Arts + Culture
Ingenuity Fest 2012 will take place this weekend, September 14 to 16 at Cleveland Lakefront Docks 30 and 32, in 120,000 square feet of warehouse space. Aside from music and artistic performances, the festival will showcase the work of local inventors working on some fun and interactive projects.
“It ranges from DIY aesthetic things to engineers,” says director of programming James Krouse. “We have inventors or people who are beta testing a product or are in academic engineering programs. This is a place to display these innovations.”
The Make Space area of the festival will include the Lorain County Community College Fab Lab and the Cleveland MC2 Stem School Mobile Fab Lab -- a NASCAR trailer equipped with computers, software and lasers for creating 3-D images.
“It’s just a collection of designer software and laser cutters,” says Krouse.
A CWRU engineering graduate student will have a display of solar-powered fireflies that mimic the algorithm of fireflies’ communication. A panel of local chefs and sustainability advocates will speak on Friday about local food and sustainability. A series of talks on Saturday will examine the history of flight -- from the Wright brothers all the way through the Mars Curiosity expedition.
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It ranges from DIY aesthetic things to engineers,” says director of programming James Krouse. “We have inventors or people who are beta testing a product or are in academic engineering programs. This is a place to display these innovations.”
The Make Space area of the festival will include the Lorain County Community College Fab Lab and the Cleveland MC2 Stem School Mobile Fab Lab -- a NASCAR trailer equipped with computers, software and lasers for creating 3-D images.
“It’s just a collection of designer software and laser cutters,” says Krouse.
A CWRU engineering graduate student will have a display of solar-powered fireflies that mimic the algorithm of fireflies’ communication. A panel of local chefs and sustainability advocates will speak on Friday about local food and sustainability. A series of talks on Saturday will examine the history of flight -- from the Wright brothers all the way through the Mars Curiosity expedition.
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly
cpt's ray bobgan in american theatre mag
In a long American Theatre feature and interview titled "The Cleveland Connection," former Plain Dealer theater critic Tony Brown writes about Raymond Bobgan, executive artistic director of Cleveland Public Theatre.
"Cleveland Public Theatre has long been a place of artistic collaboration that earns the right to use the word public in its name," writes Brown. "The cutting-edge theatre has led the metamorphosis of a rough inner-city neighborhood, where once crack dens and motorcycle bars set the tone, into a burgeoning and lively arts district populated with some of Cleveland’s best restaurants and nightclubs."
Of Bobgan, Brown writes, "He turned CPT’s fiscal and creative situation around, despite all the financial risks of doing theatre in a slow economy, not by pulling back but by programming even more theatre, and a riskier kind of theatre to boot. With a relatively modest $1.2 million annual operating budget, CPT does the kind of nontraditional, discipline-bridging theatre -- and has had the kind of success with it -- that even the city’s two far-larger LORT theatres have been obliged to marvel at."
Read the rest of the playbill here.
"Cleveland Public Theatre has long been a place of artistic collaboration that earns the right to use the word public in its name," writes Brown. "The cutting-edge theatre has led the metamorphosis of a rough inner-city neighborhood, where once crack dens and motorcycle bars set the tone, into a burgeoning and lively arts district populated with some of Cleveland’s best restaurants and nightclubs."
Of Bobgan, Brown writes, "He turned CPT’s fiscal and creative situation around, despite all the financial risks of doing theatre in a slow economy, not by pulling back but by programming even more theatre, and a riskier kind of theatre to boot. With a relatively modest $1.2 million annual operating budget, CPT does the kind of nontraditional, discipline-bridging theatre -- and has had the kind of success with it -- that even the city’s two far-larger LORT theatres have been obliged to marvel at."
Read the rest of the playbill here.
Horseshoe Lake in Shaker Heights is a great place to take a walk and enjoy the bucolic, well-preserved Shaker Lakes. Now this setting has been made even more beautiful by the addition of glowing lanterns that dangle from trees like glimmering fireflies.
As part of the Shaker Heights Centennial celebration, artist Barry Underwood has created a new public art installation in Horseshoe Lake Park. The light display illuminates the wooded path along South Park Drive between Park Drive and Attleboro. It opened Labor Day weekend and continues until September 17th.
"Barry was commissioned to create the projects to call attention to the unique setting and natural beauty of the lakes, but to do it in a more forward looking way," says Megan Jones of LAND Studio, a nonprofit organization that partnered with the City of Shaker Heights on the project.
