Celebrate long summer days and hot summer nights at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) on Saturday, June 21 when its 14th annual Summer Solstice festival returns after a year off for the Lobby renovation.
Cleveland’s most anticipated summer spectacular, which is expected to sell out, combines music, art, dance, and projections, features performances by international bands on the museum’s outdoor South Terrace, while nationally recognized DJs perform in the Ames Family Atrium.
Solstice at The Cleveland Museum of Art.“I’m thrilled that Solstice is returning to CMA in 2025,” says CMA director of performing arts Gabe Pollack. “To me, the music lineup is what drives the festival and makes Solstice so fun and unique year after year. The combination of live music, art, projections, and decorations creates an intoxicating environment that I feel makes Solstice one of the premier boutique festivals in the country.”
Brass instruments and horns dominate this year, with musicians taking the audience around the globe with the sounds of New Orleans, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Seven bands, DJs, and individual musicians are slated to perform at Solstice, with three groups making their Cleveland debut.
Around the world on the South Terrace
“This June, there are almost 40 musicians that comprise the four main stage acts and Solstice will feature debut Cleveland performances by Mexican Institute of Sound, Balkan Paradise Orchestra, and El Laberinto del Coco,” stresses Pollack. “Solstice not only exposes guests to new high-energy global sounds but also showcases the city to musicians who have never visited before.”
He says the musicians’ accolades are extensive—from Emmy and Grammy Awards to Latin Grammy nominated artists and NPR Tiny Desk performers.
“Being a trumpet player myself, I love bands with horn sections and this year every act on our outdoor stage features horns,” Pollack says. “Cleveland’s own Da Land Brass Band presents their take on New Orleans second line sounds, The Balkan Paradise Orchestra is a 10-piece all woman Brass band from Spain, El Laberinto Del Coco is a 14-piece Bomba band from Puerto Rico with multiple singers and a horn section, and the trumpet is a featured instrument in the musical fabric of Mexican Institute of Sound.”
Although Pollack says he doesn’t like to play favorites when it comes to the musical lineup, he says, if he had to choose, he is most excited to hear Mexican Institute of Sound
Enjoying Solstice 2023“Camilo Lara, the leader of the band, is an Emmy-winning and Grammy- and Latin Grammy–nominated artist that has performed on every continent,” Pollock explains. “He also created the incidental music and was the musical consultant for Pixar’s ‘Coco,’ which is one of my favorite Pixar films. [Lara’s] music has also been featured in ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Y Tu Mamá También,’ ‘Californication,’ and ‘Ugly Betty.’ ‘Time Magazine’ named Camilo one of the ‘80 Mexicans Shaping Contemporary Culture.’ Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’ named him one of the ‘50 Most Influential People in Latin America.’ ‘Quien’ magazine named him one of the ‘50 People Who Are Transforming Mexico.’
Pollack adds that each year the Solstice event becomes unique, new experiences that will never be repeated again.
“It is special to have bands from across the world convene in Cleveland for one night only to bring people together to celebrate the summer and dance the night away,” he says.
South Terrace Lineup
- 7 p.m.–8 p.m.: Da Land Brass Band
- 8:15 p.m.–9:15 p.m.: Balkan Paradise Orchestra
- 9:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.: El Laberinto del Coco
- 10:45 p.m.–12 a.m.: Mexican Institute of Sound
In the Atrium
Inside the museum, Pollack says the Ames Family Atrium will be filled with some of the most in-demand Cleveland DJs mixing a blend of funk, soul, hip-hop, house, and more.
To bring the experience full-circle, Cleveland visual artist Kevin Jackson brings the museum alive—both inside and outside—with his projection mapping installations.
The CMA Atrium during SolsticeJackson has produced one-of-a-kind visuals for Tobacco, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and the Super Bowl, and he is consistently hired by internationally renowned DJs and festivals. At Solstice, Jackson will create site-specific content inspired by the museum’s art collection and the music of the other bands performing. —
Over the past few years, CMA has created 3-D models of many artworks and objects in its collection using photogrammetry. Jackson will incorporate some of these models in his projections.
The Atrium will also serve as the place where guests can dance the night away at It’s a Vibe: Solstice Atrium Takeover, a one-night-only edition of the popular monthly It’s a Vibe dance party hosted every first Saturday at the House of Blues Cleveland’s Foundation Room.
It’s a Vibe Solstice Atrium Takeover will feature DJ sets by Sound on Tape, Corey Grand, and Knyce, this special Solstice affair blends music, style, and culture into an elevated nightlife experience.
Ames Family Atrium Lineup
- Sound on Tape
- Corey Grand
- Knyce
Preview the newest exhibit and permanent collections
During Solstice, CMA’s permanent collection galleries will stay open until 11 p.m. Portions of the special exhibition, Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow, which officially opens on Sunday, May 25, will be open until 9 p.m. in The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Hall and Gallery.
Guests will not have access inside the Yumedono installation in the atrium, but the Yumedono will provide a cool backdrop for the three DJs that are featured in the It’s a Vibe dance party.
Tickets
Tickets to Solstice are $150 and include admission and access to the galleries, some of which will feature speed talks by museum staff members.
visual artist Kevin Jackson brings the museum alive—both inside and outside—with his projection mapping installations.Tickets also include all-you-can-eat appetizers and all-you-can-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Solstice has sold out 14 years in a row, so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets when the sale is announced. Ticket sales for CMA members begin on Monday, April 28 at 9 a.m. and the virtual waiting room opens at 8:30 a.m.
At 9 a.m., those in the virtual waiting room are randomly assigned a place in line. Yearly CMA membership levels cost $75 for Friend; $100 for Partner; and $150 for Ambassador.
If the event is not sold out, public sales begin on Tuesday, April 29.
Tickets are nonrefundable. No refunds are issued unless the event is canceled by the venue or if safety concerns prevent the event from taking place. If the event is canceled, tickets are refunded in full. If the event is rescheduled, tickets are honored for the new date. Attendees to stay informed about event updates.
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