Scene 02/18/26

UPFRONT BURKE AIRPORT, WHICH LOSES $1 MILLION A YEAR, MAKES MOST OF ITS REVENUE FROM PARKING

BURKE LAKEFRONT AIRPORT LOST

$1.7 million last year and averages $900,000 in the red, city officials told Cleveland City Council recently in ongoing discussions about the possibility of closing the airport in favor of development and lake access.

And a third of Burke’s revenue comes not from aircraft operations but from 660 parking spaces used by downtown workers, visitors to the Rock Hall, and Browns fans.

That budget sheet reality tickled many at Council’s Transportation & Mobility Committee hearing on the airport’s future. It was the second hosted by Ward 15 Councilman Charles Slife, who’s holding four gatherings this spring to collect information ahead of a decision to keep Burke operating or open the 450 acres to possible parks and development.

A March 2024 impact study commissioned by the city showed Burke may be a better financial bet if developers reimagine the area.

A neighborhood of hotels and apartments, the study showed, could bring in up to $3.3 million of tax benefits to Cleveland each year. Hopkins and Burke are operated out of a fund separate from the city’s general fund. Airlines end up covering any losses by passing

along landing fees to travelers out of Hopkins.

But it’s still a million dollar loss a year.

And the upsides of a future without Burke -- income and property tax collections, etc.

-- are much better more attractive, Jessica Trivisonno, Mayor Bibb’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer, argued across the table.

And, she said, the obvious plus of giving Clevelanders two more miles of access to Lake Erie.

“The big takeaway here is that Burke’s use as an airport is a major constraint on the site,” she told Council.

“At the end of the day,” she added, “there is a moral reason for us to have two miles of lakefront space be accessible to the public.”

Since the Bibb administration made clear its preference to shut Burke down as quickly as the law lets it, aviation groups and longtime businesses in Burke’s terminal and hangars have framed the shutdown as premature and lacking clearmindedness. A relocation of medical flights or military landings to Hopkins or the County Airport could become impractical due to added driving distances, they argue. Burke’s location downtown is

irremovable from its value.

The city has pretty much responded with a shoulder shrug.

On Wednesday, Port Director Bryant Francis told Council that the city’s in talks with Signature and Aitheras, Burke’s two largest aviation-related tenants, to move their operations to Hopkins or to the county’s airport in Richmond Heights. Any hospital-bound flights, he said, “can be redirected” there, too.

But Slife warned his colleagues the future also comes with a pricetag.

“I’ve heard people say, ‘Just turn it into a park!’” Slife said. “Well, that adds to a $20 million number.”

Which still may very well be worth it, Trivisonno contested.

Cleveland could end up throwing in cash for a neighborhood of hotels and apartments, like it did for the Huntington Convention Center.

But there would be more money made from that development, Trivisonno suggested, over the decades than from keeping Burke as is.

Because Burke’s land would be absorbed into both Cleveland’s North Coast Waterfront Community Authority and the city’s downtown TIF area, more money would be shuffled into

part, wages here have just about kept up with inflation, according to the Federal Reserve.

That leaves really just one question—Is Cleveland a place that young people really want to live and work in for the foreseeable future?

That might be GCP’s next endeavor: perfect how the city experience is sold to job seekers. – Mark Oprea

a lawsuit. (Pretel wants to control officer pay himself.) Cuyahoga is the only county in the state wherein its sheriff is not elected but assigned by its executive.

a fund for street repairs and new bike lanes.

(The Air Show, after all, is tax-exempt, many reminded Council.)

And parking? Several hinted that those Coast Guard workers or Rock Hall visitors would continue to pay to leave their cars on that lot off Marginal Road. Or even at a lot close by.

So, why not just repave Burke with striped concrete and collect parking revenue forever?

“We’re laughing, but that’s what this map seems to indicate,” Ward 7 Councilman Austin Davis said. “If we just turned [Burke] into one giant parking lot, this would be an asset for the city rather than a $1.7 million albatross around flyers’ necks.” – Mark Oprea

Cleveland Has the Lowest Unemployment Rate in Ohio, But Still Struggles to Attract New Residents

Cleveland is doing pretty well job-wise compared to its Ohio peers, according to a recent report from the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

The region’s chamber of commerce, despite the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County severing ties with the group following its endorsement of the Browns’ move to Brook Park, is still optimistic about the city center, touting the latest stats in its Growth Rankings report. Not only is the city’s 3.4 percent unemployment rate one of the lowest in the Midwest, but Cleveland is blossoming in top-tier manner.

We are third for income growth (2%) the report says, and fourth in business growth (5%). And jobs? Cleveland ranks sixth in the Midwest.

“Businesses are growing faster here than other geographies. Income is growing faster,” GCP President Baiju Shah said in a press release Monday.

“Jobs is the one area where we have the challenge,” he said. “It’s not because of the lack of jobs. We need more people to support the jobs we have.”

Cleveland has roughly 38,000 job offerings, according to Ohio Means Jobs. The bulk of those jobs are as you’d expect— about 12 percent office work, nine percent transportation, nine percent food prep and about nine percent sales. (Arts, sports and media, a little over one percent.)

To fill those empty seats, Shah and GCP in general have long been trying to target and attract young professionals, to convince them that the city is a place to live, work and play (to use a Bibbism).

Which isn’t too hard of a sell. Cleveland’s average rent, $1,200, is 40 percent below the national average, and really hasn’t fluctionated that much in the past year. And for the most

Ronayne found it yet another relic of the “old boys” club. He would rather, he said, spend time on progress, on rethinking part of the criminal justice system in the county.

“This is an ecosystem, a justice ecosystem,”

And also to what extent he should be buddying up with Mayor Bibb to actualize plans that he needs Bibb to follow through on. The obvious ones come to mind: How to reimagine the lakefront in a post-Browns world. And what to do with Burke.

And there’s finally creating a county Music Commission, akin to Nashville’s or Austin’s. There’s expanding the county transit-oriented development loan program and funding

Eyeing Easy Re-election, Chris Ronayne Promises Growth for Cuyahoga County in Second Term

When Chris Ronayne took over the county executive seat in 2023, he did so with an eye on change.

Armond Budish, Ronayne’s predecessor, had left an office littered with controversy after his two terms.

Ronayne seized on a mesage of in with a new Cuyahoga and out with the old and ran with it. He won both the primary and the general election that year by 30 percentage points.

“That’s what the voters kind of voted to reform,” Ronayne told Scene from a conference room at the County Building on Wednesday. “So, we are continuing to be the reform candidate in the reform government.”

Ronayne is 57 and currently vying for a second term as Cuyahoga County executive, a role leading a region of 1.2 million people and 59 municipalities. As of mid-February, his candidacy is uncontested; he practically will be handed the county’s foremost seat come November.

