📰 What the heck is Dyngus Day?

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

• Dyngus Day: How an Old-World tradition became a Cleveland phenomenon

• Warmer days are coming: Here’s the proof (and places to visit)

• Going underground: A deep, dark tour of the city

• A day of Polish revelry: Dyngus Day parties around town

• Tacos and tequila are heading to the Flats East Bank

  
  
  John Petkovic & Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Dyngus Day: How an Old-World tradition became a Cleveland phenomenon

It’s gone from being virtually unknown, even in Cleveland’s Polish community, to one of the city’s biggest ethnic parties…

Roll out the piwo, pierogi and polkas… It’s Dyngus Day and everyone is Polish for this celebration of revelry.

At 10 a.m. today, the15th installment of the Polish polka street party and parade will close off several blocks of Detroit Avenue and bring more than 50,000 revelers to Gordon Square.

Two stages will host polka bands. DJ Kishka, the event’s spirited emcee, will kick off the day with an opening ceremony and preside over the Miss Dyngus Day pageant and the pierogi-eating contest. For schedules and more info, go here.

There will be lots of pierogis, paczki, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage and barrels of piwo.

After all, the post-Easter festival, also known as Wet Monday or Śmigus-Dyngus, marks the end of Lent. It also celebrates playful courtship traditions – which include tapping or splashing someone with a pussy willow branch or squirt gun.

Wait – so how did such a little-known event become a Cleveland cultural phenomenon?

Since the 1960s, it was a modest but spirited get-together in Buffalo.

It started to gather steam when DJ Kishka, aka Justin Gorski, was invited to perform at an event. So, he brought Happy Dog owners Sean Watterson and the late Sean Kilbane, and former Park View Tavern owner Norm Plonski with him to Buffalo to check it out.

Hmm, it reminded them of Cleveland…  

Polish people. Ethnic and blue-collar people. And most of all: Repressed revelers of all stripes just itching to take to the streets and party after a month of fasting and a season of cold weather.

Na zdrowie!

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Cavalanche: Ty Jerome takes over as Cleveland takes Miami 121-100

The Heat tried to shut down the Cavs perimeter shooting. It worked, until it didn’t.

Ty Jerome took over, scoring 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to lead Cleveland to a 121-100 win on Sunday, in the first game of its first round series against Miami.

The Heat had kept the game close, cutting the Cavs lead to seven points with 8:58 left in the fourth quarter. Then came the Cavalanche.

Quick takes:

• Miami’s defense attacked the Cavs on the perimeter in the first quarter, and limited Cleveland to 3-9 shooting from three. It muddied up the game up and made it a half-court affair

• Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland responded by attacking the rim, with layups and floaters. It was instrumental in opening the floor for the Cavs, who shot 44 percent from three the rest of the way.

• Tyler Herro -- who had averaged 34 points in Miami’s playoff game -- was limited to 21 points on 7-18 shooting, thanks to tenacious defense by Sam Merrill.

• Jerome was named a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award on Sunday. He’d be a starter on most teams in the NBA.

Warmer days are coming: Here’s the proof (and places to visit)

Hope for spring springs eternal. And then every bit of evidence seems to lead us down a path that results in chattering teeth.

No more. We have uncovered irrefutable proof that the weather has turned a corner.

• Exhibit A:  Cherry blossoms and other flowering trees around Wade Lagoon have reached peak bloom – always the earliest indicator that spring is here. The bloom usually lasts 4 to 10 days, so act quickly if you want to see one of the city’s most visually enchanting spots this time of the year. Track them here.

• Exhibit B: The daffodils have started blooming in Lake View Cemetery. They continue blooming into early May when Daffodil Hill becomes a popular destination.  Track them here.

• Exhibit C: Hummingbirds have entered Ohio. By early May, the fast-flapping birds will have completed one of nature’s most amazing journeys from Central and South America. They can fly 70 miles an hour and can cover 500 miles at a time as their wings flap 15 to 80 times a second as their hearts beat up to 1,260 times a minute. Track them here.

Going underground: A deep, dark tour of the city

World Atlas has called the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on Public Square one of the strangest landmarks in Ohio. Atlas Obscura rates it one of the .

Even lifelong Clevelanders do a double take when they walk past the ornate 1894 tribute to more than 9,000 Cuyahoga County residents that served in the Civil War.

And that’s based on what it looks like above ground.

Under the memorial lies a labyrinth of tunnels, some so small you need to hunch your back to get through. It feels and looks like something out of some old noirish flick and makes for one of the most interesting urban adventures in the city.

Lucky you: The monument is bringing back its Tunnel Tours. They run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 and about 30 minutes.

You’ll also get to check out the Memorial Room (inside the memorial), which lists residents who served in the Civil War and features busts and statues – including the only one of Abraham Lincoln holding a rifle.

You’ll also get to find out why civic leaders hated it and tried to block it from being in Public Square. More info here.

A MESSAGE FROM IRISHTOWN BEND TAPROOM

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Step into Market Garden Brewery, where award-winning beer meets locally inspired gastropub dining in the heart of Ohio City. Savor fresh, seasonal dishes, sip on clean, crisp brews, and chill in our lush beer garden or by cozy fireplaces. Don’t miss the new Irishtown Bend Taproom under the giant “BEER!” sign—your go-to for tours, tastings, and fresh cans to-go. Whether you're brunching, lounging, or exploring, we’ve got the vibes and the beer for it.

