John Cusack Heads to Akron For a Special Screening of ‘High Fidelity’
Actor John Cusack — brother of Joan, holder of boomboxes and potentially your mom’s bigscreen crush — is headed to the Akron Civic Theatre for a screening of his 2000 dramatic rom-com High Fidelity next year. In the film, which plays on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., a freshly-dumped clueless Chicago music store owner (Cusack) attempts…
Artist Spotlight: Bruce Buchanan on Stained Glass and Light
We’re standing in Bruce Buchanan’s cozy work space. The natural light looms fantastic; a spectrum of tones set the mood, giving the place a palpable warm feel. Buchanan moved into his studio at 78th Street Studios almost a year ago. Sheets of hand blown glass are filed by color. There are projects in progress, those…
Death Cab for Cutie Comes to the Agora Theatre Next Week in Support of a Terrific New Album
Before he started touring with the band in 2013, guitarist Dave Depper, who played in a few indie rock bands himself, knew the guys in Death Cab for Cutie. He and frontman Ben Gibbard had actually even become running partners. So when the group needed a couple of extra players for its tour in support…
8 Cleveland Holiday Markets to Help You Score Sweet Gifts This Season
If you’re more of a casual browser who knows the right gift only when you see it, there are plenty of holiday markets slated between now and Christmas. Here are a select few we’d recommend hitting. Holiday Market at the Screw Factory: On Dec. 14 and 15, the Screw Factory Artist Lofts in Lakewood is…
Proceeds from Local Christmas Album to Benefit Akron Children’s Hospital
Since 2008, Parma native, Eddie Tomecko, the owner of Hinckley Township-based Audioworks Media, has raised money for local charities through his Good Intentions Foundation. The foundation has just announced plans to release a Christmas album. “I was raised to help people,” says Tomecko in a press release announcing a new benefit album and release party. “I…
Former Cleveland Community Development Director Arrested for Attempted Sex with Minor
Michael Cosgrove, the former director of community development for the city of Cleveland, has reportedly been indicted on three felony counts for attempting to have sex with a minor. Local outlets have reported that Cosgrove was arrested Monday afternoon in Parma Heights in a sting operation. Cosgrove had been communicating with an undercover agent whom…
Jonathan Van Ness of ‘Queer Eye’ Brings His Comedy Show to Cleveland Next Year
Yassssss, queen! Hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness is hitting the road next year with a new standup comedy show. Hitting the Masonic Cleveland on Sat., April 13, Van Ness, the breakout star of the Netflix Queer Eye reboot, is planning on making you laugh all night long rather than cry (as the show is wont to…
In Advance of Tomorrow’s Kent Stage Concert, David Crosby Explains Why We Need More Protest Songs
David Crosby, 77, has a lengthy and impressive resume. The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is a founding member of not only the Byrds but also Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. He also boasts an extensive solo career. Rolling Stone recently hailed Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Ohio” as the “impossible to top” protest…
Oberlin Celebrates the Oboe and the Rest of the Classical Music to Catch This Week
There’s one more “regular” weekend of Cleveland Orchestra concerts before Christmas moves in for most of December, but the Severance Hall performances that begin on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 pm should be of more than ordinary interest. Composer John Adams is in the driver’s seat for his own Short Ride in a Fast Machine,…
The Opening of the Browns’ Window and OSU — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Andre and Zac discuss Baker Mayfield, the present and future of the Browns, Urban Meyer’s dominance and bid adieu to Michigan football. Subscribe to A to Z on iTunes here or stream below.
Singer Mike Farris to Headline Saturday’s Rock & Roll Holiday Ball at the Rock Hall
When singer Mike Farris launched the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, a Southern blues/rock act, in the early ’90s, he thought he’d make one album with the band and move on. He thought wrong. The group recorded and toured steadily for about ten years. Farris, however, would eventually leave the group, which has since disbanded, to launch…
Ohio Lawmakers Debating Legislation to Prohibit Localities From Banning Plastic Bags
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation that would prohibit communities from banning plastic bags. But who stands to benefit? Supporters of House Bill 625 and Senate Bill 210 claim imposing local taxes on single-use containers, including plastic bags, are a burden on business, and could result in higher costs for shoppers. However, Cheryl…
Health Boost: Staying Grateful Beyond Thanksgiving
COLUMBUS, Ohio – What are you grateful for this holiday season? The answer could be good for your health. An array of studies shows expressing gratitude can reduce levels of stress and feelings of loneliness, which can in turn improve physical health by leading to more sleep and energy or even reducing blood pressure. Dr.…
Ohio High School Votes to Drop Native American ‘Braves’ Mascot
In a 3-2 vote last week, the Talawanda School District Board of Education elected to drop the high school’s Native American “Braves” mascot by removing the final letter. The Butler County high school will now be known as the “Brave,” a name meant no doubt to connote fortitude on and off the field. The school…
Ushabu and Black Pig Chefs to Host Eight-Course Sake-Themed Bonanza
[image-1] Combine the culinary talents of Ushabu chef Matthew Spinner and Black Pig chefs Michael Nowak and David Kocab with the encyclopedic enlightenment of two of the world’s leading non-Japanese sake experts and you have the makings of a pretty spectacular epicurean experience. On offer will be eight courses of Japanese and French cuisine, perfectly…
