| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 20222
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 20224
Dedicated to Free Times founder Richard H. Siegel (1935-1993) and Scene founder Richard Kabat Publisher Andrew Zelman Editor Vince Grzegorek Editorial Music Editor Jeff Niesel Senior Writer Sam Allard Staff Writer Brett Zelman Dining Editor Douglas Trattner Visual Arts Writer Shawn Mishak Stage Editor Christine Howey Advertising Senior Multimedia Account Executive John Crobar, Shayne Rose Creative Services Creative Director Haimanti Germain Art Director Evan Sult Production Manager Sean Bieri Graphic Designer Aspen Smit Staff Photographer Emanuel Wallace Business Business & Sales Support Specialist Megan Stimac Controller Kristy Cramer Circulation Circulation Director Burt Sender ...The story continues at clevescene.com Take SCENE with you with the Issuu app! “Cleveland Scene Magazine” Upfront .......................................8 Feature 12 Get Out 28 Eat 55 Music 61 Savage Love 71 Euclid Media Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP Digital Services Stacy Volhein Digital Operations Coordinator Jaime Monzon www.euclidmediagroup.com National Advertising Voice Media 1-800-278-9866,Groupvmgadvertising.com Cleveland Scene 737 Bolivar Road Cleveland OH www.clevescene.com44115 Phone 216-505-8199 E-mail scene@clevescene.com Cleveland Scene Magazine is published every other week by Euclid Media Group Verified Audit Member Cleveland Distribution Scene is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader Subscriptions - $150 (1 yr); $80 (6 mos.) Email Megan - MStimac@CleveScene.com - to subscribe. CONTENTS Copyright The entire contents of Cleveland Scene Magazine are copyright 2020 by Euclid Media Group. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Subscriptions $150 (1 yr); $80 (6 mos.) Send name, address and zip code with check or money order to the address listed above with the title ‘Attn: Subscription Department’ SEPTEMBER 21-OCTOBER 4, 2022 • VOL. 53 NO 6
COVER ART BY TYLER GROSS
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 5
REWIND: 2000
It was monster madness 22 years ago for Scene’s Best of Cleveland. How much has changed since then? Well, ¿Que Tal? won the reader vote for best restaurant that year, for starters.
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 20226
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 7
UPFRONT
and the Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism project.
of education meetings, nothing about state audits, nothing about test scores, union squabbles, PTA gripes; nary a breaking story about hirings, firings, awards or malfeasance; no photo ops at campus groundbreakings; no profiles of gifted student athletes from broken homes, troublemakers turned whiz kids, committed teachers raising funds to transform their classrooms. It had all disappeared! Poof!
But just as with A Greater Cleveland, Cleveland.com’s series on child poverty on which “Cleveland’s Promise” is modeled, Quinn makes a fundamental mistake that may lead readers to disparage the series as “poverty porn.” Quite simply, he’s treating this “unprecedented” approach to education coverage as a substitute for traditional beat
So when the American Journalism Project announced its new local newsroom — the outfit now called Signal Cleveland — it seemed natural that one of its first job postings was for an education reporter. The funders and editors of that project recognized that there were swaths of darkness in the region’s media grid, and that a city like Cleveland deserved a few more high-watt light bulbs, including one presiding over its school district. Readers needed more than occasional commentary about the scourge of Critical Race Theory fanatics on suburban school boards and state legislation on teachers and guns.
YOU’D BE FORGIVEN FOR thinking that since the unceremonious booting of Plain Dealer education reporter Patrick O’Donnell — part of the 2020 massacre that killed the PD union and unified what were previously “separate but equal” print and digital newsrooms at the metro daily — Cleveland.com hasn’t given much thought to the schools.
As it turns out, the PD/Cleveland.com has not abandoned education coverage. Instead, they now say, they’ve reinvented it.
PD/CLE.COM LAUNCHES NEW MARQUEE SERIES ON EDUCATION, STILL DOESN’T HAVE EDUCATION BEAT REPORTER
Ideastream Public Media understood the assignment as well and recently hired a new high-watt education reporter of its own, Conor Morris, the young buck lately of Report for America
This is the kind of narrative that, as Quinn correctly notes, provides intimate perspective beyond straightforward daily news coverage of CMSD. It may very well help readers understand (and come to support) the vast resources an urban school district requires to provide for its students, many of whom live in poverty and amidst barriers of every sort. That’s a tremendous public service.
Certainly not the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, at any rate. During Covid, education was, in my opinion, Northeast Ohio’s most criminally underreported beat. The Classroom had become a perilous ideological battleground, and the concerns of students, parents, teachers, and administrators were often in sharp conflict. Yet topics of rancorous debate, both nationally and locally, about virtual learning, student academic performance, social-emotional health, chronic absenteeism, faculty and staff compensation, long-term Covid strategies, facility modernization, etc. simply did not appear in the PD’s pages. It was a vacuum.
It has of course been distressing over the past two-plus years to witness the PD/Cleveland.com throwing in the towel on a crucial news beat, having evidently determined that the juice was no longer worth the squeeze when it came to CMSD. This was doubly distressing when they were simultaneously doing shit like hiring a reporter to cover the Cincinnati Bengals, (no doubt a response to bonkers NFL traffic on the site and editor Chris Quinn’s
The daily coverage one might expect from a reporter on the education beat during non-Covid times had likewise evaporated. There was nothing about Cleveland board
obsession with being relevant statewide.)Butsurprise!
On its face, the project’s aspirations are laudable. In the first story, published Monday, readers follow the pseudonymous sisters Sophia and Bailey as they go to school the day after their parents are arrested in an overnight home raid. It explains the elaborate support infrastructure at Almira and celebrates the school administrators and staff working behind the scenes to ensure the girls have everything they need in the harrowing aftermath of the ordeal.
JoeWolf/FlickrCCPhoto:
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 20228
Monday marked the launch of a new series on education at Cleveland. com called “Cleveland’s Promise.” Per the editors, it will attempt to show readers “the enormous challenges of educating children in poverty and what the school district is doing to overcome them.” It is the result of an investment by the Quinn-led newsroom bordering on the absurd. Two reporters, Hannah Drown and Cameron Fields, have been embedded at Almira Elementary in Cleveland’s West Boulevard neighborhood for more than a year to produce the stories that will comprise the series. In fact, they are still embedded at Almira, as the fourth-grade students they followed last year now enter fifthWegrade.were told by Chris Quinn in his most recent letter from the editor that the series will publish new installments every weekday for the first two weeks, then twice-weekly after that, with no end date in sight. There will eventually be “hundreds of stories” in the series, a grim prospect for Cleveland.com readers.
And it’s a good thing they did, given the spate of high-profile education news in recent weeks. CMSD chief Eric Gordon announced abruptly — though not really, for those in the know — that he’d be stepping down at the end of the current school year earlier this month. It was Signal’s news editor, Mark Naymik, who broke the story on social media. And it was Ideastream’s Morris who provided the most in-depth reporting about the escalating tension between the Justin Bibb administration and the Cleveland Teachers Union related to charter school expansion that lurked in the background of Gordon’s decision. More about the Bibb-Gordon relationship will be revealed before long.
surprising, then, as the stories are explicitly designed to paint a flattering picture of the district, its heroic personnel working against the odds, and its “inspiring, passionate” leader.
are smart enough to intuit that far more occurred behind the scenes, and what they crave at this moment is the analysis and inside intel that a well-sourced beat reporter could provide.
50
Cleveland Wants to Make Highland Park a “Tournament Ready” Golf Course
17,000
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 9
Last week, Mayor Justin Bibb and his office of capital projects issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified consultant to “operate, manage and revitalize” Highland Park. The goal, the city says, is to transform Highland Park into a “tournament ready” course that celebrates its legacy as a destination for minority golfers and becomes a frontrunner in “community impact and“Assustainability.”HighlandPark nears its centennial birthday (2028), this is an opportunity to elevate it as a premier public course for locals and as a destination for golfers from across the country,” the RFP reads.
$700-$750 million
DIGIT WIDGET
scene@clevescene.com @clevelandscene
Minimum number of jobs
Via the RFP, the city would retain ownership of Highland Park, but said it would be open to “various business models” that allow for a “mutually beneficial” relationship for both the city and the consultant. The term of the agreement will be no longer than 30 years. The RFP says it expects the project to be completed “expeditiously” and expects the chosen consultant to begin operating the facility when golf kicks off in the spring of 2023. -Sam Allard
For the record, I do not regard that stuff as frivolous nonsense. In fact, I’m fully in favor. These niche and personalized narratives tend to delight segments of a mass publication’s readership and help them connect with the publication’s writers. But like other media consumers, I support that content as a companion to hard news reporting, which still should be the newspaper’s bread and butter. This dynamic, by the way — for the millennials and zoomers in the audience — used to be an absolutely standard component of newspaper operations. There was something called a features desk, the writers on which tackled longer, typically more lyrical, human-centered narratives that were meant to contextualize and animate important issues that writers on other desks (the city desk, for example) tackled in a daily way.
All that access, incidentally, wasn’t enough to get Cleveland.com the scoop on Gordon’s impending departure. And the two reporters who have been encamped at Almira for more than a year — not producing journalism for Cleveland.com the whole time, which, again, is head-spinning — didn’t even write the breaking news item. City Hall reporter Courtney Astolfi was enlisted for that task. Former City Hall reporter Bob Higgs pitched in with a timeline of Gordon’s accomplishments at CMSD the following day. Hannah Drown, one of the “Cleveland’s Promise” reporters, did publish an interview with Gordon shortly thereafter, a sendoff titled “A legacy of dedication and passion for education” that’s so fond and commendatory Gordon may well attach it to the application for his nextReadersjob.
Golf Club and Shaker Heights Country Club are only a few minutes away, by golf cart — Highland Park is the only track in that milieu open to the public. It remains one of the closest and most accessible courses for residents of Cleveland’s predominantly Black east side neighborhoods. And though golfers don’t tend to lug their clubs and shoes to the course by bus, Highland Park is one of the only courses in Northeast Ohio realistically reachable by public transit.
The fact is, it can be disorienting to see “reality up close” when we haven’t seen it from afar for so long. It’s like watching a movie with nothing but close-ups of actors’ faces the whole time. Zoom out for God’s sake! Zoom out!
The point, once again, is that journalism models need not be reinvented — disrupted, broken, innovated, whatever — to produce work that both informs and inspires readers. I always chuckle when Quinn stumbles upon the idea of “features” every few weeks on the Today in Ohio podcast or in his weekly letters. He’ll remark that readers complain about too much negative news, and he responds by “innovating” things like a gardening column and stories about staffers’ home renovations.
Cleveland.com’s Leila Atassi, the lead editor on the series, made virtually the same point in her introduction
Bibb noted, as an aside, that Highland Park was the first place where he ever played golf.
And “Cleveland’s Promise” has all the ingredients of a fantastic feature story. I personally think it might have been most successful as a limited series published in installments to coincide with the school year. But in its current form, it’s structured like a beat unto itself, with two reporters -- two full-time reporters! -- producing an ongoing stream of material from a single elementary school. Given the paper’s depleted newsroom resources in general, and the absence of an education beat reporter in particular, the investment in the series is not just unusual. It’s insane. -Sam Allard
reporting instead of what it should be: an enhancement to it.
$550 million
Though the 36-hole property is located within a veritable paradise of premier courses in the tony eastern suburbs — the verdant Canterbury
Estimated all-in cost of a new Cuyahoga County Jail, until last week.
Highland Park Golf Course, which opened in 1928 in Highland Hills, is known locally as one of few courses where Black golfers could tee off.
“It would bring me immense pride to restore the course and create a professional tournament-level course while maintaining it as a space for Black golfers, both aspiring and sea soned, to enjoy,” he said in the release.
Approximate number of Venezuelan migrants flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard earlier this month in a political stunt orchestrated by Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis. The jets belonged to Ultimate Jet, a charter company based out of the AkronCanton airport.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley intends to create in her first term by investing in apprenticeship readiness programs across the state.
“For too many years to count, education reporting fell back on traditional coverage of school boards like governments,” Quinn wrote in his editor’s letter. “Lots of battles between the districts and the teachers’ unions. Discussions about money woes. School funding formulas. Standardized testing. School report cards. Charter schools. Educational strategies and theories.”
Quiteunsatisfied.theopposite! As a reader I am desperate to read and understand more about the relationship between the city, the district and the teachers union. If there are battles, I haven’t read anything about the opposing sides, or who’s winning, in the PD. I am equally desperate to understand the district’s financial picture, and the ways that my tax dollars are being deployed by the schools. Educational strategies and theories? Sounds interesting! Wish I knew anything about them! Alas, these discussions haven’t appeared in the one place I’d expect to encounter them locally.
This is not new!
“TraditionalMonday.education reporting has always been about process and policy, covering school boards the way we cover governments and boiling the value of each district down to how well they score on annual state report cards,” she wrote. “For CMSD, that shallow coverage, combined with their perennially struggling state ratings, has contributed to a wide gap of understanding about what really happens in Cleveland classrooms. Rare is the opportunity to see the reality of it up close – until now.”
The city owns the property and city council has debated its future in recent years, with some hopeful that the Cleveland Metroparks would assume control on a long-term lease. The Metroparks operates eight courses in the region and took over the city-owned Seneca Golf Course in 2010 on a $1-per-year 99-year lease arrangement, investing in a significant renovation in 2014. In 2020, Seneca overtook Big Met as the Metroparks most popular course.
Notwithstanding the grandiose language and insufferable selfimportance that attends these launches, the editors’ introductions presuppose that readers of the PD/ Cleveland.com have been getting a steady diet of traditional education coverage in recent years and have been
Quinn writes that the project was conceived in consultation with Eric Gordon himself, who reportedly was the one to suggest the project as a spinoff of A Greater Cleveland. Gordon’s granting “unprecedented access” to Cleveland.com is not
Current estimated all-in cost of a new Cuyahoga County Jail.
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202210
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 11
Best Place To Catch a Play
FOR ALL WE KNOW ABOUT CLEVELAND, FOR ALL YOU KNOW ABOUT CLEVELAND, everyone is missing out on something great.
