Head over to Akron for the Sakura Festival and stay for the Taiko drum performance. Do both North Union Farmer’s Markets at Shaker Square and Crocker Park. Put yourself out there for some networking while enjoying Grateful Dead music. Catch the CBG selling succulents alongside cacti.
The Martha Redbone Roots Project blends soul and Appalachian folk music. Not one, but two flower experts will share their secrets at the Yard Project’s Cleveland Bouquet exhibit. Support the Beck Center and honor their retiring CEO Cindy Einhouse.
Dance Evert is forming a Confluence with dance artists and environmental activists. Fishing and film come together at CMNH. You can read about last week’s Banned Book Swap in today’s CoolCleveland, and you can take action against book banning yourself. You can save the planet while making investments in clean energy. You really can do both.
As local, state and federal governments move to limit speech and ban books in contravention of the freedom of speech we claim to value, authors, booksellers, libraries and defenders of freedom of ideas are fighting back. Recently indie bookstore Mac’s Backs in Cleveland Heights hosted a program on book banning and what to do about it, co-hosted by CoolCleveland contributor Donna Shimko with Mac’s Backs owner Suzanne DeGaetano.
For those who didn’t make it, Donna lays out what’s going on and what to do about it. “Disseminating information is the quickest and simplest action that you can take,” she shares. “Start a conversation with someone at your local indie bookstore, or in line at the grocery store, with a friend who has school-age children, someone who advocates free speech, with relatives who are avid readers, your local neighborhood author—anyone who cares about books and the inestimable value they bring to all our lives.” Read more.
One of the too-often underrated and ignored strengths of the Cleveland music scene is its college radio stations, whose diversity and expertise is the envy of many markets. They’re volunteer staffed by both students and community members and operate on small budgets that they augment with their annual Radiothons. CWRU’s WRUW 91.1 FM has theirs April 7-13 when you can snag some cool merch for a donation. Read more.
The North Union Markets, which jumpstarted the region’s affection for farmers’ markets, operate their two big markets at Shaker Square and Crocker Park year-round. But they head indoors after Christmas. This week, they’re back outside with season kickoff events, and for the first time since the pandemic, they’re celebrating with the shearing of the sheep at Shaker Square this week and Crocker Park next week. Read more.
THIS WEEK
WED 4/2 Changing Cleveland
With a mayoral race, new ward maps and two fewer wards, the political landscape of Cleveland could be shaken up come November. Come hear how at a forum at the Happy Dog.
THU 4/3 Put These Kids in Charge!
Some kids know better than some adults the value of diversity, equity & inclusion, and the negatives of discrimination and bullying. Tonight the Maltz Museum will honor student winners of its annual Stop the Hate program.
FRI 4/4 Natural Benefits
In The Nature of Healing, opening at Cleveland Botanical Garden, two dozen artists look at how nature helps out emotional and mental health.
SAT 4/5 Cherry Blossom Time
Downtown Akron is throwing a spring festival with a Japanese theme including tea, sushi, Taiko drummers, and lanterns to light.
SUN 4/6 Energy’s Future
Despite a $61 million scandal around fossil fuels, forward-thinking energy experts in Ohio are looking to a new era of clean, renewable energy. Hear how at a Sunday morning forum.
MON 4/7 What the Winds Blow In
The North Coast Winds, formed in 2013 by five CIM students, play jazz, pop, classical and folk music, stretching the range of their instruments. They’ll bring it all to a Rocky River Chamber Music Society concert tonight.
TUE 4/8 Gone Fishing
Maybe you don’t have the time or money to go to the exotic locales where the fly fishing is best. But you can enjoy them vicariously at the Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
WED 4/9 The Pollinators Will Love You
CVNP’s monthly Low Power Happy Hour features experts from three local native plant nurseries who’ll share how to grow a more environmentally friendly garden in your yard.
