Heights Arts' first annual summer benefit aims to entice

ENTICING image courtesy Rose Hileman, KP Photo Group. Styling by Melissa McClelland.

Heights Arts has planned ENTICING, a music, food, pastry and "Big Fun" party to celebrate Heights Arts and its longstanding commitment to the artists and residents of the Heights community. ENTICING also will honor Steve Presser, legendary Heights booster and owner of Big Fun, Coventry’s iconic toy and memorabilia store.

ENTICING will take place on Saturday, July 15, in a unique private location—a penthouse and glass cube overlooking downtown Cleveland, with 360-degree views of the city’s skyline. Heights Arts benefit chair Melissa McClelland promises the event will be “too enticing to resist," noting that, "partygoers will enjoy signature dessert creations by Northeast Ohio’s best pastry chefs, bakers and chocolatiers, with sparkling wine from Gallucci’s and fabulous auction items to bid on, accompanied by music from Cleveland’s gypsy jazz group, Moustache Yourself. All this, while the city of Cleveland glows at partygoers' feet.”

Heights Arts Executive Director Rachel Bernstein is thrilled to have founding board member Steve Presser as the evening’s honoree. “Steve has been one of Cleveland Heights’ most prominent leading ‘characters’ for decades, working for the schools, the Coventry Village Special Improvement District, and as a visionary and dedicated founding board member of Heights Arts. His unwavering support over the years is a big reason why we have been able to continue our work in the community.” 

The mission of Heights Arts, a nonprofit cultural organization, is to celebrate the literary, musical and visual artists of the region and share their creative gifts with the community. Bernstein wanted ENTICING, the organization's first big annual benefit, to be a special and collaborative event, reflective of the organization’s own culture and work: “Something that has a special feel above and beyond a typical benefit—the kind of event that people look forward to every year because of its unique and creative nature.”

The party will be a unique collaboration among local wine and culinary artisans, and talented and eclectic musicians, and it will offer up for bid art and other items.

ENTICING’s partners in spirits and cuisine include: Culinary Creations, CLE Urban Winery, Coquette Patisserie, fire food and drink, Fluffy Duck Café, Gallucci's, Luna Bakery, Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates, On the Rise Artisan Breads & Pastries, the Stone Oven, and Zoss the Swiss Baker. The event’s primary sponsors are Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, and Event Source.

More information and tickets for ENTICING can be found online: www.heightsarts.org/enticing or at Heights Arts, 2175 Lee Road. The VIP portion of the party is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the 8–10 p.m. main event.

Kathleen Cerveny

Kathleen Cerveny, a former poet laureate of Cleveland Heights, recently retired from the Cleveland Foundation, where she was director of arts initiatives for 25 years. She lives in the “Royal Heights” neighborhood of Cleveland Heights and is chair of the Heights Arts Heights Writes Committee.

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Volume 10, Issue 7, Posted 12:43 PM, 06.26.2017