📰 SNL lands in the Rock Hall 🎸

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Good morning, Cleveland! From Geneva-on-the-Lake getting its spotlight, to vinyl lovers spinning into the weekend, vegan feasts making mouths water—this city’s got more flavor than a food truck rally 🎉🍦💿

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

• The race toward summer starts… with parties, fests & chowdowns

• Retro Lake Erie town gets big-time props: Geneva-on-the-Lake

• Hit the applause sign: SNL opens in Rock Hall

• Party animals go bow-wow for Pup Prom

• Satisfy your vinyl fetish with music

• Vegans celebrate chefs, bakers & plant-based wonders

• Burning through bucks: Massive debt suddenly a big deal

  
  
  John Petkovic & Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

The race toward summer starts… with parties, fests & chowdowns

Yeah, yeah, the calendar says summer is a month away and the weather feels like fall. But Memorial Day Weekend is the starting line for the march toward warmer days.

Food, ethnic, music and neighborhood celebrations are hitting the ground running like:

Blossom Time Festival: An old-timey celebration in Chagrin Falls that feels like a slice of Americana – with hot dog, pie, gyro and pizza eating contests, carnival rides, hot-air balloons, bands and a parade. Today through Monday. Info.

26^th Berea's National Rib Cook-Off: This saucy chowfest has made millions of fingers messy since it debuted in 1998. This edition rolls out 11 rib teams, a car cruise with 40 Corvettes, an eclectic list of bands, the Miss Berea Princess Pageant, carnival rides and games. Today through Monday. Info.

53^rd Tremont Greek Festival: A can of Mythos, a plate of dolmades and a side of baklava taste just fine – Opa! For decades, the celebration of Greek culture has been rolling out heaps of all three – not to mention bands, performers and tours of the 1913 Annunciation Church. Info.

Reggae Fest: OK, Cleveland isn’t Montego Bay, but the vibes are irie and the bands will feel like a trip to Jamaica. The two-day bash – Saturday and Sunday -- features 10 reggae bands and a slew of food trucks in Voinovich Park. Info.

3^rd Annual Party in the Park: Luke Easter Park in Cleveland will transform into an all-out party zone with a bash that features DJs, a grill cook-off, fish fry and a 40-ounce drinking contest. Saturday. Info.

Retro Lake Erie town gets big-time props: Geneva-on-the-Lake

Forty-five minutes from downtown Cleveland and 70 years back in time...

Welcome to Geneva-on-the-Lake – a slice of vintage Americana that transforms into a charming summer destination this time of year.

The Lake Erie resort boasts an enchanting shoreline and park – along with a timeless strip of penny arcades, classic signs, old-school bars and cover bands. Oh, and old-timey doughnut shops, hamburger joints and a 1924 putt-putt course that claims to be the oldest in America.

Long adored by retro thrill-seekers, Geneva-on-the-Lake is now getting a rush of national acclaim:

• World Atlas: “Among the prettiest small towns in Ohio, designed for remarkable family getaways. It turns heads with its heavenly waterfront scenery and lush natural surroundings.”

• Islands: “One of the most charming small towns in Ohio… Visitors will find places to eat, casual cafes, ice cream parlors, and lodging. Adrenaline junkies might try out the ziplines at Adventure Zone or rent a jet ski to take out on the lake.”

• MarketWatch: “Top off the beaten path wine regions in the U.S… A great place to spend your time wining and dining.”

Hit the applause sign: SNL opens in Rock Hall

Live from Cleveland, it’s… Live from New York.

“Saturday Night Live” is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is bringing the party to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Today, the rock hall will open “SNL: Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of Music.”

The immersive exhibit celebrates the iconic show’s performances and sketches with video installations, a re-creation of the Studio 8H facade in Rockefeller Center, costumes of performers, displays, photos and stage props.

The collaboration between the Rock Hall and SNL will include performances that span the life of the program – artists such as Devo, Blondie, David Bowie, Run-DMC, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Nirvana, Sinead O’Connor, Madonna and Tina Turner.

On June 14, the rock hall will host an official opening party with comedian-musician and SNL alum Fred Armisen. More info here.

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The 216 Rundown

Party animals go bow-wow for Pup Prom

They don’t need long gowns and snazzy suits to look adorable. It’s Pup Prom at Taps and Tails – 5 p.m. Saturday. The dog park and bar will roll out a red carpet, prom court voting, new summer cocktails (for the humans) and glam décor (for the dogs). Info.

Satisfy your vinyl fetish with music

Break out those slabs of wax. The NEO Vinyl Club is hosting a record swap at the Winchester Music Tavern – 11 a.m. Sunday. Vendors will be on hand with albums, but also T-shirts and other music collectibles. Info.

Vegans celebrate chefs, bakers and plant-based wonders

No meat or milk or fish… It’s Vegan Market at Fairfax – 1 p.m. Saturday. The event features local chefs and bakers celebrating “all things plant-based and cruelty-free” at the first outdoor event of its kind this year. Info.

