For sports fans, March Madness means another thrilling college hoops tournament. But for fans of Cleveland and film, March brings its own brand of excitement: the annual arrival of the Cleveland International Film Festival.

As much as I love Saint Patrick’s Day, CIFF is tops on my March must-do list.

The festival opens tonight with an Opening Gala that includes a screening of I’ll See You In My Dreams featuring Blythe Danner, Sam Elliott, Rhea Perlman and many other amazing actors. It’s a star-filled way to celebrate the festival and cinema.

Over the course of the 39th festival, which runs through March 29, 190+ feature films and 220+ short films from 60 countries will be screened.

Although the festival’s main hub is at Tower City, films will be screened all over the area. A few of the 11 neighborhood screening locations include Chagrin Cinemas in Chagrin Falls, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium, and The Nightlight in Akron.

There are films for every interest. In addition to their main program, this year’s festival continues to present a selection of “sidebars” or themed film groupings focused around Pan-Asian Films, Focus on Disabilities, Family Films,  African Diaspora, Cinema en Espanol and many other topics.

One of the films in the Women of the World sidebar and two of the festival’s competitions is Semicolon; The Adventures of Ostomy Girl.

It features Dana, a 25-year-old woman who was diagnosed at age four with Crohn’s disease. It follows her and her mother as they travel between their home in Las Vegas and the Cleveland Clinic. Instead of viewing all of the surgeries, medications and close encounters with death as a tragedy, Dana tells her story with a grin and a sharp sense of humor.

To quote the film description: “SEMICOLON; THE ADVENTURES OF OSTOMY GIRL is not a story of disease and decay. This is a story of defiance and determination. Prepare to lose your heart as well as your inhibitions about not laughing at ‘certain things.’ Dana will teach you the meaning of courage, along with the value of a really good poop joke!”

With so many films to choose from, deciding what to do during CIFF can be overwhelming. Especially if it’s your first year. However, CIFF’s Film Guide, their website (www.clevelandfilm.org) and social media (@CIFF and Cleveland International Film Festival on Facebook are just two) are excellent places to start. 

Fresh Water Cleveland also asked veteran festival goers like Eat Drink Cleveland what advice they’d give attendees. It’s a must-read.

Once you have an idea about which films you want to see, you can buy tickets online. Tickets are available for purchase online until 11 PM on the day before a screening. You may also purchase tickets by phone (877.304.3456) or in person at the Film Festival Box Office in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas.

Day-of tickets are only available for purchase in person at the Film Festival Box Office.

While you’re at it, head over to USA TODAY to vote for the Cleveland International Film Festival as the best film festival in the U.S.

The contest is part of USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards and CIFF needs your help. Vote for them today and every day (one vote per person per day) through Monday, April 13th to show your support. It only takes two clicks: 10best.com/awards/travel/best-film-festival.

See you at the movies!

It’s always a treat if I’m able to catch CBS Sunday Morning and I’m glad I tuned into the latest episode which featured something from my own backyard: the Duck Tape plant in Avon, Ohio.

In my college theatre tech days, there were few things I loved more than duct tape, hot glue guns, and a Leatherman. So after Scott and I moved to Avon Lake, I was excited to discover we lived only five minutes from ShurTech’s headquarters, home to the Duck Tape brand of duct tape.

While Duck Tape offers all the traditional types of duct tape and adhesives (I’m partial to ShurTech’s FrogTape for our painting projects), I have spent hours on their site looking at crafting and fabric tapes and colors and prints. They even have an Avengers Duck Tape, you guys!

If you’re on the hunt for a weekend craft activity, look no further than the Ducktivities page for decorative boxes, a Chevron clutch and even a travel game kit. Want to repurpose an old picture frame into a decorative chalkboard? Easy with their Chalkboard Deco Adhesive Laminate.

All things Duck Tape will be celebrated June 13-15 at this year’s Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival.

It’s the 11th year of the event which takes place at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Avon and features concerts, a Duct Tape Parade, crafting areas and various other duct tape-related activities.

Last year’s winning float was a life-size version of the Back to the Future DeLorean so I can’t wait to see what this year’s parade participants have planned.

The festival is also attempting to break the Guinness World Record of most people modeling in a duct tape fashion show, and you can help!

If you’d like to participate in the fashion show, register here.

Participants are required to wear a minimum of two garments made entirely of duct tape (examples include: shirt/vest/jacket/skirt/pants/shorts) OR one garment made entirely of duct tape and one accessory item made entirely of duct tape (examples include: shoes/hat/scarf/hair bow/headband/purse).

