08.30-09.06.2017 Accidental

08.30-09.06.17
Accidental

Anything can happen. But always, there’s someone with a passion behind it, pushing it forward. Allow us to introduce you to a few accidental heroes.

Jason and Ashlee Cooper exhibit their sleek modern housewares at places like Cleveland Flea and Night Market Cleveland using cutting-edge 3D printing. CIA Gallery honors Dan Tranberg, an influential artist, teacher, writer, critic and friend who will be missed. Mary Santora tours as a comic but is committed to broadening the local audience with the expanded Accidental Comedy Festival.

And when TanZ Summerfest organizer Sam Krichevsky says, “Our goal is to build the next Lollapalooza,” you know that’s not going to happen on accident. Matt Fish of Melt Bar and Grilled has been working hard, opening four new restaurants in 2017 alone, plus being named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing businesses. Jamey Haddad, percussionist for Paul Simon and Sting, brings his world ensemble Under One Sun to BOP STOP for a 3-night stand, that will, no doubt, sell out. Remember that accidents will happen. Try not to be too careful. –Thomas Mulready

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Photo by Anastasia Pantsios
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Leaving Nothing to Accident

The Accidental Comedy Festival, now in its 6th year, is making a big leap this year from Mahall’s to the downtown Hilarities on E. 4th Street. And while Labor Day weekend isn’t the ideal time for a festival taking place indoors – everyone wants to bask in those last days of summer – the organizers are hoping the new venue and the jammed lineup of talent will bring in local comedy fans.

One of those organizers is standup comedian Mary Santora, whose own career is growing through increased touring. She talks to our reporter John Benson about how that’s going, how the festival is expanding and how it’s starting to get recognition across the country. Wed 8/30-Sun 9/3.

SPONSORED: Content Marketing World – Last Chance! A dance party at the House of Blues, an opening reception at the Rock Hall (plus access to the Rolling Stone exhibit!), keynotes that will leave you starstruck and inspired, content marketing practitioners to make you better and happier with your work. Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not! Be part of CMWorld this September. The event takes place September 5-8. Code COOLCLE saves $100 on registration! Register Now.

EDM Lights Up the Flats

Electronic dance music aka EDM has made it to the mainstream in the last 20 years, with its irresistible body-rocking beats and DJs who have become as famous as rock stars. Last year’s TanZ music festival on West 6th attempted to claim a piece of this scene for Cleveland.

Now in its second year, the festival has moved to the Flats, where it’s got a big two-day lineup of top talent including Grammy-winning Germany DJ/producer Zedd headlining on Sunday. Promoter Sam Krichevsky says, “Our goal is to build the next Lollapalooza.” Sat 9/2-Sun 9/3.

Printing the Future

If you think that 3D printing is just about making little plastic knickknacks, Honest Union is here to prove you wrong. Founded last year by the husband and wife team of Jason and Ashlee Cooper – he’s an industrial product designer; she does the marketing – they’re creating sleek, modern housewares such as planters, lamps, trays and pet feeders using the technology, along with eco-friendly plastic.

You’ll find their distinctive items places like the Cleveland Flea and Night Market Cleveland in AsiaTown, and they’re coming up with new ideas all the time. Learn more from Ashlee.

SPONSORED: See how to Keep Our Great Lake Great when you check out Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Open House happening on Sat 9/16 @ 9am-4pm at their Environmental and Maintenance Services Center. Tour the Southerly Wastewater Treatment plant, enjoy workshops and special presentations, take home tips, kids crafts, and more. Exhibits, food, games, and surprises make up the free fun for friends and families. Details.

VIDEO: Matt Fish Celebrates 10th Melt Bar and Grilled

Defying all odds, Melt Bar and Grilled is accelerating growth throughout the region and the state. In 2017 alone, Melt locations have popped up in Dayton, Cedar Point and now Avon, with a Canton opening planned for November.

Taking a moment during Avon’s pre-opening party, Melt owner Matt Fish talks with CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready about the unique themes on the walls of his latest restaurant, located near the intersection of Rt. 83 and Detroit Roads: Avon-specific references, NEO rock memorabilia, and a special tribute to his family’s 250-acre farm just minutes away.

Fall is coming on fast. And one of the traditional autumn feasts is the clambake. Come enjoy a pile of clams with all the fixins at the Music Box Supper Club, and catch some of the last rays of summer along the mouth of the river. Mon 9/4.

* As it celebrates the opening of its 10th location, this one in Avon and prepares to open another in Canton before the end of the year, Cleveland-based Melt Bar and Grilled has been named to the Inc. 5000 2017 list of the fastest growing private businesses in the U.S.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Eats and Drinks.

SPONSORED: Tickets on Sale Now for Beck Center’s Exciting 2017-18 Theater Season One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest opens Beck Center’s season and includes the return of the award-winning production of The Little Mermaid, the regional premiere of My First Time, Broadway triumph Gypsy, the thought-provoking Bent, the classic masterpiece Waiting for Godot, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the ground-breaking HAIR. Details & Tickets.

Roar Along the Shore, that late-summer concert with local bands aboard the Goodtime III, took a break for a couple of years but it’s back now. Thu 8/31

* Broadside of the Barn is back with a six pack of talented woman performers in Grafton. Sun 9/3.

