The museum's first Friday of the month cocktail parties, MIX at CMA, have been going strong since they began last October. With each month featuring a different theme, the events have consistently drawn upwards of 1,000 people and have gotten the attention of the New York Times Travel section for their innovative programming. August's party—MIX: Caliente—celebrates Latin American art and culture and guests are encouraged to explore the Art of the Americas galleries in the new north wing. Outside on the museum's south terrace, they can enjoy an exotic cocktail while listening to the live Latin rhythms of Son Gitano and hot beats spun by DJ Dongo. Tropical Cleveland will lead guests in salsa dancing. In preparation for this week's MIX: Caliente, we remember the highlights of June & July's events.
 Photo: Frank Lanza |
June's MIX: Connections was a collaboration with MOCA Cleveland. Contemporary artist Kate Gilmore's live piece Hold on Her was in the CMA atrium. Gilmore’s work featured Cleveland Institute of Art students wearing identical black dresses and shoes and posing on white pedestals while always touching a large ceramic vessel. | |
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DJs Charles McGaw and Darrick Grant spun classic funk and soul in the atrium while the band Radio People performed at MOCA | |
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Lolly the Trolley shuttled guests between MOCA Cleveland and the CMA at MIX: Connections. | |
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July's MIX: Americana was the day after Independence Day and celebrated our stunning American Art collection | |
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Our Art Cart had Early American art for guests to see and touch | |
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MIX: Americana featured regional craft brews which guests could sample including Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cellar Rats Brewery, Rivertown Brewing Company, and Columbus Brewing Company. | |
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Mitchell's Ice Cream provided free samples for a true Americana treat. | |
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Guests could make their own prints on the Print Pony, courtesy of the Print Club of Cleveland | |
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Akron's own folk-rock band Bethesda performed live at MIX: Americana. |
—Therese Conway