Akron Life December 2023

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RADAR

by Ashley Caudill and photo provided by LeBron James Family Foundation

seen + heard

+ 3 Fun NYE Parties Rock in the New Year with Mr. Pink Blast to the past with cov ers of Bad Company, Led Zeppelin and more by Akron-based Mr. Pink at Jilly’s Music Room. Opt for a ticket including a Champagne toast and food like mahi mahi skewers and spinach artichoke-stuffed mushrooms. Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 111 N. Main St., Akron, jillysmusicroom.com New Year’s Eve Formal Royal Masquerade Ball Dress in an elegant suit or gown and mask to celebrate with intrigue at Royal Docks Brewing Co. Dance to Cleveland-based Pop Fiction performing hits ranging from Dua Lipa to Earth, Wind, & Fire. Break to enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 5646 Wales Ave. NW, Massillon, docks.beer New Year’s Eve Rainbow Ball Ring in the new year with Akron-based Ladies Night’s pop diva covers and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Nina West’s performance at this fourth annual Akron Pride Festival party at the Akron Civic Theatre. Fuel up with hors d’oeuvres and toast with Champagne. Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 182 S. Main St., Akron, akroncivic.com

All Star

Walk through NBA legend LeBron James’ prolific life at the world’s first museum ded icated to him. Opened Nov. 25 at House Three Thirty in Akron, LeBron James’ Home Court journeys you through his milestones including his Fab Five years, the 2003 NBA Draft, his championship games in Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles, and his gold medal-winning Olympic Games. The immersive museum takes you into

re-creations of his Spring Hill Akron apart ment and the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Akron arena with the original back board and rim he played on. See memo rabilia including the all-white 2003 NBA Draft suit and original sneakers he wore. Appropriately priced at $23 for admission, proceeds support House Three Thirty’s innovative job training program. 532 W. Market St., Akron, housethreethirty.com

Start Over

The pandemic prompted Canton native Macy Gray to rethink what matters. That led to her new album, “The Reset,” which she wrote with her band, the California Jet Club. See the Grammy Award-winning singer at the Kent Stage Dec. 16, and listen as her uniquely recognizable, raspy voice dances through disco-inspired songs like “Every Night” and “The Disco Song,” which

will get you moving and singing. The album addresses societal issues like police brutal ity on “Mr. Policeman” and a cover of Ice-T and Body Count’s controversial “Cop Killer” and division on “America.” As her cover art of different skin tones making up a part of the American flag suggests, she calls us to reset toward unity. 175 E. Main St., Kent, kentstage.org

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akronlife.com | DECEMBER 2023