THU 01/09
An American in Paris
Guest conductor Stéphane Denève leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays George Gershwin’s An American in Paris, the iconic 1928 symphonic poem that inspired the Gene Kelly film. The concert begins at 7:30 at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances also take place on Saturday and Sunday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors
The Cavaliers play the Toronto Raptors, a team that has had a hard time finding wins this season, at 7 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The homestand continues for the Cavs when they play the Indiana Pacers at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.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.
Life of Pi
A 16-year-old boy takes refuge on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in this play that’s based on the best-selling book by the same name. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Jan. 26.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
T.J. Miller
Standup comedian T.J. Miller crossed over into feature films a couple of years ago when he landed major roles in movies such as Dead Pool and Transformers 4. Miller, who also had a significant role on Silicon Valley, still hits the comedy circuit with some regularity. He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
New Soft Shoe
Fifteen years ago, on what local singer-songwriter Brent Kirby calls a drunken dare, a group of Cleveland friends and musicians showed up at the Happy Dog to play a couple sets of tunes by the late, great Gram Parsons. Dubbed the New Soft Shoe, the group has been at it ever since, spreading the gospel of what it refers to as “Gram’s Cosmic American Music.” Tonight at Forest City Brewery, the group celebrates its 15th anniversary, and some of Cleveland’s best musicians and singers will join the festivities. The show begins at 7.
2135 Columbus Rd., 216-228-9116, forestcitybrewery.com.
Potted Potter
Olivier Award-nominated actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner take an irreverent look at the Harry Potter series in this two-man show. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 01/10
Charlie Berens Good Old Fashioned Tour
The comedian who hosts a weekly comedic online news show, the Manitowoc Minute, and creates Midwest-focused sketch comedy videos on his social media platforms performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron.
1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.
Cracker
Led by singer-songwriter David Lowery, Cracker formed in the ’90s after Lowery’s previous band, Camper van Beethoven, splintered. The alt-country-ish band had a few hits back then, but its catalog runs deep. The group just released a collection of re-recordings, demos, outtakes, collaborations and live tracks that presents an alternate history of the band. Expect the band to dive into it tonight at the Beachland Ballroom. The show starts at 8 p.m. Singer-songwriter Johnny Hickman, a member of Cracker, opens.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Found Footage Fest: 20th Anniversary Show
This touring festival featuring bizarre film clips comes to the Winchester in Lakewood as part of a tour celebrating its 20th anniversary. Doors open at 8 p.m.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Tiny Stage Series: RNB Unplugged
Brent Roach has collected contemporary Cleveland R&B singers and musicians into one night that’ll be filled with live performances featuring hit soulful covers as well as original songs. After the performances, a DJ will spin classic neo-soul, R&B and new soul favorites. Doors are at 9.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Hairspray Presented by the Millennial Theatre Project
The Millennial Theatre Project takes on the musical based on the John Waters film about a teen who just wants to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Jan. 26.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Jim Jefferies: Son of a Carpenter
The Australian comedian who likes to joke about parenting and everyday life comes to the State Theatre at 7 p.m. The show is part of his Son of a Carpenter tour.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Finesse Mitchell
A strong-willed Southerner, the Atlanta-born comedian’s routine deals with scaring off his sister’s boyfriends and adjusting to the Hollyweird culture of L.A. The Saturday Night Live alum performs tonight at 7 and 9:30 and tomorrow night 6:30 and 9 at the Funny Bone. Comedian Tisha Campbell shares the bill.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
Monsters vs. Laval Rocket
At 7 tonight and tomorrow night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Monsters take on the Laval Rocket. Tonight’s game will feature discounted concessions as part of a season-long Friday night promotion.
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Nonpoint
On tour to celebrate the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the band’s two most popular albums, To the Pain and Statement, respectively, heavy rockers Nonpoint will play songs that not only haven’t been heard in a long time, but also songs that have never been played live. The band performs at 6:30 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Kiry Shibazz
This comedian jokes that he likes to pass as a youth pastor because it keeps him out of trouble in the neighborhood where he lives. Shibazz, who effectively uses his jokes to make social commentary, performs tonight at 6:30 and 9:15 in the Frolic Cabaret Room at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Vanity Crash: David Bowie in Cleveland
This annual event that takes place tonight at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron features a multi-media presentation that revisits rock icon David Bowie’s first concert in Cleveland. Along with the presentation led by local musician Thomas Mulready, the local glam band Vanity Crash will play a mix of originals and Bowie covers. It begins at 8, and the event repeats at the same time tomorrow night at the Bop Stop and on Sunday night at the Beachland Tavern.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Warren G
This g-funk pioneer had a big hit in 1994 with the single “Regulate (Featuring Nate Dogg), ” a song that shows off his effortless flow. He also famously introduced Snoop Dogg to Dr. Dre, essentially launching the fellow Long Beach, CA-based rapper’s career. He performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
SAT 01/11
Dersu Uzala
Tonight at 7:30, the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque screens a 35mm print of this Akira Kurosawa film about the true story of Russian explorer Captain Vladimir Arsenyev (Yuri Solomin) and his friendship with Dersu Uzala.
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Floyd Nation
Since Pink Floyd splintered when band co-leaders David Gilmour and Roger Waters could not work out their creative differences, tribute acts have sprouted up to keep the British psychedelic band’s legacy alive. Tonight at 8 at MGM Northfield Park, Floyd Nation will revisit all the Floyd classics as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band’s album Wish You Were Here.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
History That Doesn’t Suck with Professor Greg Jackson
Based on a podcast by the same name, this live show featuring Greg Jackson, a professor at Utah Valley University, puts a spin on world history. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Lea Marra & the River Boys
Playing open mics in her tween and teen years opened up the experience of performing in front of people for local singer-songwriter Lea Marra. Connecting with other musicians in high school led to her first band, the indie outfit the Tom Katlees, which released one full-length before breaking up in 2019. The bluegrass-influenced River Boys became her latest backing band; it’s the group that will back her when she returns to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Sound on Tape
Local music Marcus Alan Ward will present his new project, Sound on Tape, which he’s been working on for the past year. The show is a themed party called Cookies vs Donuts and will feature themed projections and inflatables along with a mix of house, garage and electro. It takes place at 9 p.m. at Crobar.
3244 St. Clair, 216-771-4727, crobar1921.com.
SUN 01/12
The Elvis Birthday Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition
Elvis impersonators will be on hand for tonight’s celebration of what would have been the King’s 90th birthday. The show will feature on the early years as well as the military years and the Las Vegas residencies. It all begins at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave, 216-771-8403, playhousesquare.org.
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This article appears in Dec 18-31, 2024.
