Cleveland, OH

Lizzo brings her uplifting, fun and funky musical therapy to Cleveland

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2023

Lizzo brings her uplifting, fun and funky musical therapy to Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio – “Y’all know I do this for the big girls. But tonight I’m doing this for Cleveland, Ohio!”

As with her records, a Lizzo concert is not just a show. It’s country-crossing, arena-filling, self-help dance singalong group therapy session with lights, lasers, DJ, taut four-piece band, three backup singers, and eight limber high-energy dancers, a.k.a Lizzo’s Big Grrrrls who want you to believe in and feel good about yourself.

Entering on a riser in a black and gold catsuit with cash pinned to her hair, Lizzo started with the upbeat “The Sign,” the opener of her Grammy-winning album “Special,” followed by “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).”

Then came the first break in the action, when Lizzo told us it was OK to “be free, be yourself. If you wanna dance. Dance! If you wanna laugh, then giggle b—-!” It was the first of many uses of the “B-word” in all of its most fabulous applications and connotations. Lizzo made sure everyone in the full room at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse was “100% that b—-,” or, if not quite 100%, certainly among the unquestioned worst of.

It was one of the evening’s major themes: be you, do you, love you because, as the star’s hit song says, “you’re special.”

Also special was the fact that the Friday night show was Lizzo’s first performance in Cleveland.

Another theme was self-acceptance, and self-love, typified in the triple shot of “Scuse Me,” “Fitness,” and “Naked,” when Lizzo headed to the tip of the extended stage in a different catsuit onto which images were projected, ending the segment with “Free Your Body” across her body.

By the end of the 26-song, two-hour show, all dozen tracks from “Special” would appear in the setlist as would most of its predecessor “Cuz I Love You,” and the 2016 EP “Coconut Oil” that launched her on her current path of fame, fortune, and musical mass therapy.

With her catalog comprised entirely of sub-four-minute songs, the set’s pace was swift as Lizzo and crew delivered banger after banger with a few breaks built in for audience interaction, costume changes and allowing everyone to catch their breaths.

But even the costume breaks were brief and covered mainly by her crack band “The Lizzbians” who infused several of the short tunes with some appreciated injections of musicianship. Eventually, they were joined by her backup singers, who didn’t show up on stage until about 40 minutes into the show.

There was simply no need for the added visuals, with the large oval screen behind the stage mostly displaying images and video of Lizzo in various song-related guises and a quick cameo from Cardi B, who faced-timed her verse from the funky, defiant “Rumors.”

But the Big Grrrls’ relentless mix of aerobics, street dance, and stripper moves, some of which Lizzo joined in on, especially if it highlighted her proudly prodigious backside, was more than enough onstage action.

Speaking of that backside, it was easily the second most popular performer onstage, as every time Lizzo unleashed its power through a song lyric, a wiggle, or simply by turning it around twerkin’ it in the spotlight. Its every highlighted movement was met with gleeful cheers from the crowd.

“OK, let’s talk about the elephant in the room,” she said semi-seriously before quickly turning around and joking. It’s become a jiggling, non-verbal sequined, cat-suited symbol of the self-confidence and free-to-be-you-and-me vibe Lizzo wants permeating the crowd.

Likewise, Sasha Flute, which played on “Coldplay,” the ‘80s-inflected “Juice,” and a few other tunes, also made several appearances in the set and was a close third in popularity among fans.

Throughout the evening, the crowd was loud and diverse. As expected, there were plenty of Lizzo’s beloved big girls in the house among women of all ages, groups and couples. There were groups of every configuration: girlfriends having a great night out, mom and twin boys, daddy and daughters, besties taking video selfies of themselves scream-singing along.

During “Special,” one of the set’s centerpieces and a reminder of Lizzo’s gospel underpinnings, several folks in my section wiped tears while waving their hands and singing the musical affirmation in the song’s chorus.

During the final audience interaction near the end of the set, after Lizzo and everyone did their head toss, checked their nails and were indeed feeling “Good As Hell.” She read fan signs, took pictures in fan’s hats, shouted specific sections of the nosebleeds seats before bringing it all home with the fun, funky coupling of “Juice” and her record of the year Grammy-winning single “About Damn Time.”

For 27 songs, Lizzo and her all-women crew achieved her stated goal of encouraging her “big girls” and all the other humans in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to feel special.

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Cleveland, OH

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The city of Cleveland is seeking public input and engagement on its ambitious five-year transportation initiative that aims to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking, biking and using public transit across the city.

In a news release Friday, the city said it hopes to harness the feedback and build upon the multimodal transportation plan, dubbed “Cleveland Moves,” which includes five key components:

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Cleveland, OH

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Published

10 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Two powerhouse contenders are squaring off this weekend in Cleveland, part of a massive four-game series that is going to help answer some questions about what we may see come October. The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians are well in contention for a championship and it takes center stage all weekend long.

The Orioles continue a titanic battle in the American League East with the Yankees at 65-45, while the Guardians continue to shine with a current league-best 66-42 record. Both teams have surprisingly impressed this season, especially the young but mighty Guardians. Here’s how to play this Friday matchup.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Run Line:

Moneyline:

Total:

Colton Cowser: Part of the rich youth pool of talent, the Orioles may have found a true gem with Colton Cowser. The 24-year-old left fielder has extended his active hitting streak to 14 games, recording one in each game since the all-star break. His average has increased from .219 to .247 in that span, along with 4 home runs and 13 RBI. His hitting streak is tied for the 2nd most active one in all of the MLB, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14) and Ezequial Tovar (17). Cowser is making 2024 a memorable inaugural full season.

