This weekend, help in planning the Eastside Greenway that will connect the east side of Cleveland to 18 Greater Cleveland communities. Admire Amanda Powell’s vocal talent as she brings together a wide variety of musical genres at her Bop Stop CD release party. View thousands of new flowers on display at Orchid Mania at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. And in the spirit of Groundhog Day, take the kids to meet Lake Erie Eddie, the History Museum’s resident woodchuck.

Help plan the Eastside Greenway!

Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern
11625 Euclid Ave.
Wednesday, January 28th
7-9 pm

Beachwood Public Library
25501 Shaker Blvd. 
Thursday, January 29th
7-9 pm

Waterloo Brew
15335 Waterloo Road
Monday, February 2nd
7-9 pm 

University Heights Public Library
13866 Cedar Road
Tuesday, February 3
6:30-8:30 pm
FREE

Greater Cleveland has a high density of parks and trails -- but imagine if these trails were all interconnected, enhancing transportation and recreation. The Eastside Greenway will connect the east side of Cleveland to 18 Greater Cleveland communities including East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Euclid and South Euclid.

Many trails exist but there are also many gaps in their connectivity. Join LANDStudio and community partners in a conversation about plans for the Eastside Greenway at one of their community meetings. If don’t think you can make it to any of these events, you’re also invited to share your thoughts on the project and provide input by taking a survey.

Amanda Powell CD Release: Beyond Boundaries
Friday, Jan. 30th 8pm (Now sold out – check out one of their other events!)
Saturday, Jan. 31st 8 pm
BOP STOP
$10

Amanda Powell's versatile vocals go beyond the restrictions of labels -- folk, jazz, classical, pop, world, opera – she can sing it all with authenticity. Her goal is to bring many musical traditions together through powerful songs from around the world in hopes that her audience will uncover their universal themes.

“She put together a great band with Dave Morgan [playing bass] who she is good friends with and Howe Smith who is a great jazz saxophone player in Cleveland,” says Bop Stop manager Gabe Pollack. “With the album, she put together the concept of crossing musical styles. She delivers a very welcoming performance. She is relaxed, comfortable and very engaging.”

This will be the BOP STOP’s 46th performance since September, when they began programming the long-vacant venue. If you’ve never been, there was a lot of thought put into the design and acoustics of the venue, so expect phenomenal sound. The Music Settlement, which now owns the space, recently partnered with Cleveland Culinary Kitchen & Launch, a culinary incubator that helps to get chef’s food and ideas into the marketplace. Check out the menu and full bar.

Orchid Mania
Saturday, Jan. 31st (opening), 10 am-5 pm
Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Members: free. Children: $6. Adults: $11.

Ward off the winter blues with a full palate of color. Create a fragrant and tropical oasis this Saturday at Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Orchid Mania. Saturday kicks off the annual flower show that features thousands of different varieties of orchids, filling the walls of the glasshouse with blooming opulence.

This year, CBG has paired the orchids with the tantalizing theme of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The luscious color, floral fragrance and mischievous energy of Mardi Gras is sure to be a winter pick-me-up. If you’re a gardener, visit on Saturdays after February 1st from 1-3 and “ask the orchid doctors” your home care questions and get tips. Don’t forget that the gardens are also open late on Wednesdays until 9 pm.

Groundhog Fun Day
Saturday, Jan. 31st 10 am
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Members: Free. Nonmembers: $10-$14.

It’s a big weekend for Lake Erie Eddie, the Museum of Natural History’s resident groundhog. Groundhog Day is a bizarre tradition. Punxsutawney Phil, the famous “weather predicting” groundhog from Pennsylvania, has only been 39 percent accurate on weather predictions since 1887.

Bring the kids and celebrate Groundhog Day with live animal demonstrations and family-friendly crafts relating to Groundhog Day. Will Cleveland enjoy an early spring? Honestly, Lake Erie Eddie has no idea, but you can meet him at 1 pm. Tunnel and dig like a groundhog, check out a hibernator table of fame, make a groundhog puppet and enjoy all kinds of woodchuck-themed fun.