Entertainment

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.

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.  

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.

pARTy! pARTy! On August 1, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the tent at Belle and Detroit Avenues in Downtown Lakewood will become the place to be!  LakewoodAlive and LAKEWOOD IS ART are excited to announce the first annual Downtown Lakewood pARTy! This festive summer pARTy will follow the Lakewood Arts Festival and will feature local bands, food, and refreshments in vibrant Downtown Lakewood.   

This is the best deal of the summer. Tickets are only $10 each and include: entry to this live music event, one Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer (or other beverage selection) and one Buckeye Beer Engine sandwich. Additional beverages and food will be available for purchase. Don’t miss out, purchase your tickets on-line today! Tickets will be sold to persons age 21 and over. Purchase your tickets early at www.downtownlakewood.org or at the event, as available. 

Downtown Lakewood pARTy in the Street!

Are you ready for a free, fun, family friendly event?  Well save the date! 071809  Come see what Lakewood has to offer! I recently sat down with Shannon Strachan, LakewoodAlive’s  Marketing & Development Director, to discuss next month’s first annual “STREETWALK.”  LakewoodAlive and Live Well Lakewood present this very special event on Saturday, July 18th, 3 p.m.-8 p.m.  This event is designed to help Lakewood get “in action” as local organizations get the community moving on the street!  Walk, run, jump, climb, skate, board, or bike in Downtown Lakewood, with your friends, family, and neighbors!  Detroit Avenue will be closed to traffic and local merchants will be displaying their wares as part of a two-day Sidewalk Sale on July 17 and July 18 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.  In addition to your friendly neighborhood merchants being open for business, there will be a variety of activities such as belly dancers, skateboarding, basketball, climbing walls, square dancing, jazzercise, and yoga!  Some of these activities will be demonstrations, but others you can participate in, so wear something comfortable.

  

The City of Lakewood, Lakewood Soccer Association and LakewoodAlive have collaborated with the Cleveland City Stars professional soccer club for two days of fun for the Lakewood community.  On July 17, 2009 the Lakewood community has been invited to Lakewood Community Night at the Cleveland City Stars match versus the Charleston Battery.   Tickets are available to Lakewood residents for a discounted rate of $6.00 a ticket.  The City Stars play at Middlefield Cheese Stadium in Bedford, Ohio.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://lakewood.clevelandcitystars.com.

Are you ready for a free, fun, family-friendly event?  Well, save the date: Saturday July 18th,  come see what Lakewood has to offer! From 3 - 8 p.m. Lakewood Alive and Live Well Lakewood, along with local merchants and organizations, have teamed up to present the first annual "STREETWALK." Lakewood Alive's Marketing and Development Director Shannon Strahan says the event is designed to get Lakewood citizens "in action" with a variety of activities including walking, running, cycling, skating and skateboarding.

LakewoodAlive invites all corn hole players or those who just love to have fun to kick off the summer at the 3rd Annual LakewoodAlive Corn Hole Tournament to be held at Around the Corner’s parking lot at the corner of Detroit and Mathews Avenues in Lakewood, OH on June 27, 2009 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.  There will be Corn Hole, Music, Food and Fun.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the sixth annual Taste of Lakewood.  This gala event will highlight the many fine restaurants we have in Lakewood.  This year’s Taste will be held on Sunday, May 31st from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the beautiful Clifton Club located at 17884 Lake Road in Lakewood.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is very proud of the variety and quality of restaurants in our city and the Taste of Lakewood is a great way to show them off!

This year we have more restaurants than ever, resulting in a wide variety of food to please everyone’s palate.  There will also be great raffles for gift certificates from popular Lakewood Restaurants. Great food, beautiful surroundings, and fabulous prizes!  What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Tickets are $25 and available at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce (16017 Detroit Avenue), Nature’s Bin (18120 Sloane Avenue) and Phoenix Coffee (15108 Detroit Avenue); or order by phone at 216-226-2900. The Taste of Lakewood typically sells out so please don’t hesitate. Parking is limited at the Clifton Club so it is recommended that you take advantage of the free parking available at Horace Mann Elementary School located at 1215 W. Clifton Blvd. (enter the parking lot of Webb Road).  A shuttle service is provided courtesy of Lakewood Senior Health Campus.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is committed to advancing the commercial, industrial, and professional interests of the community of Lakewood.  The Taste of Lakewood is the perfect vehicle to showcase our restaurants.  Our many sponsors help to make the event special.  Please remember all of our sponsors the next time you are shopping, dining, or in need of the services they offer.

