🐟 Fish Fry Season Never Ended

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

The bars and restaurants of Cleveland are as observant as the churches, at least when it comes to the Friday fish fry.

Countless spots have been doing it for decades. Yes, there are religious reasons, but the Lenten ritual also appeals to pescatarians and traditionalists looking for a homey spot with classic vibes and an old-school menu.

We’ll publish our Fish Fry Guide next week. In the meantime, here are five:

British American Club: Founded by Brits in 1960, it’s a cheeky ol’ time with English fish and chips, with mushy peas. Delightful, and quite an experience. Info.

The Nash: This Old-World Slovenian gem hits more buttons than the accordion player… Live polka, bowling, classic Cleveland vibes and a Lenten menu. Info.

Ridgewood Inn: For seven decades, this Parma institution has been doing fish fry every Friday. The menu includes Sauger Pike, Yellow Lake Erie Perch, Beer Battered Cod, Baked Scrod and, of course, pierogis. Timeless vibes.

Gunselman's: The 1936 classic serves up a pierogi poutine for non-fish lovers – to go with cod and perch fish fry platters.

Flat Iron: This 1910 Flats mainstay is a throwback to another time. The Angel’s Lake Perch and Fish & Chips plate is a classic. The Clam Chowder is stellar.

It sounded like a crazy idea at the time: An outdoor music festival in the middle of winter featuring dozens of bands funded by a $4,000 Kickstarter campaign?

Seventeen years later, Brite Winter is a cultural institution that attracts thousands willing to brave the cold and chattering teeth.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, it hits Waterloo Arts District – with three dozen acts performing on two outdoor and six indoor stages in venues like the Beachland Ballroom, Millard Fillmore and Treelawn. Info.

It’s Brite’s first year in Collinwood, after 16 years in Ohio City and the Flats.

When it started, Brite was hailed as Cleveland’s version of South by Southwest. But like the Austin, Texas fest, Brite has seen a decline in bands, attendance and sponsorships.

Escalating production costs, inflation and post-pandemic shifts in behavior have impacted music festivals across the board.

“Brite Winter brings people out to experience different neighborhoods and promotes local bands and musicians all the while being winter which gives the event a different twist,” says Dave Sharkey, president of Progressive Urban Real Estate, which has sponsored the fest since 2019. (Check out his thoughtful blog on the event.)

“Events like Brite bring people together to create and support Cleveland’s culture.”

Autogeddon is upon us… The Cleveland Auto Show will take its final ride at the IX Center.

The consumer show opens today and runs through March 2 at the I-X Center.

There were 15 locally made cars on display when it made its 1903 debut at Gray’s Armory. Back then, Cleveland was the home of auto companies like Winton, White, Jordan and Peerless – and we were considered the Motor City.

Ah, those were different times…

In 1986, it debuted at the I-X Center, which is ending its run as an event space and is rumored to bring in Fortune 100 company, possibly for a data center.

Yes, the auto show will roll out more than 600 new, pre-production and concept vehicles from most automakers during the 10-day run.

It also features a classic car show; a “Millionaire’s Row” display of high-end brands; test-drives on indoor tracks; food, entertainment and Browns players. Info.

FRIDAY

Cleveland Tattoo Arts Festival: The 11^th annual celebration of ink and skin brings artists and performers to the Cleveland Convention Center. Friday through Sunday. Info.

SATURDAY

Fasching Karneval Party: The Bavarian-style Mardi Gras rolls out masquerade vibes and colorful get-ups to go with themed food and drinks at Donauschwaben.  5 p.m. Info.

SUNDAY

Jokes on You: The crowd-work comedy show features local and visiting comedians to think on their feet by ditching their routines and interacting with the audience. Anything goes. 7:15 p.m. at Hilarities. Info.

Gogol Bordello: Ukrainian singer Eugene Hütz brings his high-energy and chaotic gypsy punk band to the House of Blues at 7 p.m. Info.

Year of the Horse: The Lion Dance and a celebration of Lunar New Year hits Asia Town Center. Noon. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Who says Cleveland isn’t a soccer town.

Brazil – a World Cup powerhouse that boasts five titles – is coming to Huntington Bank Field on June 6 to take on Egypt.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday. Info.

The international friendly match is part of the World Cup’s Road to 26 series and underscores rising interest in soccer.

Last April, 60,614 fans watched the Columbus Crew play Inter Miami CF, led by international star Lionel Messi.

Pages from Cleveland's first underground newspaper, the Buddhist Third-Class Junkmail Oracle – published in1967 and 1968 by poet and artist D.A. Levy. Follow our Instagram and Facebook pages to see more about this.

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38 °F 🌡️ 28 °F | ⛅➡️☁️ (Partly Sunny to Cloudy) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 knots)

48 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | 🌧️ (Rain / Breezy & Mild) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

37 °F 🌡️ 24 °F | 🌧️➡️🌨️ (Rain to Snow / Falling Temps) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 22 mph (≈ 19 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. Hornets, 07:00 PM February 20 (Friday)

Away vs. Thunder, 01:00 PM February 22 (Sunday)

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