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.
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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



Call for Musicians
Local Resources
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Music HEADLINES in and NEAR Northeast Ohio

Music census hopes to measure the impact of Cleveland’s live entertainment industry
September 27, 2023 // Local groups that helped support independent entertainment venues throughout the ups and downs of COVID-19 — including netting $135 million in federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grants for Northeast Ohio — are launching a new effort aimed at quantifying the economic impact of the live music and entertainment industries in the region. [CrainsCleveland.com]

New survey planned to determine health of Cleveland’s music scene
September 27, 2023 // A census of the Cleveland music scene is in the works to gauge how the industry is doing. Organized by the Cleveland Independent Venue Association, the survey will try to measure the social and economic impacts of live entertainment. [Ideastream.org]

Live Nation to Drop Merch Fees, Pay $1,500 Stipend to All Club Acts
September 26, 2023 // Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, is launching an ambitious new program to improve the lives of touring musicians and cut down on the growing costs traveling artists facing criss-crossing the country. [Billboard.com]
The Cleveland Verses Foundation is a generous supporter of Cleveland Rocks programs and initiatives. Learn more about their mission.