CoolCleveland has managed to land in your inbox every week for 20 years. In fact, some of the trees in the photo above were just seeds or saplings when we sent our first groundbreaking emails. And from the beginning, CoolCleveland has endorsed and interviewed candidates and issues. In 2002, Cuyahoga & Summit were bright blue and Ohio was still a swing state. Twenty years later, in last week’s election, 7 of Ohio’s 10 largest counties, where the Democratic voters reside, turned out in lower numbers than the state average. That’s a recipe for allowing the minority to rule the majority. You don’t get your way if you don’t vote. Democracy may have prevailed in America this time around, but it’s no thanks to Ohio’s urban (non-)voters. Those of us who live in the cities are going to need to do better.So get up on it this week and see if you can count all One Million Photos as the Cleveland Photo Fest explodes at the Bostwick Design Collaborative. Or join Apostle Jones and Ray Flanagan and the Mean Machine as they perform a benefit for Cleveland Rocks: Past Present Future to help local musicians. Or help CAN Journal launch their winter issue at Loganberry Books and hang out with the artists who are making the scene. Bring your bike to Goldhorn Brewery for Cranksgiving as the biking community rides to area grocery stores to pick up food for those in need. Have fun with a trivia night and raffle at Phunkenship Brewery to aid the United Spinal Association. Participate in the Made Cleveland Clothing Swap, or just browse the local vendors in the reactivated City Buddha space.
CoolCleveland has overcome the tricky part for 20 years by pointing out the coolness happening all around us each week. Now everyone just needs to show up.
The Cleveland Photo Fest returns for its third edition with the theme “One Million Photos.” It solicited images all year to be reproduced in tiny sizes on giant panels. Did they get to 1,000,000? You can pick up a free mini magnifying glass at the door and count them yourself!
But there’s more. The event, taking place at the Bostwick Design Collaborative space (the former Busta Gallery), also features a gallery of images by area high school students (seen above), images by the organizers and volunteers of the festival, and a gallery of work by veteran Cleveland photographer Randy O Norfus. Read more
Although the nonprofit Cleveland Rocks: Past Present Future was founded almost a decade ago to provide aid to area musicians and grow the music scene, it didn’t really get into overdrive until the pandemic when musicians needed help the most.
The organization has developed programs for educating, mentoring and funding musicians, and providing playing opportunities. Two of the area’s upcoming bands, Apostle Jones (pictured) and Ray Flanagan and the Mean Machine, will be performing at a benefit for CRPPF at the Beachland Ballroom. Read more
Clevelander Derek Hess, who began his career producing concert flyers & posters, has built an international reputation as a fine artist with his drawings and prints that reflect his distinctive outlook on the state of the world and the human psyche. He’s just opened a show of all-new work at Chicago’s Rotofugi gallery. Read more
Most rock fans couldn’t make the trip to Los Angeles to see the Rock Hall inductions (they’ll be back in Cleveland next year). But they’ll screen on HBO this weekend. And you can stop at the Rock Hall and see the new exhibition devoted to this year’s class of inductees. Read more
WED 11/23 Groovy Vibes Get in mellow mood on Thanksgiving Eve to face your MAGA uncle tomorrow by bathing in the good vibes of local jam band Sunshine Daydream at the Beachland.
