Cleveland International Records founder Steve Popovich Sr.
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CONTENTS
Group Publisher Chris Keating Publisher Andrew Zelman
Upfront
Associate Publisher Angela Nagal Editor Vince Grzegorek
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Progress on the lead front, ďŹ nally
Editorial Music Editor Jeff Niesel Senior Writer Sam Allard Staff Writer Brett Zelman Web Editor Laura Morrison Dining Editor Douglas Trattner Visual Arts Writer Dott von Schneider Copy Editor Elaine Cicora Interns Preeya Shankar, Alana Whelan
Feature
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Cleveland International Records ofďŹ cially relaunches
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All the best things to do in Cleveland this week
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UPFRONT LEAD SAFE CLEVELAND COALITION MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS Photo by Sam Allard
THE LEAD SAFE CLEVELAND Coalition (LSCC) last week delivered a set of 33 policy recommendations to Cleveland City Council and Monday presented them to council’s Health and Human Services Committee. Council president Kevin Kelley has said that the city will use the recommendations as the basis for new legislation to combat the city’s child lead poisoning crisis. He’s hopeful of having a law on the books shortly after a planned lead summit in June. The recommendations track, in broad strokes, with the lead-safe ordinance drafted by Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH), the grassroots group that gathered more than 10,000 signatures, 6,500 of them valid, in the hopes of putting the issue before voters in November. (Though council disputes the timeline, CLASH’s formation and its threat of a ballot initiative directly preceded the announcement of the LSCC and clearly prompted the city’s mobilization, after years of inactivity.) Due to a technical flaw in the petition language, CLASH’s ordinance likely will not appear on a ballot. CLASH is nevertheless pursuing legal action, arguing that council is obligated, under the City Charter, to take up the ordinance. (Cleveland. com has called on council to do so, even if not legally compelled.) CLASH has also said that it will not shy away from another petition drive if council does not pass a lead-safe ordinance. Much like CLASH’s proposal, the LSCC recommendations are premised on holding landlords accountable for ensuring that their properties are lead-safe. LSCC has proposed a leadsafe certificate program that would be rolled out over three years. It has proposed fines, not criminal charges, as the accountability mechanism for non-compliant landlords and has proposed public and private resources to help low-income landlords bring their properties into compliance. “We aim to protect Cleveland’s children by merging practical public policies; robust and coordinated government infrastructure; knowledgeable agencies willing to collaborate and adapt; proven community programs and leadership; and public and private sector accountability,” the LSCC said in a
letter prefacing the recommendations. Mark McDermott, of Enterprise Community Partners, led the LSCC policy committee. In a press release, he said that his committee of 70-plus partners collaborated on the recommendations over two months with “impressive discipline and unflinching commitment to Cleveland’s children.” The recommendations were submitted to council with overwhelming support from the committee. The Plain Dealer reported that only four members opted out of endorsing the full set of recommendations: Mike Valerino, of the Akron-Cleveland Association of Realtors; Diana Shulsky, of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services; Anthony Brancatelli, of Cleveland City Council (Ward 12); and Rebecca Maurer, of CLASH. The real estate reps objected, according to the PD, to a one-year ramp-up period for the certificate program. Rebecca Maurer detailed her objections in a letter (available in full at clevescene.com). While she applauded LSCC for their hard work and for adopting a lead-safe housing mandate, she felt that, as written, the recommendations didn’t go far enough to protect Cleveland’s children. Among other things, she noted that the LSCC recommendations
failed to include daycare centers as properties subject to the lead-safe mandate; that they failed to provide sufficient tenant protection (a key pillar of the CLASH ordinance); and that they decreased public control over a “Lead Safe Home Fund.” (Councilman Brancatelli did not respond to an email seeking clarification of his objections.) CLASH distributed a press release last week, commending the bulk of the LSCC recommendations and noting the significant overlap with the CLASH proposal. CLASH urged council to consider its proposal alongside the new recommendations. It noted, too, that daycare centers were not required to be lead-safe under the recommendations and that “badly needed” tenant protections were missing. “Let’s not forget why we are here,” said Yvonka Hall, one of CLASH’s leaders. “Lead poisoning is indeed a health problem with a housing solution. The impact of lead poisoning on education, employment and lifelong disparities is too great to be dismissed. The LSCC recommendations must be translated into a proposed law that the public can support that must be passed by City Council. Our work to make Cleveland lead safe has always focused on working together to protect our children from the dangers
of lead poisoning.” Like CLASH, LSCC said that its proposed solutions can only improve with ongoing discussion.— Sam Allard
Federal Court Rules Ohio’s Congressional Map Unconstitutional A panel of three federal judges on May 3 unanimously ruled that Ohio’s congressional map is unconstitutional. The ruling found that mapmakers manipulated congressional districts to benefit the Republican Party, a violation of voters’ constitutional right to choose their elected representatives. Ohio won’t be permitted to hold another election using the map, and the judges ordered state lawmakers to submit a new one by June 14. Ohio Republican elected officials vowed to appeal the decision, however. The Ohio A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Ohio League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups brought the lawsuit challenging Ohio’s 2012 congressional redistricting. Ohio’s current congressional map was drawn by a Republican-controlled panel in a Columbus hotel room in December 2011. From 2012 to 2016, | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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UPFRONT Republicans in Ohio won 56 percent of the state’s votes for U.S. House candidates. But they netted 75 percent of Ohio’s seats in the House. In 2018, that pattern repeated, with Democrats getting only four of the state’s 16 seats. That’s because many of the state’s congressional districts are drawn so that races in them aren’t competitive, groups challenging it say. Instead, large numbers of reliably conservative voters are concentrated in districts like Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses the west side of Hamilton County and deep-red Warren County. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot has held that district since the 1990s, save for a brief exception in 2009 when Democrat Steve Driehaus defeated him for a single term just before the districts were redivided. The federal judges tore into that district and others like it, stating that “the plausible explanation for District 1’s conďŹ guration was the predominant desire to crack Democratic votes in Cincinnati, a cohesive center that would likely have elected a Democratic representative.â€? Overall, the map shows intent to
draw districts for political gains, the judges said. “In this case, the bottom line is that the dominant party in state government manipulated district lines in an attempt to control electoral outcomes and thus direct the political ideology of the state’s congressional delegation,� the judges’ ruling reads. According to the ruling, many of the districts are drawn — sometimes with wildly convoluted shapes — so as to divide up major population centers like Cincinnati, which have more liberal and minority voters. Heavily urban Cuyahoga County, for example, is split four ways, each small section mixed with much more conservative suburban and rural areas. That division devalues the votes of urban communities, including predominantly minority ones, critics say. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus applauded the ruling. “For too long our communities have suffered and been marginalized through an abuse of power with gerrymandering,� OLBC president State Rep. Stephanie Howse said in a statement. “Ohioans have been clamoring for change to our electoral maps since they voted to pass Issue 1 in May 2018 and today their voices have been heard.�
But Republican state ofďŹ cials say that the current map was drawn by Democrats and Republicans, who both gave up a district when the state lost two congressional seats due to a dwindling population. They also point out that the state will get a new congressional district map after the 2020 Census anyway after voters ratiďŹ ed Issue 1. “The process of redistricting is inherently political and it needs a political solution,â€? Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in February. “We have a new process in Ohio. And it’s a much better process than what’s gone on since the 1960s.â€? Currently, the party controlling Ohio’s General Assembly and governor’s ofďŹ ce has almost complete control over how congressional districts are drawn every 10 years. The current map was drawn up in 2011 mostly in a hotel room in Columbus rented for $9,600 in taxpayer money by staffers for Republican state legislators. Two of those two staffers, Ray DiRossi and Heather Mann, were each paid $105,000 as contractors for their work drawing the maps. The group working on the redistricting project called the hotel room “the bunker.â€? Correspondence between those working on the
map and others within the GOP shows that, among other changes, mapmakers redrew boundaries to include now-Ohio GOP chair Jane Timken’s headquarters in Canton in U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci’s district. At the time, Timken was the vice chair of the Stark County GOP and a major Renacci donor. The request for that change and others came from the ofďŹ ce of then U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, who, according to the correspondence, had ďŹ nal say over the map. But in May last year, Ohio voters approved Issue 1, which seeks to reform the redistricting process. Under the reforms, legislatures will still draw the maps, but at least half of Democrats and half of Republicans in the legislature will have to approve the maps. If they can’t agree, a seven-member, bipartisan lawmaker commission will take over the redistricting, with at least two votes from members of each party needed to approve a map. If that also fails, the legislature can then draw a map without any restrictions — but it will be good for only four years, not 10. The groups bringing last year’s suit say that Ohioans shouldn’t have to wait for the coming census to have districts that represent them. Federal judges Karen Nelson
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Moore, Timothy S. Black and Michael H. Watson in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati agreed — but the decision will face an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. An appeal is also likely in a similar case challenging Michigan’s Republicandrawn congressional districts, which a federal court struck down earlier this year. The Supreme Court is already considering challenges to a Democrat-drawn map in Maryland and a Republican-drawn map in North Carolina. Ohio Republicans say they will fight the decision. “Ohioans overwhelmingly approved our bipartisan effort to create a better process to draw congressional districts following the 2020 census,” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a statement following the decision. “Make no mistake, our office will work with county boards of elections to administer fair, accurate and secure elections in 2020, pending the conclusion of the judicial process.” — Nick Swartsell
Cuyahoga County Set to Ban Plastic Bags After years of advocacy and legislative fits and starts, county
councilwoman Sunny Simon and a bevy of co-sponsors are on the verge of passing a law that will ban the use of single-use plastic bags in Cuyahoga County. Simon has called the measure a necessary step to protect and preserve the region’s most important natural asset, Lake Erie. The ban, which if passed would go into effect in October, received unanimous support in a committee hearing last week. It will now move to a vote by the full council, where it’s expected to receive a majority (6 of 11 votes or better). County executive Armond Budish has indicated that he will support the ban, which is in keeping with the climate action proposals he described in his State of the County address last month. The ban is not without exceptions. Plastic bags used for newspapers, produce, pet waste, prescription meds and dry-cleaning are not included. Violators will be subject to a written warning followed by fines: $100 for the second violation and up to $500 for subsequent violations. The ban follows an attempt by Simon and councilman Dale Miller in 2017 to pass legislation that would have charged a 10-cent fee on plastic bags. That idea received significant
pushback locally and at the statehouse. Supported by the plastic bag and retail lobbies, a handful of downstate Republicans authored preemptive legislation that would prohibit cities from taxing “auxiliary containers” like plastic bags. The legislation was premised, they said, on business-friendliness. But Simon was furious. “Instead of joining the rest of the world,” she told Scene at the time, “[the state legislature] has made it a priority to pollute our environment while enriching special interests. The pollution is egregious, and it’s a horrible legacy to leave for our next generation. [This bill] is unconscionable.” The Cuyahoga County plastic bag ban now appears to have gained broad support. Simon said she recognized that it will constitute a change of behavior for many residents, but that the county would likely roll out a marketing campaign to promote reusable bags. The Solid Waste District, in the meantime, is working to track down grant dollars so the county can provide reusable bags to residents. — Allard
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DIGIT WIDGET 16 Percent of Cleveland teachers who are cost-burdened, according to Apartment List, as housing costs rise and salaries remain stagnant.
