The jumping off discussion area for the rest of the Deck. All things Lakewood.
Please check out our other sections. As we refile many discussions from the past into
their proper sections please check them out and offer suggestions.
Last year I "got my panties in a ruffle" and was a "reasonable ass" when I asked what the deal was with the Beck Center's almost burned out look for over a year.
Cindy Einhouse director of the Beck and longtime Lakewood resident assured me that work was being done, and that it would be nice and historically accurate.
Well it is done and both Cindy and the entire Beck Center crew have delivered.
As a member of the neighborhood, we appreciate it.
Support the Beck, and their 2009/2010 Season.
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Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system." Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it." His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Beck’s Facelift Nearly Complete New mural to be unveiled mid-October!
Lakewood, OH—Beck Center for the Arts will unveil Lakewood’s newest public art on Thursday, October 15, 2009, 5 p.m., at Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood.
Mayor Edward FitzGerald will lead the celebration of the unveiling of the new outdoor mural by artist Natasha Turovsky and the dedication of the Red Stage Courtyard at the Beck Café. The Beck Café is a winner of the 2009 Beautiful Business Award from the Keep Lakewood Beautiful Committee.
People have already been commenting on the new façade at the Beck. Warm blue walls and open picture windows have replaced the formerly drab brown exterior, and the Beck Café brings activity to a once quiet corner.
Now the Beck has a wonderful piece of installation art to call its own.
Born in Russia, Natasha Turovsky is a Montreal-based surrealist artist, professional musician, and filmmaker whose work has been acclaimed throughout the United States and Canada. Her works are in many private and corporate collections in the U.S., Canada, England, Spain, France, Russia, China, and Iran.
A reception and a special performance by pianist Vanessa Haynes will follow the ceremony in Daniels Lounge at the Beck Center. Vanessa, a 12-year-old prodigy from China, has taken top prize in four international piano competitions. She's currently in Cleveland studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
“We are very excited to celebrate our new look with the community,” says Beck Center President & CEO Cindy Einhouse. “We are grateful to our supporter Paul Sykes, owner of the Beck Café, and the City of Lakewood’s Façade Renovation Grant program for making this beautification possible. It greatly enhances our street presence and reflects the creative energy exhibited every day here at the Beck Center.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 216.521.2540 x10.
One of the region’s largest arts organizations, Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions on two stages, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs students, and gallery exhibits featuring local and regional artists.
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Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system." Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it." His Holiness The Dalai Lama
I remember what it looked like before putting wood paneling over brick became the rage.
Historically accurate would have been to tear off that wood.
I always thought it ironic that the ugliest building in Lakewood was the building dedicated to the arts.
I appreciate the efforts to improve the building and bring life to the once vacant storefronts.
However, I think we should all keep in mind that the board of the Beck Center spent the last 6 years deliberately damaging their infrastructure and programming to create the "need" to move to Westlake.
The most important improvement the Beck Center can make is to replace the members of the board who were privy to that plan. The new board members should be committed to keeping the Beck in the City that kept the Beck alive. (Earth to the Board, that would be Lakewood).
Remember going to plays at Lakewood Little Theater? Of course back then we also had The Great Lakes Theater Company. All financially accessible, all available to all children and residents, not just the people with disposable incomes.
"When I dare to be powerful -- to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." - Audre Lorde
