18 Festivals and Events Every Clevelander Should Hit Up This Summer
If you feel like you’ve got nothing to do this summer, stop those absurd thoughts — there are options all over Ohio to keep you entertained in the next few months, for foodies and music aficionados alike. Here are 18 that we think you should check out.
Avon Lake’s Neighborhood Menace Prompts Pushback
Eric Sandy / Scene Pietrangelo’s house is seen across the street. James Pietrangelo does not enjoy living across the street from Weiss Field and its popular skate park in Avon Lake. He first filed a lawsuit against the city last September, in which Pietrangelo sought the total annihilation of the half pipe, ramps, rails, etc.…
Photos: The Joys and Pains of Local Croatian Fans During the World Cup
Croatia was knocked out of the World Cup yesterday, but it wasn’t due to lack of support from the massive Croatian community in towns like Eastlake and Willoughby. Scene joined Croatia fans for both the World Cup’s opening match on June 12 and their third and final game on June 23. Here’s Sam Allard’s piece…
#WahooWatch: Native American Group to File Federal Lawsuit
A week after the U.S. Patent and Trademark office declared the Washington Redskins’ team name a racial slur, and concomitantly revoked the ownership’s right to the trademark, a group in Cleveland intends to file a lawsuit against the Cleveland Indians. The group, People Not Mascots, seeks not only to eliminate the Chief Wahoo logo and…
Machine Gun Kelly Stars in New Music Video Parodying ‘Breaking Bad’
Producer/DJ Steve Aoki is good friends with Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul so we’re assuming his new music video for the track “Free the Madness,” a parody of the TV show, has Paul’s blessing. In the video, Aoki and rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who handles the vocals, ride around the desert in an RV wearing hazmat…
A Former Porn Star Who Lives in Ohio Tweeted an Ohio GOP’s Chief of Staff’s Dick Pic and Now He’s Resigned
Steve Stivers is gonna need a new chief of staff. Adam Kuhn is not having a good day. Adam Kuhn, it appears, is the victim of some intense revenge porn after a romance gone wrong. Kuhn was the chief of staff for Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers up until today. This after a week when Jennifer…
Local Jeopardy! Contestant Returns for Third Game Tonight: UPDATE
JEOPARDY PRODUCTIONS INC. UPDATE: Alison Meermans is now a two-time champ. She returns to the game tonight at 7:30 p.m. ***Originally posted June 20 When Alison Meermans begins her shot at becoming a Jeopardy! champion tonight, her friends and family will be watching. The Lakewood resident continues what seems to be a fine 2014 trend…
Updated: Guest List Grows for Inaugural AP Music Awards
Originally Posted 6/11/2014) Slated to take place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on July 21, the inaugural Alternative Press Music Awards will feature a who’s who of emo/punk acts. Acts already scheduled to perform include Fall Out Boy, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the Misfits, A Day To Remember, All…
Here’s a Selfie an iPod Touch Thief Took of Himself
You know this young fella? Mentor police are looking for him, and not because his Blue Steel look has them thinking he has a future in modeling. No, he (probably) stole an iPod Touch at Great Lakes Mall and subsequently used the gizmo to take a picture of himself, which was then uploaded to the…
Batman Documentary Swoops into Cleveland for Just One Night
Love Batman? Clear your schedule for July 1 — for one night only, a documentary about the Dark Knight will be showing at Cedar Lee Theatre. A heart-warmer, the Legends of the Knight focuses on Batman’s impact on his fans throughout the years and across the country. It showcases people who have drawn inspiration from…
Schimoler to Open Crop Kitchen at Uptown; Matt Anderson to Come on Board as Partner
Chef and owner of Crop Bistro Steve Schimoler has announced plans to open Crop Kitchen in the former Accent space at Uptown in University Circle. The space has been vacant since Scott Kim shuttered his Asian-fusion eatery there last fall after one year in operation. “This will be more comfort food-driven, more rustic and more…
Kent Singer-songwriter David Mayfield Signs Label Deal
Singer-songwriter David Mayfield began his career by playing with his parents in One Way Rider, a local group that played folk and bluegrass at county fairs and festivals. Mayfield moved from Kent to Nashville in 2006 (and then moved to back to Ohio a couple of years ago) to have a go at being a…
City Approves Loren Naji’s Occupancy Permit Application
The city will need an occupancy permit for that wooden sphere, Mr. Naji. The Cleveland Board of Zoning Appeals today granted approval for Loren Naji’s occupancy permit application, which was one of the obstacles that prompted the Cleveland Fire Department to shut his art gallery down. The vote was unanimous, but it comes only after…
Arctic Monkeys Serve Up Well Rounded Show at Nautica
HEATHER VASELANEY Arctic Monkeys at Nautica HEATHER VASELANEY Turner The words “eerie” and “ghoulish” came to mind on more than one occasion at last night’s Arctic Monkeys show at the clumsily named Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. And not for nothing: The smoke-and-lights intro into “Do I Wanna Know?” set the stage for an evening of…
Cuyahoga Falls Man Just Wants to Fly his Kite Naked
A Cuyahoga Falls man was cited for disorderly conduct last week after he was discovered flying a kite, clad only in his birthday best. Authorities report they received several calls from passersby who said they had spotted an elderly man rediscovering the joys of youth at the Summit County Fairgrounds. By the time police arrived…
Widespread Panic Throws Down Fiery Two Sets Along Cuyahoga River
Eric Sandy / Scene Eric Sandy / Scene It began with a quick shot of Maker’s Mark at the Harbor Inn on Main Avenue. It was Thursday evening. There was some pretty considerable debate around the bar as to when precisely Widespread Panic would take the stage at Nautica. Inevitably, the band began with plenty…
25 Cleveland Trivia Questions Written Back in 1985 That You Probably Don’t Know the Answer To
We stumbled on a box of Cleveland Trivia, made way back in 1985. Holy hell did we not get many questions right. There are, of course, timeless tidbits of Cleveland trivia (first stoplight, first electric streetcar, etc.) that are always kind of thrown around, and some oddball things that some but not all would know…
Rocky River Next Up for Shawn Monday and Flip Side
Before the end of 2014, the west side will welcome its first Flip Side, the expanding burger bar concept from Shawn and Tiffany Monday and Michael Schwartz. Originally launched in Hudson, the growing chain has added Chagrin Falls and Columbus to its roster of shops. This location will be in Rocky River, in the Old…
Beck Revisits His Past While Moving Forward at the State Theatre
Joe Kleon In a career that spans well over 20 years, Beck has consistently moved forward with an ever-evolving sound. He bent expectations of what a “pop hit” could be in the mid-’90s with songs like “Loser” and “The New Pollution,” two songs so drastically different it’s hard to imagine the same person penning both.…
12 Cleveland Patios You Have to Hit Up This Summer
Just when you thought Cleveland couldn’t possibly squeeze in another patio, somebody opens another one and proves us dead wrong. Blessed with more alfresco eating and drinking options than our already feeble livers can handle, our fair-weathered village on a Great Lake is primed for its best summer ever.
Cleveland.com Publishes, Later Takes Down Post Prompting Commenters to Come Up With Baby Names For LeBron’s Unborn Daughter
A screenshot of the since-deleted cleveland.com post One of the consequences of our daily newspaper going #DigitalFirst is more posts where they have to pretend like the internet commenters matter, like their opinion is valued and deserves a forum to be heard, to show readership for potential advertisers when circulation figures are no longer what…
‘Supermensch’ Documents the Crazy Life of Shep Gordon
By all accounts — at least those shared in Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, the documentary/love letter from actor-comedian-director Mike Myers that opens today at the Cedar Lee Theatre — semi-retired talent manager Shep Gordon is one standup guy. From Sylvester Stallone to the Dalai Lama, Gordon has made a laundry list of loyal…
NRBQ Proves It’s Still Charming After All These Years
NRBQ may exist outside of time and space. Fans already know that the band’s stunning catalog sounds like a collection of Top 40 singles from another universe, flourishing outside of mainstream recognition and traditional success. But what they may not know is that even with the major changes in member alignment in recent years, the…
Country Singer Loretta Lynn Puts on Gutsy Performance at Hard Rock Live
David Kemp “You have to take me as I am,” Loretta Lynn announced from her center stage chair last night before a sold out crowd at Hard Rock Live. With 50-plus years of unapologetic hits like “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” and “The Pill,” both of which she performed, that declaration could…
10 Restaurants to Nurse Your Hangover in Cleveland
We all know our limits — that one drink that will push us over into, “Why did I do this to myself?” territory the next morning. Oftentimes, though, we’re having too damn good of a time to worry about such nonsense. If you’ve woken up kicking yourself for the shenanigans you got into last night,…
10 Things Going on in Cleveland This Weekend (June 20 – 22)
With summer BBQs and beer fests abound, it can be difficult to maintain your figure. Luckily, the 5K Electric Run, which should make participants feel a little less guilty about their seasonal indulgences, is on Friday, June 20. Before and after, there’s plenty more to do and see this weekend, like the Indians game against the Detroit Tigers,…
MAP: Shaker Heights is the Most Liberal City in Ohio
The folks over at Business Insider recently put together this map detailing the most conservative and liberal cities in each state, based on data compiled by Clarity Campaign Labs. In Ohio, Shaker Heights was ranked the most liberal. The most conservative? Well, that’s Mount Cory, a teensy town in Hancock County made up of some 300 people. …
Beachland Announces Details for Annual Steve Popovich Polka Pandemonium
Known for founding Cleveland International Records, the label that launched Meat Loaf’s career, Steve “Pops” Popovich died on June 8, 2011. In 2012, the Beachland began honoring the guy with Polka Pandemonium, a concert featuring the polka/rock band Brave Combo — the group’s Polkasonic record came out on Cleveland International and won a Grammy in…
Playhouse Square Releases More Tickets for Tonight’s Beck Concert
Fans who didn’t buy tickets in time to see indie rocker Beck, who performs tonight at 8 at the State Theatre, will be happy to hear that Playhouse Square has just released more tickets for the show. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. Go to the Playhouse Square website for more info.
David Wain’s Suggestion for Renaming the Washington R*dskins
Via At Midnight last night. Full video below. Zing. Get More: Comedy Central,Funny Videos,Funny TV Shows
Food Network Viewing Party at Underdog Starring Anna ‘In the Raw’ Harouvis
This Sunday at 8 p.m., Underdog Bar at Happy Dog will host a viewing party for Guy’s Grocery Games, starring Anna Harouvis. The raw-foods chef will partner with chef Eric Williams to recreate foods prepared in the show. “I had an opportunity to do a Food Network show, and I never pass up an opportunity…
Video: The Cones of Silence, Fuel Zones and 156 Compasses of the New Northeast Ohio Media Group Offices
NEOMG wants badly to show you their new offices, which is ostensibly why this 4-minute video tour of the remodeled spot on Superior that used to house Plain Dealer employees (who are now in Tower City or down on Tiedeman) that will now serve as the headquarters of Cleveland.com/NEOMG was made. Among our favorite moments:…
Backstage Pass: An Interview with Rapper Asher Roth
In town for a concert at House of Blues Cambridge Room, rapper Asher Roth met us at the club before the show to talk about his new album RetroHash. In addition to Roth’s rapid-fire raps, it also features some singing and includes collaborations with ZZ Ward, Curren$y, Vic Mensa and Chuck Inglish.
