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PlayhouseSquare Block Party + Sparx City Hop

September 1, 2010 – 1:01 pm

The 8th Annual Sparx City Hop is only 10 days away! On September 11th, from 11:00am - 11:00pm, Cleveland’s Down & Aroundtown neighborhoods will come alive with free concerts, restaurants specials, open galleries, vibrant art studios, festivals and so much more. Before all the excitement begins on Saturday though, PlayhouseSquare is helping kickoff the weekend of Sparx City Hop with their annual Block Party & Tour extravaganza on Friday, September 10th!

The 11th Annual PlayhouseSquare District Block Party & Tour will take place on Friday September 10th from 5:00 - 9:30pm. The event will take place on Star Plaza, right in the heart of the PlayhouseSquare neighborhood, and will feature:

  • Live music and entertainment by Cats on Holiday and Zach
  • A walking tour of the neighborhood by the Take A Hike tour guides - Take A Hike has been leading people on free historic tours of Downtown every week since the beginning of May. Thousands have taken part in the tours that include neighborhood tour guides and actors portraying characters from Cleveland’s past.
  • Tour the newly opened Kent State University Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
  • The Dance Showcase at the Palace Theatre
  • Signature dishes by PlayhouseSquare restaurants, A Taste of Excellence, Johnsonville and Shearer’s
  • Cash bar and the Dundee Oktoberfest Beer Garden
  • The PlayhouseSquare Cornhole Championship Game

Tickets for the PlayhouseSquare District Block Party & Tour are just $25 and can be purchased at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office, by going to www.playhousesquare.org or by clicking here.

By Josh | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Terminal Tower Observation Deck Open Weekends During September and October 2010

August 31, 2010 – 11:09 am

homepage-imageBeginning Saturday, September 4th, 2010 and continuing through Sunday, October 31st, 2010, the general public will once again have the opportunity to go up to The Terminal Tower Observation Deck, and experience the breathtaking views of Downtown from this magnificent Cleveland landmark.

The Observation Deck will be open on Saturdays from 12:00-5:00p.m. and on Sundays from 12:00-4:00p.m. Guests may now make reservations and purchase tickets on-line beginning at noon on Mondays for the following Saturday and noon on Tuesdays for the following Sunday. General admission cost will be $5(plus a handling fee) per person with free admission for children 5 years of age and under. Based on the availability, walk-up tickets may be purchased at Tower City’s Guest Services desk, located on Level 1, on the day of the tour only. For reservations and tickets, guests should visit the websites below.

Terminal Tower Observation Tour tickets (Sat)
http://terminaltowerodeck.eventbrite.com 

Terminal Tower Observation Tour tickets (Sun)
http://terminaltowerodecksun.eventbrite.com 

The Observation Deck was first reopened to the public on weekends during July and August of 2010. The tours were sold out each weekend and demand was so great that Forest City decided to reopen the Observation Deck for tours. The Observation Deck sits on the 42nd floor of the Terminal Tower and was closed after September 11th, 2001. Since that time, Forest City Enterprises has completed approximately 40 million dollars in both exterior and interior renovations of the Terminal Tower, with work being completed in January of this year.

For more information about the Observation Deck visit www.towercitycenter.org

By Maura Reilly | Posted in Attractions, Downtown News | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

DCA to start using QR Codes

August 27, 2010 – 10:39 am

Back of the Sparx City Hop Passport

In the new Sparx City Hop Passport, you may notice a curious code on the back page. This “QR Code” links to a special offer from a Downtown merchant. In order to claim this special, you have to scan the QR Code using your phone. Simply download a QR code reader to your phone (there are several free applications for scanning codes depending on your phone) and scan the code on the back of the passport.Your phone will link you to a special. Show this special to the participating merchant and you’ll be able to take advantage of the special.

DCA had begun to use QR Codes to change the way people interact and explore Downtown. Over the next several months, you’ll start to see more and more QR codes throughout downtown Cleveland…on buildings, storefronts, signs, etc. These codes will be your direct way of accessing event info, special offers, apartment/condo information, restaurant menus and so much more…all on your phone!

Where do I get my Sparx City Hop Passport?

If you get Cleveland Magazine, look inside your September issue and you’ll find a Sparx City Hop Passport tipped into your issue. If you don’t get Cleveland Magazine, don’t worry, you can also get your passport at the Sparx City Hop on Saturday, September 11th at a designated trolley stop. Designated stops are marked on the map with information symbols (click here to launch the map) These stops will be manned with volunteers and will have passports and other Sparx information. Trolley stops marked with colored markers are “on demand” trolley stops. Passports will not be available at these stops.

