It’s the last Loop of the year! Let’s toast to a great year in Toledo arts and get ready to ring in a new year of opportunities.
Get a taste of what hardworking creatives have been doing all year long during the 3rd Thursday Loop.
On the third Thursday of every month, the Loop shows off more than 30 creative spaces, with TARTA busses offering rides all evening long for $1.25. Enjoy specials on food and drinks from local bars, stop into galleries and studios or just soak up the incredible artistically inspiring atmosphere of a city that cares.
On Thursday, December 17 from 5:30-9pm (unless noted differently), explore the city with these landmarks
1. Raq the Casbah at Veritas
via facebook
Experience summer heat in mid-December during the Toledo Tango Club’s takeover at Veritas Cork & Craft. Tango with the club, enjoy wine, music and belly dance performances by Leyla with Raq the Casbah— Toledo’s eight-piece, multi-lingual, world music band. Enjoy Casbah’s unique blend of Middle Eastern music, funk, and world-folk music, featuring plenty of song, dance and energy. Since this party runs later than most Loop activities, it’s a great one to catch after your art walking and buying.
7:30pm-10:30pm | Veritas Toledo, 505 Jefferson Ave. | 419-214-9463.
2. Mini Mart at Handmade Toledo
via facebook
Haven’t even started your holiday shopping yet? No frets— Handmade Toledo has the hook-up for locally made, hand-crafted products that will surely be met with an “Aww, thank you. This is so cute and thoughtful!” Score. Local makers will be set up in Handmade Toledo’s extended area, including in-house studio artists, Matt Taylor, Chris Curran, and vintage offerings from Allison Dow’s House of Dow. Plus, Holey Toledough donuts will be available to satisfy your sweet tooth, because— let's face it— whatever cookies bring to your holiday party will not compare. Browse the Facebook event for more vendors, including Humblebee Family Farm, and stroll through the Shoppe for great gifts for everyone, or just yourself. (We think you deserve it).
Handmade Toledo, 1717 Adams St., 419-214-1717. handmadetoledo.com
3. Bleak House Presents: SCRAWL
via facebook event
The shared-brainchild of Kelly Thompson and Eileen Iannone, this new poetry series is a can’t-miss during the Loop. Seven local, well-known poets will join featured poet, Sean Kilpatrick, an Ann Arbor-based author. This group reading will be a meditation on the idea of solidarity— which is a fitting title for a brand new literary group. Make sure to get the $15 tickets in advance to reserve some of the space’s limited seating.
7:30pm | Bleak House Coffee, 612 Adams St. 419-740-1125.
4. Delightful Art with Dee Anniversary Party
by Klaire Russel, via facebook
Celebrate with Dee Brown and her gallery artists as they toast to one year of art. I’ve already talked about how lovely Dee and her gallery is, and I definitely suggest that you check it out. The gallery will feature sculptor, Craig Perras, and Daniel Vierya as the artist of the month. Klaire Russell’s 8’x 8’ mural will also be on display and divided, with a raffle giving you the chance to take some of the large work home. DjOne Tyme will keep the party going all night long for both new guests and regulars. The evening will also celebrate the launch of the new wheresthecat.com.
6-9pm | Delightful Art with Dee, 137 N. Michigan St.
5. Gerber House for the Holidays at the Collingwood Arts Center
via facebook
Feel jollier than Santa at the Collingwood Arts Center’s Gerber House as it is decked, all through the halls, for the holidays. Artists at CAC will also open up their studios to satisfy visitor’s curiosity. We hear the building is haunted, too, so you might even meet your ghost of Christmas past, present and future.
5:30-9pm | Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd., (Stop #7 on the Blue Uptown Loop.) | 419-244-2787 | collingwoodartscenter.org
For even more events, check out The Arts Commission's December list.