Line-up Announced for Painesville’s the Party in the Park
This year’s the Party in the Park, which takes in downtown Painesville’s Veteran’s Park on July 18 to 20, features more than 30 from all over Ohio and across the U.S. performing continuously on three stages. The eclectic line-up includes New Orleans singer-songwriter Eric Lindell, Charlotte-based reggae rockers Simplified, Nashville roots rock act the Delta…
Parma Cop’s Justification For Citing DUI Checkpoint Protester: “we need them to come through the checkpoint to educate them”
Doug Odolecki (right) was cited by Parma police officers (top left, a screen shot from his video) for warning drivers of an impending drunk driving checkpoint The leader of the Greater Cleveland Cop Block chapter stood on a public sidewalk in his hometown of Parma last week with a sign reading “Check point ahead /…
Akron Music Teacher Admits to Racist Facebook Post; No Explanation For Crazy Denial Videos (Updated)
His original post (click for that story) Update: A referee upheld Spondike’s dismissal this week. Via the ABJ: The Akron Public School Board on Monday voted unanimously to accept a referee’s decision that terminates the employment of David Spondike.The 18-page decision found that Spondike’s Facebook posting last October in which he repeatedly used the N-word…
New Cleveland Concert Venue Announces First String of Shows
While construction is still on-going, the Music Box Supper Club, a new two-story concert venue located on the West Bank of the Flats next to Shooters and the Improv, has announced its first string of shows. The venue will feature two rooms — an upstairs concert hall and a downstairs supper club stage. The alternative…
Updated: Singer-guitarist Joe Moorhead Will Pay Your Bar Tab
(Originally Posted 6/5/2014) Scene readers voted for local singer-guitarist Joe Moorhead as the Best Musician in Cleveland in the annual Scene Best Of that came out earlier this year. Moorhead, who plays laid back grooves that have garnered comparisons to Jack Johnson, describes his music as “a rum soaked cool breeze off an island shore.”…
City Prosecutor Drops Charges in Absurdist Basketball Hoop Drama
19 Action News Screenshot It remains the best news story of the year in Cleveland: Police officers dragged a basketball hoop slowly through a neighborhood after ordering children not to play in the street. The video, captured by 19 Action News, is the stuff of Cleveland “Law Enforcement” Legend. Amid all the goofiness of Cleveland’s…
Mayflies and Photos of Mayflies Invade Cleveland
Eric Sandy / Scene A mayfly as seen on the side of a car in Lakewood You can’t throw a cat in this town today without hitting a literal wall of mayflies. THEY’RE HERE. The main things you need to know about mayflies – and this year’s batch of hell-bug nightmares, in particular – include:…
Kaiser Chiefs Revel in Club Setting at House of Blues
It’s hard to believe England’s Kaiser Chiefs headline big festivals in the UK. That’s not to say that they’re not capable of doing that. But it’s just that they seem so comfortable in the club setting. Last night before a sparse crowd that filled about half of House of Blues, they put on a high-energy…
Tech Talk: A Conversation with Crowdentials CEO Rich Rodman
Tech Talk is a weekly series that explores the people behind startup companies in the Cleveland area. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS) Act, signed into law in 2012, was intended to alleviate some of the financial pressure points facing entrepreneurs and investors, most notably a restriction on fundraising limiting the ability of startups…
Watch ‘Questionable Culture With Will Burge’ Live Right Here at Noon
Programming update: The crew is running a bit late this morning (fucking technical issues!), but will be broadcasting live at 1:40 sharp. *** Bookmark the link, save the tab, make a note in your calendar and be sure to take your lunch at your desk at noon today and watch the debut of Questionable Culture…
Easy, Breezy Summer Menu
In summer I try to do most of my cooking with as few ingredients and heat sources as possible — and that means absolutely no oven. I’ll grab a pan and cook right on my grill. And like most things in the summer, the simpler the better. This easy summer menu utilizes just a handful…
Brit Singer Sam Smith Makes a Promising Debut with ‘In the Lonely Hour’
Sam Smith In the Lonely Hour (Capitol Records) samsmithworld.com Not to be confused with the terrific British brewery, this soul/R&B/pop singer is already hugely successful in the U.K. where this album came out at the end of last month and battled Coldplay’s Ghost Stories for the spot at the top of the charts. With any…
Day Trippers: For When You Just Have to Get Out of Town for a Little Bit
