10 Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend

Friday, Sept. 11 - NEOCycle Festical - Last year's inaugural NEOCycle, an urban cycling competition and music festival, drew some 2,700 registered riders and 10,000 total festival attendees. In addition to hosting a wide range of cycling races, the event features more than 50 vendors, bike shops and entertainment booths. There will also be a beer garden and more than a dozen food trucks. Led by indie rockers Jr. Jr., some 25 bands will perform at the music fest. Local acts such as the Speedbumps, the Modern Electric, Seafair, Marcus Alan Ward and Revolution Brass Band are slated to perform. The event kicks off tonight at 6 with racing at the velodrome in Slavic Village but the bulk of the events take place tomorrow and Sunday at Edgewater Park. Consult the website for a schedule and for details about registration fees. (Niesel, photo by Scott Sandberg)

Friday, Sept. 11 - Choice: Contemporary Art from the Akron Art Museum - The latest exhibition at the Transformer Station brings selections of the Akron Art Museum’s permanent collection to Cleveland for the first time. Choice: Contemporary Art from the Akron Art Museum opens with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. today (Transformer Station members can preview the exhibition beginning at 5 p.m.). Choice is part of the Akron Art Museum’s ongoing outreach initiative to engage with surrounding communities, and invite the public back to the museum to further explore its collection, world-class architecture and new public garden space. Choice remains on view at the Transformer Station through Dec. 6. Free. (Usmani, photo via Laura Bidwell, Instagram)

Friday, Sept. 11 - Jeff Jefferies Comedy - Australian comedian and actor Jim Jefferies became a household name back in 2009 when his HBO special I Swear to God introduced him to a wider audience Jefferies recently wrote, produced and starred in his own FX sitcom LEGIT and released his first Netflix comedy special BARE in 2014. In one bit about flying business class, he jokes about how he likes to "dress like shit" just to piss off the other first-class passengers. The guy's got sharp storytelling skills that'll be on display when he performs tonight at 8 at the Ohio Theatre. Tickets are $39.50. (Niesel, courtesy photo)

Saturday, Sept. 12 (through Sunday, Sept. 13) - Cleveland Garlic Festival - Now in its sixth year, the annual Cleveland Garlic Festival celebrates all things garlic. Sponsored by the North Union Farmers' Market, it boasts a variety of all things garlic-flavored. There will be competitions between touted "garlic masters" and grill-offs for garlic-y dishes involving beef, chicken and pork. Local bands will perform as well. It takes place from noon to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow at Shaker Square. Tickets are $9. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)

Saturday, Sept. 12 - Lakewood Wine and Craft Beer Festival - Proof that you can throw a beer festival just about anywhere and people will come, the third annual Lakewood Wine & Craft Beer Festival has been a success despite the fact that it takes place on a two-story open-air parking deck. At this year's event, which takes place from 5 to 10 p.m., more than 100 wines and beers will be available to sample. VIP tickets are available for $65; they include early entrance at 4 p.m., access to a selection of premier wine and beer offerings, admittance into the VIP Tent with VIP only bathrooms, an assortment of free food and “a few extra surprises.” Pre-paid general admission tickets are available for $40 in advance, $50 at the gate. Designated driver tickets are available for $10. General admission and designated driver ticket holders can enter the festival beginning at 5 p.m. 14701 Detroit Ave. (Niesel, photo courtesy of Lakewood Wine and Craft Beer Festival Facebook Page)

Saturday, Sept. 12 - Cider Fest - Rock the Core Drink the District, a national organization that strives to connect people over food and drinks, is bringing its Rock the Core Cider Fest to Cleveland's Voinovich Park today. Two sessions will be offered: one in the afternoon and the second in the evening. "Our sessions work like a movie theater's. When you purchase a ticket you are selecting what time you want to attend our event. This event has two sessions - one beginning at 1 p.m. and the other beginning at 6 p.m. Each session will last three hours. After the first session is over we'll clear the venue and prepare for the next session," the fest's EventBrite page says. Pre-sale tickets will set you back $35, while day-of tickets jump to $50. For the non-imbibers, a designated driver ticket is available for $10. (Alaina Nutile, courtesy photo)

Sunday, Sept. 13 - Berea Arts Fest - Although fall is definitely approaching, there’s one more summer arts festival left, and it’s a special one as the Berea Arts Fest celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Berea Arts Fest will be held on Front Street today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). It will be their largest arts festival to date, with approximately 100 professional fine artists and craftspeople. Performances will take place from multiple locations surrounding Coe Lake. Bring the kids to the Kids Kreation Station for interactive arts activities including face painting, a chalk walk easel painting and more. Local food vendors will offer a variety of ethnic and local foods. Free. (Usmani, photo courtesy of Berea Arts Fest Facebook Page)

Sunday, Sept. 13 (all weekend long) - Accidental Comedy Fest - This weekend, Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood will host a battalion of rising comics for the fourth annual Accidental Comedy Fest. The full list of performers for the fest is expansive, with some local and regional comedians catching short sets in the upstairs room and more well-known names commanding the joint's main stage. In short, the list includes: Ted Alexandro, Dave Hill, Baron Vaughn, Greg Barris, Jim Tews, Nate Fridson, Reid Faylor, Will Miles, Clark Jones, Kenny DeForest, Mike Polk Jr., Brendan Eyre, Megan Gailey, Noah Gardenswartz, Curtis Cook, Ben Palmer, Bill Squire and a host of other comics. More info here! (Sandy, courtesy photo)

Sunday, Sept. 13 - Tailgate Party for Pets - The Cleveland Browns kick off their season today against the New York Jets, and the Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa will celebrate with its first-ever Tailgate Party for Pets. The event takes place from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm in the “Barking Lot” of the pet hotel. There will be food trucks, vendors, entertainment and a special viewing area to watch the game. The Browns mascot Chomps will make a special appearance at halftime. A $5 donation to Lake County Humane Society is requested for admission. (Niesel, photo courtesy of Erik Drost, Flickr CC) 27349 Miles Rd., Orange Village, 440-248-BARK