Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 12/18
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 Sunday.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
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 Sunday. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts
At this time each year, the Cleveland Orchestra plays a series of shows at Mandel Concert Hall that are designed to celebrate the holiday season. The orchestra performs at 7:30 tonight, and concerts continue through Sunday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Felipe Esparza
Comedian Felipe Esparza has kept plenty busy in the wake of taking home top honors from NBC’s Top Comic Standing in 2010. In 2012, the wild-haired comic released his first one-hour comedy special on Showtime, and he hasn’t looked back. He’s steadily toured ever since. He performs tonight at 7:30 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Monsters vs. Laval Rocket
The Monsters get a double dose of the Laval Rocket today as the team arrives for a 7 p.m. game at Rocket Arena. It’s a Blue Jackets Night, and the first 2,015 fans to receive an exclusive Kent Johnson Interstate 71 poster. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, the two teams return to Rocket Arena for the return of their annual Teddy Bear Toss game. They’ll try to break last season’s record of 21,859 bears on the ice.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Led by renowned finger picker Reverend Peyton, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band returns to the Kent Stage tonight at 6:30. The group embraces roadhouse blues on its latest effort, the grunge-y Honeysuckle. The alt-country group performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
The SpongeBob Musical
The musical that features tunes by the likes of They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith arrives at Beck Center for the Arts. Tonight’s show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Jan. 4.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour
Since forming in Indianapolis nearly three decades, this a cappella group has become an international sensation and has sold more than three million albums worldwide. Two years ago, the group performed in more than 50 cities across the U.S. with multiple sold-out shows, including a record-breaking run in Indianapolis. It brings its holiday show to the State Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The group also performs on Dec. 22 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 12/19
The American Misfits Comedy Tour
Comedians Michael Loftus, Dave Landau and Reno Collier bring their aptly named misfits tour to the Hanna Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
The Cavaliers take on a rebuilding Chicago Bulls team tonight at 7:30 at Rocket Arena. The Bulls traded away star Zach LaVine last season and have struggled to replace his offense, even as guards Coby White and Josh Giddey have played relatively well.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Chamber Music in the Atrium: Linking Legacies
Students and faculty from Case Western Reserve University’s historical performance program, from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and from the Music Settlement will perform at this special concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art. It begins at 6 p.m.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Chill @ CMNH
This after-hours event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History features flashlight tours of Perkins Wildlife Center and after-dark encounters with the museum’s animal ambassador. It takes place from 5 to 9 p.m.
1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Presented by BOOM Theater
In addition to its famous title track, this musical features “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.” It arrives at the Akron Civic Theatre Knight Stage just in time for the holiday season. Performances take place at 7 tonight and tomorrow night and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
King George Holidays with the Fan-Mily
R&B/blues singer King George brings his special holiday show featuring Marcus the Singer and Fat Daddy to the Akron Civic Theatre. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.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.
John Vincent III & Michael Marcagi
The two up-and-coming singer-songwriters from Ohio team up for this show at the Agora. One dollar from every ticket sold will be dedicated to Cleveland Providence House for Children. The show starts at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
SAT 12/20
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. third Saturday of every month.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas
The singer-songwriter brings his holiday show back to the Hanna Theatre for performances at 2 and 8 p.m. He’ll perform again at 2 p.m. at tomorrow at the venue. He has admitted it’s a challenge to keep his Christmas tours fresh and exciting, but he tries to infuse the performances with joy and happiness as he covers tunes such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Joy to the World.”
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Chimaira Christmas
Two years ago, this local hard rock group reunited to celebrate the anniversary of The Impossibility of Reason, and the band will reprise its annual Christmas show at the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and 200 Stab Wounds and Nunslaughter open.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
The Modern Electric NorthCoast Christmas
Local indie rockers the Modern Electric host this annual Christmas concert at the Beachland Ballroom. Recess and Oregon Space Trail of Jazz open. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
One Silent Night
Local guitar hero Neil Zaza brings his self-described Hendrix-meets-Beethoven under the Christmas tree holiday show to the Goodyear Theater in Akron. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.
Rellick
The local group Rellick celebrates its two-year anniversary with this special show at Brothers Lounge. The group will debut some new tunes while also playing fan favorites such as “Sweet Tranquil Tourism” and “Rain Covered Road.” Jareth Marlow and Jack & the Optimists open. The show begins at 8 p.m.
11609 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.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.
SUN 12/21
Apostle Jones’s A Holiday Special
The local funk/soul/rock group plays a special holiday show that’ll feature Cleveland artists and performers such as Hayden Grove, Esther Fitz, TobyRaps, James Begin (of Tropidelic), Henry LoConti and Malana Broom. It begins at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron.
2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.
Beachland Holiday Flea
Last-minute shoppers can rejoice. Today at 10 a.m., the Beachland Ballroom hosts a last-minute flea where you can find vintage goods as well as all things related to rock ‘n’ roll (vinyl, posters, T-shirts). The event goes until 3 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Browns vs. Buffalo Bills
The Browns take on the mighty Buffalo Bills, a team with Super Bowl aspirations, today at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. Should be a good test to see if Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is really ready to lead the team next season.
100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com.
Myq Kaplan
This clever comedian called his recent Amazon special Small, Dork and Handsome. Expect to hear a few self-deprecating jokes when he performs at 7:30 tonight at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Winterloo on Waterloo
This annual event at the Waterloo Arts District features performances by local bands such as Black Voltron, Opus 216, Lea Marra, the Super Babes, Nancy Redd & the Sounds of Jazz, Songwriters Circle, NEOHMA Jam, Tongue in Groove and Ohio City Singers. The party gets going at noon. Ohio City Singers take the stage at the Treelawn at 6 p.m.
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