Things to Do This Weekend in Cleveland: Events

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.

THU 07/30

Asian Lantern Festival

Taking over parks and zoos across the country, the traveling Asian Lantern Festival shows off thousands of colorful handmade paper lanterns in open, green spaces. This year’s festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will include an Asian craft market and Asian food vendors. The event takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 tonight through Sunday. Check the Zoo website for ticket prices. It continues through Aug. 23.

3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com.

Evanescence

While this rock band is best known for its 2003 record Fallen, new singles such as the Garbage-like “Fight Like a Girl” show that it remains relevant. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at Blossom. Spiritbox and Nova Twins open, and the group has reportedly partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will support organizations providing humanitarian aid and medical relief to people around the world.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

An Evening of Poetry with Donald King

Raised in foster care, poet Donald King spent much of his youth navigating hardship. But he channeled that struggle into his poetry after his wife encouraged him to begin writing. He reads from his work at 7 p.m. at Loganberry Books in Shaker Heights. Admission is free, but a $10 donation to the Shaker Heights Arts Council’s community arts program is suggested.

13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights., 216-795-9800, loganberrybooks.com.

Hallmark Stars Live: Christmas in July

Model, singer and actress Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas) hosts this special event featuring Hallmark movie stars who’ll talk about what it’s like to be on the movie set of some of the channel’s best-known films. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkacino.com.

Kaleidoscope!

The Maltz Museum hosts this summer party featuring local rockers Apostle Jones and DJ Teddy Eisenberg. Ladybug A/V Club will provide the visuals, and admission to the event includes access to the exhibit Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience. The event begins at 6 p.m., and tickets cost $20.

2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org.

Lake County Fair

Livestock plays a key role at the annual Lake County Fairgrounds, which takes place on the county fairgrounds in Painesville. The 4-H Club’s annual livestock auction is a key attraction, and there will be daily milkings. Of course, there’s lots of other stuff too, including truck pulls, live music and fair food.

1301 Mentor Ave., Painesville, 440-354-3339, lakecountyfair.org.

The Lion King

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story “filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.” The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16.

1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Mean Girls

The musical adapted from the film by the same name comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It centers on a teenager who must navigate “frenemies” at her suburban high school. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and the play runs through Aug. 9.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.

Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony

Brian Wendel, a trombonist known for his score for The Godfather, joins the Cleveland Orchestra tonight at Mandel Concert Hall as it takes on Saint-Saëns’s “Organ” Symphony. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

Summit County Fair

This county fair that dates back to 1850 offers truck and tractor pulls as well as livestock competitions and that glorious delicacy known as fair food. The event runs through Sunday at the Summit County Fairgrounds.

229 E. Howe Rd., Tallmadge, 330-633-6200, summitfair.com/.

FRI 07/31

Amber Autry

The comedian who hosts the I’m Fine, It’s Fine podcast about mental health issues performs at 7 and 9:45 tonight and tomorrow night at Hilarities. According to the club’s website, the shows are sold out.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

Reginald “Bruh Man” Ballard

Famous for playing the “Bruh Man” character on the sitcom Martin, this standup comedian comes to the Funny Bone tonight at 7 and 9:30 and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9.

1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.

CHERRY! Release Party

The local rock group celebrates the release of its new EP with this show at the Beachland Ballroom. No Bullets Til They’re Beautiful, MK Ultra and Moravian open. The show begins at 8 p.m.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Guardians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Guardians go up against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first-and-only time this regular season. The National League team got off to a rough start but has recovered and is in the NL wildcard chase. Tonight’s first pitch is at 7:10, and fireworks follow the game.

2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.

Jukebox Breakdown aka Emo Night CLE

Over the years, emo, the style of music characterized by noisy guitars and emotional/introspective lyrics, has been through a number of phases. The roots go back to the Washington D.C. hardcore scene of the ’80s and extend to today as bands such as Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein and the Used play some version of emo. Expect to hear music from different time periods at tonight’s Jukedown Breakdown that takes place at 10 at Mahall’s.

13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.

Pour on the Shore

Formerly known as the Avon Lake Beer Fest, this event will feature live music, local food, artisan booths and family activities. The event takes place today and tomorrow at Miller Road Park in Avon Lake. There will be a fireworks display tomorrow.

pouronshore.com.

Sister Act Presented by Akron Civic Theatre’s Millennial Theatre Project

The Millennial Theatre Project puts on this performance of the musical based on the movie about a woman who transforms a choir at a convent. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16.

182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.

SAT 08/01

Ashnikko

The singer and rapper brings their latest tour to the Agora. Doors open at 7 p.m. Last year, Ashnikko released Smoochies, a studio record that yielded five singles.

5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.

Dazz Band: 50th Anniversary Celebration

The funk band from the ’70s brings its 50th anniversary tour to the Northfield Park Racino. The show starts at 8 p.m.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com.

Lakewood Arts Fest

More than 170 regional and national artists will be on hand for this annual event that takes place in downtown Lakewood. The juried festival will feature paintings, prints, photography, glass, ceramics and jewelry. Local musical acts Opus 216, Tam Tam Magic Senegalese Drums and Cats on Holiday will perform. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Detroit Avenue between Belle and Elmwood Avenues, Lakewood, lakewoodartsfestival.org.

Music in the Garden

These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. John Orsini Jazz Quintet performs today. The show begins at 6 p.m. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free.

1905 Spring Rd., 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org.

No Surf Festival

Labra Brothers, Black Voltron, Nikki D & the Sisters of Thunder, Ray Flanagan and Da Land Brass Band will perform at this local music festival that takes place at Halloran Park. There will be food trucks, local vendors and activities for kids. It starts at 3 p.m.

3550 W 117th St., nosurfhouse.org.

Over the Rhine

The folk-rock act from Cincinnati featuring husband and wife Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage. Members of the Newbees, a self-described vintage rock band, will join OTR for this special show.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

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 10 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets cost $12.

2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.

Schumann’s Second Symphony

Conductor Kazuki Yamada leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Schumann’s Second Symphony, a piece written during a personal crisis. The Blossom Festival Chorus guests. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com.

Tomahawk

After a decade-long hiatus from performing live, the experimental rock band featuring singer Mike Patton is back on the road. The group initially formed back in the early 2000s and has steadily released albums since putting out its self-titled debut in 2001. The show starts at 7 p.m. at House of Blues.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.

SUN 08/02

“Crucible of Honor”: Indian Dance Theatre with Live Orchestra

This dance theater production with live music coincides with the Cleveland Museum of Art exhibit Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the “‘Shangri’ Ramayana.” It takes place at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

Men at Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Shonen Knife

Three very different musical acts affiliated with the ’80s and ’90s bring their summer tour to Cain Park. Men at Work delivered a number of quirky pop hits in the ’80s while Toad the Wet Sprocket take more of an indie and alt-rock approach and broke through thanks to college radio. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

Orion Levine

The bio for this comedian boasts that he’s “incredibly handsome.” Find out for yourself when he performs at 7 tonight at Hilarities.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

Reggae Sundays

This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

Wax + DJ Hoppa

Two years ago, Wax, a rapper/singer/songwriter with a career that stretches back two decades, teamed up with DJ Hoppa for a tour. The two then collaborated on an album, Highway Hotel. They bring their trek in support of the release to House of Blues Cambridge Room. The show starts at 7 p.m.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.