Earlier this year, The Plain Dealer announced that the paper will cut nearly 30 jobs when it outsources copy editors, designers, curators and artists in a couple of months. Other union members could lose their jobs at the end of February as well.

To show support for the union members of Local 1 of the Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild at The Plain Dealer, local musicians such as Alex Bevan, Charlie Mosbrook, Ray Flanagan and Rachel Brown have teamed up to play a benefit concert. Michael Stanley, the dean of the Cleveland music scene, will also perform. And Plain Dealer rock critic Chuck Yarborough will sit in with Dr. Joe and the Squeeze Play, a band that plays classic rock with accordions.

The concert will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Beachland Ballroom.

A $10 donation will be taken at the door, and proceeds will benefit Local 1 and its Plain Dealer union members. At the night’s end, the musicians will gather on stage for a final jam featuring Bevan’s song “Ink on Paper.” 

This article appears in Jan 9-15, 2019.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.