o.k. who's happy now?...

 

Happy's Pizza Video - Michigan, Illinois & Ohio Pizza Chain

I'll be at La Boca  on Monday for wine and tango classes.  It'll be cool seeing that whole area for the first time too

Happys?    Lawd  I can't think of anything snarky to say so......

 

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy

Listen to my girl, Dee Perry today on WCPN. Can't wait to see the Capitol.

 

Airs Mon-Fri at 12:00 PM

Contact [email protected]

Twitter: @aroundnoon

 

Gordon Square Arts District

 

Thursday, October 1

Topics: Arts, Economy

 

Dee Perry broadcasts the show live from the corner of West 65th Street and Detroit Ave, the heart of The Gordon Square Arts District, which brings together The Detroit Shoreway, Cleveland Public Theatre and Near West Theatre. This weekend GSAD celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Capitol Theater. We hear from the movers and shakers behind this arts and economic project that's revitalizing Cleveland's near west side. We also spotlight some of the popular eateries in the neighborhood: Luxe Kitchen and Lounge, Gypsy Beans and Baking Company and The Stone Mad Pub.

 

Any word on when "TOAST," the wine bar on W. 65th, is supposed to open?

;) ok kids....take pics

^ Yes, please! This neighborhood has come such a long way from those of us who remember it in the 80's. I love to see those sidewalks packed with people!

My camera's busted.  I took pictures last weekend, but I can't get them off the memory card!  (if anyone has any ideas, please PM me).  As for Toast, they were putting up a banner this evening on the side of the building.  I dropped the ball, though, and didn't even ask them when they were opening!

Ok, in honor of tonight's big opening:

 

The Capitol Theatre marquee from the day it was installed (?)

o.k. who's happy now?...

 

Happy's Pizza Video - Michigan, Illinois & Ohio Pizza Chain

 

I have a better name...  "Fatty's Pizza"

that photo of  Capitol Theatre reminds me... does anybody else hate the awnings that are on that building?

 

Didn't that building get a big rennovation just a few years ago? Whose idea was it to put red, blue and green awnings all over it? Can they be taken down, please?

I thought awnings were a part of the original style of the building. Were they not?

 

 

Yes they are.

IMO, they look good. I like 'em

I do too... I looked at the old photos of many of these buildings and loved the awnings...

 

Maybe the colors could be different...

that photo of  Capitol Theatre reminds me... does anybody else hate the awnings that are on that building?

 

Didn't that building get a big rennovation just a few years ago? Whose idea was it to put red, blue and green awnings all over it? Can they be taken down, please?

 

The awnings were put up a few years ago when the building was remodeled.  The awnings were part of a grant for storefront/signage.  Sorry you don't like them.  I think it adds alot to an otherwise uninteresting building and does a good job of posting the business names and addresses for not alot of money.

Question:  I have friends that are going to be visiting Cleveland and wanted to do things centered around the rapid.  I thought about adding Gordon Square to my list from the W 65th Rapid Station.  Is this a far or dangerous walk from the Rapid Station?  It doesn't look far on google maps (less than a mile), but the Gordon Square official website does not mention RTA options at all (pet peeve of mine but I sent them a message mentioning it).  I know there is the Detroit Ave Bus, but they are more interested in taking the train around.  They are both big guys and urban dwellers, so if it's decent and not horribly dangerous they will have no problem with it.  With all that's going on over there it looks to be worth a visit...is that true? Thanks in advance for any insight.

It's about a 10 minute walk.  I would think they'd be fine during the day.  At night, the first couple blocks from the station may be iffy.

^^I have walked up W 65th to Gordon Square many times, it is not bad at all and it is about a 10-15 minute walk. And yes, I think that Gordon Square is worth a visit. After they have checked it out, they can just walk farther north on 65th and go to Edgewater Park, which is one of my favorite places in the city.

After they have checked it out, they can just walk farther north on 65th and go to Edgewater Park, which is one of my favorite places in the city.

