Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Imagine sauntering through a canopy of vines streamed with shimmering lights. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo holds the awe-inspiring spectacle that is the fourth annual Asian Lantern Festival starting July 14. More than 1,000 lanterns will be illuminated, among them 70 large-scale displays, including a four-story Taj Mahal and Chinese dragon. Drive and walk-thru nights are available. During the latter, live contortionist and foot-juggler performances will be held at the Fifth Third Bank Stage every hour. The Asian Food Market will also be open, featuring local favorites such as Li Wah and King Wah. $18-$66, July 14-Sept. 5, Thu-Sun 6:30-10:30 p.m., 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Headlands BeachFest at Headlands Beach State Park
This Thursday, three world champion sand sculptors descend upon the shores of Mentor to raise figments limited only by their imaginations. They come in time for the Ohio Master Sand Sculpting Competition on Saturday, judged by the votes of this year’s Headlands BeachFest attendees. Families have the opportunity to exercise their creative energy in a Family Sandcastle Building Contest as well and refuel their talent with food trucks crafting everything from delicious wood-fired pizza to savory kettle corn. Music by DJ Stray, a Jasmine Dragons acrobatic show and Bubble Magic are additional attractions. Free, July 17, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, headlandsbeachfest.com
La Bastille at EDWINS Second Chance Life Skills Center
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute’s annual soiree and fundraiser returns with bountiful, exquisite cuisine and entertainment. Delight in Mardi Gras-inspired crawfish etouffee and chicken, an oyster bar and sausage gumbo with musical guest Harry Bacharach. While the main event, La Bastille, is $125 per person, an afterparty at EDWINS Too will ensue from 10 p.m. to midnight, called Apres la Fete. Admission to both events is $200. As part of a limited-edition option, enjoy festivities from home with a purchase of the La Bastille a la Maison package, filled with cocktails, appetizers and entrees valued at $80 per two people. $80-$200, July 17, 6-10 p.m., 2910 S. Moreland Blvd., 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org/labastille21
In Ink—Transformation of Calligraphy at the Massillon Museum
From black silhouette blocks, tentacles of ink whip and drip, as if they are trying to escape the larger form’s meaning. This is the work of John Chang, who will be interviewed via podcast to be posted at noon on July 20 about his exhibit, In Ink—Transformation of Calligraphy. Originally from Shanghai, China, Chang’s art challenges the conformity of written words in tension with individual expression. Language becomes broken, even as meaning seeks to be known among Chang’s bold and symbolic color choices, including stark black and white and prosperous scarlet red. Free, June 26-Aug. 11, Tue-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun 2-5 p.m., 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, 330-833-4061, massillonmuseum.org
Inkubator Pop-Up Led by Starlight Elsewhere at Cleveland Public Library Eastman Reading Garden
If reading is an adventure, writing certainly is, too. But let’s not put too much hype on the reclusive writer tucked away in a cabin. There are plenty of ways to gain feedback and insight from fellow writers. Literary Cleveland’s 2021 Inkubator Conference is one of them. While many of its free workshops are virtual July 11-25 this year, an outdoor literary pop-up and book fair will be held at the Eastman Reading Garden this Saturday. At 1 p.m., Kamden Hilliard will lead a workshop about cultivating communities around literature. An open mic follows at 3 p.m., beginning with Lisa Summe. Free, July 17, noon-5 p.m., 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-9488, litcleveland.org
John Glenn Centennial Celebration at Cambridge, New Concord and Zanesville
Before Richard Branson, there was John Glenn. Both Guernsey and Muskingum counties are recognizing what would have been the Ohio-born Marine, senator and astronaut’s 100th birthday on July 18. While a number of events are taking place throughout July, this weekend includes a photo exhibit of John Glenn’s 1962 Homecoming Parade at Muskingum University’s Palmer Gallery in New Concord, free walk-thru tours of the John & Annie Glenn Museum, presentations by Ohio Space Shuttle astronaut Don Thomas, a Friendship 7-Miler Race, biplane rides, space kits for kids and more. July 16-18, 740-455-8282, visitzanesville.com