Margaritaville Officially Opens in Cleveland July 11
Update: Alright, for real this time. After multiple delays, Margaritaville will finally and officially debut in the east bank of the Flats on July 11. A soft open is scheduled for July 3. *** (Updated 5/19/17): The date is set. Clevelanders can officially get wasted away at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville when it opens in the…
Ramon Rivas’ Half-Hour Special on Comedy Central Airs Tonight
UPDATE: Ramon Rivas hits the comedy stage tonight (eeearly Friday morning, to be exact) at 12:30 a.m. on Comedy Central. The Half Hour highlights some of the funniest up-and-coming stand-up acts around the country. *** Comedy Central announced this morning the 17 comics who will get half-hour specials on the network’s The Half Hour, a…
Sherwin Williams Announces LeBron Banner to Stay After Outrage From Cavs Fans
Update: After some public fury that you undoubtedly heard about, including a Change.org petition drive and approximately as many angry social media posts directed at Sherwin Williams as people that attended the Cavs victory parade, the company announced in a statement that the LeBron banner will in fact not be taken down for the RNC.…
Coastal Taco Opens Friday in the Flats
Quick update: Coastal Tacos is opening Friday just in time for all the glorious Memorial Day weekend festivities and Scene’s three-day Taste of Summer event in the Flats. Tacos! *** (Original story 5/8/16): Rick Doody, who along with brother Chris founded the Brio Bravo Restaurant Group, has gotten back to what he loves doing most:…
Trumpeter Ryan Anthony to Headline Cancer Blows Benefit Concert at Severance Hall
A Cleveland Institute of Music grad widely regarded as one of the top trumpet players in the world, Ryan Anthony was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2012. Diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving, the guy played the National Anthem to open the annual Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game. At the time of diagnosis, his bone marrow was…
The Cavs and the Waiting Game — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks for their second straight sweep to begin the playoffs. Now they await the winner of Miami and Toronto as the West gets itself sorted out with Steph Curry back for the Warriors. Andre and Zac also discuss the state of the podcast. Subscribe to A to Z on…
“Fast & Furious 8” is Looking for Extras to Cast in Cleveland
Wanna be famous? Well, sort of? Production for Fast & Furious 8 is looking for local extras to cast for the latest film in the franchise. The secondary unit will be filming here in Cleveland, so we can’t guarantee any screen time with Vin Diesel, but you’ll probably get to witness some stunts firsthand. According to…
Public Square Renovation is Getting Closer to the Finish Line
Several streets near Public Square were closed over the weekend for some finishing touches as the end date for the redo inches closer and closer. Evidence of that progress: some actual green stuff! Except for a little dust, work on the square is right on schedule. #CLE @ClevelandScene @TowerLightsCLE Public Square project nearing the finish…
Kalman and Pabst Photo Group Showcases Staff’s Extensive Photography
This weekend the Kalman and Pabst Photo Group (KP Photo) transforms their 18,000-sq.-ft. commercial photo studio into a pop-up gallery, showcasing more than 600 works of art by their staff. The works include travel photography, paintings, illustrations, installations and other fine art. The sixth biennial Kalman & Pabst Photo Group exhibition opens to the public…
Local Singer-Songwriter Phil Bonanno to Play ‘Live at Aloft Hotels’ Concert Series
Since opening a few years ago on the East Bank of the Flats, the downtown Aloft hotel has hosted several national acts for “Live at Aloft” acoustic sessions. Now, the Beachwood Aloft is getting in on the action. It has just announced that local singer-songwriter Phil Bonanno will perform at hotel’s W XYZ bar every…
Silversun Pickups Thrive on Crowd’s Energy at Sold Out House of Blues Show
Bands that focus on delivering radio friendly singles might dominate the pop music world but L.A.-based indie rockers Silversun Pickups are living proof that not every group needs to take that approach. Releasing a new studio album every three years and then touring relentlessly in support of it, Silversun Pickups train for marathons, not 5Ks.…
Snarky Puppy, Masters of Dynamics and Funk, Throw Down at Beachland Ballroom
It had been nearly two years since the cats in Snarky Puppy graced the fine Beachland Ballroom with their presence. The Cleveland crowd was ravenous. And why not? It’s not every day that a jazz/funk collective so tight that their chord fingerings press notes into diamonds shows up on the north shore. So thank goodness…
Alt-Country Rockers the Heartless Bastards and the Old 97’s Share a Blue-Collar Ethos
The Heartless Bastards and the Old 97’s, two high-energy alt-country acts that defy stereotypes about the genre, have teamed up for a string of East Coast, Midwest and Canada dates throughout May with opener BJ Barham (of American Aquarium). The ‘Bastards have built their reputation around Erika Wennerstrom’s “powerhouse vocals that electrify a crowd.” And…
