Humor Depot

Funny lady Maryellen Hooper has the tools to get the job done.

Maryellen Hooper's recent purchase of a "fixer-upper" house has supplied plenty of material for her comedy act -- and plenty of injuries for her husband. "It's usually me following behind him, sweeping up and getting Band-Aids," she says of her home life these days. "I spend a lot of time at Home Depot, which is kind of how I think men must feel at the mall. It's not fun." Hooper, in town this weekend for a series of Hilarities shows, blames television handyman Bob Vila for her hubby's newfound interest in hammers and nails. "[Vila] comes on TV and says, 'Here's a project you can do in 30 minutes,'" she says. "Well, at the end of 30 minutes, he has a new toilet, and my husband has his head in a hole." Hooper hits Hilarities (2035 East 4th Street) at 8 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $9 to $18, available by calling 216-736-4242. -- Fred Wright

Hip Shakes & High Stakes

SAT 2/28

Black chaps and nipple rings abound at Saturday's Mr. Cleveland Leather Contest, with the winner capturing not only a trophy, but also a spot at the Mr. International Leather competition in Chicago, coming up in May. It starts at 10 p.m. at Tool Shed/Crossover, 2901 Detroit Avenue. Admission is $5 to $7; call 216-771-7812. -- Cris Glaser

Pretty People

SUN 2/29

Break out the spangles and pile on the lip gloss -- Miss Cleveland gets crowned on Sunday! Contestants are judged on poise, talent, and other things they have to actually work at. It's at 1:30 p.m. at the library's Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, 525 Superior Avenue. Tickets are $5 and $10; call 216-355-4560. -- Michael Gallucci