$50,000 Amount Cleveland State University will pay local artist Billie Lawless to settle a lawsuit over censorship of his The Politician: A Toy sculpture.
3 Rank for Heinen’s on Consumer Reports’ list of the country’s best grocery store chains.
1,800 Number of newspapers that closed between 2004 and 2018, according to the
Wall Street Journal.
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S All Photos courtesy of Cleveland International Records
TEVE POPOVICH WAS ALWAYS A “great hang,” as James Gang drummer Jimmy Fox recalls. He and Popovich had first connected not through the record business but during the time when they were both musicians in the ’60s, playing the “same circuit of miserable bars together.” “He was really one of my favorite people,” Fox says. “Just a great guy. Just a complete, total non-bullshit guy.” The drummer kept up with Popovich through the years and remembers that if he wanted to see Steve, there was a simple way to make that happen. He would just grab “a big bag of food” and head out to the office that Popovich kept at his home in Willoughby Hills to have lunch with his friend. One of those lunches proved to be an especially memorable one. Popovich told him, “I’m glad you picked today to come over here. I’ve got something I want to play for you, and I’d really like to know what you think about it.” He put in a cassette and pressed play. Fox heard the sounds of music from a future album that the world would eventually know as Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell. He was astounded.
“It was one of those absolutely rare moments, like when Al Kooper played ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ for me. I was almost speechless. To this day, I don’t know whether that whole album is either a great piece of theater or one of the greatest pieces of rock and roll ever made. I’m not sure which,” Fox says with a laugh. “It’s spectacularly good. And at the time, having heard nothing about it and no preconceptions going in, because I just didn’t know anything, I thought it was one of the greatest pieces of music anyone ever played me for the first time.” It was hardly an isolated incident. As Ian Hunter shares in a separate interview, if you were to walk into Popovich’s office at Columbia Records, you’d find him working the phones. “There was a phone on each ear. He’s playing polka to one guy and he’s playing rock ’n’ roll to another guy,” Hunter says. “He was a human dynamo.” “He would share 20 other things, too, within that 20- or 30-minute time period,” says his son, Steve Popovich Jr. “I mean, I got my share of it when I was older, and I can understand it in working side by side, not to mention living with | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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him. It was 24/7, 365 days a year. Music never shut off.â€? And music was always right there, riding shotgun alongside anybody else that might be with him in the car, in travels that could be an experience on several levels. “If you were privileged to ride in his car, his dashboard would be probably 10 inches high, across the whole dashboard, [with] CDs and cassettes, and the volume would be full blast,â€? Popovich Jr. says. “Not to mention, his driving was horriďŹ c. He’d be going 20 miles an hour and then 50 miles an hour then back down to 20 and 50. It was like this nauseous, irritable, loving roller coaster that you couldn’t get off of. It was just wild, man. He was a wild man, for sure. But a lovable one.â€? Steve Popovich brought a blue-
being an independent label in 1977 wasn’t really the hippest thing in the world to do,� he says. “But I think with what Berry Gordy was doing with Motown and what Sam Phillips had done with Sun Records ... what was happening with Stax ... Philly International ... he wanted to adopt that same sort of independence in creating Cleveland International by putting out music that appealed to heartland America.� Popovich Jr. is actively engaged in making sure that heartland America will continue to have a soundtrack both now and in the future. A recent reissue of the 1995 Cleveland Rocks! compilation is a concise overview of the history of Cleveland International Records that only scratches the surface when it comes to telling the story of all of the things that Popovich Sr. accomplished during his time in the business, but it’s a compelling one. There’s Ronnie Spector and
Percy Sledge, Popovich Jr., and Popovich Sr.
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
collar work ethic into the music industry that stemmed from his humble beginnings in the Pennsylvania coal-mining town of Nemacolin. When he passed away in 2011, it took more than seven years to settle his estate. Once that had been wrapped up last year, Popovich Jr. was ďŹ nally able to realize the goal of carrying his father’s vision forward, and he moved quickly on long-standing plans to reactivate Cleveland International Records, something which he was keenly aware was near and dear to his dad’s heart. “He always said that the label was his calling card for life that he wanted his kids and grandkids to remember him by. So that, to me, is really what this whole thing is about. It’s something that he started and created in a day and time when
the E Street Band offering up their take on Billy Joel’s “Say Goodbye to Hollywoodâ€? leading off the collection, opening the door to a track list that also features radio staples like Southside Johnny’s “I Don’t Want To Go Home,â€? Hunter’s “Cleveland Rocksâ€? and Meat Loaf’s classic “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,â€? alongside blue-collar rock ’n’ roll bands like the Boyzz and singersongwriter Joe Grushecky’s Iron City Houserockers, the country rock stylings of “Wasn’t That a Partyâ€? by the Rovers and classic ’70s R&B from the group Essence and their track “Sweet Fools.â€? It’s quite a ride, but Popovich Jr. is looking forward to adding additional chapters to the story of Cleveland International Records. The label’s ďŹ rst signing is the Cerny Brothers, a Nashville-based duo that just
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released their latest album, Looking for the Good Land. The album is a soul-stirring collection filled with road songs, tales of late nights, soul searching, new beginnings and ghosts. It’s been an interesting journey for the brothers, who traveled from Sherrard, Illinois, where they grew up, to Los Angeles in search of the musical dream. The times of struggle and the things they learned as they eventually migrated from L.A. to Nashville are embedded in their lyrics. “It’s both a personal album about our experiences and our struggles, but also a bigger album about America and what it means to be an American and how we fit into that,” says Scott Cerny, who plays a variety of instruments, including guitar and piano, on the album. “You know, originally coming from Illinois and then moving to California and then moving to Nashville, it’s kind of being all over and trying to make some sense of it all in a way.” “Like any adventure, there were so many stories and so many nights of shenanigans and all of that stuff. That’s a lot of where this album came from,” singer Bob Cerny adds. “Even the title of it, Looking for the Good Land, alludes to those adventures that we had on the road and all of the different people that we would meet. Especially for an artist, meeting all of these people just kind of gave us all this insight and new ideas, whether it was people on the Coast or people in the middle of the country. We got a wide breadth of what people were feeling in different parts of the country.” Looking for the Good Land mixes muscular rockers like “American Whore” and “Days of Thunder” with more introspective material like the brilliant story song “Tennessee” and the poignant “Ghost.” The album finds the duo at times embracing a more piano-driven sound that evolved out of their experiences
working as a two-man band when it came to playing live. They experimented with adding additional instrumentation along the way. “It started growing, almost organically, when we moved to Nashville. And then before we knew it, we added the keyboard into the mix,” Bob says, “We both grew up playing piano, but for the longest time, piano wasn’t a part of the band. For no reason, really, I guess we weren’t thinking about it too much. So we added that and electric guitar, so we really started getting a show.” The Cerny Brothers will give area fans a taste of what they’re all about during their set at Saturday’s Cleveland International concert at the Beachland Ballroom, which will serve as a relaunch celebration for the label. As it happens, they’ve played the venue a couple of times in the past, most recently in 2016. “We’ve had good shows there. We actually have some Cleveland people who come out to the shows, which is cool. You never know what place you’re going to pull people and what place you aren’t. But we love the tavern,” Bob shares. “I think the last time we were playing there, there was an Iron Maiden all-female cover band in the ballroom and it was packed. So we straggled over there after our show and we were like, ‘What is going on over here?’” They’ll be joined by a couple of Cleveland International veterans, including “Dirty” Dan Buck, who will bring the music of the Boyzz back to town after a lengthy absence. He has colorful memories of recording the band’s 1978 debut album, Too Wild to Tame, with Popovich Sr. In particular, he remembers a phone call from Popovich that came out of the blue as they were in the midst of making the record. “He goes, ‘Dude, I had this revelation last night. Hear me out. I know it’s going to sound weird. You
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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guys are a Chicago rock band. All of the prominent Chicago rock bands that came before you had horns in their band.’ And I’m like, ‘Where are you going with this?’” Buck recalls with a chuckle. “Man, can’t you see it? You put horns behind this band. This will be great!” Besides pointing out that they were a “guitar-driven rock ’n’ roll band,” it would take a long conversation to convince Buck to give the idea a shot, but ultimately, he was willing to go along with Popovich’s brainstorm. After a show in Chicago, Buck was informed by his manager, John Poulos, that there was a plane waiting to take him to New Jersey to oversee the horn section that Popovich had secured. “I walk in and it’s not just a horn section, it’s the Blues Brothers horn section,” he remembers, still marveling at the memory. “I’m looking at Steve and I’m going, ‘Man, you have a way about you, dude.’ I mean, honest to god, the guy doesn’t just get a horn section. You’ve got to remember, this is in 1978, this
Bill Catino, Marty Mooney, and Popovich Sr.
is when the Blues Brothers [album] came out. They were the hottest frickin’ thing since sliced bread and I’ve got their horn section rehearsing their parts for my album!” “I’ll never question you again,” Buck later told Popovich, after the horn sessions had been completed. Joe Grushecky had a similar experience, when he was in the studio with Popovich and his longtime counterpart, Marty Mooney, who co-produced the first two albums from the Iron City Houserockers. The pair were credited
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
on the records as the Slimmer Twins, a humorously sarcastic nod to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ similar moniker of “The Glimmer Twins.” “They were both heavyweight champions of the world at that time. They were like a couple of sumo wrestlers,” Grushecky laughs. “They were living the good life on the record company tab [in those] days. When Meat Loaf joined them, they were like the defensive line for the Steelers.” The singer-songwriter shares one
of his favorite Popovich stories that went down while their second album, 1980’s Have A Good Time (But Get Out Alive) was in the works. “We were recording a song called ‘Struggle and Die.’ Being a young guy, I had co-written it with one of Steve’s friends and that was the song. We just thought, ‘Oh man, this is the shit,’” he laughs.” When we were doing our demos, we thought, ‘This is a song to build a record around. It’s going to be the crowning point of the record.’” But things took a turn, in more ways than one. “Steve and Ian Hunter basically hated it and they tore it apart and completely restructured it and it ended up being this balls-to-the-wall rocker.” Popovich had another idea up his sleeve to further flesh things out on the track (which was eventually renamed “We’re Not Dead Yet”), as Grushecky relates. “Steve decided at some point to bring in people off the streets of New York City” to add some additional gang vocals. “I thought, ‘Oh my god, they’re ruining my song. This is killing me!’ I was fucking distraught. The next day when we played it back, I said, ‘Oh, that sounds pretty good!’ It ended up being one of the better songs on the record that we loved to play live.”
