What a great weekend - first, the Summer Solstice party at the Cleveland Museum of Art - basically a few thousand people converge on the art museum to enjoy drinks, food, performance artists, and oh yeah - the entire museum is open until late hours (2am I think?) during the party. So yeah, it's one hell of a great time, and I managed to bump into someone from every 'circle' I run in and to those UrbanOhio forumers I met - it was great to meet you but if I was a little wacky, I apologize - it was Commodore Perry's fault (and our generous friend got us in during the earlier 'open bar' hours).

 

Then today, my partner and I decided to take a walk along the beach at Edgewater Park - the weather was insanely perfect, and it was just such a great weekend that reminded me of why I love this city so much.

 

Some music that matches the mood of the photos:

 

This amazing floral decoration was about 8 feet tall:

 

Moon Hooch doing their thing (not quite my cup of tea, but they were fun):

 

Danged anarchists - blowing up a Rodin sculpture?!?

 

Some leftover costumes from Parade the Circle made an appearance:

 

We lucked out on the weather - overcast but no rain:

 

Mind you, blue skies just to the north, but oh well:

 

Isn't *anyone* going to buy the poor guy a drink? He's stuck up on that pedestal all night!

 

Exhibit A of why this should be a more than once a summer event:

 

What's an event at the art museum without performance artists?

 

Can't wait for the atrium to open:

 

Museum interior:

 

Love this view - it'll be even better when the walls concealing the construction area are down:

 

 

 

The Summer Solstice party attracts several thousand people, so the museum staggers the ticket pricing and admission times, so as the night progresses, the crowd gets more and more diverse in every way imaginable.

 

Digital art projections by Kasumi:

 

A wacky "rogue" marching band shows up:

 

 

See all the people to the left? They're just arriving and there's already a few thousand people - gotta say this - I pretty much bumped into at least one person from *every* social circle I know. It was just a fun, crazy, surreal night:

 

Anyway, we decide to take in some culture and go inside. One of my favorite pieces in the CMA collection - a table and pieces designed by Bugatti (yes, the Italian car people):

 

Art Nouveau cabinet:

 

After that, I took a few photos in the areas where photography is normally not permitted so I'm not going to post those. Next up, a day at the beach!

 

En route - I know that they're planning to replace the Columbus Road bridge - I kinda hope they replicate it exactly, with rust and all:

 

 

If/when this building gets converted into residential, I have dibs on the top floor and roof deck rights, thankyouverymuch!

 

Alright we arrive at Edgewater Park - we parked in the smaller lot near Cliff Drive; who knew the walk from there to the beach had this?

 

But anyway - there are perceptions about Edgewater - some deserved, others not so much. First thing we see is a kid having a blast on a jetski with his dad:

 

It ain't Waikiki (been there!), and it could use a little work but on a day like today, it was great:

 

Does anyone else remember when this was just sitting there next to a bunch of scary dilapidated buildings?

 

Yeah, speaking of dispelling perceptions:

 

Lake Erie's not the most inviting body of water in the winter, but come summertime:

 

Would ya look at that - families out and about having a good time!

 

But no - Cleveland's a miserable place according to Forbes - no one can find love or would raise a family here:

 

Kudos to my partner for pointing out this nice little lady:

 

 

Yep, no one in Cleveland knows how to have a good time

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone enjoys the water in their own way - I definitely prefer the method on the right!

 

 

 

I guess that some demolition remnants have been put into the Lake here and there - some make for a nice water feature:

 

Clearly someone young whose bones haven't fused yet!

 

Those aren't water droplets - I think they're eggs and they were all along the beach:

 

 

Watercraft of every size:

 

Gotta take time to smell (or take a photo of) the roses flora!

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome.

Great photos of a great event

Thank you for these are amazing photos. I had kind of a rough weekend and these just cheered me up.

Tremendous pictures, MayDay!! Two great summer settings in the city!

Comfy!

Eastside and Westside!

 

 

Awesome!  That solstice party looks great.  Definitely need to check that out sometime.

 

Next year I hope the Tribe's in town the same weekend as the solstice party so I can take it all in one one trip home!

Beautiful. Your photos make me homesick for Cleveland, and I never even lived there!

Great set; thanks!

Incredible shots as always Mayday. Thanks for the shots of the Summer Solstice party. I had to miss it this year.

These are awesome. I always like your photos because you know what shots are good to take and you always make fun/sharp comments.

Beautiful. Your photos make me homesick for Cleveland, and I never even lived there!

 

Exactly.. Maydays photos always make me homesick..! 

Ive always heard great things about the Solstice Party, and this was to be the year that I went....  Well if everything goes as planned I will be back there next year and it will one of many things that I cant wait to take advantage of.   

Fantastic shots. I have to make it a point to go to the solstice party next year.

 

I see my wife's OB and his wife were standing on the steps going up to the museum.

White..... Bikini.....

 

I hope those poor girls didn't get mauled by that bear.

 

Watercraft of every size:

 

 

I love this picture

I visited Cleveland for the first time this weekend and I was very impressed. The girlfriend and I were at Edgewater park for a few minutes but unfortunately a storm came and we decided to leave. We did go to the Rock and Roll HOF and Greak Lakes Brewing Co though. It was a short weekend but I definitely plan on going back so I can explore more.