Well, as we all know, the summer days tend to fly by once the 4th of July festivities are in our rear view mirror. It is July 15 today, and half of July has passed us by. So folks, it’s time to get out and hear some live, homegrown music and enjoy the second half of the outdoor summer concert season.
Last Friday I played with the opening act The Shootouts for the Bailey Zimmerman concert at the Kaulig PGA Concert, and what an outdoor event it was. The weather cooperated, golf was played, and we set the tone for this young country/rocker to take the stage and wow the audience. Bailey put on quite the energetic show for the folks, with his three-piece band backing him up nicely. I believe a good time was had by all. It kind of had a fair-like vibe to it, with lots of food trucks and folks of all ages gathered together in front of the stage.
Soundcheck at the Kaulig PGA Concert.
This week finds me joining The Shootouts tomorrow, July 16, at the Akron Art Museum for their Summer Concert Series. We start at 6:30 p.m., and I believe it’s a free show, so stop on out if you have the inclination to hear some rustbelt Americana live.
The wonderful thing about Northeast Ohio is that there is a great choice of diverse musical styles available for listening on any given night. Whether it’s jazz, pop, blues, reggae, or country/folk, your preference is usually happening somewhere in the region.
An interesting ensemble, The Crooked River Ragtime Quintet, will be performing an amazing show this evening at the GAR Hall in Peninsula. Soak in some ragtime chestnuts from years gone by with a symphony style string section. Group members are John Reynolds, my brother Jack DiAlesandro, Tim Staron, Devon Caskey and Brendon Phelps. I’ve played shows with many of these guys, and believe me, they’re worth hearing.
I've added the GAR Hall to Setlist because even though it's in Peninsula, I know a lot of local music lovers enjoy their performances. It’s a cozy venue where patrons sit at tables, enjoying drinks while soaking in some fine music. Hungry? Bring your own snacks or suppers.
As always, if you own a venue, and want live performances you’ve booked included in this roundup, please email me at miked@theportager.com. I’ll want to know who you have booked, the date, time, and any costs or restrictions. If you know of a venue that provides live music, or you perform locally, please contact me and I’ll take it from there. I’ve decided to add the GAR Hall to Setlist because even though it's in Peninsula, I know a lot of local music lovers enjoy their performances. It’s a cozy venue where patrons sit at tables, enjoying drinks while soaking in some fine music. Hungry? Bring your own snacks or suppers.
Aurora
Orchid House Winery, 155 Treat Road. Call Orchid House at 330-562-9245 to find out when performances begin as times vary.
July 21: Diana Chittester
Freedom Township
Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, 7160 Route 303
July 18: Vintage Steel: band starts at 9 p.m.
Garrettsville
Garrettsville Farmers Market — 8119 Main St., Thursdays 4–7 p.m.
July 16: Tom Quinn
Kent
July 16: Hometown Bank Concert Series: Hometown Bank Plaza, corner Main and Water streets. 7-9 p.m.
Joseph N. Rubin of Canton-based American Musical Productions will lead a 20-piece band in period-correct uniforms as they recreate a Post's Band concert that was held in 1898 at the Kent Opera House (once located at the NE corner of Columbus and Water, now the site of the Hometown Bank drive-thru. Post's Band was organized by A.L. Post in 1894 and performed in the area for three decades.
July 18: Kent Blues Festival: live blues performances at more than 20 Kent venues. See https://www.kentbluesfest.com/schedule for who’s playing when and where.
Water Street Tavern, 132 South Water Street. Live music from 6-9 p.m. every Friday. See ad in The Portager. Thanks for supporting live music, Mike!
July 17: Nerve Tonic
The Kent Stage— Only purchase tickets through kentstage.org or at Box Office on West Main Street. Alternative ticket vendors may be invalid.
July 15: Back to Black: Music of Amy Winehouse 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30
July 16: An Evening with Richie Furay 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30
July 17: Deuce n’ A Quarter 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30
July 18: Pablo Cruise 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30
July 19: Blood Brosther—Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
The Venice Cafe, 163 Franklin Ave.
July 18: The Numbers Band 7:30 p.m.
