Celebrate Mardi Gras in July



Photo courtesy lakemetroparks.com



For 70 years, Fairport Harbor has hosted a Mardi Gras celebration every year to celebrate the Fourth of July. The tradition continues this weekend at the lakefront beach.

The festivities kick off tonight with a parade through the town at 7 p.m. The fair continues throughout the weekend with carnival rides, games, vendor booths and a beer garden. Admission is free and the beach will be open to all visitors.

The celebrations conclude on July 4 with fireworks on the beach at dusk.

Fairport Harbor Mardi Gras hours:
Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4 from 1-11 p.m.

For more information, visit
fairportmardigras.vpweb.com

Coventry Street Arts Fair

Coventry Village has been long known as a community centered around music, art and creativity. The street arts fair this Sunday will highlight all three of those neighborhood characteristics.

Beginning in the 1970s, the street arts fair has been held each summer in Coventry. The event gathers together over 100 vendors selling organic local produce, vegan treats and handcrafted art.

Two stages will be set up along the street. Performances include a reggae band, a dance act and a comedy show. Jugglers, magicians and stiltwalkers will also be seen traipsing throughout the village.

The stores lining Coventry will all be open for business. Be sure to stop by Tommy's Restaurant for an award-winning milkshake or Record Revolution to pick up some vinyl records.

Coventry Street Arts Fair hours:
Sunday, June 26 from noon-6 p.m.

For more information, visit
www.coventryvillage.org/events-at-coventry-village/2011-coventry-street-arts-fair

Waterloo Arts Fest

Every summer, Waterloo Road is transformed into an eclectic mix of artists, musicians and performers for one day. This Saturday, an estimated 10,000 people will visit Waterloo to partake in the experience.

This year will mark the ninth anniversary of the block party. Events throughout the day include live music on several stages, art demonstrations, poetry readings and public art installations. Local vendors will line the street selling goods ranging from custom-made jewelry to wall paintings.

The Zaller Gallery will host an exhibit titled "Visual Music: Northeast Ohio Photographers Look at Rock and Roll." The exhibit highlights photographs of rock 'n' roll legends throughout the decades.

Continuing the rock theme, a "Rock 'n' Roll Flea Market" will be housed within the Beachland Ballroom, feautring vinyl records, limited edition CDs and various music memorabilia. An after-party will also take place at the Beachland Ballroom at 9 p.m.

Waterloo Arts Fest hours:
Saturday, June 25 from noon to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit
waterlooartsfest.com

Wade Oval Wednesdays

Located in the heart of University Circle, Wade Oval is home to seven acres of wildlife and landscape. This summer, Wade Oval will also be home to live music every week.

Beginning as a small concert series, the event has now grown to attract over 10,000 people each year. The concert series kicks off this evening from 6-9 p.m. with the Heart & Soul band playing a mix of R&B, Disco and Motown. The series will continue each Wednesday night and feature a diverse range of musical genres, from Indie Rock to Gospel.

A farmers market will also be open during the concerts for visitors to purchase fresh produce and baked goods.

For a list of performers, visit
www.universitycircle.org/uci.aspx?page=84.

Music, Yoga and More at Star Plaza

The PlayhouseSquare District in Downtown Cleveland is brimming with activities this summer.

If you've ever been interested in the history of Cleveland, be sure to sign up for a walking tour of the PlayhouseSquare neighborhood. Featuring prominent historical figures from Cleveland's history, the tours begin every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the State Theatre.

Take a break from your workdays on Monday at noon and enjoy free instrumental music performed by students and alumni from Baldwin-Wallace College. The first performance will be held on June 20 on Star Plaza.

An outdoor concert series has also been developed. Sponsored by Labatt Blue Light Lime and and V107.3, the concert series features local bands and happy hour specials. The concert series kicks on this Thursday, June 16 with the Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. band performing from 5-8 p.m. Tropidelic will perform on Thursday, July 14 and The School of Rock Headliners will close the concert series on Thursday, Aug. 11.

For increased relaxation, Star Plaza is offering free yoga and and tai chi classes. Beginning June 21, hatha yoga classes will take place each Tuesday from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Classes will be led by George F. Kroto. Tai chi classes will begin on June 22 and continue each Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For more information, and a list of all events, visit
www.playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=120&urlkeyword=summer.

Weapons of Mass Creation

The Weapons of Mass Creation Fest is a grassroots event celebrating the creative visions of those living in the community. Only in its second year, the event is continuing to gain national attention. Created by Jeff Finley, from creative agency Go Media, the WMC Fest is celebrated once a year in the Gordon Square Arts District.