Visit our website, www.lakewoodchamber.org, to learn of the other events we plan throughout the year.      

The Winchester Music Hall in Lakewood is hosting a new talk show on WHK 1420 AM every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. The show is called "Winchester Music Talk" and is a live talk show that features guests in the studio each week as well as phone-in guests and some music. The show focuses strictly on music talk and has a historical Cleveland focus. It also includes previews of some of the up-coming shows at the Winchester from both local and National acts.

Guests during this first month of the Winchester Music Talk radio show so far have included... Commander Cody, Mark Kay from Morticias Chair, Jim Bacha from BMZ, Kelly Richey, Steve Barbuto (drummer in Commander Cody's band), Jeff Sherman, Tony Pulizzi, Doug Johns, Dale Fortune (owner of Fortune Drums) and even local scribe "Peanuts" has phoned in.

Phone calls are encouraged from listeners as well, and they can call in to the show each Sunday night between 8 -10pm by calling the WHK studio at 216-901-0945. Winchester Music Talk can also be heard across the country and throughout the world streaming live online at www.whkradio.com. WHK has as rich a radio history as you can find. It is the 14 oldest radio station in America, starting broadcast operations in 1921. The show's host, Jim Mileti, has plenty of prior radio history as well, working at the old M105 (WWWM) 105.7 FM and 3WE (WWWE) 1100 AM in Cleveland and at K-Life (KLFF 1360 AM Phoenix) and KOOL AM - FM (Phoenix). Listen in to be a part of some great music-talk and maybe even win some tickets to an up coming show!

Saturday, February 21st marked the 5th Student Showcase by Vance Music Studios. Jim Mileti once again graciously opened the doors to the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall for 25 students in 7 different groups to put on a great show for an audience of over 400 people.

The JWCL annual Breakfast with the Bunny will take place 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the Lakewood Women’s Club Pavilion, Lakewood Park (Lake and Belle Avenues).

In an alternate United States of America circa 1985, Richard Nixon is still President. There used to be superheroes in this world, but they have been outlawed, either forced into retirement or co-opted by the government. Relaxing with a drink and a cigar in his luxury apartment is Edward Blake, aka The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a one time costumed hero and government agent with a veritable closet full of skeletons.  His relaxation is short lived, however, as an unknown assailant breaks in and hurls him out a window to his death.

During these rough financial times it is always great to find new ways to save. Please join Lakewood Early Childhood PTA on Monday, February 23rd at 7:45 pm for a presentation by Joe Degaurdis, also known as “The Coupon Guy”. You've seen him on TV and in the newspaper. He has been honing his shopping skills in the Northeast Ohio area for many years. Now let Joe teach you how to wisely spend money for your family! Break bad habits, learn new shopping techniques, and find out easy ways to save money while shopping. Joe will show us how to find the best deals on-line, explain ways to save up to 70% on groceries and more by using coupons and rebates, and tell us where to find clearance deals, restaurant deals, gas savings, and more! 

With a provocative title and a formidable touring career to live up to, Mifune is set to release “Time is Watching Us Bleed”, on November 28th, their second album since their formation in 2005. The eight piece group with a self-described afro-electronique sound that combines multiple genres made a name for themselves touring not only in the Cleveland area, but on the east coast and down south as well...

Most students want to learn how to rock out, and they want to do it as soon as possible. Games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero are testaments to that. But one school is turning that yearning into a reality for kids ages nine to 18 who are serious about rocking out on stage...

For eight years running, the event Breastfest has raised awareness, donations, and support for patients and survivors of breast cancer in Northeast Ohio. Musicians and volunteers have come together in the past at various venues such as The Beachland Ballroom, The Hi-Fi Concert Club, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Happy Dog, and the Parkview Niteclub for the very worthy cause. This year, Breastfest 8 found a home at the revamped Brothers Lounge on Detroit Rd. in Cleveland...

 

Grab your best canine costumes, dig out your coolest doggie duds and kick off the Halloween season with Lakewood’s first-ever Spooky Pooch Parade on Oct. 18...

2008 has been a pretty busy year for the progressive hybrid, Rare Blend. The group (now in their 14th year), has been taking every opportunity to record their live perofrmances for the upcoming (slated for 2009) fifth CD release, tenatively titled "Five and Live". As the name suggests, the CD will highlight live recordings both in public performance and in studio and will feature previously released compositions and improvisations.

