About
[supertagline] Brite Winter is Cleveland’s Outdoor Winter Art & Music Festival[/supertagline] There might be snow, there might be rain, it might be cold, it might be a blizzard, but it doesn’t really matter. This is Cleveland, and we’re going to play outside. Going on our fifth year, we’ve had more support than ever before, as our region has decided that waiting for summer to have fun is not an acceptable way to live. Sure, we’ll have to work a little be harder for to get what we want… that’s just like us too.
This year Brite Winter will feature more of the things we love: Music, Art and Outdoor Activities. As a community funded and organized event, all of our official programing is free and open to the public. Find out how you get involved by visiting our ‘Help Out’ section or keep up with us on facebook and twitter as we make announcements about Bands, Games, Artists, and more Cleveland Winter Festivity.
A festival grows: How Brite Winter music fest in Ohio City became one of Cleveland's biggest, boldest events
Brite Winter festival
Music schedule, venue guide and more info: britewinter. com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Four years ago, a couple of Case Western Reserve University graduate students decided to start a new festival. In Cleveland. Outside. In the winter.
"The idea was, 'Let's celebrate winter rather than hide from it,' " says Thomas Fox, director of programming and marketing for the Brite Winter festival, started in 2010 by Emily Hornack and Jimmy Harris.
"I'm from Cleveland, but spent four years in Minnesota," says Hornack. "When I was there, I learned a new way to approach winter, instead of just sitting inside and waiting for it to be over.
"Up there, they say, 'Let's go out, it's awesome.' They embrace winter. Of course, our winter is a lot less predictably cold then theirs, so when it came time to plan our fest, we said, 'Well, we can't necessarily do ice fishing or skiing, but we can do music or art, things Cleveland has in abundance.' "
Despite heavy snow and temperatures in the 20s, many fans came to celebrate that first year. And came. And came. More than 1,000 people attended Brite in 2010, when the festival was held at Hart Crane Memorial Park in the Flats. Even more people came the second year.
Then, the third year, things really blew up for Brite Winter, which has become Cleveland's premier winter event. Organizers moved the fest from the Flats to streets and venues in the Market District of Ohio City in 2012 – and attendance for the free festival jumped to around 10,000.
"We took a new, much bigger approach that year," says Fox. "We moved the festival to Ohio City and went from 11 bands playing to 40 acts. We added a lot more stages and put them in unconventional places, bars and restaurants and shops and streets around Ohio City. People were very excited about it."
Word of mouth about the 2012 fest spurred even greater attendance in 2013, with an estimated 20,000 fans drawn to the music, art exhibits, clubs, bars, breweries, food trucks and bonfires of Brite – despite a temperature of 19 degrees.
"We always planned for this to become an annual event, but I don't think anyone involved ever thought it would become this big," says Hornack.
Organizers expect the attendance to grow even more at the fifth-annual Brite Winter fest on Saturday, Feb 15. They've almost doubled the number of bands, from 48 to 70 acts playing on four outdoor and six indoor stages. The musical beat ranges from indie to punk to folk, country, singer-songwriter and electronic.
Brite has also added more art installations, in conjunction with the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Art, expanding to more than 20 exhibits. There will also be outdoor games including Giant Speedball, Giant Plinko and Angry Birds cornhole.
Next year, says Hornack, organizers are already considering expanding the fest to two days, but they have put expansion plans on hiatus until after this month.
"It has become the biggest event of the year in Ohio City," says Virginia Houston, director of marketing and development for Ohio City Inc. who is working as a liaison between the fest and area businesses.
Venues hosting events this year include TownHall eatery, Room Service boutique, Old Angle Tavern, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Campbell Sweets and Joy Machine Bike Shop.
"Brite Winter is one of the most unique events to have happened in Cleveland, due to the time of the year and the huge crowds." Houston says. "We are so proud to have it in Ohio City."
While Houston does not have specific economic-impact figures, many area business owners told her the 2013 fest was their busiest day ever – "especially at a time of year when most people go back to their homes and hibernate after the holidays."
Sam McNulty, owner of Market Garden Brewery, Nano Brew Cleveland and McNulty's Bier Markt, concurs.
"Last year was one of our top 10 days ever at Market Garden," he says. He's not a partner with Brite, but will have specials and entertainment at his venues, including an "epic" light show surprise at Market Garden and surrounding buildings, in conjunction with Positively Cleveland.
McNulty remembers attending the first Brite in the Flats.
"It was really exciting to see someone in Cleveland outside in the winter," he says. "It was a beautiful night. But not a lot of people knew where Hart Crane Park was. Moving Brite up to Ohio City was the big icing on the cake that is Brite."
TownHall bar and restaurant is new to the Market District, having opened in May 2013, but not new to Brite. Last year, the owners were sponsors, and this year they're taking their support further by hosting their own stage, which will feature Cleveland's punk NOMADS and Detroit's "chill punk" Silent Lions among others.
"It was important for TownHall to get involved with Brite Winter fest to support the Ohio City community," says marketing coordinator Dan Inks.
