12.18-12.25.20 Winter Love

12.18-12.25.19
Winter Love

How to fall in love: Meet people, open yourself to new possibilities, give it some time. And we’ve got just the aphrodisiacs.

Express your adulation with a Star Wars-themed live broadcast just in time for the big finale; start some romance by holing up with a book by a NEO writer; check in with Zach Friedhof’s new project “Winter Love,” at the Mustard Seed, and congratulate the Cleveland Critics Circle annual award winners and the 2020 artist residencies for Akron Soul Train.

Infatuation sets in as Lakewood’s Screw Factory hosts more than 100 artisans for their big holiday pop-up. Offer your adulation at the Maltz Museum by lighting the menorah on the first evening of Chanukah, then donating canned goods for Christmas Day Can Can. You could even bring a differently abled friend to the recently opened ADA-accessible All People’s Trail at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for their Winter Solstice Eve Luminaria Walk.

Finally, fondness makes way for soul love as we sit down for Brunch With Bowie on Sun 1/5 at Jilly’s in Akron and Sun 1/12 at BOP STOP indulging in the underrated 2nd half of David Bowie’s life and music, all part of David Bowie Month, right around the corner. A love so strong, it tears your heart to sleep. –Thomas Mulready

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CoolCLE PODCAST #40: Quire Cleveland Carols for Quire X

This week, we have Quire Cleveland’s Jay White with us to tell us about the choir, the inspiration and process behind creating this year’s much-anticipated Christmas concert repertoire and what carols you’ll need to learn for the audience participation bit.

We have brand new local music from the Chestertons ahead of their Its A Very Chestertons’ Christmas Concert at CODA in Tremont Fri 12/20 and an instrumental piece from Liberty Light Machine.

Enjoying Brunch With Bowie in Akron & Cleveland

There’s nothing more fun than sitting down to a brunch with one of your favorite artists. And if that artist is David Bowie, we’ve got just the ticket.

Join us for Brunch With Bowie on Sun 1/5 at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, and a week later on Sun 1/12 at BOP STOP in Cleveland. We’ll be dipping into the underrated second half of Bowie’s life, in which the artist fell to earth from the heights of his popularity with Let’s Dance, stole Iggy Pop’s band, experimented again with Brian Eno, collaborated and toured with Cleveland’s Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, married the love of his life, and started putting out one amazing record after another, culminating in two masterpieces and a stage show, before passing away from liver cancer in 2016. Vanity Crash ignites a cathartic live music set to close each event all month.

It’s all part of David Bowie Month presenting seven shows in five venues in Akron, Lakewood, Cleveland Heights and Cleveland from January 3-17. Catch all the shows with the Bowie Bargain Badge and indulge yourself or a friend. BowieShows.com. [photo of Bowie in Cleveland 1983 by Janet Macoska]

Hole Up With a Book & Stay Warm

Northeast Ohio authors crank out books at an impressive pace. Every year there’s a batch of new ones, ideal for holiday giving, whether your giftees are passionate about history, sports, politics, pop culture or food.

Check out volumes that look at vintage Cleveland kids’ television, the Cavs’ olden days, Mike Hargroves’ stint with the Indians, local restaurants worth checking out, political cartoons, the city’s long-gone Millionaire’s Row, author Mark Twain’s travels including his Cleveland connection, and a mini-encyclopedia of things you should know about our town.

A Star Wars Farewell

By day Jason Swank is the marketing director at Playhouse Square. But once he’s off the job, he transforms into a major Star Wars geek, so major he’s hosted Star Wars-themed podcasts since 2006. Currently, he and Jimmy Mac co-host Rebel Force Radio. So he’s currently bracing for the December 20 release of The Rise of Skywalker, the finale to the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

He’s got lots of thoughts about it, which he’ll share when Rebel Force Radio broadcasts a live episode titled “Skywalker Rises in Ohio” from Playhouse Square’s Kennedy Theatre to celebrate the end of the 40-plus year saga that has absorbed millions of fanatics like Swank. Fri 12/20.

Cleveland Independents Gift Cards and The Deck Make Great Gifts

These are the best holiday foodie gifts in town. Cleveland Independents’ gift cards are redeemable at any of its 85 member restaurants. Choose your gift certificate at ClevelandIndependents.com and check out online. It’s that easy!

