Brite Winter Festival 2020

Another year, another Brite Winter Festival is in the books.  Once again on the West Bank of the Flats.  We had great weather and it was a really fun time, but as you’d expect with any long-running festival, they are slowly implementing changes.  This year we saw required ticketing, which isn’t that big of a deal.  However, the footprint of the festival was smaller this year, not including the dance floor at Mulberrys.  That space was reserved for an official after party with its own ticket price ($25!).

Being a free festival - I really can’t complain.  I did contribute $10 to get the koozie and pin (I already have too many hats).  While we didn’t hit the after party this year, looking at videos posted of it, I really should have.  Will plan accordingly next year!

As usual (for me), this festival is more about the camaraderie with friends than it is about seeing specific artists.  Some shots from the night. 

Tal National (7/10/19)

There were a lot of options for live music on this night. Not only was this City Stages event happening at the Transformer Station, there was also the Eilen Jewell show at the Beachland and And The Kids were at Mahalls.   Bergen’s attendance was requested, so i just stuck with this Tal National show.  The weather was superb, friends were plentiful, and the music played the perfect backdrop to a perfect Summer evening.

Renegade Sound System Day Party (7/7/19)

First there was Revive, and now this Renegade Sound System Day Party.  These outdoor DJ parties down in the Flats are such a good idea - and so much fun!  This one was obviously much smaller, like a big group of friends just squatting for a party - where we wanted.  No bars, no bathrooms, just chillin’ down by the water on a beautiful day.  I grabbed some video, but the wind made it unusable - however, here’s my photos:

Larchmere Porchfest 2019

It was kind of a bust this year with the rain.  I might have toughed it out longer, but I brought the pup along for the ride.  Still one of my favorite events, and was able to catch Time Cat before it really started coming down.  I’ve seen their name around a lot lately, but was finally glad to catch their raucous (mid-day!) performance on a porch!  This is a fun band, and one I’d definitely like to see again.

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem (8/29/18)

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem performed at the PNC Glenville Arts Campus as part of Front International’s City Stages series.  Yet another great show in this series focusing on bringing international artists from around the world.  This was a first, seeing a concert outside in the Glenville area of Cleveland too!

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Another winter, another Brite Winter Music Festival.  Though this wasn’t much of a winter, which made for an even better festival!  I think the temperatures were up in the 50’s that day - though it was still best to dress warm to spend long amounts of time outside.  Though the number of people in t-shirts until late in the night was astounding.  I think people were just thrilled to be outside.  And for what better reason… 

There was a little consternation about it’s transition back to the Flats.  The festival had been getting more and more successful in Ohio City - but it was getting way too busy. The lines were awful.  While I had my reservations about how it’d turn out going back to it’s roots - the festival couldn’t have asked for a better weather day to really kick off it’s new location right.  What a great night.

Tamikrest (7/22/15)

Lesbihonest - I had no idea who Tamikrest was when I decided to go to this show.  I went because I haven’t yet made it to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Ohio City Stages concert series yet - so this was the perfect opportunity.  The eclectic bands the museum chooses are always intriguing (like they are at the Solstice parties), and the crowd really showed up for it.  I hope I can make another on soon… 

Larchmere Porchfest 2015

What an excellent day.  It started off with a long walk with the dog down to the Larchmere area for Porchfest 2015.  This idea is still amazing after all these years.  There’s something to be said about the masses of people ambling around the whole neighborhood and camping out in front of random people’s homes.  It’s evident by the neighbors out on their porches filming the crowds outside their doors!
I didn’t get a lot of time in this year, but enough to catch Morgan Mecaskey & Maura Rogers.

Brite Winter 2015

Superb as always...

Heights Music Hop 2014

I missed this event last year, but this year but this year the Heights Music Hop was amazing!  Lee Road in Cleveland Heights was bustling.  Well produced, well attended.  Claps all around for the effort this year… 

Tomorrow: Heights Music Hop @ Cleveland Heights

Tomorrow night!  Cleveland Heights will be hopping! 

» Heights Music Hop Unveils Music Lineup: "The Heights Music Hop was a huge success last year and is on track for being even bigger and better this year. More than 30 musical acts will perform at over 10 venues from 5:00pm – 11:00pm."