It’s an opportunity Ronayne approaches with excitement. He envisions it as a kind of sequel to a laundry list of accomplishments he listed off from his first term. Successes marked by an pointed expansion of government. In 2023, he opened up the county’s Welcome Center for incoming immigrants; he created the Child Wellness Campus in 2024 to give kids more access to mental health care; the new Office of Violence Prevention, meant to tackle illegal guns, opened up last year.

And it’s likely Ronayne will champion that same growth energy come 2027, if everything goes as planned. He’ll oversee the construction of the new county jail in Garfield Heights, potential groundbreaking of a remaking of the lakefront and riverfront; trees and pathways sprouting at Irishtown Bend; new music festivals and parks; new bus lanes, bike lanes and highway extensions; new uses for a dwindling Burke Lakefront Airport. (Ronayne’s fingers crossed.)

But nothing may better represent Ronayne’s hunger for growth, and his hyperfocused view of county government, than the $1 billion county jail, funded mostly by a sales tax extension, set to break ground this spring in Garfield Heights. It’s the largest project in recent Cuyahoga County history.

And it involves two of Ronayne’s latest dissenters. Earlier this year, County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley rebuked Ronayne for “illegally” handling County Sheriff Harold Pretel’s payroll, going as far as to threaten

Monitor Finds Marked Improvement in Cleveland Police Department’s Use of Force

Of the hundreds of times that Cleveland police officers used force to de-escalate situations or arrest Clevelanders in 2024, 97 percent were completely justified, a report released this week disclosed.

Ronayne said, about the complex. “I don’t wake up out of bed and say, ‘Gee, I’m happy to be building a new jail.’ I’m only happy in as much as I will be building a more humane space.”

And a space where those awaiting trial or a plea can make use of their time locked up. Like, Ronayne suggested, earning a certificate at a partnering Tri-C program.

“Look, if your in with us for 30 days,” he said, “you ought to come out with some kind of skill that you can bring to the outside world.”

But will Ronayne’s character and itch for growth continue to warm other members of the bureaucracy? After all, the county executive’s sparred often in the past three years with County Council over a range of issues—from the jurisdiction of the formerlynamed Downtown Safety Patrol to what extent county taxpayer funds should be used to keep Downtown clean.

housing near transit stops. There’s better utilizing brownfield land, building dedicated bus lanes or making sure people know they have unclaimed funds the state is using to build the new Browns stadium in Brook Park.

“The overall objective in the next term is to lay out a blueprint for growth and work that plan,” Ronayne told Scene. Despite still losing a half percent of its population per year.

“We need to stop that population loss and turn that corner toward population growth.”

Or at least convince the people he’s trying to reverse a decades-long trend.

“I’ve fought good fights. Some we win, some we lose,” Ronayne said. “But I can always look at myself in the mirror and saying I’m fighting for the people.”

“Do you feel like after all this time you’ve helped restore trust in this seat?” Scene asked.

“Yes,” Ronayne said. He smiled. “And I think that’s reflected in not having an opponent” in this race. – Mark Oprea

The Cleveland Monitoring Team, contracted with the city to keep tabs on the Cleveland police department’s progress and behavior, determined in a 120-page use of force report released this week that the department is much more in compliance with the demands of the federal Consent Decree than ever before.

The team reviewed 272 incidents of force, through body cam footage and police reports, and determined that the department has improved in 74 notches of the Consent Decree first laid out in 2015, shortly after Tamir Rice’s killing led to the Obama-era DOJ’s inspection of Cleveland’s law enforcement.

“When it comes to interacting with the public,” the report reads, “the reviewers found that officers are generally following policies, supervisors are engaged, and when policy violations occur, there is internal identification of those issues, and the systems designed to address those violations are in place and working.”

CPD’s use of force policy is generally conservative and cautious, ordering patrol to match their reaction to unruly suspects with the appropriate level of force—from lower-level reactions like locks or takedown, to higher forms like discharging guns or (in deadly cases) using chokeholds.

It’s the job of the Monitoring Team to actually determine if CPD’s officers are actually following what the Feds have told them to comply with when it comes to reforms.

And in 74 paragraphs of that policy—from when to use pepper spray, to how to train recruits in de-escalation, to when to actually point a gun at someone—CPD officers were behaving just fine, either “effectively” or “generally” complying with policies. Force was surely still used. In 2024, officers reported 334 use of force incidents, the highest amount since 2018, when the department saw 335. (Black men made up roughly 80 percent of those on the receiving end of that force.) It also saw the highest tally of body force moves, de-escalation maneuvers, and pressure point controls.

But the Monitoring Team found nearly all of those incidents justified. Out of the 272 they analyzed, just 15 of those in 2024 received any kind of complaint.

“These upgrades are a testament to our shared commitment to accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform,” CPD Chief Dorothy Todd said in a statement, “building trust and strengthening partnerships with every community we serve.” – Mark Oprea

Tri-C® Performing Arts Series presents

KEYON HARROLD

Keyon Harrold is a Grammy-nominated trumpeter, vocalist and composer whose genredefying sound fuses jazz, hip-hop, soul and cinematic storytelling. With credits ranging from Jay-Z and Nas to YEBBA and Robert Glasper, his work spans stage, studio and screen. A Concord Jazz recording artist and artistic advisor for Jazz St. Louis, Harrold uses music as both expression and activism, reshaping the role of the modern musician.

Friday, Feb 20 | 7:30 p.m.

Cuyahoga Community College, Metropolitan Campus Auditorium

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite. Scan this QR code to purchase.

FEATURE BRUNCH STARS

We’re bringing some of the best brunches in town under one roof, and you’re invited

By Kate Bigam Kaput

LIFE IS TOUGH, AND YOU DESERVE

a little treat. Enter brunch, that glorious weekend hybrid that encompasses early mornings, late afternoons and everything in between. No matter what kind of meal you’re in the mode for, Cleveland’s got it all — from copious cocktails and classic country breakfasts to all-encompassing menus that let you forgo breakfast-coded cuisine and skip right to burgers and BLTs instead.

Can’t decide? There’s a brunch for that, too: Come try a taste of it all at United We Brunch, taking place Sunday, February 22, in downtown Cleveland. This event, hosted by Cleveland Scene and Cleveland Magazine, features some of the best brunch options in the city — all in service of making your weekends that much more delicious.

Artis

17900 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, artislakewood.com

Brunch isn’t standard steakhouse fare. But then again, Artis isn’t a standard steakhouse. This Lakewood newcomer brings a decidedly Mediterranean POV to its midday menu, with dishes that borrow freely from across the region and lots of bright herbs and warm spices. Instead of syrup and stacks, dishes skew largely savory and sun-soaked: a spanakopita omelet with crispy phyllo, a braised lamp wrap with hummus and lemon, a smokey lutenitsa Benedict … Artis’s multicultural menu and bright yellow building offer a perky pick-me-up on even on the coldest of Cleveland mornings.

