THU 03/20
Neal Francis
The singer-songwriter brings his tour in support of his third studio album, Return to Zero, to the Beachland Ballroom. Return to Zero tunes such as “Need You Again” and “Back It Up” feature smooth funk grooves reminiscent of the 1970s. The show begins at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Joan Jett: Bad Reputation
Punk rocker Joan Jett is the subject of this documentary film that traces her career from the Runaways to her time with the Blackhearts. It screens at 7 p.m. at the Rock Hall.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
& Juliet
The writer from Schitt’s Creek penned this musical that imagines what might have happened if Romeo & Juliet had not ended in tragedy. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Sunday.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Khandria
This local prog metal band influenced by Tool, Dream Theater and Alice In Chains celebrates its 25th anniversary. The band defines its sound as “percussive guitar riffs, haunting vocals, grooving bass lines and technical drum performances.” Expect “somber lighting, mysterious atmosphere and formal near-Gothic attire” for this show that takes place at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern. Wavelength and DRVYN open.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
King James
Set in a bar in Cleveland Heights, this play chronicles basketball great LeBron James’s rookie season in Cleveland and the events that led to the team winning the 2016 NBA Championship. tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Outcalt Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday.
1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Night at the Roxy
This event features 30+ Northeast Ohio women-owned eateries, shops, performers, brands, and musicians. A suggested donation of $20 per person will be collected at the door. The proceeds will benefit Collaborate Cleveland, a non-profit that “envisions a Cleveland that supports, amplifies, and celebrates women — a community where gender justice is at the heart of our policies and practices.” It begins at 6 p.m. at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Jeremy Piven
The actor and comedian who’s perhaps most famous for his portrayal of an unhinged Hollywood manager on the HBO hit Entourage brings his standup show to the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
A tribute to the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, this touring show comes to the State Theatre tonight. The immersive concert-style performance chronicles the duo’s rise, culminating with their famous Concert in Central Park reunion in 1981. Using state-of-the-art video projection, photos and original film footage, the show features a full live band performing hits such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Homeward Bound.” Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 03/21
Aziz Ansari
A standup comic who had a breakout role in the sit-com Parks and Recreation, Aziz Ansari has also received wide acclaim for his Netflix program, Master of None, which debuted three years ago. Note that he has a strict policy against taking pictures or recording the event. The concert begins at 7 tonight at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Rosebud Baker
Currently a write for Saturday Night Live, comedian Rosebud Baker swings into town to play Hilarities this weekend just as her new comedy special, The Mother Lode, has arrived on Netflix. Performances take place at 7 and 9:45 tonight and tomorrow night.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo
More than 300 exhibitors, including Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt of HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home and Virginia Chamlee, the best-selling author of the book Big Thrift Energy, will be on hand for this event that takes place today through Sunday at the I-X Center.
One I-X Center Drive, 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com.
EMEL
The Tunisian-born/New York-based artist, producer and activist who draws inspiration from the likes of Bjork and Janis Ian performs tonight at 7:30 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The show will mark her Cleveland debut.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Fan Expo Cleveland
The comic con returns to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Stars such as Grant Gustin (The Flash), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian), and James and Oliver Phelps (Harry Potter) will be on hand for the annual event. Expect celebrity Q&A sessions, photo ops and autograph sessions. Consult the website for a complete schedule. The event runs through Sunday.
300 Lakeside Ave., 216-928-1600, fanexpohq.com.
First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship
March Madness comes to town today as Rocket Arena hosts the first round of the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Today, Vanderbilt is set to take on Saint Mary’s CA and Alabama will go up against Robert Morris. Check the arena website for more info.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
JoJo
JoJo isn’t just a pop star. The singer-songwriter’s memoir is a New York Times bestseller. It chronicles how she was raised by parents who were both battling addiction and depression. Her new dance-pop EP, NGL, seamlessly blends R&B and pop, and the songs address many of the issues she addresses in her book. She brings her Too Much To Say tour to the Agora. Doors open at 7 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Slum Village
The ’90s hip-hop act performs at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Vice Souletric, Will Cherry, Eman Jones, MyNameIsBrave and DJ Walk share the bill. The music begins at 8:30 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Livingston Taylor & the Chagrin Falls Orchestra
Back in 2017, singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor reached a significant milestone; his musical career reached the 50-year mark. As a result, the mayor of Boston and governor of Massachusetts declared a Livingston Taylor Day to mark the occasion. He hit the road to celebrate the remarkable feat and hasn’t looked back. The veteran singer-songwriter returns to the Kent Stage with the Chagrin Falls Orchestra backing him up. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
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.
