WORLD-CLASS ARTS VENUES BRINGS
VISITORS CLOSE TO MASTERPIECES
Cleveland, Ohio
- Beethoven, Brahmns, Monet, Warhol, Rembrandt. The names are
synonymous with masters of their craft and staples of history books
around the globe. And, visitors to Cleveland Plus have the
opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the masterpieces
created by these artistic legends. With nationally-recognized
museums, music groups and theater organizations the arts and culture
scene in Cleveland is not only one of the best in the country, but
also affordable and accessible.
Centrally
located in the Midwest, the Cleveland Plus region is accessible
within 500 miles of 43 percent of the country. And, without lacking
in amenities or attractions, a trip to Cleveland can cost roughly
30-40 percent less than cities like New York
or Chicago.
So whether it's gazing upon a Starry Night, tapping toes along to
Broadway's biggest hits, or getting lost in one of Stravinsky's
symphonies, visitors to Cleveland have the opportunity discover the
classics in Cleveland
without breaking the bank.
To view this document online, click
here. To view it as a PDF, click
here.
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
Visitors can't get much closer to the classics created by legends by
the name of Monet, Renoir and Dali all housed in the massive
permanent collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Established in
1913, the Cleveland Museum of Art is not only one of the most
prestigious cultural institutions in the city, it is also one of the
United States' most important art museums and the only major museum
in the country to still offer free admission to its permanent
collection.
Opening
February 19 is the highly anticipated Rembrandt in America
exhibit. This exhibition, being shown in only two other cities (Minneapolis
and Raleigh), brings together the largest number of authentic
Rembrandt paintings from American collections ever assembled. With
approximately 50 works, 30 of which are autograph paintings by the
Dutch master himself, the exhibit explores the long career of the
painter and his broad networks of followers and copyists.
Rembrandt in America offers a rare opportunity to examine
artwork once thought to be produced by the artist but whose
authenticity can no longer be maintained, examining the question
"What Makes a Rembrandt a Rembrandt?"
This is an exciting time for the Cleveland Museum of Art as they
approach final stages of a multi-million-dollar renovation that
expands and re-imagines the entire museum campus and brings the
total building size to almost 600,000 square feet. In addition to
the renovation of the stunning 1916 Beaux-Arts south building and
the 1971 north building by architect Marcel Breuer, the project
features the addition of the east and west wings and an atrium. The
renovation and expansion is the largest cultural project in Ohio's
history and one of the most comprehensive projects at a museum
anywhere in the nation with a total cost of $350 million.
Get a preview of the Cleveland Museum of Art with Positively
Cleveland's YouTube video
here. 216.421.7350,
www.clevelandart.org
AREA ART MUSEUMS
While days could
be filled with all the art in the Cleveland Museum of Art, the
Cleveland Plus region also is home to a slew of art museums that
bring to life classical works and highlight contemporary
masterpieces.
Museum
of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA)
MOCA recently broke ground on a new $26.3 million home at the corner
of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road in the brand new Uptown District
of the University Circle
neighborhood. The unique, new 34,000-square-foot, four-story
building is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2012. It
will provide MOCA with street presence for the first time in its
40-year history. As Cleveland's forum for interpreting culture
through contemporary visual art, MOCA's new presence will help it to
connect visitors to the dynamic art and ideas of our times. As a
gathering place for experiencing contemporary art and culture, the
new location will push the boundaries of innovation, creativity and
expression. 216.421.8671,
www.mocacleveland.org
Akron Art Museum
The acclaimed new facility showcases regional, national and
international art created since 1850. The collection ranges from
American Impressionism to contemporary art. Special exhibitions
present celebrated artists including upcoming shows Ray Turner:
Population, and Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend
Howard Finster. See behind the scenes at the Akron Art Museum
with Positively Cleveland's YouTube video
here. 330.376.9185,
www.akronartmuseum.org
Canton Museum of Art
In addition to the permanent collection with a stunning focus on the
American Watercolors of the 19th and 20th centuries and contemporary
ceramic, the Canton Museum of Art has been a staple of the arts and
cultural community in Canton for more than 75 years. The current
exhibit, Focus Fiber 2011 , on display through March 4
features 50 works by 39 artists from eight states. The show displays
the best of contemporary textile and fiber work that truly pushes
the boundaries of the medium. 330.453.7666,
www.cantonart.org
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
In the tenth year
of The Cleveland Orchestra's partnership with Music Director Franz
Welser-Möst, the Orchestra consistently ranks within the top 10
orchestras in the world. The Cleveland Orchestra has earned
unprecedented residences in the United States and in Europe,
including one at the Musikverein in Vienna. Whether on tour abroad
or nationally, or at home in Severance Hall or the summer Blossom
Festival, The Cleveland Orchestra aims to set standards of artistic
excellence, creative programming, and community engagement.
