Hilarities and a Champagne Bar

Pickwick and Frolic

           If you are ever looking for something interesting and new to do in downtown Cleveland, I highly suggest going down to east 4th and going to Pickwick and Frolic.  Not only do they have great food but they also have great shows.  If you didn't know this, they also have a connected theatre called Hilarities where they do many shows; mostly stand up comedians.  Last weekend I went there with a group of friends for dinner and to see a comedian.  The food was pretty good, what didn't hurt is they have an amazing champagne bar; who wouldn't like that?  This bar has over 65 different champagnes and sparkling wines, I'd say try some prosecco or the amazing Veuve Clicquot (my favorite!!).  Hilarities has different comedians each weekend and this weekend we had the chance to see Jake Johannsen, who funny enough is one of David Letterman's favorite comedians.  It was a fun night, doing something different than just going to the normal bar.  If you have yet to step into Pickwick, I highly suggest you do and go straight for the Champagne Bar.

Tremont has Absinthe?

Parallax in Tremont

    Parallax, known for their amazing sushi in Tremont, just added a new take on Happy Hours.  Last week, I went to Parallax for a Happy Hour with my girlfriends.  Their Happy Hour is the typical 4-7pm Monday through Friday, but this is definitely not a typical happy hour anymore.  Parallax just added a new drink to their repertoire, and it is a beverage that was popular way back when.  Absinthe.  If you do not know what this is or why it is special, well let me tell you.  As the connoisseur drinking, that I feel I am, absinthe is a distilled highly alcoholic beverage with an anise like taste.  It is such a big deal due to the fact that it got banned in many countries because it was thought to cause alcoholism.  In 2007, the ban was lifted but not many restaurants sell it; that is why it is so interesting that it is now one of the biggest draws to Parallax's "Green Hour," which is what they like to call it.

     Not only do you get great deals on drinks during this green hour, but you also get great deals on their amazing sushi and other options on their menu.  Ranging in prices starting at only $6, this is the place to go when you are craving sushi with a side of absinthe.

Wedding at the Botanical Gardens

Cleveland's Botanical Gardens

    On Sunday; August 31, 2014 my cousin Rebecca got hitched to her fiance in Cleveland at the beautiful Botanical Gardens.  The Botanical Gardens are located on East Boulevard right in the middle of Cleveland.  I couldn't believe how breathtakingly beautiful this place is.  It was the first time I had been there so I knew it would be pretty, but not this gorgeous.  Cleveland's Garden's houses eleven different gardens for you to chose from, each one represents different flowers or plants from different regions of the World.  Some are dedicated to Madagascar, some gardens are there for you to be one with nature and rejuvenate yourself whereas some are there for children to play in with water fountains.  This place is absolutely amazing and not at all what I had expected.  I thought that it would be boring to just go and look at different gardens, but I was way wrong.  The Botanical Garden's did a fantastic job with hosting a wedding and it was very elegant and pretty.  If you haven't been down to the Botanical Garden's yet, I highly suggest that you do!

Brownies!!

Brown's Town!

     On August 23rd, Saturday night, I went downtown Cleveland to see the Cleveland Browns play!  It was an 8:00 pm game, so downtown was already crazy busy.  My friends and I went down to the west 6th area and went to Bar Louie to grab a bite and drinks before we started our short trek to the First Energy stadium.  Fortunately, we had amazing seats in the Club Level of the game.  The were a few rows up on the 50 yard line.  Inside the fairly new stadium, inside the Club area, they have so many new and fun restaurants to eat at while the game is playing.  Some of these are B Spot and Hodges, if you haven't heard or been to either of those amazing restaurants I highly recommend them.
     I honestly think that the Browns have the BEST fan base you could even imagine, the atmosphere and energy and mostly hope that these fans (including myself) have for their Cleveland sports is fabulous.  Although the Browns ended up losing to the Rams it was still a ton of fun!  I definitely think that everyone in Cleveland should go to at least, if not more, Browns games this upcoming season!

Little Italy!

The Feast of the Assumption

    Last Sunday, August 17th, was the annual Feast of the Assumption in Cleveland.  This festival is held down in Historic Little Italy.  The day is dedicated to the commemoration of Mary being assumed into Heaven.  This is a Catholic Holy Day and is celebrated on the 15th of August, but the festival takes place all weekend long.  It is typically held for three days around the time of the 15th for people to come down and enjoy delicious food and a fun atmosphere, while also remembering the assumption of Mary.

