Thursday, September 3: Rooftop Wine Dinner – The Cleveland National Air Show is back in town this weekend and to kick things off in style, Music Box Supper Club will host a Rooftop Wine Dinner at which you can win tickets to the air show. Some 20 tickets will be given away and patrons can take home a bottle of wine at retail price. The menu includes items such as chipotle bisque, flying fish filets and jet-puffed s’mores creme brule. Tickets cost $75 and the event begins at 7 p.m. (Niesel, photo via Instagram Donna)
Thursday, Sept. 3: Jeff Blanchard – Comedian Jeff Blanchard has attitude to spare, and nothing is out of bounds for him. Topics of humor include kiddie porn, some pretty hilarious John McCain impressions, ragging on the Browns and the lovely town of Elyria. Some of the things he says are slightly offensive, but it’s all in good fun as this Cleveland native brings in that trademark ironic sense of humor. (You have to be tough, after all.) He takes the stage tonight at 7:30 at the Improv, and tickets are $12. (Liz Trenholme, photo via Instagram, Ray Fountain)
Thursday, September 3: LaBatt Blue Light Lime Concert Series – Local indie rockers Welshly Arms got a big break in 2013 when the group’s songs were used in TV promo ads. Tonight, they headline the Labatt Blue Light Lime Concert Series. The event takes place at 5 p.m. at the U.S. Bank Plaza, and admission is free. These hometown rock stars are worth the listen. (Alexandra Hintz, photo via CleveScene archives)
Thursday, September 3: Take a Joke, Enjoy a Drink – Chicago-based, Cleveland native artist Tony Lewis invites you to a special event at 6 p.m. today at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Take a Joke, And Enjoy A Drink is a group exhibition, curated by Lewis, showcasing four artists and art educators. The show includes work by Greg Bae, Troy Briggs, Rashayla Marie Brown and Matt Morris. Lewis’ nomenclature movement free pressure power weight ends its run at MOCA Cleveland this Saturday, Sept. 5. This special, one-night-only event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is designed to facilitate an open-ended series of discussions that “aim to discover the possibilities and limitations of art as a transformative tool in Cleveland’s post-industrial context.” Free. (Usmani) 1555 East 40th St. (Entrance on Cooper), 216-707-2403, bellwether.clevelandart.org (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Friday, September 4: Cleveland Oktoberfest – It’s a tradition in these parts to celebrate Oktoberest over Labor Day weekend. The annual event, which takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, features German food, beer and music over the course of the long weekend. At the Sausage Autobahn, you can chow down on pierogis, cabbage, noodles and potato pancakes. A variety of musical acts will perform too. Stone Pony pays tribute to Springsteen tonight while the Spazmatics play hits from the ’80s tomorrow night. Some 18 different microbreweries will compete in the Micro-Brew Competition. Admission is $12 for adults; children 12 and under are free. A four-day pass will set you back $25. Today’s hours are 4 p.m. to midnight and the event runs through Sunday. (Niesel, photo via CleveScene archives)
Friday, September 4: Cleveland National Air Show – Last year, the Cleveland National Air Show celebrated its 50th anniversary, a major feat considering how often annual events tend to come and go. This year’s event, which takes place at Burke Lakefront Airport, features the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who’ll give tactical demonstrations in the airspace above the airport and lake. On the ground, you can climb into various cockpits and visit the NASA Glenn Research Center. The gates open each day at 9 p.m. Adult tickets cost $21 in advance, $23 the day of the event. Ages 5 and under are free. (Niesel, photo by Scott Sandberg)
Friday, September 4: Greek Life – For the past several years, the George Varouh Cretan Club of Cleveland has played host to the Kamm’s Corners Greek Festival. This year’s installment kicks off today at 11 a.m. It features Greek food and pastries as well as lamb on the spit. There will be dance performances and live music as well. You’ll be able to sit both inside and outside. Servers from area bars will be on hand for the Celebrity Dunking Tank. Greek beer and wine will be served. Admission is free. The event continues through Monday. 3853 West 168th St., 216-941-4455. (Niesel, photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Friday, September 4: Summer Jam – Each year, the local hip-hop radio station Z 107.9 hosts Summer Jam, a huge blowout concert. This year’s event comes toward the end of summer so maybe it’s more apt to call it Fall Jam. Regardless, the event features performances by hip-hop/R&B artists such as Future, August Alsina, Rich Homie Quan, Dram, Ray Jr.. K Camp and Young Dro. The concert begins at 7:30 tonight and tickets are $35 to $65. (NIesel, photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Friday, September 4: Summerdance 2015 – The preeminent end-of-summer jam returns to the Ledges this weekend, with Lotus holding down dual Saturday and Sunday night headlining slots. The rest of the lineup is fleshed out with the likes of BoomBox, Moon Hooch (two saxophones and a drum set; these guys are incredible), Broccoli Samurai, Luke the Knife and Thunder St. Clair. And that’s just the musical offerings. It’s Labor Day Weekend, and the season’s quiet slumber is upon us. Summerdance is the only spot to celebrate the day in all its glory. Can’t we live while we’re young?! $50 to $100 advance, $60 to $120 at the door. (Sandy, photo via InstagramPooki)
Friday, September 4: Walk All Over Waterloo – It seems as if there’s never a dull moment on Waterloo Road in Collinwood anymore. For example, September’s Walk All Over Waterloo is as eventful as ever. Waterloo Arts hosts two special events from 5 to 9 p.m. In the gallery, Waterloo Arts hosts an in-process viewing of Bottled Water: An Evolving Art Installation, including work by local artists Ash Fiasco, Jordan Fine, June Hund, Jonah Jacobs and Rachel Yurkovich. Drawing inspiration from both water and the bottle itself, these four artists will be working together to simultaneously develop their own concepts while collaborating on the overall installation. The results will be unveiled during a reception during next month’s Walk All Over Waterloo event (Friday, October 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.). Meanwhile, Waterloo Arts is partnering with its neighbor, Praxis Fiber Workshop, for a special Salute to Summer. Waterloo Rd. will be closed between East 156th and East 157th Street for a neighborhood block party featuring live music and entertainment, local food vendors, ice cream and art making. A number of Waterloo’s art galleries will host opening receptions for new exhibitions; including Scott Goss’ Incoherent Spaces at Maria Neil Art Project (5 to 10 p.m.), Jake Kelly at Gallery One Sixty (6 p.m. to midnight) and From the Dust at Article (6 to 10 p.m.). (Photo by Ashley Taylor)