In a news release, the City of Shaker Heights described the lighting installation, which includes very contemporary, brightly colored elements, as "otherworldly."
The ephemeral display, which is drawing camera-wielding visitors, is best viewed from the South Park trail. Underwood is a local artist and faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). He is currently working on projects for the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) and the Cleveland Clinic.
Source: LAND Studio
Writer: Lee Chilcote
As part of the Shaker Heights Centennial celebration, artist Barry Underwood has created a new public art installation in Horseshoe Lake Park. The light display illuminates the wooded path along South Park Drive between Park Drive and Attleboro. It opened Labor Day weekend and continues until September 17th.
"Barry was commissioned to create the projects to call attention to the unique setting and natural beauty of the lakes, but to do it in a more forward looking way," says Megan Jones of LAND Studio, a nonprofit organization that partnered with the City of Shaker Heights on the project.
In a news release, the City of Shaker Heights described the lighting installation, which includes very contemporary, brightly colored elements, as "otherworldly."
The ephemeral display, which is drawing camera-wielding visitors, is best viewed from the South Park trail. Underwood is a local artist and faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). He is currently working on projects for the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) and the Cleveland Clinic.
Source: LAND Studio
Writer: Lee Chilcote
'what's hot in cleveland?' a lot, says lonely planet editor
Cleveland is getting some international attention as a hot travel destination, as noted in the travel section of Canada’s National Post.
"They may not be the first places that come to mind when planning a weekend getaway to the U.S., but the nation’s abundant off-the-beaten-path cities are increasingly turning up on must-see lists," writes Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet.
“I love Cleveland. It’s such a surprise. It’s got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a reason. The term ‘rock ’n’ roll’ originated in this misunderstood, proud and plain-fun Rust Belt city. The museum is wonderful -- who knew Jimi Hendrix did drawings of college football players? A fun place for breakfast is the century-old West Side Market in Ohio City across the Cuyahoga River from downtown, which caught fire from its polluted waters in 1969. The river has changed too, as life has returned along with kayaks, which offer a unique view of downtown. Apparently Cleveland has more live music venues than Austin, Tex., and the best is Beachland, in east Cleveland, a transformed Croatian social hall that launched careers of bands such as the White Stripes.”
"They may not be the first places that come to mind when planning a weekend getaway to the U.S., but the nation’s abundant off-the-beaten-path cities are increasingly turning up on must-see lists," writes Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet.
“I love Cleveland. It’s such a surprise. It’s got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a reason. The term ‘rock ’n’ roll’ originated in this misunderstood, proud and plain-fun Rust Belt city. The museum is wonderful -- who knew Jimi Hendrix did drawings of college football players? A fun place for breakfast is the century-old West Side Market in Ohio City across the Cuyahoga River from downtown, which caught fire from its polluted waters in 1969. The river has changed too, as life has returned along with kayaks, which offer a unique view of downtown. Apparently Cleveland has more live music venues than Austin, Tex., and the best is Beachland, in east Cleveland, a transformed Croatian social hall that launched careers of bands such as the White Stripes.”
Read the full “international” story here.
The Hildebrandt Company, a sprawling, 115,000-square-foot complex on Walton Avenue on Cleveland's west side, was built as a meat processing facility. From 1885 until 1971, Hildebrandt made sausages and smoked meats that were sold throughout the city.
More recently, the building has been reinvented as a creative hub and artist enclave. Space in the building is occupied by artisan welders and metalsmiths, custom woodworkers and other craftsman entrepreneurs. Lake Erie Creamery, an artisan cheesemaker, is also planning to move into the Hildebrandt building.
"Our tenants believe in what they're doing and have a network of professional support," says Bill Hildebrandt, who adds that the building has always been in the family's name. "My joy is that the building is going back to its original roots."
Hildebrandt is referring not only to the entrepreneurs in the building, but also to the fact that he wants to transform the first floor into a commercial kitchen and incubator for food-based businesses. Although the idea is in its nascent stages, the building is well-suited for it. Hildebrandt hopes the project will come to fruition and help urban farmers and other food-based businesses grow and succeed.
One of the building's tenants is Rust Belt Welding, which has become well-known for its artistic bike racks. Currently, Rust Belt is working to transform a big blue shipping container into The Bike Box, a custom-made bike corral that will reside in Ohio City.
