Opinion / Events

The Setlist: Portage County live music for July 31-Aug. 4, 2026

- Mike D

Hey Folks,

Summer is flying by as we enter the last week of July. There is lots of great music coming up this week, and I hope you can get out and enjoy what our local scene has to offer. 

Of particular note this week is the BBQ & Blues benefit concert in the parking lot of Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main St. This will feature the band The Back Alley Relics on August 2 from 5 - 8 p.m. 

Check out their website - https://backalleyrelics.com/

Also, if you are searching for something going on in Kent on Saturday night, The Rare Birds will continue their first Saturday of the month slot at the Bell Tower Brewery on Aug. 1 from 7-9 p.m. The Rare Birds are led by vocalist Rod Buecher, with Bill Poston on percussion and Ari Raj Ghahremani on fiddle. It’s a fun band with great vocals and a laid back vibe.

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 need to know who you have booked, the date, time and any costs or restrictions. If you know of a venue that provides live music, please contact me and I’ll take it from there. 

Stay safe, enjoy the warm weather, and see you next week. 

Mike D 

Aurora

Orchid House Winery 155 Treat Road

  • Aug. 4: Dolinar Spahija


Streetsboro

Streets Tavern 9107 Route 14

  •     July 31:  Darryl’s Road Crew 8-11 p.m.

Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon 9470 Route

  •     Aug. 1: Rodgers & Co. (Tribute to Bad Company) 9-midnight

Freedom

Time Out Sports Bar & Grill 7160 Route 303

  • Aug. 1: The Breakups (Brittany Myers Run)

Rootstown

Dusty Armadillo 3147 Route 44
Sunday Funday concerts 3-5 p.m. on the patio stage. No ticket required.

  • Aug. 2: Emily Raff

Kent

BBQ & Blues benefit concert in parking lot of Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main St.

  •     Aug. 2: The Back Alley Relics 5-8 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the Nancy and Bruce Hansford NAACP scholarship fund. Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 children 5 and over. Family packs $50. Kids under 5: free. Call 330-673-9534 to donate or reserve tickets. The event will be moved to the UCC’s fellowship hall if it rains.

Water Street Tavern 132 South Water Street (See ad in The Portager. Thanks for supporting live music, Mike!)

  • July 31: Ringer

The Kent Stage 175 E. Main Street Only purchase tickets through kentstage.org or at Box Office on West Main Street. Alternative ticket vendors may be overpriced and/or invalid.

  • Aug. 1: Over the Rhine 7:30 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m.

Venice Cafe 163 Franklin Ave.

  • Aug 1: Xtra Crispy 8 p.m.

Kent Free Library 312 E. Main Street

  • Aug. 2: Peter Fletcher (classical guitarist) 2-3 p.m.

Bell Tower Brewing Co. 310 Park Avenue

  • Aug 1: Rod and the Rare Birds 7-9 p.m.

Haymaker Farmers’ Market on Franklin Ave, just north of the Summit Street intersection.

  • Aug. 1 Galgozy & Ingersoll 10 a.m.-noon

Ravenna

TAVS Bar & Grill 106 E. Main St.

  • Aug. 1 Mike Smith 7-10 p.m.


OPEN MICS/OPEN JAMS

Kent

  • Aug. 2: EuroGyro 107 S. Depeyster St. Host: Nick Fleming. 8-11 p.m.
  • Aug. 4: Kent Lanes: The 11th Frame 1524 S. Water St. Host: Jesse Carter. 7-9 p.m.
  • Aug. 4: North Water St. Brewing Co. 101 E. Crain Ave. Host: Mick Rogers. 6:30-9 p.m. Signups start at 6 p.m.

Cuyahoga Falls

  • Aug. 2: Bailey Road Tavern 2920 Bailey Road. Acoustic open mic. All skill levels welcome. Host: Wendy Darling. 7-10 p.m.

Twinsburg

  •     Aug. 4: Sassy’s Bar & Grille 10755 Ravenna Rd., Ste. 7. Host: Billy Capuana. Open Jam 8-11 p.m. 

Mike D

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