The Back to the Future trilogy has a very soft spot in my heart.

Like most kids from the 80s, I watched the first Back to the Future a zillion times growing up. I don’t know whether it was my penchant for only listening to oldies music, but the Earth Angel scene was the one that stuck with me the most. The film also instilled in me a life-long obsession with Christopher Lloyd.

For some reason, though, I never saw the second installment and only a few scenes from the third on tv. So, when Scott and I started dating, he decided to remedy this.

For our first of many road-trips together, Scott bought a portable dvd player (this was before we could stream or rent movies on our tablet) and loaded it with the full trilogy. As we drove through the night, Scott and I watched the three films, back to back to back.

Back to the Future is also the reason I ended up joining PlayhouseSquare Partners when PlayhouseSquare showed it during their Cinema at the Square Young Professionals Night. I met Dawn and Robert, that year’s Membership Chairs, at the happy hour beforehand and that was it. I was hooked.

Five years later, I’m co-chairing the Partners board. So it’s sort of fitting that this year PlayhouseSquare Partners is jumping back to the future.

Of course that’s not the reason Jump Back to the Future is the 24th annual Jump Back Ball’s theme. In all honesty, I found out the theme the same time as everyone else. This is one reason why, though:

Screenshot from Back to the Future 2

Yep, the future that Marty and Doc jump to in Back to the Future 2 is 2015.

For one night, you can pretend that time-traveling DeLoreans and hoverboards do exist. (Actually, a hoverboard of sorts is currently being Kickstarted.)

This year’s Jump Back Ball is taking place February 28, 2015 at PlayhouseSquare. While it’s still a few months away, you’ll want to get your tickets at the Ticket Kickoff Party on November 10.

Last year’s Jump Back Ball sold out in only 10 days – breaking another record for ticket sales for this event. So if you don’t want to miss this year’s Jump Back Ball, you need to get your tickets right away. Here’s the scoop on how.

Jump Back to the Future Ticket Kickoff

When? Monday, November 10 from 5:30-7:30pm

Where? Hofbräuhaus Cleveland (1550 Chester Ave.)

How much? $130 for Partners* and $165 for Non-Partners, a portion of which is tax deductible. Ticket prices increase by $15 plus handling fees the next day, so save the most at the Kickoff Party.

How many? Ticket limits will apply at the event. Non-Partners can purchase two tickets per person. Partners* can purchase two tickets at the Partners price and two at the Non-Partners price per membership.

Learn more about the Kickoff Party: facebook.com/events/1462714320674361

What’s all the fuss about? Read my recap of last year’s Jump Back Ball to find out.

*If your current membership expires before Jump Back Ball, renew on or before November 10 to be eligible for discounted tickets.

PlayhouseSquare Partners is also partnering with the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland at this year’s Kickoff Party.

Bring a new, unused personal care item to do be donated to Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland and be entered into a raffle to win an overnight stay at the Wyndham the night of Jump Back Ball, a VIP upgrade for yourself and a guest, and loge tickets to upcoming performances at PlayhouseSquare.

Here’s a suggested list of items to donate:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Lotion

So, join me at the Hofbräuhaus on November 10 because once Jump Back Ball sells out, there’s no time machine to take you back.

Disclosure: I am a co-chair of this year’s PlayhouseSquare Partners board. I’m also a blogger for the event, offered one complimentary ticket in exchange for blogging about and purchasing a ticket to Jump Back Ball.

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.

Fortunately, there are a few things going on in Cleveland between now and February 23 to wet your Jump Back whistle.

Get a Clue! Trivia Night

Jump Back Ball is hosted each year by PlayhouseSquare Partners, the theatre’s young professionals group.

However, Partners doesn’t stop there.  From our annual OSU tailgate to theatre outings, dine-arounds and putt-putt in the Palace, we’re busy year-round with events for Cleveland’s under-40 and young-at-heart crowd.

Our next event is Thursday, Jan. 17: the first annual Get a Clue! Trivia Night at Black Dog Kitchen & Bar in downtown Cleveland.

