10 Things Going on in Cleveland this Weekend (April 11 – 13)

A cornerstone of the growing alt-comedy scene, Marc Maron offers a dark and cynical take on life and explores the psychosis of the everyman. His podcast, WTF With Marc Maron, and his IFC TV show, Maron, have made him a renowned and versatile entertainer, on top of a successful standup career. In his Comedy Central special, he discusses his near-death experience that eventually led to masturbating alone in a hotel room as an act of celebrating life. Tales like these make his standup both abrasive and vulnerable, letting his audience into deeply personal struggles that are emotionally relatable. Tonight he’s performing two shows at Hilarities at 7:30 and 10, and tomorrow two more at 7 and 9:30. Tickets are $28 tonight and $30 tomorrow. (Stoops)

There are so many road races these days, marketing folks are hard-pressed to differentiate their 5Ks from others. (Should we donate the proceeds to testicular cancer or breast cancer?) But tonight’s race — tonight’s, not this morning’s — has a unique hook. It’s at night (7 p.m. to be exact, with registration at 5:45 over at the Parkview Pavilion in Mayfield) and runners will be given glow-in-the-dark shirts and wristbands to light up the course. Nice way to kick off the weekend. Race day registration is $25. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer society. (Allard)

One night only! Head out to the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque at 7 p.m. to check out mini documentaries of weird Northeast Ohioans from a series called The Amerikans. Here’s some of the eccentrics the series has profiled so far: a dollhouse builder, a flamboyant funeral director, a bee sting therapist, an artist who uses his body as a paintbrush, a napkin collector and a man in a gorilla suit. The two producers of the short films (both from Oberlin College) will be on hand tonight to present their work and answer audience questions after the screening. Wear/do something outrageous and you too could be a documentary subject. (Allard) 11141 East Blvd., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.

One hundred local artists will descend upon Spaces gallery tonight for Monster Drawing Rally 2014. Artists will have one hour to create work while spectators view their process. Upon completion, each drawing will be placed on a wall where it can be viewed and purchased for $65. This is a great insight into the creative process, giving you the opportunity to buy brand-spanking-new art! The L’il Monster Drawing Rally is an area where children can create their own work to put on display in Spaces. The Rust Belt Monster Art Collective will also create a large-scale work throughout the night as DJ Chris Kulcsar pumps out the jams. The event starts at 6 and is free for children 17 and younger, and $5 for everyone else. (Gonzalez)

“The sun shines on the local artisan community,” reads the Facebook post announcing today’s Cleveland Flea — it’s happening rain or shine. It’s the first of what will be a whole bunch of really fun flea markets this spring and summer, chock full of vintage wares, oddball apparel, handmade accessories and all sorts of organic food and crunchy trinkets and furniture and stuff. The Cleveland Flea is at Sterle’s Country House on East 55th Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring bags! And cash! And curiosity! And an enabling lover! (Allard)

Since 2009, locals have celebrated the anniversary of manned spaceflight with Yuri’s Night, a good excuse as any for a party. At tonight’s big bash in honor U.S.S.R. cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, you’ll be treated to hors d’oeuvres, dancing, space-related exhibits from NASA Glenn and a costume contest. Abby Normal, Vibe & Direct, DJ 41 SE7EN and OZMTZ will provide the music. Weather permitting, the outdoor party deck will be open too. Ticket s are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. The party starts at 8 p.m. (Niesel)

Akron's Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lights played their first gig a little more than two years ago and the band has been going strong ever since. Because of its terrific live show — sharp-dressed Brent "Wesley Bright" Wesley is a real dynamo on stage — the soul/old-school R&B band is suddenly in high demand. The band has been touring regionally too and teamed up with the like-minded, Northern soul-obsessed Vallures to play a gig in Indiana recently. Their terrific new single, "Tell Me," is a retro-sounding number with a soulful vibe. All their unhinged energy should make for a fun show. 9 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. (Niesel)

Celebrate the “Year of Zero Waste” at Earthfest today. The Earth Day Coalition is hosting its annual Earthfest at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, and there will be biodiesel-powered amusement park rides, urban farm animals, food trucks and local microbrews. There will be an art contest for kids, a “Ton of Trash” display and workshops explaining what to do with those items not included in recycling pickup but you know are bad to just throw away (batteries, anyone?) Admission is $4 for kids ages 2 to 11 and $8 for adults. Ride your bike or take public transportation and you get free admission. (Trenholme) earthdaycoalition.org.

Based on a 1934 Irving Stone novel, the 1956 film Lust for Life stars Kirk Douglas as painter Vincent Van Gogh. The film centers on van Gogh’s tumultuous life and we see him suffering from hallucinations and committing himself to a mental hospital as both his brother Theo (James Donald) and his friend Paul Gauguin (Anthony Quinn) try to help him. Quinn won an Oscar for his role in the movie. It shows at 1:30 p.m. today and at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cleveland Museum of Art , where you can also see a new van Gogh exhibit. Tickets are $9. (Niesel)