One of saddest things about the Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern closing was possibly losing the Headspace parties happening in the basement. However, after a short hiatus, they found a new west-side home in the upstairs of Battery Park Pub. The night was really well attended (!) and the space was pretty great. My only complaint: many of the people were there to talk as much as dance, which competed with the sound. Let’s work on that people.
Finally getting my post up for the event: Disco Mafia presents JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood at Sachsenheim Hall. As I previously mentioned, I wasn’t privy to the prime days of Rob Sherwood and Cleveland dance, but this event was still precious. Loved the space, the people, and getting to see all the vintage fliers for past shows. Well, done. When’s the next one?
A last minute decision took us to the Radiate party at the Agora, sponsored by Cumulus. It was a total neon dance fest. As much as I like dancing, the music and crowd there isn’t really my scene, but I can’t deny having a great time - if only for the people watching. I didn’t grab many photos, but you can catch some clips of the show below, including a cover song that I was not expecting to hear!
One of the few (usable) photos I did grab was for the Agora renovation! I can’t wait to see how this p
If you haven’t checked out the best dance party in Cleveland yet - you’re missing out. Another installment of In Training at Now That’s Class!
Another Summer, another Summer Solstice at the Cleveland Museum of Art! This year I opted for the membership to the Art Museum - and the early entry time! It always seems like the time flies when you’re having fun. While the music tends towards the eclectic, it adds a certain je nes sais quoi. Always a great time!
More on the event…
"CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Things were steaming up inside Cleveland Museum of Art Saturday as more than 6,000 guests came together to celebrate the seventh annual Summer Solstice.
The indoor and outdoor event featured two stages where seven bands gave a live performance of cutting-edge world music. Visitors were also encouraged to tour the museum's exhibits with the help of CMA's new smartphone app. Watch the video above to see highlights from the night as everyone celebrated the kickoff to summer."
Another Summer, another Summer Solstice Party from the Cleveland Museum of Art. At this point, it’s becoming an institution - and with any “institution” there’s room for critique. This year we got the early entry tickets, which seemed reasonable, particularly when realizing the event ends at 1 and the 10:30 entry people really only have 2 good hours of fun - which flies by super-fast.
This year there was no awesome exterior art experience, and while the music was very cultural and interesting - there was very little that you could dance to - inside or out. While those have been two of the coolest things about the party that were missing - the people watching, GLBC beer and the Art Museum itself still made this an event worth considering. I just hope they ramp up the music back up for next year.
Ah, it was back again. One of the best (above board) parties in Cleveland - this year bringing in the Crystal Ark. They also had DJ Afrika Bambaattaa in the atrium (a great space addition to the party), though the real party was outside with the Crystal Ark at the end of the night. I was dancing' so much I only took one phone pic, but there are others…
Despite the awful tragedy that happened (just behind me), the show went on and became a great evening - one that I think Mitch would have wanted. This event was perfectly described by it's name. We danced in the streets, and boy did we dance.
Very cool… Congrats Cellar Door! Wish I were going to be around for the Launch Party on Friday, esp. with the likes of The Modern Electric, Light & the Whaler and Brian Straw.
cellar door launches cleveland only record store, performance space
The grassroots, pro-Cleveland music collective Cellar Door is launching a new performance space, Cleveland-only record store and office space in the Loftworks building at East 40th and Superior.
The creative space, which features antique wood floors, high ceilings and large windows, is intended to not only foster a 'community among listeners' among local music fans, but also to reach people who are unaware of Cleveland's distinctive music scene."
(Continued... cellar door launches cleveland only record store, performance space)
After the Waterloo Arts Festival, we got cleaned up from the heat and headed over to the Cleveland Museum of Art for the 10pm entrance of their Summer Solstice Party. I've gone every year and plan to continue the tradition - as I've always said, I think it's Cleveland's party of the year. The music, food and people were amazing, including the stunning interactivity of slinging graffiti on the front facade of the building. Win Win Win. Win.
Gang Gang Dance 10:00 p.m. Gang Gang Dance has honed a type of electronica that is equal parts tribal-futurism and dance music based on perfectly controlled havoc, emphasizing the ritualistic elements of their sound.
Nortec Collective Presents Bostich & Fussible 11:00 p.m. In Tijuana, Mexico, the so-called Nortec movement took shape when producers began fusing cutting-edge electronic music with traditional music of the region such as norteño and banda. This collective explores their take on the norteño and techno blend.
Novalima 12:30 a.m. Novalima is the band that has revolutionized the music scene in their native Peru. Novalima combines a passion for traditional Afro-Peruvian music and modern DJ culture. Their shared fascination with afro beat, dub reggae, latin, and electronic music has resulted in platinum status and worldwide touring.
A party it was... I had been throwing around the phrase "party of the year" and maybe it was, maybe it wasn't... I do know you couldn't have asked for a better night to be hanging out in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art and having a drink with Rodin's Thinker. Everyone was there. Great Lakes was being served... nearly perfect. Nearly.
I was sure to get there as soon as our 10pm tickets allowed, because I didn't want to miss Javelin. Wow, they were FUN, FUN FUN. Even better than I expected. Ultimately a great mix of what I would call "glitch pop" with a great, danceable beat. What was even better was how they handled the menacing (inebriated?) twin teen boys who they invited on stage - who then later brought up another set of twin ladies and another random person. I felt like the last 20 mins of the show was on the brink of disaster, which never ended up happening. I think that being on that brink made the show even better. Hell, maybe that's how every show is for them. If so - bravo.
I socialized during the Phenomenal Handclap Band, but was ready to dance my ass of with DJ Rupture, who I had been talking up to EVERYBODY. Unfortunately this was where the night fell a little short. The music and the mix was great, but it wasn't quite the dance jam I experienced at Pitchfork. Maybe it was intentional, but I was a little disappointed.
Overall - the time flew! I felt like were only there for about an hour... we barely made it inside to see the art, but I guess that can happen anytime. Hopefully I'll be getting an earlier ticket for next year.
BONUS: Javelin is coming to the Grog Shop on Tuesday, August 8th!! Here's a video of what you can expect (but there's so much more)...
Summer Solstice Party is tomorrow! View a video preview of the music... Hightlights = Javelin & DJ Rupture! Possibly the party of the year.
