Bac Asian Bistro in Tremont to Close, Trio to Open in its Place by Early Summer
With the forthcoming opening of Ninja City in Detroit Shoreway, owner Bac Nguyen has decided to close his flagship restaurant in Tremont to focus exclusively on the new venture. After an admirable eight-year run, the business will close on Saturday April 14. “That place is my baby,” Nguyen says of the closure. “Me and my family…
A Guide to Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day Concerts
Per usual, St. Patrick’s Day unofficially began earlier this month when Cleveland’s Boys from the County Hell, a local Pogues tribute act that makes the most of the holiday, played a special warm-up party at Music Box Supper Club. The Boys will again be plenty busy this year. They start off St. Paddy’s Day at…
Country Singer Tracy Lawrence to Perform at Hard Rock Live in June
Over the course of a career that spans two decades, country singer Tracy Lawrence has had 22 songs land on the Billboard top ten chart. He’s also sold more than 13 million albums. Currently on tour to promote last year’s Good Ole Days, Lawrence performs at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 15, at Hard Rock…
Hulu To Broadcast Adaptation of Shaker Native Celeste Ng’s Novel ‘Little Fires Everywhere’
After a bidding war between multiple outlets, Hulu has won the rights to bring the adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere, the best-selling sophomore novel by Shaker Heights native Celeste Ng, to television. The show will air as an eight-episode miniseries that will be released at a date to be determined. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington will…
Momocho Nachos No. 1 Stadium Food in the Country, USA Today Reports
USA Today’s 10Best site recently named Progressive Field’s Momocho Nachos the Best Stadium Food in the country. And while the spot, formerly known as Jacobs Field, offers other local delicacies from the likes of Melt, Barrio, Sweet Moses and Happy Dog, we’ll agree that Momocho’s lusciously cheesy nachos are not to be missed (if you’re…
The Authentic Audio Podcast With Guest Brandon Chrostowski
Brandon Chrostowski was my guest this episode. Brandon is the founder of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute and is on a mission to change the face of re-entry in the United States. The idea was born from “a break” that Brandon received early in life and has grown into a six-month program conducted at EDWINS…
Logic Coming to Blossom in July
Last week, chart-topping singer, songwriter, rapper and producer Logic released his new mixtape Bobby Tarantino II. It features cameos from the likes of 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa and Marshmello and has already produced one hit single with “Everyday.” Now, Logic has just announced plans for a summer amphitheater and arena tour with support…
Rock Hall Announces Schedule for Induction-Related Events
As if to compensate for the fact that both the Inductions and the watch party are sold out, the Rock Hall has announced a slew of Induction-related events. The programming commences on Saturday, March 24, with a free show at Cleveland Public Library featuring the Brent Kirby Trio, Marcus Alan Ward, Hey Mavis and the…
‘Fix it. Fund it. Make it Fair.’ Transit Advocates Rally for Funding and Equity on Public Square
A year ago, the multi-panel RTA bus used as a visual aid at Clevelanders for Public Transit (CPT) events had “Public Square” scrawled in orange paint at the top. Back then, the local transit advocacy organization was rallying for buses to return to a pivotal strip of Superior Avenue downtown. Monday evening, as CPT rallied…
‘My Friend Dahmer’ Arrives on Home Video on April 10
Based on Derf’s graphic novel about befriending a young Jeffrey Dahmer, who already exhibited psychotic tendencies as teenager while growing up in the Akron area, the film My Friend Dahmer received largely positive reviews upon its release last year. The film played on the festival circuit, premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. It would…
Board of Elections: Martin Sweeney’s Daughter May Run for Local Statehouse Seat Despite Residency Challenge