We love Cleveland, and if you’re not sure about that, just take a peek at how often we post pictures of the Cleveland skyline on Instagram. We’re unstoppable! All the angles covered all the time! But every once in awhile, we like to take advantage of Cleveland’s proximity to other awesome places for a bit…
Willie Nelson Returns to Form with ‘Band of Brothers’
Willie Nelson Band of Brothers (Legacy) willienelson.com On his first new album of mostly original material in years, country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson shows his creativity hasn’t waned. His tenor sounds true to form on album opener “Bring It On,” a song in which he speaks more than he sings. When it comes to storytelling, he’s…
Patios? Patios! – 12 Patios You Must Enjoy this Summer (Plus 10 Dog-Friendly Options)
Just when you thought Cleveland couldn’t possibly squeeze in another patio, somebody opens another one and proves us dead wrong. Blessed with more alfresco eating and drinking options than our already feeble livers can handle, our fair-weathered village on a Great Lake is primed for its best summer ever. Nano Brew Just last year, Nano Brew in…
A Galaxy of Asterisks: Card-Carrying Actors take an Audience-Pleasing Holiday in Shaw’s Heartbreak House
In the theater world, an asterisk by an actor’s name in the program indicates he or she is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. Aside from being one of the few unions that Glenn Beck hasn’t demonized, the AEA represents almost 50,000 actors and stage managers across the country — negotiating wages and other…
Patio Guide: Porco Lounge and Tiki Room
Nestled along an unassuming stretch of West 25th lies a little slice of tropical paradise, Porco Lounge and Tiki Room, Cleveland’s only Polynesian-inspired craft cocktail bar. Here, thirsty locals sip rich concoctions made of high quality rum, fresh fruit juice, house-made syrups, and hard-to-find ingredients such as falernum and real grenadine. Enjoy a Mai Tai…
Also on Stage
Possum Dreams In this play, novelist and short -story writer Ed Falco tries his hand at a two-hander that travels some well-worn territory: marital discord, kinky sex, and drugs to name a few. And it’s mostly an amazing, intense experience, thanks to his deft script, two spectacular performances and the masterful direction of Sean Derry.…
Lana del Rey Gets Introspective on ‘Ultraviolence’
Lana del Rey Ultraviolence(Polydor) lanadelrey.com Black Keys’ singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach really pushes pop singer Lana del Rey to explore a different sound on her latest album, which he produced. That much is apparent right from the start as the opening number “Cruel World” is a trippy number that features hushed vocals and a Middle Eastern…
Summer Guide 2014
Why, hello there, summer. It’s been too long, and then, it won’t be long enough. But we love you. Oh sweet sunshine do we love you. But let’s stop griping about the relative brevity of summer on the north coast, shall we? Instead, let’s get outside — every single minute that we can — and…
Linkin Park Adheres to Rock Conventions on ‘The Hunting Party’
Linkin Park The Hunting Party (Warner Bros.) linkinpark.com It might be unfair that Linkin Park, which formed in 1996, got lumped into the nu-metal scene that spawned abominations such as Limp Bizkit. The band certainly had more cred in hip-hop circles than most of its peers. But The Hunting Party, the band’s sixth studio effort,…
DIY Pantry Planning: A Well-Stocked Kitchen Doesn’t Happen by Accident
Home pantries are tricky; even chefs have to work at it. But a well-stocked pantry can mean the difference between a quick and inexpensive weeknight dinner and just ordering takeout. Again. “If you could see the inside of my kitchen — it’s hysterical,” says Jim Blevins, executive chef of the eagerly anticipated Butcher and the…
Local Food Truck Events for Every Day of the Work Week
Food trucks are just PLAIN FUN. Unlike restaurants, mobile eateries offer the thrill of the chase and great satisfaction when you’re in the right place at the right time and catch your favorite truck. More and more food trucks continue to enter the local market, offering hungry diners an abundance of delicious, creative options from…
Savagely Yours: A Chat with the Guy You’ve Read in the Back of Scene for Years
Dan Savage is a nationally syndicated sex columnist you’ve been reading in the back few pages of this humble rag for years. He’s also a well-known LGBT rights activist who helped create the massively popular It Gets Better project. Savage will be coming to town as part of the free-to-attend “writers & readers” series at…
Film Review of the Week: The Rover
