THU 08/07
Laufey: A Night at the Symphony
The Icelandic-Chinese singer and pianist will play both original songs as well as “a few unexpected surprises” when she performs tonight at 7 at Blossom with the Cleveland Orchestra.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
13th Annual Ohio Burlesque Festival
The annual event returns to the Beachland Ballroom, where performances continue through Saturday. Appropriately, this year’s theme is “art is resistance,” so you can expect the 70 or so entertainers who’ll be on hand for the event to demonstrate art’s vitality in some way. Tonight’s kickoff takes place at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Nasser Al-Rayess
The comedian who jokingly calls himself the Shawarma King performs tonight at 7 at Cleveland Funny Bone. Expect to hear him joke about his own Arab-American identity during his standup routine.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
An August Evening with Wilco
Prior to starting Wilco in the early ’90s, singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy established himself as a musical innovator with Uncle Tupelo, a group that arguably began the alt-country movement. Wilco carried that torch for several years before Tweedy tweaked the band’s lineup and turned to indie rock The veteran alt-country act out of Chicago rarely comes to Cleveland. It performs at 8 tonight at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, and the Grog Shop hosts an official afterparty for ticket holders.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
A Chorus Line
One of the longest-running Broadway shows ever, A Chorus Line, which began a lengthy run in the West End in 1976, was revived on Broadway in 2006, and in the West End in 2013. Beck Center will present a revamped version of the play. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through Aug. 10.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
Cuyahoga County Fair
The Cuyahoga County Fair returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this week. The Midway rides are back this year, and there will be arts and crafts, beer and wine gardens, bee-keeping exhibits, a demolition derby, dog shows, a draft horse pull, fireworks, harness horse racing and a livestock auction. The event continues through Sunday. Check the website for more info.
19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, cuyfair.com.
Happy Together Tour 2025
The tour featuring ’60s acts such as the Turtles and Jay, Little Anthony, and Jay and the Americans returns to MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
The Verve Pipe
The alt-rock group known for radio hits such as “Photograph” and “The Freshmen” comes to the Music Box Supper Club. The group formed in Michigan in the early ’90s when talented singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark signed a production deal prior to the release of the group’s debut, 1992’s I’ve Suffered a Head Injury. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
1148 Main Avenue, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com/.
FRI 08/08
Black Moth Super Rainbow
The indie rock band known for its experimental approach draws from electronic and psychedelic rock on its latest effort, Soft New Magic Dream. It performs at 7 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Lavell Crawford
Some people are born funny; others grow into it. The latter seems to be the case for Lavell Crawford, a stand-up comedian whose act primarily revolves around his upbringing in St. Louis, jabs at his weight and the women who’ve wronged him over the years. If his obesity-centric material weren’t enough, Crawford’s supremely goofy and aloof demeanor only helps to make him more likable. He performs at 7 and 9:45 tonight and tomorrow night at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
MGK Day
The annual three-day festival honoring the local rapper turned national act commences today with an event dubbed XX-Con at Jacobs Pavilion. There will be food, music, vendors and other activities (including a Harley Davidson ride and a skateboarding demonstration) that continue through Sunday. Check the website for details.
mgkday.com.
Piano Men: Generations
This special concert pays tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, the two American pop stars who famously toured together in the ’90s. The concert featuring the father and son duo Terry and Nick Davies begins at 8 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre.
2067 E. 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Reaper on Red
The indie rock band with ties to Northeast Ohio comes to the Beachland Tavern. The band’s Robert Cherry and Carla Cherry lived in Cleveland for many years and regularly gigged around town. They’ve just released their second album, Doom Daze, a collection of post-punk tunes with a Goth-y vibe that compares to acts such as Joy Division and Bauhaus. The show begins at 8 p.m., and Poem Rocket and the Elder Goths open.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Toto + Men at Work + Christopher Cross
A triple bill of yacht rock superstars rolls into Blossom tonight at 6:45 p.m. as Toto, Men at Work and Christopher Cross team up for this triple bill of smooth grooves that go well with margaritas and other fruity drinks.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Marcus D. Wiley
The comedian who just released a new hour-long special on YouTube performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Funny Bone. Wiley, who reportedly used to be a professor at Texas Southern University, approaches standup from the position of an intellectual.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
SAT 08/09
Civil War Weekend
Camp Chase Fifes & Drums will bring the music of the Civil War battlefield to life at this annual event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at Hale Farm & Village. In addition, there will be cavalry demonstrations, a pop-up exhibit about female spies and a reenactment of the Battle of Sailor’s Creek.
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.
The Fray
The alternative rock group celebrates the 20th anniversary of its hit tune, “How To Save a Life,” with this show at the Agora. The band formed in Denver way back in 2002; “How To Save a Life” was one of two successful singles from the album of the same name. Doors open at 6 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Mahler’s Titan
Elim Chan conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 along with Ravel’s Shéhérazade. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Night Demon
The California-based metal band considers Cleveland to be a second home ever since Bill Peters helped it establish a local audience by playing the group on his Metal on Metal radio show. Celebrating the anniversary of its breakthrough album, The Curse of the Damned, performs tonight at 8 at the Rock Hall. It’ll play the album in its entirety. Destructor and Sacred Few open.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Peninsula Flea
This upscale flea market features handmade, repurposed and vintage items from dedicated artists, crafts people and collectors. Local musicians are slated to perform and food vendors will be on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Farm. Admission is free.
6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula, 3306572788, explorepeninsula.com.
Queenplanning LLC Presents: A FREE Gospel Concert!
Exuberant radio personality Ahmaad Crump serves as the master of ceremonies for this special concert that features the local soul group Hubb’s Groove along with other special musical guests. It begins at 5 p.m. at Severance Music Center.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
River Rally
This annual event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Hart Crane Park features free boat tours on the Holiday boat, walking tours hosted by Cuyahoga County’s Fresh Water Institute, birding walking tours hosted by the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, free kayak excursions and free dragon boat lessons provided by the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association.
1820 Merwin Ave, 814-746-2350, CanalwayPartners.com/River-Rally.
SLS Championship Tour
This skateboarding event will will showcase top professional street skateboards competing in a variety of contests. There will be live music, food vendors, “interactive brand activations,” and merchandise sales, all built around world-class skateboarding. It takes place at the North Coast Yard. The event begins at 1 p.m.
515 Erieside Ave., 216-770-5061, streetleague.com.
War Story and Sunnyside
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) will present this double bill of silent shorts, including War Story, a rare 21st century silent picture directed by Lorain native John Baumgartner, and Sunnyside, the Charlie Chaplin shorts that inspired it. The event takes place at 3 p.m. at the main downtown Cleveland Public Library. Pianist Mike Petrone will provide the score.
325 Superior Ave., 216-623-2800, cpl.org.
SUN 08/10
Beachland Flea
Vendors who specialize in vinyl records, retro clothing and handmade jewelry will be on hand for this flea market that takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Andrew Dice Clay
The polarizing comedian comes to the Agora. Now 67, Clay is essentially a caricature of the guy who’s acted and hosted a podcast over the course of a career that stretches back to the late ’70s. Doors open at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion
The two veteran punk bands bring their co-headlining tour to Jacobs Pavilion. Known for their stance against political and social oppression, the Dropkick Murphys have been in the news lately for dedicating their song “First Class Loser” to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. The show starts at 6 p.m., and the Mainliners open.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
The Music of Billy Joel
Singer-pianist Tony DeSare joins the Cleveland Orchestra to pay tribute to piano man Billy Joel at this special concert that takes place tonight at 7 at Blossom.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Reggae Sundays
This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series is a summer highlight. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Music Box. The venue will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Matt Rife: Stay Golden Tour
The comedian who courted controversy for his jokes about domestic violence brings his Stay Golden tour to Rocket Arena. An Ohio native, Rife reportedly started doing standup when he was only 15 years old. The show begins at 6 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Salsa Across Borders: Festival and Competition
The dance competition takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rock Hall. Admission is free with an RSVP.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Tri CLE Rock Roll Run
Participants will start the swim at Edgewater Beach. The distances on the swim are 250 meters for the Super Sprint, 750 meters for the Sprint, and 1500 meters for the Olympic distance triathlon. Races start as early as 6:30 a.m. Find more info on the website.
6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway NW, rockrollrun.com.
The Vandoliers
A few years ago, the Vandoliers wore dresses on stage at a small Tennessee town show to protest the state’s drag ban. Now, the bold Texan country-punk outfit is on tour celebrating the release of their new album, Life Behind Bars. The album chronicles bandleader Jenni Rose’s journey through addiction and gender dysphoria, which culminated in her decision to come out publicly as a trans woman. On tour in support of the release, the band performs tonight at 8 at the Beachland Tavern.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Wilson Phillips
Thanks to the success of “Hold On,” the hit single from Wilson Phillips’s 1990 self-titled debut, this pop group became an overnight sensation. The inspirational tune features the threesome’s remarkable vocal harmonies. Though it went on hiatus for a few years, the group has continued to produce music of a similar ilk. it performs at 7:30 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
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This article appears in Cleveland SCENE 7/16/25.