05.31-06.07.17
Pride and Bicycles
Let’s just put it out there: diversity is our region’s greatest strength. That and bicycles. We’re more diverse than most places in the world, and that has made us tolerant, flexible, responsive and open to change. And bikes, well, they are literally changing our world.If you look closely, you’ll find no fewer than four events we’re recommending this week relating to bikes: Bike Cleveland’s BikeSpark in the CVNP, the “Kidical Mass” bike event in Ohio City, CiCLEvia in Clark-Fulton-Tremont, and the CanalWay Biking Tour for the whole family.
And if you’re looking for something to be proud of, check out the new LGBT film series at the Capitol, a reading of Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s by the LGBT Shades of Ink Writing Collective, some OutLoud stories of the LGBTQIA community at Market Garden, and the return of the Pride in the Cle parade & fest on Saturday.
But there’s more: we’ve got libation tastings at Holden Arboretum and the Transformer Station, neighborhood walks in Painsville and Lakewood’s Birdtown, street fests on 185th, 200th & Hessler Streets, a new music series at League Park, and a new theater fest in Highland Square. So much to be proud of this week. –Thomas Mulready
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It’s not just a new festival on the calendar – we’re getting used to that. The free Summit StageFest at Akron’s Highland Square is a whole new concept. Dozens of live performances on five outdoor stages, as well as strolling street performances, will take place in one seven-hour stretch.
There will be Shakespeare, kids’ theater, comedy, poetry, dance & more from 39 groups and individuals, as well as food, artists and vendors. Founder Jane Bond shares what it’s all about with CoolCleveland’s John Benson. Sat 6/3.
Waterloo Road’s Blue Arrow Records has been a destination for classic vinyl lovers of all ages for the past eight years. In the process, owners Pete & Debbie Gulyas have gotten to know a lot of musicians who stop in when they play the Beachland Ballroom in the next block.
When one of those musicians – cult favorite Jonathan Richman, a friend for 20 years – asked them if they’d start a label to carry his music, they found themselves with a new sideline. They’ve got two new releases by Pittsburgh’s Stutter Steps and Detroit’s Ethan Daniel Davidson, which they’ll debut at a concert by the two artists at the Happy Dog in Gordon Square. Sat 6/3.
With at least half a dozen bicycle-related events in NE Ohio this week alone, it’s clear how valuable the work of Bike Cleveland – the nonprofit group that advocates for cyclists – is. Since 2011, the group has made sure that bicycles are part of any transportation conversation.
This week, riders of all levels of skill and stamina can help support that work at BikeSpark, with 15-, 30- and 70-mile routes in and around CVNP. Kendall Embrescia-Hridel talks to Bike Cleveland’s Jason Kuhn about the event and the work it’s helping fund. Sun 6/4.
Since the loosening of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba, we’re fortunate to be seeing a wave of Cuban artists and performers here in Cleveland. Cuban modern dance ensemble Malpaso made a visit here last year, and now DanceCleveland is bringing them back for two free performances a PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre. They’ll also do an open rehearsal Fri 6/9 as part of the AHA! Humanities Festival.
DanceCleveland executive director Pam Young talks with our dance writers Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas about the state of dance in Cuba and the fresh approach Malposa brings. Fri 6/2-Sat 6/3.
Cleveland Public Theatre is unveiling is 2017-2018 season with fanfare – and free drinks – following its Friday evening performance of Red Ash Mosaic. The fanfare is merited: CPT will announce 17 productions, programs & special events. Most of the season is world premieres, half by Cleveland writers, and more than half by women and people of color which it says is “almost unheard of in this country except for culturally specific organizations.” Stop in and hear all about it from artistic director Ray Bobgan and his team. Fri 6/2.
Dobama Theatre’s annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival, now in its 39h year, gives kids in grades 1-12 the chance to try their hand at writing for the stage and perhaps even see their play performed. Come check out the winning submissions this weekend and scope out who might be Cleveland’s next breakout playwright. Fri 6/2-Sun 6/4.
* Tear the kids away from the screen, get the bikes out of the garage and join the “Kidical Mass” bike ride, comfortably paced for he whole family. Sat 6/3.
Click here for more CoolCleveland Kids events
Melt Bar and Grilled opened their flagship comfort-food and craft beer hangout in Lakewood in 2006 and has grown to a family of hip dining spots throughout Northern Ohio with restaurants in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus and Progressive Field.
But 2017 looks to be a breakout year for Matt Fish and Melt Bar and Grilled with their newest location just opened at Cedar Point and their next offering in Dayton, Ohio.
