Here we go! 2011 Art Walks in Downtown Toledo… an ongoing Summer event I highly recommend. Every Third Thursday during May through September (May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15) from 6-9 pm.

Visit www.acgt.org often for updated event details. Maps available at the info stations, at all venues during the event, and at www.acgt.org.

Venues include: 20 North Gallery, Bozarts, Collingwood Arts Center, Downtown Latte, Gallerie 333 at TSA, Jack Wilson Gallery, Madhouse, The Offices of Paul Sullivan, Secor Studios, Shared Lives Studios, Space 237, Studio M Printmakers, Sur Saint Clair Gallery, Swank Gifts, Toledo City Paper Offices, Truth Art Gallery, Zyndorf Glass & Arts, Glass City Cafe… and many more!

Park your car, walk or bike, and enjoy.

So much to see and do… it really does have to be split between three (3) Saturdays! The Ghost Hunt was a ton of fun – seriously do it. You can find your first clue on the second floor, at Studio Que’s space. We closed the day with live music at Bozarts and a post-post-party at the Ottawa Tavern with APB playing great record after great record. Counting the days till next Saturday!

This Saturday was the Vertical “Mix”, an annual fundraising party for The Arts Commission held this year at the top of the O-I/Fifth Third Bank building. Each year this party gets better and better, with amazing food and cocktails, live entertainment, and the best art auction in the city. As we arrived we were given complimentary binoculars so we could enjoy the amazing view to the fullest which included a “super moon”! The party was packed all night long with Toledoans in fancy attire. A big congrats to all the event chairs, volunteers, and to The Arts Commission!

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo | 1838 Parkwood Avenue | (419) 254-ARTS

I’m a big fan of  Glass City Cafe. I’m also a fan of Old West End Records providing some really great music during their “OWE’ver Easy with Jason Quick & Ben Langlois” brunches! Delicious food + fantastic live music + running into all of our Old West End friends = best brunch ever. In closing, my cheeseburger was perfect.

Glass City Cafe | 1107 Jackson Street | Uptown Toledo | (419) 241-4519

Toledo musician, designer, and all-around great guy Dave Piccuito has put out a completely free Toledo rock compilation called “Nowhere At All”. In reference to the title, Piccuito says:

“The title “Nowhere At All” comes from a song that John Denver made famous in which the first line is, “Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio, is like being nowhere at all.” Well, if this is nowhere then nowhere is where I want to be. Toledo is a beautiful city with an incredible pool of artistic talent.”

Composed of music from a dozen area bands, the album is available to download here–again, free!

The Ottawa Tavern played host to the record release party last weekend, with free shows from the bands involved. The physical CD’s (beautifully designed and printed, BTW) were given out to anyone who wanted one. If you want one yourself, head over to Culture Clash and pick one up (FREE!!!) before they run out. Only 1200 were made so don’t procrastinate.

Culture Clash | 4020 Secor Road | (419) 536-5683

Update: I got an email from a reader that was at the OT show. Dan recorded a few songs from the Boogaloosa Prayer set on his iPhone and posted them to his YouTube account, so enjoy!

We started out the night with dinner and drinks at Ice. It was our first visit to the “somewhat new” Downtown establishment. Next, drinks at our friend M.’s apartment. And the night ended at The Ottawa Tavern with shows by “Science of the Big Machines” and “The Dirty Damn Band”. Everything about the night was pleasant–except when they ran out of ice at the OT!

Hope you had a great night and 2011 treats you right!

The Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street | Uptown | (419) 725-5483

Ice Restaurant and Bar | 405 Madison Avenue | Downtown | (419) 246-3339

It was one great weekend. Favorite OWE fest ever, regardless of the weather. Above is some of the video D. shot during festival.

Toledo’s Historic Old West End Association

My good friend F. came into town via the train from NYC on the same Friday morning that the Crystal Bowersox/American Idol parade was scheduled. His cab driver enthusiastically told him all the details.

Neither of F. nor myself actually watch American Idol but this being his third visit to Toledo, and my love of giving all of my visitors a truely Toledo-centric time, we walked to Summit Street after breakfast to enjoy the parade. Having a mayor on a motorcycle is as good a draw as any.

There were quite a few mascots, and aside from the baseball team and the hockey team I was unable to identify for F. the other, silly tube-shaped characters. Any clues?

The Toledo School for the Arts had a good deal of pride during the parade. And they should have! Crystal Bowersox is an alumni of that fantastic school located in uptown Toledo.

And at the end of the parade, there was Ms. Bowersox. As I post this we know that she is 2nd in place for American Idol. Congrats to you, Crystal! You have a great career before you and Toledo (and all of America) loves you!

Crystal is a positive ambassador for Toledo and the TSA.

