Cavaliers Win Third Game, Continues With 3-0 Lead...

...and the Cavaliers have done it again. Down to the wire, neck and neck, they continue their lead in the current NBA Eastern Finals, winning the third consecutive game against the Atlanta Hawks. With the game having stretched into overtime, the Cavs bested the Hawks with a score of 114-111. Lebron James scored 37 points with 18 rebounds and 13 assists. Some fans were worried, as Kyrie Irving sat out this game due to a knee injury and subsequent tendinitis. He also say out for game 2. 

This win places the Cavaliers at a 3-0 advantage. Tonight's game was held here in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena, as will game 4, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 8:30pm. 

Cleveland Teen, Malcupnext, to Release Debut Single May 19...

Cleveland has been on the uprise in terms of music lately, and that trend is set to continue with the upcoming release from rising star Malcolm White. Working under the stage name #Malcupnext, he hails from right here on the streets of Cleveland, and is signed as the premiere act on Camp Purple, a label headed by Big Boi of Outkast and Mr DJ, Outkast's original DJ & Dungeon Family alumni! 

All the buzz literally began from Malcolm and his friend, Brycen Hunt, posting videos of him singing songs like John Legend's Ordinary People via Twitter & Instagram. The videos instantly went viral, and now he's prepared to release his first single, "This Feeling", May 19. 

Surely, it all must be absolutely surreal for the 14-year old Cleveland native. It was only 2 months ago that Malcolm and his friend were interviewed by Wayne Dawson on Fox 8 Cleveland's local morning show (see it here), and now, he's aligned to do huge things in music. It's one thing to be noticed for your talent, but when you're noticed by someone has big as Big Boi, it speaks wonders for your talent. Camp Purple is not Big's first foray into artist development. He first headed up Aquemini Records, which later became Purple Ribbon Entertainment. He was behind the early success of rapper Killer Mike, as well as the success of Janelle Monae. Both were signed to Purple Ribbon. If their current success is any bit of indication, Malcupnext's career will definitely soar. 

Take a moment to visit his Instagram account, @malcupnext, to see recent videos, and be sure to stay tuned into UGDigital for updates. 

@Garyowencomedy Back at #ClevelandImprov Starting Tonight...

We hope you're ready to get you laugh on Cleveland! It all starts tonight, with the return of comedian Gary Owen. 

It's sure to be a weekend of gut-wrenching laughs, as Owen is back here in the city to perform a lineup of 7 shows between tonight and Sunday! Thinking of each and everyone of his past shows, this is definitely an occasion you do not want to miss out on. It's not too late to get your tickets either. Simply log on to www.clevelandimprov.com and order your regular or GOLD seating packages. Typically, Gary's shows are a sold-out affair, so you surely want to act fast!

In other Gary Owen news, he's also gearing up for the release of the new film Get Hard, in which he is featured alongside fellow comedians and actors Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell. 

For more information and continuous updates on Gary Owen, visit his official website at www.garyowen.com

A Night at the Improv with Jay Phillips...

Tonight's show at the Cleveland Improv was definitely one to remember.  The show featured comedians Rob Ward, Patrick Melton, and headliner Jay Phillips. Phillips is no newcomer to comedy, having been all over HBO comedy specials and Def Comedy Jam. He also carried a leading role in the 2008 film Semi Pro alongside Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Outkast's Andre Benjamin. He's now a part of the new BET sketch series The Xperiment! 

Rob Ward emcee'd the show, offering his own unique brand of comedy that had the audience at ease. Ward often emcees a number of shows here at the Improv, and continues to build his following with each show. He always does a fantastic job with warming the crowd up. 

Patrick Melton followed Ward with a hilarious set that had the audience laughing energetically from the start. There wasn't necessarily one thing that Melton focus on. He talked about a variety of topics, but it was more conversational. That's what made him easily relate with the crowd, ultimately wining them over, Both Ward and Melton were the added bonus of the night, as with the Improv, only the headliner is advertised. You don't necessarily know who you're getting with the openers, so being completely honest, the show could go one of two ways. Tonight was definitely one of those nights where each comedian rocked hard.

Following the trend of the night, Jay Phillips commandeered the crowd with no trouble whatsoever. His often animated delivery made for a fun time, and his style, also conversational, definitely won the audience immediately. It was basically like he was spending the night talking with friends, and nothing was off limits. One of the things that stood out for me was his impression of President Barack Obama. Anyone in the audience would say he was "spot on" with the President's dialect. We definitely can't give too much away in reference to what he joked about, but we emphatically say that Phillips is absolutely hilarious, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not going out to see him, wherever the is.

Phillips will be here in Cleveland throughout the remainder of the weekend performing with both Patrick Melton and Rob Ward at the Cleveland Improv. For more info or to purchase tickets, contact 216-696-4977, or visit www.clevelandimprov.com

Jay Phillips can be found on both Twitter and Instagram with the handle: @jayphillipslive

Patrick Melton can be found on both Twitter and Instagram with the handle: @pmelt

Rob Ward can be found on Instagram with the handle: @robwardcomedy

Comedian Gary Owen to Return to Cleveland to Headline Cleveland Improv...