Sign up with a team or individually for a night of themed trivia rounds with prizes for the winners.

The evening starts at 6:30, trivia at 7.  Tickets are $25 for general public ($20 for Partners). Each ticket includes a buffet, 2 drink tickets for beer, wine and select liquor and entry in the trivia contest.

Call Molly Franz at 216-640-8416 to order tickets and learn more here.

Friday Nights at Noodlecat

Chef Jonathon Sawyer of Noodlecat and Greenhouse Tavern will be serving up delicious fare at this year’s Jump Back Ball VIP party.

But you can get in on the Noodlecat fun at their new Friday Night event series:

#karaokeCAT is back next Friday, Jan. 18! Scott and I had a great time when Cleveland’s A Plum hosted Noodlecat’s first Karaoke Night in November.  This time around, Jen, Alicia, Kimberly and I are hosting the January event.

Stop by for some singing (I’ve heard Jen will buy a sake bomb for the first person to sing a Richard Marx song) and hang out with bloggers from the Ohio Blogging Association who are coming out for our monthly meetup.

Karaoke starts at 9pm with Noodlecat’s Late Night Happy Hour Menu available 9-11pm. Their $2 steam buns are my favorite happy hour special in the city.

Maybe monster movies are more your thing?  In addition to karaoke on the third Friday of every month, join them tonight, Jan. 11 and the second Friday of every month for Monster Movie Night.

Tonight’s movie is GODZILLA (the 1954 release). DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1969 U.S. release) plays Feb. 8 and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK aka GMK (2001) is March 8.

Monster movie screenings begin at 9pm on the second Friday of every month. At tonight’s screening, Noodlecat will give away a $50 Noodlecat gift card to the person with the best Godzilla costume.

Rock out with the Bands of Jump Back Ball

One of my favorite parts about Jump Back Ball is dancing my face off on the State Theatre stage.

Jump Back 2 Spaces will feature performances by two local party bands:  SWAGG on the mainstage and Velvet Shake as the last night band.

You can get a preview of what they’re bringing to the party by checking out these upcoming performances:

SWAGG

• Friday, Feb. 1 at Avenue Tap House
• Saturday, Feb. 9 at Blind Pig
• Friday, Feb. 15 at The Distillery

Velvet Shake

• Friday, Jan.11 at Hooley House in Brooklyn
• Friday, Jan. 18 at Willoughby Brew Co.
• Saturday, Feb. 2 at Brother’s Lounge in Lakewood

This week was all about upcoming events in Cleveland. I didn’t get to a bunch so if you have an event you’re looking forward to, share it in the comments section below!

This is part 3 in my Jump Back 2 Spaces series. Check out my previous posts:

• Part 1: Getting into Character
• Part 2: Jump Back Hair-spiration with ONE Styling and Dino Palmieri

Disclosure: I am co-hosting Karaoke at the Cat and splitting compensation with my co-hosts. I am also a member of the PlayhouseSquare Partners board. However, the choice to share these events is my own because I have enjoyed them previous to any affiliations.

Read on for this year’s Jump Back Ball theme but here’s a hint

Well, I had a different post planned for today. However the week ended up being even more of a challenge (the nicest way to put it) than I expected when I last posted on Tuesday.

So in lieu of my wrapup about a couple of recent dining experiences (keep an eye out for that post early next week), I figured I’d share the one highlight of an otherwise not-so-great week:

PlayhouseSquare’s Jump Back Ball theme announcement!

Last year I was on the announcing side of things and after this week it was nice to be in the dark on what the theme was. As everyone perused the different committee tables and enjoyed some popcorn, pretzels, and candy, the suspense for the announcement built. We even signed on a number of new Partners – including Charlene and Kimberly!

At the end of the evening, this year’s Jump Back Ball co-chairs Samantha and Maurie took the stairs in the Ohio Theatre lobby to present their theme.

