This weekend, attend Positive Vibes at Negative Space Gallery, hear Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony played by the Cleveland orchestra, learn about how maple syrup with guidance from the Cleveland Metroparks and join a conversation about gender and identity at Waterloo Arts, in partnership with the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland.

Positive Vibes @ Negative Space
Friday, March 13th 6 - 11 pm
Negative Space Gallery 3820 Superior Avenue, Second Floor
$20

Negative Space calls itself “a hidden oasis of art and people,” and once you’ve visited the space, you know what a unique and memorable off-the-beaten-path environment it truly is. This Friday, join Negative Space for a fun collaboration of food, drink, music, multimedia art and dance that will showcase local artists and help to fund the gallery and its future programming.

Enjoy an eclectic lineup of musical performances including Ottawa, Cities and Coasts, HeatherV, Johnny Habu and Rebel Salmon and DJ Blackbird. There will also be live art performances by sketch artist Ari Warner, and dance performances by Viva Dance Studio. Viva Dance teaches all forms of partner dance from Salsa to Tango and are celebrating their grand opening kickoff in the same building this weekend.

“I’m looking to get inspired by others,” said Negative Space founder, Gadi Zamir, who is also an artist that creates stunning engravings on recycled wooden canvases. His space is part gallery, part studio and part custom-made stage perfect for musicians.

Singer-songwriter and freelance marketing consultant Heather Venesile spearheaded the event as a fundraiser for the gallery. Hoping to bust into the Cleveland music scene, she met Zamir through his monthly open mic night after relocating to Cleveland over the summer after living in Nashville for 10 years.“Gadi truly exemplifies the idea of artists giving back to artists,” she said.

The gallery is going on its fourth year and recently became a nonprofit with 11 pioneering board of directors. This event will help to ensure that Negative Space continues to thrive in service to the Cleveland arts community. Tickets are available online and at the door. You must be 18 or older with a valid ID to enter. Parking is free. RSVP here.

Fridays @7: Beethoven's Seventh
Friday, March 13th 7 pm
Cleveland Orchestra
$29 - $150

Cleveland Orchestra is hoping to diversify its typical audience by diversifying its experience. The event starts early with a short classical concert without intermission, featuring a piece that even non-classical music fans will recognize, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. The orchestra will warm up with Luca Francesconi’s short “Cobalt, Scarlet: Two Colors of Dawn.”

The event will also feature more free spirited contemporary music including Greek singer/accordionist/ keyboard player/composer Magda Giannikou who will be performing with members of world music collective Snarky Puppy. Snarky Puppy is a Grammy Award-winning funk and jazz band that is as distinct and interesting as its name evokes. There will be plenty of food and drinks available during the evening. Purchase tickets here.

Learn the History of Maple Sugaring
Rocky River Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks
Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4 pm
Free

After a frozen winter, the beginning of spring is sweet. It only seems appropriate that the harvesting of maple syrup coincides with the changing of the seasons. Take an educational tour of the sap-collecting methods that date back to the Native Americans. Ohio’s maple trees are ready to be tapped and transformed into a wonderful breakfast companion. Hike down Sugarbush Trail and view how sap is collected, then step into the Sugarhouse to see the next step, boiling the sap to transform it into syrup. If you can’t make it this weekend, the tours are also available Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, 22nd.  

Trans Ally Training & Panel Talk
Sunday, March 15th 3 - 5:30 pm
Waterloo Arts, 15605 Waterloo Road
Free

The most genuine and beneficial learning happens through conversation. So, let's talk it out. Waterloo Arts, in partnership with the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, is offering an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the concepts of gender identity and expression and the challenges faced by those who don’t fit neatly into the binary boxes that our language and culture have built.

“It’s a conversation around gender and gender identity. An hour training and an hour panel. Training will set the stage and provide appropriate verbiage (terms that apply for transgender people) and open up the panel for the lived experiences of trans people,” said Ryan Zymler, event host and community relations coordinator.

Waterloo Arts will be hosting a Transgender Art Exhibit featuring original artwork by individuals who identify as trans that will open April 3rd. Similarly to the way in which the gay games helped to recognize that identifying as both gay and as an athlete is a valuable facet of personal identity that contributes to lived experiences, the art show bridges together individuals whose identity as trans people affects their lives and therefore informs their art.

“Waterloo arts trans ally training was born out of a desire to make sure that if we’re going to host a trans specific exhibit that we make sure that as many people as possible including the vendors are educated and trans friendly,” said Zymler.