Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
WED 11/26
Jeezy Presents… TM: 101 Live
The hip-hop icon celebrates 20 years of his debut album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, with this special show at the State Theatre. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
1519 Euclid Ave, 216-771-8403, playhousesquare.org.
Portugal, The Man
The indie rock act returns to its small club roots for this tour that brings it to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. The group’s new album, SHISH, has yielded a slew of singles, including “Angoon,” “Denali,” “Tanana” and “Mush.” The concert will feature deep tracks, extended jams and special guests. It begins at 8 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Thanksgiving Eve All-Star Jam
Led by local musicians Cy Sulak (Sweetleaf, the Dynasoars, My Old School, Victory Highway and MSB) and Jim Bacha (Clearlight/Masque, the Killers, BMZ, and Monica Robins, & the Ninja Cowboys), the All-Star Jam Band will celebrate Thanksgiving with this special throwback show that hearkens back to the All-Star Jams that the local music writer Peanuts used to host. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Backstage Bar. Admission is free.
17007 Lorain Ave., 216-671-5483, backstagebarcleveland.com.
Turkey Jam Comedy Showcase
Local comedians such as Mike Paramore, Josh Adams, John Bruton, Elijah Nevels, Jimmie Graham and Anthony Mayo will perform at this special showcase. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, Cleveland.funnybone.com.
THU 11/27
44th annual Cleveland Turkey Trot powered by CSU Rec Center and Viking Public House
There will be entertainment and costume contests at this annual Thanksgiving Day run that leaves from Public Auditorium. It’s a dog friendly event that’ll even feature a Turkey Trot Dog Park. It begins at 8:45 a.m.
500 Lakeside Ave., runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cleveland/ClevelandTurkeyTrot.
FRI 11/28
The Black Friday Parade AKA Emo Night CLE
This special Black Friday dance party at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood will feature tunes by My Chemical Romance as well as other popular emo acts from the aughts. The event begins at 10:30 p.m.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
A Christmas Carol
This Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival production never fails to engage and delight. Framed as a story within a story in this Gerald Freedman adaptation, the production really comes alive once the ghost of Jacob Marley appears, dragging his chains and creaking eerily with every movement. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, where performances continue through Dec. 21.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Frost
This annual winter celebration at the Cleveland Botanical Garden features lights, seasonal displays and family activities. There will be a gingerbread competition and local garden clubs will decorate Christmas trees that’ll be on display. Check the website for hours and more information.
11030 East Blvd., 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org.
Monsters vs. Hartford Wolf Pack
At 7 tonight and tomorrow night at Rocket Arena, the Monsters take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. Tonight’s game features the usual 1-2-3 Friday discounts on concessions, and tomorrow night is Hockey Fights Cancer Night. In addition, there will be a Modelo Happy Hour featuring concession discounts starting at 5:30 in the atrium.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
A Motown Christmas
This holiday event features classic tunes by the likes of the Temptations, the Supremes and the Jackson 5. Tonight’s performance takes place at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through Dec. 14.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Record Store Day Black Friday
Doors open at 10 a.m. at Vinyl Groove Records for this special Record Store Day Black Friday celebration. Traveling’ Tom’s Coffee Truck will be on hand, and there will be giveways and live performances throughout the day.
5100 Pearl Rd., Suite 208, 440-439-8371, thevinylgrooverecords.com.
Mary Santora
Drawing from real life experiences, local comic Mary Santora takes the audience on a “storytelling driven ride, while seamlessly weaving in and out of crowd interactions, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who sees her,” as it’s put in a press release. Her latest album, Hillbilly Boujee, topped the charts on iTunes and Amazon. She performs tonight at 6:30 and 9:15 tonight and tomorrow night at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Welshly Arms & the Vindys
Sam Getz was a session guy before forming the blues-rock band Welshly Arms in Cleveland in 2012. The group played its first-ever show at the Beachland Tavern in 2013 and has toured nationally in the wake of that initial gig. Youngstown-based the Vindys have played outside of Northeast Ohio too, and the group mostly recently opened some dates for Pat Benatar. The two regional acts team up for this show at House of Blues. Doors open at 6 p.m.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.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 9:45 tonight and at 6:30 and 9:15 tomorrow night at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
Yuja Wang Plays Ravel
Pianist Yuja Wang joins the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Ravel’s famous Concerto for the Left Hand along with Ligeti’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue through Sunday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
SAT 11/29
Ballet Theatre of Ohio’s Nutcracker
Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents The Nutcracker for the 33rd consective year. This show featuring Tchaikovsky’s famous score comes to the Akron Civic Theatre today at 2 and 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, ballettheatreohio.org.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The hip-hop group that first formed in Cleveland in the early 1990s returns to the Agora. The group famously inked a deal with the late Eazy-E, who helped make the rappers into superstars by putting out their early albums on his Ruthless Records. Doors open at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Clockwork Fancy: Steampunk-A-Versary with Roxxymoron
Jilly’s Music Room in Akron celebrates its 12th anniversary with this steampunk-themed show featuring Roxxymoron. The party gets started at 7 p.m.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Ekoostik Hookah
The Ohio-based jam band/psychedelic rock group that formed in Columbus in the early ’90s has never had anything resembling a hit song during its long run, but it’s a festival favorite and maintains a cult following after all these years. It performs at House of Blues. Doors open at 6 p.m.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Last Podcast on the Left: JK Ultra Tour
The podcasters come to the Goodyear Theater in Akron. The show starts at 8 p.m.
1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.
Twilight in Concert
This immersive event features the original film with a live score played by a 12-piece ensemble. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
WinterLand Kickoff
The event that kicks off the winter season in Cleveland returns to Public Square. The festivities commence at noon, and there will be firepits, Santa and Grinch photo opportunities, food trucks, giveaways, and games. Local bands Apostle Jones and Da Land Brass Band will perform. Admission is free.
SUN 11/30
Blind Guardian
The hard rock group from Germany brings its Somewhere Far Beyond Tour to the Agora. The veteran band released its 12th album, The God Machine, in 2022. It offers a heavy dose of Metallica-like power chords and call-and-response vocals. Doors open at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers
A playoff caliber team when healthy, the San Francisco 49ers come to Huntington Bank to take on the floundering Browns. The game begins at 1 p.m.
100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com
Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Cavaliers take on another Eastern Conference powerhouse tonight when they face the Boston Celtics at 6 p.m. at Rocket Arena.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
A Christmas Story
Cleveland Play House’s production of this story about a Cleveland kid who just wants a BB gun for Christmas returns to the Allen Theatre, where it continues through Dec. 21. Performances take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Genghis Con
The annual event that celebrates independent presses and comics returns to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Community Arts Center/Centro de Artes Comunitarias. The event begins at 11 a.m.
2937 West 25th St., 216-707-2483, clevelandart.org.
Jingle Bell Jamboree with the Pops
Expect to hear festive songs at this holiday concert featuring the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Performances take place at 2 and 6 p.m. at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
My Love Letter to Food
Comedian Samantha Woodman wrote, directed and produced this show about her relationship with food. Tonight’s performance takes place at 6 p.m. at Imposters Theater.
4828 Lorain Ave., imposterstheater.com.
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