Friday, Oct. 30: Cavs vs. Miami Heat – We’re not alone in thinking that a healthy Cleveland Cavaliers would have brought home a title this past season. But injuries to two of the team’s Big Three proved too much to overcome against a sharp-shooting Golden State Warriors squad. But hope springs eternal and if this year’s team can stay healthy, it should be headed back to the Finals. The quest begins tonight as the season opens with a 7 p.m. game against the Miami Heat, the team to which Cavs star LeBron James once defected. The game is sold out so you’re best chance to grab tickets is through a broker. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)Friday, Oct. 30: Gods and Monsters – Start your Halloween weekend at Bottlehouse Brewery for Artful’s Gods and Monsters today at 8 p.m. This Halloween party and fundraiser features food, raffles, art, music by DJ Jared Plotts, costume contest, live drawing activities from Dr. Sketchy and exquisite corpse collaborations hosted by Blick Art Materials’ Justin Will. Tickets are $20, and must be purchased in advance. All proceeds will be applied to their matching grant challenge to help Artful secure a home for itself and its artists. 21 and older. (Usmani, photo via CleveScene archives)Friday, Oct. 30: At the Movies – A classic 1923 silent film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame centers on Quasimodo (Lon Chaney Sr. ),a deformed human who works as the bell ringer of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. He sacrifices his life to save a gypsy (Patsy Ruth Miller) who once befriended him. He aims to save her from his diabolical master. For tonight’s screening of the film, acclaimed organist Todd Wilson will improvise an accompanying score on Severance Hall’s Norton Memorial Organ.The event begins at 8 p.m. at Severance Hall. Tickets start at $30. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)Saturday, Oct. 31: El Dia de los Muertos – Though it might not sound like it, the Detroit Shoreway’s Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration is a family-friendly affair. Kids love to join the Parade of Skeletons that features life-sized puppets and plenty of people in costume. Vendors will set up inside Cleveland Public Theatre’s Parish Hall, and Gordon Square Arts District bars and restaurants will have specials. The event kicks off at 11 a.m., and the parade starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)Saturday, Oct. 31: The Mask of the Red Death – One of the great Gothic fiction stories of all time, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” offers an intriguing allegory about death. It also happens to be the title of the Halloween party that takes place tonight at 8 at the Akron Civic Theatre. Billed as “the premier macabre Halloween masquerade party for adults, the event is only open to guests who are 21 and over. The $75 admission includes a signature cocktail and light hors d’oeuvres by Dishes By Design. Elegant attire is required. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)Saturday, Oct. 31: The Songs of John Kander – It’s a testament to his talent and stamina that 88-year-old Oberlin alum still works on Broadway. Over the course of a lengthy career, the songwriter has written tunes for Cabaret, Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Tonight, he and Tony award winner Karen Ziemba host Perfectly Marvelous: The Songs of John Kander, a tribute to his work. The event takes place at 8 at the Allen Theatre and repeats at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $35 to $50, $30 to $45 for the Musical Theatre Project members. (Niesel, courtesy photo)Saturday, Oct. 31: Get Jolly – Get your jollies on this Halloween night at the Jolly Scholar on Case Western Reserve University’s campus. As part of the 9th Annual Halloween Party, the Jolly Scholar will turn into a costume funhouse complete with a mad scientist cooking up behind the bar from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Dress to impress! (Photo via Facebook)Saturday, Oct 31: Hallow-liquid- Spend Halloween night at Liquid Nightclub on W. 6th and show off your costume for a chance to win a grand prize of $1000. Tunes will be provided by DJ Donkis and drinks will be poured all night long. Doors open at 8 p.m. (Photo via Facebook)Saturday, Oct 31: 9 Deadly Sins – This Halloween, head to downtown Cleveland’s swanky Metropolitan at the 9 for the “9 Deadly Sins” bash. Expect tons of costumes, specialty drinks, and great tunes at one of Cleveland’s best nighttime destinations. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. (Photo via Facebook)Saturday, Oct. 31: Hey Monea Album Release – In 2009, Hey Monea! released its first EP but then took four years to follow it up with 2013’s Cheap Souvenirs. For it, band recruited Dennis Herring, who produced the first few Modest Mouse records, to record the disc at his studio in Oxford, Miss. Herring brings out the band’s soulful side on songs such as “Pollyanna” and “Stay,” tunes with catchy, radio friendly melodies that recall the alt-rock of the mid-’90s. Tonight, the band celebrates the release of its latest effort The 50, another strong effort. The “Buenos Noches” features on a lazy Latin vibe and “Filthy Rich” benefits from cooing backing vocals and skittish percussion. The album effectively shows off the band’s musical range. (Niesel, photo via CleveScene archives)Sunday, Nov. 1: Tailgate at the Ritz – Football aficionados can enjoy a memorable new brunch experience this season, thanks to Tailgate Brunch and a recently-unveiled Bloody Mary Bar at The Ritz-Carlton. Presented in MUSE on Cleveland Browns home game days , Tailgate Brunch offers Cleveland’s favorite breakfast and lunch specialties, along with an omelet station, sushi boat, specialty entrées and a bountiful DIY Bloody Mary Bar laden with vodkas, bacons, sausages, fruits and vegetables, garnishes, condiments and savory smoky straws. The buffet menu also depicts an ever-changing “Tale of Two Cities,” as selections from visiting team cities are added to each date’s buffet. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Courtesy photo)Sunday, Nov. 1: Browns vs. Cardinals – The Cleveland Browns stumbled out of the gate this season, losing the opener by double digits to a tough New York Jets and then rebounding to win a couple of close games before succumbing in overtime to the Denver Broncos. Today at 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium, they take on a decent Arizona Cardinals team. The season ain’t over yet but the team has to start notching some wins to keep the Bengals from running away with the division. Tickets are available through various ticket brokers. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)Sunday, Nov. 1: Johnny Mathis – Now 80 years old, John Royce “Johnny” Mathis remains one of the last original crooners. Mathis, who sings popular standards and jazz, has put up some remarkable numbers over the course of his remarkable career. He’s sold something like 350 million albums worldwide and defies genres as he plays Brazilian music, Spanish music, soul music, rhythm and blues, soft rock, Broadway theatre, Tin Pan Alley standards and even disco. He performs tonight at 7 at Connor Palace. Tickets start at $10. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)
