SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, May 19 for Beck fundraiser

Join us on Saturday, May 19 for the first annual Bike for Beck, a bicycle tour fundraising event that will benefit Beck Center for the Arts. Riders can choose from various route lengths, including a 1-mile bike parade, 12-, 25- and 60-mile routes.

Bike for Beck will kick-off at Beck Center and continue through the Metroparks, followed by an afternoon of art, entertainment, bike education and safety, and much more. Look for more details and registration information on our website March 1.

After Tour Events:

• RTA Community Bus with bike rack loading demonstrations
• Safety education provided by Lakewood Bike
• Display of antique collectible bicycles from 1900 to 1960 provided by SPIN Bike Shop
• Bicycle Corral with valet parking
• Maintenance demonstrations
• New bicycle-themed gallery opening presented by Beck Cafe
• Super Saturday @ Beck with a hands-on arts activities for children ages 10 and under
• Beck Center's Music Department Student Showcase
• Food & drink, and much more!

Entertainment on the Red Stage:

• Beck Center Festival Band
• Interactive drum circle
• Fireside
• Revolution Brass Band
• more to be announced!

Art Discovery Studio
This is a hands-on artistic experience that welcomes creativity and discovery with a variety of multimedia arts experiences. From clay and drawing to painting and more. . . students will be immersed in the art making process.

Participants will work with instructor Darrelle Centuori who will guide the class and its activities while creating, learning, growing and expanding their knowledge and experience in the arts.

Enter FOCUS 2012 photography competition and become a part of an exciting collaboration with Beck Center for the Arts and Solon Center for the Arts. Only amateur photographers (adults and students) are eligible. This is a juried competition with awards in each category, including "Best in Show"!

Categories are:

• People/Portraits
• Architecture/Cityscape
• Nature/Landscape
• Animals
• Botanical
• Macro

Entry Deadline: Saturday, March 17 by 2:00 p.m.

Host Gallery Exhibitions

• Beck Center: May 4 - May 31
• Solon Center for the Arts: April 16 - May 25

Click here for complete entry details and important dates.

A Photography Competition Bringing Communities Together Through Art, presented by

Friday, January 27 in the Studio Theater
7:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres
8:00 p.m. Acutely Aware

Dance Alliance at Beck Center is presenting Acutely Aware, a collection of short stories written and read by Laura Viccarone. Tickets are $25 and include hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary drink, with desserts following the performance.

Laura's last performance at Beck Center sold out - so plan to buy your tickets early and join us for this 21 and over event.

Acutely Aware is a fundraiser for the Dance Alliance at Beck Center (DABC), a volunteer group that provides support for students in the dance programs at the Beck Center.

Beck Center for the Arts, in collaboration with The Cleveland Orchestra, proudly present two very special west side PNC Musical Rainbow concerts on  Saturdays, January 21 and April 28 at 10:30 a.m. on the Mackey Main Stage. Tickets are on sale now.

About the PNC Musical Rainbow Concerts
Which instrument is bigger – violin or viola? How many strings are on a harp? What’s a bassoon? Children will discover the answers to these musical questions and more during the 30-minute Musical Rainbow concerts. These presentations are a fun, interactive way for our youngest listeners to learn about the instruments of the orchestra. Children will sing, clap, and move to the music as they have fun learning all about instruments. Ideal for children ages 3 through 6.

"Tricky Trombone"

Saturday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m. $5/per person (adults and children).
Trombonist Ed Zadrozny will introduce children to the “Tricky Trombone”. Hosted by local actress and singer Maryann Nagel, this program includes narration, demonstration, short solo selections and audience participation - your kids will be singing, clapping, and moving to the music!

"Percussion Partners"

Saturday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. $5/per person (adults and children).
Beck Center and The Cleveland Orchestra proudly present the second PNC Musical Rainbow concert with percussionist Mell Csicsila, who will introduce young children to the world of percussion. Hosted by local actress and singer Maryann Nagel, this program includes narration, demonstration, short solo selections and audience participation.

The Cleveland Orchestra's PNC Musical Rainbow Concerts are sponsored by PNC.
PNC Musical Rainbow Series is endowed by the Pysht Fund.

The New Year starts off with a fantastic show of drawings and etchings from Beck staff alumnus, Justin Wisniewski. Justin taught at the Beck Center for five years and left to attend graduate school Edinboro, Scotland to study painting.

We are thrilled to have him back as the first artist in our gallery year. Justin’s show “Perceptual Romanticism” will be on display in the Jean Bulicek Galleria  through February 12, 2012. As always, all Beck Center exhibits are free and open to the public. Click here for a complete list of 2012 gallery shows.