🔥 Today’s Hot Property 

🏡 Charming Colonial in Lakewood – 1290 Brockley Ave

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Burning through bucks: Massive debt suddenly a big deal

Warnings about government spending and debt have long been dismissed as the ravings of gold bugs. They’re being taken seriously now.

Last year, the Federal Reserve lowered rates three times last year -- a total of .75 percent. And yet credit card and mortgage and loan rates remain high.

What’s the deal?

• The U.S. government now spends more money on interest payments than on national defense and Medicare. The outlays are second only to Social Security.

• President Trump’s spending bill is will increase debt between $3-5 trillion.

• The U.S. Treasury sells bonds to finance the debt – and must raise rates on the bonds to entice buyers. On Thursday, the yield on the 30-year bond yield hit 5.15% -- the highest since October 2023.

• Higher yields lead to higher borrowing costs. The average 30-year mortgage is over 7%. The average credit card rate is 22-24%. A new car loan is 6.40% to 9.59%; for used cars, it’s 9.95% to 14.46%.

• U.S. consumer debt hit a record $18.2 trillion in Q1 2025 – that, and high rates, has led to historically high consumer delinquencies.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

Opened in 1931, Cleveland Municipal Stadium played host to the Cleveland Indians until 1993 and the Browns, until 1995. It was demolished in 1996 – a year after the Browns left the city to play in Baltimore.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @216Scoop on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Friday, May 23

55 🌡️ 49 | 🌧️ | 60% | 💨 W 17 mph (15 knots)

Saturday, May 24

58 🌡️ 51 | 🌤️ | 30% | 💨 N 7 mph (6 knots)

Sunday, May 25

63 🌡️ 52 | 🌤️ | 20% | 💨 N 10 mph (9 knots)

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

Live Shows in the 216

🗓️ Friday, May 23

• David Graham and The Eskimo Brothers – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – 8:00 PM

• Hooked Like Helen – Mahall's – 7:00 PM

• James Kennedy – FWD Day + NightClub – 9:00 PM

• Jason Aldean – Blossom Music Center (Full Throttle Tour) – 7:00 PM

• Joey Beltram – The Treelawn – 7:00 PM

• Joe Vitale Jr. – Benny Vino Urban Winery – 7:00 PM

• LILIEAE – The Foundry Concert Club – 8:00 PM

• Lil Jesse – OHIO MUSIC FEST – 7:00 PM

• Lower 13 – The Foundry Concert Club – 8:00 PM

• Machine – Grog Shop – 8:00 PM

• The Strangers – The Treelawn – 7:00 PM

• Wexford – Maple Grove Tavern – 7:00 PM

🗓️ Saturday, May 24

• Christopher Owens – Grog Shop – 7:00 PM

• JJ Price – Mercury Music Lounge – 8:00 PM

• Lil Jesse – OHIO MUSIC FEST Day 2 – 7:00 PM

• Lt Headtrip – Bar Lucci – 8:00 PM

• Matt Michener – Mercury Music Lounge – 8:00 PM

• Nate Yingling – CODA – 7:30 PM

• Off With Their Heads – Mahall’s – 7:00 PM

• October London – Jacobs Pavilion – 8:00 PM

• The Berrys – West Main St. Winery – 7:00 PM

• The Dead Revival Band – Beachland Ballroom – 8:00 PM

• Wanted: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band – The Local Bar – 8:00 PM

• The Super Babes – Happy Dog – 9:00 PM

• Ava Preston – Edwin’s Restaurant – 8:30 PM

• Old Skool – Cove Niteclub – 9:00 PM

🗓️ Sunday, May 25

• A Good Time – B Side Lounge – 9:00 PM

• A Perfect Circle – Blossom Music Center – 8:00 PM

• Diesel Boy – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – 8:00 PM

• Laytonium – The West Side Irish-American Club – 4:00 PM

• Mister Breeze – Music Box Supper Club – 12:00 PM

• Old Skool – Private Event – 7:30 PM

• Ramon Rivas – Funny Feast Vol. 3 – 6:00 PM

• Right TurnClyde – The Cove Nightclub – 5:00 PM

• Ro James – Jacobs Pavilion – 8:00 PM

• Rohan Prakash – The Winchester – 8:00 PM

• Sean Nicholas Savage – Grog Shop – 7:00 PM

• The A-10s – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – 8:00 PM

• Victor Samalot / Solo instrumental Guitarist – Panini’s Westlake – 12:00 PM

• Wanted: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band – The Local Bar – 8:00 PM

_{For tickets and more info}

The 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Guardians

Away vs. Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m. Friday

Away vs. Detroit Tigers, 7:15 p.m. Saturday

Away vs. Detroit Tigers, 11:35 a.m. Sunday

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