Cleveland Will Host the 2019 MLB All Star Game
Update: Welp, our source from back in August of 2015 who told us Cleveland had landed the 2019 MLB All Star game (see original story below) was correct. Multiple reports this morning confirm that the MLB’s summer showcase will stop by Progressive Field in two seasons. An official press conference on the topic is expected…
The Harbor Inn Was Finally Sold (For Real), and There Are Changes Coming to Cleveland’s Best Bar
Update: So that sale of the fabled Harbor Inn that we and others reported on back in late August? (See original story below.) It never went through. It was delayed amidst some problems in transferring the liquor license and in the meantime there was a change in who would be managing the property. Now Kim…
‘Take A Joke, And Enjoy A Drink’ Showcases Four Chicago Artists at Bellwether
Chicago-based artist Tony Lewis invites the community to a special event at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 3. Take A Joke, And Enjoy A Drink is a group exhibition, curated by Lewis, showcasing four Chicago-based artists and art educators. Lewis will present remarks at 7 p.m., and the opening reception continues until 9 p.m. The…
Ohio Hip-hop Awards Gear Up for Tenth Anniversary
One of the only music awards that that covers the entire state of Ohio, the Ohio Hip-hop Awards has been a big success since launching ten years ago. For this year’s installment, it’s expanded. Organizers have teamed up with Tri-C to put on a bigger and better event. It launches at 3 p.m. on Sept.…
This Year’s SPARX City Hop to Be Biggest Yet
Sept. 19 will mark the SPARX City Hop festival’s 13th year, and visitors can expect the largest SPARX gathering to date — more than 115 artists, galleries, retailers, and restaurants are participating in this event that is all about Cleveland culture, history, and community. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. under the GE Chandelier in Playhouse Square…
The (New) Butchers of Fleet Street: Saucisson Plants Flag in Historic Slavic Village Spot
For almost two years, the “lady butchers” behind Saucisson have been making a name for themselves by crafting some of the city’s best cured meats and sausages. During that time, partners Melissa Khoury and Penny Barend have become familiar sights at fleas, farmers’ markets, and frequent food-filled pop-up events around town. In addition to selling…
Country Singer-Guitarist Vince Gill Reflects on his Incredible Career
Vince Gill has a pretty cool highlight reel when you look back at what he’s accomplished during his four decades in the business. Here’s one example — thanks to a stint with country rockers Pure Prairie League in the late ‘70s, he found himself on American Bandstand after years of being a fan. “That’s a…
Singer Peter Wolf Enjoys Revisiting His J. Geils Band Past
Back in December, the J. Geils Band rolled into town for a show at Quicken Loans Arena supporting Bob Seger; it marked their first Cleveland area appearance in 15 years. Don’t take that personally — since their initial reunion in 1999 for a short tour, the band has played shows sporadically with charismatic frontman Peter…
Cleveland Cinemas’ 12 Hours of Terror Tickets Available Now
Tickets for Cleveland Cinemas’ sixth annual scary-movie spectacular, 12 Hours of Terror, are now on sale. “Be there & be scared,” Tweeted Cleveland Cinemas Director of Marketing Dave Huffman with the announcement. The $25 tickets for the all-night movie fest on October 17 at the Capitol Theatre can be purchased at any Cleveland Cinemas location or…
UPDATE: Five Tremont Carjackers Indicted, All Five Now in Custody
Five men were indicted by a grand jury Monday for a rash of carjackings in Tremont, County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty announced at a 4 p.m. news conference. Four of the five men have been arrested, but one remains at large. Kenneth Jackson, 18; Antowine Palmer, 22; Tervon’tae Taylor, 22; D’Wan Dillard, 18; and Calvin Rembert,…
‘Salute to Summer’ Caps Enticing Walk All Over Waterloo on Friday
It seems as if there’s never a dull moment on Waterloo Road in Collinwood anymore, and this month’s Walk All Over Waterloo event is a perfect example. All of Waterloo’s galleries, nonprofits and small businesses will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday (some individual hours may vary). In its gallery, Waterloo Arts…
New Max Hayes High School Boasts Breadth and Depth of Tech Offerings
There’s something enticing about that “new school” smell, what with all the empty classrooms, desks and lockers awaiting the bustle of education. The new Max Hayes High School opens for business today, and the public got a chance to look at the building yesterday during an open house-style event. The $48-million school is among the…
