Work for Peace
Let’s not take for granted that we live in relative peace and prosperity. And let’s not stop working to make our community better in any way we can. CoolCleveland Culturati columnist Liz Maugans recognizes a need in the arts community and has been questing for new ways to engage and connect artists and local communities, as she reflects in her piece, “Ode to Joy and Art.” Akron Soul Train announces the 15 artists who will be awarded short-term residencies throughout Akron. Brett Potts releases his powerful new video. And Carlos Jones revives your flagging spirit with his P.L.U.S. Band with a rock and reggae benefit for the homeless at the Grog.
Be still in the season as St. Vitus church hosts a program of sacred songs, while Gene Schwartz & the G-Force rock old-school blues. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers Wild Winter Lights and Mill Stream Run’s two toboggan chutes, while Summit Metro Parks hosts an open house with stories, s’mores and a hike.
Celebrate as you will: The Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers are at the Maple Heights library, and across town, Karamu House celebrates Black culture on the 2nd day of Kwanzaa. The Maltz Museum holds a food drive and menorah lighting on the first day of Hanukkah, while Cleveland’s Public Square lights up on the second day. New Year’s Eve celebrations take place in Waterloo, Lakewood and Bainbridge, among others. Have fun with Holiday Drag Bingo at the Music Box, or an Elizabethan Yule Log Festival at Trinity Cathedral. Check out Frost at the CBG, comedy at the Agora, a Christmas bird count with CMNH, and Cats on Holiday saluting the Kinks at Forest City Brewery,
To help tell the story of David Bowie’s first U.S. appearance right here in Cleveland, Vanity Crash has enlisted some superstar friends: Meganne Stepka and Kate Hart from Moon Echo Garden on Fri 1/10 at BOP STOP; singer/songwriter/pianist Chrissy Strong at Jilly’s Music Room on Sat 1/11; and multi-instrumentalist Nate Pazzo Bocchicchio & Ruby Rose Weston from The Cowboy Princess Brigade appear Sun 1/12 at the Beachland Tavern with tickets available now. Come see what all the excitement is about.
–Thomas Mulready