Music Hop expands and returns this September

Heights Music Hop returns for its fourth consecutive year this September. And this year, the Hop is expanding. It will take place over two days, Sept. 23 and 24, instead of just one, and, in addition to the Cedar Lee neighborhood where the Hop has happened the last three years, it will also expand into the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood.

"We're excited to be able to grow this festival each year,” said Dan Budin, chair of the FutureHeights Music Hop Committee. “Our goal always has been to showcase the Heights as an arts and entertainment destination, while simultaneously supporting our business districts. The addition of Cedar Fairmount this year helps us to do just that. We have an incredible partnership with Cedar Lee, and its businesses have been great venues and sponsors, so we look forward to the continued high energy of a festival in Cedar Lee and to the inclusion of Cedar Fairmount and the new experiences its businesses have to offer." 

In its first year, 2013, the Hop drew about 1,000 people to the Cedar Lee neighborhood. Numerous musical artists, ranging from up-and-coming groups to well-known bands from throughout Northeast Ohio, performed in eight stores and restaurants along Lee Road and outside on the street. In 2014, attendance doubled, with people coming from all over Northeast Ohio. And last year, the festival grew again, with 40 musical acts performing at 18 venues and attracting more than 2,500 people.

Because the Hop attracts so many people to the area, several other business districts have wanted to be included in the music festival. This year, the Hop committee decided to expand and have music in the Cedar Fairmount Business District. That portion of the Hop will take place on Friday, Sept. 23. In addition to the stores and other businesses where bands will play in that area, FutureHeights will host a Hop after-party/fund-raiser at Nighttown that night.

Heights Music Hop will return to the Cedar Lee Business District on Saturday, Sept. 24, and planning is currently underway for expanded programming and activities throughout the district.

Heights Music Hop is a program of FutureHeights. There are many ways to get involved with this popular festival, including as a volunteer, performer or sponsor. For more information, visit www.heightsmusichop.com

James Henke

James Henke, a Cleveland Heights resident, was a writer and editor at Rolling Stone magazine for 15 years. He is also the author of several books, including biographies of Jim Morrison, John Lennon and Bob Marley. He is on the board of Future Heights, and he is the co-chair of the Heights Observer Advisory Committee. He is also on the Music Hop committee.

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Volume 9, Issue 7, Posted 4:40 PM, 06.30.2016