Rhythm

05.18-05.25.22

Let’s get back in the groove.

Oh yeah. Drumplay is honoring legendary poet Daniel Thompson who inspired generations. The Cleveland Asian Festival is back after a long two year hiatus. Near West Theatre’s benefit is live once again. Cleveland Bazaar summer markets start tis week in Ohio City’s Market Square Park.Let’s get real about so-called “replacement theory.” Rev. Marvin McMickle offers a commentary on what really needs replacing. Bike Cleveland honors those killed on public streets with their Ride/Walk of Silence. And catch the new play by Peter Lawson Jones on the seriousness of mental health issues we are all facing. Beat that.

–Thomas Mulready

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Photo by Anastasia Pantsios
CoolCleveland.com

ASIATOWN

10 Things to Love About
Cleveland’s Asiatown

It’s back! One of the fastest growing festivals in the state is back on the calendar for this weekend Sat 5/21 – Sun 5/22, with food, music, performances, exhibits and street events celebrating Cleveland’s many diverse communities including Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, Karen, Hmong, Bhutanese and many others. The Cleveland Asian Festival is free and open to the public. But that’s not all there is to love.

Destination Cleveland has put together a list of ten other things you will love about Cleveland’s Asiatown, including take-home treats, amazing Asian food, retail therapy and one of the wildest karaoke experiences you can imagine. Read more from Destination Cleveland.

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COMMENTARY

Rev. Marvin McMickle on
The Real “Replacement Theory”

I spent eight years (2011-2019) in Rochester, New York, 60 miles east of Buffalo, New York, where our nation’s most recent mass shooting occurred. I preached and lectured in churches all over Buffalo dozens of times.

My son graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo. He actually shopped in the TOPS grocery store where this mass shooting occurred on May 14, 2022.

What happened in Buffalo, New York, at a TOPS grocery store is the natural extension of the hysteria that the “replacement theory” is causing in this country… Read more.

NEWS

Rock Hall Announces Summer Programming

The Rock Hall has released the first draft of its outdoor summer schedule, with local bands performing for free on the plaza on Thursdays, and national touring acts, such as Adrian Belew and Guided by Voices, on Fridays and Saturdays. They’re promising more acts will be added for a really packed summer! Read more.

Lakewood Arts Festival Scholarship Programs

Over 70 scholarships have been awarded by the Lakewood Arts Festival to students pursuing arts education since 1981. You can help. Read more.

THEATER

New Play Addresses Mental Health

Several of the area’s leading theater people have joined with Playwrights Local and recovery organization Life Exchange Center to present a brand new theater piece called The Phoenix Society.

The play, dealing with mental health issues, was written by Cleveland actor/director/playwright Peter Lawson Jones and is directed by one of the area’s leading stage directors, Terrence Spivey. And the lead role of a veteran who returns from Afghanistan with a variety of mental heath challenges is played by Prophet Seay, who’s performed in many area productions. It runs Fri 5/20-Sun 5/29. Read more.

ART

Houses To Grow In,
NEA Big Read Cleveland,
and more…

On Tue 5.24 at Art House: Join Eileen Whitacre for an adobe-style ceramic planter adult workshop, 6- 8PM, inspired by The House on Mango Street.Also from 4- 5:30PM, a DesignExlplor workshop for 3rd-8th grades will introduce youth to the broad range of exciting possibilities in the design field. Read more.

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THIS WEEK

WED 5/18
Visionary View
Photographer Abe Frajndlich talks at the Lakewood Library about his long, diverse career and his new book.* Bike Cleveland’s Ride/Walk of Silence honors those killed cycling on public streets.

THU 5/19
Summer Memories
WRHS celebrates the birthday of its Grand Carousel, which debuted at Euclid Beach Park in 1910.* Ingenuity meets the community at Ignite! Neighbor Night.

* AAWR showcases work of two area assemblage sculptors.

FRI 5/20
Taking Flight
E11even2 Gallery opens show of diverse works by two artists based on their observation of birds * Hilary Gent showcases her water paintings.

* Drumplay honors Cleveland poet Daniel Thompson.

* Morgan Conservatory spotlights its artists in residence.

* Bluegrass band the Tillers opens Riverdog Barn season.

* Cleveland Jazz Orchestra welcomes violinist Regina Carter.

* New play charts “breakdown of empathy.”

SAT 5/21
Polka Power
SNPJ Farm hosts a polka blast with 16 bands and ten hours of music and dancing.* Cleveland Asian Festival returns after two dark years.

* Taste of Summer (vegan) pop-up at Ritual Juicery in N. Collinwood

* Akron’s Bark in the Park benefits rescue animals.

* Local musicians play free concert on Waterloo.

* Tom Petty tribute concert supports local music charity.

* Cleveland Bazaar summer markets start.

* Ensemble Theatre presents staged reading of new work.

* Crafty Mart launches new crop of makers.

* Coit Farm celebrates 90th year with benefit breakfast.

* Near West Theatre benefit is back live.

* Blazing River Freedom Band plays in Lakewood.

* CMNH workshop offers ABCs of composting.

SUN 5/22
World of Rhythm
Percussionist Jamey Haddad teaches at Oberlin, tours the world with Paul Simon. He’s also playing this weekend at Riverdog Barn in Oberlin with his jazz quartet. * Rib Burn Off takes over downtown Willoughby.

TUE 5/24
Down by the River
Merwin’s Wharf on the east bank of the Cuyahoga is hosting weekly Happy Hours Tuesday-Thursday, with food trucks, games and live entertainment. Sit outside and watch the kayakers go by!

WED 5/25
Outdoor Eating
With warm weather, the food trucks return, and they’ll be downtown on Perk Plaza every Wednesday all summer for Walnut Wednesdays.