Jose Ramirez: There may not be anyone hitting the ball better right now across all of the MLB like Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez. He opened this series on Thursday with a 2-run blast, marking his 3rd consecutive game with a home run. Ramirez has a ridiculous ledger of 3 home runs and 8 RBI in his previous three games. His 28 home runs and 90 RBI this season place him in the top 10 across all players. He continues to provide the power on this feisty, young team. Ramirez is the offensive spark the Guardians must turn to in their run to the postseason.

This is an exciting change of pace to the normal juggernauts that we have seen through the years in baseball. While we don’t quite know if these two will be near the top of the standings in October, all that matters is that both are positioning themselves for it. A pair of unlikely division leaders are battling for a little summer glory in Cleveland.

Dean Kremer takes the hill for the Orioles on Friday. A lot of uncertainty surrounds this start as he’s amassed mixed results for much of 2024. Currently at 4-7 with a 4.20 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 14 home runs allowed, it hasn’t been pretty but at least is passable. Kremer anchors the No. 4 spot in this rotation and has yet to find much consistency. Last time out on Saturday against San Diego, he tossed 6 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. The Orioles have not provided him the best run support lately, with the team being 2-5 in his last seven outings.

Carlos Carrasco holds the fort down for the Guardians in this one. It’s been a lackluster season with a 3-9 record, a 5.68 ERA and 79 strikeouts. The month of July was very unkind to him, allowing 19 earned runs and 6 home runs across a total of five starts. Carrasco additionally has allowed 6 runs in each of his prior two outings. He is currently 20th in all of the MLB in home runs allowed (17), but a lower walk rate with just 27 free passes allowed. The 37-year-old is clearly beginning to hit a decline, and likely will finish his career here where he has so many great memories.

Both teams certainly check a lot of marks offensively and Thursday’s 10-3 Guardians win backed that up. We have another pitching matchup that is not pretty, so it’s absolutely fair to expect a lot of offensive fireworks. The Orioles are superior on paper, ranking 1st in home runs per game, 4th in hits and 3rd in runs.

That’s the way I lean with this prediction. I get the feeling both teams will feed off each other’s energy all weekend long, especially with a lot on the line in this series. I’ll happily back the total to go over 9 runs in Friday’s contest at -115 (FanDuel), especially with a pair of starters that have been less than ideal for most of the year.

Pick: Orioles-Guardians OVER 9 Runs (-115)

Note: Game odds are subject to change.

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Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

Published

16 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There will be plenty of overnight lane closures over the next several weeks for various construction projects in Northeast Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has released an updated list of lane closures and delays for Cuyahoga County and other regions.

I-90 westbound just east of Columbia Road will be in a bi-directional traffic pattern beginning Tuesday and continuing through September for bridge deck replacement. All lanes of traffic are maintained. However, one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained on the I-90 eastbound side separated by a concrete barrier wall. Two lanes of traffic are maintained on the existing westbound side using a lane shift.

U.S. 422 westbound ramp to I-271 northbound will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The detour is I-480 westbound to Miles Road to I-271 north.

Harvard Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 south will be closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Westway Drive over I-90 will be closed from Aug. 12 through mid-September for bridge repairs. The detour will utilize Wager Road

I-271 southbound ramp to U.S. 422 eastbound will be closed 8 p.m. Aug. 9 through 6 a.m. Aug. 12 for bridge repairs.

The following closures will be in place each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Tuesday until Thursday for pavement work.

I-71 northbound to I-480 westbound. The detour is I-480 east to Tiedeman Road to I-480 west.

I-480 westbound to Ohio 237. The detour is Ohio 17 east to Ohio 237.

The following ramps will be closed for resurfacing from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11. All ramps will not be closed at the same time.

Ohio 176 north ramp to I-90 east. The detour is I-490 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east ramp to I-71 north. The detour is I-90 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east/I-490 west ramp to I-71 south. The detour is Ohio 176 south to Denison Avenue to Ohio 176 north to West 14th Street to I-71 south.

Ohio 700 just south of Tavern Road has been reduced to one lane maintained by a temporary traffic signal beginning through early September for culvert replacement.

Ohio 91 (SOM Center Road) between U.S. 20 and Ohio 2 has various lane restrictions through mid-September for bridge repairs.

U.S. 6 between Rockefeller Road and Bishop Road will be reduced to westbound traffic only beginning Aug. 10 through early September for resurfacing. The detour for eastbound traffic is Bishop Road to Eddy Road to Rockefeller Road.

Ohio 615 between Andrews Road and Center Street has various nightly lane restrictions between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through October.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-76/Kenmore Leg and I-77 will have various lane restrictions beginning Aug. 12.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-77 and I-76/Kenmore Leg will be closed from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28 for resurfacing. The detour will be I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg.

Brush Road over Ohio I-77 will be closed beginning Aug. 14 through late August for bridge repairs. The detour is Brecksville Road to Boston Mills Road to Black Road.

Ohio 303 under I-77 will be closed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 26 for bridge-beam placement. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

Ohio 303 eastbound under I-77 will be closed from Aug. 21 through late November for bridge construction. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

The ramp from Glenwood Avenue to Ohio 8 southbound will be closed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 19 through late August. The detour is Glenwood Avenue to Howard Street to Tallmadge Avenue.

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