March 2026

Weekly Community Announcements​​​​​

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​​​Week  1

Beginning today until Saturday, March 7, the City of Akron will be lowering our city flags to half-staff in honor of Rev. Jesse Jackson in partnership with a group of cities led by the African American Mayors Association.

Last Monday, Mayor Malik and Akron City Council President Margo Sommerville introduced a resolution that was passed unanimously to honor the life and work of Rev. Jackson and expressing our deepest sympathies to his loved ones after his passing on February 17. The resolution also recognized his lasting impact on civil rights advocacy in Akron and all throughout Northeast Ohio. May his legacy inspire continued positive change within our community.

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"Critical Incident - Officer Involved Shooting

Akron, Ohio – This evening at approximately 6:14 p.m., Akron Police Department officers responded to assist a neighboring agency in the 1700 block of East Market St. after receiving information that a semi-truck fled from officers in another jurisdiction.

Akron officers located the semi-truck in a parking lot on East Market Street where the driver struck multiple cruisers before heading westbound on East Market Street.

As the suspect vehicle approached Innovation Way, it struck another police cruiser and multiple civilian vehicles. Moments later, two Akron Police officers discharged their duty weapons, striking the suspect at least one time. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The officers involved have approximately six years and nearly three years of police service respectively. The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave per departmental procedure.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene and will conduct the investigation. After the investigation, the case will be submitted to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for review before being submitted to the Summit County Grand Jury for evaluation.

The Office of Professional Standards and Accountability will conduct a separate internal investigation. The results will be provided to the Police Chief and the City of Akron Police Auditor.

The incident remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time."

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Heads up, Akron! The southbound portion of the All America Bridge will be closing on Monday, March 2, while the northbound portion will be reopening. You can see the graphic for the detour information!

For questions about this project, please contact ODOT directly.

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Happy Friday, February 27, 2026, Everybody!

We're in the midst of Lunar New Year, so Happy Year of the Fire Horse to you! Here are some ways to celebrate in downtown Akron this weekend, from me to you:

Okay, speaking of Lunar New Year, Saturday, Feb. 28 is the 2026 Downtown Akron Lunar New Year Celebration at the Akron Civic Theatre. It's a full afternoon and evening of fun, food, culture and celebration, from 3:30 - 6 pm is the culture fair in the Civic Theatre lobby, mezzanine and the Knight Stage, from 6 - 8 pm enjoy spectacular performances on stage, and about 8:15 pm, fireworks over Lock 3.

Click here for all the details and tickets: https://bit.ly/2026-DTAkron-Lunar-New-Year

P.S.: Boiling House Akron Seafood & Sushi is ringing in Chinese New Year with special red envelopes prepared just for you! Dine, celebrate, and receive a lucky red envelope while supplies last.

Now, backing up just a step, here's the menu of live music this weekend:

Jilly's Music Room presents 5-piece blues rockers Storm (Fri. 7 pm), and the seated tickets for Saturday's show, The Delta Hand, are sold out, but you can still walk-in (standing room only) (Sat. 8 pm). PLUS Brunch on Sat. and Sun. from 11 am to 3 pm, and Happy Hour 5 - 7 pm during which time Everything is 20% off.

Musica hosts emo, post-hardcore act Zombie Fashion Show with Imperil, Free Drew, and Hooks for Feet (Fri. 8 pm), and Graveripper, Centenary, Radian, Darkness Undying, and Church, yes, this would be an evening of METAL from all around the Midwest (Sat. 8 pm).

BLU Jazz+ hosts Jevaughn Bogard Trio—if you like Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Snarky Puppy, and Herbie Hancock, Jevaughn Bogard Trio is for you! (Fri. 8 pm), and exciting local players Resolve take the stage for their biggest show yet at Blu Jazz, blending original music with re-imagined R&B and jazz favorites. (Sat. 8 pm). Get tickets to either show here: https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/

The Knight Stage presents Back and Forth: the Foo Fighters Tribute (Fri. 7:30 pm)—don't wait, tickets are going fast for this one: https://bit.ly/BackAndForthatKnightStage. On Sunday, they host Flamenco Fiesta! Music, Dance, & Story for All Ages at 3 pm. Experience the sights and sounds of Spain in this lively, family-friendly flamenco show! Dancers, singers, and musicians from Abrepaso Flamenco bring stories to life through rhythm, song, and dance. Tickets are still available: https://bit.ly/FlamencoFiestaAkron

See Cleveland International Piano Competition Semi-Finalist Jonathan Mamora as he performs live in Guzzetta Recital Hall for a celebratory conclusion of his UA residency made possible by Piano Cleveland and The Kulas Foundation. (Sat. 7:30 - 9 pm). Free and open to all.

Studio Exchange presents Vibra Latino hosted by DJ Big June with a performance by Alejandra J Love (Fri. 10 pm - 2:30 am).

BLU-Tique, Akron, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel hosts live music from Joe Fagan on Saturday from 6 - 8 pm in The 1 Food & Spirits .

And, on Sunday, from 7 to 11 pm, Ingy's Piano Bar hosts an evening of piano karaoke with friends old and new. Choose between thousands of songs ranging from classic showtunes to forgotten gems and pop hits! All are welcome, and there's no cover.

On Saturday, Ohio Contemporary Ballet, formerly Verb Ballets, returns to E.J. Thomas Hall at the University of Akron with a program that bridges generations, featuring masterpieces by iconic pioneers Paul Taylor and Heinz Poll with 21st-century visionary choreographers. Tickets are available here: https://bit.ly/OhioBalletUnbound

It's a great weekend to see a movie! The Nightlight has a ton of excellent choices, including 2026 Oscar-Nominated Shorts (animated, live-action, and documentary), Oscar-nominated Japanese film Kokuho, Oscar-Nominated for Best Doc Mr. Nobody Against Putin, critically-acclaimed and award-winning romance, Pillion, and Oscar-Nominated for Best Doc Cutting Through Rocks. For details, showtimes, and tickets: https://nightlightcinema.com/home

The winter Olympics may be over, but you can still cheer on the home team this week, as the Akron Zips Women's Swimming and Diving team goes for their 5th consecutive MAC Swimming & Diving Title! There are events on Friday and Saturday, get your tickets here: 

On Sunday, treat yourself to a fantastic brunch. Choose from brunch at Jilly's Music Room (11 am - 3 pm), NOMZ in Northside Marketplace, The 1 Food & Spirits , or The Daily Pressed, to name a few. Pair your brunch with a visit to the Akron Art Museum, a challenge at The Great Escape Room - Akron, OH, or a great film experience at The Nightlight and you've got the recipe for a pretty excellent Sunday!

Don't forget to enjoy a great meal from one of your downtown Akron faves this weekend. Check out the DAP dining guide for options for every taste: 

And as always, for much, MUCH more to do and enjoy downtown, check out the DAP event calendar: https://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar

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