So without further adieu…

Maurie and Samantha unveil the Jump Back Ball theme

“Take a RISK, get a CLUE, come have the time of your LIFE … and Jump Back Two Spaces” when Jump Back Ball turns 22 this February!

Scott and I love board games so we were really excited to hear that this year’s event will be board game-themed.

This theme should inspire a lot of fun decor and activities at the event and (of course!) costumes and accessories for attendees.

So save the date for February 23rd, 2013 and keep an eye out for more info about the Ticket Sale Kickoff in the next couple of months.

In the meantime, I’m in need of an escape. We’re heading to the Poconos this weekend to unwind, try our hand at white water rafting and – quite fittingly – play a bit of board games.

See you on the other side!

This past weekend the Cleveland Aquarium drew the line against shark finning, a practice by fishermen that is responsible for the loss of 2,500 sharks every 30 minutes.

As part of the first annual Cleveland Shark Weekend, the Aquarium teamed up with conceptual and visual artist Jim Gundlach to host an art awareness program.

CoolCleveland.com was there and has this video of volunteers and the public outlining 2,500 sharks in their parking lot to symbolize the decimated shark population.

If you missed Shark Weekend, don’t worry. You can learn more about sharks and other marinelife with a visit to the Cleveland Aquarium year-round and can keep track of special events like Shark Weekend here.

And today one lucky Clue Into Cleveland reader will win a pack of 4 tickets so they can go check out the Cleveland Aquarium!

After counting up all of the giveaway entries and entering everything into random.org…

…the winning entry is #44 – @AmyTolley1.

Congratulations, Amy – that daily tweeting paid off!  Please email me at clueintocleveland (at) gmail (dot) com to get your tickets.

***

I also have a bit of pre-emptive blogkeeping news. Between work hitting its busiest time of the quarter and getting ready for a new season of PlayhouseSquare Partners, I might be lightening the number of blog posts over the next couple of weeks.  I’ll still be updating, but if you see fewer posts here and there, that’s why.

As I mentioned, one of the reasons is because of PlayhouseSquare Partners. This Thursday (August 2), Partners is hosting one of our bigger events of the year — YP Night at the Cinema, where we’ll be making a number of announcements.

Join me at YP Night at the Cinema on Aug 2

A pre-movie party for young professionals starts at 6pm in the Ohio Theatre. There will be drinks, movie theater snacks, and networking. Plus, all of the Partners committees will have info about this year’s upcoming events — including the announcement of this year’s Jump Back Ball theme.

If you like what you see and want to join Partners, we’re offering a one-time 20% discount on membership that evening. So a $100 Mezzanine membership will cost only $80 (you’ll save twice if you plan on attending Jump Back Ball, because one of the membership benefits is a discount to JBB). After the party, you’ll have a free ticket to the West Side Story Sing-a-Long which starts at 7:30pm.

Admission for YP Night at the Cinema is free, but tickets are required. You can get a free ticket by calling 216-640-8408.

And if you attend, stop by the Social Committee’s table, say hi to me and my co-chair Emma, and share your thoughts on what sort of Partners social events you’re interested in seeing this year.

JAWS on the big screen at PlayhouseSquare's Young Professionals Night - Aug. 18.

One of my favorite summer series – PlayhouseSquare’s Cinema at the Square – starts up tonight with King Kong.  As much I enjoy spending the warm-weather months outdoors, sometimes I like escaping into the air conditioning, curling up in a theatre seat and getting engrossed in a movie. And when it’s a classic film — even better!

This year’s lineup, which runs until August 21, has a nice mix of older films like King Kong, Grand Hotel and Charade, as well as “new classics” like a special double feature of Batman and Batman Returns, Superman and Muppet Treasure Island.

The one I’m most looking forward to, though, is Jaws on August 18. In addition to seeing a movie that always has me on the edge of my seat, I’m also excited because it’s Young Professionals Night at the Cinema.

Starting at 6pm,  PlayhouseSquare Partners is hosting a free pre-movie party for young professionals in the Ohio Theatre. There will be drinks, movie theater snacks, and networking. Plus, all of the Partners committees will have info about this year’s Calendar of Events.

