18 things to do in summer 2021 in Greater Cleveland

 

Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom

This July 3-4 will mark the return of the summer home of The Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Premiering with “An American Celebration” with music and fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July, the season will continue through Sept. 5. Individual tickets are on sale, with subscriptions available by request. clevelandorchestra.com/blossom


Cleveland International Piano Competition

The renowned international classical music competition is back after a year-long pandemic hiatus. Local and international audiences can experience adapted digital performances, and the semi-final and final rounds will be in Cleveland, featuring The Cleveland Orchestra. The virtual first round begins July 8, with the first and second rounds being free to view over the course of three weeks. After the final rounds, in-person galas will be held at the Shoreby Club in Bratenahl the evenings of Aug. 8-11. pianocleveland.org


Cain Park Arts Festival

Cain Park’s Arts Festival will return this year with fine arts and crafts for sale from July 9-11 at the Cleveland Heights park. The juried art festival features work from artists across the country, about 25 of whom are award winners from the most recent festival. Mediums include jewelry, ceramics, glass, leather, sculpture, wood, painting, drawings and prints, photography, mixed media and fiber. cainpark.com


YLDay of Caring

Join Jewish Clevelanders between the ages of 21-45 for a morning of volunteering with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division on July 11. Enjoy hands-on volunteering, meeting new people and making a difference in the community. jewishcleveland.org


Photo by Chris Cann Photography

‘The Choir of Man’

Playhouse Square is back after a 15-month long pandemic hiatus, debuting with “The Choir of Man.” The touring concert show, running through July 11, captures the essence of a pub party with foot-stomping choreography and a combination of folk, Broadway, classic rock and pub tunes. Also, be on the lookout for tickets to the theater district’s KeyBank Broadway Series, returning this November, opening with “The Prom.” playhousesquare.org 


Woman Up Cleveland

Attend the first annual Woman Up Cleveland event July 11 at the Ariel International Center in Cleveland. Woman Up Cleveland is an event where women across the Cleveland area and women-owned businesses can meet, unite and support each other. The day will involve a two-hour social networking experience, women-owned vendors, crafts and activities. bit.ly/3ggD5it


Cleveland Indians 2021 season  

Baseball in Cleveland is back. The season is jam-packed with games you won’t want to miss at Progressive Field. Sit back, grab some food and enjoy watching your favorite Cleveland baseball team take on its rivals. The stadium is now open to full capacity. mlb.com/indians


WonderStruck

Live music is back in Northeast Ohio this summer, and from July 24-25, WonderStruck will rock it out at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. The music festival formerly known as LaureLive will feature acts such as Grammy Award-winners Portugal. The Man, Ohio’s Walk The Moon, AJR and the multi-platinum selling San Francisco-based Third Eye Blind. The Lakeland campus offers 400 acres of open-air, outdoor space to allow festival goers to comfortably spread out, according to a news release. wonderstruckfest.com


Summer Soirée

Join the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division and JCLE the evening of Aug. 5 for their annual summer celebration. Wear your favorite cocktail party outfit and enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and music. A raffle will also be held with prizes from local businesses. Bring a new friend and you will receive a free raffle ticket. jewishcleveland.org


Flats Festival of the Arts

Stop by Cleveland’s waterfront at The Flats and explore the 5th annual Flats Festival of the Arts. Local and national artists will show and sell artwork – including ceramics, woodwork, photography and paintings – from Aug. 21-22. Visitors can also enjoy the Flats East Bank’s scenic view, music and dance performances, and local dining and entertainment. artfestival.com/festivals


CJN-Classic Lexus’ 12 Under 36: Members of the Tribe

Young adults in Northeast Ohio have long contributed to the Jewish community’s emphasis on giving back and building a sense of unity – among Jews and the larger society alike. To celebrate those between the ages of 18 and 36 enacting positive change and becoming the next generation of leaders, join the Cleveland Jewish News – Jstyle’s sister publication – and Classic Lexus, with supporting sponsor KMK Promotional Sales, LLC, in honoring 12 of those individuals. With an awards event planned for Aug. 24, the CJN will recognize those who are helping shape the future of Cleveland. cjn.org/12under36


Photo by Timothy Norris

‘Notorious RBG’

Join the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood for the traveling exhibition, “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” exploring the life of the late Supreme Court justice. RBG, known simply and commonly by her three initials, passed away at age 87 last year after almost 30 years on the bench. The exhibition, created by the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, is based on a book focused on Ginsburg’s personal and professional life by journalist Irin Carmon and attorney Shana Knizhnik. The exhibition, on view at the Maltz Museum through Aug. 29, offers insight into seven parts of RBG’s life, each named after lyrics from the late hip-hop artist the Notorious B.I.G. maltzmuseum.org


One World Day

Celebrate the 75th annual One World Day Aug. 29 at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Hosted by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, all the gardens and cultures they represent will come together to support the theme of peace through mutual understanding. The event offers a parade of flags, ceremony, cultural performances and entertainment, garden exhibitors, authentic ethnic food and children’s activities to celebrate our one world. clevelandoneworldday.org/2021


Ethan Peterson, a senior at Chardon High School, performs “For Forever” from “Dear Evan Hansen” in Shining Star CLE 2020. Peterson won first place last year. | Screenshot

Shining Star CLE

The Menorah Park Foundation will host the fifth annual solo-singing competition Shining Star CLE on Aug. 29. Think “American Idol,” but for local high schoolers competing for college scholarships. The show benefits dementia/memory care services and COVID-19 expenses on Menorah Park’s campuses and in homes throughout Northeast Ohio. Contestants will be judged by independent music professionals from a variety of musical genres. During the program to be livestreamed at 7 p.m., the top 10 finalists will perform and the winners will be announced. shiningstarcle.org


High Holy Days

Ring in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, beginning the evening of Sept. 6. With Yom Kippur beginning at sunset Sept. 15, here’s hoping for an easy fast and a delicious break-the-fast feast. Then, enjoy some outdoor time in a sukkah in observance of Sukkot, which begins at sunset Sept. 20. Look for many local synagogues to welcome congregants back to their sanctuaries following virtual prayer and services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Photo by Cheshire Isaacs

Immersive Van Gogh Cleveland 

Opening Sept. 9, this immersive Vincent van Gogh exhibit will make its mark in Cleveland. Prepare to be mesmerized by the transformed space –  at a venue still to be announced – with the exhibit that utilizes architecture, history and community to create an entirely unique art experience. vangoghcleveland.com


Tri-C JazzFest 

Enjoy live entertainment in the beautiful outdoors at Cuyahoga Community College’s 42nd annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland from Sept. 11-12. For over four decades, JazzFest has featured top jazz acts. This year, 10 acts consisting of both jazz roots and forward-thinkers in the genre will perform in Cain Park’s covered Evans Amphitheater in Cleveland Heights. Passes, sold by day, are available through Ticketmaster. tri-c.edu/jazzfest


Browns home opener 

Wear your brown and orange to cheer on the Cleveland Browns against the Houston Texans in the home opener of the 2021 season Sept. 19. It will be the first of nine regular season games the Browns are hosting at FirstEnergy Stadium for the first time in franchise history after the National Football League announced a full 17-game regular season schedule for 2021. clevelandbrowns.com

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