Not only does The Battleground offer delicious traditional Mexican food – we also host live music, immersive cooking classes, salsa dancing, and other events that immerse you in Mexican culture, build a more connected community, and support our values. Make plans to join us for any (or all!) of our upcoming open and ticketed events. We can’t wait to see you!
The Battleground’s Homegrown Music Series is back for 2023!
Performance times for this Friday night series are 5:30-6:30 pm and 7-8 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reserve your table online and be sure to select the backyard patio seating section.
- 06/02 (FRI): Guy PernettiThe Battleground welcomes longtime Kent resident, songwriter and guitar ace Guy Pernetti for an evening of acoustic roots music.
- 06/09 (FRI): Peggy Coyle & Brad BoltonPeggy and Brad have been entertaining their fans in northeast Ohio for over 15 years. They have appeared regularly at the area’s best wineries, including Gervasi and Maize Valley. They are also staples at festivals and restaurants. Peggy’s spirited singing, paired with Brad’s expert guitar result in a duo that can artfully cover blues, jazz, country, and rock classics. And the best songs you’ve never heard.
- 06/16 (FRI): Eric NodenEric Noden is an award winning acoustic blues and roots musician based out of Chicago, Illinois (originally from Northeast Ohio). Eric’s virtuosic fingerpicking guitar blends perfectly with his honey and whiskey tinged voice. Noden’s music is both a tribute to the past and a reflection of current times. From barrelhouse blues to New Orleans grooves to dazzling guitar instrumentals Eric’s live performances are festive and celebratory events.
- 06/26 (FRI): Bluestones DuoThe Bluestones Duo, no strangers to the Kent and Northeast Ohio music scene, are comprised of Mike McClosky and Jim Fox. They have been playing as a duo for several years. Both play guitar and do vocals. Playing at festivals, restaurants, lounges and bars, they enjoy performing blues, oldies and classic rock. They are excited about playing for The Battleground!
- 06/30 (FRI): Jon MoseyBattleground favorite Jon Mosey returns to the patio for an evening of foot stomping acoustic blues and roots music. Jon’s virtuosic Piedmont Blues/Ragtime guitar playing and unique voice blend perfectly in his energetic performances. Jon’s songwriting draws from his experiences playing many different styles of music including blues, ragtime, old-time and bluegrass. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Mosey’s special blend of roots music live.
- 07/07 (FRI): Peggy Coyle & Brad BoltonPeggy and Brad have been entertaining their fans in northeast Ohio for over 15 years. They have appeared regularly at the area’s best wineries, including Gervasi and Maize Valley. They are also staples at festivals and restaurants. Peggy’s spirited singing, paired with Brad’s expert guitar result in a duo that can artfully cover blues, jazz, country, and rock classics. And the best songs you’ve never heard.
- 07/14 (FRI): Jim BallardAn Akron native, Jim Ballard has long been a part of the Northeast Ohio music scene. He has recorded and released 15 albums and continues to write and record new music. Having traveled the country playing and singing his songs, Jim has worked with a diverse list of artists from Pete Seeger and Odetta to Gordon Lightfoot and Ten Thousand Maniacs.
- 08/04 (FRI): Andy Cohen & Eric NodenAndy Cohen is a virtuoso finger-style guitarist who has been described as “a walking, talking folk-blues-roots music encyclopedia.” He grew up in a home with a piano and lots of Dixieland Jazz records. During the Sixties Folk Revival, he got hooked on the music of Big Bill Broonzy and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. When Andy was 16, he heard South Carolina’s Rev. Gary Davis perform and the effect on him was profound. He has devoted his life to studying, performing, and promoting traditional blues and folk music of the pre World War II era. For this special show at the Battleground Andy will be accompanied by his long time friend and former student Eric Noden.
- 08/11 (FRI): Bobby Selvaggio Jazz DuoRenowned saxophonist and composer Bobby Salvaggio brings his jazz duo to the Battleground’s backyard patio. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.” Salvaggio is also director of Jazz Studies at Kent State University.
