Bent String performs a mix of early American roots music, including early jazz, acoustic blues, roots country, and originals. The quintet centers on the vocals of Kari Ann Rutushin and underpinned with the feel of jazz-age swing. With Reed Simon’s hot violin, Caroline King's sublime accordion, Kevin Richards' arch-top guitars, and Cleveland Blues Hall of Fame upright bassist, Raymond DeForest.
Come see us playing live at…
| DATES - 2026 | TIME | VENUE | ADDRESS | NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 13, 2026 | 12:00 | Irish music @ Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Bent String - Caroline King joins us |
| Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 7:00 | Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | Bent String Trio |
| Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 7:30 | Roots of American Music workshop | Visable Voice, 4519 Lorain ave | Memphis Minnie workshop |
| Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:00 | The Sixty6 Music Lounge and Studio | 1966 East 66th Street, Cleveland, 44103 | Bent String / SpYder Stompers blues jam |
| Friday, April 10, 2026 | 7:00 | Lindy Hop Dance | Brownhoist Building, 4403 St Clair Ave | Bent String - Dave Sterner on sax |
| Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 7:00 | Meyers Apartments | Beachwood, Oh | |
| Sunday, April 26, 2026 | TBA | Beachland Ballroom | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | a tribute to Rachel Brown |
| Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Friday, May 15, 2026 | 11:00 | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Bent String |
| Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:00 | The Sixty6 Music Lounge and Studio | 1966 East 66th Street, Cleveland, 44103 | Bent String |
| Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 3:00 | South Franklin Circle | Chagrin Falls | Bent String |
| Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String - outdoor gig |
| Friday, June 12, 2026 | 6:00 | Sarah Benedict House (Cleveland Restoration) | 3715 Prospect, Cleve 44115 | Bent String |
| Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Friday, June 19, 2026 | 11:00 | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Bent String |
| Friday, June 19, 2026 | 7:00 | The Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String Trio |
| Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 3:00 | Wildwood Art & Wine FEST | Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Rd ,Mentor | Bent String |
| Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 1:30 | Council Gardens | North Taylor, Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 6:00 | Lakeside, Chautauqua | 236 Walnut Ave, Lakeside, OH 43440 | Bent String |
| Friday, July 17, 2026 | 2:30 | Painesville Party in the Park | Painsville | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 8:00 | Into the Hive / The Woodshed | 8200 East Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 - 4508 | Bent String |
| Friday, July 24, 2026 | 7:00 | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | Bent String + Caroline King |
| Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 7:00 | Big Creek Park, Geauga Park District | 9160 Robinson Rd, Chardon | Bent String |
| Saturday, August 1, 2026 | TBD | Lakewood Arts Festival | Lakewood, Ohio | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 3:30 | Jazz in Bentleyville | Chagrin River rd. Bentleyville OH 44022 | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 7:30 | House Concert | Cleveland Heights | Bent String - Caroline King joins us |
| Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String - outdoor gig |
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 6:00 | The Sixty6 Music Lounge and Studio | 1966 East 66th Street, Cleveland, 44103 | Bent String |
| Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 7:00 | Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | |
| Friday, October 2, 2026 | 7:00 | The Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String Trio |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Friday, October 16, 2026 | 8:00 | Into the Hive / The Woodshed | 8200 East Washington St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 - 4508 | Bent String |
| Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Previous 2025 Dates | Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 | |||
| Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 7:00 | Music Box Supper Club | 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String |
| Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 8;30 | Beachland Ballroom - Kentucky Benefit | Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String |
| Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 11:00am | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard rd, Westlake 44145 | Bent String - pre St Patrick's Day |
| Wednesday, March 26 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Cabinet |
| Monday, April 21 | 6:00 | Magnetic North Studios | recording session with engineer Chris Keffer | Bent String |
| Thursday, April 24 | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Friday, April 25, 2025 | 5:30 | Kent American Roots Festival | North Water Brewing Co, 101 Crain Street | duo |
| Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 2:00 | Mac's Back's Books | the book store in Coventry village, Cleve Heights | duo |
| Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 5:00 | Rush Inn Bar and Grille | 35840 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011 | Sunday Night - hosted by Austin Walkin Cane |
| Friday, May 23 | 5:00 | Magnetic North Studios | recording session with engineer Chris Keffer | Bent String |
| Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 7:00 | Jenks Building | 1884 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls 44221 | Bent String |
| Wednesday June 4th | 5:30 | Van Aken Market District | 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, Oh 44122 | Bent String |
