Signal Cleveland reported that Cleveland Rocks: PPF, formed in 2012 by Cindy Barber of the Beachland Ballroom, hosted a workshop this week titled Building It Yourself: DIY Organizing, Underrepresented Voices, and What Comes Next. Three local entertainment organizers shared experiences with festivals and large events. About 30 Cleveland-area musicians attended at The Sixty6 on Euclid Avenue, and Robin Blake, also known as Hyperius, curated the panel.
Maura Rogers, programming and operations director, said Cleveland is internationally recognized as a music city but has lacked key industry infrastructure and professional artist services. She said offerings such as showcases and incubators are based on a 2023 survey of artists’ needs. Singer-songwriter-pianist Alonzo Johnson, of Fox Ears, is in the incubator program and said financial support and communication with his connector, Blake, have helped.
The music incubator selects participants through project proposals and assembles support teams. Selected artists can get loans of up to $2,000 and are paired with a connector for networking, Rogers said. The free monthly Waterloo Makes Music showcase gives musicians live performance opportunities in the arts district and streams performances online.
The next major project is a physical space known as NOMAD, short for Northeast Ohio Music Arts Development hub, with a projected 2027 opening in Collinwood’s Waterloo Arts District. Rogers said it would bring music, audio and film creatives under one roof and help Northeast Ohio bands with recordings and videos. Blake said the city has talent and needs focused, collective effort.
Listed upcoming events include a Waterloo Makes Music showcase at The Treelawn on Oct. 2, a Music Industry Workshop at Visible Voice Books on Oct. 7, and the Rock Solid Gala fundraiser at The Treelawn on Nov. 7.