OUT AND ABOUT

BEST OF CLEVELAND |

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL NOACC CHAMBER BRIGHT STAR AWARDS |

October 13, 2022 Great Lakes Science Center

October 20, 2022 LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility

THE BEST THAT CLEVELAND has to offer in dining, shopping and entertainment was celebrated by 1,000 attendees at the Best of Cleveland Party, held for the first time at Great Lakes Science Center. More than 55 winners participated, including restaurants, bars, stores and other Cleveland businesses that were voted on by readers and Cleveland Magazine staff. Entertainment for the night included Opus 216, Ray Flanagan and DJ E-V.

1) Shelly Svonavec 2) Ray Flanagan 3) Abigail Archer, Anthony Elder and Dillon Stewart 4) Opus 216

1) Jim Wade, Deanne Wade, Ryan Kuchenbecker and

Lilly Kuchenbecker 2) Abby Hricivec, Bill Hricivec 3) Brad Mullins, Sandy Lomeo and Bob Early 4) Janet Haar and Larry Funk

NOACC CELEBRATED CHAMBER leaders and volunteers at their 14th annual award ceremony where 49 awards were given out across two simulcast locations, totaling 250 attendees. The Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield-sponsored event honors people who offer their time and talents to Northeast Ohio's chambers of commerce. The event included a special presentation of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Message by Nancy Kuzenko.

THE LAND LAY OF

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FIRST LOOK: STUDIO WEST 117

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H OLIDA Y C L ASSIC S A FESTIVE SEQUEL

HAMILTON TAKES CENTER STAGE

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READ ACROSS THE LAND

ALMOST 40 YEARS AFTER A CHRISTMAS STORY arrived in 1983, a sequel, A Christmas Story: Christmas, picks the iconic story back up this holiday season. Unlike other sequels over the years, this one features many members of the original cast, including grown-up versions of Flick, Schwartz, Randy and, of course, Ralphie Parker. Peter Billingsley reprises the role, playing the grown-up main character — now a dad — as he returns home with his family for the holiday season. While the new flick wasn’t filmed in Cleveland, you’ll still see plenty of scenes referencing the city and the Christmas Story House, located in Tremont. "It’s been great to see the city embrace the film," Billingsley says. "I have a very, very fond place in my heart and will forever for that city." A Christmas Story: Christmas is available to stream on HBO Max.

FIRST LOOK

A New Queer Haven

Studio West 117, Lakewood’s new LGBTQ hub for entertainment, recreation and dining, unveiled phase one of its $100 million project.

In 2019, Betsy Figgie and Daniel Budish, tax credit consultants for nonprofits and historical renovations, respectively, launched an innovative, if not overwhelming, undertaking: carving out a self-sustaining neighborhood dedicated to the LGBTQ community. In October, that hand-carved community known as Studio West 117 bore fruit in Lakewood’s former Symposium Entertainment Complex — merging recreation, creativity and entertainment into one safe space. “Lakewood and the western side of Cleveland have always been LGBTQ-friendly,” Budish says. “From an urban planning perspective, we wanted to choose a location that was able to support the existing LGBTQ infrastructure.” Currently, the studio encompasses 300,000-square- feet of real estate. Plans for the neighborhood include living spaces on the block and new storefronts, including Barbercult8888 and Margie’s Closet, which have already opened. A queer man himself, Budish provides insight into the needs of an underserved community. Creating a self-sustaining neighborhood may sound improbable, but Budish and Figgie lean on local partners Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce.

The Fieldhouse Dining. The revamped restaurant space offers visitors three simple yet strong options for dining powered by local chefs. Trellis, a 4,000-square-foot rooftop patio, has fire pits and light fare like salads and skewers. Muze provides a wood-fire grill experience, serving up Mediterranean eats and Spanish tapas. Eat Me Pizza caters to the Clevelander looking for a quick, classic option — delicious, greasy and cheesy pizza made wood-fired and fresh.

The Fieldhouse Gymnasium.

The reclaimed gym, which boasts a rock wall and the capability to host three volleyball, pickleball or dodgeball games simultaneously, feels massive when you walk in. “The LGBT youth sports league will be the first of its kind in the country and provide LGBT youth with opportunities for recreation in a safe environment,” Budish says. Outside sits a turf courtyard perfect for outdoor activities.

Makers Space. The facility's podcast studio features instructors to guide new podcasters. “We’ll work with you to help monetize it through subscription services,” said Figgie. "So, your hobby can become a revenue stream.” An artisan marketplace called The Edge will host local makers, entrepreneurs and artists. Vendors must commit to a minimum of three months renting their space. The Kitchen. Studio West 117 boasts a full demonstration kitchen, giving locals the chance to hone their cooking skills. The kitchen benefits from the neighborhood’s community garden and a partnership with Food Strong. “If kids aren’t into sports, we’re going to be doing cooking and gardening classes using the commercial kitchen,” Figgie says. "It's a farm-totable model but in a kid’s camp format.” Symposium. The Symposium hosted live music in an intimate space for more than 30 years. The new venue carries on that legacy, using the former name and maintaining a bit of the magic that made it special. Studio West 117 already hosts LGBTQ-centric entertainment, including drag shows, leather events and themed parties in the space described as a “true gay dive bar.”