Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 08/13
Asian Lantern Festival
Taking over parks and zoos across the country, the traveling Asian Lantern Festival shows off thousands of colorful handmade paper lanterns in open, green spaces. This year’s festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will include an Asian craft market and Asian food vendors. The event takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 tonight through Sunday. Check the Zoo website for ticket prices. It continues through Aug. 23.
3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com.
Cuyahoga County Fair
The Cuyahoga County Fair returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this week. The Midway rides are back this year, and there will be arts and crafts, beer and wine gardens, bee-keeping exhibits, a demolition derby, dog shows, a draft horse pull, fireworks, harness horse racing and a livestock auction. The event continues through Sunday. Check the website for more info.
19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, cuyfair.com.
Dimmu Borgir
The veteran metal band returns to the Agora. The Norwegian group’s roots go back to the early 1990s when singer Shagrath and guitarist Silenoz, the only remaining original members, put the band together. The current tour supports the new album, Grand Serpent Rising, which shows off the group’s symphonic metal tendencies. The show begins at 6 p.m., and Hypocrisy and Hulder open.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to “draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.” The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Feast of the Assumption
The annual Feast of the Assumption takes place today through Sunday in Little Italy. Once again, Holy Rosary Church’s parish hosts this free, family-friendly festival. Starting and ending with religious processions celebrating the Virgin Mary being taken into Heaven, the Feast includes classic festival staples as well as fireworks, a raffle, and observances and services for those who celebrate the Catholic Holy Day.
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
The singer-pianist comes to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights with his backing band, the Noisemakers, in tow. Now in his 70s, Hornsby released his latest effort, Indigo Park, earlier this year. The collection of piano-based rock and pop tunes finds Hornsby in good form as he’s assembled a backing band of talented musicians who settle into a good groove on songs such as the pensive title track. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
The Lion King
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story “filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.” The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Night at the Opera
Grammy-winning soprano Latonia Moore, tenor Brandon Jovanovich, the Blossom Festival Chorus and conductor John Fiore team up to present this program of pieces by Puccini and Verdi. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Ohio Burlesque Festival
The annual burlesque showcase returns to the Beachland Ballroom. More than 60 award-winning artists from across the United States and around the world will take the stage, and the show will feature classic burlesque, neo-burlesque, drag, comedy and nerdlesque. The three-day event kicks off with tonight’s show. Doors open at 7 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Simple Plan
The Montreal-based pop-punk band led by singer of Pierre Bouvier performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Last year’s documentary film, Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd, chronicles the group’s remarkable rise to fame in the late ’90s. #OH!3 and Bowling for Soup open.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
Sister Act Presented by Akron Civic Theatre’s Millennial Theatre Project
The Millennial Theatre Project puts on this performance of the musical based on the movie about a woman who transforms a choir at a convent. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
FRI 08/14
Afterburn Music Festival
Third Eye Blind and Skillet are among the bands that will perform at this music festival that takes place today and tomorrow at Victory Park in North Ridgeville. Music starts at 12:30 p.m.
7777 Victory Ln., North Ridgeville, theafterburnmusicfestival.com.
Blackberry Smoke
The guys in the redneck rock band Blackberry Smoke regularly spend 200 days, and they routinely perform here in Cleveland. The group’s 2013 album, Whippoorwill, holds up as a great collection of Southern rock-inspired tunes. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Tommy Davidson
You might remember Tommy Davidson from the sitcom In Living Color. In addition to acting, he does standup, and his routine is definitely off-color, though pretty hilarious. 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.
Amy Grant: The Me That Remains Tour
Produced by ten-time Country Music Association award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Mac McAnally, All of Me, the latest effort from singer-songwriter Amy Grant, is a stripped-down affair. Grant performs at 8 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com.
Guardians vs. San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres, one of the National League’s tougher teams, come to Progressive Field this weekend to take on the Guardians. Tonight’s game is at 7:10, and the series continues through Sunday.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.
