Even without the Great Lakes Science Center’s Beer Goggles, their Home Brew event was a lot of fun

I am a big fan of the Great Lakes Science Center. Every time I go I have a great time. It’s an awesome space filled with experiments and exhibits that consistently entertain and educate me.

We’ve always enjoyed Yuri’s Night, so Amanda and I were very excited to learn the Science Center was continuing their events for the 21+ crowd will Science After Dark: Home Brew.

Home Brew, which took place a couple weeks ago, focused on the science behind brewing beer and coffee.

After settling in, our first stop was a presentation from Paul Benner and Reed Jaskula of The Cleveland Brew Shop. (Correction: Amanda’s first stop was the presentation, mine was for glasses of mead.)

I hadn’t expected the science and story of yeast (The Workhorse of Beer!) to be as entertaining as they made it, but hilarious drawings and a great dynamic made it a lot of fun.

Tremble before the terror of Yeast! Kill it! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

After Paul and Reed wrapped up we stayed for Arthur Gugick’s presentation on Calculus and the Coliseum, an amazing presentation on the math used to create from-scratch LEGO art pieces and monuments. Mr. Gugick is the local Cleveland artist/genius whose work is highlighted as part of the Science Center’s LEGO exhibit.

Minds are about to be blown…into little LEGO shaped pieces.

I love LEGO and the temporary (now through September 7th) LEGO displays were something that I was really looking forward to seeing. I had no idea that a significant portion of the Science Center’s lower exhibit hall was going to be dedicated to landmarks, paintings, and other fantastical works all created by Mr. Gugick.

After thoroughly amazing us with the talent and creativity portrayed in his presentation, Amanda and I were energized to begin our exploration of the Science Center’s other entertainment and imbibements.

Regarding drinks, Amanda was the designated driver and quite enjoyed (and appreciated) Phoenix Coffee’s options. I tried a few wines, beers, and meads, but ultimately my favorite was Sunshine Daydream by Fat Head’s Brewery. It was light and crisp and quite a pleasant surprise!

Beverages are easy to pick favorites from, but I would be very hard-pressed to pick out my favorite activity from the evening’s selections. The Science Center really outdid itself.

The first one we encountered was the Make-It-Yourself Miniature Golf, where all the holes were fashioned from reclaimed and recycled material. All you needed was some duct tape, your imagination, and a couple extra hands and you had your own mini golf hole!

By the time Amanda and I arrived there were already quite a few constructed, so we concentrated on trying out other people’s creations.

I call this “Action Shot Amanda”

We also stumbled (figuratively) across Beer Goggle Cornhole, where you wore goggles that simulated the wobbly vision of inebriation. We didn’t actually play much cornhole with them, but it was fun trying to walk straight lines with the great lake view before us.

Next we found the LEGO Daredevil High-wire Challenge…or it could have been named something else very similar, it’s hard remembering certain details after a few cups of beer! But it was a lot of fun creating a LEGO machine that could make it from the third floor to the second without falling from the wire. Mine smashed to pieces when it reached the bottom, but I still made it the whole way!

Another awesome part of the night was the Tabletop Cleveland area and creating our own board game pieces. Amanda and I put together our little monstrosities and then took part in the evolving board game. If you had to hop on one leg in order to gain points equivalent to Pi, you landed on my challenge. Sorry.

My Cleveland Tabletop board game piece – Mustachio Sword and Pirate Bunny Drinking in a Rocket Ship – sits next to my bare-bones but uber-functional high-wire LEGO device.

As the evening began to near its end Amanda and I made our way down to the LEGO exhibit. It really is inspiring. I’m not even going to bother trying to describe the detail, wonder, and skill that is captured throughout both Mr. Gugick’s works and the traveling exhibit.

It is incredible – and fun – and should absolutely be checked out before it leaves on September 7th.

LEGOs. Aw yeah.

As with my last entry I had also threatened promised to include a review a la sonnet, so here goes:

Great Lakes Science Center is quite a place,
Three stories of discovery await.
You will use the thinker behind your face,
Fun for the family, and even a date!

Science After Dark is really inspired,
Get out and learn with a drop of some brew.
With all that there is, your brain will not tire,
There’s so many sciences waiting for you!

Cleveland Brew Shop made yeast science funny.
Tabletop Cleveland brought fun you could make.
The Fat Head’s beer was really quite sunny,
Phoenix Coffee kept Amanda awake!

For a memory that is sure to stick,
Check out the LEGOs by Arthur Gugick!

Disclaimers: 

• I am much happier with the rhymes in this sonnet. I thought that was worth you knowing. 
• Amanda was offered tickets to attend Science After Dark in exchange for blogging about it. I got her second ticket because if she hadn’t let me go with her I would have whined like a sad puppy dog for well over a week. The decision to attend and post about an event is her own, based on whether she thinks it’s something that may also interest others.
• My decision to blog about the event was actually my own this time. Because LEGO.

One of my favorite beer pairing events was Great Lakes Brewing Company’s comic books and beer night

When I hear the phrase “beer pairings,” my thoughts – as yours probably do – immediately go to beer and food. From cheese and chocolate to bacon, seafood, and sushi.

However, this post is not about that kind of pairing. (If you’re here looking for that, save the date for Cleveland Beer Week 2014 October 10-18, which promises to be full of great food and beer events.)

Instead, I’m talking today about beer paired with some unexpected activities. From comedy to science to art, here are 3 upcoming events if you’d like to do something different while drinking your favorite pint.