You can read my recap of the 2011 festival and learn more about this year’s Duck Tape Festival at ducktapefestival.com.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a tour of the ShurTech headquarters, but was unable to attend. I also received a box of Duck Tape crafting supplies. My opinions and the choice to blog about the Duck Tape Festival are 100% my own.

It’s time to bust out the noisemakers and confetti. 2013 is days away from taking its final bow. How are you planning on celebrating New Year’s Eve?

If you don’t have plans yet, try one of these three parties in downtown Cleveland:

Society Lounge’s New Year’s Eve

Scott and I recently made our first trip to Society Lounge on E4th, and as we learned at their Repeal Day party, they know how to throw one classy celebration. Fine cocktails, music, a beautifully nostalgic setting. If you want to reminisce about the past while celebrating the future, join them on December 31. Lounge singer Phil Turk will be performing from 10:30pm to 1:30am, accompanied by a champagne toast at midnight. General tickets are no longer available; however, you can pick up $75 VIP tickets which include your own private table and a bottle of champagne for every two tickets purchased. See the flyer below for more information and call 216-781-9050 for tickets.

New Year’s Eve at Pura Vida

Dinner reservations are available at Public Square’s Pura Vida from 4 til 10pm. After 10, a house party takes over. Party with Pura Vida and enjoy appetizers, an open bar, a DJ, champagne toast at midnight and breakfast buffet at 1am. Tickets are $100 if you have a dinner reservation earlier in the evening ($125 if you aren’t dining before the party). VIP lounges with bottle service and a personal host are also available. Reservations are required; email Katie@puravidabybrandt.com and see their flyer below for more information.

Cleveland Rocks New Year’s Eve on Public Square

Of course, the biggest party in downtown Cleveland will be Cleveland Rocks New Year’s Eve on Public Square. With special guest Drew Carey, Ohio Homecoming will bring more than 15 food trucks, local DJs, and electronic dance music group Krewella to Public Square for this outdoor NYE festival. The event will also feature live ice sculpting, a beer garden, fireworks and a countdown at midnight. This free celebration starts at 6 p.m. on December 31 and leads up to midnight. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to Ohio Homecoming’s Village Project. Learn more at www.ohiohomecoming.com (click on ‘Events’).

If you can’t make it downtown for NYE, there are parties going on throughout the Cleveland area. Check out WhyCLE and Anchored in CLE for more New Year’s Eve ideas.

Disclosure: Ohio Homecoming emailed me about blogging about Cleveland Rocks New Year’s Eve after I had already decided to write this post. The choice to blog about these three events is 100% my own.

Kristian Campana of OhioFestivals.net (left) at the Pawpaw Festival

After driving over 20,000 miles through almost all 88 Ohio counties, Kristian Campana of OhioFestivals.net is celebrating his 300th Ohio Festival!

On November 22nd, he’ll visit Wooster, Ohio for their Festival of Trees.

This is the latest in a long string of festivals Kristian has attended, themed around pawpaws, skunks, pork rinds, twins, moonshine and giants. Along the way, he has entered eating contests, judged festival competitions, shared his experiences on radio and television, spoken at the Ohio Festivals and Events Association, and began writing a festival column in Edible Cleveland magazine.

As an accountant and Italian translator by day, blogging about festivals since 2009 has given Kristian the chance to use his Creative Writing MFA. 

Kristian snapped this photo of Tim Conway at Ghoulardifest

For the 300th festival, Kristian will celebrate the arrival of Santa in Wooster, Ohio with a Window Wonderland, activities throughout downtown and the Festival of Trees at the Wayne County Red Cross Building. 

Although most people think funnel cakes and carnival rides when they hear the word festival, Kristian said the Festival of Trees is fitting for this milestone. “My birthday is Christmas Eve, so a holiday festival will make it more personal. It may even take the edge off of turning 40,” he writes.

You can get your own Ohio Festivals t-shirt to wear to your next festival.

Because he’s hitting the big 3-0-0, I asked Kristian to answer me these questions three.

Clue Into Cleveland: I always love hearing why bloggers picked the specific topic they did. So, why festivals – what made you want to blog about this?

Ohio Festivals: In the summer of 2009, after a trip to Ireland gave me an insatiable travel bug, I started going to area festivals for something to do. The first few were close to home, but then I researched a bit and found myself taking weekend road trips to attend festivals a little further out. Before I knew it, I had attended 14 fests and a friend suggested that I blog about these experiences (perhaps to save her from hearing me rant and rave about them).

At first, I was most likely blogging to simply share my experiences with friends and family. But then I began to really appreciate what festivals offer – open doors to communities and cultures in a celebratory environment.

Now, I try to promote the festivals to everyone, wherever they reside, even though my accounts take place only in Ohio.