Founded in 1918 by a group of local musicians in the Cleveland area
and considered a member of the "big five" The Cleveland Orchestra
has consistently set the bar for musical quality and performance
brilliance.
In the 2011-2012 season the Orchestra will feature opera-in-concert
performances of Stauss's Salome and a three-week festival of Brahms
masterworks such as Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 and the Violin
Concerto. Throughout the season, a variety of guest conductors and
artists return to the Cleveland Orchestra stage such as former
principal conductor Pierre Boulez, guitarist John Pizzarelli and
violinist Arabella Steinbacher.
The classics
truly come alive in University Circle, the nation's most
concentrated square mile of arts and culture in the nation with more
than 20 venues. Alongside the Cleveland Museum of Art and the
Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, visitors can come
face-to-tooth with a T. Rex at the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History, explore more than 350 species of exotic plants and 50
species of live butterflies, insects and amphibians in the Cleveland
Botanical Garden glasshouse or listen to a performance of tomorrow's
musical stars at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Located just four
miles east of downtown Cleveland, University Circle is where
Cleveland's arts and cultural scene truly draws a crowd. In fact,
more than 2.5 million visitors visit each year. 216.791.3900,
www.universitycircle.org
To get some insider tips on visiting University Circle, check out
Positively Cleveland's YouTube video
here.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens is a combination of indoor exhibits
housed in a magnificent glasshouse and ten acres of diverse outdoor
gardens. The spectacular Glasshouse includes two major exhibits, the
Costa Rica Rainforest and the MadagascarSpiny
Desert. There are also nine beautiful outdoor gardens for
exploration. Each spring the garden features a stunning OrchidMania
program with hundreds of bold blooming orchids on display throughout
the Garden. 216.721.1600,
www.cbgarden.org
Cleveland
Museum of Natural History
From dinosaurs to diamonds, the Museum is a beautiful blend of
traditional and interactive galleries that show kids of all ages how
history and art connect with the natural world. Visitors can't miss
the recently reopened planetarium where a new digital projection
system was installed featuring images in full motion and 3-D
texturing as they move to the forefront. Also, guests can explore
the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center + Woods Garden where an
eclectic mixture of creatures, such as bald eagles, owls, foxes,
bobcats and more inhabit a 2.2-acre outdoor gallery. 216.231.4600,
www.cmnh.org
Western Reserve Historical Society
Visitors can learn about the history of this region through
exhibitions, The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing and rare artifacts.
The Chisholm Halle Costume Collection is one of the top-ranked
costume collections in the nation, showcasing more than 40,000
garments from the late 1700s to the present. The museum also houses
the nation's largest Shaker collections, military collections and
extensive archives of influential cultures in Cleveland's
history. 216.721.5722,
www.wrhs.org
Cleveland
Institute of Art (CIA)
The work of some of the nation's most talented "soon to be
discovered" artists can be found in CIA's Reinberger Galleries, open
to the public at no charge, six days a week. Also, the Cleveland
Institute of Art Cinematheque is one of the country's best repertory
movie theaters constantly showing art, independent, and foreign
films as well as revived classics. Established in 1882, the
Cleveland Institute of Arts has earned a reputation for being among
the top ten professional colleges of art and design in the country.
216.421.7000
www.cia.edu
Cleveland
Institute of Music (CIM)
Free concerts are offered throughout the year by students of the
Cleveland Institute of Music, a leading international conservatory.
Many of CIM's graduates go on to perform with the world's most
acclaimed musical organizations, including numerous members of The
Cleveland Orchestra. CIM recently opened Mixon Hall, which is
receiving rave reviews from famous artists who have performed at the
venue. There is no other facility like it - a musical venue with a
wall of glass and unbelievable acoustics. 216.791.5000,
www.cim.edu
PLAYHOUSESQUARE
Each year more than 1 million guests visit the opulent
theaters at PlayhouseSquare for more than 1,000 annual events
including Broadway's best shows, international and national
performing acts and musicians. The eight theaters, five of which
have been beautifully restored to their splendor of the early 1920s,
make PlayhouseSquare the largest performing arts center in the
nation outside of New York City. (216.771.4444
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 216.771.4444end_of_the_skype_highlighting,
www.playhousesquare.org)
Cleveland's oldest theater, the Cleveland Play House , moved
into the recently renovated Allen Theater at PlayhouseSquare last
September. The $32 million renovation reconfigures the 2,500-seat
theater into two separate spaces with capacities of 550 and 300.
