THU 12/19
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The pioneering hip-hop group that emerged out of Cleveland in the early ’90s when N.W.A.’s Easy-Z signed them to his Ruthless Records plays a rare hometown show tonight at 7 at House of Blues. Their debut EP, Creepin on ah Come Up, delivered the hit “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” a track that established the sing-song style that would become their trademark.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
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 Sunday.
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 Sunday.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
Based on a true story, this play recreates a Christmas that writer C.S. Lewis spent near Oxford hosting a group of Americans who were Christmassing in England. Performances take place at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night at the Hanna Theatre.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Bill Kirchen’s Honky Tonk Holiday Show
Expect to hear under-appreciated holiday classics such as “Silent Surfin’ Night,” “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas,” “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin” when singer-songwriter Bill Kirchen brings his holiday show to the Beachland Tavern tonight at 8.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Monsters vs. Utica Comets
Tonight at 7, the Monsters take on the Utica Comets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It’s Sustainability Night, so you can expect some related giveaways.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Tonight at 7:30 at Mandel Concert Hall, the Cleveland Orchestra presents Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert. The event will feature a screening of the classic film that retells the Dickens classic. The orchestra will perform the score live to picture.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
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 Sunday.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 12/20
Cocoa Brown
If you’ve seen any of Progressive Insurance’s “Name Your Price” commercials, then you’ve seen comic Cocoa Brown. In the commercial, this vivacious comedian and actress plays the angered wife whose husband decides he wants to juggle chain saws. Tyler Perry has even taken her on as a vital character in his TV shows and films. She 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.
Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Last month, the Cavs beat the Milwaukee Bucks in two very close games. Expect tonight’s game against the Bucks to be another nailbiter. Tip-off is at 7:30 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavs stay home to face the floundering Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow night at 8.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Chamber Music in the Atrium: Holiday Brass with Gabrieli’s Horns
Gabrieli’s Horns, a classical brass quintet, will play arrangements of holiday favorites. The concert begins tonight at 6 at Cleveland Museum of Art. Admission is free.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
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/.
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.
The Daze
The grunge-y up-and-coming local group that’s just released a new Dinosaur Jr.-inspired single headlines this show that also features Casket Splinter, Echoes on Water and the Brakes. The music begins at 7:30 p.m. at CODA.
2247 Professor Ave, 216-274-1200, danteboccuzzi.com/coda/.
Greyt Big Talk
Ariel Vergez, aka BlackBrain, is a pop-noir artist interested in beauty and thought. “His gifted art psyche develops stories that bring color to the mundane, dialogue to the mute, and personality to the dull,” reads a press release about the dynamic artists who comes to the CMA Community Arts Center today at 8 a.m. to participate in a special Greyt Big Talk.
2937 West 25th St., thatsgreyt.com.
The Little Match Girl Passion
Today and tomorrow at the Cleveland School of the Arts, Cleveland Chamber Choir will present David Lang’s Pulitzer-Prize Winning The Little Match Girl Passion, a modern-day retelling of the 1845 Hans Christian Andersen story influenced by Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. The program will feature award-winning local composer Tom Lopez and a visual arts collaboration with the students of the Cleveland School of the Arts. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m.
2064 Stearns Rd., 216-838-9000, clevelandschoolofthearts.org.
Sean Patton
We’re surprised that scruffy Sean Patton, a New York-based actor and comedian who was born and raised in New Orleans, has the nerve to come to town. In one skit he performed at the Laugh Factory, he revealed that he thinks of Cleveland as “a piece of shit city” before he led the audience through a “Fuck Cleveland” chant. Patton fared better when he turned his attention to his sexual interests. He 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.
Third Friday
From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free.
1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.
SAT 12/21
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.
Jim Brickman’s Comfort and Joy
This year’s tour featuring the veteran singer-pianist promises to be “a spectacular celebration of all things Christmas.” Expect to hear Brickman’s original holiday classics along with some seasonal favorites. Brickman performs today at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Hanna theatre. He also performs at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the venue.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Early Start
Local DJ IK Dubaku hosts this special event that finds him spinning tunes at a time when most music venues are just getting going. It takes place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Smoke and Mirrors.
1865 W. 25th St., partiful.com/e/TjbhuUITVlGz78x8vea3.
Holiday Mike Polk Jr. Show
Tonight at 8:30 at the Frolic Cabaret room at Hilarities, comedian-turned-local newscaster Mike Polk Jr. hosts a special holiday show featuring James Earl Brassfield, Jimmie Graham and Michael Strenk.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Plush Party
Every third Saturday of each month between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Cleveland Museum of Art hosts this event that offers 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. Admission is free.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
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. The event takes place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. today and tomorrow.
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Sensory-Friendly Saturday
Sensory-Friendly Saturday events at the Cleveland Museum of Art offer “adaptations” to meet diverse sensory-processing needs every third Saturday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. Guests on the autism spectrum, people experiencing dementia and those of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities are invited to participate in a calming museum experience with less stimulation in a section of the museum’s galleries before they open to the public.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Straight No Chaser
The nine-man vocal group that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary brings its annual holiday show to the State Theatre. It recently released a new holiday version of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go” that finds them enthusiastically clapping, singing and humming their alternative version of the catchy tune. The concert begins at 8.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Very Countess Christmas
The reality TV star’s show promises to deliver “plenty of music, mischief, laughter, and fun.” The concert begins tonight at 7 at the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Window Dogs
The local indie rock act that cites Nathaniel Rateliff, Manchester Orchestra, Led Zeppelin and Susto as influences headlines its biggest show to date. It hand-picked local acts Front Porch Lights, Who Saved Who, and Frida and the Mann to open. The music begins at 7 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
SUN 12/22
Beachland Holiday Flea
The Beachland hosts a holiday flea for all those last-minute shoppers. More than 30 vendors who specialize in selling vintage items, vinyl, handmade jewelry and accessories will be on hand. The event begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Jolly Holiday Show with Jesse Jukebox
Local singer-songwriter Jesse Jukebox and his musical sidekick, DJ Terkey Sandwich, team up for this special holiday show for both kids and parents. The celebration gets going at 10 a.m. at the Grog Shop. Tickets cost $10.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
Today at 3 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Monsters take on the Rochester Americans. It’s Family Day and Blues Jackets night, and the game will feature a special Teddy Bear Toss promotion.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Winterloo on Waterloo 2024
Local acts Martini Five-O, the Super Babes, Hubb’s Groove and the Ohio City Singers perform at this special holiday event that takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. at venues on Waterloo Rd.
clevelandrocksppf.org/winterloo.
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This article appears in Dec 4-17, 2024.
