Northeast Ohio Man Holds World Record For Most Bed Pans Collected
Today in WTF news we’ve learned that a northeast Ohio man has been recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not for collecting bed pans — a whole bunch of them. NewsNet5 reports that Bay Village’s Eric Eakin has accumulated some 250 unique bed pans over the years, many of which are antiques. “All the time I…
Crocker Park Wine Festival Returns Later This Month
The Crocker Park Wine Festival turns five this year and organizers are planning to celebrate in style. On September 18 – 19, the greens of Crocker Park’s South Main Street will transform into a pop-up fest sporting 150+ local, national, and international wines, as well as craft beers and spirits. Live entertainment including tunes by local…
Artists Archives and Western Reserve Team Up With Tri-C Gallery East for Enticing Photo Show
The Artists Archives and Western Reserve continues to partner with local institutions to expand its mission to promote local and regional artists and artwork throughout the community with Photo Now, a juried exhibition of photography at Tri-C Gallery East. The show opens with a free, public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. this Tuesday, Sept.…
Former Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten Still Hates the Rock Hall
Johnny “Rotten” Lydon is quite a character. When he got word that the Six Pistols were going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he fired off a nasty note that called the place a “piss stain.” Lydon, who continues to tour and record with Public Image Ltd, hasn’t changed his…
Backstage Pass: An Interview with Singer-Songwriter Brynn Elliott
Currently on tour with O.A.R., up-and-coming singer-songwriter Brynn Elliott has just released dual debut EPs — Notions of Love and Notions of Youth. A sophomore at Harvard (and yes, she’s been attending fall classes even though the O.A.R. tour is ongoing), she writes songs that have a bit more edge to them than most singer-songwriter fare.…
Group Organizes Confederate Flag Supporters in Lorain County
You can catch up on the backstory to all of this here, but the short version is this: The Lorain County Democrats withdrew their booth from the Lorain County Fair because Confederate flags were for sale and on display on fairgrounds. They let their thoughts on the symbol of hatred be known and various media outlets…
Scene Podcast: On Cleveland Sports Talk Radio, and Other Stuff
This week, host Craig Lyndall talks with Scene editor-in-chief Vince Grzegorek and designer/fast food expert/sports talk listener Aaron Sechrist about this week’s cover story on Clevo sports talk radio, why MLB lost Aaron a long time ago, advertising, Howard Stern, Triv and more. Download the episode here. Or stream below.
Three Cleveland Bands Included on New Aquabear Legion Compilation
An Ohio music collective that formed in 2004 in Athens, Aquabear Legion has put out a number of compilations over its decade-long existence. Now, the group has just released a double-LP featuring bands from all over the state. Acts from Cleveland, Columbus, Athens, Cincinnati, Dayton, Yellow Springs have all contributed. In all, 24 bands are…
Ohio Charter School Data Dump Details ‘Grade-Rigging’ Scheme
Yesterday, some 100,000 pages of documents seared across the news desks of Ohio media outlets, outlining the extent of a “grade-fixing” and data-scrub operation among some charter school operators — those for-profit machines that turn state taxpayer cash into abysmal education performance. David Hansen, the former School Choice director for the Education Department, resigned his post…
7 Concerts to Catch This Weekend
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 O.A.R. You can think of O.A.R. as an Ohio band. The group, which first formed in Rockville, Maryland in 1996, would relocate to Columbus after all the members decided to attend Ohio State University. The group thrived on the frat party circuit there and picked up sax man Jerry DePizzo, a native…
Yours Truly to Open Downtown Restaurant, its Ninth in Northeast Ohio
Yours Truly, the local chain of family friendly restaurants largely confined to suburban neighborhoods, will open its first downtown location. Slated to open in the Halle Building (1228 Euclid Ave.) in spring of 2016, the restaurant will be the organization’s ninth eatery. “We are excited to be a part of Cleveland’s growth and revitalization, and…
Stunning Barbershop Speakeasy Opens in Cleveland Heights
After rising out of my barber chair at Quintana’s Barber and Dream Spa (2200 S. Taylor Rd., 216.321.7889) in Cleveland Heights I climbed a short flight of stairs and arrived at a dark-stained bookcase. I was instructed to crack the cover of a book by a Chilean-American writer Isabel Allende, which revealed a square metal…
Why, After 57 Years, is Cleveland Metroparks Closing Huntington Playhouse?
