Wednesday, Nov. 25: Art After Dark – Veteran local promoter Arnold Hines is the man behind Art After Dark, a pre-Thanksigiving party that takes place tonight at 8 at Red Space. DJ Knyce and DJ Walk will spin, and there will be a martini lounge. Admission is free but an RSVP is required. Go to the website for more info. (Niesel, photo via Facebook)
Wednesday, Nov. 25: 90’s Dance Party – Tonight at 10 p.m. at Mahall’s, Cattitude Vintage presents the fourth iteration of its Groove Is in the Heart: ‘90s Dance Party DJ Rachel H. will start the night with a set of grunge anthems. Then, DJ Castronaut will deliver a set of pop hits. And finally, DJ Ape offer a set of hip-hop. Vintage clothing, focusing on ‘90s styles, will be on sale throughout the event in Cattitude’s dedicated space in Mahall’s. Tickets are $3. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)
Wednesday, Nov. 25: Papadosio – Ohio natives Papadosio have carved out a reputable niche in the jamtronica scene, and their arrival in Northeast Ohio is always welcome. Just last month, the band dropped their latest, Extras in a Movie, an album that tightens and updates the Papadosio sound. “Epiphany,” for example, strips away a lot of the sonic layers that characterized earlier tunes; what you’re left with is a simple ballad, in a way, that very nearly doesn’t even sound like the Papadosio of yesteryear. Prior to all that, the band was standing tall on the neo-legacy of T.E.T.I.O.S., a two-disc collection that spans a wide variety of textures. Drummer Mike Healy told us in 2013 that the double album was a huge step in the band’s development: “It’s just such a culmination of our lives as musicians and as a band together. It ranges from every different kind of music – you can find an influence everywhere.” (Sandy, photo via Facebook) $18 ADV, $20 DOS
Wednesday, Nov. 25: Front Porch Lights – This new music project was launched by Conor Standish of Burning River Ramblers renown. Front Porch Lights leans into the moodier side of Standish’s songwriting. (You may recall the contemplative “Where We Were At” > “I’m No Ghost” pairing from the Ramblers’ 2013 album. Take those feelings and light them gently like a candle; Front Porch Lights is music for dim lighting.) The EP’s opening track, “Blue Eyes and Red Poison” casts Standish’s voice across washes of guitar and deep keys. From there, the album dances across a dynamic range of moods and colors; “Kill ‘em with the Kindness” borrows from the poppier side of today’s electronic music, and “On a Little Screen” sounds like it could be a more soulful cover of a Ramblers tune. (Eric Sandy, courtesy photo) $10 ADV, $12 DOS
Thursday, Nov. 26 – Turkey Trot! – The weather may be a little chilly this morning. But with any luck, the collective heat of Clevelanders’ bodies huddled together, jogging through downtown will keep the blood circulating through your extremities. It’s the annual Turkey Trot, folks! Five miles of scenic downtown Cleveland and wind in your face and the knowledge of meat and corn and potatoes and gravy guiding you toward the finish line. It’s the 34nd installment of the annual race, and is always a nice way to work off some calories prior to your feasting later in the day. Registration at City Hall starts at 7:00 a.m. Gun goes off for the five-mile race at 9:30. (Allard)
Thursday, Nov. 26: Escape from the Family – Thanksgiving means family time. And family time can often mean stress. While many local bars shutter for the holiday, Now That’s Class opens today at 5 p.m. so you can “escape from your family or bring your family.” The place has a great beer selection and a talented crew of attentive and knowledgeable bar tenders. To celebrate, the jukebox is free all day night long too. Free. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)
Friday, Nov. 27: An Open House – Anyone looking to shop local this Black Friday is invited to 78th Street Studios for special sale after all the doorbusters have ended. Several galleries and artist studios will be open today from 3 to 7 p.m. The event features special discounts, demonstrations and a raffle. Bring a proof of purchase of $50 or more to Eileen Dorsey Studio (first floor, suite 105) to be entered in the raffle for a chance to win an original work of art. Free. (Josh Usmani, photo via CleveScene archives)
