The Museum of Divine Statues
12905 Madison Ave, Lakewood, 44107; 216.228.9950; museumofdivinestatues.com; open Sundays from noon-4p; $8.
I guess I was expecting miniature Marys and St. Christopher medals. So when proprietor Lou McClung switched on the lights to reveal a room brimming with life-size, gorgeously painted saints and angels with chalices, stained glass windows and marble crosses scattered here and there I gasped.
McClung saved all these icons from the dozens of Catholic churches that the Diocese of Cleveland shuttered a few years back and has painstakingly restored them to objects of astounding beauty. They're on display inside an old church in Lakewood.
A makeup artist by trade, McClung has applied his talent at making people look divine to statuary that honestly needed some help. Believe me, if this place doesn't make you want to get down on your knees, I don't know what will.
The Learning Center and Money Museum
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, 1455 E 6th Street, Cleveland, 44114; 216.579.3188; clevelandfed.org/for_the_public/tours/learning_center; open Mondays-Thursdays from 10a-
2p; free.
And you thought money didn't grow on trees? You'll change your tune when you see a genuine Money Tree at this museum inside Cleveland's Federal Reserve Bank.
Don't bother trying to harvest any it's all counterfeit. Nearby, take a virtual tour to Barter Island to see what life without moola would be like, recline in the moneybag chairs, see how your own face would look on a bill of large denomination, or tap dance up and down the Savings Stairs like Shirley Temple herself.
For my money, all this place needs is a background soundtrack of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey nattering on about "a mark, a yen, a buck or a pound." It makes the world go round!
30 august 2014
entation and gender identity in 21st century sports and culture. 8a-5p; $20.
Beach Volleyball @Whiskey Island's Wendy Park, 28000 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, 44102: 8a-5p; free.
Swimming @ Cleveland State University's Robert F Busbey Natatorium, 2451 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115: 8a-5p; free.
Wrestling @ Case Western University's Horsburgh Gymnasium. 2138 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, 44106: 8a-5p; free.
Ice Hockey @ OBM Arena, 15381 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, 44136: 8a-6p; free.
Squash @ Case Western Reserve University's Veale Center, 2138 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, 44106: 8a-6p; free.
Volleyball @ Cleveland Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave, Cleveland, 44113; 8a-6p; free.
Flag Football
Barton-Bradley Recreation Field, 30651 Bradley Rd, North Olmsted, 44070: 8a-7p; free.
Soccer @ Copley Road Soccer Complex, 1806 Copley Rd, Akron, 44320; 8a-7p; free.
Tennis @ Cleveland State University's Malaga Complex, E 21st Street and Chester Avenue, Cleveland, 44115; Highland Heights Community Park, 5905 Wilson Mills Rd, Highland Heights, 44143; Mayfield Village Racquet Club, 6685 Beta Dr, Mayfield Village, 44143; and Cleveland Racquet Club, 29825 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike, 44124: 8a-8p; free.
Softball @ Cascade Valley Metro Park, 1690 Cuyahoga St, Akron, 44313; Colonial Salt Field, 400 W Wilbeth Rd, Akron, 44314; Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Pkwy, Akron, 44301; and Pony Field, 1575 Firestone Pkwy, Akron, 44301: 9a; free.
Basketball @ Cleveland State University's Woodling Gymnasium and Recreation Center, 2420 Chester Ave, Cleveland, 44115: 9a-6p; free.
Darts @ Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, 44113: 9a-6p; free.
Figure Skating @ Serpentini Arena, 14740 Lakewood Heights Blvd, Lakewood, 44107: 9a-5p; $25 for a two-day pass.
Cycling/Mountain Biking @ Mill Stream Run Reservation, Strongsville, 44136: 10a; free.
Bowling @ Game of Wickliffe, 28801 Euclid Ave, Wickliffe, 44092: 10a-1p and 3p-6p; free.
DanceSport/Day Session @ Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, 44113: 10a-5p; $20-$35 for one-day pass or $80-$110 for four-day pass.
Water Polo @ Case Western Reserve Univer-
sity's Veale Natatorium, 2138 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, 44106: 10a-5p; free.
Track and Field/Afternoon Session @ University of Akron Lee R Jackson Track and Field Complex, 315 S Union St, Akron, 44304: 1p-6p; free.
Festival Village @ Mall C, Lakeside Avenue between Ontario and E 6th Street, Cleveland, 44199: RuPaul's Drag Race fan favorite Pandora Boxx hosts; Jenny Owen Youngs performs. Plus entertainment, activities, food, drinks and merchandise. 4p-11p; free.
