It's a fair June evening and Nehemiah Spencer sways stageside at Wade Oval Wednesday, clad in black-on-black Converse and a crew neck festooned with the familiar red curves of the Coca-Cola logo. Today’s theme is “Reggae Night,” and the assembled families are chatty and sporting Bob Marley T-shirts. Spencer has picked up a loose branch in each hand and moves his arms in easy rhythms, improvising a deft twirl of one wrist in time with the band. A few huddled couples smile at him from their blankets, unsure if he’s part of the show.
Spencer, a graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA) and Juilliard, is now a company dancer with the Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City. The Glenville native is preparing for a new show with the company in Israel. So what’s he doing in Cleveland on a Wednesday night?
During last week's Republican National Convention, Downtown Cleveland was a veritable flea market of ideologies and beliefs, with Public Square serving as the epicenter.
There was a lot to take in during the RNC last week, from unique participants to a party-like atmosphere. Senior Fresh Water contributor Karin Connelly Rice shares her impressions of the event and how it played out in the 216.
From her trip downtown last Saturday to pick up Fresh Water's media credentials, to the protester's squabbles, to demonstrations of love and kindness, Erin O'Brien was on the street for the RNC from beginning to end.
These straightforward tactics contributed to a stunningly successful policing story for the Cleveland Police Department and its extended team during the Republican National Convention.
Social media roundup: after tensions escalated, then fell, last night at the Q provided its own kind of controlled chaos. The Fresh Water team witnessed it all.
Tensions between protest groups and police rose to a new level last night, but everything was brought under control. Fresh Water was on the streets and in the Q as voting Trump in as the republican candidate started.
Social media roundup: there was a lot going on in Cleveland on the first day of the RNC with thousands of visitors, protesters and business people all going about their causes.
Today, managing editor @erin__obrien heads to downtown to see what's happening; the latest links to road closures and security; live music at RTA stations; and options for those avoiding downtown this week.
Yesterday, staff of the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland treated Fresh Water Cleveland to a sneak peek of the most unique pop-up shop around.
Saks Fifth Avenue will operate a temporary boutique in the sixth floor hotel lobby at the Ritz-Carlton in Tower City from July 17 to 21. While the doors aren't open yet, Fresh Water can say with confidence that Republican National Convention visitors - or anyone dropping in - will be treated to the likes of Judith Leiber clutches, KYBOE! watches and Burberry bags for last-minute gift and accessories. The shop will also offer select clothing and toiletry items
Guests staying at hotel will receive a $50 savings certificate valid when making a $300 minimum purchase at the boutique. For after-hours fashion emergencies, special trips to the larger Saks Fifth Avenue store in Cleveland can also be arranged for hotel guests, along with overnight tailoring, measurements for which will be taken at The Ritz-Carlton.
The posh boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Republican National ConventionThursday, July 14, 2016
Jeff Larson, CEO of the 2016 Republican National Convention, today released a partial list of the speakers who will participate in the week-long event starting July 18th: