This past Saturday, September 20th, was a great day to hang out. The sun was shining down through a blue sky and the second day of weekend activities in downtown Cleveland was well underway. I grabbed my 3-year-old and made a beeline for Playhouse Square. I had planned to do the gallery hop with Lolly the Trolly but we never made it beyond Star Plaza.

I was able to download a schedule and a "get into parking for free" card from the Internet at http:/www.niaartsltd.intranets.com. There were many sites including the Playhouse square site where these things were available. My first pleasant experience was no-hassle, free parking at the Playhouse parking lot at 15th and Chester. There were a few other lots free of charge with the coupon. Taking the level two walkway right into Playhouse Square we were greeted by a ocean of families, performers and other centerfest participants ebbing and flowing from one end of the theater complex to another.

There was a lot from which to choose. There were semi-finalist performing in this year's Community Talent Contest. The talent was fantastic. No wonder Cleveland really is the home of Rock and Roll AND the home of seven presidents!

There were local teens competing in Slam U!, a poetry slam competition in Kennedy's with Cleveland's "Mr. Poetry" Michael Salinger, an international dance showcase and more things than space here provides. Most things worked very well. There were a few logistical SNAFUS. For instance, In any one hour the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers (C.A.B.S.) had the difficult mission of competing with a couple hundred families floating between food vendors and activity tables like water seeking the path of least resistance. One table helped kids make noisy didjereedos no less.

Another group of Cleveland's most talented including Jazz singer Evelyn Wright and Modern Dance disciples Chloe Hopson and Julie Barcza with a band, presented a Jazz and modern dance workshop. It was very enjoyable. However, the dancers were sometimes submerged in a sea of pedestrians flowing from one place to another. Well I guess that's what happens when the main thoroughfare separates the performers and the audience. Having said that, this was relatively minor.

Well it is now time to eat and my daughter and I step in line to be gouged by venders. "What is going on here?!," I thought. The sign says "Pretzels $1.00, Pizza $1.00" and bottled water about the same. We ate for about three bucks! Wow! We ate later too just because we could.

This was sooo great and we hadn't even made it to Euclid avenue yet! Outside families moved up and down the North side of Euclid like, like sightseers at a county fair. There were colorfully garbed stilt walkers, food vendors, outdoors sit-down cafes, a tent that housed a drum group and more. The program listed "Radio King Productions" as playing Swing music to dance to on the south side of Euclid at Star Plaza, but when we went by couples were burning up the outdoor plaza dancing to Motown with onlookers galore swaying and bopping in agreement! But wait there's more! There was also steel drum playing and Karaoke with WMJI.

Now, dad and daughter are on sensory overload and one of us is just a little bit on edge when we happen into the Allen Theater where "Fred Garbo's Inflatable Theater Company" was casting its spell on the audience. The lights were down the audience was enraptured by talent, creativity and stage presence. The guy next to me leaned over whispering, "I can't believe this is for kids, this is phenomenal!" And indeed it was. You know the show is really good when it's over and many are thinking, "Over already? Aw! I wanna see more!).

Well as we meandered in and out of Paul Christopher jewelers and a few art galleries at Playhouse square. On the way to the car recounting what we had seen, my child wearing her hand-made crown, waving her decorated butterfly and dad annoying passersbye with a didjereedo we have one of those telepathic moments. My daughter said what I was thinking about the day, "Aw daddy, is it all over?" Hmmm, the arts as an economic engine... what a novel idea. Think I'll patent it. From Cool Cleveland reader Cavana Faithwalker cavana_faithwalker@yahoo.com

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