it’s bigger, better, and more flavorful than ever!
J U N E
On May 21 & 22, local foodies will get to enjoy a true taste of Canton, as 25 restaurants and specialty vendors from Stark County showcase scrumptious sample plates, ranging from $2 to $6 each. Selections will include appetizers, entrees and desserts from a variety of cuisines.
The delicious spring food festival, brought to you by the Canton Development Partnership (a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce), is serving up two days of local flavor and local fare on May 21 & 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. May 21 & 22
(continued on page six)
headline CANTON BLUES FEST on June 20 & 21 Fest, has announced its 2014 lineup, and this year two leading ladies of blues are rocking the center stage!
SPECIAL FEATURES
SPACE AVAILABLE WHATWHEREWHEN
The FREE outdoor summer festival, now in its 13th year, is presented by Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber.
T w o
• Taste of Canton • Canton Blues Fest • First Friday • 4th Street Concert Series • Canton Farmers’ Market • Community Garden • Color Downtown
I s s u e
PARTNERSHIP REPORT
The theme for the 2014 festival is “Women in Blues,” and it’s all happening in downtown Canton on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21. This year’s lineup will feature Ana Popovic on Friday at 8:30 pm and Shemekia Copeland on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., along with music each day from noon to 10:30 p.m.
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June 21 - Oct. 18
V o l .
Northeast Ohio’s premier free blues festival, Canton Blues
2 0 1 4
Ana Popovic and Shemekia Copeland to June 20 & 21
J U L Y
Even better, Taste of Canton is thrilled to welcome over 10 NEW restaurants and dessert merchants in 2014, an expanded craft beer and wine garden, more seating, and a farmers’ market preview!
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First Friday of every month
T
aste of Canton is back for its sixth year, and
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Downtown Canton’s streetscape comes alive with fun festivals!
M A Y
2014 Downtown Event Schedule
Feast on local flavors at TASTE of CANTON
(continued on page five) Ana Popovic
Downtown Developments is published quarterly by Canton Development Partnership, a department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Downtown Canton Special Improvement District
Michael P. Gill
Partnership Report I was starting to wonder if spring would ever show up this year, but it’s finally here and our center city is ready to party. 222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org www.DowntownCanton.com Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Michael P. Gill Director Annette Rosenberger Office Manager Denise Burton Membership Director Collyn Floyd Marketing Director & Editor Erin Thompson Downtown Events Manager Sarah Lutz Graphics Manager The Canton Development Partnership is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens. Its mission is to support and coordinate the activities and programs of its partner organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton. The partnering organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton. Information regarding downtown events and news can be submitted for reprint at the discretion of the Partnership director and publication editor. The Canton Development Partnership reserves the right to edit all copy. Deadlines are the 15th of the month, two months prior to publication (i.e., May 15 for the July/August issue). Statements of fact and opinion within Downtown Developments are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply the opinion of the members of Canton Development Partnership or its partnering organizations. Advertising rates and specifications are available by contacting the Chamber sales department at (330) 458-2067.
Downtown Canton plays host to festivals, fairs, foodie events, and markets throughout the year, but never more so than during our bustling summer season. We’re geared up and cleaned up for you to come downtown and experience exciting community events sure to entertain the entire family. Spring and summer downtown Canton goings-on offer a little something for everyone. And there’s plenty in store throughout the rest of the year, too. We hope you’ll enjoy our full roster of high-quality, community events planned in downtown Canton. Erin Thompson, our downtown events manager, has been working tirelessly with event committee members to plan and stage Taste of Canton (May 21 & 22), Canton Blues Festival (June 20 & 21), Vintage Canton (Sept. 18) and Light Up Downtown (Dec. 4). Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend these exciting events. On June 18, the Canton Farmers’ Market is back for its 11th season, and will once again be held in the Timken High School parking lot. You’ll find a wide selection of fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, cheese, eggs, meat, and more at this producers-only market. The Market happens every Saturday morning, June through October, and it’s a fantastic way to kick-off your Saturday morning. And while we hope you’ll support every First Friday, we have a July First Friday celebration you simply won’t want to miss. July 4 marks our country’s birthday AND First Friday’s 7th birthday. We’ll be celebrating in true American style, with live music, fireworks, and plenty of family fun.
Finally, I’d like to thank our all-volunteer crew for making the First Annual Downtown Clean Sweep a success. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we pool together our efforts. Now, get out and enjoy the warmer temperatures and come downtown. If you want to keep up with what’s going on downtown each week, be sure to check out Ticket, the Repository’s arts and entertainment publication that comes out every Thursday. The Canton Development Partnership is running a full-page ad each week called “Change It Up,” and it serves as a handy guide to what’s going on downtown.
