WED 11/22
Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Earlier this season, the Brooklyn Nets caught the Cavaliers off-guard and handed them a five-point loss in Brooklyn. While the Nets, a team that now includes former Ohio State star D'Angelo Russell, has gotten off to a decent start, the group just doesn't have the talent to compete against the Eastern Conference's elite teams like the Cavs. Expect the Wine & Gold to be better prepared to handle the team tonight as the two squads face off at Quicken Loans Arena for a rematch. The game begins at 7, and tickets start at $30. (Jeff Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Free Lunch Society
A highly acclaimed documentary about how our lives would be transformed if we were all guaranteed an "unconditional basic income," Free Lunch Society explores how the middle class has fallen apart. The movie looks at the effects of radical automation and examines the consequences. "We all could go on permanent vacation," says one optimistic pundit. It screens tonight at 7:30 at the Capitol Theatre as part of Cleveland Cinemas' Fall Doc Film Series. Regular admission rates apply. (Niesel)
1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
Hoppin' Frog Hoppy Hour
Much like the Fat Head's tasting room in Middleburg Heights, the Hoppin' Frog tasting room in Akron is in a non-descript 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. Tonight, the brewers visit the tasting room from 5 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.
THU 11/23
John Caparulo
Best known for his stints on E!'s Chelsea Lately and as the host of CMT's Mobile Home Disaster, comedian John Caparulo is a Kent State grad who regularly comes home and fits some shows into his schedule while he's here. Caparulo, known as Cap, got his start on the Cleveland circuit where he worked in the late '90s. He plays the role of the dumb hillbilly, but his narrative jokes are well thought out and his comic timing is impeccable. In 2013, he issued Come Inside of Me, a collection of some of his best jokes, including his lengthy bit about the first time he went skydiving. Expect to hear some of that material tonight when he performs at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $30. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 11/24
Canaletto and the Art of Venice
The latest installment in the Exhibition on Screen gallery-film series, Canaletto and the Art of Venice provides viewers with access to the art exhibit currently on view at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace. It centers on the enigmatic artist Canaletto, a guy whose personal life is mired in mystery. The film makes its local debut today at 1:45 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets
The crew at the Q will be busy today. The Monsters play a hockey game at 1 p.m., and then workers will transform the arena floor into a basketball court for a Cavs' game against the Charlotte Hornets. Led by star guard Kemba Walker, the Hornets have just about played .500 ball so far this year and should give the Cavs a real challenge. The game begins at 8 p.m., and tickets start at $53. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
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. 23. Tickets are $25 to $110. (Christine Howey)
1407 Euclid Ave., playhousesquare.org.
First They Killed My Father
A Cambodian-born American human-rights activist and lecturer, Loung Ung received widespread acclaim for her memoir, First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers. The national spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, Ung was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A survivor of what became known as "the Killing Fields," she now lives with her husband in Shaker Heights. Actress Angelina Jolie directs the new Netflix film based on the book. The film screens today at 3 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Ung will be on hand for the screening, and admission is free. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Monsters vs. Texas Stars
The Monsters kick off a two-game series against the Texas Stars with today's 1 p.m. game at the Q. The two teams face each other again tomorrow at 7 p.m. As part of a 1-2-3 Friday promotion, today's concession specials include $1 Pepsi products, $2 hot dogs and $3 beers. Both games feature a toy drive; fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys at the available toy drive bins located on the main concourse of Quicken Loans Arena. All toys will be distributed to underserved children in Northeast Ohio. Tickets to the games start at $10. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Scuba Claus & the Seas'n of Play
Like many local institutions, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium embraces the holidays with special seasonal activities. This year, it presents Scuba Claus & the Seas'n of Play on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, today through Dec. 24. At activity stations, you can see how hula hoops, fish-cicles and other toys and treats help to keep the Aquarium's residents active and engaged. Stimulation and "environmental enhancements" include wrapping presents for the tortoises to discover and adding seagrass for the stingrays to explore. Seas'n of Play also features parallel sensory activities such as practicing to aim like an archerfish spurting a stream of water at a moving target. From noon to 1:30 p.m., patrons can see Scuba Claus dive in 230,000 gallons of water. You can even ask him questions while he visits a porcupine pufferfish, green moray eel, goliath grouper and other aquatic creatures. Children visiting for Seas'n of Play will receive an original Scuba Claus coloring book and a temporary tattoo. The aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Check the website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore St., 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony
Tchaikovsky wrote his Fourth Symphony as he battled personal demons; the act of writing the piece reportedly helped him achieve some semblance of sanity. Tonight at 8 at Severance Hall, the Cleveland Orchestra performs his Fourth Symphony. The program also includes Copland's El Salon México and Paulus' Grand Concerto for Organ and Orchestra. Arrive an hour early for a pre-concert talk with guest speaker Meaghan Heinrich, chair of the woodwind, brass and percussion department at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. The program repeats at 8 p.m. tomorrow and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Consult the website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
SAT 11/25
Holidazzle 2017
A free holiday open house, Holidazzle 2017 features a variety of family-friendly indoor activities taking place throughout Playhouse Square. Cartoons will show in the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre, where there will also be themed children's crafts and a balloon artist. Local vendors from the Cleveland Bazaar Holiday Market will set up in the Ohio Theatre Lobby, and the Festival of Trees returns to the Allen Theatre lobbies as well. (Niesel)
1501 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Nutcracker
In past years, 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 undoubtedly know, revolves around 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 is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $38 to $50. (Niesel)
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Rare Form
Former Something Dada member Jimmy Green founded Rare Form, a local improv comedy group, in 2014. The ensemble includes former or current college students from Tri-C, CSU and CWRU. Tonight's gig at Wilbert's is a special holiday show. The Shannon Eller Group opens at 7 with the blues, and the comedy begins at 8. Admission is free. (Niesel)
812 Huron Rd. E., 216-902-4663, wilbertsmusic.com.
SUN 11/26>
Cleveland Improv Jam
The Angry Ladies of Improv has hosted the Cleveland Improv Jam for four 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 to perform. Admission is free. (Niesel)
4485 Mayfield Rd., South Euclid, 216-381-5706, coffeephixcafe.com.
ZouZou
Jazz singer Josephine Baker stars in Zouzou, a French drama about a laundromat worker who beats the odds to become a musical theater star. As a tie-in with the Cleveland Museum of Art's Jazz Age exhibit, the film screens today at 1:30 p.m. and again at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
MON 11/27
Monday Night Trivia
Do you have tons of obscure music knowledge? Are you a student of fast food menus and their nuanced histories? What say you about the geographic evolution of Scotch whisky? 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 the 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: Seats fill up fast. (Sam Allard)
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Movie Mondays
Every Monday, Cleveland Cinemas hosts $5 Movie Mondays, when 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 the Apollo Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre, Chagrin Cinemas, Shaker Square Cinemas and Tower City Cinemas. (Additional charges apply for 3D movies.) Check out the current offerings on the website. (Alaina Nutile)
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 be 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 11/28
Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
It used to be that a Cavaliers/Heat matchup was a dramatic affair, given that LeBron James at one point took his talents to South Beach and betrayed Cleveland fans. But now that James is back in Cleveland where he belongs, that rivalry has dissipated. Still, the scrappy Miami Heat have played beyond expectations this season, so tonight's game should be a good one. Tickets start at $22. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Sixth City Sounds: Mixing Session Networking Event
The local nonprofit Sixth City Sounds hosts tonight's special "mixing session" at the Beachland Tavern. According to the organizers, the mixing sessions provide "a chance for musicians and those in the music industry to network, socialize and discuss how we can all work together to form a stronger music community in Cleveland." In addition to networking time, you can catch a panel discussion on the various legal resources available to "empower and protect" Cleveland musicians and their craft. It all starts at 8, and admission is free. (Niesel)
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Warren Miller Presents Line of Descent
The release of a new Warren Miller Entertainment ski film signals the start of ski season as much as anything. Tonight at 7, the Capitol Theatre will screen his latest flick featuring skiers performing death defying stunts. The event will include "buy one, get one free" lift ticket deals for Treetops Resort and other special promotions. Tickets are $16. (Niesel)
1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