Did you miss Great Lakes Science Center’s Yuri’s Night? I have good news for you:

This Thursday, June 26, GLSC is continuing their series of 21-and-over ‘Science After Dark’ events with HOME BREW from 6:30-9:30 pm.

• Do you know what happens to beer when you take away air pressure? Witness it firsthand when the Science Center staff tests it out with different kinds of brews. 
• Want to learn about home brewing? Meet Paul and Reed from Cleveland Brew Shop at their “Yeast: The Workhorse of Beer” demonstration.
• Ever wondered, as I have, why your speech sounds funny after you start drinking? Dr. Amee Shah of CSU’s Speech Acoustics & Perception Lab will discuss your brain on booze.

There will also be hands-on activities including LEGO-building and science board and card games created by Cleveland Institute of Art students. Or you can try creating a putt-putt golf hole using everyday materials.

And, of course, beer and coffee samples from Fat Head’s Brewery, Crafted Artisan Meadery, Jackie O’ Brewery, Great Lakes Brewing Company, and Phoenix Coffee will be available.·

Tickets are $18 in advance/$21 at the door (only $12 for members). Buy tickets online here or call 216-621-2400.

“Avengers Artists, Assemble!”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional, amateur, or completely-out-of-practice artist like me. Join the Cleveland Drink & Draw Social Club at one of their twice-monthly meetups. They’re at Great Lakes Brewing Company the first Wednesday and Lava Lounge the third Thursday of every month.

That means the next one is July 2nd in GLBC’s Rockefeller Room (7-11pm).

Started in 2012 by the Rust Belt Monster Collective, the Drink & Draw Social Club is “a place to exchange techniques, build contacts, and most importantly; bond over what is far too often a solitary passion.”

All you have to do is bring your art supplies. Every event also includes group “jam pieces” and prizes from long-time supporters Carol And John’s Comic shop. 

Not into science or art? Well, everyone likes to laugh.

On July 10, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s YP Pantry group will be hosting the inaugural BrewHaha – Lager and Laughs for Hunger Relief.

From 6-9pm at the Food Bank’s distribution center, enjoy the talents of Last Call Cleveland and local comedians Josh Womack, Mary Santora, and Jake Solomon while sampling beer from Chardon BrewWorks, Great Lakes, Market Garden, Willoughby Brewing Company, Platform Beer Company, Deschutes Brewery and others.

The comedy show will be hosted by the always-hilarious Bill Squire, co-host of the Alan Cox Show and live music will be provided by Newshoes.  

Individual tickets are $25, which includes 20 samples of beer in a souvenir beer tasting glass and the evening’s entertainment. Tickets for two are discounted at $45 and designated drivers can enjoy water, non-alcoholic beverages and all of the performances for only $10. Get them here.

All proceeds from the evening go to benefit the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s mission to provide food to those in need.

***

I hope you check out at least one of, if not all of these events. The Cleveland beer scene is incredible, and it’s exciting to see the city not just embrace it, but do so in such eclectic ways.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Great Lakes Science Center’s HOME BREW with a guest. I also used to be on the YP Pantry board. However, I chose to blog about these events independently of those decisions and the opinions are 100% mine.

Yuri’s Night Cleveland 2014 at Great Lakes Science Center

“Only in Cleveland,” Scott turned and said to me at this year’s Yuri’s Night Cleveland, “can I enjoy a drink at a science center to celebrate a Russian cosmonaut, while a band dressed in Star Trek uniforms named after a Mel Brooks pun plays Boogie Man.”

On April 12, space geeks came together with fans of science fiction, Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who and the Jetsons at the Great Lakes Science Center for Yuri’s Night. The party is Cleveland’s contribution to the worldwide celebration of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

Only at comic book conventions have I seen a celebration of so many layers of nerdom under one roof.  It’s why I love this event and look forward to it every year.

A photo with Yuri

Our first stop at Yuri’s Night Cleveland was for a bit of rocket fuel.

Upstairs in the VIP lounge, we sampled a shot of chilled pea soup from AMP150 and grilled asparagus salad with parmesan biscuit from Crop. Downstairs, they had some of my favorite comfort foods including empanadas and fried ravioli.

And then of course there was dessert. While there were many sweets to choose from, I opted for A Cupcake a Day‘s blackberry sage cupcake, Peace Love and Little Donuts‘ raspberry lemonade donut, and astronaut chocolates from Sweet Designs.

While we ate, Scott and I enjoyed a lot of rock and a little ska from Abby Normal. They embraced the spirit of the evening and captivated the crowd – dressing as a Star Trek crew and making great use of the Science Center’s escalators:

Abby Normal at Yuri’s Night Cleveland

After enjoying their performance, I tracked down the special guest I most-wanted to see.  No, not Astronaut Greg Johnson … R2D2!

Scott holds R2D2’s gin and tonic while they get a picture together

Ok, @Astro_Box was the Yuri’s Night guest I was second-most excited for, and we managed to have our photo taken with him at the end of the night.

Astronaut Greg Johnson

I also had the pleasure of meeting the Doctor Who Society of Cleveland who brought their TARDIS. The craftsmanship was incredible. 

If you missed the TARDIS at Yuri’s Night, it’ll be at the premiere of episode 1 of T.R.A.C.E,  a Doctor Who Fan Film, on May 7.

Night made:

It IS bigger on the inside!

