Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend: Highlights

15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (August 27-30)

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

THU 08/27

Browns vs. New England Patriots

The Browns play a preseason game against a New England Patriots team that made it all the way to the Super Bowl last year. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field.

100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com.

The Cleveland Pinball and Arcade Show

This event that takes place today through Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Independence promises to offer “game play, seminars, vendors, and entertainment for pinball players, arcade game fans, families, and anyone looking to experience the sights and sounds of a massive arcade,” as it’s put in a press release.

6001 Rockside Rd., Independence, clevelandpinballshow.com.

Jam for Justice — Legal Aid’s annual summer fundraiser!

Local bands will perform on two stages at the Beachland Ballroom for this annual benefit for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

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

Lorain County Fair

The Lorain County Fairgrounds returns to the Lorain County Fairgrounds this week with the usual assortment of rides and attractions (demolition derbies and harness racing, for starters). It continues through Sunday at the Lorain County Fairgrounds.

Ohio 18, Wellington, 440-647-2781 loraincountyfair.com.

Pat McGann

The comedian who began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco has appeared on shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman and The Show with Stephen Colbert. He performs at 7:30 tonight at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.

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

Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill

Vicki Peterson of the Bangles and John Cowsill, an original member of the Cowsills, released their debut Americana album, Long After the Fire, last year. They bring their tour in support of the release to the East Shore Park Club. The show starts at 7 p.m.

17213 Dorchester Road, 216-383-0445, eastshoreparkclub.com.

Rock Hall Live: Old 97’s

The alt-country group that formed in Dallas in the late ’90s performs at 8 p.m. at the Rock Hall. Band leader Rhett Miller has simultaneously sustained a solo career while keeping Old 97’s relevant.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

Rüfüs Du Sol

The Grammy-winning live electronic trio formed in Sydney Australia has released five studio albums to date. Their most recent effort, Inhale/Exhale, performs at 7:30 p.m. at Blossom. The album features poppy tunes such as “Inhale” and “Music Is Better.” Singer-songwriter Ben Bohmer opens.

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

This Is Pike County

Local filmmaker Laura Paglin (Nightowls of Coventry, Facing Forward) directs This Is Pike County, a documentary about her visit to the rural Southern Ohio community after the Rhoden family murders caught national attention in 2016. The movie makes its Cleveland debut at 6:30 tonight at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. A Q&A with Paglin follows the screening.

11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.

Welser-Möst Conducts Strauss

Franz Welser-Möst celebrates his 25th years as the Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra with this special concert that takes place at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

Koe Wetzel

The country singer-songwriter out of Texas brings his rock-oriented summer tour to the Wolstein Center. The show begins at 6:45 p.m. Shane Smith and the Saints share the bill.

2000 Prospect Ave., 216-687-9292, wolsteincenter.com.

FRI 08/28

Chill @ CMNH

This after-hours event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History features after-hours access to Perkins Wildlife Center and transformed museum exhibits plus a screening of Balto. It all begins at 5 p.m.

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

Josh Groban: Stage, Screen and Symphony

The pop singer whose first four albums went multi-platinum performs at 7 p.m. at Blossom. Earlier this year, Groban released Cinematic, his rendition of soundtrack classics such as “As Time Goes By” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” the latter of which pairs him with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.

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

Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals had a losing record by the time of this season’s All-Star Break and have just not recovered from that slow start. They come to town this weekend for a three-game series that begins with tonight’s game. First pitch is at 7:10 at Progressive Field.

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

Hasan Hates Ronny/Ronny Hates Hasan

Comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng bring their co-headlining tour to Connor Palace. They’ll stage a mock debate about topics such as immigration and the economy as they emphasize their differences in an exaggerated manner suited to the stage. The show begins at 7 p.m.

1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Heights Music Hop

FutureHeights, a nonprofit community development corporation, presents this music festival in the “walkable business districts” of Cleveland Heights. Performances will take place today, tomorrow and Sunday both inside area businesses as well as on outdoor stages throughout the districts (Cedar Fairmount, Noble, Cedar Lee and Coventry Village). Tonight, ten Cedar Fairmount venues will host 17 performances. Consult the website for more info.

heightsmusichop.com.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Papo Ruiz, Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, Near West Theatre Alumni and Baila con Lali will perform at this free event at Near West Theatre’s outdoor plaza. There will also be dance, cultural performances, community resources, family-friendly activities, and local food vendors. It takes place from 5 to 10 p.m.

6702 Detroit Rd., 216-961-6391, nearwesttheatre.org.

Needtobreathe

This group that blends blends rock, Americana, soul, and gospel just released its latest effort, The Long Surrender, which it recorded with Grammy winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson). The band performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Drew Holcomb and Ellie Holcomb open.