(Via.)

Bleached @ WRUW's Studio-A-Rama (9/6/14)

I didn’t get to spend much time at Studio-A-Rama, but was glad to catch Bleached.  Their grungy, pop-punk sound was a real treat, especially for free on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.

Right Now! WRUW's Studio-A-Rama

Right now, through the rest of the day, is WRUW’s Studio-A-Rama on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.  Some great bands… I’ll definitely be there for the headliner, Bleached!

 

Here’s the schedule: 

Official Studio-A-Rama 2014 Schedule:
10:30 PM Bleached
9:00 PM Tacocat
8:00 PM New Planet Trampoline
7:00 PM Kill the Hippies
6:00 PM Black Puddle Noise
5:00 PM Murderedman
4:00 PM Blackgrass Baptism
3:15 PM Bwak Dwagon
2:30 PM Cruelster
1:45 PM Archie and the Bunkers
1:00 PM Likenesses

Here's some more details from Cellar Door: A Closer Look At WRUW’s Studio-A-Rama

Gay Games Festival Village Lineup

It’s been a great start so far for the Gay Games in Cleveland.  Now begins the week of performances at the Festival Village!  Stop out every night… there’s something for everyone.

Monday:  JD Samson & MEN!

(and then head over to the White Party with Boy George!)

Tuesday:  Bright Light, Bright Light

But make sure to get there a little earlier to see Rollergirl! 

Wednesday:  Jenny Owen Youngs

Get there early for some Tom Goss:

Thursday: L1EF (probably the show I’m most excited about):

Friday: Scissor Sister’s Ana Matronic!  Practice up girls!

Before that, check out our local talent with Marcus Alan Ward & Sammy Slims!

And of course… MC’ing the whole week is Pandora Boxx!

Brite Winter Festival 2014

Another great festival!  It was coooold this year, but with so much energy and so many people, you barely notice it.  Check out some photos:

The person I was most looking forward to see perform was Rollergirl.  He was everything I was hoping for… 

Phosphorescent (7/17/13)

What a great way to start out the Summer in the City concert series by the Rock Hall.  Sure it was like you were standing on a hot plate, but at least we were in the shadow of the "magical rock pyramid" as it was called.  Strand of Oaks opened and he was fabulous.  If you would have described a guy standing alone on stage with an electric guitar and singing sad songs - I'd probably pass. So glad I didn't.  I'd missed him opening for Joe Pug back in 2011 - but was very glad to catch him here.

(there really were people there, they were all just being shy - and I like this photo)

I was joking with a friend that Phosphorescent kinda reminded me of a mix between Deer Tick & Bruce Hornsby (that really is a compliment).  I guess they didn't, but the full-sized band (6 members!), with piano, was even full of sound and better than I was expecting.  Everyone loves Song for Zula, but the whole set was equally as entertaining.  Good job guys.  1 down, 3 more Rock Hall Wednesdays to go!

(sorry for the blip - phone rang mid-record)

Just Announced!! Summer in the City Concert Series @ The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

One of the best events of the Summer in Cleveland!  Very excited to see Phosphorescent as the opening act!!

Summer in the City Concert Series | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

This is the summer to rock, and Summer in the City, the Rock Hall’s FREE live concert series, returns this season to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Beginning on Wednesday, July 17th some of the country’s most buzzed about up and coming artists will perform on the Museum plaza (weather permitting, if necessary it will be moved inside to the Main Stage), and concessions will be available for purchase from the Museum and local food trucks on the plaza, as well.

Each Summer in the City artist or band has been invited to blog on rockhall.com/blog to share their experiences with fans: how they got started, their inspirations, their aspirations for the future and what their thoughts are on performing in Cleveland at the Museum.

Wednesday, July 17 from 7-10 p.m.: Phosphorescent (opening band TBA)
Wednesday, July 31 from 7-10 p.m.: Father John Misty with Night Moves
Wednesday, August 14 from 7-10 p.m.: Coliseum with Above This Fire
Wednesday, August 28 from 7-10 p.m.: Lottery League Summer Grand Finale"

(Continued... Summer in the City Concert Series | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)