10 Things to Do This Thanksgiving Weekend in Cleveland (Nov. 25 - 27)

Shipwreck'd! w/ DJ Max Payola When: Last Thursday of every month, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Price: free Last Thursday Of Every Month. DJ Max Payola (of WCSB 89.3fm) spins exotic vinyl all-nite at Porco Lounge & Tiki Room. A night of tiki drinks and rare & unusual exotica 45s and motel lounge LPs. Your only decision should be what to wear; Polynesian or Polyester? or both !? Porco Lounge & Tiki Room

Black Friday Shopping Event When: Fri., Nov. 25 If you’re looking to shop local this Black Friday, the artist studios and galleries of 78th Street Studios have you covered with their 2nd annual Black Friday shopping event from 3 to 7 tonight. Participants include ARTneo, Byzantine, Bunny Paige, Tregoning & Co., Eileen Dorsey Studio, Gallery +, E11even 2 Gallery, Suzie Frazier Showroom, Hedge Gallery, Kokoon Arts Gallery, Sandy Miller Studio, Mark Krieger Studio, Pugsley Room, Charmaine Spencer Studio and PopEye Gallery/Survival Kit. Additionally, several Gordon Square businesses will be offering a 10 percent discount for anyone who shows proof of purchase from a 78th Street Studios tenant. These cross-promotions are available at Graffiti Social Kitchen, L' Amour du Noir and Toast Wine Bar. The following day, the businesses of Gordon Square participate in a special Small Business Saturday event. Admission is free.

Holiday Show When: Fri., Nov. 25 If you’re looking to shop local and support local artists this holiday season, take a visit to Hingetown’s Cleveland Collection Gallery for its Holiday Show featuring nearly a dozen local artists. The show includes an eclectic variety of original artwork produced right here in Northeast Ohio. Participating artists include: Rami Daud, BIlly Delfs, Brooke Figer, Erin Guido, Brian Jasinski, Margaret Kimball, Peter Larson, Bob Pabst, Clarissa Westmeyer, Brian Willse and Michele Zychowski. The Holiday Show takes place from 6 to 9 tonight. For this unique show, artwork will be sold on a first come, first served basis, and customers may take their purchases home directly off the wall on Friday evening. So it is recommended you arrive early for the best selection. Admission is free. 2529 Detroit Ave., clevelandcollection.gallery.

A Christmas Story When: Starts Nov. 25. Fridays, Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Continues through Dec. 23 Phone: 216-771-8403 Email: [email protected] Price: $25 - $110 www.playhousesquare.org/events He's back! One boy. One holiday wish. And a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn't come true. The record-breaking show returns to the CPH stage in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family. Tickets $25 - $110 *Student discounts available *10+ group discount through Cleveland Play House SHOWTIMES: 7:30 p.m. Nov 25, 26 Dec 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 6:30 p.m. Nov 27 Dec 18 2:30 p.m. Dec 3, 4, 10, 17, 18 1:30 p.m. Dec 22, 23

Thanksgiving Soul Jam When: Sat., Nov. 26 Motown/soul favs such as Dennis Edwards & the Temptations Review, the Manhattans Featuring Gerald Alston, the Dramatics featuring Willie Ford, Enchantment & Lenny Williams share the bill tonight for the Thanksgiving Soul Jam that takes place at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre. The groups promise to "perform their most memorable hits and re-live the decade of disco and dance." Tickets are $49 to $85.

OSU vs. Michigan Watch Party When: Sat., Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Email: [email protected] Price: $40 @ the door // $35 in advance https://www.facebook.com/events/1624721254220877 One of the year's biggest college football rivalries features the Ohio State University going up against the University of Michigan. This year's game promise to be particularly good as each team is highly ranked. The watch party that takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at PJ McIntyre's has reportedly been voted one of the best OSU vs. Michigan watch parties in Cleveland. Tickets are $40 at the door or $35 in advance. The ticket price includes fire roasted pork, chargrilled chicken, picnic style sides and all you can (responsibly) drink draft beer.

Winterfest at Public Square When: Sat., Nov. 26, 1-7 p.m. Phone: 216-325-0993 Email: [email protected] Price: FREE www.downtowncleveland.com/events/winterfest Downtown Cleveland is your prime destination for kicking off the holiday season! On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, bring your family Downtown as Huntington presents Winterfest, an all day holiday celebration! Take in the magic as you experience Downtown’s vibrancy through free horse and carriage rides, the tree-lighting ceremony at Public Square, a fireworks show and more!

Genghis Con Small Press & Comic Convention When: Sun., Nov. 27, 2-7 p.m. Phone: 216-570-7626 Email: [email protected] Price: free GenghisConCleveland.com Genghis Con is the best opportunity for fans of small press and independent comics, artwork, zines and literature to find those hidden gems being cultivated right here in the region. Attendees can expect to see, and visit with and purchase work from, long-standing Genghis Con regulars like Derf, Gary and Laura Dumm, John G and Jake Kelly, as well as Genghis Con first timers like Noah Van Sciver, whose work has been published by Fantagraphics as well as Ivan Brandon, most recently the writer of Image Comics’ Drifter.

Festival of Trees When: Fri., Nov. 25, 5-9 p.m., Sat., Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed., Nov. 30, 5-9 p.m., Thu., Dec. 1, 5-9 p.m., Fri., Dec. 2, 5-9 p.m., Sat., Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 7, 5-9 p.m., Thu., Dec. 8, 5-9 p.m., Fri., Dec. 9, 5-9 p.m., Sat., Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 14, 5-9 p.m., Thu., Dec. 15, 5-9 p.m., Fri., Dec. 16, 5-9 p.m., Sat., Dec. 17, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tue., Dec. 20, 5-9 p.m., Wed., Dec. 21, 5-9 p.m., Thu., Dec. 22, 12-9 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 23, 12-5 p.m. Phone: 216-400-7053 Price: FREE www.clevelandplayhouse.com/festival-of-trees Get into the spirit of the season with Cleveland Play House’s beloved annual holiday tradition, Festival of Trees. The Allen Theatre lobbies will shine brightly with the twinkling light of trees masterfully decorated by local designers. This family-friendly event is free, open to the public, and sure to be a delight for all. For more information about the Festival of Trees, contact Kat Clark at 216.400.7053 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com/festival-of-trees.

Cleveland Improv Jam When: Starts Nov. 27. Sundays The Angry Ladies of Improv has hosted the Cleveland Improv Jam for four years now. A few years back, Scene described the show as “fierce, formidable and very funny.” The women have some serious experience too. Katie White-Sonby is an actress who's performed at Clague Playhouse, Karamu and Kennedy's Cabaret. Marjorie Preston is an alumna of Something Dada and Rockwell 9 improvisational comedy troupes. Dionne Atchison is a theater artist with Cleveland Public Theatre, and Brenna “MC” Connor is an actress and improviser. The event begins with a short-form set of improv games, followed by a longform improv set. It begins at 5 p.m. at Coffee Phix. Arrive early if you want to sign up and perform. Admission is free.