1,000 Foot Water Slide Never Came to Cleveland This Summer
A rep at Slide the City, the Salt Lake City-based company dedicated to bringing the ‘family friendly slip-and-slide water party event” to towns across America, said the company couldn’t “find the right type of street and secure the permit in time to market the event properly,” in Cleveland this summer. Though the 1,000 foot water…
State Threatens Ohio Woman with Removal of Pet Deer
An Ohio woman is fighting against the state to keep her pet deer — Wheezer — which she and her family have raised from infancy after finding him orphaned along the freeway two years ago. Jodi Proger of Belmont County near Columbus posted on her Facebook page last week that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources paid her a…
Crop Rocks, Crop Sticks, Flats East Bank’s Newest Eateries, Go Live Tonight
With less than an hour to go before the first guests start trickling in, Steve Schimoler is working his way from one end of the property to the other, which is a considerable amount of distance to cover given the scope of the project. On one end is Crop Sticks, a contemporary Asian bistro. On…
Here Are the Winners of the Lakewood Wing Crawl
We here at Scene are always on the lookout for Cleveland restaurants serving up great chicken wings which is why we were pleased to see the winners of the recent Lakewood Wing Crawl posted online last week. While regrettably we did not make it to the event ourselves, we’re looking forward to our next hike…
Sen. Rob Portman Is Upset About Mount McKinley’s ‘Renaming’
President Obama will announce today the federal government’s official adoption of “Denali” as the name of Mount McKinley — the highest peak in North America. Alaska Natives have referred to the mountain as Denali for a very long time, making this announcement more of a “correction” than a “renaming.” Nonetheless, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio…
Indians President Mark Shapiro Leaving Team, Taking Top Post with Toronto Blue Jays
After 24 years with the Cleveland Indians, Team President Mark Shapiro will be leaving. He announced this morning that he’ll be taking over as president with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. (The Tribe is paying Toronto Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.) Shapiro provided this statement today: Through my twenty-four years as part of the…
U.S. Marshals Arrest Tremont Carjacking Suspect
There’s been a spate of violent crime in Tremont lately — the sort that City Councilman Joe Cimperman has repeatedly told us is cyclical, waxing and waning now and again. Some suspects have been caught by police, and today another one — a Tremont carjacking suspect linked to an eastside shooting — was arrested. Antowine…
Youngstown Issues 1,000 Speeding Tickets in 12 Days with New Radar Guns
The Youngstown Vindicator — aka The Vindy — reports that the city police department is about to mail out 1,000 speeding tickets gathered over the past 12 days. Most of the tickets were picked up on State Rt. 711 and I-680. “In comparison,” The Vindy’s David Skolnick writes, “the city issued 960 speeding tickets all of…
Local Arts Institutions Collaborating to Bring Violins of Hope to Cleveland
For the past two decades, Amnon Weinstein has restored violins that survived the Holocaust. The violins in his collection have been played in concerts in Jerusalem, Berlin and Charlotte. This fall, seven cultural arts organizations are working together to bring the instruments to Cleveland with an array plays, concerts, lectures, exhibitions, films, and other public…
Why Are Women Finally Getting Covered at Crain’s Cleveland Business?
Friday, Crain’s Cleveland Business’ 24th Annual Forty Under 40 Awards were announced. Forty individuals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions in the business or civic sectors will be honored at the Music Box Supper Club in a November ceremony. As always, there are some familiar newsmakers on the list: Ken Babby,…
Schedule Announced for Third Annual Heights Music Hop
Presented by FutureHeights, the free music festival Heights Music Hop brings a wide range of Northeast Ohio’s best bands to Cleveland Heights’ Cedar-Lee district. Slated to take place on Sept. 19, this year’s event features three dozen local bands that’ll perform at 17 separate venues along Lee Rd. Many of the venues will offer one-night…
Cleveland Redditors Are Documenting A Lost Dildo on Carnegie Ave.
