An Ingenuity Fest Volunteer's POV Postscript

I received an email titled, “Ingenuity needs Volunteers” in the subject line from the International Film Festival’s membership director. I was intrigued because of my wonderful experience with the International Film Festival and how efficiently the event was implemented. I proceeded to read the email, “Hello CIFF Volunteers-Our friends over at Ingenuity are looking for some volunteers…” My love for Cleveland and how the city can benefit by such exposure, I decided to donate my time.

I quickly remember Ingenuity 2006 during a very hot, sunny July afternoon walking towards Public Square for the 1000 Drum Procession. I was amazed at the diverse crowd from business executives, to children in strollers to women in high top sneakers and digital cameras being the norm. The sound reverberated from Terminal Tower, to the Renaissance Hotel and to BP; and I was thrown towards the magic of the music. All seats were taken, I stood erect sweat running down my back, and I was intrawled, my feet nailed in place. I kept to one position until the procession began from Public Square towards the home of Ingenuity, Prospect Avenue and East 4th streets. I was proud that Cleveland could draw a large crowd.

With those wonderful memories of Ingenuity 2006, I felt the need to volunteer my time to Cleveland. Everyone who talks with me regarding our fair city will soon find out how passionate and optimistic I feel about Cleveland. With Euclid Avenue lined with those annoying orange barrels, boarded up storefronts and executives walking towards the parking lot driving out to the suburbs, I envision Cleveland will someday soon be a place where I can ride my bike along the waterfront, seeing people from the suburbs gathering at their favorite green space or restaurant.

From that initial email almost two weeks ago, Tuesday, July 17 came quickly where I needed to attend the orientation in the Bulkley Building lobby-Ingenuity central. I left my office in Akron, rushing towards my car where a light mist began to fall which became a heralding driving experience, north on I-77. Since we have had a dry summer, Clevelanders must have forgotten how to drive in these challenging conditions. I passed an accident on my right side that apparently slid off the highway before the Rockside Road exit. With the sea of red break lights, I finally got off the East 14th exit and parked on Prospect Avenue. I was going to be a few minutes late when I quickly grab my burgundy umbrella that overturned as I ran down the street in platform shoes. I signed my name on the attendance sheet where many Clevelanders were already present anticipating how the Ingenuity Festival will unfold in two days. We received invaluable hand outs which included: a map, an agenda, schedule of events for the Festival and most importantly a pen to jot down the do’s and don’ts of any volunteer. Customer service and comfortable shoes were crucial elements to any volunteer.

My favorite element of the Orientation meeting was a brief overview by Executive Director, James Levin as he verbalized the main goal of the Ingenuity Festival; he described it as more than an Arts Festival. It is a strategic way for Cleveland to showcase all the creative talent, innovation and technology the city has available. Mr. Levin also wants this festival to reach beyond the boundaries of the city where visitors (Out of Towner’s) will want to travel into Cleveland to experience all the city has to offer, and capitalizing on the new branding concept, “Cleveland +.” The orientation concluded with a tour of the many venues that will be showcased.

Gallery 1305, currently vacant, will showcase architectural drawings and designs from local artists either illustrating the destruction of Marcel Breuer’s, Ameritrust building or embracing its design. There were many interesting and creative ideas such as creating a “green building” with floral window boxes, wrapping the exterior, carving away slabs of material or adding onto the exterior in creating a modern sculpture. If you have any preconceived notions on the subject, be assured the gallery provided photocopies with space available to either illustrate or write your opinion. I, being an environmentalist and respectful in preserving historical buildings, would highly recommend keeping this wonderful example of Breuer’s Brutalist movement as the Cleveland Museum of Art has done superbly by embracing Breuer into their current expansion project. Furthermore, important Architecture and architects that signified a period in history should be conserved.

