20+ years of doing CoolCleveland, and those in control of the gates are still wondering why more marginalized people are not knocking down their doors. It doesn’t work that way. Like a garden, you have to create an environment for things to grow. Invite the next generation in, hold the door open for people you don’t know.Here’s how it works: Superstar percussionist Jamey Haddad, sax player Bobby Selvaggio and bassist Kip Reed are promoting young pianist & Oberlin Conservatory grad Sullivan Fortner at BOP STOP. In the same vein, Cleveland sax legend Joe Lovano returns from his world travels to work with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra twice this week: at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, and at Selvaggio’s new space in Akron, the Highland Square Universal Gathering Space (see our video with Bobby at HÜG).
The Bal: Biotique previews the theme of this year’s Ingenuity, “Biologies & Geologies,” exploring nature’s resources and how we interact with them. Bowling For Equality is the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benefit to help the LGBTQ+ advocacy group fight the Ohio legislature’s despicable politicization of gender and human sexuality. Let’s include everyone, because we’re going to need everyone’s help.
Cuyahoga Valley Farmer’s Market opens outdoors at Howe Meadow this week. Beck Center hosts a free comic book day for all ages. BW Music Theatre seniors present the showcase they’ve produced to wow NYC agents. Displaced Artcraft artists are holding an open house at their new studios at the Twist. CoolCleveland has updated our popular Festivals Guide with over 80 festivals through the end of the year.
David Bowie defined fluid sexuality in the 70s and became an icon for unapologetic outness. He has a huge Cleveland connection, and he dealt positively with his mental health concerns, topics explored at both the Bowie Brunch on 5/13 (with food by Larder) and at The Strand Theatre on 5/6. Needless to say, all are welcome.
No, don’t say MAY showers, although that’s what it looks as we write this. But flowers are blooming, trees are leafing and there’s warm weather ahead — seriously! What’s also ahead is a full season of FESTIVALS and other outdoor events — concerts, markets, bike rides, plant sales and more. CoolCleveland has compiled links to over 80 (!) festivals, large and small in our 2023 Festivals Guide.
You’ll want to bookmark our updated festivals calendar and start checking off the things you don’t want to miss. Things start hopping in a few weeks with the Cleveland Asian Festival May 20-21 and then a whole bunch of events on Memorial Day weekend. You’ll have to click on our calendar to find them all! Read more.
Larder Delicatessen & Bakery, fresh off their James Beard Award nomination, will be providing a pair of delicious a la carte options (one vegan, one not) for the upcoming Bowie Brunch at JUKEBOX next week, on Sat 5/13 at noon, with limited tickets still available. Larder co-chef & co-owner Jeremy Umanski is pictured above. He’s the one with the hat.
This weekend, Vanity Crash returns to Fremont’s largest theatre, The Strand, on Sat 5/6 for their full theatrical show. Looking for a fun night out? Grab your tix now. Both shows feature interviews with mental health professionals on how Bowie turned his concerns to creativity. Read more.
With the current arts tax levy expiring in January 2027, Cuyahoga County officials are trying to determine when to place the new levy on the ballot for a vote. If successful, Ohio SB164, which authorizes Cuyahoga County to convert its existing cigarette tax to a wholesale tax and levy a new tax on vapor products, will begin as soon as it passes. Issue 8, which renewed Cuyahoga County’s 10-year, 30-cent-a-pack tax on cigarettes to support arts and culture in 2015, was passed by 60 percent in all 58 communities.
Critics of the tax say that it hurts low-income people. Americans making less than $35,000 a year have a smoking rate of 20.2%. People living in poverty smoke cigarettes more heavily and smoke for nearly twice as many years as people whose family income is three times the poverty rate, according to the American Lung Association, while every increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption among adults and youth. Read more.
Cleveland guitarist/composer Carl Baldasarre has built a reputation over years with such area progressive rock bands as Szyzgy and Abraxas and amassed a following with his Led Zeppelin revival and his YouTube teaching videos. He’s now releasing a solo album called Grand Boulevard in multiple formats. Read more.
The Cleveland Foundation didn’t have to mount a big national search to find its next leader. Lillian Kuri, who has been with the foundation for 18 years and is deeply knowledgable about and trusted by the community, was picked to succeed the retiring Ronald Richard as its 10th president. Read more.
Dancing Wheels will return to Playhouse Square for its gala June 16 at the Allen Theatre. The event will feature choreography and live music celebrating influential Black women jazz vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. Tickets are available now. Read more.
Assembly for the Arts will be awarding Creative Impact Funds to 16 artists or artist collectives, preferably artists of color, for projects relating to Cleveland’s redlined and neglected communities. Deadline to apply is May 7. Read more
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced their 2023 Inductees. The 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Ticket on sale information will be announced at a later date. Read the complete list of inductees here.
THIS WEEK
WED 5/3 Art Is Personal Two new shows open at Akron Soul Train: one about male/female identities & relationships, the other about recovering from illness. You can see them starting today; the artists’ reception is Friday.
MON 5/8 Kick Off the Week with Theater Cleveland Public Theatre’s Can I Touch It, a new play about the Black beauty business and its challenges, has a Monday night performance.