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has ruled that 25-year-old Bride Rose Sweeney, daughter of former Cleveland City Council President and current state rep Marty Sweeney, may run for her father’s seat, despite the fact that she has lived and worked in Columbus for the past three years. One of Bride Sweeney’s opponents, Rick Raley,…
Hard Rock Live to Host a Prince Tribute Concert in August
The only tribute band to ever appear on Late Night with David Letterman, Purple Reign routinely wins awards for its Vegas-based tribute to Prince. Now, the band is taking the show on the road; it’ll perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, at Hard Rock Live. According to the press release announcing the event,…
Inaugural Bechdel Fest to Take Place at the Nightlight Cinema in 2019
In a 1985 comic strip, Oberlin grad Alison Bechdel presented the concept of the Bechdel Test: a film or other fictional work needs to include at least two female characters, they need to talk to each other and they need to discuss something other than a man or boy. Because so many movies fail that test,…
Senses Fail Singer Talks About the Band’s Return to Its ‘Old Sound’
When the post-hardcore act Senses Fail formed in New Jersey back in 2002, the Jersey/Long Island music scenes featured a number of acts that would go on to receive national attention. Senses Fail singer Buddy Nielsen, the group’s sole original member, fondly recalls that time period. “The music scene in New Jersey and Long Island…
Panda Express Coming to Steelyard Commons This Summer
For the first time, a Panda Express is being built within Cleveland’s city limits. While the national chain has plenty of locations throughout Northeast Ohio, the one coming to Steelyard Commons will be the Chinese fast food company’s closest store to downtown Cleveland, the company told Cleveland 19 News. The restaurant, known for its orange…
Jay-Z and Beyoncé to Launch North American Stadium Tour in Cleveland
Husband and wife Jay-Z and Beyoncé have just announced details for an extensive summer tour that includes stops in 15 cities across the UK and Europe and 21 cities in North America. The North American portion of the tour begins with a July 25 date at FirstEnergy Stadium. Tickets will go on sale at 10…
Dirty Heads to Perform at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in June
The SoCal-based reggae/pop act Dirty Heads had a hit right out of the gates with its 2008 debut, Any Point in a Storm. The band’s popularity has only increased in the wake of that first release, and it headlined its own High & Mighty Festival in 2017. The group has even launched its own premium…
10-Day Suspension, Written Warning Delivered for Cleveland Cops in Death of Tanisha Anderson
A grand jury heard evidence from the Ohio Attorney General’s office in its investigation of the death of Tanisha Anderson, as well as evidence from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, over the last months of 2017 and into 2018. In February, it declined to bring any charges against two Cleveland police officers — Scott Aldridge and…
Barroco Arepa Bar to Expand Again, this Time to Crocker Park
Northeast Ohio diners have watched as local upstarts like B Spot, Melt and Barrio have grown from trendy one-off to regional chain. Not too far behind is Barroco Arepa Bar, the popular Colombian-themed restaurant that first opened doors in Lakewood (12906 Madison Ave., 216-221-8127) back in 2011. Last summer, the eatery run by Juan and…
AmeriCorps Week Celebrates Service in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hundreds of folks in Ohio are serving as catalysts for change in the fight to eradicate poverty through National Service programs. Specifically in Ohio, about 1,200 people are dedicating a year of their lives as AmeriCorps VISTA members. Caitlin Ballinger is the AmeriCorps VISTA leader at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. She…
Browns, Tiger Woods and the Big Ol’ Basketball Tournament — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Stuffy Andre and Sniffling Zac talk football, basketball, trades, perceptions and Vegas. (Taped Sunday morning.)
