SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – What can warm one up faster than a cup of hot chocolate or tea?
Music.
Okay, I’m not sure there is a precise scientific explanation, but I propose this answer as music warms the feet and the heart.
And even some might say – the spirit.
Whether it’s a familiar tune or one that stretches our musical horizons, music can be sublime, stimulating and comforting.
I know: The holiday tunes in some stores and in some commercials may have begun before Halloween to prime the pump…for buying? It’s still music…but perhaps with an ulterior motive.
Here’s to stocking up on beautiful sounds for free or at nominal cost!
Read on.
Pops are tops! Gilmour Academy is pleased to welcome the community to a free concert at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 8 with the Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra, directed by renowned conductor and founder Carl Topilow. Tickets do not need to be reserved in advance. Location is The Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts at Gilmour Academy, 34001 Cedar Road in Gates Mills. Two Gilmour students will take the stage: Aurelia Chiacchiari of Newbury on clarinet and Ryan Seckel of Chagrin Falls on flute. Both students, incidentally, will also appear with the full Cleveland Orchestra at Playhouse Square on Friday, November 28.
Temple Israel Ner Tamid will be celebrating Chanukah with music and other festivities appealing to youngsters and seniors alike! Each night of Chanukah, from Sunday, December 14 through Sunday, December 21, all are welcome to join Rabbi Matt Eisenberg as he lights the giant chanukiah – resembling a menorah – outside at the temple at 5:30 p.m., 1732 Lander Road in Mayfield Heights. For questions, call 440-473-5120 or email tint@tintcleveland.org. Read on for more events at Temple Israel Ner Tamid.
Chanukah rock. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, The 22nd Annual Rock For All Ages Chanukah Concert at Temple Israel Ner Tamid features Noah Budin and The Promised Band playing a mixture of original and classic Chanukah songs including “S’vivon,” “Maoz Tzur,” and “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah,” some modern renditions of classics including Julie Silver’s Dreidel Song and the Ladino song “Ochos Kandelikas,” Tom Lehrer’s comedy classic “Hanukah in Santa Monica,” Israeli folk songs, Noah Budin originals, and Peter Yarrow’s “Light One Candle.” Charge: $5.00 per person / free for children 5 and under. Cash at the door. RSVP not needed.
Noah Budin & the Promised Band includes David Budin (bass, vocals), Celia Hollander Lewis (12 string guitar, Celtic harp, banjo, vocals), Rob Ticherich (percussion), Alan Douglass (keyboard, vocals), and Steve Gordon (electric guitar, vocals). Noah is a Cleveland-based entertainer and songwriter who also performs around the country and has released three CDs of original music and published a songbook with 22 of his original songs. See www.noahbudin.com .
A bit of Klezmer. After a brief 7:30 pm Shabbat service, the Temple Israel Ner Tamid congregation will celebrate the sixth light of Chanukah at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19 with traditional foods and games – latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiot (jelly donuts), dreidels (small tops) and gelt (gold chocolate coins). The Shabbat Oneg (celebration) will be accompanied by the sounds of Yiddishe Cup with Bert Stratton (clarinet, harmonica) and Steven Greenman on violin. Musical selections will feature klezmer and Israeli classics. Yiddishe Cup is a klezmer band that began in 1988.
And just what is klezmer, you may ask? Originating at weddings in small towns in Europe, it’s a lively blend of European, Ashkenazic Jewish, and other influences, including jazz. After a revival of interest in the 1970, klezmer has continued to be played and enjoyed worldwide.
Listening ears. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has launched a new national helpline to support the urgent needs of U.S. family caregivers for loved ones with a serious mental illness. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (select option 4), text “FAMILY” to 62640, or
“Much of what caregivers are searching for can’t be found in written resources but only in the lived experiences and practical solutions of others who have walked a similar path,” said Dawn P. Brown, national director of NAMI’s HelpLine Services. NAMI’s Family Caregiver HelpLine will connect people with people, helping to bridge the isolation that caregivers may feel.
Caregivers’ own mental health “often takes a backseat to caring for their loved ones,” the NAMI press release said. “ Most are unpaid, which can add financial strain to the emotional stress and isolation that can come with caregiving.” Isolation plus heavy responsibilities threatens caregivers’ own well being.
The helpline crew consists of well-trained volunteers who have cared for someone with a serious mental illness and wish to listen and support others in similar situations. The helpline provides reassurance,
resources, and practical guidance in a nonjudgmental, safe place.
More resources for family caregivers can be found at nami.org/family.
This important new service builds on the support available through the NAMI HelpLine and its specialty helpline services, linea de ayuda de NAMI (NAMI’s Spanish Language HelpLine) and NAMI Teen and Young Adult HelpLine.
Soothing winds. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, the Brush High School auditorium, 4875 Glenlyn Road, Lyndhurst, will host the 40-piece Akron Symphonic Winds ensemble for a free concert.
The ensemble has performed in each of the past four summers as part of South Euclid’s outdoor Ray Rhode Summer Concert Series, and will perform the concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 15. This concert is sponsored by the City of South Euclid.
Akron Symphonic Winds was founded in 2016 by South Euclid resident and New York native Linda Simon, who also plays bass clarinet and baritone saxophone for the band, which includes woodwinds, brass and percussion.