15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-25)

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.

THU 05/21

Beethoven’s Fidelio

Franz Welser-Möst leads the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Cleveland Orchestra and a slew of soloists as they take on Beethoven’s only opera at this special event at Mandel Concert Hall. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. It repeats at 7 p.m. on May 21 and 24 at the venue.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

FRI 05/22

Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off and Beerfest

This annual event that takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds will feature more than 10 rib teams competing for Best Ribs, Best Sauce and People’s Choice Awards. The event runs from noon to 11 p.m. today and continues through Monday. Check the website for more info.,

19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, berearib.com.

Don “DC” Curry

The films Next Friday and Friday After Next were terrific vehicles for a number of black comedians. Don “DC” Curry, who played the part of sex-crazed Uncle Elroy Jones, certainly benefited from the exposure. Curry, who boasts he only talks about “the truth” in his standup routines, often sounds like a grumpy old man. He performs tonight at 7 and 9:30 at the Cleveland Funny Bone, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday.

1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.

Ekoostik Hookah

The grandfathers of Ohio’s expansive jam band scene — culturally and musically — have always maintained close ties to the Cleveland area and regularly venture up to these parts from their Columbus home base. The group performs tonight at 7:30 at the Kent Stage.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

Freak the Mighty

The Seattle Rep and the Cleveland Play House team up to present this special musical about two friends who become superheroes. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through June 21.

1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Into the Blue: Grateful Dead Revival Night

The spirit of the Grateful Dead is a joyous and storied tale. Here in Northeast Ohio, a community of tributes — whole bands and one-off shows — keep the Dead’s sonic ethos alive and buzzing. It performs tonight at 8 at the Beachland Ballroom.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Land of Hopes & Dreams American Tour

Enraged at the current administration’s interpretation of the United States as an imperialist country, Bruce Springsteen has enlisted his E Street backing band to hit the road with him on a tour with a purpose. Fellow rabble rouser, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, might even join him for the festivities. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.

Tremont Greek Festival

Held in Tremont every Memorial Day weekend at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the annual Greek Festival features Greek music, Greek food, Greek drink and even antiques (Greek or otherwise). Visitors will find a mouth-watering assortment of homemade Greek specialties like pastitsio, moussaka (Greek-style lasagna), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and lamb shanks. But the crowd favorite is always the gyro — and they don’t get much better than they are here. Hours are noon to midnight today through Sunday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Monday.

facebook.com/TremontGreekFest/.

SAT 05/23

Between the Buried and Me

The veteran metalcore band headlines a multi-band bill that includes Thank You Scientist and the World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. at Globe Iron.

2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.

The Birth of Punk in NEO

Local publisher and musician Thomas Mulready presents this lecture and concert chronicling the birth of punk rock in Northeast Ohio. Regional punk acts such as the Bizarros, the Mirrors, Patty No!, Vanity Crash/Queue Up and Massive Hotdog Recall are slated to perform. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.

Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

After starting on the New York Knicks’ home court, the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals come to Cleveland for games three and four. The Cavs certainly have their hands full with Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson and Co., who cruised through the first two rounds of their series. Tonight’s game begins at 8 p.m. at Rocket Arena, and game four begins at 8 p.m. on Monday at the arena.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.

The Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Choruses Spring Concert

Expect to hear songs such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Feeling Good” at this special patriotic concert featuring the Cleveland Orchestra’s Children’s Choruses. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

Rebel Force Radio Live!

Hosts of Rebel Force Radio, a popular Star Wars podcast, present this special show at the Upper Allen. It bills itself as “the Mandalorian and Grogu Aftershow” since it will take place in the wake of the release of the new Star Wars-related film. The event begins at 6 p.m.

1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Reggae Fest Cleveland

Today’s performers at this annual event include Luciano, Mighty Mystic, Kenyatta Hill, Yard Squad and Lake Erie . Tomorrow, Kabaka Pyramid, Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band, Roots Vibrations, Ms BBc and HWT will perform. Food trucks will be on hand as well. The event takes place at Voinovich Park. Check the website for a complete schedule.

reggaefestcleveland.com.

Smug Brothers

This Columbus, OH-based garage rock band that formed way back in 2004 returns to town tonight to play the Little Rose Tavern. Expect to hear songs from the band’s latest effort, a new retrospective compilation called Gravity Is Just a Way To Fall. Locals Lavendar Jets, Shattered Mirrors and Fan Fiction open. The show starts at 8 p.m.

14206 Lorain Ave., 216-331-1441, facebook.com/LittleRoseTavern/.

SUN 05/24

Parker Barrow

Megan Kane and Dylan Turner lead this Nashville-based Southern rock band that comes to the Beachland Tavern tonight as part of a tour that supports their new album, Hold the Mash.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentleman

The alt-country singer-songwriter brings his band the Texas Gentleman to the Agora. His new album, They Call Us the Lucky Ones, features songs such as “Twist the Knife,” a track with a Bob Dylan feel to it. The show begins at 6:30 p.m.

5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.

MON 05/25

Guardians vs. Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals come to Progressive Field for the one-and-only time this regular season. The three-game series kicks off with tonight’s game that features a blanket giveaway. First pitch is at 6:10.

2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.

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