Twelfth Night
When a violent shipwreck separates Viola from her boat and twin brother, she washes up on Illyria, an exotic island. She disguises herself as a boy messenger tries to pass herself off as a native. That, in a nutshell, is the plot of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. And like many of the Bard’s play, misplaced affections and misunderstood intentions come into play. Catch the Great Lakes Theatre production of the play, which comes to the Hanna Theatre tonight at 7:30. Performances continue through April 6.
1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Welshly Arms
With three Top 10 radio hits in Germany and a platinum single in Germany and Switzerland, the local blues rock act Welshly Arms has built a dedicated fan base the world. They’ve supported large-scale national tours with 30 Seconds to Mars and Walk the Moon. The group performs at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. DaLand Brass Band and RADDERALL open the show.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
SAT 03/22
2025 Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, Hale Farm & Village hosts live demonstrations of tree tapping and sap boiling in the wood-fired syrup evaporator at C.O. Hale’s 1910 Sugar House. The event aims to show what life was like on farms in the Cuyahoga Valley during the 1800s.
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.
Desi Banks
The actor, stand-up comedian, podcaster, and entrepreneur brings his standup comedy show to the Agora. Doors open at 6 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Les Hommes Libres Film Screening
Based on historical events that took place in the 1940s, this French film follows French North Africans who recount their participation in the French Resistance and the important role of the Grand Mosque of Paris in protecting and evacuating Jews in face of German persecution. It screens today at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage
Since releasing his debut album, The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane, in 2001, indie singer-songwriter Jeffrey Lewis has regularly toured and recorded. He plays the Happy Dog tonight in support of his new album, The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis. The show begins at 8.
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Van Arlo Release Party
For this release show that takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre in Akron, the local alt-country act Van Arlo will play its newest singles, which it recorded without overdubs. Locals Rye Valley along with singer-songwriters Charlotte Morris, Kayla Dunbar and Maura Streppa will share the bill.
1000 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 234-525-1956, rialtotheatre.com.
ZZ Ward — The Dirty Sun Tour
In a world where artists often produce a new album every two years or so to remain relevant, blues singer-songwriter ZZ Ward waited five years to release her sophomore album, The Storm. She comes to the Kent Stage tonight as part of a tour in support of her latest effort, Liberation. The show begins at 6:30.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Yuja Wang Plays Tchaikovsky
Celebrated pianist Yuja Wang plays two pieces by Tchaikovsky as Franz Welser-Möst directs the Cleveland Orchestra at Mandel Concert Hall. Performances take place at 8 tonight and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
SUN 03/23
Altan
Way back in 1981, Belfast-born flute player Frankie Kennedy met fiddler and singer Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, and the duo formed the folk-rock act Altan. The group has steadily recorded and toured ever since. It performs tonight at 6:30 at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Beachland Flea
In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern will host a special spring flea. Doors open at 10 a.m., and it’s free to shop. More than 20 vendors will be on hand selling artwork, classic vinyl records and vintage items.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Discover Weekly Cleveland
This free series at the B-Side in Cleveland Heights will feature a different line-up of emerging artists and area nonprofits to promote their message to the community through song. The event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. It continues through April 28.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, bsideliquorlounge.com.
Joe Pug
There’s plenty to admire about this singer/songwriter who draws inspiration from authors such as Walt Whitman and Raymond Carver. After breaking out in 2008 with his debut, Nation of Heat, Pug has steadily toured and recorded. He performs tonight at 7 at Music Box Supper Club.
1148 Main Avenue, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com/.
The Shamrock Tenors
The popular vocal group arrives from Belfast and London’s West End to deliver five-party harmonies in songs such as “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Danny Boy.” The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
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This article appears in Mar 13-26, 2025.