Maybe you heard how it all began. Almost exactly 20 years ago, Cirque du Soliel were in residence for a few weeks and I ran into some of their young artists and asked them how they liked it around here. They used words like “boring” and “dead,” so I laughed and sent them an email listing just a few of the delightful and delicious things my friends and other artists and entrepreneurs were cooking up around the region. Word spread quickly and our list grew. We added graphics, a website, mobile apps and our own cool events. Early on some nonprofits asked how they could reach this newly engaged audience, and CoolCleveland was off and running.The delights continue with more to celebrate. Twenty years after their debut LP, recorded in their Akron basement on a Tascam 388 8-track reel-to-reel, Black Keys make a triumphant return to the region at Blossom this week. Skunkfest celebrates its 21st year in North Ridgeville. Lakewood Alive hosts a free pop-up in Madison Park. You can “Walk With The Spirits” and learn Medina history, or you can discover Monarchs and meadow insects courtesy Geauga Park District.
And there’s lots of great food. The King of Kolbasa will be crowned at the Slovenian Sausage Fest, Walkabout Tremont features specials from the neighborhood’s storied eateries, the author of “How We Eat” discusses new ways people are approaching food, and the Berea Arts Fest takes over Front Street with artist exhibitions, of course, but also tasty selection from food trucks, booths, and offerings from downtown Berea restaurants. Just don’t let the kids eat the chalk at the CMA’s Chalk Festival. We’re gonna need them to grow up healthy and take things to the next level 20 years from now, after we’re long gone.
The annual Skunkfest, held in North Rdgeville’s South Central Park, is a day where animals are the stars. There are the skunks, of course, which come in a variety of colors and compete in events ranging from costumes to races. (These skunks are bred to be domestic, not taken from the wild.)
But animals lovers of all types will adore this event. Rescues are a big part of it; in the past they’ve had kittens, exotic birds, therapy bunnies, greyhounds, Siamese cats and ferrets looking for adopters. Come celebrate our four-legged friends! Read more
Yet another Roe Your Vote rally, taking place at Euclid’s Triangle Park, shows that whatever conservatives may hope, the anger at stripping women of their bodily autonomy and human rights isn’t going to just go away and be a non-issue by November’s election.
A host of pro-choice officials will be on hand to remind people what’s at stake, and there will be a voter registration table to make sure every irate woman and male ally has the chance to make their views heard at the polls November 8. Read more
Fall is almost here, and your taste buds may be looking for some serious treats. This month at Melt Bar and Grilled, enjoy the Hungry Hungarian Paprikash Melt or the Chicken Paprikash Mac, offered for the first time since 2019! Pair those with featured sides like Watermelon Salad, Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli or Loaded Potatoes.
Our now famous Sat & Sun Brunch is launching in Akron & Dayton beginning September 9 & 10. the Mentor 10th Anniversary is still on, and we’re celebrating an amazing renovation project by bringing back lunch every day, with other cool surprises in the offing. Read more.
It’s not in Cleveland this year so if you want to see Parma’s Neil Giraldo (and his wife Pat Benatar) inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame you’ll have to book a ticket to Los Angeles. Tickets to the induction ceremony go on sale Friday September 9. Read more
THIS WEEK
WED 9/7 New Art Among the shows opening today at Akron Soul Train is Glacial Uprooting of a Cotton Candy Dream, featuring multimedia work by recent art school graduate Lauren Baker.
WED 9/14 Food and Polka Four local sausage makers vie to be crowned “King of Klobasa” at the Polka Hall of Fame’s Slovenian Sausage Festival, while more than 50 accordions provide musical backdrop.* HEDGE Gallery opens John Carlson retrospective.
