Cleveland, OH
Rock Hall breaks ground on expansion
CLEVELAND — One of the state’s most iconic buildings and top tourist attraction will soon receive a major upgrade.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame broke ground Thursday on a more than $135 million makeover, adding about 50,000 square-feet of space and revamping the building’s lakefront location.
“Rock and roll will never die because we’re constantly creating the sound of young America,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
Sykes joined elected officials, artists and hundreds of supporters in front of the iconic building Thursday to celebrate the museum’s evolution.
“This expansion will bring a renewed excitement to downtown Cleveland,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said.
A sign outside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Jordan)
Once complete, the project will increase the exhibition hall by more than 40% and add space for indoor concerts, private events and education programs.
This is all meant to enhance the existing structure designed by the renowned architect, I.M. Pei. Rock Hall president and CEO Greg Harris said the museum has welcomed more than 14 million fans since it opened in 1995.
“Those visitors came from all over the world, every state in this nation, and they stay in our hotels,” he said. “They shop, they spent, and they created jobs here, and their collective impact was over $2 billion to this economy.”
Some Rock Hall inductees were present at the groundbreaking, helping honor the evolution of the Rock and Roll revolution.
Gina Schock, 2021 inductee and The Go-Go’s drummer, said the museum is a monument to following your passion.
“I’m here to tell you, dreams can come true,” Schock said. “I know it’s a cliché, but it happened to me, and it can happen to you. Anything you want is out there. It’s for you to get.”
Martha Reeves, of Martha and the Vandellas, believes in the power of a good beat.
“I’ve always had an integrated audience,” she said. “Our music called people together.”
The 1995 inductee is proud to be a continued part of the Rock Hall history.
“I’m overjoyed and so honored to be invited,” Reeves said. “I’m invited.”
Helmets used during the ceremonial groundbreaking. (Spectrum News 1/Jenna Jordan)
Singer Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave, was invited back after attending the museum’s first groundbreaking.
“I’m so thrilled,” Moore said. “And I think God wanted it this way because now I can go back home, and I can say ‘wow, I did it again. Second time.’ I’m the only one that’s got two, two shovels.”
The “Soul Man” singer was induced into the Rock Hall in 1992 and helped pave the way for artists today.
“I wish that young people could come here and see this and see who (they’re) on the backs of,” he said.
Michelle Phillips, of The Mamas & the Papas, said Cleveland was already on the map but that this gives it a beautiful spirit. The singer was inducted with The Mamas & the Papas in 1998 and said the museum inspires more kids to find their voices in song.
“It’s a beacon,” she said. “It’s a beacon for generations to come, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
CLEVELAND — Not many movies stand the test of time, but “A Christmas Story” is a genuine classic.
The 1983 film only lasted a month in the box office but has since become a cult classic, drawing fans to the Cleveland home where it was shot all year long. One northeast Ohio native had a small but memorable part in the film and made lifelong friendships.
Drew Hocevar may be remembered for playing the “mean elf” in the film, but he’s anything but.
Known as the “male elf” in the credits, it’s the only acting role Hocevar has ever auditioned for. He was working at Higbees department store when he got the part.
“They just called me, and I got the elf part!” he said.
He said it was just something fun to do. Being a teacher is what really paid the bills. Hocevar is a former special education teacher and now volunteers as a mechanic working on the merry-go-round at the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Some of the artifacts he saved from the movie are on display at the museum.
“I snagged my hat and ran,” he said.
He said the rest of the costume was thrown away.
Hocevar’s cast-signed poster and bb-gun are on display at the museum
The museum has a few other special “A Christmas Story” displays, including Lego sculptures depicting memorable scenes from the movie including Hocevar’s scene of him pushing kids down a slide on a fake snow-topped mountain.
Over 40 years later he remains friends with some of the cast including his elf counterpart and recently had lunch with her.
The movie plays numerous times throughout the holiday season, but Hocevar said he tends not to watch. His friends, however, have a special name for Christmas Day.
“24 hours of Drew!” he said.
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Cleveland, OH – Warmer weather is set to move into Northeast Ohio just in time for Christmas, with rain chances remaining low this week. After a cloudy and drizzly start today, temperatures will gradually rise, offering a mild holiday season for residents.
According to the National Weather Service, Cleveland will see highs in the upper 30s today with patchy drizzle tapering off by the afternoon. Tonight, skies will remain cloudy with lows near 33°F. By Wednesday, Christmas Day, conditions improve with mostly cloudy skies and highs reaching a pleasant 40°F.
Looking ahead, Thursday will bring partly sunny skies and warmer temperatures, peaking near 48°F. Winds from the southeast will keep conditions calm, making it an ideal day for holiday outings. However, by Friday, a 30% chance of rain returns as temperatures climb into the upper 40s.
The warm-up continues into Saturday, with highs expected to reach the mid-50s. Showers are likely Saturday night into Sunday, so residents should prepare for wet conditions over the weekend.
Motorists should remain cautious today as morning drizzle could create slick spots on roads, including I-90 and I-71. While precipitation chances remain low, lingering fog and mist may reduce visibility early in the day.
Stay tuned for updated forecasts as Christmas approaches, and plan your holiday travels with these warming conditions in mind.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was shot dead in Downtown Cleveland early Christmas Eve morning, police confirmed.
The Cleveland Division of Police said officers were called to East 13th Street and Superior Avenue for a gunshot victim.
The call came in at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, according to police.
Officers arrived to find a 42-year-old man who was shot lying unconscious in the street, said police.
Police said officers quickly rendered first aid until Cleveland EMS arrived.
Cleveland EMS said he was in critical condition as they took him to MetroHealth Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
He has yet to be identified.
Police said no further information is being released at this time in the ongoing investigation.
Call the Cleveland Division of Police at 216-623-5000 and reference report #2024-370349 if you have any information on this incident.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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