As CoolCleveland turns 20, we sense a turning of the seasons, and if nothing else, an opportune time to round up our seminal influences. The legendary Record Revolution store wraps up shop after 55 years, denoting the end of an era. Cleveland native and John Adams alum Albert Ayler is honored in a new book, looking back to his influences on everything from free jazz to noise rock and punk. And the Maltz Museum hosts a forum on rekindling the historical bond between Black and Jewish communities.Read CoolCleveland’s round-up below of cool holiday theater presentations in the coming weeks, from the Black Nativity collaboration between Karamu House and the Cleveland Play House to Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol, to Cleveland’s Hispanic theater, Latin Us, presenting La Apuesta, and much more.
The next generation is rounding the corner and speaking out. A Gen-Z panel takes over the Happy Dog to talk about their unique concerns. The City Club explores what success would look like to small Midwestern cities. Autofuturism at Tri-C East focuses on Black women’s creativity. Sororii, a women-led global music ensemble formed last year, debuts at the Root Cafe in Lakewood.
Speaking of seminal influences, now is a good time to reserve your seats for our show Cracked Actor in January, celebrating David Bowie’s birthday and how he nurtured his own mental health, presented at venues in Cleveland, Akron (a Sunday Brunch!), and a rare appearance in Cleveland Heights. Time to round up your friends for some insightful fun.
Cleveland’s theaters are super-busy in December. While a few are mounting familiar holiday fare — Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol is their Christmas standby & Karamu has often done Black Nativity, although it’s partnering with the Cleveland Play House to do it downtown this year — most are choosing to do something fun and usually family-friendly, though not necessarily with an explicit Christmas theme.
Cleveland’s Hispanic theater, Latin Us, IS opting for holiday-related fare but keeping it light: in their La Apuesta, angels and devils vie to get Joseph & Mary to the manger in time for Jesus’ birth. Other theaters, including Dobama, convergence-continuum, Ohio Shakespeare Festival and Blank Canvas, just want to give you a break and entertain you. Read more.
While celebrating David Bowie’s birth and death anniversaries in January, Vanity Crash and Thomas Mulready will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Aladdin Sane LP with a live show, Cracked Actor, that promises to shake the rafters at venues in Cleveland, Akron, and Cleveland Heights, while also exploring the artist’s nurturing of his own mental health.
Featuring classic hits and deep cuts, the evenings will also showcase brand new original music planned for the band’s upcoming sixth release, interspersed with video interviews with members of Bowie’s seminal band, The Spiders From Mars, plus mental health professionals. The Akron show even offers a Bowie Brunch option! Read more.
Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights was once a gathering place for hippies & counterculture types starting in the late 60s. That’s when Record Revolution opened its doors.
It quickly became a clubhouse for local music lovers and a must-visit for touring musicians, But times have changed, and the 55-year-old store will close its doors December 31. Read more.
December is more than Santa sliding down the chimney. Especially at Melt Bar and Grilled, where they understand how exhausting and expensive the holidays can be. That’s why they are offering $5 OFF food purchases when you spend $25 at Melt all December.
Come for the food, stay for the experience! Enjoy favorites like the 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon Melt or the Reverend Horton Meat 2X4 Holiday Burger, but don’t forget Melt Pierogis and BBQ Nachos, Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli and Loaded Potatoes. And Fresh Cut Fries are back at Melt, and now you can load them up anyway you like! Vegetarian and vegan always available throughout the menu. Read more.