Gigi’s Ristorante & Market, 210 S. Depeyster St. #100 All performances 6-9 p.m.
July 16: Julian Kimbrough
Nineteen 10, 215 South Depeyster Street
July 18: In Like Flinn, 5-8 p.m. on the patio, inside if weather doesn’t cooperate
Haymaker Farmers’ Market, on Franklin Ave, just north of the Summit Street intersection.
July 18 Elliot Wilson
Hiram
Hiram Summer Concert Series
July 19: Hiram Rapid Stumblers, 5-7 p.m. at Reign Hadsell Park.
Mantua
Los Venados, 11697 Route 44
July 17: Boomer Trio 6-9 p.m.
July 17-19 St Joseph Ox Roast Fair, located just off Pioneer Trail, west of Route 44, south of Route 82, just north of the Village of Mantua. Admission $5 per vehicle. Sunday only: $4 per vehicle with nonperishable donation for 4C’s Food Cupboard (at the Fair’s entrance.
July 17
Disco Inferno (Disco at its best) 7-10 p.m. on the main stage
July 18
Bad Seed (modern rock) 2-5 p.m. on the main stage
Alex Bevan (contemporary folk) 5:30-7:30 in the Beer Garden
My Drunk’n Uncle (high energy rock ‘n roll) 8-11 p.m. on the main stage
July 19
Johnny Elvis & the Crown Electrics (Elvis tribute) 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the main stage
Steve Vanderink (soft rock, folk) 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Beer Garden
Midnight Riders Band (southern rock ‘n roll) 7-10 p.m. on the main stage
Ravenna
July 19: Guido’s 60th Anniversary Block Party 214 W. Main Street, noon-8
Cornhole tournament, car show, children’s activities, eats and sweets live music until dusk
Tav’s Bar & Grill, 106 East Main Street.
July 17: Backwood Boyz 7-10 p.m.
July 18: Baker 7-10 p.m.
Rootstown
Dusty Armadillo — 3147 Route 44.
July 18: Backyard Bash on the patio and inside stages. General Admission Tickets: $49 available through: https://dustya.tixoola.com/event/dusty-roots-the-backyard-bash-a74139040055492c95344a36392c9baf
Cooper Alan
Tayler Holder
Jon Langston
George Pippen
Anna Scott
Whiskey Bound
Sunday Funday concerts 3-5 p.m. on the patio stage. No ticket required.
July 19: Anna Scott
Streetsboro
Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon, 9470 Route 14
July 18: China Grove (tribute to Doobie Brothers) 9 p.m. - midnight
Peninsula
GAR Hall, 1785 Main Street, Peninsula. Click on https://thepeninsulafoundation.org/events/ for event details and ticket costs.
July 15: Charlie Parr 8-9:30 p.m.
July 17: Crooked River Quintet, featuring John Reynolds, Jack DiAlesandro, Tim Staron, Devon Caskey and Brendon Phelps 8-9:30 p.m.
July 18: An Evening with Darrell Scott 8-9:30 p.m.
AREA OPEN MICS/OPEN JAMS
Kent
July 15: Venice Cafe, 163 Franklin Ave., Kent. Hosts: BC Hudson, Jesse Carter. Open Mic/Jam. 7:30-10 p.m.
July 19: EuroGyro, 107 S. Depeyster St., Kent. Host: Nick Fleming. 8-11 p.m.
July 20: Woodsy’s Music,118 E. Main St., Kent. Jazz jam session. Host: Chris Coles. 7-9:30 p.m. Open to community members and high school and college students interested in jazz. Chris provides a percussion and bass player.
July 21: Kent Lanes: The 11th Frame, 1524 S. Water St., Kent Host: Jesse Carter. 7-9 p.m.
Ravenna
July 16: Tavs, 106 E. Main St., Ravenna. Host: Jesse Carter. 7-9 p.m.
Cuyahoga Falls
July 15: Divine Food & Spirits, 2752 Hudson Drive. Host: Kevin Brosein. 7-9 p.m. Signups start at 6:30.
July 19: Bailey Road Tavern, 2920 Bailey Road. Acoustic open mic. All skill levels welcome. Host: Wendy Darling. 7-10 p.m.