Sakura blossoms in Akron
If you鈥檙e not sure spring has sprung just yet in Northeast Ohio, head to Akron鈥檚 Towpath Trail this weekend for reassurance.That鈥檚 where more than 400 cherry blossom trees (or Sakura) currently bloom thanks to the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio, which planted the trees in 2011 and 2012. Saturday afternoon is the fifth annual at the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Downtown Akron. The spring celebration of Japanese culture includes a sake and sushi tasting, bonsai workshop and Sakura photo contest 1-7 p.m., rain or shine.
Jazz cat council in Hingetown
By day he鈥檚 a mild-mannered city councilman, but by night he鈥檚 the funky frontman of his own jazz quintet. Late last year Tony Cuda served as interim mayor for Cleveland Heights and now is back in his elected role as council president. On Friday night, the longtime Cleveland Heights resident dons his signature head wrap and crosses the Cuyahoga River for . Once he鈥檚 done crafting legislation for the week, you can find Cuda crafting bluesy bass lines alongside his brother Chris on guitar.The show starts at 8 p.m. in Cleveland鈥檚 Hingetown and streams for free on the club鈥檚 YouTube channel.
Friendly impressions at CMA
As French Impressionist paintings are literally stolen off gallery walls in Europe these days, the popularity of the 19th century artistic movement cannot be denied. Two painters 脡douard Manet and Berthe Morisot were good friends and served as each other鈥檚 creative inspiration. The new Cleveland Museum of Art exhibition 鈥溾�� explores their friendship as well as their contrasting styles and perspectives. Eavesdrop on this artistic conversation between two French masters at the museum in University Circle through July 5.
Backstage star steps back on stage
It鈥檚 been two decades since Raymond Bobgan became executive artistic director for Cleveland Public Theatre in the Gordon Square Arts District. A lot has happened in the neighborhood since then with eclectic restaurants, a pinball parlor and a bar dedicated to donuts all thriving in the district. Meanwhile CPT itself has evolved during this time into an artistic pillar in Northeast Ohio for its inspiring, daring and inclusive productions. But what hasn鈥檛 happened since Bobgan took the reins is him stepping on stage himself in a leading role. That changes as Bobgan stars in his new production, 鈥�,鈥� an artistic interpretation of the ancient Icarus myth. Bobgan portrays Icarus鈥� father Daedalus, mourning the loss of the boy who flew too close to the sun, through April 11.
Zine mania in Massillon
It鈥檚 kinda like a magazine, but not really. Or maybe it鈥檚 more like a newsletter, but not really. It's called a zine and it鈥檚 a great way for anyone to share their artistic side while reaching out to like-minded folks. For the uninitiated, a zine is short for fanzine, and it鈥檚 a totally DIY publication that focuses on niche topics and interests in music, politics, art or just about anything. If this sounds like something you鈥檇 like to try, a pair of zinesters, Alexa and Avery Polinori, bring their scissors, magic markers and construction paper to the Massillon Museum this weekend to show you how it鈥檚 done. The is part of the museum鈥檚 Do the Mu series Saturday, noon - 2 p.m., and all ages are welcome.