Best Local Author/ Writer Fiction Paula
McClain 2. Thrity Umrigar 3. Dan Chaon 4. Mary Doria Russell 5. Michael Vassel
1. Cleveland Public Theatre 2. Beck Center 3. Dobama Theatre 4. Near West Theatre 5. Blank Canvas
• 1.JournalismNonfiction/ Laura DeMarco 2. Annie Nickoloff 3. Rachel Dissell 4. Ken Schneck 5. Connie Schultz
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202212 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Best Concert Venue 1. Blossom Music Center 2. Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica 3. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern 4. Grog Shop 5. The Agora Best Band 1. Oregon Space Trail of Doom 2. The Rosies 3. Apostle Jones 4. Welshly Arms 5. Who Saved Who Best DJ 1. Steph Floss 2. Bobby Booshay 3. DJ Moist 4. Mattitude 5. Koly Kolgate Best Male Vocalist 1. Ray Flanagan 2. Joe Figueroa 3. Brent Kirby 4. Anthony Covatta 5. Mikey Silas Best Female Vocalist 1. Sienna Bella 2. Chayla Hope 3. Taylor Lamborn 4. Laura Fedor 5. Amanda Terman Best 1.SongwriterSinger/ Sienna Bella 2. Ray Flanagan 3. Kyle Kidd 4. Chayla Hope 5. Brent Kirby 6. Amanda Terman Best Cover Band 1. Disco Inferno 2. Tricky Dick 3. Spazmatics 4. Follow The Sun 5. Bluewater Kings Best Dance Party 1. Emo Night CLE 2. Y2KRay 3. Black Mass 4. Fruitcake Best 1.MusicArts/Film/Festival Cleveland International Film Festival 2. Lakewood Arts Festival 3. Ingenuity Fest 4. Brite Winter 5. Waterloo Arts Festival Best Movie Theater 1. Cedar Lee Theater 2. Capitol Theater 3. The Cinematheque 4. Cinemark Valley View 5. Crocker Park
There’s simply too much for any one person, or altweekly, to know. It’s about community, the shared experience, the lifting up of those who deserve it. Which is where you come in.
•
1.
AfterAbout.more than a month of voting and tens of thousands of ballots cast in hundreds of categories, the city has spoken. These are the very best things in Cleveland.
Every year we turn over the pages of Scene to you, the readers, to share your favorite things about the city. And so we do again for the Best of Cleveland 2022: Something to Write Home
Best Local Author/ Writer
Sometimes we discover the city and all it has to offer on our own, but more often those discoveries are made thanks to someone else: You have to try this restaurant. You must hit up this event next year. Don’t miss this band.
1. I’m OK, You’re OK by Uptight Sugar 2. What If by Jason Patrick Meyers 3. Animal of Disrespect by Spike Pit 4. Welcome to Darkview by Brave Bones 5. Last Year’s Marvel by Joshua Jesty Best Filmmaker 1. Robert Banks 2. Keith Knittel 3. Scott Brosius 4. Tyler Davidson Best Tattoo Artist 1. Liz (LakewoodKarn Electric) 2. Jake (LakewoodRomeroElectric) 3. Kelly (LovebirdKingTattoos) 4. Chris (VoodooNelsonMonkey) 5. Rodney Rose (252 Tattoo) Best
1. Shannon Prada 2. Glen Infante 3. Lisa Quine 4. Angela Oster 5. Justin Michael Will 6. Jake Kelly 7. Rick Lozano 8. Len Peralta 9. John G
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 13 Best 1.PlaywrightLocal Lisa Langford 2. Christopher Johnston 3. John Busser 4. David Hansen 5. Eric Coble Best Actor 1. Anthony Covatta 2. Cody Kilpatrick Steele 3. Geoff Knox 4. Danny Simpson 5. Keith Myers 6. Ryan Falrey 7. James Gappy Burney Best Actress 1. Mariah Burks 2. Nicole Sumlin 3. Amanda Terman 4. Kelly Strand Best Hip 1.Artist/GroupHop MellowMan Funk 2. Yaya 3. Koly Kolgate 4. Free Black 5. Young Spitta Best Director 1. Robert Banks 2. Thomas Sawyer 3. Eric Swinderman 4. Jay Williams 5. Keith Knittel Best 1.(Weddings)Photographer Dragonfly Photography 2. Emily Millay 3. Courtney Kissel 4. Alex Kerr 5. Zaina Salem Best 1.(Artistic)Photographer Gabe Wasylko 2. Amber Ford 3. Courtney Kissel 4. Shane McNicholas 5. Devon Keller Best Painter 1. Frank Oriti 2. Eileen Dorsey 3. Katie Clark 4. Benji Diaz 5. Leigh Brooklyn 6. Darius Steward 7. Justin Brennan 8. Evan Laisure Best Artist 1. Eileen Dorsey 2. Aaron Sechrist 3. Glen Infante 4. Angela Oster 5. Evan Laisure Best Sculptor 1. Gina DeSantis 2. Billy Ritter 3. Joanne Umansky 4. Dave Crider 5. Charmaine Spencer Best Arts Event 1. Cain Park Arts Festival 2. Lakewood Arts Festival 3. Third Friday at 78th Street Studios 4. Berea Arts Festival 5. Front Triennial Best Art Gallery 1. Spaces 2. 78th Street Studios 3. Negative Space 4. Pop Shop 5. Kaiser Gallery 6. Hedge Gallery Best Comedy Venue 1. Hilarities 2. The Improv 3. Winchester Music Tavern 4. Secret Society Comedy Best Comedian 1. Mike Polk Jr. 2. Mary Santora 3. Bill Squire 4. Ricky Smith 5. Jimmie Graham Best Dance Troupe 1. Dancing Wheels 2. Cleveland Ballet 3. Verb Ballet 4. Groundworks 5. Inlet Dance 6. Sky Hoop Troupe
Best Local Album Street
Best Illustrator
by Emanuel Wallace
Fair 1. Taste of Tremont 2. The Feast 3. Asian Festival 4. Lakewood Arts Festival 5. Hessler Fair Best 1.TroupeBurlesque Cleveland Burlesque 2. Black Mass 3. The Fandom Fantasies 4. TIE - Blackwater Cabaret 4. TIE - Shrimply The Best Best 1.DanceTraditionalCompany Cleveland Ballet 2. Dancing Wheels 3. Crooked River Circus 4. Verb Ballet 5. GroundWorks Emo Night Cleveland.
Photo
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202214 6. Inlet Dance FOOD & DRINK Best Restaurant 1. Marble Room 2. Salt+ 3. Astoria 4. Rowley Inn 5. Zhug 6. Cordelia 7. Parallax 8. Amba Best New Restaurant 1. Cent’s Pizzeria 2. Amba 3. Martha on the Fly 4. Cordelia 5. Juneberry Table 6. Bright Side 7. Pioneer Best Chef 1. Doug Katz (Zhug/Amba) 2. Rocco Whalen (Fahrenheit) 3. Jill Vedaa (Salt+) 4. Jeremy Umansky (Larder) 5. Jared Bazil (All Saints Public House) 6. Vinnie Cimino (Cordelia) Best Local Snack 1. Koko Bakery 2. The Pierogi Lady 3. Mason’s Creamery 4. Original Popcorn House 5. Ball Ball Waffles Best 1.MarketSeafood Kate’s Fish 2. Euclid Fish 3. Seven Seas Seafoods 4. Catanese Seafood 5. Omar’s Seafood Best Coffee 1. Rising Star 2. Duck Rabbit 3. Roasted 4. Civilization 5. Lekko Best Teahouse 1. Cleveland Tea Revival 2. Algebra Tea House 3. Inca Tea 4. The Macaron Tea Room 5. Clementine’s Best French Fries 1. Tommy’s 2. Mars Bar 3. Rowley Inn 4. Larder 5. Bright Side Best Irish Restaurant 1. Stone Mad Pub 2. The Harp 3. PJ Mcintyre’s 4. Flannery’s 5. Flat Iron Cafe 6. Old Angle Best 1.RestaurantGerman Das Schnitzel Haus 2. Der Braumeister 3. Hansa Brewery 4. Hofbrauhaus Best 1.RestaurantMexican La Plaza 2. Cozumel 3. Cilantro Taqueria 4. Momocho 5. El Carnicero 6. El Palenque Best 1.RestaurantJamaican IRIE Jamaican Kitchen 2. UJerk 3. Caribe Bakery 4. Bratenahl Kitchen 5. Ela’s Caribbean Grill Best 1.RestaurantFrench Le Petit Triangle 2. L’Albatros 3. EDWINs 4. Tartine Bistro 5. Paris Room Best 1.RestaurantJapanese Shinto 2. Pacific East 3. Ginko 4. Bar Oni 5. Sakana Sushi 6. Sasa Best Sushi 1. Ginko 2. Pacific East 3. Voodoo Tuna 4. Sakana Sushi 5. Blue Sushi 6. Goma Best 1.RestaurantChinese Li Wah 2. Szechuan Gourmet 3. LJ Shanghai 4. Siam Cafe 5. Han Kebab Best Thai Restaurant 1. Thai Thai 2. Banana Blossom 3. Sweet Mango 4. Thai Kitchen 5. Ty Fun 6. Peppermint Cafe 7. Map of Thailand Best 1.RestaurantVietnamese Saigon 2. Superior Pho 3. #1 Pho 4. Pho Thang 5. Nam Wah Best Pho 1. Superior Pho 2. #1 Pho 3. Ninja City 4. Pho Thang 5. Bowl of Pho Best 1.RestaurantPolish Prosperity Social Club 2. All Saints Public House 3. Little Polish Diner 4. Dick and Alice Sausage and PIerogi Haus 5. Marie’s Best 1.RestaurantLatin Barocco 2. Batuqui 3. El Arepazo Y Pupuseria 4. Paladar 5. Rincon Criollo 6. Twisted Taino Best 1.RestaurantAfrican Zoma Ethiopian Cafe 2. Empress Taytu 3. Yum Village 4. Habesha 5. Afrika Taste and Lounge 6. Kifaya’s Kitchen 7. Choukouya Resto-Bar Best Middle Eastern 1.Restaurant Zhug 2. Ferris Shawarma 3. Nate’s Deli 4. Taza 5. Boaz Best 1.RestaurantItalian Luca Italian Cuisine 2. Bar Italia 3. Molto Bene 4. Lockkeepers 5. Il Venetian 6. Mia Bella Best 1.RestaurantIndian India Garden 2. Cafe Tandoor 3. Saffron Patch 4. Amba 5. Tandul Best 1.RestaurantGreek Greek Village 2. Astoria Cafe and Market 3. Mars Bar 4. Niko’s 5. Taki’s Best Brunch 1. Rowley Inn 2. Pier W 3. Luxe Kitchen and Lounge 4. The Winchester 5. All Saints Public House 6. Cordelia Best 1.RestaurantVegan Cleveland Vegan 2. Tommy’s 3. Cloak and Dagger 4. The Root Cafe 5. Little Rose Tavern 6. The Benevolent Butcher
Cleveland Public Theatre’s Pandemonium party.
Best Patio Dining All The
Best Fried Chicken SoHo Chicken and Whiskey
Steakhouse 1. Strip 2. Marble Room 3. Red, the Steakhouse 4. Cleveland Chop 5. Cabin Club
Twine 2. Dave’s Cosmic Subs 3. Grum’s 4. La Bodega 5. TJ’s Butcher Block
1.
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 15 7. Something Good To Eat Best 1.RestaurantVegetarian Tommy’s 2. Cleveland Vegan 3. Root Cafe 4. Zoma Ethiopian 5. The Benevolent Butcher Best 1.RestaurantSeafood Acqua Di Luca 2. Pier W 3. Blue Point Grille 4. Alley Cat Oyster Bar 5. Marble Room Best Ramen 1. Otani Noodle 2. Ninja City 3. Xinji Noodle Bar 4. Corner 11 5. Issho Ni Best 1.(Restaurant)Desserts Rood Food and Pie 2. Joe’s Deli 3. Marble Room 4. Lockkeepers 5. Cordelia Best Pizza 1. Il Rione 2. Ohio Pie Co. 3. Citizen Pie 4. Harlow’s 5. Cent’s 6. Crust 7. Vero Best Burger 1. Gunselman’s Tavern 2. Buckeye Beer Engine 3. Heck’s 4. Good Company 5. Cordelia Best Late Night Eats 1. Edison’s 2. Happy Dog 3. My Friends Restaurant 4. The Fairmount 5. Cocky’s Bagels 6. Buckeye Beer Engine 7. Greek Village 8. All Saints Public House Best Butcher Shop 1. Ohio City Provisions 2. TJ’s Butcher Block 3. Gibbs Butcher Block 4. Saucisson 5. K&K Portage Meats Best Barbecue 1. Woodstock BBQ 2. Proof BBQ 3. Mabel’s 4. Landmark Smokehouse 5. Real Smoqed BBQ Best Bagels 1. Cleveland Bagel Co. 2. Cocky’s Bagels 3. Bialy’s 4. Nubeigel 5. Bagel Buddy’s
1. Joe’s (Rocky River) 2. Slyman’s 3. Larder 4. Corky and Lenny’s 5. Jack’s Deli Best
3.
8.
5.
1. On the Rise 2. Blackbird 3. Leavened 4. Breadsmith 5. Stone Oven
2. Rush Inn 3.
Best Cakes Breadmaker
1. Brewnuts Jack Frost Vegan Doughnut Company Goldie’s Biagio’s Becker’s Spudnuts Big Mouth Donuts
Best Chicken Wings Boss ChicknBeer The Foundry Woodstock BBQ
2. Sauce The City Prosperity Social Club Antonio’s Pizza Cordelia
Truck 1.
1.
Best Food Fired Up Tacos Cocky’s Spork
5.
Best Bakery/Pastries
Best Donuts
4. Benevolent Butcher 5. Parilya
4.
Saints Public House 2. Collision Bend Brewing Company 3.
Best Diner
1. Beet Jar 2. Restore 3. Beyond Juicery 4. Anna in the Raw 5. Juice Lab Best 1.RestaurantRomantic Pier W 2. Marble Room 3. L’Albatros 4. Luca 5. Amba Best
1. Larder 2. Herb’n Twine 3. La Bodega 4. Tost 5. Real Smoqed BBQ
4.