 

That is a great idea!  I'll tell them to go down there for the sunset.  Is 65th where the tunnel is that goes under the Shoreway to Edgwater?  Has it been cleaned up a bit...from what I remember the tunnel was really neglected and full of mud.  I really appreciate the feedback.

After they have checked it out, they can just walk farther north on 65th and go to Edgewater Park, which is one of my favorite places in the city.

 

That is a great idea! I'll tell them to go down there for the sunset. Is 65th where the tunnel is that goes under the Shoreway to Edgwater? Has it been cleaned up a bit...from what I remember the tunnel was really neglected and full of mud. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

You're welcome! :) Also, the dirty tunnel into Edgewater that you are thinking of is the Battery Park tunnel. The 65th St tunnel is really clean and nice. It is the one that slopes down and curves and is only underground for a short stretch. Sunset would be a great time to go there, hopefully when they go the weather is nice.

 

 

Yes they are.

IMO, they look good. I like 'em

 

I do too... I looked at the old photos of many of these buildings and loved the awnings...

 

Maybe the colors could be different...

 

I do as well.  Since most building built in that period had outdoor shades since they were not air conditioned.  It was also a place to have people stop and look at the window displays, while waiting for the bus (light to change, etc.)  since it protected "window shoppers" from the elements.

I'm a big fan of awnings... these ones are just particuarly boring and I don't think very representative of what would have been there in the period.

Not to sound like MTS (no offense MTS) is there a pic that shows the different color awnings? All I see are the blue ones posted on the previous pages. Those aren't so bad.

Instead of walking.  There really isn't much of anything worth seeing walking up 65th st (St. Coleman's is beautiful on the inside, I find it uninspiring from the outside)  and while it is not the least safest walk in the city, it certainly isn't west park. 

 

I would suggest the 26 bus runs every 20 mins or so.

 

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/26.pdf

 

you can pick it up either at the West Blvd. Cudell station or tower city.   

 

the 45 connects at the 65th st rapid stop or downtown. and runs every hour or so. 

 

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/45.pdf

 

I would suggest this over the 1/2 mile walk from the 65th street rapid station.

 

Just buy all day passes and you can switch back and forth.....the 26 route has new articulated buses.

 

I do the walk up 65th from the rapid multiple times each week and I like it.  It's got lots of promise, but it's not dicey and has a number of nice buildings on it.  Decent amount of traffic and "eyes on the street."  I concur that it's about a 10-minute walk to Gordon Square.  And yes, the 65th street tunnel to edgewater is a delight!

 

 

Yes they are.

IMO, they look good. I like 'em

 

I do too... I looked at the old photos of many of these buildings and loved the awnings...

 

Maybe the colors could be different...

 

I do as well. Since most building built in that period had outdoor shades since they were not air conditioned. It was also a place to have people stop and look at the window displays, while waiting for the bus (light to change, etc.) since it protected "window shoppers" from the elements.

 

I've posted about this before.  I like awnings in general.  Those ones, however, look a little cheap and boring to me.  Now's a great time for DSCDO to take a hard look at replacing them with something that reflects the new personality of the GSAD. 

Nice write-up in today's Morning Journal about the Capitol as well as the re-opening of Oberlin's Apollo:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Morning Journal (morningjournal.com), Serving Northern Ohio

 

Entertainment

 

BACK TO THE SILVER SCREENS: Apollo and Capitol Theatres get Hollywood-style face-lifts

Friday, October 2, 2009

 

By Special to Arcade

[email protected]

 

While the entertainment landscape continues to be bombarded with film megaplexes, it's nice to know Northeast Ohio also pays attention to the grand old days of movie going with two major restoration projects in and near Lorain County.  Oberlin's Apollo Theatre and west Cleveland's Capitol Theatre will not only offer elegant interiors, plush seats and classic sight lines (like the multi-use Lorain Palace Theatre), they further the region's offerings of independent, foreign and classic films.

