Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 10/10
Matthew Sweet
Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, who’s been performing his first live shows in nearly four years, is back on the road as an acoustic trio that features his longtime bassist Paul Chastain and guitarist Adrian Carter (Amy Ray Band). Expect fresh arrangements of Sweet’s classic hits as well as rarely heard deep-cuts. He performs tonight at 7:30 at Music Box Supper Club.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
A Beautiful Noise
This musical charts how Neil Diamond, a guy who identifies as a “kid from Brooklyn,” became an international superstar thanks to hit songs such as “Sweet Caroline” and “America.” Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Oct. 27.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Cavs vs. Indiana Pacers
The Cavs square up against a very good Indiana Paces team tonight at 7 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The preseason game should provide a good look at what will be a season-long rivalry between the two evenly matched teams.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
The Jerry Douglas Band
A veteran bluegrass and folk musician, dobro master Jerry Douglas comes to the Kent Stage tonight at 6:30. In addition to leading his own band, Douglas is a member of Alison Kraus & Union Station, a co-bandleader for Transatlantic Sessions and founder for the Grammy winner bluegrass super-group the Earls of Leicester.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
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. second Thursday of every month.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Kaleo
The Icelandic group has been touring with the Rolling Stones and recently dropped the Americana/folk single “Lonely Cowboy,” which serves as “a reflection on the recurring themes of mass shootings and overall gun violence that occur across America.,” as it’s put in a press release. Expect to hear the moody number when the band plays tonight at 7 at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A group of would-be actors engage in “a joyful celebration of love lost, transformed and restored” in Shakespeare’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Great Lakes Theater production of the play opens tonight at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre, where it continues through Oct. 27.
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Salonen Conducts Salonen
Cellist Senja Rummukainen joins the Cleveland Orchestra as it performs pieces by Ravel, Esa-Pekka Solonen and Sibelius. Esa-Pekka Salonen will serve as guest conductor. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances also take place on Saturday and Sunday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Andrew Santino
Co-host of the popular Bad Friends podcast with fellow comic Bobby Lee, this dry-witted comedian also acts (and is very funny as the manager of a nerdy white rapper in Dave). He brings his Freeze Peach Tour to the Agora tonight at 6.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
FRI 10/11
Cleveland Latino International Film Festival
Today through Sunday at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance, and Expression, LatinUs Theater Company presents the first-ever Cleveland Latino International Film Festival. The event will feature screenings that highlight stories of resilience, identity, and community, along with opportunities for Q&A sessions with filmmakers, discussions, and networking. The event is free with an RSVP. Find more info on the website.
2937 W. 25th St., 216-619-6192, latinustheater.com.
Coin
Initially, this Nashville-based pop band found a handful of other indie pop bands that could help it develop that part of the Music City’s music scene. The band self-released two EPs before signing to Columbia Records a few years ago after a successful showcase at the College Music Journal Conference; the current tour supports I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore, another album of infectious pop tunes. The group performs tonight at 7 at the Agora. Aidan Bissett opens.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Ginger Root
Since his first release, a collection of tunes he refers to as “aggressive elevator soul,” multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter and visual artist, Cameron Lew (aka Ginger Root), has been making handmade synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie, and soul. He comes to the Roxy at Mahall’s in Lakewood tonight at 7. The current tour supports the new album, Shinbangumi.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Mercury Music Lounge Grand Opening
Local bands and DJs will perform tonight and tomorrow night at the Mercury Music Lounge in Lakewood as the club celebrates its grand reopening. Admission is free.
18206 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, mercurymusiclounge.com.
The Mysterious Death of Archibald Crackerbarrel: He was Murdered
Imposters Theatre writers and actors have crafted a 90 minute tour through the spooky and kooky world of murder mysteries. Haunted mansions, ominous invitations, and demonic marketing specialists take center stage in our whirlwind comedy spectacular. Performances take place at 9:30 tonight and tomorrow night.
4828 Lorain Ave., imposterstheater.com.
Nurse John
Host of the popular I Beg Your Pardon podcast, Nurse John (John Dela Cruz) brings his standup show to the Mimi Ohio Theatre tonight at 7. Since Dela Cruz is a nurse by profession, expect to hear stories about what it’s like to work in the healthcare industry these days.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Olivier Messiaen: Catalogue d’oiseaux
Tonight at 7:30 at Reinberger Chamber Hall, pianist Gregorio Benítez performs one of Olivier Messiaen’s most famous pieces.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
SAT 10/12
Art Bites Performance: Musicians Cary Moskovitz and Mark Olitsky
This Art Bites series at Artists Archive of the Western Reserve features old-time bluegrass in the galleries. Award-winning banjo players Mark Olitsky and Cary Moskovitz will perform. Olitsky has given many workshops at festivals and music camps and won ribbons at old-time conventions throughout the South. The event begins at 8 p.m.
