"Nude" Networking (8/12)

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Have you had a chance to get to the new galleries at the Art Museum? Up for a game of find & seek? Adventure through the galleries on a hunt to find all of the nudes of the museum....please people, keep your clothes on!

The nude scavengar hunt is just one of the fun events happening at this weeks "Art on Tap" event- a new social event for young preofessionals that puts art and networking on tap together.

5:30-9pm, Enjoy live music, thematic gallery strolls, food, and drink all night long. Free admission all night; bars, food, & parking additional. (Be aware it is Wade Oval Wednesday so parking may be at a premium, give yourself a few additional minutes to find a parking spot.)

For more information visit www.clemusart.com

Bike Old Brooklyn (7/18)

Saturday July 18th, 2009

Walk+Roll Old Brooklyn THIS Saturday! The afternoon will included free bicycle tours (from beginner to advance/extended), walking tours and trolley rides of one of Cleveland's most interesting neighborhoods.

Start the day at the Old Brooklyn/Brooklyn Centre "All Access" from 11-4 and finish the day at Cleveland Metropark's FREE BrookStock Music Fesival which starts at 4 at Brookside Reservation.

Sign up for the free trolley tours or any one of the bike routes by visiting their website TODAY. spots are limited.

Ohio City Home Tour (5/17)

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Visit Ohio City for the annual Home Tour which features eight to 10 highly historical, highly designed homes. Lolly transports guests from home to home during the Home Tour, giving visitors the opportunity to hop on and off as they like. Neighborhood restaurants and shops are open during the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.



Tickets for the Home Tour are on sale now and can be purchased either online or by calling 216.781.3222. Tickets for the Home Tour also may be purchased on the day of the event at the ticket booth on the corner of Market Avenue and West 25th Street, just across the street from the West Side Market). Home Tour tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the gate.

The tour is from 10 to 4. www.ohiocity.com

Open Studios (5/09)

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

This Saturday, peddal on over to The Lake Erie Screw Factory for their annual open studio afternoon.

The resident artists will be opening to the public to explore the working of a local gallery and artists businesses. A variety of fine art and craft will be on display and for purchase.

Featuring the work of Ann Brown, Gina DeSantis, Katie Hanrahan, Hunter Harrison, Peter Jennings, Marc Konys, Allyson Meier, M.C. Nagel, Martin O’Connor, Steven Ollay, Ann Onusko, Kari Sanford, Josh Sanford, Ruth Sholtis-Furyes, Kate Tobin and Liz Trenholme.

The Lake Erie Building is located in the Bird Town area of Lakewood at 13000 Athens Ave. The building houses artist studios and local businesses. Both the second and third floors house artist studios.

Circle Home Tour (5/03)

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Ever wanted to explore some of the old homes in the University Circle area? This Saturday join University Circle Inc. as they present the first annual Circle Home Tour.



Look into ten very diverse homes and lifestyles of the University Circle area. Start your tour at the University Circle Visitor Center (11330 Euclid Ave) or at Judson Manor (1890 East 107th Street at Chester Ave.)

1-5pm : Tickets are $10 per person if purchased in advance; $15 if purchased on Sunday. Registration available online at www.universitycircle.org

Cleveland Art

Looking for the perfect bench? A unique light fixture? Love the idea of reusing vintage, materials throughout your decor? Look no further that Cleveland Art.



Recently featured in the New York Times Magazine, www.nytimes.com/indexes/2009/03/08/style/t/index.html#pagewanted=0&pageName=08cleveland& founder Jason Wein sees the beauty in surplus industrial machinery including steel, wood and glass. A true Clevelander, Wein started his career by working for a family scrap yard in Northeast Ohio.



Wein particularly enjoys using his creative talents as a glassblower to marry old gears and pipes into lighting fixtures and other unique glass items that are sold in high-end stores from Los Angeles to Milan to Dubai. You can find his work in many high end boutiques across the world (from Cleveland to Milan) ...next time you visit LA stop by their newest showroom.

