The Spring Comedy Jam with Bill Bellamy Sat., April 2 Comedy If comic Bill Bellamy did nothing more than coin the phrase "booty call," he'd go down in comic history. But the guy has been a staple on the standup circuit for nearly 30 years now. His star power hasn't diminished over that time, either. Currently the host of his own TV show, Who's Got Jokes?, he's also a regular on Chelsea Lately. His material tends to stick to tried-and-true topics like the differences between men and women when it comes to romantic love and the trials and tribulations of getting through security at the airport. Still, this guy is a pro storyteller who knows how to work a crowd.
Converging Lines Sun., April 3 Art Exhibits Beginning today, the Kelvin an Eleanor Smith Foundation Gallery at the Cleveland Museum of Art hosts the CMA’s latest Centennial Exhibition, Converging Lines: Eve Hesse and Sol Lewitt. The exhibition celebrates the friendship of two of the most important artists of the post-WWII era. Converging Lines includes many works that haven’t been publicly exhibited in decades. Despite their very different artistic processes, the artists developed a close friendship that lasted more than a decade. Learn more at Converging Lines, on view at the CMA through Sunday, July 31. Free.
Heritage Concert Series Sun., April 3 Music Around Town Presented by the National Park Service and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Heritage Concert Series aims to celebrate the cultural legacy of the Cuyahoga Valley with a series of folk and roots rock concerts at the Happy Days Lodge. Tonight's concert features bluesman Guy Davis. Attendees can purchase light meal options featuring soups, snacks and sweets prepared by Conservancy Canteen. In addition to food, the venue offers local, alcoholic and non-alcoholic handcrafted beverages. Single concert admission is $17 for adults, $12 for conservancy members and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
Eraserhead Sat., April 2 Film The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque might have upgraded its equipment so that it can show the latest and greatest digital prints, but that doesn't mean it's forsaken 35mm film. Tonight at 8:45 and tomorrow night at 8:15, it screens the David Lynch movie Eraserhead in 35mm as part of the Cleveland Cult Film Festival 7. A surreal flick about the birth of a strange creature in an industrial city, the movie comes off as odd and inscrutable even by Lynch's standards. Tickets are $10.
Believeland Thu., March 31 Film The Cleveland International Film Festival features hundreds of films from a variety of different countries. But no screening is more anticipated than tonight's world premiere of Believeland. Directed by Ohio native and University of Toledo graduate Andy Billman, the documentary, part of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series, attempts to explain the devotion of Cleveland sports fans despite decades of failure. Yes, the film touches on The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, and The Decision. It features interviews with sports figures such as Jim Brown, Craig Ehlo, Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome, Mo Williams, Brian Windhorst, Felix Wright. A discussion on stage with director Andy Billman and special guests featured in the film follows the screening. It takes place at 7 at Connor Palace. Tickets are $16.
A Gallery Talk Sun., April 3 Lectures In conjunction with its current exhibition, UNFIXED: The Fugitive Image, Transformer Station hosts a Gallery Talk and performance by Tom Persinger at 3 p.m. today, the final day to view the exhibition. Pittsburgh-based artist, writer and founder of F295, an international organization of photographers sharing a mutual interest in conceptual approaches to photographic processes and techniques, Tom Persinger will discuss his artistic practice and work, including PAST/FUTURE PRESENT, a triptych installation he created for UNFIXED. Following his talk, the work will be completed during a public performance that encloses the work in parentheses, documenting the exhibition’s duration. Free.
Mr. Wolf Sat., April 2 Theatrical Events Cleveland native Rajiv Joseph makes his Cleveland Play House debut with Mr. Wolf, a story about a family’s "desperate and determined attempt to heal each other and rebuild their world." A press release for the play describes it as a "hauntingly beautiful and mysterious tale of adaptation and survival." It opens tonight at 7:30 at the Outcault Theatre; performances continue through April 24. Tickets are $20 to $90.
Rodney Perry Fri., April 1 Comedy Comedian Rodney Perry likes to joke that his favorite Jackson is Joe Jackson because he drove his kids to success. “Those kids wouldn’t have been shit without an ass whopping,” he jokes in one popular skit. “He’s still whopping people to this day.” He also likes to joke about relationships and advises women to do what their men tell them to because “it’s hard being a black man.” Consistently irreverent, Perry currently serves as co-host on BET's The Mo'Nique Show and he also played Harold in the hit Tyler Perry movie Madea's Big Happy Family. He performs tonight at 7:30 and 10:15 at the Improv and has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets are $20.
Spring Kick-Off Rooftop Wine Party Fri., April 1 Food/Drink We think the folks at Music Box Supper Club might be a bit optimistic to think they can host a rooftop party on the first day of April. But we'll give them the benefit of the doubt for tonight's Spring Kick-Off Rooftop Wine Party. The event will take place rain or shine, and should inclement weather occur, the event will be moved inside to the concert hall. A ticket includes 12 pours of wine from brand favorites Souverain and Allegrini, a gourmet plate of spectacular appetizers, retail shop-deals at a one-day-only marketplace, along with wine education provided by on-site experts. Tickets are $30, $25 for MBSC VIP members.
Walk All Over Waterloo Fri., April 1 Art Exhibits In addition to Lane Cooper’s What Dreams May Come at Waterloo Arts (See this week’s Arts Lead), this Friday’s Walk All Over Waterloo includes several gallery receptions and special events. Don’t miss Darius Steward’s PRESSURE at the Maria Neil Art Project. Praxis Fiber Workshop hosts an opening reception for Landline: Works in Fiber from Coast to Coast, featuring a collection of local and national artists. Local sculptor Jerry Schmidt continues his liquidation sale at Waterloo 7 Studio/Gallery to make room for his commissions for the new Downtown Hilton. Just across the street from Waterloo 7, Article Gallery hosts abstract works as well as the open studios of resident artists Larry Fielder, Rachel Latina and Guerin Wolf. Stop by Waterloo’s new coffee shop, Six Shooter Coffee to view work created by the members of BRICK Ceramic + Design Studio. There’s even more to see and do from 5 to 10 p.m. today throughout the Waterloo Arts District. Free. (Unman) waterlooarts.org.