Hooked Like Helen
The local group plays its last hometown headlining show before heading out on a North American Tour supporting singer-songwriter Charlotte Sands. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Winchester in Lakewood.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
The Kehlani World Tour: North America
The R&B singer-songwriter that got their start with the teen pop group PopLyfe comes to Blossom. The tour supports the new self-titled effort that features the hit single “Folded,” a slow jam with soaring strings. The show begins at 7 p.m. Durand Bernarr, Isaia Huron, Thearti$t and Waseel open.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Moe. & Humphrey’s McGee
Two jam bands bring their co-headlining tour to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Moe.’s roots go back to upstate New York in the early ’90s, and Umphrey’s McGee emerged in Indiana in the late ’90s. The show begins at 7 p.m.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
SAT 08/15
Artist in the Atrium
Every third Saturday of each month, stop by the Ames Family Atrium between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to get a firsthand look at the art-making process. Each session provides the opportunity to engage and interact with a different Northeast Ohio maker during pop-up demonstrations and activities.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Brew & BBQ Bash
Local pitmasters and food trucks will compete at this annual event that takes place from noon to 7 p.m. today at Streetsboro City Park. Cincy’s Hot Red Chili Peppers, a tribute to L.A.’s Red Hot Chili Peppers, will perform.
Route 303 and Kirby Lane, Streetsboro, khttp://www.cityofstreetsboro.com/.
J. Cole: The Fall-Off World Tour
The singer-songwriter and rapper brings his tour in support of his latest album, The Fall-Off, to Rocket Arena. The ambitious 24-track album chronicles Cole’s return visits to his North Carolina home. The show starts at 8 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Lower 13 EP Release Show
The Cleveland hard rock group celebrates the release of its sixth studio effort, Transcend, with tonight’s show at the Winchester in Lakewood. Doors are at 6:30 p.m.
12112 Madison Ave, Lakewood, 216-227-2389.
Music in the Garden
These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free.
1905 Spring Rd., 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org.
PorchROKR
Local bands will converge upon people’s porches in the Highland Square neighborhood today for the annual PorchROKR festival. Porch performances run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet
Conductor Tabita Berglund makes her Cleveland Orchestra debut and leads the orchestra as it plays pieces by Sibelius and Prokofiev. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Rock Hall Live: The Mountain Goats
The indie rock group that’s released more than 20 albums since forming in 1994 performs at 8 p.m. at the Rock Hall. The group’s latest album, Days, features quirky spoken-sung singles such as the careening, Eels-like “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds.”
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Rockin’ the Hills Music Festival
Six local bands will perform at this free event that takes place at the Willoughby Hills Community Center. Local food trucks will be on hand, and there will be a beer garden. It runs from 1 to 9 p.m. It’s free.
35400 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, 440-975-3540, whcommunitycenter.com.
Speak in Tongues Book Release Day
This day-long celebration of the release of a new book about Speak in Tongues, the now-shuttered indie rock venue, kicks off with a performance by local indie artist Uno Lady. She plays at 3 p.m. at Visible Voice, and a panel discussion follows. At 6 p.m., Proof Public House hosts an afterparty, and at 9 p.m. Happy Dog hosts a concert featuring Harriet the Spy, Beckett and Friends, Brian Straw and Applejuice.
4601 Lorain Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
Violent Femmes
The folk-punk band released two classic albums, 1983’s Violent Femmes and 1984’s Hallowed Ground, shortly after forming. While the lineup has changed over the years, singer-guitarist Gordon Gano and bassist Brian Ritchie remain constants. The group brings its 45th anniversary tour to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The show begins at 8 p.m.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
SUN 08/16
Beachland Flea
Local vendors will be on hand with vintage clothes, vinyl and other rock memorabilia at this event that takes place at 10 a.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Howard Jones
It’s ’80s night at Jacobs Pavilion as Howard Jones brings his Things Can Only Get Better Tour to the venue. Eighties acts Wang Chung, the English Beat, Modern English and Richard Blade share the bill. The show begins at 6 p.m.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
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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