Some of the fashions at Yuri’s Night could have rivaled costumes at a convention. The costume contest winner honored the man we were celebrating, Yuri himself. However, this one was my favorite:

All this sightseeing and people watching tuckered me out. Fortunately, we were able to rest our feet in the Black Light Lounge.  New to this year’s Yuri’s Night party, the lounge featured an art wall for everyone to draw and write on and a CIA fashion show of wearable tech.

Of course, Yuri’s Night wasn’t all fun and games. In addition to checking out the Science Center’s exhibits, Scott and I made sure we took in a few lectures.

These weren’t your run-of-the-mill physics lessons. We first caught part of a talk on the similarities between real-life space science and its pop culture counterparts, and then we witnessed the Big Science Show’s rocket launch while learning about propulsion. 

Blast off!

Unfortunately, what goes up must come down and even the best of times must come to an end. So after GLSC’s epic midnight balloon drop, Scott and I called it a night and headed home.

However, we only have to wait til the Earth goes around the sun one more time before our next Yuri’s Night. I hope we’ll see you there!

Yuri’s Night Balloon Drop

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Yuri’s Night with a guest in exchange for blogging about it ahead of the event. Opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Scott and his grandmother @ CLE Botanical Garden

In the hustle of the last few months, I forgot that March marked 7 years since Scott and I moved to Cleveland. I think back to that first year, how much fun we had seeing the city the first time and how new every experience was.

With Scott’s parents and grandmother’s recent move to Cleveland, we’re experiencing that feeling all over again. Now that their house is unpacked and they’ll have their first house guests in a few weeks, it’s time to explore!

For their first post-move outing, Scott and I decided to take them to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for Big Spring. 

Going on now through April 27, the Big Spring Show has transformed the Cleveland Botanical Garden into a larger-than-life paradise. Beautiful displays and family activities such as dressing up like insects and racing mealworms make it a whimsical experience for young and old.

Cleveland Botanical Garden Big Spring

The Hicken house in New Jersey had a stunning garden, so I thought that Big Spring would be a great way to put the long, rough winter behind us and get everyone excited for transforming their new landscape.  

As we entered the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s front lobby, it brought me a lot of joy to see Scott’s mom and grandmother marvel at the oversized flowers, gardening tools, and flower pots:

After soaking in the scents and the light, we headed to the Botanical Garden’s Glasshouse.  First we traveled to the deserts of Madagascar, then the rain forest of Costa Rica. I’m always struck by the beauty of the plants and the butterflies inside CBG, and I was happy to see I wasn’t the only one:

Scott’s dad and mom checking out the Glasshouse’s butterflies

Scott’s grandmother commented that it was incredible to see butterflies up close that she had only seen in books.

This trip was also my first exposure to the garden’s tropical bird collection. I’d been so preoccupied on previous visits by the glasshouse’s butterflies that I somehow missed their other winged inhabitants.

Not this time!

Another thing Scott and I missed on previous trips was the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s library. Scott and his mom got lost in their Book Sale while Scott’s dad, grandmother and I enjoyed coffee at the Garden’s cafe.

We ended our trip with a quick romp through the ladybug maze.

We’re all looking forward to returning when the weather is just slightly warmer. Scott’s mom remarked how the benches throughout the garden will be perfect for walking his grandmother around. And Scott and I can’t wait for the Garden’s Summer show: Nature Connects: A LEGO® Brick Experience!

Until then, you can catch Big Spring through April 27. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Scott and I look forward to showing off our other favorite Cleveland haunts, though the Garden will be hard to beat.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Big Spring with my family in exchange for blogging about it. My opinions of the event are 100% my own.

Team Sawyer is turning to the eastside and taking over the space that used to house Sergio’s in University Circle. Inspired by dishes from northern Italy’s Trentino region, the plan is to open by May of this year.

What sets Trentina apart from the team’s other restaurants is that this is the first one they are opening on their own. As they wrote on their Kickstarter project: No outside influences, just us.

Unsurprisingly, Trentina’s Kickstarter  funded at nearly double their original goal, netting $39,583 from 206 backers.

Disclosure: I contributed to the Kickstarter because I think it’s a great idea for a restaurant and, as someone in the process of launching a comics label with my husband, appreciate the desire to have something that’s yours.

In addition to helping raise funds for Trentina, the Kickstarter was an excellent way to include the community in the restaurant’s creation.

Although the Kickstarter may be over, you have another way to contribute to Trentina thanks to their partnership with MOCA Cleveland.

A visit to one of MOCA’s Family Nights sparked an idea for the design of Trentina. As Amelia writes on Chef’s Widow, “What if our community built an art installation that could be viewed year round at the restaurant?”

Through April 12, visit Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art for INTERMISSION: Community Chandelier Project where you can help build the chandelier that will hang in Trentina.

Scott and I recently dropped by MOCA’s free first floor to add beads to the wire strings that will construct the chandelier.

When the chandelier is complete, color beads will represent the entire community who came out to show their support. A plaque will hang in the restaurant detailing the community’s effort and the history behind the project.

The Trentina chandelier project will continue through April 12 during the museum’s hours:Tuesday-Sunday, 11–5 pm; open until 9 pm Thursdays; and closed Mondays. MOCA staff confirmed late last week that the only date the project won’t be available is March 28.

While you’re at MOCA, take some time to also explore the museum’s current exhibits and upcoming events.