- 08/18 (FRI): Jon MoseyBattleground favorite Jon Mosey returns to the patio for an evening of foot stomping acoustic blues and roots music. Jon’s virtuosic Piedmont Blues/Ragtime guitar playing and unique voice blend perfectly in his energetic performances. Jon’s songwriting draws from his experiences playing many different styles of music including blues, ragtime, old-time, and bluegrass. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Mosey’s special blend of roots music live.
- 08/25 (FRI): Tina Bergmann & Bryan ThomasTina Bergmann & Bryan Thomas are a Northeast Ohio husband and wife duo playing American Old Time, Celtic, and South American Music on Hammered Dulcimer & Bass. Tina is a virtuoso hammered dulcimer player known for her driving energy, syncopated rhythms, and fine musicality. Described by Pete Seeger as “the best hammered dulcimer player I’ve heard in my life,” she’s also been promoted as the “Diva of the Dulcimer” by Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s Baroque Orchestra. Bryan Thomas is a dynamic and conversational double bassist, sought for his ability to embrace tradition but defy convention. Together, Tina and Bryan create a surprising and wonderful musical experience that has enthralled audiences throughout the United States.
- 09/01 (FRI): R&D DuoThe R&D Duo are Richard “Poppo” Weiner on acoustic guitar and vocals and Doug Bender on bass guitar and vocals.Richard and Doug have both been playing music their entire lives. The R&D Duo began as a “retirement” project in 2017—Richard is a retired lawyer and Kent State professor, and Doug is a retired Goodyear computer engineer. They met at a Buddhist meditation center in Cuyahoga Falls. The R&D Duo specializes in fingerstyle blues and jazz and play all of the local blues festivals and local blues venues, but they can branch out into all areas of rock and folk music and a little country. They have a unique vocal style and a way of making every song their own.
- 09/08 (FRI): Jim ZellerLongtime Kent resident Jim Zeller Brings his unique style of eclectic folk and roots music to the Battleground. Jim’s solo performances feature songs by Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Peter Paul and Mary and Neil Young mixed with the occasional original tune. His album “Jim Zeller Live at CLE Urban Winery” was released in 2020. Don’t miss the Battleground debut of guitarist and singer Jim Zeller.
- 09/15 (FRI): Josee McGeeJosee McGee is a Canton singer songwriter who combines the styles of Jazz, Pop, and Indie to write songs that are poetically conversational and musical. In her unique soulful voice, she covers a variety of genres and artists from Fleetwood Mac, to Alicia Keys, to Patsy Cline. Performance times are 5:30-6:30 pm and 7:00-8 pm.
- 09/22 (FRI): Jon MoseyBattleground favorite Jon Mosey returns to the patio for an evening of foot stomping acoustic blues and roots music. Jon’s virtuosic Piedmont Blues/Ragtime guitar playing and unique voice blend perfectly in his energetic performances. Jon’s songwriting draws from his experiences playing many different styles of music including blues, ragtime, old-time and bluegrass. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Mosey’s special blend of roots music live.
- 09/29 (FRI): Eric NodenEric Noden is an award winning acoustic blues and roots musician based out of Chicago, Illinois (originally from Northeast Ohio). Eric’s virtuosic fingerpicking guitar blends perfectly with his honey and whiskey tinged voice. Noden’s music is both a tribute to the past and a reflection of current times. From barrelhouse blues to New Orleans grooves to dazzling guitar instrumentals Eric’s live performances are festive and celebratory events.
- 06/10 (SAT): Premium Tequila Tasting$50.00Join us for a Premium Tequila Tasting on Saturday, June 10 at 5:00pm. We will be sampling seven different high-end tequilas. This is basically a deeper dive for those who have attended some of our previous tastings or who want to experience higher-end tequila. Please come a little early so we can start on time!
- 06/14 (WED): Margarita Making Class 7PM$25.00Join us Wednesday, June 14th at 7 PM. Each Participant will learn the art of making craft margaritas. In this class, you will learn about pairing different kinds of flavors and fruits, the basics of how to create your own simple syrups/ mixes, explore a variety of bitters and rims, and receive a flight of four different kinds of margaritas (two tequila based and two mezcal based).