MyFriendCleveland

He’s Back…

Creepmaster Dan Tranberg drops his weekly art column today, and despite the fact that the guy looks like he could write a book on how to be a douche bag with sheer aplomb, he does cover some interesting stuff. This time around it is “Identity,” a multi-part indoor/outdoor display that artist Guy Vincent Ricketti had to find funding for himself. Looks like the city dropped the ball on this one.

Wait, Which Weekly is Sexist?

The Scene recently stopped by a Cleveland Playboy audition and the resulting article has about as much purpose as brail at a bank drive thru. Sometimes journalism is just about getting a free show.

Cleveland’s Gay Garden Club

Ok, so maybe this article is a good introduction to a new organization, but it is also ripe with information for those not too familiar with gay culture. I mean who knew realtors loved gay couples because they are, “DINKS — Double Income, No Kids.” Still, the most mind blowing of all might be the fact that, “Gay men like, well, other gay men.” Get enlightened. 

Look At My Striped Shirt!

Sometimes getting drunk and bitter about the walking cliches that inhabit Cleveland bars pays off.

Finally, Carl Monday Gets the Respect He Deserves

Florida Minor Leauge Baseball Team, the Dunedin Blue Jays will host “Carl Moustache Monday Night” on August 7. So get your plane ticket and start growing them whiskers, this is going to be hot!

Are those Canadians tippin’ too many Molsons?

Aw, The Plain Dealer made a joke! But this is a serious issue people! The Canadians are not drunk and they might be able to see into our homes if these atmospheric phenomena continue! One all-too-sober Cleveland resident even stated that, “When it shows up, it looks like you can touch it.” Sorry, but I don’t want to touch Canada right now.

Cleveland: Where Even Government Cover Ups are Boring

Gov. Taft (I think of a guy stuck in a bath tub every time I hear it) spent almost $94,000 to keep certain reports from going public by claiming executive privilege. Then just when scandal and made-for-TV movies seem imminent the papers are released and all we learn is, “Dog food and chili are not important public issues.” Talk about controversy.

You’re So Random!

Coke recently released its new coffee flavored cola, Coca-Cola Blak. Upon hearing about said release I started asking if anyone else remembered the short lived Pepsi Kona. When no one could confirm its existence for me, I did a little research. Yes, Pepsi Kona existed, but was only tested in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania (the benefits of being from Philly are endless) from 1994-1996, but what was even more impressive was that there is a whole world of Pepsi products that most people don’t know about. Mmmmm Pepsi Fire.

Today’s Little Known Fact About Batman:

Batman is actually wealthy philanthropist and man about town Bruce Wayne.

Everyone go see this show on Thursday!

Karl Blau
Harlem Airshaft
Your Heart Breaks
Sun God

$5 / 10pm

Speaking of shows, everyone should go see The Gris Gris at the Beachland Tavern on Wednesday night. They are amazing. Trust me.

And… check out this video of SELF DESTRUCT BUTTON from the show at the Church on Saturday night.

Who Says The Indians are Having a Bad Season?

To all of you detractors, yesterday the Tribe set a franchise record. Just maybe not the kind of record you should be proud of in baseball.

Cleveland, Behind the Times? No Way!

The Cleveland police have begun using  CitiStat, a software that Baltimore began using in 2000 and New York in the 90′s. We are left with sloppy seconds yet again.

Hobos for Dummies

I'm not sure if the Plain Dealer has caught on yet, but they're a newspaper. Until then we get witty space fillers like this.

Punk Rock Flea Market Today

One final reminder that today is the Punk Rock Flea Market in Lakewood. There will bands, karaoke, food, art, and stuff to buy. Members of MyFriendCleveland will have a table set up, and while we may not have a painting of Billy Dee Williams, we will have some pretty sweet goodies.

Today’s Little Known Fact About Batman

He’s a detective.

From the Grog shop’s website:

“At The B-Side Liquor Lounge – LES CLAYPOOL Book Signing – 6-8pm FREE!!!!!”

That’s all the information I had, so I was curious whether Les actually wrote a book, or if he was just signing ANY book. Apparently, he did write a novel. I bet it’s great. Go check it out, and then get back to us (we can’t read)… as if you don’t already have enough to do today.

Cleveland’s Oz

Apparently “Beat Kids” isn’t just a segment on Wonder Showzen, it’s standard procedure at Cleveland’s Juvenile center. But don’t worry only two guards were fired in June for abuse, July is a whole new ball game!

Get Out of the God Damned House!

Just a reminder that this weekend there is plenty of shit to get excited about, so stop complaining there is nothing to do in Cleveland, leave your computer unattended for a few hours, and hit up one of these events! Tonight the MOCA brings the ruckus outside at The Great ARTdoors. Tomorrow feel like a kid again when you hit up the little red school house for bands, food, and games at Berea Fest, or help Music Saves blow out the candles at their second birthday bash.Then on Sunday don’t forget to hit up the Punk Rock Flea Market for even more bands, karaoke, and other awesomeness. Plus, all weekend long look for members of the MyFriendCleveland staff to be repping hard, or hardly repping, depending on how much we’ve had to drink.

