It’s great to see artists pairing up, like printmaker Meryl Engler and photo-collagist Rita Montlack at HEDGE gallery this week. Or artists mixing it up, like Tunisian-American musician EMEL blending pop, hip-hop, electronic and traditional African sounds at CMA. Or a bassoon trio that commingles electronic experimentation at Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project. Or hip-hop ensemble Muamin Collective performing in a tattoo shop.Some of us stand alone. Cuyahoga County Exec Chris Ronayne tackles the big issues in his interview with CoolCleveland this week. The Count Basie Orchestra makes a stand at Tri-C. Stardust: An Immersive Music Experience explodes in the Planetarium at CMNH. Mikey Silas of Apostle Jones hosts a blues and soul night at the Grog. The Musical Theatre Project honors Black vocalists. The feeling is mutual.
CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready has a frank conversation with Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne in the middle of his 4-year term.
Topics include how the county is addressing the recent 32% jump in property taxes on real estate in the county, the impending federal cuts to Medicaid, the imminent move of the region’s football team away from downtown Cleveland, the ongoing deaths of the incarcerated in the county jail, and the strategy of the Democratic Party and Democratic office holders in a region and a state that is turning Republican. View the video here.
Yes, it’s that time again — to start planning your summer calendar and make sure you’re not out of town when your favorite festivals are happening. Yes, we’ve had a couple of winter festivals already — the chill at Kurentovanje was painful! But the season starts in earnest in May with events that revolve around food or drink, music or art, sports or ethnic culture — or a combination of these.
First on the calendar is Dyngus Day, the Monday after Easter, a Polish festival devoted to cutting loose after Lent. May is packed with events such as the Cleveland Asian Festival, Chagrin Falls Blossom Time, the Tremont Greek Fest and Reggaefest – and after that, there’s no sleep til November! Read more.
Cleveland’s Karamu is known as one of the country’s foremost presenters of Black theater, a legacy from its early years in the 19 teens. But in the 30s and 40s it had an active printmaking workshop where artists explored Black themes and issues. A national tour earned the work wide acclaim during WW II. Now the work is getting another look in a show at the Cleveland Museum of Art calledKaramu Artists Inc.: Printmaking, Race, and Community.Read more.
Feel like banging on some drums? A beginners’ course in traditional Japanese Taiko drumming is starting soon, and they still have a few spots available. No musical experience is necessary, just a desire to make some noise, have fun and learn about Taiko! The course will take place on six Sundays in Berea, and will begin with the basics of taiko; stretching, holding sticks, stances, rhythms, etc., plus some discussion of taiko history and culture, taught by Yume Daiko leader, Matthew Richards. Read more.
The year-round Coit Road Farmers’ Market is planning another Arts and Crafts Market during its regular Saturday market on June 21. It’s currently looking for artists, makers and craftspeople in all mediums to sell their original wares. Applications are open now through May 10. Read more.
TUE 3/25 Across the Universe
For one week only, through Sunday March 30, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is hosting an immersive experience called Stardust: An Immersive Music Experience with a live score enhancing images of space travel.
