COURTESY HARMONIA

Call the Cultural Arts Hotline at (330) 650-4636, ext. 228 after 2 p.m. the day of an event for up-to-date ticket availability and severe weather cancellations.

Cuyahoga Valley Heritage Series Concerts
The Cuyahoga Valley Heritage Series, presented by the National Park Service and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, celebrates the cultural legacy of the Cuyahoga Valley. This series is sponsored by 89.7 WKSU, Cable 9, Courtyard Marriott of Akron/Stow, and the Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Foundation.

Admission, unless otherwise noted: $17 adults, $12 Conservancy members, and $5 children ages 3 -12. General seating. Advance sales are available until 3 p.m. on the Friday for that weekend's show by calling 330-657-2909. You can create your own subscription series-enjoy three great Cuyahoga Valley Heritage Series concerts for one low price! No cash refunds, but tickets may be exchanged up to 10 days before the concert. Series prices: $45 adults, $30 Conservancy members, and $15 children ages 3 - 12. All concerts are held at Happy Days Lodge and begin at 8 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Doors open at 7 p.m., unless otherwise stated.

Friday, February 24
Harmonia
Harmonia presents the traditional folk music of Eastern Europe, from the Danube to the Carpathians. Its repertoire reflects the cultures of this region: Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Croatian, and Gypsy.

Saturday, March 3
The Paul McKenna Band
With a contemporary approach to Scottish music that doesn't stray too far from their roots, The Paul McKenna Band features fresh and innovative arrangements. Their exciting sound is created through outstanding vocals, driving guitar and bouzouki, intense fiddle playing, a warm pairing of flute and whistles, and dynamic bodhrán and percussion.

Saturday, March 10
Sunpie & Matt with Mo' Mojo
Two park rangers from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park bring southern regional music to northeast Ohio. Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes stands out as a great harmonicist, distinguished zydeco accordionist, and powerful singer. He is accompanied by soulful guitarist Matt Hampsey and members of Mo' Mojo, a local zydeco band.

Friday, March 23
The Frank Vignola Duo
Frank Vignola's stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world's top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Wynton Marsalis, and guitar legend Les Paul. Vignola's jaw-dropping technique explains why the New York Times deemed him "one of the brightest … stars of the guitar."

Saturday, April 14
Galant, tu perds ton temps
Quebec's irresistible female a cappella quintet Galant, tu perds ton temps offers superb music, Gallic charm, and tremendous audience rapport-without any language barrier. With a rich repertoire of traditional Quebecois folk songs, the group strives to highlight vocal tradition. The band is backed by percussionist, foot-tapper, and suitcase player Jean-Francois Berthiaume.

Friday, April 20
Eric Noden and Joe Filisko
Eric Noden and Joe Filisko feature styles and songs of early blues and roots performers from the 1920s and 1930s. In addition, they draw on the spirit of American music to influence their own original tunes. The blend of Eric's unusual acoustic guitar style and Joe's ability to make his harmonica cry, flutter, or sing creates a sound that is part traditional, part contemporary.

Friday, May 4
Music in Your Pocket: A Harmonica Lesson With Hal Walker Singer, songwriter, and musical explorer Hal Walker is a veteran solo performer with the unique musical idea to teach a mass harmonica lesson to hundreds of people at once. Combining the kinesthetic learning of hand motions, basic music-reading skills, and fun, this event will appeal to audiences of all ages. Fee: $5. Bring your own 10-hole harmonica in the key of C, or purchase one on site for an additional $5. Special time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, May 18
Atwater-Donnelly
Atwater-Donnelly performs a thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance along with original songs and poetry. The highly praised husband-wife duo blends gorgeous vocals with an astonishing array of instruments including the mountain dulcimer, old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, limberjack, mandolin, harmonica, and feet.

COURTESY ED CANER

Cuyahoga Valley House Concert Series
Sundays, March 11, April 22, and May 20 Violinist/fiddler Ed Caner serves as both musician and host for this series of intimate house concerts. During the past 16 years, he has performed as a sideman for over 50 major acts. Each month Ed invites different guest musicians to perform with him. Admission: $8 general public, $6 Conservancy members. Hines Hill Conference Center, 7 p.m. Seating is limited. The facility is not wheelchair accessible.

Warren Mailley-Smith

Music by Nature Concert Series
Presented by the Conservancy and the National Park Service, the popular new concert series Music by Nature returns this winter.

Admission: $20, $17 Conservancy members (includes a dessert reception after each concert). Subscription series prices vary. General seating. Advance sales are available until 3 p.m. on Friday for that Sunday's show by calling 330-657-2909 ext. 100.

Sunday, March 18
Warren Mailley-Smith
This award-winning concert pianist made his solo debuts in London and New York and currently performs at prestigious international festivals and concert venues. A free master class with the artist, featuring local student pianists, will be held from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Concert begins at 5 p.m. Happy Days Lodge.

Sunday, April 15
Panarámicos: I Remember, a Concert and WWII Tribute This prize-winning mixed chamber ensemble presents music by northeast Ohio composers and spoken words from WWII veterans and German and Japanese prison camp survivors. Happy Days Lodge, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 13
Idle Twittering: A Flock of Flutes
Idle Twittering joins forces with a flock of flutes from northeast Ohio for a concert accompanied by readings and poems. It's a tribute to moms everywhere. Hines Hill Conference Center, 3 p.m.