Local Hard Rock Act MOSSOM to Play Special Showcase at SXSW
For the past five years, singer-bassist David Allen Moss [pictured] has been a part of the local music scene in one fashion or another. He currently fronts the hard rock act MOSSOM, a group that often draws comparisons to Cage the Elephant, Primus and the Kooks. Recently, the band was selected from a pool of over…
Human: An Immersive Arts Experience Takes Place Tonight at Lab Studios by GLO
Not your normal art show, Human: An Immersive Arts Experience at Lab Studios by GLO promises to offer something more interactive. As a result, there will be body painting, dance, a tattoo pop-up shop, an immersive photo gallery, art installations, a hair/make up pop-up boutique, glow in the dark exhibits, sound and music installations, henna,…
Rejuvenated Rapper Big K.R.I.T. Promises to Bring ‘A Lot of Energy’ to His Upcoming House of Blues Show
There is a scene in Superman III in which Superman is secretly exposed to Kryptonite and soon thereafter becomes a darker version of himself. He succumbs to depression and finds himself in a bar throwing back shots of Johnny Walker Red and breaking bottles as he flicks peanuts at them. He stumbles out into the…
You Can Now Buy This Plate, Other Memorabilia, Once Owned by John Glenn
It turns out that Ohio astronaut/senator extraordinaire John Glenn had a lot of stuff. Thousands of his household treasures are now available to buy at a special estate sale being held through the weekend at the late-hero’s Washington-area home. Glenn passed away in 2016, leaving behind his wife Annie who still lives in Ohio, and…
Petition Signatures Gathered in Green in Hopes of Getting NEXUS Referendum on Ballot; Oberlin Votes Against Settlement With the Pipeline
A couple of updates on local fights against NEXUS, the contentious 250-mile natural gas pipeline that received final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last August and which is already under construction on some parts of its route. First, out in Oberlin, city council was all set to pass a proposed $100,000 settlement with NEXUS…
A Shanghai University Has Launched an Investigation Into the Hiring of Disgraced Former Case Law School Dean Lawrence Mitchell
[image-1] The Shanghai University of Finance and Economics has officially launched an investigation into the hiring of Ezra Wasserman Mitchell, otherwise known as Lawrence Mitchell, the disgraced former dean of the law school at Case Western Reserve University, according to the Shanghai Daily. In 2014, Case Western Reserve University Law School Dean Lawrence Mitchell resigned…
Lineup Announced for the Third Annual 330 Day Concert
The Summit 90.7/91.3 FM has just announced the lineup for the third annual 330 Day Concert. The event, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 30, at the Akron Civic Theater, will feature 33 local acts. Brian Lisik, Ledges, the Kidney Brothers, Tracey Thomas, Stems, Zach, Marc Lee Shannon, Yankee Bravo, Shooter Sharp…
Sonder Bombs Release a New Music Video in Advance of an East Coast Tour
The members of the local indie rock act Sonder Bombs describe their sound in the following manner: “driving, crunchy drums layered with super distorted guitar leads, bouncing ukulele riffs, deep and simple bass lines, infectious melodies and passionate vocals.” They’ve even created their own genre, which they’ve dubbed “uke-punk.” “When people hear ‘uke-punk,’ they often…
The Cross Brothers to Celebrate Their Anticipated Debut With a Release Show at the Happy Dog
Singer-guitarist Tony Cross and his singer-guitarist brother Nick both grew up on Cleveland’s west side. From an early age, they developed a love for British Invasion music, something that would inspire their first band, Coffinberry, as well as their new band, the Cross Brothers. “We liked the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Kinks and the Zombies…
Pride in the CLE and Cleveland Pride Inc. Come Together for One Big Summer Celebration
Pride in the CLE and Cleveland Pride Inc, have chosen to come together for one unified celebration this year, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland announced today. The Pride in the CLE event, as Cleveland’s singular Pride event will be known now, runs May 31 through June 3, with the big downtown celebration and…
Grant-Lee Phillips’ New Album Offers a Commentary on the Current Political Climate
Two years ago at Music Box Supper Club, singer-songwriters Steve Poltz and Grant-Lee Phillips played a fun co-headlining show. They couldn’t stop talking about what a great time they were having together on their first-ever tour together. At the show’s start, they immediately launched into a bit of banter before Phillips finally said, “Let’s do…
Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman Get Their Babble-On at House of Blues Next Month