The festival began 21 years ago when a parishioner of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, the late Mary Jacko stated to then Mayor Tony Sinagra that the Eastern end of Lakewood, where Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church is located, seems to a forgotten part of town by the rest of the city. She suggested an ethnic festival at Madison Park and immediately received the blessing of the mayor...

Two locally based bands, “Back for More", from Berea,” and “A Fabulous Waste of Time, from Lakewood, are featured in this month’s edition of ConneXions, a 30-minute monthly show produced by Cox Communications. The bands performed as a part of Band2Gether, a free outdoor summer youth concert series, showcasing young musicians in middle school and high school...

The Winchester Tavern & Music Hall located at 12112 Madison Avenue is welcoming FIVE time Grammy Award winning guitarist Steve Lukather and his band to the stage on Friday, August 22nd. Steve is best known as the guitarist and sometime lead vocalist/songwriter for the group TOTO, but there is so much more. The set and band are truly amazing. Steve will be performing some hits that he wrote for other artists and covered on tribute releases along with highlights form his entire solo career. Also included are tracks from his new Ever Changing Times release and some "deep track"
Toto gems...

Music should be like any satisfying thunderstorm: a combination of thunder and lightning. The lightning sparks the interest and the thunder delivers the long awaited for and much relished BOOM!

The Lakewood Summer Concert Series presents the Men of Independence barbershop chorus on Sunday, July 27th at the Lakewood Park band shell, 7 until 8:30pm. The chorus will perform “A Night at the USO”...

Band2gether, a free, outdoor summer youth concert series will present its inaugural show on Friday, July 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the municipal parking lot next to Sinagra Park in the heart of downtown Lakewood. Youth rock bands, Little Known Fact and Back for More, will be featured at the Band2gether concert series debut...

Check out the update at www.walkroll.com

Lakewood is one of the most walker-friendly communities in the Cleveland area. Detroit Avenue is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops- not to mention downtown also houses the award winning Lakewood Public Library, the post office and anything else a pedestrian could need within a radius of a few blocks. It is virtually a pedestrian’s playground; the perfect solution for the environmentally conscious and the sticker-shocked, gas guzzling general public...

If, as their band name suggests, Smiley Baldazar was trying to be odd, then they certainly and undeniably succeeded in that endeavor on their album “Relax, It’s Out of Control”.That is not to say that bands that tout their oddness aren’t successful because in an age where originality in the music industry pays off, the weirder the better. However, there is such a thing as too strange for one’s own good. Smiley Baldazar might fit into this category. It is worth mentioning that many groups are lauded for their ability to transcend the genre barrier and create a sound that fans of different kinds of music would enjoy...

“Workin’ Man”, the latest record from Cats on Holiday is a mellow amalgamation of country and classic rock with a hint of jazz...

"Hotel, Hotel", a band from Texas, played a short set at Bela Dubby on June 7th. Unfortunately, there were only about 8 people there to hear it. I hope you will support your local venues--there is a lot of great music to be found in Lakewood! What follows is my review of the Bela Dubby show in poem form:..

A dapper Scott Weiland and fellow Stone Temple Pilots members took the stage on Saturday, relaxed and comfortable in front of 30,000 people, as if they have been on tour for months. What fans came to see was STP’s first show in eight years...

The Winchester Tavern & Music Hall, right here in Lakewood, has been receiving national attention for years now, including multiple mentions on VH1 and XM Radio, and is currently in the middle of more national exposure. The current edition (May 23) of Goldmine Magazine, which is a bi-monthly national music and record collector's magazine, on newsstands across the country, features a glowing review of the Kim Simmonds show that took place at the Winchester on January 26th, 2008. Kim Simmonds is the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of British blues/rock band Savoy Brown, and was named one of the top 10 guitarists EVER by Musician Magazine. This was his fifth time at the Winchester; the first four of which were with Savoy Brown. This is the second time that Goldmine has covered the happenings at the Winchester...

The Lakewood Observer recently caught up with local author, Ron Ciancutti, about the release of his new book, “A Step Ahead; Collected Essays.” Ron has published several articles in our paper in the last several years and each time, his direct, heartfelt message generated substantial response from our readership...

Two new Jazzercise dance-fitness classes opened in Lakewood the week of March 31st. Jazzercise instructor Karen Kilbane has added the classes to accommodate new participants and to provide current participants with a greater choice of convenient class times...