The complex's many historic features include a towering smokestack, massive coolers, glazed yellow brick interior walls and an ancient, bricked-over stable facing Clark Avenue (the hitching post where the beef was hung is still intact). Hildebrandt plans to restore the stable and create a store for artisan goods.
Source: Bill Hildebrandt
Writer: Lee Chilcote
More recently, the building has been reinvented as a creative hub and artist enclave. Space in the building is occupied by artisan welders and metalsmiths, custom woodworkers and other craftsman entrepreneurs. Lake Erie Creamery, an artisan cheesemaker, is also planning to move into the Hildebrandt building.
"Our tenants believe in what they're doing and have a network of professional support," says Bill Hildebrandt, who adds that the building has always been in the family's name. "My joy is that the building is going back to its original roots."
Hildebrandt is referring not only to the entrepreneurs in the building, but also to the fact that he wants to transform the first floor into a commercial kitchen and incubator for food-based businesses. Although the idea is in its nascent stages, the building is well-suited for it. Hildebrandt hopes the project will come to fruition and help urban farmers and other food-based businesses grow and succeed.
One of the building's tenants is Rust Belt Welding, which has become well-known for its artistic bike racks. Currently, Rust Belt is working to transform a big blue shipping container into The Bike Box, a custom-made bike corral that will reside in Ohio City.
The complex's many historic features include a towering smokestack, massive coolers, glazed yellow brick interior walls and an ancient, bricked-over stable facing Clark Avenue (the hitching post where the beef was hung is still intact). Hildebrandt plans to restore the stable and create a store for artisan goods.
Source: Bill Hildebrandt
Writer: Lee Chilcote
'the beginning of a rust belt rebound?' asks architect's newspaper
“Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are rebuilding their urban cores to lure and retain young professionals," writes Christopher Bentley of The Architect's Newspaper. "These cities are pursuing development strategies that reflect the distinct character of each place. Is it the beginning of a Rust Belt rebound?”
In the article titled "Can the Centers Hold? Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are rebuilding their urban cores in what could be a sign of a Rust Belt rebound," Bentley expresses concern that redevelopment of urban environments are costly and that steps are being taken to ensure scarce dollars are not being wasted. He notes a consensus among leadership that the last thing anyone wants is a repeat of the boom and bust of the recent past.
“Everyone kind of expected in the 1990s that if we build it they will come,” said Greg Ward, vice president of Wells Fargo’s Real Estate Group in Cleveland. “Now there are concerned people in the real estate community saying, ‘How do we make sure we don’t fumble this round of big development?’”
Cleveland is trying again this time with the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center as well as the New Horseshoe Casino. Downtown rental housing demand is greater than supply fostering the building or redevelopment of new properties. Additional developments are on the way.
Read the full story highlighting Cleveland as well as Ohio’s two other major cities here.
In the article titled "Can the Centers Hold? Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are rebuilding their urban cores in what could be a sign of a Rust Belt rebound," Bentley expresses concern that redevelopment of urban environments are costly and that steps are being taken to ensure scarce dollars are not being wasted. He notes a consensus among leadership that the last thing anyone wants is a repeat of the boom and bust of the recent past.
“Everyone kind of expected in the 1990s that if we build it they will come,” said Greg Ward, vice president of Wells Fargo’s Real Estate Group in Cleveland. “Now there are concerned people in the real estate community saying, ‘How do we make sure we don’t fumble this round of big development?’”
Cleveland is trying again this time with the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center as well as the New Horseshoe Casino. Downtown rental housing demand is greater than supply fostering the building or redevelopment of new properties. Additional developments are on the way.
Read the full story highlighting Cleveland as well as Ohio’s two other major cities here.
Justin Coulter, a sculptor, bartender and rock band frontman, was elated when Beachland Ballroom owner Cindy Barber suggested that he craft an original piece in tribute to Harvey Pekar.
When the offer was made, he was outside smoking a cigarette during a 2010 memorial for Pekar at the Beachland. Barber, who had only just learned that her employee is a talented sculptor whose work can be found all over Cleveland, was suddenly inspired by the idea of hiring Coulter.
"I said, are you kidding? That's the biggest honor in the world so far," says Coulter. "Let's do it! Two years later, we raised $38,000, and the biggest donation was about $500. It was all from people who just wanted to see this happen."