Inks says the event is a "win-win" situation for everyone involved.
"Brite Winter fest attracts thousands of people, which will expose our TownHall brand to help attain new customers.
View full size Brite Winter venue map. Brite Winter
"Brite will help ignite and drive thousands of people to Ohio City, which will pump thousands of dollars into the community. and aid in sustaining a healthy growth to the neighborhood," he adds.
Gaining nonprofit status has also helped Brite grow, says Fox, allowing organizers to apply for more grants and gain more sponsors – and keep Brite free. This year, they received a Cuyahoga Arts and Culture grant, as well as a grant from Neighborhood Connections.
Corporate sponsorships, as well as cash, trade and logistical support from participating venues, also help cover the cost of Brite (more than half of the participating venues are cash supporters, according to Fox). Brite also ran a small Kickstarter campaign to raise $4,000, which closed a few hundred dollars over the goal this week.
"The reason we do the Kickstarter is that it's a community-sponsored event," says Fox. "It's a public way to show your support and tell other people, 'You should get on board with this.'"
Local art-folkie Istvan Medgyesi has been on board with Brite for four years. As in past fests, he'll help kick off Brite this year with the opening slot.
"It's really good to see Brite growing like it is," says Medgyesi. "There are so many great bands playing, art displays, food and drink, and games to play. Everybody can find at least one thing they're into. Being family-friendly helps out, too. You can't avoid having a good time. The point is to make a celebration out of the things that make a lot of people miserable."
Medgyesi also believes Brite benefits the area beyond one February afternoon.
"Ohio City is one of the most vibrant spots in the city, and the area by the West Side Market is a perfect location for Brite Winter. There are so many great restaurants and bars right there, and it's very walkable. People get to connect with the community, and that's what we need more of."
He's not alone in this belief.
"These types of events get a lot of unique visitors, and we know they come back over and over again," says Ohio City Inc.'s Houston. "People can poke around and explore new establishments, and many will return."
Medgyesi is the musical exception to the rule at Brite – a rare repeating act. Only a handful of the 70 acts playing Brite this year, about 50 percent from Northeast Ohio, have played the festival in the past.
"This is meant to be a festival of new things," says Fox.
To that end, this year's lineup includes several on-the-rise Cleveland bands, including the folky the Lighthouse & the Whaler, punk artistes Unbox, the elegiac Seafair, the punk Nomads, alt-rockers Herzog and the postpunk Pleasure Leftists. Touring acts include Brooklyn, N. Y.'s twangy Defibulators and the folkie Green Gallows from New York.
Many of the performers applied to Brite. beginning in the fall. The others were selected by Fox. "I reached out to about 100 booking agents nationwide and asked them to show me what's new," he says.
The chance to see so many indie and up-and-coming regional and national bands in one spot remains the big draw of Brite, says Fox, despite the plethora of beer, games, art and food trucks.
"We do a survey every year to see what people like most, and the No. 1 response has always been music," he says.
And in second place? Fire.
"People just really, really love the outside fires," explains Fox. "It's an experience we don't normally get in Cleveland, hanging around the bonfires, [people] warming their hands and drinking something warm. We've had so many people say they've met someone new there, or had great conversations."
And, of course, gotten warmed up. After all, this is Cleveland. In the winter.
2014 Brite Winter festival to feature more than 70 bands on 10 stages in Ohio City
Cleveland, Ohio – Nearly twice as many bands as last year will be featured at the 2014 Brite Winter festival in Cleveland.
Performers have just been announced for the 5 th annual Brite Winter– the growing local event that will take over Ohio City's Market District area on Saturday, Feb. 15.
The 2014 Brite will feature more than 70 artists on four outdoor and six indoor stages throughout the area, with the main stage in Market Square Park. There will also be food trucks, craft beer, bonfires, family activities and events going on in area bars and restaurants.
This year's musical beat ranges from indie to punk to folk, country, singer-songwriter and electronic. Headliners include several on-the-rise Cleveland bands, including the folksy The Lighthouse & The Whaler, punk artistes Obnox, the elegiac Seafair, the punk Nomads, alt-rockers Herzog and the post-punk Pleasure Leftists. Touring acts include Brooklyn's twangy Defibulators and the folkie Green Gallows from New York. For a full schedule see britewinter. com
Last year's fest attracted 20,000 attendees despite a chilly temperature of 19 degrees, with 48 bands on seven stages. There were also 15 art installations. This year there will be 20 art installations, planned in conjunction with The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Art.
The festival is free for all attendees, but they are running a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds (and earn bonuses like CD samplers). See britewinter. com/kickstarter .
Said Plain Dealer reporter Michael Heaton of the 2013 BRITE fest: "The Brite Winter Festival is easily poised to become Cleveland's answer to something like South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, or Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tenn."