Fair Question. After all, the Huntington Playhouse is a community theater, beloved of Bay Village residents, the musical-theater set in the far west side suburbs and the many regional organizations that have hosted fundraisers there. But if you ask Brian Zimmerman or Metroparks spokespeople, the “safety concerns, unpaid bills, and productions that were paid…
Rapper K Camp to Appear at Tower City FYE for In-Store Performance and Album Signing
Rapper K Camp’s musical career is living up to the title of his new album, Only Way is Up, which comes out tomorrow. The guy’s latest single, the R&B-inflected “Comfortable,” is currently at No. 6 on urban radio and his new album promises to be a hit. The Milwaukee got his start at open mic…
Case Grad Student Assaulted By Campus Security Officer
An unarmed Case Western Reserve University security officer assaulted a graduate student Wednesday night on Bellflower Rd. President Barbara Snyder, in a memo to staff Thursday morning, said that the student was transported to University Hospitals, where he was treated and released. “An investigation is ongoing,” Snyder wrote, “but so far it appears that…
Detroit Shoreway Unveils Pop-up Competition for Free Space in Gordon Square
Small business owners and entrepreneurs, listen up: the Detroit Shoreway is hosting a competition today through Sept. 28 for retail, creative arts, entertainment and food and beverage-based businesses to win a rent-free “pop-up” space at 6515 Detroit Ave for the holiday season (mid-October to early January). “With all the development happening in Gordon Square alongside…
Cellar Door Shutting Down Management and Label Side of its Operation
Given that label head Justin Markert is so busy curating local music festivals (he’s not the founder but he’s currently the guy behind Brite Winter and he books the bands for a slew of other events), it’s not surprising that he has decided to shut down the management and label side of Cellar Door. During…
Chagrin Falls Pet Hotel Puts a Twist on TAILgating
There are dog people, and then there are dog people. You know, they’re the ones who dress up their pets, buy them strollers, and feed them scrambled eggs with a sprinkle of doggy Xanax if they’re upset. Whatever kind of dog person you are, the first-ever TAILgate Party for Pets in Chagrin Falls may be…
Mac Sabbath Delivers Metal McNuggets at Beachland Concert
In today’s flooded world of tribute acts, an original schtick sometimes sets a band apart from its cloning peers and makes up for mediocre musicianship. California’s Mac Sabbath has found the most original and hilarious gimmick ever — dressing up like warped McDonalds characters and playing Black Sabbath parodies. You can see a slideshow of…
Article Gallery’s ‘From the Dust’ Ties Cleveland’s Industrial Past to Current Renaissance
As part of this Friday’s Walk All Over Waterloo event, Article Gallery hosts an opening reception for From the Dust, a group show by local artists celebrating Cleveland’s renaissance while embracing its industrial roots. From the Dust is curated by Rachel Latina, who was inspired by the work of her fellow resident artists at Article.…
Popeye Gallery Moves to 78th Street Studios
After three years of “popping up” in various venues throughout the Waterloo Arts District, Popeye Gallery has found what they’re calling a semi-permanent home. The gallery is beginning to curate regular exhibitions at Survival Kit on the third floor of 78th Street Studios. From the directors (note that Scene visual arts editor Josh Usmani is a co-director): “Local musician…
Singer-Guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. Relied on Feedback from his Band to Shape His New Album
Back when the Strokes were kicking in the early ‘00s, the band took five years to follow up its 2006 album, First Impressions of Earth. Later, it was revealed that part of the hang-up had to do with guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., who had a drug problem. A stint in rehab did him good and…
‘Iron Composer” Returns to Baldwin Wallace
By Mike Telin On Friday, September 4 at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, the creativity of five composers will be tested when they have five hours to write a brand new piece of music in order to win the coveted titled of Iron Composer. Competition director Joe Drew said that this years contestants are all accomplished composers…