Comedian Gary Owen is headed back to the city of Cleveland, and as always, it's set to be a fun-filled time. Owen will be taking center-stage at the Cleveland Improv as the comedy club's headlining act. He's set to begin Thursday, March 26, and extend through Sunday, March 29, 2015. 

Gary last hit us with his brand of Comedy in June 2014, just as he had a number of other things booming. Of course, he was enjoying the success of last year's second installment of Think Like a Man, but he was also gearing up for a surprise offer to present at the 2014 BET Experience! We had an opportunity to actually talk with Gary there at the Improv! That video can be accessed on our YouTube account by clicking the link below!

https://m.youtube.com/results?q=urban%20grandstand%20digital&sm=3

Currently, Owen is gearing up for the release of the new film Get Hard, which stars Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell! The movie actually hits theaters March 27, the same weekend he's here in the city!

Cleveland fans are excited as ever that he'll be returning to unleash an updated routine. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.clevelandimprov.com

 

Comedian Jay Phillips ( @jayphillipslive ) Set to Headline the Cleveland Improv...

Cleveland! Are you ready to laugh? Comedian Jay Phillips Is all set to bring the laughs this weekend, as he'll be headlining at the Cleveland Improv, beginning tomorrow March 20 and extending through Sunday March 22. 

Phillips has been seen in a number of films and television shows, and regular performs stand-up comedy across the country. As a result of numerous appearances in BET's Comicview and HBO Def Comedy Jam, as well as several other comedy specials, Jay has become very well respected with his line of comedy. 

For more information or to purchases tickets to his shows this weekend, visit www.clevelandimprov.com

All Star Sports to Hold Special Autograph Signing with Legendary Cleveland Cavaliers Players in Akron, OH...

It will be an event that all sports will remember. All Star Sports is presenting a special autograph signing with several legendary Cleveland Cavaliers players. 

Former players Campy Russell, Austin Carr, Jim Chones, and Bingo Smith will all be signing autographs Thursday, March 19, 2015 between the hours of 6:00pm and 7:30pm at the Summit Mall location of All Star Sports. Autograph pricing will range from $10 - $20, depending on the items being signed. 

Campy Russell played for the Cavs from 1974-1980, and again in 1984, while Jim Chones played from 1974-1979. Austin Carr played from 1971-1980 while Bingo Smith played from 1970 - 1979. 

For more information contact All Star Sports at 330-835-4007. 

GUND FOUNDATION MAKES $3 MILLION COMMITMENT TO PLAYHOUSE SQUARE CAMPAIGN; HISTORIC OHIO THEATRE LOBBY TO BE RESTORED

Cleveland, OH – The George Gund Foundation has made a $3 million commitment to Advancing the Legacy, The Campaign for Playhouse Square. This gift is designated to support the restoration of the historic Ohio Theatre Lobby, the only one yet to be restored, to its original 1921 splendor. In recognition of the foundation’s generosity, the lobby will be renamed the “George Gund Foundation Lobby.”

“Playhouse Square is one of Cleveland’s great success stories,” said David Abbott, Gund Foundation executive director. “This gift to Playhouse Square’s Advancing the Legacy campaign helps ensure that Clevelanders will continue to enjoy the arts and cultural programs that take place in its beautifully restored theaters for years to come.”

“The Gund Foundation has been a great supporter of the arts and of Playhouse Square for many years,” said Art J. Falco, president and CEO of Playhouse Square. “We are grateful for this gift and excited to begin restoring what will become known as the George Gund Foundation Lobby to its former glory.”

The first of the five historic Playhouse Square theaters to be restored, the Ohio Theatre was badly damaged by fire in 1964. During its early 1980s’ renovation, funding and time would not allow both the auditorium and lobby to be fully refurbished. While the auditorium was restored, a simple, contemporary design was created for the lobby.

The current lobby walls will be torn down to expose the original structure this July. Scaffolding will be erected so the theater can remain open during the renovation, which will include ornamentation sculpted by hand, the re-creation of murals and fireplaces, painting and new carpeting.

The re-creation of the lobby design is a collaboration between EverGreene Architectural Arts and Westlake Reed Leskosky. Construction services will be provided by Turner Construction and The Coniglio Company. 

“We are going to re-construct this lobby as authentically as possible,” said Jeff Greene, president and executive project director of EverGreene Architectural Arts. “You will see a phoenix rise from the ashes when we are done.”

“Advancing the Legacy, The Campaign for Playhouse Square,” led by chairs Thomas Adler, K.K. Sullivan and Daniel Walsh, is the largest philanthropic effort ever pursued by the organization. $57 million dollars have been raised toward the campaign to date and its objectives are: capital improvements, endowment growth, neighborhood transformation, education programming and new productions.

More information about Advancing the Legacy, The Campaign for Playhouse Square is available atplayhousesquare.org/legacy.

More information about the history of Playhouse Square and its impact on the city is available atplayhousesquare.org/history.