Changes include a third 175-seat black box theater constructed next
door to the Allen, a new pedestrian walkway from the parking garage,
new entrances and wiring for modern technology and multimedia. The
Cleveland Play House 2011-2012 season concludes with Stephen Adly
Guirgis's In Arabia We'd All Be Kings about the bar clientele
in New York City and Shakespeare's A Winter Tale.
(216.795.7000,
www.clevelandplayhouse.com)
The
historic Hanna Theatre sparkles once again thanks to Great Lakes
Theater's (GLT) $19.2 million state-of-the-art restoration.
Bringing a new wave of fresh and innovative theater tactics, Great
Lakes Theater has transformed the once "cookie cutter" approach of
presenting live performances into an interactive and out-of-the-box
scenario. The new Hanna Theatre design infuses the historic 1920s
theater with a bold contemporary sensibility and inventive new
theater concepts such as a hydraulic thrust stage while retaining
the space's classic architectural elements. Visitors can enjoy
classics in the 2011-2012 season such as Romeo and Juliet,
The Taming of the Shrew and A Christmas Carol as well as
new contemporary performances of The Moustrap, Cabaret
and Sondhiem on Sondhiem. (216.241.6000,
www.greatlakestheater.org)
CENTER STAGE
Any visitor will
have to pace themselves through the arts and culture scene as
Cleveland Plus boasts an abundance of theater outlets for any
audience and every genre. The community with deep roots in the
performance arts brings a variety of topics and styles center stage
at some of the region's most prominent theater venues.
Beck
Center for the Arts
The BeckCenter for the Arts is a comprehensive nonprofit arts
organization offering professional theater productions, gallery
exhibits featuring local and regional artists, as well as arts
education classes. This spring visitors to the west side suburb of
Lakewood
can follow a group of teenagers on their journey of self-discovery
and rock and roll in the professional theater performance of
Spring Awakening. 216.521.2540,
www.beckcenter.org
EJ Thomas Hall
The University of Akron's EJ Thomas Hall features a variety of
Broadway series, concerts and dance performances to Akron-area
visitors. The massive auditorium features "the Flying Balcony," a
44-ton ceiling that can close off the Grand Tier, creating a smaller
auditorium and more intimate performance setting. Headliners of the
Broadway series this year include the Blue Man Group and theatrical
performances of The Fiddler on the Roof and The Color
Purple. 330.972.7570,
www.ejthomashall.com
Karamu
House
Visitors can experience creativity and innovation at the nation's
oldest African American cultural arts institution, Karamu House
located on Cleveland's east side. This season features the moving
story by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye,
about the heartbreaking life of a young African American girl in
1940 and the crippling effects of racism. Karamu House also will
present the ever-popular God's Trombones, as well as various
other productions for adults and children. 216.795.7070,
www.karamuhouse.org
Rabbit Run Theater
Rabbit Run Theater, located in the east side suburb of Madison, is one
of the few barn theaters still in operation. For more than 30 years,
this community arts association has enriched arts opportunities and
offered a variety of live theater performances throughout the summer
months. This year they will feature a variety of shows written by
classic master himself, Charles Dickens. 440.428.7092,
www.rabbitrunonline.org
Stocker Arts Center
Presenting a combination of professional music, dance and theater
performances for all ages, the Stocker Arts Center is one of the top
performing and visual arts venues in Ohio. Located on the Lorain
Community College campus, the center features an almost 1,000 main
theater, 200+ lecture and cinema hall, studios and the Beth K.
Stocker Art Gallery. 440.366.4140,
www.lorainccc.edu/stocker
Cleveland is also home to a variety of theaters who present
innovative and contemporary performances. Theatrical organizations
such as
Cleveland Public Theatre and
Dobama Theatre present an array of adventurous, versatile
and socially conscious work that nurtures and develops the community
theater landscape.
ENCORE EATS
Let's face it, no one wants to be sitting in a performance of a
lifetime or gazing at a century-old masterpiece and get distracted
with a grumble from their stomach. Visitors to Cleveland Plus can
take a proactive approach to hunger pains with some of the area's
most palette pleasing menus at restaurants just around the corner
for the region's arts and cultural institutions.
