Billy Hallal

Billy Hallal works as a freelance writer and an adult literacy advocate at Seeds of Literacy. You can find his writing on Northeast Ohio dining and culture at Thrillist and Cleveland Scene.

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Lakewood hits a new tippling point with Western Reserve Distillers
After four years of planning, Western Reserve Distillers is set to take its spot as one of just a handful of certified organic distilleries in the country. The family-owned business—run by husband-and-wife team Ann and Kevin Thomas—celebrated its grand opening in early September.
InCuya music fest ready to rock the Malls downtown
From Beyonce to David Byrne, it’s been an impressive summer for concerts in Cleveland. As the season approaches its end, denizens of The Land will be treated to one last hurrah: the inaugural InCuya Music Festival, the first contemporary, multi-day music fest to be held within city limits in quite some time.
 
School of rock: How Laurel School students created one of Ohio's top music festivals
Ask Denny Young about the biggest music festivals in Ohio, and he’ll make a case for these three: “Bunbury in Cincinnati, Rock on the Range in Columbus, and LaureLive in Cleveland.” He might be biased about that last one—he did help found it, after all. But there’s no denying the numbers: LaureLive has already hosted over 100 bands from around the world and drawn thousands of attendees. And the festival, which takes place this weekend, is only entering its third year.
With Innerself, AsiaTown's favorite auteur is back in the director's chair
About eight minutes into Innerself, our hero is singing down the familiar streets of St. Clair-Superior when a fight breaks out. It’s the first time in the film that the audience hears the whooshing thwack effect of a kung-fu fight scene. It's a welcome sound that confirms the film’s promotional premise: we are indeed watching a “martial arts musical comedy"—and one shot in Cleveland, to boot.
With Oscar buzz for 'Knife Skills' and a James Beard guest stint, EDWINS is really cooking
When EDWINS founder Brandon Chrostowski told documentarian Thomas Lennon that he was "opening the greatest French restaurant in the country, in Cleveland,’” that alone was enough to pique Lennon’s interest—but then Chrostowski told him the restaurant would be staffed entirely by people just out of prison. “I knew in 10 seconds there was a film,” says Lennon.
At the Spotted Owl, Christmas is coming early for cocktail lovers with a themed pop-up bar
From making pilgrimages to the A Christmas Story House to downing 30,000 barrels of Great Lakes Christmas Ale, Clevelanders take holiday celebrations very seriously. This year offers a significant addition for The Land’s yuletide revelers: a bar dedicated entirely, for just over a month, to Christmas cheer.
Innovations from Cleveland's urban farms are taking root around the world
One wouldn't guess by its industrial past, but Cleveland has surprising ties to the roots of urban farming in America—and they're on full display at these local farms, which were spotlighted recently at the global Meeting of the Minds conference. See why Chateau Hough, Green City Growers, Rid-All Green Partnership, and Ohio City Farm are now serving as a blueprint for MOTM experts to apply in their own cities.
Local color: MOCA celebrates a five-year milestone with three all-new exhibitions
Five years ago, a building resembling a cross between an alien vessel and an igneous rock opened its doors in University Circle. Since then, the new home of Cleveland’s MOCA has continued the museum's nearly 50-year tradition of bringing groundbreaking art to Northeast Ohio—with its daring design signaling the equally provocative exhibitions waiting inside.
Speakeasy: uncovering Cleveland's hidden bars
Secret staircases, sexy cocktails and the bartenders who shake them up are some of the things Fresh Water readers will find behind the doors of these five under-the-radar watering holes.
Offbeat eats: six of the best local ethnic eateries
Iraqi kebobs, duck blood soup and hard to find Latino spirits — that's just for starters in this under-the-radar roundup of some the best (and little known) noshing in the 216.
Local Chef fires up brand, gives back to communities
From Cajun-Creole eats to fresh juices, chef entrepreneur Eric Rogers is taking his "Fix" brand to the next level and beyond while keeping it all in the 216.
Cleveland insider: the real story behind Old City Libations
While Cleveland Hustles rocked the little screen, what played out behind the scenes as Old City Libations rose in Gordon Square was a story long in the making and not always soft as soda pop.
 
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