ARTS

ART HOUSE URBAN BRIGHT ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION will be held at Art House, 3119 Denison Avenue, on May 2^nd with an Ice Cream Social from 4-5:30 p.m. and an Opening Reception from 6-8p.m.

ART HOUSE COMMUNITY CULTURE NIGHT featuring artists Michelle Smith and Ray McNiece will be held on May 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Art House, 3119 Denison Avenue. Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided. Keep a lookout for future Community Culture Nights. Supported by the Robert H. Reakirt Foundation.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPEN STUDIO: Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave.) offers a family-friendly, pay-what-you-can art workshop on the third Saturday of each month from 1 pm-3 pm. This month’s Friends and Family Open Studio will be on Saturday, May 17. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Visit arthouseinc.org to sign up or call 216-398-8556 for more information.

MUSIC AT MAIN – SUGAR MULES: Join us for a free performance by “Cleveland’s Unexpectedly Good Bluegrass Band”, the Sugar Mules, on Saturday, May 3 from 2 pm to 3 pm on the third floor of the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library downtown (325 Superior Ave).

SPRING ART SHOW AND OPEN STUDIOS: The Screw Factory (13000 Athens Ave, Lakewood) is proud to host our Spring Art Show & Open Studios, with resident artists alongside a variety of guest artists on Friday, May 2 from 6 pm to 10 pm and on Saturday, May 3 from 10 am to 3 pm.

URBAN BRIGHT EXHIBITION: Art House Inc.’s annual student exhibition will take place Friday May 2 at our campus at 3119 Denison Ave. Come see all the creativity our students have put into their work and join us for an ice cream social! The ice cream social will run from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, and the opening reception will be from 6 pm to 8 pm. Admission is free. Visit arthouseinc.org for more information.

WALKABOUT TREMONT: Experience the best of Tremont’s creative, diverse and walkable neighborhood during this monthly event, the second Friday of each month at its art galleries, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Join us this month on Friday, May 9, when we’ll celebrate Spring and move the event outdoors for the first time this season. For more information, visit walkabouttremont.com.

THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER(CAC): Explore community art making at the CAC at 2937 W. 25^th. Open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  to help families and individuals of all ages connect to art and expression. We invite you to drop in during our open hours or join us for a special workshop led by a professional artist! View our gallery exhibition, Parade the Circle: Celebrating 30 Years of Art and Community, to see puppets and costumes from prior events. Expose yourself to new materials and different perspectives. Visit clevelandart.org/cac for more information.

COMMUNITY

ARAB AMERICANS OF CLEVELAND: Calling all Northeast Ohio Arabs! Your voice matters. Help shape and identify business opportunities, grants, scholarships, workforce programs, healthcare access, and advocacy programs for our community by becoming involved with the Arab Americans of Cleveland (AAC) Young Professionals Network. Visit arabamericanscle.com to learn more.

BILINGUAL IMMIGRATION AND WAGE THEFT CLINIC: Do you need legal advice or assistance? We’re here to help! Join the Northeast Ohio Worker Center and attorney José Juárez for a free legal clinic for workers and immigrants in our community. Clinics are held monthly, either virtually or in person (Cleveland, Ohio). Our next two sessions will be on Saturday, May 3 and Saturday, June 7. Register now at tinyurl.com/NEOworkerCenter and we will contact you to schedule your appointment.

COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS: A news discussion group that meets on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 9 am to 10 am at Harbor and Bridge at 4321 Bridge Ave. The next two meetings will be on Sunday, May 11 and Sunday, May 25. The meetings are a chance to read, reflect, and respond to difficult and divisive issues. We often talk about local issues (housing, policing, politics, gentrification, etc.), and sometimes talk about more broad ones. Email Matt at mattw@harborandbridge.com for a copy of the article we’ll be discussing at the next meeting.

GIRLS EMPOWERMENT: Teens ages 12 to 18 are welcome to join us every Thursday from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave) for this free empowerment group, where girls come together in a safe space to help build confidence, resilience and self-esteem. Activities include team building exercises, goal-setting, vision boards and art projects.

OLD BROOKLYN CRIME WATCH: Join us the third Monday of every month at 7 pm at St. James Lutheran Church (4771 Broadview Rd). This is an opportunity to hear from the 2nd District Police, the fire department, and the county prosecutor’s office. There are also occasional opportunities to meet candidates for council, candidates for judge, and candidates for state government. This month’s meeting will be on Monday, May 19.

