Godfrey When: Thu., Aug. 18 Remember that 7Up guy? Good. Because he’s in town tonight. Godfrey, who got his start during a 1980s viral soda campaign, is showing off at the Improv. Cast as the token black friend in every comedy ever made, he’s best known as the token black friend in 2001’s Zoolander. That Godfrey’s so hot right now, touring the country and making regular appearances on Comics Unleashed. His show starts at 7:30 tonight, and he has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets start at $17.
Third Friday When: Fri., Aug. 19 August’s Third Friday at 78th Street Studios offers a last chance to see many of its galleries’ summer exhibitions. From 5 to 9 tonight, drop in to peruse dozens of open artist studios and gallery exhibitions. For example, ARTneo continues Locus of Transition: Works by Jason Milburn and Laila Voss through Sept. 2. Forum Artspace closes its annual Bazaarbeque with a potluck outside its separate entrance in the parking lot. E11even 2 hosts a closing reception for Lucky Charms, a group show featuring the work of accomplished local artists Andy Dreamingwolf, Randy Maxin and E11even 2 co-founder R!ch Cihlar. ZAINA Gallery presents a closing reception for Ryan Rennie’s Arti(fice)fact. On the second floor, HEDGE Gallery’s Face Value remains on view through Sept. 23, and includes the work of more acclaimed local artists: John W. Carlson, Sarah Curry, Brian Mouhlas and Douglas Max Utter. On the third floor, PopEye presents Turn Up, a one night only exhibition of recent CIA grads: Abigail Jo Clark, Celena Grossman, and Suzanne Head. Free.
Flats Festival of the Arts When: Fri., Aug. 19 In an attempt to add culture to the reinvigorated Flats, this weekend organizers present the inaugural Flats Festival of the Arts. The event includes more than 100 artists and craftspeople from Northeast Ohio and across the country. The event also features live music, dancing and more. The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. today and tomorrow and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Weekend passes are $10 (plus a small processing fee), and proceeds benefit Cleveland School of the Arts and H.E.L.P, a nonprofit assisting children living in rural parts of Africa. Passes are available online through Eventbrite or in-person at the festival.
Outdoor Screening at Impett Park When: Fri., Aug. 19 Looking for yet another opportunity to see a free movie beneath the stars? On the third Friday of June, July and August, venture to Impett Park for evenings of family fun. Games and prizes for the kiddies have been promised. Though the party starts at 6:30 p.m., the movies capping off the evenings will begin at dusk (about 9 p.m.). Bring a blanket and a lawn chair! Tonight's feature: the kid flick Zootopia.
The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony When: Sat., Aug. 20 It's been a long time since the Blossom Festival Orchestra rock 'n' rolled. Well, not really, but it seemed appropriate to make that statement given that the orchestra will play the music of Led Zeppelin tonight at 8 at Blossom. Brent Havens conducts and guest singer Randy Jackson will perform Windborne’s Music of Led Zeppelin. Tickets start at $30.
Magical Myopia Bus Tour When: Sat., Aug. 20 In celebration of Mark Mothersbaugh’s Myopia, currently on view at MOCA Cleveland and the Akron Art Museum, the partnering organizations are hosting a Magical Myopia Bus Tour. Beginning at 11 a.m. today, guests will explore MOCA’s exhibition with a guided tour of the Cleveland portion of the exhibition. Afterwards, guests will be transported via bus to the Akron half of the show for another guided tour at the Akron Art Museum. Although Mothersbaugh himself won’t be onboard, organizers promise a few surprises. Tickets are very limited. Admission is $20 for members, $30 for non-members, and include museum admission, lunch and round-trip transportation. To reserve your seats on the Magical Myopia Bus Tour, call MOCA Cleveland. Myopia remains on view at both venues through Aug. 28.
Pork & Cork When: Sat., Aug. 20 Held in the courtyard of the historic Hildebrandt building on Walton Ave., the inaugural Pork and Cork promises to be "the hottest wine tasting summer event." The neighborhood is home to the highest density of Hispanic/Latinos in the state of Ohio, making it the perfect place to enjoy Latin-inspired foods with "worldly wines." There will be live Spanish guitar and improvised drums, and you can enjoy traditional dishes such as Pernil, Elotes (Mexican corn), Arroz con Gandules (rice and beans), Crackle and more cooked al carbon (over a fire pit). The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $55, $75 for VIP, which includes early entry at 5 p.m. 3619 Walton Ave., porkandcorkcle.com. ?
Beatles Brunch When: Sun., Aug. 21 The members of the local rock act Sunrise Jones came from different bands, including the long-running local group Copperfoot. One night, the guys were at a jam night at the now shuttered Westside bar Stampers, and the band realized its lead singer could sing just like Paul McCartney. As a result, the guys dedicated themselves to learning the parts as faithfully as possible. They'll play Beatles tunes today at noon at a Beatles brunch at Music Box Supper Club. Tickets are $10.
Celebrate 100! When: Sun., Aug. 21 Today at Howe Meadow, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park along with Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts an event called Celebrate100! in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday this summer. Musical acts such as Tina Bergmann & Bryan Thomas. Singing Angels, Dala and Mississippi Heat will perform. A one-mile fun run for kids ages 5 to 14 starts at 2 p.m. (first 200 will receive their own Centennial-themed medalion). There will be an Ollie the Otter scavenger hunt and kayaking and paddle boarding at Indigo Lake. Food will be available for purchase from the Conservancy Canteen. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Tropical Sundays When: Sundays A weekly summer celebration, Now That's Class's Tropical Sundays features cornhole and basketball in the club's back parking lot and exclusive Tropical Sunday cocktails including Pimms, Paulito’s Puerto Rican Punch, Mi’Monsters, Cucumber Bloody Marys and Bloody Tooth. The club promises "many more surprises and activities" too. The event starts at 3 today. Admission is free.
