Expand Your Mind At The AHA Festival

We’ve all had that lightbulb moment while reading a book or listening to a lecture. But the Arts and Humanities Alive Festival encourages us to seek enlightenment beyond traditional mediums. The June 7-9 event at Cleveland State University and Playhouse Square is the first of its kind in Ohio. “This is one of the broadest I have ever heard of,” says curator John Frohnmayer, former National Endowment for the Arts chair. Here are some presenters. ahacsu.com

 Yvette Nicole Brown  

The East Cleveland native, who made a name for herself on NBC’s Community, delivers a June 7 keynote address on arts as a tool for personal growth. “She is a kick,” Frohnmayer observes, “hugely entertaining in a way that makes you really think about yourself.” $30, noon, State Theatre

 Karina Smirnoff  

Festival director Katie Shames chose the Ukrainian-born dancer best-known for partnering with celebs on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars to lead a dancing workshop June 7 because of her willingness to teach. “I knew that she had a sense of humor,” Shames says. $5, 5 p.m., State Theatre

 Jon Meacham  

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author discusses how to lead like a president and touches on books on Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson June 9. Of the latter book, Frohnmayer says, “Meacham does just a masterful job of getting inside his head.” $10, 10 a.m.,
CSU Student Center ballroom