WED 05/16
Beehive — The 60s Musical
Produced by Great Lakes Theatre, Beehive: The 60s Musical features 40 chart-topping songs from the years as it aims to relive "one of music's truly golden eras." You'll hear tunes from the Supremes, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre. The play runs through May 20, and tickets start at $15. (Jeff Niesel)
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
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 new 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." Admission is free, although a prix fixe dinner, designed to complement the night's theme, is $20. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the storytelling starts at 7. Tonight, Cleveland Division of Fire's Angelo Calvilla will talk about famous Cleveland fires. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Disney's Aladdin
Part of the KeyBank Broadway Series, the hit musical Disney's Aladdin comes to the State Theatre this week for a month-long run through May 27. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), the production features sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award-winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots) and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris). Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30. Tickets start at $40. (Niesel)
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Royale
Set in 1910, The Royale centers on Negro Heavyweight Champion Jay "The Sport" Jackson, a fighter who wants to prove that he's as tough as his white counterpart. The Cleveland Play House production of the play takes place tonight at 7:30 at the Outcalt Theatre. It runs through May 27. Tickets start at $25. (Niesel)
1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Walnut Wednesday
Walnut Wednesday is one of summer's great traditions. Today from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Perk Plaza at Chester Commons — at East 12th and Walnut streets — food trucks gather to serve up lunch to area residents and employees. Follow the Downtown Cleveland Alliance on Facebook for weekly updates on vendors, entertainment offerings and more. The series continues through Sept. 26. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. (Niesel), downtowncleveland.com.
'Who The Fuck Is That Guy?' The Fabulous Journey Of Michael Alago
The life of record executive Michael Alago, a gay Puerto Rican New Yorker who signed a number of major musical acts, including Metallica, White Zombie, Cyndi Lauper and Nina Simone, is the subject of the documentary film, 'Who The Fuck Is That Guy?': The Fabulous Journey Of Michael Alago. It chronicles how he grew up in a small Brooklyn neighborhood and eventually found his way into the music business. The film shows tonight at 7 at the Rock Hall. Tickets are free for Rock Hall members and $5.50 for the general public. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
THU 05/17
Orny Adams
Orny Adams' dry optimism and seeming preference for the things most people would hate (he likes nightmares more than good dreams) are good fodder for his standup. His past work includes writing jokes for Jay Leno and Gary Shandling, and he currently plays the character of Coach Finstock on MTV's Teen Wolf. He performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets start at $23. (Liz Trenholme)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Adam Carolla
Radio personality and comedian Adam Carolla made a name for himself in the late '90s as the co-host of the call-in program Loveline. After that show ended in 2005, he's dabbled in acting and writing. He's famous for his rants about "things that drive him crazy," and those topics are in full view on this tour that brings him to the Agora Theatre tonight at 8. "Carolla started broke and blue collar and has now been on the Hollywood scene for more than 20 years," reads the press release. "Yet he's still connected to the working-class guy he once was and delivers a raw and edgy, fish-out-of-water take on the world he lives in (but mostly disagrees with), telling all the stories, no matter who he offends — family, friends, or the famous." Tickets are $39.50 in advance, $45 at the door. (Niesel)
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Hi, Are You Single?
A Parma native, writer and performer Ryan J. Haddad takes the audience on a swing through New York's gay dating scene in Hi, Are You Single?, an examination of "intimacy, rejection and judgement" that also touches on the popularity of Grindr, drag queens and go-go dancers. Performances take place tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night at 7:30 at the Helen Rosendfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre. Tickets are $20. (Niesel)
1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Billy Joel and the American Musical Landscape
Joshua S. Duchan, Ph.D., an ethnomusicologist specializing in American popular music, will discuss the music of Billy Joel tonight at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Archives. He will address two kinds of places found in Billy Joel's songs: "geographical (specifically the American West and New York) and social or cultural (suburbia)." The lecture will draw from personal interviews with Joel to show how his music "offers a commentary on American life and culture rooted in both his personal experience and the time during which it was composed." The talk begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free. (Niesel)
2809 Woodland Ave., 216-515-1956, library.rockhall.com.
Will Power
If you're skeptical about a comedy hypnotist show, Will Power will change your mind forever — whether he does it with mind tricks is for you to find out. His hypnotist act shows just how powerful suggestion can be on the human mind. This show is adults only, as Power's act isn't family friendly. Rated somewhere between R and X, Power's performance will have you laughing with his naughty fun. Don't think you can go to a hypnotist show and not participate, as Power will undoubtedly find a way to rope you into the show. He performs tonight at 7:30 at the Improv. Tickets are $17. (Martin Harp)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
Prometheus Project: The Music of Beethoven
Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Cleveland Orchestra this evening in a special program dubbed Prometheus Project: The Music of Beethoven. Tonight's concert takes place at 7:30 at Severance Hall, and opens with the "Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus." Concerts continue through Sunday, each with a different lineup of Beethoven's music. Consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for more information. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
FRI 05/18
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. Look for food trucks out front and live music on the first floor. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. (Niesel)
1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.
