Wade Oval Wednesdays

 Every Wednesday night from mid-June to the end of August, University Circle, Inc. puts on a free concert in Wade Oval Park from 6pm-9pm.  On two select nights, they also play a movie on an outdoor screen.  The music ranges from reggae to jazz.  Many of the nearby museums offer longer hours and discounted admission on the night of the event.  Even the local restaurants may offer a sample of their cuisine.  Food vendors line the sidewalk and the sweet smell of freshly baked elephant ears fills the air as a local band jams out on the stage.  Hoards of people, mainly families, picnic on comforters or fold up chairs.  

I took my pug to one of the concerts and I couldn’t walk two steps without people someone stopping to pet her.  It became an instant conversation starter, which for me, added to the friendly community feeling of the event.  It is, essentially, just a bunch of hip Clevelanders getting together for some good live music.

I went on two nights: June 13 for One World Tribe and August 1^st for Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. band.  Though I didn’t know the music of either band, their music was a pleasant backdrop and a small group danced in front of the stage.

(from Google.com)

(from Google.com)

Tremont Art Walk

Friday, June 8, 2012

This event happens on the second Friday of every month.  The Tremont Art Walk is the same idea as any other art walk, but it’s set in the trendy Tremont neighborhood, which is especially known for its art galleries, unique boutiques and popular restaurants.  An art walk is an event where all the art galleries and retail shops in one area keep their doors open until late.  There is surprisingly solid turnout to this event.  Picture people milling about inside a cozy gallery, while they nibble on refreshments, and view some great pieces of art.  I remember buying a print from one of the galleries.  The owner was also the photographer of the print, and I ended up chatting with him about it for a while.  It’s those little moments that keep you coming back every month.

I usually make a night of the art walk by going out to eat somewhere for dinner on Professor Ave: Dante has become a favorite, although one time I grabbed a bite at a food truck that was parked nearby.  There are so many great art galleries packed into a few blocks that it makes the event quite enjoyable to just stroll up and down the street and pop into one shop or another.  The Banyan Tree is a must-see boutique, and you can’t pass up the opportunity to try one of the many flavors at Tremont Scoops.  With or without the Art Walk, Tremont remains a neighborhood with plenty to offer.

(from Google.com)