BLOG

Cleveland is a city that begs to be explored. The hidden galleries and studios, the amazing restaurants, the quirky festivals and talented performing artists are all shining examples that make Cleveland’s most central neighborhoods so dynamic. On September 12^th, from noon till midnight the 7^th annual Sparx City Hop (formerly the Sparx Gallery Hop) will connect all of these elements by free trolleys!

Free Trolley Routes

The main element of the Sparx City Hop is the free Trolleys that connect these neighborhoods. Simply show your Sparx trolley pass (which can be picked up at the Trolley hub on E.4^th, any other Sparx Trolley Stop or by downloading them from www.cleveland.com/sparx) and explore the city for free!

Starting at the E.4^th Street and Prospect hub, Trolleys from Lolly the Trolley will make two loops throughout the 9 City Hop neighborhoods.

The East Loop
Noon - 7:00pm

Historic Gateway Neighborhood
The Quadrangle
St. Clair Superior
AsiaTown
MidTown

The West Loop East
Noon - 12:00a.m.

Historic Gateway Neighborhood
Historic Warehouse District
Tremont
Ohio City
The Old Superior Viaduct in the Flats

Over 60 Galleries and Studios + over 100 restaurant
Over 60 galleries and studios will be part of the Sparx City Hop. One of the highlights of the City Hop is the galleries and studios that make up the Art Quarter. Since most of these locations are within historic warehouses that line Superior Avenue, most people that travel through these warehouses during City Hop are doing so for the first time. Exploring parts of the city that are off the beaten path is just one of the great aspects to the City Hop. Just a short trolley ride away from the galleries of the Art Quarter are the dozens of galleries in the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods, making this event one of the best opportunities to explore the city’s art community.

In addition to viewing great local art from painters, sculptors, glass blowers and metal workers, over 100 restaurants and eateries throughout the City Hop footprint will be offering specials all day and night. Several full service restaurants will be offering specials such as $30- 3-course menus, 20% off food and beverage checks or special happy hour pricing. Bakeries, retail shops and bars will also be offering specials throughout each of the 9 neighborhoods. A complete list of specials will be listed at cleveland.com/sparx soon.

Festivals and Activities for the whole Family

Sparx City Hop is the perfect opportunity to explore the city with the entire family. All day long, special events and activities will take place, including:

• The Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival - includes hands-on art activities for children, live music, art and food vendors and much more. 11a.m. - 6p.m.
• 3 different sidewalk chalk stations each lead by Cleveland Museum of Art Community Arts Department Street Painters. 1p.m. - 6p.m.
• SPACES Gallery’s Bad Art Day - SPACES presents a family friendly (children ages 8+) interpretation of contemporary artists Gilbert and George’s “stained glass” windows. Jump off the trolley and lend an intentionally untrained hand to Bad Art Day. 12p.m. - 7p.m.
• Art is the Key - create a dynamic key chain by visiting the galleries and artist studios throughout the Art Quarter. 12p.m. - 7p.m.

• The Sparx Classic Car Show - W.6^th Street will be shut down between St. Clair and Frankfort Avenue to showcase classic cars from around the region. 1p.m. - 7p.m.
• *Special Event at the Baseball Heritage Museum - A salute to Tom Manning and “The Kid from Cleveland” *this is a ticketed event. $10 per person, kids under 16 are free.
• Sparx Movie Night on W.6^th: a showing of The Dark Knight will take place on the street at 8pm. Bring your own chair or blanket and sit right in the street for the free movie. 8p.m. - 10:30p.m.
• Free Sparx Sidewalk Concerts throughout Sparx City Hop neighborhoods from 12noon - 12midnight

For more information on the September 12^th Sparx City Hop, log onto www.cleveland.com/sparx

PlayhouseSquare Block Party - September 11th

On Friday, September 11^th, PlayhouseSquare’s Block Party will help kickoff the Sparx City Hop. The PlayhouseSquare District Development Corporation (PDDC) will host the 10th Annual PlayhouseSquare Block Party and Tour, from 5:30-9:30 pm. The ticketed event will feature food catered by Taste of Excellence, a tour of Playhouse Square locations and a public performance of the Dance Showcase. Entertainment for the evening will be presented by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and will feature Sparx musicians and performers at Star Plaza and throughout PlayhouseSquare.