1834 East 123rd St., 216-721-9020, artistsarchives.org.
Beachpark Fest
Named after a mix of the location and promoter putting the event together, Beachpark Fest was organized with the intent of celebrating the strength of the entire Midwest rock music scene. The lineup for the concert features locals such as TRUSS, LoConti, Blossom Park, Solon, False Teeth, GRANT and Off-Leash (formerly Detention). Other regional acts round out the bill. Doors open at 4 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
The CFA International Cat Show and Expo
Pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats will showcase their beauty and grace at the CFA International Cat Show that comes to the I-X Center today and tomorrow. Today’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the event takes place from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow.
1 I-X Center Dr., 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com.
Ekoostik Hookah
The grandfathers of Ohio’s expansive jam band scene — culturally and musically — have always maintained close ties to the Cleveland area and regularly venture up to these parts from their Columbus home base. The group performs tonight at 6:30 at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Exit Stencil Farewell Party
The heavily Cleveland-centric, Exit Stencil Records has released a number of critically acclaimed reissues by Cleveland bands as well as new bands from across the country. Tonight at 7:30,the Happy Dog hosts a farewell party/wake for the local label. The night will feature local acts Herzog, This Moment in Black History, Hot Cha Cha, New Lou Reeds and a number of special guests from the label’s catalog over the years. Label owners will sell “super cheap” records and distribute giveaways to clear out any back stock.
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Harvest Festival
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, Hale Farm & Village hosts Harvest Festival, a family-friendly event offers seasonal experiences such as apple cider pressing and butter churning, and pumpkin painting. Other harvest activities can be seen at the Saltbox House herb garden (funded and maintained by the Bath Gamma Garden Club) where herbs will be harvested and preserved for use during the winter, and at First Settlement where cooking demonstrations will happen.
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.
OB StreetFest
Today from noon to 8 p.m., Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) hosts the inaugural OB StreetFest, an outdoor celebration of the people, places, and, spaces of the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The free event on Broadview Road will transform six blocks of the neighborhood into a “lively and welcoming place” for the community to enjoy live music, food, a beer garden, local vendors and family-friendly, activities.
oldbrooklyn.com.
Opeth
Due out later this year, Opeth’s 14th album finds the metal band emphasizing the prog rock side of its sound. Several songs add a classic rock dimension too as Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson contributes on flute and vocals. The group performs tonight at the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and Tribulation opens.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Pints and Pies — Craft Beer and Pizza Festival 2024
About 100 beers from local and out-of-state breweries will be paired with all types of pizzas at this event that takes place tonight at 7 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Spooky Pooch Parade
Now in its 16th year, the Spooky Pooch Parade attracts hundreds of dogs to Lakewood’s Madison Park. Scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, the event includes a festival within Madison Park, a parade and an awards presentation. It’s reportedly the only event of its kind within the region.
13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-6650, lakewoodalive.com.
What the Constitution Means to Me
Playwright Heidi Schreck imagines how the U.S. Constitution might change in the future in her Obie Award-winning play. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 3.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
SUN 10/13
Celebration Day
To celebrate this year’s Rock Hall Inductees, the Rock Hall will host a free for Ohio residents event featuring daytime live music from local musicians such as the Joe Brown Band, Marcus Smith and the Rapscallions, Truss and the Mechanics. The festivities begin when the Rock Hall opens at 9 p.m. and continue until closing at 9 p.m.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
The Front Bottoms
Last year, this duo released its latest effort, You Are Who You Hang Out With, to wide acclaim. Recorded in multi-week spurts with producer Mike Sapone both in The Front Bottoms’ New Jersey studio and Ghost Hit Recording in Massachusetts, the album features the singles “Emotional,” “Punching Bag,” “Outlook,” and “Paris.” The group brings its tour in support of the album to House of Blues. The show starts at 7 tonight, and the group plays the club again at 7 tomorrow night.
308 Euclid Ave, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Chris Mondak Band
This Nashville-based jazz combo has put out three CDs in the past five years. The current tour supports the latest release, last year’s Blank with Colour, and the group will record tonight’s show at the Bop Stop for a possible live release. The music begins at 7.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.
Revolutionary Love Tour with Valarie Kaur and Friends
Civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, and innovator Valarie Kaur will present “an immersive experience of storytelling, music, song, ancestral wisdom, and community building” at this event that takes place tonight at 6 at the Transformer Station.
1460 West 29th St., 216-938-5429, transformerstation.org.
Rick Wakeman — The Final Solo Tour
The former Strawbs/Yes keyboardist brings his final tour to the Kent Stage. He had a string of successful solo albums in the ’70s, so you can expect the show will touch upon those releases as well as “Space Oddity,” a David Bowie song that he famously guested on back in the day. Doors are at 6:30 p.m.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 8, 2024.