The Deck looks like regular playing cards. It’s really a deck full of savings at 49 of Northeast Ohio’s best restaurants. Typical savings is $10 on any $30 food purchase. The Deck has $500 in offers and costs only $29.95. Eat. Drink. Shuffle. Available at ClevelandIndependents.com.

A couple of weeks ago, the New York Times published a heart-rending piece by former congresswoman Katie Hill. The 32-year-old Californian resigned her seat on Halloween after sex video and naked pictures were released by rightwing websites, which she says got them from her angry ex-husband.

That’s caused a firestorm of debate about how the potential release of such “revenge porn” could discourage other young women from running for office. In the wake of this storm, Cleveland Heights city councilman Kahlil Seren has introduced legislation to protect victims. But would municipal legislation have any impact? And what next steps need to be taken to prevent the destruction of other promising young careers?

Akron Soul Train’s mission is to offer month-long “residencies” to local performing and visual artists, hosting shows in its downtown Akron gallery and performances in conjunction with other organizations. This week it announced the 16 artists (out of 7 submissions) who were awarded residences for 2020.

* Each year the Cleveland Critics Circle, a group of reviewers who regularly cover theater in northeast Ohio, votes on its annual awards. In nearly a dozen categories, the critics, who include CoolCleveland’s Roy Berko and Laura Kennelly, honor the best of local musicals, non-musicals, actors & actresses, directors and choreographers. They’ve just named 2019’s winners. See what you missed, and make a vow to go to more theater next year!

VIDEO: Gardens, Gingerbreads and Gnomes at Glow

Holiday Hollows is the 2019 theme for Glow at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens running now through Sat 1/4 setting a festive mood, viewing the concept of home from the perspective of animals, gardens, gnomes, gingerbread houses, and our loved ones coming home for the holidays.

With festive holiday trees decorated by Affiliate Garden Clubs, a Gnome scavenger hunt in the Glasshouse, the Garden Express Railway, an indoor snowy play area for kids in the Winter Playland, and over 100 decorated Gingerbread houses, there’s something for every member of your family. Glow at CBG.

Akron musician Zach Friedhof is known for his commitment to furthering peace, love and unity in the community. His “Winter Love: A Big Love Review” at the Mustard Seed in Highland Square brings together seven other musicians with his own band to spread some seasonal cheer. Fri 12/20

* Apollo’s Fire’s Barqoue Bistros offer a sample of their Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain program. Thu 12/19-Sun 12/22.

* Missile Toe is back to rock the holiday classics at the Akron Art Museum. Thu 12/19.

* The Ohio City Singers send off their holiday season with House of Blues show. Sat 12/21.

* Pop singer Connor Bogart O’Brien does an old-fashioned Sinatra/Crosby-style holiday show at Akron Civic Theatre. Sun 12/22.

* Cleveland’s Anne E. DeChant, now living in Nashville, is back for a show at Peninsula’s G.A.R. Hall. Sat 12/21.

Enjoy icy thrills on the toboggan chutes at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation

Adventure-goers of all ages can experience the twin toboggan chutes; plunge down a 70-foot vertical drop and travel along 700-feet of ice while reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

The refrigerated ice chutes can operate with or without snow, in temperatures below 50 degrees. Gloves are required to ride the chutes and all riders must be 42″ or taller. Visit ClevelandMetroparks.com/tchutes for pricing and hours.

WED 12/18
Kevin Dugan was just a teenager when he started working a a roadie for local bands. He moved out to L.A., met Van Halen’s Michael Anthony in the early 80s, and has worked as his bass tech ever since. He’ll talk about his road adventures tonight at the Music Box’s Cleveland Stories program.

* Author/comedian/college professor Ken Schneck, who is gay and Jewish, explores how people define themselves and find their voices in a program at the Maltz Museum.

* Capitol Theatre Happy Hour screening features – what else? – It’s a Wonderful Life.

Click here for more events on Wed 12/18

THU 12/19
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s monthly Think & Drink With the Extinct evenings offer adults the chance to enjoy local adult beverages and explore the museum without kids underfoot. Tonight museum personnel will be sharing info about the science and mythology of the solstice.

* David Mayfield celebrates Christmas bluegrass-style at Peninsula’s G.A.R. Hall. Also tomorrow.

* Cleveland’s eclectic Russian duo performs at the BOP STOP.