Best Soul Food Deli Bar Food Juice Bar Tacos Hot Dog
1. Bourbon Street Barrel Room 2. Zanzibar 3. SoHo Chicken and Whiskey 4. Angie’s 5. Real Smoqed BBQ Best Ice Cream 1. Mason’s Creamery 2. Mitchell’s 3. Honey Hut 4. East Coast Custard 5. Handel’s Best
4.
1. Grumpy’s
1.
6.
1. Buckeye Beer Engine 2. Prosperity Social Club 3. Rowley Inn 4. Merry Arts 5. Mars Bar Best
1. Barrio 2. La Plaza 3. Cilantro taqueria 4. Condado 5. Hola Tacos Best 1.SmallTapas/Plates Salt+ 2. Zhug 3. Cordelia 4. Sangria Y Tapas 5. Amba Best
3.
7.
1. Luna 2. Blackbird 3. On The Rise 4. Leavened 5. Roasted
4. Good Company 5.
1. Kelsey Elizabeth 2. Michael Angelo’s 3. Wild Flour 4. White Flour 5. LaLa Custom Cakes Best
Best Sandwich
Photo
Best
2.
3.
Bagels 3. Wild
Best Breakfast Martha on the Fly Grumpy’s Lucky’s Cafe Borderline Cafe Juneberry Table
Fairmount 4. Georgetown 5. Astoria
by Kory Gasser
1.
2.
5.
1.
2. My Friends Restaurant 3. The Place To Be 4. Big Al’s Diner 5. Eat at Joe’s
1. Happy Dog 2. Scooter’s 3. Hot Dog Diner 4. Market Garden 5. Judd’s City Tavern Cent’s.
2.
Best Sub Shop Herb’n
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202216
1. Great Lakes Brewing Company 2. Fat Heads 3. Noble Beast 4. Market Garden 5. Masthead
1. The Foundry 2. No Class 3. The Agora 4. LBM 5. Grog Shop
Best Cocktail Bar
Best Bar Patio
Best Bar For Singles
Best
BARS &
Winchester Music Tavern 2. Happy Dog 3. Jukebox 4. Noble Beast 5. Nano Brew
Best Wine Bar
CLUBS Best Rock Club 1. The Agora 2. Grog Shop 3. Beachland Ballroom 4. Mahall’s 5. The Foundry 6. No Class 7. The Winchester Best Bar or Club for Local Music 1. Beachland Ballroom and Tavern 2. Mahall’s 3. The Grog Shop 4. Happy Dog 5. Winchester Music Tavern 6. The Foundry 7. No Class Best Bar or Club for Underground Music 1. Grog Shop 2. No Class 3. The Foundry 4. Little Rose Tavern 5. Coda Best Hip-Hop Club 1. Grog Shop 2. B-Side 3. The Foundry 4. Rumor 5. Coda Best Blues Club 1. Brothers Lounge 2. Beachland Ballroom 3. The Winchester 4. Bop Stop 5. Cebar’s Best Jazz Club 1. Brothers Lounge 2. Bop Stop 3. Winchester Music Tavern 4. Coda Best LGBTQ Bar 1. Twist Social Club 2. Funhouse 3. The Leather Stallion 4. Symposium 5. Cocktails Best Bar/Club for EDM 1. FWD 2. Winchester Music Tavern 3. Crobar 4. Symposium 5. Touch Supper Club
Best Bartender
Day Drinking 1. Lakewood Truck Park 2. Collision Bend 3. Rowley Inn 4. Merry Arts 5. Coach’s Place Best Karaoke 1. Tina’s 2. Corky’s Place 3. Becky’s 4. Galaxy KTV 5. Casey Jones Tavern Best Neighborhood 1.BarMerry Arts Pub 2. Prosperity Social Club 3. XYZ 4. Jukebox 5. Old Angle Tavern 6. Academy Tavern 7. Hotz Cafe 8. Coach’s Place
Best Gentlemen’s
Best 1.TriviaBarNight
1. Tabletop Board Game Cafe 2. Pins Mechanical 3. Hi and Dry 4. Funhouse 5. Superelectric Pinball Parlor
1. Amanda Popik (Merry Arts) 2. Merrill Konst (The Fairmount) 3. Jason Knotek (The Foundry) 4. John Wiley (Butcher and the Brewer) 5. Sebastian Albornoz (Cordelia)
1. Funhouse 2. Corky’s 3. Winchester Music Tavern 4. Bright Side 5. Coach’s Lounge
Best Metal Club
1. Porco Tiki Lounge 2. Cloak and Dagger 3. Velvet Tango Room 4. LBM 5. Spotted Owl 6. Society Lounge
Photo by Mike Miller
Mastodon and Opeth performing at the Agora.
Best Bar With Games
Brewery 1. Noble Beast 2. Great Lakes 3. Fatheads 4. Masthead 5. Market Garden 6. Immigrant Son 7. Platform
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 17 Best Polish Boy 1. Little Polish Diner 2. Rowley Inn 3. Banter 4. Seti’s 5. Real Smoqed BBQ Best Local Chain 1. Aladdin’s 2. Winking Lizard 3. Swenson’s 4. Barrio 5. Melt 6. Yours Truly 7. Rising Star
1. Flight 2. Rocky River Wine Bar 3. Humble Wine Bar 4. CLE Urban Winery 5. The Wine Spot
1.ClubChristie’s 2. Lido’s Lounge 3. Hustler Club 4. Crazy Horse 5. Diamond Men’s Club
1. Stone Mad Pub 2. Collision Bend Brewing Co. 3. The Fairmount 4. Nano Brew 5. Jukebox
Arcade Games 1. 16-Bit Bar + Arcade/Pins Mechanical 2. Superelectric Pinball Parlor’ 3. Funhouse 4. Happy Dog 5. Coach’s Best
1. Georgetown 2. All Saints Public House 3. Luca 4. Funhouse 5. The Winchester Music Tavern 6. Merry Arts 7. Riverwood Cafe Best New Bar 1. Pins and (Mahall’s)Needles 2. The Yard on 3rd 3. No Class 4. Bright Side 5. Kaiser Gallery
Dive Bar 1. Harbor Inn 2. Hoopples 3. Funhouse 4. Hotz Cafe 5. Judd’s City Tavern Best
Best Local Beer
Best Place for Spot for
Best Happy Hour
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202218 Steve Kimock & Friends Fri. Sept. 23 &MessagesMiracles with Psychic Laura Lyn Sun. Oct. 9 EkoostikHookah Fri. Oct. 14 Dark Side of The Moon Sat. Oct. 15 Hocus Pocus Sun. Oct. 16 Koslen-Debeck-Pecchio Songs & stories from the first 3 Michael Stanley LP’s Fri. & Sat. Oct 21 & 22 AT THE GOODYEAR THEATER Get tix at goodyeartheater.com or ticketmaster.com Re-CreationAShowSixtiesThe1960sMusical Sat., Nov. 5 ALSO COMING IN 2022 Sunday, Oct. 23 | Martin Sexton Thursday, Oct. 27 | Jon McLaughlin with Kris Allen NEW! Sunday Oct. 30 | The Wood Brothers Wednesday Nov. 2 | Sophie B. Hawkins Thursday, Nov. 3 | Tab Benoit Friday Nov. 4 | Tim O’Brien/Jan Fribicius/ Chris Smither Saturday Nov. 5 | John McCutcheon’s Pete Seeger 100th B-Day Celebration Sunday Nov. 6 | John McEuen and The Circle Band Thursday Nov. 10 | JD Simo & Patrick Sweany NEW! Saturday Nov. 19 | Firefall/Atlanta Rhythm Section Saturday Nov. 12 | Lucy Kaplansky Sunday Nov. 20 | Matt Kearny Acoustic Trio Tour NEW! Friday Dec. 2 | Over the Rhine Acoustic Christmas Sunday Dec. 4 | Karla Bonoff/Livingston Taylor Holiday Show NEW! Wednesday Dec. 14 | Samantha Fish w/Jesse Dayton Band
1. Betsy Kling (WKYC 3)
Jim Donovan
2. Andre Knott 3. Mary Kay Cabot
6.
3.
The Mutt Hutt Inn the Doghouse Boss K9 Milo and Me Style Mutt Social Paws
3.
1. Ken (92.3CarmanTheFan)
1.
1. Cordelia
2.
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 19 6. Winchester Music Tavern
2.
Best 1.RadioSportsShow
5.
1. Flower Child Common Threads Value World Savers Refried Exchange
Best College or University
7.
5.
2. Twist
2.
Gardens 3. Holden
1.
Best 1.WeddingIndoorVenue Street Green Market Square at Crocker Park Truss The Elliot
4.
78th
Crocker Park Living 2. The 9 3. The Bingham 4. Intro 5. The Quarter
Best
Best Radio Show
1. Lakewood Rocky River Shaker Heights Old Brooklyn Parma
Cordelia 2.
2.
Park 5. Wade Oval Wednesdays
4.
3.
5. Galaxy KTV
6.
4.
7. The Current Year
3.
3.
2.
4. Boss Pro-Karting
1. Veranda L’Ni Peach Fuzz Aurora Thunder Dakota Cox Willow Tree Kardi Redd Diamond
2.
Market Garden Beer Engine Beast
3. City Tap 4. Noble
Best Sports Talker
1.ReporterSports
2.
3.
4.
4. Chico After Dark
2. Wayne Dawson (WJW 8)
Best Place to Buy a House
2.
2.
4.
6.
2.
2. Merry Arts 3. Old
Best Place to Work
1. Humble Wine Bar Luxe Toast Cordelia Roasted Tremont
SHOPS & SERVICES
Pattern Play Glas
Best Thrift Store
4.
4.
2.
4. The Jen and Tim Show (Star 102)
Best Private High School
2.
5.
4. Marble Room 5. Flight
6.
3. Stefani Schaefer (WJW 8)
Anchor Inn 2. Emerald Necklace Tearoom and Inn 3. Glidden House Hotel 4. Rider’s Inn 5. Clifford House
4.
5.
3.
2. Really Big Show
5. Austin Love (WKYC 3)
3.
Best Radio Station
4.
Best Record Store
2.
3.
3. Buckeye
6.
Gardens 2. Gervasi Vineyards 3. The Shoreby Club 4. Sapphire Creek 5. Truss (Intro)
2. @ClevelandVibes @CleFoodies @CraveCle @Cleveland.Westside.Eats 6. @FoodInCleveland @CleFood
5. Sauced
Best Sports Bar The Clevelander Angle Tavern On
Best Free Outing Cleveland Museum of Art Metroparks Edgewater Live Lakewood
Farm 6. FWD
1. Tremont 2. Ohio City 3. Gordon Square 4. Old Brooklyn 5. Detroit Shoreway
1.WeddingOutdoorVenue Cleveland
4.
Best Club or Bar to Dance Good Night John Boy Social Club The Foundry of Paradise
Best Neighborhood
Best 1.FollowInstagram
5. Birds
5. The Barber Shop
5.
1.
4. Renaissance 5. Cleveland
3. Darbynwoods Fine Woodworking Peripeti Candles X-Rae Art
6.
Best Hotel Metropolitan at the 9 Hilton (Downtown) Kimpton Schofield Hostel
(Intro) 5.
Best Botanical
1. Record Revolution My Mind’s Eye The Exchange Loop Record Den Hausfrau
5.
PEOPLE & PLACES
1. Willow Room Green Opal Pretty Things Marco Alexzander Charles Scott Sam Fellows
5.
3. Buckeye Relief St. Barnabas School Amplify Best 1.CharityNon-Profit/ Refugee Response
5. Anthony Lima (92.3 The Fan)
2.
4. City Tap 5. Game
1. Sky Zone Play: Cle Urban Air Westlake Little Gym The Workz
Best Bar on the Water Collision Bend Brewery Shooters Merwin’s Wharf Alley Cat to the
Best
Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Best Suburb Village
2. Common Threads
5.
Best Local Newscast
3.
Studios 2. Gordon
5. Shaker Heights High School
Best Bed
4.
@TheCleBucketList
5.
Best 1.MakerCleveland
2. GV Artwork
5.
5.
2.
4.
5.
3. RAKE Hood Squad 216 The Rainey Institute
3.
3.
4.
Best Public High School
5. Chasing Infinity (WRUW)
Zoo 2. Cleveland
5.
5.
Best Family Outing Cleveland Metroparks Botanical Arboretum Westlake
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
4.
1. 100.7 WMMS 2. 92.3 The Fan 3. 89.3 WCSB 4. 98.5 WNCX 5. 107.3 The Wave
3. FWD 4.
2. Alan Cox Show (100.7 WMMS)
Best 1.SelectionDraught
3. Ken Carman Show With Anthony Lima (92.3 The Fan)
Best Anchor
1. Cleveland State University Case Western Reserve University Kent State University Baldwin UniversityWallace John Carroll University
3.
2. Buckeye
1.RadioCollegeStation 90.7 WKSU - Kent State 2. 89.3 WCSB - Cleveland State University 3. 88.7 WJCU - John Carroll 4. 91.1 WRUWCase Western Reserve 5. 88.3 WXPNBaldwin Wallace
2. Tony Rizzo (850)
Best
4.
Best Drag Performer
1. Lakewood High School Solon High School Westlake High School Cleveland Heights High School
1.Festival/EventSeasonal Asian Lantern Festival 2. Oktoberfest 3. Taste of Tremont 4. Feast of the Assumption 5. Brite Winter
4.
1. The Wine Spot Rozi’s Flight Little Italy Wines CLE Urban Winery Magna Wine Boutique
1.
1.
1. Rover’s Morning Glory (100.7 WMMS)
2.
2.
Best Place for a First Date
Best Local Podcast
Best Place for a 1.BirthdayGrown-up’sParty Mahall’s Funhouse
3. 16-Bit MechanicalBar+Arcade/Pins
1. Ricky Smith Dr. Lady J. Martinez Molly Martin Ken Schneck Robert Rice
1. Lakewood 2. Cleveland Heights 3. Chagrin Falls 4. Rocky River 5. Westlake 6. Bay
4.
3.
Best 1.ComplexApartment
Best Salon
3.
3.
6.
5. Welcome
4.
4. Russ Mitchell (WKYC 3)
2. Building Hope In The City
3. Adam the (ULTCleSports)Bull
1.Breakfastand
5.
