Summer is humming along, in more ways than one. Clevelander Ryan Humbert and his band The Shootouts are building buzz and making their hometown proud, taking their sounds to the Grand Ole Opry and back, with an acoustic showcase this week at the Akron Civic. We’re all eating healthier since Eric Stoffer and Annabel Khouri started Bay Branch Farms on West 114th Street in Cleveland; read CoolCleveland correspondent Claudia Taller’s profile and stop by one of their “chill” evenings to pick up on their vibe.The 2nd and final City Stages of 2023 takes place tonight in the middle of West 29th Street in Ohio City with Afro-Cuban art rock. The three-day Lords of the Land street dance festival drops at Ideastream & Severance Hall. Stan Hywet hosts a crossdressing Shakespearean romance. You can compete for prizes at a Mexican Ioteria, listen to a Brazilian guitarist in Oberlin and Cleveland, and join a hike with CMNH in the Mentor Marsh to take in the sounds and smells and sights in the wetlands, fields and woodlands.
Reasonable people are geared up and positively vibrating with excitement to get out the vote and defeat the severely anti-democratic Issue 1 in the upcoming August 8 election. We urge you to VOTE NO and vote early, if possible. CoolCleveland offers an explainer here so you can help the cause by making calls, writing postcards, knocking doors and encouraging everyone you know to also VOTE NO. The whole state is buzzing about this one.
For one sparkling summer day, Detroit Avenue in Lakewood becomes a creative oasis and brings together artists of all disciplines on SATURDAY, August 5 from 10AM-6PM. Kathy Oda from North Carolina brings large format sculptural glass to Ohio (pictured above). The kiln-fired pieces feature botanical themes in brilliant colors.
There’s so much more to discover: Men’s jeweler and watchmaker, The ExCB creates hand forged timepieces and fine sterling silver jewelry. Additional artists include George Kocar, Jon Lund and Stephanie Crossen. Read more.
Ryan Humbert and Emily Bates began singing together in 2003 when Humbert, a prime mover and catalyst in the Akron music scene, was just launching his solo career. He asked her to sing a couple of songs with him in a local club – and they never stopped singing together.
Twenty years later that duet has taken them all the way to Nashville where their current band, the alt-country Shootouts, has performed at the Grand Ole Opry on the heels of their third album Stampede, which spent more than three months on the Americana radio chart top ten. They’ll celebrate with an acoustic show at the Akron Civic Theatre’ Knight Stage where they’ll be joined by special guests to be revealed. Read more.
Neither Eric Stoffer nor Annabel Khouri had a farming background when they started Bay Branch Farms, now located on West 114th Street. What they had was a passion for growing and providing access to fresh, organic food. So they acquired the land, the knowledge and the team necessary to do what they’re doing.
Our writer Claudia Taller visited the farm to learn more about their work and the space. She learned about their online store, with produce available for pickup or delivery; their annual plant sale; their new high tunnel to grow greens year-round; their workshops in flower arranging (the next one is August 5); and their “chill” evenings when you can stop by to just hang out and breathe in nature. Read more.
If you’ve already voted NO to protect democracy in Ohio, it’s time to tell all your friends to do so as well. And you can join the League of Women Voters at Lakewood Park this Thu 7/28 to learn about what else you can do: make calls, write postcards, knock on doors, and encourage all your friends and family to VOTE NO. Read more.
The Cleveland Print Room moved out of its Artcraft Building location, where its darkroom facility was located, in March. It’s still in the process of finalizing its new permanent location. Meanwhile, it’s announced that members will have access to the darkrooms at Cleveland State University. Read more.
SUN 7/30 Midsummer Blooms Take a hike with CMNH in the Mentor Marsh to find what flowers are blossoming right now in wetlands, fields and the edge of woodlands.
MON 7/31 Travelling Teens CPT’s summer STEP program, where local teens write & perform a theater piece, does free performances around the area, including two today: at the Riverside Park Community Center & Slavic Village’s St. Stanislaus Church.
WED 8/2 Music Sizzles Local musician Brent Kirby has been hosting his 10 x 3 singer/songwriter nights for a decade now, and many talented area performers got their start there. It’s now at the BOP STOP on alternative Wednesdays; stop in & discover your new favorite artist.
