It’s “Blossom Time” for our world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, which spends much of the summer performing at what is perhaps Northeast Ohio’s most beautiful outdoor music venue—Blossom Music Center. Built on 800 acres of rolling hills surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Blossom is in Cuyahoga Falls, just 25 miles from downtown Cleveland. (Blossom Music Center, 1145 Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223- to see map click here)
The summer program is in full swing now through Labor Day Weekend and features the sounds of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart and more, including a Led Zeppelin rock symphony. Blossom’s summer season will end Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3 and 4) with the classic film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, shown on the big screen with a live orchestral accompaniment.
On days when the orchestra isn’t performing, Blossom hosts chart-topping acts such as Brad Paisley, Def Leppard, and Darius Rucker. The pavilion at Blossom seats 5,700, the expansive lawn accommodates 13,500, and the sound quality is amazing even near the back areas of the lawn. There’s also a restaurant, art gallery, concession stands, gardens, and a picnic area. Seasonal hours vary depending on events.
The orchestra returns to its winter home at Severance Hall in University Circle on September 29.
CV TIP: While there are strict rules about what you bring to eat and drink during pop concerts—bottle water and food in small see-through zip-locked bags, only—rules for orchestra performances are more relaxed. Bring your own wine and picnic coolers, it’s OK. Add a blanket and lawn chairs, and you have the ingredients for a memorable evening. Just remember to check the forecast before buying lawn tickets as the shows must go on, rain or shine.
The Cleveland Orchestra is the best in the nation and equal to the best in the world. Come hear its mighty sound in historic Severance Hall, the orchestra's winter home, and one of the grandest performance spaces anywhere.
Come early for concerts and dine at the Severance Restaurant. This season they will offer an à la carte menu with tempting new fare, featuring seasonally appropriate, locally sourced ingredients. Dining service at Severance Restaurant begins three hours before each evening or Sunday afternoon concert and immediately following Friday Matinee performances. New!—Post-concert dining. Starting this season, Severance Restaurant is open after most evening performances to offer à la carte dining, desserts, full bar service, and coffee. Reservations are not required, but are recommended; please call 216.231.7373 or book via clevelandorchestra.com.
Now, patrons will have the opportunity to avoid intermission lines by preordering their intermission drinks. Simply stop by any bar location throughout Severance Hall to pre-order your favorite beverage from the bar menu before the concert begins.
Parking: In addition to parking in the CWRU Campus Center Garage (adjacent to Severance Hall), two alternate, affordable parking options are available:
Lot 13A, located on Adelbert Rd. (next to the Allen Memorial Medical Library), will offer a special-event rate of $11.
Lot 54, located on Ford Dr. (near the intersection of Ford Dr. and Euclid Ave.), will offer a specialevent rate of $7.
For concert schedule, click on visit website in the upper right of this page.
Severance Hall ticket office:
Phone: 216.231.1111
Toll Free: 800.686.1141
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm; Sat.-Sun. beginning 3 hours prior to concerts
Blossom box office:
1145 Steels Corners Rd.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Phone: 216-231-1111
Toll Free: 800-686-1141
Hours: Fri.-Sun. 1pm-5pm and until intermission on concert nights
photos: Roger Mastroianni