Director/actor Kevin Smith and actor/radio host Ralph Garman come to The House of Blues Monday, April 9, for their Hollywood Babble-On event, which takes a comedic look at showbiz news while biting down on the hand that feeds them. Smith, director of movies such as Clerks, Mallrats and Dogma recently suffered a massive heart attack during…
Guitarist Michael Schenker Discusses the Advantages of Touring and Recording with Four Singers
Guitarist Michael Schenker toured and recorded with the Scorpions when he was just 15. He says he liked all the little things about being part of the band back then. “I had a fantastic time,” he says in a recent phone interview. His band Michael Schenker Fest performs at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16,…
Indie Rockers Born Ruffians Slim Down to a Trio for Their New Album
When indie rockers Born Ruffians first formed just more than 10 years ago in Midland, Ontario, they didn’t exactly mesh with the other Midland acts. “The music scene in Midland featured a lot of skate punk and emo when we were growing up,” says bassist Mitch DeRosier in a recent phone interview. The band performs…
How John Carroll’s Latin American Student Association Felt When Border Patrol Agents Boarded Their Amtrak
On Feb. 18, the students of John Carroll’s Latin American Student Association (LASA) were aboard an Amtrak train bound for Cleveland from Chicago. They were returning to campus from a conference for Latin American student groups across the country. As the train approached Toledo, the two cars in which the LASA members were spread out…
Ohioans on Capitol Hill as a Voice for Lake Erie This Week
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Lake Erie can’t speak for itself, so dozens of Ohioans will be its voice this week on Capitol Hill. They join hundreds from around the country to promote the importance of programs that keep the Great Lakes healthy and drinking water safe. There are proposals for massive funding cuts to the Great…
Two Brave Souls Ate More Chicken Nuggets Than the Denver Nuggets Scored Points Last Night and Conquered the #MeVsNuggets Challenge
Hearty congratulations and perhaps an economy sized package of Imodium go out to @mindofquinn and @iamblakelopez1 this morning after each man ate more chicken nuggets (111) than the Denver Nuggets scored points last night (108) against the Cavs in what the record books will show as the first victories in the #MeVsNuggets challenge. What’s that?…
Towpath Tappening Takes Place Today at Forest City Brewery
Canalway Partners hosts today’s special Towpath Tappening at Forest City Brewery. Billed as “a chance to recognize all of those who have supported our projects through the years,” the evening will feature raffles, appetizers, drink tickets for purchase and “exciting announcements.” Organizers also will recognize people who have contributed to their projects over the years.…
March Madness, March Baseball and Draft Experts — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Everybody has a drunk uncle. And everybody on Twitter is a draft expert. Zac and Andre discuss the NFL Combine, Arizona and even a little basketball.
RTA Changes to Routes 14 and 15 Postponed Due to Council Intervention
Two announced RTA route changes have been postponed after Cleveland City Council has called for further consideration and a longer period of community engagement. The downtown portions of bus routes #14 (Kinsman) and #15 (Union – Harvard) were altered as part of a larger effort by RTA to selectively reduce frequencies and redirect some existing…
Stormy Daniels is Coming to Make Cleveland Horny
Stormy Daniels has added two nights at the Diamond’s men’s club in Cleveland to her Make America Horny Again tour as she makes the rounds following news of her affair with President Donald Trump, the secret payoff she received from his lawyer, the dress with evidence that she kept and is now trying to sell,…
Cleveland Heights-Based Rib Cage to Expand to Ohio City
Since 2012, the Rib Cage (2214 Lee Rd., 216-321-RIBS) in the Cedar-Lee District of Cleveland Heights has been dishing up hearty Southern-styled barbecue smoked on site in a custom-built brick smokehouse. Owner Robert Hill, along with sons Robert, Ronnell and Brandon, has built up a loyal following for his restaurant’s slow-smoked brisket, ribs and chicken,…
7 Concerts to Catch in Cleveland This Weekend
FRIDAY, MARCH 9 The Boys From the County Hell When the Boys from the County Hell first got together in 2000 as a Pogues cover band, it was supposed to be just a one-night stand. But after selling out their first show at the Euclid Tavern, the group’s popularity escalated. The band’s been working on…
Ohio Supreme Court Delivers Good News, Bad News for Tyrone Noling in His Quest to Prove His Innocence
