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Good morning, Cleveland! From the art of vinyl at Wax Mage to the return of festival season, there's something for everyone! 🎨🍴🎳

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The warm sound of a needle digging into the grooves. The album covers. The tactile feel, analogue sound.

They all account for a revival in vinyl.  But Heath Gmucs imagined something bigger while working the presses at Cleveland record plant Gotta Groove.

Enter Wax Mage – a custom label that has turned vinyl into an art form. Founded 10 years ago by Gmucs and partner Tyren Craemer, it creates colorful records that feature intricate designs, psychedelic patterns, swirls and stripes.

In the process, Wax Mage has found itself at the forefront of the artisan movement.

“We started out messing around,” says Gmucs. “And ended up pioneering this trend of custom-made, bespoke vinyl.”

The company has won design awards and drawn raves from art collectors and musicians, including Jack White. It’s also taken the art form into bold, new directions – fusing wood, burnt paper, glitter, coffee, money into the vinyl.

“We used cut-up cans of Colt 45 for one release,” says Craemer. “We’re always trying to see how much we can get away with without affecting the music.”

Wax Mage’s approach to bands is just as unique: “We don’t use contracts,” says Gmucs. “Instead, we spilt up the records with the bands.”

What does the next decade hold for Wax Mage?

“We have big opportunities doing licensing for larger bands,” says Gmucs. “It’s overwhelming and flattering to think that what started out as a fun thing has made us a trend-setter.”

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Wax Mage hosts a 10th anniversary show at the Grog Shop. Info here.

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More than two dozen restaurants opened in 2025. None are as unique as Sushi Kuwahata.

The just-opened Ohio City eatery is an adventure in omakase – a dining experience in which diners leave it up to the chef to select seasonal specialties consisting of fish and other items flown in from Japan.

At Sushi Kuwahata, Chef Kwan and his team serve multi-course meal – 15 to 20 courses -- at an eight-seat Hinoki Counter.

“We directly import all the premium ingredients from Tokyo. We craft Edomae style sushi that honors the simplicity and elegance of traditional Japanese cuisine,” says Kwan. “Each piece is carefully prepared to highlight the ingredient's natural flavors, served with two different kind of rice, three different kind of soy sauce and wasabi to create an authentic culinary experience.”

The price tag and hours are as unique as the experience. Seatings fetch $350 per and are served two nights a week, at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Days will be added, as events sell out quickly. More info.

Animal shelters are overwhelmed. They’re taking in more dogs and cats and fewer people are adopting them. It has resulted in a crisis, as many are operating at full capacity.

To make matters worse, summer is the busiest time for stray dogs with pets escaping from their homes and ending up in shelters.

As a result, many shelters have lowered or dropped adoption fees to entice people to give them a home.

Through Sunday, City Dogs Cleveland has lowered its fees to $21 for dogs. Meanwhile, Cleveland APL has waived adoption fees for adult dogs and cats, and lowered kitten adoption fees to $50.

The latter is also raising money with its annual Make Your Pet a Star program. For $35, your pet is guaranteed to appear in the APL’s 2026 calendar.  Info.

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Festival season took a breather for Fourth of July weekend, but it’s running again. Here we go:

99th Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival: An old-timey, colorful festival that looks and feels like something out a movie... Italian ice, meatballs and music; carnival rides and cavatelli; Sunday mass and a Procession of Saints in Gordon Square. Today through Sunday. Info.

48th Cain Park Arts Festival: One of the summers top art soirees features more than 150 artists – to go with countless food possibilities and an endless menu of folk, bluegrass and jazz. Today through Sunday. Info.

Great Lakes Medieval Faire: Bring on the wizards, wenches, knights, puckish clowns, crazy puppets, mystical dragons… This fest cross-pollinates the medieval and renaissance eras to transform a woodsy plot into a song-, food- and crafts-filled marketplace. Weekends through Aug. 17. Info.

Ukrainian Festival: The bash, in the heart of Parma’s Ukrainian Village, rolls out music by Harmonia, traditional dancers, art, games – served alongside pierogi, stuffed cabbage and borscht. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Info.

Ohio Vintage Fest: It looks and feels like the ‘80s and ‘90s, except for the prices. The retro flea market at Huntington Convention Center features 60 vendors hawking vintage clothes, records, toys, décor and games. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Info.

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Two thousand perfect games bowled at Yorktown Lanes – and it’s by no means an everyday occurrence. After all, the Parma institution has been open for 65 years and remained in the Cottrell family for three generations.

“We’ve stayed a traditional bowling alley,” says Jeremy Cottrell, who manages the place with his brother, Aaron. Their father, Mike, still comes in to work.

“Bowling has had its ups and downs, but we’ve had some of the strongest years in decades the last few years,” he adds.

Opened by Grandpa James, Yorktown has held strong by attracting bowlers, families and retro hounds -- with its red dining counter, throwback prices, classic lanes and music club, Inferno Lounge.

“There was a never of a thought of closing.” says Jeremy Cottrell. “We’re doing well – because it’s a social event, where you can hang out, enjoy an activity and eat, drink and talk.” More info.

Cleveland, 1973: Youth lounge around as a factory spews smoke into the sky. The photo is part of a project commissioned by the EPA that studied pollution in American cities.

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91 🌡️ 76 | ☀️ / ⛅ | 60% | 💨 S 8 mph (7 knots)

83 🌡️ 73 | 🌩️ | 70% | 💨 SW 10 mph (9 knots)

84 🌡️ 74 | ⛅ / 🌩️ | 65% | 💨 SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

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

^{For tickets and more info}

Away vs. White Sox, 8:10pm Friday

Away vs. White Sox, 4:10pm Saturday

Away vs. White Sox, 2:10pm Sunday

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