Barrio Tacos

Multiple locations, barrio-tacos.com

Burntwood Tavern

Multiple locations, burntwoodtavern.com

Burntwood’s brunch manages to make friends with everybody: pals out for mimosas, couples on casual weekend dates and even harried parents with chaotic toddlers. The menu presents breakfast staples alongside pub-friendly mains, and mimosa flights are a must (spiked with tequila and Malibu, if you’re feelin’ extra wild). Across all locations, the vibe is casual but polished, making it a reliable choice where you know you’ll always eat well, drink freely and leave happy.

Great Lakes Brewing Co. 2516 Market Ave, greatlakesbrewing.com/brewpub

When you want classic Cleveland, you want GLBC’s Ohio City brewpub, attracting visitors and locals alike since 1988. Brunch here leans into the brewery’s well-established strengths: award-winning beers, hearty comfort fare and a vibe that welcomes big groups and long stays. Lean into the city’s Eastern European roots with options like the kielbasa scramble and paprikash-topped pierogis and Polish Boy-style fries with an Edmund Fitzgerald-infused barbecue sauce. Mmm… tastes like the Midwest.

Grumpy’s Cafe 2621 W 14th St, grumpyscafe.com

Don’t be fooled by the name. This iconic Tremont spot is the self-proclaimed home of “feel-good food,” and the long wait on weekends is testament to locals’ love. No reservations and no call-ahead seating: Grumpy’s does it the old-fashioned way, just you and your brunch gang showing up early and waiting your turn alongside all the other early risers who are desperate for apple walnut French toast, jambalaya omelets and pulled pork boxty (among about 50 other options, literally). It’ll all be worth it when your name is finally called and you’re free to dig in.

JoJo Carloni’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria 627 W Bagley Rd, Berea, jojocarlonis.com

You’ve heard of breakfast for dinner. But how about standard dinner fare for breakfast? This upscale Italian eatery opens at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, with nary a waffle or a Benedict in sight. When you’re a little bit over basic brunch fare, this is the perfect “let’s do something different” pick. Strombolis, calzones and heaping plates of pasta take center stage, and splitting a bottle of Tuscan wine at noon feels perfectly justified.

Lake Erie Distillery

Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila 1000 E 9th St, nuevomodmex.com

It’s never too early for tequila. Need we say more? OK, OK, we will: This Latin-inspired spot will transport you (culinarily, anyway) to more tropical temps, with brunch specials like a tres leches French toast with caramelized bananas and a Mexican-style hot brown with slow-braised duck carnitas. When the weather warms up, they’ve also got one of the best patios in the city. Located at the edge of downtown’s Voinovich Park, Nuevo is the closest you can get to Lake Erie without actually going for a dip.

Rosewood Grill

Locations in Hudson, Strongsville and Westlake, rosewoodgrill.com

Omelets. French toast. Chicken and waffles. Everyone loves a classic brunch dish. But not every restaurant manages to make them feel special. Rosewood Grill pulls it off with a menu that keeps comfort intact while a bit of polish, from multiple Benedict variations to chicken and waffles, smoked salmon toasts and a proper plate of kielbasa hash (this is Cleveland, after all). With a fancy-casual energy and a menu of bougie brunch cocktails (champagne sangria, anyone?), Rosewood Grill is a prime pick for laid-back mornings and celebratory afternoons alike.

Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens 16965 Park Cir Dr, Chagrin Falls, sapphire-creek.com

Sapphire Creek doesn’t do subtly, as evidenced by 28-foot ceilings and floor-toceiling windows that overlook a luscious landscape. Their “Grand Brunch,” served every Sunday, is a white-tablecloth-meetsbrunch-buffet hybrid where omelets, waffles and crepes are just the warm-up. The real flex is carving stations stacked with prime rib, seafood displays piled with smoked salmon and oysters, and a made-to-order chicken and waffles station — with a side of winery pours, of course. It all takes place in a setting that feels more Napa-adjacent than Northeast Ohio, making brunch a most-of-the-morning event to remember.

Sol

38257 Glenn Ave, Willoughby, solwilloughby.com

This self-proclaimed “global fusion” restaurant specializes in the eclectic: flavors, texture and even tastes you might not expect to go together in the same meal, much less the same dish. When everyone at the table is in the mood for a different type of cuisine, this is the spot, with options like Mexican-inspired avocado/egg enchiladas, North African-style shakshuka with Manchego cheese, and a decidedly Eastern European Benedict that swaps out English muffins for two crispy potato pancakes. No need to pick a lane: This is a menu where ordering all over the map is exactly the point.

The Burnham

100 Lakeside Ave E, instagram.com/burnhamcle

You don’t have to be staying at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown to enjoy this particular perk, a daily breakfast-and-lunch spot that specializes in slightly upscale Midwestern comfort food. The vibe is calm, the service is smooth and the menu sticks to familiar favorites done well, making it a great choice for a leisurely downtown brunch that just might trick your brain, at least temporarily, into thinking you’re on vacation. Reservations usually aren’t hard to snag, but it’s best to plan ahead when the Browns are playing at home.

The Last Page Park Ave #128, Beachwood, thelastpagerestaurant.com

There are times when you really need brunch to be more than just a meal; you need it to be an occasion. The Last Page’s brunch menu is polished and intentional, and it’s the little details that tell you they take this midday meal as seriously as it deserves: the vanilla whipped cream atop their golden malted waffles, the aromatic addition of a savory sofrito sauce to the breakfast burrito. Here, the little things are a big deal. And importantly, everything is designed to be shared, which drives home the idea that brunch is meant to be a social, sit-awhile affair. 100

25-100 0

Cleveland’s no Austin, where breakfast tacos abound on every corner. But with nine Barrio locations across Northeast Ohio, a breakfast taco is never far from reach. Since 2012, this colorfully decorated and ever-growing local chain has been dishing up unholy handhelds stuffed with ingredients like cola marinated steak, beer-braised black beans and fiesta potatoes (plus a perfectly fried egg on top, if you want). Wash it down with a guava mimosa or a boozy elderflower fresca.

4277 Hamann Industrial Pkwy, Willoughby BYOBrunch, anybody? The East Side microdistillery’s tasting lounge is no more, but the bottle shop is still open for business. You’re more than welcome to brown bag it or even to order delivery while you sip on cocktails made from locally distilled spirits, including their bestselling Dill Pickle Vodka. If bold and briny isn’t your style, go cozy and candied with the Maple Coffee or keep it classic with a barrel-aged bourbon Manhattan.

