Last year, local promoter Mai Moore put together a concert showcase featuring graduates from Heights High. The event was so successful, she held two additional ones. This week, she's staging her fourth on Saturday at the Agora Theatre.
A panel of industry experts will be on hand to critique the 20 artists who are slated to perform. But don't expect the judges to resort to any American Idol-like tactics. "It will be a positive critique, because I don't want it to be anything negative," says Moore. They'll pick a winner who will get a deal to release a single through a major label, she says.
Anthony Jones, the MC from previous showcases, will share hosting duties with Cavs announcer Ahmaad Crump. The event will include performances by a slew of up-and-coming local artists, including hip-hop acts Wildlife Soundz and Kounterclockwise, and soul singer Myron Davis. Adrian Dunn will also present his theatrical Hopera (see this week's Get Out for more on that).
"It's a very diverse lineup," says Moore. "And they're all from Heights High. There are a lot of talented artists from there, and people don't know that. But we want to emphasize that this is about Cleveland as much as it's about Heights High."
Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, or $18 in advance. A limited number of $100 VIP tickets will also be available.
Dance Fever
Cleveland Heights native DJ Self Help (Danny Johnson) started DJing and throwing house parties six years ago. He now holds regular club events called Dance or Die that have been so successful in Columbus, he's now trying to work some similar magic in Cleveland.
"My set is very eclectic," says Johnson, who'll spin at this weekend's gathering. "I play house, rave-y rap music, electro, funk/soul/disco, dance rock, synth pop, and maybe some dubstep. When the time is right, I usually throw in some recognizable stuff and then start to get a little more obscure, once people get into it. We don't take ourselves too seriously. We just keep it fun. And sexual."
The B-Side Liquor Lounge hosts Johnson's Dance or Die party at 9 p.m. Sunday. It's free, or $5 if you're under 21.
Fairport Festival
WRUW will host a free outdoor summer concert from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Fairport Harbor Lighthouse and Marine Museum. The lineup includes a bit of everything, including polka (Polka Revolution), blues-rock (Sheela-and-the-Others), bluegrass (Seafair), and Irish folk (Fior Gael). It falls in the middle of the station's 45th anniversary celebration.
"We wanted to do it at a different venue," says promotions director Roger Ganley. "The venue is beautiful, and the city has really embraced the event."
You're encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic lunches. But no glass bottles are allowed.
Road Trip
Home and Garden — which boasts several members who played with Pere Ubu back when they recorded their groundbreaking albums The Modern Dance and Dub Housing — rarely play live, but they're about to embark on a short Midwest tour with the Mekons' Jon Langford.
The tour includes stops in Chicago and Detroit before winding up at the Beachland Ballroom at 8 p.m. Saturday. The band plans to release a new single later this year.
Tickets to the concert are $12, or $10 in advance.
