FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2024

Jeanne Li
marketing@heightsarts.org

Heights Arts Announces its 2024-2025 Music Season

Heights Arts’ 2024-2025 music season presents a diverse array of offerings for every musical taste in a variety of local settings, from the intimate Close Encounters chamber music series to the lively, community-focused ARTbar and Gallery Concerts.

Cleveland Heights, OH: Heights Arts, the multidisciplinary arts nonprofit in the heart of Cleveland Heights, announces its 2024-2025 music season, featuring twelve concerts over three distinct series – Close Encounters chamber music, Gallery Concerts, and ARTbar. Each performance showcases the diverse artistic talent that exists in Cleveland Heights and the Greater Cleveland area.

Says executive director Rachel Bernstein of the season, “Heights Arts’ 2024-2025 music season features the highest level of performances from local musicians in intimate venues and our beautiful gallery on Lee Road. Our programming stands out even in a community already known for its diverse offerings. With four different opportunities to attend performances featuring the extraordinary talent of our local music scene, we provide new and special ways to engage on a deeper level through our Continuing Conversations and Open Rehearsal events.”

Close Encounters Chamber Music Series
Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature event. These Sunday afternoon chamber music concerts are performed by members of the Cleveland Orchestra and other elite performers—arguably the world’s most renowned musicians. Curated by Cleveland Orchestra cellist Dane Johansen, these performances are held in unique venues and local residences, where the audience hears the music as it was meant to be heard—up close and personal.

Johansen has curated a season of vibrant and varied performances featuring classical, romantic, impressionist, and modern works by Bridge, Brahms, Beethoven, Dvorak, Ernst von Dohnanyi, the grandfather of Cleveland’s own, Christophe von Dohnanyi, and more. Audience members will experience the concerts in long-time favorite locations like the Herrick Mews Carriage House, Shaker Villa, Dunham Tavern, and new venues that maintain the atmosphere that makes these concerts so unique. Concerts include Ouvrage de Dame on November 3rd, Bach and his Art of the Fugue on February 23rd, Music From an Age of Empires on April 14th, and The Omni Quartet Plays Beethoven on June 1st.

Says Johansen, “It has been a distinct pleasure helping to facilitate the development of this season’s provocative and inspiring performances. Inviting some of our community’s finest musicians to dream up “bucket list” programs, I am perennially thrilled by the fruits of these collaborations. What a privilege to work with such incredible artists, breathing passion, and brilliance into great works of art.” 

Close Encounters Open Rehearsals

Heights Arts will continue to provide the rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance prior to several of the concerts. This one-of-a-kind experience is not only educational but provides a deeper understanding of how a performance is put together by some of the world’s best musicians.

Continuing Conversations Special Event*
Heights Arts will also host a special Continuing Conversations event after the final Close Encounters concert of the season. *  This event celebrates 25 years for Heights Arts, and 18 incredible years of chamber music. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the Omni Quartet and past Close Encounters performers as they enjoy wine and heavy appetizers from Sophie La Gourmande. 

* Priority will be given to season and final concert ticket holders

TICKETS: To learn more about the series, purchase season or individual concert tickets, or to RSVP for an Open Rehearsal Date, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/close-encounters-2025/

Gallery Concerts and ARTbar – Programming by the Community, for the Community

Heights Arts Gallery and ARTbar series performers are selected by its Music Community Team—comprised of local music professionals and enthusiasts. One team member- the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Director of Performing Arts Gabe Pollack says of these series,  “It has been great to work with my team members, whom I now consider friends, to review applications and ultimately select performers for the upcoming Artbar and Gallery Concert series’.  Just as The Cleveland Museum of Art’s Performing Arts Series is robust and wide-ranging, spanning classical, contemporary, and global music traditions so too are the performances at Heights Arts. Acts were chosen for the excitement they bring to a crowded musical landscape, and we are thrilled that they all call Northeast Ohio home. I hope to see you at an upcoming concert. If you are lucky, I will be your volunteer bartender.”

Gallery Concert Series
Heights Arts’ Gallery Concerts provide paid opportunities for local musicians of diverse backgrounds and musical genres to perform in a unique gallery setting. These concerts are open to the public with a pay-what-you-can model to ensure that any who would like to attend can enjoy these performances.

This year’s Gallery Concert Series features everything from strings to vocals – an eclectic blend of tunes from talented local musicians. Featuring Ralitsa Georgieva and Caroline Oltmanns: Piano Duo on September 12th, Cornelius + Karre – violin and percussion duo on March 6th, and the Baker’s Basement on April 10th; this season is a sample of Northeast Ohio’s best.

To RSVP, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/gallery-concerts-2025/

ARTbar Series
ARTbar creates an atmosphere like no other by mixing curated cocktails, music, and art in Heights Arts’ beautiful gallery on Lee Road. Four times a year Heights Arts transforms its gallery into a cocktail lounge setting where audience members gather to experience intimate performances in tandem with its current exhibitions.

This year’s series will feature local favorite performers – Gaetano Letizia Multi Genre Jazz Trio on September 26th, Singout with Cleveland Cocktail Choir! on January 30th, Moises Borges on April 24th, and Hyperius Blake and the Sound Experiment on July 3rd.

TICKETS: To learn more about the series or purchase tickets, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/artbar-2025/

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Founded in 2000, Heights Arts (www.heightsarts.org) is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary arts organization whose mission is to celebrate the region’s literary, musical, and visual artists and share their contributions with the community. We cultivate a strong, diverse, and collaborative arts community by inspiring people of all ages to engage in the arts; supporting the arts through education; providing exhibition and performance opportunities; and fostering public appreciation for the arts. 

Heights Arts is generously supported by funding from individuals, businesses, and organizations, including AHS Foundation; City of Cleveland Heights; City of University Heights; Cuyahoga Arts & Culture; Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation; Ohio Arts Council; The Arthur E, Elsie G, and Betty M Kranz Family Foundation; The Jean, Harry, and Brenda Fuchs Family Foundation; The Peggy and John Garson Family Foundation; and WWMR Foundation.