WED 02/18

Chamber Music in the Atrium: Oberlin Danenberg Honors Recitals

This recital that takes place at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Museum of Art features some of Oberlin Conservatory’s most outstanding students (selected by faculty). 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Makaya McCraven

The drummer, composer and producer plays something he calls “jazz-rooted 21st century folk music.” He performs at 7:30 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

The Music Man

The classic musical about a con man who poses as a band leader comes to E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, ejthomashall.com

Suffs

The Tony Award-winning musical about women who fight for the right to vote comes to Connor Palace for an extended run. Tonight’s show takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where the play runs through Feb. 22. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

THU 02/19

Frenzied Tango

Veteran composer John Adams returns to Severance Hall to conduct the Cleveland Orchestra as it performs pieces by Ives, Andres and Piazzolla. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and performances repeat at 11 a.m. tomorrow and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Geoffrey Asmus

In his new comedy special The Only Funny White Man, comedian Geoffrey Asmus caters his comedy to the crowd and enjoys riling up the Minnesotans in his audience with jokes about ice fishing and hypothermia. He performs at 7:30 p.m. at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

8

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

See: Wednesday, Feb. 25. Courtesy of Live Nation

FRI 02/20

Cleveland Auto Show

Each February, major automobile manufacturers bring their latest and greatest new models to the I-X Center for the annual Cleveland Auto Show. Classic models are usually on display as well at the event, which runs through March 1.

1 I-X Center Dr., 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com

Monsters vs. Toronto Marlies

The Monsters and Toronto Marlies kick off a two-night stand with tonight’s game at Rocket Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m., and tomorrow’s game begins at the same time. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Third Friday

From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free. 1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com

SCENE | clevescene.com | February 2026

Cleveland State University Dance Concert 2026

Dance students from Cleveland State University strut their stuff at this annual dance concert that takes place at the Allen Theatre. Performances take place at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The program will include works by guest artists and faculty as well. 1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

SAT 02/21

Brite Winter

The annual music and art festival comes to the Waterloo Arts District for the very first time. The local rock group LoConti serves as headliner and regional acts such as Hooked Like Helen, AJ & the Woods, and Matt Moody round out the bill. Expect bright at installations as well. The day-long event begins at noon. britewinter.com

Sensory-Friendly Saturday

Sensory-Friendly Saturday events at the Cleveland Museum of Art offer “adaptations” to meet diverse sensory-processing needs every third Saturday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Chamber Music in the Atrium with Piano Cleveland: Jonathan Mamora

This recital that takes place at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Museum of Art features Jonathan Mamora, an internationally renowned pianist who’s played venues ranging from churches to concert halls. Currently, he’s the direct of keyboard studies at La Sierra University in California. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

WED 02/25

A Conversation with Kamala Harris

On a national to support her new book, former presidential candidate Kamala Harris will speak tonight at 7 at the State Theatre. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Spring Awakening

Produced in collaboration with Oberlin College and Conservatory Music Theater Program, this rock musical comes to Beck Center in Lakewood for a run that continues through March 1. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

THU 02/26

Strauss’s Don Juan

Andy Goss

This comedian/magician/ventriloquist appears to cut himself in half during his magic and comedy shows. He can also throw his voice, read minds and turn an audience member into a puppet. He performs at 7 p.m. at the Lorain Palace Theatre. 617 Broadway Ave., Lorain, 440-245-2323, lorainpalace.org

SUN 02/22

COYO & COYC Winter Concert

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus team up for this special winter concert that takes place at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

TUE 02/24

Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

The Cavs face off against the New York Knicks, arguably the Eastern Conference’s best team, in tonight’s game at Rocket Arena. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, a guy who seems to always find a way to get to the rim, leads the Knicks. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Two Trains Running

Set in Pittsburgh in the 1960s, August Wilson’s play centers on the characters who frequent a coffeeshop in the city’s Hill District. Local Jimmy Woody directs the play, and tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, where performances continue through March 29. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Velvet Violin

This event that takes place in Reinberger Chamber Hall is designed to introduce kids to the instruments of the orchestra. It takes place at 10 a.m. today and at 11 a.m. tomorrow. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

SAT 02/28

Jump Back Ball 2026: Bloom

The money raised from this annual event that takes place tonight at 7 at Playhouse Square benefits Playhouse Square’s education programs, including sensory-friendly programming, Disney Musicals in Schools, the Dazzle Awards and Classroom Connections Workshops.

1501 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000

SUN 03/01

CIM Organ Studio

Cleveland native Alisa Weilerstein joins the Cleveland Orchestra to play the Richard Strauss tone poem that made him famous. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue tomorrow and Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

FRI 02/27

Tiffany Haddish

Thanks to her performance in the hit comedy Girls Trip, actress Tiffany Haddish has quickly established herself as a star and picked up some prime roles in the wake of Girls Trip. She starred opposite Salma Hayek and Rose Byrne in the comedy Like a Boss, and she continues to work the standup circuit. Tonight at 7 and 9:30 she performs at the Funny Bone, where shows are scheduled through Sunday. 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Monsters vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The Monsters and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins square off tonight in the first of two games at Rocket Arena. Tonight’s game begins at 7 p.m., and tomorrow’s game begins at 4 p.m.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Conservatory musicians from the Cleveland Institute of Music will play works for solo organ on the Cleveland Museum of Art’s McMyler Memorial Organ. The concert begins at 2 p.m. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

MON 03/02

The Winchester Presents Locals Only

This event that takes place the first Monday of the month at the Winchester in Lakewood will showcase local bands. The $5 cover will go directly to the band. Doors open at 7 p.m. first Monday of every month. 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/ TheWinchesterMusicTavern

TUE 03/03

Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have been a surprise this season and have led the Eastern Conference in wins. They beat the Cavs at Rocket Arena in January and now return to the arena tonight at 7 for what should be a tough game for the Cavs.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

scene@clevescene.com @clevelandscene

THIRD ACTS

Edison’s Pizza’s revival combines community and legacy in Tremont

By Douglas Trattner

IN AN ERA DOMINATED BY restaurant closures, it’s heartening to welcome back not one but two treasured local establishments that left us in recent years. At least, that’s the way it feels to fans of two local icons.

After the owners of Edison’s Pizza Kitchen announced the return of a brickand-mortar pizzeria, their legion of fans rightfully rejoiced. When that business moved out of its longtime home next door to Edison’s Pub three years ago, it felt like a rip in the fabric of the neighborhood. In terms of harmonious pairings, few could rival the one-two punch of drinks and slices at those two Tremont mainstays.

In similar fashion, the loss of Lava Lounge in the same neighborhood seemed to signal an even more momentous shift in the character of the South Side. After all, without pioneers like Ricardo Sandoval and Jack Anfang, the Tremont nightlife scene might never have blossomed the way it has. When it opened 25 years ago, Lava Lounge marked the birth of cool, giving night owls a place to meet, eat and groove well into the wee hours. Sandoval could have passed that iconic spot off to anyone, but he held out for the right people. Those people turned out to be Donna Grigonis and Evan Bailey, who had been searching for a new home for Edison’s Pizza. Since the storefront pizzeria closed three years ago, the only place to grab a pie has been at a pair of satellite shops inside Dave’s Market in Ohio City and Lucky’s Market on West 117th. In December, after months of repairs and renovations, the new full-service pizzeria opened for business.

