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Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint

The May 22 concert at Rocket Arena is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.

Music

Bruce Springsteen heads to Cleveland on Friday at yet another political inflection point.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concert at Rocket Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" data-vars-content-id="ccc3928c-f516-4087-b51c-bb452d240b17" data-vars-headline="Springsteen returns to Ohio at another political flashpoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketarena.com/events/detail/springsteen-e-street-260522" target="_blank">concert at Rocket Arena</a> is part of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, with the anti-Trump rallying cry &quot;No Kings&quot; splattered across promotional posters.

Cleveland's Flock fight heads to city council

Bibb won't bypass lawmakers this time on the controversial license plate reader contract.

News

After pressure from Cleveland City Council members and activists, Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday said the administration would seek council approval for an extension of the city&#x27;s contract with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/13/resistance-flock-cameras-cleveland" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> for automated license plate readers.Why it matters: Bibb has drawn the ire of the council — especially the vocal safety committee chair, Mike Polensek — for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending contracts" data-vars-click-url="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" data-vars-content-id="13a94ee9-832f-43b7-8de3-b6a1d5337cd7" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Flock fight heads to city council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-shotspotter-gunshot-detection-renewal-city-council/" target="_blank">extending contracts</a> through the city&#x27;s Board of Control, sidestepping council approval.

Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings

The Forest City continues to earn high marks for access and amenities, but hurt by below-average acreage

Environment

Cleveland has slipped from No. 30 to No. 31 in the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s ParkScore rankings. The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="a9bc4f57-fafa-4e4d-8fdc-3128adafe04d" data-vars-headline="Cleveland slides one spot in annual parks rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list

Past ceremonies have featured guests including Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts and Paul McCartney.

One of the best parts of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/rock-hall-2026-ceremony-cleveland-return" target="_self">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame</a> ceremony is watching celebrities turn into fanboys and girls for their favorite music artists.The intrigue: The Rock Hall is usually tight-lipped about the list of special guests, but we couldn&#x27;t resist making our picks for who might show up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">class of 2026</a> on Nov. 14 in L.A.<ul><li>There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A LOT of inductees" data-vars-click-url="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" data-vars-content-id="2a9ecf65-c504-4620-912f-1b3d58fa0dc2" data-vars-headline="From Drake to Johnny Depp: Our dream Rock Hall ceremony guest list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rockhall.com/2026-inductees/" target="_blank">A LOT of inductees</a> this year, so we&#x27;re only picking presenters for the honorees in the &quot;Performer&quot; category.</li></ul>

Capitol Theatre is getting a new operator

Arthouse Management will replace Cleveland Cinemas as Northwest Neighborhoods looks to revive the venue.

Culture

Cleveland Cinemas is out at the Capitol Theatre later this summer.The big picture: Northwest Neighborhoods (NWN), the community development corporation that owns the venue, has been working since last year to revive the small, independent cinema in the Gordon Square Arts District amid declining attendance and changing moviegoing habits.

From Shawshank to tattoos: A history of the Ohio State Reformatory

The reformatory in Mansfield has existed for 130 years and been used for a variety of things.

Things to Do

One of the most distinctive landmarks in all of Ohio is a roughly 80-mile drive southwest of Cleveland.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Reformatory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mrps.org/" data-vars-content-id="6fcc7f21-c521-43e3-813c-1785c3ca2f05" data-vars-headline="From Shawshank to tattoos: A history of the Ohio State Reformatory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mrps.org/" target="_blank">Ohio State Reformatory</a> dates back 130 years, having been a prison, a premier <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haunted destination" data-vars-click-url="https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/the-ohio-state-reformatory-mansifeld-ohio-dark-legacy/" data-vars-content-id="6fcc7f21-c521-43e3-813c-1785c3ca2f05" data-vars-headline="From Shawshank to tattoos: A history of the Ohio State Reformatory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/the-ohio-state-reformatory-mansifeld-ohio-dark-legacy/" target="_blank">haunted destination</a> and the site of major conventions and festivals.

CSU Poetry Center faces uncertain future amid cuts

University officials call it restructuring. Authors and former staff call it the gutting of a beloved cultural export.

Education

Another beloved cultural export from Cleveland State University appears to be on the chopping block, though CSU says that&#x27;s not what&#x27;s happening.Why it matters: For decades, the CSU Poetry Center has published award-winning books, hosted readings and given students rare hands-on experience in independent publishing.

Cedar Point bets on season passes with $105 gate price

The amusement park opens with its at-the-gate exceeding $100 for the first time ever.