CiC: You’ve attended a lot of festivals; however, if you were going to create or host a festival about something Ohio-related, what would it be?

OF: My dream festival would be a Festival of Festivals, which would bring many of Ohio’s festivals to one location as an Ohio festival sampler platter of sorts. Each participating festival would hold a booth and either sell a food item typical of their festival, present info or sell souvenirs. Its purpose would be to bring awareness to various festivals out there and promote travel and tourism to all parts of Ohio. I also like the idea that festivals with similar themes (strawberries, for example) would see how other cities did their festivals and get ideas to improve their event.

An ambitious dream, but I think it could work.

CiC: If there was one message or feeling you wanted readers to take away from reading your blog, what would it be?

OF: To go out there and explore! Attend festivals and go visit communities, whether locally, nationally, or internationally. Learn from people, their traditions and their foods and try new things as you go about your adventures.

I think those that do will learn how magical the world can be and how important community is.

I also think they would have a lot of fun doing it.

Check out www.OhioFestivals.net for all of Kristian’s reviews, plus nearly 1,000 festival listings to enjoy year-round, all around Ohio. You can also order your own Ohio Festivals t-shirt to show off your love of funnel cake.

This is the last weekend for Literary Lots / artwork by Julia Kuo

There’s much more going in Cleveland than I’m able to blog about.  And while this post still doesn’t capture everything that’s happening, here’s my ‘clue-down’ of upcoming Cleveland events that caught my eye.

THIS WEEKEND

Last Weekend of Literary Lots:  If you haven’t been able to check out Literary Lots this summer, this is the last weekend.  This month Literary Lots turned a vacant lot at Novak Park (Lorain on W. 38th) into a world of creativity for the community. In addition to revitalizing the public space, they’ve offered programming throughout the month that runs til August 18. Today, Friday and Saturday, there will be storytelling, poetry slams, printmaking and other workshops throughout the day. And on Saturday night starting at 8:30pm, all ages are invited to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the lot.  You can see all of their events at literarylots.org/events.

Calling all CLE Young Professionals: The Cleveland Foodbank’s YP Pantry will be heading back to Lakewood’s Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 17 to volunteer at their Produce Distribution and Hot Meals Program. Volunteers are needed – so join me and help out from 10am to 2pm.  You can register for the Hot Meals group or Produce Distribution on Eventbrite.  (Select August 17 from the dropdown menus.)

The Weapons of Mass Creation Festival runs Aug. 16-18 in the Gordon Square Arts District

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest: Midwest’s premier art, design, and music festival returns to the Gordon Square Arts District August 16 through 18. Check out 20 speakers, 20 designers, and 40+ bands. Take a look at the schedule at wmcfest.com/schedule, which includes the speaker lineup, performances, workshops and parties. Right now you can still get a pre-sale 3-day pass for $75.  The day of, you can get one-day tickets for $35 each.

Last Chance to Get ‘SPANK’ed: I’ve never read Fifty Shades of Grey, but even I enjoyed SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody when it came through PlayhouseSquare in January (you can read my recap here). if you missed it the first time around – or want to get ‘spank’ed again, the show has returned to the Hanna Theatre. This is the last weekend of their return run. The remaining shows are August 15 through 18.  You can get tickets at playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=58&objId=3984.

And if all that wasn’t enough, this weekend is also The Feast of the Assumption Festival.

THE REST OF AUGUST

Get a special discount to the Arthritis Foundation’s L’Amour du Vin at the ticket kickoff Aug. 28

Outback Zoo Night: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has teamed with Outback Steakhouse to raise money for Zoo programming.  On August 20, stop by a Cleveland-area Outback Steakhouse from 4-10pm for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Give Back Night (some locations will also be open for lunch). Just say “Zoo Night” to your server, and Outback will donate 15% of the total check to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Learn more at clemetzoo.com/events/event.asp?event_id=166.

Belt Magazine Launches:  Rust Belt Chic was one of the best books I read last year, so I’m very excited to see the authors launching the Cleveland-focused Belt. The online pub will run three stories each week: an in-depth, reported article; a commentary piece furthering Belt’s mission to be ”where culture and economic development meet, for Cleveland and the rust belt,” and one personal essay submitted by readers.  If you’d like to submit something, check out their post rustbeltchic.com/becomeamember. You’ll also find more information about the Belt Magazine launch party on August 23 and how to get a lifetime subscription to the publication.

L’Amour du Vin Kickoff: Although the Arthritis Foundation’s L’Amour du Vin is still two months away, you can get a sneak peek at Lorain County’s premier food and wine tasting event on August 28. Enjoy an evening of free hors d’oeuvres and happy hour specials at Bistro 83 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Plus, save $10 on your L’Amour du Vin tickets at the kickoff party. RSVP for this free event at facebook.com/events/152685288259527.