By Josh | Posted in Events, Retail News | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Malibu Drink of the Week

August 26, 2010 – 3:30 pm

mounds-bars

Sparx City Hop is proud to have the support of Malibu® Rum and Heidelberg Distributing. To keep the summer going, here is a special treat to help you get your island on! Each week leading up to the Sparx City Hop, we’ll be featuring a new drink recipe.

Malibu® Mounds Bars

1 part Malibu® Coconut
1 part Kahlua®
2 parts Cream

By Josh | Posted in Events | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Tower City Street Festival

August 26, 2010 – 3:28 pm

For the first time as part of the 8th Annual Sparx City Hop, Tower City Center will host the Tower City Street Festival on Prospect Avenue (between W.2nd and W.3rd) from 11am - 11pm. The festival will feature a variety of entertainment and attractions throughout the day and into the evening, including the Hard Rock After Dark Live Music Showcase, featuring Emerson Hart, formerly of Tonic.

FESTIVAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
11:00am - 6:00pm

Live local entertainment
Enjoy the sounds of Saborit Latin Soul and the Britton Roberts Band on the Hard Rock Stage. From 2:00 - 4:00pm watch Cleveland Museum of Art Chalk Artists create masterpieces on the sidewalk.

Tower City Art Fair - Presented by NorthCoast Promotions Inc
Browse through local, hand-crafted art including glass, jewelry, woodwork, photography, clothing and pieces of art from the Heartworks Gallery. The fair will also feature fresh Amish baked goods.

Sparx Classic Car Show
Classic cars from across the region will line Prospect Avenue throughout the day. Meet fellow car lovers and browse through beautifully restored and maintained classic cars from the past 30+ years.

Hard Rock Café Bier Garden & Tower City Restaurant Specials
Hard Rock Café will host a bier garden near the Hard Rock stage, which will include a special indoor VIP room. Morton’s will open early at 12noon to feature their Bar Bites menu throughout the day. Both Houlihan’s and Tower 230 will feature specials throughout the day and into the night as well

Terminal Tower Observation Deck
Bring your family to the fully restored Terminal Tower Observation Deck to see an unparalleled view of the entire city! Originally opened in 1929, Terminal Tower has been a Cleveland landmark for over 80 years. The interior of the Observation Deck has been restored to resemble what it looked like in the 1930’s and 40’s. Tickets are just $5 and kids 5 and under are free

HARD ROCK AFTER DARK LIVE MUSIC SHOWCASE
6:30pm - 11:00pm

This premier live music showcase will feature an exclusive performance by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Emerson Hart of Tonic, with special guests More Than Me and Do-DRIVER.

As Tonic’s front man, Hart has branched out to tour in support of his solo album, Cigarettes and Gasoline. More Than Me is a pop-rock music powerhouse which has earned the band notoriety across the nation over its 10 year tenure. The group was also named winner of Hard Rock’s 2010 Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands, earning the right to open for Paul McCartney at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park this June.

Do-DRIVER is a West New York-based band whose music is rooted in rock with a riff-oriented style, who recently earned the right to open for rock legends KISS on tour.

Performances will be on the Hard Rock Stage and are FREE to all. For additional information, please visit www.hardrock.com/cleveland

By Josh | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Assisting With Gardens Under Glass

August 25, 2010 – 11:38 pm

I am currently assisting with creating the new learning center/store/exhibit room at the Gardens Under Glass Project at the Galleria. Here, you will find many unique items as well as a learning experience!

I am working on creating life-like live Ohio native fish exhibits and art with interpretive information on each exhibit. I have also written an article describing more of the overall vision of the expanded project, and I am seeking contributors to add to this project in the way of locating their business or green idea here.

If you would like to read more about the project and its expanded vision, please see this link: http://qualitychatter.com/

This project will provide something very unique for downtown and worth visiting by both locals and out-of-towners!

If you would like more information on the project and what it offers downtown residents, please contact me or the website at www.gardensunderglass.net

This post was written by a DCA City Advocate. To learn more about the City Advocate Program, please click here.

By Robert Carillio | Posted in City Advocates | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Stuff the Bus/Fill the House Charity Event

August 25, 2010 – 9:51 am

stb21The 5th Annual Stuff the Bus will be held on September 1, 2010 on Gateway Plaza as part of SC4K Day at Progressive Field. Dominion is once again the $15,000 Title Sponsor with the The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities providing the bus and driver for the event. Other partners include the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Cleveland (BOMA) who help with the event logistics and marketing to downtown Cleveland business owners, workers and residents.

 

Stuff the Bus is an annual shoe, clothing, school supply and fund drive that was established in 2006 to raise awareness about the need for new shoes, clothing and school supplies for children in need going back to school. Stuff the Bus gives the community a way to donate these items to children in need through SC4K. For the past five years, Dominion has served as the event’s title sponsor and several other community partners have helped make it successful each year. SC4K recruits local companies and organizations to host collection drives.