    During this festival, many of the Italian eateries around Little Italy set up food booths, there is live music that fills the air and a ton of different rides for children to also have some fun.  This year was just as packed and crowded as every year that I have attended previously.  It is also a fun time to go down to Little Italy and eat and drink while also commemorating Mary.  Some of the best food is down there, especially Mama Santa, which is known for their pizza and authentic Italian food.  If you are around next year during this amazing feast, I highly suggest you attend and see all that Little Italy has to offer!

#BelieveinCLE

#CLEismyOM

      Last Friday, August 8th, Inner Bliss Yoga Studios did an impromptu yoga session in downtown Cleveland.  Typically these classes are scheduled way ahead of time, but on this day, the Inner Bliss Studio did a last minute friday night class in downtown to celebrate the Gay Games coming to Cleveland.  A few hundred people showed up to this event with their yoga mats in tow.  The class was titled #cleismyom, showing unity and collective consciousness over the weekend.  After the class was finished, there were lights shown in downtown Cleveland that resembled the colors of the rainbow in honor of the gay games.  Inner Bliss Yoga holds large classes each month in spots such as: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Mall.  These classes are open to everyone and encourage people to join the yoga movement and #believeinCLE.

Krusty's?!

 

    Fifty dollars? To go down to Whiskey Island and drink beer? What!  Krusty's is an event held every year in the beginning of August down and Whiskey Island, and let me tell you the money is definitely worth the experience!  This is an event that is put on by the Malachi House, the proceeds from the tickets benefit the Malachi House and help the terminally ill find full time caregivers.  

   

    When you are down at Whiskey Island for this event, they provide you with all you can eat food, adult libations and live music... and let's not forget alcohol and fun.  The day started off to a dreary start with rain and thunder, as the day went on the weather got a little better and more and more people started to show up at Whiskey Island.  Everyone seemed to be having a good time listening to music and drinking beer to benefit such a wonderful event.  

   

Burning River Fest

Cleveland's Burning River Fest 2014

    Last friday, on July 25th, I went to the Cleveland Burning River Fest down on Whiskey Island.  This event is to bring people of Cleveland together to raise awareness on environmental issues regarding the Cuyahoga River.  In 1969, the river caught on fire due to the pollution that was in the water.  People come together for a night of music, environmental education, handcrafted beer, different boat floats and a ceremonial lighting to commemorate the cleanup of the Cleveland waterways.
    I have been to this fest many times before but this year was even more interesting because one of my friends was able to play with his band in front of all the people at the Burning River Fest.  This is definitely an event that I would recommend going to every year.  If you have pride in Cleveland and want to be supportive of the Cleveland environment this is a fest that you should come down to and learn more about how you can do your own part!  Not only do you learn more about Cleveland and ways to clean it up, you also get a chance to try new foods and beers and listen to some great music!

Country Comes to Cleveland

"Burn It Down" Tour

   
     Whenever I think of summer, I always think of country music.  Country music has always been something that makes me think about summer concerts, beer and cowboy boots.  Last weekend, July 18th, country music came to Cleveland with an amazing line up.  This "Burn it Down" tour, which that is what it was called and it was definitely true, starred some of the most amazing acts in country right now.  These country super stars included: Jason Aldean, the fabulous Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr.

       The venue was at Progressive Field, which this was the first big concert ever done there, which was amazing in itself; also having Dick Jacobs old suite wasn't too bad either!  I went with a couple of my girlfriends, who are also avid country lovers.  It was an outdoor concert and was filled with people who love country music, beer and having an all 'round good time!  Each act was fantastic and did all of their most popular songs, including some new.  Miranda Lambert, in my own opinion, was by far the best!  She had a ton of energy and got the crowd going for Jason Aldean.  I loved the fact that she wasn't one of those typical celebrity musicians who change their outfits about a hundred times for an hour show.  Instead she stayed on the stage the whole time singing in the same exact outfit, which was typical country style: leather shorts, a Rolling Stones cut off tee and a pair of cowboy boots.  If you ever get the chance to go to a country concert or any concert for that fact at Progressive Field, I say take that opportunity.  The outside atmosphere really adds to the feeling of the concert!

 

      Not only did country music take over this past weekend, but food did as well.  On Sunday, the 20th, it was time for the Taste of Tremont!  This event has been around for 11 years now and is free to the public.  If you don't know what the Taste of Tremont is, it is a neighborhood festival where restaurants all around Tremont host different entertainment and food tastings.  During this festival, you pay for the food as you go and they also host a wine and beer garden.  It was hard to always try different foods because this place was so overly packed and crowded it was ridiculous; but that is what made it fun!  I love that Cleveland has these traditions that get everyone to come out and join together for different festivals and summer fun.  Cleveland is making a comeback and it is starting with their deep roots in their culture.