Kick-Off Folk Fest: Cuyahoga River Concert Series

  Kent, OH – Popular veteran performers and folk musicians Hal Walker and Matt Watroba will kick off the 2012-13 season of the Cuyahoga River Concert Series on Friday night, September 14 at 8 p.m.  This is the second year of intimate and eclectic folk concerts for the Cuyahoga River Concert Series, which features a variety of highly talented singers, songwriters and instrumentalists. Eight concerts have been set for the series held at the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Kent, OH.

     The opening concert features two well-established folk musicians in the local area. Voted Cleveland’s “Best Musician” by Scene Magazine in both 2010 and 2011, Hal Walker has been performing in the region since he helped to start the Wednesday night open mic at Brady’s Cafe in 1989. A gifted singer, songwriter and one of a kind multi-instrumentalist, Walker makes his living as a performing musician and teaching artist in venues and schools throughout Ohio.

   Musician Matt Watroba, moved to Kent in 2010 from Michigan to work as a producer/announcer for WKSU radio and Folk Alley. For almost 25 years, Watroba hosted a popular folk music show in Detroit where he also worked as a full-time music performer and educator. It didn’t take long for Watroba with his warm vocals and Walker to meet one another through their musical connections and together co-created the Cuyahoga River Concert Series.

  Following shortly after the opening event, the Concert Series will host Josh White Jr. on Friday, September 28. Roy Zimmerman takes the stage on October 20th and Bill Staines is set to perform on November 30th.  All concerts take place at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Avenue.  Tickets are $10 and can be reserved in advance by calling 810-265-2500 or purchased at the door.