* South Euclid Jazzfest offers an afternoon of easy-going local music and family fun. Sat 9/2.

* MOCA Cleveland’s loading dock will host boundary-pushing ensembles in its LOADED series. Fri 9/1.

* Oberlin Conservatory grads come back to Akron’s Blu Jazz + as Possibilities Trio. Wed 8/30.

Read more of CoolCleveland’s picks for Cool Events.

WED 8/30
Some people will do anything for dogs. Some of the area’s most passionate dog rescuer and caretakers will be letting you dunk them in a tank of water at Lakewood’s Around the Corner to raise money for the Cleveland Kennel and Secondhand Mutts.

* Four Cleveland artists address political and social issues in “Art of Dissent,” opening at the Shaker Community Gallery.

* The Ohio Weather Band closes out this season’s Wade Oval Wednesdays.

* Jazz drummer Jason Marsalis shows off his vibes chops at Nighttown.

Click here for more events on Wed 8/30

THU 8/31
The Cleveland Institute of Art Gallery honors former faculty member, artist Dan Tranberg, who died in May at the way-too-young age of 53, with a show of his work titled So Vivid. So Luminous. So Fluorescent.

* The Great Geauga County Fair lives up to its name with five days packed with activities. Through Mon 9/4.

Click here for more events on Thu 8/31

FRI 9/1
Blank Canvas Theatre’s benefit features a rare concert performance of Chess, the 1986 musical by Tim Rice and the songwriting duo behind ABBA. Light food, music and raffles precede the performance, which they’ll repeat tomorrow.

* This month’s Walk All Over Waterloo is the last for the Maria Neil Art Project.

* Eat, drink and dance the summer away at Oktoberfest at the Berea Fairgrounds. Through Mon 9/4.

* Variety act Pinch and Squeal take their new show out for a spin at the Winchester.

* Heights Arts show Sound and Vision features unusual musical instruments.

* Fin, Fur and Feather are on display in animal-centric art show at the Valley Art Center.

* E.T. phones home from Blossom Music Center with the help the Cleveland Orchestra. Through Sun 9/3.

* Play about the impact of urban violence has its Cleveland premiere at Dobama Theatre. Through Sun 9/24.

* Corks on the Concourse at Burke Airport benefits Women’s Air & Space Museum.

* The Transformer Station opens its new fall shows.

Click here for more events on Fri 9/1

SAT 9/2
You’ll find a vast range of locally made items from jewelry to quilts to lotions at Hale Farm & Village’s annual Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival. Take time to explore the historic village too. Also tomorrow.

* Enjoy three days of melon madness at the Milan Melon Festival. Through Mon 9/4.

* Westlake Library presents a free music festival on its lawn.

* Celebrate labor unions at the AFL-CIO picnic in Parma.

* Akron-born, LA-based jazz vocalist Gretje Angell makes her Nighttown debut.

* Cosplay Nerdlesque dance party celebrates burlesque at the Beachland.

* The Peninsula Flea closes its season with even more vendors.

Click here for more events on Sat 9/2

SUN 9/3
Cleveland has really become addicted to pasties and G-strings. Toxic Burlesque, which performs at Brothers Lounge, is celebrating its 5th anniversary, gathering some of the top local performers for a gala showcase.

* Americana trio the Stray Birds alights at Peninsula’s G.A.R. Hall.

* Canton Symphony wraps up its outdoor concert season with “tailgate” party.

* Hungarian scouts celebrate their heritage in Parma.

* Country music traditionalist Dale Watson plays the Beachland Ballroom.

Click here for more events on Sun 9/3

MON 9/4
It’s the 46th year for the 11th Congressional District Labor Day Parade & Festival started by Congressman Louis Stokes in 1971. Current Congresswoman Marcia Fudge is the grand marshall for the huge parade which ends up at Luke Easter Park for the festival.

* Percussionist Jamey Haddad’s global music ensemble settles into the BOP STOP for a three-day run, through Wed 9/6.

Click here for more events on Mon 9/4

TUE 9/5
Today’s as good a day as any to head out to Medina to check out Alien Vacation “Freaky 3D” mini golf with lasers, fiber optics and real movie props. There’s also an enchanted forest, “Elf Labs: Fun With Science” and Vastle Noel Christmas menagerie.

Click here for more events on Tue 9/5

WED 9/6
Author Colson Whitehead is known for his novels and his media criticism, which focuses on the black experience in America. He’s won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, awarded annually in Cleveland. He’ll be speaking at the Maltz Performing Arts Center in University Circle.

* Cleveland Cinemas kicks off rock docs series with Slipknot concert film the Capitol Theatre.

* Girl tells story of her journey from wounded Iraqi toddler to American teen at the Maltz Museum.

* Andy Warhol Museum chief curator speaks at MOCA Cleveland.

Click here for more events on Wed 9/6

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

The First Two Thousand Days

Time and time again I’ve heard people say, in regards to undereducated children, “If their parents would just read to them.” But what if the parent can’t read? I know how prevalent illiteracy is since my wife teaches adults to read…

Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here