Citizen Pie Welcomes International Food Writer Katie Parla for Cookbook Event
Katie Parla is an American-born, Rome-based food and drinks writer with a huge passion for the culture of her adopted city. Much of that history, culture and food finds its way into her latest cookbook, “Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City” (Clarkson Potter, $30). Through recipes and narratives, the book…
Two Children Wounded in Separate Drive-By Shootings This Weekend
[image-1]This past Saturday evening, May 7, a 12-year-old boy was shot in the knee, on the porch outside his home on East 66th Street, as a victim of a drive-by shooting. On Sunday, May 8, another 13-year-old boy was shot in the back as he sat inside his grandmother’s home on East 153rd Street, due…
Video: J.R. Smith Talks About Playing With LeBron, His First Tattoo, And More
First it was Iman Shumpert, now J.R. Smith opens up to Vice Sports. Smith talks about his tattoos, playing in Madison Square Garden and LeBron James in this wonderful ride along interview. Enjoy.
J.R. Smith Might Have a Role in Space Jam 2
So far most of the talk about a Space Jam sequel seems to be only recently coming into concrete terms instead of mythical speculation — there’s a screenwriter attached now, and maybe a director, and probably LeBron — but when it does happen (fingers crossed) J.R. Smith might be in the mix too. The production…
Slayer/Anthrax/Death Angel Tour Coming to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Speed metal veterans Slayer and Anthrax have just announced that they’ll team up with Death Angel for an extensive North American tour that launches on Sept. 9 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. “We are thrilled and honored to be part of this amazing North American touring package,” says Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda in a…
Local Contemporary Youth Orchestra to Perform With Tommy Shaw of Styx
Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra will often perform with rock musicians. The latest such concert finds the group paired with Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw, who joins the ensemble at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 27, at Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium. Currently in its seventeenth year, CYO’s annual Rock the Orchestra has featured acts such as…
Case’s Annual Book Sale To Feature Huge Rock Music Collection
The digital revolution is upon us, but this year’s annual book sale at Case Western Reserve University will feature physical releases — some 70,000 of them. The sale, which includes books, prints, maps and atlases, sheet music, CDs, DVDs, records, play scripts, and memorabilia, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. This year’s sale includes a…
New Nautica Master Plan Calls for Hundreds of Apartment Units
Crain’s reports this morning that Nautica developer Jeffrey Jacobs is rolling out a pretty grand plan for the entertainment district in the Flats. All told, the new development will roll another $400 million or so into the neighborhood. As the rendering shows, the plan calls for several “towers” that will rise up with Jacobs Pavilion and the…
Video: Richard Jefferson Proves LeBron Really Does Drive a Kia
Via Richard Jefferson’s Snapchat account (Rjeff24, which might be the best follow of the NBA playoffs so far) comes evidence that LeBron really does drive a Kia. Who knew? There was a commercial this past winter that “proved” LeBron really does drive a car from the company that he’s got a lucrative sponsorship deal with,…
Review: “Wrestling Jerusalem” Scratches the Surface of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Playwright and performer Aaron Davidman is touring his one-person play Wrestling Jerusalem, which is now in residence at Cleveland Public Theatre. And while it is more of a “tour de feelings” rather than a tour de force, it still has some clear and effective moments. It is Davidman’s goal to show both sides of the…
Local Punk Band One Days Notice to Play Farewell Show at the Foundry
The local punk band One Days Notice first formed in 2010 when guitarist David Vallo, who had played in several other local hard-rock acts, posted ads on Craigslist and recruited the other members. The group initially issued the seven-song EP That’s What She Said and then followed it up with the mini-EP A Dime a…
The Scene Podcast With Mike Polk Talking Negativity, His Career, and Cleveland Sports
Mike Polk Jr. has his new album coming out on iTunes. It was as good a reason as any to get him to come sit down and talk about a bunch of things like Cleveland sports, dealing with negativity and his career in and around Cleveland. You can find all the info about what Mike’s…
Cavaliers Brush Aside Hawks On Way to Bigger Things
What does the Hawks-Cavaliers series have in common with the Alamo, WWII France and Michael Dukakis in ’88? Each massacre came at the hands of a superior foe, and the same thing happened on Sunday, as the Cavs outshot, outplayed and outclassed the Atlanta Hawks to sweep the Eastern Conference Semis with a hard-fought 100-99…
