Rockin' Country in Kent

While her peers were busy playing Facebook Scrabble, Kent State grad student Jodee Hammond organized a two-day country music festival that will take over the streets of downtown Kent this weekend. Hammond, a big fan of the genre, had a chance to cover the CMA Music Awards and Festival in Nashville last year, and used that as inspiration for this weekend's hoedown; she's also received assistance from classmates, faculty, and Tom Simpson, co-owner of the Kent Stage, where the fest begins at 8 p.m. with the Carter Twins and Tony Rio. Tickets for tonight's show are $10 in advance or $15 at the door; snag 'em at Woodsy's Music or online at kentstage.org. Tomorrow night, it's time for the Walk of Fame, featuring seven live-music acts playing at Ray's Place, the Loft, Water Street Tavern, and other downtown venues. (Find a full schedule at smalltownsongbirds.wordpress.com.) Bring along a canned food item to donate to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. — Cicora