We check in with Matt Fish on all the Dayton heroes he honors in the murals and photos on the walls: rockers Guided by Voices, funkmeisters the Ohio Players, humorists Erma Bombeck & Jonathan Winters, aviation inventors Orville & Wilbur Wright, television host Phil Donahue, and dozens of posters of rock shows that took place at Dayton Hara Arena. MeltBarAndGrilled.com.
Maybe you love the idea of cooking and eating outside in the summer but you’re not the master of the grill you’d like to be. Cabela’s outdoor store in Avon is hosting two days of in-store demonstrations, showing how to use the gear they sell but also offering recipes and seasoning tips – and free samples. Sat 6/3-Sun 6/4.
Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Eats and Drinks.
SPONSORED: The Kent Stage welcomes Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra, Bruce Cockburn, Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, Devon Allman, Al Stewart performs “Year of the Cat” & The Empty Pockets, The Quebe Sisters, JJ Grey & Mofro, Jonny Lang, The Gin Blossoms, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester, Jimmy Herring and The Invisible Whip, The Fixx, Ana Popovic, BoDeans, X- 40th Anniversary Tour, Carbon Leaf, plus more. TheKentStage.com.
Very soon there’ll be a free outdoor corncert almost every night of the week. This week the Baseball Heritage Museum starts its series Sat 6/3 at League Park with bluesman Sam Hooper. And the popular Music in the Meadow series at CVNP opens with Brent Kirby (pictured) & His Luck Wed 6/7.
Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here
Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Cool Events.
WED 5/31
As part of Pride Week LGBT Shades of Ink Writing Collective hosts a reading of Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Happy Dog Euclid Tavern. Audience members are invited to participate!
Click here for more events on Wed 5/31
THU 6/1
West Side Story is, despite its downbeat ending, one of the most beloved musicals, with a Leonard Bernsein score in which virtually every tune is familiar. The Cleveland Orchestra will be playing that music as the film screens at Severance Hall. Through Sun 6/4.
Click here for more events on Thu 6/1
FRI 6/2
If Cleveland’s original art neighborhood, Little Italy, has fallen off your radar with all the hot new art offerings in town, you need to check out what’s new there. The ideal time is this weekend during its three-day summer art walk, through Sun 6/4.
Click here for more events on Fri 6/2
SAT 6/3
When Cleveland Pride suddenly cancelled last year, the LGBT Center and friends pulled together Pride in the CLE on Public Square in 10 days. Although Cleveland Pride is back on (6/24), PitC went so well they’re doing it again on a much bigger scale, including a pair of afterparties in Hingetown.
Click here for more events on Sat 6/3
SUN 6/4
Clevelanders were introduced to CiCLEvia last summer. The “open streets” concept closes a stretch of street to cars so people can bike, skate, walk and play. The four monthly events will take place in four different neighborhoods, starting with W. 25th Street in Tremont and Clark/Fulton.
Click here for more events on Sun 6/4
MON 6/5
EarthQuaker Devices, which makes sound processing pedals for musicians, is an Akron small business success story. To launch its latest creation “Erupter,” founder Jamie Stillman is hosting a free launch party with clinics, demos and more at Thursday’s Lounge in downtown Akron.
Click here for more events on Mon 6/5
TUE 6/6
Goldhorn Brewery on East 55th has started a variation on the standard open mic night: Open Turntable Tuesdays. Bring your favorite vinyl, sign up for a time slot and play DJ for 20 minutes.
Click here for more events on Tue 6/6
WED 6/7
The AHA! Humanities Festival at PlayhouseSquare and CSU is three days of talks, performances and art shows, running through Fri 6/9. The free Outdoor Book Festival today at PlayhouseSquare features readings, storytelling, performances and a special kids’ area.
Click here for more events on Wed 6/7
Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com
When City Hall officials refused to accept petitions containing 20,000 signatures calling for the controversial Q deal to be put on the fall ballot, the vox populi was finally roused from its slumberous state. My guess is that once the Q deal is settled, the coalition that gathered a record number of signatures in a record amount of time is going to look for other issues that negatively impact…
* Rolling Back Civil Rights Left to their own devices, some Southern state legislatures would bring back lynching; indeed, the only reason they stopped treating blacks in this despicable manner was due to federal legislation…
Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here
A look back at the last week
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com
THEATER REVIEW: Massacre (Sing to your Children) @ convergence-continuum by Roy Berko
PHOTOSTREAM: Spring Is Beautiful at Holden Arboretum
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Proud of my bikes,
–Thomas Mulready
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