The historic Kent Stage is celebrating its tenth anniversary as one of the premiere venues for live music. Formerly the Flannigan and Steele Theatre, built as a movie theatre in 1927, the Kent Stage is the only remaining downtown theater of its kind in Portage County.
In 2002, the Western Reserve Folk Arts Association took over the building and made it a concert destination for northeast Ohio with a schedule of name performers, up-and-comers, and legends of rock, folk, country, bluegrass, Americana and other genres. It’s hosted Todd Rundgren, Richard Thompson, Joan Armatrading, Judy Collins, Chris Isaak, Bo Diddley, Ralph Stanley, the Eagles’ Don Felder, Dr. John, Moody Blues guitarist Justin Hayward and the Cowboy Junkies, among many others. Local bands host special concerts in the 642-seat theater including CD release parties and jamfests.
The Kent Stage has also hosted past and current events such as the Up From the River Music Festival, the Kent Folk Festival, the Kent Reggae Fest, the Kent Blues Fest, the Kent State Around Town Music Festival, the Children’s Musical Theatre of Kent and the Standing Rock International Short Film & Video Festival.
Check out its full schedule of upcoming shows here.
Kent, OH 44240