🍗 Cleveland’s Chicken Wars Are Heating Up

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: MGK has never been shy about carrying the 216 with him. This weekend, he’s bringing the celebration back to where the story started 🎸🏙️🔥

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

There’s a war brewing in Cleveland -- and the armies are playing a serious game of chicken.

Nashbird Chicken has announced that it’s coming to Cleveland as part of a broader expansion into Ohio.  

The fast-growing Oklahoma-based restaurant-bar serves Nashville-style hot chicken and is backed by Shark Tank “Shark” – and Ohioan -- Kevin Harrington. Location/opening TBA.

That Cleveland foothold places Nashbird squarely in the middle of the “chicken wars.”

What the cluck?

Why Cleveland? Why chicken?

But…

The cluckers are expanding rapidly — so how long before there’s saturation and the chickens come home to roost?

Cleveland left a mark on Richard Colson Baker in ways more striking than his ‘216’ tattoo.

There are the memories:

Recreated ‘Jackass’-style stunts while attending Shaker Heights High.

Working as a cart boy at Dave’s Supermarket.

Made and sold his mixtape ‘Stamp of Approval’ in 2006.

He’s always framed his Cleveland years as formative — and keeps on coming back.

Enter MGK Day.

The third annual bash will celebrate the city with three days of parties, music, skateboarding and Harleys.

Highlights:

Full schedule here.

We’ve passed the half-way point of summer. Sunset’s peak hit 9:04 p.m. and is 8:38 tonight.

Start putting together your bucket list for the season. Here are four ways to get started this weekend:

Twins Days Festival: Whoa, am I seeing double? Welcome to the world’s largest gathering of twins. The bash rolls out look-alike contests, a parade and entertainment. Tonight through Sunday in Twinsburg Town Square. Info.

The Willoughby Pop-Up by the Lake at Osborne Park: The annual in Willoughby’s Osborn Park pairs views of Lake Erie with artisans, crafters, vendors and a traffic jam of food trucks. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Info.

Cuyahoga River Rally: Celebrate the river with walking, biking and boat tours at Hart Crane Park. The fest includes rides on the Holiday Boat, music and a beer garden. 11 a.m. Saturday. Info.

Great Lakes Beer and Music Festival: Beers from 16 local breweries and bands. The bash hits Market Avenue and the GLBC brewpub 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Info.

FRIDAY

Glam Rock Runway Show: Inspired by David Bowie, Prince and Queen, the runway show rolls out music, fashion and designs by Yellowcake Shop Clothing. 6 p.m. Friday. Info.

MIX: Summer Soirée:  The monthly CMA party celebrates the Regency era as portrayed in the Netflix series Bridgerton. OPUS 216 will perform Bridgerton-themed music, to go with waltz lessons, a DJ and tours of the galleries. 6 p.m. Info.

Marlon Wayans: The legendary actor, comedian and director has been in films that have grossed $1.4 billion. And he’s still going strong, with his latest special, Good Grief. He hits Funny Bone at 6 and 9 p.m. for the first of five shows. Info.

SATURDAY

Foraging Walk: Learn about edible and medicinal plants growing in the area, what’s safe and how harvest sustainably. Plus, you get exercise. 6 p.m. at Brookside Metroparks. Info.

Steel Pulse: The roots reggae legends from Birmingham, U.K. inspired syncopated beat-mongers and punks alike. Their 50^th anniversary tour hits Cain Park at 7 p.m. Info.

Happy Together Tour: The bands that penned the soundtrack to the 1960s – from the Troggs to the Association – hit Northfield Park Racino. 7 p.m. Info.

💰 Price: $299,000

📏 Size: 1,456 sq. ft.

🏡 Built: 1924

🛏 4 Beds | 🛁 2 Baths

👉 View Listing on Zillow

A lot of sports talkers are blowhards. Hey, aren’t we all – especially when it comes to sports? Blame sports!

There’s some of that on the Ultimate Cleveland Sport Show. But the show also boasts a light-hearted touch, humor and thoughtful conversion.

Two of its regulars – Adam the Bull and Mikey McNuggets —will do stand-up with comedian and TV personality at Hilarites for the Annual WKYC Variety Show.

 The show benefits VeloSano cancer research. 6:15 p.m. Sunday. Info.

Otto Moser’s on East Fourth, 1960s. Opened in 1893 in what was once the center of Cleveland's theatrical district, it attracted vaudevillians, actors and late-night partyers. It was a downtown mainstay for 125 years and remains a glorious chapter of the Cleveland story.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

83 °F 🌡️ 71 °F | ⛈️ (Scattered Thunderstorms) | 70% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph SSW (≈ 7 knots)

84 °F 🌡️ 70 °F | ⛅➡️⛈️ (PM Thunderstorms) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph WSW (≈ 10 knots)

82 °F 🌡️ 72 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 30% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph WNW (≈ 7 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. White Sox, 7:40 PM August 7 (Friday)

Away vs. White Sox, 7:15 PM August 8 (Saturday)

Away vs. White Sox, 2:10 PM August 9 (Sunday)

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