CLEVELAND, Ohio – You have to hand it to the people behind the Cellar Door Rendezvous music fest, which kicked off its two-day run at Beachland Ballroom and Tavern Friday night. They sure know how to pick music.

That was clear right from the start with festival opener Midnight Passenger. Frontman Tony Zaro led the band through an energetic set that served as an effective advertisement for the band's forthcoming new album. Note to local music fans: You should definitely buy it.

Cellar Door showcased nine Cleveland-area bands Friday night, alternating them on stages in Beachland's larger ballroom and the tavern next door. While it was all great music, the smaller tavern stage surprisingly featured the standout acts.

Bluesman James Douglas and his band wowed with a straightforward set that highlighted Douglas' incredible voice. "Come on up here," Douglas' bassist told the crowd. "It's a Friday night." The audience happily obliged.

Perhaps the best performance of the night came courtesy of garage pop act Ottawa. The combination of lead-singer Dale DeLong's enticing voice and guitarist Will Hooper's blistering guitar work made for quite a show as fans piled in the tavern to see the five-piece.



Cleveland favorite The Lighthouse and the Whaler closed out the night, which appeared to draw at least a few hundred people. Cellar Door Rendezvous will be back at it again on Saturday night with nine more acts, including Seafair, Ohio Sky and So Long, Albatross.