Be the first
I once worked at a very large CLE-based corporation that insisted on waiting to implement anything new. “We don’t want to be the first, and we don’t want to be the last,” I was told. But as we’ve learned, everyone wants to be first. So even if you are are a hustleholic, you’d be lucky to come in 2nd, 3rd or maybe somewhere mediocre. But if you’re not even trying to take the initiative, you’re going to end up an afterthought. So sometimes it feels like our Midwestern chill doesn’t serve us very well in the 21st century.
Don’t let that happen to you. Join the dance party this weekend to welcome Haley Himiko Hudson Morris and Cassie Trainer tas they launch Paradise Galleria, their new vintage mall at 39th & Lorain. And congratulate WJCU’s inaugural Hall of Fame class as they celebrate their 55th anniversary as one of the best college radio stations anywhere.
And there’s so much innovation right at your fingertips. Members of the Akron Symphony Chorus will back you up for Broadway Karaoke at Jilly’s Music Room. Stan Hywet hosts a 4-day Ohio Mart with 150 local makers. Les Délices kicks off the new season with a delightful dose of Mozart. Seven women try to save a hapless President from disaster in the Cleveland premiere of the farce POTUS at Dobama. Accordionistas Maura Rogers and the Bellows entertain at the Riverdog Barn. The legendary (and for good reason) punk band the Rubber City Rebels play a “final” concert in Akron.
There’s Afghan music at Oberlin, abstract art in Rocky River, a fairyland at Shaker Lakes, a Sunrise Silent Disco in Gordon Square, and the first day of early voting next Tuesday. Read former judge and CoolCleveland columnist C. Ellen’s Connally’s think piece on why it’s essential to spread the word about voting YES on Issue 1 to ban gerrymandering. You need to take the initiative now.
–Thomas Mulready