Brit Singer Ellie Goulding Launches Summer Concert Season at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Like many up-and-coming singers, Britain’s Ellie Goulding spent the early days of her career as an opening act. She supported big-name artists such as John Mayer, Passion Pit and even U2. Now headlining arenas and touring with a production that includes a live band and dancers, she’s become the main event and has to captivate…
Cheap Trick Delivers a Good Old-Fashioned Rock Show at Public Hall
Last night at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2016 Spring Benefit concert, newly minted inductees Cheap Trick made it clear they were still in disbelief to be in such elite company. “How’s everybody feeling out there tonight? We’re feeling pretty good ourselves. … Hall of Fame, holy shit,” frontman Robin Zander…
Cavs Ground Hawks With Big Fourth
“When the law break in, how you gonna go, shot down on the pavement or waiting in death row,” asks Clash bassist Paul Simonon in the song “Guns of Brixton.” It’s similar to the options the Cavaliers are offering their opponents: Dennis Hassert or Jerry Sandusky? Sparkler enema or a shit sandwich? Frontal lobotomy or…
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Deal is Dead, Says Landlord
Back in December we broke the news that Cinci-Based Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse was planning to open in the old National City Bank lobby, originally home to the Cleveland Trust Co. Today we are breaking the news that the deal officially is dead. “No, it’s not happening,” says Frank Sinito, CEO of Cleveland-based The Millennia Companies,…
Local Rapper Hopes New Short Film Will Cast Positive Light on Cleveland
Local rapper Rosco (NoE) has just released My Outlandish Story, a new short film about a young man from Cleveland who “attempts to chase his musical dreams while facing the challenges of everyday life in this society.” Filmed in Cleveland, the movie includes footage shot in the downtown area and in surrounding neighborhoods. “My goal…
Sunny Spot Lounge in Cleveland Heights Ordered Closed After Murder
A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Sunny Spot Lounge in Cleveland Heights this week days after a homicide at the location. In other words, it’s closed for now. The city of Cleveland Heights filed a complaint and sought the order, stating the bar on Noble Rd. was a danger to the surrounding community…
K+D Plans Purchase of Terminal Tower, Plans Include Apartments
[image-1]Living in Terminal Tower? A deal could happen this year to make that possible. The building already houses tons of office space — the largest tenant being Forest City — and if the deal goes through, 300 housing units could fit into the 250,000 square feet already dedicated to offices. Michelle Jarboe of the Plain…
Lakewood Summer Meltdown Returns July 9
Back for its seventh year, Lakewood’s annual Summer Meltdown is sure to be a fun family event. Come Saturday, July 9, to downtown Lakewood from 4 – 10 p.m. for an evening filled with food, races for children/adults and all-ages activities. Melt Bar and Grilled is teaming up as a sponsor alongside LakewoodAlive for this…
Groundbreaking Underway on East Side Market in Glenville, Neighborhood’s First New Grocery Store in a Decade
The Glenville neighborhood, which has recently endured as a well known food desert, will soon get its own market and a boost in jobs with the official groundbreaking for the East Side Market. The market is being revived after it was closed about a decade ago, and during the interim, no other grocery stores had…
Homeowner Whose House Was Egged More Than 100 Times Will Get His House Painted for Free Today
Turns out egging a house can really do some damage to its paint job. Who knew? We mention that, of course, because of the bizarre house-egging story you may remember from the past year. To recap: an elderly homeowner in Euclid had his house pelted with eggs more than 100 times by an unknown culprit.…
Cleveland Museum of Art Announces Plans for Centennial Celebrations Throughout 2016
Yesterday morning, Mayor Frank Jackson joined the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Director, Dr. William Griswold, to officially announce the museum’s summer plans for its Centennial celebration. “The Cleveland Museum of Art contributes a lot to Cleveland,” said Mayor Jackson from inside the CMA’s Ames Family Atrium. “It’s not just a local or national institution; it…
East Cleveland 3, Once Convicted of Murder, Inch Closer to New Trial
The “East Cleveland 3” — Derrick Wheatt, Eugene Johnson, and Laurese Glover — walked out of prison one year ago, but they’re still fighting to clear their names and awaiting a new trial. The three men were convicted of the 1995 murder of Clifton Hudson in East Cleveland. Since then, the case has unfolded in various courts…
Blended: New Orleans Suspects Combine the Past with the Future as a Funky Supergroup
In 2009, a new band began to form out of the osmotic New Orleans music scene. They gathered at The Maple Leaf Bar, a storied uptown venue that’s hosted some of the city’s most most legendary bands and musicians since the mid-70s. The New Orleans Suspects — Mean Willie Green on drums, Reggie Scanlan on…
Pop Singer Cyndi Lauper Revisits Country Classics on Her New Album
