Artists are good at this. To create something new, you take in everything you’ve learned, listen to your better angels, and put one foot in front of the other. Make your mark on a blank slate. Soon you’re singing a new song.Ingenuity artists and Ingeneers throw a Rust Belt Renaissance party like no other to raise funds for their year-round programming. Allison Loggins-Hull has been TCO’s Composer Fellow, and this week premieres her new Rust Belt tribute, Grit. Grace. Glory. Slow Roll Cleveland launches their 2025 season with a comfortable ride, rolling out from Asiatown. HEDGE Gallery opens a new show Stormy Weather, featuring artists Douglas Max Utter, Justin Brennan and Clay Parker. Mothers and Others Standing Against Fascism will rally in Tremont. Punk Rockers Piss Me Off drop new music at the Happy Dog. It all starts with a single note.
This past weekend the President of the United States, said “I don’t know” when asked if he was required to uphold the U.S. Constitution. (All presidents literally swear to do this at their inaugurations.) It’s things like that that are fueling the unflagging rallies, marches and demonstrations turning out millions of people across the country. And if you haven’t been among them, surely something will soon outrage you enough to join them.
This weekend’s Mother’s Day rally in Tremont’s Lincoln Park, called “Mothers and Others Standing Against Fascism,”is hosted by local groups that fight the power year-round, including theCuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, Mobilize the Vote NEO, Grass Roots Resistance; GRAB (Grass Roots Activism Bay), Indivisible NEO and Americans Making Immigrants Safe (AMIS). Hooking up with any of them will keep you in the loop as they fight “billionaires and bullies.” They suggest wearing colorful clothes to “focus on JOY in these chaotic times!” Read more.
Starting in June, the Rock Hall’s plaza will be buzzing with activity. It’s got a full schedule of ticketed concerts by touring bands, free concerts by local bands, free acoustic lunchtime music Thursday-Saturday in July and August, and a batch of community events including Fam Jam, Mx. Juneteenth, the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, an artists in residence showcase, and the debut of the Salsa Across Borders Festival and Competition. Read more.
Jinni Fontana was one of the “It Girls” of Cleveland’s ’80s new wave scene before she departed for Los Angeles and other points west. She released a successful album back then and laid low until her return to Cleveland in 2018 when she hooked up with glam rockers Vanity Crash for 4 years. She moved on in 2023 to focus on her own music which has resulted in her new seven-song EP Oh, Cleveland!, available now. Read more.
SUN 5/11 Intimate Sounds
Heights Arts’ Close Encounters concerts give classical music fans the chance to hear some of the area’s best musicians in an intimate setting. This afternoon at Heights Theatre a trio will play Beethoven and Dvorak.
MON 5/12 Rolling Out, Attempt 2
Slow Roll Cleveland was supposed to launch its 2025 season last week in Ohio City but thunderstorms changed the plans. So cyclists will gather for their first ride of the season today in AsiaTown. Pray for good weather!
WED 5/14 Tempestuous Art
In Stormy Weather, opening at HEDGE Gallery, artists Douglas Max Utter, Justin Brennan and Clay Parker manifest visually life’s obstacles and challenges.
