Wednesday Evenings Live concerts conclude with music, prayer; Young Adult Book Club resumes

The popular Wednesday Evenings Live summer concert series ended Aug. 29 with music by A Good Band is Hard to Find. The last of the nine-week outdoor concerts in the Gallagher Family Courtyard adjacent to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, drew a big crowd on a balmy summer night.

Each of the evenings began with vespers in the temporary worship space on the first floor of Cathedral Square Plaza (the diocesan offices), across the street from the cathedral. Extensive, ongoing renovations in the cathedral caused the relocation.  

Concert attendees gradually filled the courtyard for the live music, which began at 6 p.m. each Wednesday from July 1 through Aug. 29 – rain or shine. And thankfully, the weather was good for most of the events.

The 2026 bands were Henry Loconti (July 1), Former Ruins (July 8), Tom Evanchuck, featuring Audrey Rose (July 15), Mama’s Boys (July 22), Soubirous (July 29), Liz Bullock (Aug. 5). Nag Champa (Aug. 12), Glory Be (Aug. 19) and A Good Band is Hard to Find (Aug. 29).

Attendees’ ages ranged from infants to senior citizens. Bishop Edward Malesic was even spotted in the crowd. A few curious passersby even stopped in to check out the music, food and fellowship. Food trucks, a nearby pizza shop and the Knights of Columbus had a rotating schedule for refreshments. There also were opportunities to enjoy cornhole.

“We had a great time and we’ll definitely do this again next year,” said Father Damian Ference, who organized the concerts. He serves as diocesan vicar for evangelization and parochial vicar at the cathedral.

At the final concert, Father Ference encouraged young adults to attend the weekly Young Adult Book Club sessions, which resumed  at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2. Those also relocated from the cathedral courtyard to the temporary worship space at Cathedral Square Plaza, 1404 E. Ninth St., Cleveland because of the cathedral renovation work.

The book club will focus on Pope Leo XIV’s recently released “Magnificat Humanitas” during the September sessions: Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Next, during October, book club participants will discuss Hebrew Scriptures on Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28.

“The Spirit of Early Christian Thought” by Robert Louis Wilken will be the topic of the Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25 discussion sessions.

And during December, “Veritas Splendor” by Pope St. John Paul II will be discussed on Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Prior to the book club sessions, all are invited to spend time in Eucharistic adoration from 12:30 (after the daily noon mass) to 5 p.m. each Wednesday in the chapel at Cathedral Square Plaza. Vespers will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by the book club meetings.

As with the concerts, the sessions always end with Night Prayer.