The Hessler Street Fair started as a block party in 1969 -- a "hippie enclave," as Martin Juredine remembers it. But f not for the efforts of those original free spirits, the historic homes of Hessler Road would have been razed to make room for parking lots and dormitories. "They were not just peace-loving," says Juredine, owner of the nearby Barking Spider Tavern. "They were taking care of business."
That business turned into the Hessler Neighborhood Association, organized to rehab area homes. And the Hessler Street Fair was born, with music in the streets, poetry readings in the park, and art exhibits on the sidewalks. The festival brought life to the area around Hessler Road and Hessler Court, the city's only wood-block street. But though the fair was growing, organizers were dwindling, and by 1984 the event became too great a chore to pull off.
In 1995, a yearning for nostalgia -- and perhaps a need to bring more money into the area -- led a group of residents to resurrect the fair. It now attracts around 10,000 people each year for poetry competitions, songwriters' expos, and bands. The Hessler Street Fair starts at noon Saturday and Sunday on Hessler Road, between Euclid Avenue and Bellflower Road. Admission is free; call 216-791-8433. -- Cris Glaser
Creepy Classic
Dr. Caligari gets a live score.
FRI 5/16
The Cabinet of Caligari is one of German Expressionist cinema's greatest technical achievements. All shadows and light, Robert Wiene's creepy 1919 classic has more fun with a camera and sets than all the Vin Diesel films combined. The story -- about an evil hypnotist who compels a sinister sleepwalker to do his dirty deeds -- aptly feeds the atmosphere. And it ends with a hell of a twist. The Cleveland Museum of Art is showing a striking new 35mm print of the movie, with live accompaniment by the local trio Lingua. The harmonica-guitar-bass combo composed a new score to unspool over the silent flick, so expect something a bit more riveting and complementary than the creaky old public-domain library tracks that usually accompany Caligari. It screens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard. Tickets are $7, $5 for members. Call 216-421-7340 for more information. -- Michael Gallucci
High Time
It's a groovy benefit for the Fine Arts Association.
SAT 5/17
Artstock, the Fine Arts Association's annual Night of the Arts benefit, is going with a '60s theme this year. "We wanted to come up with a concept that would appeal to all ages," explains Charlie Lawrence, executive director of the association. "Something that would attract the 20s, 30s, and 40s age groups to the far-out and inspirational world of the arts." Why turn on and drop in? There'll be food, live music, a fashion show, auction, and fireworks, as well as performance highlights from the association's upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar production. Right on. It starts at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Fine Arts Association (38660 Mentor Avenue in Willoughby). Tickets are $75 and $125; call 440-951-7500. -- Michael Gallucci
American Girl
5/15 -- 5/31
Phyllis Kohring Fannin's flimsy medium, paper lithography, belies the substance of her work. In her latest exhibit, American Standard, Fannin merges '50s images -- like a woman hoisting a plate of chicken -- with feminist messages (the words "mother," "artist," and "wife" run up and down her dress). It's witty stuff. American Standard is at Dead Horse Gallery (14900 Detroit Avenue, Suite 311, in Lakewood) through May 31. It's open noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free; call 216-228-7214. -- Michael Gallucci