One of the evening’s announcements is going to be …  (wait for it!)

… the theme of the 21st annual Jump Back Ball!

I had such a fantastic time at last year’s Jump Back Ball that I can’t wait to share this year’s theme with everyone.

You don’t have to be a Partner to attend. And, if you join PlayhouseSquare Partners the night of the event, you can get 20% off your membership. So a $100 Mezzanine membership for two will cost only $80.

In fact, you’ll save twice if you plan on attending Jump Back Ball, because one of the (many) benefits of a Partners membership is a discount to JBB. I was never a fan of math – except when it helps me save money like this.

Admission for YP Night at the Cinema is free, but tickets are required. You can get a free ticket to YP Night at the Cinema by calling 216-771-4444 x3247 or clicking here to register online.

When you’re at the party, be sure to stop by the Jump Back Ball table, say hi to me and learn more about what our committee is going to be up to this year. Then, at 7:30 p.m., you can wander over to the Palace and hear me yelp in fright when I watch Jaws on the big screen for the first time.

YP Night at the Cinema 411:

• How to Reserve Free Tickets for YP Night
• PlayhouseSquare’s Cinema at the Square Series
• PlayhouseSquare Partners

Giveaway Time! Win a Pair of Tickets to PlayhouseSquare Partners' Mini Golf Par-Tee.

It’s time for Clue Into Cleveland’s first giveaway — and what better way to kick it off than with a PlayhouseSquare Partners-related prize?

As I blogged last Friday, the young professionals group at PlayhouseSquare is hosting our 2nd Annual Mini Golf Par-Tee on Tuesday, May 17th.

From 5:30 – 8 pm, you can putt-putt your way around 9 holes of mini golf in the historic Palace lobby.  Food, drinks, Wii Golf and raffles will also be available that evening.

Tickets are $30 ($20 if you become a Partner) and can be purchased by calling Partners coordinator Molly Franz at 216-348-5265 or emailing franzm(at)playhousesquare(dot)org.

Or you can try and win a pair of tickets through my blog giveaway!

I’m very excited to be able to give away a pair of tickets and show off my horrible mini golf skills to one of Clue Into Cleveland’s readers.

So, how do you enter to win a pair of tickets to PlayhouseSquare’s Mini Golf Par-Tee?

1) Mandatory first entry: Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite experience at PlayhouseSquare. It can be a show you saw or an event like this. Haven’t been to PlayhouseSquare yet? Take a look at their schedule and share what upcoming event you’d like to attend.

2) Twitter users can get an extra entry each day for tweeting: “Want to win a pair of tix to @PlayhouseSquare’s Mini Golf Par-Tee? Enter @ADHicken’s #giveaway on Clue Into #CLE! http://wp.me/pPIgG-zD”.  Make sure to leave a comment on this post letting me know each time you do this!

3) Facebook users can share the Partners Mini Golf Par-Tee event page with their friends (visit the Facebook event page and click on “share” – a bonus entry for tagging Clue Into Cleveland with your update!)  Please let me know if you shared this by commenting on this post!

4) Follow @ADHicken on Twitter. Please let me know if you do by commenting on this post!

5) Facebook users can “like” Clue Into Cleveland for an extra entry by checking out the Facebook page here. Please let me know if you “like” me by commenting on this post!

6) Add my blog to your Google Reader. Please let me know by commenting on this post.

You have until Wednesday, May 11th at 11:59PM to enter.  Make sure to leave a separate entry for each one of the above that you accomplish.  UPDATED 5/12: The winner has been selected – Congratulations to Mike!

I’m looking forward to this event and hope you are too! Enter today!

