, plus more. TheKentStage.com.

Striking young vocalist/guitarist Jessica Sikon fronts new Cleveland band John’s Little Sister. They’ll releasing their EP at a show at the Beachland Tavern. Sat 7/23

* The Cleveland Orchestra’s Summers @Severance showcases Cooper International Piano Competition finalists. Fri 7/22.

* Kent’s Numbers Band does its annual show at Oberlin’s Riverdog Barn. Sat 7/23.

* Local reggae groups Jah Messengers and Umojah Nation play for Rock Hall’s Summer in the City. Wed 7/27.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Cool Events.

WED 7/20
While the Republican National Convention is going on, the Cleveland Public Library is hosting a series of midday discussions on hot topics called “America’s Civic Square,” taking place outside in its Eastman Garden. Today Global Cleveland’s Joe Cimperman and HOLA’s Veronica Dahlberg (pictured) talk about immigration.

* Cleveland-based Federation hosts special advance screening of Star Trek Beyond tonight.

* Kick back with Cleveland jazz pianist Jackie Warren at BluJazz in Akron.

* Kids can see a play and get a peek behind the scenes at Talespinner Children’s Theatre’s Family Day.

Click here for more events on Wed 7/20

THU 7/21
The RNC drew to town a conspicuous contingent of anti-choice activists. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio is fighting back with humor, hosting an evening making fun of the “Slurricane” of anti-woman conservatives headlined by former Air America/Daily Show writer Lizz Winstead.

* Tour the world in paintings with Paul-Henri Bouguignon at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve.

* Ohio Shakespeare’s family program presents a one-weekend musical about Robin Hood at Stan Hywet Hall. Through Sun 7/24.

* Nigerian Afrobeat king Femi Kuti performs at the Beachland Ballroom.

* Cleveland funk veterans the Dazz Band play free outdoor show at Euclid Beach Park.

* Grog Shop & Secret Soul Club take advantage of late-night RNC liquor licenses to hold “All Nighter of the Living Dead.”

Click here for more events on Thu 7/21

FRI 7/22
For the second of its two shows this season, the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival is doing that perennial favorite of outdoor Shakespeare festivals, The Tempest, set on a windswept island. They’ll perform it in different area parks through Sun 8/7.

* Dadapunk vaudeville show and dance party offer an evening of fun at MOCAcleveland.

* See Euclid’s prettiest face at self-guided Pond and Garden Tour. Through Sun 7/24.

* Native Cleveland jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin is back home at Nighttown.

* Michigan/Toledo jazz ensemble Talking Ear performs at the BOP STOP.

* Feast on a movie marathon indoors and out on Kelleys Island. Through Sun 7/24.

* Irish music and culture fill the Berea Fairgrounds all weekend at the Cleveland Irish-American Festival. Through Sun 7/24.

Click here for more events on Fri 7/22

SAT 7/23
Are you old enough to remember Euclid Beach Park, which closed in 1969? Or have you heard your parents’ stories about this fun family amusement park? You can relive it or see what it was like at Euclid Beach Family Fun Day at the Western Reserve Historical Society which now houses its carousel.

* Lantern Theatre shines a light on the original Wizard of Oz. Also tomorrow.

* New Youngstown Flea spotlights the area’s makers and producers.

* Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Grieg Concerto with Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom.

* Travel back to the Summer of Love at Cain Park.

* Kent’s Standing Rock Cultural Arts goes to Brasil for its next Around the World program.

* Spend a morning on a dragon boat rowing crew at the Lakefront Metropark.

* Bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson comes to the Kent Stage.

* Vermilion Chamber of Commerce sponsors a fun day of “mayhem” at Main Street Beach.

* Cleveland pop/jazz singer Debbie Gifford and her quartet perform at the BOP STOP.

Click here for more events on Sat 7/23

SUN 7/24
No, photos of cats and dogs are NOT corny! They can be artistic as well. Reigning Cats and Dogs is the title of the pop-up show by the Cleveland Photographic Society, opening at the Cleveland Print Room with a reception today and on display through Sat 8/13.

* This is the final day to see the exhibit about Adolf Eichmann’s capture at the Maltz Museum.

* The Cleveland Orchestra presents “Magic of the Movies” at Blossom Music Center.

Click here for more events on Sun 7/24

TUE 7/26
How does a little free chamber music in a sylvan setting on a laid-back Tuesday night grab you? Head to Cain Park’s Alma Theater for an evening with the BlueWater Orchestra’s brass quintet.

Click here for more events on Tue 7/26

WED 7/27
The Beck Center’s Red Stage series is back, family-friendly Wednesdays when people can come down and hang out on the front lawn to hear some local music, eat some food and engage in some hands-on art-making. Jazz singer Ki Allen and her quartet kick it off.

* Louis Prima Jr. plays for special swing dance at the Music Box.

* Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is back at Nightgown with his quartet. Also tomorrow.

* Final Ohio City Stages features Brooklyn-based Moroccan band Innov Gnawa.

Click here for more events on Wed 7/27

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

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