📰 Cocktails, Food & a Side of Punk

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: The Cavs stumbled and bumbled through another playoff game. But look at the bright side: They still could’ve won. 🏀

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Alan Freed. Record Rendezvous. The first rock concert.

So goes the case for declaring Cleveland the Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the World.

But the city also helped spawn punk rock in the 1970s: Dead Boys. Pere Ubu. Electric Eels. Rocket from the Tombs. Pagans.

Their fingerprints are all over the Cleveland sound.

It inspired Matt Fish – the pioneering chef-owner of Melt Bar and Grilled.

Years before he was the chef-owner of Melt, he was a punk – drumming in bands like Chargers Street and Whatever.

“I was a musician before I ran a restaurant,” says Fish. “Music and always will be my first passion.”

Twenty years after opening Melt, he’s combining punk passion with food for a new bar-eatery.

Enter Proof Public House – a 55-seater that opens in June on up-and-coming Lorain Avenue in Ohio City.

“I want to cater to people who love music, but also great cocktails and food,” says Fish. “Cleveland has always had a vibrant counterculture, where open-minded people have the attitude that you can do whatever you want.”

It extends to Fish.

“With Melt, I was ‘the grilled cheese guy’ and it put me in a box,” he says.

“Proof isn’t a dirty punk bar,” he adds. “But it is a rebellion against following rules and gives me the freedom to do something new.”

The Cavs strolled into Detroit relieved to have gotten past the Raptors. They kept on strolling – with a lack of focus and effort.

Turnovers combined with turnovers and an odd mix of line-ups doomed the Cavs in Game 1 of their series against the Pistons, 111-101.

Takeaways:

The Pistons scored 31 points off 19 Cavs turnovers – including seven by Harden and three by Mitchell.

Donovan Mitchell and James Harden were no-shows guarding the perimeter. Detroit, not a great shooting team, exploited it and ended up hitting 10-26 (38.5%).

Jarrett Allen got into foul trouble early, but playing him for 18 minutes? What’s the point of saving him from fouling out if you’re not going to play him?

Kenny Atkinson’s lineups were strange – starting Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Thomas Bryant in the fourth quarter… What?

The star-studded wall of 1930s stars. Checkered floor. And, of course, some of the best pancakes in town.

For six decades, Gene’s Place to Dine has been a Kamm’s Corners icon that’s as classic as the décor and menu.

The beloved eatery has hosted locals and legends with movie magic.

Paul Giamotti ate there in scene in ‘American Splendor.” It makes patrons feel like starts, also, with service befitting of family.

Opened in 1963 by brothers Gene and Frank LaValle (as one of the first Perkins Pancake House franchises in the area), it became Gene’s in 1982.

More than a diner, it’s a shrine to vintage Americana – from the jukebox and record player to the figures from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to the live piano player on Fridays.

A time capsule and a hidden gem, served with comfort food and vintage vibes.

WEDNESDAY

Walk & Talk Cleveland: The downtown walking group meets up at Lion Heart Coffee at 5 p.m. and proceeds to explore downtown at 5:30 p.m. Info.

Jay Electronica: The rapper and producer known for his abstract style and use of percussion-less film soundtracks hits the Grog Shop. 8 p.m. Info.

Mama's Broke: The Canadian duo from Halifax duo brings its iconoclastic mix of dark Eastern European folk and bluegrass to the Beachland Ballroom. 8 p.m. Info.  

THURSDAY

Wagner’s Götterdämmerung: The Cleveland Orchestra performs the last of the four epic music dramas in Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle. 7:30 p.m. Info.

Duncan Trussell: The irreverent comic found a fan in Joe Rogan when he saw him performing with a satanic puppet and made Trussell his opening act. He hits Hilarities at 7:30 p.m. (and performs four more shows at the club Friday and Saturday). Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Since 2004, Ingenuity Cleveland has thrown some of the area’s most interesting happenings by intersecting the arts with technology.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, the creator collective will host Ingenuity Bal – an artful gala with eccentric themes that inspire attendees to don stylish or just strange outfits.

This year’s installment “Daydreamery’ is part of a year-long ‘America Dreams’ theme celebrating America’s 250^th birthday.

It also pays homage to eccentric arts parties that were thrown in Cleveland from the 1910s to 1940s.

The annual fundraiser explores how the creative process and an innovative mindset has blazed America’s path with art, music, fashion and technology.

Ingenuity’s space – a repurposed factory at 5401 Hamilton Ave. – exemplifies that spirt of creative transformation.

The soiree rolls out performers, bands, DJs, artists, makers and light shows. Info.

Terminal Tower as seen from the Detroit-Superior Bridge, 1950s.

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

57 °F 🌡️ 46 °F | 🌧️➡️☁️ (Steady rain tapering by midday, mostly cloudy PM; much cooler) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph NW (≈ 12 knots)

54 °F 🌡️ 44 °F | ☁️🌦️ (Mostly cloudy, couple of showers possible; cool air persists) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph N (≈ 10 knots)

52 °F 🌡️ 42 °F | 🌧️➡️☁️ (Scattered showers likely) | 50% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph NNW (≈ 9 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. Royals, 7:40 PM May 6 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Royals, 2:10 PM May 7 (Thursday)

Home vs. Twins, 7:15 PM May 8 (Friday)

Home vs. Twins, 6:10 PM May 9 (Saturday)

Home vs. Twins, 1:40 PM May 10 (Sunday)

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