It’s been 20 years, and CoolCleveland continues to focus on the communities that we call home. It stretches outside city limits, across surrounding counties, and sometimes all the way to Columbus and beyond.You’ll want to sign the petition to put abortion rights on the ballot in Ohio. Lots of signatures are needed, so consult CoolCleveland below for some helpful links and information. And you’ll want to shake the hand of chef and activist Brandon Chrostowski as he is nominated as a finalist for the prestigious James Beard award.
It’s National Poetry Month, as we congratulate the new poet laureate of Cleveland Heights, while Kaiser Gallery hosts an open mic poetry night. Environmental (in)justice will be discussed at the Happy Dog, while Kent’s Standing Rock Cultural Arts hosts their 27th annual Environmental Art Show. We’ve got retro movies at the Grog Shop, Jamey Haddad and friends at the BOP STOP, and No Exit New Music offering four new world premieres. It’s a good time to be right here.
The language was approved, the petitions printed and now the groups behind the Reproductive Freedom ballot issue are gathering signatures to put it on the November 2023 ballot. (Check the link for where to find a signing opportunity.)
But those who oppose the right of people to control their own bodies are throwing as much sand in the works as they can. One group is appealing to the state supreme court to invalidate the ballot language, while the legislature is proposing a rushed August election (something they banned after last year’s low-turnout August election) to require 60% rather than 50% to pass a constitutional amendment, knowing full well this one will garner well above 50%. Read more.
Brandon Christowski, who founded EDWINS restaurant on Shaker Square in 2013 to train formerly incarcerated people in culinary and hospitality arts, has been named one of the five finalists in the “Outstanding Restaurateur” category in the prestigious James Beard awards. Read more.
Heights Arts just named its 11th poet laureate—writer/performer/educator Siaara Freeman—to succeed current laureate Ray McNiece. She’ll take over this month which is, appropriately, National Poetry Month. And for the first time, the laureate will represent University Heights as well as Cleveland Heights. Read more.
Earth Day is coming up, and Dru Christine Fabrics & Design is celebrating all month with an Earth Day Sewing Market every Saturday featuring items suitable for upcycling, including scrap fabrics, demin patches, T-shirt remnants and more. Read more.
SUN 4/9 Happy Easter! Whether you are a religious Christian or not, Easter signals rebirth and the coming of spring. Let’s all enjoy the warmer weather and the daffodils and hyacinths popping up everywhere.
TUE 4/11 Author Talks Jonathan Frantzen’s 2001 novel The Corrections made him a literary star; his comments about Oprah’s Book club made him controversial. Hear him at the Maltz PAC.
WED 4/12 Sharing the Fight Photographer Angelo Merendino and his late wife Jennifer documented her fight with breast cancer. He shows the work at Foothill Galleries to raise money for their foundation.* Learn why we eat what we do at CMNH program.
