ARTS

BLAAACK ARTS SHOWCASE: Experience a vibrant celebration of Black arts and culture at the 4th Annual Blaack Arts Showcase on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 6 pm at 725 Johnson Ct., in the Warehouse District downtown. In addition to a visual art exhibition, this free showcase will include panel discussions, performances, meditation, an open mic, demonstrations, interactive workshops, community dialogues, and more.

CITY STAGES is a free outdoor concert series hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art outside its Transformer Station (1490 W 29th St.) in the Hingetown area of Ohio City. Featuring the best in global music, the concerts will take place this year on two Wednesdays in July, starting at 7:30 pm: on July 9 (featuring Colombian accordionist and singer Yeison Landero), and on July 23 (featuring the Latin fusion group Las Karamba). Seating is limited. Bring camp chairs and delight in an evening of music and dancing in the street. Free parking is available in the Lutheran Hospital lot located at West 28th St. and Franklin Blvd.

DOWNTOWN SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: Downtown Cleveland Inc. will bring free live music to public locations around the downtown area throughout the summer. To see a full list of dates, locations, and performers, visit downtowncleveland.com/summer-music.

METROPARKS SUMMER CONCERTS: Cleveland Metroparks has announced its FREE Summer Concert Series taking place at six of its waterfront parks, including these dates at Edgewater Beach: Thursday, July 24, 5-8pm (featuring 90s cover band Old Skool) and Thursday, August 14, 5-8pm (featuring reggae artist Carlos Jones). For a full list of dates and locations, visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

ST. PAUL’S STREET STUDIO, 1-3 pm on Saturday, July 19 at St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin. Join in to share music, poetry/spoken word in a peaceful atmosphere of respect. You are welcome to add your voice or simply listen and provide support. Piano, mics, drums, and acoustic guitars provided along with an encouraging circle to listen. For more information, contact Ian Heisey at heisey2140@sbcglobal.net or at 216-973-1486.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will hold free performances of Macbeth this summer at various public parks in the Cleveland area, including at Canal Basin in the Flats on Friday, July 25 at 7 pm and at Tremont’s Lincoln Park on Sunday, August 3 at 7 pm. For a full list of dates and locations, visit clevelandshakespeare.org.

WRITE NOW FREE FICTION WRITING GROUP: Join Literary Cleveland and instructor Alex Ashbrook at the Cleveland Public Library Lorain Branch (8216 Lorain Ave.) the fourth Saturday of each month for fiction writing and community in this free monthly group, from 10:30 am-12 pm. Each month we will read samples of published stories and novels for inspiration, discuss craft and form, draft our own fiction writing in response to in-class exercises, and build community among fellow writers. Join us every month or stop by for a single session—this group is great for making progress on an ongoing project or for starting something new. This month’s group will be on Saturday, July 26.

COMMUNITY

CLEVELANDERS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, a riders organization that advocates for improved public transit in Cleveland, will host its monthly riders meeting on Monday July 14 from 6 pm – 8 pm at Michael Zone Recreation Center (6301 Lorain Ave). For more information, visit clefortransit.org.

JULIA DE BURGOS BOOK CLUB: Join us for Book Club on Friday, July 25 at 6:30 pm at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center (2804 Archwood Ave, at the Artist House). This month, Nahomy leads the discussion on The Sons of El Rey by Alex Espinoza—a gripping and powerful story that will spark meaningful conversation. Whether you’ve read the book cover to cover or are just getting started, all are welcome.

OLD BROOKLYN CRIME WATCH: This month’s meeting will be on Monday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church (4771 Broadview Rd.) and will feature both county and city speakers and information on scams, fraud, etc.

SAVE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND: The Ohio House of Representative’s proposed budget will dismantle the Public Library Fund – replacing it with an unstable funding structure that could severely impact the ability of public libraries in Cuyahoga County to offer programming, resources, services and spaces – just as the demand for these services is growing. The proposed budget reduces funding for the libraries in Cuyahoga County by nearly 25%. Please join us in asking the Ohio House of Representatives to restore the Public Library Fund. Share what libraries mean to you personally with your state representative at  cuyahogalibrary.org/savethepubliclibraryfund.

