Foodwood©

Warm up your winter and laugh at a pop-rock cabaret version of Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve at Faith Lutheran Church/Lakewood on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

Actors will tell Twain’s classic, satirical version of the Bible story of Adam and Eve, backed by Crossfire, a pop-rock band performing music of Faith No More, One Republic, Jet, Avril Lavigne, Stone Temple Pilots and more.

Snacks, desserts and refreshments will be available. A suggested donation of $10 will be appreciated.

 

Don't spend another Friday night alone at home with the kids! Instead, on Friday, January 20 put your littles in their coats, warm up the car and head over to Harrison Elementary and join the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA's monthly Children's Party complete with pizza and snacks to munch on, crafts for the youngsters to create and don't forget the big open gym filled with hula hoops, balls and other types of toys that are sure to burn all of that winter-post-holiday energy right out of even the most energetic child!

Returning after popular demand, Twin Engine retakes the stage for their annual “The Night in Bethlehem” performance.

If you witnessed the performance last year, no doubt you'll want to see it again... This narrated story is set to an original score, written and arranged by Kent and Christopher Dockus from Twin Engine. This year's show includes additional music, a new original and guest vocalist Nick Batton and bassist Max Duffy from the band Chil. And introducing Devon Caskey on Viola.

The show opens with an electrifying version of O’ Holy Night then onto a newly arranged rockn’ version of Mary Did You Know? We're also proud to welcome the return of Karl Bunkelman as our guest narrator.

 

It may only be November, but it’s time to start thinking about the holidays.

Harrison Elementary PTA will help people get a jump on their holiday shopping during the Second Annual Holiday Craft Show, 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, November 19. The Craft Show will be held in the Harrison Elementary School gymnasium, 2080 Quail Avenue.

Harrison PTA began this tradition last year as a way to bring holiday shopping closer to home for our school community. The idea is to provide a place for local crafters and local home business owners to sell within their own community for a great cause! The table fees and all proceeds from food sales will go towards field trips, school supplies, and educational enhancements for the students of Harrison Elementary.

 

Mark your calendars and make your reservations now! Thursday, November 10 is Lakewood Family Night at Kalahari Waterpark Resort in Sandusky - the Nation's largest indoor waterpark!This offer is good for ANYONE who calls Kalahari to reserve a room on November 10 and mentions "Lakewood Family Night or "Lakewood Group!"

On Dec. 3, 2011, come out and embrace winter! Participate in the First Annual Light Up Lakewood Festival Parade! We invite residents of Lakewood and throughout Northeast Ohio to join in the winter fun. Awards will be given to selected participants for “Best of Show,” “Most Creative” and “Best Use of Lights.” How can you participate, you ask? Here’s how:

“When people think about the experience of hearing live classical music, they usually think of sitting in an expensive concert hall,” says Lakewood resident and concert pianist Shuai Wang. “It can be an intimidating atmosphere and sometimes people feel embarrassed if they do something wrong.”

Cleveland Beer Week is upon us! Now, the most important choice is what to drink. While most Clevelanders have enjoyed a Great Lakes or Buckeye Beer, few realize that really great beer is being brewed on both small and large scales by hobbyists and professionals alike right here on Cleveland’s west side.

Kids love Halloween. Ivy, 7, from Lakewood, is no exception. Last year, she and her family attended the West Clinton Historic Haunts Walking Tour in the Gordon Square Arts District and had tons of fun. “I was a cat,” Ivy said.

Tapestry: A Concert for World Peace intends to inspire a new movement of peace through two performances of the late David Fanshawe’s multimedia and multicultural work African Sanctus.

Jonathan Willcocks of London, England will serve as guest conductor of the performances on Friday, Sept. 16, at Faith Lutheran Church in Lakewood and on Sunday, Sept. 18, at St. John AME Church in Cleveland. Tickets are $10.

Lakewood resident and lifelong “Wheel” fan, Margaret Jackson, won a trip to Antigua by watcing Wheel of Fortune and being a part of the show’s Wheel Watchers Club.

Margaret, a substitute teacher, has been a Wheel Watchers Club member for the past three years. She watches every single night hoping to see her SPIN ID displayed. 

"I was in complete shock when I saw my SPIN ID and my name on the TV!," Margaret shares.