College ID Night @ Adams Street, 77 N Adams St, Akron, 44305; 330.434.9794; adamsstreetbar.com: 5p-2:30a; no cover.
Music in the Meadow @Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, 44264; 330.657.2909; conservancyforcvnp.org: A special Gay Games edition of the summer music series features Tylan & Ingrid and the Laura Love Duo, plus a locally sourced dinner and drinks. 5:30p-9:30p; $75-$95 (the latter includes transportation).
Gay Games Happy Hour @ Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, 44113; 216.696.5600; FB: Renaissance Gay Games Happy Hours: Nightly entertainment. 5:30p-8:30p.
Sports Without Balls @ Hilarities 4th Street Theater, 2035 E 4th St, Cleveland, 44115; 216.241.7425; pickwickandfrolic.com: Comic and sports fan Erin Foley hosts a live version of her weekly podcast with special guests Fortune Feimster and women participating in the Gay Games. 6p; $10.
DanceSport/Evening Session @ Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, 44113: 7p-11p; $15-$25 for oneday pass or $80-$110 for four-day pass.
Out on the Town Tour @ Nautica Queen, 400 E Lakeside Ave, Cleveland, 44114; 216.369.9399; FB: Discover My Cleveland Cruise After Party: Take an open-bar cruise on Lake Erie, enjoy dinner and dancing, and then return for an after-party at Bounce, Cleveland's biggest LGBT nightclub. 7p-2a; $129.
The Big Cleveland Sing @ the State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115: More than 400 singers from the Gay Games Chorus, Cleveland's North Coast Men's Chorus and other groups join together. 7:30p; $30 ($48 for both band and Aug 12 band concert).
Pink Flamingo @ Cleveland State University's Robert F Busbey Natatorium, 2451 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115: As part of the swimming competition, it's a Gay Games tradition for the teams to host a drag show in the water. 7:30p; $30.
Fortune Feimster @ Hilarities 4th Street Theater, 2035 E 4th St, Cleveland, 44115; 216.241.7425; pickwickandfrolic.com: The lesbian comic and Chelsea Lately regular
And to think my mother always said there was no such thing as a money tree.
performs standup. 8p; $18-$23.
Victory Party for Women @ the Velvet Dog, 1280 W 6th St, Cleveland, 44113; 1.888.923.4624; thedinah.com: The Dinah, the world's biggest lesbian event, is coming to Cleveland to host the official Gay Games women's party. It features DJ Citizen Jane, a live performance by Robin S, go-go dancers and dancing on three floors. 8p; $25-$50 (VIP).
Del Shores: My Sordid Best @ Highland Theater, 826 W Market St, Akron, 44303; 330.253.2488; FB: Del Shores Live at the Highland: The creator of the gay cult classic Sordid Lives brings his best stories to Akron's gayborhood. There's also a meet-and-greet afterward. 8p; $25-$35 (VIP).
It's a Love In! @Vision Yoga & Wellness, 1861 W 25th St, Cleveland, 44113; 216.348.1111; visionyoga.net: Chanting, meditation and good vibes for the Gay Games. 8:15p-9:15p; donations welcome.
Official Gay Games Black Party @ House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44114; 216.523.2583; houseofblues.com/cleveland/blackparty: DJ Honey Dijon headlines with DJ Saint. 18+. $15 for Gay Games participants and $25 at the door ($35 for passes to Black and Gold parties).
Renaissance Gay Games Live Late Night DJ @Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, 44113; 216.696.5600; FB: Renaissance Gay Games LIVE: Tonight's party features DJ Rob Black. 9p-3a; free.
Karaoke @ Square Nightclub, 820 W Market St, Akron, 44303; 330.374.9661; squarenightclub: Let your inner diva out with KJ Gina. 10:30p-1a; no cover.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14
Sailing@Edgewater Yacht Club, 6700 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, 44102: times not announced; free.
5K Road Race @ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 44109: 7a; free.
Track and Field/Morning Session @ University of Akron Lee R Jackson Track and Field Complex, 315 S Union St, Akron, 44304: 8a; free.
Beach Volleyball @Whiskey Island's Wendy Park, 28000 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, 44102: 8a-5p; free.
Swimming @ Cleveland State University's Robert F Busbey Natatorium, 2451 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115:8a-5p; free.
Table Tennis @ Case Western Reserve University's Veale Center, 2138 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, 44106:8a-5p; free.
Ice Hockey @ OBM Arena, 15381 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, 44136: 8a-6p; free.
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