3.
4.
4.
3.
Best 1.BusinessPet-Related
4. Edgewater Park 5. Urban Air
4. John Telich 5. Daryl Ruiter
2.
1.
Best Wine Store
1. The Guiltless Podcast CLE Foodcast Live at the Bop Stop Trend Kill Radio Ten Cent Beer Life Selby Is Godcast
3.
Best 1.SelectionBottle Winking Lizard Beer Engine
Best Activist
5.
1. St. Ignatius St. Edwards Hawken Magnificat Hathaway Brown Holy Name
5.
4.
1. WKYC NBC 3 2. WJW Fox 8 3. WEWS ABC 5 4. WOIO CBS 19
4. Dustin Fox (92.3 The Fan)
3. Afternoon Drive
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202220
by Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/FlickrCC
Valley National Park.
Photo
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 21 Best Bicycle Shop 1. Eddy’s 2. Century Cycles 3. Blazing Saddles 4. Spin 5. Joy Machines 6. Fairview Cycle 7. Sixth City Cycle Best Barbershop 1. Black Cat 2. Quintana’s 3. Wise Guys 4. Principle 5. Refinery 6. BlessKutz Best Barber 1. Jessica (Quintana’s)Branco 2. Ryan (BlackHardwickCat) 3. Theo Challouf (West Park) 4. Chuck Falk (Principle) 5. Patrick Corrigan (Black Cat) 6. Omar Dodel (Blesskutz) Best Stylist 1. Justine Vasarab (Black Cat) 2. Jessica (Quintana’s)Branco 3. Marco (MarcoAlexzanderAlexzander) 4. Meeka Scull (Salon Lofts) 5. Lexie Dunn (Lady Luck’s Hair Parlor) 6. Sam (BeautyboxFellowsSuites) Best T-Shirt Shop 1. Cleveland Clothing Company 2. Homage 3. Emily Roggenburk 4. Ilthy 5. Where I’m From Best Cigar Shop 1. Cousin’s Cigar 2. Tremont Cigar 3. Cigar Cigars 4. Mayfield Smoke Shop 5. Robusto and Briar Best Tattoo Shop 1. Lakewood Electric 2. Voodoo Monkey 3. Black Dahlia 4. 252 Tattoo 5. Tattoo Faction 6. Olive Ink Best Adult Store 1. Adultmart 2. Lover’s (FormerlyLaneAmbiance) 3. Dean Rufus House of Fun 4. Cirilla’s Best Bookstore 1. Loganberry 2. Mac’s Backs 3. Visible Voice 4. Fireside Bookshop 5. Appletree Books Best Vintage Store 1. Sweet Lorain 2. Flower Child 3. Cool World 4. Refried Vintage 5. Tart Boutique Best Florist 1. Urban Orchid 2. Kate Rutter 3. Blossom Cleveland 4. Mayfield Floral 5. Stems Fleur Best Store To Find A Piece of Cleveland 1. Made Cleveland 2. Cuyahoga Collective 3. Cleveland in a Box 4. Salty Not Sweet 5. Googie Style Best Local Fashion 1.Designer Emily Roggenburk 2. Valerie Mayen 3. FRISKMEGOOD 4. Shannon Prada 5. William Frederick Best Jewelry Maker 1. The Sis Kiss 2. Oceanne 3. Noble Fawn 4. Liza Michelle 5. Bianca Breed 6. Posch and Gulyas Best Jewelry Store 1. Oceanne 2. The Rock Shop 3. Alson’s 4. Mishi Lifestyle 5. Porterfi Best 1.MakerFurniture 44 Steel 2. Dominic Fiorello 3. Dave Crider 4. Freddy Hill Best Place to Furnish Your Home 1. Him and His Design 2. All Things For You 3. Helm Collective 4. Mishi Lifestyle 5. W Design Best Spa 1. Quintana’s 2. Sacred Hour 3. Spa West 4. Holistic Halo Salt Spa 5. The Studio 6. Raw Esthetics Best Boutique 1. Banyan Tree 2. Salty Not Sweet 3. The Shore Society 4. Haven 5. Room Service 6. Tart Boutique 7. Mishi Lifestyle 8. Ladder Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress 1. Harper and Ivory 2. Radiant Bride 3. Brides by the Falls 4. Liliana 5. Ivory and Ash 6. Miranda’s 7. Matina’s Best Men’s Clothing 1.StoreTailored Epiphany 2. Whiskey Grade 3. Kilgore Trout 4. Xhibition 5. J3 Best 1.ClothingWomen’sStore Haven 2. Banyan Tree 3. Knuth’s 4. Sanity 5. Ladder 6. Blush 7. Girl Next Door 8. Apricot Lane
Cuyahoga
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202222
CBD Shop 1. Cleveland CBD 2. Pipe Dreams 3. Amplify 4. Shaman 5. Kerwell
Musical Shop 1. Arrowhead Music 2. Cleveland Violins 3. Guitar Riot 4. Bowed String Shop Best 1.SmokeLocalShop Daystar 2. Planet of the Vapes 3. Twisted Minds 4. Fog Vapery 5. Sunshine Shop 6. Heady Hips SPORTS
Best
RECREATION Best Beach 1. Edgewater Beach 2. Huntington Beach 3. Mentor Headlands 4. Fairport Harbor 5. Euclid Beach Best Dog Park 1. Lakewood 2. Edgewater 3. Taps and Tails 4. Bow Wow Beach 5. Barkwood in Beachwood Best Place to Play Billiards 1. ABC the Tavern 2. Iggy’s 3. The Social Room 4. Little Rose Tavern 5. Rookie’s Best 1.GoodsSportingStore Geiger’s 2. Dunham’s Best Bowling Alley 1. Mahall’s 2. Corner Alley 3. Fairview Lanes 4. Madison Lanes 5. Bay Lanes Best Place to Hike 1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park 2. Rocky River Reservation 3. Brecksville Reservation 4. Hinckley Reservation 5. Chapin Forest 6. Brandywine Falls Best Golf Course 1. Manakiki 2. Sleepy Hollow 3. Big Met 4. Quail Hollow 5. Little Mountain Best Place to Ski 1. Brandywine 2. Boston Mills Best Public Pool 1. Lakewood 2. Westlake 3. Rocky River 4. Beachwood 5. Cumberland Best Gym 1. Tremont Athletic Club 2. Old School Iron 3. Fitworks 4. Upgraded Industries 5. The Studio 6. FMU Fitness Best Yoga Studio 1. Cleveland Yoga 2. Inner Bliss 3. The Studio Cleveland 4. Hope Yoga 5. Yoga Strong 6. Chagrin Yoga Best 1.ExerciseSpecialtyClasses Cycle Fly 2. Harness Cycle 3. Be Fitness 4. Sky Aerial Studios 5. Corus 6. The Studio Manakiki. Courtesy the Cleveland Metroparks
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 23 Best Pet Supplies 1.Shop Style Mutt 2. Pet People 3. Pet-Tique 4. The Natural Pet Best 1.ShopConsignment All Things For You 2. Clothes Mentor 3. Tart Boutique 4. River Trading 5. Passion for Fashion Best Antique Shop 1. Attenson’s 2. Flower Child 3. Sweet Lorain 4. All Things For You 5. Medina Antique Mall Best CollectiblesComic/ Shop 1. Carol and John’s 2. Superscript 3. Apple Jax Toys 4. Comic Heaven 5. K and K Sports Best 1.GardenHome/Shop Petiti Garden Center 2. Gale’s Garden Center 3. Lakewood Plant Company 4. Urban Planting 5. Bremec’s Garden Center Best Beer Selection 1. Simone’s Beverage 2. Rozi’s 3. Red, Wine and Brew 4. The Wine Spot 5. Mack’s Beverage 6. Charlie’s Beverage Best Place for a Mani/Pedi 1. Stella and Shay 2. Sacred Hour 3. 50 Shades of Polish 4. Glossy Nails 5. Manifest 6. Prive 7. Options Best Gift Shop 1. Eclectic Cleveland 2. Salty Not Sweet 3. Cool World 4. Coven 5. Tart Boutique 6. Luster 7. Mishi Lifestyle 8. Rusty Chandelier 9. The Rock Shop Best Massage Salon 1. Sacred Hour 2. Bodhi Tree 3. Quintana’s 4. The Studio Cleveland 5. Womb Wellness Best Car Dealership 1. Ganley Subaru 2. Metro Toyota 3. Leikin Volvo and Mercedes 4. Motorcars Cleveland Heights 5. Classic Lexus Best Auto Repair 1. Conrad’s 2. Knapp’s 3. Leo Luck 4. Detroit Auto Clinic 5. Shaker Quality 6. Plain Brothers 7. West Park Shell Best Eyewear 1. Eyes on Chagrin 2. Eye Candy Optical 3. Park Opticians 4. Eyetique 5. David Ford Best 1.FoodSpecialtyMarket Nature’s Oasis 2. Galucci’s 3. La Plaza 4. Astoria Cafe and Market 5. Park to Shop Best Place to Buy Sneakers 1. Second Sole 2. Lucky’s 3. Xhibition 4. Chilly Kicks 5. My Cousin Vintage Best 1.DispensaryMarijuanaMedical The Botanist 2. Rise 3. Amplify 4. Bloom Medicinals Best Grocery Store 1. Lucky’s Market 2. Heinen’s 3. Fresh Thyme 4. La Plaza 5. The Grocery
Best &
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202224
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202226
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The songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are behind this sci-fi musical that features popular favorites such as “Suddenly, Seymour,” “Skid Row,” and “Somewhere That’s Green.” The Great Lakes Theater Festival presents the play tonight at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through Oct. 9. Tickets start at 2067$20.East 14th St., playhousesquare.org.216-241-6000,
The Browns face their division rivals from Pittsburgh for the first time this season. And for the first time in years, retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won’t be leading the Steelers, giving the Browns a good chance of getting the win (Big Ben was 25-3-1 against the Browns). The game begins at 8:15 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, clevelandbrowns.com.
The 10 x 3 ShowcaseSinger-SongwriterHostedbyBrentKirby
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202228
Benefit for the ’Bin
Little Shop of Horrors
Comedian Carolanne Miljavac has cultivated a massive online presence across multiple social media platforms and aims to “spread laughter and joy without sacrificing honesty and truth,” as it’s put in her bio. In her book She Laughs, she talks about issues such as poverty, grief and life’s struggle. Plenty of her jokes center on being a mom, and, judging by recent Facebook posts, she’s quite perturbed at the way people have stocked up on toilet paper. She performs tonight at 6 at 2035Hilarities.East Fourth St., pickwickandfrolic.com.216-241-7425,
WED 09/21
THU 09/22
Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
SAT 09/24
TUE 09/27
Comedian John Mulaney became a household name back in 2018 when he traveled the United States on his sold out Kid Gorgeous tour, which was later released as a Netflix standup special and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety
Special. Earlier this year, he took his newest hour. John Mulaney: From Scratch, on the road. He performs tonight at 8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tickets start at $39.50 One Center Court, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.216-420-2000,
Since 2010, Buzzbin Art & Music Shop has been a destination for Northeast Ohio concert-goers, music enthusiasts, performers and those just looking for a good time. After over a decade in downtown Canton, Buzzbin is relocating to Kenmore Blvd. in Akron. To help the Buzzbin folks with the move, a multi-venue benefit concert takes place from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. today. Benefit for the ‘Bin will feature 20 bands and solo artists at Buzzbin’s new loca tion at 952 Kenmore Blvd. and at the Rialto Theatre, which is located two blocks away at 1000 Kenmore Blvd. Attendees will need only one ticket/pass for admittance into both buzzbinkenmore.com.venues.
SUN 09/25
The concept of 10x3 is a pre-arranged line up with 10 songwriters/ bands performing three songs each. Two of the them required to be original, and the third can be the artist’s choice. Local singer-songwriter Brent Kirby hosts the event, which runs from 7 to 9 tonight at the Bop Stop. Admission is free. 2920 Detroit Ave., themusicsettlement.org.216-771-6551,
Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Despite having a modest payroll
GET EverythingOUT to do in Cleveland for the next two weeks
John Mulaney
Carolanne Miljavac
FRI 09/23
Comedian John Mulaney comes to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. See: Friday, Sept. 23.
Set in the 1970s and performed with live music and plenty of humor, American Mariachi offers a “heartwarming story of family, memory, and the power of song,” as it’s put in a press release. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through Oct. 9. Tickets start at $25.
11001 Euclid Ave., clevelandorchestra.com.216-231-1111,
and despite playing in the highly competitive AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays always seem to be in the playoff contention. The team plays the Guards tonight at 6:10 at Progressive Field as part of a threegame series.
Mahler’s Resurrection
The Grammy-winning “singer in the Kangol hat,” jazz star Gregory Porter swings with “the earthy warmth of Nat King Cole, the soulful
After spending most of the month in Europe, the Cleveland Orchestra returns to Mandel Concert Hall this weekend to play Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Franz WelserMöst conducts; guest soprano Lauren Snouffer and guest mezzosoprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux will sit in with the orchestra.
Gregory Porter
Performances take place at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night.
FRI 09/30
WED 09/28
2401 Ontario St., mlb.com/guardians.216-420-4487,
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 29
NationLiveofCourtesyPhoto:
American Mariachi
THU 09/29
1407 Euclid Ave., playhousesquare.org.216-241-6000,
spirit of Stevie Wonder and the poet’s truth of Bill Withers,” as it’s put in a press release. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Tickets start at $69.50. 1511 Euclid Ave., playhousesquare.org.216-241-6000,
A New York comedian who’s amassed more than 100 million views with
Ryan Long
his viral digital shorts, Ryan Long’s credit include the hit digital series Torontopia on CBC Comedy, That Guy on CBC Comedy, and Ryan Long is Challenged on BITE TV. He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities.
