It’s an eclectic weekend in Cleveland. Start celebrating early this Thursday with The Beat UPTOWN’s free Fire & Ice event in University Circle. Join the conversation around clean abundant fresh water as a regional asset and learn more about Sustainable Cleveland 2019, Cleveland’s 10-year environmental initiative. Dance to the music in your head at Grog Shop’s silent rave and celebrate the anniversary of Balto the hero dog’s life saving journey to Nome, Alaska at the National History Museum.

Fire & Ice, a winter celebration
Thursday, Jan. 22^nd 6-9pm
University Circle
Free

There aren’t many feelings more pleasant than warming up next to a blazing fire after spending time outside in the midst of winter. The Beat UPTOWN hopes to embrace the beauty of the winter season by showcasing the many creative uses of ice, including ice-carving demonstrations, ice painting, ice bowling hosted by University Circle’s new Corner Alley and LED light dancers.

There will be plenty of hot cider, popcorn and a large fire pit to warm up by. Enjoy warm rice pudding from Piccadilly and a DJ inside of MOCA Cleveland or visit the free collection at Cleveland Museum of Art. The event will be staged regardless of weather conditions and reduced event parking is available in the Uptown lot off of Mayfield Road, including additional spaces on the west side of Uptown behind Constantino’s Market.

The Beat UPTOWN is a collaborative effort by Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Foundation, Toby Devan Lewis, MOCA Cleveland, Cleveland Institute of Art and MRN Ltd.

Year of Clean Water
Friday, Jan 23^rd 11 am-2pm
City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave.
Free (Bring ID)

Help keep Lake Erie drinkable, swimmable and fishable and help our region continue to be an environmental leader. We’ve reached halfway on our journey to a more sustainable city -- and we’re only picking up momentum from here.

Learn more about Sustainable Cleveland 2019, a 10-year initiative designed to promote and improve economic, social, and environmental well-being for all. Each year of the project focuses on different aspects of sustainability and 2015 is the Year of Clean Water. Join the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability for the family friendly kickoff event in the beautiful rotunda at City Hall.

Cleveland is located on the twelfth largest body of fresh water in the world -- this event will provide you the opportunity to learn more about the role this invaluable resource plays in the city and how it can be a driver of sustainable economic growth and prosperity for our community. View and learn about Linda Zolten’s Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project and explore many ways to get involved.

Silent Disco with BLACKBIRD / DJ OZMTZ / ILLUSIVE / & MORE
Friday, Jan 23^rd 9pm
Grog Shop
$8 ALL AGES

You won’t look like a fool when you dance to the music in your head because everybody else will be doing it too! Perhaps you missed the outdoor silent disco behind the warehouse at Ingenuity Fest this year. Or perhaps you were one of the many people silently bumping and grinding with headphones on, immersed in a personal electronic dance party.

Either way, you have another chance to get in on the action this Friday. The set hosted by the Grog Shop features a large selection of DJs, including OZMTZ, Blackbird, Illusive, Tasha Tribe Steppaz, Andre Leon, JL, Witness and Michael Patric. Bust a move to heavy house beats and find out for yourself what all the hype is about.

Balto Day
Saturday, Jan. 24^th
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Members Free. Nonmembers $10-$14

It’s no joke; Balto the Siberian Husky deserves a lifetime achievement award. Around this same time of the year in January of 1925, he led a team of sled dogs 675 miles in just six days, delivering life saving serum for diphtheria to treat an outbreak in a remote area of Nome, Alaska that was only accessible by a path used to carry mail.

After the race for life, Balto’s life took a turn for the worse when he was forced to tour the country’s vaudeville circuit. Learn how the huskies were saved and placed into the Cleveland Zoo with local support. See the real Balto mounted in the museum’s permanent collection and enjoy a sled dog show by the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland. There will be plenty of activities for kids and make sure not to miss the museum’s new Mammoths and Mastodons Ice age exhibit.