Tickets are on sale for Beck Center’s 2011/2012 professional theater season featuring six productions new to Northeast Ohio.

The season kicks-off with the regional premiere of The Marvelous Wonderettes on the Mackey Main Stage, September 16 through October 16, 2011. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.

You’ll meet the Wonderettes at their 1958 high school prom – four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match. Learn about their lives and loves as they perform your favorite ‘50s and ‘60s tunes.

 

On July 15 the East End Market and the East End Serenity Shop sponsored an event featuring The Joe De Jarnette Quintet. During the soothing performance of the jazz quintet, angelic readings were available by the famed Debbie Michaels. Sheila Rawls is also available for Reiki and Massage therapy. During all these things food and drink was happily sold to the customers and community members. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and bratwurst were all cooked fresh and sold with your choice of chips and soda from our selection.

And all of these things will be happening again, so please come and enjoy the festivities from 6-9 pm on August 26!

Taylor Swift brought her "Speak Now World Tour" to Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night, and 15,000 screaming fans joined her for a night filled with surprises.

The 21-year-old superstar was backed by a eight-piece band, eight dancers trained to perform anything from hip-hop to ballet, and three trapeze artists that made fans hold their breath. Yet it was Taylor's show, and she had command of the stage from the moment the victorian theatre-style courtains opened.

It’s summertime and there is nothing better than being outside listening to live music. Well…okay, there is something better: being outside in Downtown Lakewood and listening to live music. This year is the fourth year for live music in downtown Lakewood, brought to you through the collaboration of many. This year, LakewoodAlive, the Lakewood Public Library, stART NEO and Vance Music collaborated to bring eight weeks of live music to the downtown district.

Have you heard of MAMA? It stands for the Madison Avenue Merchants Association and our goal is to keep the city of Lakewood informed on all the amazing events going on from the east to the west side of Madison. There are so many incredible businesses to check out, some brand new and some that have been here for years. Stop by bela dubby and grab a cup of coffee or a beer and check out the amazing local art that regularly graces the walls. The Cleveland Craft Coalition also hosts craft shows there so you can get your fix of local handmade goodness.

LakewoodAlive is proud to announce that the popular Front Porch Concert Series will be expanded to eight performances in 2011. Celebrating community through the shared music experience, the free Front Porch Concerts will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays in July and August on the steps of the Lakewood Public Library, located at 15425 Detroit Avenue:

Sit back, relax with an iced coffee, and enjoy the music on the Red Stage at the Beck Café. Local musicians will perform all summer at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Share your own musical talents at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays for Open Mic Nights. Visit www.beckcafe.org for a performance schedule, or call 216-712-4746. Beck Café is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, adjacent to Beck Center for the Arts.

Lakewood Guitar Consort Presents "A Concert of the Centuries-Selections from the Renaissance to the 20th Century" on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakewood Public Library Auditorium, 15425 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. Admission is free. Lakewood Guitar Consort is a guitar ensemble based at Lakewood's Beck Center for the Arts and is under the direction of Chris Ellicott. New members are welcome and may contact Chris for more information at elkkit@aol.com or (216)398-1401.

Do you have a little ambulance chaser in your home?  An aspiring refuse collector? Have you ever wanted to get an up-close look inside a SWAT vehicle? If so, the upcoming 6th Annual Meet the Trucks event, presented by Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) and the City of Lakewood, will once again be THE not-to-be-missed event of the spring!

From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 at Lakewood Park, you can come meet the fleet that keeps the city running!

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Cleveland Magazine are pleased to announce that the 8th Annual Taste of Lakewood will be held on Sunday, June 5th, 2011. This gala event, highlighting many of Lakewood’s fine restaurants, will be held from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the beautiful Clifton Club located at 17884 Lake Road in Lakewood.

Twin Engine is taking a break from recording “The Night in Bethlehem” by performing at this years EarthFest 2011 at the Cleveland Metropark's Zoo, April 17. Twin Engine kicked off the day of music and entertainment at noon in the amphitheater. “We looked forward to playing for the new elephants, zebra's and giraffes, and of course, the humans as well” said Christopher, lead guitar of the band.

Neil Zurcher, legendary host of TV8's famous One Tank Trip series, appeared on April 6th at Lakewood Library's Main Branch auditorium. Speaking to an extremely appreciative crowd of Lakewoodites, Zurcher enthusiastically recalled tale after tale of his many adventures on the road over the years.

