Just letting everyone know about a few of the many opportunities for all of us to listen to, or even participate in, some great summer music fun.
First of all, Lakewood works hard to provide the Lakewood Park stage on Sunday evenings for a wide variety of free eclectic musical entertainment. Check the city website for more information, performers, and dates.
There are also two fine local organizations, Folknet, (supporting traditional music and dance) and the Cleveland Blues Society (Blues, of course!) that have websites and/or calendars showcasing many local events. I'm a member and supporter of both of these fine organizations.
One of our biggest summer roots music events will transpire TOMORROW and Sunday (July 8-9) at Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio. This is called "Music in the Valley". Perhaps 300 musicians and many more listeners will be congregating under various trees and also onstage. Best of all, if you bring an instrument and come in at the cow pasture gate, you are welcome to play along with the rest of us. I would also suggest bringing a chair, unless you like sitting on the ground or on hay bales.
During the Berea Fair in the second week of August, the Cleveland Blues Society will be hosting various acts. As a historic presenter, I'm supposed to be there on Thursday and Friday from 3-4 (Aug. 10-11) to give my Blues history talk and performance for the Society. Those times are currently subject to change, but the main point is that great music and musical heritage is always in, or nearby our city.
Banjo is not my only instrument.
I'll also be doing classic Blues guitar and a musical saw for that event. On August 12, the Raccoon County Music Festival will transpire on the grounds of the Century Village Museum in Burton. This is one beautiful place and again, look that up on the web for more information.
Finally, the Lakewood Hometown Band will perform on August 13 at the bandstand, This is a select group of area professional musicians, many if not all are (or have been) first call musicians with some of Cleveland's finest musical groups. Expect a fine professional performance of some of the classic hometown band music that has been presented in parks and gazebos for many years.
Gotta go and get ready to go to Hale in a handbasket.
Back to the banjo...