 

Though Apollo and Capitol theaters are part of separate development projects, they'll join under the umbrella group of Cleveland Cinemas, which was first formed as the parent company of the Cedar Lee Theater in Cleveland Heights, one of the most comprehensive independent film houses in the state and the sponsor of the world-class annual Cleveland International Film Festival...

 

FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/10/02/entertainment/mj1687149.prt

 

went last night.  the crowd, the vibe, the movies... all fabulous!

just there in the middle of the day, and things were pretty active. Back tonight for a movie.

 

 

Will there still be an installation of a corner sign for the Capitol Theater?? , as seen in this rendition :

 

 

I think that they are raising funds separately for that sign.

 

That'd be nice to have. It's very practical.

And it would be a great "beacon" when approaching Gordon Sq.

I think that they are raising funds separately for that sign.

 

Where can I donate!

 

(Just trying to show enthusiasm, I know the answeris probably buried a few pages back in this thread. I can't wait to catch a movie there. Glad to hear the Grand Opening went well)

Saw Toy Story in 3D with my girlfriend, the place is a real gem.

I saw Toy Story 3D over the weekend at the Capitol Theater.  Impressive space!  The main theater is huge!  Around..  500 seats?  Although the screen seems small...  They could have fit a much bigger screen in there with the space they have.

 

Looking back towards the balcony where the two additional theaters were added, they just put up a pretty plain wall at the front of the balcony.  Looks...  Meh.  But I don't know how else you'd add two more screens.  We didn't go up there.  Toy Story was playing in the main theater and Capitalism and the LeBron movie were playing in the smaller theaters upstairs.

 

Like all Cleveland Cinemas, Mondays are $5 all day.  Otherwise, an evening movie is $9 for adults.  Ouch...

Also, before seeing Toy Story, went to dinner at La Boca.  Great food!  But don't go if you're on a diet.  :lol:

 

We parked at the new Gordon Square parking lot right on Detroit across from Cleveland Public Theater.  It's about half way between West 65th and La Boca.  Leaving the movie, it was dark and we were walking down Detroit back to the car.  I was fine, but my girlfriend said she felt unsafe.  And we live downtown, so it's not like she's used to suburban living.  It was strangely quiet.  I thought I'd see more activity since it was opening weekend.

 

Also, across from that parking lot on the east side of Cleveland Public Theater, it looks like they recently tore down a building.  It's just an empty dirt lot right now.  Anyone know what's happening in that spot?

 

Saw Micheal Moore's Movie on Friday.

 

Was in one of the smaller theater's in the former balcony.

 

It was pretty much a full house...a few open seats here and there. 

 

I felt fairly cramped...not quite as bad as sitting in coach in an airplane....but certainly as cramped as a sold out cavs game.

 

Very little leg room and I am thankful my wife is petite or there would have been an issue with rubbing shoulders with my neighbor.

 

Not any where as comfortable as say the Cinemark in Valley View...

 

But it is within walking distance and should be much more comfortable when 50% to 75% full.

 

Was disappointed that they did not have their liquor license yet.  Does anyone know when they will?

 

We went to Luxe before hand and Stone Mad afterwords.  Excellent experience at both locales.

Also, across from that parking lot on the east side of Cleveland Public Theater, it looks like they recently tore down a building. It's just an empty dirt lot right now.

 

No building was removed, but the area, formerly a grass & gravel parking lot, was re-'paved' w/ a permeable surface.  not sure what the material is though.

I felt fairly cramped...not quite as bad as sitting in coach in an airplane....but certainly as cramped as a sold out cavs game.

 

Very little leg room and I am thankful my wife is petite or there would have been an issue with rubbing shoulders with my neighbor.

 

Was disappointed that they did not have their liquor license yet. Does anyone know when they will?

 

I'm nearly 2 meters tall so I feel your pain.  In the future I'd reccomend sitting all the way at the top where there are 7-10 seats w/ nothing in front.  Another 10-15 similar seats can be found on the edges of the theater.

