WED 02/28
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," 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. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the storytelling starts at 7. Tonight, Cleveland Arts Prize winner Kevin P. Keating will discuss how Cleveland inspires his books. The dinner menu includes American Splendor Meatloaf and Rockefeller Mousse. (Jeff Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
CTRL|ALT|BEAT
At 5:30 tonight, as part of Black History Month, the Rock Hall will present CTRL|ALT|BEAT, an "interactive, socially engaging experience" that will allow attendees to gain valuable information about diversity and inclusion in music technology, innovation, creativity, and business. The event is free with an RSVP. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Hoppin' Frog Hoppy Hour
The Hoppin' Frog tasting room in Akron is in a nondescript strip of storage facilities and warehouses. But step inside and you'll find a cozy space with a huge array of the brewery's wonderful libations. The place features "hoppy hour" every weekday from 3 to 7 p.m. While they don't fill growlers, you can drink bottles on site or take 'em to go. The place also offers a "Hoppin' Frog Rare & Vintage" list as well as a guest bottle list. And you can order from a limited food menu too. (Niesel)
1680-F Waterloo Rd., Akron, 234-525-3764, hoppinfrog.com/tasting-room.
The Musical Box
For almost 20 years now, Montreal's Musical Box has recreated Genesis concerts from the early '70s, paying attention to every last detail in the process. For the current tour, the band will play Selling England by the Pound, the 1973 album that made Genesis and Peter Gabriel into rock 'n' roll superstars. The set includes a 23-minute-long rendition of "Supper's Ready." Tonight's performance is officially licensed by Peter Gabriel and Genesis, and takes place at 8 at the State Theatre. Tickets are $10 to $39.75. (Niesel)
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Mike Stanley
In a bit about getting out of jury duty, comedian Mike Stanley mocks a friend who aims to shirk his duty by claiming to be racist. "Good luck making that proclamation in front of a crowd of jurors," the loud-mouthed comic from Detroit jokes. Not to be confused with local rocker Michael Stanley, comedian Stanley performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities. Tickets are $13 to $18. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
THU 03/01
Bronfman Plays Beethoven's 'Emperor'
A longtime Cleveland favorite, pianist Yefim Bronfman returns to Severance Hall tonight to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor") and Elgar's Symphony No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra. The concert takes place at 7:30; additional performances continue through Sunday. Consult the website for more details. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
With its roster of young players, the Philadelphia 76ers have slowly started to compete in the Eastern Conference. The team is fighting for one of the last playoff spots and hovered around the .500 mark for most of the season. The 76ers take on the Cavs tonight at 8 at the Q. Tickets start at $32. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Alycia Cooper
Standup comic Alycia Cooper likes to talk frankly about both current events and her personal life. If you're a fan of blunt delivery and unadulterated wit, you'll like Cooper, who likes to laugh about how broke she is. ("I texted my cousin a picture of a gift," she jokes in one routine.) She performs tonight at 7:30 at the Improv, where she has additional shows scheduled through Sunday. Ticket prices range from $17 to $20. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
Steve Rannazzisi
An American actor and comedian who got some good exposure through the FXX comedy hit The League, Steve Rannazzisi likes to draw from personal experience for his routines. In one bit, he talks about how his son took a massive dump on the living room floor to ward off a babysitter. He performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets are $23 to $28. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Thelma
Norway's official Academy Awards entry for this year's Best Foreign Language Film, Thelma centers on a female college freshman who grew up in a fundamentalist religious family. She begins to experience seizures after she develops feelings for another female student; one critic suggests the film provides a critique of "an oppressive religious environment." The movie makes its Cleveland debut tonight at 6:45 at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, where it screens again at 8:50 on Saturday night. Tickets are $10, or $7 for students and Cinematheque members. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
FRI 03/02
'Behind the Camera' Fundraiser
Northeast Ohio natives Jamie Babbit and David Wain will be on hand tonight for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission's "Behind the Camera" fundraiser. Film Commission president Ivan Schwarz will lead the discussion as Babbit and Wain talk about their careers. Babbit has directed several features and produced and directed multiple award-winning television shows; her credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Silicon Valley and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Wain's resume includes dozens of writing, directing and acting credits including Wet Hot American Summer and Adult Swim's Childrens Hospital. His sixth feature film as a director, A Futile and Stupid Gesture, recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently available on Netflix. The program begins at 5:15 p.m. at Pickwick and Frolic. Afterward, there will be a VIP reception that includes hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Tickets start at $75 for general admission. (Niesel) 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins: A Centennial Celebration
Tonight at 8 at Severance Hall, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra pays tribute to director/choreographer Jerome Robbins and composer Leonard Bernstein. Famous for musicals such as West Side Story, On the Town, The King and I, Peter Pan and Gypsy!, the two delivered some of Broadway's biggest hits. Carl Topilow conducts the orchestra. Consult the website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Flanagan's Wake
