Ingenuity Fest Turns 10, 9.26–9.28

A decade ago, James Levin of Cleveland Public Theatre and Thomas Mulready (Cool Cleveland) created a regional festival  celebrating the creativity of Northeast Ohio showcasing under-utilized venues throughout Cleveland. Levin and Mulready had previously worked together to create the Cleveland Performance Art Festival (CPAF). For more than a decade (1988 to 1999 and 2003), the CPAF brought more than 1,000 artists from 27 countries to Cleveland. It was one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. This year, IngenuityFest turns 10.

Organizers anticipate 40,000 visitors throughout this weekend's festival. For the past two years, the Fest has taken place at the docks (and surrounding area) just north of First Energy Stadium. This year, the Fest returns to Dock 32, but it also sprawls out to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Great Lakes Science Center (and the surrounding area).

"As we celebrate Ingenuity's 10th anniversary, it is thrilling to see the festival begin to transform into a multi-venue event," says Ingenuity's executive director Paula Grooms. "It was part of the original vision for the festival and it's a crucial step in realizing our goal to transform the festival into a destination event with multiple weeks and venues!"

And there is plenty to do, so let's run through some highlights.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can expect more than a dozen art/technology installations, dozens of performances, three stages of live music, food vendors and much more. Pinch and Squeal's Voix de Ville mini mobile circus tent returns with unique performances. Get there early; last year there were long lines, and the tent seats only 60 people. Also returning this year are Tesla Orchestra and Medicine Cabinet – with a new "giant bubble" live music venue.

Anthony Castrovano's Kinetic Bonfire is an interactive sculpture installation that requires audience participation to function. Participants pedal stationary bikes around a central bonfire. Each bike activates one small section, so you have to work together to realize the full potential of the piece. Brian Peters' Solar Bytes Pavilion features approximately 90 solar-powered, plastic bricks. The bricks are created using 3-D printers, and each contains a solar-powered LED. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the potential of 3-D printing at an architectural level.

Local artists Rust Belt Monster Collective are back again this year to collaborate on a live mural.  This year, they're taking the experience gained from painting regularly around the region to complete a mural more than double the size while incorporating projected animation into this year's live mural.

Check out ingenuitycleveland.com for a full schedule.

5PM to 1AM Friday, Sept. 26;

Noon to 1AM Saturday, Sept. 27;

Noon to 5PM Sunday, Sept. 28;

ingenuitycleveland.com