Singer-Songwriter Thor Platter Includes a ‘Little Bit of Everything’ on New EP
Born and raised in Buffalo, singer-songwriter Thor Platter received a good dose of classic rock as a youth when his sister introduced him to her record collection. She had albums by guys such as Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. His mother’s love of traditional Irish music and her Beach Boys obsession left a…
Ohio Band Robbed in St. Louis, Finds Their Gear for Sale on Ebay
Two Cow Garage, an alt-country band from Columbus, was playing a St. Louis gig back in March when their tour van was broken into and stripped of more than $10,000 worth of equipment. “They popped the driver’s lock,” Two Cow Garage’s David Murphy told Scene’s sister paper the Riverfront Times. “They didn’t even chip the…
BAYarts Faculty to Showcase Work Ahead of Annual Benefit
Before their annual benefit next weekend, BAYarts is taking an opportunity to celebrate its talented faculty artists. Outside the Classroom: BAYarts Faculty Show opens with a free reception this Friday, Sept. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Dianne Boldman Education Gallery. “This show represents the talent and diversity in BAYarts faculty,” says BAYarts…
“I’ve Seen My Share of Buds, and They Don’t Look Like This”
If you’ve ever wondered — and by that we mean, if in the last 7 days you’ve wondered — who the hell is inside Buddie, the mascot trotted out by ResponsibleOhio, the group behind Issue 3, well, the Cincinnati Enquirer has the answer for you. Buddie is played by 26-year-old Ericka Buford, a Columbus actor…
Lorain-based Fashion Designer Jevon Terance Headed to Paris for Fashion Week
Since its founding in 2007, the Jevon Terance Fashion Line has picked up some serious traction. In 2012, Terance founded the Jevon Terance Boutique located in downtown Lorain — he just moved to a space located in the Lorain Palace Theater Building. Now, Terance, who produces an annual fashion show in Lorain County, has been…
Heights Arts Opens Renovated Gallery Space with Two New Shows
After spending the summer making significant gallery renovations, Heights Arts reopens its exhibition space to the community with two new shows. Heights Arts celebrates its reopening and new exhibitions with a special reception Friday, Sept. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Emergent 2015 is a new annual exhibition designed to showcase recent graduates from the…
Join This Dodgeball Tournament at Northeast Ohio Sky Zones
Everyone’s had their fair share of middle school dodgeball, but we bet you’ve never played the game like this: on a trampoline. Lucky for you, Sky Zone, a trampoline-filled playground for adults, is hosting the local qualifier for the 2015 Ultimate Dodgeball Championship later this month. Teams of five to eight will duke it out…
Robert Altman Classics to Screen at Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre will screen two of director Robert Altman’s classic films — Nashville (1975), and Popeye (1980) — beginning Friday, September 11, on the occasion of their anniversaries. Popeye, starring Robin Williams in the title role and Shelly Duvall as Olive Oyl, will take the early slot in the Capitol’s main auditorium. It’ll screen…
10th Annual Fabulous Food Show Comes to Cleveland in November
The Fabulous Food Show turns 10 this year and plans to celebrate in style with a lineup of celebrity chefs, interactive demonstrations, and, of course, plenty of enticing eats. The Cleveland I-X Center announced this morning that the three day fest will take place Nov. 13-15 and will be headlined by Cleveland’s own Michael Symon,…
Hardcore Act Four Year Strong Kicks Off Tour with a Bang
Kicking off their tour with the first date here at the Grog Shop last night, Four Year Strong threw old and new songs together for the perfect mixture and perfect energy. Playing some tunes off their new self-titled album for the first time provided a breath of fresh air. After a bit of a delay…
Frontier Airlines Is Offering Flights from Cleveland for Just a Buck Today
The budget-friendly air carrier Frontier is offering flights from Cleveland today to several U.S. destinations for just a buckaroo. That’s right, folks: One dollar flights. Of course, there’s a boatload of fine print and the destination cities are super limited, nevertheless Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Atlanta are all listed for one-way…