Although it’s not an official moniker, folks already have been calling the new joint “Edison’s at Lava Lounge” – and it’s hard to quibble with that sobriquet. It’s as if Lava and Edison’s had a lovechild. Or, like those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercials of old, if the two entities accidentally collided on the sidewalk and created a blended product. Now, instead of eating a slice standing up, guests can settle in for a cozy meal with chairs, tables, cocktails and appetizers.

Edison’s calls its pizza “Clevelandstyle” and we wouldn’t disagree. It’s a class consisting of standards like Geraci’s, Mama Santa’s and Master Pizza, pies that feature a mid-thickness crust with a crisp, buttery bottom, a tangy-sweet sauce, and loads of cheese and toppings. Edison’s ups the genre thanks to a crimped crust, parmesan-dusted rim and signature honey for dipping or drizzling. These are not thin, artsy, effete slices, but rather floppy, drippy and overloaded: drunk pizza, if you will.

Edison’s has always dreamt up flavorful specialty pies. The Hot Bacon Spinach ($24) is a many-layered affair with sauteed spinach, bacon, feta, parm and a “hot bacon drizzle.” Others star Buffalo wing sauce, pineapple and ham, and chicken with ranch dressing. Or just get the pepperoni ($22), a classic with edge-toedge zesty saucers.

For now, the appetizer roster is concise, consisting of just three items. The ovenbaked wings ($11) – “never fried” – are hot, crisp and meaty, arriving pre-tossed in Buffalo, BBQ or garlic-parm. Cheesy garlic bread ($8) is comfort food in the extreme. A split loaf of Italian bread is toasted with garlic butter, heaped with mozz, and broiled until golden and glossy. If you’re getting pizza, the calzone ($14) is likely overkill as it contains a pie’s worth of cheese and toppings tucked inside a large, golden-brown crescentshaped crust.

Salads are an easy category for improvement when management opts to expand the menu. There’s a basic pizzeriastyle chopped salad ($10) comprised of iceberg, garbanzo beans and salami bits. Guests can also design their own bowl from a short list of greens, toppings and dressings.

The dining room is dominated by a large horseshoe bar, a feature that has given the lounge its energy from inception. There, bartenders prepare straightforward but properly done cocktails like a tart and smoky Mezcalito ($13). Wine lovers can celebrate an impressive by-the-glass and bottle program dominated, logically, by Old World reds. Brews from local brands are available both in cans and on draft.

Grigonis and Bailey, who purchased Edison’s Pizza from founders Karl and Beth Nickel after years of partnership, fully grasp the magnitude of the brand’s reputation. As such, they have launched in a steady, thoughtful manner that provides them with a runway for lasting success. After a period of weekend-only service, they will add additional days and hours down the road.

“This doesn’t feel like my pizza shop,” says Grigonis, “it feels like the community’s pizza shop.”

There’s no better way to spend a Sunday than brunch with friends. Cleveland Magazine and Cleveland Scene are joining forces to bring together the best restaurants in town for one delicious day of brunch tastings, Bloody Marys and mimosas — all at The Madison. It’s the ultimate Sunday Funday and a

CLEVELAND RESTAURANT

By Douglas Trattner

“THIS CONCEPT HAS BEEN BREWING for 17 years, but it took a 12-year hiatus while I was with Shake Shack,” says Dustin Dykstra. And now that Dykstra has a space to go with the concept, he is “hitting the ground running.” The longtime hospitality pro has signed a lease for one of the most prominent commercial properties in Willoughby, formerly home to Hola Tacos and Brim Kitchen (3941 Erie St.). Sometime this spring, he will open Double D’s Honky Tonk and Smokehouse.

Dykstra is a Northeast Ohio native, but he left home to pursue a career in hospitality. For more than a decade he has worked for the Shake Shack restaurant chain.

As area director, he oversaw operations at a dozen different locations in multiple states.

More importantly, he worked for Danny Meyer, one of the most respected names in hospitality.

“I consider myself unbelievably lucky to have worked for him,” says Dykstra. “I got the playbook on how to do it right and intentional and with fiscal discipline, which is worth its weight in gold.”

The Brim/Hola property is an 8,000-squarefoot, two-level building with massive windows, tall ceilings and exposed rafters. The upper level boasts a walkout patio with expansive views. Constructed in 2016, the property is in fine form, says Dykstra, needing only minor aesthetic work to fit his concept.

“The bones are all here,” he explains. “It’s all cosmetic work to make it feel like that Western, honky-tonk kind of space. It’s going to feel old and rustic, but not commercialized.”

The plan is to work with the modern farmhouse vibe that already exists in the white-brick and black-steel building. Design elements like reclaimed barn wood, corrugated metal, whiskey barrels, vintage milk cans and

hay bales will play up the honky-tonk theme. To go with the hoedown atmosphere, there will be a menu of Southern fare that leans heavily into barbecue.

A wood-fired smoker will turn out beef brisket, pork belly, burnt ends, pulled pork, pulled chicken and smoked sausage. Those items will be served Texas-style on large platters loaded with smoked meats, pickles, onions and bread. For those who prefer to skip the barbecue there are deviled eggs, fried pickles, BLTs starring house-smoked bacon, fried chicken and smash burgers. “An ode to Shake Shack,” Dykstra says.

Of course, there will be plenty of whiskey and tequila to wash it all down.

Hangry says that the plan is to return the physical space to its former glory, one that was concealed by bland renovations. That includes reopening the second floor.

“This was once one of the most unique and coolest coffee shops in the region, and it will be that again,” adds Licastro. “We’re also going to bring the design back to its original glory, which includes exposing the original ceiling, crown molding and architecture, as well as eliminating the added drop ceiling.”

Representatives from the neighborhood have expressed their pleasure in plugging a gap in the marketplace with a great local brand.

The upper level will be home to a bar and stage for live music and line dances. There will be no food service up there, except for casual summer cookouts on the patio.

Dustin Dykstra isn’t the only “double D” in the clan, he says, stating that both his mother and his son share the alliterative condition.

“It’s just meant to be fun, eye catching,” he says about the playful name.

Look for Double D’s Honky Tonk and Smokehouse to open in the coming weeks.

Lionheart Coffee to Open in Former Starbucks Location in Playhouse Square

The hole left by the closing of Starbucks in Playhouse Square will soon be filled.

Lionheart Coffee, owned by Hangry Brands, is slated to open its second downtown cafe, taking the space vacated by the national coffee powerhouse in the shadow of the iconic chandelier.

“For Hangry Brands to be a part of the Playhouse Square District, in such an iconic corner of Cleveland, is just such an honor,” states Julia Licastro, Vice President and Partner, Hangry Brands.

The new location joins the original Lionheart Coffee (530 Euclid Ave.) in the 5th Street Arcades.

In addition to classic and specialty coffee and tea drinks, Lionheart offers a small lineup of breakfast foods. That food menu will be expanded at the new location, which Hangry is dubbing Lionheart Reserve. That designation is meant to represent a “steppedup coffee experience” to better complement Playhouse Square.

