Arts + Culture

Short and sweet: Film festival this week celebrates the art of the short film
Now in its 11th year, the Short.Sweet Film Festival takes place this week with more than 150 short films featured both virtually and at the Metropolitan at the 9. 
Need some creative catharsis? FreshWater editor to launch ninth cohort of Artist's Way class
If there's anything curating the #CLE-ative Groove series has reinforced, it's that Clevelanders are infinitely creative—and they're not afraid to show it! If you're yearning to get into your own creative groove, read on.
Scaring winter away with the 2022 Kurentovanje festival
Revelers hope to chase away winter in Cleveland this coming weekend during the 10th annual Cleveland Kurentovanje—a Slovenian Madi Gras festival.
#CLEative Groove: Meet Lisa Ligus, founder of Songbirds Music Therapy Services
Our #CLEative Groove series puts the spotlight on our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our next installment with Lisa Ligus, founder of Songbirds Music Therapy Services.
Filling the silence: CLE Silent Film Festival will celebrate the music of J. S. Zamecnik
The first-ever Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium will this month celebrate the emergence of music paired with films at venues around Northeast Ohio, and centers around composer, and Cleveland native John Stepan Zamecnik.
Fluorescent exploration: Waterloo Arts hosts DayGloLAB before annual DayGloSho
In preparation for it's annual DayGloSho—works of 40 regional and national artists using pigments made by Cleveland-based DayGlo Color Corp.—Waterloo Arts has created DayGloLAB for experimentation and hands-on activities with the medium.
#CLEative Groove: Meet Robert Gatewood of Master Collective and Gatewood Home/Share
Our #CLEative Groove series puts the spotlight on our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our next installment with Robert Gatewood, founder of Master Collective and program director for Gatewood Home/Share.
Cooking up creativity: LGBTQ+ youth theater workshop The Text Kitchen launches in CLE
The Text Kitchen, A new theater education program in Edgewater, focuses on LGBTQ+ youth in Northeast Ohio.
#CLEative Groove: Meet Susan Chapo, founder of Relish Cleveland Tours
Welcome to #CLEative Groove, a new series featuring profile Q&As with our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our first installment with Susan Chapo, founder of Relish Cleveland food tours.
Reviewing 2021: A baker’s dozen of the top FreshWater stories of last year
FreshWater takes a look back at 13 of our favorite stories from 2021. Happy New Year!
Telling stories: Filmmaker uses his craft to capture the spirit of NEO folks in his documentaries
Documentary filmmaker Carl Kiss enjoys telling the stories of how everyday Clevelanders and local business make Northeast Ohio a better place. Most recently, he capture Destiny Burns' story in his CLE Urban Winery documentary. 
Tuned up: The music and magic of community orchestras
It’s a false perception that seeing the Cleveland Orchestra play at Severance Hall is only for the elite—but there is another way to attend a traditional orchestra performance with the dozens of local community orchestras.
The urban landscape: A photo essay of Cleveland neighborhoods
The City of Cleveland celebrated its 225th birthday earlier this year, marking changes to the city skyline and the overall landscape. Managing photographer Bob Perkoski captures the art in Cleveland's urban scenery. 
Making an impact: After 20 years Progressive Arts Alliance is now Arts Impact
For nearly 20 years, the organization known as Progressive Arts Alliance has been working with area students to integrate the arts into learning. As the organization begins its next 20 years with a new strategic plan, it has a new name: Arts Impact.
Staying sober: Y-Haven, CPT share stories of recovery and triumph in ‘12,000 Steps’
Cleveland Public Theatre and YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s Y-Haven will stage its original production of "12,000 Steps," a play about the road to recovery and the persistence and perseverance needed stay sober.
Voices from the Edge: Literary Cleveland publishes writings of essential workers during pandemic
Earlier this year Literary Cleveland held writing workshops with 60 essential workers so they could bond and share in writing their feelings and experiences about the pandemic. "Voices from the Edge" launches today.
I Live Here (now): How improv comedy paved Michael Busch's way back to CLE
Michael Busch grew up here during the era when Cleveland was more of a punchline, and now that he’s back after living in Los Angeles for 15 years, he’s rediscovering the Land—and bringing the laughs with him.
 
Free Stamp: All things free in the #CLE for November 2021
The best things in life are free, indeed, and our monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up all the free #CLE events that get our "stamp" of approval. And with the holidays quickly approaching, many of the events this month have a distinct theme! 
Rock Hall induction: Brushes with music legends from behind the scenes
From the media room in the underbelly of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, writer Erin O'Brien and FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski share some behind the scenes moments from the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony last Saturday, Oct. 30.
Beyond the grave: Griffin Cider House & Gin Bar brings history to (after)life in Lakewood
Often occupying century buildings or sharing historic spaces, spooky ghost stories are on the menu at many Cleveland establishments—and the Griffin Cider House & Gin Bar is no exception.