We all aspire to greater things at the start of each New Year – or "Fresh Start," if you will – but those good ol’ resolutions are hard to keep. Maybe you’ve aspired to lose weight, exercise and eat healthier? We’ve seen that movie before. How about seeing more of your family and friends, changing jobs or saving some money? Perhaps you have simpler goals, like buying local more often, injecting humor into your life and keeping a pulse on your passions. We think our handpicked events are cool beans that will fill your week to the brim, but it’s up to you to roast them right.
Expresso Bongo
We’re all members of the Wanna Grabba Cuppa fraternity. It’s a fact java makes the world go around for millions of bleary-eyed peeps every day. But there’s more to the biz than meets the eye, which you’ll learn at a behind the scenes look at Phoenix Coffee this Tuesday, December 28. Learn what Phoenix does locally to make the perfect cuppa Joe, all from company employees. A small fee scores an hour-long tour of Phoenix’s 1728 St. Clair Ave. location, a bottomless cup of Phoenix coffee, a complimentary half pound of coffee and a hefty burlap coffee bag. You have two shots (10:30 am or 1:00 pm) to take this tour, but space is limited. Shut out? Well, don’t get all jittery… a blending workshop and roaster tour hits in January.
The New Century
“No, it’s not Dickens. But when’s the last time you saw a morality play with full-frontal nudity and left with an aching side and a smile?” So says Bob Abelman of the News-Herald about Dobama Theatre’s staging of The New Century. This run of short plays written by Paul Rudnick – author of “I Hate Hamelt” and other socio-comedic gems – is all at once hilarious and confrontational, playing up stereotypes is the most non-politically correct of ways. It’s a bit long on the monologue-turned-play approach, but the one-liners and search for meaning really have a place for audiences with 2011 just around the corner. The engagement at Dobama (2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights) runs through late this week.
Movies by Midnight
Cleveland Cinemas has long been a great resource for generations of area cinemaphiles. Check out their diverse blend of new indie films at during their “IFC Midnight Series” playing at both the Cedar Lee and Capitol Theatres. Discover a whole new generation of cult classics launched by the Independent Film Channel’s IFC MIDNIGHT imprint, starting with The Orgasm Diaries this Saturday, January 1. (This one has that Y Tu Mama Tambien-type of buzz to it.) Many of the selections screened by CC have had screen time at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, SXSW and more, so you know your ticket buys the cream of the crop. If you’d love a primer for the upcoming Cleveland International Film Festival, this run of indie flicks is for you. Learn more here.