On March 25th in Lakewood, long time Absolute Intense Wrestling performer and former WWE superstar, Colt Cabana, will be competing for a chance to add another Pro Wrestling Championship to his collection as he competes in AIW's Battle Bowl for a chance to wrestle for AIW's intense division Title on June 26th.

A fun filled evening was had by all who attended the annual "Dress Up Your Heart" fundraiser benefitting the American Heart Association's "Go Red For Women" Campaign. The Event, held recently at Around The Corner Cafe in Lakewood, was well attended by 150 "Ladies in Red" along with numerous "Heartfelt Men." The sold out crowd dined on a festivity of, "Heart Healthy" appetizers including Tai Chicken and Peanut Lettuce Wraps, Spinach Tortillini Antipasto Skewers, Veggie Pizza, Smoked Turkey Pinwheels, and an assortment of Fresh Fruit prepared by Committee Members. To compliment the menu, an assortment of delectable mini cupcakes were served up and devoured in a "Heart Beat!"

Speakers for the event included Lindsay Silverstein, Sr. Director of the "Go Red For Women" Campaign for the American Heart Association (AHA); Dr. Benico Barzilai, Head of Clinical Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; and Tara Camera, AHA Passion Speaker.

The Capitol Theatre, located in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District at Detroit Road and West 65th Sreet, will be offering a discount admission rate to residents of Lakewood through March 31, 2011.

Did you know that expressing one’s sentiments on Valentine’s Day did not always involve love?

Be sure to visit Hixson’s to see the vintage, antique and collectible valentines from the 1850’s – 1950’s. On display you will find cards depicting original artwork from Cleveland’s own Juvia Jonson who produced valentines for resale throughout the U.S. and for the Tuck Card Company.

Also on display are Victorian cards, elegant and tasteful 1800’s cards and a huge quantity of the “penny dreadfuls”. The “penny dreadfuls” were insulting valentines, popular from the early 1800’s through the 1940’s. This is a unique exhibit with thousands of cards on display now until February 19th.

Yoga is a fast growing means of exercise in America, but part of the appeal is the revolutionary spirit behind yoga. Capturing the essence of yogis and yoginis past, we find in today’s culture the freedoms of yoga are still very important.

Rock ‘n Roll took the world by storm over 60 years ago. Revolutionizing the way people heard and looked at music and changing the ideas of what music could be in relation to who we are.

Two ways of life coming together this February at the 5 O’clock Lounge, in Lakewood. Monday, February 7 marks the beginning of Rock ‘n Roll Yoga at the 5 O’clock Lounge created to blend the traditional spirit of yoga with the energy of Rock ‘n Roll.

 

UNICEF and UNAIDS approximate that 50 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa, one-quarter of whom have lost their parents to AIDS. 2.5 million of those children live in Uganda.

Watoto is a holistic care program that was initiated as a response to this overwhelming number of orphaned children and vulnerable women in Uganda, whose lives have been ravaged by war, poverty and disease. Its goal is to raise the children as leaders in their chosen sphere of life so that they in turn will rebuild their nation. The Watoto program involves physical and medical care, education, trauma counseling and spiritual discipleship.

Children who live in Watoto Children’s villages have the opportunity to join choirs that travel the globe to increase awareness of the plight of orphaned children in Africa. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of their parents either through war or disease. This experience gives the children exposure to other cultures broadening their worldview. It also gives them confidence and boldness to rise up out of their own situations of sadness and despair.

We've seen it all at the movies, but there seems to be an unprecedented amount of Mission Impossible-style storytelling washing over us lately. Some stories are always fairly predictable when the weather changes: there will always be mindless plots that keep you from plunging into the deep end and getting in over your head. But, now and then, a new, insightful concept hits screens like a refreshing splash of cold water.

This year, some films have been following a slightly different current from other years. At first the currents seemed rougher than usual. In fact, there were moments when it seemed we were heading into a downright tsunami (vampire-sized and replete with werewolves). But we got through it. Now we have Potteresque magic to thrill us. And, we've had waves of the usual intense emotional content to take our collective minds off economic doldrums.

