Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 09/11
Eric Clapton
The great British blues singer-guitarist returns to Cleveland to perform at Rocket Arena. Now 80, Clapton famously got his start with the Yardbirds before joining supergroups John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Cream, arguably the best rock power trio ever. He’s had solo hits with tunes such as “Tears in Heaven” and “Change the World.” The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
The Cleveland Pinball and Arcade Show
From today through Sunday, the annual Cleveland Pinball and Arcade Show takes place at the Holiday Inn South in Independence. There will be more than 125 classic and modern pinball and arcade games as well as tournaments, seminars, vendors and entertainment.
6001 Rockside Rd., Independence, clevelandpinballshow.com.
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to “draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.” The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Conan Gray: The Wishbone Pajama Show
“This Song,” a single from singer-songwriter Conan Gray’s album Wishbone, displays the way Gray explores the depths of his feelings in his intimate tunes. Gray wrote all of the songs on Wishbone from his bedroom and reunited with Grammy-winning collaborator Dan Nigro, who produced the album. He performs at 8 p.m. at Blossom. Singer-songwriter and producer Hemlocke Springs opens the show.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals
Division rivals, the Kansas City Royals have struggled last year’s magic that got them into the playoffs, and they’re just barely in the race for a wildcard spot this year. Still, they’ll be tough to beat as they come to Progressive Field this week for a four-game series that concludes tonight. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.
Preacher Lawson
Best known for his appearance on season 12 of NBC’s hit series, America’s Got Talent, this comedian has competed in other talent shows as well. Along with George Lopez and Lisa Vanderpump, he hosts the Facebook Watch series World’s Most Amazing Dogs. He performs today at 7 p.m. at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Literary Cleveland’s Inkubator Writing Conference
Write and read away at Literary Cleveland’s biggest event of the year, which features more 46 events in total. A variety of free panel discussions and workshops (offered in both virtual and in-person formats) will feature authors like Taylor Byas, Nandi Comer, Jonathan Escoffery, Ashley C. Ford and Ira Sukrungraung — with a keynote from Katie Kitamura. Events take place through Saturday.
inkubator.litcleveland.org.
James Mastro
Singer-songwriter James Mastro has toured as a guitarist with Mott the Hoops, Patti Smith, John Cale, Alejandro Escovedo, Garland Jeffreys, the Jayhawks and Southside Johnny, brings his solo show to the Treelawn. He’s just released his full-length debut solo album, the rootsy Dawn of a New Error. The show starts at 7 p.m.
15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.
Momma
Brooklyn-based band Momma continues its breakthrough year with this tour supporting their critically acclaimed latest album, Welcome to My Blue Sky. The trek brings the band to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights for a show that takes place at 8 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
The Notebook
This musical that features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson comes to the Connor Palace for an extended run. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and the play runs through Sept. 27.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Our Town
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores themes of life and death and love and friendship. Cleveland Play House’s production of the play promises to be a “magical new staging.” Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through Sept. 28.
10th Annual Drag Pride Showcase
Featured drag performers such as Bram Stroke-Her and Ryder Slowly will be on hand for this primarily seated celebration. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup
Meet at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium and walk to Wendy Park to pick up litter and keep Northeast Ohio beaches clean and safe. You’ll be shocked at the number of cigarette butts and other junk you’ll find. All ages are welcomed and you should be prepared for a 2.5-mile roundtrip walk. It’s free but registration is required. The cleanup begins at 10 a.m.
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Crocker Park Wine Festival
This annual ticketed two-day event celebrates wine from around the world and benefits University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in the process. It’ll feature more than 150 wineries as well as live music. Check the website for a schedule.
189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
Garbage
The ’90s alternative rock act led by singer Shirley Manson comes to the Agora on what it says will be its last big North American tour. The group emerged in the ’90s when its self-titled debut delivered hits such as “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” Its latest effort, Let All That We Imagine Be Light, came out earlier this year. The show starts at 8 p.m., and Starcrawler opens.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox
The Guards take on the last place Chicago White Sox in a three-game series that goes through Sunday. With any luck, the Guards can get the sweep and hold onto their wildcard hopes. Tonight’s first pitch is at 7:10.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.