SUN 10/02
Food Truck Challenge
2035 East Fourth St., pickwickandfrolic.com.216-241-7425,
SAT 10/01
MON 10/03
Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals
The Food Truck Challenge returns to Crocker Park today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cleveland’s best food trucks will compete to win one of the “best of…” categories being judged. There will be live music, kid-friendly activities and vendors. Winners will be crowned by a panel of guest judges and local foodies in eight categories beginning at 3:15 p.m. Admission is free. 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
TUE 10/04
In conjunction with Contact, an exhibition conceived and organized by Renée Green for moCa Cleveland as part of FRONT International 2022, Green has curated a film series expanding on the exhibition’s exploration of the poetics of relation. The series takes place in Case Western Reserve University’s Strosacker Auditorium, and it includes a wide breadth of films by Green, her peers and filmmakers who have been influential to the artist’s practice. Karim Aïnouz’s Mariner of the Mountains screens tonight at 7. Admission is free. 2180 Adelbert Rd., mocacleveland.org.216-368-CINE,
BlazeKenPhoto:
Presented in partnership with iHeartMedia, this event features Cleveland musicians who’ll square off in the Tower City Skylight Concourse as part of the annual Battle for the Land competition. The grand prize package includes $5,000 in cash, a music video by Reel Art Creative’s Award-winning producer Logan Kyngston and a 10-hour studio time block at Lava Room Recording Studio. Acts will compete today and tomorrow from 2 to 6 p.m. 230 W. Huron, towercitycenter.com.216-771-0033,
Mariner of the Mountains
Battle of the Land
The Guardians take on the lowly Kansas City Royals tonight at 6:10 at Progressive Field as part of a six-game series that the Guards will likely need to take to stay in contention for the playoffs. 2401 Ontario St., mlb.com/guardians.216-420-4487,
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 31
Little Shop of Horrors at the Hanna Theatre. See: Friday, Sept. 23.
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202242
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| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202244
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6 Traditional or Boneless Wings tossed in any of the following Sauces: BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Garlic BBQ, Honey BBQ, Honey Mustard, Hot Ranch, Hot Sauce, Hot BBQ, Seriously Hot, Mild, Mango Habanero, Siracha, Ranch, Sweet Chili, Teriyaki. Dry Rubs: Chipotle, Cajun, Garlic Parmesan, Old Bay, 49 Street Jamaican Jerk. Add Ranch, Blue Cheese, and/or Celery for .50 Each
Six FRESH, Never Frozen, JUMBO Wings, Fried Crispy and tossed in our House-Made Signature Sauces. Choose from B2’s Signature Dry Rub, South Carolina Mustard, Guy’s Bourbon Habanero or try one of our weekly sauces like Peach Chipotle
FLANNERY’S PUB flanneryscle.com 323 Prospect Avenue East, Cleveland
6 JUMBO WINGS
NÓRA’S PUBLIC HOUSE O noraspublichouse.net
Six fried and tossed crispy cornstarch coated chicken wings tossed in our house made paprikash sauce with sour cream and Hungarian paprika. Topped with crispy fried spatzle
21800 Center Ridge Rd, Rocky River
The garlic rub features a tantalizing combination of spices including dark chili powder, paprika, cumin & garlic. Served with celery and bleu cheese dressing
CAFE AVALAUN O cafeavalaun.com 4640 Richmond Rd. Suite 200, Warrensville Heights
6 TRADITIONAL BONE-IN WINGS
6 WINGS FRIED OR GRILLED
OLD SCHOOL PIZZA & WINGS O oldschoolavonlake.com
1261 W 76th St, Cleveland
BUFFALO WILD WINGS O buffalowildwings.com
6 wings per order. 1 flavor per 6. Traditional bone in. Cannot alter spice levels. Akron Habanero honey and crunchy spicy garlic- Chef’s favorite! (Medium spicy) Chili-lime spice rub (Medium spicy)
9853 Johnnycake Ridge Rd. Suite 8, Mentor
6 Jumbo Traditional Wings Tossed in Your Choice of the Following Sauces or Dry Rubs: Sauces: Hot Garlic Parmesan, Sweet Asian Heat, Siracha Hot Honey, Siracha BBQ, Honey Mustard, Buffalo, Mild. Dry Rub: Cajun, Nashville, Jerk Ranch, Hot, Ridiculous, Garlic Parmesan, BBQ
1947 West 25th St, Cleveland
*Wingeveryone!Week
Sauces: House BBQ, Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan, Dry Rub. Veggie Item: Buffalo Cauliflower
21490 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park
6 BONE IN JUMBO GARLIC RUB WINGS
2258 Professor Ave, Cleveland
6 wings fried or grilled in the flavor of your liking: Mesquite Grilled Wings, Dry flavors- Cajun & Lemon Pepper. Wet flavors- BBQ, Buffalo, Hot, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Lemon Pepper, Spicy Garlic Parmesan, Mango Habanero, Sriracha. Make it a meal- 6 wings & fries for $10
Old-school, classic recipe from the 1970s when it was the only sauce. Not too hot - not too mild. Served with celery and bleu cheese dressing
NINJA CITY O ninjacity.com
6 CHICKEN WINGS (FLATS & DRUMS)
CLEVELAND WING WING WEEK KEY: VEGGIE SUBSTITUTE VE VEGAN SUBSTITUTE TAKE OUT AVAILABLE
49TH STREET TAVERN O 49streettavern.com
6 FRESH JUMBO WINGS
Your choice of Spicy Garlic, Hot, Hot BBQ, Sesame Teriyaki, Caribbean Jerk Dry Rub Ranch, Blue Cheese, Celery or Carrots $.50 each
BUFFALO RANCH WINGS
445 Avon Belden Rd, Avon Lake
PROOF BBQ O proofcleveland.com
6 HOUSE SMOKED JUMBO WINGS
4113 Erie Street, Willoughby
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Crispy Fried or Baked, Mild, Hot, BBQ, Parmesan Garlic, Honey Siracha, Blueberry Habanero Teriyaki & Plain.. Ranch/BC/Celery
6 BONE IN JUMBO GARLIC RUB WINGS
Fried & served with your choice of the following: SAUCES: Original BBQ, Korean BBQ, Honey Bourbon BBQ, Bleu Cheese, Buffalo Ranch, Chili-Lime Aioli, Tahini, Hot Buffalo, Golden, Creamy Garlic Aioli, Mild Buffalo, Honey Mustard, Sriracha Aioli, Ranch, Tarter, BQB, Chipotle Ranch, 1000 Island, Liar Liar Wings on Fire DRY RUBS: Rambling Ranch, Voodoo Cajun, Six Pepper, and Smokey BBQ
4129 E 49th St, Cuyahoga Heights
BALLANTINE O ballantinerestaurant.com
6 TRADITIONAL OR BONELESS
Gochujang Wings - crispy fried wings tossed in spicy Korean chili sauce, served with pickled daikon radish
FLIPSIDE ROCKY RIVER O facebook.com/flipsiderockyriver
Cherrywood Smoked Wings tossed in House White BBQ
BURGERS 2 BEER O burgers2beer.com 6323 Wilson Mills Rd, Highland Heights 7669 Crile Rd, Painesville
CHARACTERS SPORTS O BAR & GRILL characterssportsbarandgrill.com 6007 Brookpark Rd, Parma
GUNSELMAN’S TO GO gunselmans.com
Mix of Flats and Drums, Order of 6. Chipotle Maple Glaze, Cilantro, Scallion, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Crispy Garlic - Recommended Pairing: Lemon Shandy or Prosperity Wheat
6 BUTT BUSTER BUFFALO WINGS
6 BONE IN JUMBO GUNNY BUFFALO WINGS
6 JUMBO WINGS
Buffalo Wild Wings is a high-energy Sports Bar serving Northeast Ohio for over 30 years. Their amazing menu features hand-breaded chicken, burgers, and, of course, WINGS. The 24 signature sauces and seasons remain the star of the show, from Mild to Wild there is a flavor for
GUNSELMAN’S TAVERN O gunselmans.com
1051 W 10th St, Cleveland
RIDGEWOOD KITCHEN & SPIRITS O ridgewood84.com
offer is not valid in conjunction with discount day offers or any coupons. One wing week redemption per person per day. Dine-In only.
19071 Old Detroit Rd, Rocky River
CRUST O crusttremont.com 2258 Professor Ave, Cleveland 3000 St. Clair, Cleveland
6 BONE-IN WINGS
6 Traditional or Boneless Wings Tossed in Any of Our Signature Sauces: Raspberry BBQ, BBQ, Mild BBQ, Cajun BBQ, Hot BBQ, Suicide, Chipotle, Buffalo Ranch, Mild Buffalo, Hot Buffalo Ranch, Hot Buffalo Garlic, Hot Buffalo, XXX Buffalo, Honey Mustard, Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan, Garlic, Caribbean Jerk (Dry Rub), Cajun (Dry Rub), Lenny’s Honey Siracha Teriyaki, Mikey’s Sweet Island Heat
6 BONE IN JUMBO GUNNY BUFFALO WINGS
6 JUMBO TRADITIONAL WINGS
ANEJO TEQUILA JOINT instagram.com/anejotequilajoint
B2’S BOURBON & BBQ O b2sbourbonbbq.com 26179 Chardon Rd, Richmond Heights
6706 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
The garlic rub features a tantalizing combination of spices including dark chili powder, paprika, cumin & garlic. Served with celery and bleu cheese dressing
Old-school, classic recipe from the 1970s when it was the only sauce. Not too hot - not too mild. Served with celery and bleu cheese dressing
18616 Detroit Rd, Lakewood
Mix of Flats and Drums, Order of 6. House Ranch DustRecommended pairing: Magis Cider or Progress Pilsner
6 SMOKED WINGS
CHIPOTLE MAPLE WINGS
House made blend of seven hot peppers... can you handle it?!
Enjoy 6 of our house smoked & dry rubbed jumbo wings!
6 TRADITIONAL OR BONELESS
6 TRADITIONAL OR BONELESS WINGS
8 TRADITIONAL WINGS
4054 Erie St, Willoughby
OFFICIAL
ALL SAINTS PUBLIC HOUSE O allsaintscle.com
MARKET GARDEN BREWERY O marketgardenbrewery.com
6 WINGS (BONELESS OR TRADITIONAL)
AROUND THE CORNER O atccafe.com
6 Spicy Maple Bourbon Glazed Wings or 6 Lemon Herb Wings with Thyme and Oregano
CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WINGS
6 WINGS FAMOUS BLACK PEPPER
18865 Giles Rd, Aurora 32914 Walker Rd, Avon Lake 26200 Harvard Rd, Beachwood 5020 Tiedeman, Brooklyn 725 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland 12459 Cedar Rd, Cleveland Heights 239 Midway Blvd, Elyria 3011 Westgate Mall, Fairview Park 176 E Main St, Kent 5433 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst 5050 Eastpointe Dr, Medina 9566 Diamond Centre Dr, Mentor 26774 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted 9062 State Route 14, Streetboro 8465 Pearl Rd, Strongsville 36455 Euclid Ave, Willoughby
6 APPLE SPICE SAUCE WINGS
TEAMZ RESTAURANT & BAR O teamzsportsbar.com 6611 Eastland Rd, Middleburg Heights
SIRNA’S sirnaspizza.com
SAINATO’S AT RIVERGATE O italianrestaurantrivergate.com 1852 Columbus Rd, Cleveland
SOUTHERN TIER BREWING CO stbcbeer.com/taprooms/cleveland
Chicken wings tossed in a sriracha and honey sauce
6 Traditional Pre-Seasoned Bone-In or Boneless Wings Fried and then Tossed in Your Choice of the Following House- Made Sauces: Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo, Curry Cajun Dry Rub, Jalapeno Ranch Dry Rub
6 Traditional Bone-In or Cauliflower (Vegan & Gluten Free) tossed in one of the following sauces: Buffalo, Stout Q, Sweet Chili. Wing Week Exclusive: CHERRY BOMB
BBQ WING SPECIAL
SOL O solwilloughby.com
6 TRADITIONAL WINGS
6 JUMBO WINGS
6 SWEET N SAUCY WINGS
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com |
6 bone in traditional wings tossed in any one of our 9 sauces
13362 Madison Ave, Lakewood
3 GOLDEN CRISPY WHOLE WINGS
6 JUMBO SMOKED WINGS
Enjoy 6 of Sirna’s classic fresh chicken, boneless, or pig wing with your choice of our homemade sauces or local rubs from our friends at Great Lakes Spices . Also available with fresh-from-our-farm Cauliflower wings! Our featured WOM (wing of the month) is a homemade chimichurri sauce - with bright flavors straight from Sirna’s Farm.
6 BONE IN WINGS WITH FLAVOR OF CHOICE
Sauces: Three Pepper Fire- Hot! (Vegan) | Carolina Gold MustardSweet & Tangy (Vegan) | Agave BBQ- Sweet & Savory (Vegan) | Garlic Parmesan - Savory Dry Rubs: Winchester’s Signature Dry Rub - Savory (Vegan) | Cajun - Spicy (Vegan) | Lemon Pepper - Zesty (Vegan) | Cinnamon Sugar - Sweet (Vegan) Regal Wings or Tufo can use any sauce. Must get in quantity of 6 (No mix of flavors)
ROWLEY INN therowleyinn.com
811 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland
6 SMOKE HAUS WINGS
6 crispy fired chicken wings in your choice of sauces: Buffalo, BBQ, Dry Rub
OLD GRAND DAD WINGS
5718 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst
Hot Honey Garlic Parm *Limited Time Offer |Teriyaki *Limited Time Offer | Gut-Warmer Garlic | Nashville Hot Oil | Buffalo | Carolina BBQ | Miss Patty’s Vinegar BBQ | Bourbon BBQ
SCALPERS BAR & GRILLE scalpersbarandgrille.com
Fresh wings doused in our Garlic Parm Sauce! This is a Scalpers favorite!
Fresh wings doused in our Homemade BBQ sauce! We have been making this BBQ sauce since 1994! It is a Cleveland staple!