Last year, Cedar Point beefed up its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roller coaster offerings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/25/cedar-point-kings-island-sirens-curse-2025-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="f92bc533-ce59-432f-ab11-97f990aaa41b" data-vars-headline="Cedar Point bets on season passes with $105 gate price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/25/cedar-point-kings-island-sirens-curse-2025-season-preview" target="_self">roller coaster offerings</a>. This year, it&#x27;s beefing up its price.State of play: The Sandusky amusement park opens for the season Saturday with its at-the-gate exceeding $100 for the first time ever.

Summer concerts 2026: Zach Bryan, Foo Fighters, Springsteen & more

Artists like J. Cole, Paul Simon, Post Malone and Jelly Roll are also headed to town.

Northeast Ohio&#x27;s summer concert season is cooling down before it heats up.Why it matters: This year&#x27;s slate is topped by four stadium shows and a slew of Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famers coming to town, but not without last-minute changes.

Cleveland defends arts fund amid transparency concerns

Officials tout impact of $3M program as critics question how the money was tracked.

A Cleveland program that used federal pandemic relief dollars to fund art projects in historically disinvested neighborhoods is facing scrutiny for a lack of transparency and accountability.Why it matters: Cleveland&#x27;s Transformative Arts Fund (TAF) was one of the largest direct investments in working artists in the city&#x27;s history.

Live Nation's $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more

The list of concerts includes Wu-Tang Clan, John Mellencamp, Pussycat Dolls and more.

Clear your web cache and double-check your internet connection — Live Nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Summer of Live&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.livenation.com/promotion/summeroflive" data-vars-content-id="ca04fcf2-424c-462a-9b9a-cf19a0b20d19" data-vars-headline="Live Nation&#x27;s $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.livenation.com/promotion/summeroflive" target="_blank">&quot;Summer of Live&quot;</a> promotion kicks into high gear Wednesday.Driving the news: At 10am, $30 tickets go on sale for more than 50 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/17/ohio-live-nation-lawsuit-settlement-doj" data-vars-content-id="ca04fcf2-424c-462a-9b9a-cf19a0b20d19" data-vars-headline="Live Nation&#x27;s $30 ticket sale hits Blossom, Rocket Arena and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/17/ohio-live-nation-lawsuit-settlement-doj" target="_self">Live Nation</a> concerts in Northeast Ohio.

Steven Caple Jr. is on fire as one of Hollywood's hottest filmmakers

Caple Jr. is an executive producer and director on Netflix's new "Man on Fire" series.

The past decade for filmmaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steven Caple Jr." data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4023702/" data-vars-content-id="307dc75f-3f9e-44ce-8abf-a50ea71b6e57" data-vars-headline="Steven Caple Jr. is on fire as one of Hollywood&#x27;s hottest filmmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4023702/" target="_blank">Steven Caple Jr.</a> has been a whirlwind of action-packed fights, alien robots and tales of vengeance.Why it matters: Caple, a native Clevelander, has become one of Hollywood&#x27;s hottest directors, with several buzzworthy projects on the horizon.

Cleveland's literary scene takes center stage this weekend

Poetry Week and Independent Bookstore Day converge with readings, workshops and a citywide crawl.

Cleveland Poetry Week and Independent Bookstore Day are converging this weekend with a multiday celebration of writers and local bookstores.Why it matters: Our literary scene is thriving. After years of patient growth, Cleveland is building real literary momentum with yet another event that celebrates authors both locally and nationally.

"Michael" turns a complicated icon into a flawless fantasy

"Michael" is a flashy love letter to Jackson's unparalleled magnetism, void of controversy.

For just about all of &quot;Michael&#x27;s&quot; roughly two-hour run time, the film&#x27;s titular superstar can do no wrong — and therein lies the problem.The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Michael,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-YAcjaLuSI" data-vars-content-id="f423d8e2-f31e-4ac3-a0b7-7767c01760ac" data-vars-headline="&quot;Michael&quot; turns a complicated icon into a flawless fantasy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-YAcjaLuSI" target="_blank">&quot;Michael,&quot;</a> out April 24, is a flashy love letter to Jackson&#x27;s unparalleled magnetism, void of the controversies that made Jackson one of the most complex figures in pop culture history.

Culture

Capitol Theatre is getting a new operator

From Shawshank to tattoos: A history of the Ohio State Reformatory

Belgrade Gardens serves up Northeast Ohio’s unique fried chicken

CSU Poetry Center faces uncertain future amid cuts

Cedar Point bets on season passes with $105 gate price