WED 07/04
Akron's Rib, White and Blue Festival
Today's the final day for Akron's Rib, White and Blue Festival, an annual celebration that provides its attendees with live cover bands, inflatables, rock walls and, of course, ribs. Admission is free, doors open today at 11 a.m., and Akron's official Fourth of July fireworks display wraps up the festivities at 9:45 p.m. It's all happening at Lock 3 in downtown Akron. Details are on the website. (Rebecca Goldfarb)
200 South Main St., Akron, 330-375-2877, lock3live.com.
Lakewood 4th of July Parade and Fireworks
Independence Day festivities run all day long today in Lakewood. The city's parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Lake Avenue at Kenneth Drive and ends at Lakewood Park at 11:30 a.m., where you'll find assorted games and activities. A featured concert from the Lakewood Project, Lakewood High School's Youth Rock Orchestra, hits the bandstand at 7 p.m., with a fireworks extravaganza concluding the day at 9:45. See the website for more info. (Goldfarb) onelakewood.com.
Rock and Boom
View fireworks right from the deck of the historic Steamship William G. Mather. Starting at 8 p.m., you can climb aboard the Great Lakes Science Center's 618-foot freighter, docked at the North Coast Harbor. Snag some food and drinks at the Science Center Cafe; or check out the family friendly beer garden. The boom part of the evening begins at dusk, approximately 9:30. Make sure to bring some lawn chairs or blankets. Entry is $16 a person, or $13 for Science Center members; register online, by phone or at the Science Center box office. (Goldfarb)
601 Erieside Ave., 216-621-2400, greatscience.com.
Salute to America
As part of a tradition in these parts, the Blossom Festival Band plays a special Salute to America concert tonight at Blossom. Savor a picnic on the lawn or at a picnic table, and then settle in to enjoy a mix of patriotic Sousa marches, Broadway favorites, an Armed Forces salute, and more. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and concludes with the rousing "1812 Overture" and fireworks. It all happens again tomorrow night. Consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for ticket prices. (Jeff Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
THU 07/05
Deon Cole
Deon Cole is from the South Side of Chicago and he tells it like it is. A regular on Conan, he created "Black Box," which aired for a short time on TBS. His roots are pretty humble: A friend bet him $50 that he was too chicken to get up on stage at a club one night, and the rest is history. He talks about racial issues in a charismatic way, often taking a unique and fresh perspective on issues that have been talked about so many times before. His humor is a little reminiscent of Chris Rock; he often takes on social issues most would rather pretend don't exist and then throws storylines from them in your face. He performs tonight at 7:30 at the Improv. Tickets are $30, and performances continue through Saturday. (Liz Trenholme)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
Hap Cole
High-energy comedian Happy Cole delivers jokes at a fast pace. His humor is about the things that he observes going on in the world around him. His material ranges from racial humor to joking about cruise ships. Cole has been in the comedy game for the past 20-plus years, and that experience shows. He knows how to work a crowd and he knows perfectly how to make them laugh. He 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.
Edgewater Live
A few years ago, the Cleveland Metroparks launched its extremely popular Edgewater Live series of Thursday-night happy-hour concerts. The fun returns this year, with musical performances from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 2. In addition to a local band, activities include yoga, standup paddleboarding and cornhole. Those ubiquitous food trucks will be on hand, of course, and the Beach House will sell drinks and food as well. It's free. (Niesel) 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway NW, clevelandmetroparks.com.