No one knows grief and mourning like a Catholic, let alone an Irish Catholic. Now in its eighth year in Cleveland, 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 grim Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding, the interactive and improvised show engages the entire audience as the guests are treated as the friends and family of the deceased. Tonight's show starts at 8 and repeats tomorrow night at 8 at Kennedy's Theatre. Performances continue weekends through April 28. Tickets are $26. (Patrick Stoops)
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Lenten Fish Fry
From now until the end of March, Prosperity Social Club hosts its Lenten Fish Fry every Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The special Lenten menu includes the Big Fish Fry, featuring a generous portion of haddock in a fluffy beer batter blanket, complemented by homemade coleslaw, tartar sauce and old-school-style mac and cheese. Prosperity received national attention when the home-cooked Big Fish Fry was featured on TV chef Andrew Zimmern's Delicious Destinations. To drink, this year's featured beer will be POC, now brewed by Double Wing Brewing Company, which recently resurrected the storied brand and recreated its clean, crisp European-style pils that should pair well with the fish. (Niesel) 1109 Starkweather Ave., 216-937-1938, prosperitysocialclub.com.
Mix at CMA
The first Friday of each month, the Cleveland Museum of Art hosts its popular Mix at CMA event. The museum stays open later than normal for the occasion. Tonight's theme is Expression, and the event will feature a night of dancing and cocktails in the tradition of Expressionist Berlin. It's intended to celebrate the museum's new German Expressionist exhibit. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. CMA members get in for free. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. (Niesel) 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Monsters vs. Tucson Roadrunners
Tonight at 7 at the Q, the Monsters go up against the aptly named Tucson Roadrunners, a team with a much better record than the Monsters. The game begins at 7 p.m. and the Monsters will host a food drive, giving donated canned goods and other non-perishable foods to local food banks. In addition to the food drive, there will be a postgame skate and concession specials for kids. The two teams play again at 3 p.m. on Sunday when it's Kids Day; the first 2,500 kids 14 and younger receive a zamboni bank and a kids' day pass to Castaway Bay. Tickets to each game start at $10. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Wizard World
Get your costumes ready. Cleveland's own Wizard World Comic Con is back at the Huntington Convention Center, today through Sunday. The traveling event returns to the 'Land for the fourth time to celebrate all things comic book, along with fantasy and science fiction culture. This year, the celebrities on hand to help in the festivities should highly excite fans. The big names include Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Aquaman), Joe Flanigan (Stargate: Atlantis), John Barrowman (Arrow, Doctor Who), Matt Ryan (Constantine, Assassin's Creed: Blag Flag) and Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville). Of course, comic book authors and editors like Batman's James O'Barr and Aquaman's Martin Egeland will also be on hand to meet and greet fans; it is a comic convention, after all. Free panel discussions run throughout the weekend and, as always, fans are highly encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters — for better or worse. Consult the website for ticket prices and a complete schedule. (Laura Morrison)
500 Lakeside Ave., 216-928-1600, wizardworld.com.
SAT 03/03
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Austrian-born Hedy Lamarr — the multi-talented Hollywood bombshell who also invented a war-time radio technology that's now used in cellphones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — is the subject of director Alexandra Dean's new documentary film, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story. The movie makes use of archival footage and original interviews to tell Lamarr's eye-opening story. It makes its Cleveland debut tonight at 7 at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, where it screens again at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $10, or $7 for Cinematheque members and students. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets
For a team without any real superstars, the Denver Nuggets have played remarkably well this season. The team has stayed in the playoff race in a tough Western Conference dominated by the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. They face the Cavs tonight at 7:30 at the Q. Tickets start at $32. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Chocolate Fest
The local events company Taste CLE has organized today's Chocolate Fest, which comes around today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lago. The $40 ticket includes chocolate samples from both family-owned businesses and bigger chocolate companies. A $70 ticket includes pours of port and dessert wines. It's a family friendly event; kids under the age of 6 get in for free. Details and tickets are on the website. (Niesel) 1091 West 10th St., 216-862-8065, tinyurl.com/choctix.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It's the first Saturday of the month again, so tonight the Cedar Lee Theatre hosts a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 cult classic 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 are $9.50. (Niesel) 2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
Winter Warmer Fest
More than 50 breweries will be on hand for today's Winter Warmer Fest, an annual event that serves as a fundraiser for the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Expect a huge selection of winter seasonal beers, rare releases and other special concoctions from some of the state's top breweries. Tickets are $45 in advance. Each ticket includes a souvenir glass and 40 tickets for 2-ounce samples. VIP tickets are $55, and they include early admission. The fest runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at Windows on the River; the early admission ticket allows entry at 1 p.m. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore St., 216-696-4884, beerfesttickets.com/winterwarmerfest2018.