EDUCATION

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES: Embark on a journey of communication and inclusivity with our FREE 8-week American Sign Language (ASL) class at the Jefferson Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (850 Jefferson Ave). The experienced and passionate ASL instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of ASL. The beginner class will be on Monday evenings from 5 pm to 6 pm, beginning July 14. Register now at https://tinyurl.com/ASLatCPL. (An intermediate class is also available on Tuesday evenings, beginning July 15, but you must have completed the beginner class in the past to sign up for the intermediate class).

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 http://www.gcnca.org/aspire and complete the interest form, and Doug will call you with next steps.

FREE BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOKS: The Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled offers a wide selection of reading materials to those who are unable to read standard print due to blindness, low vision, or other limitations. Materials can be mailed to you, or you can download digital materials via our online catalog. To start using our services, request an application for service by calling us at 800-362-1262 and will mail an application, or download the form from OLBPD.cpl.org.

EMPLOYMENT

EL BARRIO WORKFORCE PROGRAM: The Centers’ free workforce programs are open to anyone 18+ and include short-term career training, specialized industry certifications, professional certificates, and job placement services. Our vast network of corporate partners teach in our classrooms, provide career assistance, and hire from our program. Some of our trainings are also available in Spanish. To get started, call us at 216-325-WORK (9675) or visit thecentersohio.org/workforce-development.

LATINO CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM, provided by the Spanish American Committee (4407 Lorain Ave.), assists Spanish-speaking Clevelanders to overcome language barriers, earn higher salaries, and find good-paying jobs in the construction industry. Our free, bilingual 6-week course teaches students the basics of construction so they can earn an OSHA certification for free and get a job with a union or private construction company after graduation. Classes are held in the evenings, with dinner included. To register, come into our office to fill out an intake form. Please also bring your driver’s license and copies of any relevant certifications with you. Need some assistance? You can call our office at (216) 961-2100 or send us a message.

YOUTHBUILD is a free-to-join career development and life skills program for young people, sponsored by OhioGuidestone. All of our programs include GED/high school diploma assistance, paid training, resume/interview preparation, financial literacy training, transportation assistance, help finding a job, and support for one year following your completion of the program. For more information, call 440-260-8930.

EVENTS

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS: The annual Independence Day fireworks event “Light Up the Lake” returns to Downtown Cleveland Friday, July 4. Fireworks will be launched by a professional crew from the Port of Cleveland beginning at sundown (around 9 pm) and will last 20 minutes. Some viewing location ideas include Settlers Landing, Flats East Bank, Superior Viaduct, Voinovich Bicentennial Park, Kirtland Park, Gordon Park, Edgewater Park, and Whiskey Island.

GARDEN WALK CLEVELAND offers free, self-guided tours of gardens, urban farms, vineyards, orchards, and more in various Cleveland neighborhoods. Tour at your own pace in each of the annually designated Cleveland neighborhoods. This year’s event will be on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, from 10 am to 5 pm each day. The Saturday neighborhoods will be: Collinwood, Fairfax, Glenville, Hough, Kamm’s Corners and Jefferson. The Sunday neighborhoods will be: Clifton-Baltic/Edgewater, Detroit Shoreway, Little Italy, and Tremont. Visit gardenwalkcleveland.org for more information.

PUERTO RICAN PARADE: The 55th annual Puerto Rican Parade of Greater Cleveland will kick off at 11am on Sunday, August 3. Starting at the intersection of Scranton Rd. and Seymour Ave., the parade will proceed southbound on Scranton Rd. and make its way to Valentine Ave. To register to march in the parade, visit puertoricanparade.org and complete a short registration form. ​Submission window will be CLOSED by July 25 or EARLIER if we have reached the maximum number of participants allowed.

TASTE OF TREMONT, an annual street festival that showcases the best of Tremont’s food, art and entertainment, returns to take over historic Professor Ave. on Sunday, July 20 from noon to 8 pm. As the neighborhood is home to some of the most talented chefs in the region, we invite you to join us and enjoy a day filled with exquisite cuisines, live music and shopping. The event is free and will take place, rain or shine.