A great read, a true Cleveland entrepreneur! www.clevelandart.com

My Cleveland Year In Review

Happy 2009 fellow Cleveland-lovers! I hope everyone had happy and safe New Years Eve around town. As the new year arrived I began thinking about my 2008 and all of the amazing experiences I have had around town, with new and old friends. From good music to great food, from nature at it's best to unique happenings, 2008 was a year to remember.

Below are some of my top 2008 favorites that i thought I would share with all of you.

> Antiquing in Medina with friends brought new finds to my home.

> Live music of Feist, Baby Dayliner, Rachael Roberts, Return To Simple (www.returnofsimple.com), Kate Tunstall, JayMay (www.myspace.com/jaymay) The "Idols," Girl Talk & Jay Z brought many new playlists to my ipod.

> Made in the 216 (blog.roomservicecleveland.com/events-at-room-service/) brought together unique finds and fun friends.

> Fun times with close friends including a wild St.Patricks Day Pub Crawl (www.lakewoodpubcrawl.com), an 80's house party-complete with prom dresses, a day of exploring the city by RTA, an excuse to wear a big hat at the Junior League of Cleveland-Kentucky Derby Party, a bike trip to Put-In-Bay, a street yard sale boutique, a fall art walk complete with peanut butter martinis!

> The Cleveland Triathlon (www.pacificsportsllc.com) challenged me to push farther, be stronger, dream big...plus I got to swim behind the Rock Hall! Oh, and my awesome road bike from Century Cycles (www.centurycycles.com) deffinatley makes the top 2008 list.

> Wicked & Legally Blonde and the new Hanna Theatre (www.playhousesquare.com) brought me to a standing ovation.

> The Cleveland Film Festival (www.clevelandfilm.org) always rekindles my love of independent films, 2008 was no exception...favorite flick, Priceless.

> The Lake. The Metroparks. The Sunshine!

> Cleveland Bridge Builders (www.cleveleads.org) has allowed me to meet many other passionate Clevelanders.

Happy New Year. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, whether you check daily or from time to time poke in to see what Cleveland has to offer, I hope that my efforts and interests spark excitement, energy and passion to you as you move into another year living and loving our city, Cleveland.

More at the Monument (12/6)

Come Celebrate a Victorian Christmas with the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument.

The historic Monument commemorates the Civil War, it consists of a 125 foot shaft on top of a memorial building base. A tall column topped with a statue of the "Goddess of Liberty" signifies loyalty to the nation. Four bronze groupings at base depict Navy, Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery. In the base are tablets listing 9,000 Civil War veterans. Also, four bronze relief sculptures depicting the Soldiers' Aid Society, Emancipation of the Slaves, Beginning of the War in Ohio and the End of the War, as well as busts of James Barnett, Levi Scofield and officers killed in action.

Currently undergoing massive renovations, the monument will continue to celebrate the holidays.

This Saturday from 9-4 pm a Christmas Tree and decorations will brighten the Monument for some old fashioned hospitality and a little about Victorian Christmas and Santa Claus.



For directions and more additional monument trivia visit www.soldiersandsailors.com

The Grand Arcade

I love the holidays. I love the twinkle and glitter of packages, ornaments, the white lights that line the street poles at night. I love history and architecture. I envision what it was like living in Cleveland when downtown was filled with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. When women would put on their best winter coat and men wore hats to stroll through May Company or the many small boutiques that lined the inside of our downtown arcades.

If you want to take a step back in time and expericence one of our city's best architectural works, visit the Grand Arcade during the holidays. Built in 1890, the five-story glass-topped atrium runs between Superior and Euclid Avenues and features marble floors, intricate metal work railings, and unique shopping.

For the holiday season, the railings are wrapped with greenery and adorned with red velvet bows. From now until December 23, the atrium is filled with the sounds of live holiday music during lunchtime, from 11:30-1:30 on weekdays, pack your lunch and enjoy some holiday carols.

Speaking Art (9/18)

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Come Join the AIGA Cleveland and Pop Up City as the present an evening with Arthouse Denver's, Marty Gregg.

