Sun 6/8 @ 3:30-6PM
In the last few years, Cuyahoga Valley National Park reconfigured its former Music in the Meadow series as Rhythm on the River, moving it from Wednesday evenings to Sunday afternoons.
It still takes place at Howe Meadow, though, and it’s still free and family-friendly, with activities for kids and field games for all ages, food trucks (you can bring your own picnic if you choose) and music that a wide variety of people will enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The June concert features northeast Ohio jazz pianist Theron Brown and his sextet. The Akron-based Zanesville native’s skills encompass both jazz and classical music, in which he’s earned degrees at the University of Akron. He teaches jazz piano at Kent State University and he’s co-founder/director of Akron’s Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival. He serves on the boards of the Akron Civic Theatre and Akron’s indie Nightlife Cinema, among others. He even appeared in the Miles Davis bio film Miles Ahead as a young Herbie Hancock. Still in his 30s, he’s one of the area’s talented pool of younger jazz musicians.
Before he and his band take the stage, attendees will be treated to a performance called Shine Like the Sun, a trio of vignettes from Karamu House written by noted NE Ohio playwright Michael Oatman, depicting locally rooted scenes from Black social and cultural history.
There’ll also be an immersive art tent called Common Chords, sharing the area’s jazz history.
Doors open at 2. No alcohol is allowed.
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