Summer Has Flown By

It’s Sunday, July 27 and I’m getting pensive that summer has just flown by. I feel that summer hasn’t even gotten started since I’ve only worn my tank tops a few times. To me, summer means a skirt, sandals and tank — anything more than that is too much. Contrary to what others think, July was a cool month and there were still many complaints that it’s just too hot. Seriously! I’ve worn my fleece jacket and jeans to many outdoor concerts and slept with a down comforter more times than I can remember (I don’t have central air). Last year is was so hot, that I slept with wash cloth to keep my temperature down. That’s my definition of summer. 

All complaints aside, I’ve gotten out there and experienced all the fun outdoor activities that I can get in. There is just too many things going on; some days I had to picked one thing and go with it. For example last Sunday, Ohio City / Transformer Station had their Parisian Market (the Cleveland Flea on West 29). I normally run on Sunday morning but I changed my itinerary and decided to bike. It was a beautiful sunny day without much humidity as I pedaled down Lakeshore Blvd, onto North Marginal Road and over the Detroit-Superior bridge.  

Right before me were street vendors pedaling their wares, a food truck serving up breakfast and various stands creating crepes (Elise's Crepes), pierogies (The Pierogi Lady) and oysters (Oyster Bar). There was a tent with chairs so patrons can sit, eat and have conversations until they feel like moving again. That’s what the Europeans do – socialize!

What I enjoyed most about the market was the intimacy of it. Not crazy busy but enough diverse merchandise that you can find something to buy. Since I rode my bike, there wasn’t much merchandise I could buy and cart home — the downside of cycling to events. I anxiously tried on a few outfits from a vendor selling old, nostalgic items. I found a beautiful “couture” dress that was expertly constructed. All the seams were finished as I turned the garment inside out. Nothing is made like “that” any more. Now we buy crap that only lasts one season if you’re lucky. As a person that sews, I notice details like that. I good find if it fits.

To my chagrin, the dress didn’t fit. Honestly, I couldn’t get it past my waist. The other thing that has changed in our current fashion industry is “sizing.” I’m a small person and now I wear X-small and sizes in the zero’s at times. I am not trying to boast that I’m tiny but the sizing is so “out of whack!” I had to put that gorgeous dress back but found a gingham orange top that I bought instead. 

As I walked around, I was quickly propelled into the seventies with these plastic glasses with different colored bottoms that I swear my mom owned. Old fashioned cameras that uses film and a “flash cube” — remember that? There was “Simplicity” patterns that brought back memories of my mother who sewed all her clothes when I was a child. Jewelry made from Barbie doll hangers – what a hoot! African Black soap that addresses skin issues – acne and eczema. I quickly bought a bar.

I enjoyed myself at this market seeing a few people that I knew and talking to a mother and daughter in the crepe line. I told them I was thinking of going to the “Taste of Tremont” (third Sunday in July) and they said it was incredibly busy where it was hard to find parking. I thought of going but they made my mind up for me — I bagged it. 

If you enjoy nostalgic, retro items, I would definitely attend the Cleveland Flea at Tyler Village on August 9 and/or the Ohio City Market on Sunday, August 17. 

As I cycled home, enthusiastic about my purchases, I thought about the upcoming “Opera per Tutti at the Italian Cultural Garden later that evening. I thought for some reason that it was in August but it also scheduled on July 20. I was almost too tired to go and thought about meeting my sister there as I passed the Cultural Gardens on my way home. 

The Opera per Tutti performance was extraordinary. I think I enjoyed it more this year than last. The gardens was full with people of all ages in chairs and blankets soaking up this music. The sound quality was exquisite; there wasn’t a bad seat. They offered a sampling of wine and pizza for sale. The performers sang from various Operas –  La Boheme and La Traviata to name a few. It brought memories when my sister and me attended a few Operas a year. I didn’t understand what they sung but I love it! It brings goosebumps as their voices transcends the audience. 

If you enjoy Opera, pencil that in for next year. I would definitely get there early to get a seat or wander around these beautiful gardens. 