Each day, ten speakers will present their thoughts, opinions and visions at the Reinberger Auditorium. Patrons will be able to hear all speakers for $10. A free art and design show at the Wall Eye Gallery will be open to all attendees. As compared to traditional art shows, these artists will showcase album art, fashion design and poster art. In addition, the Happy Dog will host 10 bands each day. Featuring both local and national talent, these bands will perform a diverse range of music. A meager five bucks gives access to all bands for the day.

Besides celebrating the creativity of the city, the fest also gives back to the community. For every ticket sold, the WMC Fest will donate $1 to the Anonymous Relief Mission. This non-profit helps relocate people from the street to a home and provides furniture and labor to aid the transition.

The fest is designed to applaud the artistic spirit of the community, and encourage others to express their creativity and follow suit.

"We believe that good things happen when ideas and talents are shared within the community. This mentality manifests itself in the lifestyle of a Weapon of Mass Creation." -- wmcfest.com


Weapons of Mass Creation Fest hours:
Saturday, June 11: Speakers and Art & Design show from noon-8 p.m.
                              Live music from noon to midnight

Sunday, June 12: Speakers and Art & Design show from noon-8 p.m.
                             Live music from noon to midnight


For more information, ticket prices, and a list of artists and musicians, visit
http://wmcfest.com/

Movies on a Summer Night

One of the classic activities of summertime is going to a drive-in theatre. Crocker Park and Coventry Village have both put a spin on this experience by creating separate outdoor summer movie series.

For those on the West side, Crocker Park debuted its "Movies in the Park" series on June 2. Every Thursday at 9 p.m. a different film will be played, including "The Goonies," "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

If you're living on the East side, Coventry Village will begin their summer movie series on June 23. Films will also be shown each Thursday at 9 p.m. in the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. park. Local bands will play live music before the start of each movie at 7:30 p.m. Selected films include "The Wizard of Oz," "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and a cartoon night complete with a neighborhood pie fight.


For a list of movies showing at Crocker Park, visit
www.crockerpark.com/events/family-activities/information/movies-in-the-park

For a list of movies and bands playing in Coventry Village, visit
www.coventryvillage.org/events-at-coventry-village/music-movies-under-the-stars/

Art in the Village & Race for the Place

Art in the Village returns once again to Legacy Village on June 4 and June 5. The artists for the two-day event are carefully hand-selected by a panel of judges. All of the artwork is made in America. Live music will be performed in the courtyard throughout the event and the Ohio Wine Producers Association will host wine tastings both days from noon-6 p.m.

Art in the Village hours:
Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Stay in the Beachwood area to participate in the 11th annual Race for the Place at Beachwood Place Mall on Sunday, June 5. The event, which takes place on National Cancer Surivors Day, is expected to raise over $350,000. All of the proceeds will go toward The Gathering Place, a local cancer support center that offers programs such as counseling, support groups and exercise programs.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The festivities kick-off at 8 a.m. with face painting, music and games. A National Cancer Survivors Day ceremony will take place at 8:45 a.m. before the start of the race.

The race begins at 9 a.m. on the upper level parking deck between Nordstrom and Dillard’s. After the run, an awards ceremony will be held to recognize the team with the most members and the teams that raised the most money.

Participants can choose to run in a 1-mile or 5K race. The 5K race fees are $30 for adults, $20 for teens (13-17), $15 for youth (6-12) and free for children 5 and under. The 1-mile race fees are $25 for adults, $15 for teens (13-17) , $10 for youth (6-12) and free for children 5 and under.

Members of the community are invited to cheer on the participants and support the cause.

For event details, a race route map, or more information, visit
http://thegatheringplace.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=469003&lis=1&kntae469003=AE74AB24C4B942EFBAAAD557AA9076D6.

A Taste of Italy

This weekend, Little Italy in Cleveland will be hosting its 32nd annual Art Walk. The event brings together hundreds of artists from around the world to showcase their work. Artwork inclues ceramics, oil paintings, sculptures and metalwork, among others. The boutiques and galleries that line Little Italy will be open for patrons to explore, many with extended hours. During the Art Walk, visitors can dine at the numerous restaurants serving traditional Italian cuisine.

Art Walk hours:

Friday, June 3 from noon to 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 4 from noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information, and a list of featured artists, visit
http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/june-2011-artwalk/.

Welcome!

Hello readers,

Welcome to Days of Youth. Each week I'll be bringing you the best of Cleveland festivals, art, concerts and entertainment. Although I'm an East Side gal, events on the West Side won't be overlooked. I hope this blog will serve as a tool to get you out and about in the city, and help you realize that Cleveland is just as exciting as any other major city out there.