“We’ve won an award three times. This is the first time we showed up.”

And with that statement Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney has verbalized the amount of respect The Scene’s music coverage deserves. I mean seriously, is a cover band really the best live music we have?
Obviously no one at The Scene has been checking out Glenn Schwartz’s weekly freak out at Hoopple’s.

Finally, Something The Scene Can’t Get Wrong

Carl Monday, why are you such a ridiculously large and inviting target? Oh, that’s right because you are a douche bag with the best moustache this side of Tom Selleck that reports on library masturbators.

Two New Reviews Up!

Matt Wheeeeeeelihan of Punknews-lore reviews Red & Gold, and some guy named Jamison Lee reviews David Bazan live.
Check all our reviews out in the Reviews Section.

Events Calendar Up and Running

We added a sweet events calendar. With this function, not only can you see what shows and events are coming up, but you can also post your own. The link to it will be under the “What’s happening tonight” section.

And here is today’s little known fact about Batman:

He can read lips.

We are all water witnesses

Water of the stars Fiji’s new ad, “The label says Fiji because it’s not bottled in Cleveland,” unlike most insults thrown at “the mistake by the lake,” didn’t go unrefuted. The Cleveland Water Department tested Fiji, Cleveland tap, and some other bottled brands finding that Fiji had the most arsenic and other contaminants. The river ain’t burning no more, haters.

MOCA just changed your whole perspective on shit

The annual Wendy L. Moore series (yeah, don’t act like you knew about this) which spotlights a female Ohio artist under 30 is back at the MOCA. “Sarah Kabot: On The Flip Side,” a perception altering exhibit, is what everybody’s favorite creepy Cleveland art critic Dan Tranberg calls, “among the best solo shows by a local artist at any venue in Cleveland in the past decade.”

I wonder why they didn’t run Tranberg’s photo with this one.

Finally, The Plain Dealer figured out what people in Cleveland care about

That’s right, beer. Here’s a guide so you’re ready the next time a bartender at the Bier Markt tries to drop some knowledge. 

And now, today’s little known fact about Batman:

He used to live with his mother.

In July of 2004, husband and wife team Kevin Neudecker and Melanie Hershberger opened MUSIC SAVES on Waterloo Road, next door to the Beachland Ballroom. In the two short years since then, MUSIC SAVES has established itself as one of the best sources for independent music in Ohio. MUSIC SAVES is a unique record store with an excellent selection of hard-to-find music, an inviting atmosphere, friendly staff, and an adorable cat named Vinyl.

Celebrate with them this weekend!

Monday July 24

At the Beachland Ballroom, 8pm

Jens Lekman (Secretly Canadian)

Frida Hyvonen

The Helper T-Cells (Cleveland’s own)

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Don’t call it a comeback  

We know it must have been lonely spending the weekend without MyFriendCleveland, but our server just wasn’t feeling it. Luckily things are back up and running now, so keep checking back for more news, show info, and reviews.

Dada dies in Cleveland

The final issue of ArtCrimes, an annual magazine of poetry and art put together by Dada influenced Cleveland poet Steven Smith is out now. Smith describes the contributions as, “good, bad, and indifferent,” but at 144 pages, the largest of the 21 volumes issued, it seems well worth checking out.

On a sidenote, make sure you check out the killer snapshot of this article’s author.  What a creeper.

Grumpy Old Men

If there is anything to be learned from the upcoming trial of 82-year-old Paul Hashman it’s this: If someone builds a garage close to your house, shoot them seven times. Wasn’t there an Odd Couple episode like this?

Come out to the annual punk rock flea market. This is always a good time. Be sure to actually take the time to look at the tables, you can pick up some good records, cds, books, crafts and sometimes even food.

Pirates with lazers…

Ingenuity Fest starts today, July 13th. The four-day festival will feature music, food, art, and technology, all the while re-routing bus lines and and causing general anxiety for the 15 people that use public-transportation. Boot up your iPod and check out the Fest’s site here.

If that’s not your cup of tea, you can go the opposite way and check out the Tall ships exhibit, because who doesn’t like old boats?

Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Cleveland… What’s not to like?

Well, possibly Mischa Barton. Aparently she was sick of filming on the gorgeous west coast and decided scenic Cleveland was more her style, co-starring in The Oh in Ohio. Posey and Rudd play a married couple that’s having a little trouble in the bedroom, and Barton plays a younger love interest mixing things up. Don’t fret, Posey has the option of the loveable, adorable, scorching-hot Danny DeVito. Paul Rudd, eat your heart out. Check out the trailer here.

Dude, your last name totally means “cowardly.”

“I’ve always felt that horror films are a mirror, and that mirror reflects what’s happening in society,” Cleveland’s own Wes Craven recently proclaimed. Am I the only one who totally forgot about that time that dude in a striped shirt killed all those Parma teenagers in their sleep? They’re  a mirror alright.

Slipknot’s Sloppy Seconds

What does it say about Cleveland’s music scene when masked metal act Mushroomhead are given an icon award? I wish it meant the Scene put out an April Fool’s issue in July, but alas. 

So this is news?

Do I even need to make a joke? The dude honestly wrote an article on going to get his license renewed and someone published it.