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

Ballet in Cleveland brings Ballets with a Twist to PlayhouseSquare Sept. 19

Our Lady of the Wayside Labor Day Run: Help raise money for Avon’s Our Lady of the Wayside at their Labor Day Run on September 1. The race will take place at Rocky River High School and the surrounding area. Runners and walkers can choose from a 4-mile two-person relay, a 4-mile individual run, and a 2-mile fun run/walk. Pre-registration is $20; day-of is $25. And all registrants are entered to win a week-long stay in Myrtle Beach. More information and online registration is at hermescleveland.com/roadracing/events/laboroflove.asp.

Ballets with a Twist: Ballet in Cleveland’s founder Jessica Wallis has done a fantastic job at bringing classical ballet back to Cleveland and her next event is no different. On September 19 at 8pm, New York City’s Ballets with a Twist comes to PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre. Ballets with a Twist’s signature show Cocktail Hour infuses classical ballet with an irreverent pop sensibility in what has been described as “blasting the boundaries between high art and entertainment. We’ve seen the future of dance, and it is fun!” (The Huffington Post). There are a lot of great options for enjoying the show, including a VIP package featuring a pre-show cocktail hour and post-show champagne toast with the dancers.

“Just Us” Greater Cleveland Flute Society Concert: The Greater Cleveland Flute Society starts their 2013-2014 Season with the “Just Us” concert on September 15. The recital is free and open to the public featuring performances from Flute Society members. It starts at 2:30pm and will include solo, ensemble and a Flute Choir performance. The concert takes place at SouthWest Unitarian Universalist Church in North Royalton. If you’re a flute player or fan, stay up-to-date with the Greater Cleveland Flute Society on Facebook.

Ingenuity Fest: Ingenuity Fest has always been about melding art and technology. And for this year’s Ingenuity (September 20 through 22 at the downtown lakefront), they’ll be embracing how the two come together in independent filmmaking. The first annual IndieFest will showcase shorts and feature length films that inspire a spark through storytelling, music and digital technology. In addition to IndieFest, Ingenuity will feature performance and visual arts, a ‘Make Space’ for workshops and presentations, and the Northeast Ohio Showcase of Innovation. As always, Ingenuity Fest is free thanks to the support of donations, volunteers and sponsors. If you’d like to help out, visit ingenuitycleveland.com/support

September’s Ingenuity Fest will feature an indie film festival, art, technology, workshops and much more

BONUS ROUND!

Casting Call: Let’s Ask America is looking for Cleveland contestants for its second season. I’ve been a big fan of host Kevin Pereira since his days on G4’s Attack of the Show and he brings his quirky banter to this ‘play-from-your-living-room’ game show. Each day, four contestants are chosen to play via Skype – trying to predict which answers were the most popular among polled Americans. Contestants can win up to $50,000. If you’re interested in becoming a contestant, check out letsaskamerica.tv/contestant.shtml

Disclosure: I was invited to blog about the Outback/Zoo promotion, L’Amour du Vin and SPANK! in exchange for hosting an upcoming Zoo giveaway or event tickets. Due to a scheduling conflict, I am unable to attend SPANK. I am also a council member of the Cleveland Foodbank’s YP Pantry.  The choice to blog about these and the other events in this post are 100% my own.

When I think of Put-in-Bay, my first thoughts are of hanging out on the lake, sipping on wine, and enjoying the laid-back pace of island life.

Visiting PiB and Kelleys Island is a highlight of my Cleveland summers — not to mention spring and fall (here’s a recap of our trip to Put-in-Bay last Fall).

What doesn’t immediately come to mind is an epic battle. However, it was off the shores of Put-in-Bay that the ferocious Battle of Lake Erie was fought 200 years ago this September.

At dawn on the morning of September 10, 1813, Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry (best name ever + we share a birthday) sailed forth to engage British ships on Lake Erie.

The War of 1812 had been raging between Great Britain and the United States for a while.  And although the odds seemed to be against him, when Perry came home that day, he was victorious. He famously wrote:

One of the most resounding victories of the War, the battle secured control of the lake and insured the states of Ohio and Michigan would remain U.S. territories.

It’s a battle befitting a huge bicentennial celebration and that’s what we’re going to get this Labor Day weekend on Put-in-Bay.

From August 29 through September 2, hop on the Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay for live music (including Brent Kirby and Hey Mavis), food and craft vendors, tall ship tours and day sails, and my favorite: a re-creation of the sea battle itself.