The bronze sculpture features a rendition of Pekar walking out of one of his own comic books -- from "2D" to "3D," as Coulter describes it. It also includes a desk where participants will be encouraged to pen their own masterpieces. The piece will be installed at the main branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights library, and a public unveiling is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 14th.
Coulter is creating the sculpture in his studio on East 36th Street. First, he made a model out of hard clay, incorporating suggestions from Harvey's widow, Joyce Brabner, along the way. Next, he will create a hollow mold, heat the bronze to more than 1000 degrees, pour it into the mold and then pack it in sand to keep the heat in. Finally, he will chip off the mold to reveal the long-awaited sculpture.
"The library is the perfect spot for him," says Coulter of the location. "So much better than being next to a politician like Elliott Ness at Lakeview cemetery."
Coulter, who is also working with other artists to create a website of Cleveland craftspeople that will help to highlight and connect customers to their work, never met Pekar. "I had to create that experience out of my imagination," he says.
With bronze lasting an average of 10,000 years, the sculpture creates near immortality for the famously cantankerous working-class writer, who has become a symbol of Rust Belt authenticity.
"When the library collapses and everything is covered in dirt, there will still be an awesome sculpture of Harvey."
Source: Justin Coulter
Writer: Lee Chilcote
When the offer was made, he was outside smoking a cigarette during a 2010 memorial for Pekar at the Beachland. Barber, who had only just learned that her employee is a talented sculptor whose work can be found all over Cleveland, was suddenly inspired by the idea of hiring Coulter.
"I said, are you kidding? That's the biggest honor in the world so far," says Coulter. "Let's do it! Two years later, we raised $38,000, and the biggest donation was about $500. It was all from people who just wanted to see this happen."
The bronze sculpture features a rendition of Pekar walking out of one of his own comic books -- from "2D" to "3D," as Coulter describes it. It also includes a desk where participants will be encouraged to pen their own masterpieces. The piece will be installed at the main branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights library, and a public unveiling is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 14th.
Coulter is creating the sculpture in his studio on East 36th Street. First, he made a model out of hard clay, incorporating suggestions from Harvey's widow, Joyce Brabner, along the way. Next, he will create a hollow mold, heat the bronze to more than 1000 degrees, pour it into the mold and then pack it in sand to keep the heat in. Finally, he will chip off the mold to reveal the long-awaited sculpture.
"The library is the perfect spot for him," says Coulter of the location. "So much better than being next to a politician like Elliott Ness at Lakeview cemetery."
Coulter, who is also working with other artists to create a website of Cleveland craftspeople that will help to highlight and connect customers to their work, never met Pekar. "I had to create that experience out of my imagination," he says.
With bronze lasting an average of 10,000 years, the sculpture creates near immortality for the famously cantankerous working-class writer, who has become a symbol of Rust Belt authenticity.
"When the library collapses and everything is covered in dirt, there will still be an awesome sculpture of Harvey."
Source: Justin Coulter
Writer: Lee Chilcote
When musician educators with Roots of American Music hold workshops in Cleveland public schools, it almost goes without saying that they are entering a place that doesn't have a full-time music teacher. Most cannot afford to hire full-time music staff, so they rely on part-time faculty and visiting artists.
The 14-year-old nonprofit organization educates more than 15,000 students throughout Northeast Ohio each year, teaching social studies, financial literacy and health education through music.
"We do a lot of songwriting about topics that are important to kids," says Kevin Richards, ROAM's Director. "They work with authentic artist-educators who not only can teach but are also bluesmen, Cajun zydeco artists or rappers."
Richards likens ROAM's educational approach to parents who disguise healthy foods to get their kids to eat them. In general, the artists have little trouble convincing kids to participate. "Kids don't realize they're getting an academic message at the same time as they're fooling around with traditional music."
ROAM's curriculum has changed as educational goals have evolved. When Richards created the organization, the focus was on teaching social studies. Today, such staple courses are supplemented with programs about financial literacy and health education (the latter is in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic).
One popular program called "On the Move" teaches students in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland about migration patterns throughout history. Students learn the song "Kansas City" and change the lyrics to fit their family's story.
Roots of American Music will host its 13th annual Benefit for Education on Saturday, October 6th at the Beachland Ballroom. Multi-award-winning Austin singer-songwriter Guy Forsythe is the headliner. The tickets are $125 for VIP access including dinner and preferred seating, or $15 for the concert only.
Source: Kevin Richards
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The 14-year-old nonprofit organization educates more than 15,000 students throughout Northeast Ohio each year, teaching social studies, financial literacy and health education through music.
