07.31-08.07.19
DIY
Ready to make your community better? Don’t wait for anyone else, just do it yourself. As Mansfield Frazier is fond of quoting from urban strategist Majora Carter, “You don’t have to move out of your neighborhood to live in a better one…”
If you know me, you know I am constantly frustrated. So I start something. Maybe a business, maybe a non-profit, maybe a little newsletter. And I’ve fallen in love with all the people around here who are dissatisfied with things as they are and insist on starting something new.
Take yourself on a self-guided ecotour (and so much more) at the new Island Green Week, actually closer to two weeks, on Kelly’s, Middle Bass and Gibralter Islands and Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island. Now in its 9th year, the Ohio Burlesque Fest started as an entrepreneurial effort to fill a void, and has evolved into a three-night gala with more than 60 performers from across the country
It’s been 42 years since Lakewood kicked off their own arts festival, and 25 years since the first Vintage Ohio wine festival. It’s moCa’s 50th anniversary and the 21st year for Tremont’s Arts in August. Earthquaker Devices started in 2004 and now they supply some of the top guitarists and musicians in the world: celebrate Earthquaker Day at their Akron HQ, Musica and BOP STOP. The Fine Arts Association of Willoughby was created 62 years ago with music lessons offered in founders James and Louise Savage’s home: their annual fundraising pARTy is this weekend. Of course, not every startup needs to go on for decades.
You can DIY in the CLE in so many ways. This week’s CoolCLE PODCAST talks with Knoble Moto, Skidmark Garage and Home Repair Resource Center about taking control of your life while making your community better at the same time. Just do it. Yourself. –Thomas Mulready
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Photo by Joseph Stec, IG: @stechouse42, courtesy Cleveland Photo Fest
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Do you DIY in the CLE? On this episode, we’re talking to a couple of organizations that are helping citizens be empowered to do it themselves. Steve Knoble of Knoble Moto – with Motorcycle Maintenance Classes out of Skidmark Garage, a 10,000 sq. ft. community motorcycle garage. And David Brock of the Home Repair Resource Center, a charity operating out of Cleveland Heights that holds regular home maintenance, buying classes and a tool library.
And we have brand new music from Akron’s Librarians with Hickeys and a track from Meg and the Magnetosphere.
Given the importance of climate action to Lake Erie and the Erie Islands, it’s appropriate that Island Green Week is nearly two weeks long. During that time, visitors to South and Middle Bass islands and Kelleys Island can enjoy a host of special activities intended to make them more aware of environmental impacts, as well as the area’s history.
Go on a self-guided ecotour of Put-in-Bay, enjoy a moonlight cruise on the Miller Ferry, visit South Bass Island’s Aquatic Center and Gibraltar Island’s OSU Stone Laboratory to learn what they’re doing to protect the lake’s ecosystem. There are plenty of purely fun activities too, including lighthouse tours, kayak trips, an artisan fair, winery visits and a closing picnic at South Bass Island State Park. Sat 8/3-Wed 8/14.
VIDEO: Woodland Express Delights at Holden Arboretum
With three different levels of train tracks, huge G-scale model trains, and an incredible structure custom built for Holden Arboretum, Woodland Express is destined to thrill train enthusiasts, nature lovers and kids of all ages.
You’ll be amazed with the meticulously designed environments, featuring local woodland animal habitat, plants and vegetation illustrating the Holden and Northeast Ohio ecosystem. And check out the miniature replicas of some of Ashtabula County’s world-famous covered bridges. And don’t forget to visit the Murch Canopy Walk & Kalberer Emergent Tower while you’re there!
The Ohio Burlesque Festival started as a one-night event, featuring mostly local performers. Now in its 9th year, it’s evolved into a three-night gala with more than 60 performers from across the country. And if you think burlesque is just about pretty girls taking off their clothes, you’re in for a surprise. You’ll find dancers, acrobats, singers, drag artists, routines ranging from glamorous to comedic to macabre, and performers of all sizes, colors, genders and ethnicities.
This year’s festival also features a display of work by photographer Bob Perkoski at the Space: ROCK Gallery next door to the Beachland. There, from 6-8pm each evening of the festival, he and writer Erin O’Brien will be selling and signing their new book about the burlesque scene in Cleveland, which features many photos taken at previous festivals. Thu 8/1-Sat 8/3.
Lakewood is known for its foodie scene and its diversity. But it’s also a stronghold for the arts, something it showcases every year at the Lakewood Arts Fest, now in its 42nd year in downtown Lakewood.
This juried exhibition features nearly 200 artists from across the country whose work finds receptive, discerning viewers at this festival. The Cleveland Museum of Art’s hands-on Go Studio and three stages of live music, featuring local acts such as young rockers the Punch Drunk Tagalongs, jazz singer Ki Allen, swamp rockers Cats on Holiday and the Assene M’Baye Senegalese Drummers, enhance the cultural cache of the event. Sat 8/3.
Malpaso Dance Company is bringing the heat of Cuba to close the ADF in CLE summer dance festival with a performance that will feature choreography honoring the roots of modern dance as well as new head-turning choreographers of today. Since its establishment in 2012, Malpaso has already become one of the most sought-after Cuban dance companies with a growing international profile.
The company will perform an evening of three works including, Face the Torrent, a new work by NYC-based choreographer Sonya Tayeh which was created in part during the company’s 2017 residency in Cleveland, as well as Tabula Rasa choreographed by Ohad Naharin. Sat 8/10 @ 3PM & 7:30PM at the Allen Theatre, Playhouse Square. Tickets 216-241-6000 or DanceCleveland.org.
