WED 05/24
A Book Release Party
Ken Schneck, PhD, is the host and producer of his This Show is So Gay podcast, as well as writer of a Huffington Post column and Associate Professor and the Director of the Leadership in Higher Education Program at Baldwin Wallace University, where he teaches courses on ethical leadership, anti-racism and how individuals and communities work together "to create a more engaged and just world." More of an academic than an adventurer, Schneck found himself in several unusual situations, such as signing up for a 425-mile bike ride, visiting the deep backwoods of the Colorado Rocky Mountains and twice visiting rural Uganda. Chronicling these unexpected adventures, Scheck's new book Seriously, What Am I Doing Here?: The Adventures of a Wondering and Wandering Gay Jew is being released this week by Cleveland-based 1984 Publishing. Be among the first to pick up a copy at the book's official release party at Ohio City Libations from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight. The book is available in a variety of formats: hardcover, softcover, audiobook and e-book. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, including how to purchase the book, visit 1984publishing.com/store/. (Josh Usmani)
6706 Detroit Avenue, 216-303-9292.
Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties
Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is a weekly series that pairs fine food with storytelling. Through it, the folks at the Music Box Supper Club hope to help 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, Dr. Ed Pershey, director of special projects at the Western Reserve Historical Society, will talk about Cleveland's auto manufacturing history. The menu includes the Peerless salad, the Wynton short rib and the Chandler chocolate sundae. (Jeff Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Drawing Lessons
Looking to brush up on your observational figure drawing skills? The Cleveland Institute of Art's pay-as-you-go life drawing sessions return tonight from 7 to 9 in room 302. Attendees have the opportunity to draw a live model in a variety of poses, ranging from quick, gestural sketches to longer poses. Drawing boards and benches are provided, but attendees must bring their own drawing materials. Led by talented CIA alum and instructor Eddie Mitchell, the classes are limited to just 25 participants. Classes are open to the public, but serious artists only. Admission is $15 at the door, $10 with college ID and $5 for high school students (minors must bring parental permission form). (Usmani)
11141 East Boulevard, Cleveland Ohio 44106, 216.421.7000, www.cia.edu.
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.
Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds
For the past several years, the Cleveland Indians have been the baseball team in Ohio. That trend will likely continue this year despite the fact that the Cincinnati Reds got off to a hot start. Tonight at 6:10, the two teams face off in an interleague matchup. The first 10,000 fans will receive an AL Championship replica trophy. Tickets start at $13, and the two teams will go at it again tomorrow night at 6:10. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Keep Quiet
Csanád Szeged, the anti-Semitic former vice-president of Hungary's Jobbik Party, is the subject of Keep Quiet, a documentary film directed by Sam Blair and Joseph Martin. The film chronicles his discovery that his maternal grandparents were Jewish. It makes its Cleveland premiere tonight at 7 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it screens again at 7 on Friday night. Tickets are $9, $7 for students, seniors and CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Vince Morris
Comedian Vince Morris has a demeanor that seems tame and gentle, but his quips have you still laughing later as you realize their deeper meanings. This guy talks about all sorts of things including Southern living, funny dialects and the way people relate to each other through language. Lots of this stuff isn't your typical comedy, but the guy is downright funny. He appears at Hilarities at 8 tonight and tomorrow night, and tickets range from $18 to $23. (Liz Trenholme)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Murray Perahia Plays Beethoven
The New York Times has called Murray Perahia the "poet of the keyboard." He appears tonight at 7:30 at Severance Hall to play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Cleveland Orchestra. The concert will conclude with two landmark works of the 20th century. Guest speaker Cicilia Yudha, an assistant professor of piano at Youngstown State University, gives the pre-concert talk beginning an hour before the concert. Performances repeat at 8 tomorrow night and at 8 on Saturday night. Tickets start at $29. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque
There's burlesque and then there's the Suicide Girls. A group of "badass bombshells and geek goddesses," the troupe takes the art form to another level. Consider, for example, their current Blackheart Burlesque Tour that they've re-launched after a six-year hiatus. Instructor/dancer Manwe Sauls-Addison, who's worked with world famous performers such as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga, did the choreography and picked seven of the troupe's best dancers for the tour. The show parodies contemporary pop culture and makes fun of films/TV shows such as Star Wars, Orange is the New Black, Donnie Darko and Clockwork Orange. Tickets are $20 to $105. The show starts at 9 tonight at the Beachland Ballroom. (Niesel)
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
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. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. (Niesel)
THU 05/25
An Artists' Reception
Led by Op Art pioneer Ed Mieczkowski, NewCelle was an artist group formed in 1998 with the purpose of "revitalizing drawing in the light of the new millennium." Although it began as an experiment, the group continued to draw together for more than four years, producing work that had a powerful and lasting impact on the members. Preceded by two Mieczkowski-led artist collectives, NewCelle was unique in its process. Influenced by the Surrealists' psychic automatism technique, the artists took turns drawing a single line at a time on the same surface. Each time the group met, they added a new work to the rotation until nine works were being created at once. In conjunction with its new exhibition of NewCelle collaborations, the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve hosts an artist reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today, and the exhibition remains on view through July 8. Admission is free. (Usmani)
