Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend: Fun Events

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.

THU 07/09

BorderLight Theatre Festival

Founded in 2015, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theater that “inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience,” as it’s put in a press release. More than 40 productions will take part at Playhouse Square as part of this year’s event that features performance art and theater. It runs through Saturday. Single ticket prices range from $11.50 to $38, and the festival also features14 free shows and additional special events.

1260 Euclid Ave., 866-496-0535, borderlightcle.org.

Cleveland Metroparks Summer Concert Series

Euclid State Beach plays host to this summer concert series put on by Cleveland Metro Parks. The event featuring local music runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and features everything from funk to gospel and jazz. Food trucks will be on hand for the event, and there will be a beer garden as well.

16301 Lake Shore Blvd., 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com.

Collective Soul

The ’90s rock act most famous for its 1993 hit “Shine” comes to Northfield Park Racino. Just this year, the group released its 13th studio effort, Touch and Go. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparracino.com.

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.

An Evening with Itzhak Perlman

Violinist Itzhak Perlman joins the Cleveland Orchestra for this special concert that features performances of several Beethoven pieces, including Romance No. 1 and Romance No. 2. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

The Lion King

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story “filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.” The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16.

1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

The Marvelous Miss Gender Starring Bosco

A celebrity drag queen who competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14, Bosco comes to the Agora. The show begins at 8 p.m.

5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.

Mark Normand

Most of comedian Mark Normand’s material comes from observations of everyday life. A mild-mannered and soft-spoken guy who dresses like he’s in a Gap ad, Normand likes to make fun of himself and other people who are self-conscious about being nerdy and white. As a result, he regularly comments on racism and other isms. Normand, who has appeared on Conan twice and made other appearances on a variety of programs, performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. According to the club’s website, the shows are sold out.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

Lucinda Williams

The revered alt-country singer-songwriter comes to the Beachland Ballroom with a backing band in tow. The tour supports her fiery new album, World’s Gone Wrong, her response to the troubled times in which we live. The show begins at 8 p.m. According to the Beachland website, it’s sold out.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

FRI 07/10

Cain Park Arts Festival

This weekend’s Cain Park Arts Festival includes artists who work in a variety of media including painting, watercolors, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wood, leather, glass and other materials. This year’s edition takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

Funny Marco

The comedian who boasts that he could be “the next Ghetto Oprah” is known for his ridiculous man-on-the-street interviews. He performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Funny Bone.

1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.

Great White with White Lion

The two hard rock acts from the 1980s team up for this double bill that comes to Northfield Park Racino. The show starts at 8 p.m.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com.

Grocer

The Philly-based experimental band comes to the Little Rose Tavern in advance of the release of a new album produced by Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis. The group recruited locals Slugg and Kid Primitive along with Chicago’s Pet Peeves to share the bill. The gig starts at 8 p.m.

14206 Lorain Ave., 216-331-1441, facebook.com/LittleRoseTavern/.

The James Hunter Six

UK-based soul singer James Hunter comes to the Kent Stage as he tours in support of his new album, Off the Fence, which arrived on Easy Eye Sound, the label run by Akron native Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame. The album embraces a ’60s soul sound and songs such as “Two Birds One Stone” recall acts such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

Mean Girls

The musical adapted from the film by the same name comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It centers on a teenager who must navigate “frenemies” at her suburban high school. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and the play runs through Aug. 9.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.

Summer Cocktail Party

Belle Oaks Marketplace hosts this event to celebrate its pre-leasing event. It takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. and will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

775 Richmond Rd., Richmond Heights, belleoaksmarketplace.com.

Women in Metal: You Will Know My Name Exhibit Opening

Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm will play an acoustic set to kick off the opening of this new exhibit at the Rock Hall. The exhibit focuses on how women such as Lita Ford, Alissa White-Gluz, Taylor Momsen and Courtney LaPlante have impacted rock ‘n’ roll. The kickoff concert begins at 7 p.m.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

Y-Live 2026

Country superstars Jason Aldean and Eric Church headline this annual concert that takes place out at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown. Already headlines tonight with support from singer-songwriter Travis Tritt, and Church headlines tomorrow night with support from singer-songwriter Ernest. Gates open at 6:30 both nights.

1 University Plaza, Youngstown, ylive2021.com.

SAT 07/11

78th Street Studios 25th Anniversary Party

This event honors Dan Bush, the owner and developer who founded and grew 78th Street Studios into what is reportedly the largest arts complex in Northeast Ohio. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets cost $25.

1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.

The Big Bounce America 2024 Tour

The Big Bounce America Tour that comes to Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea today and tomorrow purports to be the biggest touring inflatable event in the world and includes seven massive inflatable attractions, including the newly expanded 24,000 square foot bounce house and a brand-new deep sea foam party inflatable.

19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, thebigbounceamerica.com.

Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs

The guitarist who famously played alongside the late Tom Petty for many years brings his solo project to Northfield Park Racino. The late Brian Wilson inspired the title track to Mission of Mercy, Campbell’s latest solos effort. The show starts at 8 p.m.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparracino.com.

DC Young Fly

The comedian, actor, producer and musician performs at 8 tonight at the Akron Civic Theatre. His podcast, 85 South, is hugely popular, and he’s appeared in major films such House Party, DC and Candy Cane Lane.

1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.

Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets in Concert

Tonight and tomorrow night at 7 at Blossom, the Cleveland Orchestra plays the John Williams score to Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, which screens in high definition.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

Icons Fest

This two-day festival inspired by the Maltz Museum exhibition Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience begins with a conversation featuring acclaimed comic creators Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko at Cleveland Public Library, followed by a special screening of Superman (1978) and post-film discussion at the Cedar Lee Theatre. The celebration continues Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maltz Museum campus in Beachwood with a full day of panel discussions, workshops, an Artist Alley, family activities and admission to Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience.

325 Superior Ave., 216-623-2800, cpl.org.

Idobi Radio Summer School Tour

The North American traveling festival was founded by Warped Tour’s own Kevin Lyman, along with Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records) and Michael Kaminsky (Veteran Artist Manager). It’s a tour that carries the torch of a bygone era — this tour’s lineup features Honey Revenge, South Arcade, Winona Fighter, Games We Play and Chase Petra.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.

Mindfulness for All

Local musician LaToya Kent created this program a few years back and taught it throughout the Cleveland School District. Now, she brings it to SPACES. Combining art and music therapy with activities revolving around sharing and spatial awareness, it develops social emotional learning for people age 5 and older. It takes place today at 1 p.m.

2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org.

Music in the Valley Folk & Wine Festival

This annual event at Hale Farm & Village in Akron provides programs about the history of folk music. There all be talks about local food history and historic demonstrations. It begins at 10 a.m.

2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.

NEO Rewind Series: Vanity Crash Presents David Bowie in NEO

Local publisher and musician Thomas Mulready leads this multi-media show about David Bowie’s first-ever appearance in Cleveland in the 1970s. Local rockers Vanity Crash and Time Cat will perform. In addition, the show features exclusive video interviews with WMMS Radio DJs Billy Bass and Denny Sanders, Bowie’s drummer Woody Woodmansey and pianist, Mike Garson, whose first gig with Bowie was in Cleveland., The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.

Orange Community Artisan & Farmer’s Market

Geauga Mama Dogs and Pups will bring their dog adoption and raffle basket fundraiser to this month’s farmer’s market, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Orange Village Administrative Office’s Service Building.

4680 Lander Rd., Orange Village, orangecommunitymarket.org.

The Scarlet Letter

The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium, (CSFF) presents this screening of the 1926 drama The Scarlet Letter with an original compilation score played live by the all-local Cleveland Photoplayers. The score will include music by the late John Stepan Zamecnik, a Cleveland native who became a major composer for silent “photoplays.” The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Public Library’s Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium.

325 Superior Ave., 216-623-2800, cpl.org.

SUN 07/12

Beachland Flea

Local vendors will be on hand with vintage clothes, vinyl and other rock memorabilia at this event that takes place at 10 a.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Concerts at Lakeview Cemetery

The annual summer concert series at Lake View Cemetery offers locals yet another great opportunity to savor some free outdoor performances. The concert series takes place on the Garfield Monument lawn. Concerts take place from 4 to 6 p.m. The contemporary local jazz group Horns & Things will perform today. Admission is free.

12316 Euclid Ave., 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com.

Natya Katha—Stories That Dance

Coinciding with the Cleveland Museum of Art exhibition Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the “‘Shangri’ Ramayana,” this dance performance features Indian classical dancers from Shri Kalaa Mandir. It takes place at noon at the Community Arts Center.

2937 West 25th St., 216-707-2483, clevelandart.org.

Reggae Sundays

This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.