The 2 exhibits at MOCA through June 8 are DIRGE: Reflections on [Life and] Death and Sara VanDerBeek’s solo show looking at Cleveland’s landscape and the changes it’s undergoing. A list of the museum’s other programming, including lectures, performances, and hands-on activities, can be found here.

Admission to the museum is free for MOCA Cleveland members and children 5 and under. General Admission is $8 ($6 Ages 65+, $5  Students with valid ID).

The first Saturday of the month is free for everyone and features special programming. The next one on April 5 includes a 15 minute Target Talk, led by museum staff who share their personal reflections on the exhibits, ArtSquad activities for families with kids 10 and under, and a free bookbinding workshop offered by the Cleveland Institute of Art. And, of course, Trentina’s community chandelier and other projects on the first floor are always free.

Scott’s grandmom takes a break from househunting and exploring the neighborhood

When I first started my blog, it was because I wanted to show my friends and family back home why I loved living in Cleveland so much.

I found myself going back to Philly and talking nonstop about Happy Dog or West Side Market and eventually decided it’d be better to show it through pictures and posts.

While we’ve had plenty of loved ones visit over my 3 years of blogging, I didn’t know we’d actually convince someone to move out here. Now I’m happy to say Scott’s parents and grandmom have decided to retire to Cleveland from the Philly area.

We spent this past Sunday looking at houses in our neighborhood and Scott’s mom and grandmom have been passing the time this week getting to know more of Avon Lake.

On my in-laws’ tour of Avon Lake, the aquatic rec center at Bleser Park

Which got me to thinking: I tend to blog a lot about upcoming events or where to take a guest when they visit. But what about if you knew someone who was moving to Cleveland – where would you tell them to go for their everyday things?

I’ve started to make a list of a few things I remember struggling with when I first moved here, but I want to hear your suggestions.

Check out my list below and then leave a comment. If your suggestion is tailored specifically for a eastside, westside, downtown or suburban resident, mention that in your comment. And a special thanks to Kimberly, Alicia and Kate for their suggestions.

With Mama Gallucci at one of the tastiest specialty grocery shops in Cleveland

A Girl’s Gotta Eat

While Cleveland has some fantastic restaurants, you’re going to have to make a meal at home at some point. So where do you go for groceries?

My top picks are the West Side Market (of course!) and the Cleveland area’s large selection of local CSAs and farmers markets.

When I first moved here, I was spoiled by having the Shaker Square Farmers Market only two blocks away. However, no matter where you live, North Union Farmers Markets has other locations throughout the region. Tremont and Kamm’s Corners also feature two great local markets.

On the hunt for a particular item? There are specialty shops like Gallucci’s and Hansa Import Haus. And if you’re looking to pick up something quick after work, Nature’s Bin, Heinen’s and Whole Foods are my go-to.

An oldie, but a goodie – my favorite CLE Clothing Co. tee

The Clothes on My Back

Although we moved here over 6 years ago, I still remember that first shopping trip in Cleveland. We had so much fun picking out shirts that showed off our love for our new home.

Whether it’s a tee or a fabulous, locally designed coat perfect for our winters, here are just a few great places to pick up some Cleveland gear:

• CLE Clothing Co.
• GV Art+Design
• Banyan Tree
• Big Fun
• Yellowcake
• Room Service
• Salty not Sweet
• Fresh Brewed Tees (check out WhyCLE’s giveaway)

And while they don’t exclusively feature Cleveland stuff, don’t miss out on the awesome treasure-hunting in Cleveland’s many vintage shops.

Minigolf with Hermes Cleveland, which also hosts road races and intramural leagues in Cleveland

Fun and Fit

When you move somewhere new, you’re so busy that it can be easy to fall out of your workout routine. Whether you prefer running, yoga or hitting the gym, here are suggestions on staying active in the CLE:

Yoga Rocks the Park: Prana Bodhi, Vinyasa, Power Yoga – it’s hard to keep track of the different yoga options. However, Yelp has a list of local yoga studios to help you out. Now that it’s summer, take your practice outside with Yoga Rocks the Park. Enjoy music and yoga in Tremont’s Lincoln Park for only $12 per session when you pre-register.

Run Clubs: If you’d like some company when you strap on your shoes, check out a local running store like Vertical Runner in Brecksville and Second Sole Rocky River to see if they offer a running club. And if you run in a club, feel free to leave its name in the comments.

Hermes Road Racing and Sports & Social: I’ve run a few of Hermes Cleveland’s road races, competed in their Corporate Challenge, and played kickball in one of their intramural leagues. I found that it’s a good way to not just get active, but get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.

Cleveland Metroparks: However, my all-time favorite way to have fun while staying fit is visiting the Metroparks. Whether it’s running, hiking, biking or golfing, the Cleveland Metroparks will keep you busy! Besides all that, you can also try your hand at something more leisurely like archery, boating or geocaching.

Whether you spend the day strolling through the museum or sitting on a bench honing your drawing skills, the free Cleveland Museum of Art is a great place to take a break.

Take a Break for Less

Once you’ve unpacked, it’s time to “Treat. Yo. Self” for all that hard work. However, I get it – Moving is expensive and you don’t want to spend too much money. 