As an influential member of the Denver design community since 1983, ArtHouse brings its imaginative, practical brand of design to all their clients. The ArtHouse portfolio is best experienced as a trip through Denver and the West, from a world-renowned art museum, to your favorite coffee shop, to an aerospace visitors center. The higher goal, however, is to make cities a better place to eat, shop, work, and live. ArtHouse has worked with the Denver Art Museum, The Denver Parks and Recreation, and Vail Cascade Resort and Spa.

One of the presenting sponsors-Pop Up City; supports temporary events and installations that occupy vacant buildings and activate vacant land around the city. They are thrilled to help each of us discover the Near West Lofts located at 6710 Detroit Ave. Cleveland OH 44102.

This should be an inspiring collection of stories, experiences and ideas. Designers, artists or those of us interested in how we can shake up Cleveland's art presence, please attend. I can't wait to hear Mr. Gregg speak. See you there.

6-9pm. For more information visit www.aigacleveland.org

Lakewood Home Tour (9/07)

September 7th, 2008

You can visit eight beautiful homes and historic buildings in Lakewood.

This year’s tour features eight beautiful and historic Lakewood structures, nominated by the community, including…
- A grand Georgian Revival with Victorian elements
- A charming Craftsman-style bungalow
- An eclectic Arts & Crafts bungalow
- A Clifton Park Italian Renaissance home
-The self-designed home of Joseph Marquard, of the locally-renowned Marquard Building Company
- A Waterford lakefront aerie with expansive vistas
- The lobby of the long-shuttered Hilliard Theater
- The Nicholson House, Lakewood’s oldest home


1-6pm. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at www.lakewoodhistorymuseumstore.com or one of our many retail outlets (Beck Center, First Federal, Geiger’s, Local Girl Gallery, Rozi’s, Geiger’s Store for Women, Mitchell Sotka, V Regalo/The Desk Set and Borders at the Promenade of Westlake.

Free Backstage Pass (9/06)

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Ever wanted to see where the magic happens? Where the lights come down on the house? Where the drama divas hang? Visit Playhouse Square for a free backstage tour!



Beginning at 10:00am, tours will depart every fifteen minutes from the State Theatre Lobby. Tours will last approximately 1.5 hours and will include a 12-minute video before the walking portion of the tour begins. Plan to dress casually and with comfy shoes for walking. This tour is NOT handicapped or stroller accessible as it encompasses many of the historic backstage staircases, hallways and teeny dressing rooms.

If you can’t make it on the 6th, the tours are being offered on October 4th and November 1st. For more information on this behind-the-scenes event, visit www,playhousesquare.org

Block Party (8/01)

Friday, August 1st, 2008

University Circle and the Cleveland Music Settlement have teamed up to get all of the institutions, organizations and residents to open their doors and give the neighbors on our street, and their friends and family, a chance to learn a bit more about each other and the fantastic homes and buildings they occupy.

The Cleveland Music Settlement will provide music on their lawn throughout the day. Participants can get their "passports" punched at each venue for a raffle drawing. Winners will be drawn at 5:45 pm in front of The Settlement.

Here's your chance to visit grand Magnolia Drive homes and buildings and learn more about each business on our lovely and unique street! 3-6pm. For more information, visit www.universitycircle.org

Magical, a perfect description. (7/25-27)

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 25th through the 27th, 2008

The Ingenuity Festival returns with a weekend-long celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age and experience, staged in the center of Downtown Cleveland. Prominent international masters present original works alongside the finest of Northeast Ohio's performing and visual artists. High technology firms and major colleges and universities are presented alongside acclaimed artists to create a dazzling display of exciting and immersive new work! Ingenuity pushes boundaries, creating a unique festival experience that draws and celebrates diversity, and involves the audience as both spectator and participant!



There are so many interesting looking shows, exhibits and installations, but one that I deffinatley want to catch will be a late night performance by the Hot Cha Cha's Friday night at the Plain Dealer Star Plaza Stage.

Oh and if you haven't been to the Opening Ceremony (Friday, July 25 4-5:30 pm) before, it is worth it to skip out of work early for the big show...let's just say...it's Magical. :)

For the schedule and more information visit www.ingenuitycleveland.com

Quote.

