Release Date: December 10,2020
Turn It Up at Home: DAP, Akron Civic Theatre Partner to Present 7 Weeks of Streaming Music Performances
December 10, 2020, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is bringing back the popular music series, Concerts in the Commons for a seven-week Winter Edition. The concerts will feature an eclectic line-up of artists, from Kofi Boakye to Jul Big Green, Mo' Mojo and Victor Samelot performing on a special wintery-themed set on the Akron Civic Theatre stage. The prerecorded concerts will be viewable every Sunday at 7 p.m. beginning December 13, 2020 through January 24, 2021 on the DAP Facebook page. A special holiday video will air on DAP's Facebook page on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 7 p.m. featuring a holiday playlist curated from all seven performances.
DAP Director of Engagement and Events Kelli Fetter said, "This series is a collaborative effort between DAP, the Akron Civic Theatre, the artists and Live at AV Club to bring great music to everyone in a way that's virtual and easy to access, but still unique and surprising. It helps to have talented artists sharing their music in an exciting venue like the Civic to make the concerts special. So, order some take out from your favorite downtown restaurant and enjoy the show every Sunday at 7 pm."
Akron Civic Theatre Executive Director Howard Parr said, "If we've learned nothing else since March, it's that being in community with others matters--even when we have to do it virtually. The Civic is thrilled to join DAP and this talented group of local artists to help us all stay a little more connected."
The wintery stage set is designed by Inda Blatch-Geib Designs, whose work has been featured in over 1,000 theatrical, commercial and film releases, spanning 30 years and four continents. After the performances are filmed, the festive stage set will be reinstalled in the storefront windows in The Bowery. The Bowery window display joins numerous downtown Akron window displays, including classic Christmas and holiday windows, artist-created nutcrackers and installations from Curated Storefront and others.
Dates and featured performers
December 13 - Rachel Osherow - vocalist
December 20 - Victor Samelot - Latin Jazz Guitar
December 23 - Holiday Special
December 27 - Theron Brown and Chris Anderson - Jazz
January 3 - Mo' Mojo - Zydeco
January 10 - Shelby Olive - singer songwriter
January 17 - Jul Big Green - genre-blending pop, hip-hop and rock
January 24 - Kofi Boakye - Emmy-nominated pianist, songwriter
Concerts in the Commons, Winter Edition is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council, and through a partnership with the Akron Civic Theatre. Additional support for the concerts is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Technical support provided by Live at AV Club.