Saturday, September 5: Cult Classics – The Melt Bar & Grilled Late Shift at Cleveland Cinemas regularly offers late-night screenings of cult classics. Tonight, the Cedar Lee hosts two separate events, both of which have plenty of appeal. At 9:30 and midnight, the theater will screen Teeange Mutant Ninja Turtles. The campy flick was originally geared toward children but adults can find humor in the crime fighting turtles’ antics. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas and Sam Rockwell star. And because it’s the first Saturday of the month, the theater will also host a midnight screening of 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. Tickets to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cost $6 and tickets to The Rocky Horror Picture Show are $9.50. (Niesel, photo via CleveNOW, Instagram)
Saturday, September 5: Festival of Beers – Craft beer is more popular than ever and has even made its way into baseball parks. Today from 4 to 7 p.m., Festival of Beers takes place at Canal Park in Akron. It marks the second time the stadium has hosted a beer fest. Goose Island, the Chicago-based brewery that’s been making a big push into Northeast Ohio, is the official sponsor. For $30 advance, $35 at the gate, you’ll get 15 drink tickets and a sampling glass. Concession stands will be open and the outfield will be utilized as a tasting area. (Niesel, photo via Flickr CC)
Saturday, September 5: Catching Fire – The continuation of heroine Katniss Everdeen’s quest to protect herself and her loved ones from the annual Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire centers on Katniss as she’s brought back for another consecutive year to fight for her district. Intense and captivating, the film’s part of one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. It screen tonight at 8 at US Bank Plaza as part of Playhouse Square’s Summer Movie Series. Admission is free. (Hetrick, photo via IMDB)
Saturday, September 5: The Music of John Williams – Composer John Williams has scored nearly 80 movies, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Harry Potter, Superman, Jaws, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. Tonight and tomorrow night at Blossom, the Cleveland Orchestra pays tribute to the man by performing selections from several of his most famous movie scores. Richard Kaufman will conduct. Tickets start at $26. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)
Sunday, Nov. 21: A Tribute to the Life, the Music, the Love that is Carlos Jones – In order to “recognize and celebrate those who have filled the cultural coffers of our beloved Northeast Ohio, especially with their music,” local folk singer Charlie Wiener launched an annual tribute concert a few years back. Local singer-songwriter Carlos Jones will be the fourth honoree following tributes to Alex Bevan, Pat Dailey and Michael Stanley. Local groups such as the PLUS Band, Umojah Nation, Dave Katz (from Ekoostik Hookah), Big Ship, Prayer Warriors, Colin Dussault, Alex Bevan, Robin Stone, and Outlaws I & I along with other special guests will play his music at Celebration of — A Tribute to Carlos Jones. The show serves as a benefit for Purple Heart Homes, an organization founded to provide “housing solutions to all generations of qualified Service Connected Disabled Veterans.” (Niesel, photo via Scott Sandberg)
Sunday, September 6: Al Jackson – What’s funnier than kids? Cleveland native Al Jackson began his professional career as a middle school teacher (and had to entertain children), but has since used this experience to craft an absolutely hilarious standup routine. Since his teaching days, Jackson has become a jack-of-all trades in the comedy world with television and radio appearances, and of course the performance of his very own stand up routine. Jackson will provide the laughs with his account of taking on the PTA and his recounts of some of the crazy classroom antics of his students. He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities. Tickets are $13 to $18. (Hetrick, photo via Instagram, Nick Youssef)
Sunday, September 6: Chagrin Falls Farmers Market – Your HomeTown Chagrin Falls is pleased to announce the Chagrin Falls Farmers Market continues through October 18 along North Franklin Street, next to the bandstand and Triangle Park from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Market offers seasonal fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, bakery, fresh pastas, meats, cheeses, herbs and flowers. On the last Sunday of each month, celebrity chefs will prepare special recipes with fresh foods from the market. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Monday, September 7: Rib Burn-Off – Just about everyone loves ribs, so the opportunity to eat kosher dogs isn’t something that should be taken lightly. The 23rd Annual Kosher Rib Burn-Off, which takes place today from noon to 4 p.m. at the parking lot of Gross Schechter Day School, offers kosher foods, games and entertainment. Ribs will be prepped at Gross Schechter Day School the week leading up to the event with Mashgiach Rabbi Aryen Spero overseeing the process. The day of the Rib Burn-Off, the Kosher beef ribs will be grilled by a variety of teams as part of a friendly competition which is judged by a panel of local celebrities. The winner will receive the Grill Master Title and Trophy at the conclusion of the event. An all-expense paid trip for two to the 2016 Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA, will be raffled off. Raffle tickets are $100 each and no more than 250 will be sold. Admission is free. (Niesel) 27601 Fairmount Boulevard, Pepper Pike, (Photo via Wikimedia)

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