Happy New Year!

Hello Friends and Happy New Year!

Part one: Yes, I realize it is shocking to be reading a post from me. I may or may not have been caught up in graduating college, however now that I have officially received my undergrad degree I am back and ready for action!

Part Two: Anyone who was on Coventry for New Year’s Eve already knows it got pretty crazy.  Let’s just say, lots of fireworks were happening. I have to admit my participation in the festivities were minimal however I did enjoy a rousing game of Cranium with a few friends (these friends of course included my co-blogger Mike).  With that being said, by 12:30 I was ready for bed…  Of course I did enjoy the annual televised ball dropping in Times Square followed by dancing to Frank Sinatra’s recording of “New York, New York”.

Part Three: Doesn’t the first day of the new year always feel great? It’s so filled with hope and anticipation of what’s to come, you even believe for a minute you could actually be an entirely new resolved human being

Part Four: Let’s get to the good stuff, here’s what I’m excited for in this first month of 2012:

 

• Cleveland Public Theatre starts by opening two great play series, the first is ”Big Box 2012″.   “Big Box, now in it’s 10th year, provides local artists with the opportunity to create and produce new work. Over seven weeks, Big Box includes eleven world premiere workshop showings of theatre, dance, music and genre-defying performances.” (Cptonline.org)
  • The individual shows I’m looking forward to at Big Box this year are (in order of appearance) Amy Compton’s dance piece The Dreamer which opens this weekend January 5th-7th.  October In The Chair, an adaptation of a short story by Neil Gaiman runs January 12th-14th.  And lastly, but probably the one I’m most excited about my dear friend Lew Wallace’s one man show Jesus is Dead… and Jerry Garcia is God which runs February 9th-11th.  All performances run Thursday through Saturday and start promptly at 7:30pm.
  • The second play series CPT opens this month is At-TEN-tion Span, a ten minute play festival in which your given a chair that you move during the course of the evening through out the theatre. Each ten minute play takes place in a different location than the play before. It is a ton a fun plus I’m in a couple of the plays so come check it out.  It runs from January 19th- February 4th. Performances run Thursday through Saturdays with a couple of Monday performances all starting at 7:30pm.  Check out Cptonline.org for ticket information. 
• The Greater Cleveland Aquarium Grand opening on January 21st.  Not only is it the only “free standing” aquarium in Ohio, but it’s located in the “historic first energy powerhouse.  Basically the new aquarium is  just another reason why Cleveland is getting better and better.  The aquarium is open Monday- Sunday 10am-6pm. Check out the link for further admissions information.
• Two highly anticipated films come out this month, The Artist and Shame.The Artist, is in the style of a black and white silent film, critics are saying it’s likely to get best picture of the year. The story line follows a silent movie star as “talking pictures” begin to flourish in Hollywood.  Shame is about this guy with a sex addiction NYC, it sounds a little intense but apparently it’s been doing great at festivals.  And let’s face it any chance to get a glimpse of Michael Fassbender naked is okay by me. Both movies come out at the Cedar Lee on January 20th.
• And lastly of course I look forward to Melt Bar and Grilled‘s Melt of the month and Beer of the month. Unfortunately, Melt is closed from January 2nd to the 4th, and has yet to post the new monthly sandwich on it’s website. So I’ll let you know as soon as I know.

So here’s to another great New Year in Cleveland! I can’t wait to see what’s in store.

Stay warm and Cheers,

Amy

Saturday Preview: Parade the Circle and Party in the Square

Whether you’re from the wild west  side or the chilled back east side part of town, this Saturday is filled with some great party time for both shores on the river.

The East Side: Parade the Circle

Part One: Parade the circle is in its 22nd annual year of Cleveland summer celebration.  Parade the circle is a free event that takes place at Wade Oval in University Circle.  The event starts at 11am and goes until 4pm. And of course at noon there will be an actually parade that is sponsored by the Cleveland Art Museum, and The Circle Village.

Part Two: This is event is packed with folk and orchestral music as well as over 32 tables to visit and multiple local food vendors.  Each table is sponsored by the communities local museums and businesses.  This is a great place to bring the kiddies to as most of the tables are filled with arts, crafts and activities for kids.

I realize that Parade the Circle is more of a fun filled family oriented event, so where is the “party” at?  That my friends is on the West Side at the Gordon Square Arts District.

The West Side: Party in the Square

Part One: Gordon Square Arts District is where the party is at this Saturday from 10am to 10pm. The event is filled with live music and performances, Walking and housing tours, art galleries, a variety of food vendors and a personal favorite: BEER GARDENS. The event also includes tours of Cleveland Public Theatre and concludes with CPT’s end of the season party (dance party with a bunch of theatre artist+beer=awesome).

