Unique acts, free parking at Heights Music Hop

Look for this to find official Heights Music Hop venues in each district.

To welcome visitors to the 6th annual Heights Music Hop, Cleveland Heights is offering free parking, 3–10 p.m., in each business district on the day the event is held in it: Thursday, Sept. 13, in Coventry Village; Friday, Sept. 14, in Cedar-Fairmount; and Saturday, Sept. 15, in Cedar Lee.

Last year’s event attracted about 7,500 people and delivered economic impact estimated at $200,000, according to organizers. This year’s event features roughly 65 musical acts plus a few non-music entertainments, and organizers hope it will be bigger and better than ever before.

“The Music Hop is designed to show off the livability and diversity of the community, while supporting Cleveland Heights’ image as a city of the arts,” said Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of nonprofit FutureHeights, which produces the event. “But first and foremost, it’s about having a good time.”

There will be a raffle, too. A $10 ticket buys a chance to win six months of groceries from Zagara’s Marketplace, among other prizes. Proceeds from the raffle underwrite the cost to produce the event.

Highlights of this year’s schedule include, on Thursday, a 3-hour hip-hop show at The Grog Shop; and a mix of family-oriented events at the Coventry Village Library by Artful, Ensemble Theatre, Lake Erie Ink and Family Connections—all residents of the library-owned Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Campus.

Friday at Cedar Fairmount offers a mix of small-group performances in various storefronts, with three groups appearing at The Fairmount and a nightcap of indie rock band The Mason District at Nighttown.

Saturday is the busiest night of the event, with many popular Cedar-Lee nightspots hosting performances. CLE Urban Winery will showcase a best of CLE Uncorked—music, spoken-word, magic and other eclectic acts from across Greater Cleveland. Again this year, the most unusual venue may be Washington & Lee Service, which will clear the cars out of its bay to make room for a pair of rock bands.

Finally, the popular Music Hop After-Party features three bands—the Bush Administration, Outside Voices and samfox—from 10 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m., at the Bottlehouse Brewery & Meadery. It’s the only venue that requires a paid ticket, with proceeds helping to underwrite the Music Hop. Sales are strictly limited. Tickets, $10 in advance, can be purchased at the Heights Music Hop website, www.heightsmusichop.com, and will be available at the door for $15 until they run out.