Downtown Patrol Officer Meet Jo Ellen Hartzell, our downtown Walking Beat Officer. She has been with the Canton Police Department for 19 years, and she lives in Canton with her husband and son. Her hours are 8am to 4pm, and you can find her walking and/or on her bicycle around downtown during those hours. We’re glad to have you in the “neighborhood,” Officer Hartzell!
Jo Ellen Hartzell
First Friday! May 2 First Friday Cycle of Art Think big wheels and small sacrifices; adventures in cycling and recycling. Ride your bike to work and pitch in to make Canton and the planet healthier. And enjoy the first outdoor First Friday of the season with the return of the big yellow tent. Enter the Aultman bike giveaway and see the hilarious Pee Wee’s Big Adventure – the free film at the Palace. Chat with area bike shops and check out the demos and ideas for fun recycling projects, including artist David McDowell’s creations at the Hub.
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June 6 First Friday Summer Lovin’ Channel your Dannys, Sandys, Frenchys and Rizzos and kick off a wild weekend as we wave goodbye school and start the season of summer romance in the Canton Arts District. GREASE is the movie at the Palace (of course), while the streets will be lined with vendors for sweet treats like cotton candy, funnel cake, ice cream and lemonade. All the galleries and studios will be blooming with new art and you know the outdoor stages will be sizzling with our favorite hot weather jams.
July 4 celebrates a First Friday birthday! Seven years ago, ArtsinStark joined with 100 or so people (most of whom were family members!) to not only celebrate the birth of our nation, but also the birth of what would be called First Fridays . Since that time, the Special Improvement District has joined in, along with Stark Community Foundation, lending both financial support and technical guidance, to what has become the street party of the month, every month, in the Downtown Canton Arts District. This year, First Friday falls on July 4th. And, keeping with the independent spirit of the event, the streets will be rocking with live music and the skies will be blazing with late night fireworks. Truly. In between, all the galleries, studios and restaurants will be open for business featuring tasty tidbits from the good ol’ USA. Uncle Sam will be strutting his stuff and red, white and blue will decorate the landscape for an evening sure to be a blast! For more information, check out cantonartsdistrict.com/firstfriday
4th Street Concert Series This summer, ArtsinStark, the Special Improvement District and Buzzbin are again taking it to the streets with the 4th Street Concert Series. With a successful trial run in 2013, the live music Saturday nights got the push they needed to expand to EVERY Saturday night in June, July and August. Although some of the details are still TBD, the location is the 4th Street Historic Canton Music Block, home to Cultured Coffee, George’s and Buzzbin. The cost is absolutely FREE. And the bands start playing at 8 p.m. Open mic is available, each Saturday from 6-8. Bring your lawn chair, your friends and your appetite for good tunes. And save some room for your just desserts, as the downtown arts galleries will be eager to serve. For more information, check out cantonartsdistrict.com
Eat local, buy local at the Canton Farmers’ Market
T
he Canton Farmers’ Market returns for its 11th year of providing locally grown produce, fun
entertainment, and the freshest food around on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Canton Farmers’ Market is a producers-only market that provides consumers with an opportunity to buy fresh, quality products at reasonable prices directly from local growers in Northeast Ohio. Along with fresh local produce, the market offers baked goods, flowers, honey, cheese, eggs and meat, and so much more! This year’s market opens on June 21 and runs every Saturday through October 18. The Market is located in the Timken High School Administrative building parking lot at the corner of Fourth St. NW and McKinley Ave. NW. The site is perfectly suited with green grass, trees and tons of parking! Not only is the Canton Farmers’ Market one of the best places to find fresh summer food, it’s a great place for meeting with others from your neighborhood and community. On any given weekend, the Canton Farmers’ Market offers community resources, nutrition and health education from Aultman Hospital, cooking demonstrations, live music, organic gardening tips, children’s activities and art projects for people of all ages. Once again, the market will be making fresh food available to all members of our community accepting WIC and senior nutrition (contact the City of Canton for more information.) The market lends itself to creating a higher quality of life for Canton residents and neighboring communities. Come to shop, come to play! The Canton Farmers’ Market has a fun-filled summer lineup that’s going to keep you coming back week after week. Throughout the market season, local artists will demonstrate their talents in the midst of market-goers. We’ll also have special events for the little ones, such as ‘make and take’ art. There’s something NEW each week at the Canton Farmers’ Market. With over 20 vendors and a slew of activities, the market is the best way to kickoff your weekend each week. Come down rain or shine! The market is managed by the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District and is thankful for its supporters: Aultman Health Foundation, The Repository, Mix 94.1 & News-Talk 1480 WHBC AM, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Canton. Looking to join the fun? We still have a few vendor spaces available and we’re always looking for volunteers! Contact Erin Thompson, downtown events manager, at erint@cantonchamber. org or (330) 458-2072! To learn more about the Canton Farmers’ Market visit our website at CantonFarmersMarket.com.
