THERE’S NOTHING TO DO IN AKRON

there’s nothing there’s nothing to do in akron to do in akron

After more than a year-long hiatus, The Devil Strip’s comprehensive monthly argument that there’s plenty of fun to be had in Akron returns!

AUGUST 5, 12, 19 & 26

Water Tower Marketplace

Reservoir Park in Goodyear Heights // 5 – 7 pm // 399 Brittain Road // Visit Reservoir Park every Thursday evening in August and September for local produce, crafts, baked goods, candles, food trucks, musicians and more. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 6

Kenmore First Friday: Spiderman’s Birthday Bash

The Rialto Theatre // 6 – 9 pm // 1000 Kenmore Blvd. // Head to Kenmore Boulevard for musical performances, free comic books, food trucks, vendors and activities perfect for the whole family. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 6 & 8

Guided tour of “Present and Retro, led by artist “The Grizzled Wizard” P.L. Miller.

Summit Art Space // 5:30-6:30 pm August 6, 2-3 p.m. August 8 // 140 E Market Street // Listen to P.R. Miller share stories about some of his most pivotal works on display. The tours will be limited to 35 attendees and are first-come, first-served.

AUGUST 7 & 21

Downtown Zumba with Christy Leenheer

Cascade Plaza // 9:30 – 10:30 am // 1 W Mill Street // Get moving with a Saturday morning Zumba class! This event is free, but online preregistration at devilst.rip/2Ve4TMA is encouraged, as space is limited.

AUGUST 7

Long Time Gone

The Rialto Theatre // 6:30 – 11 pm // 1000 Kenmore Blvd. // Enjoy the music of local band Long Time Gone, known for specializing in the music of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young. Doors open at 6:30, and the show begins at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased online at therialtotheatre.com ahead of time or at the door, for $12 and $15 respectively.

AUGUST 11

Inlet Dance Theatre Showmobile Interactive Performance

Summit Lake Community Center // 2 pm // 380 W. Crosier Street // The Akron Dance Festival presents an interactive performance on the theme of racial identity and social justice. Attendees of the event will be encouraged to participate on the grass in front of the stage. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 9

State of the City 2021

Lock 3 // 6 pm // Join Mayor Dan Horrigan for his 2021 State of the City Address. This event is hosted by Akron Roundtable and will feature food and live music. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online. The event will also be livestreamed on the City of Akron’s Facebook page. More info online at akronroundtable.org.

AUGUST 10, 17, 24 & 31

Summit Lake Neighborhood Farmers’ Market

Summit Lake Community Center // 4 – 7 pm // 380 W Crosier Street // Visit Summit Lake every Tuesday evening for locally grown produce at affordable prices. Cash, credit, debit, EBT and WIC vouchers are all acceptable as payment. Be sure to take a free canoe ride, too!

AUGUST 10 & 24

Bike Ride from Downtown to Summit Lake Farmers Market

Lock 3 // 5:30 – 7 pm // Meet at Lock 3, 200 S. Main Street, to embark on a bike ride to the Summit Lake Farmers Market for fresh produce and locally made goods. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 11, 18 & 25

HAPI Fresh Farmers’ Market

Akron Cooperative Farm // 4 – 7 pm // 381 Ontario Street // Visit the farmers’ market every week for fresh produce and local goods. This market is accessible by metro and accepts SNAP/EBT.

AUGUST 11

Sunflower Terrarium Globe Succulent Paint & Sip Art Class

Nauti Vine Winery // 6 – 8 pm // 3950 S Main Street // Get your sippin’ and paintin’ on with this guided art class. Tickets are $44 and can be purchased online.

AUGUST 11

Sunnyside Jazz

Musica // 6:30 – 9:30 pm // 51 E Market Street // Give a listen to this New Orleans jazz band, which draws on the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and others. Tickets are $12–$15 and can be purchased online.

