Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend: Events

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

THU 05/28

Anne Cochran

This singer-songwriter who’s toured with singer-songwriter Jim Brickman for more than 25 years, is a well-established artist in her own right. She’s released 10 CDs as a solo act and received some airplay on Smooth Jazz radio stations. She performs tonight at 7:30 at Music Box Supper Club.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

Steve Earle — 51 Years of Songs & Stories

A veritable musicologist outlaw country hero Steve Earle brings his 50+ anniversary concert to town. He’ll tell stories and then play originals and covers from throughout his storied career. Earle famously went against the grain when he moved from Texas to Nashville in the 1970s but still managed to become a star. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Theatre in Akron.

1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.

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.

Hardy

The Mississippi born country singer turns up the guitars on his new album, Country! Country! It opens with the raucous, Charlie Daniels-meets-ZZ Top rocker “Country Country” and never lets up. Tonight’s show at Blossom starts at 7 p.m., and Tucker Wetmore and McCoy Moore open.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

Speech & Debate

Case Western Reserve University’s Don Carrier directs this play about high school students who aim to expose a corrupt drama teacher. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts, where performances continue through June 28.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.

Toadies: The Charmer Tour

The veteran indie rock act out of Fort Worth, TX returns to House of Blues. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The Texas-based country-punk ensemble Vandolier opens the show.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.

FRI 05/29

A$AP Rocky: Don’t Be Dumb World Tour

Don’t Be Dumb, rapper A$AP Rocky’s first project in eight years features cover art by filmmaker and illustrator Tim Burton and features from BossMan Dlow, Brent Faiyaz, Danny Elfman, Doechii, Gorillaz, Jessica Pratt, Jon Batiste, Slay Squad, Thundercat, Tyler, the Creator, Westside Gunn and will.i.am. The versatile artist brings his tour in support of the album to Rocket Arena. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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

Bias Selector Album Release Party

The local industrial rock act Bias Selector celebrates the release of its new album, Conditioner, with a release party at No Class. Toilet Rats, a synth-punk act, and locals Marottes and Phamily Foto share the bill. The show starts at 9 p.m.

11213 Detroit Ave., 216-221-8576, noclasscle.com.

The Black Queen

This tour that rolls into Mercury Music Lounge celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Black Queen’s synth-pop debut album, Fever Daydream. Danny Lohner (NIN/APC) and drummer Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan) will join founding members Greg Puciato (vocals) and Steven Alexander (guitar) for the show.

18206 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, mercurymusiclounge.com.

Russell Dickerson

The country singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. The setlist for this tour reportedly features career hits including “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma” and “Every Little Thing” along with newer releases such as “Happen To Me” and “Worth Your Wild.” Singer-songwriters Niko Moon and Adrien Nunez open.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox

The Guardians take on the reliably competitive Boston Red Sox this weekend at Progressive Field. Tonight’s game begins at 7:10, and fireworks follow the game.

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

Lea Marra & the River Boys Album Release Show

The locally based bluegrass/folk band celebrates the release of its terrific new album with tonight’s show at the Beachland Tavern. Local singer-songwriter Cory Grinder opens. The show begins at 8 p.m.

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

Second Annual Comedy Jam in Akron

Actor, producer, writer and comedian Sydney Castillo headlines this annual two-day comedy festival that takes place at 6 and 8:30 tonight and tomorrow night at the Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.

Geoff Tate

Comedian Mike Birbiglia has called this comic a “comedy savant,” and Doug Stanhope proclaimed him to be “the next Bill Burr.” See if he lives up to the hype when he performs tonight and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9:15 at Hilarities.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

Kym Whitley

Cleveland native Kym Whitley got a break when she was cast as Auntie Suga in the 2000 film Next Friday. Since then, she has appeared in The Nutty Professor, Along Came Polly and dozens of other films. Whitley likes to crack jokes about the challenges of motherhood during her standup routines. She 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.

SAT 05/30

78th Annual ACE Book Sale

This annual sale featuring books, vinyl albums, DVDs and CDs priced from .50 to $2 takes place today through Tuesday in AsiaTown. A preview and general sale happens today from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free starting at noon and continues from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Monday. A final box sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

3631 Perkins Ave., acesite.org/book-sale-event.

An Evening with John Cusack

The actor accompanies a screening of Say Anything, a film that helped launch his career. He’ll participate in a Q&A after the screening. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Agora.

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

Gary Gulman: Grandiloquent

The very funny comedian and writer brings his latest show to the Hanna Theatre. He will focus on his various insecurities and mental health issues as well as his parents’ “blunders” in raising him. The event begins at 8 p.m.

2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Half Ass Halloween

This special halfway to Halloween costume party atYin Yang will feature a tarot reader, DJs, a scavenger hunt with mystery prizes and an appearance by renowned magician/illusionist Mark Prines, who was the official magician of the Playboy Mansion earlier in his career. It takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight.

4412 Superior Ave., 216-402-3541, yinyangcle.my.canva.site/yin-yang.

Outside Dog

Outside Dog, a Nashville-based pop punk band featuring Cleveland native and former Rock Hall intern Dominic Rodio, brings its 36-day DIY tour to town this weekend. The group performs at 9 p.m. at Dunlap’s Corner Bar and then at 8 tomorrow night at Musica in Akron.
3258 W. 32nd St., dunlapsbar.com

SUN 05/31

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.

Museum Family Day: Dino Day

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History hosts Dino Day with dinosaur-themed projects to take home, interactive programming and dino-inspired face painting. It all gets started at 10 a.m.

1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org.

Reggae Sundays

This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

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