Canton Blues Fest ... About Ana Popovic The award-winning, hard-touring, guitar slinger blends smoking electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals. Add to the mix her incredible stage presence, all of which makes her an irresistible force in the world of contemporary blues music. During 2013 Ana appeared on the cover of Vintage Guitar, Guitar Player’s Gear Guide and American Blues Scene. Her album ‘Can You Stand The Heat’ was a “Pick Of The Week” by USA Today and featured on NPR Music. Nearly all of Ana’s albums made it to the Top 5 of the Billboard Blues Charts and are being played regularly on US radio. Ana and her phenomenal four-piece band as well as her Mo› Better Love Big Band are tirelessly touring, playing major blues, jazz and rock festivals around the world. She is endorsed by Fender, Mesa Boogie, Ovation and DR strings. Ana has shared headlining stages with B.B. King, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang and many others. When not on tour, she resides in Memphis, TN. Visit www.anapopovic.com for a full biography and discography.
About Shemekia Copeland While only in her early 30s, two-time GRAMMY® nominee Shemekia Copeland is already a force to be reckoned with in the blues. She’s opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival and numerous festivals around the world, scored critics’ choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic (The New York Times and The Times of London), shared the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Eric Clapton, and has even performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Heir to the rich tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James and Koko Taylor, the singer was presented with Taylor’s crown by her daughter, Cookie, on June 12, 2011 at the Chicago Blues Festival and given the honor of the new “Queen of the Blues” by official proclamation of the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Copeland’s passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding
sponsors Phil & Nancy Sonner
urgency. Her music comes from deep within her soul and from the streets where she grew up, surrounded by the everyday sounds of the city – street performers, gospel singers, blasting radios, bands in local parks and so much more. Visit http://www. shemekiacopeland.com/biography for a full biography and discography. Go online to www.cantonbluesfest.com for a full list of festival performers and other details about this year’s event, including opening Anthony Gomes (Friday) and Mississippi Heat (Saturday). Blues Fest VIP Passes will be available again this year. Buy your two-day pass online for $75, or one-day pass for $45, and take advantage of FREE food and beer in the evening (after 5 p.m.), and incredible views of the stage all day. Visit www.cantonbluesfest. com to purchase VIP passes online, or contact Monique Thompson-Kennedy at (330) 4582070 to reserve your passes today.
The 2014 Canton Blues Fest is made possible in part by Standard Plumbing and Heating Co., Cormony Development, Phil & Nancy Sonner, along with sponsors (to date) including Aultman Health Foundation, Superior Beverage Group, Signature Design and Remodeling, General RV, The Repository, The City of Canton, Mix 94.1 and NewsTalk 1480 WHBC AM, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, M. Conley Co., and Kimble Companies.
Taste of Canton ... “This is absolutely the best way for curious food enthusiasts to try new restaurants or sample new dishes,” said Collyn Floyd, director of marketing and events at the Chamber. “We have a great combination of returning favorites and new flavors this year, and we hope everyone samples some of each.” The delicious array of food served at Taste of Canton will be complemented with a craft beer and wine garden, serving up microbrews and specialty label wines. Come for dinner and enjoy music from The Bearded Lady with Elec Simon and Saxy Rob (Wednesday) and Yankee Bravo (Thursday). Or join the lunch and afternoon crowd and hear the spinning sounds of Thompson Entertainment from 11 am – 6 pm. All dishes and beverages can be purchased with Taste of Canton tickets, sold individually for $1 per ticket and redeemed at each vendor booth. You can purchase your tickets onsite the day of the event, or in advance at all seven Fishers Foods locations, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce or online at TasteofCanton.com. Taste of Canton will be held rain or shine in and around Market Square in downtown Canton (301 Market Ave. N). Buy tickets by May 19 at any area Fishers Foods location, the Canton Regional Chamber, or TasteOfCanton.com, and get 30 tickets for the price of $25.
Calling all Green Thumbs!
T
he downtown Summit Neighborhood Community Garden is open and ready for business…the
business of growing, that is! Located at the intersection of Fifth Street and High Street NW, this year’s garden packs 85 individual beds into a private, fenced-off area. Individual 8’ x 9’ plots are ripe for the picking at just $10 for the season. Tools, water and advice are all free! All you need is your ideas, seeds, and a little hard work. If you are interested, please call Project REBUILD, Inc. at (330) 588-3205. Reserve your plot now before they are gone! Our gardeners use organic gardening practices and can grow for their own consumption, donate to charity, or a little of both. The garden will increase locally grown food and help ease food costs for the residents of the Summit Neighborhood while providing a source of resident social interaction, building a greater sense of community pride and increasing personal connections. The garden provides an avenue to engage both children and adults in food production. Bring your kids down to teach them about the complex relationship between food, health, nutrition and the environment. The downtown Summit Neighborhood Community Garden is presented by the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District and sponsored by Project REBUILD, J.P. Morgan, The Chase Foundation and the Stark Community Foundation.