Set in the desolate nowhere of the Australian countryside 10 years after a presumed global cataclysm, The Rover, which opens on Friday areawide, depicts a man named Eric (Guy Pearce) with nothing to gain or lose as he hunts down three crooks who stole his car. That’s really all there is to it — that,…
Film Spotlight: Found Film Footage
Now in its 10th year, the Found Footage Festival, which comes to the Beachland Ballroom at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, had humble beginnings. Organizers Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett started collecting weird and wacky VHS tapes in 1991 when Prueher found a McDonald’s training video. It wasn’t until 2004 that Prueher and Pickett…
Adventure Time: 19 Outdoorsy Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know You Could Do in Cleveland
ZIPLINING Oberlin College isn’t the only reason for trekking out to Oberlin, Ohio, anymore. Nor is ziplining only a tourist attraction in Costa Rica (or a necessity among the high-altitude insectologists of the Amazon). Common Ground Canopy Tours is pleased to now offer a thrilling zipline excursion set on 30 acres of scenic valley on…
The Weirder Side: Singer-Songwriter Sharon Van Etten Battles Personal Demons on Are We There
When Sharon Van Etten, a singer-songwriter who launched her career in 2009 with her sparse debut Because I Was in Love, first started performing, her friends asked if she would record under her own name or adopt some kind of moniker. Because of the personal nature of her songs, she chose to stick with her…
Sun Dressing: 10 Summer Essentials for the Cleveland Shopaholic
The sandals Passport to Peru If there’s one thing we’ve learned from stumbling around Lakewood and Ohio City at 2 a.m. it’s that practical warm-weather footwear is the key to long and happy summer nights. That’s why every summer we hit up Coventry Village’s Passport to Peru to browse their selection of Birkenstocks, Noats, and…
Prone to Rock: 30 Years In, Widespread Panic Still Wields a Mighty Jam Sword
John Bell speaks with the same gentle, Southern cadence that marks his vocal work with Widespread Panic. He and the band carry the DNA of Athens, Ga., with them wherever they land, often playing soul-stirring rock ‘n’ roll with that improvisatory jam-band mastery. But singer-guitarist JB will always have a bit of Cleveland in his…
Melody Makers: Scene’s Mixtape of the Live Music You Should Go See in Cleveland this Summer
Few things in life pair better than live music and sweet, sweet summertime. Thankfully, Cleveland boasts plenty. (Well, more music than pure summer weather, but we’re taking what we can get here.) The city’s multifaceted music scene will be blooming in familiar places and unexpected spots as the hot months truck onward. You’d do well…
All About the Now: For NRBQ’s Terry Adams, Who has Led the Veteran R&B/Pop/Rock Group Since the ’60s, Life is ‘One Big Day’
“I had NRBQ going in 1966, if you can believe that,” Terry Adams says as he makes an offhand comment about the legendary band that he founded almost five decades ago. NRBQ has a strong cult following that includes fans such as low-fi trash rocker Jad Fair and Lovin’ Spoonful frontman John Sebastian. They rank…
A Taste of Culture: Food and Fun Abound at These 12 Festivals
Fest season is upon us. If food and drink and live music is your thing (and whose isn’t it?), get outside and take a plunge into Cleveland’s cultural scene with the many festivals happening this summer. Here are some of the best celebrations that Cleveland has to offer. Larchmere Porchfest June 21 An accumulation of…
Band of the Week: Bethesda
Meet the Band: Shanna Delaney (vocals, tambourine); Eric Ling (rhythm guitar); Cass Jewel (drums); Dan Corby (bass); Alan Walker (lead guitar); Estee Beasley (violin/viola, keys) a cool collaboration: When the indie rock band decided it wanted to release a new single, it put out a call to local artistst. “We wanted to have a local…
A Taste of Culture: Food and Fun Abound at These 12 Festivals
Fest season is upon us. If food and drink and live music is your thing (and whose isn’t it?), get outside and take a plunge into Cleveland’s cultural scene with the many festivals happening this summer. Here are some of the best celebrations that Cleveland has to offer. Larchmere Porchfest June 21 An accumulation of…
The Antlers Opt for a Cinematic Sound on ‘Familiars’
The Antlers Familiars (ANTI-/Transgressive Records) antlersmusic.com “Help is just around the corner,” croons the Antlers’ multi-instrumentalist Peter Silberman on the woozy “Doppelganger,” an eerie song that sounds like a Nick Cave track with horns. The tune is just one of many on this terrific release that has a cinematic sound. You can just imagine it playing…
