Sound Check

Kent’s Speedbumps Ready for Orchestral Concert on Friday

Unique collaboration pairs indie band with Canton Symphony

A popular Kent band is about to live out a fantasy for most musicians. This Friday, the Speedbumps will play their original music in front of a 40-piece orchestra in a classic theater.  The concert, titled “Speedbumps at the Symphony,” pairs the four-piece indie acoustic band with the acclaimed Canton Symphony Orchestra at the Canton Palace Theater. The idea for the unique collaboration started about two years ago. “It actually started with my husband,” said Michelle Mullaly, executive director of the Canton Symphony. “We were at a Speedbumps concert and he said to me ‘These guys would be really good with the orchestra.’ At the time I was just the marketing manager and didn’t have any say on what went on the stage. As soon as I became …

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46th Kent State Folk Fest Starts Thursday

2 shows on opening night; workshops moved to downtown Kent this year

The 46th Kent State Folk Festival once again lays claim to its autumnal residency with concerts and events lined up from tonight through Saturday. The Kent Stage hosts concerts each night with Folk Alley ‘Round Town driving up the musical temperature throughout Kent on Friday, and a big move comes this year with the free Saturday workshops moving off campus and into downtown Kent. The folk frenzy kicks off with two main-stage shows on Thursday. Both shows start at 8 p.m. On Manchester Field on the Kent State campus, Delhi 2 Dublin brings a raucous international flavor to the stage. With a mix of Celtic, Bhangra percussion, and Asian spice, the five members of Delhi 2 Dublin twist multiple genres into a high-energy stage show that has been an…

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New Folk Concert Series Starts Friday

Longtime Kent resident Hal Walker and new Kentite Matt Watroba start new concert series

WKSU's new producer-announcer Matt Watroba moved to Kent about seven months ago, and "One of the things I did right away was find (singer/songwriter) Hal Walker," Watroba said.  The two share a passion for music, particularly folk music acts that engage their audiences. Not surprisingly, both men are performers who fit into that category. "We just hit it right off," Watroba said. Almost immediately after meeting, the two started discussing how they could bring more high-quality, professional music acts to Kent. The result of those discussions is The Cuyahoga River Concert Series, and the first concert is set for Friday at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Church. Tickets are $10. Walker and Watroba are the featured performers that night…

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