'Once Again' showcases Heights High Alumni and stirs memories

July 15 was a typical weekend night on Coventry Road—couples walking arm in arm, restaurant patrons enjoying the night air, and a throng of people gathered outside the Grog Shop.

Yet, July 15 was special. The crowd was gathered to see their own friends, neighbors and former classmates perform. The night was third in the series, "Once Again Cleveland Heights Throwback Artists Showcase," a concert featuring Heights High graduates. Like the first concert in April, the night featured a heavy hip-hop line-up, with excursions into pop, jazz, and even comedy.

The show’s headlining act was Wildlife Soundz, a rap-rock group. The highlights of the show, however, were sets by The INR CRCL, whose punk-meets-funk sounds were fresh and energizing, and Kounterclockwise, a psychedelic rap group that drew a crowd early in the evening. Also appearing onstage were Harry Bacharach, a jazz artist; Gwen Maul, a soul singer; Obie Won, a dancehall rapper; Rum Rozier, a house DJ; Grown Blak, a hip hop act; and DeLonte, a comedian who offered a raunchy, impromptu set.

 “There is so much talent from Heights it's unbelievable,” said Mai Moore, who organized Once Again. “I simply like power and knew I could bring together quality artists, all from Heights.” Moore, a Cleveland Heights High School graduate, was eager to showcase the talented musicians who have come out of the school. She runs Knowledgeable Marketing, a Cleveland-based marketing firm specializing in online content.

Though at least one member of each act attended Heights High, it might not be accurate to describe Once Again as a showcase of local bands, many have a national presence. Kounterclockwise, started in New York City, has made beats for internationally acclaimed rapper Yela Wolf, and composed the music for Love Rome, a film by Carter B. Smith. Smith is known for his work directing music videos, such as “Jane Says,” a 1990s hit by Jane’s Addiction.

Despite the high profile of some of the artists, the Grog Shop had the feel of a high school reunion as old friends reunited to enjoy music and share memories. A stream of chatter came from the bar, while several people filmed and took photos of the sets. The performers felt the nostalgia, too. Deacon Burns, Kounterclockwise’s MC, opened his group’s set, declaring, “I represent all the Cleveland Heights kids who didn’t really go to class much.” Before his set, Obi Won, better known as Hasan Adams, gave a shout-out to the tennis team, and recalled his football days as “the worst split end in history.”

The artists felt there was something special about seeing so much community support. “It’s nice to see Heights coming together,” said Burns, better known as Doug Johnson, Class of  ’93. During his set, several audience members in the front row were rapping along with him. LaToya Kent, lead singer of The INR CRCL— as well as a classmate of Johnson’s—was also thrilled. “Heights has so many different spectrums of personalities and talents. I am proud to say I am part of this legacy.”

The fervor of the evening was briefly reined in when host Anthony Johnson called for a moment of silence to honor the Heights High alumni who had died since the audience’s time in school. After a few moments, the silence was broken by members of the crowd shouting the names of absent friends. This action, perhaps, best typified the concert: A celebration through sound of what Heights has been and is now.