God bless the Redditors of Cleveland, doing the internet’s work the past 24 hours, documenting the location and movement of a loose dildo originally spotted at Carnegie and E. 54th St. last night. This morning’s update: the sex toy has made its way to Carnegie and East 46th. What a journey this not-so-little guy is…
Get Set for 1st Annual World Famous Cleveland BBQ Throwdown
Perhaps Walter Hyde is being a tad bit theatrical with the title, but over time, he is hoping that the 1st Annual World Famous Cleveland BBQ Throwdown does grow into something pretty spectacular. After all, you gotta start somewhere. “We want this to be a yearly event with lots of chefs involved, and maybe even…
One Direction Concert at FirstEnergy Stadium Feels Like a Farewell
“Our job is to entertain you the best you can and your job is to have as much fun as you can,” said One Direction singer Harry Styles at the beginning of last night’s two-hour show at FirstEnergy Stadium. You can see a slideshow of photos from the show here. The irony in the matter,…
Gallery Owner Paul Duda Raising Funds for Security Cameras in Tremont
The rash of gunpoint muggings, carjackings and other violent crimes in Tremont this summer has left residents onguard in a way they haven’t felt in many years, probably since 2008. Councilman Joe Cimperman told us last week that Cleveland police are actively working to identify and arrest those involved in the incidents and those they…
Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer Is Thrilled to Be in “Cleazeit”
Bar Rescue has been down in Akron doing the lord’s work at the joint owned by Ripper Owens, so it wasn’t surprising to see host and professional shutter-of-things-down enjoying some downtime in Northeast Ohio at last night’s Tribe game. He’s just so excited to be in Cleazeit, guys. And, hey, anyone want to cheer for…
Cleveland’s First Ever Cider Festival Comes to Voinovich Park in September
Last month, we were pleased as punch to announce the opening of Cleveland’s first cider house which is now serving up English-style ciders to thirsty locals on the city’s west side. This week, we received news that the region’s first ever cider festival will roll into town for one day next month offering folks the chance to sample more than…
5 Concerts to Catch This Weekend
FRIDAY, AUG. 28 The Lighthouse and the Whaler Last summer, the Lighthouse and the Whaler singer Michael LoPresti was vacationing in Maine with his family when he started writing the lyrics for the songs on the band’s forthcoming album, Mont Royal. While hanging out at a big house in Maine that overlooked lake, he wrote…
British Shoegazers Swervedriver Rock Hard on First Album in 17 Years
Few people know the origins of the term shoegazer better than Swervedriver singer-guitarist Adam Franklin. After all, during its heyday, the Oxford, England band was practically the torchbearer for the alternative rock subgenre that became popular in the UK in the late ’80s and early ’90s. “It wasn’t in the lexicon when we first formed,”…
O.A.R. Revisits its Early Days with ‘The Rockville LP’
One of O.A.R.’s earliest songs, “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker,” originally came out on the band’s 1997 album The Wanderer. With the twangy first half of the song in which singer Marc Roberge sings in a bit of a drawl about how he’s “gotta throw it all down and kiss it goodbye,” it…
‘Life and Breakups’ Inspired the Tallest Man on Earth’s New Album
Born in Dalarna, Sweden, singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, who performs under the stage name the Tallest Man on Earth, says his teenage years weren’t that much different from a typical American teen’s. “We enjoy American culture a lot in Sweden,” he says via phone from New York where he was visiting friends. “Growing up on the…
Offshore Wind Turbine Project Inches Closer to Reality
LEEDCo, perpetually in the beginning stages of an offshore wind turbine program in Lake Erie, will send a crew onto the water this week to conduct soil samples of the earth down below. The tests should determine whether an area seven miles northwest of downtown Cleveland is suitable for turbine construction. This next step comes…
Former Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic Caught Publicly Peeing on University of Akron Campus
The police report says it all. Just before midnight Wednesday, longtime Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic was caught with his dingaling in his hands, standing on some mulch and peeing into a tree on or near a University of Akron parking lot. Via the report: Plusquellic “turned around, zipping up his pants when confronted. Subject was…
Confederate Flag Love Still Super Strong in Ohio
The 12,000-strong city of Bucyrus, Ohio, down near Mansfield, will host a “Confederate Flag Pride Parade” on Saturday. The Port Clinton News-Herald reports that roughly 50 vehicles are expected to participate, and that city leaders are expecting neither disruption nor significant changes in traffic volume. Event organizers didn’t exactly echo the “heritage not hate” refrain…
Revisionist Painter Kehinde Wiley to Speak at Cleveland Museum of Art
This weekend, the Cleveland Public Library is partnering with the Cleveland Museum of Art to present a special lecture by world renowned contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley. His visit is part of the library’s Lockwood Thompson Dialogues series. Wiley will speak in the museum’s Gartner Auditorium at 2 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 29. Earlier this summer,…
Local Rock Photographer Janet Macoska to Autograph New Book at Hard Rock Rocksino
In her new book, All Access: Cleveland—The Rock and Roll Photography of Janet Macoska, which she co-authored with local writer Peter Chakerian, local rock photographer Janet Macoska reflects on 40 years of shooting concerts in Northeast Ohio and assembles a hearty collection of some of her best photos. From 6 to 8 p.m. today, Macoska…
Cedar Point Cop Assaulted, Robbed After Soliciting Sex From Prostitute
A Cedar Point police officer was assaulted and robbed earlier this week in an Elyria hotel after meeting and paying a woman for sex, the Sandusky Register reports. The cop, 24-year-old Christopher Cassell, was apparently responding to a prostitution ad he found on Craigslist and had paid the woman he was meeting $100. Before the pair…
ResponsibleOhio Has a Mascot Now — Meet ‘Buddie’
Coming to a college campus near you, though ResponsibleOhio cautions that the mascot will not be talking to kids. They’re “being very careful about where Buddie’s going and who he’s talking to. This is ‘Buddie’s 21 and Up Club.’ He’s not going to be around kids,” spokewoman Faith Oltman told the Columbus Dispatch.
Bainbridge Leaders Reviewing Meijer Proposal to Build Atop Geauga Lake Park Land
You can stop with the Kickstarter campaigns and Throwback Thursdays now. It looks like Geauga Lake Amusement Park will truly never return. Michigan-based superstore Meijer put the last nail in the beloved park’s coffin by offering to buy 41 acres of the roller coaster graveyard in Bainbridge. After thriving for 120 years as an amusement…
Up-and-Coming Singer-Songwriter Zella Day to Make Local Debut at Grog Shop on Friday
After singer-songwriter Zella Day first moved from the tiny town of Pinetop, Ariz. to Los Angeles, the logical first step to securing a record deal would be to get a TV show. After all, there’s a long tradition of pretty teenage girls (Britney, Christina and the like) who first started on TV before they become…
Crocker Park Rolls Out Food Truck Competition
As the weather cools down and pumpkin-spice-everything makes its way to stores, the fresh memory of summer gets foggier and foggier. As summer staple Walnut Wednesdays ends its seasonal reign at the end of September, Crocker Park is ready to pick up the slack. The Westlake outdoor mall is investing in the meals-on-wheels fad by…
Review: “Tear It Off,” at the Liminis Theatre
Some say that God created man because he likes stories. Why, then do we invent stories and what stories do we make of our lives? Cleveland playwright Mike Gaither’s new play, “Tear It Off,” shows just how funny it can be when we try living in our own fiction. Two eccentric sisters take turns creating…
Cleveland Neighborhoods In Focus at Harris Stanton Gallery’s Latest Exhibition
The latest exhibition at Harris Stanton Gallery’s Cleveland location pays tribute to Cleveland neighborhoods. Harris Stanton Gallery has been a staple in Akron for nearly three decades. Owner Meg Harris Stanton recently expanded the gallery’s mission with the opening of a second location in Cleveland’s Warehouse District last year. “As a relative newcomer to Cleveland…
David Gilbert Reminds Us That Many of the People Coming for the GOP Convention Are Freeloaders
David Gilbert stopped by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce this week to talk about the 2016 GOP Convention in Cleveland. Gilbert, of course, is the president and CEO of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee, among 17 or 18 other jobs, by last count, including CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland. The…
Cleveland Rapper Atari Jones Releases EP with Australian Producer Papertoy
Atari Jones dropped his latest collection of new songs this week, expanding on the “indie stoner rap” sounds he’s been cultivating for years locally and internationally. Stream the EP below. “This EP is a collaboration pairing melodic, gritty raps over a dark and distorted soundscape,” Jones tells Scene. The disc begins with the twisted and…
A Cleveland Company Is Selling Flamethrowers for Personal Use and It’s Totally Legal — For Now
“I’m a huge supporter of personal freedom and personal responsibility,” Chris Byars told ARS Technica recently. And, apparently, personal flamethrowers. Byars is the CEO of Troy, Michigan’s Ion Productions Team, one of two companies in the nation now selling commercially available flamethowers. The second company? Throwflame, a start-up based right here in Cleveland. While each…
Veteran Rockers ZZ Top Prove Texas Blues is Alive and Well
The blues has been an art form for decades. Just when you think it might have run its course, a band like the Black Keys or an artist like Gary Clark Jr. comes along to bring the genre back to life. Through it all, ZZ Top, that little band from Texas, has remained a constant.…
Guide to Kulchur to Expand, Open Larger Detroit-Shoreway Location
RA Washington, the West Side’s marginalized-lit laureate, is expanding his small Guide to Kulchur bookshop and zine-making house to a larger storefront in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. He’s moving from his current location on W. 65th street, in the shadow of the Capitol Theatre’s marquee, to a property at 5900 Detroit, roughly equidistant from the Happy…
Pretty Solid Animal House Reference on Indians Twitter Last Night
After Michael Brantley’s second two-run homer Tuesday night, during the Indians’ 11-6 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, Brantley greeted Francisco Lindor at home plate with a secret handshake. It’s one Brantley calls “the professional.” Unlike LeBron James’ famously involved choreographed handshakes with individual teammates, Brantley’s are all-business. Indeed, “The Professional” is merely a deliberate handshake. After…
You Made It Through the Night. So What Do You Eat and Drink Now?
The evening was so much fun you don’t want it to end. Or, the evening was too much fun and you know now you should have ended it sooner, but we’re way past doing anything much about that other than seeking out some food to make the bad, bad feelings go away. Maybe a drink…
Let’s Play the College Debt Game!
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Advice to College Freshman
Miriam Zegarac, Case Western Reserve Majors: Psychology and Cognitive Science Minor: Childhood Studies Dream Job: Clinical child psychologist, researcher, or both What advice do you have for incoming freshmen at Case? Definitely explore your surroundings and social circles. Realize there are tons of people you can still meet even after you have met a group…
5 Reasons to Stay in Cleveland for the Summer
Give summers in Cleveland a chance; there’s plenty of stuff to do. Here are some key reasons to stick around. Summer Opportunities – Wait tables on East 4, bartend on West 6, work ball games at Progressive Field, or usher concerts at the House of Blues for extra cash this summer. Want to get a…
Band of the Week: Red Sun Rising
Meet the Band: Mike Protich (vocals/guitar), Ryan Williams (guitar), Tyler Valendza (guitar), Ricky Miller (bass/vocals), and Pat Gerasia (drums) Straight Outta Akron: Protich and Williams grew up together and have been songwriting partners since high school. They started the band in 2007. “We came together from two different projects,” says Protich. “We just wanted to jam. We realized…
Film Spotlight: Diary of a Teenage Girl
In a WCPN roundtable last week, the Plain Dealer’s film critic, Clint O’Connor, remarked that lately he’s had to preface many a review with a warning about raunch. The 2015 comedy line-up has been awash in good films (Trainwreck) and bad ones (Get Hard) that push the mainstream boundaries of taste and the MPAA’s R-rating.…
Talking Whiskey with Jack Daniel’s Assistant Master Distiller Chris Fletcher
Scene’s second annual Pig & Whiskey festival goes down this weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday; full details at scenepigandwhiskey.com) in Willoughby. It’s a gluttonous feast of barbecue and whiskeys, and as luck had it, Jack Daniel’s assistant master distiller Chris Fletcher was in town for a few hours last week. (We’ll get to the reason…
Celebrating ‘Zines, Books, and Paper at MOCA
This weekend, MOCA Cleveland hosts Northeast Ohio’s first ever Mimeo Revolution. This three-day event — which includes an artist book and ‘zine fair, performances and discussions — celebrates the independent spirit of Cleveland and the artists and writers whose voices are carrying it forward. “In the 1960s and ’70s, mimeographs made quick, cheap printing accessible…
We’ve Tried Damn Near Every Falafel in Cleveland; We’ve Found the Best at the Appropriately Named Cafe Falafel
Baba ganoush, I think we all can agree, is Satan’s food. A lumpy mash of slimy eggplant flavored with smoke and embellished by indigestible bits of skin and seeds, baba is a staple of the Middle Eastern diet that should be avoided at all costs. But then I tried Ehab Enaia’s version, which he sells at…
Iconic Hollywood star tells all in self-narrated documentary, Listen to Me Marlon
“You have to have men who are moral and, at the same time, who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to kill without feeling, without passion … without judgment — without judgment — because it’s judgment that defeats us.” That’s Marlon Brando, as Col. Walter E. Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 Apocalypse Now.…
11 Cheap Late-Night Eats
The cafeteria isn’t going to nurture you through the year; and though the spare change rolling around in the couch doesn’t seem like much, and your part-time job doesn’t pay that well, there are plenty of glorious options for sustenance dotting Northeast Ohio and its various college campus areas. After all, in addition to being a…
How to Date on Campus
For years, we’ve all heard the story of how Grandpa and Grandma met. “I saw her from across the lecture hall; she was the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I just had to meet her.” But this story neglects to tell the real truth: how, exactly, college “dating” works. First of all, we need…
Cheap Date-Night Ideas That Go Beyond Grabbing a Beer and Listening to Bad TouchTunes
So the eye of your affection said yes. That’s a start. Now for the date itself. You can dream up a host of ideas on your own — dinner, a cup of joe, cozying up to watch some Netflix — but let’s be honest: You could do better. We’ve been there and done that and…
Advice To Our Younger Selves
No matter how experienced, smart or wise beyond your years you may think you are, you don’t know everything when you get to college. In fact, you really know almost nothing. The years you spend here are the ones where you (hopefully) learn to be truly independent, forge meaningful adult relationships and figure out just…