Adult Swim: Local Brews with Cats and Dogs
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium isn't just for kids. On a regular basis, it hosts Adult Swim events for patrons aged 21 and up. Tonight's Adult Swim event has a theme — Local Brews with Cats and Dogs. The Cleveland Animal Protective League will be on-site with adoptable cats and dogs, and guests can sample a variety of Ohio beers. Tickets are $40, $20 for designated drivers. The event ticket includes 20 tasting tickets, a souvenir tasting glass, light hors d'oeuvres and full after-hours aquarium access. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Everything is Delightful
Two years ago, Dave Lowery and his friend Ken Vinikoff started Networking is Dead, a local networking group for fans of the Grateful Dead. The group has steadily grown and now has about 200 members. Each year, it hosts a major event and hires a band to perform. Dubbed Everything Delightful, the event takes place at 7 tonight at the Bop Stop. It will feature live music from the local band Sunshine Daydream, a group that features singer-guitarist Thor Platter, singer-guitarist Tom Prebish, keyboardist Chris Hanna, bassist Alfredo Guerrieri and drummer Fred Perez–Stable. The event will also include a cash bar, an auction and raffle items. Proceeds will go to Upside of Downs, a non-profit organization that provides "support, education and advocacy" for people with Down syndrome. Tickets are $20. (Niesel)
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.
Derek Hess Book Tour
For years now, local graphic artist Derek Hess has been raising awareness about mental illness and has talked about his struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. This month, Hess honors Mental Health Awareness Month with the release of his new book, 31 Days in May: A Visual Journey. The book includes a series of images that "look at the link between creativity and mental health as told through Hess's artwork." Topics include loneliness, relationships, depression and suicide. The 150-page book includes more than 120 Hess images, some never before published, and features a foreword by Dr. Joseph Calabrese, director of the Mood Disorders Program at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. His 31 Days in May Tour will feature book signings, screenings of the documentary Forced Perspective and organized talks. A portion of all book sales on the tour will be donated to the mental health or addiction awareness organization of the venue's choice in each city., Hess has set up a GoFundMe campaign; a portion of all proceeds raised will go to the Hope for the Day and Mental Health America organizations. (Niesel)
1300 W 78th St. 2nd floor, derekhess.com.
Lil Duval
If you've ever needed a succinct list of rules to live by or the low-down on viral videos, Lil Duval is coming to Cleveland to hook you up. The Guy Code regular has been a pop culture trendsetter in the last few years, coining the term "basic bitch" and hosting MTV's viral video show Ain't That America. His standup is youthful, dogging on popular hip-hop artists and commenting on social media trends. A comedian for the digital age, Duval's audience is the modern man. He's not afraid to offend the fairer sex or jump on the trendiest hashtag. Hell, he usually creates them anyway. Lil Duval will be performing tonight at the Improv at 7:30 and 10. Tickets range between $25 and $30. He'll perform at the club through Sunday. (Brittany Rees)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
SAT 05/19
The 2018 Dazzle Awards
The most talented high school performers in Northeast Ohio take center stage tonight at 7:30 at the Connor Palace for the annual Dazzle Awards, an awards ceremony and showcase. Awards will be handed out in 13 categories, including Best Musical, Best Actor/Actress, Best Student Orchestra, Best Costume Design and Best Scenic Design. The winners in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories will go on to represent Northeast Ohio at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York. Tickets are $25. (Niesel)
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-771-8403, www.playhousesquare.org.
Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn Off
The seventh annual Rib Burn Off returns to Downtown Willoughby today and tomorrow. Attended by thousands from all over Northeast Ohio, the family-friendly outdoor celebration provides an opportunity to showcase the bars and restaurants in Downtown Willoughby, as well as regional and national barbecue vendors that provide a wealth of food options. Drink options include ice cold beer, Best Damn Sweet Tea, craft cocktails featuring Tito's Vodka, Russel's Reserve, lemonade from Kirtland Kiwanis and Coca Cola products. In addition, Rib Burn Off includes three stages with live music all weekend long. Two of the three stages will feature local bands and musicians exclusively from the start of the event on Saturday through closing on Sunday night. The '90s rock band Lit headlines the event and plays at 7 tonight. The event benefits USO and will include representatives from the armed forces with information and fun activities to test your physical and mental strength. Admission is free and the event runs from noon to 10 p.m. today and from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow. (Niesel)
Rock Your World with STEAM
The Rock Hall and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District have teamed up for Rock Your World with STEAM, a special one-day festival for science and music that takes place today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rock Hall. CMSD students and their families enjoy free Rock Hall admission, but regular visitors can purchase Rock Hall admission and attend as well. The event will feature a "musically-charged, energy-filled celebration of CMSD student excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math." Performances will take place on six stages, and there will be choirs, bands, a drum line, jazz and orchestra ensembles, dance and Hi-Steppers. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Tool Music Clinic
One of the headliners at this year's Rock on the Range, Tool has embarked on a short "music clinic" tour in conjunction with the festival appearance. The event promises "a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes via a series of intimate music clinics." Drummer Danny Carey, bassist Justin Chancellor and guitarist Adam Jones will discuss a handful of the band's songs and talk about the process of writing them and then playing them live. Audience members will be able to ask questions via an open discussion and mingle with the band following the session. Ticket holders will receive commemorative merchandise. An accompanying traveling exhibit will feature unique items from the band's history. The event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $500. (Niesel)
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, clevelandagora.com.
