by Mike Telin
Since its founding in 1991 Arts Renaissance Tremont (ART) has been a cultural pillar in that now trendy West Side Cleveland Neighborhood. “When we began the series, Tremont was not as trendy or as popular as it is today,” remembers ART president Robert Schneider. “I remember Miracles being the place to go for pancakes so we were there long before the neighborhood became as popular as it is today.”
Under the tireless direction of Chris Haff- Paluck with assistance from a group of extremely dedicated board and volunteers, Arts Renaissance Tremont has somehow managed to remain true to the vision of keeping the concerts free of charge. “We operate solely on membership and freewill donations. There are no tickets involved and we try to make the programs accessible to everyone,” says Schneider. ART has also received financial support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC Grants) the Neighborhood Connection and the Kulas Foundation. ART has also benefited greatly from the generous support of its performance venue, the acoustically beautiful Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Tremont resident and longtime ART concert attendee Lorraine Thwaite says she enjoys Arts Renaissance Tremont concerts because the performers are of world-class quality and the concerts are right in her neighborhood. “The concerts are within walking distance for me. It’s like living near Carnegie Hall. You can just stop by on a Sunday afternoon and hear a wonderful concert. And for those who are not within walking distance, the neighborhood is a wonderful destination.”
Thwaite cites the fact that the musicians talk to the audience and you can meet them at a reception following the concerts, along with fantastic programming, as two reasons she likes the concert series. “Obviously I’m very big fan of the organization but it’s a real gem to have ART in our community.”
One thing is certain, both Robert Schneider and Lorraine Thwaite agree that the longevity of the organization is something to be proud of. “We’re so happy that we are still in business which is not an easy accomplishment in the arts,” Schneider points out. How and why ART started here I do not know,” says Thwaite adding, “But starting something is one thing but keeping it going for years is something entirely different.”
On Sunday, September 15 beginning at 3:00 pm, Arts Renaissance Tremont will hold a Mini-Fundraiser a PRESS Wine Bar (See ad or concert listings for details) The afternoon includesan intimate wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres and features performances by Jinjoo Cho & Michael Ferri, violins, Eric Wong, viola & Matthew Allen, cello. Click here to view a short video about Arts Renaissance Tremont.
The 2013-14 Arts Renaissance Tremont season begins on Sunday, October 20 with a performance by the Cleveland School of the Arts’s R. Nathaniel Dett Concert Choir and the Sanctuary Choir of Antioch Baptist Church. This season’s series will also include performances by the Linden String Quartet and pianist Daniel Shapiro (November 17), Burning River Brass (December 13), Jinjoo Cho, violin and HyunSoo Kim, piano (February 9), the Amici String Quartet (March 9), A Bach Birthday Bash featuring the Trinity Chamber Choir (March 21), and members of The Cleveland Orchestra woodwind section Mary Lynch, Robert Woolfrey, William Hestand and Richard King, with pianist Cicilia Yudha (April 27).
Published on ClevelandClassical.com September 10, 2013
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