AUGUST 12

Invasive Plant Removal Drop In

Cuyahoga Valley National Park // 1 – 3:30 pm // conservancyforcvnp.org // Drop in to remove invasive plants from CVNP in order to improve the habitat for native wildlife. This event is free, but you can register online ahead of time. The specific location for this event will be sent via email.

AUGUST 13

Akron Video Speed Dating – Filter Off

Online // 8 – 9 pm // devilst. rip/3xhvKV6 // Akron singles are invited to participate in this speeddating event. Each participant will get to have three 90-second dates. This event is free, but participants are required to download the Filter Off app.

AUGUST 14

Tomato Tasting by Countryside Food and Farms

Howe Meadow // 9 am – 12 pm // 4040 Riverview Rd Peninsula // Countryside Food and Farms’ annual tomato tasting is here! Try over 30 varieties of tomatoes from eight local farmers, then spend some time strolling around the market. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 14

Jazz on Blues

Jilly’s Music Room // 8 pm // 111 N Main Street // Enjoy this modern take on R&B, Jazz, Nina Simone classics, and the Blues. Tickets are $5–$10 and can be purchased online.

AUGUST 19

Downtown Akron Scooter Tour

Downtown Akron Partnership // 6 – 7 pm // Meet at Lock 3, 200 S. Main Street, for a guided scooter tour of Downtown’s public spaces, art, businesses and more. This event is free, but you can register ahead of time online at downtownakron.com.

AUGUST 19

Monthly Herbal Class

The Healing Brew // 7 – 9 pm // 1672 Merriman Road // Learn about the metaphysical, magical and energetic properties of various herbs at this monthly class. Tickets are $15.

AUGUST 19

Akron Promise Beer Tasting Fundraiser

The Rialto Theatre // 7 – 10 pm // 1000 Kenmore Blvd. // Join local beer expert and author Rick Armon in tasting beer from Akronym Brewery to benefit Akron Promise. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at therialtotheatre.com.

AUGUST 21

2021 Highland Square PorchRokr Festival

Highland Square // 10 am – 11 pm // PorchRokr is back! Head to Highland Square for Akron’s biggest local music festival, where the neighborhood’s streets and porches will be filled with local musicians and vendors. This event is free and open to the public. More info at highlandsquareakron. org.

AUGUST 21

Bubbles & Bouquets by Countryside Food and Farms

Old Trail Farm // 12 – 3 pm //2371 Ira Road // Sip bubbly while building your very own bouquet with flowers picked fresh from the farm. This open house-style event will take place in the healing garden area of the farm, which you’re welcome to explore. Arrive any time during the three-hour window. Tickets for this event are $50 and can be purchased online at countrysidefoodandfarms.org.

AUGUST 22

Today’s Bride Wedding Show

John S. Knight Center // 12 – 4 pm // 77 E Mill Street // If you’re planning a wedding, this event provides the perfect opportunity to find all your vendors in one place. Find ideas for every aspect of your vision with the help of more than 50 Northeast Ohio wedding professionals. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at todaysbride.com.

AUGUST 24

Downtown Yoga benefitting the Akron Pride Festival

Lock 3 // 5:30 – 6:30 pm // Yoga Squared will be leading an hour-long yoga class benefitting this year’s Akron Pride Festival. This event is free, but donations are welcome. Preregistration is encouraged and can be completed online. More info at downtownakron.com

AUGUST 25

Free Coworking Day

Bounce Innovation Hub // 8 am – 5 pm // 526 S Main Street // Every fourth Wednesday of the month is Free Coworking Day. See what

AUGUST 28

Akron Pride Festival 2021

Lock 3 // 11 am – 10 pm // 200 S Main Street // Akron Pride Festival returns this year after taking a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. Stop by for food trucks, vendors, entertainment and a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community. This event is free and open to the public.

AUGUST 29

Akron Coffee Roasters Century* Ride

Akron Coffee Roasters // 8 am // 30 N High Street // Bring your bike and be prepared to roll out at 9 am. ACR will provide refreshments and bike support. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at facebook.com/ akroncoffee.