Click here for more events on Thu 12/19

FRI 12/20
Lakewood’s Screw Factory hosts the last big holiday sale of the season for you procrastinators. But it’s likely to be one of the best. It’s been expanded to three days, and it features more 100 artists, artisans and makers, both those that have studios in the building and guest artists in the event spaces. Through Sun 12/22.

* Musician Christopher Reynolds promotes peace a Westlake ceremony and performance.

* Creative Mornings CLE explores “silence” with SignStage director William Morgan.

* NEOCH holds a memorial at the West Side Catholic Center for homeless people who died this year.

* Visit 78th Street Studios’ Third Friday and buy your gifts directly from an artist!

* Jessica Lea Mayfield is back at the Beachland for another pre-holiday show.

Click here for more events on Fri 12/20

SAT 12/21
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes opened its ADA-accessible All People’s Trail last month. Tonight it’s lit up for a nighttime Winter Solstice Eve Luminaria Walk. Then go back inside for hot cocoa or mulled wine and last-minute shopping opportunities.

* Neighborhood Pets Resource Center has a holiday party at The Magalen in Slavic Village.

* The Music Settlement presents cello concert dedicated to the Winter Solstice.

* It’s no wonderful life! Capitol Theatre holds midnight screening of seminal horror film Black Christmas.

* Lightwire Theatre brings its holiday-themed show back to the Akron Civic Theatre.

* Cleveland native Dave Hill talks about his new book exploring his Canadian roots at Visible Voice Books.

* Neos Dance Theatre and local jazz musicians celebrate “A Big Band Christmas” at Elyria’s Stocker Arts Center. Also tomorrow.

* Preview new Shaker Heights eatery Picnic Hill Market Cafe, opening in early 2020.

* Cleveland pop rockers Signals Midwest come to the Grog Shop for a rare local show.

* Holiday Handmade Market offers regional arts, crafts and products at 78th Street Studios today and tomorrow.

* Art show Quantum at Negative Space Gallery explores unseen worlds and the subconscious.

* Lorain’s Los Sonidos mark their 30th anniversary at Kent’s North Water Street Gallery.

* The Modern Electric, John’s Little Sister & the Vindys make a stellar local triple bill at the Beachland Ballroom.

Click here for more events on Sat 12/21

SUN 12/22
Come light the menorah, sing traditional songs and hear the story of Chanukah on the first evening of the holiday at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. You’ll also be able to tour the museum and do holiday crafts.

* Cats on Ho Ho Holiday hold forth at Music Box brunch.

* Big Ship’s family-friendly jam music highlights holiday brunch at Nighttown.

* Muamin Collective headlines a Red Black & Green Christmas at the Grog Shop.

Click here for more events on Sun 12/22

MON 12/23
Thrillseekers can head out to Cleveland Metroparks’ Millstream Run all week: Ohio’s highest, fastest toboggan chutes are open every day this week except Christmas, with extended hours, so you can go careening down until 10:30 at night (they close at 5 Christmas Eve).

* Beau Coup singer Frank Amato hosts a Cleveland All-Star benefit at the Music Box.

* Two area youth choruses sing for the Holiday Choir Classic at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Click here for more events on Mon 12/23

TUE 12/24
Never mind the chill. And if being alone makes Christmas Eve seem even chillier to you, head down to Dancehall on Coventry, which brings the warmth and energy of Jamaica to the Grog Shop in the form of island music and traditional Jamaican food.

* The Cleveland Botanical Garden is open today until 3pm if you’d like to catch its beautiful holiday show Glow.

Click here for more events on Tue 12/24

WED 12/25
For the 12th year, the Beachland offers an inviting destination for those who don’t celebrate Christmas, with Blue Lunch’s annual holiday latke party. The Cleveland swing/jump/blues/rock band will host the “soul battle of the Billys” – visiting soul singers Billy Seward and Billy Price.

* Christmas Day Can Can at the Maltz Museum collects canned foods for area food banks.

Click here for more events on Wed 12/25

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Big Gain for Blaine

Cleveland City Councilman Blaine Griffin came out the big winner on Saturday as members of tRump’s speciously named “Urban Revitalization Coalition” held a sham event at the Galleria on Saturday to promote the reelection of the most racist president since Andrew Johnson, who, by the way, also got impeached back in 1868…

Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here