Cultured to perfection

Located just four miles east of downtown Cleveland, University Circle is northeast Ohio's renowned cultural arts district. On June 9, discover all the area has to offer at "Parade the Circle," an annual celebration filled with food, hands-on activities and free entertainment, beginning with a parade at noon. WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays outdoor concerts, held June through August, feature performances in musical genres ranging from jazz to rock to reggae, works by local artists and signature dishes prepared by area eateries.

The Western Reserve Historical Society is Cleveland's oldest cultural institution, but there's always something new on view. Through June 10, revisit the life of the late Princess of Wales in "Diana: A Celebration," featuring the stunning wedding gown from her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles - complete with 25-foot-long train - diamond tiara and more than two dozen dresses, suits and gowns designed for her by Chanel, Versace and Valentino. The exhibit also includes home movies, childhood photos and Elton John's musical score for "Candle in the Wind," which he performed at her funeral; and poignantly chronicles the princess' commitment to charity. What treasures lie on your bookshelf? Find out May 5 when experts from Christie's auction house will be on hand to determine what beloved family tomes are worth.

Cleveland Botanical Garden will once again host the largest outdoor flower show in North America May 24 through 28. Originally modeled after The Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show, the event features outdoor displays celebrating this year's theme, "Rhythm & Hues," mixing gardening with the musical arts; internationally recognized speakers sharing their knowledge on topics such as "Color in the Landscape," "Small Space Gardening" and "Organic Lawn Care"; and a garden marketplace filled with products for green thumbs of every skill level.

One of the world's most renowned museums, the Cleveland Museum of Art is a favorite destination for art connoisseurs and casual visitors alike. More than 50 works that impressionist painter Claude Monet created to celebrate his love of Normandy are showcased through May 20, including the beloved "Water Lilies" series. Gallery lectures on Monet's life in France will be held May 9 at 6 p.m. and May 13 at 3 p.m. From June 24 through September 16, the museum takes a look at "A Century of Photography," which traces the development of the medium from the early achievements of Louis Daguerre to stellar works by such icons as Margaret Bourke-White, Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams and Richard Avedon. On May 30 at 6:30 p.m., the museum's film series features "Rare Films from the Baseball Hall of Fame," presented by Dave Filipi, curator of film and video at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus. Culled from the archives in Cooperstown, the movies include interviews with Cleveland Indians legends Bob Feller, Mel Harder and Al Rosen.

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is dedicated to celebrating the courage and achievements of the city's Jewish community, as well as spotlighting fine works of art. "Masterpieces of European Painting from The Cleveland Museum of Art," on exhibit through July 8, showcases 18 works from the museum's permanent collection, including canvases by Rembrandt, Rubens and Turner.

The second-largest performing arts center in the country outside of New York's Lincoln Center, Cleveland's Playhouse Square Center offers a star-studded spring and summer lineup of headliners and Broadway shows. David Copperfield works his magic May 4 and 5. "The Rat Pack: Live at the Sands" brings back the heyday of Las Vegas May 8 through 20 with a tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. Norah Jones will perform selections from her Grammy Award-winning albums May 9. Get "In the Mood" with the big band sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra May 23, with a string of hits that includes "A String of Pearls," "Tuxedo Junction" and "Moonlight Serenade." Follow the fortunes of two con artists living it up on the Riviera in the Broadway musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," taking center stage June 12 through 24, followed by "The Lion King," August 2 through September 9, featuring an unforgettable score by Elton John and Tim Rice.

From the sound of 1,000 drums playing in unison to poetry readings, opera and interactive installations, Ingenuity: Cleveland Festival of Art and Technology, July 19 through 22 at Playhouse Square, showcases the city's innovative organizations and individuals through collaborative exhibits and performances created especially for the festival.

Since 1968, Blossom Music Center has been the city's favorite place to enjoy classical and contemporary concerts under the stars. Scheduled headliners include John Mayer and Ben Folds (July 1) and Rush (August 30). The Cleveland Orchestra's annual Blossom Festival begins July 3 and 4 with holiday programs saluting the Armed Forces through renditions of Sousa marches, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and fireworks. Franz Welser-Möst conducts Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9" July 7, an evening of Viennese music by the Strausses July 8, and a program of Ligeti, Debussy and Mahler July 14. On July 28, the Blossom Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Loras John Schissel, celebrates the tunes of George and Ira Gershwin with selections from "Primrose," "Shall We Dance" and "An American in Paris." Robert Porco conducts The Cleveland Orchestra August 12 in a salute to Broadway, filled with classics from "My Fair Lady," "Gypsy" and "Chicago." The Canadian Brass returns to Blossom August 26 with the special blend of baroque, classical and jazz favorites the ensemble is known for.

