FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2023

Cameron Gorman

programs@heightsarts.org

Heights Arts Announces its 2024 Music Season

From the uncommon intimacy of the Close Encounters series to the community-focused programming of free Gallery Concerts, Heights Arts’ 2024 music season is more fully realized than ever before.

Click here to view our press release.

Cleveland Heights, OH: Heights Arts, a multi-disciplinary arts nonprofit nestled in the heart of Cleveland Heights, is announcing its 2023-2024 music season. A blend of three unique series – Close Encounters chamber music series, Gallery Concerts, and ARTbar events – the 2023-2024 season reflects the uniquely creative community Heights Arts calls home.

“Heights Arts is proud to continue its mission of bringing artistic performances to the community,” says Assistant Director Cameron Gorman. “With the announcement of our full season, audiences can save the dates for their favorite performances well in advance.”

With the help of its Music Community Team, comprised of local music professionals and enthusiasts, Heights Arts has selected a talented lineup of musicians from the Northeast Ohio region for both its Gallery Concert and ARTbar series. And, for Close Encounters, Artistic Director Dane Johansen has gathered talent from the globally recognized Cleveland Orchestra.

Close Encounters Chamber Music Series

Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series 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.

Cleveland Orchestra cellist Dane Johansen is the artistic director of the Close Encounters series. Johansen has curated a season of vibrant and varied performances featuring classical, romantic, impressionist, and modern works by Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Clarke, Debussy, and more. Audience members will experience the concerts in long-time favorite locations like the Barrie Carriage House, Eaton Mansion, Dunham Tavern, and new venues that maintain the atmosphere that makes these concerts so unique.

Says Johansen, “This season features a lineup of artists that I couldn’t be more excited to hear or proud to present. Many of the artists this season are leaders in their respective sections within The Cleveland Orchestra. The beauty of their artistry will be perfectly showcased in such intimate settings as we are blessed to enjoy through the Close Encounters series.”

Close Encounters Open Rehearsals

This year, Heights Arts presents a new and 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. The public can experience open rehearsals with a pay-what-you-can model to remain accessible to all.

TICKETS:

To purchase season or individual concert tickets, or to RSVP for an Open Rehearsal Date, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/close-encounters-2024/

Gallery Concert Series

Heights Arts’ free 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 accessibility for any who want to attend.

This year’s Gallery Concert Series features everything from strings to vocals – an eclectic blend of tunes from talented local musicians. Featuring the Yu Shung Duo and Eric Everett Jazz: Elation!, this season is a sample of Northeast Ohio’s best.

RSVP: To RSVP, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/gallery-concerts-2024/

ARTbar Series

ARTbar creates an atmosphere like no other by mixing curated cocktails, music, art, and poetry in Heights Arts’ beautiful gallery on Lee Road. The space is transformed into a cocktail lounge setting where audience members gather to experience intimate performances in tandem with current exhibitions.

This year’s series will feature local favorite performers – the Dan Bruce Trio and Hot Club of Cleveland — along with nationally acclaimed percussionist Jamey Haddad with his trio in May 2024.

TICKETS: To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.heightsarts.org/music/artbar-2024/

Visit heightsarts.org for more information, including Close Encounters locations.

UPCOMING CONCERT DATES

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Sunday, December 10, 2023 Close Encounters – Brahms and Schumann featuring Yaron Kohlberg

• Performers: Yaron Kohlberg, piano, Jessica Lee, violin, William Bender, viola, Dane Johansen, cello.
• Concert Sponsor: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap
• Concert Host: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap

Sunday, February 18, 2024 Close Encounters – Mozart and Mendelssohn: String Quintets

• Performers: Stephen Tavani and Yun-Ting Lee, violins, William Bender, viola, Wesley Collins, viola, Dane Johansen, cello.
• Sponsor: Bill Stigelman
• Open Rehearsal: Monday, 2/12

Sunday, March 24, 2024 Close Encounters – Strings and Winds: Strauss, Clarke and Prokofiev

• Performers: Katherine Bormann, violin, Eliesha Nelson, viola, Maximilian Dimoff, double bass, Frank Rosenwein, oboe, Afendi Yusuf, clarinet, Barrick Stees, bassoon, Nathaniel Silberschlag, horn.
• Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, 3/20

Sunday, April 14, 2024 Close Encounters – Brahms, Beach and Schoenfield: Piano Trios

• Performers: Noah Krauss, piano, Genevieve Smelser, violin, Dane Johansen, cello.
• Open Rehearsal: Monday, 4/8
• Concert Host: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap

Sunday, June 2, 2024 Close Encounters – The Omni Quartet and Frank Rosenwein play Milhaud and Debussy

• Performers: Amy Lee, violin, Alicia Koelz, violin, Joanna Patterson Zakany, viola, Tanya Ell, cello, and Frank Rosenwein, oboe, and Charles Carleton, bass.
• Concert Host: Kathy and Dennis Barrie
• Concert Sponsor: Marjorie Simon

ARTBAR

Thursday, January 18, 2024 ARTbar – Hot Club of Cleveland

• Performers: William Reed Simon, violin, Aidan Plank, bass, Jackie Warren, piano.
• Featuring poetry by Christine Howey

May 2, 2024 ARTbar – Jamey Haddad Trio

• Performers: Jamey Haddad Trio.
• Concert Sponsor: Bill Stigelman

Thursday, July 25, 2024 ARTbar – Dan Bruce Trio

• Performers: Dan Bruce, guitar, Aidan Plank, bass, Anthony Taddeo, percussion.

GALLERY CONCERTS

Thursday, February 29, 2024 Gallery Concert – Yu Shung Duo

• Performers: Irwin Shung, piano, Ann Yu, violin

Thursday, August 8, 2024 Gallery Concert – Eric Everett Jazz: Elation!

• Nancy Redd, vocals & flute, Lenny Gray, bass, Duncan Crooks, piano, Hichem Ferrah, guitar, Eric Everett, drums

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Founded in 2000, Heights Arts (www.heightsarts.org) is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary arts organization whose mission is to 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: The AHS Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, The City of Cleveland Heights, The City of University Heights, Jean, Harry, and Brenda Fuchs Family Foundation, The Arthur E, Elsie G, and Betty M Kranz Family Foundation, Mandel Foundation, Thomas Hoyt and Katherine Brooks Jones Family Foundation, David and Inez Myers Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Fowler Family Foundation, and WWMR Foundation.

2175 Lee Road   ∙   Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118  ∙  216.371.3457  ∙   www.heightsarts.org