I’m a lover of all things thrifty and here’s a quick brainstorm of my favorites:

• Cleveland Museum of Art: Free general admission!
• Cleveland Cinemas: $6 Mondays, Happy Hour Wednesdays and more!
• Happy Dog: Live music, comedy, talks on science and writing, Classical Revolution, polka, plus hot dogs loaded with incredible toppings for $5
• Cinema at the Square: Classic movies in PlayhouseSquare’s beautiful Palace Theatre for only $5 each or six for $15.
• Aut-O-Rama Drive-In: 2 movies for $9 ($3 for kids 4-11) – new movies every week and Tuesday is now Retro Movie Night.
• Cleveland Public Theatre: Enjoy quality theatre for less at the Cleveland Public Theatre (Free Beer Fridays are the best!), as well as Beck Center, Near West, Theater Ninjas, and Dobama. There are also $10 Smart Seats for PlayhouseSquare.
• Downtown Cleveland’s Pop Up Parties: Food, a beer garden and free music at Perk Plaza – 5-8pm on the third Thursday of every summer month.

$6 Mondays at the Capitol Theatre are one of the city’s best deals

There are a lot of great things out there for those new to Cleveland. And there is no way I could cover everything here. Because of that, my final suggestion is to pick up New to Cleveland, A Guide to (re)Discovering the City. I learned a lot even after living here a few years – plus, the illustrations are beautiful!

When you move to a new place, what are the first things you look for and where would you suggest new-to-CLEvelanders go? Leave a note below in the comments!

Mushroom and Leek Cake at Cleveland Museum of Art’s Provenance

With the expansion of the East Wing, the renovation of the 1916 galleries, and the addition of the beautiful Ames Atrium, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been elevated in recent years from a revered cultural institution to a work of art itself.

To complement the stunning renovation, the Museum has also rolled out community programming like its interactive, 12,000-square-foot Gallery One and monthly MIX Nights.

It was hard to think of anything that could make the Cleveland Museum of Art even better, until Provenance opened at the end of 2012.

Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art features a 3-part dining experience: a moderately-priced open-kitchen Cafe, Catering by Provenance, and a 76-seat fine dining restaurant and lounge.

The bar and lounge at Provenance

Through a partnership with Bon Appetit Management Company and Fire’s Chef Douglas Katz, the Cleveland Museum of Art has created a menu of locally-sourced, globally-inspired options for visitors.

After recent trips to the museum and nearby Botanical Garden, I’ve enjoyed grabbing quick bites at the Cafe. (My recommendation: try a claybread sandwich with lamb, hummus, eggplant, cabbage, and yoghurt sauce.)

But I hadn’t had a chance to try the restaurant until a few weeks ago. And lately I’ve been making up for lost time.

Left to Right: The ladies at Bloggers Night; Cured Meats and Cheeses; Scallops

Our first visit came earlier this month when Scott and I were invited to blogger night at Provenance. There we joined Cleveland’s a Plum, WhyCLE, Eat*Drink*Cleveland, The Dawg’s Dish and All Lacquered Up for a few drinks and some delicious bites.

We started with a selection of cured meats and cheeses, an excellent warm-up for the dishes that were to come.

Provenance’s Chef Partner Douglas Katz and Executive Chef Matthew Jankowski

As Chef Katz came out to introduce Executive Chef Matthew Jankowski, they brought with them a sampling of their talents: succulent, seared scallops; a mushroom and leek cake; and the winner of the night in my books – fingerling potato topped with shaved duck.

A finely-made Manhattan and their Thyme and Ginger cocktail had me equally impressed with Provenance’s drinks menu. The refreshing Thyme and Ginger will be especially welcome as we head into summer.

Provenance Manhattan

I was excited to learn during the blogger night that Provenance is open for brunch every Sunday in addition to lunch and dinner throughout the week.

So Scott and I checked out brunch at the museum this weekend. Spoiler: It was just as delicious!

Provenance’s brunch menu elevates traditional breakfast dishes like eggs and french toast with fresh, seasonal ingredients such as sweet onions, confit tomato and leek salad, and roasted garlic aioli.

Ranging in price from $16-$22, each entree also comes with a bounty of treats from the Chef’s Table.

A sampling from the Chef’s Table at Provenance Brunch

With buttery croissants, sweet blueberry scones and cinnamon rolls, house-made jams, and a fluffy gruyere biscuit, it was difficult to avoid filling up before our main course.

But with a Lump Crab Quiche and the Provenance Benedict on their way, we managed to save room.

In addition to camembert, caramelized onions and a herb custard, the quiche featured large chunks of fresh crab meat. It was paired with a shaved fennel and citrus salad.

Lump Crab Quiche at Cleveland Museum of Art Brunch

I’m not a huge fennel fan, but I loved how the fruit slices and citrus flavor balanced it out.

Scott has somehow gone 30 years without trying eggs benedict, but the herb-roasted trout that accompanies the Provenance Benedict called out to him.

I snuck a couple bites and really enjoyed the crisped texture and slightly smoked taste of the trout combined with the rich poached egg. And the colorful carrot salad that came on the side featured the absolute freshest-tasting carrots.

Provenance Benedict at Cleveland Museum of Art’s Brunch

Whether it’s brunch, lunch or dinner, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Chef Katz, and Bon Appetit have achieved a culinary masterpiece.

And I’m giving away a chance to indulge with a $100 gift certificate to Provenance!

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway
**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) Leave a comment telling me what’s your favorite part about the Cleveland Museum of Art.

2) Follow @ClevelandArt and @ADHicken on twitter and leave a comment on this post telling me you did.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland on Facebook, leave a comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here.

4) Tweet: “I want to enjoy fine art and dining @ClevelandArt’s Provenance. Enter @ADHicken’s giveaway for a $100 gift card: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-223” Get an extra entry each day for tweeting! (Each day you do this, you must leave a new comment.)

