August 3
EarthQuaker Day
EarthQuaker Devices // 11 am – 7 pm // Join guitar pedal manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices for a daylong celebration of their products, plus music and art. The day kicks off with 30-minute pedal clinics. Music from 1-5 pm including Coup de Grace and Green Tree Novelty Tea. PRS Guitars Riff Contest Finals at 5 pm. Additionally, Musica will host free shows on Friday and Saturday nights: Mourning [A] BLKstar, Pleasure Leftists and The Beyonderers on Friday and The Party of Helicopters, Niights and Caveman on Saturday. METRO: #9
August 9-10
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival – Neos Dance Theatre
Firestone Park Community Center // 8:45 pm // Neos Dance Theatre will present contemporary and classical works in Firestone Park. Children going into second, third and fourth grades can participate in free classes Aug. 6-8 at the Firestone Park Community Center at 10:30 am. Evening shows begin with a children’s performance at 7:45 pm. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. METRO: #13
August 13
Writing Children’s Books: From Concept to Contract
Highland Square Library // 6-7:30 pm // Writing a book for kids sounds fun, but how difficult is it? Learn how to get into the business of authoring children’s books with Allison and Wayne Marks. Register online. Free. METRO: #1
August 16
The Stiv “R.I.P.” Bators Band & The Sodbusters
Musica // Doors at 7 pm // Don’t miss a chance to see two legendary Akron punk bands reunite. The Sodbusters performed in 2018 for the first time in 38 years. Stiv Bators died in 1990, but the rest of his band will reunite to play the album Disconnected in its entirety. $20. METRO: #1, #5, #6, #7, #12, #14, #26, #33, #34
August 16
August Moon Ride
Blimp City Bike & Hike // 8-10 pm // Tag along on the August Moon Ride to ride your bike on the Towpath Trail in the moonlight. Meet at the picnic area behind Blimp City Bike & Hike. Ride begins promptly at 8 pm. Bike helmets and lights are highly encouraged. Free.
August 17
PorchRokr 2019
Highland Square // 10 am – 9 pm // Come out to historic Highland Square to experience Akron’s beloved PorchRokr music festival. The day begins with yoga and a 5K race in the morning. Then more than 130 different musicians, including headliner Nathan-Paul & the Admirables, will play shows on neighborhood porches and at local businesses. See a festival map on Page 26. Free. METRO: #1
Photo at top of page: PorchRokr 2018. (Photo: Ashley Kouri.)
August 17
Hot Pepper Festival
Patterson Park Community Center // 4-8 pm // Dalle Khursani, a pepper found in parts of Nepal and Bhutan and now grown in Akron, lands somewhere between 100,000 and 350,000 Scoville heat units. Sweat it out with a hot pepper eating contest, food and games in support of Shanti Community Farms. Tickets $20-$50. METRO: #7
August 17-18
Props and Pistons Festival
Akron Fulton International Airport // 10 am – 5 pm // Check out dozens of airplanes and cars at the Props and Pistons Festival. For the first time in more than a decade, an aerobatic pilot will be demonstrating the amazing things his Sukhoi SU-26 aircraft can do. METRO: $15.
August 23-25
Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival
Downtown Akron // Catch jazz and blues performances at seven downtown venues during this weekend-long festival. BLU Jazz+, Musica, Maiden Lane, the High St. Hop House, the Akron Civic Theatre, the Akron Art Museum and the Main Library will host shows. Visit OpenToneMusic.org/rubber-city-jazz-blues-festival for a full schedule. Prices vary, but many concerts are free. METRO: #1, #3, #5, #6, #7, #10, #12, #14, #26, #28, #33, #34, DASH, #102, #103, #104
August 24
Akron Pride Festival
Hardesty Park // 11 am – 7 pm // Celebrate and support LGBTQ+ equality at the Akron Pride Festival at Hardesty Park. The day will be filled with food trucks, exhibitions, and entertainment including local acts and award-winning national artists Deborah Cox and Steve Grand. A march to the festival begins at 10 am in Highland Square. Register at akronpridefestival.org/march. Free. METRO: #1
August 27
Akron2Akron Walking Tour
Copley Road // 6 pm // Explore Copley Road’s history and current life on a walk with your neighbors. The Akron2Akron Facebook page will be updated with detailed information in advance of the event, including where to meet and stops included on the walk. Free. METRO: #3
August 31
Lights of Change – Overdose Awareness Day
Summit County Recovery Center // 5:30 pm // Remember loved ones lost to addiction and raise awareness about the ongoing struggle. Akron Say No To Dope Inc. and Keys to Serenity are organizing a fair with resource tables, food and live music. A memorial walk begins at 8:30 pm. Bring memories or photos of your lost loved ones. Free. METRO: #8