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🗞️ Tacos, Tequila, and Another Dam Project

🗞️ Tacos, Tequila, and Another Dam Project

May 02, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

Happy National No Pants Day! (It’s really a thing)

If you work from home, then maybe every day is a holiday for you. If you leave your house for work, please celebrate privately. We don’t want to be referenced in any awkward HR meetings.

Let’s dive into this week’s newsletter.

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The Digest

Marathon Makes Art Museum Its Starting Line 🏃

The Akron Marathon has unveiled a reimagined course for its 23rd edition scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025. The route will start at the Akron Art Museum downtown and cross the finish line near the Akron Civic Theatre, with runners stepping "directly into celebration at the FirstEnergy Finisher Festival in Lock 3," according to race organizers. This new course promises a smoother experience with reduced elevation in the first half while preserving the signature hills that make the marathon unique and challenging.

Check out an interactive Google Map with the full race map here.

Lock 3 Reopens with Summer Spectacular 🎉

Lock 3, Akron's Central Park, is set to kick off its inaugural summer season in its newly renovated space. After a $17+ million renovation project, the park will host 60 bands, over a dozen festivals, movie nights and other events throughout the summer months. Mayor Shammas Malik describes it as "a place where Akron's heart beats loudest, and where everyone belongs." The renovated space includes a 550-chair reserved seating area in front of the Maynard Performance Pavilion and an expansive Knight Lawn that can accommodate up to 2,500 guests.

Check out Lock 3’s the full summer calendar here!

Gorge Dam Removal Enters Next Phase 💧

Starting June 2, Summit Metro Parks will close the Highbridge Trail area of Gorge Metro Park as the monumental project to remove the Gorge Dam enters its next phase. This is part of Phase 2 of the "Free the Falls" project, where contractors will prepare to remove built-up sediment behind the dam. The remaining areas of the park will close later this summer and stay closed for several years during the project.

The sediment will be transported via temporary pipeline to be stored at a prepared site at the Chuckery Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park. According to Bill Zawiski, water quality supervisor with the Ohio EPA, the sediment removal process will "take about two seasons," after which the dam itself will be removed. A public meeting about the project is planned for May 19 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

What’s Happening

Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:

Sondheim's Classic Takes the Knight Stage 🎭

Stephen Sondheim's game-changing musical "Company" is coming to the Akron Civic Theatre's Knight Stage for a three-weekend run from May 2-18, presented by BOOM! Theater. This sophisticated look at modern adult relationships follows confirmed bachelor Robert as he contemplates his unmarried state on his 35th birthday through a series of dinners, drinks, and a wedding with his married friends.

The production is directed and choreographed by Warren Scott Friedman with musical direction by Nicholas Stanick. Performances are Today and Saturday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. BOOM! Theater was launched by the Akron Civic Theatre to create opportunities for actors over 50, addressing a gap in community theater casting. Info Here

Tacos & Tequila Festival Heats Up Hall of Fame Village 🌮

The Hall of Fame Village in Canton is bringing back its Tacos & Tequila Music Fest on Saturday at 12:00 PM. This ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration promises an unforgettable day of live music, delicious food, tequila tastings, and more vibrant festivity.

The event features an impressive lineup of performances throughout the day, including Lil Rob, Twista, Ginuwine, and headliner Flo Rida. Between musical acts, attendees can enjoy DJ Skribble and Lucha Libre wrestling performances. The festival will also include food trucks serving up the best tacos and festival eats, vendors offering unique finds, and specialty cocktails with premium tequila tastings. Info Here

Bridal Showcase Brings Wedding Inspiration 💍

The Ohio Bridal & Wedding Expo will take place at the John S. Knight Center Sunday at 1:30. This comprehensive wedding event brings together a wide variety of vendors to help couples plan their perfect wedding day under one roof.

Attendees can expect to meet with professionals from all wedding categories, from florists and venues to bakeries and photographers. The expo provides an excellent opportunity for engaged couples to gather ideas, make connections with vendors, and possibly take advantage of special show discounts. Brides-to-be and their entourages can explore the latest trends in reception décor, cakes, photography, and bridal fashion. Info Here

Disco Night at the Art Museum 🕺

The Akron Art Museum will be hosting "Circa: Disco" on Tonight at 7:30 PM, part of their quarterly themed party series. The event invites guests to dance the night away and enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment in the museum's unique setting.

Ticket prices range from $15 for members to $25 for non-members, with a $75 VIP option that includes an open bar, swag, VIP lounge access, and free parking. The museum's Circa series offers themed parties throughout the year, with each event featuring different activities, music, and experiences that complement the museum's exhibitions and collections. Info Here

Nostalgia on Rewind 📼

Killer Video is hosting their first Dead Media Market this Sunday from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This exciting analog extravaganza features an impressive lineup of vendors offering a treasure trove of retro media: VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, Vinyl, Cassette, CD, Video Games, and collectibles that will transport you back to the golden era of physical media.

Located in downtown Akron, Killer Video itself is a retro horror exhibit and gallery that celebrates the era when VCRs ruled living rooms and video rental stores were weekend destinations. The venue's carefully curated atmosphere—from fluorescent lighting to vintage movie posters—creates the perfect backdrop for this celebration of dead media formats. Admission is only $5 at the door. Info Here

Akron Weekend Movie Action 🎬️ 🎥

Nightlight Theatre

The Doors: The Final Cut
The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison.
Rotten Tomatoes: n/a
Showtimes
One To One: John & Yoko
Overview
An exploration of the seminal and transformative 18 months that one of music’s most famous couples — John Lennon and Yoko Ono — spent living in Greenwich Village, New York City, in the early 1970s
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Showtimes

Highland Theatre

Thunderbolts
In "Thunderbolts*," Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes -- Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it's too late? (Rotten Tomatoes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Showtimes

Live Music Breakdown

Here is a summary of live music happening all around Akron this weekend:

Friday

Saturday

Weather

Today

74 🌡️ 52 | 🌦️ | 88% 🌧️

Saturday

58 🌡️ 48 | 🌧️ | 84% 🌧️

Sunday

62 🌡️ 53 | ⛈️ | 88% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!