"We do a lot of songwriting about topics that are important to kids," says Kevin Richards, ROAM's Director. "They work with authentic artist-educators who not only can teach but are also bluesmen, Cajun zydeco artists or rappers."
Richards likens ROAM's educational approach to parents who disguise healthy foods to get their kids to eat them. In general, the artists have little trouble convincing kids to participate. "Kids don't realize they're getting an academic message at the same time as they're fooling around with traditional music."
ROAM's curriculum has changed as educational goals have evolved. When Richards created the organization, the focus was on teaching social studies. Today, such staple courses are supplemented with programs about financial literacy and health education (the latter is in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic).
One popular program called "On the Move" teaches students in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland about migration patterns throughout history. Students learn the song "Kansas City" and change the lyrics to fit their family's story.
Roots of American Music will host its 13th annual Benefit for Education on Saturday, October 6th at the Beachland Ballroom. Multi-award-winning Austin singer-songwriter Guy Forsythe is the headliner. The tickets are $125 for VIP access including dinner and preferred seating, or $15 for the concert only.
Source: Kevin Richards
Writer: Lee Chilcote
cma defends methods of acquisitions in new york times
“Over the last five years, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been at work on one of the largest building programs of any art institution in the country, a $350 million project that has been unveiled in sleek new stages and will be completed by 2013, adding 35,000 more square feet of gallery space," writes Randy Kennedy of the New York Times.
"But the museum has also been building in less visible ways and is set to announce on Monday the acquisition of two high-profile ancient artifacts that seem certain to draw attention not only to the institution’s expansion but also to the complicated long-running debate about antiquities collecting by museums," he continues.
David Franklin, director of the Cleveland Museum since 2010, is described as having one of the more "staunchly pro-collecting stances among American museums."
In defense, Franklin states, “Museums should still be buying antiquities, and we shouldn’t shirk that responsibility, and I think it’s almost an ethical responsibility,” he said. “We don’t want to drive these kinds of objects into private collections forever. Or to see all of them end up abroad.”
Read the full New York Times story here.
"But the museum has also been building in less visible ways and is set to announce on Monday the acquisition of two high-profile ancient artifacts that seem certain to draw attention not only to the institution’s expansion but also to the complicated long-running debate about antiquities collecting by museums," he continues.
David Franklin, director of the Cleveland Museum since 2010, is described as having one of the more "staunchly pro-collecting stances among American museums."
In defense, Franklin states, “Museums should still be buying antiquities, and we shouldn’t shirk that responsibility, and I think it’s almost an ethical responsibility,” he said. “We don’t want to drive these kinds of objects into private collections forever. Or to see all of them end up abroad.”
Read the full New York Times story here.
Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski takes us on a visual tour of some of Cleveland's most popular free, outdoor events. With stops at Wade Oval Wednesday, Lakewood Library's Front Porch Concert Series, and Tremont's Arts in August, this colorful sideshow gives viewers a front seat to fun, Cleveland-style.
St. John's Episcopal Church in Ohio City has a rich and illustrious history. Industrialist and U.S. Senator Marcus Hanna married there in the late 19th century, and at one time the church was one of the very last stops on the Underground Railroad.
More recently, Cleveland-born rappers Bone Thugs-n-Harmony recorded their first album in a part of the parish hall rented out to a recording studio in the '90s.
Unfortunately, the parish dissolved and the church closed several years ago. Yet the Episcopal Diocese of Northeast Ohio recently hired developer Rick Foran to restore the vintage, board-and-batten exterior. Prior to the rehabilitation, the exterior paint was badly peeling and boards were rotting and coming loose.
"It was painted dark brown and the siding was splitting," says Foran of the 8,000-square-foot hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it is considered to be the oldest consecrated building in Cuyahoga County. "We took the siding off, turned it over, primed and painted it and reinstalled it."
The Foran Group also added much-needed insulation (because there wasn't any) as well as sheathing and an energy-efficient vapor barrier. Finally, the developer replaced the rotten batten strips with custom-made cedar wood pieces.
The redevelopment preserves a piece of Ohio City's architectural heritage. Well-to-do families living in mansions on Franklin Boulevard built St. John's, whose foundation is built from pieces of stone from the Cuyahoga River, says Foran. He hopes the area's redevelopment will give the property a second life.
