The Lighthouse and the Whaler have gotten more national attention than most Cleveland indie bands, finding favor with their graceful folk pop. They'll be releasing their third full-length album Mont Royal before taking off for a month-long coast-to-coast tour. Catch them before they go at the Beachland Ballroom. Fri 8/28.* Ernie Krivda's Fat Tuesday Band honors legendary jazz composer/arrangers at BluJazz Akron. Sat 8/29.
* Local fingerstyle guitarist Dan Bankhurst debuts new CD at Nighttown show. Fri 8/28.
* Akron's Highland Square Porch Rokr is back for the 4th year with dozens of bands plying on porches & lawns. Sat 8/29.
* Black Dog Octet features 5 NE Ohio sax players paying tribute to legendary jazzmen at BluJazz Akron. Fri 8/28.
* Big week for local CD releases! Akron's Red Sun Rising introduces their at Kent Stage show. Sat 8/29.
Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here
With the growth of farmers markets people have started to learn that tomatoes come in a wider array of sizes, colors and flavors than the ones they see at the supermarket. But many people don't know just how different they can be. That's why the Countryside Farmers Market at Howe Meadow hosts its annual free tomato tasting at the market — and if you like what you taste, one of their vendors has it for sale. Sat 8/29.* Do you have an excess of something you've grown in your garden or made in your kitchen? The Countryside Conservancy at Cuyahoga Valley National Park has its monthly Food Swap where you can trade your foodstuffs for someone else's. Tue 8/18.