THU 01/30
Bertha: Grateful Drag
A Nashville-based group that claims to be the world’s first draq Grateful Dead tribute band formed two years ago to fight the anti trans and LGBTQ laws being passed in Tennessee and around the country. Tonight at 8 at the Beachland Ballroom, the band makes its Cleveland debut. The concert serves as a benefit for Trans Ohio, and local drag queen Dr. Lady J will host the affair.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have given the Cavaliers trouble this season and come away with wins on two occasions. They return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to take on the Cavs tonight at 7:30.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Cleveland Open
This annual event that takes place through Feb. 2 at the Cleveland Racquet Club features professional tennis players vying for $100 in prize and 75 Association of Tennis Professionals tour points. Check the website for a schedule of events.
29825 Chagrin Blvd, 216-831-2155, topnotchtennisevents.com.
Hooked Like Helen CD Release Party
The local group celebrates the release of its new album. Singer Nikki Stipp performs with real intensity, and the band draws from glam rock and metal. The national act Platinum Moon shares the bill. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Winchester in Lakewood.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Louis Katz
This comedian released his latest special, Present/Tense, independently on YouTube in late 2023. It became an instant hit, garnering praise from fellow comics such as Ali Wong and Marc Moran. Katz performs at 7 tonight at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 01/31
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The famous dance group returns to the State Theatre where it’ll perform Revelations, one of its most famous pieces, along with a selection of other dance pieces. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 and performances take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow as well.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Bumpin’ Uglies
The reggae/ska/punk band brings its tour in support of its new album, Lyrics Over Everything, to the Beachland Ballroom tonight for the start of a two-night residency. The show begins at 7:30, and Joey Harkum and Derek McBryde open. Joint Operation and TobyRaps open tomorrow’s show.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Malik Elassal
The Lebanese-Canadian actor, writer, and comedian performs at 6:30 and 9:15 tonight and tomorrow night at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
The Great Big Home + Garden Show
The 10-day Great Big Home + Garden Show is back at the I-X Center through Feb. 9. It features a whopping 475 exhibits centering on how to “renew, refresh and restore” your home and garden as landscaping experts will present daily gardening seminars. HGTV’s Mina Starsiak Hawk of Good Bones and Dave and Jenny Marrs of Fixer to Fabulous will appear on the Main Stage. Check the show’s website for hours and a complete schedule of happenings. The exhibit runs through Sunday, Feb. 9.
One I-X Center Drive, 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com.
Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers
The Pittsburgh-based singer-guitarist became a regional sensation in the 1970s and 1980s and continues to regularly tour and record. He counts Bruce Springsteen as one of his biggest fans. He plays at 8 p.m. at the Music Box Supper Club.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Josh Johnson: The Flowers Tour
Daily Show writer and correspondent Josh Johnson brings his Flowers Tour to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. In one famous bit, he talks about catfishing the KKK on Craigslist and pretending to be white. He performs at 7 and 10 p.m.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Alfred Kainga
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Alfred Kainga began his comedic career in Dallas in 2005 shortly after moving to the United States. He performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Cleveland Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
Kerry King
Slayer guitarist Kerry King launched his solo career last year with the release of From Hell I Rise. To cut the tunes and to play them live, he assembled a band of heavy metal all-stars, including Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda, Vio-lence/Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders and Slayer/Testament/Forbidden/Exodus drummer Paul Bostaph. The tour that brings him to House of Blues tonight supports the album. Doors open at 6.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Monsters vs. Providence Bruins
The Monsters take on the Providence Bruins at 7 tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Since it’s a Friday night game, there will be special discounts on concessions. The two teams play again at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Mourning [A] BLKstar 10th Anniversary Concert
The ambitious local band that draws from noise, funk, indie rock and jazz celebrates its tenth anniversary with this special show at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Toughest Monster Truck Tour
Monster trucks return to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown today for a competition that begins at 7:30 p.m. The trucks will stick around for the weekend and stage another competition tomorrow too. That event begins at 6 p.m.
229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.com.
SAT 02/01
The Backfires
Formed in 2018, when singer Alex Gomez left New York to study in London and met guitarist Harry Ruprecht and drummer Max Wanduragala. The three of them then returned to the states in 2022 and recruited bassist Matt Walter before they recorded their debut EP, Consider the Backfires. Songs like the mid-tempo rocker “The Man” have a Måneskin-meets-the Strokes vibe. The group comes to Mahall’s in Lakewood, where it performs at 7 p.m.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
CIM Opera Theater: Muhly’s Dark Sisters
At 2 p.m. today and tomorrow at Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music’s Opera Theater program presents a special newly commissioned arrangement of Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters, a 2011 opera about “a woman’s attempt to escape from an oppressive religious sect.”
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Guitar Riot Grand Re-Opening
The guitar shop celebrates its grand reopening with this special party. There will be prizes (including a Fender and a Gibson guitar), live music, and other giveaways. The event begins at 11 a.m.
4517 Lorain Rd., guitarriot.com.
Brian Alan Hager Release Party
The veteran local singer-guitarist who plays rock, glam and blues will debut a new backing band at this show at Fairview Tavern.
21867 Lorain Rd., 440-799-4200, thefairviewtavern.com.
Fat Ham
This Pulitzer Prize-winning play that centers on family secrets and “scandalous generational trauma” comes to the Allen Theatre. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and performances continue through Feb. 23.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Insidious: The Further You Fear
Hosted by the actual paranormal investigators who inspired the original movie from which this immersive live horror experience takes its name, Insidious: The Further You Fear will feature characters such as Bride in Black, the Wheezing Man and Red Face Demon in order to frighten the audience. Performances take place at 6 and 9 p.m. at Connor Palace.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Music of Motown
At 7:30 tonight at Mandel Concert Hall, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra pays tribute to the Motown record label with a concert that’ll feature music by acts such as the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Jacksons, and Earth Wind & Fire.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 film that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw rice and dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie, still draws big crowds to local showings. Expect a throng to show up for tonight’s screening that takes place at 9:30 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets cost $12. first Saturday of every month.
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
SUN 02/02
Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Last year, the Dallas Mavericks made it all the way to the NBA Finals. While the team hasn’t played as well this season, it should still prove to be a formidable opponent for the Cavs. The two teams play each other today at 3:30 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Marty Friedman
This guitar hero who famously played in the thrash metal band Megadeth from 1990 to 2000 will bring his full Japanese band to the Winchester tonight as part of a tour supporting his new album, Drama. Guitarists Nikki Stringfield and Patrick Kennison will open the show with an acoustic set.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Billy F. Gibbons
The ZZ Top guitarist plays a solo show at House of Blues. His foot-stomping new single, “Livin’ It Up Down in Texas,” has a ZZ Top feel to it thanks to his husky voice and the gritty guitarist. His backing band includes Rock Hall of Famer Chris “Whipper” Layton and Austin’s Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin. Doors open at 7 p.m.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Stephen Kellogg
The singer-songwriter who got his start in the early 2000s with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers performs at 7 tonight at the Music Box Supper Club. His 2022 album, Keep It Up, Kid, features well-crafted tunes about self-determination and resilience. Will Varley opens.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Gabriel Rutledge
This comedian has released five albums and made numerous TV appearances. He performs tonight at 7:30 at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Shotgun Bowl 3
The local hard rock Olathia headlines this multi-band metal bill that features Doctor Smoke, Cyadine, the Great Iron Snake, Kurnugia, Tundra, Radiatrix and Sabon. Doors open at 1 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. Bands will play on both of the club’s stages.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
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This article appears in Jan 16-29, 2025.