“This crazy idea, the whoa whoa whoas were always a signature part of the song when we played it live,” Grushecky says now. “[But] I can remember him actually going out in the streets of New York City. We were at Media Sound, I think it was on 57th Street, and [he was] bringing people in, complete strangers, to sing on our record. I was mortified at the time!” Their 1979 debut, Love’s So Tough, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and was recently reissued by Cleveland International, making its debut on digital download and streaming. It’s an incredibly confident piece of work, especially considering that, according to Grushecky, while the songs and their stage show were polished, the members of the Iron City Houserockers hadn’t seen the inside of a studio prior to entering Cleveland’s Agency Recording to begin work on the album. Grushecky and the band will revisit material from the album during their Beachland set, in addition to other favorites from the catalog.
that the film will emerge sometime in 2020. More than 30 interviews have been completed for the project so far. He’s got his hands full with plenty of upcoming plans for Cleveland International as well. The label has already reissued a number of titles to digital and streaming services and there will be “probably another six or seven reissues from the back catalog in July and August,” he says. The Cerny Brothers are the label’s “flagship artist” for this year, but he says they’re looking at expanding the roster with additional signings in the near future. “Right now, we’re a small army, so we’re pushing quality over quantity and them being the main focus for us here this year,” he explains. “But we’re talking to several other artists and bands to potentially sign down the short road. “We’re excited about what we’re doing. We’re obviously still keeping the spirit of Cleveland International Records, with a lot of the legacy artists that were home to the label,” he continues. “We definitely want to keep that aspect of the label going. But
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Popovich Sr. with Popovich Jr.
“I just started listening to it again. I thought it was pretty good. You listen to it with different ears. I’m not a nostalgic type of guy. I don’t go back and listen to my stuff a whole lot, but there’s songs on there I haven’t played in years so, you know, you want to learn them and do them justice. But I thought, you know what? This is a pretty good record. And really, it sounded like the times,” he explains. “Because we were a bit older when punk rock hit. At that time, there was a lot of complicated studio, endless overdubbing stuff on the radio. We wanted to get back to the basics.” Popovich Jr. is currently hard at work overseeing a forthcoming documentary that will cover his father’s life and career. Since the film is still in progress, he says it’s likely
also, we want to look at bringing on new talent, new artists who appeal to heartland America and that represent the label.”
Cleveland International Records Relaunch Concert with Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, Dirty Dan of the Boyzz, Cerny Brothers 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124. Tickets: $18 ADV, $22 DOS, beachlandballroom.com.
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SEE OUR AD ON THE BACK COVER | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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GET OUT everything you should do this week Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
WED
05/08
THEATER
A Bronx Tale Oscar winner Robert De Niro and Tony winner Jerry Zaks teamed up to direct A Bronx Tale, a musical based on the film of the same name. The story centers on a boy who aspires to be a mob boss, and it features tunes from Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin). Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through May 12. Tickets start at $35. (Jeff Niesel) 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org. SPOKEN WORD
Cleveland Stories Dinner Party Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is a weekly series that pairs fine food with storytelling. Through it, the folks at Music Box Supper Club hope to raise awareness of the mission of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center. The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to “bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past — from sports, to rock ’n’ roll, to Millionaires’ Row,” as it’s put in a press release. Admission is free, with no cover charge, although a prix fixe dinner, designed to complement the night’s theme, is $20. Tonight, Chris Ronayne, president of University Circle Inc., talks about the history of Cleveland’s plans for the city. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the storytelling starts at 7. (Niesel) 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com. FILM
Dispatches From Cleveland A feature length documentary, Dispatches From Cleveland recounts the tragic shooting of 13-year-old Tamir Rice and shows how Cleveland remains one of the most racially divided cities in America. The film follows ordinary people who push to register voters and create change. The film screens tonight at 6:30 at the Capitol Theatre as part of the Capitol’s Racial Equality series. A $5 donation is requested. (Niesel) 1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
Turkish composer and improviser Cenk Ergun will perform at the Cleveland Museum of Art. See: Wednesday. MUSIC
Cenk Ergün Turkey’s Cenk Ergün, a composer and improviser whose work has been performed by So Percussion, JACK Quartet, Alarm Will Sound and Yarn/Wire, concludes the Cleveland Museum of Arts’ Performing Arts series with a performance that takes place in the museum’s atrium today at 7:30 p.m. Ergün has lived in New York for many years and is unrivaled in the current generation of composers. His music is marked by long-duration and slow-moving sound fields, often micro-tonal. He’ll do a large immersive event in the atrium with musicians scattered throughout the space so that the audience can move through it or simply sit still. The concert will represent the world premiere of Formare, a piece scored for female choir, children’s choir, harpsichords and trombones. Admission is free. (Niesel) 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org. SPORTS
Indians vs. Chicago White Sox The Indians began the season by splitting a two-game series with the Chicago White Sox. It’s still too early to tell if the White Sox have improved
from last year when they lost 100 games, but their offense does seem to be pretty potent. They’re in town this week for a four-game series. Tonight’s first pitch is at 6:10, and tickets start at $15. (Niesel) 2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com. THEATER
Million Dollar Quartet On Dec. 4, 1956, four guys you might have heard of — Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley — got together in the Sun Records’ studio in Memphis. Their impromptu recording session is considered one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time. Great Lakes Theater’s production of the awardwinning Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet recreates that session. The plot doesn’t amount to much, but the action includes a terrific set of tunes including classics such as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Matchbox” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” See it tonight at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre; performances continue through May 26. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel) 2067 East 14th St., 2 16-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FOOD
Walnut Wednesday Walnut Wednesday is one of summer’s great traditions. Today from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Perk Plaza at Chester Commons — at East 12th and Walnut streets — food trucks once again gather to serve up lunch to area residents and employees. Follow the Downtown Cleveland Alliance on Facebook for weekly updates on vendors, entertainment offerings and more. The series continues through Sept. 4. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. (Niesel) downtowncleveland.com.
THU
05/09
COMEDY
Cocoa Brown If you’ve seen any of Progressive Insurance’s “Name Your Price” commercials, then you’ve seen comic Cocoa Brown. In the commercial, this vivacious comedian and actress plays the angered wife whose husband decides he wants to juggle chain saws. Tyler Perry has even taken her on as a vital character in his TV shows and films. Brown’s | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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GET OUT no-holds-barred attitude has gotten her a Screen Actors Guild award nomination; she’s now in the process of writing a revealing autobiography and putting together her own one-woman show, The Confessions of a Suicidal Diva. She performs tonight at 7:30 at the Improv, where she has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets are $17 to $20. (Lisa Hammond) 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
address simple human interactions, like struggling to extricate yourself from conversations with annoying people. Shaffir audiences that his shows are not for the “easily offended.” He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $23. (Niesel) 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
8 at Severance Hall, the ensemble presents a special spring concert. featuring the music of Bartok, Bruch and Shostakovich. A prelude concert at 7 p.m. features Youth Orchestra members performing chamber music. Check out the Cleveland Orchestra website for ticket prices and other details. (Niesel) 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
BEER + TURTLES
Consume and Conserve After-Work Launch Declining water quality, loss of wetlands habitat, natural predators and illegal poaching have led to a decline in spotted turtles in Northeast Ohio. Recently, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium joined SPOTD, a collection of regional environmental and educational agencies focused on boosting this native species’ numbers in the wild. Last year, Terrestrial Brewing Company decided to help out by donating proceeds from the sale of a special brew to the cause. This year, Terrestrial Brewing Company will tap its latest libation, I Am Still Saving the Turtles Pale Ale, today from 5 to 8 p.m. If you can’t make the release party, no worries. The pale ale will remain on tap at Terrestrial Brewing Company throughout spring and summer. (Niesel) 7524 Father Frascati, 216-465-9999, facebook.com/terrestrialbrewing.
COMEDY
Rob Little While working as a computer programmer for IBM, Rob Little decided to give standup a try. He left his desk job and went to Second City. He subsequently landed gigs on The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Comedy Central’s Distraction. He recently released his third CD/DVD. In one bit, he jokes about aging and says, “The older I get, the more weird shit turns me on” as he zones in on a woman wearing glasses. You might not want to sit in the front row for this gig. Little performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and tomorrow night at MGM Northfield Park’s Club Neon. Tickets cost $10 and $15. (Niesel) 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark. mgmresorts.com/en.html. THEATER
DEF LEPPARD
THE CURE
MUSIC
New Ground Theatre Festival: Egress As part of Cleveland Play House’s New Ground Theatre Festival, Egress comes to the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre tonight at 7:30. The psychological drama aims to depict what’s going on in the mind of a woman struggling to face her fears. Egress is just one of four new plays being debuted during the festival. Tickets cost $20. Find full details on the website. (Niesel) 1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, clevelandplayhouse.com. MUSICAL BENEFIT
JANET JACKSON
New Soft Shoe Nine years ago, a group of Cleveland friends and musicians showed up at the Happy Dog to play a couple sets of tunes by the late, great Gram Parsons. Dubbed the New Soft Shoe, the group has been at it ever since: Anything that Parsons played, the New Soft Shoe covers. Tonight at 8, the band performs in the Waldorf Hall at Forest City Brewery. Admission is free, but a donation is requested. (Niesel) 2135 Columbus Rd., 216-228-9116, forestcitybrewery.com.
