Just like the rest of the country, since March, Cleveland’s music scene has gone silent. The coronavirus pandemic has forced area venues to close their doors, keep their stages dark (or open at an extremely limited capacity), and cancel scheduled concerts.

As Northeast Ohio’s independent music venues struggle to reopen, recover, and get Cleveland audiences back in the groove, the venue owners are still unable to pay rents, utilities, and other operating expenses.

Now, a group of venue have come together to host an auction—featuring more than 150 pieces of local and national music memorabilia—to raise money and keep Cleveland rocking.

Derek Hess PosterThe SaveCLEVenues Music Memorabilia and Fan Auction opens tonight, Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. and bidding closes on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

“With the COVID-19 cases increasing and the possibility of the clubs facing another mandated shutdown, this auction is more important than ever,” says Cindy Barber, owner of the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. “There are so many incredible items. We hope music fans treat themselves, or someone on their holiday list to these special pieces of memorabilia.”

Unique items in the auction include the bathroom doors from the original Grog Shop location at Coventry and Mayfield Roads, designed by artist Clay Parker, rare Derek Hess concert posters autographed by the artist and bands, rare Nine Inch Nails tour memorabilia, handwritten lyrics from Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe scribed on the back of a Baywatch television show script, and more.

Additionally, music fans will have an opportunity to bid on VIP and unique music experiences which have been donated by Live Nation, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and backyard performances and services provided by local music professionals.