FRI 07/06
Euclid Beach Live
Much like Edgewater Live, the weekly happy-hour concert series that takes place at Edgewater Park, the Euclid Beach Live concert series offers great music, delicious food and fun for the whole family. The setting couldn't be better either: The site overlooks the scenic Euclid Beach State Park on Lake Erie. Once completed, the 285-foot pier should give the events a throwback feel and hearken back to the glory days of Euclid Beach amusement park. The fun takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 3. This evening's musical entertainment comes from the jazz band Forecast. It's free. (Niesel)
16301 Lake Shore Blvd., 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com.
Indians vs. Oakland A's
After a tough homestead against the Twins in June, the Indians got back on track by winning their series against both the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Today, they'll get a test when they play the Oakland A's, a team that's hovered near the .500 mark in a very tough division. The three-game series commences tonight at 7:10 at Progressive Field. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Legacy Live
One of Northeast Ohio's most popular free concert series, Legacy Live has become a tradition that families and couples look forward to each summer. The concerts take place on the Legacy Village lawn at 6:30 each Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer, featuring local bands that play everything from jazz and rock. Tonight's entertainment comes from the Recyclers; tomorrow, catch Ricky & the Rockers. Admission is free; the series continues through Aug. 31. (Niesel)
25333 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst, 216-382-3871, legacy-village.com.
Slightly Stoopid
Don't let the dumb name fool you. The guys in Slightly Stoopid, a veteran SoCal outfit, are serious musicians. For more than 20 years now, they've worked in the shadow of similarly eclectic-minded musicians such as 311 and Sublime. They even initially signed to the band's Skunk Records. The band plays an incredibly dance-able fusion of reggae, punk, hip-hop and funk. On a track like "Top of the World," they perfectly balance jazzy grooves and lazy vocals. While there's a bit of a Jack Johnson vibe to the track, the bluesy guitar riffs keep things lively. These guys are consummate players — expect to hear them stretch out and jam a bit during the show. The band headlines this weekend's music festival at Nelson Ledges. Special guests Stick Figure and Pepper share the bill. Weekend passes are $120 in advance, $140 at the door. That includes camping. (Niesel)
12001 State Route 282, Garrettsville, 440-548-2716, nlqp.com.
Star-Spangled Spectacular
Downtown's annual Fourth of July celebration finds the Cleveland Orchestra performing a free concert tonight on Mall B. WKYC-TV3's Russ Mitchell will host the big event which kicks off at 6 p.m. with activities that include a jumbotron presentation, live music and food trucks. The concert itself takes place at 9 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks, weather permitting. This is a free community event and no tickets are required. There will be a live broadcast on WCLV and WCPN and the video will be live streamed on the orchestra's website. You'll find full details there, as well. (Niesel)
300 St. Clair Ave., clevelandorchestra.com.
SAT 07/07
Female Trouble
Cleveland Cinemas' Late Shift series, a program dedicated to the nostalgic cult and camp cinema that we love and cherish even though it's certainly not Oscar-worthy material, has been a fixture at the local chain of theaters since 2006. The 2017 schedule continues tonight with Female Trouble, the John Waters' flick about a high-school student (Divine), who goes berserk when her parents refuse to buy her the shoes she wants for Christmas. It screens at 9:30 and midnight tonight, and tomorrow night at 7, at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets are $7. (Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, a heavily hyped new exhibit that opens today at the Cleveland Museum of Art, celebrates Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama's 65-year career. The exhibition spans the range of Kusama's work and includes her groundbreaking paintings and performances of the 1960s, when she staged polka-dot "Happenings" in the streets of New York. Seven of Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms, including "Where the Lights in My Heart Go," an exhibit that's exclusive to the exhibition's presentation in Cleveland, will be on display. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and under (there's a limit of two children up to age 17 per adult ticket). Sales are by phone or online only. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Pictures at an Exhibition
The Cleveland Orchestra opens its season at Blossom tonight with a special performance of pieces by Reznicek, Beethoven and Mussorgsky, including the perennial crowd-pleaser, Pictures at an Exhibition. The concert will be presented with Image Magnification (IMAG), providing live video of the performers displayed on LED screens in the Blossom Pavilion. Franz Welser-Möst conducts the orchestra. Fireworks follow the performance. It all starts at 8; check the website for ticket prices and more details. (Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It's the first Saturday of the month, so tonight the Cedar Lee Theatre hosts its usual midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 cult classic that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie. Tickets are $9.50. (Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
SUN 07/08
Rob Allen
Veteran comedian Rob Allen launched his career some 30 years ago. The raunchy comic who likes to open his set by greeting his fans with a "What's up, fuckers?" has appeared on BET's ComicView several times and has won a Redd Foxx Cutting Edge Award. He performs tonight at 7 at the Improv. Tickets are $15. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
Roger Daltrey Performs the Who's Tommy with the Cleveland Orchestra
The Who's Tommy remains one of the great concept albums of all time, and tonight as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Blossom Music Center, the Who's Roger Daltrey will team up with the Cleveland Orchestra to play the album in its entirety at Blossom. The concert begins at 8; consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for details regarding ticket prices. Note that this isn't a typical orchestra concert at Blossom and fans will not be able to bring coolers into the facility for the show. (Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
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.