University Circle, 10831 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland, 216/791-3900. www.universitycircle.org
Western Reserve Historical Society, 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/721-5722. www.wrhs.org
Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/721-1600. www.cbgarden.org
Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., University Circle, Cleveland, 216/421-7340. www.clevelandart.org
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood. 216/593-0575. www.maltzjewishmuseum.org
Playhouse Square Center, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216/241-6000. www.playhousesquare.com
Ingenuity 07, 216/589-9444. www.ingenuitycleveland.com
Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. For concert tickets, call 216/241-5555 or visit www.hob.com/blossom. For orchestra tickets, call 216/231-1111 or visit www.clevelandorchestra.com

Animal magnetism

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History reveals best-kept "Animal Secrets" May 26 through September 9. Visitors are invited to explore five natural habitats, including a stream, meadow, woodland and cave to see the world as eagles, chipmunks and raccoons do, and discover how naturalists protect the environment. From June 16 through August 26, Cleveland photographer Herb Ascherman Jr. presents his images of India, including the people of the Keralan countryside and jungles. Join Sammy's executive chef John Taylor and wine purveyor Mary Lampham on June 9 as they prepare and serve a seven-course dinner celebrating "The Natural History of Tomatoes."

Heed the call of the wild and head to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where "Dinosaurs" roam May 24 through September 16. Fifteen of the life-sized animatronic reptiles are paying a visit this year, including the 20-foot-tall T. rex, 28-foot-long Amargasaurus and a fish-eating Baryonyx. During those days, visitors are also invited to get close to "Touch! Amazing Rays and Sharks," which features creatures swimming in an 11,000-gallon saltwater tank. Species making an appearance at the zoo include Southern red stingrays weighing up to 300 pounds, cownose rays and leopard sharks. On a lighter note, "Butterfly Magic" casts its spell as hundreds of exotic blue morpho, yellow apricot and pink cattle heart insects take flight amid colorful tropical plants and flowers in the zoo's public greenhouse May 18 through September 16.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr., University Circle, Cleveland, 216/231-4600, www.cmnh.org
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & the RainForest, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216/661-6500, www.clemetzoo.com

A place in history

Travel back to Civil War times at Hale Farm & Village, where costumed interpreters re-enact what life was like during these tumultuous days in our history. Visitors can talk to a mother whose son is about to enlist, pen a letter to a battle-weary soldier on the front lines and learn about the daily life that was filled with spinning, weaving and candlemaking. Kids of all ages are invited to try their hand at whist, croquet and traditional dancing during "Old Fashioned Family Fun Days" June 9 and 10. Master gardener Daniel Ryan shares his secrets for growing heirloom vegetables, herbs and flowers at spring garden workshops May 12 and 18.

The Great Lakes Science Center makes the subject an enjoyable one for everyone by explaining how it relates to our world. Through September 3, "Baseball as America" features artifacts from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and a June 16 baseball clinic with 1960s Cleveland Indians alumni. The center's OMNIMAX Theater offers a look at Hurricane Katrina's devastating effects on the bayou through June 24.

Experience the romance of the days gone by aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Vintage climate-controlled coaches from the 1940s and '50s, originally part of the Seaboard and Santa Fe railroads, take visitors on journeys through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway. Summer excursions include "Grape Escape" wine-tasting nights June 8, July 13 and August 17. On June 27, park ranger Paul Motts will lead an exploration of "Summer in the Valley." Special Mother's Day and Father's Day trips are planned for May 13 and June 17 respectively, and a full-size replica of "The Little Engine That Could" visits the railroad's Boston Mill station August 2 through 5.

Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 330/666-3711. www.wrhs.org/halefarm
Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216/694-2000. www.GreatScience.com
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, 800/468-4070. www.cvsr.com

The sporting life

The 26th-annual Grand Prix of Cleveland will roar into Burke Lakefront Airport June 22 through 24. Highlights include live music, motorsports demonstrations, a Family Fun Zone and Miss Grand Prix of Cleveland competition.

The boys of summer are in full swing at Jacobs Field. Cleveland Indians fans can enjoy Friday night fireworks, including displays celebrating the Showdown of Ohio against the Cincinnati Reds (May 18) and the 1970s (June 1). Special giveaways include a Tribe cap (May 19) and an Indians flag (August 11).

Grand Prix of Cleveland, Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 North Marginal Dr., Cleveland, 216/619-RACE. www.grandprixofcleveland.com
Cleveland Indians, Jacobs Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216/420-4636. www.indians.com

Family amusements

No wonder Cedar Point was voted "Best Amusement Park" by Amusement Today magazine. With 69 rides, including 17 roller coasters, it's a thrill-seeker's dream come true. The newest is Maverick, which takes riders to the top of a 105-foot-tall hill before taking them on a 95-degree plunge at 57 miles per hour.

Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom continues to thrill visitors with an impressive array of 50 rides - including eight roller coasters - and 17-acre waterpark. Animated racecar driver Max Axel takes moviegoers on a wild ride in the 3-D film, "LEGO Racers."

Cedar Point, One Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky, 419/627-2350. www.cedarpoint.com
Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom, 1060 North Aurora Rd., Aurora, 330/562-7131. www.geaugalake.com

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