Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes
Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes is the Akron Art Museum’s annual winter concert series, showcasing local talents in music, visual art, and organizations in Northeast Ohio. This year, we’re keeping things safe and will be streaming it all on the Museum’s YouTube, Facebook and IGTV. All events begin at 7:00 pm on the dates listed.
Sizzle | February 8-11
The first week of Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes will sizzle its way to Valentine’s Day on Sunday.
- Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 pm: be sure to catch an interview with Akron organic product company Goods.
- Wednesday, February 10 at 7:00 pm: Natalie Lanese will show her visually striking work-flow and process.
- Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 pm: performances recorded in the galleries from Ben Gage and Theron Brown Trio.
Natalie Lanese is a Cleveland-based painting, collage, and installation artist known for her punchy color palette and layered patterns.
Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio with his roots running deep alongside the hard working blue collars. That tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be seen in his music.
Theron Brown, Zaire [Zigg] Darden, and Jordan McBride are in the business of making you feel good and digging into the roots of jazz, gospel, and fusion.
Zap | February 16-18
The second week for Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes is filled with electric energy and excitement.
- Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm: Crafty Mart will take the stage to highlight their organization and local makers.
- Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00 pm: Bianca Fields takes over with her high-powered paintings.
- Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 pm: performances feature Uno Lady and Oregon Space Trail of Doom to zap you into the weekend.
Crafty Mart supports local artists, makers and artisans by providing opportunities to learn how to refine and expand their creative businesses through education and markets.
Bianca Fields is a contemporary painter from Cleveland, currently living and based in Kansas City. Her work introduces a manifestation of her perceived imagination and material sensibilities within the paint itself.
Self-trained musician & activist, Christa Ebert, performs as Uno Lady and composes songs with her voice, electronic effect pedals, and unconventional instruments. Dream-like layers, looping ethereal tones, instruments and beats, knit together into one lush soundscape.
In a land that never was, housed four people that never were. Drifting on the light waves of ghost stars, these cosmic cowboys have but one intention: to create a musical score for the impending interstellar apocalypse.
Fizz | February 23-25
The last week of Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes (and of February!) calls for celebration and focus.
- Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm: features Akron coffee shop Compass.
- Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm: Dakarai Akil shows his ‘Day in the Life’ as a visual artist.
- Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 pm: closes out the month with recorded gallery performances from Alba Trio and Mourning [A] BLKstar.
As a program of The Well CDC, Compass is an economic driver and placemaking initiative. They operate as a successful social enterprise for all people in Middlebury and Greater Akron, creating a sense of place for neighbors and making the community a destination.
Dakarai Akil is a Long Beach-based artist, designer, painter & international teaching artist from Cleveland. Akil’s collages are small windows into his world of Black Surrealism and their stories are left up to the viewer to decide.
Alba Trio is Tommy Lehman on trumpet (Acid Cats), Tim Lekan on bass, and Anthony Taddeo on drums and percussion (Hey Mavis and Helen Welch). As a trumpet trio, they bring a diverse and eclectic sound to the jazz idiom.
Mourning [A] BLKstar is a multi-generational, gender and genre non-conforming amalgam of Black Culture dedicated to servicing the stories and songs of the apocalyptic diaspora. Mourning [A] BLKstar is based in Cleveland.
Midwinter Blues & Other Tunes is made possible with support from ACME Fresh Market, Akron Recording Company and Historic Arts District. Media sponsorship is provided by 91.3 The Summit.
