After 19 years, you might wonder how CoolCleveland continues to curate the coolest events, venues, entrepreneurs and artists. In fact, our 100% local e-blast is more relevant than ever, as area businesses, makers, performers, creators and craftspeople struggle with the pandemic, competition from online retailers and big boxes, and social media, drawing valuable focus and dollars away from our own community. It’s a wonder some of them are still in business.So make it a point to support the offerings we’ve curated for your holiday week, from the last big artist market of the season at the Screw Factory, to a Winter Solstice Hike and Fire at Liberty Park Nature Center, to holiday concerts, shows and sing-alongs all around the region. For our celebrations in January, we’ve added a photo exhibit by Anastasia Pantsios of David Bowie’s first ever show in the US, right here in Cleveland. And yes, tickets make a great gift.
The ladies of Veganish are back with vegan Christmas cookies, we revisit Mansfield Frazier’s column on Carolers For Justice, and we’re anxious to screen the new film, 137 Shots, featuring Mansfield Frazier, eight years in the making, which drops on Netflix today. Wonder how that’s going to go over.
Over the past 8 years, CoolCleveland columnist and activist Mansfield Frazier worked with filmmaker and Cleveland native Mike Milano on the film, 137 Shots, which premieres on Netflix today, after many delays.
The film documents the notorious 22-minute, 100 mph, 62-car chase that ended with 13 Cleveland police officers firing 137 bullets into the car of the unarmed Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell. No one was held accountable. Maybe this film will make a difference. Read More
Photographer Anastasia Pantsios attended David Bowie’s U.S. premiere at Cleveland’s Music Hall and was lucky enough to score seats in the front row of the balcony! Even better, she brought along her camera and grabbed some iconic and rare shots of the Spiders From Mars in action at the very start of their triumphant first ever US tour (including the photo above).
These rare images are part of a multimedia event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ziggy Stardust album and what would have been Bowie’s 75 birthday at live shows in January featuring CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready with live music by Vanity Crash. Tix are on sale now and make great gifts for anyone who loves music. Read More
The Cleveland History Center has partnered with vintage collectible shop Star Pop for a special holiday exhibit of classic toys from the 1960s-80 ranging from Barbies to vintage video games to Strawberry Shortcake. Read More
Restaurants and bars have had a bad two years, but they’ve adapted. Members of Cleveland Independents, a consortium of locally owned eateries, are offering dine-in and/or carry-out options for New Year’s Eve Book now! Read More
While you’re making holiday preparations, Melt Bar and Grilled has been busy with a goody bag full of holiday specials. CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready spoke with Melt owner Matt Fish, who starts us off with the return of The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Melt or the Reverend Horton Meat 2X4 15th Anniversary Burger.Then pair that with a Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale glass giveaway, while supplies last! And don’t forget about the Holiday Gift Card Bonus: buy $100 and get $25 free bonus, or buy $50 and get $10 bonus. You can’t go wrong! Read More
Dru Christine Fabrics & Design is a fashion design studio located in the Superior Arts District. The showroom services the designer’s custom clientele as well as items from Dru Christine’s ready to wear and accessory collections for men and women.The new DC Creative Suite is a space that carries an assortment of contemporary and vintage fabrics, rare sewing notions and supplies. Dru Christine also teaches and hosts a variety of sewing classes, offers open studio hours for creatives, and even has a fashion library full of resources.
Make a stop this holiday season! You’ll see there really are no short visits here – most people tend to stay awhile! Read More
MON 12/20 Lights by the River Rivergate Park in the Flats is aglow with holiday lights which you can enjoy before or after dinner at Merwin’s Wharf during Winter RiverFest.
Tis season for holiday treats! And just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you have to sit this year out. Tune in to the latest episode of Veganish for fun and easy vegan Christmas cookie recipes that can even be done with the little ones. Vegan and miss eggnog? Then you’ll especially want to check out this episode to see if the ladies of Veganish were able to “Veganize” eggnog too!
Veganish was established by three friends, Ashley Smith, Michele Jefferson and Tinishia Moore, in 2021. Ashley is the daughter of the late Mansfield Frazier, community activist and longtime contributor to CoolCleveland.
Twice a month, you can catch a new episode of Veganish where they share creative, delicious, yet easy vegan recipes. View the video
Back in 2014, Mansfield reminded us of the power of the arts to articulate the need for change, citing artists ranging from Sam Cooke to Bob Dylan, and noting the work of Cleveland opera singer Jennifer Woda in leading a group called Carolers for Justice.
“When artists take up a cause, they legitimize it in the public consciousness, which is a necessary element for bringing about change,” he told us. “By expanding our perceptions they force the world to view society – and its actions – through the unclouded prism of truth.” Read More
