Beck Center Women's Board presents their annual Victorian Tea Party on Sunday, May 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Music-Armory Building. A $20 donation is requested. All proceeds benefit the Beck Center for the Arts. Tickets are now on sale.  Last year's event sold out early, so call today to order tickets.

This traditional high tea includes delicious finger sandwiches, desserts and assorted teas, as well as musical entertainment, a silent auction and raffle. All guests receive party favors. Wear your best spring hat and bring your daughters and granddaughters to this stylish event. To reserve tickets, call Janice Mastin-Kamps at 330.723.1399.

Established in 1936, the Women’s Board is the Beck Center’s longest standing volunteer group. They are a fundraising and social organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the Beck Center for the Arts. Through the years the Women’s Board has raised and contributed more than $200,000 and provided thousands of volunteer hours to support performances, programs, and day-to-day operations at the Beck Center.

The Women’s Board meets the third Tuesday of the month, August through May, at 12:00 noon.  Meetings are held in the Skylight Room at the Beck Center. For more information about the Women’s Board, call Jan Brundage at 216.221.1108.

You are cordially invited to join our hosts, Ryan and Jennifer Pirnat, for an evening of Wine & Whimsy on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at their elegant Westlake home. Sample fine wines from Heidelberg Distributing Company, meet internationally renowned artist, Natasha Turovsky, and view her intriguing works of surrealist art. All proceeds from this fundraising event benefit the Beck Center for the Arts.

Entree to this exclusive evening is $125 per person. Dress is elegant casual attire. Reservations are limited. RSVP online or call Heather Johnson at 216.521.2540 x19.

Thank you for supporting the arts in our community. Cheers!

Bike Your Art Out! on Saturday, May 19!

Beck Center for the Arts presents the first annual Bike for Beck bicycle tour fundraiser for arts education programming at Beck Center. Cyclists from beginner to advanced can choose from various route lengths including 12-mile, 25-mile, 60-mile routes, and a 1/2-mile bike parade with the theme "Music in Motion."

Bike for Beck kicks off at the Beck Center at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood and continues through the Cleveland Metroparks. The tour ends at the Beck Center campus with Bike for Beck Fest, an afternoon of art, workshops, exhibits, local fare, and entertainment!

Pricing:

• $40 per tour cyclist (includes t-shirts for first 200 registrants)
• Parade Participants: $5 per parade rider (t-shirt not included) NOTE: Ages 12 & under FREE, maximum 3 under the age of 12 per each paid adult, all children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult
• Online registration ends Friday, May 18, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
• In-person registration is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012, cash only.
• Registration fees are non-refundable
• T-shirts available for $10 and August Wicking shirts are $20. Check out the cool t-shirt design below (shown in gray color) and then click the Register Today button to order.

Tour Info:

• Bicyclists may begin at their convenience between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
• Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. and riders begin their route through the Metroparks
• Water and snack stops are provided along the routes
• "Music in Motion" bike parade begins at 11:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes in artistic ways and enjoy a 1/2-mile parade through Beck's surrounding neighborhood
• Event t-shirt prices $10 and $20, plus fee

Tour Routes:

• 12-Mile Route - North Mastick picnic area and back
• 25-Mile Route - to Berea Falls and back
• 60-Mile Route - to Brecksville and back

Bike for Beck Fest: Post-parade & tour activities until 6:00 p.m.

• RTA Community Bus with bike rack loading demonstrations
• Safety education provided by Bike Lakewood
• Display of antique collectible bicycles from 1900 to 1960 provided by SPIN Bike Shop
• Bicycle corral with valet bike parking by Bike Lakewood & Ohio City Bicycle Co-op
• Bicycle maintenance demonstrations
• New bicycle-themed gallery exhibit presented by the Beck Cafe
• Window display provided by Virginia Marti College of Art & Design
• Super Saturdays @ Beck (9:30 to 11:00 a.m.) children ages 10 and under can enjoy a free hands-on arts experience with our community partner, Usborne Books
• Beck Center's Music Student Showcase (3:30 p.m.)
• Raffles for community baskets, bicycle baskets, and Beck Center basket of goodies

Red Stage Events:

• 11:45 a.m.    Beck Center Festival Band (parade kick-off)
• 12:15 p.m.    Interactive drum circle
• 2:00 p.m.     Fireside
• 4:30 p.m.     Revolution Brass Band

Food trucks, local fare, drinks, and much more!