Toledo School for the Arts | 333 14th Street | (419) 246-8732

Following the Quest for Fire opening at the TMA, we checked into the Ottawa Tavern for another of their amazing FREE shows. The Black Atlantic are from Holland and were fresh off a stint at South by Southwest (SXSW). Sangsara are a heavily-lauded group local to Toledo. But, Big Kitty (video above) were my favorite of the night.

Big Kitty hail from Chattanooga, Tennessee and were simply precious.

The Ottawa Tavern was PACKED. I love how successful the bar has become, yet I hope this level of attendance subsides for the sake of the regulars! And the staff, for that matter.

Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street (Uptown) | (419) 725-5483

The Ottawa Tavern, along with the rest of Adams Street, celebrated Mardi Gras this year with beads, silly hats, “hurricane” drinks, and lots of dancing lights… in the bottoms of the glasses.

Golab played live, as did Detroit’s Charlie Slick. And it was a pretty wild and fun night.

Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street | (419) 725-5483

This weekend began with an opening party at The Bozarts Gallery for the “B” Collective. It’s the first group show at this new-ish Downtown spot.

The “B” Collective works include paintings, drawings, ceramics, and mixed media by Adam Russell, Har Simrit Singh, Yusuf Lateef & Kelly Lever.

The show runs through Saturday, October 17th–when there will be another party for the closing. Bozarts was started by local artist Jerry Gray and I think he’s done a really great job with the space.

After leaving the gallery we drove by the Art Tatum Memorial at the Arena to see it at night, finally. The changing lights inside the Arena are pretty nice.

Last night, we met up with friends at the Ottawa Tavern for drinks and a few bands. The closing band was The Falling Spikes, a Velvet Underground cover band complete with a girl drummer ala Mo Tucker and projections while they played. Well done.

Bozarts  Gallery | 151 S St Clair Street | (419) 464-5785

Ottawa Tavern | 1815 Adams Street | (419) 275-LIVE

Saturday was the Toledo Bicycle Extravaganza, a Toledo Green Drinks event helping promote bikes as an alternative to the gas-guzzling norm. Groups of people in neighborhoods all over the city met up in differing spots and rode their bicycles to the Toledo Farmer’s Market downtown. A bunch of Old West Enders met in The Commons.

Most of our route was straight down Monroe Street, as it’s probably the smoothest ride to get Downtown.

Upon arriving at the Market we shopped for local veggies, cheese and bread.

It’s still pretty early in the year, yet there were some great finds.

There was an eccentric collection of bicycles, as well…

Including this little yellow number…

And one powered by electricity for when the owner tires on long rides.

At the noon hour we hopped back on our bikes and headed to Manhattan’s, where a lunch buffet was hosted and accompanied by live music.

I really enjoyed the “Fairly Handsome Band” which played what I would somewhat expect to hear at a luau. There was a little bit of rain at that point so the ride home was damp. But our spirits were far from dampened. Great afternoon!

Toledo Farmer’s Market | 525 Market St | Downtown

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams St | (419) 243-6675

It’s still a little chillly out, but not so much that a couple drinks and bar appetizers on the patio of Manhattan’s is out of the question. We shared chicken strips paired with some spicy mustard and a plate of chicken quesadillas that were fantastic with jalepenos.

Be sure to check their website for an event calendar full of local entertainment gems and what looks to be a delectable Scotch Whiskey Dinner on the 13th.

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams St | Uptown District | (419) 243-6675

Friday night was the Second Annual ‘Tis the Secor Show at the Secor Building downtown. Highlights included an exhibit of works from 40+ local artists, open studios and live music.

One of my favorite pieces was front and center in the lobby — a portrait by Richard Reed of his friend Marty.

It’s beautifully done.

There was live music in the lobby including Toledo’s best experimental group, KDB.

After leaving the Secor show we met up with friends for drinks at Wesley’s in uptown. It’s a sure bet on Friday nights and features some of my favorite pro-Toledo decor, including the infamous “You Will Do Better in Toledo” sign, the original of which is sadly long gone.

We finished things up with a nightcap at The Attic on Adams the new hotspot above Manos. Hope to see you there soon!

The Secor Building | 425 Jefferson St @ Superior | Downtown

KBD | myspace.com/kbdtoledo

Wesley’s | 1201 Adams Street | 419-255-3333

The Attic on Adams | 1701 Adams St. | 419-243-5350

On Saturday morning we drove down to Bowling Green for the Black Swamp Arts Festival. BG has one of the cutest Main Streets ever.

There were quite a few booths… most being more craft than art, but regardless there was plenty to see. One surprisingly cute booth had little animals and creatures formed of everyday rope.

We also spent some time checking out the shows at the electronic stage. Above is HMNLCD.

The Wookalar (from Wicked Lung and the Wookalar of Columbus) played. See above. Wicked Lung did a set too.

We made sure to catch the Secret Swords show before leaving the festival.

Cheers! And thanks for putting up with the poor video quality!

Black Swamp Arts Festival | Bowling Green, OH