WED 01/16
Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties
Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is a weekly series that pairs fine food with storytelling. Through it, the folks at Music Box Supper Club hope to raise awareness of the mission of the Western Reserve Historical Society's Cleveland History Center. The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to "bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland's past — from sports, to rock 'n' roll, to Millionaires' Row," as it's put in a press release. Admission is free, with no cover charge, although a prix fixe dinner, designed to complement the night's theme, is $20. Tonight, local sports writer Bill Livingston will talk about the Cleveland sports heroes he's "done battle" with. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the storytelling starts at 7. (Jeff Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
An Iliad
With An Iliad, the Cleveland Play House takes on Homer's classic story, and the theatrical rendition of the epic narrative will feature "vivid storytelling" and live cello as two women transform a bare stage into a "raging battlefield where gods, heroes, and empires clash in a quest for vengeance and glory." Tonight's show takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Outcalt Theatre, where performances continue through Feb. 3. Tickets start at $25. (Niesel)
1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King & I and The Sound of Music, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella comes to Connor Palace tonight for a week-long run. The musical offers a "fresh new take" on the tale of a young woman transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, and features such songs as "In My Own Little Corner," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30, and shows continue through Jan. 20. Tickets start at $10. (Niesel)
Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave.,
216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
THU 01/17
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party
In what's become a tradition for this time of year, Disney on Ice storms into town to take over Quicken Loans Arena for a 10-day period, sending the Cavs and Lake Erie Monsters out on long road trips so parents can bring their toddlers and 'tweens to the arena for some family entertainment. This year, a cast of over 50 will be on hand. Expect to see familiar figures such as Mickey Mouse along with scenes from Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid. Tonight's performance begins at 7; shows run through Jan. 20. Check the Q website for times. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2200, theqarena.com.
Greg Fitzsimmons
Comedian Greg Fitzsimmons likes to joke that couples shouldn't overdo their marriage vows when they get married. "You spend three months working on what you'll say to the person and you will never speak that way to them again. Save it. Don't blow it all up front." He advises against doing a Shakespearean reading, exaggerating with his arms held high in the air as he speaks in a British accent. A frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Fitzsimmons likes to ridicule romance and other aspects of everyday life). The veteran comic performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $23. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Horn From the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story
Director John Anderson profiles Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Paul Butterfield in the documentary movie Horn From the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story. The film chronicles how Butterfield learned to play the blues by studying with guys like Muddy Waters. The film makes its Cleveland debut tonight at 6:45 at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for students, seniors and members. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450,
Open Mic Night/Live Band Karaoke
Every Thursday, Stella's Music hosts a night of music, poetry and comedy. The club's doors will open at 5 p.m., and performances begins at 8 p.m. Artists can sign up at stellasmusic.com/open-mic to secure a 15-minute time slot. Sign-ups will be available at the club as well. The last Thursday of every month, Stella's will welcome Almost Famous to host Live Band Karaoke. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and Almost Famous will start performing at 8 p.m. Sign-ups are available at the club when the doors open. Participants can choose from a list of various different songs to sing. Regardless of whether it's Open Mic Night or Live Band Karaoke, happy hour will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel)
