Heart of the Arts: A Shaker Arts Council Series
Welcome to the Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts series, a collection of cultural experiences celebrating local
and regional artists. Through poetry, music, and dance this series brings creative expression to venues across Shaker Heights. The Heart of the Arts series features three ticketed events in 2026. These events support working artists while creating meaningful cultural experiences for the Shaker Heights community.
and regional artists. Through poetry, music, and dance this series brings creative expression to venues across Shaker Heights. The Heart of the Arts series features three ticketed events in 2026. These events support working artists while creating meaningful cultural experiences for the Shaker Heights community.
Ohio Contemporary Ballet: Ballet Under the Stars
June 19 - 20, 2026
Experience an evening of ballet with a class and a performance.
Time: 6:00PM - A free ballet classes for youth ages 3-12. 7:00PM - A performance by the company
Location: OCBallet Center The studio is located in the same building as The
Dealership.
3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Bring lawnchairs to ensure you can sit during the performance.
Use the north driveway by Lewis Electronics. Free parking available. The show will go on if it rains.
Tickets: Free
Time: 6:00PM - A free ballet classes for youth ages 3-12. 7:00PM - A performance by the company
Location: OCBallet Center The studio is located in the same building as The
Dealership.
3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Bring lawnchairs to ensure you can sit during the performance.
Use the north driveway by Lewis Electronics. Free parking available. The show will go on if it rains.
Tickets: Free
About Ohio Contemporary Ballet (formerly Verb Ballets) has proudly served Northeast Ohio for nearly four decades, with 2027 marking our 40th anniversary. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the company brings bold, inspiring performances to the stage while fostering community both locally and globally through the transformative power of dance. Under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for the original Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer, OCBallet has earned recognition as a premier dance company in the region.
Known for its dance virtuosity and production excellence, the company captivates audiences and enriches lives through its commitment to the community. OCBallet brings movement and connection people live, work, and learn.
We proudly partner with esteemed organizations such as the Akron Symphony, Rainey Institute, Playhouse Square, and Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. As an artistic ambassador for Northeast Ohio, OCBallet has shared its passion on cultural exchange tours to Cuba and Taiwan.
At the heart of Ohio Contemporary Ballet is a deep commitment to education and community engagement. Housed at the Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center in Shaker Heights, the company provides a nurturing environment for dancers of all ages and abilities. Our community classes welcome dancers of all ages and skill levels, while our workshops and outreach programs are designed to make dance more accessible and ignite a lifelong passion for the art. By bringing our programs directly to the
community. As Ohio Contemporary Ballet moves forward, the company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary ballet, fostering innovation, and celebrating the power of dance to connect and inspire.
Known for its dance virtuosity and production excellence, the company captivates audiences and enriches lives through its commitment to the community. OCBallet brings movement and connection people live, work, and learn.
We proudly partner with esteemed organizations such as the Akron Symphony, Rainey Institute, Playhouse Square, and Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. As an artistic ambassador for Northeast Ohio, OCBallet has shared its passion on cultural exchange tours to Cuba and Taiwan.
At the heart of Ohio Contemporary Ballet is a deep commitment to education and community engagement. Housed at the Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center in Shaker Heights, the company provides a nurturing environment for dancers of all ages and abilities. Our community classes welcome dancers of all ages and skill levels, while our workshops and outreach programs are designed to make dance more accessible and ignite a lifelong passion for the art. By bringing our programs directly to the
community. As Ohio Contemporary Ballet moves forward, the company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary ballet, fostering innovation, and celebrating the power of dance to connect and inspire.
An Evening of Poetry with Donald King
July 30, 2026
An evening of powerful poetry featuring Donald King, author of I Never Rhymed for My Father. King’s work reflects on identity, history, faith, and the enduring spirit of the American experience.The evening also includes performances by poets Vision and Linnette E. Lawson, celebrating the power of poetry.
Time: 6:30 pm for refreshments
7:00pm performance
Location: Loganberry Books
13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Tickets: Guests are encouraged to reserve a seat in advance. A $10 donation to the Shaker Arts Council would be appreciated. Your contribution helps support the featured poets and SHAC’s community arts programming. A limited number of seats may be available at the door.
Time: 6:30 pm for refreshments
7:00pm performance
Location: Loganberry Books
13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Tickets: Guests are encouraged to reserve a seat in advance. A $10 donation to the Shaker Arts Council would be appreciated. Your contribution helps support the featured poets and SHAC’s community arts programming. A limited number of seats may be available at the door.
Biography: Donald King is a poet and storyteller whose work is shaped by a life of resilience and reflection. Raised in foster care after his father abandoned the family, King spent much of his youth navigating hardship and uncertainty. His life changed when his wife, Ellie encouraged him to write and share poetry. That encouragement sparked a lifelong passion for language and expression. Now in his eighties, King continues to share poems drawn from his lived experiences—stories of struggle,
perseverance, and humanity that resonate deeply with audiences.
perseverance, and humanity that resonate deeply with audiences.
Thank you to our sponsors
Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
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Support the Arts in Shaker Heights
Local businesses and community members help make this series possible. Sponsorship opportunities provide visibility while supporting fair compensation for artists. |
Support Future Arts Programming
If you enjoy this series, consider making a donation to help the Shaker Arts Council continue bringing arts programming to our community. |
Additional SHAC Event
Art & Community: A Curated SHAC Experience at the Cleveland Museum of Art
October (exact date to be announced)
Join SHAC for a special docent-led exploration at the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the nation’s premier art museums. This curated experience pairs the insight of a museum docent with the perspective of a Shaker Heights arts leader, offering a unique lens on selected works from the museum’s world-renowned collection. Following the tour, guests are invited to continue the experience with a relaxed conversation led by our local expert, reflecting on how art connects to community, history, and creative life in Shaker Heights. Limited group size to allow conversation and reflection.
October (exact date to be announced)
Join SHAC for a special docent-led exploration at the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the nation’s premier art museums. This curated experience pairs the insight of a museum docent with the perspective of a Shaker Heights arts leader, offering a unique lens on selected works from the museum’s world-renowned collection. Following the tour, guests are invited to continue the experience with a relaxed conversation led by our local expert, reflecting on how art connects to community, history, and creative life in Shaker Heights. Limited group size to allow conversation and reflection.