Produced by the Crooked River Arts Council and Main Street Kent, the fifth annual ‘Round Town Music Festival will feature free live music by 33 bands and artists at more than 30 venues. Launched 50 years ago as the Kent State Folk Festival, the event has transformed into the ‘Round Town Music Festival. It takes place on Friday, Sept. 14, at the restaurants, bars, galleries and shops in downtown Kent.

Locals such as 15-60-75 (The Numbers Band), By Light We Loom, Cory Grinder Band, Monica Robins and the Whiskey Kings, Outlaws I & I, Roger Hoover, Ray Flanagan & the Authorities and Wallace Coleman are slated to perform.

“This festival continues Kent’s tradition of supporting the arts and building on the city’s reputation as a destination for entertainment, education, dining, shopping and culture,” says Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent, in a press release announcing the event.

Acts making their ‘Round Town debut this year include Thieves of Joy, Americana/pop singer-songwriter Kim Kennedy, Ka De Dunna and Michael Stanley band veteran Marc Lee Shannon.

The full schedule is available at kentroundtown.org.

This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2018.

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.