Medina County Citizens Protesting Jon Husted’s Petition Review Process
Citizens from Medina, Fulton and Athens counties are gathering in Columbus today to protest Secretary of State Jon Husted’s ruling that those counties’ citizens may not vote on their own county charter initiatives, despite meeting requirements to place those initiatives on the November ballot, community organizer Tish O’Dell says. Petitions for a Community Bill of Rights…
The Film Scores of John Williams at Blossom and Other Classical Music Events You Shouldn’t Miss in the Coming Weeks
The classical music calendar begins to pick up speed soon after the Labor Day weekend. In the meantime, here are some events in the next two weeks that promise to be of special interest. Shamelessly imitating television cook-off shows like Iron Chef, ANALOG Arts has invented an amusing and often revealing live reality contest called…
Rock Hall Celebrates 20th Anniversary by Offering Discounts to Locals
If you own an ID with a zip code beginning with 440, 441, 442 and 443, you’re in luck. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is offering a special discount to the local community throughout the month of September. Local residents are eligible for a special offer…
Ohio City Street Festival Takes Over Market District Later This Month
Need another excuse to visit Ohio City? How about the Ohio City Street Festival which is slated to take over the Market District of the west side neighborhood later this month. On Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ohio City vendors will spill out into the streets to showcase a variety of…
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine Exposes Company’s Dark side
Apple founder Steve Jobs had a way of convincing people that they need the latest technology and that they couldn’t live without it. In press conferences announcing new products, he could barely control his enthusiasm. A ruthless businessman, he turned Apple into one of the most successful corporations in the world. With Steve Jobs: The…
Film Spotlight: A Walk in the Woods
Elderly acting duo Robert Redford and Nick Nolte team up for a lightweight comedy based on the best-selling travelogue by Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods. Now showing areawide, the film should be a godsend to activity coordinators at regional nursing homes. Bill Bryson (Redford) is feeling restless after a few years without publishing…
The Next Few Months Promise Lots of Meet-Ups with Interesting Characters
From now until Christmas, area theaters are trotting out shows studded with interesting characters who may reside in your memory for quite a while. So here’s a look at the shows coming at us, with an emphasis on the folks who will appear on the other side of the footlights. September: Aphra, Martha, Tito and…
Some Think Sports Talk Radio in Cleveland Is Dying. Truth Is, It’s Already Dead.
Tony Rizzo, Jim Donovan and Andy Baskin walk into a bar. It’s not the start of a joke, but a hypothetical of sorts used by one close observer of local media to illustrate the landscape of sports talk radio in Cleveland. One hundred people would probably gather around Rizzo, they said. Ten or so might…
15 Years of Jake Kelly’s Illustrated Fliers Collected in One Massive Book
Despite not having a solo gallery exhibition in 10 years, Cleveland artist Jake Kelly is easily one of the most prolific artists in the region. Perhaps he doesn’t need a solo show: His work can be seen all over town, in murals at the Grog Shop, Melt Bar and Grilled and Blue Arrow Records, as…
Regional Cider Fest Comes to Cleveland
Hard cider, once the prevailing nectar of colonial days past, is having a renaissance. Though it was knocked off the radar in the mid-19th century, the recent interest in craft beer has taken artisanal cider along for the ride. And for hyper-local aficionados, there’s no lack of appeal when it comes to regional varieties of…
Band of the Week: Slightly Stoopid
Meet the Band: Miles Doughty (vocals, bass, guitar), Kyle McDonald (guitar, bass, vocals), Ryan “Rymo” Moran (drums), Oguer “OG” Ocon (percussion), Daniel “Dela” Delacruz (saxophone), Paul Wolstencroft (keyboards), Andy Geib (trumpet, trombone) and Karl Denson (saxophone) Born in O.B.: The band formed in Ocean Beach, California in 1994. Doughty started the group when he was still in high school. He says watching old-school Motley Crue videos…
