Day two in Cleveland started out at the West Side Market. Built in 1912 it's the largest indoor/outdoor market in the country. It turns 100 years old this year and features over 180 private vendors with the freshest selection of meats, fruits, and vegetables. So fresh that I saw a pig carried in and thrown down on a booth counter. I ate at the Cafe located on site at the Market and had blueberry pancakes and sausage with syrup for breakfast. A nice place all around.
After the Market we headed out to the Rock and Hall of Fame. The place is going to get a adventure blog entry of it's own so stay tuned for that. Let's skip ahead shall we...
I took in lunch at Happy Dog. Happy dog is yet another cool old fashioned neighborhood corner bar. They also have live music and live polka packs the place. The menu is quite simple. They specialize in only hot dogs and a vegan sausage. Not adventuress enough for you? They have 50 toppings for the hot dog. From something as simple as homemade ketchup to warm-pineapple-ginger-currant chutney. You can get a side of French Fries or tater tots and that's it in regards to food and that's all you'll need. A large selection of alcoholic beverages rounds out the drink menu. The happy dog is opening "The Underdog" downstairs soon and I got a advance look at the place. It's a separate bar downstairs complete with pinball machines, shuffle board, and TV screens displaying retro movies/TV shows. A great vibe to the place.
Next stop was Gotta Grove Records. Gotta Grove is one of only 14 vinyl record pressing plants in the U.S. The owner Vince Slusarz was happy to give us a tour of the place. They produce 10,000-15,000 records each week. I got schooled on the process of producing a record and got to witness it myself. Seeing Vince holding vinyl in it's purest organic compound form in his hand and knowing that after the process it would be become a record was a experience.
The plant was busy as record store day is and there are always jobs in line including one for Film Maker and Musician David Lynch. We met the quality control people who make sure that what comes out of the plant is top quality.
On the way out Vince offered up some records to take home and he hooked me up with a copy of the Dead Kennedys "Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death" which is a fantastic album that I have never owned on vinyl. Thanks Gotta Grove Records!
Next stop was Peabody's. I've been going to this venue since the late 90's and have filmed live bands and music videos at the venue over the years. It's a true Rock And Roll club with Metal and Rap amongst it's popular genre fields. I have never seen the club so early in the day, but the PBR's being busted out made it feel like anytime in that club is the right time to be in there. The Peabody's complex is actually three venues in one so there's usually something to do on any given night in regards to live entertainment. Peabody's does all ages shows and has a capacity of around 800. Peabody's two smaller clubs are The Pirates Cove with a capacity of 150 and The Rockstar with a capacity of 200. When in town be sure to stop into this Cleveland music institution.
After a nice dip in my hotels swimming pool I headed out to dinner with the crew to AMP 150. Amp is quite classy for being a airport restaurant. It's located in the Cleveland Airport Marriott. We had a large private room and started out with appetizers. For my main course I had the Ohio Raised Beef Sirloin which was nice and tender as well as my preferred steak state of being bloody. Ice Cream for dessert was the perfect way to round out the dining experience.
To conclude the evening we heading out to another one of my favorite Cleveland rock venues and that is The Beachland Ballroom.It's two venues in one with the Ballroom being the larger at 500 capacity and the Tavern being the smaller with a 150 capacity. Located in the basement of the Beachland Ballroom is "This Way Out" This place is thee place to shop for vintage clothing, accessories, albums and other wonderful one-of-a-kind things. Imagine a brick and mortar version of my own business Rock And Rummage. Myself and the crew had a good time here and scored some great finds.
The Beachland was hosting the "Appetite For Induction" show which featured local bands covering the songs made famous by Donovan, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beastie Boys, and Guns N' Roses. The Donovan band was fantastic. The Chili Peppers cover set was good musical, but I was hoping they would have took the effort to look like the band. But I guess I was the one to do that task as the lead singer of the band announced to the crowd that I looked like the Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis and had me turn around to face them. I have heard people, mostly complete strangers, tell me this numerous times over the years so it came to no shock, but I just don't see it.
Our trip coordinator had to pull us out of the club before the Beastie Boys and GN'R cover bands could play. It was for our own good because we have another long day tomorrow and after all, I get to see the real deal tomorrow.
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Please visit the websites of the venues mentioned above.
West Side Market and Cafe-
Happy Dog -
Gotta Groove Records-
Peabody's-
AMP 150-
This Way Out-
Beachland Ballroom-
I plan on reporting daily on my Cleveland experience starting Thursday so stay tuned to MOTORCITYBLOG for updates.
You don't have to be a V.I.P. to take part in the numerous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Week festivities. Come down to Cleveland this week and visit http://www.clevelandrockweek.com/ for details.
Follow my adventures in Cleveland...
MCB INVITED TO CLEVELAND FOR ROCK HALL INDUCTION
DAY ONE (THURSDAY) BLOG
DAY TWO (FRIDAY-Part 1) BLOG
DAY TWO (FRIDAY-Part 2) BLOG
DAY THREE (SATURDAY-Part 1) BLOG
DAY THREE (SATURDAY-Part 2 + Epilogue) BLOG