The 216 Rundown

A day of Polish revelry: Dyngus Day parties around town

While Gordon Square is the epicenter of Dyngus Day, restaurants and bars across Cleveland will offer Polish-themed specials. Highlights include:

• Forest City Brewery: The party runs noon to 8 p.m. Polish food specials and beers. Live music by Ed Klimczak Band (noon-3 p.m.) and the Frank Moravcik Band (4-7 p.m.)

• Treelawn Music Hall: The Brian Papesh Party Band performs at 7 p.m. as part of the 2025 Collinwood Jazz Festival.

• Polish Veterans Alliance in Tremont: Food, drinks, polka dancing, and merchandise from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Great Lakes Brewing: Polish food and drink specials from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Live music by the Frank Moravcik Band (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and a pierogi-eating contest (1 p.m.).

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Tacos and tequila are heading to the Flats East Bank

The brew pub went flat. Tacos and tequila are coming. Agave Social is taking over the old Beerhead space in the East Bank Flats.

The Mexican themed eatery and lounge is the sister venture of Blue Agave on East Fourth Street and Tacologist in University Circle.

Like those spots, it will offer a modern take on Mexican food and drinks. It’s targeting a late-summer opening.

Beerhead, which closed in January, was a cornerstone of the mixed-use development along the Cuyahoga.

The Flats has seen a turnover of in venues with the close of Beerhead and Big Bang Dueling Pianos Bars. As we reported, the latter was replaced by Decades – an 1980s and ‘90s style dance club which opened Feb. 28.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

A 1945 photo of Clevelanders lining up in front of Hough Bakeries. A tradition since 1902, it was a popular stop for Easter cakes and pastries.

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

Extra Sprinkles

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WEATHER

Monday, April 21

74 🌡️ 49 | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 SW 20 mph (17 knots)

Variable cloudiness with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm; windy and warmer. Thunderstorms can bring hail and damaging winds. ​

Tuesday, April 22

56 🌡️ 48 | ⛅ | 0% | 💨 W 11 mph (10 knots)

Breezy in the morning; otherwise, mostly sunny and cooler.

Wednesday, April 23

65 🌡️ 54 | 🌤️ | 4% | 💨 NW 8 mph (7 knots)

Pleasant and warmer with partial sunshine.

Live Shows in the 216

🎶 April 21

• Jill Sobule – The Kent Stage | 6:30 PM

• Joss Stone – Packard Music Hall | 7:00 PM

• Kevin Ford – Grog Shop | 8:00 PM

• Melissa Etheridge – Packard Music Hall (with Joss Stone) | 7:00 PM

• Prize Horse – Mahall's | 7:00 PM

• Soul Blind – Mahall's | 7:00 PM

• Static Dress – Mahall's | 7:00 PM

• The Fixx – The Kent Stage | 7:30 PM

🎶 April 22

• A Ronin's Test – Mercury Music Lounge | 7:00 PM

• Angel (Rock Band) – The Winchester | 7:00 PM

• Bill Callahan – The Treelawn | 8:00 PM

• Brendan Abernathy – Grog Shop | 8:00 PM

• Martin Sexton – The Kent Stage | 7:30 PM

• Peter Dante – Mercury Music Lounge | 8:00 PM

• Rehab – Mercury Music Lounge | 8:00 PM

• Scotty Austin – Mercury Music Lounge | 8:00 PM

• Steely Dead – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern | 8:00 PM

• Stories Through Storms – Spring Fling | 7:00 PM

• The Tale Untold – Spring Fling | 7:00 PM

• Ty Segall – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern | 7:00 PM

• Vultan – The Winchester Music Tavern | 7:00 PM

🎶 April 23

• Alex Bevan – The Treelawn | 7:00 PM

• Bob Lanzetti – Bop Stop | 7:00 PM

• Brendan Abernathy – Grog Shop | 8:00 PM

• Dance Myth – No Class | 7:00 PM

• Dead Rabbitts – Mercury Music Lounge | 6:00 PM

• Ethan Timm – The Treehouse | 8:00 PM

• I Ya Toyah – Mercury Music Lounge | 7:00 PM

• SOFIA ISELLA – Grog Shop | 7:00 PM

• Soul Coughing – House of Blues Cleveland | 7:00 PM

• Wednesday 13 – Mercury Music Lounge | 7:00 PM

• Zach Brock – Bop Stop (with Bob Lanzetti) | 7:00 PMThe 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

— No Game —, Monday Apr. 21

— No Game —, Tuesday Apr. 22

Home vs. Miami Heat, Wednesday Apr. 23 — 7:30 PM EDT (East First Round, Game 2)

Guardians

Home vs. New York Yankees, Monday Apr. 21 — 6:10 PM EDT

Home vs. New York Yankees, Tuesday Apr. 22 — 6:10 PM EDT (Theme Night – Bark in the Park)

Home vs. New York Yankees, Wednesday Apr. 23 — 1:10 PM EDT

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s seen every Cleveland Cavs playoff game in person.

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