| Monday, June 16th | 11:30 | Fort Huntington Park - Memorial Monday | Lakeside Ave + West 3rd st | Bent String trio |
| Friday, June 27th | 3:00 | 46th TRI -C Jazz Fest | Playhouse Square, SeibertKeck Insurance Outdoor Stage | Bent String |
| Saturday, June 28th | 2:45 | Larchmere Porchfest 2025 | East 128th street stage | Bent String |
| Saturday, July 5, 2025 | 7:00 | Bainbridge Swing Dance | 16349 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH | Bent String |
| Friday, July 11 | 3:30 | Cain Park Arts Festival | Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 7:00 | East Shore Park Club | Dorchester Drive, Cleveland 44119 | Bent String - Joe Hunter joins us on keyboards |
| Friday, July 18th | 11:00am | Westlake Community Center | 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Westlake, Ohio 44145 | Bent String Trio |
| Tuesday, July 29 | 11:00 | Dave's Market and Eatery | 1930 E 59th St, Cleveland, OH 44103 | Kari + Kevin duo |
| Friday, August 1st | 7:00 | Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | In the Flats |
| Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 4:15 | Lakewood Arts Festival | Lakewood, Ohio | Bent String trio |
| Saturday, August 9th | 7:00 | South Euclid Food Truck Park Concert, Rushton rd | Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present + Future | Bent String |
| Friday, August 15th | 8:00 | Beachland Ballroom | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String Trio, opening for Eilen Jewell |
| Sunday, August 17th | 5:00 | Hiram Picnic in the Park | Reign Hadsell Park, 6745 Bancroft St, Hiram, OH 44234 | Bent String |
| Sunday, August 24th | 2:00 | Jazz on the Patio @ McGregor Home | 14850 Private Drive, Cleveland 44112 | Bent String trio |
| Thursday, August 28th | 7:30 | Treelawn Social Club | 15335 Waterloo ave. Cleveland, Oh 44110 | Bent String |
| Friday, August 29 | 8:00 | Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse | Oberlin college 180 W Lorain St, Oberlin, OH 44074 | Bent String - Rich Roberts on drums |
| Friday, September 5th | 4:00 - 5:45 | Youngstown Festival - Federal Stage | West Federal Street (West End) Youngstown | Bent String - Rich Roberts on drums |
| Saturday September 6th | 1;15 | ART in the PARK | Fred Fuller Park, Middlebury rd, Kent 44240 | Bent String trio outdoor Main Stage |
| Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 5:00 | Waterloo Arts Festival Sculpture Garden Stage | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Bent String |
| Sunday, September 14th | noon | Westside Bowl brunch | Mahoning Ave, Youngstown | Kari + Kevin duo |
| Thursday, September 18th | 7:30 | Music Box Supper Club | 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String opening for Jason White |
| Sunday, September 21st | 4:00 | Fundraiser for Akron Canton Food Bank | 1427 Sand Run Rd, Akron, OH. | Bent String |
| Thursday, September 25 | 8:00 | Beachland Ballroom | 15618 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + Kevin duo - open for Luke Winslow -King |
| Saturday, September 27th | 3:00 | Ingenuity Festival | 5401 Hamilton ave, Cleve | Bent String |
| Saturday, October 4th | 5:30 | Reithoffer (Hoff's) Wild Maple Fest | 17711 Ravenna Rd | Kari + Kevin duo |
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 7:00 | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | Bent String + musical guest Chris Burge |
| Friday, October 24th | 7:00 | The Sixty6 Music Lounge and Studio | 1966 East 66th Street, Cleveland, 44103 | Bent String |
| Friday, October 30th | 8:00 | Swing Dance @ Cedars West End | 706 Steel St, Youngstown, OH 44509 | Bent String - Rich Roberts on drums |
| Saturday, October 31st | 6:30 | Laleure Vineyards | Nash rd, Parkman, Ohio | Kari Ann Rutushin + friends |
| Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Friday, November 14, 2025 | 7:00 | Lindy Hop Dance | Brownhoist Building, 4403 St Clair Ave | Bent String - Rich Roberts + Dave Huddleston |
| Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 1:30 | Council Gardens | North Taylor, Cleveland Heights | Bent String |
| Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 8:00 | Millard Fillmore Presidential Library | 15617 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 | Kari + the Kabinet (every 2nd Saturday) |
| Friday, December 26th | 7:00 | The Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Bent String Trio |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | 2:00 | McGregor Pace | East Cleveland | Bent String holiday party |
| Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 8:00 | CBG - Chestnut Beer Garden | 503 Chestnut Blvd, Cuyahoga Falls | Duo |
| 2024 Dates | ||||
| Wednesday, November 29th | 7:00 pm | The Bop Stop | 2920 Detroit rd. Cleveland | a very cool jazz and roots club. |
| Sunday, October 15,2023 | noon - 1pm | Hessler Street Fair | Hessler rd, Cleveland | hosted by Northeast Ohio Music Heritage Association |
| Thursday, October 26th | 7:00 - 9:30 | 1/2 Acre Farm House Concert | 3033 Edgehill rd, Cleve Heights | with the SpYder Stompers Shore Acres |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 7:30pm | The Paris Room | 7 N. Franklin St, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 | a French Bistro, indoor and outdoor seating. entrance in back |
| Saturday, August 12, 2023 | 3:00 - 4:00 | Raccoon County Music Festival | 14653 East Park Street Burton, Oh 44021 | Always a blast to perform at RCMF -3 pm -special guest keyboard Joe Hunter |
| Sunday, August 27 | 4:00 -7pm | Barnegie Hall (The Barn) | 31950 Krebs Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012 | The Barn features many styles of roots music |
| Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 7:30pm | Kent Blues Festival | Belleria Pizza Restaurant 135 E Erie St, , Kent 44240 | with special guest Dan Bode |
| Thursday, July 20 | 7:00 -10pm | Forest City Brewery | 2135 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Trio performing in the outdoor beer garden |
