Greg Harris recently took time out of his busy schedule to share with City Visitior his insignts on rock and roll music, Cleveland attractions, and more.

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What makes museums special and the Rock Hall unique?

Museums are magical places. Combining original artifacts, historical context, and great stories engages and inspires.  Visitors to the Rock Hall have personal connection with the music.  Currently we are celebrating the 2015 inductees with an exhibit that inspires visitors to think about how the artists impacted music history and their lives as fans.  (Inductees: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Green Day, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lou Reed, Ringo Starr, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bill Withers, and The “5” Royales.) 

Where do you go to listen to live music?

We have great live music venues that range from the big halls—The Q (Quicken Loans Arena) in Cleveland, Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, and the Civic Theater in Akron, to the smaller clubs and bars like the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood, Happy Dog in Cleveland’s Gordon Square District, Musica in Akron, and the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. For a venue with a waterfront view of the Cuyahoga River, there’s the Music Box Supper Club or Jacobs Pavilion. And our monthly Sonic Sessions provide opportunities to see live music here at the Rock Hall.

Where do you like to go eat?

Downtown Cleveland has great options, especially on E. 4^th or in the Warehouse District (W. 6^th to W. 9^th). These include Saigon (Vietnamese), Chinato (Italian), and XO Prime Steaks.  In the Tremont neighborhood, there’s Sokolowski’s for traditional Polish; Crop Bar and Bistro - an upscale eatery in the former United Bank in the Ohio City neighborhood; and Town Hall, also in Ohio City for organically driven and locally sourced foods, including began and vegetarian options. I also like the offerings at Gasoline Alley in Bath Township (where LeBron James lives), any of he four Ken Stewart’s restaurants in Cleveland, Akron, and Bath (two locations), and the Clearview Inn in Bath. 

When visitors ask what is there to see and do here, what do you suggest?

Start with a visit to the Rock Hall, of course. We’re celebrating our 20^th anniversary with special events, concerts, and programs. The Cleveland Museum of Art and other University Circle museums and a stroll through Little Italy are musts. Catching an Indians, Browns, or Cavs game and a show at PlayhouseSquare (the country’s second largest theater district; check out the giant street chandelier), spending time at the West Side Market, the Gordon Square Arts District, and the 78^th Street Studios (Northeast Ohio’s largest fine arts complex with more than 40 galleries and artists’ studios), those are all great.

Why should Cleveland be on everyone’s list of must-visit places?

Because it has incredible entertainment, dining, and cultural attractions. And like the people who live here, Cleveland has grit, a sense of pride and a sense of humor, and it is warm and welcoming.

photo: Nannette Bedway