Taste of Canton is made possible through the support of Fishers Foods, and other sponsors (to date): About Magazine, Brewster Cheese, M. Conley Co., Sugardale, Smuckers, Superior Dairy, and Canton Chair Rental. Visit TasteofCanton.com for more information. Participating restaurants: 91 Restaurant Group, Almost Heaven Ice Cream, Baja Pizzafish, Benders Tavern, Bombshell Cupcakes, The Canton Club, Carpe Diem, Chocolates by Erin, Danny Boys, Deli Ohio, George’s Lounge, Kabab & Curry, Lobys, Lucca, Mack’s Custard, Nom Nom Popcorn, Old Carolina Barbeque, Papa Gyros, Peace Love & Little Donuts, Tapas 218, Two Fat Guys BBQ, Yummy Family Bakery, and More!
ticket
#tickettalks
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COLOR DOWNTOWN On Saturday, May 31, the 11th annual COLOR DOWNTOWN project will take place in downtown Canton. Planting colorful flowers in the downtown flowerbeds continues to be an essential beautification component in the center city and ensures a beautiful cityscape for the community to enjoy in the summer months. Volunteers from church groups, area businesses, youth groups and downtown property owners are needed to help with the planting. If you are interested, meet at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce at 222 Market Ave. N. at 8 AM. The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District provides the funds to buy the flowers and other planting materials for this project. To volunteer, or for more information, please contact Annette Rosenberger at 330-456-0468 or email at annette@cantontonchamber.org
Premier, Class “A” Office Space Available Huntington Bank Plaza, located in the heart of downtown at 220 Market Ave, is a premier multi-tenant Class “A” high-rise office building. This office building is centrally located and consists of approximately 162,000 SF on 11 floors with an attractive two-story main lobby and four high-speed elevators. Additional features include ample parking and a 24 hour security card system.
Lease rates start at $15 per square foot on a modified gross basis. Contact Steve Lazarides at 330.374.6348 for more information.
More event information at www.DowntownCanton.com MAY 1-31
Wayland Gregory: Art Deco Ceramics & The Atomic Impulse Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-31
Symphony of Life – The Art of Erin Mulligan Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-31
Does it Speak To You? Reflections from the Permanent Collection Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-2
Casual Concert – Chamber Orchestra & Chorus Canton Symphony Orchestra www.cantonsymphony.org
23-25 Shrek the Musical Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com
20-21 Theatre of Magic Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com
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21 Behind The Scenes Tour National First Ladies Library www.firstladies.org
Exhibit – Peanuts...Naturally McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
30-31 Shrek the Musical Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com
21
13th Annual Cruisin Thru History Car Show McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
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JUNE
1-30
Wayland Gregory: Art Deco Ceramics & The Atomic Impulse Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-30
Symphony of Life – The Art of Erin Mulligan Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-20
Wayland Gregory: Art Deco Ceramics & The Atomic Impulse Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-30
Does it Speak To You? Reflections from the Permanent Collection Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
1-20
Symphony of Life – The Art of Erin Mulligan Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
8 Queen Pageant Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
1-30
Exhibit – Peanuts...Naturally McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
1-20
Does it Speak To You? Reflections from the Permanent Collection Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org
10 Collecting Sgt. Dan Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
6 First Friday – Summer Lovin’ Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com
16-18 Shrek the Musical Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com
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First Friday Movie: Grease Sing-A-Long Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
1-31
Exhibit – Peanuts...Naturally McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
Silent Film Special: The Kid Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
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Spirits of the Palace: Monthly Ghost Investigation Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
7 Ida McKinley’s Birthday Tea National First Ladies Library www.firstladies.org
2 First Friday – Cycle of Art Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com 2
Spirits of the Palace: Monthly Ghost Investigation Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
3-4 Battle of Magicians Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
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Shrek the Musical Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com
23 Summer Kids Movie: Free Birds Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org 27-28 Theatre of Magic Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com JULY
1-31 Christmas in July Arcadia Grille - Guest Bartender arcadiagrille@facebook.com 4 First Friday – Independence Day www.cantonfirstfriday.com 4
First Friday Family Movie: An American Tale: Fievel Goes West Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
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Summer Kids Movie: Despicable Me 2 Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
14 Summer Kids Movie: Megamind Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org 17
Summer Science Splash McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
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Summer Kids Movie: Monsters vs. Aliens Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
21-25
Summer Science Camp McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org
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Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Concert & Fireworks Downtown Canton www.profootballhofef.com
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Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Community Parade Downtown Canton www.profootballhofef.com
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Summer Kids Movie: The Wizard of Oz Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org
31 First Play 2014 Downtown Canton www.profootballhofef.com