Not only were there the two events that I just described, but a concert at Lakeview Cemetery and The Cleveland Foundation free event at Blossom; my sister said 5,000 people attended that night. That is four events that I know of happened July 20.

July is over so one more month of activities until I’ll be putting up the Halloween decorations.

Italian Cultural Gardens Opera and Ohio City Stages

I, like many people in Cleveland, have not patronized the Cultural Gardens along Martin Luther King Blvd. This Sunday, however, I had the opportunity to hear Opera Per Tutti at the Italian Gardens to hundreds of other Clevelanders. This is a free cultural offering, “Opera in the Italian Garden.” The roads were full of cars parked haphazardly as people walked toward the fountain entrance to hear Italian Opera. I was just as excited to listen to Opera again where I’ve listened to many performances at the Palace Theater. I’ve attended: The Magic Flute, Tosca, and Rigoletto to name a few. I can’t really explain why I love it but the performers ability to hit those high notes - gives me chills.

The entrance to the event was away from Martin Luther King Boulevard, up a hill. This was the perfect venue, high above the gardens was majestic. Chairs were set up in front of this giant fountain where you can feel the mist just as the wind floated past you. There was free wine samples - Italians and Wine is definitely one and the same. Stone fired pizza was also available for purchase. It was the perfect evening - the temperature was in the low 80’s unlike the sweltering heat we had for six days.

The performances were fantastic. The program included arias from Carmen, La Boheme, Tosca and Romeo and Juliet where the high notes where not in short supply. There were two Sopranos, two Tenors along with one Baritone, narrated by Jan Jones. The sound quality was exquisite with a new speaker technology system - you can hear every breath and note. There wasn’t a bad seat but we chose to sit towards the front in the seats provided.

Historically, in 1930 the Italian Cultural Garden hosted the San Carlo Opera sixty-eight years ago at its lower level amphitheater. Opera originated in Italy at the end of the sixteenth century. My first opera was Rigoletto where I remember thinking - how great is this. My sister and I saw many thereafter when Opera Cleveland was here. We were both hooked. They sing in Italian but the audience gets a brief translation in English high above the stage. You get used to it. The performances and orchestral music definitely stays with you. 

The performance lasted over an hour and a half where audience members gleefully clapped and hung on every note. I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy the Opera. It’s one of those things; you either love it or hate it. I don’t think there is a neutral stance.

As I’ve said on many posts, there is so many free summer events going on in Northeast Ohio; it is a matter of searching these events out. Find what you are interested in and go for it.

Visit “Italian Cultural Gardens” on Facebook

Also, the Cultural Gardens will have the 66 Annual Old World Day, August 25, 2013
www.clevelandoneworldfestival.com

I just learned about this event at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Opera Per Tutti will perform at Arts in August in Tremont’s Lincoln Park
Saturday, August 17, 2013, 7pm
www.operapertutti.org

Ohio City Stages in Ohio City

If you enjoy the Cleveland Museum of Art Solstice Party with that eclectic, funky beat then I highly recommend attending the last concert at The Ohio City Stages. This is a collaboration between The Cleveland Museum of Art and Transformer Station presented by Charter One Bank. This massive stage sits between W 29 and Clinton. My understanding is: the stage folds up; slides into a semi; parked on the side of the road; then it’s pulled out again for the next concert.

The first concert was well received because the residents followed the music. There’s no bad seat - the music resinates throughout Ohio City.

All I can say, I’ve attended every concert and each performance is different in its own right. There was an African-pop beat; Romanian gypsy brass including tubas; elegant acoustic guitars and Moroccan using unique instruments - represented the past four weeks. Some people bring chairs but you don’t necessarily need them, everyone is on their feet and dancing. That’s right.

Following the concerts, there are outdoor films - Bellwether, a project of the museum’s Contemporary Arts Society. Films that you probably won’t see anywhere else

The last concert is on July 31 featuring “Novalina” contemporary Latin music - I will not miss it.

http://www.transformerstation.org/Events/