Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 10/08
Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics come to Rocket Arena for an exhibition game. Both teams are stacked with potential all-stars, but the starters will probably rest since the season is just getting started. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
The 17th Chagrin Documentary Film Festival continues from today through Sunday at various venues in Chagrin Falls. In addition to the screenings, the festival features a number of related events, including opportunities to meet the filmmakers. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Cleveland Jewish FilmFest Opening Night
Opening Night for the annual Cleveland Jewish FilmFest at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will feature the new film Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls: Another Side of Woody Guthrie. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame staff will introduce the movie. The evening will include an invite-only Insider Party, followed by the film screening and a dessert reception celebrating the festival’s 20th anniversary.
1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org.
Foster the People: Good Mourning Sunshine Tour
The indie rock band closes out the summer concert season at Blossom with this show. The current tour supports the latest album, Paradise State of Mind. As always, the group draws from a variety of musical styles, including disco (“See You in the Afterlife”) and funk (“Feed Me”). The concert begins at 8 p.m.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Mike Palascak
Comedian Michael Palascak has blown up on the comedy scene of late. The comic uses stories about his life and his awkward misadventures to open a window onto his inner workings. You can catch a very laidback performance from Palascak tonight at Hilarities at 7.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra
This group pairs hip-hop and orchestral arrangements in a show that it describes as “genre-defying.” It performs at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
The Who’s Tommy
The musical based on the Who’s rock opera comes to Connor Palace. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through Sunday.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Winter’s Tale
A jealous king destroys his family in this Shakespeare play about a lost princess’s attempts to save a kingdom. Great Lakes Theater presents the play at 7:30 tonight at the Hanna Theatre, where it runs through Oct. 11.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 10/09
Bill Bellamy
If comic Bill Bellamy did nothing more than coin the phrase “booty call,” he’d go down in comic history. But the guy has been a staple on the standup circuit for decades years now. He performs tonight at 7 and 9:30 and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9 at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
An Evening with Ethan Olaes: Music for a Mission
Filipino artists Ariel Flores, Victoria Flores, and Ana Allio will accompany piano prodigy Ethan Olaes at tonight’s show at Mandel Concert Hall. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Association of Philippine Physicians in Ohio.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Evil Dead the Musical
Evil Dead: The Musical combines the first two Evil Dead movies into a rock-music extravaganza featuring decapitation, dismemberment and more fake (and easy-to-clean-up) blood than was spilled during the entire run of ER. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 1.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Open Mike Eagle
The underground rapper known for delivering “socio-political insights” in his songs brings his latest tour to the Beachland Tavern. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Pints and Pies Craft Beer and Pizza Festival
The annual event celebrating local craft beer and local pizza shops comes to the Akron Civic Theatre. The event begins at 7 p.m.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Sugar
The hard rock band fronted by singer-guitarist Bob Mould brings its reunion tour to the Agora. Known for its incredibly loud live shows, the band has a good sense of harmony, too, as songs such as “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” suggest. The show begins at 8 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
The veteran musician and producer brings his Pan Detroit Ensemble to the Kent Stage. The group will play a bit of old school jazz and funk and often delves into the Grateful Dead catalog as well. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
World Class Care
Set in a not-so-distant future, where two powerful hospital systems have expanded to control nearly all of Cleveland, this play by local playwright Eric Coble examines what happens when “profit-driven healthcare loses sight of humanity,” as it’s put in a press release. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts, where performances continue through Nov. 1.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
SAT 10/10
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel
The Southern rock singer-guitarist and his backing band come to the Kent Stage. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Killer Video Presents: The 2026 Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival
Expect three hours of independent horror shorts at this special event that takes place at Akron Civic Theatre. Food trucks and film vendors will be on hand as well. It begins at 6 p.m.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Marc Maron
This comedian’s conversational style enabled him to host a successful podcast for many years. He’s now back on the standup circuit and comes to the Ohio Theatre at 7 p.m.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Spooky Pooch Parade
Scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, this annual event includes a festival within Madison Park, a parade and an awards presentation. It’s reportedly the only event of its kind within the region. There will be kids games, food and dog-related vendors, including rescue groups and other nonprofits offering canine-oriented goods and services. The parade commences at 2 p.m.
13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-6650, lakewoodalive.com.
SUN 10/11
Aaron Berg
The comedian and actor who’s appeared in films such as The Boondock Saints 2, Detroit Rock City and the Independent Spirit Award-winning The Lookout, brings his latest standup show to Hilarities. The event begins at 7 p.m.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
The Cavs face off against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena in this exhibition game. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Chasing Abbey
Led by three multi-instrumentalists, producers and singers, this trio fuses traditional Celtic instrumentation with modern electronic production. The group performs at 8 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
The Grass Roots
The classic rock group performs at 7 p.m. at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Pat Metheny
The terrific jazz guitarist whose career stretches back decades performs at 7 p.m. at the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
M.L. Rio
Author M.L. Rio drove thousands of miles researching the story at the center of her novel, Hot Wax, which centers on a rock n’ roll road trip. She speaks at 2 p.m. at Visible Voice Books.
4601 Lorain Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
Chloe Star
The edgy singer-songwriter who had a busy year performing at festivals such as London Pride, New York Pride Festival, Back Lot Bash and Out & Abt comes to the Foundry.
4256 Pearl Rd., 440-637-5483, foundryconcertclub.com.
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