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As the Cleveland International Film Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, the documentary “And Again I Dream” preserves Ivy Young’s legacy of activism, identity and art. Written by Isabella Mockbee Art and politics have always been intertwined. Just as democracy makes people’s voices heard, film festivals provide platforms for underrepresented stories to be told. The Cleveland International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring, showing a diverse

The “messy girl” aesthetic was once a reflection of survival rather than style – now it’s been sold out. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens In an online culture driven by constant consumption, the internet never stops hunting for its next obsession. Emerging at the top of trend predictions, crawling out of an unmade bed with last night’s lipstick smeared across a pillowcase, is an unexpected contender: the messy girl.  The modern messy girl relies on an intentionally undone en

Rebbecca Maxwell, Cleveland-based influencer and founder of She’s Company, hosts events where the women of Cleveland support each other, expand their circles and party it up! Written by Ava Brennan Rebecca Maxwell is a Cleveland girl through and through. She has an Instagram following of  nearly 35K, and is the owner of She’s Company and Two One Thrift . Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Maxwell always had a passion for capturing memories through taking photos.  “In high scho

Cleveland’s do-it-yourself music scene is holding on through care, community and commitment from members who need it most. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Beyond the Ticketmaster fees and overcrowded stadium shows, a more authentic live music scene exists in Cleveland’s underground. Powered by musicians fueled by the love of the game, the do-it-yourself scene demonstrates what’s possible with just a few necessities: an open space, a power source and a few equally enthusiast

Felicia Henry, known across Cleveland State as “Ms. Felicia,” has spent eight years welcoming students at the Law Link snack shop with a smile and a “good morning.” Written by Sage Colón Students passing through the law building at Cleveland State University often hear the same greeting as they walk by the snack shop. “Good morning,” Felicia Henry says with a smile. Known to students across campus as “Ms. Felicia,” this familiar face has become a welcoming presence for many s

In a city long dominated by traditional sports culture, The W Sports Bar is creating a space where women’s teams and their fans can feel seen, safe and welcome. Written by Helaina Rucinski On any given night inside The W Sports Bar , the volume is up, jerseys are visible and cheers from fans come without hesitation. The screens aren’t on the expected default of men's games. Instead, WNBA matchups, NWSL games and NCAA women’s tournament showdowns take priority. Strangers cheer

Once classmates and childhood friends who lost touch, Cleveland State University students show how college can transform old connections into unbreakable bonds. Written by Sage Colón Zoe Revay wasn’t expecting to recognize anyone when she walked into class during her first semester at Cleveland State University in the fall of 2023. She was still learning the building, navigating the new routines and adjusting to the quiet pressure of starting over. Then she heard a familiar n

For this independent team of creatives, filmmaking isn’t about rigidity and rules - it’s about finding your people and making something unique together. Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Growing up in the 2000s, many of us were surrounded by our favorite films packed in the puffy plastic VHS containers. Watching movies was a tactile experience – lining the tape with the little plastic door and hearing the VCR player’s mechanical hum as the screen flickered to life. A familiar

A thought on the online echo chamber of men who compete to out-bully each other. Written by Kylee Herrick Beauty standards are one of many man-made concerns that have tormented the self-esteem of humanity, with the increasing influence of online spaces further fueling the intensity of bullying and exclusion.  Cisgender men have remained relatively safe from the crushing pressure of weight loss, plastic surgery and fashion advertising that deliberately target female-presenting

From twinkling lights to ice skating and holiday markets, downtown Cleveland comes alive in the wintertime. Written by Sage Colón Winter in Cleveland doesn't have to mean hibernating and hiding from the cold – it can mean bundling up and heading downtown. From twinkling light displays along the lakefront to ice skating under the glow of Public Square, the city turns into its own snow globe once the temperatures drop. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a festive date nig

It is anyone’s guess who will be a part of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, but certain artists lie in the hot seat – or have for a long, long time. Written by Kylee Herrick Within the glass pyramid that hovers over Cleveland’s downtown region, resides an ecosystem of musical history and relics of legendary artists. To be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a privilege only bestowed upon those considered to have left a monumental effect on the music indu

My personal testimony on keeping one healthy goal daily to improve life. Written by Ava Brennan “Did you make a New Year's resolution?”  New Year’s resolutions are positive goals people set for themselves to improve their physical, mental or personal wellbeing. These resolutions can include making new healthy habits or breaking undesirable ones. Some aim for small milestones, like learning to bake bread, while others go after larger ones, like earning a promotion at work.  In

A look inside Burning River Roller Derby, a skater-run, inclusive Cleveland league that blends fast-paced competition with community, teamwork and passion. Written by Helaina Rucinski At the sound of the whistle, the skaters take off, and the rattling of wheels intensifies as they make their way around the track. The jammer darts for an opening that vanishes nearly as quickly as it appears, blockers close gaps and skaters scramble to make a move. As the action unfolds on the

How music can promote mental health in peak seasonal depression months. Written by Ava Brennan The air grows cold, and daylight grows scarce. Getting out of bed in the morning is often hard enough without the promise of a bone-chilling breeze as you walk down Euclid Avenue. The months of December, January and February are often perceived as peak times for seasonal depression. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression trigger

Written by Kylee Herrick Cleveland’s history with the cranky file clerk who called the city home and subsequently transformed the comic narrative. “Harvey Pekar? That doesn’t sound like a superhero to me.” (“American Splendor,” 2003) This past summer, Cleveland celebrated as James Gunn’s film, “Superman,” hit theaters and plastered the city on television screens and IMAX theaters. The so-called “Mistake by the Lake” was finally able to bring its superhero back home and see hi

Written by Ava Brennan How to tackle extravagant holiday meals while nurturing the body. Delicious recipes at bottom of this post! Two of the biggest feasting holidays are right around the corner. Some may spend this time preparing, walking extra steps to balance out incoming calories, while others accept the not-so-good feelings that come with the “feel-good” foods. In a large family like mine, creating extravagant holiday meals is no small feat. The responsibility of planni

Written by Nicole Wloszek-Therens Guice Mann shares the story of his journey as an artist, and his mission to spread positivity through all that he creates. Cleveland’s art culture thrives in the hidden nooks of the city where innovators and creators transform unassuming warehouse spaces into vibrant studios. Artists pour their souls into their work and their creativity spills onto the streets with murals and installations that breathe life into the industrial landscape. In a

Written by Helaina Rucinski Why does Thanksgiving dinner so often turn into a battleground of tension? For many families, the turkey isn’t the only thing getting roasted at Thanksgiving dinner. The holiday meal may seem more like a contest than a celebration with all the political debates, unsolicited life advice, and that one relative who “just wants to talk about the election.” As voices of family members become louder and mashed potatoes grow colder, you might find someone

Written by Kirsten Kimbler CSU’s Studio: Sillie collective shines a spotlight on student filmmakers with its first short film showcase – with proceeds going to Cleveland’s growing film scene. Cleveland State’s film scene will take center stage on Nov. 30, as Studio: Sillie Showcase – a dynamic collective of CSU students and graduates dedicated to producing original short film content – hosts its first short film showcase.  The showcase will feature 10 short films produced by

Written by Sage Colón Inside the rise of one of Cleveland’s biggest sports meme pages. The Turning Point As Aidan Crowley looked around at the crowd outside the Browns stadium on Feb. 3, 2025, he realized the potential he held in his hands. No more than three hours earlier, he had been sitting with his friends when news broke that Myles Garrett – one of the Cleveland Browns’ most beloved players – was requesting a trade. That morning, Crowley rushed to make an Instagram post