5729 Pearl Rd, Parma
14701 Detroit Ave, Lakewood
Sauces: Hot | Mild | Teriyaki | Thai | Honey Mustard | Garlic (Original, Parmesan or Hot) | BBQ | RUBS: Carolina | Southwest Carolina | Bayou | Espresso | Southwest
6 JUJU SAUCE WINGS
1104 Rowley Ave, Cleveland
6 TRADITIONAL OR BONELESS WINGS
6 WINGS WITH SIDE OF FRIES
THE IVY O ivycle.com 1212 W 6th St, Cleveland
Six traditional bone-in wings tossed in our house-made Tuscan sauce, which is a mixture of basil, garlic parmesan, and roasted garlic olive oil
Mama Josie’s LGW - 6 Wings tossed in Josie’s Homemade Lemon Garlic Sauce and Cilantro
O OUTDOOR DINING
WING WEEK LOCATIONS AVAILABLE
29305 Clemens Rd, Westlake
Tossed in Signature Dry Rub Seasoning and Fried to Perfection then Topped with one of 4 Signature Sauces: Cleveland Hot, BBQ, D’E’T’E (Sweet), or Cool Ranch. Make it a meal for $10. Meal includes 4 whole wings and fries
6 REGULAR WINGS OR TOFU WINGS (TOFU WINGS ARE VEGAN)
921 Huron Rd, Cleveland
7300 Palisades Pkwy. Mentor
TONY K’S BAR & GRILLE O tonyks.com 841 W Bagley Rd, Berea
SAUCE THE CITY O saucethecitycleveland.com 14480 Cedar Rd, University Heights
Tossed in ST Bourbon-Peach Barbecue Sauce & Toasted Sesame Seeds. Served with a side of fresh-cut fries
6 TRADITIONAL OR CAULIFLOWER WINGS
WOODSTOCK BBQ O woodstocksmokejoint.com
6 SPAULDING WINGS
TAVERN OF LITTLE ITALY O tolicleveland.com
11773 E Washington St, Chagrin Falls
12117 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland
Your choice of 6 sauces: Lemon Pepper, Buffalo, Mesquite, BBQ, Honey Mustard, Sweet n Sour Pineapple
6 Slow roasted flats and drums that we fry crispy to order. Get them tossed in any of our signature sauces. House made BBQ, Spicy BBQ, Spicy Asian, Hellfire, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard, Maple Bourbon, spicy garlic parmesan, and Original sauce. Comes with a dipping sauce of choice ranch or blue cheese
38257 Glenn Ave, Willoughby
6 FLATS AND DRUMS
THE TAVERN OF MAYFIELD O thetavernofmayfield.com 6088 Mayfield Rd, Mayfield Hts
SCHNITZ ALE BREWERY O schnitzalebrewery.com
THE HAUNTED HOUSE RESTAURANT thehauntedhouserestaurant.com 13463 Cedar Rd, Cleveland Heights
6 TRADITIONAL BONE-IN WINGS
33185 Bainbridge Rd, Solon
12859 Brookpark Rd. Parma 24488 Lorain Rd. North Olmsted
47
SAUCED TAPROOM O & KITCHEN saucedtaproom.com
6 Jumbo wings w/your choice of sauce: Mild Buffalo, Jalapeño Buffalo, Habanero Buffalo (+$.50), Ghost Pepper Buffalo (+$1), Garlic Parm, Peach Bourbon BBQ, Korean BBQ
6 Traditional bone-in wings tossed in your choice of two house-made sauces: Buffalo Basil or Habanero BBQ
THE WILD GOOSE wildgoosewlby.com 4144 Erie St, Willoughby
6 Traditional split wings slow smoked in-house served with your choice of four homemade dipping sauces: Shnitz Classic BBQ, Mild Buffalo, Smoked Jalapeno Ranch, House Ranch
Lemon pepper and cajun dry mixed with our house hot sauce! 6 wings/order
6 FRESH CHICKEN, BONELESS OR PIG WINGS
Chicken wings tossed in a homemade sauce with ketchup, yellow mustard, honey, sriracha sauce and Worcestershire sauce
6 COUNT TRADITIONAL WINGS
Six traditional wings tossed in our new Sweet Chili Sauce. This delicious sauce combines both mild and sweet to add a new zesty flavor to your wings!
6 WINGS BONE-IN Buffalo or Blueberry Chipotle BBQ
6 TRADITIONAL WINGS
Chicken Wings tossed in an apple butter BBQ sauce, with activated charcoal, molasses and a honey habanero drizzle
SAUCY BREW WORKS O saucybrewworks.com/ohio-city 2885 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
Woodstock BBQ slow smokes it’s signature jumbo dry rub wings over cherry wood to produce its distinctive delicious flavor. All of our meats are smoked out back of our smoke joint dishing up a rotating menu of classic plates like pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, pastrami and ribs with sides of cornbread, collard greens and mac ‘n’ cheese. Our barbecue pairs well with our extensive draft and bourbon list.
6 TRADITIONAL WINGS
SAUCY BREW WORKS O PINECREST saucybrewworks.com/pinecrest 400 Park Ave. Suite 170, Orange
ROLLHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT therollhouse.com
THE WINCHESTER VE O thewinchestermusictavern.com 12112 Madison Ave, Lakewood
WILD EAGLE SALOON O wildeagle.com
SIBLING REVELRY BREWING VE O siblingrevelrybrewing.com
GARLIC PARM WING SPECIAL
6 TRADITIONAL WINGS
*Wing Week Special is not valid with any other coupons or discounts. Dine in only. Only one wing week special per person per day.
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“Garry said he didn’t care where we went because he cooks from the heart,” explains Nadette. “I said, ‘I know, but we don’t want to go into a crowdedGarrymarket.’”andNadette, who goes by the name Maria, opened Gar and Mar in July. Both were born and raised in Jamaica before moving to the States about 20 years ago. Garry worked in restaurants in both countries, and he has a very firm concept of right and wrong when it comes to Jamaican cooking. For example, despite Cleveland’s lessthan-tropical winters, Garry refuses to cook his jerk chicken on anything but a traditional Jamaican-style drumpan. A custom grill and shed was erected behind the restaurant.
By Douglas Trattner
Garry’s jerk chicken ($11.50) is exceptional. The marinated, spicerubbed bone-in meat is grilled to a chestnut-brown hue. Unlike versions cooked in the oven, the meat is firm as opposed to fall-off-the-bone tender. It’s slightly smokey from the flames and intensely flavored, but not overly spicy. For those who crave heat, the restaurant offers a variety of fiery scotch bonnet-based hot sauces.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays and enjoy specially priced meals for just $7 or $8.
are available to explain the menu to them. We have a philosophy at the restaurant: I tell everyone who works here to treat every person as if they’re the president.”
If you love braised oxtails ($16), you’ll definitely want to order the dish here. The jiggly-soft, gelatinous bone-in pieces of meat luxuriate in deep, dark gravy, which is spooned over rice. All it takes to separate
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 55
dtrattner@clevescene.com t@dougtrattner GAR AND MAR JAMAICAN RESTAURANT 10 SEMINARY ST, 440-403-9252BEREA
GARRY LAWSON WAS GROWING weary of his weekly commutes between Cleveland and Florida for his restaurant job. With some gentle coaxing from his wife Nadette, the pair decided to change course and pursue a place of their own.
the meat from bone is gentle suck or tug. Gar and Mar also offers an excellent version of curry goat ($11) that features surprisingly lean and mild meat. You can also get jerk pork ribs, curry shrimp and steamed fish. All meals are available in two sizes and come with rice and beans and a choice of steamed cabbage or fried plantains. Visit at lunchtime on
Most authentic Caribbean restaurants offer a traditional Jamaican breakfast, aka “Jamaica’s national dish,” and Gar and Mar is no “Forexception.aJamaican breakfast, we don’t do egg sandwiches or American sausage or whatever,” Nadette explains. “For Jamaican breakfast, we literally have a whole meal
The counter at Gar and Mar is adorned with the ubiquitous “patty warmer,” a two-level heated display here stocked with both ground beef ($2.70) and curry chicken ($2.70) filled Jamaican patties. Long ago I learned to make a sandwich with mine by tucking a flaky neon-orange
After replacing some large booths in the dining room with tables, the restaurant feels more spacious than it did during the Campus Grille era. There is seating for about 50 guests indoors, with more seats available on a quiet front patio. Baldwin Wallace students never had it so good.
with ackee and saltfish with fried dumplings or with green banana.”
“Garry was going back and forth for three years, so we started thinking, ‘Why are we doing this,’” recalls Nadette. “‘Why don’t we do something of our own?’ And so we startedWhenlooking.”theCampus Grille in Berea closed after seven years in business, a neighbor who had enjoyed Garry’s jerk chicken on more than one occasion encouraged the couple to take a look at the space. Not only was the restaurant ideal in terms of size and layout, but its location in Berea meant that they would be the only Jamaican restaurant for miles.
“This is how we eat it in Jamaica!,” Nadette exclaimed when I mentioned it. “We encourage our customers to try it that way. You might have been the first one to do so.”
In addition to the patties and coco bread, the menu offers other Jamaican sides like callaloo, fried okra and “festivals,” which are fried sweet dumplings. Of course, there are fresh-made fruit and vegetable juices, ginger beer and Ting grapefruit soda.
SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN Gar and Mar is setting the bar for Jamaican in Berea
TrattnerDougbyPhoto
EAT
patty inside an airy coco bread roll ($2.50). It’s a riot of flavors and textures, especially when doused with hot sauce.
“We try and bring the culture,” says Nadette. “Whenever someone comes into the restaurant we always
The dish hasn’t yet taken off at Gar and Mar, but the Lawsons are indefatigably patient and enthusiastic hosts who encourage newcomers at every turn.
public green, the glass-wrapped restaurant is bright, polished and roomy, capable of seating 132 guests. That number will climb next spring when the front patio is unveiled. A 24-seat oval bar abuts the front windows. Beyond the bar
“It’s cool because of both of those already known concepts, but Pulpo doesn’t have its own food,” Vergara explains. “We want to open a taproom to get our beer out to more folks that might not be willing to go all the way out to Willoughby, but also to take the opportunity to give Pulpo its own image and identity andVergara,food.” who also operates the Barroco restaurant at Crocker Park, says that the long-vacant space “has been winking” at him for a long time. He loves the location and finally decided to grab the opportunity.“Wearestoked with the success we have had so far in our Barroco location at Crocker Park in the past four years and couldn’t be happier to add yet another of our concepts to this beautiful and busy shopping district,” he says.
In the starter category, there are personal and shareable dishes like nachos, chips and dips, Oaxacancheese queso fundido, snapper ceviche, grilled octopus with chorizopotato “hash,” and crispy street corn.
Muze Gastropub is a 130-seat “industrial chic” restaurant. In addition to the pizzas from Eat Me, Muze will turn out a menu of woodgrilled small plates, skewers and burgers.“We’ll feature flavors from all over the world, but keep it interesting and approachable,” adds Huizing. “We want to give ourselves the opportunity to be creative, and the opportunity for expression in a way that other restaurants don’t have.”
By Douglas Trattner
“We’rebar.trying to create an entire ecosystem and new neighborhood for the LGBT community and its allies,” explains Daniel Budish, who along with Betsy Figgie shares the title co-founder and co-developer. “When we call it an ecosystem it’s because we’re utilizing and harnessing the power of entertainment and food as a congregator and being able to utilize those resources that we generate to be able to support the other things that our LGBT community really needs.”
First up for the multi-faceted development will be Muze Gastropub, Eat Me Pizza and Trellis Rooftop Bar, all three of which are on pace to open in early October. Michael Kittle, who has worked for Doug Katz, Jonathon Sawyer and Marigold Catering, oversees all of the food and beverage spaces.
Look for all three to open in early October.
Ladner and chef de cuisine Kytana Bradley will have unobstructed views of it all from the open kitchen. Ladner describes Paloma as a taco-focused modernMexican restaurant that is a bit more elevated than what’s typically offered. The chef’s many years in fine dining come through in smartly composed tacos starring unconventional meats and fillings.
Last but not least is Trellis, billed as “Lakewood’s first and only rooftop patio.” The bar features 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space for guests to drink, dine and dance. The “bougie rum jungle vibe” will be more upscale than at Muze, with custom booths, cabanas, drop chandeliers and lots of greenery. A menu of woodfired tapas, Eat Me pizzas and other foods will be available.
Ladner,daily.who lives in nearby Cleveland Heights with his wife and general manager Alyssa, says that he is thrilled to join the Van Aken District
Of course, there will be a topflight beverage program starring various renditions of the Paloma, the popular tequila-based cocktail.
Pulpo Beer Co. Taproom and Restaurant Now Open at Crocker Park
In 2020, Juan Vergara and his team took over the former Brim Kitchen and Brewery space in Willoughby, where they created a unique dualconcept eatery with a first-floor Hola Tacos and a second-level Barroco Arepa Bar. Not long after, he partnered with some family members to launch Pulpo Beer Co., Ohio’s first Latin-owned brewery, in the same 10,000-square-foot building.
Guests can enjoy creatively topped pies called the Hussy, the Flirt and Top Energy. There will be no dine-in service at Eat Me, but customers at both Muze and Trellis can order the pizzas while dining there.
Located in a 4,400-square-footprominentproperty on the
FIRST ANNOUNCED IN 2019, Studio West 117 is gearing up for its first big debut. The Lakewoodbased development is modeled after LGBT-focused neighborhoods like the Castro in San Francisco and the Short North in Columbus. Phase one, which is called the Fieldhouse, will feature two restaurants and a rooftop
BITES
Muze Gastropub, Eat Me Pizza and Trellis Rooftop Bar opening at Studio West 117 in October
dtrattner@clevescene.com t@dougtrattner
Located at West 117th Street and Detroit, Studio West 117 aims to be the new hub for LGBT dining, nightlife and entertainment in Cleveland. In addition to the Fieldhouse, which will include two restaurants, a rooftop bar, a 5,000-square-foot event space and demonstration kitchen, future phases will include a 56,000-square-foot theater, smaller venues, retail spaces, and maker and studio spaces.
“They’vecommunity.donean amazing job developing this district and creating
First Look: Paloma, Opening Soon at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights
Tacos will be sold by the pair and arrive on freshly made flour tortillas.
photoCourtesy
“I feel like our approach is not necessarily super-traditional Mexican cuisine,” Ladner says.
this sort of cultural feel,” he says. “Anytime of day that you come here there’s always people around. They did it right.”
EAT
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 57
inspired and community-inspired.”