"A city is like a person; to succeed it must maintain it's identity."

- The City of Boston Architect; name unknown

Although not from Cleveland, I think this quote stands true to our fair city.
Enjoy!

Triple SNOOP! (4/26)

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Get together with other preservation-minded individuals from around northeastern Ohio. Go “behind the scenes” and enter doors to landmarks not typically accessible to the public. Join the group and go on the "Triple SNOOP!"

Here’s how it works:

Act 1 - At 11:00 a.m. CRS members will get a private hard hat tour of the renovations currently underway at the Hanna Theatre, future home of the Great Lakes Theater Festival.

Act 2 - SNOOPing! can work up quite an appetite, so lunch at noon will be right on time! Discover Bricco, one of the newest stars of playhouse square, featuring a refreshing variety of salads, pizzas, sandwiches and pastas and an impressive wine list in a fun casual atmosphere.

Act 3 - Round out the afternoon with a 1:30 p.m. matinee of the Crucible, Arthur Miller’s timeless tale of truth on trial. This American drama tells the story of a religious community in Salem Massachusetts in 1692 that is nearly torn apart by personal spite, mass hysteria and a relentless witch hunt.

Swing by for just the Hanna Theatre tour or the entire afternoon; its up to you!
Playhouse Square, Cleveland 11:00 a.m. Tour is FREE, optional meal and show are $40 per person. You must be a member to attend. Not yet a member? Join at the special price of $15 and you too can SNOOP! www.clevelandrestoration.org

Tea in the Garden (4/26)

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

“Zensai” means “entry garden.” In the spirit of welcoming, the Cleveland Botanical Garden invites you to bask in the sophistication and pristine beauty of Japanese horticulture when they present Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan.

The Japanese Tea Ceremony is one of the most highly refined traditional arts of Japan, influencing not only Japanese landscape gardening, but also the arts and values of social manners observed by Japanese people. Chanoyu appreciates the beauty, simplicity and spiritual tranquility that form the essential principles of Zen.

Join Sensei Myoshu Wren and students of Pittak’s Isshinryu Karate & Martial Arts Center to experience this demonstration and sample Matcha(tea) and Okashi(sweets) this Saturday from 11am-noon. Please register in advance by calling 216.721.1600Members $15 Non-Members $22 (includes full garden ticket)

Cleveland Botanical Garden 11030 East Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44106 For more information visit www.cbgarden.org

Product Runway (4/25)

Friday, April 22nd, 2008

The International Interior Design Sociey & The Cleveland/Akron City Center will be hosting "Product Runway" a runway fashion show of one-of-a-kind couture originals utilizing manufacturer’s product as the “fabric” for the garment this Friday night.

Product Runway is a wonderful opportunity for interior design, architecture, product design and industrial design related industries to celebrate creativity in an innovative design spirit. Using extra scraps, samples, over-runs, etc., fashions will be assembled, sewn, glued and styled by the local design community...think of it as a fashion show for earth week. Recycle and go!

This fundraiser will benefit the American Cancer Society's "Look Good...Feel Better" program, a community-based, free, national service that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments

The event will be on Friday April 25, 2008 at Anatomy Night Club in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio at 6:00pm.
For more information visit www.iidaohky.org/clevak.htm

Deco in River

How many times have you driven by the tall "pink" building in Rocky River and always wondered what it looked like inside? For me....hundreds.

Well, last night I was lucky enough to get inside the landmark for my monthly girls-only dice game. The exquisite art deco design and architectural details were enough to make anyone with a slight passion for design drool. Everything from the hallway signage to the scrolling iron work, the relief sculptures that welcome you into the asian-inspired lobby to the hand silkscreened wallpaper was in immaculate condition.



The "Westlake Hotel," was constructed in mid-1920s, has 11 floors and now serves as an upscale housing complex. If you are lucky enough to be in the market for a swanky Humphrey Bogart-inspired pad, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to live in this historic space of Cleveland.

Old buildings with historic charm..one of the reasons I heart cleveland! :)