On Sept. 2, volunteers portraying the ships’ crews will gather at 8am. They’ll sail to battle at 10am, with the battle reenactment happening from 12pm to 4pm.  Spectators will be able to watch the reenactment by catching a ride on a boat or ship as well as enjoying on-land militia reenactments.

The schedule of events can be found at battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com/events/bicentennial-events

Battle of Lake Erie by William Henry Powell, painted 1865

Put-in-Bay will also host a Bicentennial Regency Ball on August 31 at the Niagara Event Center. Tickets are $25 per person and $45 per couple.

Members of “Dance Thru History–History Dancers” will perform and will teach dance steps from the 19th century. There will be a Most Authentic Dressed Couple prize, and the Perry Group will provide light appetizers. A cash bar will also be available through the evening.

All proceeds from the dance will benefit educational programs at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.  Tickets can be purchased at visitputinbay.com/pib/regency-ball-tickets.

If you can’t make it to Put-in-Bay over Labor Day weekend, other celebrations will take place on Put-in-Bay through Sept. 10. Check out their events calendar for more information.  And information about events happening at the now-opened Perry’s Monument on PiB can be found here.

Image Sources:
Images 1 and 2
Image 3 (Credit: PRNewsFoto/The Perry Group, Chad Ehlers/Stock Connection)

The Bowser-like entrance of Exxopolis at PlayhouseSquare’s International Children’s Festival

Last night, Scott and I stepped off the streets of Cleveland into an alien world. I can’t do it justice, but what looked a little like Bowser’s Super Mario World Castle from the outside, on the inside was like walking through a series of gigantic balloons.

If you were down in PlayhouseSquare yesterday, you may have seen them setting it up in the parking lot across the street and wondered what it is.

A crew member from Architects of Air, which designed and tours Exxopolis around the world

It’s Exxopolis, a special interactive exhibit designed by Great Britain’s Architects of Air. And it’s open today through Saturday (May 9, 10 and 11) as part of PlayhouseSquare’s International Children’s Festival.

Since 1992, the Architects of Air have been constructing luminaria like Exxopolis in 28 countries across the world.  Over 2 million visitors have been immersed in these mazes of light and color that the Architects create from pieces of thin plastic cut-and-glued together by hand. While only 4 colors of plastic are used, it’s the light from the sun that creates the wide prism of colors experienced at Exxopolis.

Exxopolis’ colors change slightly throughout the day depending on how much sun is shining.

When Scott and I first entered, it took a few moments for our eyes to adjust to our vibrant surroundings.

If you’ve ever imagined what Oz’s Emerald City might look like, double it. It was beautiful.

You’re soaked in green as soon as you enter Exxopolis

Because the plastic material runs all around, above, and beneath you, you do need to take off your shoes when you walk through (tip: bring socks or stockings). However, I found it helps immerse you in the moment – the plastic is so soft. It’s like walking on a cloud.

There are tunnels, caverns and domes throughout — all different colors, each eliciting a different emotion from me. We walked the maze, taking a few moments to marvel at the architecture and the artistry, and to just lie back in one of the pods and relax a bit.

Kicking back and relaxing at Exxopolis

In all honesty, I didn’t want to leave. Fortunately, it’s only $5 to enter and is open throughout the next couple of days.

(Side note: Even though it’s here as part of the Children’s Festival, Exxopolis is designed for people of all ages. If you work or can get downtown this week/weekend, I encourage everyone to check it out.)

You’ll marvel not just at the colors, but also the beautiful architecture inside Exxopolis.

I’m glad I was able to get a look at Exxopolis last night because I can’t make it to the other days of PlayhouseSquare’s International Children’s Festival this year.

I’ve had the joy of volunteering at prior years’ festivals through Partners and love seeing families from around the region come downtown and experience such unique and enriching live theatre – many for the first time.

The International Children’s Festival takes over PlayhouseSquare the next few days. Here’s a window painting of Grug, one of the shows featured at the Festival.

Although the Festival kicks into high gear on Saturday, there are a few things you can check out today and Friday. In addition to Exxopolis, there’s a local Art Walk, and performances of three of the Festival’s shows: Grug (from Australia’s Windmill Theatre); The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly (Ireland’s Theatre Lovett); and ZooZoo (Imago Theatre).

ZooZoo sounds particularly incredible. From PlayhouseSquare’s website, think “Cirque Du Soleil-evoking acrobatics mixed with Mummenschanz-like mime, set in a unique, yet accessible, French-influenced, avant-garde playground. ZooZoo is penguins playing musical chairs, a cat trapped in a giant paper bag, hippos with insomnia, anteaters as waiters, and a madcap revue of illusion, comedy and fun that has inspired audiences nationwide.”