The repair will allow the Episcopal Diocese to begin marketing the church and parish hall to a new occupant. "With the growth of the whole Ohio City area, they believe that they can find another church that would occupy it," says Foran.
Source: Rick Foran
Writer: Lee Chilcote
More recently, Cleveland-born rappers Bone Thugs-n-Harmony recorded their first album in a part of the parish hall rented out to a recording studio in the '90s.
Unfortunately, the parish dissolved and the church closed several years ago. Yet the Episcopal Diocese of Northeast Ohio recently hired developer Rick Foran to restore the vintage, board-and-batten exterior. Prior to the rehabilitation, the exterior paint was badly peeling and boards were rotting and coming loose.
"It was painted dark brown and the siding was splitting," says Foran of the 8,000-square-foot hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it is considered to be the oldest consecrated building in Cuyahoga County. "We took the siding off, turned it over, primed and painted it and reinstalled it."
The Foran Group also added much-needed insulation (because there wasn't any) as well as sheathing and an energy-efficient vapor barrier. Finally, the developer replaced the rotten batten strips with custom-made cedar wood pieces.
The redevelopment preserves a piece of Ohio City's architectural heritage. Well-to-do families living in mansions on Franklin Boulevard built St. John's, whose foundation is built from pieces of stone from the Cuyahoga River, says Foran. He hopes the area's redevelopment will give the property a second life.
The repair will allow the Episcopal Diocese to begin marketing the church and parish hall to a new occupant. "With the growth of the whole Ohio City area, they believe that they can find another church that would occupy it," says Foran.
Source: Rick Foran
Writer: Lee Chilcote
What's next? It's a question we all wish we had the answer to. But for folks looking to settle down, that question undoubtedly refers to place. In this running series, Fresh Water explores emerging Cleveland neighborhoods that are primed for growth. This week, writer Joe Baur examines Slavic Village.
chef line-up announced for west side market centennial gala
The Centennial Gala, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, will officially kick off the Market’s Centennial fundraising campaign. The massive Gala will mark the first day of the next 100 years for Cleveland’s West Side Market.
Co-chaired by Michael Symon and Jonathon Sawyer, the Centennial Gala will also feature a spectacular lineup of national chefs and celebrities.
April Bloomfield, New York City: The Spotted Pig, The Breslin Bar, The John Dory Oyster Bar
Andrew Carmellini, New York City: Locanda Verde, The Dutch (Miami Beach and New York City)
Britt-Marie Culey, Cleveland: Coquette Patisserie
Karen DeMasco, New York City: Locanda Verde
Chris Hodgson, Cleveland: Hodges, Hodge Podge and Dim and Den Sum Food Trucks
Paul Kahan, Chicago: One Off Hospitality Group including Blackbird, avec, The Publican, Big Star, The Violet Hour
Jeff Michaud, Philadelphia: Co-owner Osteria and Amis
Jonathon Sawyer, Cleveland: Greenhouse Tavern, Noodlecat, Street Frites
Michael Symon, Cleveland: Lola, Lolita, Roast (Detroit), B-Spot
Marc Vetri, Philadelphia: Chef and owner, Vetri, Osteria, Amis, Alla Spina
Eric Williams, Cleveland: Momocho, Happy Dog
Paul Minnillo, Cleveland: Flour
Rocco Whalen, Cleveland: Fahrenheit, Rosie & Rocco’s
Andrew Zimmern: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern; Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World; Bizarre Foods America on the Travel Channel
On Friday, Nov. 2 -- the West Side Market’s 100th birthday -- the chefs will shop at the Market to purchase items to use in the dishes they’ll prepare for the Gala. The Gala will take place the following day in the West Side Market. In addition, the event boasts a VIP reception, tasting stations, live music and more.
A limited number of tickets are available for pre-sale here with the remaining tickets going on sale next month. The ticket price is $250 and includes valet parking, tastings of the chefs’ signature dishes, an open bar and commemorative 22-ounce bottles of Butcher’s Brew from Great Lakes Brewing.
For more info, watch this video starring Symon and Sawyer:
Co-chaired by Michael Symon and Jonathon Sawyer, the Centennial Gala will also feature a spectacular lineup of national chefs and celebrities.