STEVIE NICKS
FRI
RADIOHEAD
Ari Shaffir A producer and host of the Skeptic Tank podcast, comedian and actor Ari Shaffir also co-hosts the podcast Punch Drunk Sports with Jayson Thibault and Sam Tripoli and is a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Many of his jokes
05/10
MUSIC
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra has long cultivated aspiring student musicians and provided them with pre-professional orchestral training in a full symphony orchestra. Tonight at
| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
ROXY MUSIC
THE ZOMBIES
COMEDY
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features local favorites Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band. Admission is free; details are on the website. (Niesel) 1055 Old River Rd., 202-628-0123, flatseastbank.com.
TGIF
Flat Out Fridays The East Bank of the Flats features a slew of great bars and restaurants. To take advantage of the terrific riverfront location, the venues have partnered for Flat Out Fridays, a summer music series by the waterfront that includes sweet treats, beverages and other outdoor entertainment. Tonight’s Flat Out Friday runs from 6 to 11 p.m. and
Paris to Prague: An Intimate Evening of Chamber Music Founded by Cleveland maestro Frank Hruby, who assembled an orchestra and faculty featuring his gifted family members, Broadway School of Music & the Arts exports music and arts classes to 11 inner city schools and neighborhood agencies. For tonight’s annual benefit concert, Cleveland Orchestra pianist/violinist Carolyn Warner will be joined by other orchestra members, plus student performer Susan Chute. The Polish American Cultural Center’s Museum & Gallery will be open until the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and there will be a raffle and plenty of pierogi to go around. Tickets cost $70; you can register for the concert and buy` your tickets on the website. (Niesel) 5415 Broadway Ave., 216-641-0630, broadwayschool.org.
FILM
FESTIVAL
Return of the Hero Directed by Laurent Tirard, Return of the Hero stars Oscar winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist) and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds), respectively, as an emotionally AWOL military officer and his heartsick fiancee. The film screens today at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel) 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
REVIVE: Electronic Music + Art + Awareness To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the revitalization of the Cuyahoga River, locally based Sphere Presents and Canalway Partners have teamed up to present REVIVE: Electronic Music + Art + Awareness, a festival that will educate attendees on the importance of sustainability. The all-ages event takes place from 11 a.m. to midnight today at Hart Crane Memorial Park. REVIVE will feature two stages of techno, house, and drum and bass electronic music. There will also be a Makers & Creators exhibit, Great Lakes Brewing Company beer on tap and a selection of themed cocktails. Sainato’s at Rivergate will provide the food, and there will be visual art displays by artist Kevin Jackson. Among the musical acts slated to perform are Ataxia, HAZE-M, Jeff Ozmits, Alien Gonzales, Brandon Andrews, BRUH, Chris Pulse, Cyn, Foreal, Imerica, Thunder St.Clair, Tim Steelyard and Queen of Chaos. General admission tickets are $10 advance and they can be purchased at the website. (Niesel) revivecleveland.eventbrite.com.
MUSIC
Smetana’s Má Vlast Piano-playing sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque return to Severance Hall tonight at 7:30 to perform Bruch’s romantic Concerto for Two Pianos, a piece influenced by Brahms. They’ll also play Smetana’s Má Vlast (“My Homeland”). Kent State University’s Adam Roberts will deliver the pre-concert lecture “My Homeland: Reflections on European Identity.” Performances also take place tomorrow and Sunday. Consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for more info. (Niesel) 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
SUN
SPRING HOURS: Friday: 5:00 - Close | Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm - Close
LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEKEND!
TED RISER Saturday, May 11 • 2-6pm
05/12
ART
Walkabout Tremont During this month’s Walkabout Tremont, you can stop by any of the Tremont art galleries to see their current and/or new exhibits, drop in at the plentiful bars, restaurants and specialty shops that participate in the art stroll, and even nab a free ride on Lolly the Trolley. The walk takes place from 5 to 10 tonight. Check out the website for a schedule, maps and a listing of entertainment and food and drink specials. (Niesel) walkabouttremont.com.
SAT
05/11
FAMILY FUN
Ponyo As part of its Family Film Series, the Cleveland Museum of Art will screen Hayao Miyazaki’s anime classic Ponyo today at 1 p.m. The film centers on a once-human wizard/scientist who lives underwater with his daughter and numerous smaller sisters. When his daughter decides she wants to be human, she and her father have a falling out. The screening takes place outdoors in the museum’s Fine Arts Garden. It’s free. (Niesel) 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
FAMILY FUN
Carnival of the Animals Today at 3 p.m. at Severance Hall, guest pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque will present a special family friendly version of Camille SaintSaëns’s beloved classic, Carnival of the Animals. The concert will also include music by Rossini, Anderson and Gershwin. Consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for more info. (Niesel) 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
BARCODE Sunday, May 12 • 2-6pm
MOTHER’S DAY
Gospel Brunch The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues. The recently reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. As for the food, the all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. Since it’s Mother’s Day, the place has doubled up on its offerings, and seatings are available at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online, by phone or at the box office. (Niesel) 308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
WHISKEY ISLAND MUSIC SERIES Every Wednesday Beginning June 5 Featuring The Region’s Best Bands
ALL SUMMER LONG Full Schedule Available on Our Website.
www.facebook.com/whiskeyislandstillandeatery www.whiskeyislandstillandeatery.net | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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GET OUT FILM
Roman Holiday A 1953 romantic comedy directed and produced by William Wyler, Roman Holiday stars Gregory Peck as a reporter and Audrey Hepburn as a princess who sets out to see Rome on her own, playing hooky from her royal duties for 24 hours. Shot entirely in Rome, the movie won several Oscars. It screens today at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets cost $6. (Niesel) 1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com. BOOKS
Sunday Beat The Sunday Beat is a free weekly live music series featuring jazz, roots, Americana, folk, blues and bossa nova at Visible Voice Books. Purchase a Sunday New York Times, and you’ll receive a free bottomless mug of coffee or tea and half off a Jim Alesci’s Place pastry. Music runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. As an added bonus, anyone who shows a same-day receipt from brunch at Music Box, Prosperity Social Club or
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any Tremont or Ohio City restaurant receives 10 percent off any Visible Voice book purchase. The bookstore is open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Niesel) 2258 Professor Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
MON
05/13
Shit Show Karaoke, a weekly event at the B-Side Liquor Lounge wherein patrons choose from “an unlimited selection of jams from hip-hop to hard rock,” and are encouraged to “be as bad as you want.” Fueled by drink and shot specials, it all goes down tonight at 10 p.m. (Niesel) 2785 Euclid Hts. Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com.
SPOKEN WORD
Science Cafe Tonight, and the second Monday of every month, Music Box Supper Club hosts Science Cafe, an informal lecture series that brings scientists from throughout the region to the club to talk about science topics. Tonight’s guest is Vincenzo Liberatore, Ph.D., a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at CWRU. Doors open at 5:30, and the talk begins at 7. Admission is free but bring some money for the bar and the restaurant. (Niesel) 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com. NIGHTLIFE
Shit Show Karaoke Local rapper/promoter Dirty Jones and Scene’s own Manny Wallace host
| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
TUE
05/14
MUSIC
Open Turntable Tuesday Tonight from 6 to 9, the Winchester hosts its weekly Open Turntable Tuesday. Jason Gokorsch will book guest DJs and offer slots to people who want to bring their own vinyl and spin their favorite songs or deep tracks. First-time DJs are encouraged, and equipment is provided. Patrons can also bring records for the night’s DJ to add to their set. Sign up on Northeast Ohio Vinyl Club’s Facebook page. (Niesel) 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/ TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
FILM
Long Day’s Journey Into Night Tonight at 7 at the Capitol Theatre, the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque hosts a special screening of Bi Gan’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night in 3-D. Gan’s followup to his 2015 debut Kaili Blues, the film is about a loner who returns to his hometown to try to locate a woman from his past and is China’s biggest arthouse hit of all time. The visually stunning film even features an hour-long shot. Tickets cost $12, or $9 for CMA members and students. (Niesel) 1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
FOOD
Truck Stop Tuesday Crocker Park in Westlake has launched its seasonal Truck Stop Tuesday, a weekly food truck gathering that takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Needless to say, admission is free, but the food will cost you. Truck Stop Tuesday continues through Sept. 25. (Niesel) 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
STAGE GET RIGHT Thiz Girlz Lyfe brings a Cleveland morality play to the stage By Elaine T. Cicora THE SINS ARE DIFFERENT AND the setting is 500 years removed, but at its heart, Thiz Girlz Lyfe is a morality play, presenting a lesson about good character and conduct. The new semiautobiographical work by Clevelander Ernesta Jefferson traces the journey of Nasheema, a young African-American wife and mother who struggles to surmount the challenges of drugs, alcohol and domestic abuse and find a better life. Earlier versions of Lyfe were performed in 2015 at Garden Valley Neighborhood House in Cleveland, and in 2016 at Kultivation Theater in Cleveland Heights. The current version debuted after further intensive development in Playwrights Local’s theatrical incubator, Play Lab. Set in present-day Cleveland, the two-and-ahalf-hour piece is being performed now through May 18 in the small, black-box theater at Creative Space at Waterloo Arts. By providing us with the opportunity to experience diverse voices — i.e., voices that don’t necessarily belong to straight white men — Playwrights Local delivers an invaluable service to the community. For this particular work, they have partnered with famed Cleveland director Terrence Spivey, formerly of Karamu House, who now helms Powerful Long Ladder Ensemble. In previous interviews Spivey has said the goal of his company is to embrace issues that speak to the black community. Certainly, Thiz Girlz Lyfe falls within that embrace, its accessibility only broadened by Jefferson’s solid dialog and sharp sense of humor. Even in the darkest scenes, the playwright usually manages to work in at least one sly exchange, creating a vaguely irreverent mood which director Spivey maintains, drawing strong, yet often funny, performances from his cast. When we first meet Nasheema (Lorrainna Worthern), she’s coming home from her shift at the strip club, where she performs under the stage name Nasty. Her hulking, unemployed husband Will (a deliciously menacing Michael L. May) sits staring into the TV, mouthing the lines to a sit-com, in a room littered with beer bottles and red plastic Solo cups. The abusive dynamic between the two is quickly
Photo by Grace McC Photography
Lorrainna Worthern, Michael L. May, and Irma R. McQueen in Thiz Girlz Lyfe.