Yuri's Night at Great Lakes Science Center
Since 2001, an international community of scientists, researchers, and self-styled geeks has been celebrating manned spaceflight with Yuri's Night, a festive commemoration of where we've been and where we yet may go. Tonight at the Great Lakes Science Center, Yuri's Night celebrates U.S.S.R. cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and the crew of the first U.S. space shuttle. The cosmic cocktail party launches at 7 p.m. with live music from Old Skool Cleveland, an open bar with beer and wine, appetizers and specialty bites, a scavenger hunt, a balloon drop and science demonstrations. Money raised from Yuri's Night helps fund the Science Center's STEM education initiatives, day camp scholarships and other programs that "encourage curiosity and provide opportunities for tomorrow's scientific leaders." General admission tickets are $70, $75 at the door. VIP tickets go for $120 and allow early access to the party, admittance to the VIP lounge with complimentary beer, wine and mixed drinks, exclusive menu items, and complimentary parking in the Science Center's attached garage. A special designated driver ticket is also available for $40, and Science Center members receive $5 off general admission and $10 off the price of a VIP ticket. (Niesel)
601 Erieside Ave., 216-621-2400, greatscience.com/yurisnight.
SUN 05/20
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 05/21
Kenny Loggins and Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Contemporary Youth Orchestra founder Liza Grossman says she aims to introduce her students to all the potential professions they could have as classical musicians. As a result, she often recruits pop and rock stars to come to town to play with her students. Acts such as Styx, Graham Nash, Pat Benatar, Twenty One Pilots, Jon Anderson, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Coolio, Machine Gun Kelly, Bootsy Collins, Jefferson Starship and Weezer have performed with the group. Tonight's concert that takes place at 7 at Severance Hall features pop singer Kenny Loggins. Tickets start at $31. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Shit Show Karaoke
Local rapper/promoter Dirty Jones and Scene's own Manny Wallace host Shit Show Karaoke, a weekly event at the B-Side Liquor Lounge that allows patrons to choose from "an unlimited selection of jams from hip-hop to hard rock." Participants are encouraged to "be as bad as you want." Fueled by drink and shot specials, it all goes down tonight at 10 p.m. (Niesel)
2785 Euclid Hts. Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com.
Wing Ding Doodle
Blues icon Howlin' Wolf famously covered "Wang Dang Doodle," the old blues tune penned by Willie Dixon. Prosperity Social Club in Tremont has adopted that slogan, calling its wing night Wing Ding Doodle. The weekly event features specials on Buffalo wings and cold brews. Prosperity will not only serve up substantial, $1 whole wings, but it'll also offering meatless Monday "wing" baskets for vegans. Discounted drafts and a playlist of vintage-electric blues and soulful R&B curated by local musician Clint Holley will be on tap as well. Wing Ding Doodle takes place every Monday from 6 p.m. to midnight. (Niesel)
1109 Starkweather Ave., 216-937-1938, prosperitysocialclub.com.
TUE 05/22
Open Turntable Tuesday
Tonight from 6 to 9, the Winchester hosts its weekly Open Turntable Tuesday. DJ Kris Koch offers 20-minute slots to people who want to bring their own vinyl and spin their favorite songs or deep tracks. Turntables are provided; you can play three to five songs during your time slot; and a mic is available to talk about the selections. (Niesel)
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood,
216-600-5338.
Truck Stop Tuesday
As if to provide a west side counterpart to Walnut Wednesdays, Crocker Park in Westlake hosts Truck Stop Tuesdays, a weekly food truck gathering, today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Needless to say, admission is free, but the food will cost you. The fun continues every Tuesday through Sept. 25. (Niesel)
143 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
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. Tonight's special themed event pays tribute to the Miles Davis album Bitches Brew. Dogfish Head will be hand to serve up special concoctions, including Wood Aged Bitches Brew Stout, Romantic Chemistry IPA and Lupa Luau Toasted Coconut IPA. It all starts at 5 p.m. (Niesel)
1404 West 29th St., 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com.