“We are thrilled to welcome a local champion in the form of Hangry Brands to the Playhouse Square District,” says Playhouse Square President Craig Hassall. “As a personal fan of Lionheart Coffee, I am so pleased to see this wonderful addition to our portfolio for residents and visitors alike.”

Lionheart Reserve is expected to open later this year. When it does open, it will join many other new retail options in the district, such as Encore, Ben & Jerry’s, Something Good Social Kitchen, the Brasserie and Friar’s Table.

House of Creole to Relocate to Former Buffalo Wild Wings Spot on Prospect

After four years in its original home, House of Creole is making moves. The New Orleansthemed eatery will be relocating one block over, a 1,000-step journey that takes them from 668 Euclid to 724 Prospect. For the past decade or so, that address had been home to Buffalo Wild Wings, which closed earlier this year.

“We were lucky to come across a bigger and, what we believe is, a better location,” says owner Jeffeary Miskiri.

In the plus column are attributes such as a larger footprint, especially when it comes to hosting private events, and the proximity to Rocket Arena and Progressive Field.

“It will give our fan base more of what they want of the products and services that we offer,” he adds.

Miskiri says that the former Buffalo Wild Wings space will be tweaked and remodeled

“to give the space our New Orleans twist.”

Operations at the original location will cease on February 28 and resume on March 5th at the new address.

MUSIC

A NEW BEGINNING

Local singer-songwriter Paul Cody mines his musical vaults for latest album

By Jeff Niesel

LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER

Paul Cody, who combines his first name with his son’s first name as his stage name, says some of the songs on his new album, New Beginning, are 30 years old.

“I either rewrote the songs or re-imagined them or recorded them just the way I wrote them in my early 20s,” he says via Zoom from his Strongsville home. “I would write the song and record it on cassette, and it would sit on a shelf because it didn’t fit the material I was playing in my live bands at the time.”

A few years ago, when Cody, who grew up in Cleveland, retired from his day job, his plan was to do music full-time.  He knew he probably had enough unrecorded folk/rock songs to do another rock album, but he also realized he might have enough country/folk/ rock songs to make a country record.

“I said, ‘I wonder how many country songs I have?” he explains. “I looked, and I had enough for almost two albums. I had musician friends telling me to do just an EP because that’s what unknown artists usually do first to get attention. I thought, ‘If I don’t record all of them together now, I may never do them because I write more rock songs overall.’ I chose to make the country album and ended up with 17 songs and feel that they lay out pretty nicely from start to finish. If I get a break in the business, I now have enough material to cover me for a while.”

Growing up, Cody, the youngest of eight children, listened to a bit of everything. And ever since he was a kid, Cody says he could remember a melody and hum it after he heard it just once or twice. He could play a kid’s organ from ear at age 5 with no training.

“I listened to church music to Big Band to the Beatles, Stones, the Who, the Beach Boys for rock to John Denver, Boxcar Willie, Johnny Cash and others for country and singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Jim Croce, Don McLean,” he says.

Lyrically, he says Paul Simon, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, Kenny Loggins and the Eagles serve as influences.

“It all made me kind of an old soul growing up versus what was on the radio in my teens,”

“The Advocates played all over town,” he says. “It was a full-blown folk-rock band. After the Advocates, I did solo stuff and then formed Wish with a percussionist/drummer from the Advocates and played all over Ohio, including at Blossom twice opening for national acts.”

For New Beginning, both the digital version of the album on Bandcamp and the physical CD have a 16-page booklet available with the lyrics to all 17 songs as well as pictures of all the musicians that Cody refers to as the Erie Riders. He’s recorded all three of his original music albums with his friend, producer/engineer Chris Keffer, at Magnetic North Studios in Beachwood, and for this album, he sings in a slightly deeper voice.

says Cody. “In my twenties, I became a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Buffett, and so there are shades of both on this album as well in either the lyrics or delivery or harmonies. As I’ve evolved as a songwriter, I still write the song first from my perspective but then step outside myself as the listener to see if it is relatable and interesting enough musically so that I reach a compromise that results in a song that reaches people and that they want to hear more than once.”

The first band he formed locally was a folk/rock group he named the Advocates after a song he’d written. When that group split up, he formed Wish, which was more rock-oriented.

“Many of the songs are deeply personal,” he says. “‘Song for Daddy’ is a metaphor for my father’s failing heart and the ‘band’ [that plays on the song] was my brothers and sisters and I after he passed away two weeks after I graduated high school. The last song, ‘Thank You Mom,’ was a poem I’d written for her at the top of Pikes Peak in 1999 and presented to her for Mother’s Day the following year but finally put to music for this album.”

Cody says that every girlfriend or wife he’s ever had appears in at least one of the songs on the album. “For a Little While” was written at the end of his second marriage and then rewritten for the album. “It Comes and Goes” relates the story of a dear friend

whose wife suffered from cancer for the last 10 years of her life. “Angel in Las Vegas” was a based on a real girlfriend and story.

“Raise A Glass” was written after a suggestion from his brother Ken, who said he should try to write something fun and less serious.  It came to Cody in about an hour as a cross between a Jimmy Buffett and Bob Dylan song and already has over 10,000 streams on Spotify.

The Georgia Satellites-like “Aint Got Nothin’” is one of the few songs on the album that was purely fictional. “I had just the first few lines for the song with melody, and it sat for a very long time that way until I decided what the song could be about,” says Cody.

Right now, Cody says he’s looking to play local clubs in the spring and then hit summer festivals. He and friend, Cleveland drummer

Tommy Amato, will recruit a bassist and perform as a trio. He says his overall goal is to take the album all over the country, and he’s hired a PR company to help him do that.

“The whole point is getting my album out and not playing a lot of covers,” he says. “I can sound like John Denver, but I don’t want people to say, ‘Play that John Denver song.’ I want people to say, ‘Play that Paul Cody song.’”

LIVEWIRE REAL MUSIC IN THE REAL WORLD

WED 02/18

The Lone Bellow

The indie band performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage. The group wrote the songs on its latest album, What a Time to Be Alive, with the assistance of the musicians who accompany it on tour and recorded it live in Muscle Shoals, AL after a writing session in an old Kentucky firehouse.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

THU 02/19

Kream

The Norwegian DJ and producer duo featuring brothers Daniel and Markus Slettebakken comes to Globe Iron. Singles such as “Paradise,” a song with shimmering synths and soft vocals, are rooted in both EDM and pop, making the group one of the more accessible acts in the scene. The show begins at 7 p.m. 2320 Center St., globeironcle.com

Elise Trouw presents:

The Diary of Elon Lust Tour at Grog Shop

The indie singer-songwriter brings the tour in support of her new concept album to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

FRI 02/20

KC & the Sunshine Band

The ‘70s disco group known for hits such as “I’m Your Boogie Man,” “That’s the Way I Like It” and “Get Down Tonight” comes to MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark. mgmresorts.com/en.html

