We have options. We can take control of our own destiny, right here. Walk your neighborhood, talk to your art entrepreneur friends. Stop in to the Big Fun pop-up on Coventry before it goes away (again!) this Sunday. Apply for one of two seats reserved for working artists on the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture board, and support creativity in our region.Did you have a favorite teacher? Obviously, Shaker Hts HS art teacher Jordan McConnell and CC correspondent Liv Ream were massively inspired by theirs. Alla Boara took a cue from Italian field recordings and decided to release their own music right here. Mayor Bibb & County Exec Ronayne talk about our precious water and green space at the library. The Cleveland Seed Bank’s seed swap will get your little plot of Earth ready for spring.
Cocktails around a fire pit on Public Square, a festival of ice at Lake Farmpark, visual art and poetry at Tinnerman Lofts, a winter wine and cheese pairing at EDWINS, a film about the women priests who transformed the Episcopal Church, a public meeting about the Lorain Avenue bikeway, hot chocolate and s’mores around a campfire at Summit Metro Parks, portrait painter Tricia Kaman sharing her work at the Mentor Municipal Center, a short film festival in Kent. Just look around. You’ll figure out where we are.
Many bands say they’re doing something totally unique but that’s rarely true. In the case of Cleveland’s Alla Boara, who burst onto the local music scene post-pandemic, it’s close to being true. Active local jazz drummer and sideman Anthony Taddeo found himself transfixed by field recordings of regional Italian folk music and decided to use them to fuel a new ensemble.
With versatile vocalist Amanda Powell upfront, the group adds jazz influences to old songs and Italian folk influences to new compositions. Now they’re releasing a new recording—their second—taken from two performances they did last year at the BOP STOP. They’ll debut it on Wed 1/24 at CMA’s Gartner Auditorium. Read more.
New classroom, same old friendship. CoolCleveland correspondent Liv Ream sat down with Shaker Heights High School art teacher Jordan McConnell to talk about his experience in the classroom. These theatrical students have blossomed into theatrical adults with real jobs—they can’t believe it either. Reunited by the subject that started it all: Art.
The former classmates reflect on their educational experience, teaching in America, all the things that make the job worth it and—most importantly—catch up on hometown gossip. Read more.
Steve Presser brought back his iconic shop Big Fun to wild acclaim last fall as a pop-up in the same location, 1814 Coventry, a mainstay for nearly 30 years. The store has been packed, and now he’s lowered the prices on all but a few remaining items to 50% off. Stop in this final week Wed-Sat noon-7PM and the final day Sunday 1/28 noon-6PM. Remember, Big Fun is listed on the National Register of Hysterical Place! Great for gifts or that one-of-a-kind item. Bring your spending money. Read more.
The terms of two board members of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the group that disperses the cigarette tax money designated to fund the arts in Cuyahoga County, will expire in March, with county executive Chris Ronayne tasked with finding their replacements. The enabling legislature says that at least two members of the board should be artists or mostly involved in the arts. Currently none are. Almost two dozen people have applied so far, and many are practicing artists. If you’d like to apply, go here to throw your artistic cap in the ring. Read more.
MON 1/29 Culinary Heritage Among the glut of specialty food weeks is Cleveland Pierogi Week starting today, dedicated to one of Cleveland’s signature ethnic food items.
WED 1/31 A Touch of Color During this gray time, it’s always a pleasure to welcome the return of Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show, this year focusing on the brilliant colors of sunrise and sunset.
This week, CoolCleveland CULTURATI columnist Liz Maugans looks at Northeast Ohio’s need for arts champions and shares what qualities of leadership she believes they need to manifest, especially in light of leadership being claimed by many who operate out of sight and without input from the creators.
The artist/educator/activist writes, “A reality exists where art and culture in Cuyahoga County can’t be discussed openly because the people in the vacuums at the city, county and foundations (all of whom have their agendas regarding equitable distribution to artists) keep it sealed tightly. The keyholders who drive arts and culture have already pre-determined strategies without dedicated public discussion or exchange.” Champions, she says, “inspire our arts and culture sector to work together in tough times and engage everyone to figure issues out together.”
She offers a list of arts champions and encourages others to join that list. There’s one name missing: her own! Read more.