Interested in volunteering at Bike for Beck? Click here for information!

Give a gift that lasts a lifetime! From gift cards to hand-crafted works by local artists, or a contribution that enables us to inspire the hundreds of artists and art enthusiasts who walk through our doors, there are several ways to give the gift of the arts this holiday season.

Beck Gift Cards

The perfect gift that never goes out of style. Our gift cards may be used to purchase tickets for our outstanding performances or to register for classes and lessons. And Beck gift cards make great stocking stuffers! Stop by Customer Service or call 216.521.2540 x10.

Heirloom Home

Find that perfect treasure when you shop for unique home decor items and accessories at Heirloom Home, a vintage resale shop. All proceeds benefit Beck Center for the Art's student scholarship fund.
18119 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, 216.406.7530
Hours: Wed-Sat, 12 to 5 p.m.

Holiday Art Show

Local artists are featured throughout the Jean Bulicek Galleria through January 2. Stop by and enjoy this exhibit that features painting, pottery, watercolors, photography and more.  All artworks are for sale and make a wonderful holiday gift!

1ST ANNUAL HALLOWEEN WINDOW CRAWL!
C2B will judge the "Adult" category for the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Halloween Window Walk!

7:00 p.m. Friday October 28 – Eddy & Iggy’s 17900 Detroit Avenue

Join Connect to Beck (C2B) and the Pillars of Lakewood for the first annual bar crawl tour of the Halloween Window Painting Competition in the Westend of Lakewood. Cast your ballot for the “C2B Choice” in the Adult category and then enjoy beer samplers and appetizers with your C2B friends at Eddy & Iggy's!

• Cost: This event is FREE if you are already a C2B Member-  simply email your reservation to C2B@beckcenter.org
• A $20 donation for non-C2B Members can be made here (recommended) or you can purchase your tickets at the door for $25
• We’ll meet at Eddy & Iggy’s at 7pm - the walk and judging will begin promptly. There is free parking in the Beck Center lot
• Your ticket includes C2B Membership (with many more events to come!), beer samplers and appetizers @  Eddy and Iggy's (from 8:00 to 9:30; cash bar)
• Tarot card readings will be available that evening
• Costumes encouraged!
• The winner of the Adult category will receive a dinner and theater package for two at Eddy & Iggy's and tickets to the regional premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Winners of the Window Painting Competition, including the C2B adult category, will be announced on Saturday October 29, 2011 @ 2pm at the Beck Center. All Window Crawl attendees are welcome.  Eddy & Iggy's is introducing their new children's menu on October 29 -  stop by before or after the winners are announced!

Connect to Beck, or C2B, is a group of young professionals, artists, and fellow “Beckheads” who support the arts in our community. C2B provides leadership, volunteer opportunities and invitations to social and insider events, with proceeds benefiting financial assistance to Beck Center arts education students.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Join Beck Center's Year-End Card Contest - Our donor appeal always includes a card featuring the artwork of one of our students. This year, it could be YOU!

Submit a 5x7 inch drawing and registration form in the entry box located in the Beck Center lobby by October 15 and you may be our next featured artist!

