Sat 7/30 @ 1-9:30PM
The annual neighborhood picnic on a large scale called Family Unity in the Park, hosted by Ward 2 councilman Zack Reed at Luke Easter Park, shows off the east side community at its best.
As the name suggests, it’s a day for families to enjoy summertime activities across generations. Groups of all types and ages tote their picnic baskets, their grills, the outdoor furniture and even large tents, which they set up as their headquarters for the day. The park is ringed with vendors selling food of all types for those who don’t want to bring their own (although some of the grill set-ups people bring are elaborate!), as well as clothes, body care products and makeup, artwork and more.
There are information booths as well, providing information and help for things like registering to vote and enrolling child in school. And the Cleveland Clinic and the City of Cleveland Mobile Health Care Unit will be onsite offering free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes and more.
What really sets Family Unity apart though is the music: an entire day of sounds geared for adult tastes — light jazz, classic R&B, old-school funk.
The 13th annual Family Unity kicks off at 1pm with a welcome from Reed. Apparently he plans to be brief (!), because the first act, jazz fusion ensemble JabTune is scheduled to go on at 1:05. They’re followed by R&B artist Alvin Frazier (1:25), Universal Funk Mob (2:05), soul ensemble the Benjaminz (2:55), Eric Nolan of the O’Jays (3:55), Atlanta neo-soul pianist/vocalist Avery Sunshine (5), veteran smooth jazz sax player Najee (6:30) and finally at 8:05, headliner Angie Stone, who’s had numerous R&B chart hits sine releasing her major label debut solo album Black Diamond in 1999; she released a new album, Dream, late last year. It’s all free.
Cleveland, OH 44104
2 Responses to “Family Unity in the Park Is a Day to Picnic and Listen to Classic Soul and Jazz”
Nichole King-Price
Hello,
I wanted to know what steps I need to take in order to have a table for this event?
Anastasia Pantsios
This event is taking the year off. They are hoping to bring it back next year.