Yellow Submarine
Billed as an "unmissable Cinema Event," the Beatles' film Yellow Submarine originally came out in 1968. It's more about the music than anything else, and most of it involves set pieces designed to present Beatles' songs set to various themes; it comes off as a modern-day fairytale, and the dialogue includes puns, double entendres and inside jokes about the Beatles. It shows today at 2 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre, where it screens again at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. (Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
MON 07/09
Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds
The "Battle for Ohio" comes to Progressive Field today as the Indians take on interleague rivals the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds haven't had a winning team in a few years, but after a horrible start, the team has started to come together and had a particularly good homestand against the Chicago Cubs last month. Tonight's game begins at 7:10 at Progressive Field. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Lunch Hour Live Trivia
Last Call Trivia, a live hosted event during which teams compete for prizes by answering trivia questions, takes place every Monday throughout the summer at 12:30 p.m., at U.S. Bank Plaza on Playhouse Square. Designed to be "a spirited competition," the contest lasts an hour. The games also include a point wagering system that gives teams the ability to choose their own strategy. Admission is free. (Niesel)
East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
Science Cafe
Tonight, and the second Monday of every month, Music Box Supper Club hosts Science Cafe, an informal lecture series that brings scientists from throughout the region to the club to talk about science topics. Tonight at 7, registered nurse Shirley M. Moore, a Case Western Reserve University professor of nursing and associate dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing — among many other distinctions — talks about understanding and managing obesity in Cleveland children. The talk is free, but bring some money for the bar and the restaurant. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.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.
TUE 07/10
Dancing Under the Stars
As a part of the 13-week outdoor dance series at Playhouse Square, local dance instructors lead Dancing Under the Stars tonight, and every Tuesday night through Aug. 28, at U.S. Bank Plaza. Tonight at 6, teachers from Get Hep Swing will teach you the Jitterbug/East Coast Swing; the Blues Deville provide the music. The dancing begins at 6:30 and continues until 9 p.m. Admission is free. Find a complete schedule of upcoming sessions on the website. (Niesel) East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
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, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Retro Tuesdays
Sometimes, there are experiences worth going the extra mile for, like the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theatre in North Ridgeville. As audiences grow increasingly frustrated with people talking, texting or bringing their young children to movie theaters with $15 popcorn, the drive-in is a perfect way to catch a new film without having to worry about any of the hubbub brought on by other people ... or yourself. Visiting the Aut-O-Rama is a magical experience. Built in 1965 by the Sherman family, the drive-in is still owned and operated by the family's third generation. You can catch the latest films on the weekends, but the Aut-O-Rama also offers classic double features for Retro Tuesday. Tonight's features: Blade Runner (1982) and Flash Gordon (1980). Check the website for times and ticket prices. (BJ Colangelo)
33395 Lorain Rd., North Ridgeville, 440-734-1786, autoramadrivein.com.
Truck Stop Tuesday
As if to provide a westside counterpart to Walnut Wednesdays, Crocker Park in Westlake has launched Truck Stop Tuesday, a weekly food truck gathering that takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Needless to say, admission is free, but the food will cost you. Truck Stop Tuesday continues through Sept. 25. (Niesel) 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
