Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 01/08
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to “draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.” The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular
The annual event that honors Elvis Presley with tribute performances returns to the State Theatre. Expect to hear tunes from the many phases that the King went through during his lengthy career. Tonight’s show begins at 7.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Greg Fitzsimmons
A frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM, this comedian likes to ridicule romance and other aspects of everyday life. He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Tanael Joachim
This Haitian-born comedian has the ability to tell his jokes in both French and English. He’s played numerous comedy festival and flexes his writing abilities as a New York Times contributor. He performs at 7 tonight at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
Menopause the Musical 2
This musical parody set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s has become an audience favorite. Today’s show take place at 1:30 and 7 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony
Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Mozart’s final symphony. The program also includes Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue through Saturday.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Ohio RV Supershow
Discover the latest RVs and meet industry experts at this annual show that rolls into the I-X Center today. The event continues through Sunday; check the I-X Center website for hours and more information.
1 I-X Center Dr., 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com.
Stereophonic
Will Butler of the hipster band Arcade Fire wrote the music for this musical about a band trying to make it big in the 1970s. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Jan. 25.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 01/09
A1A—The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
Founded in 1991, this tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett aims to preserve Buffett’s legacy by playing faithful renditions of his surf-and-sun-embracing tunes. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron.
1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.
American Idiot
Young Americans struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world in this musical that features the music of the punk band Green Day. The Millennial Theatre Project presents the play today at 7:30 on Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage, where performances continue through Jan. 25.
182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Behind the Camera
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission hosts this special program featuring producer David Lester, who’ll talk about working on blockbusters such as Star Wars, Star Trek and The Shawshank Redemption. The event begins at 5 p.m. at the Cleveland History Center.
10825 East Blvd., clevelandfilm.com.
End of the World Party
Toby the balloon-making clown, an illusionist/magician from New York City named Tricky Eddie, a local tarot reader and some DJs will be on hand for this party at Negative Space Gallery. Admission is free, and the fun begins at 7 p.m.
1541 East 38th St., 216-470-6092, facebook.com/Thinknegativespace/.
Flanagan’s Wake
Part improv, part scripted, this interactive Irish wake is back again at Kennedy’s Theatre at Playhouse Square. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Glamgore
Produced, marketed, and hosted by locally based Anhedonia Delight, this monthly show at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights feature both “beauty queens” and “drag monsters.” Tonight’s performance begins at 9:30.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Trey Kennedy: The Relatable Tour
A comedian who’s amassed some 12 million followers on social media, Trey Kennedy, who hosts the podcast Correct Opinions and has released the self-produced comedy special Are You For Real?, comes to the Mimi Ohio Theatre tonight at 7.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
TK Kirkland
When rapper 50 Cent needed a comic for the video release of his hit record “Window Shopper,” he called upon TK Kirkland, a guy who’s known as the “gangsta of comedy.” He performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight at the Funny Bone, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
NEO Rewind Series: David Bowie in NEO
Thomas Mulready, who publishes the local events newsletter Cool Cleveland, leads this talk that documents local performances by rock hero David Bowie. The local glam group Vanity Crash will also perform. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Bop Stop. The show repeats tomorrow at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron and on Sunday at the Beachland Tavern.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.
SAT 01/10
Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Today at 1 p.m. at Rocket Arena, the Cavaliers take on a tough Minnesota Timberwolves team led by sharpshooting Anthony Edwards. The game represents the Timberwolves one-and-only regular season visit to Cleveland.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
The Dead Milkmen
The ’80s punk band perhaps best known for the sarcastic tune “Bitchin’ Camaro” comes to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Tonight’s show begins at 8:30, and the group plays the venue again at the same time tomorrow night.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Eurocraft Beer Festival
Local breweries such as the Brew Kettle, Collision Bend, Fat Head’s and Great Lakes will be on hand for this special event that takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Slovenian National Home. Slovenian sausage, brats and pierogi will be available for purchase from the kitchen, and the Kenik Room bar will offer wine, seltzers, Slivovitz and soft drinks. The local bands Fešta Bend and North Coast Prost will perform.
6417 St. Clair Ave., slovenianhome.com/beerfest.
Holiday Hangover with Tricky Dick & the Cover-Ups
This post-holiday bash headlined byTricky Dick & the Cover-Ups will feature live music and drink specials. Sparky B will kick off the night with a DJ set. It all starts at 8 tonight at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Ventana
The industrial metal group formed in Cleveland some 20 years ago and has somehow kept things going. The band performs at 7 p.m. at Globe Iron. Psyclon Nine, Aeternum, Bittersweet Revenge and Cultus Black open. Doors are at 7 p.m.
2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.
Trevor Wallace: The Alpha Beta Male
The comedian, actor and writer who got his start making clever Vine videos brings his latest standup tour to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. The event begins at 7 p.m.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
SUN 01/11
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert
The 46th iteration of this Cleveland Orchestra concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. takes place tonight at 7 at Mandel Concert Hall. More than 100 orchestra musicians and about 150 singers will be on hand for the celebration. The concert is free, but tickets are required. The concert will also stream on the orchestra’s website and be broadcast live on WCLV 90.3 and WKSU 89.7.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Krautrock Brunch
The Beachland Tavern hosts a special edition of its Sunday brunch today as DJ Stanislav spins psychedelic rock from Germany’s first post-Nazi generation. Every table will get a free can of sauerkraut, along with a can opener, which you can enjoy as a side with your meal. The event takes place at 11 a.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
State Champs
The punk band that formed some 15 years ago in Albany, NY performs at 6 p.m. at the Agora. Last year, it released a self-titled album that again shows off its ability to balance punk and pop harmonies on songs such as “The Constant” and “Clueless.” Real Friends open the show.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
Stranahan Mirth Duo
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Bop Stop. Local musician Paul Stranahan will play a DeMorrow 5 octave concert marimba, which he refers to as “the beast,” and Tim Mirth will play guitar. The show celebrates the release of the new album, 5 Pieces for Marimba and Guitar.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.
Kevin James Thornton
The comedian who prides himself on self-reflection performs at 7:30 tonight at Hilarities. He has a new comedy special, Be Yourself, that’s currently on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. He’s also written an autobiography cheekily titled Big Baby: on Endings, Beginnings and an Interdimensional Cat.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
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