Oh, did I mention that I Skype’d with Mark Mothersbaugh? Yeah, we’re besties. Okay, it wasn’t just me. We had an adult maker night at MOCA as part of Myopia by Mark Mothersbaugh, MOCA’s summer exhibition. It’s REALLY good.
We made “rubber stamps” and puppets to use in a stop motion video. We also made postcard drawings to send to MM, which I neglected to do because I have a hard time participating when I’m working. The weird creature print was by my coworker Ryan, loosely based on his cat…
(PS- I don’t work at MOCA anymore, exciting stuff coming up!)
Last night I was supposed to have a date with this guy who I’ve gone on a couple dates with already. Boo him he cancelled last minute with literally no reason why (!!!) and I was already en route to our intended destination: The Beat Uptown. Naturally I thought “Fuck you, I’m going to go and have a fabulous time anyway.” I promptly parked (free event parking after 5PM on Thursdays) and made my way to MOCA to finally check out the exhibits I’ve been meaning to see since June.
The first was Hans Op de Beeck’s “Staging Silence (2)” which was a few photographs and a video that sounded really esoteric from the description but ended up being really amazing. I don’t want to give too much away but after watching the video it’s incredible what you can do with every day objects, some creativity, and perspective.
The final image in the film was my favorite: a scene created out of sugar cubes they then doused it in colored water and as the sugar dissolves it looks at though you are watching the making of ruins until there is nothing at all. It was incredibly beautiful and made me think about our material world and how over time things will no longer be as they are. Just vestiges of what they used to be and something entirely new for those who experience them after we are gone.
The other exhibit was “Someday is Now: Art of Corita Kent” which was a collection of work by artists Corita Kent who was a sister at the Immaculate Heart of Mary. she created some amazingly graphic exciting works that inspired people to love and take care of each other. In addition to the art there was an interactive art space that encouraged people to get involved with the art making process and think about the world around them. It was incredibly interesting to see what people wrote and drew.
After that I ant outside to enjoy the band and the festivities that were going on in Toby’s Square (the area between MOCA and all the shops/restaurants). There was a band (Fiscal Spliff) that was really good, food trucks, a bar, and a photo booth. People seemed to be really enjoying themselves and sat around and drank and ate for hours. I decided to grab a beer and some fries at ABC Tavern and people watch. There was nothing of note there, I personally prefer the one on W. 25th but it was enjoyable, the bartenders are pretty personable there.
Yay! New Blog... This one will not just be a public journal, this will actually be about something: Living in Cleveland. After 22 years of it, I think I'm pretty good at it. It's easy to be bored to tears in Cleveland if you aren't used to working to have fun, but if you are open to searching for things to do and trying new things there is PLENTY.
SOOOOO, that being said, a recap of my weekend filled with tons of fun little tips:
On Thursday night I went to a Yelp! event at MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) where we got to tour the museum while the new exhibit was being constructed. In addition to touring the museum we got to make some art, after a few cocktails I might add, and then check out the event that was going on in the main space of the building.
The art project was based on our experience on the tour, it was pretty fun but I'm not sure any of our posters will be hanging in any galleries anytime soon.
The event in the main space was an album release party for a local band called Bethesda. They are pretty indie but they were good and they curated a mini show in the space with art inspired by the lyrics from their songs. Didn't stay long, but what I saw was pretty good.
The new exhibit at MOCA will be opening this Friday (June 27th) and there will be a pretty cool party I'm sure. The entrance fee for adults is $8. Also, make sure to check out their events page ( http://www.mocacleveland.org/calendar ) highlighting their educational and social events in the community. It's located Uptown near the Case Western campus on Euclid Ave.
The next day I went on a date at Bar Cento on W. 25th which is one of my favorite spots for happy hour in Ohio City. The date was so-so but every time I go to Bar Cento I am always incredibly pleased by their selection and prices for food and drinks. They've also updated their menu really recently, so if you haven't been lately check it out!
I got the Magherita Pizza and we shared some fries. It was a really light dinner and I would have normally gotten something a little more exciting, but this guy was a little strange and I felt like getting something quick would fair better for both my sanity and my time since I had someplace to be afterwards. The pizza and fries were absolutely delicious per usual, but I will definitely be back to try some of the tasty wares that have been recently added to the menu.
It's a great spot for drinks or a date. The decor is nice enough to make you feel like you're out somewhere but casual enough so that if it's a jeans and t-shirt kind of night you aren't out of place.
Afterwards I raced over to E. 47th St. to The Morgan Conservatory for the opening of the new art show Transformation. My friend Sonora--I know her from college--is interning there and she had a piece in the show. It was pretty cool, all of the pieces were made with paper and it was awesome to walk through the work spaces with all the printing presses. Plus, like at all art show openings, there was alcohol for donations which is always awesome.
It's a beautiful space and the garden out back is a nice little oasis in a super industrial area so if you get the chance check out the show and the sort of things The Morgan does. They have some awesome workshops and events going on all the time ( http://morganconservatory.org/events/month/ ). TIP: If you go for an event, get there early and/or car pool because the parking is limited.
Saturday night was pretty tame, I met up with Sonora and her current beau (She's been here a month and already has a guy... seriously Cleveland?!) on W. 25th to meet some of his friends. We grabbed a drink at Market Garden Brewery which is always a solid spot to get a drink on a weekend night. It was crowded but not as crowded as usual since there was an Indians game going on. At about 11:30PM we headed to ABC Tavern which is the quintessential dive-y scene-y hipster bar for 20-somethings on W. 25th. Complete with extensive bottled/canned beer selection and cheap prices to boot. Plus there is always good people watching. Did someone say skin tight super short man jorts? They've also got really god bar food so if you're hankering for a burger pre-beer binge this is a place to hit up.
After some drink and "bowling", the de facto bar game of the westside apparently, we headed over to Hoopples, an equally dive-y but un-hipster bar on Columbus Ave. which is like under Ohio City, if that makes any sense. It's the flats, but most of it is under construction, everything except Hoopples pretty much. It looks like the kind of place that the cops on TV would hang out.
When we got there a wedding party was throwing back beers and there were some old dudes at the end of the bar taking shots and being loud drunk men. More "bowling" (I keep using the scare quotes because it's not really bowling... just the stupid arcade bowling games) ensued plus shots and then loud conversations on the back patio which in my opinion is one of the best in Cleveland. From the view and the water to the projected big screen playing whatever game happens to be on it's a great place to chill. That is, as long as you aren't battling the mayflies that are EVERYWHERE downtown. If you're looking for a mellow no-frills Cheers kind of bar in Cleveland, Hoopples is a good place to check out.
That was my weekend in a (really large) nutshell, pretty tame but enjoyable nonetheless. I'm hoping there will be more excitement this week with the NBA Draft and all going on.
