Experiences: The Cleveland International Film Festival 2025 – Day Two and Three

Our 49th festival.

March 28, 2024, as good of a day as I could imagine. The day itself was rather slow. But the love was off the charts.

There were two memorable occurrences. Very much like at the art museum, I have now become a fabric of this event. One particular woman who is an employee of Playhouse Square (our home), remembered me from previous festivals. She specifically remembered me as always wearing great skirts (pretty sure she is confusing me with one of my coworkers who is a doll and over-the-top). On more than one occasion, she mentioned my skirts. I hate to correct her…

My glasses this day were kinda noticed.

Person after person who remembered me, and I would estimate it was over ten people, made sure they said hello. The highlight of the day was a gentleman who came over to make sure he said hello and told me his restaurant was opened early because of the time the show started (morning as opposed to the usual evening event calendar). I joked about when was Happy Hour and he said it was whenever I showed up.

Sure enough, when my shift was completed, I strolled in and called him on the Happy Hour promise. Lo and behold, that meant the drink was gratis. The kindness of others to me frequently brings me to tears. I am truly blessed (not because of free booze, because of the absolute kindness of strangers). I was truly touched.

Want to see what a free drink looks like?

Saturday, March 29, 2025, I worked a morning shift. It was a very windy 70-degree day, which created an A/C run in the theater, which meant it was FREEZING! I am old, I get cold.

I tried to take pictures outside, but I am a lady. My dress was blowing all over the place.

That is me (no shit, Sherlock) and the great Woody who is running our CIFF. He is fab… In his real life, he is a stand-up comic and (in the same act), a stripper, a stand-up stripper. His words, not mine, he is very gay, and he was on a few seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race. And he did an amazing job at CIFF!

Two stories. After my shift, after getting to know the gentleman running a new bar inside Playhouse Square, I had to have a beverage. I order my beer and almost immediately get into an extended conversation with Laine. She is a lesbian. She is a pediatric doctor at the Cleveland Clinic, for children with disabilities. She and our daughter went to the same school to become doctors (one medical, one pharmacy). She and I have a few commonalities. She was wonderful. We sat there chatting like we knew each other for years. A frequent occurrence for me at CIFF, nothing I ever take for granted. I know how to seek these experiences out.

So, I head home. As you can imagine, I want to continue drinking so I stop at a convenience store not far from home. I go the check out and the cashier gushed over me. It is not hard to figure out he is gay, and he introduces himself to me (remember, this is a convenience store). He says his name is Robert, as he extends his hand to shake mine, but please call me (this is not BS) “Cupcake”. “Glad to meet you, Cupcake!” Cupcake and I had a lovely interaction. Laine and Cupcake, no expectations on my part, letting things happen, being open and vulnerable. Being me in a fabulous dress!

Good to be me, in certain circumstances.