established, a fact of life that is emphasized in the next scene, set in the dressing room of the dance club, where Nasheema’s co-worker Angel (Nyrie Stallworth) gets on her case for sticking with a man who regularly blackens her eyes. The stress takes its toll on Nasheema’s routine, which draws the ire of club owner Rich (a highly engaging Sean Dubois Day), who wonders aloud whether Nasheema has become “allergic to rhythm,” and threatens to fire her if she doesn’t get back in the game. Back home, Nasheema finds Will drunk and itching for a fight, goading her with derogatory comments about her work as an exotic dancer. (“I’m not saying you a ho. You got ho-like qualities,” he tells her.) As things escalate, the couple’s adolescent
begins. Fueled by drug-induced mania, on her return home Nasheema manages to beat the crap out of Will with a beer bottle before hosting a riotous dance party for her friends (also played by Stallworth and Hodges) that features a madcap array of twerking, booty slapping and hallucinating. In the aftermath, Nasheema is passed out on the couch when Social Services — who else? — comes to call. It turns out, someone has called the agency to complain that Quita is being neglected. (Spoiler alert: It’s Nasheema’s mom, warmly portrayed by a maternal Irma R. McQueen.) With the moralityplay perfect name of Ms. Getwright (Rochelle Jones), the straitlaced social worker takes considerable abuse from Nasheema, who has lost her wig while thrashing around on the couch.
THIZ GIRLZ LYFE THROUGH MAY 18 AT CREATIVE SPACE AT WATERLOO ARTS 397 EAST 156TH ST., 216-302-8856, PLAYWRIGHTSLOCAL.ORG
daughter Quita (Samone L. Cummings) calls the cops. But with Will begging her to remain silent, Nasheema denies the abuse to the sympathetic officer (also played by Sean Dubois Day). So later, when another dancer, Sandy (a finely tuned Arien Hodges), offers Nasheema some crack, it doesn’t take long for her ethical restraints to crumble beneath the onslaught of despair, and her downward slide
In a clever piece of stagecraft, Ms. Getwright hands Nasheema her wig while simultaneously promising to “get out of your hair” if Nasheema will only consider rehab. Among the eight-actor cast, May, Day and Hodges are especially notable for the well-rounded characters they deliver. The role of Nasheema, however, is a challenging one: The actor is on stage nearly every minute
of the 150-minute run time, and often engaged in physical feats ranging from exotic dancing to giving and receiving beatings. That said, Worthern’s performance, while highly energetic, lacked much nuance or emotional subtlety — terrified, angry, or high, all looked pretty much the same. Act 2 opens with a sober Nasheema seated on her sofa with a laptop. Rather than beer bottles, the only clutter comes in the form of a bottle of sparkling water. And when a very strung-out Sandy appears at the door, we learn Nasheema has been clean for a year. Sadly, salvation is rarely as much fun as sin, and the second act, which finds Nasheema successfully resisting a relapse with the help of her sponsor and coming to grips with her complex relationship with Will, feels slow paced, a little preachy, and not entirely convincing. In fact, when Nasheema and Will apparently reunite at the play’s conclusion, a voice at the back of the audience seemingly spoke for many when it cried out, “Oh, no!” Nonetheless, the fact that diverse voices are being heard on Cleveland stages is something to celebrate. As an intimate portrait of a black, female Clevelander, Thiz Girlz Lyfe deserves the continued support of the community.
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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MOVIES BORED OF THE RINGS Tolkien biopic is Middle-Earth reference fest void of magic By Sam Allard Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
WHY, OH WHY, IT OCCURS TO this critic to inquire, does a story as rich with drama as that of British novelist and master philologist J.R.R. Tolkien — the father of modern high fantasy himself! — seem so void of life onscreen? Tolkien was born in South Africa and orphaned at a young age. He fell in love with a boarding house roommate whom he was forbidden by his caretaker to see, and he later participated in some of the most horrendous combat of the First World War. Then he wrote The Lord of the friggin’ Rings. And yet, in the hands of Finnish director Dome Karukoski, Tolkien’s life is merely a procession of nonpivotal moments that inspired his famous fiction. Here, we pause on the rolling British countryside or the puddled mud of the Somme and consider how it inspired the Shire or Mordor. There, we watch as German flamethrowers are transformed, in Tolkien’s mind, into a belching dragon. Everywhere, we suffer allusions to rings and elves and, finally, an on-the-nose description of friendship as “fellowship.” When a meaningless character who professes his loyalty to Tolkien on the French front lines is revealed to be named “Sam,” you may shout, as I did: WE GET IT ALREADY! (If you’re not familiar with LOTR
and/or its Hollywood adaptation, this is a reference to Samwise Gamgee, a fiercely loyal hobbit who accompanies protagonist Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo Baggins, on his quest to destroy the one ring.) Tolkien opens Friday at area theaters and is unlikely to make much of a dent at the box office, with Avengers: Endgame continuing its monopoly through a third weekend. Starring Nicholas Hoult as Tolkien and Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror) as his girlfriend Edith, the film
chronicles the author’s early life. Only in the film’s final scene does Tolkien begin writing The Hobbit, but his fiction is the film’s subtext. Fans of Tolkien’s may appreciate the abundance of references to Middle Earth, but Karukoski’s attempts to correlate actual events in the author’s life with events from his books are pure fan fiction. In fact, it’s the most imaginative thing about this otherwise formulaic biopic. Beginning in 1916 amid the horror of the WWI trenches, the film
mostly follows John Ronald Reul Tolkien as he seeks out a soldier friend who’s been lost in the chaos of battle. As he staggers through the salient, we flash back to his youth. We watch the formation of the T.C.B.S, a “secret society” of the sort precocious elite high schoolers are wont to devise. And we watch as Tolkien and Edith fall in love. We watch, also, as Tolkien cultivates an appreciation and talent for language. Among the film’s more notable achievements is demonstrating the centrality of language in Tolkien’s artistic and academic pursuits. His fantasies follow from the creation of language, not the other way around. We see Tolkien learn that languages are nothing without history and legend and meaning attached to them. Creating Middle Earth seems to have been a way to bring the joy back to his scholarly work. But Hoult’s Tolkien, as a character, is just sort of meh. He’s not Jude Law’s ebullient Thomas Wolfe or Johnny Depp’s zany Hunter Thompson or Cynthia Nixon’s mannered Emily Dickinson. He’s just an earnest young man who’s really into words.
sallard@clevescene.com t@scenesallard
SPOTLIGHT: BATHTUBS OVER BROADWAY LONGTIME DAVID LETTERMAN writer Steve Young explores the hidden world of industrial musicals in Bathtubs Over Broadway, a fascinating documentary that screens at 9:20 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. The film commences with an animated sequence featuring a giddy tune that sounds like a number in a Broadway musical. Then it cuts to interviews with people who know Young from his work on Letterman. We see the dry-witted Young sitting at his desk working on a “monologue enhancement,” and we watch him writing funny fake names for headshots while working backstage
in the Letterman offices. Letterman describes Young as the “last vestige” of latenight TV show writers, and an old Letterman segment called “Dave’s Record Collection” helps us draw the connection between Young’s work on the show and his interest in obscure Broadwaystyle musicals that were only seen by company employees and their spouses at sales meetings and workrelated gatherings. During the postwar era, some of America’s biggest corporations (think GE, GM, Xerox) produced these lavish productions. Professionally cast and staged, they boasted original songs by people like Fiddler on the Roof’s Sheldon
Harnick and featured songs like “The Bathrooms Are Coming” and “Diesel Dazzle” as they represented the optimism that ran rampant during the postwar boom. The output of these musicals really escalated in the 1960s. “I didn’t know much about musicals, but I knew this wasn’t supposed to be it,” Young says at one point while confessing that he often spends the day singing one of the jingle-like songs. Clips from musicals for Ragu and Purina show just how cheesy the productions were. The film follows Young as he visits hole-in-the-wall record stores in search of the soundtracks, often leaving behind his business card when he doesn’t find anything to
his liking. His obsession reaches another level when he begins contacting people who had been in the shows to see if they still have records or videotapes from their performances. The affable Young explains that many of the records in his collection are the only known copies, and the film provides a great documentation of his collection while including some very funny interviews with a wide range of people (including punk icon Jello Biafra) who share his obsession. — Jeff Niesel
jniesel@clevescene.com t@jniesel | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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EAT FULL OF FALAFEL With the additions of Brassica and another Sitoo’s, Cleveland’s sitting pretty when it comes to fast-casual Middle Eastern fare By Douglas Trattner Photo by Emanuel Wallace
THERE MAY BE NO HOTTER food trend right now than Middle Eastern cuisine — specifically, fastcasual Middle Eastern. From large and growing national chains all the way down to indie one-offs, new concepts built around hummus, pita and falafel seem to be popping up every other day. Two such concepts recently joined the fray in Northeast Ohio — Brassica, which makes its home at the Van Aken District, and Sitoo’s, a new addition to Playhouse Square. Brassica, which began life a few years back in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus, beautifully illustrates the appeal of this health-focused, plant-forward category. Focus and transparency seem to be the guiding principles behind the regional restaurant group, where a concise roster of items is prepared from scratch in the bright light of day. Step inside the attractive, contemporary space and you’re immediately greeted by a colorful cornucopia of vegetables — raw, pickled and roasted — that immediately sets Brassica apart from typical steam-table assembly lines. Behind the counter, a glowing hearth turns out a steady stream of warm, fragrant and puffy pitas. Those pitas form the backbone of this souped-up falafel shop, where twofisted sandwiches are custom built to the diner’s own specifications. When the line attendant cracks open the seam of the pita, a small poof of steam escapes. First comes a layer of hummus or baba, if you’d like, followed by a choice of protein. The falafel ($7.50) is heavenly, with a golden brown exterior giving way to a moist, cumin-scented core. Add crunchy toppers like pickled cabbage, spicy roasted carrots and/ or cauliflower with jalapenos. Don’t neglect the spicy Z’hug elixir or creamy, garlicky “special sauce.” You end up with a portly but manageable sandwich that delivers a roller coaster ride of taste and texture all the way down to the bottom. In place of falafel, diners can elect to go with robustly seasoned and fall-apart chicken ($8.50),
