10 Things Going on in Cleveland this Weekend (August 8 - 10)

We celebrate Christmas in July, so why not hold an Oktoberfest in August? That’s what Barley House is doing today from 4 to 11 p.m. Dubbed Taste of Cleveland Oktoberfest, the event includes live music, German food and giveaways. Preliminaries for Miss Oktoberfest will be held and local rockers Post Road will perform. Tickets are $5. (Niesel) tasteofclevelandoktoberfest.com.

The night before the Gay Games opening ceremony, Cleveland Museum of Art hosts Night Before 9: Out in Art, a concert featuring ESCORT, a '70s-influenced group that bills itself as a "disco orchestra." The band's live show features a 17-piece group that can really kick out the Saturday Night Fever-like jams. DJ Darrell Stout (aka Stout XTC of BeatMatrix) opens the show that starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. Museum galleries and the gift shop will stay open late for the occasion, and special "ambassador" tickets that include food and beverage are available.

One of the most popular rock acts from the ’70s, Journey straddled the line between prog and pop. Thanks to powerhouse singer Steve Perry, Journey’s music definitely had more commercial appeal than, say, Styx or Rush. Perry no longer performs with the band, but the group still plays to huge crowds (just this summer, it performed in front of a near-capacity crowd at Blossom). The local Journey tribute act Escape doesn’t play to audiences quite as large, but it does have a loyal local following. It headlines Rockin’ on the River today with Straight On, a Heart tribute act, serving as the opener. The concert starts at 5 p.m. and admission is free. (Niesel)

You know those awesome montages of old movie clips shown during the Oscars? The guy who makes those is actually a serious and curious filmmaker. His name is Chuck Workman and he’s got a new documentary out which premieres tonight at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. What is Cinema? tackles what is obviously a very broad and complicated question. To answer it, Workman filmed interviews with some of the greatest living filmmakers (David Lynch among them) and intercut their responses with archival interviews with deceased directors (including Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Bresson) and spliced in a whole bunch of notable film clips. The film’s a must-watch for cinephiles. Tix are $9 for tonight’s showing at 5:15 and tomorrow’s screening at 9:15. (Sam Allard)

Shooters on the Water is a pretty cool summer’s evening venue as it is, but tonight at 7, the bar and restaurant in the Flats is hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers Girls, as 30 finalists vie for a spot on the coveted cheer roster. This finale to their long audition process will be live, and you, dear readers and basketball fans, can help determine who makes the cut. Auditioners will attempt to dazzle you and the judges with one final team dance, an individual freestyle dance, and modeling in their favorite swimsuits. The whole thing has an icky Hooters-ish vibe, but there’ll be tons of cool prizes, and Cavs’ emcee Amaad will be hosting the festivities. (Allard)

The games officially kick off tonight with a big concert at Quicken Loans Arena as Lance Bass of N'Sync hosts at the opening ceremony that takes place at 7 p.m. Broadway actress Andre McArdle and the Pointer Sisters will perform. Glee's Alex Newell will join McArdle for a Broadway-style musical tribute to Gay Games participants. The official after party takes place at 9 p.m. at the downtown club the Bank where Dj Erez Ben Ishay will spin.

Bounce is Cleveland's hottest LGBT bar, located at 2814 Detroit Ave. They've got dynamite events every night this week, but tonight, enjoy the Neon Party hosted by Kari Nickels with special guest Pepper Mashay.

The newly opened Music Box Supper Club hosts its first full-fledged rock ’n’ roll show the weekend of Aug. 14 and 15 when honey honey and Cracker come to play the joint. But the place has a soft opening of sorts today as it features a Big Bloody Mary Brunch with performances by Nhojj and Anne E. DeChant. Nhojj performs at the first seating, which takes place at 10:30 a.m., and DeChant will play the second seating, which starts at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. (Niesel)

Tonight from 8 to 10, Horseshoe Casino hosts a Hot in Cleveland party to celebrate the Gay Games. DJ Smoov will spin and Chippendale-style models and Las Vegas-style showgirls will be on hand. Be sure to check out the special drink they’ll be serving up in a commemorative glass. Called Taste the Rainbow, it costs $5 and serves as a souvenir you can take home to remember what the folks at the Horseshoe say will be “the best party in Cleveland.” We suppose that will really just depend on what kind of luck you have at the gaming tables and slots. Admission is free. (Niesel)

A newly created professional boxing and music entertainment production company, BoutTime Entertainment is headed up by Carl King (the son of infamous boxing promoter Don King) and Cleveland attorney David Ricco. According to the official press release, "Event cards will feature the top talent of local fighters, headlined by regional and world champions. Live music entertainment, spun by internationally renowned DJs, add a unique perspective to these events, intended to appeal to a new generation of fight fans — as well as traditional boxing enthusiasts." The headlining fighter at today's inaugural event is Women’s International Boxing Association Featherweight Champion Carla “Starr” Torres. Ryan Martin, a fighter signed to rapper 50 Cent's promotional team, is also on the bill. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Public Hall. Tickets start at $25. Call 844-848-0420 for more info. (Niesel)