Things to keep in mind:

• Only Beck Center students age 12 and under may participate.
• Please make sure your drawing fits in a 5x7 inch space.
• Keep your art to winter-related subject matter. Traditional holiday scenes will not be considered.
• Keep your work colorful, creative, and seasonal.
• Do not include words in your drawing, let your pictures lend themselves to being fabulous!
• Please do not sign your drawing. Write the artist’s name, age, phone number, email, and title for the piece on the back of the drawing and on the registration. Do not staple registration artwork to form.
• Winner will be notified by November 1.
• The winner’s drawing will be on display in the lobby from November – January. The winning artist will also receive 4 tickets to the youth theater production of Willy Wonka in May 2012!
• Be sure to submit a registration form with a parent's signature or we cannot use the work.
• ENTRY DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

The 4th Annual Mayor's Ball was a tremendous success thanks to the support from Lakewood Mayor Michael P. Summers, our terrific sponsors, committee, caterers, restaurants, volunteers and guests. On behalf of the Beck Center for the Arts....a heartfelt THANK YOU!

The 4th Annual Mayors Ball was proudly sponsored by:

Gary and Maureen Arbeznik
State Representative Nickie J. Antonio
Jenni and Tom Baker
Law Offices of Kevin Butler
Joel and Bonnie Egertson
Mary Kim Elkins and David Greenspan
Fifth Third Bank
Dan and Caroline Flannery
Folicle (a salon)
Georgetown
Ken and Kathy Haber
Hinkley Lighting
Jennifer L. Howell
Gail and John Jackson
Lakewood Animal Hospital
Lakewood INA/Bailey Building
Mellino Law Firm
Brad and Margaret Richmond
Regency Construction
Frank J. Ross, D.M.D., Inc.
Virginia Marti College
Wine Trends
WineStyles
Zaremba Group

Special Thanks to the Ranger Café!

Homepage photo by Cory Schaffer/Lakewood Patch.

One of Lakewood's newest restaurants, Jammy Buggars, is holding their monthly "Pay it Forward" event on Tuesday, July 12 and Beck Center will receive 15% of the proceeds. So grab your family, friends and neighbors, enjoy a night off from cooking - and support arts in our community.

Be sure to mention Beck Center upon payment. Jammy Buggars, located at 15625 Detroit Avenue. See you there!

The Nord Family Foundation has awarded Beck Center another challenge grant. By making a generous, tax-deductible donation today you will double your gift and double your impact on those we serve.

Every contribution received from individuals by August 31 will be matched dollar for dollar by The Nord Family Foundation – up to $15,000!

As a community, you have challenged us to continue to provide high-quality arts programming, but we can’t do it without your help. Please join us as we "rise to the challenge" of the Nord Family Foundation!

There are three easy ways to give. Click here, mail your payment to Beck Center for the Arts, attn: Nord Challenge, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107, or call 216.521.2540 x19.

Thank you for your continued support of the Beck Center.

Ever wonder what it's like to navigate the Great Lakes in a working freighter? In search of a unique, once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience? Look no further! Purchase a raffle ticket to win a Great Lakes freighter cruise. It's a trip you can't buy. This rare opportunity is only available to raffle winners. All ticket sales support the Beck Center.

Here is a sample of what a previous winner had to say about this amazing cruise...

“This is a great trip! I won a raffle a few years ago. It is better than an ocean cruise. The accommodations were lovely and the food, we all had to go on a diet when we got home!”

The winner sets sail for the voyage of a lifetime aboard an Interlake Steamship vessel during the 2011 sailing season (June - September).  Up to six passengers (winner + five guests) can be accommodated in three state rooms, each with a private bath. Trips typically last four to six days. Guests will enjoy all meals in the officer's mess. While on board, take a tour of the pilot house and engine room, stroll the deck, enjoy spectacular scenery, and eat like royalty. Meet the hardworking crew and see the latest shipping technologies on the Great Lakes.

Raffle tickets are $150 each. Only 150 tickets will be sold... a 1 in 150 chance of winning!

Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't delay! These raffle tickets will sell out quickly. The winning ticket will be drawn on May 15, 2011.

More information and tickets

Beck Center for the Arts is grateful to the Interlake Steamship Company for donating this trip. All raffle proceeds will help sustain our mission of providing high quality and accessible arts education programs and theater productions to the community.