Tyrone Noling has steadfastly maintained his innocence since being convicted of the 1990 murders of Bearnhardt and Cora Hartig. The state’s case was problematic from the start — no physical evidence tied Noling to the crime scene — and has only become spottier. He was largely convicted, in a 1993 trial, based on the testimony of…
Details Announced For This Year’s Dyngus Day Celebration
Now in its eighth year, Cleveland’s Dyngus Day celebration continues to get bigger and better each year. This year’s event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday, April 2, at locations throughout Ohio City, Tremont and the Detroit Shoreway, promises to be another wildly good time. “From a Polish Legion of…
Steve Winwood Delivers Well-Received Greatest Hits Set at Playhouse Square
Last night, during the middle of a 95-minute performance at the State Theatre, Steve Winwood, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose remarkable career includes stints with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and Go in addition to a successful solo career, said he was happy to play in Cleveland, a city he called “the home of…
Band of the Week: Michelle Romary
MEET THE BAND: Michelle Romary (vocals, melodica, tambourine) A MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST: A local singer-songwriter, Romary grew up in Dayton and attended Ohio University. She moved to Northeast Ohio in 1998 and took private lessons from a Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music professor. As a Catholic cantor and soloist, she regularly sings at wedding ceremonies and funeral/memorial masses,…
Savage Love: Zaps
I’m an 18-year-old cis hetero girl from Australia. Thanks to you I’m pretty open minded about my sexuality and body. Having said that, I do have a few questions. I started watching porn from a youngish age with no real shame attached but I have some concerns. 1. I get off really quickly to lesbian…
These 23 Cleveland Spots Not Only Major in Brunch, But Score an A+ for Execution
In a few short years, brunch has steadily progressed from the exception to the rule. What has long been sneered at by management as a culinary P.I.T.A. has blossomed into one of the most sought after and enjoyable meals of the week. These days, it seems, if the restaurant has a kitchen, it’s serving brunch.…
In a City That Loves Its Food, Nothing Satisfies Quite Like Cleveland Brunch
If you haven’t noticed, brunch in Cleveland is having a moment. What used to be the slowest service of the week — if a restaurant even bothered to unlock its doors, that is — has become the busiest meal in the rotation. Long reserved for the stuffy, spend-y hotel crowd, weekend brunch is damn near…
Get Out: Everything You Should Be Doing in Cleveland This Weekend (March 7-13)
WED 03/07 2018 MAC Tournament Many teams in college basketball’s biggest conferences will make it to the NCAA basketball tournament whether or not they win their conference tournament. In the Mid-American Conference, teams must win the conference tournament to get selected to play at the Big Dance. At least that’s traditionally been the case. So…
Amanda Bahia’s Even Snakes Shed Their Skin Comes to Negative Space Gallery Annex
Even kids know that snakes shed their skin. This process not only facilitates snakes’ growth and development, it also removes parasites and other funk that may have attached to the old skin. As humans, the psychic shedding of one’s “skin” can come about through provocations of many forms including, but not limited to, near-death experiences,…
‘The Effect’ at Dobama Theatre Explores How Chemicals Control Our Feelings
Ever wonder how your life is influenced, sometimes second-to-second, by the neurochemicals that flow through your brain? Most of these are naturally occurring molecules that excite or inhibit us, allowing us to think, move, screw and pretty much behave like human beings. In other words, we are all little bundles of neurochemicals wandering around and…
‘Thoroughbreds’ is a Sleek Thriller With No Heart
Debut director Cory Finley has garnered effusive praise for his sleek new thriller Thoroughbreds, a runaway favorite at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. Starring Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) and Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch), with Paul Sparks (House of Cards) and the late Anton Yelchin in supporting roles, the film charts…
Detroit-Shoreway Pizza Joint Il Rione Wants to Revive Cleveland’s Littler Italy
Out of the corner of my eye I spied one of the city’s top chefs walk into the restaurant and grab a seat at the bar. She was joined by a former restaurant-industry magazine editor. Across the dining room, in a dimly lit corner, a Cleveland city council member was enjoying a quiet meal with…