Further into the gallery space, other pieces worth mentioning were beautiful back and white prints of the healthcare workers and patients. My favorite piece, however, was up towards the antique stairway covered in my favorite black garbage bags, I was hesitant at first when I followed two other individuals carefully ascend the stairway. I could hear an eerie, monotone voice as I stepped towards the entranceway. I cautiously peak my head into the opening, to my surprise, I endured a dark, musty smelling bedroom created entirely out of carryout containers, plastic milk jugs and cardboard pizza boxes, a recyclers nightmare which was creatively done, an environment right of the popular CSI television program.

Another important venue for the festival was The Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com Main Stage strategically placed on East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, which featured a 70-piece orchestra and Opera Cleveland, which I had the opportunity to listen to, both featured on Sunday. What was unique this year, all the Playhouse theaters were in use that included a world premier play titled, “The Fire Inside: The Story and Poetry of Nikki Giovanni” an African-American poet who was present. The activities were endless for everyone, young and old to enjoy from the Nasa’s presence at the Palace Theatre, the CSU Family Pavilion Stage to the WAVE Stage, which was installed on a grassy knoll.

Thursday, July 19th, Opening Night. This was my first volunteer assignment in an open-air venue. I parked at the “free for volunteers” East 9th Street and Chester garage thinking the sun is struggling to break through the clouds. I tie a jacket around my waste, just in case it decides to rain. I began my trek to Euclid Avenue with the sun’s rays hitting my back. “I do not need this jacket, I doubt it will rain,” I thought as I placed the jacket in my trunk. My basic responsibility was maintenance where I walked back and forth to all the patron tables discarding recyclables and trash to the appropriate containers. I was, quite frankly, the only one on the list.

My anxiety was mounting, “what was I thinking?” I walked along Euclid Avenue from the Main Stage to the WAVE stage. I do not see any “blue” recycling bins or containers. Being an avid recycler, I know that recycling is usually in a blue or highly visible, specialized container that can easily be seen by consumers. All that I saw were cardboard containers lined with black garbage bags. I realize this is opening night and all the “details” have not been ironed out. By Sunday, however, there were blue recycling containers along side the trash receptacles, “Thank you Ingenuity!” Ingenuity volunteers can be seen by the neon, Christmas tree green color with the word, “Volunteer” stenciled in white ink across the back. I am an official Volunteer.

As soon as I proceeded across the street in reaching my other assignment, monitoring Gallery 1510, a video installation of an old fashioned sink with water running, stand on the “X” and admire yourself in the mirror, took most of the front space. I chatted briefly with a fellow volunteer, then suddenly the door that was kept open began to shake, rain violently began to overtake the festival. I curiously ran to the door, all I could see was a dense, dark sky, and all the tents began to overturn, garbage receptacles fiercely rolling down the street. Some vendors would not give up their ship, hanging on to their tents. This is Cleveland, the weather will soon change in ten minutes. About twenty minutes after the violent storm dissipated, “Samba for 1000 Drums” made their way down Euclid Avenue after an hour delay to officially begin, Ingenuity 2007. “Fantastic,” I thought. The unmistakable beating of drums and percussion, better than last year.

Similarly, I have to admire Clevelanders, everyone either found shelter, or patronized a show that was available in the many of the theaters until the activities resumed. The Main Stage, unfortunately was not able to continue due to standing water and other dangerous conditions.

What I enjoy most about volunteering are the many, unique and interesting people I have encountered. Some of the perks of being a Ingenuity Volunteer, that can’t be dismissed, are plentiful refreshments from fruit to lightly salted Planters Peanuts, a weekend pass and camaraderie with all those “neon green shirts. You never know when you might engage with an artist. What does an artist need to do for a show opening? One artist explained, all that was given to us was the space; we were responsible for all repairs, which might involve putting up dry wall or installing a window or two.

My other favorite events during Ingenuity was a bongo, drum ensemble, May7ven, the Wave Stage, Harry Bacharach, which was a unique venue unfortunately I am not sure everyone knew it was there, Bike acrobatics, bringing to life abandon store fronts, and most importantly a festival in downtown Cleveland.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Toni Chanakas tchanakasAThotmail.com

Photo by Scott Muscatello from the Flickr Group. If you took pics @ Ingenuity, have you shared them yet?
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