Sat 9/18 @ 5-11PM
The Heights Music Hop is back this year for the 8th time, after skipping last year. It’s still going to be different from the event people have come to know, where dozens of bands perform over three nights in different establishments in its three main business districts.
Instead, a mere dozen artists will perform on three outdoor stages in the Cedar Lee business district. But the organizers have still maintained the diversity attendees of this free festival have embraced. The 50-year-old University Heights Symphonic Band will kick things off at 5pm on the mainstage at Lee and Meadowbrook. A Cappella quarter Elegie (pictured), jazz/blues/R&B ensemble Ms. Reec Pearl and the Groovemasters, rockers Top Hat Black and Dan Bruce’s Beta Collective jazz group follow, with theatrical rockers Apostle Jones closing things down.
The North Stage @ the Cedar Lee Mini-Park will host performances by kid-oriented Jesse Jukebox, high-energy indie rockers Kiss Me Deadly and classical ensemble OPUS 216. At the South Stage @ Kensington Road, people can hear folk/old-time group Spyder Stompers and Sugar Pie, Eric Everett Jazz: Elation and eclectic rock band C-Level.
“Due to COVID, this year’s festival is limited to one night and the application process was extremely competitive, says Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of FutureHeights, which puts together the festival. “We received more than 120 high-quality submissions and could only extend offers to 12 acts. We are hopeful that, next year, the pandemic will be behind us and we will once again be able to host official stages inside the many unique business venues in our walkable commercial districts.”
The festival is free.