Arts + Culture

Ofrendas, skulls and skeletons, and music: Celebrating Día de Muertos in photos
Last Saturday, thousands gathered in the Gordon Square Arts District for the 21st annual Día de Muertos celebration, presented by Cleveland Public Theatre and Día de Muertos Ohio. Costumed celebrants in elaborate makeup and colorful adornments—moved down Detroit Avenue to honor and remember their loved ones in the Procession of Skulls and Skeletons. Photographer Reuben Kutash joined the procession to document that day.
Buy Art, Buy Ohio: Experience immersive art, connect with artists at CAN Journal benefit
CAN Journal will host its annual Buy Art, Buy Ohio benefit this Saturday, Nov. 8, at The Hall at St. James in Lakewood. The event features an immersive projection-mapped installation that showcases work from more than 30 regional artists and is edited by Cleveland artist Jason Toth. Proceeds support CAN Journal's work while guests can celebrate local artists, enjoy music, an auction, and kick off their holiday shopping with local goods and art.
A mother's mission: Reprise of ‘Objectively/Reasonable’ honors Tamir Rice, funds cultural center
Eleven years after 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by Cleveland police, his mother, Samaria Rice, and playwright and former Karamu House artistic director Terence Spivey are reprising the 2016 theatrical production "Objectively/Reasonable: A Community Response to the Shooting of Tamir Rice, 11/22/14." The Saturday, Nov. 8 staging at Near West Theatre will raise funds for the Tamir Rice Afro-Centric Cultural Center.
Día de Muertos: a cultural celebration, remembrance, and artistic expression
Cleveland's 21st annual Día de Muertos Festival, organized by Cleveland Public Theatre and Día de Muertos Ohio, will take place on November 1st in the Gordon Square Arts District. The event, which honors the memory of those who have passed, will feature traditional arts, music, dance, food, and cultural activities, including altar installations and the Skulls and Skeletons Procession.
‘In the Blink of an Eye:’ After three decades, graffiti artist Bob Peck's journey comes full circle
Artist Bob Peck's retrospective exhibit, "In the Blink of an Eye," showcases more than 35 years as a graffiti artist and abstract expressionist. The one-night event at Graffiti HeArt will feature Peck's evolution as an artist, educator, and community figure—displaying works from his early street art days to his recent explorations in three-dimensional art.
More than books: CCPL’s Parma-Powers Branch expands access through art
The Cuyahoga County Public Library's Parma-Powers branch transformed a 240-square-foot space into a dynamic Art Wall, featuring rotating exhibits from local and national artists. This initiative is an example of how libraries are adapting to meet community needs, offering not just books but also access to art, technology, and shared experiences.
Step into your Story: Lake Erie Ink, CSU to host annual Teen Writers’ Symposium
Lake Erie Ink and Cleveland State University English department will host the fifth annual Teen Writers' Symposium, allowing young writers in grades six through 12 to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills through workshops, panel discussions, and interactions with guest writers.
Hitting the right note: CSFF musicians transform the silent classics
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) wrapped up its 2025 fall viewing series of silent films set to live musical accompaniment. CSFF board member and seasoned entertainment writer David S. Cohen reflects on the impact of live music, and the talented accompanists' work, have on these classic silent films.
La Distancia: Artist brings cultural form and function to Clark-Fulton bus stop
Artist Edra Soto has created a unique bus shelter installation in Cleveland, inspired by Puerto Rican architectural motifs. "La Distancia" serves as both a functional transit shelter and a public art piece—exploring themes of cultural identity, migration, and belonging. The shelter is designed to be a gathering space for the community while showcasing Puerto Rican architecture and culture.
Music, poetry, and sculpture: Cleveland Arts Prize honors creative excellence at 65th annual Awards
The Cleveland Arts Prize celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, honoring a diverse group of artists and advocates in Northeast Ohio. This year's recipients, guitarist Jason Vieaux, poet Ali Black, and sculptor Mark E. Howard, will be honored this month for their contributions to the Cleveland's rich arts and culture world.
Nostalgia reigns at 20th annual 'Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park'
The 20th annual "Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park" was held on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Beach Park, celebrating the legacy of the amusement park that operated from 1895 to 1969. Visitors enjoyed vintage car displays, historical exhibits, rides in the Euclid Beach Rocket Car, and nostalgic treats while exploring artifacts and memories from the park's heyday.
IngenuityFest 2025: Forging Cleveland's creative future
IngenuityFest 2025: Forging the Future will transform an historic brush factory into a hub of creativity—blending Cleveland's manufacturing history with modern innovative technology, art, and music. The festival will showcase both traditional crafts and artistic expression and emerging technologies of the future.
Photos: Rocking the Heights Music Hop
The Heights Music Hop, hosted by FutureHeights, brought live music to three Cleveland Heights districts over three days last weekend. Photographer Reuben Kutash documented performances on Friday and Saturday.
Fantastic four: Playhouse Square unveils four family-friendly shows in Children's Theater Series
Playhouse Square, will launch its 2025-2026 Children's Theater Series in October, featuring four productions ranging from classic adaptations to cultural celebrations. The series, includes sensory-friendly performances and educational workshops to enhance the theater experience for young audiences.
Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards: 90 years of truth telling through literature
Several events are planned this weekend around he 90th anniversary of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, honoring outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and human diversity. With a diverse lineup of award-winning authors, panel discussions, and interactive events, the Cleveland Book Fest solidifies the Cleveland as a major literary hub.
Cleveland Museum of Art brings Renaissance tradition to life with 36 annual Chalk Festival
The Cleveland Museum of Art's annual Chalk Festival, a modern interpretation of a 16th-century Italian tradition, is this weekend on the south plaza, walkways, and the Fine Arts Garden. Artists of all skill levels are invited to create chalk masterpieces, with professional artists joining community groups and families in a colorful celebration of art and self-expression.
Painting the Town: Shaker Arts Council unveils nine new art-wrapped utility boxes
The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) has unveiled nine newly wrapped utility boxes as part of its annual Painting the Town art competition. The project features designs by local professional artists and a high school graduate completing her senior project, bringing color and creativity to the streets of Shaker Heights along the Rapid Transit Green and Blue Lines.
Sound of music: CLE Silent Film Festival screens five 1920s classic silent films, set to live music
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium's fall series features five silent films from the 1920s accompanied by live music. The festival, which includes screenings at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other venues, celebrates the centennial of these classic films and the Art Deco movement with a mix of orchestral performances, chamber music, and even a metal band.
Hop to it: Heights Music Hop returns to three-day format, adds family programming
The Heights Music Hop in Cleveland Heights this year has an expanded three-day format across three business districts. The event, presented by Future Heights, features a diverse range of musical genres, family-friendly programming, and plans for future growth to accommodate the city's evolving business landscape.
Rid-All Farm’s Fresh Fest returns for sixth year with art, food, activities, and music
Rid-All Green Partnership's Fresh Fest Cleveland, now in its sixth year, will transform the Kinsman neighborhood into a vibrant celebration of food, art, wellness, and music this Saturday, Sept. 13. The free festival, headlined by hip-hop legend MC Lyte, will feature more than 80 local vendors, 12 food trucks, and a variety of activities at the revitalized Rid-All Farm and Otter Park.