1834 East 123rd St., 216-721-9020, artistsarchives.org.
FRI 05/26
Abjectified
Self-led internships aren't for everyone. It takes a lot of self-motivation and organization for a college student to work independently of the strict structure of academia. As the culmination of her self-led internship, Cleveland Institute of Art student Morgan Mansfield (Drawing, '18) debuts her first solo show at Loftworks Gallery. Titled Abjectified, Mansfield's exhibition explores the relationship between the abject and the objectified. The exhibition and internship are part of CIA's Creativity Works Internship, made possible by the Cleveland Foundation's Fenn Educational Fund. Each Creativity Works intern is responsible for researching, preparing, budgeting, executing and reflecting on the project. Abjectified opens with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. today and remains on view through June 11. Admission is free. (Usmani)
1667 East 40th Street #1A, 440-991-7097, www.loftworksgallery.com.
Berea's National Rib Cookoff
Over the past 18 years, Berea's National Rib Cook-Off has been a Memorial Day staple. This year will mark the festival's 19th year at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Some 16 Rib Teams will compete weekend long for prizes for the top ribs. There will also be a children's activity area. Friday Night is "Bike Night." Bikers also are invited to bring their bikes inside the gates to a special parking lot right next to the midway. Tonight's entertainment includes Haywire, Spazmatics and Colin Dussault's Blues Band. For all festival information go to the website or call the hotline number at 440-234-5181. Admission is free before 5 p.m. today and $5 after 5 p.m. The festival continues through Monday. (Niesel)
164 Eastland Rd., Berea, 440-243-0090, cuyfair.com.
Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out
Comedian Mike Birbiglia comes off as the thinking man's comic. This American Life's Ira Glass proclaims, "Birbiglia's stories are even funnier live than they are on the radio." Time Magazine calls him a "master of the personal, embarrassing tale." For the current tour, dubbed Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out, the comic will try out entirely new material and improvisation along with a few stories from his previous tour, Thank God for Jokes. He performs tonight at 7:30 and 10 and tomorrow night at 7 and 9:30 at Hilarities. Tickets are $30. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
The Classic Rock-Off and Rooftop Picnic
Music Box Supper Club kicks off the holiday weekend with a bang as it hosts tonight's Classic Rock-Off and Rooftop Picnic on its deck. The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., features a special "picnic menu" that includes fried chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake. Then, at 7:30 p.m., local rockers the Sunrise Jones will play sets of covers featuring tunes by the Stones, Beatles, Tom Petty and Allman Brothers. Tickets are $10, $25 for the "concert and picnic" package. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals started the season in the American Central cellar but have slowly played better and inched toward .500. They silenced the Tribe's bats when the two teams played in Kansas City earlier this month but still lost two of three games to the Indians. Expect the Indians to produce more runs this time around as the two teams start a three-game series tonight at 7:10 at Progressive Field. It's Dollar Dog Night, and there will be a Star Wars-themed fireworks show after the game. Tickets start at $13. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Taste of Summer
Since summer has finally arrived, what better way to celebrate than at Taste of Summer, an annual event hosted by Flats East Bank and Scene. The free event, which continues through Sunday, will feature summer-time foods from local restaurants, music from some of Cleveland's most talented musicians, summer cocktails and beer, local vendors, sports on the big screen and activities for all ages. The event takes place today from 4 to 10 p.m., tomorrow from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel)
Tremont Greek Festival
Held in Tremont every Memorial Day weekend at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the annual Greek festival features Greek music, food, drink and even antiques. Visitors will find a mouthwatering assortment of homemade Greek specialties like pastitsio, moussaka (Greek-style lasagna), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and lamb shanks. But the crowd favorite is always the gyro — and they don't get much better than they are here. Be sure to save some room for baklava or loukoumades (fried dough with honey). If you want something to wash it all down with, try the Greek beer Mythos or some Greek white wine. The festival starts at noon and is free. It continues through Monday. (Niesel)