Friday, Nov. 27: A Christmas Story – A Christmas Story, a near-genius piece of American reminiscence, is so period-perfect and charming that the squishy sentimentality (of which there is plenty) never leads to saccharine reflux. Philip Grecian is listed as the playwright, but everyone understands that the bulk of insights and telling detail comes from the mind of Jean Shepherd, who wrote the original story, co-authored the movie, and narrated the flick in his distinctive, triple-wry voice. The Cleveland Play House’s production of Story rides a two-hour wave of intricate details to unerringly establish the period and to help even the youngest patrons make the leap back to a time before televisions were omnipresent and cowboy hero Red Ryder was king of the wireless. The play opens tonight at 7:30 at the Allen Theatre. Performances continue through Dec. 21. Tickets are $20 to $100. (Christine Howey)
Friday, Nov. 27: Symphonie Fantastique – In his “Fantasy Symphony,” composer Hector Berlioz tried to represent his visions of dreams and opium-induced nightmares. Tonight at 8 at Severance Hall, the Cleveland Orchestra performs the piece along with with the world premiere performances of a newly-commissioned concerto for the english horn. “Fantastic Visions,” a free pre-concert talk, begins an hour before the concert. Meaghan Heinrich, director of conservatory connections at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, discusses the piece with composer Bernard Rands. Concert Previews are free to all ticketholders. Tickets to the concert, which repeats at 8 p.m. tomorrow and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, start at $79. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)
Friday, Nov. 27: Max Dolcelli – Fast-talking chrome-domed comic Max Dolcelli likes to joke that he finds it strange that two women can share a bed but two men will often panic when faced with the same situation. His material tends to rely upon gender stereotypes as he talks about the ways in which men and women respond differently to things like getting engaged and going on trips. He performs tonight at 7:30 and 10 p.m. at the Hard Rock’s Club Velvet. He also performs at the club at 7 and 9:30 tomorrow night. Tickets are $13 to $18.
Saturday, Nov. 28: Cerealism Brunch – Count Chocula was a favorite breakfast food for many folks growing up, including Platform Brewing Co.’s brewer Reed Jaskula. He liked it so much, in fact, that he recently decided to use the cereal as a core ingredient in one of his new beers, a breakfast stout he calls Cerealism. “You get a real chocolatey cereal taste,” Jaskula told Ohio.com of the new libation. “I thought it’d be fermented out.” With nearly 50 boxes of the chocolately cereal mixed into the batch and an ABV of 8.5 percent, the stout is set to debut on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the brewing company’s Ceralism Brunch. The event will also feature an endless buffet of Count Chocula and Froot Loops so there’s that too. (Nutile, photo via Wiki)
Saturday, Nov. 28: The Nutcracker – In the past, Akron Beacon Journal readers have voted the Ballet Theatre of Ohio’s production of The Nutcracker as Akron’s No. 1 holiday show. Set on Christmas Eve, the ballet, as you know, centers on a young heroine and her doll. As the clock strikes midnight, magical things begin to happen. Today’s performance takes place at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tomorrow’s performance takes places at 2 p.m. Tickets are $34 to $46. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)
Saturday, Nov. 28: WinterFest – To celebrate the holiday season, the folks at Playhouse Square and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance have teamed up to present Winterfest. The free, family event includes free horse-drawn carriage rides, a variety of live entertainment, tasty treats and more. Activities in Winterfest Village in Playhouse Square start at 1 p.m. Then, at 5 p.m., downtown gets lit up in holiday lights and the lighting of the tree will feature lively musical performances, fireworks and an appearance from Santa. Winterfest shares the day with Small Business Saturday. Start holiday shopping at the Holiday Pop-Up Shop in Playhouse Square; local retailers with the Cleveland Bazaar will set up at the 5th Street Arcades. In Tower City, children can enjoy Holiday Express Train Rides, Kringel’s Inventionasium, Bruce the Talking Spruce, the Toy Solider and Fairy Godmother holiday show while the Old Stone Church Choir performs. The Cleveland Public Library will be starting off the season with toy trains in the lobby and will also host a holiday-themed family music program and children’s activities throughout the day. Later in the evening, adults can enjoy wine, beer and cuisine from downtown restaurants at the 6th annual Winter Wine & Ale Fest. Those tickets are $65 and include parking. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)