5) Subscribe to receive Clue Into Cleveland blog posts in your inbox or feed reader like Feedly and leave a comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until this Friday, May 17 at Noon to enter. I will select a winner using Random.org and announce the winner’s name that afternoon on my blog. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry – good luck!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a blogger night at Provenance with a guest and provided a $100 gift certificate to give away on my blog. My opinions about this visit as well as brunch are 100% my own.

Yuri’s Night Cleveland at Great Lakes Science Center

Some blog-keeping: Have you entered to win 2 tickets to the Cleveland JazzFest?
You can tweet daily for additional entries.

After all the running around for last week’s Partners Bowl-a-Rama (who has stress dreams over bowling? this guy!), I was more than ready for the weekend.

Ready to sleep past 4 each morning, ready to kick back and have fun. With both Yuri’s Night and Market at the Foodbank this weekend, it was easy.

Yuri’s Night Space Party at Great Lakes Science Center was like I had died and gone to heaven. So much sci-fi cosplay, a bit of learning, even more partying, and a couple awesome photo ops!

For any Doctor Who fans out there: I could not pass up a photo op of me in my Don’t Blink shirt with a Weeping Angel

I knew that if I was going to miss the newest episode of Doctor Who on Saturday night, this was an excellent reason.

Every April, Yuri’s Night celebrations come together to honor Yuri Gagarin’s first manned spaceflight and the inaugural launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle, while also looking ahead to the world’s future space travel efforts.

This year, there were over 354 parties around the world – including the first inter-planetary party with the Curiosity Mars Rover!

Yuri may have toasted with vodka, but we had Cleveland Whiskey

Scott and I started our Yuri-bration with some food and drink. When we got to the Science Center, we headed upstairs to the VIP section to avoid the rush (for good reason, this was one popular ticket).

Some sushi, cuban pork sandwichs, and a La Strade arancini later and I was happily fueled for the evening. In addition to a few Cleveland Whiskey tastings, the Angry Orchard Cider and Barefoot Bubbly were free-flowing too.

One of the many awesome demonstrations going on at the Science Center at Yuri’s Night

With drinks in hand, we started our jaunt around the Science Center.  We explored the inside of a stomach with an endoscopic camera (good thing I already ate!), we enjoyed all the newly renovated NASA Glenn galleries which reopened on April 6, and we experimented with the 100 hands-on exhibits on the Science Phenomena Floor.

I felt like a kid again – getting to play with everything while learning about physics, weather, and chemistry. Of course, this time around I got to enjoy an adult beverage instead of Sunny D.

Winner for favorite photo of the night: Ripley battling the Alien. Sam, What are you doing there and why aren’t you helping?

The best part of the evening is that everyone else who was there was nerding out just as much as I was — whether that was trying to do the robot to the Tetris theme song, learning about space food during the science demos or rocking out some Comic-Con-worthy costumes (a spot-on Next Generation Riker won the night’s contest).

My only regret was that I haven’t attended a Yuri’s Night party sooner! Lesson learned. After Saturday night, I think the Science Center has new life-long fans (and members) out of Scott and me.

More photos from Yuri’s Night and our visit to the Great Lakes Science Center:

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After staying out til 1 on Saturday night, Scott and I were ready for a lower-key party on Sunday. Market at the Foodbank was a perfect balance.

As we walked into the Foodbank, I was blown back by how different the warehouse looked. To the left, a band was playing jazz, blue and green lights cast the sorting lines in a beautiful glow, and crowds were perusing the warehouse aisles tasting the party’s impressive selection of food and wine.

A crowded Cleveland Foodbank transformed for Market at the Foodbank

It was fun weaving through the warehouse – I don’t think I ever realized how huge the space is. And restaurants from all over Northeast Ohio filled the whole space – from AMP 150’s pork belly with apply kimchee to a Porkstrami Crostini from Spice.

Scott went back a record five times to Press Wine Bar’s table for a fantastic deviled egg topped with pickled radish and shrimp. And the Asparagua Sformato from Sowfood was a fluffy, colorful, delicious vegetarian option.

Asparagua Sformato from Sowfood

Our favorites didn’t come from a restaurant, though. We were all floored by Giant Eagle’s surf-and-turf dish: an espresso-encrusted steak and crabcake topped with a creamy whipped sauce and slaw. It was a classic dish done very skillfully.

As someone in our group noted, the tender steak was more flavorful than another steak dish we had tried at another restaurant’s table – hats off to Giant Eagle.  The other favorite – a corn-tortilla taco – came from the Tri-C Hospitality Management Center.

A nice end-of-the-evening treat

I wasn’t in the mood for much wine, but I enjoyed a glass of Ooh La La Pinot Grigio at Kimberly’s recommendation.  It was very refreshing – only slightly sweet with a strong apple and melon flavor and a touch of mineral. With a name like Ooh La La and polka-dotted bottle, it’s an affordable, fun wine – a good bottle to pick up for Girls’ Night.

Each $100 ticket to Market at the Foodbank provided 400 meals to the hungry

The food, drinks, and auctions were all to raise money for Harvest for Hunger, the Foodbank’s current food and fundraising campaign.

Market at the Foodbank goes a long way every year to helping Harvest for Hunger reach their goal of 16 million meals. If you’d still like to contribute to Harvest for Hunger and the Foodbank’s mission, there are many opportunities left.