SAT 02/21

Robert Cray Band

The blues singer-guitarist delivered a few commercial hits in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Now in his 70s, he continues to tour and record and released his latest album, That’s What I Heard, in 2020. He performs tonight at 7:30 at the Kent Stage.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

SUN 02/22

Brit Floyd

Singer-guitarist Damian Darlington reportedly formed this Pink Floyd tribute act because it wanted it to improve upon the work he did with his previous band, the Australian Pink Floyd Show. The group has been touring since 2011, and it performs at 7 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Gogol Bordello

Led by Ukrainian singer Eugene Hütz, the veteran gypsy punk band honed its musical chops by playing unhinged shows at New York clubs in the late ‘90s. The group returns to House of Blues. Doors open at 7 p.m.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

TUE 02/24

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

The alt-country singer-songwriter who came to the foreground as a primary songwriter in Drive-By Truckers has had a successful solo career for about a decade now. The tour supports his acoustic album, Foxes in the Snow, as well as the reissue of his solo effort

Something More Than Free, which is now ten years old. Isbell and his backing band, the 400 Unit, come to the State Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m.

1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

THU 02/26

Three Days Grace — Alienation Tour

The hard rock group known for its “pummeling rock anthems,” a s press release puts it, brings its latest tour to Rocket Arena. Last year, Three Days Grace released Alienation, a new studio album that marked the return of singer Adam Gontier. Songs such as “Dominate” and “Kill Me Fast” predictably feature gruff vocals and arena-ready guitars, lending themselves favorably to SportsCenter highlights. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

FRI 02/27

Johnny Rawls

The blues-soul singer-songwriter’s career dates back 50 years, and he began his professional career at age 15. He performs at 7:30 p.m. at

Kent Stage. Local blues hero Austin Walkin’ Cane opens the show. 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com

SAT 02/28

Joe Nichols

On tour in support of his 11th studio album, Honky Tonks and Country Songs, the country singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones (Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett) and Derek George (Randy Houser), the album puts Nichols’ baritone up front in the mix. He leans into his natural-sounding drawl on the title track and does his best Hank Williams Jr. on a cover of the classic anthem “Country Boy Can Survive.”

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Trippie Redd

An Ohio native, rapper Trippie Redd left Canton for Atlanta and then moved to L.A. where he watched what worked for artists and influencers and what did not. He’s been actively releasing mixtapes and studio albums for more than a decade now and even collaborated with Clevelander Machine Gun Kelly on a 2024 EP. Last year, he issued two new singles from a forthcoming new album. He performs at 7 tonight at the Agora.

5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

SUN 03/01

I See Stars

This indie rock act out of Warren, MI embraces the industrial rock side of its sound on its new album, last year’s The Wheel. Signer Devin Oliver sounds a bit like Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell on the noisy “Eliminator” and effectively talks his way through the riveting “D4mage Done.” The group performs at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron.

2320 Center St., globeironcle.com

MON 03/02

The Record Company

The independent blues rock band celebrates its tenth anniversary with this show that takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Globe Iron. Released back in 2016, the band’s first album, Give It Back to You, immediately put it on the musical map. It opened for star singersongwriter John Mayer as he played arenas and brought its vigorous guitar and harmonica driven songs to the club circuit too.

2320 Center St., globeironcle.com

scene@clevescene.com @clevelandscene

We know your organization is doing meaningful work to make Cleveland a better place — more vibrant, more successful and healthier for our community. Whether you’re looking to tell your story in print, strengthen your digital presence or connect through compelling video, we can help bring your message to life.

Learn how partnering with us can make that happen: clevelandstudios.com

SAVAGE LOVE

QUICKIES

By Dan Savage

1.I’m an 81-year-old heterosexual woman whose husband died last May. I have found that my 56-year-old gardener of fifteen years can make me sexually happy. But now after four months he says he’s not respecting his wife by having sex with me. He relates this to going to a Catholic priest for confession. He seems to enjoy our sex. What should I tell him?

“You’re fired.”

P.S. Kidding, kidding — don’t fire your gardener. Tell him you’re grateful for the sexual happiness, you don’t want him to do anything that makes him feel uncomfortable, and then give him a raise.

P.P.S. Will no one free us from these meddlesome priests?

2. What is the most frequently asked question you get?

Hard to say — but I suspect I’ll get a lot more questions like the one above as my readership ages along with me.

3.I have a boyfriend who never asks for anything. He also never says “I love you.”

Do you think this is a red flag?

It depends on how long you’ve been seeing this guy. If you’ve only been seeing him for a few weeks — especially if you haven’t had a DTR convo and your use of “boyfriend” is the relationship equivalent of grade inflation — the fact that he isn’t asking you to pick up his dry cleaning (just this once) or peg his ass (on the regular) could be seen as a green flag, e.g. he doesn’t expect you to do girlfriend grunt work before you’re BF/GF official. Same goes for saying “I love you”: if you’re still in the early stages, he may be feeling it, he may be thinking about saying it, but waiting until he’s sure before he says it? Another green flag… if the relationship is still relatively new.

But if it’s been a year and he doesn’t ask you for anything (and doesn’t offer anything) and he doesn’t say “I love you” (or stopped saying “I love you”), then we’re in red flag territory.

4. Best creative positions for pregnant people?

There aren’t good positions that work for all non-pregnant people — some positions/ angles of penetration work for some people but not for others — and experimentation with different positions is the best way to find the positions that work for you as an individual and a couple. I assume the same is true of pregnant people: some positions/angles of penetration work for some and not for others, and experimentation is the best way to figure out which ones — creative or not — work best for you right now. (And congrats!)

5. Why do guys who wanna get pegged refuse to douche/prepare? What to do in those cases?

Peg a guy who doesn’t prepare once, shame on him. Peg a guy who doesn’t prepare twice, shame on you.

P.S. In fairness, some straight guys don’t know how to prepare; their girlfriends/wives/ Dommes should direct them to one of the five million douching tutorials on YouTube. In cases where a guy has been directed to online douching tutorials and he still isn’t cleaning out properly… that guy doesn’t deserve to be pegged.

6.What amount of jealousy/insecurity in a poly relationship is okay?

“What matters most is not so much the amount of jealousy/insecurity, but the way it’s handled,” said Dr. Marie Thouin. “If someone grapples with jealousy but they’re staying on the same team with their partner(s), that’s okay; but if someone feels so disempowered that they start seeing their partner as an enemy, something needs to change.”

Dr. Marie Thouin is a dating and relationship coach who has extensively researched and written about compersion. Follow her on Instagram @drmariethouin.

7. Can lesbians please stop being so mad at me for being bi? I just want to have sex with a woman and not lie about my sexuality on my dating profile. I promise I don’t make being bi my whole personality.