2187 West 14th St., tremontgreekfest.com.
Wine and Beer Tasting
Weyerbacher Brewing, Block Nine Winery and Carol Shelton Wines will make a splash tonight at Rozi's Wine House, where guests can sample over 15 wines and beers throughout the evening. Samples of Last Chance IPA, Sunday Morning Stout and Five Row Merlot will be available. Rozi's cook will be on site to prepare appetizers to pair with the beverages. The tasting lasts from 6 to 8. Admission is $25. (Vidal)
3471 Fairmount Blvd., Hts., 216-320-9923.
SAT 05/27
Collecting Outsider Art
As part of its Art Bites 2017 series of Collecting Art Talks, the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve hosts Collecting Outsider Art with Columbus collector Thomas Arlen Wagner from 1 to 3 p.m. today. Wagner will share his experience collecting outsider art for the past 30 years, as well as discussing the definition of outsider art, its history and how he began collecting it. To illustrate his talk, Wagner is bringing a dozen artworks, including drawings, paintings and works in wood, glass and steel from his personal collection. Pieces from Wagner's collection have been loaned to institutions throughout the U.S., including the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, the Folk Art Society of America, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago and the Halle Saint Pierre Museum in Paris. In 2013, more than 130 objects from Wagner's collection (including 70 drawings and paintings) were used for Mark Beyer's first in-depth retrospective at Ohio State University's Urban Arts Space in Columbus. In June, Wagner is curating Outsider or Insider? Art!, an exhibition at the Mansfield Art Center, comprised of equal numbers of outsider and academically trained artists, including Cleveland artists Amy Casey, George Kocar, Scott Miller and Douglas Max Utter. (Usmani)
1834 East 123rd St., 216-721-9020, artistsarchives.org.
Plant Sale and Vintage Boutique
Join the Village of Gates Mills for its inaugural Plant Sale and Vintage Boutique. Shop around for your favorite perennials, annuals and shrubbery as well as collector's gardening and flower arranging tools. The sale starts at 8 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. at the Gates Mills Garden Club. Admission is free. (Vidal)
1280 Chagrin River Rd., Gates Mills, 440-423-4555, thegatesmillsgardenclub.com.
SUN 05/28
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 longform 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.
Billy Donato's Salute to the Troops
Singer Billy Donato's multi-genre performance Vintage Vegas With a Modern Twist highlights a collection of Billboard No. 1 hits. Donato, a native Clevelander, often performs the show on the Vegas Strip. He returns home today to pay tribute to America's men and women in uniform. The concert begins at 3 p.m. at Hard Rock Rocksino's Club Velvet. Admission is $15 to $20. (Vidal)
10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7771, hrrocksinonorthfieldpark.com.
Titicut Follies
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, the Cleveland Museum of Art will screen many of his movies. Wiseman, who made 40 feature-length films, would shoot hours of footage and then sculpt the raw material into the finished product. Today at 1:30, the museum will screen his 1967 effort, Titicut Follies, an expose about the Bridgewater Sate Hospital for the criminally insane. Tickets are $10. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
mon 05/29
Indians vs. Oakland Athletics
Since making the playoffs in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Oakland Athletics seem to be stuck in rebuilding mode. In each of the past two seasons, the team lost nearly 100 games. This year doesn't appear to be an improvement either as the band has struggled to win games despite acquiring players such as Santiago Casilla, Matt Joyce, Trevor Plouffe and former Indian Rajai Davis. Today's game begins at 4:10 p.m. Tickets start at $13. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.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 05/30
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." In keeping with that spirit and recognizing the burgeoning popularity of vinyl, the club hosts a vinyl night every Tuesday that serves as a listening party for new releases. The place has partnered with Loop in Tremont so that 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.
