DALI See his works and others at Contessa Gallery, starting Friday.

Daniel Hathaway, the canon for art, music and worship at Trinity Cathedral
(2230 Euclid Ave., 216.771.3630), is more than just another church choir director. For 31 years, he's been a key player in Cleveland's music scene, putting together professional-quality programs of major classical works, launching the free weekly Brownbag Concert Series at the cathedral, forming the Trinity Chamber Orchestra, serving as assistant chorus master of the Cleveland Opera and music director of the Great Lakes Theatre Festival, teaching at Cleveland State and Laurel School. As an organist, he's done recitals all over the world, and he composes music that's performed at the cathedral. Now, he's not retiring but "modulating," moving on to new challenges. To honor his contributions, past and present choir members will perform pieces by Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Hathaway himself will preach at a 10 a.m. festival eucharist at the cathedral. It's open to all. — Anastasia Pantsios

THURSDAY, JUNE 26

Two Gentlemen of Verona

What's nicer on a summer night than an outdoor picnic in beautiful surroundings followed by a Shakespeare romantic comedy performed in the open air? That's why the Ohio Shakespeare Festival returns year after year to the lagoon at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (714 N. Portage Path, Akron) for its annual summer run. It kicks off tonight with a $10 preview of the high-spirited, humorous romance, Two Gentlemen from Verona, with official opening tomorrow night. Come early and eat, then at 7:30 p.m. enjoy the "greenshow," the traditional Elizabethan-era running of the first act, followed by the full performance at 8. Chairs are provided or you can sit on the lawn; bring food or buy sandwiches, snacks and beverages there. Tickets: $17-$26. Box office: 330.315.3287. — AP

Scott Raab

Former Clevelander Scott Raab, who writes celebrity profiles for Esquire, doesn't hold celebrities in awe. His tart profiles balance the typical media blow job, in which every famous person is talented, brilliant, unselfish and an unparalleled humanitarian, with warts-and-all presentation. He explained his lack of deference in Esquire: "This might sound like a joke, but part of the answer is that I'm from Cleveland. I'm an old shoe salesman. I'm an old bartender. Those are not metaphors — those are things I have done for money! I'm not wowed by anyone's station in life ... To me - and not to harp on the Cleveland thing, but it's a really big part of my personality - it's a chance to try and get real with someone whose entire existence is an image." Some of his best profiles are collected in Real Hollywood Stories: Inside the Minds of 20 Celebrities with One A-List Writer. He'll be dropping in at Mac's Backs (1820 Coventry Rd., 216.321.7323) at 7 tonight to sign his book. It's free. — AP

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

Hector Vega

In the art world, being able to effectively promote yourself is as important as possessing stunning talent, as Cleveland's Hector Vega understands. He's never been shy about putting his art in front of people whether he's designing wine-bottle labels, decorating a fiberglass guitar for GuitarMania or contributing work to auctions for various good causes. He's been creating three-dimensional, hand-cut collaged works mounted in shadowboxes, such as his limited edition "Chagrin Falls Highlights," only one of the works on display at Imagery Fine Arts (100 N. Main St., downtown Chagrin Falls, 440.247.1278). He'll be at the gallery from 5-9 tonight for a reception for his show. It's free. — AP

Opera in the Garden

You've probably whizzed by the Italian Cultural Garden — and all the other cultural gardens on Martin Luther King Boulevard — dozens of times without taking notice. Well, slow down, pull over and get out of the car at the Italian Renaissance Cultural Garden at 7 tonight. Area classical singers will be performing a concert called Opera in the Garden, singing arias, duos and ensemble pieces from works by Verdi, Puccini, Bellini and other great Italian opera composers. It's free and open to the public. Go to operapertutti.org for more info. — AP

Arts Collinwood

Usually a graduating art-school senior gets his or her grade for a final project, perhaps shows it in a student exhibition and packs it away. Arts Collinwood (15605 Waterloo Rd., 216.692.9500) is giving recent graduates of area art schools a chance to show the wider community what they created by putting some of those projects on display in its latest show, New Blood. Nicholas Moenich, Emily Moores, Dustin Nowlin, Ryan Serafin, Melissa Spainhourd and Rich Zarobell will show painting, drawing, installation, collage and jewelry in this show which opens with a free reception from 6-9 tonight. It hangs through July 19. — AP

Kandinsky to Dali & the Art of the Avant-Garde

The first half of the 20th century was an explosive, transformational era for art, with a new movement seemingly popping up every year. The Contessa Gallery (24667 Cedar Rd., Legacy Village, Lyndhurst, 212.382.7800) is opening a show of work by some of the most influential artists of the time including Kandinsky, Chirico and Dali, works for sale as well as display if you've got the deep pocketbook. From 6-9 tonight and tomorrow there'll be free opening receptions with noted Dali expert Christine Argillet giving a lecture. — AP

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

Art Museum gallery reopening

The moment art-starved Clevelanders have been waiting for has arrived: The Cleveland Museum of Art starts reopening its permanent galleries after a period of closing for renovation. Today 19 galleries in the original 1916 building are set to reopen, with 900 works going back on public display including European art from 1600-1800 and American art from 1700-1900. The Armor Court is also reopening. There's a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the South Terrace from 10:30-11 a.m. followed by tours and family activities throughout the day. Hour: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. And it's still free! — AP

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

Star-Spangled Spectacular Concert and Festival

Good grief! Is it time already for the Cleveland Orchestra's annual Independence Day Star-Spangled Spectacular Concert and Festival on Public Square? Seems like it got warm just yesterday. (Oh right, it did.) This year, the event will be led by guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero who'll lead the orchestra in pieces by Berlioz, Strauss and a tribute to composer Leroy Anderson in honor of his 100th birthday. Indra Thomas will make her Cleveland Orchestra debut, joining it for arias by Verdi, Puccini and Gershwin. Oh, calm down — never fear, they're going to play the 1812 Overture too, and there'll be fireworks, weather permitting. Before the orchestra takes the stage at 9 p.m., a potpourri of local acts warms things up starting at 4, including Hot Jazz 7, Mo Mojo Mama, Roots of American Music, Ernie Krivda and the Art of Jazz Trio, the University of Akron Steel Drum Band Quintet and Hue People. There'll also be a chance for kids to add their handprints to a mural honoring Cuyahoga County's 200th anniversary. For those who can't get downtown, the free event will be broadcast on WCPN 90.3 FM and WCLV 104.9 FM. — AP