University Circle

University Circle - photo Bob PerkoskiUniversity Circle - photo Bob Perkoski

If you want to see economic, arts and residential development in Cleveland, head to University Circle. This one-square-mile powerhouse has welcomed over $3 billion in new construction in recent years thanks to the Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, University Hospitals' Cancer Hospital, and the Uptown project, a large mixed-use development currently taking shape on Euclid. Thanks also to a flush of contemporary new apartment projects, the neighborhood is adding as many new residents as it is daily commuters. All within walking or biking distance are the world-famous Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Chalk one up: Art Museum’s 35th annual Chalk Festival is this weekend
The Cleveland Museum of Art's Annual Chalk Festival is this weekend. The public is invited to work in chalk pastels to create their own masterpieces on the museum pavement, alongside five local artists, Cleveland Institute of Art students, food trucks, and live music.
Bubble blizzard: Two-day Bubblefest hits Edgewater, Wade Oval, Heights High
Steve Presser, owner of the former Big Fun, and Gary Pearlman, aka, Dr. U.R. Awesome, are bringing Bubblefest to Cleveland in September. The two-day event hosts bubble artists from around the world and features activities, demonstrations, food trucks, music, and, of course, plenty of bubbles!
Creative booster: CAC connects communities through free arts and culture events
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture funds thousands of free cultural events across Cuyahoga County—with a range of happenings encompassing local photography, handmade crafts, and fun-filled community get-togethers. We take a look at Cleveland Photo Fest, Oh Sew Powerful, and University Circle, Inc.'s funded programs.
Harvest Moon: A culinary celebration under the stars
Holden Forests & Gardens will host its only annual fundraiser, Harvest Moon, on Sept. 13 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. The Friday the 13th event will be an evening where mysticism meets philanthropy among Cleveland's top chefs.
Passport to Peace: One World Day embraces cultural diversity
The 78th annual One World Day takes place in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens this Sunday, Aug. 25—offering a family friendly cultural celebration of Cleveland's diversity with music, dancing, and food and drink.
Celebrating the Holden Seed Bank: One Year of Growth
Holden Forests & Gardens will celebrate the first anniversary of Holden Seed Bank this Thursday, with cocktails and a panel discussion at Holden Arboretum. The new seed exchange program—much like a Little Free Library, except for seeds—and the upcoming tree seedling program will also be celebrated.
Human evolution expert awarded CMNH endowed chair for work in studying early tools
Cleveland Museum of Natural History paleoanthropologist and assistant curator of human origins Dr. Emma Finestone in April was awarded the Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins. The position was part of a $3 million gift from Robert and Linnet Fritz toward the museum's Transforming the World Of Discovery campaign. Finestone was part of a group who, in Nyayanga, Kenya, discovered some of the oldest stone tools ever found.
A century of celebration: Ever-expanding Cleveland Cultural Gardens embraces city’s diversity
Built on 254 acres in Rockefeller Park, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens opened in 1916 with what is today known as the British Cultural Garden. Today, 108 years later, there are 35 gardens that celebrate a world of ethnicities and cultures. As the World on Stage series starts this weekend, and with One World Day in August, contributing editor Grant Segall looks at the history of Cleveland's cultural gem.
CLE icons: H. Leslie Adams becomes seventh member of WRHS African American Art/History Walk
The Western Reserve Historical Society recently unveiled composer and educator Dr. Harrison Leslie Adams, Jr. as the seventh notable figure in its African American Art/History Walk in University Circle. The public art installation celebrates the achievements of Black history-makers and artists in Cleveland through a mural with QR links to The HistoryMakers biographies.
CMA kicks off Third Thursdays series this week at Transformer Station
The Cleveland Museum of Art and Ideastream Public Media kick off their Third Thursdays series with live local music from Talons' and related conversations, this Thursday, June 20 at CMA's newest venue, the Transformer Station in Hingetown. This week's show is sold out, so don't miss your chance to attend the future free Third Thursdays this summer.