Paloma will be open for lunch and dinner
The menu offers a nice variety of vegetable-, seafood- and meatbased tacos that run the gamut from conventional to more chef-driven and creative. There are fajita-style combos starring chicken or beef and onions, peppers, guacamole and salsa, but also duck carnitas with radish, fennel, cracklings and hot citrus vinegar. The all-day-roasted lamb is paired with mint, garlic crème fraiche, lime, red onion and jalapeno. Others feature oxtail birria, barbacoa-style beef cheeks, crispy walleye, citrus-marinated salmon and roasted cauliflower.
is a spacious dining room filled with high-tops, booths, standard tables and a handsome 12-person table constructed of reclaimed lumber.
“I feel like if you’re going to do something, do it right,” says the chef.
Partners Zachary Ladner and Carl Quagliata are now just days away from opening Paloma, a contemporary Mexican restaurant at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. The chefs, who also operate Giovanni’s, Smokin’ Q’s BBQ and The Village Butcher, announced the project last summer.
Eat Me is a quick-serve, woodfired pizza operation that will be open lunch, dinner and late-night, with a walk-up window for increased accessibility. Chelsea “Ox” Huizing, assistant GM, describes the pizza as “Neapolitan-ish.”“We’regoingto do our best to stand out and be special and really create our own name and pizza theme,” she explains. “We get to be a little fun and playful with the names, so we’re going with some names that are drag-
On Thursday, September 8, Vergara and those partners opened the doors to Pulpo’s brand new taproom and kitchen at Crocker Park. Located in the former B Spot, the 4,000-square-foot property has been completely reimagined as a space distinct from both Barroco and Hola.
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 59 SATURDAY SEPT. 24 | 1-5 PM BAR CODE SATURDAY SEPT. 24 | 7-11 PM CUSTARD PIE FRIDAY SEPT. 23 | SELLOUTS7-11 SUNDAY SEPT. 25 | 2-6 RADIOACTIVEPM FRIDAY SEPT. 30 | 7-11 PM BAD JUJU Expires 10/28/22 • Must Present Coupon
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RecordsElektraofCourtesyPhoto:
“As long as they get the emotional thing I’m trying to communicate, I feel like it’s a success, but to see how people have sort of the same heartbreak — like sometimes people are going back to a drug or an abusive parent — it’s like, people feel the same emotion in all these different scenarios. I didn’t even realize like how broadly people would be able to relate to it,” he Benjaminsays. says he’s excited to take his diverse new repertoire on the road and see which songs connect the best with the in-person audiences.
everything’s became so tribal, where it’s like, ‘If you’re a Democrat, then you have to love Nancy Pelosi and everything that she does.’ And it’s like, when did that happen? Why is everything so monolithic. Why does it have to be that way?”
“I wrote it about two different things. One is the perspective of me talking to a friend who was in a relationship that I felt wasn’t necessarily healthy for either party,” says Benjamin when asked about the track. “But then, also, my uncle talks to me all the time about decisions that I make in my life. I’m sort of a naïve artist when I go into different business deals. It’s easy to develop an emotional connection with people that you work with—like a mentorstudent kind of thing. You have a love for those people.”
Benjamin says his uncle cautioned him to remember that at the end of the day those are still transactional business relationships with a different dynamic to them than other friendships.
Benjamin doesn’t subscribe to any political party, but he wishes that people who did could think a bit more critically about the people on their side of the aisle.
This new approach led Benjamin to making his most honest album yet. The title came from the social commentary the album contains and the fact that it’s uniquely from his perspective.“Ididn’tfeel like people were having a nuanced conversation about a lot of the stuff that was happening in the world,” he says. “My album is my attempt at having the conversation that I feel like other people aren’t necessarily willing to have. So, it’s my uncommon commentary.”Thesong“Nuance” expresses exactly this sentiment. The album also features tracks like “Nancy Got a Haircut” and “Hipocrite” — both tunes touch on politicians saying one thing and doing another.
A 28-YEAR-OLD PHOENIX native, singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin writes catchy indie pop songs about his feelings.
“Older” is a painfully relatable track written by Benjamin, Ryan Tedder, Charlie Puth and Zachary Skelton about the growing pains of transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
“You can be a Democrat and be like, ‘Hey, it wasn’t cool that [Nancy Pelosi] got a haircut, when she told everyone else to stay home.’ We can all agree on that. It’s sort of less political and more philosophical, and I think that right now that’s an important thing to do because— even if we’re all people who disagree — there’s a lot of places where we can unite,” says Benjamin. “But
Alec Benjamin.
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 61
The track list also contains songs that dive into the intricacies of Benjamin’s personal life.
equallyBenjaminpainful.”isblown away by how many people are making TikTok videos using the “Devil Doesn’t Bargain” audio. He didn’t expect people to relate to it in so many ways. The song talks about neverending toxic patterns with certain people or things in your life, and how hard it is to come to the realization that you will continue to get hurt if nothing changes.
ALEC BENJAMIN, CLAIRE ROSINKRANZ 8 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, AGORA THEATRE, 5000 EUCLID AVE., 216-881-2221. TICKETS: $37+, AGORACLEVELAND.COM. scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene MUSIC
Though both “Older” and “The Way You Felt” have amassed over 40 million streams on Spotify, to Benjamin’s surprise, it’s “Devil Doesn’t Bargain,” which he almost left off the album, that has the most traction right now.
“I think there’s just a bunch of different, small things that happened in my life that ultimately ended up in my desire to pursue music,” he says in a recent Zoom interview. Alec Benjamin brings his (Un) Commentary Tour to the Agora at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Benjamin’s sophomore album, (Un) Commentary, was released earlier this“Whenyear. the pandemic hit, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to continue to make music or have this as a career anymore. A lot of people weren’t lucky enough to make it through the pandemic with their career intact,” says Benjamin. “I wrote this album with no expectation of if it was even gonna come out or not. I just made the music ’cause I wanted to.”
“The Way You Felt,” the first single that Benjamin released leading up to the album release, is an upbeat song that details a romantic heartache; he later coupled it with a Mandarin Chinese version. Benjamin also dropped “Older” prior to (Un)commentary’s release date, giving it a Mandarin version as well.
By Halle Weber
CONVERSATION STARTER Singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin brings his (Un)Commentary tour to Agora
“So, it’s like from both points of view,” he says. “Although one is romantic and one is, obviously platonic and a business relationship — the feelings of heartbreak can be
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202262
At the beginning of the pandemic, Osborne released a solo acoustic album with bassist Trevor Dunn. While Osborne’s tour in support of that album was cancelled, he enjoyed the process of making a strippeddown release and thought an album
says the band has always enjoyed performing at the Cleveland Heights club.“I like Cleveland in general,” Osborne says. “I’ve been in California since 1986 or 1987, and I’m not a fan of the winter weather [in Cleveland]. I could do without it as far as that’s concerned. We did a tour this year with Ministry [that came through Cleveland], and it was a rough go of it. There was snow, and it was cold. I just thought, ‘I’m not cut out for this crap.’ I don’t miss it. I’m of the philosophy that even birds fly south for the winter.”
of acoustic Melvins tunes would be a fun
the Melvins have remained a rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut. Just last year, the band released two new albums, Five Legged Dog and Working With God. The group recorded the LPs during the downtime caused by the pandemic.“Twoyears off — we didn’t take it off,” says Osborne when asked about how the guys made it through the pandemic. “We did a lot of recording and did three Melvins TV online streaming shows. We did interviews and live stuff. I put together a photo book that’s just coming out now. We did a whole bunch of stuff like that, but [not being able to tour] wasn’t good. I don’t know if it’s the kind of thing I’ll get over. As time goes on, I wonder if people will come to the realization that the whole thing was just a waste of time. Maybe. I don’t know. I tried to do everything suggested. I just don’t know if it did any good. I’ve got limited amount of time in my life that I can work at the level I want to. I’m kind of a workaholic, but there are worse things to be addicted to than work.”
Osborne is happy that the Grog Shop survived the shutdown. He
MELVINS, WE ARE THE ASTEROID
VETERAN GRUNGE/DOOM rockers the Melvins are known as relentless road warriors who are constantly touring. That wasn’t always the case, however. Singerguitarist Buzz Osborne originally declared the band would never tour again after it hit the road shortly after forming in the 1980s.
By Jeff Niesel
“We came back from our first tour in the summer of 1986, and we vowed to never tour again,” says Osborne via phone. The Melvins perform on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Grog Shop as part of the Grog Shop’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. “We were met by a bunch of dangerous and highly aggressive skinheads who liked long-haired music. I didn’t want anything to do with those people. We didn’t tour again for probably four years. The skinhead thing irritated me. I thought that if that’s what those people like, I have to do the exact opposite. Five years later, all those same people had long hair and were wearing Sub Pop shirts. Whatever way the wind blows. That didn’t make me any happier about them.”
“Iendeavor.hadacoustic [music] on the brain at that point,” he says. “We weren’t sure what the capacity for touring would be once this thing is done. We thought maybe we would only be able to do an acoustic tour. We thought if we did something like [an acoustic album], we would have something we could sell that would make sense. If we needed to do an acoustic tour, then it wouldn’t be dumb. Once we got into it, one record seemed like it was not enough. We’ve done double albums, so we thought we’d do that. When we got to three sides, we thought we might was well do four. That was the thought process that went into it. It wasn’t much more than that. Anything that is worth doing is worth overdoing.”
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 63
jniesel@clevescene.com t @jniesel MUSIC CasellaChrisPhoto:
DOUBLE DUTY
Melvins.
8 P.M. SUNDAY, SEPT. 25, GROG SHOP, 2785 EUCLID HEIGHTS BLVD., CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, 216-321-5588. TICKETS: $28.50, GROGSHOP.GS.
The Melvins come to Grog Shop in support of two new albums
The album commences with “Edgar the Elephant,” a psychedelicpop song with heavy drums and soft vocals that proves the Melvins can sound ominous and foreboding even while“It’sunplugged.anoddone,” says Osborne
In the wake of that first jaunt,
when asked about the tune. “It’s on one of our newer records. I worked hard on the odd nature of it, and it has odd chords and a weird structure. I did that guitar solo first. I was really happy with the chord structure I had. It’s an odd tuning as well. Most of it is just my own design. I just figure it out. I don’t readThemusic.”other album the band put out last year, Working with God, features an approximation of the original Melvins lineup from 1983. It’s a much more typical Melvins album in that it includes irreverent takes on classic pop tracks such as the Beach Boys tune “I Get Around.” The Melvins recast the song as “I Fuck Around.”“Wehad been messing around with that song in soundcheck just for a laugh,” says Osborne when asked about the tune. “I thought people would think it was funnier, but nobody really cares. But whatever. You can’t help that.”
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 65
BILLED AS THE SOUNDTRACK you didn’t know your summer was missing, Exes & Hexes, the latest offering from Chicago-based Bev Rage & the Drinks, features layers of guitars, synths, theremin, backing harmonies and “powerful” drums.Frontperson Beverly Rage, a 7-foot tall drag queen in hair and heels, dug deep to write songs about heartbreak, revenge and sex.
“Depending on where we play, we alter what the live show looks like,” says Rage. “If we played the equivalent of the Grog Shop in Chicago, we might not bring all our props and fog machines. If we play a festival, we’ll bring all the props, but even with the club gigs, we don’t hold back. I’ll do a costume change. One the reasons I decided to form this band was because I would see these bands I liked and be bored by the live show. I don’t want anyone to be bored. I can promise you that nobody ever is.” RAGE & THE DRINKS, SLUG FEST, TOTAL DOWNER
jniesel@clevescene.com t @jniesel MUSIC BEV
always a punk rock kid,” says Rage, who grew up in Canton and went to college at Kent State University. Bev Rage & the Drinks perform with Slug Fest and Total Downer on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Happy Dog. “I got involved in the local music scene in the early 2000s. I started playing in bands when I was 16 and even went on a tour. I was involved in the scene until I left in 2008. I was in four or five bands. This was back when the old Grog Shop was around. Things have changed, but I still have kept in touch with a lot of the music people there, and we try to make an annual trip
By Jeff Niesel
Recently,out.” the group has performed at some of the largest street festivals in Chicago, including Wicker Park Fest with the Spits and two of the largest LGBTQ+ Pride events in the city. The band has also kept true to its punk rock roots by playing at mainstay clubs like Sleeping Village, Beat Kitchen, Schubas and Liar’s Club.
They are both accomplished musicians, and our drummer is touring with a band on Alternative Tentacles. They’re called the Darts. She’s just an amazing drummer. We are lucky to have her.”
to overcome. The album cover image is my face with flowers and symbols in my hair. We were going with a witchcraft theme on this album. We did our research and consulted with people who are witches to know what flowers and symbols to pick. All the flowers and symbols are actually things that used within witchcraft rituals.”
The group recorded and produced Exes & Hexes, a garagepop affair that departs from the lo-fi sound for which the group is known, at Altered States with its owner, engineer/producer Brian Fox.
With snotty vocals and loud guitars, the band takes on issues such as mental health (“Machines Get Cleaned), queer dating (“Confident”) and politics (“Attitude”).“Alotofpeople know us as this funny, silly band,” says Rage. “That’s not where I come from as a songwriter. This one feels very formed in its content. There are still
A Northeast Ohio native, Rage was in the Cleveland bands the Vermin, Interceptors, Vista Cruisers and Thunderthighs before moving to Chicago in 2008 and eventually launching a new chapter of her musical career with Bev Rage & the Drinks.“Iwas
some jokes and funniness in there, but it’s peppered within these more serious songs, which are amplified by the fact that most of this was written during the pandemic. We were all going through a lot. These concepts don’t go away. Queer people wait a little while to figure out what we’re doing, so I write about overcoming mental health issues and trying to figure out how to date as a 36-year-old. It’s kind of a memoir in a sense. It’s about going through these issues and being a weird, queer musician in a big city. It’s just an all-encompassing album. We’re really proud of how the lyrics came
photoCourtesy
9 P.M. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, HAPPY DOG, 5801 DETROIT AVE., 216-651-9474. TICKETS: $10+, HAPPYDOGCLEVELAND.COM.
Afterthere.”moving to the Windy City, Rage took a hiatus from music before forming Bev Rage & the Drinks in 2014. The band started playing shows in early 2016.