Brittany Reilly will be coming to Cleveland, OH on April 12th performing at The Winchester with the Almost Acoustic Band supporting her new CD release “Good Old Country Sound”. Their music is described as Old-Time Country, Bluegrass/Reggae Acoustic Roots Music. They will be on a three week national tour throughout the month playing shows in FL, OH, TN, MO, CO, NM, & AZ...

The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA is proud to announce an upcoming event that is sure to be enjoyed by all. As the snow melts and the days get longer, are you starting to think about your family’s summer road trips? There are great memories just waiting to be made along the open roads of Ohio. Before you make your plans, come hear Neil Zurcher, travel author and long-time TV travel reporter (you may be familiar with his "One Tank Trips" series), who will present Ohio Road Trips for Families with Young Children...

Like the title of one of her new songs, singer-songwriter Anne E. DeChant is indeed getting out of dodge. After 18 years on the local music scene, one of Cleveland’s favorite musicians is making tracks for Nashville. Her last pre-move show will be right here in Lakewood at the Winchester, one of the West Side’s best music venues...

Are the kids making you crazy? Does the weather have you blue? You say there’s nothing to do; I say be creative! Quit complaining that it’s too cold to take your kids outside and take the family Bumper Bowling at Mahall’s Twenty Lanes!

Dear Lakewood Residents and Friends: We hope you and your family and friends will come out to ring in the holiday season at Light Up Lakewood on Friday, November 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. You will be treated to a spectacular community holiday lighting ceremony and celebration...

Brighten up your weekend and start the holiday season with a bang! Join in the overflowing holiday cheer at Light Up Lakewood, our city’s own old-fashioned community lighting ceremony and celebration...

For the health-conscious among us, it may seem impossible to maintain a weight-controlled holiday, without putting a damper on the festive occasion. After all, who wants to eat brussel sprouts in place of mashed potatoes and gravy?

I know nearly nothing about sports—I’ve just recently come over to the Dark Side—so, naturally, the ALCS playoffs puzzled me. Apparently, it helps to know the rules. After much confusion, I finally found something I could focus on and comprehend: the intriguing variety of spitting techniques among the players. Here is what my research has uncovered thus far.

Planning for a spectacular community event is well underway. Be sure your calendar is marked for Friday, November 30th, when the city’s holiday lighting ceremony returns to downtown Lakewood.

On September 28th – 30th, Recycled Rainbow, a temporary autonomous zone, will emerge at the Hide-A-Way campground in Leavittsburg, Ohio.

Bela Dubby, The Hi Fi Concert Club, Now That’s Class, The Phantasy Concert Club, The Spitfire, and The Winchester Tavern

The Lakewood Kar Kulture Show, Now That’s Class, and The Winchester Tavern

Lakewood Community Progress Inc. (LCPI) hosts Lakewood's 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, August 11 starting at 9 a.m. The event will be held at the parking lot located at the corner of Mathews and Detroit in the West End Entertainment District.

Reviews of Drago and Tilt 360 at The Hi Fi Club and Brody’s Militia, Midnight, and Nunslaughter at Now That’s Class

bela dubby, The Hi Fi, Now That's Class, The Symposium, and The Winchester

World renowned tenor saxophone player (and Lakewood resident) Ernie Krivda is now in his fifth decade as a professional musician, but he shows no signs of slowing down. He regularly plays gigs as the leader of several small jazz ensembles and the 19-piece Fat Tuesday Big Band.

? and the Mysterians claim to be the world’s greatest garage rock band, and on Saturday May 19 at The Winchester here in Lakewood, the group made a pretty strong case for themselves. Dressed in a midriff-baring, leopard-print blouse, black leather pants, a cowboy hat, and his trademark wraparound sunglasses, lead vocalist ? (that’s his legal name) led the band through a rousing set of songs drawn primarily from their two late '60's albums.

The Hi Fi Concert Club and The Winchester Tavern,

Rick Ray has been a fixture on the NE Ohio music scene since he started performing at the age of 13 in 1972. Influenced heavily by musicians like Robin Trower and Frank Marino, Rick used his six-string abilities to play with the bands Riot Act and Neurotic, as well as the eponymous Rick Ray Band, in the years spanning 1973 to 1996. In 1999 Rick started Neurosis Records to release some of his old material as well as new solo recordings. Then in 2000 he put the Rick Ray Band back together, and has to date released 5 albums with the group.

bela dubby, the Hi Fi, the Phantasy, and the Winchester