You encounter two types of people on dating/hookup apps: people who are there to fuck people who wanna fuck them and people who are there to complain about (and complain at) people they don’t wanna fuck and/or people who don’t wanna fuck them. Yes, it sucks when a stranger goes out of their way to say something shitty to you on a hookup app; there are lots of shitty people everywhere, and some of them are lesbians. But your best move is to block shitty people and then refrain — as hard as it might be — from blaming all lesbians everywhere for the shitty behavior of a few lesbians on the apps.

P.S. You know who’s never mad at bisexual women for being bisexual women? Other bisexual women! You have options!

8. You never write about a hair fetish, let alone a fetish for completely bald heads. Because I’m a guy who’s very much turned on by women with smooth, shiny heads. And I’m not the only guy who has this fetish. What do you say about this?

I would say… you shouldn’t read anything into my not having written something about your particular fetish. I’m aware that some men like women with smooth, shiny heads, and it’s a perfectly fine fetish for a man to have. If it hasn’t come up in the column, that’s because no one has sent me a letter about it.

9. I’m a cis bi female in my 40s married to a cis bi male in his 50s. He came out to me last year as bi, which was a HUGE surprise and incredibly rad. We have started to explore non-monogamy, and he has been on the apps looking for a male FWB and not having much luck. I’ve heard you mention things that were “gay coded” in the 1990s, like tribal armband tattoos. If a man my husband’s age wears earrings and has a 90s tribal armband tattoo and wears rainbow bi pride bracelets, etc., will he set off anyone’s gaydar? Is there anything else he can do?

Your husband’s earrings, tattoos, and pride bracelets may get him clocked as a cocksucker — they may set off other people’s gaydar — but they’re highly unlikely to get him laid. If a gay or bi dude sees your husband in public and thinks 1. he’s hot and 2. he must be gay or bi given those earrings, that tattoo, those bisexual bracelets, etc., that guy is more likely to open up Grindr or Sniffies or

Scruff and send your husband a message — if he finds him there — than he is to approach your husband on the street and risk making a pass at him.

10.I’m a bisexual nonbinary person in my late 20s. I use gender-neutral pronouns in the workplace and on my legal documents. However, my family members don’t seem to believe me. I’ve asked my parent and my sibling to use my preferred pronouns multiple times, and they just laugh it off. I’ve tried GNC hairstyles, and I dress pretty GNC; that doesn’t seem to help. Their behavior feels dismissive, but I know they love me, which makes me hesitant to be firmer with them.

I don’t understand why you would hesitate to be rude to your family — sorry: why would you hesitate to be firm with your family — given that your family is rude to you. That said, you’re not Tinkerbell: you don’t need them to believe. I got a lot of, “Oh, you just need to meet the right girl,” from my extended family after I came out, which felt dismissive and disrespectful. My strategy was to make fun of them for being straight (“You just need to meet the right guy, Uncle Jerry”) and — if they kept it up — to describe what I loved about gay sex in graphic detail.

I’m not sure what the equivalent move for a nonbinary person might be (describing your last haircut in graphic detail doesn’t have the same punch), but the general lesson applies: respect earns respect.

11. There are a million think pieces on how and why people — men and women — are obsessed with Heated Rivalry but no one has really touched on the power of a long-term, soft Dom/sub dynamic, like the one Ilya and Shane have. We need your analysis!

My analysis: it’s fucking hot when Ilya orders Shane around (“Get on your knees”) and Heated Rivalry shows us that a naturally skilled Dom like Ilya can give orders and still check in (“This okay?”) without ruining the D/s vibe.

12. I’m getting ready for a 1950s-themed gay speed dating party. How should I prepare?

“What a great idea for a party!,” said James Kirchick, the author of Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington, the definitive book about gay life — in and out of Washington — at the height of the Lavender Scare in the 1950s. “Put aside the fear and repression that marked the decade and dress in something sexy but furtive — think Timmy from Fellow Travelers — and if you really want to stand out, accentuate your outfit with a paperback copy of Washington Confidential, a muckraking report on our capital’s seedier side. The top bestselling nonfiction book of the summer of 1951, it has an entire chapter devoted to the city’s debauched homosexual underground entitled ‘Garden of Pansies.’ Though intended to outrage hetero readers, the book became an unintentional guide to the city’s gay scene for budding gay guys and gals.”

Follow James Kirchick on Instagram and Twitter. Find out more about his work — his essays, his journalism, and his books — at jameskirchick.com.

13. Any thoughts on why and when gay men started sniffing butts before rimming? Is this a new fetish?

If there was ever something that needed to pass the smell test, it would be the ass you’re about to eat. I don’t know if this is a “new fetish,” but I sincerely hope it’s not. This is something gay men — at least the ones who

eat ass — should’ve been doing all along.

14.I’m a 66-year-old heterosexual woman who was married for 33 years and had only had sex with three men until last year when I racked up seven. All casual and it is so much fucking (literally) fun. Here’s my question. I have been having fantasies about a man in my social circle. I am not interested in him romantically, but I find him hot and want to make him a fuck buddy. My reservation is that if it goes sideways, it will be awkward for the friend group. Advice on navigating this?

You’re in your late sixties — or you’re in your early late mid-sixties — and even if this goes sideways (which it might not!), how long would you have to live with the awkwardness?

Ten years? Twenty? Thirty tops? Meanwhile, I’m walking around out here feeling awkward about something I did during a dress rehearsal for Oklahoma nearly forty years ago. I learned to live with it, you can too!

15.A new partner is not well-endowed. My other partner is. How do I gracefully decline a romantic relationship knowing it will be unsatisfying when I like the person, but I just don’t want sex from him.

You can tell a guy you don’t wanna keep fucking him without telling him precisely why you don’t wanna keep fucking. If this guy insists on knowing the real and actual and true reason you don’t wanna keep fucking him, make something up.

P.S. The Golden Rule applies here: If a guy didn’t want to keep having sex with you because your pussy was too loose or too tight or too wet or too dry or too busy or too bedazzling… would you want that man to tell you the truth or would you rather he tell you a face-saving, ego-sparing white lie? Do unto others.

16.Are there “woman-friendly” glory holes in places that aren’t porn shops? And what is the glory hole etiquette?

Leo Herrera, author of Analogue Cruising and other books, walked his readers through basic glory hole etiquette in a piece he wrote for his newsletter, “Herrera Words.”

As for woman-friendly glory holes… Glory holes in porn shops and truck stops and men’s toilets in university libraries are not “woman-friendly.” And you could argue that since no one would expect a woman to be on the other side of a glory hole in any of those spaces, a woman who got on the other side of one of those glory holes would be guilty of a consent violation — I mean, guys who stick their cocks through holes aren’t exactly choosy about who sucks their cocks, but it’s not unreasonable for them to assume that it will be a man.

The best place to find a “woman-friendly” glory hole — one where the guy sticking his cock through the hole is hoping there’s a woman on the other side — is at a sex club that caters to straight swingers. Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love!

Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/askdan! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love

20th, 2026

VENUE STARTENDARTIST A DD RESS