harissa-rubbed brisket ($10.50) or house-cured, pepper-glazed lamb bacon ($11.50). In place of the pita sandwich, diners can have their falafel or meats and toppings layered into a bowl of greens, lentils and rice. Another route is to get an order of the hummus, a smooth, tahiniheavy blend, and top that with a meat. It’s particularly enjoyable to scoop up pieces of shredded chicken, hummus and roasting juices with that plush pita and dip it into sauce. Also eminently enjoyable is dunking
of the popular Aladdin’s Eatery chain of restaurants. In place of a laser-focused menu built around a handful of salads and sandwiches, the restaurant offers the full slate of appetizers — from kibbie to foole m damas — a half a dozen salads, a dozen sandwiches and most of the entrees, despite operating a counterbased operation. What is different is the portion size and price point arrangement, with lower prices supporting lighter builds. The fattoush salad ($5.75) is
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Brassica’s always hot and crisp fries into that dreamy special sauce. To drink, there is a small selection of local and regional beers on tap, wines by the glass, and minty pink lemonade. One might assume that a fastcasual spinoff of an existing fullservice restaurant would employ a greatly condensed menu. But that’s not the case with Sitoo’s, an offshoot
nearly $3 cheaper than what’s on offer at Aladdin’s, but it’s every bit as wholesome. A fresh array of mixed greens is tossed in an herby vinaigrette with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onion and plenty of crispy-crunchy pita chips. A dusting of crimson sumac adds pop. Larger salads topped with falafel, shawarma and shistawook offer a pleasant middle ground
between appetizer and main course. Sitoo’s wraps are slender twists of lacy pita stuffed with everything from falafel and tahini to grilled chicken and garlic sauce. A lamb pita ($5.45) is a delicious amalgam of grilled lamb patties, tomato, pickles, onions and tahini dressing, but the meat was on the dry side, as though it had been waiting around for me to order it. That turned out to be the case with the Sitoo’s Combo ($9.25) as well, with the lean grilled beef tenderloin holding up less well than the ground beef kafta, chicken shawarma and falafel, all of which are joined by fluffy rice pilaf, a small salad and fresh pita. The dining experience often requires a short wait while the food is prepared, but staffers are happy to deliver it to your seat. Expect a cute but small dining room, anchored at the far end by the kitchen and counter. It’s on that counter that you’ll find grab-and-go containers of flaky, honey-soaked baklava ($3.50). Grab some before you go. Sitoo’s also has locations in Parma (5870 Ridge Rd., 440-885-2525) and North Olmsted (24930 Lorain Rd., 440-716-8755).
dtrattner@clevescene.com t@dougtrattner | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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EAT BITES RED the Steakhouse is back on track to open at Pinecrest By Douglas Trattner
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
Photo courtesy of Red the Steakhouse
IF ANY QUESTIONS LINGERED as to Red the Steakhouse’s previously announced plans to open a new restaurant at Pinecrest, the company has put those doubts to rest. The organization recently announced that construction officially is underway in Orange Village. Back in 2016, Red Restaurant Group, which also operates Moxie, announced its plans to open a new location at Pinecrest, which would replace the original Red location in Beachwood. Along the way, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, shuttered its Indianapolis location, and recently announced that Moxie would close and undergo a transformation. The lack of any real progress at Pinecrest only intensified the uncertainty. Now, Red has stated that the new spot is on pace to open this fall. When it does, it will replace the original Beachwood location, which will remain open in the interim. “This is an exciting time for Red,” reports Gregg Levy, managing partner of the group. “As our downtown location celebrates its fifth anniversary and our sister restaurant in South Beach marks its 10th year in business, Pinecrest is the perfect place to continue to serve Red’s loyal clientele dining on the east side of Cleveland.” When it does open, the glitzy new steakhouse will spread across 7,500 square feet. Street-level patio seating will bring the dining outdoors, while an expansive rooftop will provide diners with views of, uh, Pinecrest. Both lunch and dinner will be served.
“Pinecrest joins in the excitement of our shoppers, office tenants, apartment residents and hotel guests who have all been anxiously awaiting Red’s new location in our district,” states Eric Louttit, chief investment officer of Fairmount Properties. “Red delivers an unmatched, world-class dining experience and we’re confident that the Pinecrest location will quickly become the east side’s new hot spot.”
Chef Jonathon Sawyer Opening Columbus Restaurant in Partnership With Jason Kipnis and Forward Hospitality Group Busy bee chef Jonathon Sawyer will be opening a Columbus restaurant at 906 North High St., in space formerly occupied by RAM Restaurant and Brewery. The project is in partnership with Indians’ second baseman Jason Kipnis and the Forward Hospitality Group, which owns and operates FWD, Magnolia, Bell and Flower and a Flipside. Sawyer will add that outpost to a portfolio that includes Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat in Westlake. He’ll also be opening an as-of-yet unnamed and undefined concept in the Van Aken District at some point this year. Earlier this year he shuttered Trentina, his ambitious tasting menu restaurant in University Circle.
dtrattner@clevescene.com t@dougtrattner
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MUSIC
Photo by Clare Gillen
J
ULIA MICHAELS, WHO BRINGS her first-ever headlining tour to House of Blues on Friday, is fairly insecure for a pop star. The 25-year-old Iowa native has been songwriting professionally for a decade, but it was only a couple of years ago that she found the confidence to record her own music. Michaels wasn’t ready for the scrutiny that came with stepping out from behind the scenes and into the limelight until something bigger than her pushed her out of the shadows. “I had interest from people, but I was not in a space of wanting to put out my own music, for insecurity purposes, until I wrote a song that changed it all for me,” she says in a recent phone interview. It was “Issues” that did it for
Michaels. The stripped-down acoustic track finds Michaels in a dysfunctional relationship, owning up to her deepest insecurities but proceeding to point out that her partner struggles in the same areas. The alternative-pop smash-hit made Michaels a household name, but several stars were already acquainted with the songwriter. Michaels was only 15 when she followed her sister into the studio where she was recording demos for songwriters. There, Michaels’s talent caught the eye of one of the writers, who offered her a collaboration. From there, 17-year-old Michaels was recruited to write the theme song for y. the Disney show Austin & Ally This teenage triumph led to Michaels connecting with Disney stars such as Selena Gomez and Demi
Lovato and writing on tracks for them. Gomez is still a good friend and is featured on Michaels’ new six-track EP, Inner Monologue Part 1, in the blaringly self-aware ballad “Anxiety.” The pair of crooners have been very vocal about their respective struggles with depression and anxiety in recent years. “I’ve always wanted to write a song about it,” says Michaels. “It took the right people, and the right day, and the right vibe that I was feeling to do so.” The track finds Michaels and Gomez turning down offers to meet up with friends then regretting it, feeling plagued by the battles being waged in their heads. “Depression is person-by-person. It’s not always one thing that
| clevescene.com m | May 8 - 14, 2019
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MUSIC triggers everyone’s depression or anxiety,” says Michaels. “Each person and each scenario is different. I’m just happy that there’s awareness about it and that people are actually talking about it, and not just pushing it to the wayside. It’s actually getting attention, and people that have it are feeling heard.” Michaels has always viewed writing as a therapeutic process and a way to not only feel heard but to also help others feel heard as well.
with songwriters for the past 10 years. I wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for collaboration,” says Michaels. “You’re collaborating every day whether it’s other songwriters or other producers, whether it’s you wanting your vocals a certain way from the engineer. Collaboration is part of my daily life. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without it.” As of now, Michaels doesn’t have a time frame set for Inner Monologue Part 2. In the age of short attention spans, Michaels wants to ensure that listeners take the time to digest her music. “Sometimes, songs on albums get lost. I feel like if
“My love for music and words stems from me wanting to connect with people who feel misunderstood … or feel unwanted.” “My love for music and words stems from me wanting to connect with people who feel misunderstood … or feel unwanted. That’s the reason I started writing in the first place; it was my outlet to be able to confront things that I wasn’t able to confront in everyday life,” she says. “Into You,” a pianobased confessional on Inner Monologue Part 1, also tells a story of Michaels avoiding social interaction at home,
it comes in shorter, smaller doses, people are gonna listen a little more attentively,” Michaels says of choosing to release the EP in two parts. “I wanted to put it out in spirts and not give it away all at once.” Michaels was inspired by a collection of moments, relationships and experiences in the writing of the EP, but the release came together as a cohesive unit because it all happened to her.
JULIA MICHAELS, JOSIE DUNNE 7 P.M. FRIDAY, MAY 10 HOUSE OF BLUES, 308 EUCLID AVE., 216-523-2583. TICKETS: $22 ADV, $25 DOS, HOUSEOFBLUES.COM
but it’s a different kind of discomfort that she’s dodging. The EP also offers “What a Time,” an acoustic collaboration with Niall Horan, a love letter for the memories that a past relationship left behind. With James Bay, Keith Urban and Lauv all working with Michaels on singles last year, she is quickly becoming a key player in the duet game. “I’ve been collaborating
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“You write [the songs] at different points in your life, but they’re all still relative to you, regardless of when they were written,” says Michaels, “I wanted to tell a story, and these were the songs I felt told it the best.”
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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LIVEWIRE
all the live music you should see this week Photo by Richard Stow
WED
Uriah Heep/ProgNation: 8 p.m., $44-$64. The Kent Stage. Valleyheart/Pollen Eyes/ Steadyfire/Northern Fire (in the Locker Room): 7 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Mahall’s 20 Lanes. Jackie Warren: 10:30 p.m., free. Nighttown.