On Saturday, you can catch more performances of those shows PLUS The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer; free activities and workshops for children; and short children’s films from around the globe playing in the Idea Center 11am-4:30pm.

Had to get one last photo in our favortie room of Exxopolis

Tickets for the four shows are $15 each and admission into Exxopolis is only $5 – the Festival’s other activities are free.

Find the full schedule along with links to buy tickets at playhousesquare.org/childrensfestival/schedule.html.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend with a guest the media preview of Exxopolis in exchange for sharing my experience. I am also a member of PlayhouseSquare’s young professionals board. However, my opinions and the events I choose to blog about are my own.

Is it ever going to stop snowing? Who cares! Because Brite Winter is back.

You can read my review of the 2011 Brite Winter Fest here, but in short this annual community-organized music and arts festival is one of the best reasons to brave snow, sleet and 10 degree weather in Cleveland.

After the unprecedented success of last year’s 10,000+ attendees, Brite Winter returns to Ohio City next Saturday, February 16.

As always, Brite Winter is free, thanks to sponsors and a Kickstarter fundraiser going on now.

Starting around 5pm, 48 bands from Ohio and across the Midwest are scheduled to play on 7 stages. This includes the outside stage at West 26th and Bridge Ave., the Loren Naji Studio Galleries, Campbell’s Sweets Factory, and the Cleveland Hostel.

Cleveland’s Bad Racket Recording Studio has curated a selection of indie, rock, punk, folk, soul, electronic and acoustic acts for attendees’ listening pleasure.

Brite Winter Festival’s Giant Skeeball

Besides being a huge music showcase, Brite Winter’s flip side features art installations and games.

If you’ve been to Brite Winter before, you’ll remember their 24-foot long Giant Skeeball ramp. Well, it’s back, along with new games and activities put together by RGI international and the Cleveland Disc Alliance.

This year there will be between 15 and 20 individual art installations created through a partnership with The Cleveland Institute of Art and The Cleveland Museum of Art’s Department of Community Affairs. And, for the second year in a row, GE Lighting will provide high energy efficiency lights for the installations.

Snow, rain, freezing temps or sunshine. It doesn’t matter. The Brite Winter show will go on, proving to Clevelanders you don’t have to wait til summer to play outside.

So head down to Ohio City on February 16 for an all-night party (here’s RTA and parking details).

If you’d like to help out, Brite Winter is always in need of day-of volunteers or you can donate to their Kickstarter campaign (a Pint Glass from Glass Bubble Project is just one of the perks you can get for donating).

And keep up-to-date on music, games, and artist announcements by following them @BriteWinter and Facebook.com/BriteWinter.

And even better, I get to spend my time in Cleveland. Whether it’s Downtown, east, west or the suburbs – there’s always something to do. In fact, if I had one complaint it’s that there’s sometimes too much to choose from.

However, I consider that a very lucky problem to have. Clevelanders are blessed with a city that not just offers us a lot of unique entertainment, food, art and shopping experiences, but more importantly is small enough that most of it is accessible.

As we head into the holiday season, Cleveland is bustling with even more activity. In honor of one of my favorite carols, here are my “12 Days of Cleveland” Picks.

Holiday shopping events make it easier to take the pledge to shop local

Day 1. Shop Local Showcase: On Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, get your holiday shopping done early with Room Service’s Made in the 216 Holiday Shoppe (today-12/31), Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland’s eastside show (today and Saturday) and Downtown Cleveland’s Winterfest (Saturday).

And if you’re a procrastinator like me, Yelp Cleveland’s Shop Local Pledge has a full list of shopping events throughout December like Bazaar Bizarre’s huge westside show (12/8-12/9) and Screw Factory’s Last Minute Market (12/15).

Day 2. Circle in the City: One of the things on my Cleveland to-see list is the inside of the Cleveland Trust Rotunda.  Every time I walk by it, I stare longingly wanting to get a glimpse of the murals and stunning stained-glass dome I’ve only seen in pictures. Thanks to the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and University Circle, my holiday wish has been granted with Circle in the City!

Every Wednesday between now and Dec. 12, the Ameritrust Rotunda will open from 11:30am-1pm for free cultural events sponsored by University Circle institutions. A food truck or two will be outside where you can grab lunch.

On my day off this past Wednesday, I stopped in for the first Circle in the City: a performance by Robert Cassidy, Department of Music faculty member and pianist for the Almeda Trio, The Music Settlement’s professional ensemble in residence. It was a harmonious complement to the Rotunda’s artwork and architecture whose beauty surpassed the photographs.

