Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 03/26
Hannah Berner: None of My Business Tour
The comedian and author known for her crowd word comes to Mandel Concert Hall in the wake of her successful debut comedy special, We Ride at Dawn. The show begins at 7 p.m.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Michael Blaustein
Co-host of the popular podcast Stiff Socks and co-director and co-star in the indie film Up There, this comedian performs at 7:30 tonight at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Brent Cobb
This talented country/Southern rock singer-songwriter brings his Ain’t Rocked in a While Tour to the Grog Shop. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Macbeth
Great Lakes Theatre takes on Shakespear’s classic play about corruption and power. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through April 4.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Monsters vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
The Monsters take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. at Rocket Arena. The Monsters will stay home to play the Utica Comets at 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
A Night at the Roxy
This event that highlights Northeast Ohio’s community of women entrepreneurs will feature complimentary tastings and specialty drinks, live music and entertainment, interactive workshops and opportunities to meet local business owners. It takes place at 6 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood, and a $25 donation is suggested.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, yelp.com/events/lakewood-a-night-at-the-roxy-2.
Gary Numan
Electronic/industrial pioneer Gary Numan got his start in the late ’70s with his punk-influenced band Tubeway Army. He had an out-of-the-blue hit in 1979 when the dark, Joy Division-like “Cars” somehow became a hit. The hits quickly dried up but Numan has soldiered on thanks to the fact that contemporary acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Battles have cited him as an influence. He performs at 7 tonight at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Water for Elephants
A young man joins a traveling circus after literally hopping onto a moving train in this musical based on the best-selling novel by the same name. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through March 29,.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 03/27
Benji Brown
Comedian Benji Brown likes to talk about how difficult relationships can be. “Brothers, stop hitting on the ladies,” he jokes in one routine. “Touch ’em, and you go to jail.” His animated routine calls attention to domestic violence in a humorous (but not offensive) manner. He performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
Cavs vs. Miami Heat
A team previously known for its defensive prowess, the Miami Heat have emphasized offense this season and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. They take on the Cavs tonight at 7:30 at Rocket Arena.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach
This musical centers on a young man sent to chop down an old fruit tree. In the process, he embarks on a magical journey inside a giant peach. Featuring a score by the Tony Award-winning songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman, the play comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and performances continue through March 29.
17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
Dirty Dancing in Concert
A live band will play the music to this ’80s blockbuster film that stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Expedition Exhibition: A Mixed Media Showcase of a Great Journey Opening Reception
A mixed-media artist, muralist and teacher, Heather McCormick regularly collaborates with nonprofits and schools in Northeast Ohio. Her latest exhibit, Expedition Exhibition: A Mixed Media Showcase of a Great Journey, features 16 pieces of her artwork. An artist reception takes place at 6 p.m. today at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
Flanagan’s Wake
Part improv, part scripted, this interactive Irish wake is back again at Kennedy’s Theatre at Playhouse Square. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama
Organizers of this event boast that it is “the largest indoor showcase of custom cars, trucks, antique construction equipment, motorcycles, tractors, military equipment and more of its kind in the world.” It takes place today through Sunday at the I-X Center.
1 I-X Center Dr., 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com.
Lacuna Coil
With poltergeist-like vocals and pummeling drums, the hard rock group sounds as energized as ever on its latest album, last year’s Sleepless Empire. The subject matter of the songs is particularly timely. “The Siege” addresses ennui and the title track makes references to our obsession with social media. The group performs at 7:30 p.m. at Globe Iron. Escape the Fate and VOWWS open.
2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.
Nuggets Celebration Featuring Lenny Kaye & Friends
In the early 1970s, musician, writer and producer Lenny Kaye put together a compilation of garage rock tunes from the 1960s that never got their due (think acts such as Thirteenth Floor Elevators and the Woolies). Dubbed Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, the collection became a must-have for any ’60s rock aficionado. Kaye comes to the Beachland Ballroom tonight to celebrate the collection’s anniversary. His backing band will include Clevelanders Don Dixon and Christ Butler.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Tom Papa
The veteran comedian, actor, host and author brings his Grateful Bread Tour to the State Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m.
1519 Euclid Avenue, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
We Play On: Celebrating the Lives and Legacies of Michael LoConti and John Love
Local musicians such as Chris Lugo, Sabby, Erin Donovan, Henry LoConti, Anna Marie, Brian Paskey, Mike Rellick, Mari & the Restaurant and Rellick will perform as part of this tribute to two beloved musicians who’ve recently passed away. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Treelawn.
15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.
SAT 03/28
Ballet Unbound
Ohio Contemporary Ballet presents a program of dance featuring pieces by Paul Taylor and Nycole Ray. The performances begins at 7 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Charge vs. Nets
At 7 tonight at Public Hall, the Charge take on the Long Island Nets in their last regular season game. It’s Cleveland Salute Night and the first 2,000 fans will receive a Nae’Qwan Tomlin bobblehead.
500 Lakeside Ave., 216-241-5555, cleveland.gleague.nba.com/schedule/promotions.
Cleveland Blues Jam Series
This quarterly series at the Sixty6 celebrates the ongoing legacy of local bluesman Wallace Coleman. Coleman and one other local artist will perform. Check the venue’s website for more info.
1966 E. 66th St., 216-615-7261, thesixty6.com.
Famous Ladies of Song
Singer Capathia Jenkins pays tribute to divas such as Whitney Houston, Carole King, Barbra Streisand and Adele in this special concert that takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Donnie Iris & the Cruisers
The singer-songwriter out of Pittsburgh returns to the Kent Stage with his backing band, the Cruisers. Donnie Iris famously had hits in the early ’70s with groups such as the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry, which delivered the smash “Play That Funky Music.” As Donnie Iris & the Cruisers, Iris would sign with Cleveland-based Midwest Records and become a regional sensation. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Adam Ray
The comedian and YouTube star known for his spot-on impersonation of Dr. Phil comes to the Agora as part of his Who Is Me tour. The show begins at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
SUN 03/29
John Cowan Trio Featuring Luke Bulla and Ethan Ballinger
Singer-guitarist John Cown plays a bit of everything, including country, bluegrass, gospel, soul and jazz. He performs tonight at 7 at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Jokes on You
Inspired by crowd work clinicians like Dave Attell, Ian Bagg, and Big Jay Oakerson, Jokes On You makes the audience the center of the show by “pushing comics to avoid prepared material or written jokes and instead focus on organic interaction with the audience,” as it’s put in a press release about this event, which takes place tonight at 8 in the Frolic Cabaret Room at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
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