“reNOUNce deNOUNce” GANG INTERVENTION (RDGI) is a program dedicated to empowering and transforming the lives of at-risk/high-risk youth and young adults in gang activities. RDGI’s mission extends beyond intervention, serving as a proactive deterrent against youth involvement in gangs. If you or someone you know could benefit from our programs, visit renouncedenouncegangprogram.org or call us at 440-723-8190.

EDUCATION

ASPIRE GREATER CLEVELAND offers free GED, HiSET, and adult literacy classes to people 16 years of age and older, both online and in person, including at West Side Community House (9300 Lorain Ave). If interested, call 216-770-6814 and ask for Doug, or visit www.gcnca.org/aspire and complete the interest form, and Doug will call you with next steps.

FREE BOOKS for kids ages 0-5: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio mails kids one free book each month until their 5th birthday. Any child in Ohio between birth and age 5 is eligible for the program. To sign up, visit: OhioimaginationLibrary.org.

FREE SEWING CLASSES: Esperanza Threads (1370 W 69 St.) offers free intensive training in industrial sewing throughout the year for both hobbyists and people looking to learn a marketable skill to improve their job prospects. We require 100% participation and offer a stipend program for low-income individuals. We offer a 4-week and 8-week course. For more information or to sign up for a course, visit esperanzathreads.org/sewing-classes.

SPARK OHIO is a FREE kindergarten readiness program for three and four year olds and their parents. You are your child’s first teacher, and we want to help you be the best you can be. You and your child will receive in-home education enhancement with a parent partner to work on skills important for kindergarten, including colors, numbers, shapes, letters, and social skills. You and your child will receive free books and free art supplies. For more information, contact Beth Darmstadter at 216-921-2023.

ENVIRONMENT

BIKE FIX-A-THON: All bikes need annual tune-ups before the warmer weather, but also, in our neighborhoods, many residents have old or broken bikes they would otherwise be riding. To help residents get free on-the-spot repairs, the Detroit Shoreway-Cudell Better Streets Committee is holding its second annual Bike Fix-a-Thon at the Cudell Rec Center on May 2 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. The event is a friendly, no-cost way for residents to learn about their bikes, get basic repairs, and grow connections with neighbors. Spots are limited to the first 30 bikes.

NUISANCE WILDLIFE TRAPPING: The City of Cleveland Division of Animal Care and Control offers trapping of “nuisance” wildlife (skunks, groundhogs, opossums, and raccoons) from May 1 through October 31. These animals are euthanized and disposed of, if removed from your property. Traps are loaned for a $20 refundable fee. (Note: this service does not handle animals trapped in your home.) Call 216-664-3069.

RIVERSWEEP: Join Canalway Partners, dozens of other community groups, and hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 11 am for this annual litter clean-up, to help keep garbage out of our beloved rivers and lake. Various clean-up sites are located along the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries. To pick a location and to sign up to volunteer, visit canalwaypartners.com. Volunteer spots are limited. When you arrive at your chosen clean-up site, the site leader will greet you with an event t-shirt and provide cleaning supplies and further instructions. Please only register at one location. Registered volunteers will receive an email invitation to a Thank You Party after the clean-up event. Don’t forget to RSVP to the party! Questions? Contact Canalway Partners at 216-520-1825.

HEALTHY URBAN TREE CANOPY PROGRAM: Cuyahoga County will soon begin accepting applications for the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy (HUTC) program. The program supports planning, planting, and maintenance of thousands of trees across the County.The application portal is now live, and applications are due June 6, at 4:00pm. Those interested are encouraged to register for the virtual applicant webinar on Wednesday, May 14, at 10:00am. All HUTC application materials and resources can be found on the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District website at www.cuyahogaswcd.org/HUTC.

EVENTS

THE CLEVELAND ASIAN FESTIVAL, a celebration of Northeast Ohio’s diverse and rich Asian culture, will take place again in Cleveland’s AsiaTown neighborhood on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. The event features live entertainment including cultural performances and demonstrations on our two outdoor stages, a World Marketplace of 100+ vendors and exhibitors, 30 local restaurants and food trucks, free health screenings at our Health Pavilion, free activities, free games, an Asian Pop Dance Cover competition, a trivia challenge, and awesome mascots. Visit clevelandasianfestival.org/2025/ for more information.