 

Another way to look at somewhat uncomfortable seats is that they keep you awake and attentive; great for independent & foreign films! ;> )

 

Liquor license is pending; my guess would be within a week or two at most.

I heard back from the Gordon Sq Arts District...

As soon as a sponsor is secured a "blade" sign will go on the building.

 

Also...with respect to the earlier discussions about awnings, etc... the email stated that there are no current plans to overhaul any of the exterior of the Gordon Sq Arcade building.

We parked at the new Gordon Square parking lot right on Detroit across from Cleveland Public Theater. It's about half way between West 65th and La Boca. Leaving the movie, it was dark and we were walking down Detroit back to the car. I was fine, but my girlfriend said she felt unsafe. And we live downtown, so it's not like she's used to suburban living. It was strangely quiet. I thought I'd see more activity since it was opening weekend.

 

That's only 2 blocks?  I hope to see some more infill development as the theater brings people in. 

 

Renovation has also started on the Cleveland Public Theater.

Idea for the area -- I would like to see Malley's open a small storefront selling ice cream and candy. 

I too like the Malley's that sell ice cream and chocolate, ala the classic Malley's in Lakewood, that place is a trip!  That being said, I wish Malley's could create a concept like the Gibson's Candy in Oberlin.

http://oberwiki.net/Gibson's_Food_Market_and_Bakery

 

Apparently, a bakeshop called BonBon bakery will be opening in the space behind Maschke's gallery space.  Not sure what they will be baking, but the proprietor is currently baking pastries at the Ritz..

I don't know if this is precisely within the Gordon Square Arts District, but I was at La Boca on Detroit on Sunday for drinking and tango on Sunday, and let me say, that neighborhood has not gentrified as much as I'd hoped.  Some fun looking characters outside the restaurant, which was a pretty cool place and one I will certainly be returning.  The food is FAR more reasonably priced that I would have expected, and the class was fun, especialy when it ended and a number of the patrons joined us in dancing (I'd say the place was at least 75% filled to occupancy). 

 

But as to the people outside, I don't know how the restaurant can dissuade them from glaring at us beyond tinting the windows or something. 

 

Thats goes along with DS attempt at keeping it a mixed income neighborhood.  Yes I saw plenty when I was having lunch at Latitude on Saturday (there was a whole article about this in the neighborhood paper that I read while waiting forever for my good food). 

That is certainly a part of the neighborhood fabric....  A bit gritty and diverse..  :wink: 

I don't think there's enough urban-minded gentry in the region to residentially gentrify much of the City of Cleveland, so I'm not surprised by your observations, TBideon.  Certainly the commercial gentrification of DS has been remarkable, but the residential process is much slower, if it happens at all.  To date, even Battery Park, by unit count, is a drop in the bucket for the DS neighborhood as a whole.

Apparently, a bakeshop called BonBon bakery will be opening in the space behind Maschke's gallery space. Not sure what they will be baking, but the proprietor is currently baking pastries at the Ritz..

 

I was wondering what that little "coming soon" card was in my gift bag! 

Sort of on topic...

 

I really have only been up in the DS/GS area for the "new" destinations (Luxe,etc.) and to visit firends who live on W66. Are there any historic Italian neighborhood businesses left tucked in the neighborhood off of Detroit that I should be checking out?  I love a good redsauce Italian place or Italian Bakery.

 

Sort of on topic...

 

I really have only been up in the DS/GS area for the "new" destinations (Luxe,etc.) and to visit firends who live on W66. Are there any historic Italian neighborhood businesses left tucked in the neighborhood off of Detroit that I should be checking out?  I love a good redsauce Italian place or Italian Bakery.

 

 

Just stop off at Dan's house.  he he he he

Unfortunately, no.  Fiocca Bakery was just across the street from us on 69th, but they closed about 7-8 years ago.