April Bloomfield, New York City: The Spotted Pig, The Breslin Bar, The John Dory Oyster Bar
Andrew Carmellini, New York City: Locanda Verde, The Dutch (Miami Beach and New York City)
Britt-Marie Culey, Cleveland: Coquette Patisserie
Karen DeMasco, New York City: Locanda Verde
Chris Hodgson, Cleveland: Hodges, Hodge Podge and Dim and Den Sum Food Trucks
Paul Kahan, Chicago: One Off Hospitality Group including Blackbird, avec, The Publican, Big Star, The Violet Hour
Jeff Michaud, Philadelphia: Co-owner Osteria and Amis
Jonathon Sawyer, Cleveland: Greenhouse Tavern, Noodlecat, Street Frites
Michael Symon, Cleveland: Lola, Lolita, Roast (Detroit), B-Spot
Marc Vetri, Philadelphia: Chef and owner, Vetri, Osteria, Amis, Alla Spina
Eric Williams, Cleveland: Momocho, Happy Dog
Paul Minnillo, Cleveland: Flour
Rocco Whalen, Cleveland: Fahrenheit, Rosie & Rocco’s
Andrew Zimmern: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern; Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World; Bizarre Foods America on the Travel Channel
On Friday, Nov. 2 -- the West Side Market’s 100th birthday -- the chefs will shop at the Market to purchase items to use in the dishes they’ll prepare for the Gala. The Gala will take place the following day in the West Side Market. In addition, the event boasts a VIP reception, tasting stations, live music and more.
A limited number of tickets are available for pre-sale here with the remaining tickets going on sale next month. The ticket price is $250 and includes valet parking, tastings of the chefs’ signature dishes, an open bar and commemorative 22-ounce bottles of Butcher’s Brew from Great Lakes Brewing.
For more info, watch this video starring Symon and Sawyer:
'cleveland rocks as vacation spot,' says lexington herald-leader.
As experienced Clevelanders, we are well aware of the greatness this city has to offer. But it's always a treat to read the kind words of an outsider who experiences those joys for the first time. Such is the case in this lengthy piece by Patti Nickell from Lexington Herald-Leader.
Nickel points out that she, like many others, has never truly considered Cleveland a vacation destination: That is until she took the advice of a friend and decided to visit.
“Then something unexpected happened," Nickell writes. "I had planned to have a brief romance with a city I had never been to, but I wound up falling in love."
Over the course of her four-day trip, she dined at some of our most beloved eateries (Greenhouse Tavern, Lucky’s Café, Lola, and L’Albatros), visited some of our favorite places (Cleveland Museum of Art, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens), and had cocktails at the famed Velvet Tango Room.
She also visited places we sometimes take for granted such as Severance Hall and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two fine gems in this great city.
Nickell is now a converted Cleveland fan. You can read about her full experience here.
Nickel points out that she, like many others, has never truly considered Cleveland a vacation destination: That is until she took the advice of a friend and decided to visit.
“Then something unexpected happened," Nickell writes. "I had planned to have a brief romance with a city I had never been to, but I wound up falling in love."
Over the course of her four-day trip, she dined at some of our most beloved eateries (Greenhouse Tavern, Lucky’s Café, Lola, and L’Albatros), visited some of our favorite places (Cleveland Museum of Art, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens), and had cocktails at the famed Velvet Tango Room.
She also visited places we sometimes take for granted such as Severance Hall and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two fine gems in this great city.
Nickell is now a converted Cleveland fan. You can read about her full experience here.
George Vlosich has been creating Etch-a-Sketch art since he was 10, but more recently his artistic creations have landed him on Oprah and earned him millions of views from followers on YouTube.
Now the arts entrepreneur, who has also launched a line of Cleveland-centric apparel and painted 40-foot murals of local sports icons inside Positively Cleveland, is opening a gallery on Professor in Tremont.
"Being on Oprah opened up opportunities for me, and now I create artwork for people literally across the world," says Vlosich, founder of GV Art and Design. "I'm trying to do things that take the Etch-a-Sketch and go beyond the red frame. I worked in advertising for the last nine years, but now I'm going full-time."
Vlosich's new storefront gallery is located in the space that formerly housed Asterisk Gallery. The artist is renovating the interior and restored the prominent storefront windows, which had long been covered up by a false, wooden facade painted blue. The gallery is scheduled to officially open sometime in October.
"I want to grow beyond Cleveland," says Vlosich of his future business goals. "I also want to start doing stuff that makes an impact on the community. We already do a lot of charity events, and we're going to get kids involved with artwork."