NO HOLDING BACK Bev Rage & the Drinks bring their theatrical live show to the Happy Dog
Bev Rage & the Drinks
Exes & Hexes features album art by Mikaela Jane, a Chicago artist who has also worked with bands such as Against Me!, the Starting Line, Bartees Strange, Pup and Charley“She’sBliss.alocal artist, and we try to use local artists with everything we do,” says Rage. “I got familiar with her through her other work. She’s worked with some other bigger punk bands. The artwork is really cool. The album is called Exes & Hexes, and we talk about the exes of the dating world and the hexes you have
“We were a lot more lo-fi prior to this album,” says Rage. “We are still a little lo-fi, but this new album is leaps and bounds ahead of our other albums. We have two new members.
TUE 09/27
“Party Mode,” the latest single from country singer-songwriter Dustin Lynch has helped turned the Tennessee native into a superstar. With its catchy refrain and subtle slide guitar, the poppy tune shows off Lynch’s crossover potential. He performs tonight at 7 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. Adam Sanders
2014 Sycamore St., jacobspavilion.com.216-861-4080,
Foreign Air’s Jacob Michael and Jesse Clasen first crossed paths while playing in different projects; they formed this electronica act in 2016 and released the single “Free Animal,” a song with heavy drums and soulful vocals, that same year. The group performs tonight at 7 at House of Blues.
It would be unbelievably inaccurate to confine Chicago band, the Claudettes, to a solitary genre. The band fuses jazz, blues, vaudeville, soul, and classical. Though their diverse yet structured style is fresh, their live shows are a throwback to early 20th century performances from a 1930s big band club to a 1920s speakeasy. Tonight, the group returns to Jilly’s Music Room in Akron as it brings its tour in support of its latest effort, The Claudettes Go Out!, which arrives next month via Forty Below Records, to town. The show starts at 8; tickets cost $10. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
5000 Euclid Ave., agoracleveland.com.216-881-2221,
Quivers
This experimental jazz group that formed in San Francisco in 1978 comes to the Bop Stop for a special performance. A jazz festival favorite, the group performs at 8 p.m. Tickets cost 2920$20.Detroit Ave., themusicsettlement.org.216-771-6551,
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
Real music in the real world
Post Malone recently released his fourth full-length, Twelve Carat Toothache, which features appearances by Roddy Ricch, the Weeknd, Doja Cat, Fleet Foxes, Gunna and the Kid LAROI. This tour that stops at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight at 8 supports the album. 1 Center Court, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.216-420-2000,
Rapper Denzel Curry comes to the Agora.
After Buffalo Springfield splintered in the late ‘60s, singer-guitarist Jim Messina and Richie Furay found success with the seminal countryrock act Poco. Messina would go on to cut a few records with Kenny Loggins and then embark on a solo career. The veteran musician performs tonight at 6:30 at the Kent Stage. Tickets start at $33. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
FRI 09/30
SAT 10/01
In the wake of the release of its new single, “AfterLife,” the hard rock act Five Finger Death Punch embarked on a 2022 North American headlining tour with the veteran rock act Megadeth. The jaunt rolls into Blossom tonight. The HU and Fire from the Gods share the bill. The show begins at 6:30. 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com.216-231-1111,
FRI 09/23
Nine Inch Nails
Finally inducted into the Rock Hall in 2020, this industrial rock band with Cleveland roots wraps up its summer tour with this blowout concert. Ministry and Nitzer Ebb, two veteran industrial rock acts, open the concert. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com.216-231-1111,
Rapper Denzel Curry recently appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series for a performance of songs from his critically acclaimed new album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future. The performance served as part of NPR’s celebration of Black Music Month and found Curry working with L.A.-based Cold Blooded Soul. The Tiny Desk Concert’s release comes in the wake of performances at Governors Ball, Bonnaroo and Something in the Water. Curry performs with AG Club, redveil and Playthatboizay at 7 tonight at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., agoracleveland.com.216-881-2221,
Jim Messina
Texas-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Koe Wetzel has become a touring phenom. He reportedly sold more than 120,000 tickets last year alone. Following a slew of sold-out dates in support of his latest album Sellout, he made Pollstar’s Top Worldwide Tours in 2020 and 2021. Wetzel’s latest single “April Showers,” was released earlier this year. It features his husky vocals and shows crossover potential. Tonight’s show begins at 7:30 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. 2014 Sycamore St., jacobspavilion.com.216-861-4080,
Conan Gray
SAT 09/24
THU 09/22
The Claudettes
Originally slated to tour the States in 2020, Australia’s Quivers spent lockdown writing the music for their second album, Golden Doubt. The jangle pop band excels at earworm indie pop, as songs such as “”Burnt My Maps” attest. The band recently supported the Hold Steady at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. It plays tonight at 9 at the Happy Dog. Sure, Machine, Jason Kaminski and Laughing Chimes open. Tickets start at 5801$10.Detroit Ave., happydogcleveland.com.216-651-9474,
On the hard-driving “Strength to Survive,” one of singer-guitarist Toronzo Cannon’s best tunes, Cannon sings about how “real life” is getting in the way of his dreams. He describes himself as a “broken man” who can’t look at himself in the mirror. It’s heavy, emotional stuff and the riveting guitar solos possess a real weight too from the Chicago City Bus Driver who’s became the latest highly rated blues export from the Windy City. He comes to Music Box Supper Club tonight at 8 in support of his latest effort, The Preacher, the Politician or the Pimp 1148 Main Ave., musicboxcle.com.216-242-1250,
Dustin Lynch
opens the show.
Dinosaur Jr.
Koe Wetzel
Toronzo Cannon and the Chicago Way
| clevescene.com | September 21-October 4, 202266
SUN 09/25
SUN 10/02
Foreign Air
308 Euclid Ave., houseofblues.com.216-523-2583,
TUE 10/04
Five Finger Death Punch
Rova Saxophone Quartet
LIVEWIRE
Photo: Adrian Villagomez
of the venue’s 30th anniversary. The Missed and Little Lions Den open. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216-3215588, grogshop.gs.
Indie noise rock pioneers Dinosaur Jr. have maintained their stature in the genre for decades now, and they’re not letting up. Fronted by the evercreative J Mascis, the band vaults madly between chest-thumping, bonecrushing punk structures and more laid-back, contemplative melodies. Bring earplugs. These guys like it loud. Doors to tonight’s show at the Agora open at 7.
See: Friday, Sept. 30.
Denzel Curry
Cloud Nothings
Post Malone
Since releasing original demos on his YouTube channel at the age of 15, singer-songwriter Conan Gray has become increasingly popular and delivered commercial hits such as “Heather” and “Maniac.” He comes to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica tonight at 7:30 as part of a tour that’s his first in support of his second full-length album, Superache 2014 Sycamore St., jacobspavilion.com.216-861-4080,
An indie rock act out of Cleveland that’s become a legitimate national act, Cloud Nothings play the club tonight as part of a weekend-long celebration
WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM: Miss May I performs with Currents, Kingdom of Giants and LANDMVRKS at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Beachland Ballroom. scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
Miss May I
PRAdrenalineofcourtesyPhoto
years old to 30 years old. Life just hit us like a freight train. There are a bunch of layers. It’s very deep and cool because it’s so truthful.”
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 67
THEM: With their highly technical guitar solos, “Into Oblivion” and “A Smile Does Not Exist” come off as thrash classics. “Unconquered” serves as an empowering anthem with its melodic chorus that offsets growing vocals and snarling guitars. “I think every album, our musicianship goes up,” says Benton. “It comes with us being comfortable with each other. We got to showcase some of our influences. The longer we are a band, the more we study metal. All our songs start with the guitars. They just let it go. It was exciting because with this album we wanted to show our deep, deep influences. The most current metal albums are going futuristic compared to us. We’re going into the roots.” Benton says the live show will feature the most significant amount of production ever. The group has also added a separate VIP performance that will feature an intimate set that focuses on deep tracks. “We would just do sound checks back in the day,” he says. “Now, we want the shows to be better than ever. [The VIP performance] features songs that we would love to play that have been requested for years but just don’t make sense in the set. It’s fun for both the fans and for us. We get to play these crazy songs we always wanted to play. It’s a hodgepodge and a free-for-all. The production will be there too.”
WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THEM: missmayimusic.com.
MEET THE BAND: Levi Benton (vocals), B.J. Stead (guitar), Justin Aufdemkampe (guitar), Ryan Neff (bass, vocals), Jerod Boyd (drums)
By Jeff Niesel
MISS MAY I
MAKING THE MOST OF LOCKDOWN: The band wrote the music for its new album, Curse of Existence, during the height of the pandemic. “We had ideas prior to the pandemic because we were supposed to go into the studio during the summer of the pandemic, and then the world stopped,” says Benton. “We were in the longest album cycle. This album represents five years between albums. It was a difficult album to make. Our songs are never complete until we get to vibe out [during a performance]. We don’t know where the kinks are until we play it together. We don’t have a rehearsal space because we tour all the time. Only a couple of guys could come into the studio at a time. It took like a year to workshop the album. I didn’t want to write the pandemic album. When we were writing it, we were dealing with real life stuff. It was almost like going from 14
MOTHER KNOWS BEST: Benton, who grew up in Troy, OH, says his mom was a metalhead, but he initially didn’t like anything his mom liked. “I was anti-whatever my mom was into,” he says. “I didn’t think metal was cool until I found it.” He formed Miss May I when he was still in high school; the group would draw from a variety of metal acts for its heralded 2009 debut, Apologies Are for the Weak “We all liked Underoath and that led to As I Lay Dying and that got us into Killswitch Engage and All Shall Perish,” he says. “We were not trying to be in a band and make it a career. We were skater kids and honestly just punk-ass kids. We would just go to our friend’s house where there were instruments, and we could play until our parents could pick us up. It was our after-dark activity. If it didn’t work out on our first tour, we all had college lined up.”
WHY YOU SHOULD HEAR
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 69
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SAVAGE LOVE QUICKIES
The Ass Ceiling. (It’s also a boundary of his, and one you must respect — but you’re free to ask him about it. Conversations, even follow-up conversations, about limits, boundaries, and reasonable expectations are not inherently coercive. Wanting to better understand a “no” doesn’t mean you didn’t hear it and don’t respect it. But at the start of a follow-up conversation like that, you need to emphasize that you did, indeed, hear that “no,” and will, of course, continue to respect it.)
“Maybe this letter writer should’ve chosen a more appropriate time for intimate relations — like when This American Life is playing,” said Peter Sagal, the host of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, National Public Radio’s longrunning news quiz program. “Still, I completely understand why the letter writer would be offended by this man’s behavior. First, by thinking our show would be appropriate as an audio background for lovemaking — although Bill Kurtis is known, for good reason, as the Barry White of anchormen. And second, the fact that he actually answered questions out loud while in flagrante. But the letter writer shouldn’t think he was completely ignoring her to
questions@savagelove.net
Hey Dan: Been playing with one of my fellow guys recently — I’m a gay guy — who says he’s into men, but who absolutely refuses to let me (or anyone else) touch his butt. What is this?
There were no middle schools where I grew up, so an “elementary school age” child could be a six-year-old first grader or 14-year-old eighth grader. For the record: I obviously don’t think a six-year-old should view porn, and a responsible parent would not allow a young child to view pornography. I also know it’s almost impossible for a parent to stop a motivated 14-year-old kid from looking at porn. So, if this man’s children are older, perhaps he said “lets his kids,” when he meant “can’t stop his kids.” Whatever his kids’ ages, you can’t stop him from not stopping his kid from looking at porn, but you are free to offer him some unsolicited advice. You could send him the clip of Billie Eilish on Howard Stern talking about how watching porn at a young age really messed with her head.
There is more to this week’s Savage Love. To read the entire column, go to savage.love.
Hey Dan: I’m a 40-year-old cis het man. For more than 20 years — most of my life so far — I’ve been obsessed with one woman. We were never a couple, and I haven’t had contact with her since my mid-20s. How to get past this? The easiest way would probably be to start a relationship with another woman. Or I could get therapy — but I don’t know if my insurance would cover it.
Hey Dan: My husband likes to be naked all the time at home. I think he should cover up when he’s in front of the big window in our front room and can be seen from the street, but he says I am being body shame-y. What do you think?
Hey Dan: 44-year-old here who’s on the dating scene for the first time in 11 years. A few months ago, I hit it off with a hot, hot guy. Great! My problem/ question is about distractions during sex, and I need a sanity check. Once during intercourse, Hot Guy called out an answer to an NPR news quiz
Go to Savage.Love to read the rest. t@fakedansavage
Some days my Instagram feed is mostly memes about how straight guys will do literally anything to avoid getting the therapy they clearly need… and your question brought every one of those memes to mind. I mean, you’ve been miserable for almost two decades and you can’t be bothered to check whether your health insurance covers the therapy you so clearly need? Jesus, dude. Make that phone call, get some therapy, don’t date anyone until you’ve been seeing your therapist for at least a year.
Hey Dan: My husband and I (bio female, newly transmasc) recently became poly. We have created a “closed kitchen table poly quad” with our two best friends. The breakdown is one older married couple, one younger engaged couple, and it’s getting serious. We are now talking about moving in together. Any tips on living together for poly newbies? I think we have a chance at making it work long-term, but I don’t want to add
concentrate on us: our questions aren’t that hard.”
Hey Dan: At a party recently I was chatting with a parent who mentioned that he lets his (elementary school age) kids look at porn. He had a laissezfaire attitude about the whole thing, but I found it disturbing. Am I being a judge-y childless witch?
Here’spressure.atipfor poly newbies: do not move in with other singles, couples, triads, battalions, etc., you just started dating. If moving in together is the right thing to do, moving in together will still be the right thing three years from now. If it’s the wrong thing to do, moving in together will be a disaster three months from now. Take it slow.
www.savage.love
September 21-October 4, 2022 | clevescene.com | 71
Joe Newton
that was playing in the background. Is this behavior rude? I’m operating under the assumption that if one’s mind wanders during sex, one should at least pretend to be focused.
Follow Peter Sagal on Twitter @ PeterSagal.
I dated a guy who thought he should be able to walk around in front of his large picture windows at home, naked and sometimes hard (morning wood-y), and he was adamant about it. And then one day the police came and arrested him for indecent exposure. Anyway, you should put up curtains and/or plant some tall bushes in front of those picture windows.
By Dan Savage
Hey Dan: A date recently tried acting out a Daddy Dom roleplay with me. I don’t want to judge, but…
