Fri 9/26 @ 7PM
Cleveland Orchestra principal clarinetist Franklin Cohen likes to get out of his comfort zone — or maybe he has many comfort zones. He also heads the clarinet department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, plays some klezmer on the side, and founded Cleveland ChamberFest three years ago with his daughter Diana.
The idea behind ChamberFest was to bring the music to places it wasn’t usually heard, places like the Wine Spot on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. He put his head together with proprietor Adam Fleischer, hatching the idea of bringing music to his establishment, which sells and serves craft beers and wine. It’s a ChamberFest venue now, and ChamberFest also co-sponsors a monthly evening of free music, during which the place is renamed the Music Spot.
ChamberFest splits the bookings with Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future, which books more pop and rock-leaning artists. But this month it’s their turn. Cohen himself will play, along with the Commodore Quartet. It’s a chance to hear some of the area’s best classical musicians for free in an informal atmosphere while enjoying a glass of wine. It’s family-friendly too.