A fantastic Cleveland weekend with good company and great events

Although they were 2 very different events, Yuri’s Night and Market at the Foodbank gave me just the Cleveland weekend I needed. With the work week now in full effect, I’m looking forward to the next one!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Yuri’s Night and Market at the Foodbank with a guest in exchange for sharing my experiences at both events. As always, the opinions shared here are my own.

Even our gnome is ready for Spring!

As we March into Spring, eager to trade in those winter coats for short sleeves, Cleveland is full of upcoming events to help shake the winter blahs.

Here are a few I’m looking forward to. Be sure to leave a comment with your picks!

Burning River Roller Derby – First Bout March 16

Burning River Roller Derby (March 16)

The Burning River Roller Girls return this Saturday, March 16 with their Season 7 opener of intraleague play. Cleveland’s premier flat track roller derby league is seeing a couple changes this season – namely, a new venue at the Ohio Nets Sports Complex in Parma and a few game rule changes.

Doors open for Saturday’s doubleheader at 6pm with the first game starting at 7pm. The league’s 5-time Hazard Cup Champion Hellbombers will take on the Cleveland Steamers first; followed by the 2010 Hazard Cup Champion Rolling Pin-ups battling the Hard Knockers.

How much do I love the Burning River Roller Girls? This much.

Get your tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/340509. Pre-sale tickets are $13.41 with service fee.

Global Cleveland (March 21)

Are you new to Cleveland or a boomerang that recently returned to the area? If so, join Global Cleveland and St. Clair-Superior Development Corporation on March 21, 6-8pm for an evening of food, drink and getting to know the neighborhood at their Negative Space happy hour.

Negative Space in the Asian Town Center isn’t just an art gallery focused on global social issues; it’s evolved into a welcoming space for the community – hosting discussion groups, movie screenings, animal welfare fundraisers and other events like the Global Cleveland happy hour.

The happy hour is free to attend. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar will be provided.Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. RSVP at eventbrite.com/event/5603139140/estw

YP Pantry Happy Hour at Noodlecat – March 21

YP Pantry Happy Hour at Noodlecat (March 21)

It’s a happy-hour doubleheader on March 21 with the Cleveland Foodbank’s YP Pantry also hosting a get-together at Noodlecat.

Get your slurp on from 5:30-8:30 (which means you can happy hour hop from this to Asia Town or vice versa) and learn more about how you can get involved with the YP Pantry.

Your first drink is on the house if you bring 3 canned goods or a $5 donation for the Foodbank. The drink ticket is good for draft house sakes, draft Sapporo, house red and white wines, and cans of Black Label beer.

And even better: Anyone who becomes a member of YP Pantry between now and April 1, can purchase a ticket to Market at the Foodbank (regularly $100) for only $55!  Sign up at the happy hour or online at http://bit.ly/Z12xHR.  RSVP for the happy hour at eventbrite.com/event/5836562315.

Dinner in the Valley (March 22)

Each month in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Conservancy for CVNP hosts a unique Dinner in the Valley. For only $34, enjoy a themed dinner plus lecture in one of CVNP’s beautiful meeting spaces.

This month’s dinner is next Friday, March 22 at the Happy Days Lodge in Peninsula, Ohio.

Chef Larkin Rogers will present a “Food of the Early 20th Century” dinner starting at 6pm, followed by the Lyceum Lecture series. The Flood of 1913 is the topic of this month’s lecture which starts at 8pm.

For dinner+lecture reservations, call 330-657-2796 ext. 121. Pricing is $34 for adults and $7 for children ages 5-12. Reservations for the dinner package will be taken through March 18.

Tickets are also available for the Lyceum lecture only by calling 330-657-2909 ext. 100.

WMC Fest Benefit Concert – March 22

Weapons of Mass Creation Benefit Concert (March 22)

The 4th annual Weapons of Mass Creation Fest – a celebration for those who love to create – doesn’t return til August 16; however, that doesn’t mean the WMC team isn’t busy.

Fresh off a music showcase at SXSW, WMC will be hosting a concert on Friday, March 22 at the Beachland Ballroom to raise money for this year’s festival.

Get a taste for what’s to come at Weapons of Mass Creation 4 with performances, special presentations, door prizes, and WMC pre-sale tickets.

Hosted by Pat The Producer from 87.7’s Inner Sanctum Show, the concert will feature music from OHIO SKY, LEAU LOU & 2 LEFT SHOES, MOON HIGH, FREEZE TAG and SHISHO.

Tickets for this fundraiser are only $10 and can be purchased at ticketweb.com/fb/3408484/beachland.

Onstage around Cleveland (various)

With PlayhouseSquare’s Broadway announcement coming next week, I’ve been talking a lot about shows coming to Cleveland next year. However, patience has never been a virtue for me so here’s a list of a few shows premiering in Cleveland right now:

• Beck Center for the Arts:  Tony and Pulitizer-winning powerhouse Next to Normal (now through April 21) and The House of Blue Leaves (March 22-April 21)
• Cleveland Playhouse‘s fierce and funny new play Good People (March 22-April 14)
• Great Lakes Theater brings Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare’s “sublime battle of wits and will” (and one of my favorites) – to the Hanna Theatre (March 29-April 14)
• Cleveland Public Theatre has not 1, not 2, BUT 3(!) shows opening in the course of 1 week: DanceWorks ’13 (begins March 21), STRUCK (opens March 22) and NICK&JEREMY co-produced with Theatre Ninjas (opens March 28).

