The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
FireFish Festival starts burning this weekend, with more to come
Comedy night one of FireFish Festival’s big events
FireFish Arts, a nonprofit community organization in Lorain, is all geared up for its annual festival.
This year’s FireFish Festival, the organization says, is proudly “reimagined.”
The event’s signature theme-based art, performances and installations are taking place over four themed weekends — Aug. 29 through Sept. 18.
Spreading this year’s programming over a 21-day period is a strategy, according to a press release from the organization, that aims to best support downtown businesses over a longer period while also keeping in mind the uncertainty of the novel coronavirus.
“The majority of the programming spanning the four weekends is offered outdoors, and indoor programming will follow CDC guidelines, including the wearing of masks,” Marketing and Program Manager Candice Pettigrew says in the release.
The events kick off Aug. 29 with a musical performance by Twin Flames — consisting of a couple of Lorain vocalists, Jaclyn Bradley and Melissa Driscol, along with John Bronston on the keys.
The performance is a celebration of showtunes and Lorain’s artistic heritage (it’s arts institutions, local artists, and of course the FireFish Festival).
While the fest’s other events are free to attend, the Twin Flames performance tickets are $10 each.
The rest of the fest includes a block party, featuring fire performances by members of Ohio Burn Unit, dance performances by North Point Ballet, as well as other art and activities; a comedy night; a guided walking tour through the downtown art scene; and, of course, the signature fish-burning event.
The comedy night, Sept. 10, will be hosted by comedian and Lorain native David Morales, who will perform a 15-minute set.
Morales, 34, says in a recent phone interview that he hit the Cleveland comedy scene about five years ago.
He remembers bombing his first open mic at Lakewood Village Tavern.
“I was like, I definitely have to practice at this and get better,” he laughs.
He persisted, with “home is where you make it” as his mantra.
By 2019, Cleveland Scene voted the Lorain funnyman fourth “Best Male Comic In Cleveland.”
Morales continues to build his fan base, regularly performing all over Northeast Ohio, with trips to Chicago, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, North Carolina and Los Angeles in the works.
This is Morales’ fourth or fifth year curating comedy shows for the fest, he says, but it’s his first year as a board member, something of which he is proud.
It’s clear his love for comedy isn’t the only thing driving Morales to put together FireFest’s comedy shows. He says FireFish is very important to the community, helping out businesses and shining a light on local artistry.
This year’s comedy roundup takes place in the Speak of the Devil alley on Fifth Street and features Northeast Ohio comics Dave Flynt, Jimmy Killius and Miki Janosi, with John Armstrong as the evening’s headliner.
Morales says Eliy Orcko, a musician and rapper from Elyria, will perform his music — with his band that features a sax player, guitarist and drummer — before or after the comedy takes place.
Although the festival is largely a family-fun environment, when it comes to comedy night, Morales says, “You know what, this is a night for the adults.”
That guided walking tour we mentioned, on Sept. 11., has a more family-friendly vibe, however, showing off downtown’s new art sites and public art.
This is also where you can meet the artists and entrepreneurs who are changing the face of the city.
FireFish will close out the fest with its ritual “Burning of the Fish” — also known as The James Levin FireFish Festival Finale — which is a literal burning of the fest’s signature, giant fish art piece.
This takes place Sept. 18. on the west bank of the Black River across from Lorain City Hall, with an after-party featuring the Sammy DeLeon Band