You’re Invited! On December 4th come kick off your holidays with Light Up Lakewood. Festivities will begin at Lakewood Hospital at 5:45 p.m. with the beat of the St. Edward Trash Talkers, and while your toes are still tapping, you are in for a treat with the arrival of Santa, Buddy the Elf and the Grinch. Joining Santa will be the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce’s “Why I Love Lakewood” 4th grade essay contest winner to help Santa in some holiday carols. Then Santa will be whisked off in the fire truck, parading down Detroit Avenue to the Lakewood Public Library where he will welcome boys and girls for visits and photos.

Did you know there is a monthly swing dance held at the Lakewood Masonic Temple every second Friday of the month? People of all ages, level of skill, and from all over Northeast Ohio attend this dance. And because of the size and seating available in the ballroom even if you don’t dance, there is plenty of room to just enjoy the live musical performance and watch the dancing.

On Sept. 11, Twin Engine, along with Jam Session Music School and Around the Corner restaurant, hosted a benefit concert event for the victims of the May 1st flood in Nashville, TN. As a result of a very supportive audience, together they raised over $700 - with 100% of all donations going to the Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

The highlight of the musical night was Twin Engine from Lakewood. Their exhilarating performance left the audience wanting more. Twin Engine was led by Christopher with his electrifying lead guitar work, with Kent on bass and electric violin (aka Viper), including an awe inspiring Viper solo.  Michaela belted incredible vocal lines one after another, and Justice on rhythm guitar and Sam on drums all helped define this dynamic presence. Together they put on a performance that rivals any band.

It’s been a busy summer for a few local teens. Twin Engine the band; consisting of Kent, Christopher, Michaela, Sam and Justice; (from Lakewood) have spear headed a benefit event for the May 1, 2010 flood victims of Nashville TN.

On October 16, Detroit Avenue in downtown Lakewood will be alive with spooky pooches and their proud spooky owners. The parade will begin at St. Charles Avenue and march down to Lakewood Public Library, then back to St. Charles Green for awards and festivities. Judging will take place in front of Panera Bread with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards given for Spookiest Pooch, Best Dog & Child, Best Dog & Adult, Best Non-Motorized Float and Best of Show.

Last year, the event attracted over 200 dogs, 500 owners and 2,000 viewers. No one left without a smile, so be sure to put October 16 on your family calendar and join us (with or without your dog) for a great time. To register to walk in the parade, go to downtownlakewood.org. Pre-registration is $10.00 and day-of registration is $15.00.

 

In the spring of 2009 four Lakewood Christian Service Center client families had the wonderful opportunity to each garden a 10’ x 10’ plot, thanks to the generosity of the Lakewood Earth and Food (LEAF) Community. It was such a positive experience that I approached Dru Siley, the City’s Department of Planning and Development assistant director, to see if there might be city-owned property available for our use, knowing that the growing  popularity of the LEAF gardens would make it next to impossible for them to offer us additional plots. Dru offered LCSC approximately 5,000 square feet at Madison Park, where the outdoor skating rink used to be. There was a caveat: the garden had to be an added amenity to the park to tie in with the Park Master Plan and the improvements that had been made and were planned for Madison Park. 

Films are about voyages.  They take us to far-away lands, to people and places we don’t know, and perhaps reveal dreams we did not realize we had. Or they return us closer to home, to lives just down the street, or across the tracks, or the street we have never gone down although we pass it every day.  The image on the screen may stop us - we have seen it before, talked about it, heard of it, read it, dreamt it.  Or the image is so foreign none of its language makes any sense, but we cannot look away.  "The movies are life," Gerard Depardieu commented when he was honored by Art Film.

Art Film Slovakia, in Trencianiske Teplice, a quiet spa town two hours from Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, offers guilty pleasures of one kind or another.  It offers films of interest to cinephiles who see film as art, but also films of interest of the general viewer, often grouped around themes.  This year Art Film focused on comedies such as ‘City Lights’, ‘Ninotchka’, and ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’. Last year it was dance films, football films (to commemorate the World Cup), children's films and Asian films.  In addition, Art Film presents classic films of the past like ‘Five Easy Pieces,’ ‘The Manchurian Candidate,’ and ‘A Fistful of Dynamite’, and always screens films from Eastern Europe, particularly Slovak ones (film festivals in Toronto and Montreal always reserve a place for Canadian films).  This year the festival screened ‘War Games’ and ‘The Man Who Stopped Them,’ which was privately screened at CIA headquarters.