SUN 03/04
Cleveland Improv Jam
The Angry Ladies of Improv has hosted the Cleveland Improv Jam for almost seven years now. A few years back, Scene described the show as "fierce, formidable and very funny." The women have some serious experience too. Katie White-Sonby is an actress who's performed at Clague Playhouse, Karamu and Kennedy's Cabaret. Marjorie Preston is an alumna of Something Dada and Rockwell 9 improvisational comedy troupes. The event begins with a short-form set of improv games, followed by a long-form improv set. It begins at 5 p.m. at Coffee Phix. Arrive early if you want to sign up and perform. Admission is free. (Niesel)
4485 Mayfield Rd., South Euclid, 216-381-5706, coffeephixcafe.com.
Wait for Your Laugh
Today at 4:40 p.m., the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque hosts a special screening of Wait For Your Laugh, a 2017 documentary film about the nine-decade career of singer-comedian Rose Marie. Marie, who passed away last year, worked on Broadway and in Vegas during the course of a career that began when she was only 4. Tickets are $11, or $8 for Cinematheque members and students. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
MON 03/05
Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons made one of the season's biggest trades earlier this year when the team acquired power forward Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers. When healthy, Griffin is a force to be reckoned with and should help the Pistons as they push toward the playoffs. Tonight's game against the Cavs begins at 7 at the Q. Tickets are $23. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Monday Night Trivia
Do you have tons of obscure music knowledge? Are you a student of fast food menus and their nuanced histories? Tonight's your chance to wow your friends, make yourself instantly more desirable to someone you're newly dating, and hang with Cleveland's headiest hipsters and hot dog lovers. It's Happy Dog Monday Night Trivia. Starting at 8 p.m., expect themed rounds and general knowledge questions that seem considerably trickier than some of the other live trivia locales in town. Obviously, have a hot dog and a craft brew while you're at it. And arrive early: Tables fill up fast. (Sam Allard)
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Movie Mondays
Every Monday, Cleveland Cinemas hosts $5 Movie Mondays, where film fans can catch up on the latest Hollywood flicks for significantly reduced prices. Bring your friends and family and make Movie Mondays a weekly tradition — many theaters even offer discounted concession stand items. Participating theaters include Apollo Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre, Chagrin Cinemas, Shaker Square Cinemas and Tower City Cinemas. Unfortunately, additional charges apply for 3-D movies. (Alaina Nutile) clevelandcinemas.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 9 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 03/06
Classical Revolution Cleveland
The first Tuesday of every month, Classical Revolution Cleveland brings chamber music to the Euclid Tavern. Performers like the Trepanning Trio, Anime Duo, students of Cleveland Institute of Music and even Cleveland Orchestra members grace the stage in these exciting concerts. Tonight's free, all-ages performance starts at 8. (Stoops) 11625 Euclid Ave., 216-231-5400, happydogcleveland.com.
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.com
Rent
Some 20 years ago, Rent, an original rock musical by a little-known composer, opened on Broadway and became a smash hit. Now, Jonathan Larson's musical returns to the stage, in a 20th anniversary touring production, for a three-week run at Connor Palace. Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30. Tickets start at $29. (Niesel)
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Tuesday Shoesday
The folks at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium have designed tonight's Tuesday Shoesday event with women in mind. The guest who shows up sporting the "most fab footgear" wins a gift basket to take home. The evening will include music from the Titus Golden Band, boutique shopping, and an assortment of appetizers and desserts. Attendees also receive one general admission ticket to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium good for a return visit through May 31. Admission is $35 per person and includes aquarium access, two glasses of wine, hors d'oeuvres, live music and plenty of shopping for jewelry, clothes and shoes. It's all happening from 6 to 9 p.m. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