It’s hard to believe now, but in 1973 there were only 13 wineries in the entire state of Ohio. Now the number has topped 300. That’s made the annual Vintage Ohio festival, staged by the Ohio Wine Producers Association at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, a bit of a dizzying experience, even though it can no longer try to represent them all. Even when the event started 25 years ago, there were only 45 Ohio wineries.
OWPA executive director Donniella Winchell says, “Our industry understands that the variety of wines, styles, geography and focus that each has offers something for every palate.” The multiple tasting options at Vintage Ohio give visitors a chance to find out what excites their own palate. Fri 8/2-Sat 8/3.
SPONSORED: See 7 musical gems in rep thru 8/10 at Ohio Light Opera’s Freedlander Theatre at the College of Wooster: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, George & Ira Gershwin’s Girl Crazy, Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II’s Music in the Air, Ivor Novello’s Perchance to Dream, and Emrich Kalman’s The Devil’s Rider. Call 330-263-2345 or visit OhioLightOpera.org.
The first annual Cleveland Photo Fest will be featuring a string of events at galleries all over town, taking place between late August and the end of October. Even if you’re not a photographer, you can get involved: they need volunteers to help install, set up for openings, man the galleries and sell merchandise. Be part of this brand-new event by going to their website and signing up!
* After the three finalists performed concertos with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall Fri 7/26, the winner of Oberlin’s annual Cooper Competition was 18-year-old New Jersey violinist Eric Charles Chen, who won $20,000 and a full-tuition scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory.
* Let’s win the Blended Burger contest by visiting and voting for your favorite burger blended with mushrooms so Cleveland wins the big prizes (and props!) from the James Beard Foundation. Tartine Bistro and The Cabin of Willowick are in the Top 25 and could still win this. Come on, we’re as good as those other cities!
* Senator Kyrsten Sinema, first openly bisexual and second LGBTQIA+ Senator in history comes to Lakewood Fri 8/9 to support the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus and Cleveland Stonewall Democrats.
Hit the links after dark during Moonlight Golf, one of Cleveland Metroparks most unique summer events, where golfers use glow-in-the-dark golf balls along illuminated courses. Featuring nine holes of illuminated tee boxes, fairways and greens, Moonlight Golf is a family-friendly way to enjoy a warm summer evening.
There’s still time left to take advantage this summer with upcoming dates at Shawnee Hills (8/3), Little Met (9/20) and Mastick Woods (8/9, 8/23). Spots are limited, so reserve your tee time now. Entry includes green fees and a moonlight golf ball. Flashlights are recommended for walking through dark areas.
Akron’s Earthquaker Devices produces sound processing pedals used by many big-name musicians. Each year, it celebrates local enterprise with its free Earthquaker Day: workshops, demos & talks at its HQ and evening concerts at Musica and Blu Jazz+. Fri 8/2-Sat 8/3
Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here
WED 7/31
moCa Cleveland has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a suite of shows, some looking back at the institution’s history, while the Lee Mingwei show looks at the work of an artist first presented in a museum context by moCa. You only have until Sun 8/11 to see them!
Click here for more events on Wed 7/31
THU 8/1
Meet up with other GratefulDead fans at the Cedar-Lee Theatre, where the 9th Annual Meet-Up at the Movies will be screening the June 17, 1991 Giants Stadium concert – one of only two recorded on 48-track – in its ENTIRETY! It’s going to be a long night.
Click here for more events on Thu 8/1
FRI 8/2
Tremont’s Arts in August in Lincoln Park starts tonight with Cleveland Public Theatre’s teen performance program STEP. Then, each weekend through Sun 8/25, different local music, dance and theater ensembles will perform for free under the stars.
Click here for more events on Fri 8/2
SAT 8/3
A small city of sand castles and other sand creations will be appearing today at Edgewater Beach when the 5th annual Sand Festival takes places there. The family-friendly event also includes volleyball, tug of war and corn hole.
Click here for more events on Sat 8/3
SUN 8/4
The North Olmsted Sportsplex will again be filled with fantasy figures and action heroes at the 5th annual NEO ComicCon, which features games, cosplay, discussions and dozens of graphic artists including locals like Ted Sikora who created the Tap Dance Killer (pictured).
Click here for more events on Sun 8/4
TUE 8/6
The Cuyahoga County Fair is a blend of old and new traditions. But it’s no longer about just coming to look at the latest farm machinery and bringing mom’s homemade jam: hula hoop classes, laser tag and demolition derbies were unknown to the first fair’s visitors in 1893. They probably had funnel cakes though! Through Sun 8/11.
Click here for more events on Tue 8/6
WED 8/7
The Cleveland Orchestra is celebrating July 4 late this year. Its annual Star-Spangled Spectacular concert downtown on Mall B is almost a month behind schedule because of the MLB All-Star Game. So enjoy the patriotic tunes & classical favorites tonight!
Click here for more events on Wed 8/7
Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com
One of the most damnable parts of being black in America is living in a state of constant doubt and questioning. “Was that white person dissin’ me, or do I just have an overactive defense mechanism?” The plain fact is, as a race we have historically and consistently been treated with such disrespect…
* The Travelling Juggalos It’s time we woke up and realized that no matter what the truth is: tRump’s supporters are going to stick with their P.T. Barnum-like charlatan no matter what he says or what new information…
Read other stories from Mansfield Frazier here
A look back at the last week
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com
PHOTOSTREAM: Cleveland Public Library 150th anniversary street party by Anastasia Pantsios
PHOTOSTREAM: BorderLight International Theatre and Fringe Festival by Thomas Mulready
PHOTOSTREAM: ADF in CLE Community Dance Day @ Playhouse Square by Anastasia Pantsios
THEATER REVIEW: Perchance to Dream @ Ohio Light Opera by Kelly Ferjutz
THEATER REVIEW: The Music Man @ Porthouse Theatre by Roy Berko
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