Lakewood prepares to get physical as Street Walk 2010 kicks off on July 17. People of all ages and interests are encouraged to get out and get active. With the abundance of varied activities scheduled, movement should not be a problem.

The “Iron Man” of the local reggae scene is coming to the steps of the Lakewood Public Library on Friday, July 23rd.

Join the fun on Sunday, July 11, when four vintage base ball teams battle for the Western Reserve Cup in Lakewood Park. Vintage Base Ball (yes, it was originally two words) is baseball played by the rules and customs of an earlier period. Ballists don period uniforms and re-create the game "as it was meant to be played." The Lakewood Historical Society is excited to host the Western Reserve Cup, a vintage base ball match between four teams (the Akron Blackstockings, the Forest City Base Ball Club, the Cleveland Blues and the Whiskey Island Shamrocks) on Sunday, July 11 at 1 p.m. at the Stone House Field in Lakewood Park. 

The 2009 Frontier League Champion Lake Erie Crushers proudly present our second annual Lakewood Community Day on Sunday, July 18th at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon. You can cheer on the team as the Crushers battle the Windy City Thunderbolts at 5:05 pm. Lakewood residents will receive a discount on tickets by showing a valid ID when purchasing tickets at the stadium ticket office. After the game, kids can run the bases!

LakewoodAlive is proud to present 2010 Lakewood is Art: One World Music Concerts featuring three performances by popular world music artists. Celebrating Lakewood’s global community, the One World Music Concerts will take place at 7:00 p.m. on three Fridays in July on the steps of the main branch of Lakewood Public Library at 15425 Detroit Avenue.

The first time someone put a microphone in front me, I gulped nervously and stammered out those oh so familiar words: "Um...check, check one, check, check...Can you hear me?" I was dismayed at how little protection that skinny metal pole offered, humbled that I could speak something that others would want to hear, sick with the excitement and fear roiling through my psyche, and surprised that I was still on my feet. I had seen countless others stand before a crowd and share words, music, and humor and they had made it seem so easy. Later I would learn that public speaking outranks death on the list of things that people fear, and I knew that despite how easy it looked for everyone else, my stammering, shaking, butterflies-in-the-stomach-self was in good company.

Is refuse pick-up day a big deal around your house? Is a construction project in the neighborhood cause for celebration? If so, the upcoming 5th Annual Meet the Trucks event, presented by Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) and the City of Lakewood, should rate right up there with a bridge demolition or a telephone wire repair job.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Lakewood Hospital are pleased to announce that the seventh annual Taste of Lakewood will be held on Sunday, June 6th, 2010. This gala event, highlighting many of Lakewood’s fine restaurants, will be held from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at the beautiful Clifton Club located at 17884 Lake Road in Lakewood.

Justine Endress presented her Senior Recital at the University of Akron on Saturday, February 20th. Accompanied by pianist Kim Bakkum, the cellist presented a varied program of technically difficult works, including Violada Gamba Sonata by Johann Sebestian Bach, 3 Phantisiestucke by Robert Schumann, the Mendeldssohn Sonata for Violoncello in B-flat Major and Pampeana No. 2 by Alberto Ginastera.

Now that the January snow is behind us, it’s time to join in the anything-but-frosty tradition of “Wining” about winter. LakewoodAlive’s second annual fundraiser, Wine About Winter is set for Saturday, March 6th from 7 to 9:30PM. Come join your friends downtown at Rozi’s Wine House for a wonderful way to find warmth in the cold – wine tasting!

This year your passport will feature EIGHT wines from around the world:

It’s about 8:00 on Monday night. The place is Bela Dubby, located at 13321 Madison Ave. and it’s packed to the brim. You grab yourself a cup of coffee or a bottle from a very nice selection of micro-brews and pull up a seat.

It has been a wonderful couple years for Lakewood, especially in the food and entertainment area, something Lakewood is becoming rapidly known as a hot bed for. First we had Matt Fish and crew come in and turn Lakewood’s second oldest bar and restaurant, Bud’s White Door into the MELT! A restaurant, whose simple but delicious menu is getting attention far and wide, and not just putting Lakewood on the map, but making restaurateurs looking at Lakewood as they once did Tremont, Coventry, The Suburbs and beyond.