Part Two: The Gordon Square Arts District is located on Detroit Avenue between about West 58th and West 78th, CPT  and the Capital Theater located at W65th act as a center point. If you think it’s impossible to get from one event to the other, think again, both venues are offering free trolley rides between Parade the Circle and the Party in the Square from 10am-8pm.

In Conclusion: This Saturday is jam packed with family and non-family fun. I know I will be attending both events.  My plan of attack start out at Parade the Circle and make my way to the Party in the Square for the nightlife. (I’m sure you’ll find me at a beer garden or dancing away in Gordon square).  So here’s free events in C-town, the summer is always full with them.  And here’s to connecting the arts on both sides of town.

Cheers!

-Amy

For more information on Parade the Circle Check out:  http://www.universitycircle.org/uci.aspx?page=122

For more information on Party in the Square Check out:  http://www.gordonsquare.org/

Saturday and Sunday: The Hessler Street Fair

Looking for some food, music, art, and of course peace and love this weekend?  Come check out the Hessler Street Fair, located in University Circle at Hessler Road and Hessler Court.  It’s just one block away from the intersection located at Mayfield Road and Euclid Avenue.  The Street fair is only this Saturday and Sunday May 21st and 22nd from 11am till dusk (9pm or so).

Part one: The Street fair is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year.  Hessler Road and Hessler Court are two of the oldest streets in Cleveland.  Hessler Court is the only remaining wood block street in Cleveland and is marked as a historic district.  All the houses along these streets were built between 1907 and 1927, making the two roads historically unique to Cleveland.

Part Two: Where do I begin? I’ve been frequenting the Hessler Street Fair since I was 14 years old. It is a great event, filled with everything I love: Food, Music, and Art.  As their publicity poster says “Hessler Street Fair: Where the Fun never ends; Come dance to the music, With family and friends.” One of the greatest parts about Hessler is that it is literally a giant dance party.

Part Three:  Local artists and crafters display their work, the streets are lined with shopping stands where you can find anything from jewelry to henna tattoos.  They have delicious spread of ethnic food vendors as well as residents who sell homemade lemonade.

Part Four: Both days there is a constant line up of musical guests that are broadcasted live at WRUW- 91.1FM (in case you can’t make it to the fair).  The events at the Fair vary and are great children and adults.  There is a “Harmony Park for Kids”, art projects and a drum circle for all.

Come down to the Hessler Street Fair and start the springtime with a bang. The weather has finally turned lovely and the Street Fair is the perfect way to celebrate the sunshine.  You’ll be able to find me dancing away to the music today and tomorrow.  So here’s to a part of Historic Cleveland that knows how to keep the party going! Cheers.

-Amy

Weekend Favorite: Becky’s Neighboorhood Bar

Let me fill you in on one of my top five favorite bars in Cleveland:  Becky’s.  Located at 1762 East 18th street between Chester and Payne.

Becky's Bar

Part One: The atmosphere.  Becky’s is totally the kind of bar that has a classic line up of regulars. The bartenders know your name, literally.  They are the type of gang who want to talk and genuinely want to hear about your life for a little while.  The crowd is a mix of CSU students and locals, making the place always interesting. I would call Becky’s a classic yet delightful dive bar.

Part Two: $2.50 pints of Labatt Blue, now I know Mike and I talk highly of good Stouts, Ales, and IPA’s, but when it comes to a cheap beer that gets the job done for me it’s Labatt Blue.  I don’t think there is anything quite better than a cheap beer that still taste delicious.

Part Three: And perhaps most importantly, the food.  I happen to always be on the hunt for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.  Let me tell you that Becky’s has one of the best classic grilled cheese sandwich I have ever consumed. You get to chose from a variety of breads and cheeses. I suggest rye bread with Munster cheese with a side of curly Cajun fries. You will NOT be disappointed. Not only is their grilled cheese phenomenal but there overall menu of bar food is delicious.  Scene magazine happens to agree with me, as they recently awarded Becky’s best bar food in Cleveland.

Part Four:  Every Saturday night there’s karaoke.  I’m infamous for singing “Call Me” by Blondie every time.  Most weekends there is a line up of local bands and occasionally there is an open mic night.

If you need a good old bar experience, try going to Becky’s. I’ll probably be there.  So here’s to $2.50 Labatts combined awesome grilled cheese and Cajun fries. Cheers!

-Amy

Check Out Becky’s website at http://beckysbar.com/.  Phone number 216- 621-0055