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

Isaiah Rashad

The rapper and singer brings his Lil Sunny’s Awful Road Trip tour to House of Blues. Up-and-coming singer and rapper Alemeda opens. Doors are at 7 p.m.

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

J.J. Williamson

Nearly 20 years ago, comedian J.J. Williamson won the Bay Area Comedy Competition in Oakland, thus launching his career as a standup comic. He likes to joke about the things he goes through every day. He frequently jokes about dating. “I am not a baller — I’m an outlet baller,” he says in one bit. “I’m a baller on a budget.” 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.

WWE Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown

The smackdown commences at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. Expect to see wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Seth Rollins go at it.

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

SAT 08/29

Cleveland Blues Jam Series

This quarterly series at the Sixty6 celebrates the ongoing legacy of local bluesman Wallace Coleman. Coleman and one other local artist will perform. Check the venue’s website for more info.

1966 E. 66th St., 216-615-7261, thesixty6.com.

Cleveland Garlic Festival

The Cleveland Garlic Festival takes place this weekend at Shaker Square, home to the weekly North Union Farmers Market. The annual event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today and from noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow. This year, there will be over 40 varieties of garlic from area farms and vendors. roceeds benefit North Union Farmers Market, a 501(c)(3) non profit.

13000 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, clevelandgarlicfestival.org.

Nikki Glaser

A major comedian who’s hosted the Golden Globes for the past three years, Nikki Glaser comes to Connor Palace for a two-night stand. She takes the stage at 7 tonight and tomorrow night.

1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

The Legends of Jazz 4: Yellow Jackets, Patrice Rushen, Hiroshima

Three smooth jazz acts team up for this annual concert at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The show begins at 5 p.m.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

Masters of Funk

The funk acts Larry Dodson, the SOS Band, the Original Lakeside, Midnight Star, Con Funk Shun and Alisa Peoples share the bill at this special show that promises to deliver “a lifetime from hits.” It begins at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion.

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

Ari Matti

The Estonia comedian who makes light of his life growing up in Eastern Europe comes to the Agora. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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

Notes of Nature Wine Tasting

Holden Arboretum hosts this wine tasting that begins at 6 p.m. The event will also feature food stations.

9500 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, 440-946-4400, holdenarb.org.

Summer in Vienna

Music Director Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it evokes Viennese summer concerts with this performance that takes place at 7 p.m. at Blossom.

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

Don Toliver

The Houston-based rapper and singer brings his Nitrous Octane World Tour to Rocket Arena. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and the current tour supports his latest album, Octane, an ambitious 18-song release that finds him expanding beyond the trap sounds for which he’s known.

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

SUN 08/30

80th Annual One World Day

Founded in 1946, this annual event at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens showcases about 50 ethnic groups through music, dance, storytelling, and authentic ethnic food. It features a Naturalization Ceremony for new U.S. citizens (sworn in by a U.S. District Court judge) and the Parade of Flags, which kicks off at noon and goes from the Ethiopian Garden to the Lithuanian Garden. The event runs until 6 p.m.,

750 E 88th St., clevelandoneworldday.org.

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.

Magnolia and Johnson Electric Co

The surviving members of Magnolia Electric Co. band team up with singer-songwriter Will Johnson for a tribute to the late friend Jason Molina, who fronted Magnolia Electric Co. until his death in 2013. The show takes place at 8 p.m. at Beachland Ballroom.

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

Vince Morris

Comedian Vince Morris has a demeanor that seems tame and gentle, but his quips have you still laughing later as you realize their deeper meanings. This guy talks about all sorts of things including Southern living, funny dialects and the way people relate to each other through language. Lots of this stuff isn’t your typical comedy, but the guy is downright funny. He appears tonight at 7 at Hilarities.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.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. This week, the Tom Batchelor Band, a 6-piece rock and reggae band from Morgantown, WV will perform.

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

Riverfest

Collision Bend Brewing Co. in the Flats opens at 11 a.m. this morning for Riverfest, an event that features performances by local bands such as Madison Crawl, Country Honk and Fatback Mango. Proceeds benefit local rescue dog organizations.

1250 Old River Road, 216-273-7879, collisionbendbrewery.com.

Myles Smith

Much like singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, this laid-back British singer-songwriter has an unassuming style and lets his carefully crafted pop songs such as “Stargazing” and “Hold Me in the Dark” speak for themselves. The concert begins at 6 p.m. at the Agora.

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

Song Recital Project: “Wayfarer in Dream”

The songs in this program will explore “the emotional journey of the human heart across cultures and eras,” as it’s put in press materials for the performance that takes place at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.