THU 12/12
Black Nativity
Way back in 1961, Russell and Rowena Jelliffe, founders of Karamu House, commissioned Langston Hughes to write Black Nativity. The retelling of the Nativity Story performed using gospel music became a hit. It returns to the Hanna Theatre tonight at 7:30. Performances continue through Dec. 15.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Christmas Carol
Great Lakes Theatre revives its rendition of the Charles Dickens classic about an ornery miser named Scrooge. Today’s performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, and the play runs through Dec. 22.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Christmas Story
The Cleveland Play House’s production of A Christmas Story rides a two-hour wave of intricate details to unerringly establish the period and to help even the youngest patrons make the leap back to a time before televisions were omnipresent and cowboy hero Red Ryder was king of the wireless. Today’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre. Performances continue through Dec. 22.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Sarah Hicks conducts the Cleveland Orchestra for this special holiday concert. Singer Jimmie Herrod, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Blossom Festival Chorus will perform as well. Tonight’s concert takes place at 7:30 at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue through Dec. 22.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
Tonight at 7:30, Disney on Ice kicks off a four-day stand at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. The skaters will re-enact scenes from Frozen and Encanto. Performances continue through Sunday.
229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.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.
Monsters vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms
At 7 tonight and at 7:30 on Saturday night, the Monsters take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Saturday’s game will feature a special Fossil Faceoff.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Angela Perley
This singer-songwriter, who grew up in Hilliard, started writing songs when she was still in high school and initially put together an all-girl pop-punk band. Then, while attending college at Ohio University in Athens, she began to develop an alt-country bent. She brings her special holiday-themed show to the Beachland Tavern. Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts share the bill. The music begins at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Pinky Patel
A PTA mom turned standup comic and internet sensation, Pinky Patel brings her #Isaidwhatisaid Tour to Hilarities. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Tease the Season Deux: Burlesque Holiday Spectacular
This special holiday show hosted by Cleveland Burlesque returns to Cleveland Public Theatre. The program includes burlesque, drag and variety performers, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday.
6415 Detroit Ave., 216.631.2727, cptonline.org.
Trampled by Turtles
The bluegrass band that formed in Duluth, MN way back in 2003 performs tonight at 7:30 at the Agora. Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy produced the group’s 2022 album, Alpenglow, a great distillation of the band’s twangy sound. One dollar per ticket will be donated to Backline, a non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resource.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Cirque du Soleil
Expect acrobats and dancers as Cirque du Soleil takes on the traditional Christmas story for this special performance that takes place tonight at 7 at the State Theatre. Performances continue through Dec. 15.
1519 Euclid Avenue, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 12/13
Baldassarre Rock Orchestra
Talented guitar hero Carl Baldassarre, who once fronted the popular Cleveland rock act Abraxas and can play just about anything in Led Zeppelin’s catalogue, brings his Baldassarre Rock Orchestra to the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m..
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Christmas Around the World
This special event that takes place from today through Jan. 4 will feature a tubing hill, a miniature golf course, entertainment, a 52-foot Christmas tree, and a special Glockenspiel adapted for the holiday season. Today’s hours are noon to 9 p.m. Check the website for additional hours and more information.
2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, 440-934-3636, christmasatw.com/..
Greg Fitzsimmons
A frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Greg Fitzsimmons likes to ridicule romance and other aspects of everyday life. The veteran comic performs tonight at 7 and 9:45 and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9:15 at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
GlamGore: Hairy, Scary, & Feral
Cleveland’s “Vixen of Versatility,” Anhedonia Delight, hosts this alternative and themed drag show series. Tonight’s performance takes place at 8:30 at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures — Regina Brett Book Reading
A former Plain Dealer columnist, Cleveland native Regina Brett shares short, personal essays in her new book, Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures. She reads from it tonight at 6 at Visible Voice Books.
2258 Professor Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
Music in the Galleries: Jacob Trombetta
Jacob Trombetta, a pedal steel guitarist who utilizes electronics in his playing, performs tonight at 6 at Cleveland Museum of Art. Trombetta has collaborated with the likes of Mark Mothersbaugh and Patrick Carney, both of whom have deep roots in Northeast Ohio. Admission is free.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
The Nutcracker
Today at 7 p.m. at Connor Palace, Cleveland Ballet presents its rendition of the classic ballet that features music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Performances continue through Dec. 22.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Pickle in the Land
More than 530 athletes have registered for this event that kicks off today at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Spectators can enjoy vendor village that includes sampling, giveaways, interactive activities, a live broadcast from Rock Entertainment Sports Network, food and beverage options, and pickleball matches all day long. Admission is free.
500 Lakeside Ave., 216-928-1600, clevelandconventions.com.
Smooth Talk Presents: Welcome Home 3 Year Anniversary with Tall Black Guy
Local DJs Smooth Talk celebrate their third anniversary with this special show featuring Detroit’s Tall Black Guy, who’s collaborated with Zo!, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Gilles Peterson, Lefto and Questlove. The concert begins at 9 p.m. at Lake Affect Studios. Tickets cost $15 online, $20 at the door.
1615 East 25th St., 216-298-9018, facebook.com/lakeaffectstudios.
Tip “T.I.” Harris featuring the HaHa Mafia
Comedian Tip “T.I.” Harris and several of his comedian friends perform tonight at 7 and 9:30 and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9 a the Cleveland Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
SAT 12/14
Cleveland Better Streets Film Festival
Bike Cleveland presents this film festival dubbed Better Streets at the Capitol Theatre. The two-hour fest with nine short films on sustainable cities starts at 4 p.m., https://events.humanitix.com/better-streets-film-festival.
1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
Jingle Bell Holiday Shop
Local vendors will be on hand for this event that takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both the Grog Shop and the B-Side Lounge in Cleveland Heights.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
The Ohio City Singers Holiday Party
The locally based 9-piece band returns to the Rock Hall for its annual holiday party. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20, but admission is free for Rock Hall members.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greets
Scuba Claus Meet & Greets continue today at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The event includes full aquarium access, a winter-themed activity sheet, a candy cane and a commemorative digital photo. It takes place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. today and tomorrow.
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Ali Siddiq
Famous for his bit about a prison riot during which “Mexicans got on boots,” the veteran comedian who’s appeared on several popular podcasts and TV shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, 85 South, Kill Tony, Good Morning America, Uncle Joey’s Joint with Joey Diaz, Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank, Bertcast and Pour Minds brings his I Got a Story to Tell tour to the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
SUN 12/15
Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Browns will undoubtedly have a hard time matching up against their best opponent of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs won last year’s Super Bowl and don’t appear to have lost a step this year. They play the Browns today at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field.
100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com.
Kash Doll
The actress and rapper who proclaims to be the “reigning queen of Detroit hip-hop” has just released the single “Kash Kommandments,” a simmering anthem that finds her defiantly rattling off a list of street-wise rules to live by, performs tonight at 7 at the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
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This article appears in Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2024.
