ultimate cancer meet & greet

Cleveland's favorite bartender (and friend to many) Dan Rogan has recently been diagnosed with stage-four esophageal cancer and is currently undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Throughout it all he has maintained the same sense of humor and enthusiasm that he has always shown to customers, friends and family. Since becoming sick, Rogan has organized regular get-togethers that he calls "cancer meet & greets."

On Sunday, May 19, his friends are hosting the "Ultimate Cancer Meet & Greet" in an effort to help pay for his medical care. The benefit will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. at House of Blues, which has generously donated the space and the staff to the cause. 
 
Almost every notable chef and restaurant in town is donating food, gifts or both, including Lola Bistro (his employer), Chinato, Greenhouse Tavern, Fahrenheit, Fire, Harry Buffalo, Dante/Ginko, Spice, Corner Alley, Cork and Cleaver, Amp 150, Market Wine Bar, Luna Bakery, and Sweetness.
 
“Dan has been a dear friend to me and hundreds in this city,” shares Kathy Blackman, owner of the Grog Shop. “He has provided all of us with joy, laughter, sharp wit and fantastic service for 30 years. We are all deeply saddened that he and his family are having to go through this very tough time. So it thrills me to see how this community has banded together to help Dan and his family.”
 
“This event will be the party of the year!" Blackman promises.
 
“Clearly Dan has touched so many that they are jumping at the chance to help,” adds event co-organizer Kristen Adams. “Let’s just say this will be one of the most impressive auctions I have ever seen.”
 
Tim Richards of New 102/WDOK is slated to emcee with entertainment provided by DJs Robin Harris and Rob Sherwood. The night will also feature a silent auction, a Chinese raffle, and a 50/50 raffle. Numerous organizations in town also are donating to the cause.
 
The Marriott at the Key Center is offering reduced pricing on hotel rooms for those attending at just $99.

bike for beck

One-of-a-kind hand-decorated bikes will be scattered around Lakewood as part of Bike Your Art Out, an art installation publicizing Connect to Beck’s second annual "Bike for Beck" bicycle tour. The event takes place on Sunday, May 19, and is hosted by the Beck Center for the Arts.
 
“In 2012, Lakewood was ranked the number one city in the state of Ohio for bikeability, so we felt Bike for Beck would be a great way to promote bikeability while introducing new audiences to Beck Center in a fun and creative way,” shares Kathleen Caffrey, Beck Center’s director of marketing.
 
The event kicks off with rider registration between 8 and 10 a.m. Riders can choose 12-, 25-, or 60-mile routes through the Cleveland Metroparks. Food and water will be provided at designated stops along the way for riders.
 
Everyone is invited to Beck Center’s post-ride event Beck Fest, a day of fun and family-friendly activities that runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature various activities, art displays, food, music and other cycling-related fun.
 
Additionally, visitors can check out all the community programming Beck Center has to offer until 2 p.m. Bike enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view cycling art, gather information about area bike clubs and shops, and participate in bicycle raffle baskets.
 
Fireside and the Revolution Brass Band, The Madison Crawl, Jerry Popiel, and Chris Hatton will provide musical entertainment.   
 
“Beck Fest is a family-friendly event that promotes the arts and the cycling community," notes Caffrey. "It will be a full day live music, arts activities and performances, stunt cyclists, food trucks and local fare."
 
Participation cost is $40 per cyclist and includes a B4B t-shirt and rider packet. Riders may register online here.

cleveland asian festival

The Northeast Ohio Asian community invites everyone to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month by partaking in one of the fastest-growing cultural events in town. Last year -- only the third annual -- the festival drew over 42,000 attendees over the two-day period. Even more attention is expected from this year’s festival due to its increasing popularity.
 
This year's Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) promises something for everyone -- from food, to shopping, to entertainment.  Furthermore, the festival (Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) is free and will be held at Asian Town Center.
 
CAF will feature a pair of outdoor stages where local musicians and performers will delight the crowds throughout the festival. Crowd favorites returning this year include the Lion and Dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Asian fashion runway show, Taiko drums, and many others.
 
For those who attend ethnic festivals for the amazing cuisine, you will not be disappointed. A cornucopia of authentic foods from multiple Asian and Pacific-Island cultures will be offered in the festival food court. Food will be available from start to close at tents run by small local businesses.
 
“With the success of the festival, indirectly it helped one Korean American to decide to open a restaurant in the area,” shares event organizer Johnny Wu. “Miega Korean BBQ Restaurant at Asian Town Center is here in part due to the event’s success.”
 
Shopaholics will not be disappointed as they walk through World Market, a pop-up marketplace offering diverse wares from handmade clothing to household goods. The marketplace hosts over 100 vendors, social service agencies, in addition to informational and cultural exhibits.
 
“Subsequently, the result of the massive amount of people coming to AsiaTown for the festival helped push forward the AsiaTown Master Plan, a 10-year plan to revitalize the area, make it attractive, fun, and to retain residents and businesses.” Wu concludes.

weekend in ohio city

Weekend in Ohio City is a longstanding Cleveland tradition, celebrating its 25th anniversary the third weekend in May. It is comprised of two separate events: Evening in Ohio City, which takes place Saturday, May 18, and the Ohio City Home Tour, which takes place Sunday, May 19.

“The Ohio City Home Tour is celebrating 25 years this year, an amazing feat for all the volunteers and residents that make the event possible,” shares Ohio City Inc. development director Virginia Houston. “We will be celebrating the anniversary in Market Square Park with live music throughout the day and Great Lakes Brewing Co. is opening their doors for the day to coincide with their 25th Anniversary.”
 
Evening in Ohio City kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and features a tour of six homes, including a condo in the newly renovated and repurposed YMCA building on Franklin Blvd.

On Sunday, the Ohio City Home Tour features six homes, two commercial stops, and one garden stop. The tour will begin at W. 25th and Market Avenue, where folks will board Lolly the Trolley and tour the neighborhood.
Live entertainment will be provided in Market Square Park. Artists include Doug Wood (10 to 11:30 a.m.), Becky Boyd (noon to 2 p.m.), and Up Ensemble (2:30 to 4 p.m.).

“Weekend in Ohio City is made possible due to a committed group of volunteers who coordinate the event and homeowners who embody Ohio City’s welcoming nature by opening up their homes to the broader community,” Houston continues.
 
“The legacy and impact the Home Tour has in the community is tremendous," she adds. "Many of our longtime residents were first introduced to the neighborhood through the tour and each year we witness neighbors coming together and building community around showcasing the neighborhood they are proud to call home.”
 
Free parking is available in the lot on W. 25th and Bridge Ave.
 
Evening in Ohio City has already sold out, but tickets are available for the home tour before the event and day-of. ($15 until Thursday, May 16; $20 day of the event). Tickets can be purchased here.