Zydeco Band Kicks-off Music in the Meadow Series at National Park

Date: May 25, 2011
Contact: Mary Pat Doorley, 440-546-5995
Contact: Ralph Davila, APR, 330-657-2909 ext. 109

Brecksville, Ohio – On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park present a FREE Music in the Meadow concert at Howe Meadow. Howe Meadow is located at 4040 Riverview Road, 4 miles south of SR 303, Peninsula 44264.

Zydeco band Mo’ Mojo’s music is all about energy and heat - and Mo’ Mojo has plenty of both! The band's music adds Cajun melodies to blues sounds from all over the south, and the result is something positive, energetic, and very danceable. Mo’ Mojo combines French-style accordion, driving danceable drum beats, rock-solid bass guitar, blazing electric guitar, and of course, the rub board.

Grab a blanket and a picnic dinner and bring the family! Alcohol is prohibited. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with lawn games and a musical craft. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. After the concert, cap-off your evening with a ranger-led walk at the Beaver Marsh or a twilight talk about local wildlife. In the event of severe weather, the concert will be cancelled and this information made available at 330-650-4636, ext. 228, after 2 p.m.

The Music in the Meadow concert series is presented with support from Audio-Technica and the Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Foundation. Donations to support this series will be accepted at each event.

Upcoming Music in the Meadow Concerts

Wednesday, June 15
Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band
Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band delivers a dose of soulful roots reggae with infectious rhythms woven by the group’s use of percussion instruments. Their repertoire includes many original songs, plus a generous helping of Bob Marley, Culture, and other recognizable covers mixed in with traditional Rastafarian Nyabinghi drum chants!

Wednesday, July 6
The Speedbumps
The music of The Speedbumps is steeped in complexity and originality. They incorporate a combination of hollow-bodied instruments (cello, guitar, upright base, ukulele) that reflect the classical, jazz and modern age, and produce alternative acoustic music with a folk-style feel.

Wednesday, July 13
HeartBEAT Afrika
Experience HeartBEAT’s style using trashcans, buckets, traditional African and conventional drums, and rhythms played by feet, body, and hands. This ensemble performs a captivating mixture of street and traditional African percussion, song, storytelling, theatre, and dance.

Wednesday, August 3
Copus Hill
The bluegrass quartet Copus Hill is a fine balance between veteran pickers and young guns. This combination of know-how and eagerness results in an awesome sound as the group plays its way through a variety of music, from traditional bluegrass to newgrass and their own original tunes.

Wednesday, August 17
Keith McKelley, featuring Audible Distraction
Cleveland-based Keith McKelley’s energetic talent transcends genres with a rich, beautiful tone that travels the edgy frontiers of jazz, rock, R&B, funk, hiphop, and gospel. Following the release of his self-titled album last year, Keith began work on a fusion project dubbed Audible Distraction.

The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a nonprofit organization created to engage public support for the park and provide services to enhance public use and enjoyment of the park. For more information about the Conservancy and its membership program, visit www.conservancyforcvnp.org or call 330-657-2909.

CVNP encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva or www.dayinthevalley.com or call 330-657-2752 or 800-257-9477.

-NPS-

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