9/19: Battle of the Bands at Wolstein Center

Maybe you think of high-school marching bands as a bunch of awkward teen geeks with braces and acne, playing tubas because they’re too skinny to play football. If you’ve ever seen East Cleveland’s Shaw High School Band at events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the 11th District Community Caucus Labor Day Parade, they’ve surely blown that clichéd image right out of your head. The tight, sharply choreographed rank of black, white and red has earned a reputation that has sent it as far as China. Shaw will host today’s Battle of the Bands 2009: The U.S. Battle for Respect, welcoming 16 bands who have their work cut out for them, living up to the standards set by their host. Visiting combos from Michigan and Illinois will mix it up with those dropping in from nearby Glenville and Warrensville. They’ll step off at 4 p.m. from 9th and Prospect to march to the Wolstein Center (2000 Prospect) where the battle starts at 6 p.m. Tickets: $13. Go to musicthroughthestreets.com or call 216.486.0808. — Anastasia Pantsios