By Greg Cielec
Live it up this summer and get out to some concerts. Lord only knows there are enough bands visiting Cle… so many that the choices of who to see seem overwhelming. Have no fear. Cle music fan Greg Cielec is here to present a few of his choice picks:
Visit Nighttown in Cleveland Heights this summer, especially to have a cocktail and sit on their beautiful patio. And, of course, check out the great jazz artists they have playing all summer long. Two great upcoming shows include Dave Matthews’ sax player Jeff Coffin bringing a five piece jazz ensemble on Mon 8/13; and the return of the Hot Club of Detroit on Wed 8/15 & Thu 8/16 with their hot Gypsy Jazz. For info on all the things happening at this landmark club/restaurant visit http://www.Nighttown.com.
With the Tribe fighting for first place that means the Gateway area will be hopping the rest of the summer, including some great shows at Wilbert’s. Alternative country rockers the Mallet Brothers Band [pictured] will be there on Wed 7/11; roots rockers the Steel Wheels will be there Wed 8/1; and Fri 8/10 will be the return of Candye Kane and her blues band. If you have never seen her, please check her out; she really rocks. Don’t forget Wilbert’s is the cheapest place to drink before and after Tribe games, with $2 domestic beers.
The Kent Stage features four great shows this July with Mary Chapin Carpenter on Thu 7/19; Mitch Ryder as part of the Kent Blues Fest on Sat 7/21; Josh Ritter on Sun 7/22; and the return of Kris Kristoffersen on Fri 7/27. I caught Kristoffersen the last time he played the Kent Stage and he was outstanding with some great songs and storytelling.
On the West Side at the Winchester things will continue rocking through the summer. Guitar legend Phil Keaggy returns on Sat 7/14; and singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins appears Wed 7/18. Mullins recently co-wrote the #1 country hit “Toes” for the Zac Brown Band. For everything going on at this Lakewood club visit http://TheWinchester.net.
As always, there are great things happening at the Beachland Ballroom in Collinwood. Celtic rockers Enter The Haggis and Craic Brothers play on Fri 7/6; Justin Robertson (founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops) plays Tue 7/17; and 1950s Cleveland rockabilly legends Johnny Fay and the Blazers play on Fri 7/20. On Sun 7/29, the Human Fund does their annual fundraiser to benefit the All City Arts Program in the Cleveland School District featuring Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and his band. Call 440.893.7529 for tickets to this special event.
And, as always, there is a lot going on downtown at the House of Blues including Brandi Carlile on Thu 7/5; Dan Miraldi and the Albino Winos in the Cambridge Room on Thu 7/12; and Zappa playing Zappa on Wed 7/18. For more info on these shows and more at the Cleveland House of Blues visit http://www.hob.com/Cleveland.
Greg Cielec is a local writer who covers mostly music and sports for a variety of publications and websites. He is also a full time English and creative writing teacher at Streetsboro High School; an adjunct professor at BGSU Firelands College and Lakeland Community College; and a football coach at John Carroll University. He has published two books of fiction, My Cleveland Story (1998) and Home and Away Games (2006), and the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Michael Heaton has called him “the Mark Twain of Cleveland.” Check out his website and blog at http://www.GregCielec.com.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
Cleveland, OH 44115
Kent, OH 44240
Lakewood, OH 44107
Cleveland, OH 44110
Cleveland, OH 44114