COURTESY JOHN C. ROBINSON

Lyceum Lectures Series
The word "lyceum" has roots in ancient Greek, and became the name of the school where Aristotle taught. At CVNP, we use it to describe our lecture series featuring national speakers who stimulate the heart and mind with compelling stories of our natural and cultural world. Admission: $6 adults, $3 children ages 3 - 12. General seating. Advance sales are available by calling 330-657-2909. Happy Days Lodge, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. On lecture days, call the Cultural Arts Hotline at 330-650-4636 ext. 228 after 2 p.m. for up-to-date ticket availability and severe weather cancellations.

Friday, March 9
Bruce Barnes and Matt Hampsey: Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad
Park Rangers Bruce Barnes and Matt Hampsey from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park have been telling the stories of the Underground Railroad, the Ohio River, and the Lower Mississippi Delta for more than a decade. For them, every song has a tale to tell. The program features historical monologues, poetry set to music, work songs, ring shouts, blues, and coded spirituals.

Friday, April 27
John C. Robinson: Birding for Everyone
For more than 30 years, award-winning ornithologist and wildlife biologist John C. Robinson has introduced people around the world to the joys of bird watching. In addition to leading bird watching and natural history tours across several continents, Robinson has authored six books. Join Robinson for this "Birds from A-Z" presentation focusing on the 10 secrets to bird identification, what makes a bird a bird, and environmental and other issues effecting birds today.

Friday, May 18
Jennifer Pharr Davis: Turning Moxie into Memories on the Appalachian Trail
Writer, hiker, and one of National Geographic's2012 Adventurers of the Year, Jennifer Pharr Davis has hiked the Appalachian Trail three times and, in 2011, broke the overall speed record for completion of the trail. After being struck by lightning, having her eyes freeze shut in a snowstorm, and facing tremendous challenges on her first trip, Davis felt a connection that drew her back to the trail again and again.

NPS/TED TOTH

Cuyahoga Valley Contra Dance
Thursdays, February 23, March 8* and 22, April 12 and 26, and May 10* and 24*

Become part of a living tradition in Cuyahoga Valley-contra dancing. Callers lead dancers through each dance while the band Hu$hmoney plays lively jigs, reels, and tunes. Guest callers are featured during September and October, with regular caller Carol Kopp returning in November. Park Ranger Rebecca Jones presents a Contra Conversation on September 9. Come for the music or for the dance, but wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Fee: $6. Boston Township School House, 7 p.m. instruction, 8 - 10:30 p.m. dancing.

*Ranger Rebecca Jones will give a Contra Conversation on March 8 that explores the history of the dance.
**Guest callers are featured in May.

Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society (CVPS)
As an activity of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service, CVPS promotes CVNP through the photographic arts by providing educational opportunities such as workshops, presentations, photo walks, and an annual photo contest. For more information contact CVPS at info@cvps.org or the Conservancy at (330) 657-2909. Free. Happy Days Lodge, 7 - 9 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, March 15
Adventure Photography: Capture the Photos That Tell the Story
Greg Gettens is an avid adventure photographer who has photographed from Alaska to Antarctica. Tonight's informal presentation will start with examples of his work and discussion of tools and techniques to use in the field.

Thursday, April 19 
CVPS Members' Show
Here is an opportunity for members to share up to five digital images. An optional critique will be offered by two professional photographers.Digital file criteria are available at www.cvps.org. 

Thursday, May 17 
Chris Coffee: Seeing in Black and White
It's never been easier to make black and white and color images, yet nothing can replace the ability of the human eye and mind to see a compelling image. In this presentation we will talk about some of the things that work in black and white as well as some that don't.

Other Cultural Arts Events

Creative Nature Journaling
Saturday, March 24
Welcome spring by creating a journal that can be filled with your observations, drawings, photos, or writing. Then get started by taking an easy 1-mile hike to try some writing and drawing with a variety of art materials. Come back each season for new ideas and techniques for filling your pages. Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center, 10 a.m. - noon. To register, call 330-657-2796 ext. 100.

Peninsula Jazz Festival
Sunday, April 1
The festival features New Orleans jazz musicians from around the region. Presented by the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. Shuttle available from north parking lot. Free. Happy Days Lodge, 2 - 5 p.m.

Art @ M.D. Garage
Art @ M.D. Garage is a series of free art exhibitions organized and coordinated by the Crooked River Gang, a volunteer group that promotes art in the Cuyahoga Valley. The M.D. Garage is a 1940s gas station located in the village of Boston. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Most artwork is available for purchase.

Saturdays and Sundays, April 21 through May 27 and Monday, May 28
Our Favorite Places in the Park

Locations:

Boston Township School House
1775 Main Street, northeast corner of SR 303 and Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264

Everett Road Covered Bridge
2370 Everett Road, 0.5 mile west of Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264

Happy Days Lodge
500 West Streetsboro Road (SR 303), 1 mile west of SR 8, Peninsula 44264

Hines Hill Conference Center
1403 West Hines Hill Road, Peninsula 44264

Howe Meadow
4040 Riverview Road, 4 miles south of SR 303, Peninsula 44264

M.D. Garage
Adjacent to Boston Store Visitor Center, located at 1548 Boston Mills Road, east of Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264