Against the Odds: Towards Employment alums to share their stories at A Chance to Advance fundraiser
At age 16, Ronnie Cannon was an average kid who made some bad decisions and served nearly 20 years in prison before turning his life around. Upon his release, he found Towards Employment, which helps individuals overcome barriers to employment and a career path to success. Cannon and two others will share their stories of personal and career transformation at Towards Employment's fundraiser A Chance to Advance this Friday, June 14 at the Maltz Performing Arts Center on the Case Western Reserve University campus.
High energy: Excitement grows as the creative team readies for Parade the Circle
The Cleveland Museum of Art's 32nd annual Parade the Circle happens this weekend, expressing "Visions of Harmony" on Wade Oval in University Circle. Excitement and energy are palpable in the parade tent as lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara and a team of creatives see to the last-minute details. Check out these photos.
Think & Drink with the Extinct: Get Groovy with Lucy at Natural History Museum 
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will be partying like it's 1974 on Thursday, June 20 with a retro version of its Think & Drink (with the Extinct) event: Get Groovy With Lucy. The museum will celebrate the discovery of Australopithecus Lucy, along with partners from Kent State University and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in this adult cocktail, 70s themed event. Costumes welcome!
All Out: Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates Pride Month at Friday’s MIX event
This Friday, June 7, the Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate Pride Month in Cleveland during its monthly MIX: All Out, featuring Cleveland performers DJ Navy Jayde and Dakota Cox, for a night of rainbow light displays, dancing, food and drinks, and drag.
Signs of life: Artists, volunteers prepare for Parade the Circle
The giant white tent has gone up in University Circle—indicating it's almost time for the Cleveland Museum of Art's 32nd annual Parade the Circle! The University Circle Inc. institutions and groups like Hildebrandt Artist Collective, Inlet Dance Theatre, Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center, Samba da Cidade, as well as volunteers, vendors, and other groups, are getting ready for a day of Visions of Harmony.
Curtain call: John Ewing reflects on his illustrious career at helm of Cleveland Cinematheque
After 38 years at the helm of Cleveland Cinematheque, co-founder and director John Ewing will step down from his post on June 30, with Bilgesu Sisman taking over. Ewing takes a moment to reflect on nearly five decades of uplifting classic, foreign, and independent films at Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and ultimately at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He is spending his final months at Cinematheque showing some his favorite films in his “Unfinished Business/Parting Glances” and "Movie Crazy" series.
Conversations with Amy Tan: Author visits CMNH to discuss her new book, birdwatching, and drawing
Renowned author Amy Tan visited the Cleveland Museum of Natural History last week to talk about her newest book, "The Backyard Bird Chronicles"—about Tan’s ventures into backyard birding, nature journaling, and drawing. Before the event, Tan sat down with FreshWater Cleveland to talk about her inspiration and motivation to write and draw about birds, instead of the fiction she is usually known for.
Exploring grief: CIA student copes with loss through her paintings
Maddie Cantrell a painting major and rising senior at the Cleveland Institute of Art, lost both of her grandparents suddenly. This week, she opens her exhibit "Living with Grief” at Hospice of the Western Reserve's bereavement center as part of a project through the CIA Creativity Works—a self-initiated internship for visual art and craft + design majors designed to support professional development.
Early bird special: Towards Employment fundraiser offers ticket discounts, California trip raffle
Towards Employment is hosting its annual fundraising event, "A Chance to Advance" in June, with early bird tickets now on sale through May 14 for $25 off per ticket to an evening of musical entertainment with jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci.
Korean flair: K-pop and Korean couture merge at Art Museum’s new exhibit, monthly MIX
Earlier this week, the 'Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution' exhibit opened at the Cleveland Museum of Art, showcasing more than 30 historical and modern Korean fashion pieces. Tomorrow, MIX: K-pop will keep the theme going with a dance party, featuring DJ Big Sana and K-pop dance group PinkSoda.