It’s another busy weekend in Akron as the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival takes over downtown starting today. The annual festival features free performances and panels at several venues, including the Knight Stage, Jilly’s Music Room and BLU Jazz+.
In 2025 the festival will celebrate a decade of bringing the best in jazz and blues to Akron, and founder Theron Brown has big plans.
“Next year we’re doing it really big, and we’re gonna really need the city behind us,” Brown said. “Next year is the 10-year anniversary of the festival … and [Akron’s] bicentennial. So they’re gonna see year-round programming from us and a lot more collaborations with the folks at the Bicentennial [Commission].”
Join Summit Artspace for the last ArtWalk of the year Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. at 140 E. Market St. Visitors to Summit Artspace can view its summer exhibitions, explore artists’ studios and shop wares from pop-up vendors. Visit Summit Artspace’s website for information on other ArtWalk-related events happening in the area.
Swensons will celebrate its 90th anniversary Saturday at its original location at 40 S. Hawkins Ave. Former and current employees are invited to attend the birthday bash. The event will feature food, music, giveaways and games. While the celebration is only open to former and current employees, the restaurant will open at 10 a.m. to serve the public.
Also on Saturday, the City of Akron and Akron Parks Collaborative will host the reopening of Morgan Park (430 Morgan Ave.) from 1 to 4 p.m. Improvements to the South Akron park include a playground, asphalt trail and pavilion, plus resurfaced basketball courts. Saturday’s celebration will include a short program recognizing the project’s partners, plus music, food and games. A mural created by artist Dara Harper will also be unveiled.
A correction was made Sept. 5, 2024: An earlier version of this article misstated who is invited to Swensons 90th anniversary. The event is not open to the public. It is only open to current and former Swensons employees.