Cleveland’s Historic South Branch Library Finally Reopens Dec. 1
For five years Clevelanders in the Tremont/Clark-Fulton neighborhoods have awaited the reopening of the South Branch Library at its rightful home on the corner of Scranton Road and Clark Avenue. This Saturday, they’ll be waiting no more. After plenty of discussion, planning and a full renovation, the historic Andrew Carnegie-funded library building is finally opening…
R&B Singer H.E.R. Comes to the Agora This Week on the Heels of Another Critically Acclaimed EP
Many performers who start in their teens fizzle out before they peak. Not H.E.R. (Gabriella “Gabi” Wilson). The 21-year-old R&B singer continues to evolve with every EP and LP. Earlier this year, she released I Used to Know Her: Part 2, an 8-track, digital-only EP that followed up I Used to Know Her: The Prelude EP. The most nominated artist for…
Ohio Becomes First State to Accept Cryptocurrency for Business Taxes
In conjunction with this weekend’s Blockland Solutions Conference, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has announced that the state will now accept cryptocurrency for certain business taxes. “We are proud to make Ohio the first state in the nation to accept tax payments via cryptocurrency,” said Mandel, in a press release. “We’re doing this to provide Ohioans…
U.S. Marshal Report Details Dangerous, Inhumane, Unconstitutional Conditions at Cuyahoga County Jail
The U.S. Marshals today released a scathing report on the operations inside the Cuyahoga County jail. County executive Armond Budish had asked for a review and report following a string of seven deaths in the facility this year as well as numerous concerns voiced by staff. Former jail director Ken Mills resigned last week in…
Avon Commons Rock Removed, Pardoned After Cars Kept Getting Stuck
The Avon Commons “rock of shame” is no more. Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen has confirmed that, as of this morning, the rock was pardoned and removed from its former corner median spot in the shopping mall. The internet has had a field day since Avon resident Tim Deditch posted a bunch of photos of cars stuck…
5 Concerts to Catch in Cleveland This Weekend
FRIDAY, NOV. 23 Ekoostik Hookah The grandfathers of Ohio’s expansive jam band scene — culturally and musically — have always maintained close ties to the Cleveland area. From 1991’s Under Full Sail to 2013’s sweetly groovin’ Brij, Ekoostik Hookah have kept their fire burning across time. Check out “Whiskey Woman” for a fine example of…
TIME: Serial Season 3, Set in Cleveland, is 2018’s Best Podcast
TIME Magazine has named Serial’s Cleveland-based third season the best podcast of 2018, and the best season yet for the true-crime sensation that launched in 2014 and ignited the podcast as a narrative form. “Instead of focusing on one case,” TIME summarized, “the show covers a new story at the Justice Center in Cleveland each…
Savage Love: Stressfest
I’m a recently divorced single mom and full-time student. I’m really beginning to hurt financially and have decided to start working as an escort. I am at a point of great emotional stability, happiness, and confidence — all reasons that led to my decision — and I’m surrounded by people who love me and won’t…
The 2018 Cleveland Gift Guide
A Year of Ice Cream If you do the math, buying a year of Mitchell’s Ice Cream doesn’t really save you that much money. You’d probably spend about the same amount of cash if you were to go to one of the locally owned ice cream shops and just buy a scoop every week for…
Hometown Director Steven Caple Jr. on Taking the Rocky Reins
The one film that Clevelanders should take special interest in during Thanksgiving weekend is Creed II, the sequel to 2015’s Creed, which starred Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, the son of Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed from the original Rocky films. It opens in wide release on Wednesday. It’s directed by Cleveland native Steven Caple…
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ Has Some Deep Ties to Northeast Ohio
Ernie Petti, the technical supervisor on the latest Disney animated movie Ralph Breaks the Internet, has some deep ties to Northeast Ohio. He went to Saint Ignatius High School and attended John Carroll University, where he majored in physics. He initially started working in aerospace, but then got a gig at Disney nearly 20 years…
Geraci’s New Outpost in Pepper Pike Struggles to Get Service on Par With Reliably Great Fare
After more than 60 years of doing business in University Heights, there’s not much left to learn with respect to serving guests. Since 1956, Frances and Michael Geraci and their heirs have been turning strangers into friends, friends into extended family, and family into one of the hardest working talent pools in Northeast Ohio. Unfortunately,…
Band of the Week: David Smeltz Project
MEET THE BAND: David Smeltz (vocals, guitar), Eva Dilcue (vocals), Chopper (guitar), Russ Richards (keyboards), Chris Desantis (percussion), Chris Dunmore (drums), Adam Rich (bass) THE GODFATHER OF CLEVELAND REGGAE: Smeltz started performing in 1978 when he co-founded I-Tal, the first American reggae rock band in the area. He had played in small bands prior to…
Get Out: Everything You Should Be Doing in Cleveland This Thanksgiving Week
WED 11/21 Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Former Cav LeBron James returns to town tonight just in time for Thanksgiving. His Los Angeles Lakers make their sole appearance at the Q, and we hope that Cavs fans will show up en masse to root for the Cavs and not James, who left the team in…
The Curse of War Bedevils Two Military Men in this World Premiere at None Too Fragile
If it seems you’ve seen a lot of plays and movies about soldiers and the frequently invisible destruction that combat has imposed upon their psyches, you’re not mistaken. From the former warrior in The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946 to the PTSD-infected soldiers in Stop-Loss in 2008, and from Sophocles (Ajax) to local…
