AP 611.14


JazzFest Kicks Off 35th Year With a Brand New Format


The Tri-C JazzFest has undergone a makeover.

It's moved from April to June and it now takes place in three music-packed days at a single location — PlayhouseSquare, with concerts going on in quick, overlapping succession in different theaters there.

It opens with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and its artistic director Sean Jones (pictured) and his quartet, paying tribute to JazzFest's artist in residence, bassist/composer Christian McBride, who plays his own concert Saturday. And on Friday and Saturday starting at 3pm, there'll be free music and food trucks outside on U.S. Bank Plaza. There'll even be an outdoor dance floor. Thu 6/26-Sat 6/28.


http://www.tri-c.edu/ENRICHMENT/ARTS/JAZZFEST/Pages/outdoorstage.aspx

AP 6.25.14


The Insurance Salesmen (pictured) are one of dozens of local bands and musicians who will be featured on 11 stages at the Waterloo Arts Fest. Yes, street construction is still going on, but that can't stop this annual celebration of the rapidly growing creative community. Hear blues, polka, folk, reggae, Latin jazz, Americana, classical, Celtic and of course, indie rock. Sat 6/28.

* Akron indie band Relaxer plays LP release show at Musica. Sat 6/28.
* Concert honors Cleveland's late Latin jazz star Roberto Ocasio. Sat 6/28.
* The Cleveland Orchestra is back on Public Square for annual patriotic concert. Wed 7/2.
* Black Music Month celebrated at free Rock Hall concert. Sat 6/29.
* Ohio City Stages launches second season with Brooklyn cumbia band Chicha Libre. Wed 7/2.
* Tri-C JazzFest offers offers food trucks and free music at U.S. Bank Plaza. Fri 6/27-Sat 6/28.

Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here


AP 6.25.14


You'd be surprised how many prominent people in the area food scene live in Cleveland Heights. Or maybe not, given the increasing number of dining and drinking options there. The Heights Foodies panel discussion & wine tasting at the Wine Spot, featuring panelists like Tommy Fello of Tommy's on Coventry (pictured), will shine a light on the city's place on the local food map. Thu 6/26.

* Growhio formed at the launch of Sustainable Cleveland 2019 in 2009. In February it had an open meeting for interested area food enthusiasts to assess its direction. It's just released the report from that event.
* Chris Hodgson started Cleveland's food truck craze four years ago with his truck Dim and Den Sum. in 2012, he stopped rolling and opened Hodge's downtown. He'll host the weekly Gourmets in the Garden at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Wed 7/2.

Read more picks by Anastasia Pantsios here