Circle in the City offers up beautiful sounds for the holiday as well as a rare opportunity to see the inside of the Cleveland Trust Rotunda

Day 3. Tinsel Town: If you have children, gather your family together to celebrate the holidays at PlayhouseSquare’s Tinsel Town Party (12/1). From 12-2 pm, the beautifully decorated Palace Theatre lobby will host holiday crafts, cookie decorating and of course Santa! Snacks and hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles will also be available. All proceeds benefit community engagement and education programs at PlayhouseSquare (Family Four Pack: $40; Adult: $8; Child: $14; half-price discounts for Pals Members).

Day 4. Holiday CircleFest: Ring in December at the Holiday CircleFest (12/2). From 1-5:30pm, spend your day in University Circle experiencing more than a dozen of Cleveland’s cultural treasures free of charge. Meanwhile, enjoy live music, craft making, historic displays of holiday toys, storytelling, a singing Santa, live reindeer, the city’s best gingerbread house competition, and more.

Wade Oval will also be busy with free horse-drawn carriage rides, ice carving demos, and ice-skating at the Oval’s Rink. At 5:30, the celebration concludes with The Cleveland Museum of Art’s Winter Lights Lantern Procession.

A Cleveland holiday tradition returns to PlayhouseSquare with Cleveland Orchestra and Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker (11/29-12/2)

Day 5. The Nutcracker on Stage and Screen: The incomparable pairing of the Joffrey Ballet and the Cleveland Orchestra returns to PlayhouseSquare with their annual run of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker (11/29-12/2). Audiences will delight in the breathtaking costumes, magical music and spectacular dancing.

Although nothing compares to a live performance, if you can’t make it to the Cleveland production, Fathom Events will present the Russian Imperial Mariinsky Theatre’s The Nutcracker (12/3) at ten local movie theatres. Performances are at 2 and 7:30pm. Find your closest location here.

Day 6. Warehouse District Holiday Tour: Each December, hundreds of people descend onto Warehouse District for their annual Neighborhood Holiday Tour. Now in its 13th year, the popular tour (12/5) features a behind the scenes look at the Warehouse District’s beautiful residential and office buildings as well as a feast from the neighborhood’s restaurants.

This year’s tour includes stops at the Bridgeview Apartments Atrium, 425 Lakeside, the Bradley Building, the Cloak Factory, Old Stone Church, the offices of Rieth, Antonelli & Raj, plus a construction tour of the Flats East Bank Project.

Guests will then enjoy holiday treats from Barley House, Bar Louie, The Blind Pig, Blue Point Grille, Bob Golic’s Sports Bar & Grille, BRGR 9, Constantino’s Market, Charkha Exotic Indian Cuisine, Gillespie’s Map Room, Johnny’s Downtown, John Q’s Steakhouse and Taza Lebanese Grill. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation.

A special Santaland Diaries YP Night on 12/6 features a pre-show reception and tickets to the performance

Day 7. Santaland Diaries: PlayhouseSquare is serving up some not-so-family-friendly holiday fare when David Sedaris’ classic Santaland Diaries comes to the E14th St Theatre (11/28-12/22). Produced by Cleveland Public Theatre, Santaland Diaries recounts the hilarious (and sometimes horrible) stories of an out of work actor who takes a job as Crumpet, the Macy’s Christmas elf.

And on 12/6, join me at a special YP Night at Santaland Diaries. $30 gets you a ticket to the performance and unlimited drinks and light appetizers at a pre-show reception hosted by PlayhouseSquare Partners.

Day 8. Howard Hanna’s Chow Chow: If you’re downtown on 12/7 and  looking for a good deal on lunch, stop by Howard Hanna’s Chow Chow Fundraiser. From 11am-2pm, enjoy food from Blue Point Grill, Brennan’s Catering, John Q’s Steakhouse, Mr. Chicken and Marigold Catering for only $10. Proceeds from the event’s tickets, silent auction, and bake sale will go to the Children’s Free Care Fund which supports local Children’s hospitals including UH Rainbow Babies, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, MetroHealth and Akron Children’s Hospital.

Work off those holiday goodies at the Jingle Bell Run (12/8)

Day 9. Jingle Bell Run: Lace up your running shoes, pull on your santa hat or reindeer antlers and help raise money for the Arthritis Foundation with the Cleveland Jingle Bell Run/Walk (12/8). Jingle Bell teams and solo runners are raising money and participating in the 5K which kicks off at 9am in Legacy Village.  Register to run/walk here or make a donation.

Day 10. Christmas Carols Old and New: While one of Northeast Ohio’s favorite holiday traditions returns to the Hanna Theatre with Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol, the Cleveland Play House is helming a brand new carol at the Allen. Both shows run 11/30-12/23.