Friday, Jan. 30: Kings vs. Kings – Get your weekend started right with some quality basketball at the Quicken Loans Arena. LeBron and the Cavs take on DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, Darren Collison and the Sacramento Kings in a matchup that pits the No. 1 against the No. 2 picks in the 2011 NBA Draft — Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams, who was drafted by the Timberwolves. (Remember when there was actual debate about whether to take Kyrie or Williams with the top overall pick?) The Cavs have been playing solid basketball since LeBron’s return two weeks ago. There is, among other things, much more defensive effort. Timofey Mozgov will have his hands full with the emergent All-Star Cousins, but it should be a fun kick start to the weekend. Tipoff’s at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. (Allard)
Saturday, Nov. 28: Festival of Trees – Get in to the spirit of the season with our beloved annual holiday tradition, Festival of Trees. The Allen Theater lobbies will shine brightly with the twinkling lights of trees masterfully decorated by local designers. This family-friendly event is free, open to the public, and sure to be a delight for all. Free
Saturday, Nov. 28: A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens was a hell of a writer, but he could be a tad verbose. So it’s convenient that there have been so many great stage and screen versions of his classic ghost story. One of them — required viewing for anyone with a Netflix membership — is the 1951 movie starring Alastair Sim as a Scrooge for all eternity. And the other is this Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival production, which never fails to engage and delight. Framed cozily as a story within a story in this Gerald Freedman adaptation, the production really comes alive once the ghost of Jacob Marley appears, dragging his chains and creaking eerily with every movement. This annual tribute to knee-jerk liberal sentiments like compassion for the downtrodden is always a must-see, whether you’ve seen it before or not. It opens tonight at 7:30 at the Ohio Theatre. Tickets are $28 to $65. Performances continue through Dec. 23. (Howey, photo via Wiki)
Sunday, Nov. 29: Gospel Brunch – The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues. Curated by famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the recently reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. This week, the local artist Lafayette Carthon and Faith performs. The all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. It takes place at 11 a.m. Tickets are $39. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)
Sunday, Nov. 29: Toxic Toys for Tots Benefit – Locals Toxic Burlesque, Hot Sauce Cabaret and Ava Adore have teamed up to present A Toys For Tots Burlesque and Comedy benefit. Featuring burlesque acts such as Carmen M’Knoxide, Ginger Rockwood, Ava Adore, the event will also include comedy by Yusuf Ali and James Earl Brassfield. Hosted by celebrity comedian James Pequignot, it takes place tonight at 8 at Brothers Lounge. Admission is a new unwrapped toy, gift cards or cash. All proceeds go to the Marines Toys For Tots campaign. (Niesel, photo via Facebook)
Sunday, Nov. 29: Strangers on a Train – A tennis pro meets a stranger (Robert Walker) on a train and confesses that he’d love a way out of his crappy marriage. The two part ways but his wife’s mysterious death in the wake of that conversation subsequently stirs his suspicions. That’s the intriguing plot line of Strangers on a Train, a classic film from master director Alfred Hitchcock. The story comes courtesy of noir writer Raymond Chandler who co-adapted the story from a novel by Patricia Highsmith. The film screens at 10 this morning at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets are $6. (Niesel, photo via IMDB)

Scene's award-winning newsroom oftentimes collaborates on articles and projects. Stories under this byline are group efforts.