Recently I was able to report on the end of The Phoenix Café, only to have it reborn as the Root Café straight out of the dreams and love of Julie and Bobby, and many of their friends and customers. It has quickly become the hottest coffee shop/vegan food stop in Lakewood, attracting those that begged for Panera and Caribou through its doors and have become fixtures there just like bohos, as well as others that just come and go.

Now I am very sad to report that another Lakewood standard has closed, but what has opened in its place will surely make all forget that the space was once the home of the Highlander. The Highlander was always a friendly spot that was known for okay food and pretty good fish fry. It was also the gathering place for many social groups that had formed over the years. But that was then and Two Dads Diner is NOW!

 

A Festive Christmas concert is planned for December 20 at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 15700 Detroit Avenue, in Lakewood. The concert will feature accomplished Lakewood High instrumentalists including Jonathan Snyder, who will play both the oboe and the English horn. Carter Strong, violist, Andy Peng, 1st violin, Abby Wimbiscus, 2nd violin, and  Aubrey Kennedy, cello will play together in a string quartet. The brass quintet is made up of Bethany Zettler, trombone, Ian Schultz and Jacob Short on the trumpet, Jack Miller on the French horn, and Colin Bauman on the tuba. These students will play several Christmas carols.

Are you looking for a fun night out with friends, complete with delicious wine and hors d'oeuvres?  Maybe you would like to do some christmas shopping at the same time. Would it help to know that you were supporting a terrific local cause? "Sip Into The Holidays" is all that and more.  An auction of decorated wine and cocktail glasses, painted by local artists is a festive and fun filled way to catch that holiday spirit. Best of all, the proceeds benifit senior programming and services administered through the Lakewood Commission on Aging.

Friends with Benefits Improv and Last Call Cleveland team up for an evening of claws-out comedy to benefit Citizens Committee for a Lakewood Animal Shelter

The Capitol Theatre, located in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District at Detroit Rd. & W. 65th St., will be offering discount admission rates to Lakewood residents through December 31, 2009. Patrons who present proof of residency for any of the following zip codes 44107, 44102 or 44113 will be admitted for $6 (3D films are subject to an additional surcharge and this offer isn’t valid on legal holidays) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. That’s a savings of up to $3 off of the regular admission. The re-opening of the Capitol Theatre is a key part of the Gordon Square Arts District which also includes a new streetscape, renovations to the Cleveland Public Theatre and a new home for the Near West Theatre. Originally opened in 1921 as a silent movie house, The Capitol Theatre has undergone a massive renovation that converted it into a state-of-the-art three-screen all-digital cinema. The main auditorium includes a 3D projection system and will be featuring the new film AVATAR (opening December 18th) from director James Cameron, the man behind Titanic and The Terminator. The concession stand features traditional movie theatre fare as well as a selection of beers and wines. 

“The Capitol Theatre is a true showplace and we want to give everyone an opportunity to visit what we believe is the most beautiful movie theatre in Cleveland,” says Jon Forman, President of Cleveland Cinemas. “Residents in surrounding communities will be able to come see some wonderful movies throughout December for a great price.”

Dust off your favorite ball gown or white tie and tails and swing into the Mayor’s Charity Ball, hosted by Mayor Ed FitzGerald, on Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m., at the Beck Center for the Arts. All proceeds from the Ball support the quality education and theater programs at the Beck Center.

For more than 78 years, Beck Center for the Arts, located at 17801 Detroit Avenue, has been a pivotal partner in the vitality of Lakewood. The largest cultural institution on Cleveland’s west side, the Beck Center is home to an award-winning  professional theater and offers more than 140 classes each week in dance, music, theater, visual arts, and creative arts therapies for artists of all ages.

The heavenly scent of chocolate is in the air!  October 29th, the date for the first Lakewood Chocolate Walk, is fast approaching and tickets are selling like, well, hot chocolate.  This is sure to become a much-anticipated annual event—truly a chocoholic’s dream come true.           

