Saturday, February 14, 2026
7:30-10pm • Harkness Chapel
11200 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland
This year's lineup features:
Banjo player Tray Wellington’s approach to the quintessential American instrument is all about looking forward. An International Bluegrass Music Association Award winner, Wellington is critically acclaimed not only for his technical prowess, but also for leveraging his unique point of view to craft a one-of-a-kind voice on the instrument. It’s a feat that’s all too rare in these roots genres that seem to value emulation and regurgitation over all else.
Alla Boara celebrates the deep history of human music-making by cultivating fresh sounds from the ancient roots of regional Italian folk songs. Amanda Powell’s impassioned vocals burst with the drama and humor of Italian life propelled by drummer and ensemble founder Anthony Taddeo. The storytelling behind this daring ensemble is intoxicating and has the dazzling soloing of a veteran jazz ensemble to Taddeo’s imaginative re-composition of these ancient songs, many of which have disappeared in a tide of modernity. Becca Stevens, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter praised Alla Boara for “breathing new possibilities into timeless stories while weaving in limitless and unexpected musical flavors, and the ensemble’s debut recording “Le Tre Sorelle” was praised by Cleveland Magazine for its “top-notch musicianship.”
The band has received critical acclaim from NPR’s “Shuffle,” SWR2 in Germany, All About Jazz, Jazz Weekly, and Cleveland Magazine. From the specific dialects, stories and songs of Italy’s pre-industrial past spring Alla Boara’s dynamic and touching performances that inspire listeners of any heritage to treasure their ancestral roots and to revel in our shared humanity, which is as surprising, playful, mournful and tender as the songs themselves.
Afi Scruggs
Afi Scruggs bringing the groove with blues and storytelling like no-one else.
Afi plays bass and keys. She’s a singer-songwriter as well as a producer. No matter the music, Afi believes in the groove. Listen to her. You’ll hear the groove and you’ll definitely feel it.
Afi grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, listening to iconic radio stations: The Grand Ole Opry on WSM, John R on WLAC. Although she was a kid, she inhaled everything she heard.
From piano lessons as a youngster, Afi started playing gospel piano when she was 16. As an adult she always flirted with the bass. She’d pick it up, study for a while and sell the bass. In 2009, Afi decided to give it one last try, but she gave herself a mission. This time, she’d find a place to play. Fast forward. Fulfilling that bucket list item led to starting a band, producing and releasing original music.
What else does Afi do? Since 2004, she’s worked as a teaching artist for elementary and high school students, using music and songwriting for everything from anti-bigotry efforts to financial literacy. She’s also an award-winning journalist and author, whose work has appeared in USAToday, Essence.com and on NPR affiliates and programs.
Tickets
Advance Purchase: $25
Purchase by 2/13 at 11:59pmDay of Show: $30
Student Rate: $10
*Applicable for CWRU / CIA / CIM students. Must show student ID day of show.
VIP Reserved Seats (2): $150
Two reserved seats in the first two rows
12 and under free.
Advance tickets can be picked up at will call day of show.
Day of Show tickets are available at the info desk during the day and at the door until sold out.
Concert starts at 7:30pm.
Doors open at 7p.m.
Northeast
Ohio Musical Heritage Association