Cowell &
Hubbard - NEW!
Located in the heart of the PlayhouseSquare district is a perfect
example of Clevelandars breathing new life into classic
architecture. Chef Zack Bruell has opened his fifth Cleveland
restaurant in the historic Cowell & Hubbard building, an iconic
jewelry story that opened in 1920. To compliment Bruell's menu
featuring plays on contemporary Parisian cuisine are stunning
18-foot ceilings, massive floor-to-ceiling windows and
6,500-square-feet of beautiful restaurant space. 216.479.0555,
www.cowellandhubbard.com
Bricco
Late-night kitchen hours (open until midnight or later throughout
the week) at Bricco's two locations in the theater district of
downtown Cleveland and in the heart of downtown Akron, make
scrumptious Italian food available at any hour of the evening. An
assortment of pasta variations are just a small portion of this
hearty menu. 330.475.1600, 216.862.2889(Cleveland),
www.briccodowntown.com
Guarino's Restaurant
Established in 1918, Guarino's Restaurant is Cleveland's oldest
restaurant located right in Little Italy. After a day at the museums
in University Circle or before a show at Severance Hall, the
family-friend atmosphere and charming Victorian parlors make an
old-world Italian meal at Guarino's complements a culture-filled
day. 216.231.3100,
www.guarinoscleveland.com
L'Albatros
Chef Zack Bruell studied restaurants and bistros in France in order
to prepare and accurately open his third restaurant venture in
Cleveland in the artisan-rich area around University Circle.
L'Albatros Basserie and Bar is revitalizing timeless dishes and
serving them in a style that appeals to culinary critics and
everyday museum-goers alike. 216.791.7880,
www.albatrosbrasserie.com
Maxi's
Bistro
Located just around the corner from University Circle is one of
Little Italy's finest bistros specializing in Northern Italian
cuisine. The menu features delicious frog legs, pastas, seafood
and, of course, tiramisu in an upscale casual environment. And,
with early and late happy hour specials, including half-off any
pizza, discounted calamari and drinks, visitors can enjoy Maxi's
bistro on a budget. 216.421.1500,
www.maxisinlittleitaly.com
Sergio's in University Circle
Much like the eclectic gathering of cultural institutions
surrounding University Circle, Sergio's pulls inspiration from
Italy, Brazil, Asia and around the world. In a prime location for
either lunch or dinner, Sergio's delightful world cuisine served in
a smart, intimate and stylish atmosphere is the perfect complement
to an afternoon at the theaters or museums. 216.231.1234,
www.sergioscleveland.com
STAR at PlayhouseSquare
Featuring cabaret-style dining, contemporary American cuisine such
as pan seared lamb chops or ancho-glazed pork tenderloin and an
extensive wine list, STAR is the perfect location for dinner before
OR after major theater events. Located at PlayhouseSquare, the
dining experience is just steps away from the best shows in town. 216.621.8777,
www.staratplayhousesquare.com
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Glidden House
The Glidden house
is an impressive
French gothic mansion built in 1910 by the son of the founder of
Glidden Paint and Varnish Company. In the late 1980s the mansion was
converted into Cleveland's
only full-service boutique hotel. Located in University Circle,
the 60-room hotel features legendary charm combined with urban
design and all of the modern conveniences travelers have come to
expect. 866.812.4537,
www.gliddenhouse.com
The
Tudor Arms
The Tudor Arms hotel, an 11-story hotel located on the east side has
been renovated into a luxurious DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton. Built in
1929 the property was originally known as the Cleveland Club
Building, where it served as a lavish private men's club. After a
$22 million investment the Tudor Arms Hotel's gothic brick and
limestone exterior has been revitalized, as well as the spacious
two-story ballroom. The result of these efforts is a stunning
157-room hotel with the character of the early 1900's and the
amenities of a luxury hotel in the heart of Cleveland's
arts and cultural district, University Circle. Click
here.
Intercontinental Suites Hotel Cleveland
InterContinental Suites Hotel Cleveland, the region's only "wellness
focused" all-suite hotel, is conveniently located right on the
Cleveland Clinic campus. An oasis for guests to relax, rejuvenate
and improve their overall mental and physical well-being, this hotel
is close to the city's most prominent attractions. 216.707.4300,
cleveland-suites.intercontinental.com
