“If you want a revolution, the only solution: evolve. You gotta evolve.” David Banner’s Gatorade theme song might feel like Cracker Jack philosophy, or a televised basketball overdose. Or both. The message is hard to fault when thinking about life on “Planet Cleveland.” Consider this city’s ups and downs, and it's hard not to feel a sense of pride and appreciation for Cleveland’s creative class, and how passion and determination has powered progress. This week’s Fresh Start is firmly rooted in the city’s people power and the unabashed commitment to the arts, education and environment.
Neighborhood Display
Co-founded by Sandy Rutkowski (then bar manager of Edison’s Pub) and Brandt Gallery owner-operator Jean Brandt, the first Tremont ArtWalk occurred on February 12, 1993. Cleveland’s creative community and the surrounding businesses really put the event (and Tremont) on the map, making the neighborhood a destination that even The New York Times can’t ignore. With nearly two dozen art galleries and businesses involved, the ArtWalk has evolved over the years into a full-blown Cleveland happening, inspiring everything from Tremont’s “Arts in the Park” and the Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival, to Taste of Tremont and even the Tremont Farmer’s Market. Check out this month’s installment on Friday, May 14, from 6-10 pm. Map out your stops with a click here. [Pictured: Clarity by Don Frey]
Performers of the New School
Over the last couple of weeks, the specter of Cleveland Municipal School District layoffs and the controversy surrounding District CEO Eugene Sanders’ education overhaul has sparked endless deliberation. I am not about to get in the middle of that debate, but I will say this: If you’ve never been to one of the free, community-based CMSD All-City Arts Festivals at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, you’ll see that Cleveland’s youth is talented and worth every bit of investmentment. This year’s “Rock Your World!” festival begins Saturday, May 15, from 10 am to 5 pm, and features more than 3,000 students from the Cleveland Municipal School District in an amazing arts showcase. Visitors to the event can expect to see choirs, jazz, string and wind ensembles, African drumming, live theater, cheerleading, marching bands and more. Bring the family and prepare to be floored.
Crooked Celebration
Saturday also happens to be RiverDay throughout Northeast Ohio, with organizations across the region participating in trash and invasive-plant removal along the Cuyahoga River throughout the day. More than 40 years after the river burned, stewards of all ages continue to donate their time and energy to protect the Cuyahoga watershed. There are too many great activities planned for RiverDay 2010 on Saturday, May 15 to list them all here. However, early birds should head to Whiskey Island from 6 am to 7:30 am for a nature-related poetry reading and sunrise viewing, while active folks will appreicate the Cleveland Rowing Association's demo from 11:30 am to 1 pm, when association members will illustrate rowing techniques and provide the opportunity to help captain a 40-foot, 20-person dragon boat. Adventurous culinarians will enjoy the sense of community that comes with assisting in the invasive garlic mustard pull in Kent, from 9 am to 11 am, and (hopefully) create a few tasty morsels in the kitchen with their pulls. These events are just the tip of the river. Click here for more.
Bike or Try
Remember that next week is Cleveland Bicycle Week. It starts the following Monday. If you need a primer, hit Walk+Roll Cleveland’s first of summer-long session of events in the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood on Saturday, May 15.
Author:
