Update: Rapper YG to Bring Fuck Donald Trump Tour to House of Blues
Update: Known better as YG, rapper Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson released his first single, “Toot It and Boot It” back in 2009. In the wake of that song’s success, he’s had a slew of successful singles and even started his own record label. His latest offering: a remix of his single “Fuck Donald Trump.” The remix…
Timely Cyberthriller ‘Nerve’ Starts Strong Before Fizzling Out
Given the way the augmented reality game Pokemon Go has become an overnight sensation, the timing for the release of Nerve, a cyberthriller that opens areawide tomorrow, couldn’t be better. While the film makes use of some clever visuals and constantly switches point of view to capture the action as contestants in the “truth or…
Pop/Rock Act Marianas Trench Gets Personal on ‘Astoria’
The guys in the pop-rock act Marianas Trench were just teenagers when the band first formed in Vancouver in 2001. While the songs on their 2006 debut, Fix Me, suggest a certain innocence, the guys sound all grown up on their latest offering, last year’s Astoria. They play with singer Skylar Stecker at 8 p.m.…
Cavs Stuff Made Out of Butter? Cavs Stuff Made Out of Butter
The 2016 Ohio State Fair is upon us and that means butter sculptures. This year’s culinary craftsmanship includes, among other works of art, a display honoring the Cavs’ NBA championship. Sculptures of the Cavs logo, the Larry O’Brien Trophy and mascots Moondog and Sir C.C. (and a couple cows in there for good measure) are…
Pokemon Go Players Getting Cited for Trespassing at Memorial Park in North Royalton
If you spot Pikachu in Memorial Park in North Royalton after hours, you’ll have to wait until it reopens to go hunting or face a citation. The North Royalton Police Department is citing Pokemon Go players for trespassing if they’re caught playing the game when the park is closed. Last Saturday around 1 a.m., two…
Documentary About Director Brian De Palma Comes Across Like a Long-Winded Lecture
If you can define a “genius” as a social outcast who doesn’t conforming to societal norms and exhibits an obsession with his or her work, then you can add director Brian De Palma to the list. The new documentary De Palma, which screens at 9:05 p.m. on Thursday and at 7 p.m. on Friday at…
Group Rallies for Public Transit Investment, More Devastating Shortfalls Loom
The crew from Clevelanders for Public Transit, together with representatives from the local service workers and transit workers unions, spoke at RTA HQ Tuesday morning, advocating for greater investment in public transit. If this sounds like a familiar story, it is. Coming up in August, of course, RTA will raise fares and cut a small…
Comedian Joe Rogan to Perform at Masonic Auditorium in September
A standup comedian with more than 20 years of experience, Joe Rogan sells out theaters internationally. His The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast featuring “long form conversations” with celebrity guests, is one of the most popular comedy podcasts on iTunes. His Syfy TV series, Joe Rogan Questions Everything, premiered on July 24 and has been a…
Buffalo Wild Wings Near University of Akron Renamed After Dispute With BW3 Parent Company
In case you were wondering where the old Buffalo Wild Wings near the University of Akron went, it’s now called Gridiron. After a lengthy court battle, which is ongoing, in which the owners accused BW3 of breaching their licensing agreement and BW3 countered by accusing the owners of breaking the agreement too, the name has…
Today is the Fifth Anniversary of Brandon Cartellone’s Unsolved Tremont Murder
If you’ve spent some time in Tremont in the last five years, you’ve probably seen Brandon Cartellone. Shaggy-haired and beaming a goofy grin, the Cleveland Institute of Art student and Valley Forge High School grad’s face can be spotted on fliers nailed up on pasteboards and light poles or taped up in restaurant windows around the…
Backstage Pass: An Interview with Singer-Songwriter Adam Friedman
Singer/songwriter/producer Adam Friedman, who has previously worked with singer-songwriters such as Mike Posner and Shep Goodman, recently caught the attention of Elvis Duran, host of the syndicated morning show Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, who named him “artist of the month.” In the wake of that endorsement, Friedman has toured the country to support…
Cleveland’s Bicycle-Mounted Police Unit Will Stay On After RNC
The Cleveland Police Department will continue to utilize the bicycle-mounted unit recently formed for the Republican National Convention. Though the horses from Cleveland and Fort Worth’s mounted units were the most malodorous and the paramilitary-outfitted officers hanging out of black vans with tinted windows were the most dangerously mysterious, the bicycle-mounted unit was the most…
Local Acts to Celebrate the ‘Akron Sound’ at Rock Hall Show
Akron has produced a number of great rock musicians over the years. Mark Mothersbaugh, leader of the New Wave act Devo, ranks as one of the top musicians to emerge from the Rubber City. Both the Akron Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art currently have exhibitis featuring his artwork. As part of the…
Michael Symon and Bobby Flay Team up to Host Autism Speaks Chefs Gala
Since accepting hosting duties of the biennial Autism Speaks Chefs Gala, Michael Symon has managed to improve an already extraordinary event. His next opportunity to do so will take place at the Cleveland Convention Center, Grand Ballroom (300 Lakeside Ave. E.) on Saturday, August 6. The glitzy culinary fundraiser benefits Autism Speaks, the world’s leading…
Six Local Bands to Play at Inaugural Beachland Summer Fest
The folks at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern regularly support local music, and they’ve booked some of the best local acts to play the inaugural Beachland Summer Fest, which takes place from 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. A first of its kind for the venue, the outdoor music festival will feature the bands such…
Cleveland RNC Host Committee to Hold ‘Thank You’ Party for Cleveland This Weekend
The Republican National Convention Cleveland 2016 Host Committee wants to thank the city for its patience and unwavering support last week. So they’re throwing a party. The Community Thank You Party will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday on Public Square, which glistened like a gem after its celebratory unveiling party…
Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland Closes; Crews Remove Giant Guitar from Outer Facade
After 20 years, the Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland is officially no more. This morning crews were seen removing all signs of the former downtown staple after it closed Sunday. (There is still the Hard Rock Cafe at Northfield Park and Hard Rock Rocksino, of course, for all your Hard Rockin’ needs.) But the giant guitar,…
California Delegate with Norovirus Still at Kalahari
The Los Angeles Times reports that, after an initial wave of Norovirus contractions among the California delegation at last week’s RNC, another delegate was diagnosed Saturday. The latest diagnosis brings the total number to “at least 16.” While most of the delegation flew home Friday, the sick delegate was forced to remain at the Erie…
Hard Rocking Singer-Guitarist Zakk Wylde Explores His Milder Side on ‘Book of Shadows II’
Hard working singer-guitarist Zakk Wylde has already had one helluva 2016. The year isn’t half over yet, and he’s toured as part of both the Hendrix Experience Tour and Steve Vai’s Generation Axe Tour. Now, Wylde comes to town in support of Book of Shadows II, the follow-up to 1996’s Book of Shadows. Speaking via…
Video: Cleveland Police Thank Cleveland After the RNC
The Cleveland Police Department wanted to thank everyone for a great, mostly uneventful RNC week in the city, so they put together this video. It’s a nice little cap to a week we’ll never forget.
Alt-Rockers Jane’s Addiction, Dinosaur Jr. and Living Colour Show They’re Still Relevant
When Jane’s Addiction, Dinosaur Jr. and Living Colour, all of whom shared the stage last night at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, formed way back in the mid-’80s, hair metal and classic rock still ruled commercial radio. Anything punk or post-punk stood little chance of finding its way onto commercial radio or into mainstream rock venues.…
First Look: Woodstock BBQ in Lakewood
Before speaking to the media about Woodstock BBQ, owner Robert Togliatti said he wanted to have his ducks in a row. That’s probably why you haven’t read – or likely even heard – much about his new restaurant despite the fact that it will open its very conspicuous Lakewood doors in less than two weeks.…
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Can’t Live Up to Title
Opening at the Cedar Lee Friday, Absolutely Fabulous: the Movie stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley as characters they originated in their hit BBC tv series back in the 90s, a British sitcom with enough cultural cache that it was abbreviated, by fans, as Abfab. Now the ladies are back in action. PR agent Edina “Eddie”…
Local Director Nick Cavalier Releases New Documentary About Gotta Groove Records
Forced Perspective, director Nick Cavalier’s documentary about local graphic artist Derek Hess, showed at various film festivals and won a number of awards. Now, Cavalier has turned his attention to Gotta Groove Records, the local vinyl pressing plant. “It’s a hybrid procedural documentary on how vinyl records are made and the underdog story of [Gotta…
Ramon Rivas Reps Cleveland on @midnight
Among local press freaks, the Ramon Rivas beat is quickly becoming the most dynamic game in town. As we recover from a brutal RNC hangover, we’re happy to slip you some more news from the Rivas front: his appearance on @midnight last night. Check out a few segments below. The Accidental Comedy Fest is Aug.…
“The Daily Show” Co-Creator Lizz Winstead and NARAL Pro-Choice America Provided Running Commentary on Trump’s Speech Last Night
During the grand finale of the Republican National Convention last night, instead of cowering, terrified and alone in their living rooms, The Daily Show co-creator, Lizz Winstead and NARAL Pro-Choice America brought Cleveland abortion activists together in an attempt to “have a laugh and hold onto their sanity” during Donald Trump’s official acceptance speech Thursday night. The…
Ghost Hunter Chad Calek Brings his Paramerican Tour to Agora
Filmmaker Chad Calek now hunts ghosts for a living. But he wasn’t initially obsessed with paranormal activity as a child. I grew up in a family where [the paranormal] wasn’t spoken about,” he says in a recent phone interview. “I was a complete atheist. I had no belief in the other side.” In the film…
Celebrate Cleveland’s 220th Birthday With Some Free/Cheap University Circle Fun This Afternoon
Today marks Cleveland’s 220th birthday. And what better birthday present than the RNC packing up and leaving town last night/this morning? Well, that is certainly the most welcome news we’ve heard in awhile and it there’s plenty of free things to do to celebrate the birthday/re-possession of our city. Rides on the Euclid Beach Grand…
7 Concerts to Catch This Weekend
FRIDAY, JULY 22 All Them Witches When Nashville-based psychedelic rockers All Them Witches set out to record their first album, Our Mother Electricity, they did so with little in terms of funding. Even by indie rock standards, the sessions were a low budget affair. But along with sophomore effort Lightning at the Door, the album…
The Beauty of Appalachian Music in Northeast Ohio and Three Other Classical Music Events to Hit This Weekend
Grab your lawn chairs, pack your picnic baskets, and head to McGaffin Tower at the Church of the Covenant in University Circle on Friday, July 22, or Sunday, July 24. Guest Carillonneur Dave Osburn will perform a concert of Gilbert & Sullivan tunes on Cleveland’s only Carillon bells. Friday’s lunchtime concert, from 12:15-12:45, will offer…
The MLB Trade Deadline and Football — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Football season and the baseball trade deadline are coming. Andre and Zac get you ready. Subscribe to A to Z on iTunes here. Download the episode directly here. Or stream below.
The O’Jays Condemn the Trump Campaign’s Use of Their Hit ‘Love Train’
Polls suggest that presidential candidate Donald Trump doesn’t have much support from African-American voters. So it’s not a surprise that Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, two founding members of the vocal group the O’Jays, have condemned the use of “Love Train” by the Republican National Convention to, as they put it, “bolster the fear and…
A Definitive Ranking of the Best of the Cleveland RNC merchandise
The RNC is over and all we have left are our sweet, sweet memories of road closures, misspelled protest signs, open carry enthusiasts, negging Onion headlines, and whatever collectible merchandise we’ve been able to acquire over the past four days. Here is a definitive ranking of the best RNC merchandise, so you can be sure…
Video: Here’s GOP Ohio Auditor Dave Yost’s New Protest Song, “Where Were You?”
We missed the Dave Yost concert a couple nights ago at the Cuyahoga County GOP headquarters but the video below is a small dose of compensation. (Though, really, nothing makes up for missing Big Daddy Yost jamming live.) Yost, a Republican who months ago publicly wrote and talked about his complete opposition to Trump, is…
The Savage Mountain, or, The Perils of Driving Lyft at the RNC
In my earlier and more vulnerable hours the lobbyist from Dallas gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Go back to the warehouse party,” he told me, stepping unevenly from the back seat of my purring Dodge Avenger and toward his University Circle hotel. “There’ll be no shortage…
Star Trek: Beyond — Latest Episode is Franchise’s Blandest
Unlike 2009’s Star Trek and its impressive 2013 sequel Star Trek: Into Darkness, both of which were flat-out fun summer blockbusters, the latest Star Trek installment begins on a subdued and somber note. If you’ll recall, the first two films greeted viewers with high-stakes action sequences immediately. These were intense scenes chock-full of mortal peril and intricate…
Nashville’s Hillbilly Casino and Local Rockers Whiskey Daredevils to Square Off in ‘2016 Greaser Championship’
Last year, Nashville’s Hillbilly Casino opened a nationwide tour for rapper Yelawolf. Though the rockabilly band plays with a punk DIY edge that would make Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent proud, the group went over like gangbusters. Local rockers the Whiskey Daredevils, who just completed a new album with producer John Smerek (Detroit Cobras, Reckless…
The 2016 RNC, or the Week Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones Went Mainstream on the Floor of the Convention Hall
Many chaotic moments have occurred inside the Quicken Loans Arena this week – most notably the thunderous boos that greeted Ted Cruz last night and coincided with a technical glitch that made all the LED screens in the arena flicker and die, giving Cruz the aura of a supervillain bent on destroying not only the…
‘Dryer Lady’ Lint Sculpture of Donald Trump Up for Auction
[image-1] How much dryer lint does it take to sculpt a bust of Donald Trump? At least 30 gallons, according to Cleveland’s very own Dryer Lady. Sandy Buffie created the masterpiece to raise money for the Center of Arts-Inspired Learning. “I put a call out on social media and people start bringing it by. They…
‘It Sucks,’ and Everything Else That’s Wrong With Trying to Sell Trump Merchandise at RNC
You’ve surely noticed the row of RNC-related merchandise filling out Euclid Avenue this week. “Hillary for Prison” shirts, “Donald Fucking Trump” shirts, “Make American Great Again” hats, etc. It’s all a bit imposing, but it’s no different than the Trump campaign trail’s ubiquitous hawkers earlier this year. Here’s the issue, though: Euclid Avenue is not a sanctioned…
23 Arrested So Far in Cleveland During RNC
This morning, Cleveland police reported that 23 people have been arrested so far during the RNC. Only five Ohioans have been arrested. Many of the charges involve failure to disperse, and most are tied to the attempted flag burning event at Prospect and East Fourth yesterday. There’s also Kathy Wray Coleman, who was arrested on…
Dread Scott’s Provocative Flag Will Fly in Cleveland Today
On the final day of the Republican National Convention, radical and groundbreaking artist Dread Scott’s provocative flag, titled A Man Was Lynched By Police Yesterday, will be flying in Cleveland. Thanks to a partnership between SPACES and local poet, musician, artist and co-founder of Guide to Kulchur RA Washington, the flag will be flying high…
Canopy Collective, 3204 Studios Organize ‘Smallest Artwalk in Cleveland History’
This Friday, Canopy Collective and 3204 Studios once again partner for what Canopy owner Erika Durham describes as “The smallest artwalk in Cleveland history.” Both galleries host opening receptions for new exhibitions. 3204 Studios presents SummerSlam, a 90s pro wrestling-themed group art exhibition, while Canopy hosts Victor Melaragno’s whimsical, cartoon monsters. “We at Canopy are…
Attempted Flag Burning Brings Arrests and the Familiar Media Blitz
News of a “flag burning” circulated among thirsty members of the press throughout the third day of the RNC, leading to a frenzy of cameras at East Fourth and Prospect around 4 p.m. Firefighters were on hand, but the rush of photographers and apparent Periscopers forced police to intervene more quickly than perhaps they might…
Vermin Supreme Knows He Won’t Be President, But Still Happy with Cleveland Love
A few hours after Donald Trump locked up the Republican Party’s nomination Tuesday evening, notorious presidential candidate Vermin Love Supreme — he of the dental puns and the free ponies for all Americans platform — says that he is seeking it. “If you were watching me down in the delegate zone, you’d see so many Trumpsters…
City of Cleveland Releases Official RNC Cost Breakdown
Curious what exactly all the money for this Donald Trump monster truck rally thrown by the city was spent on? The $60 million-ish breakdown —a $50 million grant from National Special Security Event with an additional $10.8 million spent by the city — was released and can be enjoyed in all its glory can be digested…
Check Out the City of Cleveland’s Nifty Makeshift Water Fountains This Week
It is sweltering outside, to put it mildly. Temps are in the 90s and climbing higher into the weekend. There’s little to no cloud cover and thousands of protestors, casual observers, delegates and media are spending their long, long days putzing around downtown Cleveland. Shade, what little exists, is in high demand and everyone is…
More Than 1,000 People Signed Into Fake Wi-Fi Networks in Experiment at RNC
We hope catching all of those Pokemon was worth it. Several fake wi-fi networks were set up around The Q on Monday to see just how many RNC goers would gleefully glob on to any wi-fi they could get their hands on without so much considering the security of the connection or the origin of…
Euclid Police are Searching for the Rightful Owners of This Bag of Weed
Are you or someone you know traveling a little lighter than usual today? The Euclid Police Department is urging the owners of a bag of marijuana found at the station to come forward (yeah, yeah, it’s police department Facebook humor; give them a break). According to their Facebook page, the bag was in the driveway near…
Prophets of Rage to RNC: Fuck You
The capacity crowd at the Agora last night never stopped headbanging and screaming during the Prophets of Rage show, which was part nostalgia trip and part act of aggression. You can see a slideshow of photos from the concert here. After a great set from DJ Lord, the band hit the stage with their new…
A Guide to This Year’s Mid West Reggae Fest
Few festivals last five years let alone 25 years. And yet, this year the annual Mid West Reggae Fest, which lays claim to the title “The Only Multi-Day Reggae Festival East of the Mississippi River,” celebrates its 25th anniversary. That’s a quarter century of good vibrations on the North Coast. “After 25 years, this has…
RNC Day 2 Sees Alex Jones at the Heart of Public Square Kerfuffle
Alex Jones is having a rough week. The right-wing author, radio host, and Trump supporter known for his conspiracy theories on everything from 9/11 to organized religion is in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention doing what he does best: raising everyone’s blood pressure. Jones entered the national spotlight nearly four years ago when he…
Homeless Shelters Tighten Intake, Turn Away People In Town Just To Protest RNC
There are more than 20,000 people who classify as homeless in the city of Cleveland. As the city prepared to welcome top political figures, nearly every major media outlet in the country and thousands of people, advocates for the homeless wondered what might happen this week. Shelters across the city prepared themselves for people to…
Banter is Hosting a Steve’s Lunch Pop-Up on Thursday
[image-1]It was with a heavy heart that we reported the news of the fire that destroyed Steve’s Lunch last year. We miss the place, like many of you surely do. Thankfully, right down the road, Banter will honor the long-time city treasure with a “Steve’s Lunch Pop-Up” tomorrow night — dishing up “chili dogs, mozzarella sticks,…
Add Record-Breaking Porn Viewership to the List of Things Happening During RNC
Some records are destined to be broken, and according to The Daily Dot Cleveland tops Los Angeles, New York City and Miami in…porn. Top internet porn site xHamster reports since the GOP came to town, viewership is up 184 percent higher than usual. This also means, of course, that if true the final tally won’t…
Alt-rockers Third Eye Blind Anger RNC Guests at Rock Hall Performance
Yahoo News and other outlets report that alt-rockers Third Eye Blind, who performed at an RNC-related charity event held at the Rock Hall, angered some of the guests by using the opportunity to distance themselves from the Republican platform. The band reportedly played its more obscure songs and didn’t even deliver its most notable hit,…
Dana Depew is Building and Installing Hundreds of Handmade Birdhouses Around Northeast Ohio, for Free
A prolific and tireless renaissance man, Dana Depew has proven his ability to effortlessly shift between projects and mediums to suit each new idea. Throughout the past six years, Depew has produced more than 1,000 handmade birdhouses, including the permanent installation of large scale collections of as many as 100 houses to a specific tree…
MOCA DaDaPunk Cabaret Party
A hundred years ago, avant-garde artists changed the narrative of art history forever. On July 14, 1916 Hugo Ball recited the DaDa Manifesto at the movement’s first organized event at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, Switzerland. The mainstream atmosphere and culture that spawned the absurdist movement is eerily similar to the values of the GOP. Fittingly,…
Meet the Band: The Sunrise Jones
MEET THE BAND: Mike Murray (keyboard, guitars), Dave Hamilton (vocals, piano), Matt Vance (guitar), Adam Christian (bass), Dan Jankowski (drums) GETTING THEIR KIXX: The group’s members came from different bands, including the long-running local group Copperfoot. “The other guys had started the Sunrise Jones and were looking for some new players,” says Murray. “We jammed…
Two New Reasons to Leave the House: Ramen in Uptown, Sushi in Mentor-on-the-Lake
The Yee family has been on the leading edge of culinary trends since 1978, when they opened Otani Japanese Restaurant in Mayfield Heights. Back then, sushi was about as exotic as food could get in Cleveland, and Otani was where many local foodies had their first taste of raw fish. So it comes as no surprise…
New Generations Continue to Discover Italian Gem Geraci’s as It Celebrates 60 Years
Walk into Geraci’s (2266 Warrensville Ctr. Rd., 216-371-5643) and it might feel like time stands still. The old school cash-only register, the dimly lit dining room, the Old World Italian décor. As it celebrates its 60th anniversary this month, little has changed, including the generations of both the family running the show and the families…
Film Spotlight: Yarn
With every season comes a new trend in fashion, and this summer gave rise to crochet. From tops to swimsuits, yarn is on the hot list, so it would seem like an apt time to release a film about the trendiest material of the moment. Opening July 23rd at Akron’s Nightlight Cinema, Yarn beautifully educates…
Savage Love: Two Peters
Dear Dan, I’m sorry if my English is wrong. I’m writing from Germany, where I am being heartbroken and not knowing how to go on. I’ve been seeing a guy for a couple of months and slowly falling in love with him. “Peter” has always been very open to me about himself, his failed relationships,…
‘Harbor’ Examines What Makes a Family with Mixed Results at Convergence-Continuum
What happens when a happily married gay couple’s home is invaded by one of the duo’s pot-headed, manipulating sister with her teen daughter in-tow? According to Chad Beguelin, the author of the play Harbor, which is now on stage at convergence-continuum, the answer is angst, frustration, revelations and a surprising, if less than expected, conclusion.…
