Veteran local punk rocker Tom Dark is the man behind Cleveland’s Screaming, an independent documentary film about the Northeast Ohio hardcore punk scene from 1981 to 1984.

The movie includes interviews and archival footage of bands performing DIY shows in what look to be basements and dive bars and includes footage from terrific Cleveland acts such as ODFx, Offbeats, Fester, Starvation Army, Pink Holes, the Dark and Guns.

Some of the punk bands featured in the film performed at the Variety Theater before it closed 30 years ago. The theater is currently undergoing renovation, and councilwoman Dona Brady recently secured local, state and federal dollars to finance the $14 million restoration of the theater complex, which is located at 11817 Lorain Ave. She’s booked a free screening of the movie at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The screening will be held in the theater’s lobby. Prior to the screening, there will be a tour of the theater complex.

This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2017.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “Variety Theater to Host Free Screening of Documentary Movie ‘Cleveland’s Screaming’”

  1. The Daily Mail has an interesting story on the theater that was penned in April 2015…and available online; under the headline — “Bringing the house down: Inside abandoned iconic Ohio theater that was closed 30 years ago after heavy metal concert caused plaster to fall from ceiling”.

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