Ethnic Cleveland eNews
May 23, 2023
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There are not a lot of ethnic events this week because of the celebration of Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.
Don’t confuse it with Veterans Day (November 11) which commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans. Memorial Day honors those who have died while in military service.
It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. The name "Memorial Day", which was first attested in 1882, gradually became more common than "Decoration Day" after World War II but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967.
I remember we used to buy red, white and blue crepe paper from the corner store and decorate our bikes so we could ride in the Memorial Day parade.
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Every Clevelander has seen the fountain on Mall A in downtown. It’s called the War Memorial Fountain or the "Fountain of Eternal Life".
The fountain was initiated and promoted by the Cleveland Press, which raised $250,000 in donations from private citizens and various organizations for the project. It was designed by Cleveland Institute of Art graduate Marshall Fredericks and dedicated on May 30, 1964.
The sculpture honors Greater Clevelanders who served, died, or were declared missing in military service. The centerpiece is a 35-foot bronze figure representing man escaping from the flames of war and reaching skyward for eternal peace. The bronze sphere from which the figure rises represents Earth. Four granite carvings, representing the "geographic civilizations of the world", are placed around the sphere.
It has bronze plates bearing the names of 5,552 Greater Clevelanders who have fallen in military service during times of war from 1899 to 2014, a span of 115 years. This includes patriots from the Spanish–American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War.
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As I said last week, I’ve volunteered and attended every Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) since the first in 2010 but the 2023 event may have been the best.
Over 45,000 people attended the 2 day festival that included performances, food, cultural displays, health screenings, games, kids and family activities and more. Everyone liked posing with the mascots. (Oanh Loi-Powell and Ray Elkin with mascots below)
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Did I mention the food? The restaurants in the food court and the food trucks were swamped both days and people loved the variety and quality. For example, I had a great barbecue chicken Filipino dish from Parilya, some spicy lamb curry from Himalayan Restaurant and General Tso's chicken from Li Wah.
This year CAF volunteers helped implement a near zero waste environment for the festival.
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Each year the festival kicks off with the Kwan Family Lion Dance Team. This year it was extra special because they brought in a second lion! They performed a ritual to awaken the lion and then both lions roamed through the crowd and threw oranges (representing gold) and lettuce (cash) to the crowd. Watch the ceremony in the video below.
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There were traditional and modern performances on two stages. |
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There was something for everyone. Younger people really liked the Asian Pop Dance Competition. Plenty of martial arts on the second stage. And so on.
One of my favorites was Yume Daiko. Yume Daiko is a powerful taiko drum performance group from Japan. They came down from the stage for this performance. Check out the video below. I was close enough that they could drum on my tripod.
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It was a terrific event. Kudos to co-producers Johnny Wu and Lisa Wong and all the volunteers.
CAF Executive Board members (below l-r) Wayne Wong, Lisa Wong, Johnny Wu, Vi Huynh, Debbie Yue, Mike Mendoza, Oanh Powell, Karis Tzeng and Gabriel Kramer.
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I will have lots of photos and videos up soon. |
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Blast from the Past – Traditional Hungarian Bottle Dance (Uveges)
Young ladies from Csardas Dance Company performed a traditional Hungarian Bottle Dance (Uveges) at the 2013 International Folk Festival at Wade Oval in University Circle in Cleveland.
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As always there is more information, links and schedule changes (weather cancellations, etc.) on the Calendar of Events.
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Rube Goldberg Launch Event
Wednesday May 24
6 - 9 PM
Maltz Museum
2929 Richmond Rd. Beachwood
Created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Heirs of Rube Goldberg, Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit (on view May 24 – August 27, 2023) showcases Pulitzer Prize winning humorist and inventor Rube Goldberg’s iconic contraptions and celebrates his humorous storytelling and inventive cartoons.
Inspired by Rube’s original illustrations, the exhibit contains a collection of new 3D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that connect Rube’s iconic cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world. These experiences provide insight into the legacy of Rube Goldberg and how classic engineering principles can be reimagined as entry points for deeper exploration of STEAM concepts for 21st century learning.
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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Festival
Friday – Monday May 26-29
2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland
This annual Memorial Day weekend festival is worth a visit. Free admission, free parking and it’s very easy to get to. Tours of the beautiful church, lots of Greek dancers and music both inside and outside and shopping but, of course, the food is a huge draw. Schedule. Opa!
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Hungarian Memorial Day Commemoration
Sunday May 28
3 PM
Hungarian Memorial, Sunset Memorial Park
6265 Columbia Rd. North Olmsted
Have you ever seen this Hungarian memorial? This annual event is something to check out. Keynote Speaker Lt. Colonel Tibor Sonkoly.
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Clash of the Tartans at Euclid Stroll
Saturday June 3
11 – 2
768 East 200 St Euclid
The E 200th Street Stroll exists to promote local businesses and the community resources available to all. It is now in the 16th year along E. 200th Street in Euclid (and also a small part of Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood on our southwest corner) from the Route 90 freeway north to Lake Shore Blvd.
See the Clash of the Tartans Celtic folk band who will be playing from 11-2 outside of Ludwig's.
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Hungarian Pork Stew Dinner
Preorder by May 28
First Hungarian Reformed Church
14530 Alexander Rd. Walton Hills
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Swedish Vasa Voices Concert
Sunday June 4
2:30 PM
Peace Lutheran Church
3740 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland Hts.
The Vasa Voices of Cleveland are a friendly mixed chorus who love our Scandinavian (primarily Swedish) heritage and enjoy celebrating our culture by singing together. Sweden has a rich tradition of choral singing that goes back many centuries. Our repertoire includes both contemporary and traditional Swedish choral music and folk songs, sacred as well as secular music. Most of the songs we sing are in Swedish; some are in English and a few in Danish and Norwegian.
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Mayo Society Tea
Sunday June 4
2 - 5 PM
John Carroll University Dolan Center
Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland Annual General Meeting & Tea. Newly appointed Honorary Irish Consul Mark Owens will speak about his new appointment. Entertainment by musical duo Nikki Custy & Samantha McNamara & the Murphy Irish Dancers. Tea coffee & fine wine & delicious sandwiches & pastries will be featured. This event is free to all members. To become a member visit website or sign up at Tea. Make your reservations at clevelandmayosociety.org or phone 216-241-6742
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Pundemics - Memorial Day Edition
Why are there no knock knock jokes about America?
Because freedom doesn't knock, it rings!
The Memorial Day Weekend was coming up, and the nursery school teacher took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. “We live in a great country,” she said. “One of the things we should be happy about is that, in this country, we are all free.” One little boy came walking up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said, “I’m not free. I’m four.”
A small boy was staring at the names on the wall of an old church when the pastor noticed him.
"What are you looking at?" asked the clergyman.
"All those names. Who are they?" the boy asked.
The pastor nodded, and said, "They are the reason we have Memorial Day. They are those who died in the service."
The little boy considered that, and then asked quietly, "The 9 o'clock service or the 11 o'clock?"
Ba da dum
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Postscript: Happy birthday on Sunday Dad. I can’t believe it’s been 31 years.
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