***A bit of blogkeeping: I’m guest posting today over on Peace Love & Bagels, while my friend Becca finishes getting ready to get married! My post is all about some of my favorite Cleveland summer festivals, so check it out!***
Last night, the Ohio Blogging Association had its monthly meet-up at Playhouse Square. Our host for the evening was the Playhouse Square Partners group, a young professionals group that hosts Jump Back Ball, does volunteer work, and networks and socializes throughout Cleveland.
We started our evening with a behind-the-scenes look at the Playhouse Square theaters.
Our tour guide, Jim, had such a passion for the theaters and the arts community in Cleveland. We got to see a little of everything…from being on the stage at the State Theater…
…to the being-renovated Ohio Theater…
to the gorgeous newly refurbished Allen Theater lobby.
It made me even more appreciative of the beautiful and vibrant theater community here in Cleveland. We not only have the second largest theater district in the nation, we have incredibly breathtaking theaters and people who are so dedicated to Playhouse Square.
Playhouse Square Partners has two great upcoming events where you can check out the group and see what they’re all about. On Monday, July 16, bring your ideas for the theme for Jump Back Ball 2013 to a brainstorming meeting at Becky’s Bar and Grill. On Thursday, August 2, join the Partners for YP Night at Cinema at the Square. The movie is West Side Story, there will be a sing-a-long, and tickets are only $5!
After our tour, we were treated to delicious munchies and drinks from the newly-opened Alex Bistro and Bar. Before heading across the street, though, we realized that we had a trifecta of black Coach purses in the house and had to snap a picture:

Alex Bistro and Bar took over the old Hanna Grill space and is serving up tasty cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine. I keep finding new favorite summer sippers, but the lavendar mojito at Alex definitely makes the list! Our table also shared the lamb meatballs, zucchini and eggplant fritters, stuffed grape leaves, and charcuterie platter.
Everything was delicious and the breakfast and lunch menus look just as tasty, so check ’em out while at work downtown or before a show!
All in all, it was another great night with blogger friends old and new!
In attendance were bloggers/tweeters from:
Again? Really? and Health Insurance Issues with Dave
Beer and Clothing in Cleveland
Poise in Parma and PIP Aunt Kathy
The next Ohio Blogging Association event will be on Thursday, August 16 with dinner and a blogger roundtable at The Underdog (in the basement of Happy Dog). Stay tuned to the OBA Facebook page for more details.
What a treat it was to go backstage and peep! I cannot wait for West Side Story. I adore that patio at Alex’s. I need to keep it in mind when I’m in that part of town.
I don’t know how you got this up so fast – you are a blogging speed demon!!!
Always great to have you join us – your support of the OBA means so much!
She has super powers!!
I totally agree w/ Kim about the patio – what a find! Fun night – loved peeking in the dressing rooms and being on stage.
Jen- It was so nice to meet you. Glad we were able to make the purse connection, too funny. Hope to see you out and about soon!
Yes, a great event. We are lucky to have such a great group that does so many fun things. Looking forward to the next Ohio Blogging Association – Cleveland (@OHBlogging) event.
I added a link to your post about the Playhouse Square tour to my blog and will add others as the are completed.
Thanks for sharing some great Why Cleveland messages on your blog.
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