From reggae to Brahms: Three ways to get your groove on at the Cleveland Museum of Art this week

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FreshWater Staff Friday, September 04, 2026
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The Cleveland Museum of Art has your soundtrack covered this week, with an after-hours reggae party, a chamber music performance featuring Cleveland Orchestra musicians, and a free concert surrounded by Italian Baroque art.
Here’s what’s happening:

DJ Maxafari will spin two sets at CMA's September MIX: Island Vibes.DJ Maxafari will spin two sets at CMA's September MIX: Island Vibes.MIX: Island Vibes
Tonight, Friday, Sept. 4, experience positive vibrations at MIX: Island Vibes, an evening celebrating 50+ years of reggae and reggae-adjacent music in the Ames Family Atrium from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..

In 1976, Jamaican roots music was placed firmly into the international spotlight, with some of the genre’s most legendary records released, including Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Rastaman Vibration” and Bunny Wailer’s Blackheart Man.

The evening’s entertainment begins with a duo set featuring Cleveland’s own beloved reggae superstar, Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band. Then, DJ Maxafari spins a mix of Jamaican styles, including reggae, dancehall, dub, ska, and more.

Themed food and drink items, including cocktails, beer, and wine, are available to purchase from Bon Appétit.

Carlos Jones.Carlos Jones.Attendees are encouraged to visit the newly redesigned ArtLens gallery.
Schedule:

  • 6 p.m.: DJ Maxafari
  • 6:20 p.m.: Carlos Jones
  • 7:20 p.m.: DJ Maxafari
The event is 21 and over. Photo ID is required for entry. Tickets are $5 for CMA members, $18 for non-members. If you’re dressing for the occasion, leave the full-face masks, heavy face paint, glitter, weapon-like props and supersized costumes at home—the museum’s security team will be checking outfits. MIX Island Vibes tickets are $18, $5 for CMA members.

Joel Link, Nathaniel Silberschlag and Dawoon Chung
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Gartner Auditorium, Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Tickets required

Two Cleveland Orchestra musicians will step into the chamber music spotlight for an evening with pianist Dawoon Chung. Violinist Joel Link, who was appointed Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster in 2025, and principal horn Nathaniel Silberschlag will join Chung for a program featuring works by Fauré, Glière, and Brahms.

Cleveland Chamber Music Society, pianist Dawoon Chung, hornist Nathaniel Silberschlag, and violinist Joel Link.Cleveland Chamber Music Society, pianist Dawoon Chung, hornist Nathaniel Silberschlag, and violinist Joel Link.A preconcert talk with musician Eric Charnofsky begins at 6:30 p.m.

The program includes Fauré’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Major, Glière’s Four Romances for Horn and Piano and Brahms’ Trio for Piano, Violin, and Horn in E-flat Major.

Tickets are available through the Cleveland Chamber Music Society. CMA members can receive 15% off single or subscription tickets with the code ARTMEMBER15; the discount does not apply to student tickets. If you can’t make it—or simply want to hear it again—the concert will be video recorded and available to watch for free a few days after the performance.

BlueWater Chamber Orchestra: ‘Flute and Strings’
Friday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Donna and James Reid Gallery 217, Italian Baroque
Free; no ticket required

Jessic Schmist.Jessic Schmist.Here’s your chance to hear chamber music without spending a dime—and in some pretty impressive surroundings.

Flutists Sean Gabriel and Linda White, violinist Jessica Schmidt and cellist Julie Myers King, all members of Northeast Ohio’s BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, join forces for a program featuring music by Alessandro Scarlatti, J.C. Bach, Reinhold Glière, Maurice Ravel, Joseph Haydn and Charles Koechlin.

The hour-long performance takes place in the CMA’s Italian Baroque gallery, making this one a particularly good excuse to pair your music with a little art appreciation.