 

In addition to Stuff the Bus, SC4K is proud to be one of 13 charities selected to take part in the Cleveland Indians’ Fill the House for Charity Initiative. The Tribe will take on the Chicago White Sox at 12:05p.m. on September 1st. Through the generosity of the Indians, SC4K will receive $5 for every ticket purchased through this program and an additional $1.00 for every ticket sold to the game!

 

So be sure to bring new clothes or school supplies to the school bus at Gateway Plaza on game day to help more children go back to school with all they need to succeed at the 5th Annual Stuff the Bus. For more information about the event visit www.sc4k.org

 

By Maura Reilly | Posted in Downtown News, Events | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Malibu Drink of the Week

August 19, 2010 – 11:32 am

cran-melon1Sparx City Hop is proud to have the support of Malibu® Rum and Heidelberg Distributing. To keep the summer going, here is a special treat to help you get your island on! Each week leading up to the Sparx City Hop, we’ll be featuring a new drink recipe.

Malibu® Cran melon

1 part Malibu® Island Melon
1 part Absolut® Vodka
3 parts Cranberry Juice

By Josh | Posted in Downtown News | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Complete Sparx City Hop Information

August 17, 2010 – 4:10 pm

sparx-city-hop-header-2

We are extremely excited about this year’s Sparx City Hop! Over 70 galleries and studios, over 100 restaurants and eateries, and over 25 sidewalk concerts will be connected by free trolleys from 11am - 11pm!

The City Hop is a free all day event that celebrates the visual, culinary and performing arts of Cleveland’s most central and metropolitan neighborhoods. Free trolley service by Lolly the Trolley allows individuals and families to “hop” through the neighborhoods of Downtown (Historic Gateway Neighborhood, Historic Warehouse District, PlayhouseSquare and the Campus District) as well as the neighborhoods that connect directly to Downtown (Tremont, Ohio City, MidTown, AsiaTown and St. Clair Superior).

For complete details of this year’s Sparx City Hop, click the following links:

  • What’s Happening - 9 major events and attractions and over 25 sidewalk concerts
  • City Hop Locations - Over 300 locations are connected by the free trolleys of Sparx City Hop
  • Free Trolleys - Get trolley route details and a map of all the trolley stops during City Hop
  • Passport - Find out how to get your own passport with 70 merchant specials and discounts to take advantage of
  • Partners - Read about our phenomenal partners that help us make Sparx City Hop happen
  • Sponsors -  Sparx City Hop is generously supported by incredible sponsors!
By Josh | Posted in Attractions, Downtown News, Events, Retail News | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Sparx City Hop Passport

August 17, 2010 – 3:51 pm

In a little over 3 weeks, the 8th Annual Sparx City Hop will take place on Saturday, September 11th. As part of the event, we will introduce a new discount program. The program will revolve around a printed booklet called the Sparx City Hop Passport, which will be passed out to attendees at this year’s Sparx City Hop.

passportmockup_smaller_webThe free passport lists 70 special offers (see the complete list here) from merchants participating in this year’s Sparx City Hop. Passport holders simply need to show their passport at a participating merchant to receive a special offer. In addition to the day of the event, passport specials are good throughout the year! All participating merchants listed in the passport have agreed to honor the passport specials until August 31st of 2011.

As part of Sparx City Hop’s partnership with the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure®, all Race for the Cure® participants who wear their race day shirt will be able to take advantage of the same specials as passport holders on Saturday, September 11th.

Sparx City Hop Passport Sweepstakes

As part of the Passport, Sparx City Hop is offering passport holders the opportunity to enter to win two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. courtesy of Continental Airlines. Inside each passport is a sweepstakes form; to enter, all passport holders need to do is:

  • Completely fill out the contestant information section of their passport
  • Tear out and drop off the completed form in any Sparx City Hop Passport Sweepstakes box (located on all trolleys for Sparx City Hop.) Completed sweepstakes forms must be dropped off on a Sparx Trolley no later than 11 p.m. on September 11th, 2010

The Sparx City Hop Passport Sweepstakes is open to individuals age 21 or older. No purchase necessary. The sweepstakes winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries on Friday, September 17th**. Click here to view complete sweepstakes rules.

How to get the Sparx City Hop Passport

The Sparx City Hop Passport is free but it will be distributed in only two ways:

  • Look for the Sparx City Hop Passport insert in the September issue of Cleveland Magazine or
  • Get your passport at the Sparx City Hop event at a designated trolley stop on Saturday, September 11th. Designated stops are listed at the Sparx City Hop website: www.downtowncleveland.com/sparx.
By Josh | Posted in Downtown News, Events, Retail News | Tagged , | Comments (0)