Pop singer Cyndi Lauper started her career with the rockabilly band Blue Angel, so she’s well-versed in old school country, the kind of country that had a rockabilly edge and would influence early rock ’n’ roll. On her new album, Detour, she offers her take on a dozen classic country songs as she duets with…
11 Concerts to Catch This Weekend
FRIDAY, MAY 6 Soulfly Way back in the 1980s, Brazilian-born singer-guitarist Max Cavalera started Sepultura when he and his brother Igor were still teenagers. That band left an incredible legacy (and the group still exists but without the Cavaleras). Cavalera explored his heritage with Sepultura and then with Soulfy, which initially formed in 1998 after…
New Shows at 2731 Prospect Showcase Range of Local, Regional Photography
2731 Prospect debuts two new exhibitions this week. The gallery presents a solo show by San Francisco artist Lauren DiCioccio and a group show of emerging local/regional photographers. The gallery hosts an opening reception for both on Friday, May 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. Familiars features San Francisco-based artist Lauren DiCioccio’s hand sewn and…
Cavs Notes: Hoop Drills, When AAU Attacks & RAPM Redux
[image-1]Several (former and current) players looked at us sideways when we said we wanted to talk about basketball drills. They’re more like chores than activities, so we understand, but that’s also sort of their allure. At the end of Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield even admits to missing Stradlater, his annoyingly self-satisfied and popular…
Local Rapper Toobe Fresco to Play Release Party at the Grog Shop
Growing up on the East side of Cleveland, local rapper Toobe Fresco (formerly C-Ro Del Fresco) listened to music all day long as a youth. When he was 10, he wrote his first song and in seventh grade started 3 Kingz, a hip-hop group. In 2009, he issued first release, Mr. Del-Fresco, and he then…
Northeast Ohio College Preparatory High School Staff Unionizes
[image-1]Last time we checked in on the “wave” of charter school unionization votes, the staff at Northeast Ohio College Preparatory High School was still debating its move, and administrative officials were keeping a close eye on staff meetings. Today, though, teachers and support staff at the Tremont charter school voted 21-3 to join a union. The…
Cleveland Museum of Art Announces Schedule for Summer Solstice
The Cleveland Museum of Art has just announced the lineup for it signature summer event, Solstice, which takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 25. For the eighth annual Solstice, guests will once again have an opportunity to enjoy “dynamic and cutting-edge music from around the world.” Museum galleries will be open late into…
Video: The First Trailer for “The Land,” Cleveland-Based Film That Debuted at Sundance
The film “The Land” made its debut at Sundance earlier this year, and now it’s official trailer for IFC Films has been released. Directed by Cleveland native Steven Caple Jr. and produced by rapper Nas, the film was acquired by IFC shortly after its premiere. The plot centers around four friends who love skateboarding and…
Local Duo Shawn & Shelby to Play Release Show at Beachland Tavern
Last year, Old Boy’s Shawn Brewster and Shelby Lynn Sangdahl started up a band they christened Shawn & Shelby as an outlet for the songs that didn’t quite fit with Brewster’s indie rock act Old Boy. The group released an EP and regularly gigged around town. Now, the group is back with Stay With Me…
East Cleveland Seeks Bankruptcy
East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton is currently awaiting a response to his request for approval of municipal bankruptcy for his beleaguered city. He sent a letter last week to State Tax Commissioner Joseph Testa asking that a petition be approved and moved forward. “Despite the city’s best efforts, East Cleveland is insolvent,” Norton wrote. “Based on…
National Af-Am Museum Never Wanted to Preserve Cudell Gazebo, Curator Was Writing on Behalf of Black Lives Matter
Though Senior Curator William Pretzer has not responded to multiple requests for comment, a spokeswoman for the Smithsonian said that the National Museum of African American History and Culture has no interest in preserving the Cudell gazebo where Tamir Rice was shot. ”We are not looking at that as something that we want to preserve,”…
Heights Arts Hosts Linda Ayala’s Imaginative Interpretations of the Natural World
Heights Arts’ Spotlight Gallery showcases new work by Cleveland Heights-based artist and former Walleye Gallery co-founder Linda Ayala. Ayala is a graduate of Cleveland State University. Join the artist in the gallery from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday, May 6, for the opening reception. Her small, intricate drawings are fun and imaginative with serious…
Hilary Gent Brings ‘Properties of Water’ to Waterloo
Perhaps the highlight of May’s Walk All Over Waterloo event is the return of local artist, gallery owner and event planner Hilary Gent to the Maria Neil Art Project. In a follow-up to Aftermath, her first exhibition at MNAP, Gent explores Properties of Water. The exhibition opens with a reception from 5 to 10 p.m.…
Video: All 25 of the Cavs’ Record-Breaking Three-Pointers Last Night
You know you want to re-live it.