Polina Osetinskaya: The Art of Transcription
Pianist Polina Osetinskaya arrives at Mandel Concert Hall to play pieces by Bach and Tchaikovsky in this special program dubbed the Art of Transcription. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Gabriel Rutledge
Winner of both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, this comedian is known for his “quick thinking” comedy. His show at the Hanna Theatre begins at 8 p.m.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Summer Jam
The annual Z 107.9 FM concert rolls into Rocket Arena. It features GloRilla, Kash Doll, Big Boogie, Jacquees, Queen Key. Notably, Memphis-based GloRilla garnered a Grammy nod for her 2022 single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” a tune with ratcheting synths and aggressive vocals. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Molly Tuttle
This Nashville-based singer-songwriter recorder her new album, Long Little Miss Sunshine, in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce (Orville Peck, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Cage the Elephant). It showcases her supple voice and Americana sensibilities. She performs at 7 p.m. at Globe Iron. Town Mountain and Cecilia Castleman open.
2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.
SAT 09/13
Alex G
The singer-songwriter with a DIY approach performs at 7 p.m. at the Agora. He released his home-recorded label debut, DSU, in 2014 and received all kinds of critical acclaim for his ninth album, 2022’s God Save the Animals. Nilüfer Yanya opens.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Circus on the Square
This family-friendly celebration at Shaker Square will feature live performances, interactive activities and the chance to explore the shops, restaurants, and public spaces that make Shaker Square so unique. It’s part of a year-round series created with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress to “re-energize the Square, attract neighbors from across Greater Cleveland and strengthen engagement with local businesses.” It begins at 3 p.m.
13000 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, shakersquare.com.
Free Hispanic Heritage Month Concert
The annual event returns to Severance Music Hall. The show begins at 7 p.m., and a local Latin jazz favorite, Sammy DeLeon y su Orquesta, will perform. and Margarita DeLeon will host.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Fresh Fest Cleveland
Today, from 1 to 9 p.m., head to Rid-All Farm for a festival centered in entertainment and community health. The lineup includes hip-hop legend MC Lyte as the headliner, along with DJ Black Unicorn, Sadhu, Armand Rashad, Nuke Franklin and more. Also check out spaces of urban agriculture, vendors and other family-friendly fun onsite. 8129 Otter Ave., freshfestcleveland.com.
The Story So Far
The punk band headlines a bill that includes Neck Deep, Origami, Angel and Pain of Truth. The tour supports the group’s fifth studio album, I Want To Disappear. The emotionally charged songs on it recount the passing of singer Patrick Cannon’s father. The show starts at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
Waterloo Arts Fest
The Waterloo Arts Fest serves to celebrate the Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District’s appeal. This year’s fest, which takes place from noon until 7 p.m. on Waterloo Road between East 161st Street and Calcutta Avenue, features more of the same mix of music, food and art that has made this into the neighborhood’s signature event.
waterlooarts.org.
Weird Al Yankovic
The singer-songwriter known for his hilarious parodies comes to Blossom. Over the years, Weird Al has taken popular tunes from the likes of Michael Jackson, Nirvana and Coolio and transformed them with whimsical lyrics and creative music videos. His live show is particularly theatrical. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
SUN 09/14
Berea Arts Fest
Although fall is definitely approaching, there’s still plenty more summer arts festivities left as the Berea Arts Fest takes place today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). Additionally, performers will be stationed at multiple locations around Coe Lake. This year’s event features over 100 artists, community organizations and food vendor booths. There will be a Kids Kreation Station and a chalk walk.
E. Bridge St. and S. Rocky River Dr., Berea, 440-891-1102, bereaartsfest.org.
Phantom of the Opera
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) kicks off today with a screening of Phantom of the Opera. An 18-piece orchestra under the direction of Joseph Rubin will play the film’s original orchestral score. The screening takes place at 3 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. An opening night party will follow at the Heights Theater in Cleveland Heights. The festival runs through Sept. 27.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandsilentfilmfestival.org.
Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band
The four-time Grammy winner who formed his first blues group when he was only 13, returns to the Kent Stage. He brings his Tilt-A-Whirl Band to the Kent Stage tonight. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
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