Happy Dogs: The Happy Dog has new owners. Eric Williams — owner of Mexican restaurant Momocho in Ohio City — has partnered with owners Rini McNulty and Sean Kilbane to tweak the near-west-side island of retro at 5801 Detroit Ave.
"The focus will be on creating a cool corner bar that continues to have live music from both local and national musicians," says Williams.
The bar is re-dedicating its jukebox to indie rock and plans to host local bands like Afternoon Naps, Speaker Cranker and Mother Country Madmen. Williams says bands will receive 100 percent of the door.
The tavern opened in 1948, closed in 2002 and reopened in 2005. The kitchen will now offer only fresh-cut french fries and all-beef Chicago-style hot dogs — but the twist is the hot dogs will be available with more than 50 home-made toppings, from blue cheese coleslaw to chorizo chili.
Roc-A-Fella alum Memphis Bleek will host the official Jay-Z afterparty at Peabody's (2045 E. 21st St.) on Thursday, October 22, following Hov's concert at the Wolstein Center. Doors open at 11; admission is $10.
Neptune's Daughter opens for hard-rock veterans BMZ Saturday, October 24, at the Winchester (12112 Madison Ave.). The group features Channel 3 co-anchor Monica Robins on vocals. Doors are at 9 p.m.; cover is $5.
Parma's Haunted Yard (5900 Rousseau Dr., just south of Parmatown Mall) has its final weekend Friday, October 23, through Sunday, October 25, nightly from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cleveland metal guitarist Shaun Vanek (Cellbound, Manimals, Wretch) organized the frightfest. Proceeds benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
The Town Fryer at the Agora Café (5000 Euclid Ave.) is hosting a surprise show on Saturday, October 24. Proprietor Susie Porter won't says what the entertainment or occasion is, but she says regulars won't want to miss it. 8 p.m.; no cover.
Ray Cash's long-delayed second album, Rosé Ray, is now available on iTunes and Amazon.com. Produced entirely by Cleveland's M. Stacks (Bun-B, Chip Tha Ripper), the dark-and-dirty disc features appearances by Kidz in the Hall's Naledge, former Cash adversary Doxx and more. Stacks is releasing the album independently via M. Stacks Music. Take a listen at MySpace.com/RayCash.