The Elevation Group to Bring National Acts to Crop’s On Air Studio
When Crop’s On Air Studio opened last year, chef and managing partner, Steve Schimoler told us that he intended to book “live music, TV shows, plays” in the space featuring state-of-the-art technology. To help bring that vision to fruition, he’s entered a live music and entertainment partnership with Cleveland-based Elevation Group, which aims to bring…
Cavs Symon-ize Hawks Into Three-licious Smorgasbord
As the Cavaliers dismembered the Hawks, 123-98 demonstrating cold precision we might expect of Dexter or Hannibal, we imagined Johnny Carson reprising his Great Karnac act, holding an envelope to his head. “Sony Pictures, Panama Law Firm Mossack Fonseca, and Bernie Madoff’s investors,” he utters, before opening it. “Name three things as pwned as the…
Hardcore Heroes Hatebreed to Launch North American Tour in Cleveland
Since 1994, Hatebreed — singer Jamey Jasta, bassist Chris Beattie, guitarist Wayne Lozinak, guitarist Frank Novinec and drummer Matthew Byrne have straddled the hardcore and hard rock worlds. As a result, the band has a diverse audience of fans who like both metal and punk rock. Last year, after two years on the road, Jasta…
Cleveland Metroparks Has Spent $24,890 on Crisis Communications Specialists Since 2012; Here’s a Breakdown of the Work
The Cleveland Metroparks has paid crisis communications firm Hennes Communications $24,890 in fees since 2012 for a variety of consulting services. For instance, in February, the Metroparks paid Hennes $560 for emergency advice on how to handle media coverage of CEO Brian Zimmerman’s salary. Scene broke the story of Zimmerman’s 19-percent raise on February 18,…
Police Asking Meth Users to Stop Calling Dealer’s Phone
If you buy crystal meth from a Mr. Steve Notman in Alliance, you might want to stop calling or texting him for more. For one, police say he’s out of drugs. An additional problem is that he can’t respond because he’s busy dealing with the cops. Notman was arrested by the Alliance Police Department and…
35 Years In, Yours Truly is Hungry for More
After 35 years in the toilsome restaurant trade, Art, Larry, Darlene and Jeffrey Shibley have earned the right to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their collective labors. The four siblings opened the first Yours Truly Restaurant in Beachwood way back in 1981, and have since added family friendly locations in Chagrin Falls, Shaker…
Walnut Wednesdays Returns to Walnut Avenue Starting Today
Walnut Wednesday is back for your lunchtime eating pleasure. The seasonal weekly event is now in its sixth year, and starting today and every Wednesday through September food trucks will line Walnut Avenue and East 12th Street from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Can’t make it out on a Wednesday? Memorial Mondays will take place…
Hearing Scheduled Today On Allegations Against Cuyahoga County’s Homeless Women’s Shelter
This afternoon, members of the local homeless women population will get a chance to go public with long-brewing grievances over the county’s only standing shelter for homeless single women, the Community Women’s Shelter on Payne Avenue. At 1 p.m., the County Council’s Health and Human Services committee is scheduled to hold a session on the…
The Scene Podcast With Scott Raab Talking “Believeland” and the Cavs
Scott Raab joined the Scene Podcast to discuss ESPN’s latest 30 for 30, Believeland. The show debuts May 14th on ESPN and will try and shed some light on the nature of Cleveland sports fans to the rest of the world. Subscribe to the Scene Podcast on iTunes here. Stream the episode below.