CLEVELAND MARATHON: This annual event returns to downtown Cleveland and the near westside on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. The 5k, 10k, and kids run will be on Saturday, followed by the full and half marathons on Sunday. To register for the races, learn how to get involved, or see info about road closures, visit clevelandmarathon.com.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: At this annual event – held on Saturday, May 3 this year – comics fans can visit a participating independent comic book store to pick up a selection of free comic books and participate in a variety of free activities. Participating nearby stores include Carol and John’s Comic Book Shop in Kamm’s Corners (17462 Lorain Ave.) and Superscript Comics and Games in Lakewood (13361 Madison). To see a list of the comics that will be available this year or to find other participating stores nearby, visit freecomicbookday.com.

HEALTH

BED BUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Cleveland Department of Aging has a program to help seniors and adults with disabilities, with limited incomes, with the extermination of bed bugs in their homes. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, be at least 60 years of age or be 18-59 years old and be receiving a disability payment, and own and live in the unit to be treated. Open to Cleveland residents only! For more information and to obtain an application, call us at 216-664-2833 or email us at aging@clevelandohio.gov.

MOBILE HEALTH CLINICS, sponsored by the Cleveland Department of Public Health, will be around town at various spots this spring and summer, providing free screenings and referrals. Services offered include screenings for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests, and free contraception. All services are provided at no cost, and no appointment is needed. Visit us outside Estabrook Rec. Center (4125 Fulton Rd.) on Tuesday, May 13 or visit clevelandhealth.org to find out when we will next be in your neighborhood! All clinics run from noon to 3:30 pm. Questions? Call 216-664-2889.

MOMS QUIT FOR TWO: If you are a pregnant or expectant mother who smokes, the Friendly Inn Settlement, Inc. wants to help you quit! For more information, contact us at 216-431-7656 or friendlyinn@thefriendlyinn.org.

RECREATION

CAMP FORBES: Registration is now open to spend a week this summer at Cleveland’s free youth residential summer camp, Camp Forbes. Cleveland kids ages 9 to 13 are eligible. Parents or guardians can sign up their child at any of Cleveland’s recreation centers. The child’s birth certificate, shot records, and a utility bill from the last three months are required. Space is limited so sign up ASAP! For more information, call 216-263-5325.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL LEAGUES: Registration is now open for the City of Cleveland’s baseball and softball programs. The various programs offered include senior baseball (ages 16-18), junior baseball (ages 13-15) and youth baseball (ages 9-12) as well as girls fastpitch softball. Co-ed rec leagues for ages 8-12 and t-ball for ages 4-7 are also available. To register, visit any Cleveland recreation center.

SENIORS

SENIOR AND CAREGIVER EXPO will be held at the Gunning Park Recreation Center on May 8 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Discover a wide range of resources, services, and products tailored to meet the unique needs of seniors and their caregivers. Enjoy a special presentation from the presenting sponsors, the Northeast Ohio Sewer District, HearingLife, United Healthcare and Global Meals. From health and wellness to utilities, this expo has it all! Leave with Swag Bags full of Free Senior Resources and other goodies!

FREE PRESENTATION ON AGING: The Cleveland Westside Village will present “Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow” by Sharona Hoffman, Professor of Law & Bioethics at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 10:30am at the Carnegie West Library (1900 Fulton Rd). Please join us for this informative presentation.

MEMORY CAFÉ is a place to explore engaging experiences in a supportive environment designed for individuals with dementia and early memory loss and their care partners. Each café has a unique focus to facilitate social connection. Light refreshments will be provided. We meet from 2 pm to 3 pm on the fourth Thursday of each month at the West Park Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (3805 W 157th St). This month’s café will be on Thursday, May 22. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you participate. Register now at cpl.libcal.com/event/13489720. Contact Danielle at danielle.konkoly@cpl.org or (216) 623-6931 with any questions or requests.

SENIOR DAY: The Cleveland Department of Aging will present the 35th annual Senior Day on Wednesday, May 21 at Cleveland Public Hall (500 Lakeside Ave). Programming begins at 10 am with an information fair, followed by lunch at noon and entertainment at 12:30 pm. All seniors are invited to this free event. For more information, call 216-664-2833 or visit clevelandohio.gov/aging.