05/08
Epic Beard Men/Vockah Redu/DJ Zole/Doc Remedy/DJ ESO: 8:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Grog Shop. Four Bitchin’ Babes: 8 p.m., $25$35. The Kent Stage. Hatebreed/Obituary/Madball/ Prong/Skeletal Remains: 5:30 p.m. Agora Theatre. Hellogoodbye/Hala: 8 p.m., $18 ADV, $23 DOS. House of Blues Cambridge Room. In the Sea: 8 p.m., $15. Bop Stop. Television/Dan Kroha: 8 p.m., $40. Beachland Ballroom.
THU
SAT
05/09 Uriah Heep comes to the Kent Stage for a three-night stand. See: Thursday.
The Crash Course with Soul City/ Heiress Behavior/Verse/Lucky/ Jaz Monae/Rosello/Fee/Laura: 9 p.m., $10 ADV, $13 DOS. Grog Shop. Eaglemania: 7:30 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. The Four Freshmen: 6 p.m., $30. Nighttown. A Lad Insane: 7 p.m., $10. Bop Stop. Ava Mendoza/Mike Sopko/Listen Little Man: 9 p.m., $7. Now That’s Class. Northeast Ohio Drum & Music Jam: 9 p.m., free. Beachland Ballroom. Open Mic Night (in the Supper Club): 7 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. Parachute/Billy Raffoul: 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues. Caroline Rose/Kississippi: 8:30 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Beachland Tavern. Therapy Thursday Featuring the Katy and Beach Stav: 8 p.m., free. CODA. Frank Turner/Shovels & Rope/ Trapper Schoepp: 6 p.m. Agora Theatre. Uriah Heep/ProgNation: After debuting in 1970 with the release of Very ’Eavy, Very ’Umble, the hard-rock act Uriah Heap has gone on to great success and has since sold in excess of 40 million albums worldwide. To this day, they continue to play 125 shows a year, and the band’s live set features classic tracks from the ’70s and material from last year’s Living the Dream, an album that features operatic vocals and the
band’s proggy mix of guitars and keyboards. (Jeff Niesel) 8 p.m., $44-$64. The Kent Stage. Phil Vassar/David Nail: 7:30 p.m., $27.50-$44.50. MGM Northfield Park, Center Stage.
FRI
05/10
Biitchseat / Miller & The Hunks: 8 p.m., $5 ADV, $8 DOS. CODA. Andy Black/The Faim/Kulick: 6:30 p.m. Phantasy Theater. The Bright Light Social Hour/ Walker Lukens: 8 p.m., $15. Beachland Tavern. Brit Floyd: 8 p.m., $27.50-$65.50. Jacobs Pavilion. Citizen/Knuckle Puck/Hunny/Oso Oso: 6 p.m. Agora Theatre. Everyn/Lux Terminus/Black the Sun/ATMA: 7 p.m., $10. Mahall’s 20 Lanes. Headspace Minimal House Techno (in the Underdog): 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog. Karaoke with Aaron Terkel: 9 p.m., free. Happy Dog. Denny Laine & the Moody Wing Band: 8 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. mewithoutyou/Cursive/The Appleseed Cast: 9 p.m., $20 ADV, $23 DOS. Grog Shop. Julia Michaels/Josie Dunne: 8 p.m., $22 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues. Ken Peplowski Quartet featuring Nicki Parrott: 8:30 p.m., $30. Nighttown. Dan Pugach Nonet: 8 p.m., $20. Bop Stop. The Shootouts (in the Supper
Club): 8 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. This Moment in Black History/ Muamin Collective/MellowXzact/ Unknownphrazes/2ssaints/ Bloody Show: 9 p.m., $10. Now That’s Class. K.T. Tunstall/Maddie Ross: Singer K.T. Tunstall, who started playing piano when she was only 4, launched her career with 2004’s Eye to the Telescope, an album that became a hit after she re-released it with “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” a tune that wasn’t actually on the initial pressing. Then, she had an even bigger hit with “Suddenly I See,” a track that was used in The Devil Wears Prada. Hillary Clinton even used the track in 2008 as part of her presidential campaign. Relentless touring and recording followed until Tunstall hit the wall a few years ago. She went to the Sundance Film Institute Film Music Program and learned to write music for soundtracks. Invigorated, she returned to the studio three years ago to cut KIN, an album of “big pop songs.” The second part of that trilogy, last year’s WAX, is another solid effort. One album highlight, “The River,” starts as a pretty pop number with percolating synths and falsetto vocals. It eventually builds as Tunstall adopts a bluesy wail, and the guitars and drums kick in. Expect to hear it along with a mix of old and new songs at tonight’s show. (Niesel) 8 p.m., $25-$99. Beachland Ballroom.
05/11
ABBARAMA: 8 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. Cleveland International Records Relaunch Concert with Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers/ Dirty Dan of the Boyzz/Cerny Brothers: 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $22 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. Wallace Coleman/Joe Filisko and Eric Norden/Jarred Goldweber: 8 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern. Falling in Reverse/Ice Nine Kills/ From Ashes/New Year’s Day: 7 p.m., $30.50 ADV, $33 DOS. House of Blues. The Happy Fits/Early Eyes (in the Locker Room): 7 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Mahall’s 20 Lanes. MGMT/Warpaint: 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$49.50. Masonic Auditorium. Micah EP Release Show: 8 p.m., $5 ADV, $8 DOS. CODA. Nicki Parrott featuring Ken Peplowski: 8:30 p.m., $30. Nighttown. Part-Time Lover/Tin Foil/Ma Holos: 9 p.m., $6. Happy Dog. Seaway/Free Throw/Young Culture: 7 p.m., $15 ADV, $17 DOS. Mahall’s 20 Lanes. Steely Dan Tribute by The FM Project (in the Supper Club): 7 p.m. Music Box Supper Club. Leni Stern Trio: 8 p.m., $20. Bop Stop. The Sublets/Lemon Sky/All is Harvest/American Takeout: A local rock band with punk/pop/ alternative influences, the Sublets recall acts such as Weezer, Green Day and Blink-182 with songs such as “Misunderstand,” a track that features snotty vocals and a really keen sense of melody. Expect to hear it and more at tonight’s show, at which the band will announce that former Seafair singer Chayla Hope will become the group’s new lead singer. (Niesel) 9 p.m., $10. Grog Shop. Uriah Heep/ProgNation: 8 p.m., $44-$64. The Kent Stage. Jackie Warren: 10:30 p.m., free. Nighttown. | clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
35
LIVEWIRE SUN 6/1
FRANKIE SCINTA The Showman
6/11
COLLECTIVE SOUL AND GIN BLOSSOMS Now’s The Time Tour
6/16
BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS & TOAD THE WET SPROCKET
6/18
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
6/22
RANDY RAINBOW
6/23
PATTI LABELLE
6/29
DAVID FEHERTY Live Off Tour!
7/5
RUSSELL PETERS Deported World Tour
7/12
QUEENSRŸCHE
7/13
COLIN JOST Co-Anchor of SNL’S Weekend Update
5/31 ROB THOMAS Chip Tooth Tour
6/2
SAMMY HAGAR’S Full Circle Jam Tour Featuring Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson & Jason Bonham Benefiting Akron Children’s Hospital
6/8
WFC 107 Live Championship Boxing
05/12
Bad Cop Bad Cop/War on Women/ Blacklister: 8:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Now That’s Class. BBMAK: 7 p.m., $29.50 ADV, $35 DOS. House of Blues Cambridge Room. Tony Bennett/Antonia Bennett: 7:30 p.m., $67.50-$127.50. Packard Music Hall. Chronophage/The Cowboy: 3 p.m., $5. Now That’s Class. Damien Escobar: 8 p.m., $32.50 ADV, $37.50 DOS. House of Blues. Brian Krock’s Liddle: 7 p.m., $15. Bop Stop. RBRM: 7 p.m., $61-$225. State Theatre. Eli “Paperboy” Reed/Thee Affections/GA-20: 8 p.m., $15 ADV, $18 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. Sego/So Long Albatross/Gas Station Wine: 8 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Tavern. Uniform/Wear Your Wounds/ Seeress: 8:30 p.m., $15 ADV, $17 DOS. Grog Shop.
MON
05/13
Shakey Graves: 8 p.m., $27 ADV, $30 DOS. House of Blues. Stryper/Billy Morris and the Sunset Strip: 7:30 p.m., $22 ADV, $27 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. University School Jazz Program With Special Guest Jamey Aebersold: 7 p.m., $10. Nighttown.
TUE
6/1
PROGNATION CLASSIC PROG-ROCK TRIBUTE 8PM
6/22
BRETT SCALLIONS OF FUEL UP CLOSE & ACOUSTIC 8PM
6/7
THE FM PROJECT STEELY DAN TRIBUTE 8PM
7/5 7/6
EARL DAVID REED FEATURING JESSE BLANCO 7PM & 9:30PM
6/14 ALEX ORTIZ 6/15 FEATURING LUCKY LUCIANO 7PM & 9:30PM
7/13 STILL LIFE THE IRON MAIDEN TRIBUTE
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
MAY 9 & 25
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 6:00PM
ROCKIN’ THE KEYS FOR A CAUSE
DUELING PIANOS EVENT Benefitting the Epilepsy Association Details on Website.
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BREAKING NEWS...
05/14
Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull: 8 p.m., $40-$55. The Kent Stage. Che Apalache: 7 p.m., $20. Nighttown. Idles/Fontaines D.C.: 8 p.m., $15. Beachland Ballroom. Iron Reagan/Sacred Reich/Leeway/ ENFORCED: 7:30 p.m., $18 ADV, $20 DOS. Grog Shop. Ma Holos/Shadow Show/Swell Tides: 9 p.m., $5 ADV, $8 DOS. Mahall’s 20 Lanes. Movements/Boston Manor/Trash Boat/Drug Church: 6 p.m. Agora Theatre. Wet Nurse/Xanny Stars/Fan Fiction: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
scene@clevescene.com t@clevelandscene
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
...HOT OFF THE INTERNET PRESS. O N LY AT C L E V E S C E N E . C O M
| clevescene.com m | May 8 - 14, 2019
37
BAND OF THE WEEK THE SHOOTOUTS By Jeff Niesel Photo by Aimee Lambes
Saturday, June 22nd!
