Events and Nightlife

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s successful Ohio City Stages program, which debuted this summer with a series of free outdoor concerts at the Transformer Station at West 29th and Church, continues this fall with a new series of performances. 

“The Transformer Station will be a space for adventurous music as much as adventurous visual art,” says Tom Welsh, Associate Director of Music Programming at CMA. “This is the museum’s great strength and role to play – this is something different, I think, a pretty terrific series of first-class international artists.”

The concerts, which will be held inside the Transformer Station, are intimate, mostly solo performances with limited seating. They are intended to showcase artists that typically do not appear in Cleveland, especially ones whose work is not easily categorized. Tickets cost $20 ($18 for members) and concerts begin at 7:30 pm.

New to Ohio City, Town Hall offers a variety of fresh, healthy foods and juices along with an extensive selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The restaurant also offers three different restaurant experiences for guests, who  can enjoy their food in a casual cafe, full-service dining room or seated on the beautiful front or back patios.

After spending a few years in Florida, Cleveland native Christa Fitch returned home to open Town Hall. This isn’t Christa’s first time opening a restaurant, but this is her first time opening a restaurant in Ohio City. Along with being passionate about Town Hall, Christa is passionate about the Ohio City community and wants  Town Hall to add a unique component to the culture and excitement of the area.

Are you from the Cleveland area?
Yes, I grew up in Rocky River. I attended Bowling Green State University, lived in Southwest Florida for 3 years and now I’m back in the Cleveland area, living in Lakewood.

The summer months are arguably the best and busiest time time of year in Ohio City. There is something for everyone, every day of the week, from live music and unique outdoor entertainment to family-friendly programming that makes good use of wonderful neighborhood parks like Fairview and Greenwood. Take advantage of all of the summer happenings in our neighborhood!

Ohio City will once again be transformed on Wednesday nights this July as the Cleveland Museum of Art launches a free summer arts series. CMA Ohio City Stages, presented by Charter One, will bring acclaimed global music artists to a stage on the blocks surrounding The Transformer Station.

In addition to the diverse, award-winning musicians, films by contemporary artists will be shown on the Transformer Station lawn at West 29th and Church. Food and beverage will be available for purchase at the event.

CMA Ohio City Stages has been spearheaded by Bellwether, a project of CMA’s Contemporary Arts Society.

The Brews + Prose reading series at Market Garden Brewery on West 25th Street ain’t exactly your typical author reading. While most readings take place in quiet libraries or bookstore basements, this one is held in Ohio City’s hottest new bar, bringing together great literature and craft beer.

“There’s a gap between the hushed, almost church-like readings of universities and libraries and the places you can enjoy yourself and have a glass of beer,” says Dave Lucas, a poet and Lyndhurst resident who spearheaded the event with Market Garden Brewery to celebrate talented Cleveland authors.

“We want to remind people that literature is fun,” he adds. “Readings shouldn’t be the broccoli of literary life, yet you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality.”

Northeast Ohio has been granted somewhat of a reprieve from frigid temps and blustery snow showers this season, but that did not stop the organizers of Brite Winter Fest from celebrating the region’s least celebrated season. Residents and visitors of Ohio City collected around bonfires near Market Square, drawing together in the spirit of community but also for warmth, to listen to local bands and down their fair share of hot chocolate or libations from hip plastic mugs.

 The temperatures dipped below the freezing mark, but luckily folks could duck into myriad establishments along W. 25 to thaw. For a place like Johnnyville Slugger, maybe it was their first time or maybe they had been there before, but everything felt new and fresh.

Councilman Joe Cimperman’s voice echoed through the West Side Market.

“Let’s get this party started,” he enthusiastically bellowed during the launch of the Market’s Centennial Celebration – a yearlong series of events that will honor the past 100 years of Cleveland’s grande dame, and celebrate the limitless future of this unique Cleveland icon.

On Sunday, October 7, thousands of visitors gathered around Market Square in Ohio City, sending well wishes to one of Cleveland’s most beloved landmarks, the West Side Market.

A drastic departure from Ohio City’s typical Sunday sleepiness, the sidewalks and streets swelled with people. The inclement weather brought ponchos and umbrellas but failed to dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm. Around five p.m. the sky cleared just in time for GE Lighting’s historic relighting of the market’s clock tower.

Undeterred by wet weather, Clevelanders came out in droves, sampling food from local vendors such as Souper Market, Kate’s Fish and SOHO Kitchen & Bar who set up in tents on the West 25th Street. They ran into old friends, made new ones, and gathered beneath the awnings at U.S. Bank and the soon-to-be Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream Headquarters to stay dry.

Boris Music purchased the Hansa Import House at the corner of Lorain Avenue and West 28th Street in 1979 and converted it into a Bavarian-style fortress. The defensive design was appropriate for the times, when vandals were a big problem throughout the neighborhood.

Now, Music sees the neighborhood finally growing to its full potential. He recently announced a $3 million plan for an extreme makeover of the Hansa House. It will be transformed into a European-style brewery, café and restaurant featuring Slovenia’s Pivovarna Lasko beer while continuing to serve as an import marketplace. 

A building addition to be constructed on the parking lot at West 28th will become Four Corners Restaurant. “We intend to have visiting chefs that will be rotated on a quarterly basis,” explains Music, adding that the chefs will represent a variety of European regions.

On Sunday, October 7, thousands of visitors gathered around Market Square in Ohio City, sending well wishes to one of Cleveland’s most beloved landmarks, the West Side Market.
A drastic departure from Ohio City’s typical Sunday sleepiness, the sidewalks and streets swelled with people. The inclement weather brought ponchos and umbrellas but failed to dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm. Around five p.m. the sky cleared just in time for GE Lighting’s historic relighting of the market’s clock tower.