To note that the weather in northeast Ohio is miserable this first week of January would be generous. Bitter cold, endless snow, and dangerous ice – it all conspires to keep us indoors. Mother Nature, the original ornery barometer of cool, underestimates the power of positive Clevelanders. Inclement weather be damned. We don our winter woolies, load up on hearty fare and strong drink, and make for the city. This weekend, there are numerous testaments to our commitment to fun in the winter sun.
Tremont ArtWalk
The first ArtWalk of 2010 takes place this Friday, January 8, beginning at 6 pm. The organizers and artists are starting this year off with a bang. Among the highlights will be a showing of Bob Dylan and The Band photos taken by local artist William Scheele at Visible Voice Books, one of the region’s best independent book shops and wine tasting spots. At Heather Haviland’s beloved Lucky’s Café, visitors will find captivating landscape and portrait work by Cleveland’s Cooper School of Art graduate and Tremont resident Tim Herron. An eclectic collection of mixed media items from Lucette Johnson, Theresa Yondo and Kathy Patton can be found at one of Tremont’s newest additions, Geode Gallery and Gifts. Wrap up the night at Prosperity Social Club, where Martini Five-O is scheduled to deliver a suitably cool repertoire of lounge-surf tunes.
Dante Restaurant Open House Cocktail Party
One of the country’s – much less the region’s – most talented chefs is opening his newest restaurant in Tremont this weekend. Dante Boccuzzi and his team have reworked the former Third Federal Bank building on Professor Avenue into a gem of polished, casual dining. Read the full story here, and be sure to stop in to say congrats and have a cocktail. The festivities kick off at 6 pm on Friday, January 8.
Rock Hall Celebrates 75 Years of Elvis
Elvis may have left the proverbial building, but his music and legend continue to interest new generations. In celebration of the King of Rock and Roll's would-be 75th birthday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is inviting fans from around the country to view the Elvis exhibit on Friday, January 8 and Saturday, January 9. The collection features more than 40 artifacts that help document the life of one of rock’s founding fathers, including one of his famous jumpsuits from 1973 and a jukebox presented to him by RCA [pictured; photo courtesy of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum/Design Photography]. The weekend will include the opportunity to sign a giant birthday card that will be sent to Graceland, a cake cutting at noon on Friday, meet the curator/artifact spotlight in the Elvis exhibit on Friday at 2 pm, and a screening of the Aloha from Hawaii concert film on Saturday at 11:45 am. Throughout the weekend, guests can watch footage from Elvis’ 1986 Rock Hall induction. Now that's a hunk of burning love that'll melt even the chilliest disposition.