MaKenzie Thomas from NBC’s The Voice with special guest
James Blonde! DOORS @ 7PM, SHOW @ 9PM. Tickets are selling FAST! Grab yours at www.stellasmusic.com. #WalkInRockOut | 216.202.1002.
www.stellasmusic.com | @stellasmusicclub MEET THE BAND: Ryan Humbert (lead
WE WENT OUT WHEN YOU COULDN’T. EVENT SLIDESHOWS. ONLY AT CLEVESCENE.COM
vocals, acoustic guitar), Brian Poston (electric, acoustic guitar), Ryan McDermott (bass), Dylan Gomez (drums, percussion), and Emily Bates (harmony vocals) MORE THAN A SIDE PROJECT: Based out of
Akron, the Shootouts formed when founding members Humbert and Poston bonded over a mutual love of heartfelt, authentic country music. While the two were busy performing Humbert’s original pop-rock songs, they often discussed the idea of starting a new band. “We’re both big advocates of the traditional side of country music,” says Humbert. “We wanted to play something we really loved — not that we weren’t having fun with the Ryan Humbert Band or other projects. If someone then had told me that this would be what I would pursue as my main musical outlet, I’m not sure I would have believed them.” The group played its first show in October of 2016 and has actively gigged since then. It just released its debut album, Quick Draw. CLASSIC COUNTRY: The band takes inspiration from old-school acts like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. It recorded its debut album last year at the Bunker Studios in Brooklyn with producers Jim Campilongo (the Little Willies, Cake) and Luca Benedetti. Campilongo and Benedetti were the production team behind Zephaniah Ohora’s debut album, This Highway. “That record is a beautiful slice of classic country,” says Humbert. “It sounds like Merle [Haggard] in the ’70s. We thought that if they knew what to do with Ohora, they would know what to do with us. I reached out to them, and they liked what they heard. We
38
| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
did most of the pre-production long distance. We’d send them demos and they worked on them. They would make suggestions in general and it was an interesting way of working and we did one full day of preproduction before recording with them.” They cut the entire album in about six days. WHY YOU SHOULD HEAR THEM: Highlights from Quick Draw include “Must Be Love,” a tune written by Stacey Earle, and “If We Quit Now,” a duet written by local singer-songwriter Marc Lee Shannon. Veteran pianist Jon Cowherd (Rosanne Cash, Iggy Pop, Joni Mitchell) backs the band on the closing number, “Losing Faith in Being Faithful,” a track co-written by Humbert and Shootouts sideman Al Moss. “If I Could” features twangy guitars, and Humbert practically has to rap to keep up with the frenetic tempo. “I’ve said this before but, with a band like ours, we weren’t going to make a record that takes six months to make,” says Humbert. “If you listen to the music we idolize — traditional country and honk-tonk and Western swing — those bands weren’t making records that took six months or a year to make. They would set up and those songs would get recorded, and it was really honest. We tried to adhere to that as much as possible.” WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THEM:
shootoutsmusic.com WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM: The Shootouts
perform with Brent Kirby at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at the Music Box Supper Club.
jniesel@clevescene.com t@jniesel
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KentStage =HGÍM FBLL MA>L> @K>:M LAHPL MB<D>ML HG L:E> GHP
Martin Barre
Uriah Heep
Nils Lofgren Band
May 9, 10 & 11
Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull May 14 & 15
Alex Bevan & David J. Young
An Evening with John Waite
Joanne Shaw Taylor
X
Steve Earle and the Dukes
Karla Bonoff
Fri May 17
Wed May 22
Sun May 19
Thu May 16
Tue May 21
Thu May 30
Sat. June 1
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
AJ Croce Plays Croce
The Allman Betts Band
Thu June 13
Sat June 15
Tue June 18
JUST ANNOUNCED
Lakeland
S K C O R Music Mayhem in the Big Tent May 11 | 8 p.m. | FREE
LOS LOBOS
Featuring: Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean Rock, Disco, Swing, Ska, and everything in between
Monica Robins and the Ninja Cowboys Contemporary Country with classic anthems and standards
food trucks | cornhole | beer and wine sales
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| clevescene.com | May 8 - 14, 2019
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SAVAGE LOVE BEST WISHES By Dan Savage I’m a 43-year-old straight woman, and I spent the majority of my 30s celibate. At 40, I realized that while I wasn’t interested in dating, I was tired of my vibrator. I also realized that it was time to go forth and fuck with the body I had instead of waiting for the idealized body I was going to have someday. Over the past three years — despite being as fat as ever — I’ve consistently had fun, satisfying, exciting, creative, sometimes weird, occasionally scary, but mostly awesome sex. One guy I met on Craigslist was particularly great: awesome kisser, amazing dick. He came over, we fucked, it was excellent, we chatted, he left. This happened about four times. And then CL shut down the personals section. The only contact info I have for the guy is the anonymous CL address, and it no longer works. He has my Gmail address (the one I use for dating sites), but he has not emailed me. I’m not a crazy stalker (I swear!), but he once told me he teaches at a university in our area, and I managed to find his photo and contact info on the school website. So I know how to reach him — but that’s a spectacularly bad idea, right? Unless you think it isn’t? If a dude I’d fucked a few times tracked me down at my job, I would freak out. But I keep thinking: Would it really be SUCH a bad idea to send him ONE email? Should I just accept that it was great while it lasted? Or should I email him and run the risk of pissing off/ freaking out a nice guy? — Can Really Envision Every Possibility
*** Don’t do it, CREEP — don’t do that thing you already know you shouldn’t, that thing you wouldn’t want some dude to do to you, that thing you were probably hoping I’d give you permission to do. That thing? Don’t do it. You’re engaged in what’s called “dickful thinking” when guys do it — at least that’s what I call it, CREEP. It’s like wishful thinking, but with dicks. Men convince themselves of something improbable (“I bet she’s one of those women who like unsolicited dick pics!”) or unlikely (“Showing up at her workplace will convince her to take
me back!”) because it’s what they want. Think of all the guys you’ve ever known who said, “She wants me!” when in reality he was the one who wanted her. Clitful thinking may be rarer than dickful thinking — women being less likely to think with their genitals and/or being more risk-averse due to socialization, slut-shaming, and the ever-present threat of gendered violence — but it’s not unheard of for a woman to rationalize unacceptable behavior (contacting this man at work) or deploy a self-serving justification (it’s just ONE email) or solicit a “You go, girl!” from a sex-advice columnist when what she needs to hear is, “Hell no, girl!” Again, don’t do it. This guy has your email address and he knows
coworker: “I put out a sign, he will figure it out eventually.” But which sign did she mean? The “platonic” thing or the constant kindness? — Wondering On Reciprocated Kindnesses This probably isn’t what you wanted to hear either, WORK, but this woman isn’t interested in you — and if you weren’t engaged in dickful thinking, you’d know that. But your dick has somehow managed to convince you that you’re the “he” she was referring to when she talked about sending someone a sign. But you need to ask yourself — and it’s best to ask right after you masturbate, as that’s when we’re least prone to dickful thinking — which is likelier: She
you are engaged in what’s called ‘dickful thinking’ — at least that’s what I call it. It’s like wishful thinking but with dicks. how to reach you. And since you didn’t have all that fun, satisfying, exciting, creative sex over the last few years with only him, CREEP, I shouldn’t have to tell you to focus on your other options. But since your clit is doing your thinking for you right now, I must: Leave this dude alone and go fuck some other dudes.
*** I have a desperate question for you. I’ve worked with a vivacious 30-yearold for five years. For three and a half years, she had a live-in boyfriend. She had a different boyfriend recently. I’m 58 years old and not good-looking. She is always sweet to me and always compliments me. She’s said that I’m a genius and a gentleman, that I’m a hoot, and that I have a confident walk. I’ve also overheard her say that she likes older men. However, a few months ago she walked up to me out of the blue and said that she just wants platonic relationships with coworkers. Then I overheard her say to another
went out of her way to let you know she’s not interested in dating anyone at work and you’re the “he” she was referring to, or the “he” she was referring to was one of the roughly four billion other men on the planet and not a coworker? I don’t mean to be cruel, WORK, I just want to stop you from doing something that could get you fired or screw up what has, up to now, been a pleasant work relationship. While kindness can sometimes signal romantic interest, the full weight of the evidence here — including the fact that she didn’t send an unambiguous signal when she was briefly single — indicates otherwise.
*** I’m a cis, white, gay male — partnered 15 years, monogamous for the first 14. About a year ago, my partner agreed to let me play on my own outside of the relationship. The rules: not when he’s in town, no one comes home, no regulars. I’ve
taken good care of myself (sexual frustration + gym) — and at 50, I find that I’m attracting guys half my age. Sometimes, in the heat of passion, they call me “daddy.” This took a LOT of getting used to, but am I going to stop what we’re doing to discuss nomenclature? Anyway, I refuse to call them “son,” because I find that creepy. “Baby” doesn’t really work for me, either — it’s what I call my partner. That leaves “boy.” Which is fine if they’re white. The problem is, some of the jaw-droppers calling me “daddy” have been black. And I absolutely refuse to call a black guy “boy.” I want to leave them feeling amazing, not brooding on race relations and power imbalances. So what does a beautiful, dark-skinned, daddy-loving young man want to be called by the older white guy pounding him? — Daddy’s Uncomfortable Race Relations Good for you for being able to think clearly even when your dick is hard — even when it’s buried in some hot guy — but I have to fault you for not reasoning your way to the obvious answer. You’re a white guy who doesn’t feel comfortable calling a black sex partner “boy,” which is usually what gay guys who call older partners “daddy” want to hear. But instead of asking the black guys you’re fucking what they want to be called, DURR, you opted to ask some other old white dude what he thinks the black guys you’re fucking might want to be called. Do you see the problem here? The guys you should be asking about this … are the guys you’re fucking. And you don’t even have to call a halt to the action in order to ask them! Next time you’re balls-deep in some hot guy and he says, “Fuck me, daddy,” growl and say, “That’s right, I’m your daddy — and what are you?” If he says, “I’m your boy,” then that’s obviously what he wants to be called.
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