🎸 Cleveland’s Music Scene Needs a Tune-Up

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Jose Ramirez just said what we’re all thinking: spend the money 💰⚾🏟️

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Ohio’s 312 indie-owned clubs generate $3 billion for the economy, support 21,604 jobs and create $122.3 million in state and local tax revenue.

But they’re struggling.

A new study by the National Independent Venue Association finds that only one in five Ohio independent clubs made a profit last year. The reasons are same that afflict Americans daily.

“We’re all dealing with Increases in insurance, utilities, rents, mortgages and property taxes,” says Sean Watterson, the owner of Happy Dog and a NIVA board member who spearheaded the study.

“And we’re dealing with higher costs of labor and a consumer that can’t afford to go out and drinks less when it does,” he adds.

A Gallup poll found that 54% of Americans drink alcohol – the lowest since 1939.

NIVA has called on Ohio legislators to back a Senate Bill 186, introduced by State Sen. Kent Smith. It would allow venues with less than a 3,000-seat capacity to receive a rebate of up to $100,000 on taxes paid on beer and wine.

"Ohio's independent venues are gathering places, community anchors, and economic development catalysts,” says Smith. “The NIVA Ohio report confirms the importance of these businesses as key contributors to both the quality of life and our tax base.”

The crazy cat people are getting frisky – and they, no doubt, will meow and wag a tail in glee.

This biggest and most renowned celebration of felines is coming to Cleveland.

It’s the CFA International Cat Show & Expo – Saturday and Sunday at the I-X Center.

The bash trots out 45 breeds and more than 1000 furry wonders -- including some of the biggest Maine Coons known to science – and 15,000 cat fanatics.

It also features “Meow” and “Cattalk” stages, performers, vendors and celebrities like Pudge the Locker Room Cat and the incredible Cat Rapper, aka I Am Mo Show.

(I saw him perform once at a cat show and he was the second-best performer at the thing, after Morris the Cat.) For tickets and schedules, go here.

“Wait ‘til next year”?  Apparently, Jose Ramirez wants the Guardians to do something now before 2026.

In an interview conducted in Spanish, the beloved star expressed his frustration with the team.

“I took a discount with Cleveland so they could bring in more players to help strengthen the team,” he said. “But that hasn't happened. If they want to win, we have good young talent, but to beat the Dodgers or Yankees, you have to spend like them.”

Meanwhile, a fan from Arizona took out a full-page ad calling out team owners: “JOSE DESERVES BETTER. THE FANS DESERVE BETTER. CLEVELAND DESERVES BETTER”

The Guardian often invoke their “small-market status” as a justification for perennially having one of baseball’s lowest salaries.

However, expenditures on salaries are only 39.4% of revenues – which means they are operating at a higher profit ratio than the top ten teams in baseball.

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Break out the witches, pumpkins and the rustling of fall with these soirees.

4^th Annual Oktober Witches Night Market: Egads, ooky-spooky goblins and ghouls, broom-stick riders and, yes, vendors, tarot readers, food and cosplay. 4-10 p.m. today. Info.

Spooky Pooch Parade: The 16^th annual dog-a-thon brings hundreds of pups to Madison Park in Lakewood. They woof, they wag, they march. 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Info.

Stearn’s Homestead Fall Fest: The Parma farm has been going since 1855 and is an enchanting throwback amid the strip malls. The fest boasts pumpkin painting, music, hayrides and lots of animals. 11 a.m. Saturday and Noon Sunday, Info.

Harvest Festival: The annual bash at Hale Farm & Village rolls out wagon rides, animals, a Johnny Appleseed show and games. 10 a.m. Saturday. Info.

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“Hell’s Kitchen”: Playhouse Square has become a springboard for national tours, starting with “The Notebook” in September. Now comes “Hell’s Kitchen,” which opens its Cleveland run tonight in the State Theatre. The musical, inspired by Alicia Keys, runs through Nov. 1. Then it’s on the road across the country. Info.

DEVOtional: The 25^th annual celebration of the Akron legends Devo will no doubt be filled with fans in energy domes singing along to bands and re-enacted the de-evolution of the human race. Friday and Saturday at Beachland Ballroom. Info.

Integrity: The band’s brand of metallic hardcore took off in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The band now resides in Belgium with singer Dwid Hellion the only original member. 6 tonight at The Roxy. Info.

A 1959 flood overwhelmed Shaker Heights made countless automobiles inoperable.

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68 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | ☀️ | 1% | 💨 S 11 mph (≈ 10 knots)

68 °F 🌡️ 54 °F | ⛅ | 57% | 💨 SSE 11 mph (≈ 10 knots)

65 °F 🌡️ 55 °F | ☁️ / 🌦️ | 84% | 💨 E 11 mph (≈ 10 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. Celtics, 7 PM October 12 (Sunday)

Away vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 PM October 12 (Sunday)

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