🎤 From blog to big stage: I’m From Cleveland Fest

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: The Browns are back, and yes, we’re already emotionally invested 🏈

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Starting a media company was the last thing on John Stursa’s mind in 2008. After all, he was only 13 and just wanted to turn friends on to local music by posting clips online.

Seventeen years later, Stursa and his business partner Eric “EV” Vajda have created one of the city’s most vibrant forms of social media journalism.

Their outlet, I’m From Cleveland, boasts 388k followers on Instagram, where it showcases Cleveland culture with timely posts that capture happenings, yes, but also the spirit of the city.

“COVID was an interesting time for culture and the city, because it forced people to get creative doing music,” says Stursa. “That’s when EV made the push for us to go outside of just music and things really took off.”

IFC applied its attitude to uncovering new and interesting events and news.

“We try to be timely and unique and it’s led to people sending us clips of things that are happening without us even asking,” he says. “We want to be first, but now we have the responsibility to verify them.”

Yes, IFC has become a DIY media company. But music remains a focus – which leads to the I’m From Cleveland Music and Arts Festival.

On Saturday, the bash will bring 20 acts to Jacob’s Pavilion. More info.

It took two years of dreaming, planning and construction. No more: The new Batuqui is ready to go.

The Brazilian restaurant has re-opened in the former St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, located a one-minute walk away from the Victorian house it called home for 10 years.

“We’ll be able to do lunch buffets and brunches and parties and will have a supermarket that features frozen items that people can take home,” says Carla Batista, who created one of the area’s most delightful menus with partner Gustavo Nogueira.

The 1922 Craftsman-style church features arched ceilings, rustic beams and stained-glass windows. It offers enough space for 160 seats, two bars and a 1,100-square-foot kitchen.

It’s a far a cry from the cozy, 38-seater that Batuqui once called home.  

“We had seven employees when we started and now have 48,” says Batista. “We served 30,000 fish stews last year from this tiny 90-square-foot kitchen – it’s crazy.”

The new Batuqui boasts popular staples and will add fusion-style items for brunches and parties. But the church offers more than dining choices.

“I love old buildings and the feeling you get when you walk into them,” says Batista. “Now we’ll have a beautiful old church and the space to do cool, new things.”

Oddsmakers have the Browns winning 5.5 games this season. But everyone’s undefeated heading into the season.

Cleveland fans are hyped to see Joe Flacco take the reins at quarterback and the defense hit the field with it’s highly-ranked line.

The team has added some notable rookies: Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger and Harold Fannin Jr. Of course, there’s also Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders – but they’re unlikely to see much action so long as Flacco is under center.

The 2025 season opens Thursday when the Cowboys face the Eagles (8:20 p.m., NBC) and the Browns hit Huntington Bank Field at 1 p.m. Sunday to take on the Bengals.

Check out our guide to bars where you can watch the game throughout the season in the 216 Rundown below.

Browns fans always reside in Believeland this time of year and there are dozens of bars that give them a chance to congregate and hope for a turnaround season. Here are some of the top bars in the area.

Around the Corner: Browns fans have been congregating at this Lakewood watering hole since the 1970s.

Barley House: The tailgates here attract a crowd, start early and usually keep on going throughout and then after the game.

City Tap: Dozens of beers on tap and an insane amount of burgers is one thing. The discounted brews and countless TVs over each table are enough to make you go bonkers.

Clevelander: It's always a magnet for party-hearty sports fans. Cheap beer pitchers. Rah-rah sports memorabilia on the walls. And a crowd that's proud to get loud.

Corner Alley: Yes, the East Fourth bar area shows games on the TVs. You can play, too – thanks to the bowling alley and arcade-style games.

Gillespie's Map Room: A five-minute walk to the stadium and an old-school vibe that’s so decades ago.

Hooley House: The Irish-pub-meets-sports-bar in Brooklyn is always hyped for the Browns. Whoa, check out those 36 TVs, including those 120-inchers.

Hoopples: This blue-collar joint opened during the Kardiac Kids era. Old-school Cleveland meets party-hearty sports fans looking for a real-deal hang out.

Jack Cleveland Casino: The sportsbook area is a fun place to people watch – and the screens are big and are loaded with games.

Masthead Brewing: Pizza and beer, beer and pizza. Both are great here – so are the vibes.

Merry Arts: The Lakewood pub is always merry, even when Browns games make you want to cry in your beer and throw tacos against the wall in rage.

Muldoon's: This Irish pub boasts green vibes and some of the best bar food going. Browns fans galore.

P.J. McIntyre’s: A hub for the West Park Browns Backers, it’s a popular stop for watch parties with passionate fans.

Rivals Sports Grille: Check out the sprawling 4,000-square-foot patio that doubles as a summery sports bar, with multiple TV sets. The beer list is just as impressive.

Wild Eagle Saloon: Old-school video games, ping pong, bocce and pool tables to go with a party-hearty vibe, lots of beers and fast-serve menu.

Winking Lizard: A Lakewood superstore of sports bars, there are enough TVs to follow all the games. Whoa, it’s like being in Best Buy with good food...

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Drum Circle at the Lake: Bang a drum as the sun goes down at Lakewood Beach. 7:30 tonight. Info.

Big Chuck and Lil’ John Conquer Cleveland: Lil’ John Rinaldi goes to Music Box to tell stories about the rise of the legendary movie duo. 7 tonight. Info.

UB40: English reggae hitmakers bring a bevy of singles – “Red, Red Wine,” “Forever True” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You" – to House of Blues. 7 p.m. Thursday. Info.

Pscyhobilly mayhem: Memphis Morticians, Thee Scarecrows AKA  & Lords of the Highway bring ghoulish rockabilly to the Inferno at Yorktown Lanes. 8 p.m. Thursday. Info.

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”: Halloween slasher classic hits the screen for Foundry movie and trivia night. 6 p.m. Thursday. Info.

Aviator Glenn Curtiss returns to Euclid Beach after completing his round trip flight over water aboard his “Hudson Flier” aircraft in 1910. Curtiss traveled 68 miles over Lake Erie to set a distance record.

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79 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | ☀️ | 2% | 💨 E 9 mph (≈ 8 knots)

82 °F 🌡️ 68 °F | ⛅ | 13% | 💨 ESE 9 mph (≈ 8 knots)

81 °F 🌡️ 68 °F | 🌦️ | 24% | 💨 NW 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

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

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00pm September 07 (Sunday)

Away vs. Red Sox, 6:45pm Wednesday

Away vs. Rays, 7:35pm Thursday

Away vs. Rays, 7:35pm Friday

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