10 Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend

Friday, Dec. 11: The Tease Awakens - The forthcoming Star Wars movie stands to shatter box office records and permeate popular culture like few other films have. With that in mind, Ohio Burlesque and Troupe Le Femme Mystique Burlesque have teamed up to bring a Star Wars burlesque show to the Beachland Ballroom at 7:30 tonight. Highlights include the trapeze duet The Doll Carousel from Phoenix, Bella Sin, Doll Bambino. The line up includes Ellie St Cyr, Fever Blister, Lady J Martinez, Noella Deville, Lillith Avalon, Sable Champagne, Rubina Mamelons. The Cleveland Burlesque Academy of Kinsey Quake and Marley Teenie will be on hand. Ken Schneck hosts. A special raffle of Star Wars items for Dare2Care will be held. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. (Niesel, photo via CleveScene archives)

Friday, Dec. 11: Monsters vs. Wolves - When it comes to local professional sporting events, the Lake Erie Monsters, the minor league hockey team that's now affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets, offers plenty of bang for the buck. You get to see almost-NHL hockey at bargain basement prices. The team kicks off the season tonight at 7 at Quicken Loans Arena against the Chicago Wolves. Tickets start at $10 and deep discounts on concessions are available too (fans can enjoy $1 sodas, $2 hotdogs and $3 beers). There's also a free post-game skate. (Niesel, photo via Flickr CC, Jessica)

Friday, Dec. 11: Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert - Tonight at 7:30 at Severance Hall, the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus starts a series of Christmas concerts. The performances include sing-alongs, guest choruses, and a "surprise visitor."Guest choruses vary according to performance. Cleveland Orchestra Children's Chorus performs for matinees on Dec. 13, 19 and 20, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus performs for the evenings of Dec. 18, 19 and 20, the Cleveland State University Chorale appears for the concerts of Dec. 11 and 12, the College of Wooster Chorus sings on the concerts of Dec. 11 and 12, and the University of Akron Concert Choir performs at the Dec. 12 concerts. Tickets start at $45. (Niesel, photo via Flickr CC, MITO SettembreMusica)

Saturday, Dec. 12: Santa Shuffle - Thousands of Santas will reportedly be on hand for the annual 1 Mile Santa Fun Run that takes place today in Tremont. The race, if you can call it that since Santas are permitted to run, jog, walk or crawl, begins at 4 p.m. at the Tremont Tap House and concludes at the South Side. Runners receive a Santa hat, a race T-shirt and a wristband for free trolley rides to Tremont bars. Registration is $35. (Niesel, photo via Emanuel Wallace)

Saturday, Dec. 12: Cleveland Bazaar - This weekend, 78th Street Studios hosts the Cleveland Bazaar (formerly Bizarre Bazaar), the longest running in craft show in Ohio. Now in its 11th year, the Bazaar is bigger and better than ever. This year’s event will extend throughout 78th Street Studios’ many galleries and artist studios. Browse more than 125 vendors and support your local economy by shopping local this holiday season. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Free. (Usmani, photo via Emanuel Wallace)

Saturday, Dec. 12: A Christmas Story - Each year, A Christmas Story shows over and over on TV for a 24-hour period. Yes, the 1983 film about Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his quest fora Red Ryder air rifle is that fricking popular. Shot in Cleveland, the movie holds a special place in the hearts of locals. Today at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Theatre and at the Cedar Lee Theatre, you can see the movie on the big screen. Tickets are $1. (Niesel, photo via IMDB)

Saturday, Dec. 12: Juntos - Taking its title from the Spanish word for “together,” Juntos is a group exhibition of artwork by more than 50 local and regional artists. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery at Lorain County Community College and the Museum of Hispanic and Latino Cultures. It also functions as a benefit designed to raise funds and awareness for the Museum of Hispanic and Latino Cultures. A portion of each sale will be donated to the museum’s efforts to help establish a permanent home. Juntos opens with a reception from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. today. The exhibition remains on view through Sunday, Dec. 20. Additional hours are Sunday, Dec. 13, from noon to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, Dec. 14 to 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (also 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18) and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20, from noon to 4 p.m. Free. (Usmani, courtesy photo)

Sunday, Dec. 13: Browns vs. 49ers - You could say that Browns have a very good chance of winning today's game against the struggling San Francisco 49ers but then you could have said that about several of their losses this season too, particularly that recent home game against the Ravens that ended on a botched field goal that the Ravens returned for a game-winning touchdown. At this point, Browns fans can only look forward to the draft. The team's terrible season ensures the franchise will have a high pick. Today's game begins at 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. Tickets start at $25. (Niesel, photo by Emanuel Wallace)

Sunday, Dec. 13: Indoors Farmers Marker - Now in its seventh indoor season, the Kamm’s Corners Famer Market closes the 2015 season today with one final indoor market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop inside the Cretan Center. More than 20 market vendors will be on hand and the array of local foods include Ohio eggs, cheeses, maple syrup, honey and a variety of preserved foods such as peppers, pickles, jams, salsas, and sauces, hydroponic greens, storage crops such as apples, winter squash, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Area vendors will provide baked goods, pasta, spices, tea and coffee, soaps and lotions, local art, and hand crafted items for you and your pets. City Club Catering Master Chef Steve Nikolakis will have his home made chicken noodle soup on hand to complement his gyros and Greek specialties, and local musicians will play holiday music. Smith Fruit Farm and Quiroz Farm will attend and be outside, weather permitting. (Niesel, photo via Wiki)

Sunday, Dec. 13: Gospel Brunch - The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues. Curated by famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the recently reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. This week, the local artist Lafayette Carthon and Faith performs. The all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. It takes place at 11 a.m. Tickets are $39. (Niesel, courtesy photo)