Source: George Vlosich
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now the arts entrepreneur, who has also launched a line of Cleveland-centric apparel and painted 40-foot murals of local sports icons inside Positively Cleveland, is opening a gallery on Professor in Tremont.
"Being on Oprah opened up opportunities for me, and now I create artwork for people literally across the world," says Vlosich, founder of GV Art and Design. "I'm trying to do things that take the Etch-a-Sketch and go beyond the red frame. I worked in advertising for the last nine years, but now I'm going full-time."
Vlosich's new storefront gallery is located in the space that formerly housed Asterisk Gallery. The artist is renovating the interior and restored the prominent storefront windows, which had long been covered up by a false, wooden facade painted blue. The gallery is scheduled to officially open sometime in October.
"I want to grow beyond Cleveland," says Vlosich of his future business goals. "I also want to start doing stuff that makes an impact on the community. We already do a lot of charity events, and we're going to get kids involved with artwork."
Source: George Vlosich
Writer: Lee Chilcote
On Saturday, Aug. 4, the 2012 class was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In this video interview, Dave Motts of the Hall discusses the past, present and future of this remarkable sports repository. Opened in 1963, the Hall of Fame is 50 years old -- and getting ready to embark on its next 50 years of excellence.
It's not unusual for former students to approach Larchmere resident Joe Golden on the street and tell him how much they enjoyed taking his classes. The 60-year-old Cleveland resident has been teaching martial arts out of The Golden School of Urban Self-Defense -- a dojo located in his basement -- for several decades now.
"In the black community, there are a lot of young people who don't have any dads in the house," says Golden. "They're missing a key component for growing up: a male role model. We go in and be that role model for them. We're their dad."
Golden stresses that he teaches people "where they're at" and that his classes are not solely about self-defense, but also about building stamina, endurance, determination and self-confidence to succeed in adverse conditions.
Now that he's retired, Golden teaches classes full-time out of his home and also at Elizabeth Baptist Church, which is located in the former St. Hyacinth Church in Slavic Village. "Kids used to play basketball on our property, and we didn't want that, so instead we opened a gym. Soon, we had 50 to 60 kids in there everyday."
In the long term, Golden's dream is to open up a small storefront on Larchmere Boulevard where he can offer additional self-defense classes to the community.
Source: Joe Golden
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"In the black community, there are a lot of young people who don't have any dads in the house," says Golden. "They're missing a key component for growing up: a male role model. We go in and be that role model for them. We're their dad."
Golden stresses that he teaches people "where they're at" and that his classes are not solely about self-defense, but also about building stamina, endurance, determination and self-confidence to succeed in adverse conditions.
Now that he's retired, Golden teaches classes full-time out of his home and also at Elizabeth Baptist Church, which is located in the former St. Hyacinth Church in Slavic Village. "Kids used to play basketball on our property, and we didn't want that, so instead we opened a gym. Soon, we had 50 to 60 kids in there everyday."
In the long term, Golden's dream is to open up a small storefront on Larchmere Boulevard where he can offer additional self-defense classes to the community.
Source: Joe Golden
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Kate Montgomery
In the best of cases, getting a book published can take one to three years from start to finish. Or, you can do it the way Richey Piiparinen and Anne Trubek did with Rust Belt Chic: The Cleveland Anthology. The pair of Cleveland writers managed to compress the entire Sisyphean process into an implausible three-month timeframe.
cle-based film 'the sax man' on final fundraising push
Clevelander Beau Miller is in the process of shooting a film about the popular sax-playing street musician Maurice Reedus, Jr. (who happens to be the son of the late, great Grammy award winning saxophonist Maurice Reedus, Sr.).
Miller and cinematographer John Pope, director Joe Siebert and producer Todd Bemak hope to complete The Sax Man in time to enter it in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. But to do so, they need to raise some cash.
The good news is that with just a dozen days left to go on their Kickstarter campaign, the group has raised over $20,000 of their $35,000 goal.
Donate a grand and you'll receive an Associate Producer credit in the film. How sweet is that?
Click here for more info.
Miller and cinematographer John Pope, director Joe Siebert and producer Todd Bemak hope to complete The Sax Man in time to enter it in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. But to do so, they need to raise some cash.
The good news is that with just a dozen days left to go on their Kickstarter campaign, the group has raised over $20,000 of their $35,000 goal.
Donate a grand and you'll receive an Associate Producer credit in the film. How sweet is that?
Click here for more info.