Brian Windhorst on the NBA Playoffs — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst makes it three well educated guys from Akron talking sports. Brian Windhorst makes his second appearance on the A to Z Podcast to talk about the NBA playoffs, and this time he’s live in studio with Zac and Dre. Subscribe to A to Z on iTunes here. Android users can find the…
Real Plus Minus: The Bogus New Stat Everyone’s Using
Stats, like any other tool, are no better than those that wield them. As we’ve entered the Big Data age we’ve witnessed more malpractice. But nothing we’ve seen is as egregious as the attempts to pass off Real Plus-Minus and Adjusted Plus-Minus as good data. Luckily we don’t write for ESPN nor are we trying…
Savage Love: Virgin Territory
I’m a 31-year-old straight woman. I have a good job, great friends, and average attractiveness. I’ve dated close to 30 men at this point, and I can’t wrap my head around this: I’ve never had a boyfriend or dated anyone for more than a couple months. It’s really starting to wear on my self-esteem. I…
A Boozy Druggie Leads His Flock Into a Dead-end Story in Jerusalem at Ensemble Theatre
You have to admire a theater company that goes for the big lift, attempting a play that offers a multitude of opportunities for missteps. It is in those moments that you can see truly remarkable productions, the ones where reach exceeds grasp and something magical is created. Ensemble Theatre is attempting such a feat with…
CSU, CIA Highlight Student Artist Achievements This Week
This week, the local art spotlight shines brightly on the region’s talented students. On Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m., the Galleries at Cleveland State University hosts a reception and awards ceremony for its 45th Student Show and Merit Scholar Exhibitions. On Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., the focus shifts to the highly…
Meet the Band: Jesus on the Mainline
Meet the Band: Andrew Neesley (vocals), Mel Flannery (vocals), Amanda Brecker (vocals), Tim Emmerick (vocals, guitar, banjo), Tomek Miernowski (bass), Dave Scalia (drums), Pascal Le Beouf (keyboards, organ), Andrew Miramonti (guitars), Simon Kafka (guitars), Mike Gorham (trumpet), Augie Haas (trumpet), Natalie Cressman (Trombone), Frank Cohen (Trombone), Mark McGinnis (Tuba), Jake Goldbas (Percussion). A NEW YORK…
A Chagrin Falls Grad Comes Home to Turn the Former Dink’s Space Into a Family Friendly Diner
The way John Krissinger explains it, the deal was too good to refuse. After decades of working for other owners, turning around underperforming hotel restaurants nationwide, the veteran chef was ready to pull the trigger on a place of his own. He’d been scouring the business-for-sale websites looking for a Cleveland-based restaurant when a big…
No Gluten? No Problem, at Cafe Avalaun
There are crepes and there are burritos. And then there is the Creperitto, the pillowy hybrid that could be a contender for the title of “item least expected to appear on a completely gluten-free menu.” But it’s a star at Cafe Avalaun (4640 Richmond Rd., Warrensville Heights, 216-245-6666, cafeavalaun.com), where Brian Doyle turns presumptions like…
One of the Rarest Religious Experiences You Can Have in America is Joining the Amish. Can an Outsider Ever Truly Become Amish?
The road that runs through the main village of Berlin, Ohio, only about 90 minutes south of Cleveland, is called “Amish Country Byway” for its unusual number of non-automotive travelers. And it’s true that driving down it, you’ll have to slow down for the horse-drawn buggies that clog the right lane. But those seeking the…
Sing Street Rocks
Young love, in literature and in film — and certainly in John Carney’s new movie Sing Street, which opens Friday at the Cedar Lee — is pure joy. Our hero is Conor Lalor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, in his big-screen debut), a 15-year-old everyboy with an awful haircut at a new state school in Dublin in 1985.…
Film Spotlight: The Family Fang
Most parents would take their kids to the Grand Canyon or Disneyland. Not Caleb (Christopher Walken) and Camille (Maryann Plunkett) Fang. They’d rather use their children Baxter and Annie as pawns in one of their elaborate pranks. They think of themselves as performance artists and put their children in awkward situations for the sake of…