Disclosure: In exchange for blogging about this event, I was provided 2 tickets by PlayhouseSquare Partners to give away to one lucky reader. On Thursday, May 12th, the winner will be selected randomly from the comments section. As always, my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Putt your way around the Palace Theatre at the Mini Golf Par-Tee! (photo provided by Molly Franz, Partners Coordinator at PlayhouseSquare)

… May’s a busy month at PlayhouseSquare with Partners’ Mini Golf Par-Tee and the week-long International Children’s Festival …

Although the next PlayhouseSquare Partners’ Jump Back Ball is almost a year away, the young professionals group is busy hosting a number of other great, upcoming events for Cleveland.  While some of these are theater-related, our committees like Social and Membership work hard to create a variety of events that appeal to different audiences.

One of these events, in particular, promises to be a unique and fun night out: the 2nd annual PlayhouseSquare Partners’ Mini Golf Par-Tee.

That’s right — mini golf.  And not just mini golf, but mini golf set up throughout the beautiful Palace Theatre.

I’d heard stories of last year’s mini golf night since I joined Partners so I’m really happy to share that this event (like many of Partners’ events) is open to the public.

On Tuesday, May 17th, join me from 5:30 – 8 pm in playing 9 holes of mini golf set up throughout the historic Palace lobby. Once the flagship of B.F. Keith’s vaudeville chain, today the Palace hosts shows, comedians (like Jon Stewart on Saturday night), and the Cinema at the Square classic film series in the summer.

While putt-ing yourself around the lobby, you’ll have the chance to win prizes at each hole. Additionally, there will be raffle prizes including gift certificates to a number of area restaurants (foodies rejoice!).

If digital golf is more your thing, Wii Golf will be projected on a big screen. Current Partners will also be excited to know that the New Partner of the Year and Partner of the Year awards will be announced that night.

Because playing golf (even mini golf) can work up an appetite, your ticket gets you complimentary beer courtesy of Labatt and Sammy’s “Clubhouse” catering.

Tickets are $30, but if you’re a Partner (or become a Partner), there is the discounted rate of $20. Hole sponsorships are also available at $50 and $100. Hole sponsors will be entered into a special drawing for prizes including a Sony Blu-Ray player.

Tickets and hole sponsorships can be purchased by calling Partners coordinator Molly Franz at 216-348-5265 or emailing franzm@playhousesquare.org.

Since this will be my first time attending the Mini Golf Par-Tee, I asked Kevin Ropenus and Joni Todd who co-chair the Social Committee to share a bit on what we can expect:

The Par-Tee is PlayhouseSquare Partners’ marquee spring event that culminates a year filled with social gatherings. It allows partygoers an opportunity to network socially with old friends and new acquaintances while enjoying a fun filled evening of music, food, drinks, raffle prizes and of course miniature golf.”

And when you’re at the Par-Tee, stop by the Membership Table where I’ll be hanging out for part of the evening to say hi and learn more about the Partners young professionals group. Donor levels start at $50 per person/$75 a couple and get you lots of benefits.

In addition to the Mini Golf Par-Tee and a full line-up of shows in May, PlayhouseSquare will host the 2nd Annual International Children’s Festival.  From May 2nd – 7th, the week-long festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital will feature live performances from around the world, a world stage featuring local artists, and interactive activities to give schools, families, and children an enriching and unique live theater experience.

“Celebrating the world we share” is the theme for this year’s event and perfectly reflects what I believe should be at the core of every major theatre organization — sharing the arts with children and getting them engaged in the community at an early age.  Subsequently, I’m happy that a number of the Festival activities, such as the 14th Street World Stage, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Wellness Walk, “OM” Comes Home and Art Walk, will be free of charge.

Additionally, on Saturday, May 7, PlayhouseSquare Partners will be assisting with the free children’s workshops thanks to the hard work of the Partners Education Committee. These fun take-home activities will take place in the Idea Center Miller Classrooms from 11 am- 5pm.

After the success of the inaugural International Children’s Festival which saw more than 12,000 students and families participate in 2010, I’m looking forward to volunteering and seeing the event continue to grow this year.

PlayhouseSquare Partners Events 411:

• Mini Golf Par-Tee
• International Children’s Festival
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• @playhousesquare
• PlayhouseSquare on Facebook