2217 East Ninth St., 216-272-3377, stellasmusic.com.
FRI 01/18
78th Street Studios Third Friday Art Walk
Time again for the Third Friday Art Walk at the cavernous 78th Street Studios. More than 50 studios and galleries will participate in this popular indoor art walk; be sure to check out spots like the Derek Hess Gallery, Tregoning & Company and Hilary Gent Studio for a chance to shop and interact with artists. Look for food trucks out front and live music on the first floor. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. and admission is free. (Niesel)
1300 West 78th St.,
Benjamin Appl
On his first U.S. recital tour, German baritone Benjamin Appl was mentored by the great singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Now based in London, he made a name for himself as the BBC New Generation Artist and won the 2016 Gramophone Young Artist of the Year Award. Named a Rising Star of the European Concert Hall Organisation, he has performed at the most renowned concert venues in Europe. This tour comes in in the wake of his second solo album on Sony Classical. He performs works by Schubert, Schumann, Duparc, Muhly, Grieg tonight at 8 at the Cleveland Institute of Music's Mixon Hall. Tickets are $30. (Niesel)
11021 East Blvd., 216-791-5000,
Flanagan's Wake
Flanagan's Wake transports the audience to an Irish wake where villagers tell tales and sing songs for their dearly departed Flanagan. Finding the humor in life and death, the wake acts as a dark backdrop to an otherwise hilarious show in which alcohol fuels the humorous reminiscing. Sort of like a tragic Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding, the interactive and improvised show engages the entire audience. Tonight's show starts at 8 and repeats tomorrow night at 8 at Kennedy's Theatre. Performances continue weekends through April 27. Tickets are $26. (Patrick Stoops)
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Man Who Mends Women
Thierry Michel directs The Man Who Mends Women, a profile of Denis Mukwege, a physician and human rights activist who's helped thousands of sexually abused women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mukwege, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, also received the Enamori Ethics Prize from CWRU in 2014. The film shows tonight at 7 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
SAT 01/19
Cole Porter on Broadway
Dubbed Cole Porter on Broadway, tonight's special concert featuring Porter's music will mark the fourth collaboration between the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Musical Theater Project. The concert will cover Porter's Broadway musicals from the late 1920s through the mid-1950s and include hits such as "Let's Do It," "Begin the Beguine," "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "So in Love." The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre. Tickets are $35 to $65. (Niesel)
2067 E. 14th St., 216-771-4444 playhousesquare.org.
Harpeth Rising
Harpeth Rising, a group featuring three classically trained musicians uses three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of both Appalachia and Medieval Europe. The group uses cello, violin and banjo and draws from Newgrass, rock and classical. The three musicians have degrees from respected institutions like Indiana University, Oberlin and Eastman School of Music. Part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Concert Series, tonight's concert starts at 8 at the Happy Days Lodge. Consult the Cuyahoga Valley National Park website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
500 West Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula, 330-657-2909,
Rush Fan Day
Rush singer-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson will both be on hand today for Rush Fan Day, which takes place at noon at the Rock Hall. Lee will show off his collection of vintage bass guitars that are featured in his new book, Geddy Lee's Big Book of Beautiful Bass, and there will be a Hall of Fame Series interview with Lee and Lifeson, a book signing with Lee, The Rock Hall will also rebroadcast Rush's Hall of Fame Induction from 2013. Tickets cost $100 for Rock Hall members, $125 for non-members. Each ticket includes a copy of Lee's new book, access to the Hall of Fame interview and book signing, a commemorative credential and access to the Rock Hall's exhibits, including the new Geddy Lee bass guitar exhibit. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd.,
216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Tri-C High School Rock Off
When the annual High School Rock Off launched some 20 years ago at the Odeon, the promoters at the locally based Belkin Productions (now Live Nation) saw it as a way to reach out to area high schools and provide the kind of outlet that students might not have. Two decades later, the event, now held at the Rock Hall, continues to thrive. Thirty-six bands will participate in this year's competition. A total of 147 band members, including six solo artists, will represent 64 schools Three performance rounds will take place at the Rock Hall, leading up to the Final Exam that takes place on Saturday, Feb. 16 when the 2019 Best Band in the Land will be awarded by music and entertainment industry judges. Prizes include three scholarships to study in the Creative Arts program at Cuyahoga Community College. PNC Bank will help high school seniors launch their careers in music by providing the scholarships. Tonight's competition takes place at 6, and tickets are $10. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
SUN 01/20
Ed Caner with special guest Matt Watroba
Violinist/fiddler Ed Caner often invites different guest musicians to perform with him, and tonight he'll share the stage with Matt Watroba, a singer and songwriter who pens songs about "compassion, inner strength, humor and everyday living." Part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Concert Series, the concert starts at 7 at the Hines Hill Conference Center. Check the Cuyahoga Valley National Park website for more info. (Niesel)
1403 W. Hines Hill Rd., Peninsula, 216-479-8611.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert
To honor the legacy of the late, great civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., the Cleveland Orchestra will host the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert at 7 tonight at Severance Hall. Vinay Parameswaran will conduct the program that will feature the orchestra along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus, a volunteer community chorus that brings together a wide range of choristers from local churches as well as members of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus. Today's concert is sold out, but WCLV Classical 104.9 and 90.3 WCPN ideastream will broadcast it. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
On Her Shoulders
On Her Shoulders, a 2018 documentary, profiles Nadia Murad, a young Iraqi Yazidi woman who survived genocide and sexual slavery to become a human rights activist. The inspirational film screens at 1:30 p.m. today at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Sunday Beat
As part of a Sunday Beat promotion at Visible Voice Books, if you purchase a New York Times at the store, you'll receive a free cup of coffee or tea and a Jim Alesci's Place pastry. An added bonus: A jazz, Americana, samba or bossa nova band will perform from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Anyone who shows a Sunday receipt from Music Box, Prosperity Social Club or any of the Tremont restaurants that offer brunch can enter a same-day drawing for a $30 Visible Voice gift certificate and a $25 Visible Voice Loyalty Card. They'll also receive 10 percent off any Visible Voice book purchase. The bookstore is open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Niesel)
2258 Professor Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
MON 01/21
Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
Two of the NBA's worst teams square off today at 1 p.m. at the Q as the Cavaliers take on the Chicago Bulls. Both teams are rebuilding but the process appears to have stalled as the Cavs and Bulls are both playing well below the .500 mark and have no hopes of making the playoffs this year. Consult the Cavs website for ticket prices for this special MLK Day game. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Today, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will once again offer a free admission day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Throughout the day, there will be live performances, an art demonstration, education programs and family activities that "highlight how people have used music to find their voice and create a sense of community." Jason Walker will serve as the MC and DJ for the event, and the Rock Hall will also take donations of hats, scarves, gloves and other cold weather clothes to benefit Clevelanders in need. Check the Rock Hall site for hours. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Hear Our Voices: A Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. today by offering free admission. You can tour the Maltz Museum's core and special exhibitions while enjoying hands-on crafts and activities on this family-friendly day. On the One Band will perform as will the Evelyn Wright Quartet. There will also be a panel discussion on race, gender, and the Power to Vote The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the panel discussion takes place at 3 p.m. (Niesel)
2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood,
216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland Inc. have teamed up for a special fundraising event today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., each guest who chooses to donate $1 or more to UBF receives same-day discounted $10 aquarium admission. Last year, nearly 2000 guests giving to UBF, a grant-making organization that provides financial assistance to agencies that "both empower and address challenges facing Greater Cleveland's African American community." This year, the Aquarium will highlight African Americans influential in the fields of marine science and scuba diving throughout its galleries on MLK Day. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
MLK Day Celebration
Not normally open on Mondays, the Cleveland Museum of Art will host a special MLK Day Celebration today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be educational programs about Martin Luther King's legacy, performances by community groups and a Wikipedia-Edit-A-Thon. Admission is free. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
They Shall Not Grow Old
Director Peter Jackson's World War I documentary They Shall Not Grow Old showed last month in limited release, and it returns to area theaters for screenings today at 1 and 7 p.m. The documentary provides "an extraordinary look" at the soldiers and events of the Great War by using film footage that has been painstakingly restored. Jackson sifted through 600 hours of BBC archival interviews to deliver an "intensely gripping, immersive and authentic experience through the eyes and voices of the British soldiers who lived it." Consult the Fathom Events website for more information about locations and ticket prices. (Niesel)
TUE 01/22
Georgia O'Keeffe
Perry Miller Adato directs Georgia O'Keeffe, a documentary film about the famous painter who currently has an exhibit on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The film represents the only time the then 88-year artist allowed a filmmaker into her New Mexico studio. The film shows at 7 tonight at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Tinder Live with Lane Moore
A stand-up comedy show created and hosted by comedian Lane Moore, Tinder Live with Lane Moore comes to the Grog Shop tonight. The live show finds Moore going on the dating app and interacting with Tinder matches in real time. In the past, Moore has had the casts of Girls, Orange Is the New Black and several very well known comedians participate. She writes for The Onion, Elle, GQ and Esquire. The show starts at 8:30, and tickets cost $15. (Niesel)
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Vinyl Night
Jukebox owner Alex Budin has described his 1,350-square-foot music-focused bar in the Hingetown 'hood as "a place where people can expect to hear and learn about music of multiple genres, all of which is concentrated in a constantly evolving jukebox." The club hosts a vinyl night every Tuesday that serves as a listening party for new releases, partnering with Loop in Tremont, so patrons can hear a new album on vinyl. You can bring your own vinyl and spin it too. It all starts at 5 p.m. (Niesel)
1404 West 29th St., 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com.
