James Levin has a genius for transforming neighborhoods with arts and culture.
Creating Cleveland Public Theatre led to his founding the Gordon Square Arts District and triggered one of Cleveland’s coolest areas. Co-founding IngenuityFest at E. 4th, Euclid & Prospect led to a Downtown renaissance. Moving it to the Detroit-Superior Bridge drew appreciation to Cleveland’s Near West Side. His Cleveland World Festival at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens threw the spotlight on one of the region’s most overlooked treasures.
So what’s he doing burning a 38-foot papier-mâché fish in Lorain’s Black River? Once again, activating a neighborhood through the transformative magic of art.
The second annual FireFish Festival kicks off at 2PM on Sat 9/17 with a family-friendly street fest along Broadway in Downtown Lorain, climaxing that evening with a ritual incineration of the huge FireFish at Black River Landing.
We caught up with Levin while rehearsing the river launch of the FireFish. Be there on 9/17 and witness the latest neighborhood experiencing civic rebirth. View the video here.
Http://www.FireFishFestival.com
Lorain, OH 44052