The Lakewood Community Festival took place on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at Madison Park in Lakewood from 12 pm– 5 pm. The festival was a family friendly event with everything from pony rides to a rock climbing wall. There was also an inflatable bounce house for the younger set, as well as many bubble blowing stations to keep the little ones entertained. “The Bubble Guy” roamed the park with a bucket full of soap and long bubble wands, enchanting the crowd by creating incredibly large and uniquely shaped bubbles with the sweep of an arm. Activities were plentiful including a water balloon toss, alpaca and rabbit petting, rides in the Euclid Beach Rocket Car, and many others. A band, using the tennis court as a stage, played a nice variety of peppy tunes at a ear pleasing decibel.

A man in frilly cowboy boots, a pink dress and a cowboy hat walks up on stage and asks, “Are there any Hedwig virgins in the audience tonight?”  I timidly raise my hand along with a half-dozen or so others and think, “So it’s gonna be one of those shows....”

Cleveland Public Theatre’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Hi Fi Concert Club is anything but typical.  Never having seen the show before (and knowing almost nothing about it), I’m unable to compare this production to others.  But I am a fan of musical theatre, and my experience with Hedwig was unique.  The story of Hedwig takes us through the life of a transgendered East Berliner, from his confused childhood during the ‘60s where he shares a small, cramped apartment with his mother, through a sex change operation gone wrong, to her relationship with famous rock-and-roller Tommy Gnosis.  Although the show starts out with witty, sarcastic dialogue, it eventually moves into a very dark, serious place, revealing Hedwig’s struggles in her relationships both with Tommy, and with her current husband, Yitzhak. 

Get Your Four Legged Costumes Ready – It’s Spooky Pooch Parade Time! Are you ready to hang out with your dog?  Are you ready to dress your dog in costume?  Or, are you just ready to watch, laugh and giggle?  Then you are ready for the Second Annual Spooky Pooch Parade happening on October 17, 2009. On October 17, 2009 pet owners and their dogs will step off in their best Halloween costumes to parade down Detroit Avenue from St. Charles to Arthur Avenue and back.  They will turn around in front of the Lakewood Public Library where celebrity judges will judge the costumes for various prize categories.  Total parade route will be .8 miles. The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. at St. Charles Green (North of the Parking Garage at 1360 Belle Avenue).  Dogs and owners may register on-line at www.downtownlakewood.org or register in person at the event from 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.  Cost of the event is $10.00 for preregistration (registration must be received by noon on October 16, 2009) or $15.00 for “day of” registration. New this year is the Spooky Pooch Coloring Contest.  Look for the Spooky Pooch Coloring page to be available for pick up and drop off at the Lakewood Public Library and other participating businesses as well as elementary school back pack mail. The Spooky Pooch committee is seeking sponsorships and Table Sponsors for the event.  This event attracted 200 dogs and 400 dog owners last year; that number is expected to at least double this year as this event is the only one of its kind in the region.  (Check out the video of last year’s parade at www.downtownlakewood.org)   Businesses, rescue groups and other non-profits are welcome to come fundraise for or promote your business or organization by providing information and/or selling products or food.  Sponsorships and Table Sponsorship information is available at www.downtownlakewood.org or you may contact Shannon at 521-0655 or sstrachan@lakewoodalive.com.  All proceeds will benefit downtown Lakewood revitalization and the Lakewood Animal Shelter.   LakewoodAlive is a 501(c)(3) economic development organization.  Downtown Lakewood, a program of LakewoodAlive, is focused on the revitalization of Lakewood’s historic downtown district.

Downtown Lakewood and Lakewood Is Art are proud to announce the inaugural 2009 One World Music Series season.  Four world bands will entertain the community in Sinagra Park at 14921 Detroit Avenue on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. in July and August.

You've heard them, you've seen their flyers around Lakewood, if you haven't heard their music, you know their name, 70 Lewis.  70 Lewis is taking the city by storm creating piano based pop-progressive rock with a chemistry you have never heard or seen before.  
70 Lewis is made up of four Lakewoodites, Scott Young (age 25), Mike Gray (21), Chris Hoffman (23), and Kenny Kerns (23).  70 Lewis started 2 1/2 years ago when members Mike Gray and Scott Young began writing songs together.  Later, drummer Chris Hoffman joined and they played their first concert at the Winchester in Lakewood on December 14th, 2007 after being asked by a high school friend and former Lakewood Project member Tyler Bond to open for his band, 28 North. About 5 months ago Kenny Kerns joined 70 Lewis to play keyboards, trumpet, melodica, backup vocals, and bass guitar.