Hamlet Sun., April 10 Film Best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the series Sherlock, British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has recently received a number of awards for his acting prowess. Nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Imitation Game, he comes to acting from a true thespian's point of view. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that he stars in the National Theatre production of Hamlet. See the play as it's broadcast today at 11 a.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets are $20.
Bollywood America Sat., April 9 Dance Performances Now in its seventh year, Bollywood America presents its annual Bollywood dance competition today at 5 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre. The non-profit event aims to "focus on the Indian cultural performing arts and the importance of education and the hidden artistic talents of the South Asian American youth." Tickets are $21 to $36.
Gospel Brunch Sun., April 10 Food/Drink The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues, but it recently added a new choreographer. Created by famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. Starting at 11 a.m., the all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. Tickets are $40.
It's Raining Catfish and Dogs Fri., April 8 Food/Drink The Greater Cleveland Aquarium has just announced that it will partner with the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) for It’s Raining Catfish and Dogs, a special wine tasting. Part of the GCA’s Adult Swim Tasting Series, the event takes place from 6 to 9 tonight at the aquarium. In addition to featuring several types of wines, the event will provide patrons with the opportunity to meet and play with adoptable cats and dogs from the APL. While stopping at tasting tables featuring different types of wine and hors d'oeuvres, guests can also explore all aquarium exhibits including the 230,000 gallon shark tank and two interactive touch pools. The event has an educational component too as special activities and information will center on the special cat- and dog-like fish that the aquarium has on exhibit. Volunteers from the Cleveland APL will provide guests with interaction time with the animals. If you meet a furry creature you wanna take home, you can even start the adoption process with the APL that night. Tickets are $30 for aquarium pass holders, $40 for non-pass holders. A designated driver ticket costs $20.
Gladiators vs. Tampa Bay Storm Sat., April 9 Sports (Spectator) With the Cleveland Browns headed toward yet another season of rebuilding, why not get your football fix with the Cleveland Gladiators, our Arena Football team that has proved to be competitive (back in 2014, they made it to the championship game). Tonight at 7, the team plays its second home game of the season against the Tampa Bay Storm. It's '90s night so we're guessing you can expect to hear lots of Pearl Jam and maybe some Backstreet Boys on the house PA system at tonight's game. Tickets start at $10.
Facing Destiny and Mortality Sat., April 9 Seasonal Special Happenings Facing Destiny and Mortality, the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center’s annual benefit concert, will feature Franklin Cohen, Principal Clarinet Emeritus of the Cleveland Orchestra and co-founder of ChamberFest Cleveland, and Rafael Skorka, an accomplished pianist. The two will perform several of the last works by famed composers such as Mozart and Schubert. The selected pieces were written to take patrons “on a musical journey that explores this creative expression of destiny and mortality.” Cohen has an impressive resume: he’s the longest-service principal clarinet in orchestra history. The event takes place tonight at 6 at the Near West Theatre. All proceeds benefit the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center and will support the Center in providing mental health services and programming to our Northeast Ohio community. Tickets are $60 for the concert, $75 for the concert and the reception.
Induction Simulcast Fri., April 8 Music Around Town Outside of the Barclays Center, the Rock Hall will be the only place to watch the Induction Ceremony on the night of the event. Doors for tonight's simulcast open at 6:30 p.m., and the broadcast begins at 7 p.m. Special guests for this year’s Induction Ceremony include the Black Keys, Rob Thomas and Metallica's Lars Ulrich. Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, N.W.A. and Steve Miller will be inducted and Bert Berns, who produced 51 chart records in seven years, will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin all recorded some of his songs, and Janis Joplin famously recorded a version of his “Piece Of My Heart,” a song he wrote and produced for Erma Franklin, Aretha Franklin’s sister. Tickets to the simulcast are $23.50.
Monsters vs. Rochester Americans Sun., April 10 Sports (Spectator) The Lake Erie Monster only have a few home games left in their inaugural season as an affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Today's match-up, which pits them against the Rochester Americans, is a special game because you can bring your dog to the arena. As a "Pucks and Paws" promotion, the Monsters will allow fans to buy tickets for their pooches for a mere $5. The first 1000 fans who buy a dog ticket will also receive a Players & Pups calendar. The game starts at 5 p.m.
Open Studios Fri., April 8 Art Exhibits Only a few times each year do the artists of the Screw Factory (AKA Lake Erie Building) open their doors to the public. From 6 to 10 tonight, the Screw Factory hosts its Spring Artists’ Open Studios. The event features more than 40 artists and makers. Free.
Welcome to Night Vale Thu., April 7 Theatrical Events A twice-monthly podcast in the style of community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, Welcome to Night Vale features local weather, news and announcements from the Sheriff's Secret Police. That's not to mention references to mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers and cultural events. Written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor and narrated by Cecil Baldwin with music by Disparition, the show hit the road in 2013 and has toured ever since. It comes to Ohio Theatre tonight at 8. Tickets are $32.50.