Recommended Reviews
This is a great idea - it's cold but let's get out there and have fun anyway! That said, it was incredibly cold at the 2014 festival. It was held in Ohio City, which was fun, but it was just too cold for us to hang out for more than an hour. We got beers, watched a few bands and gave up - luckily, due to the location, there are lots of bars you can just duck into when the cold is too much for you to handle. The event was free so I'm still glad I went but February can be aggressively cold so I'm sure I didn't get the full experience, even though I dressed in as many layers as I could handle! The art was all cool, as were the bands and general concept. Beer was not unreasonably priced. I didn't eat anything but there was a good seleciton of food trucks and stands available.
Underneath the sprawling Innerbelt bridges in the Cuyahoga River Valley, there lies a small park surrounded by the decaying industry that deserves more attention. As I walked to Brite Winter Festival and heard the music in the background, I was hoping for a great experience.
The concept was great: get people outside in the winter to a festival. The price: free. This is becoming more appealing to me. Concessions from festival organizers and Gypsy coffee had hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, smores, for very reasonable prices, only $1-3. There was decent attendance.
What did Brite Winter Festival miss outside of a great location, cheap prices, and people. actual activities. Granted, I came alone. However, most attendees were huddled around 3 bon fires. Besides standing around a bon fire, there were a couple free activities: a large version of skee-ball [using a soccer ball], a cool DIY wooden claw machine to snatch coffee mugs and stuffed animals, make your own drawings on an overhead projected onto side of the Innerbelt bridge, a couple 10x10 foot chambers [alas, I didn't go in them - unfortunately, I missed my chance to be reborn without going to a fundamentalist church], a stage with a band, Putt-Putt [I couldn't find this, although it was mentioned on the website], 2 small tables of people selling t-shirts. A person or 2 walking around with bongos. Sounds like a lot, but it wasn't that much. After an hour, I ran out of things to do, listened to the band some more, and people-watching, including all of those photographers there.
The MC was comically bad. Stoned, he mumbled 'and there's stuff to do. ' over the PA. I know it can be more difficult than it appears but he couldn't even explain or list the activities [I have done it plenty of times too, and maybe have been as bad as he was].
With its location, price, and few other outdoor winter events in Cleveland like this, Brite Winter Festival has great potential, but it needs more activities [a sledding hill, trucked in snow for snowmen! perhaps], displays, and exhibits. Very high 2 stars; don't worry, I'll hold on my hope for next year on this instead of the cavs for my winter entertainment.
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THE LITTLE DISCOVERIES OF TWO CLEVELANDERS EXPLORING THEIR BELOVED CITY
Upcoming Event: Brite Winter 2014
A snowy, bone-chilling day in February isn’t exactly when most people think about attending (let alone organizing) an outdoor music and arts festival, but leave it to a couple of Clevelanders to turn challenge into opportunity. Enter Brite Winter, an outdoor music and arts festival hosted in Ohio City on February 15th. Last year was our first time attending the festival and it was quite the experience–we definitely can’t wait to go back.
Thaddeus Anna Greene performing at the 2013 Brite Winter Festival – Blaz Photography
This year marks Brite Winter’s fifth consecutive festival, boasting substantial growth year after year. The 2013 event drew in an estimated 20,000 people and showcased 48 artists over 6 stages. This year, there will be 70 artists spread out out 10 stages; 4 outdoor, 6 indoor. You’ll here music genres from indie alternative to folk, punk, rock, bluegrass, funk, electronic, and singer songwriter. The festival also includes creative light installations, food trucks, beer gardens, bonfires, games, and activities for people of all ages.
The best part: It’s free . However, if you wish to donate, check out the festival’s Kickstarter .
Visit the Brite Winter website for directions and parking information: http://www. britewinter. com/get-there/ .
A few words of advice: dress warm . We completely underestimated the 19 degree weather last year and found ourselves at Dave’s Market scavenging for gloves and an extra layer of socks.
Artist Line-up
Air Traffic Controller · Coin · The Lighthouse & The Whaler · Hollis Brown · Herzog · Obnox · Texas Plant · Bars of Gold · Pleasure Leftists · Signals Midwest · Thaddeus Anna Greene · Keeps · Little Big League · Freeze-Tag · Rollergirl · Seasick Mama · Jonathan Harper Croh · Dolfish · Emma Shepherd · Let’em Run · Smooth Hound Smith · Silent Lions · Cruiser · Shivering Timbers · Nick D & The Believers · Seafair · Nick Tolford · Captain Kidd · Tinnarose · The Defibulators · Lulu Mae · Fever Fever · Night Sweats · Emily & The Complexes · Shale Satans · Fingers · Eddie Doldrum · Sidneyyork · Ages · Crash City · Dave Hammer’s Power Supply · Wild Rompit · Rob Kovacs · Heart Attack Man · Vibe & Direct · Captain Ivory · Our Lady · Nomads · Friendly Faux · Jenna Fournier (of Nights) · Carrie Ryan · Green Gallows · Smug Saints · Sim Ross · Skirbe · Yosemight · Bombardier · Tree No Leaves · Caitlin Mahoney · Sweepyheads · Bella Ruse · Wolf Creek · We The People · Istvan Medgyesi
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