Plain Press

  • Cleveland Public Theatre’s STEP performs Pinocchio adaptation (photos)

    PHOTO BY MARYANN ROSENBERG Thursday July 25, 2024; Herman Park, 6198 Herman Avenue: Actress Gabrielle Muleba performs in Cleveland Public Theatre’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program performance of Carved, an adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio. PHOTO BY MARYANN ROSENBERG Thursday July 25, 2024; Herman Park, 6198 Herman Avenue: (L-R) Actors Shaneya Berkley, William Willis and Eva…

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  • Two new murals unveiled on near westside (photos)

    (Plain Press August 2024) PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, July 21, 2024; Terrapin Bakery at the corner of W. 14th Street and Rowley Ave.: This floral mural by artist Garrett Weider on the side of the Terrapin Bakery in Tremont was recently unveiled and dedicated. This mural is a result of a partnership between LifeAct’s…

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  • Mural unveiled as first iteration of an African American History Walk

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN June 19, 2024; African American Art History Walk, Western Reserve Historical Society Cleveland History Center, E. 108th Street between East Boulevard and Magnolia Drive: Mural art portrait of Dr. Harrison Leslie Adams Jr. by artist Jerome T. White. PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN June 19, 2024; African American Art History Walk, Western…

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  • Ronayne’s nominations to CAC Board draw criticism

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press April 2024) Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne nominated Leonard DiCosimo and Gina Vernaci and reappointed Karolyn Isenhart to serve on the five-member board of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) for the term 4/01/2024 through 3/31/2027. The Cuyahoga County Council will confirm his nominations before the next CAC meeting in…

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  • 2024 St. Patrick’s Day parade (photos)

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, March 17, 2024; St. Colman Church, 2057 W. 65th Street: Girls from the West Side Irish American Club emerge from the church after mass, ready to go downtown to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, March 17, 2024; St. Colman Church, 2057 W. 65th…

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  • More chaos and unanswered questions at CAC Board meeting

    by Bruce Checefsky             (Plain Press March 2024) The dysfunction and chaos continued at the most recent board meeting of the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), the organization tasked with collecting the cigarette tax and distributing funding to arts organizations and artists. Having alienated the very arts community they are required to support, the CAC’s…

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  • Questions remain about Assembly for the Arts funding

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press February 2024) Jeremy Johnson was hired as president and chief executive officer of Assembly for the Arts in 2021. Formerly executive director of Newark Arts, he grew up in the Hough and Glenville neighborhoods and attended University School on a scholarship before heading to college. His hiring was considered…

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  • Dance Evert, CMSD debut innovative arts program

    PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERT EDUCATION Students demonstrate triangles, and are perfecting their polygons using stretchy body bands, during “Geometry in Motion” Program. by Jennifer Morrison-Garza      (Plain Press February 2024)Tom Evert of DANCE EVERT and Evert Education is partnering with Cleveland Municipal School District’s Clara E. Westropp School of the Arts, through an Artist in…

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  • Ward 13 Councilman Kris Harsh and the Greater Cleveland Film Commission

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press February 2024) Cleveland City Councilman Kris Harsh, representing Ward 13, which includes Old Brooklyn, hosts a community meeting on the second Wednesday of every month. January was his 24th consecutive ward meeting. Harsh regularly invites guests to talk about current events in Cleveland and information on the various city…

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  • Embattled Cuyahoga Arts and Culture’s board meeting triggers increased criticism from artists

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press January 2024) An embattled Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC) Board met for the last time in 2023 to approve 2024 grants to artists and review staff salaries. The chaotic meeting set off increased criticism from artists and members of the public in attendance and prompted an apology of sorts…

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