Cleveland International Film Festival – April 3-14

Cleveland International Film Festival (April 3-14)

Program Guides arrived earlier this week and tickets for members go on sale today — CIFF is almost here!

In only a few short weeks, the Cleveland International Film Festival returns April 3 through 14 with over 178 features and 164 shorts films from over 65 counties. There’s so much going on with this year’s festival, they had to throw in a 12th day to the festival!

Tickets are available to CIFF Members today (March 15) at 11 am and to the general public on March 22 at 11 am.

Become a CIFF member and you not just get early tickets, but discounts, enhanced online features, exclusive invitations and more. And once they go on sale, you’ll be able to purchase tickets at clevelandfilm.org/tickets.

Haven’t been before? Read about my experience at last year’s CIFF.

PlayhouseSquare Partners’ Bowl-a-Rama (April 11)

I may be a little biased since I’m planning this event but I hope you’ll lace up your bowling shoes and join me at PlayhouseSquare Partners’ Bowl-a-Rama on April 11. This year, we’re finding our inner “Dude” at Mahall’s 20 Lanes – hands down my favorite bowling alley this side of the Ohio state line.

$25 gets you 3 hours of bowling, 1 drink ticket and food. Best retro bowling shirt and first to bowl a strike win a prize! The party starts at 6pm, with bowling from 7-10pm. Reserve your ticket today by calling 216-640-8408 or visit playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=58&objId=3812

Yuri’s Night Space Party at Great Lakes Science Center – April 13

Yuri’s Night (April 13, early bird tickets through March 18)

I’m realistic and know I can’t make it to everything that happens in Cleveland. But the one event I regretted missing last year was Yuri’s Night. After reading Poise in Parma’s recap, the space nerd in me really wished I had been there.

Fortunately, this year’s Yuri’s Night Space Party is right around the corner and marked on my calendar.

Home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, the Great Lakes Science Center is the perfect spot to celebrate the anniversary of the first manned space flight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

On Saturday, April 13, from 8 pm to 1 am, party with The Floorwalkers and Chicago DJ OZMTZ.  And when you take a break from the all-night dance party, drink and eat up and check out the newly redesigned NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

If you want to dress up in your best space-themed attire, you’ll be in good company because costumed members of The Great Lakes Base of the Rebel Legion and the Ohio Garrison/501^st Legion will be there too!

Early bird tickets are on sale now for $35 and available for purchase through this Monday, March 18. General admission tickets are $50 and go on sale Tuesday, March 19. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the event for $50. This event is for ages 21 and over only.

For more event information and to purchase tickets, visit greatscience.com/yurisnight.php.

Cleveland Flute Society Concert (April 21)

I understand all of these events can put a huge strain on the wallet.  So, I figured this last event will be a welcome relief because it’s free and fun for any music-lovers out there.

Each Spring, the Greater Cleveland Flute Society ends their season of performances, classes and events with the Cleveland Composers Connection Concert. This year’s concert takes place on Sunday, April 21 at 7 pm at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland.

I love this concert because it demonstrates the wide range of talent we have in Cleveland by introducing attendees to local composers and musicians. Best of all, it’s free and open to the public.

If you’d like to learn more about the concert, you can read my recap of the Greater Cleveland Flute Society’s previous concerts here.

Greater Cleveland Flute Society Concert – April 21

Cleveland is full-steam ahead for Spring and I didn’t even scratch the surface!  I’ll be featuring a few more upcoming events in the coming weeks – including a giveaway to Cleveland Foodbank’s Market at the Foodbank next week. You can also read up on more upcoming events at WhyCLE.

What upcoming events in Cleveland are you looking forward to?

Disclosures: I am a board member of both the Cleveland Foodbank’s YP Pantry and PlayhouseSquare Partners. Additionally, the Great Lakes Science Center invited me and a guest to attend Yuri’s Night in exchange for blogging about the event. The choice to write about these events and my opinions of them are my own.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Animal Attraction

Each year when October rolls around, I marvel at the number of birthdays that fall during the month.  And then I do a little math, count back 9 months, and it all makes sense to what people were doing a lot of the previous February.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo understands that couples like to get close(r) this time of year. So escape the cold and cuddle up at the 10th annual Animal Attractions on Feb. 7.

From 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in The RainForest, the Cleveland Zoological Society hosts a series of fun and educational presentations about what makes hearts go a-flutter at the Zoo.

A few of last year’s up-close animal encounters included The Mating Game, My Two Dads: Same-Sex Couples in the Animal Kingdom and Sex, Lies and Videotape.

Cleveland Cupcake Company at Animal Attractions

Because wine makes us all a bit more amorous, they’ll also have an open bar and wine tastings from Jacobs Creek along with tasty samples from Cleveland restaurants like:

• Great Lakes Brewing Company
• Duet Catering
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• The Cleveland Cupcake Company
• Whole Foods Market (Cedar Road)
• Creekside Restaurant & Bar
• AMP 150
• House of Blues Cleveland

Tickets are $55 for Zoo members, $65 for non-members (get a group of 10 together for $550). They can be purchased at ClevelandZooSociety.org.

If you’re a fan of the Cleveland Zoological Society on Facebook, you can also enter to win free tickets at the “Animal Attractions Tab” under their Timeline cover photo. They’re giving away a pair of tickets on February 4th for you and your amour.

Disclosure: I was offered two media passes to Animal Attractions in return for sharing this information. The Zoo Society provided the photos for this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.