Event gives a nod to Lakeland’s history of outdoor rock festivals

Lakeland Rocks: Music Mayhem in the Big Tent, a free music concert, will be held Saturday, May 11, from 8 p.m. to midnight on the Lakeland campus, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, 44094, in an outdoor covered tent. Parking is free.

Performances by Northeast Ohio bands Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean, and Monica Robins and the Ninja Cowboys will alternate throughout the night.

Food trucks will be available to purchase hot and cold refreshments and snacks. Beer and wine will be sold cash only; no outside alcohol is permitted. Proceeds will benefit Lakeland student scholarships.

Lakeland Rocks is sponsored by KeyBank and Cardinal Credit Union.

Lakeland’s original music festival was held in the '70s and '80s and featured many well-known Cleveland musicians including Michael Stanley, Wild Horses and Beau Coup. The name of the event went through several iterations, with organizers eventually deciding on “Mayhem” to celebrate the month of May as well as the change of seasons.

“A lot of people in our area remember when Lakeland used to hold those Mayhem spring festivals decades ago,” said Linda Daly, event coordinator.. “It’s a nod to Lakeland’s history as well as a celebration of the end of the academic year.”

Lakeland will hold its 52^nd annual commencement ceremony in the extra large-scale tent that morning. The size of the tent is approximately the same as those used at large outdoor celebrations like Octoberfest. Once commencement is over, tables and chairs will be set up and ready to go by 8 p.m. under the tent for concert goers to enjoy a place to sit while eating and drinking, as well as a dance floor for those who want to kick up their heels.

About the performers

Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean are a seven-pieceband covering many styles of music from ska, rock, disco, swing and everything else in-between.Their extensive song list and remakes of popular modern and classic songs have made them come to be known as the “most original cover band in Cleveland.” They play some of Cleveland’s most anticipated events such as Playhouse Square’s Jump Back Ball and the Cleveland Betterment Ball, as well as numerous charity events.They have also appeared on Fox 8 News in the morning with “Kicking it with Kenny” and at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The group is known for their high energy level and party atmosphere. They are also the 2017 winner of the Cleveland Hot List “Best Wedding Ceremony Music.”

Monica Robins has been singing since she was 15 years old and even sang her way through college as she worked on a broadcast journalism degree. As the lead singer for two rock bands (Whiskey Kings and the Ninja Cowboys), she has opened for well-known national acts such as The Temptations, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hall and Oates and Eddie Money. She has performed the national anthem several times for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and many local law enforcement, fire and military agencies. She is known in the community for her role as senior health correspondent for WKYC-TV Channel 3 and is a five-time Emmy award recipient.

Known for their “rockin’ country” style, the Ninja Cowboys came together to meet the rising demand for contemporary country music. Their repertoire includes everyday favorites along with the classic country anthems and standards “that'll make you break out line-dancing.”

By: Linda Daly