Michael Stanley memorabilia to be featured at Willoughby Hills Rock N Roll Day event

Aug. 2—Willoughby Hills is continuing to prepare for what will be their first Rock N Roll Day event this year.

The event is set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 13. There are currently three events planned for inside the Community Center, located at 35400 Chardon Road.

"Our committee meeting was held earlier this week, and the plans are coming together nicely," said Mayor Andy Gardner. "We will be getting out a one-page schedule with all events listed so attendees don't miss the many programs and music being planned."

At 10 a.m., a tribute to Michael Stanley will be featured along with a memorabilia booth that will be showcased by resident Judy Zavodny and Stanley's daughter, Sarah, of Line Level Music.

Stanley died last year at the age of 72. He has been described as the very symbol of rock and roll for decades in Cleveland. Stanley started out as a solo artist in 1973 with two albums before forming the Michael Stanley Band, whose 1975 debut on Epic Records, "You Break It... You Bought It," introduced the more robust, arena-friendly anthems the group became known for. The MSB had its biggest national profile in 1980 when the single "He Can't Love You" reached No. 33 on the Billboard 100.

A special Beatles memorabilia booth will be provided by Gloria Majeski, executive assistant to the mayor, and Danny Tharpe.

Coloring contest winners will be announced at 10:30 a.m., food trucks will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and live entertainment will be provided by Sumrade from 1 to 3 p.m. and Rick and the Rockets from 7 to 9 p.m. A corn hole tournament will also take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Cleveland's Rock and Roll Roots program by Deanna Adams will take place. Adams is a freelance writer, essayist, writing instructor and speaker, whose articles and essays have been published in a number of publications in her 30-year career. Her first book, "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection" by Kent State University Press, was a finalist for the 2003 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Award for excellence in research, and a 2003 finalist for the Ohioana Book Award for nonfiction.

Cleveland's Rock and Roll Roots is a photographic celebration of the rich and colorful Cleveland music history of the 1950s through the 1970s.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m., Rock N Roll Trivia will be hosted by Gardner and Dave Reichelt, former council president. The trivia will be sponsored by Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.

From 4 to 5:30 p.m., Dave Schwensen's presentation "The Beatles in Cleveland" will feature one-of-a-kind footage.

Book signings will be conducted at various times throughout the day by Fran Belkin and Adams. Rock and roll photograph prints will be available from Janet Macoska, a renowned photographer.

Volunteers are currently needed for two-hour shifts on the day of the event. Two volunteers are needed for the classic car display, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will coordinate the cars that have preregistered for their placement by the concession stand area, distribute their participation bags and coordinate with the mayor for Best of Show trophy.

In addition, volunteers are needed as parking attendants and handicapped parking attendants, and for the souvenir, basket raffle, water and pop booths. Interested volunteers may contact Mayor Gardner's office at 440-918-8730.