Helping The music community Grow & Thrive in Cleveland, Ohio Ohio

In 2022, Cleveland Rocks accomplished so much. Here are some of our amazing highlights from a busy year:

Music Incubator Program: Cleveland Rocks, in collaboration with Neighborhood Connections, launched this Incubator program to support new creative projects from local musicians. In 2022, we funded six local projects including mixing and mastering a record, a tour from Cleveland to Texas and back, logo/web design and equipment, video production, apparel and recording needs and creation of a physical map highlighting locations in Cleveland for music creation, venues, etc.

Cleveland Rocks Shop: The Cleveland Rocks Shop will be the future home of local music – a retail space showcasing local music and honoring its past, present and future with curated products that represent Cleveland music history as well as current music. At year end, we have raised more than $13,000 through fundraising efforts, record sales and a generous donation from the 10,000 Watts of Holy Light fund bringing us to 44% of our goal. 

Waterloo Makes Music: Our free concert series and livestream music presentations, grew from 2021’s three live events to 2022’s fifteen live events featuring thirty bands and solo artists.  A total of 89 musicians were engaged for these performances.  We also cultivated more performance spaces in the Waterloo Arts District in 2022, engaging audiences in Praxis Fiber Workshop, on The Tower Stage, The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern stage, and our newly opened Cleveland Rocks Shop Stage. 

Professional Development Workshops: The Professional Development Workshop series offers resources for artists to help move them forward in their career by programming educational sessions with professionals in the music industry or related field. In 2022, we held 4 free workshops at the Beachland Tavern, which were also livestreamed through the Cleveland Rocks Facebook page.

If you celebrate live music, or love someone who does, now is the time to support your local music community.

The easiest way to support Cleveland musicians while also having a fantastic night out!

Programs and Initiatives

Greater Cleveland Music Census

A community-led initiative to gain a better understanding of the current needs of the Cleveland-area music community. Become a Community Partner today!

Waterloo Makes Music

A free bi-monthly concert series showcasing Cleveland-area musicians, held at various venues in the Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District.

Workshops & 2x4s

A free monthly music education series with discussions centered around the music business, technology, legal, marketing and more. Our 2×4 songwriter showcases directly follow workshops and showcase single or duo acts performing 2 songs each.

Cleveland Rocks Shop

A retail store for local music – past and present – and community gathering space located in the former Music Saves storefront, at 15801 Waterloo Rd. 

Music Incubator Program

The Music Incubator program offers low-interest loans to artists to help fund creative projects such as touring, recording recording, merchandise, and more. Participants gain valuable insight and guidance from their peers and mentors through the program.

Soul City Cleveland

A culturally responsive community arts pilot project designed to connect youth participants residing in under-resourced communities to elder Black artists  through generative immersion. A documentary is in the works to highlight soul music in Cleveland and the city’s unheralded elder musicians.

Livestreams

For events you’ve attended or those you’ve missed, Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future is dedicated to capturing Cleveland music history. Watch some of the best acts in town from our archive of live event streams.

Be the first to find out about all Cleveland Rocks: PPF events, programs and performance opportunities. Sign up for our weekly eNewsletter!

Upcoming Events

2023 Rock Solid Fundraiser

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Treelawn Music Hall

Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future will be hosting our annual fundraising event – Rock Solid – this November at The Treelawn Music Hall. We look forward to an incredible night of live local performances, guest speakers, raffle prizes and silent auction, great food and great company! Join us and other community leaders, advocates, and doers who are passionate about growing a thriving music community in Cleveland. 

Get Involved

WMM
Workshops

Call for Musicians

Are you a musician in Cleveland looking to gain more exposure and find new revenue streams for your music? Cleveland Rocks: PPF hosts free bi-monthly concerts on Waterloo, as well as monthly 2×4 songwriter showcases for solo artists and duos. In 2023, we opened a retail store for local music and are looking to help grow revenue for local artists by stocking our shelves with their music and merch. We want to help you!

Local Resources

From recording studios to photographers, radio stations to music venues, legal services to graphic designers… and more! Check out our local resource guide for an extensive list of businesses, tools and contacts to guide you in your career and current project needs. Have a resource to be added? Send it to us!

Volunteer

Interested in getting more involved with Cleveland Rocks: PPF and live in the greater Cleveland area? Whether it’s helping staff a merch table at one of our free shows, checking in attendees at a professional development workshop, selling raffle tickets at a fundraiser or helping spread the word about our mission at a local festival, we need YOU!

Music HEADLINES in and NEAR Northeast Ohio

The Cleveland Verses Foundation is a generous supporter of Cleveland Rocks programs and initiatives. Learn more about their mission.

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