CLEVELAND, Ohio – They’re celebrating a quarter-century this month and have hosted concerts, burlesque, a flea market and more during a birthday weekend barely in the rear-view mirror.
Beachland Ballroom owners Cindy Barber and Mark Leddy have worked tirelessly to create and support community on Collinwood ‘s Waterloo Road. Their accomplishments as Cleveland catalysts are in a class all their own.
Beachland Ballroom 25th anniversary
Last week, we dove into the history of their labor of love – once the Croatian Liberty Hall – as well as some of the more memorable shows. As their 25th Anniversary month comes to a close, we asked our readers to share some of their favorite moments at the Beachland.
Here’s a sample:
“My favorite show was the night that started my love affair with The White Stripes – 8/10/2001. I didn’t know much about them. I had heard about some up and coming band, brother/sister (maybe) duo. Went to the Beachland to check them out. I was hooked by the opening chord from Jack’s guitar and enraptured by the end of their set.” – John Hyman
“In the late 90s-early 2000s, I took my mother to Beachland Ballroom to see Janis Ian. She had been a fan since ‘Society’s Child’ came out. We sat in the front row and even got to chat with Janis after the show!” – Coleen Burger, Willowick
“My favorite Beachland memory is the performance of Xiu Xiu (band) in 2023. Mercurial lead singer Jamie Stewart and the band commanded the room. Deftly maneuvering from loud, punching melodies, to quiet emotional acapella, you could hear a pin drop at times. The only time I’d ever seen the bar room door closed by patrons – a la closing the hallway door during a meeting – because the performance was so gripping that normal chatter seemed clamorous. Thanks and happy 25 years to Beachland!” – Anthony Casey, Lyndhurst
“Saw the James Gang with Joe Walsh there can’t remember what date but Steve Popovich, Sr. bought me a beer before the show so it had to be before 2011 great show BTW. Thumbs up!” – Michael Tysar, Cleveland
“I’ve known Cindy and have been attending live music at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern since 2001 and it is my favorite venue to see live music like Dave Alvin, John Doe, Jon Langford, Waco Bros, Eliza Gilkyson, Tom Russell, Mumford, Glass Harp, Albert Lee, Andrew Hardin and the great songwriters like Alex Bevan, Michael Stanley, Jonah Koslen and their band members just to name a few.” - Joe Ray Skrha, Kenai, Alaska
“Respectfully, Ohio’s own Guided by Voices.” – Mark Paxson
“Please add The Wood Brothers [and] Jonatha Brooke (early 2000s and again in 2010s) and The Pagans (2004?) to your concert band list!” – Anita Herczog, Willoughby
“I’m sure you’ll get a lot of folks reminding you of the shows that didn’t make the list. I’d add Country Music HOF member with a five-decade recording career, Hank Thomson backed by Hillbilly Idol, Billy Strings (with Thor Platter band opening) and Los Straightjackets.” – Paul Kovac
“You did not list The Chargers Street Gang and This Moment in Black History. They played at the Beachland and were local bands!” – Sue Kulcsar, Willowick
“February 2006 Battle of The Blues Divas, featuring the late Candy Kane and Michelle Willson backed by local greats The Blue Lunch Band!” – Lyle Merdler
“Riverside (Polish Prog band was great), Transatlantic (good as well) and Morgan James, another good one jazz/pop singer played a Christmas show there.” – Chris Broadbent
“My favorite Beachland memory was the New York Dolls concert on Feb. 20th, 2008. I stopped in the tavern before the show, ordered a beer, turned to my left, and there stood a friend of mine I hadn’t seen in many years. What a great surprise! We toasted each other and the band with a few shots and beers and headed into the ballroom to witness David Johansen and the boys put on a show for the ages. After opening with ‘Babylon,’ they proceeded to rock the place with classics like ‘Piece of My Heart,’ ‘Personality Crisis,’ and ‘Trash,’ along with many other great tunes. It was the first time I’d seen them since 1974 at the Allen Theatre and was a great night out at a historic venue. Here’s to 25 more years!” – Joe Bronish, North Ridgeville
Letters were edited for brevity.