FOOD

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK: Food assistance is just a call away. Apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other public benefits over the phone by calling 216-738-2067. For information about SNAP applications, food pantries, free produce, and hot meals, text “FOOD” to 63566 or visit GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.

KIDS EAT FREE AT THE LIBRARY: Cleveland Public Library invites youth to have summer lunch on us, Monday-Friday, from 12 pm to 1 pm at all branches. In partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, free nutritious meals are available on a first-come-first-served basis to youth ages 18 and under from June 2 to August 8.

HEALTH

CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER offers 24/7 access to free, anonymous support via text, online chat, or phone call. Call or text 216-619-6192 or 440-423-2020. You can also visit our app (no download needed) at app.clevelandrapecrisis.org to learn about preventing sexual violence, developing healthy relationships, supporting a friend who needs help, and more.  

WEEKDAY PEDIATRIC IMMUNIZATION CLINICS: Protect your children from childhood diseases by having them immunized, at no cost, courtesy of the Cleveland Department of Public Health. Mondays at the Thomas McCafferty Clinic (4242 Lorain Ave.), 9 am – 3 pm. Call 216-664-6603 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Bring shot record or letter from school and Medicaid card, if applicable. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

YOGA AT EDGEWATER: The Studio Cleveland will offer outdoor, donation-based yoga for Every BODY at Edgewater Beach every week from May 25 through September 1. Every Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday at 10 am. Two sessions on Saturdays, at 8 am and 10 am. On Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and on Wednesdays at 7 pm we will have sessions under the iconic willow tree near the beach. Visit thestudiocleveland.com for more information.

LEGAL ISSUES

LEGAL AID AT THE LIBRARY: Have a legal question?  Need to chat with an attorney about a problem related to money, housing, family, employment or other issues?  Stop by our Legal Aid Brief Advice Clinic on Saturday, July 12, starting at 10 am at the South Campus of the Cleveland Public Library (3096 Scranton Rd).  Please bring all relevant paperwork with you. All clinics are first come, first served for people with low-income who have civil legal issues. Attorneys are available for brief advice and referral only. Advice clinic attorneys do NOT represent you. If you need legal representation, you may be referred to The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland or another service provider. Need help now? Legal Aid is open 24/7 online, taking intake applications at lasclev.org/contact.  Questions? Call 1-888-817-3777 or visit lasclev.org.

UTILITIES

SUMMER COOLING PROGRAM: Step Forward’s Summer Cooling Program offers critical emergency assistance with electric bill payments or with a box fan. The Summer Cooling Program runs from July 1 to September 30, 2025. The program provides a one-time benefit per cooling season to Cuyahoga County residents who are at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (at or below $52,500 for a family of four) and must meet at least one additional eligibility criteria: a household member who is age 60 or older; a household member has a documented medical condition verified by a licensed medical professional who is qualified under Ohio law to write prescriptions; or a household’s electric utility has a disconnect notice, has been shut off, needs transferred or new electric service is being established for the household. To apply for the program, residents must schedule an appointment online at stepforward.itfrontdesk.com or by calling (216) 460-HEAP (4327). Scheduling is automated and available days, evenings, and weekends. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, please visit stepforwardtoday.org/energy-assistance-programs.

RECREATION

FREE MONDAYS AT THE ZOO: Every Monday, the zoo is FREE for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township. To confirm your residency, bring your driver’s license or state ID or a current utility bill with your Cuyahoga Cty. or Hinckley Twp. address along with a photo ID.

SCORES SUMMER CAMPS: Join America SCORES Cleveland for soccer and literacy lessons throughout the summer, Wednesdays from 1 pm – 2:30 pm at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave). The program is open to kids in 1st-6th grades, through August 2. Register now at https://bit.ly/LibrarySummerProgram25.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES: Get out on your bike this summer with Cycle Canalway and our Sunday Social Rides! On the third Sunday of each month, June through September, we’ll be offering free guided bike rides that allow you to explore Canal Basin Park, the Towpath Trail, and nearby connector trails. Our next ride will be Sunday, July 20 from 10 am-12 pm. This ride will begin at Canal Basin Park (989 West St). Bicycles should be in good working order. Helmets are required. Visit canalwaypartners.com/events to sign up.