Great Lakes’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol takes place in London on Christmas Eve as the Cleaveland family sits down for their annual reading of the story. Children and adults will enjoy a fresh take on Scrooge’s tale as they see it unfold through the imagination of the family’s youngest son.

Down the street at the Allen Theatre, Cleveland Play House presents the world premiere A Carol for Cleveland. Written by local playwright Eric Coble and author Les Roberts, A Carol for Cleveland is a love-letter to the city and the determination and spirit that make it unique. With my love of Les Roberts and after last year’s stunning The Game’s Afoot, you know that A Carol for Cleveland is top of my list for holiday shows.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? Who cares at Emerging Chefs’ Naughty Claus Dinner Party! (12/20)

Day 11. Emerging Chefs’ Naughty Claus: It doesn’t matter if you’ve been naughty or nice this year, Emerging Chefs has a party for every boy and girl (well, man and woman since you should find a babysitter for this holiday dinner).

At Naughty Claus (12/20), Chef Adam Lambert will make the holidays merry, bright and delicious with festive cuisine at Cleveland’s Speakeasy.

From 8pm to midnight, the NY Times-featured prohibition-era-themed lounge will play host to a 5-course meal paired with libations. If you’re not already in a holiday mood, creative courses like Snow Globe Ornaments (with oyster, Douglas fir, juniper and tonic), XXX-Mas Cookies, truffle Snowballs, Who Ham for One and Kosher Khristmas will get you in one. Plus everyone will leave with a bit of “coal” for their stockings. If only for one night, it’ll be good to be bad.

Day 12. Ale, Cookies and Ugly Sweater Party: The Cleveland Foodbank’s YP Pantry hosts its first annual Ale & Cookies party for Cleveland young professionals.  Join them at Bier Markt-Bar Cento on Dec. 17, 6-9pm for some Christmas Ale and holiday cookies while helping the hungry. 15% of the group’s bar bills will go directly to the Cleveland Foodbank and donations of canned goods are always welcome. Best ugly holiday sweater wins a prize!

This list is only the tip of the gingerbread house when it comes to holiday fun in Cleveland. Share your picks in the comments below!

Disclosure: In exchange for previewing and reviewing Emerging Chefs’ Naughty Claus, I was offered one ticket to the event. I am also on the board of PlayhouseSquare Partners and the YP Pantry which are hosting Tinsel Town, the Santaland Diaries YP Night and Ale and Cookies.

Time to announce the winner for the Oct. 25th CCFA Movie Gala!

As I mentioned when I posted the CCFA Giveaway last week, my favorite excuse to visit Gordon Square’s Capitol Theatre is for their monthly Sunday Classics series. Thank you to everyone for sharing your favorite classics in the comments!

From old musicals (the most popular entry) to Harvey, Hitchcock and of course my fellow Audrey Hepburn fans, you definitely put me in the mood for a classic movie marathon soon.

After counting up all of these entries and removing a pingback and duplicate, the winning entry selected by Random.org is…

Congratulations, entry number 11 – Laura Brewer, for winning a pair of general admission tickets to the CCFA Movie Gala! Email me at clueintocleveland (at) gmail (dot) com by this coming Tuesday to claim your prize.

If you didn’t win, you have another chance through WhyCLE’s giveaway which runs through Monday.

It’s also not too late to purchase tickets.  Tickets cost $50 for an evening of food, two drink tickets and an evening of film screenings (VIP tickets include all of this + an open bar for $100). I hope you’ll join me in showing support for the fight against Crohn’s and Colitis. You can purchase tickets here.

I also hope to see everyone at another event I’m really looking forward to – this Sunday’s West Side Market Centennial Celebration:

Image source: WSM100.org

I know I’m not going to be around for the next Centennial (unless all that science fiction I read about cryogenically freezing someone turns out to be true! ) so I’m going to brave the crowd and head down there Sunday morning.

Starting at 11am, West 25th is going to be closed off til 8pm for the West Side Market Street Festival and Parade.  A WSM-themed parade, featuring current and past vendors, neighborhood block clubs and community groups, will step off at noon, while music, food and more festivities will be going on throughout the district all day.

Plus the event will mark the first time in a decade that West Side Market has been open on a Sunday. In addition to freshly prepared foods from WSM vendors, festival attendees can enjoy two beer gardens and the Ohio City restaurants and food trucks that will be selling food along W. 25th Street all day.

After filling yourself with deliciously local fare, 3 stages of live music and family-friendly activities at the Ohio City Farm’s OC Harvest will help burn away the calories.

Image source wsm100.org

I’m thinking WSM100 and a trip to Put-in-Bay on Saturday for their Island Wine Festival should make up for what’s been a very long week.

What are you looking forward to this weekend?