10 Things To Do This Weekend In Cleveland (Sept. 16 - 18)

Star Trek Turns 50 When: Thu., Sept. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. Phone: 330-467-8595 Email: [email protected] Price: Free Julie Washington of The Plain Dealer discusses the landmark science fiction television show, its many related projects, and the impact it has had on pop culture during the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek. Club Members of the USS Lagrange (N.E. Ohio chapter of Starfleet) will be on hand with giveaways, coloring sheets, trivia, and more. You can also take a selfie with Spock! Refreshments served. Registration suggested.

THE Downtown Oktoberfest When: Fri., Sept. 16 Now that Public Square has been reconditioned into an open, family friendly green space, it’s the ideal location for events. Today through Sunday, SCENE Magazine along with Hofbrauhaus Cleveland, Great Lakes Brewing Company and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company present the inaugural Downtown Oktoberfest @ Public Square. Highlights of the event include: German food from local restaurants including Balaton Restaurant, Canal Tavern of Zoar, Der Braumeister, Hofbrauhaus Cleveland and more; bier from Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, Great Lakes Brewing Company and Hofbrauhaus Cleveland; and live music by Joey Tomsick & The Shotskis, Polka Revolution, Eric Noltkamper, the Casuals and more. In addition, there will be a stein hoisting contest, and every hour on the hour, attendees will enjoy a show from Das Glockenspiel presented by STV Bavaria from Cleveland. Part of Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s inaugural Downtown Days event, THE Downtown Oktoberfest will feature three main tents where attendees will find a beer garden, restaurants and live music in each, varying from one tent to the next. General Admission wristbands are available in advance for $5, good for all three days. Other options such as a Bier Fast Pass to fast track the beer lines and VIP admission that includes a meal, beer, beer stein and a private seating area are available. Those under 12 years of age are free. clevescenetickets.com.

Third Friday When: Fri., Sept. 16 With several fall exhibitions opening this month, September’s Third Friday is a great time to check out or revisit 78th Street Studios. Drop in from 5 to 9 p.m. to see ARTneo’s Strange Melancholy: The Magic Realism of Hazel Janicki, curated by former ARTneo director Lauren Hansgen, now Curator/Historian of the Cowan Pottery Museum. E11even 2 debuts Yada, Yada, Yada, a Seinfeld-themed group show. Forum Artspace hosts John W. Carlson and Shari Wilkins’ Destruction of Form 2, a follow-up to their two-person exhibition at Cleveland Print Room. On the third floor, Melt Bar & Grilled celebrates its 10-year anniversary with an invitational art competition at PopEye Gallery. Noted local artists Dana Depew, John G., Derek Hess and Jake Kelly will join help Melt’s owner/founder Matt Fish pick the winners from more than 30 participating local artists. The grand prize winner gets “Melt for a Year.” Survival Kit co-founder Brian Straw presents free live music at 9 p.m. Free.

Tom Arnold When: Fri., Sept. 16 Perhaps best known as comedian Roseanne Barr's ex-husband, Tom Arnold has worked the standup circuit for decades. He and Roseanne had a whirlwind four-year marriage, and their antics often landed them in the tabloids. In the early '90s, Arnold's acting career appeared on the verge as he had a significant role in the action flick True Lies and appeared in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery too. While his current acting career mostly consists of cameos, he continues to play comedy clubs like Hilarities, where he performs at 7:30 and 10 tonight and at 7 and 9:30 tomorrow night. Tickets are $30.

Blue Sky Folk Festival When: Sat., Sept. 17 The sixth annual Blue Sky Folk Festival brings original bluegrass and old-time Americana music, workshops and jamming to East Shore Unitarian Church in Kirkland. The lineup features acts such as Low Lily, Hey Mavis, Matt Watroba, Hal Walker & Friends, Cats on Holiday and Thor Platter. Led by your favorite musicians in Irish, old-time and bluegrass music, pop-up jamming takes place throughout the day. The price of admission includes master classes and beginner workshops on banjo, ukulele, guitar maintenance, improvisation, blues guitar and much more are included in price of admission. There will be children's activities, a playground and kids' music workshops. The event runs from noon to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. blueskyfolkfest.com.

FireFish Festival When: Sat., Sept. 17 Last year’s FireFish Festival was a big success — drawing 10,000 attendees to Downtown Lorain. Drawing upon the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s festival promises to be both bigger and better. Utilizing alternative spaces for performances, exhibitions and installations, FireFish has a uniquely DIY feel to it. The evening features a percussion parade that culminates in the burning an oversized, ceremonial fish effigy at the end of the night. The 2nd Annual FireFish Festival takes place from 2 to 11 p.m. today. Free. 617 Broadway Ave., Lorain, firefishfestival.com.

Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival When: Sat., Sept. 17 The 18th Annual Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival features over 130 vendors in five Festival Villages: Artists’ Village, Children’s Village, Community Village, Cultural Village and the Tremont Farmers’ Market. The festival also includes free live music and dance performances on three stages: one near Kenilworth Ave., a Children’s and Youth Stage and Tremont Farmers’ Market Stage. This year’s festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Free. 1208 Starkweather Ave., tremontartsfestival.com.

Downtown Willoughby Clam Bake When: Sun., Sept. 18 You know it's fall when clam bakes start popping up. Today's Downtown Willoughby Clam Bake promises to be one of the season's biggest. There will be live music, craft cocktails and corn hole at the event that takes place from noon to 8 p.m. today in the US Bank parking lot in downtown Willoughby. The $30 ticket includes one dozen clams, one half chicken, candied potatoes, red skin potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw and New England clam chowder. Beer and cocktails cost extra. dtwclambake.com.

15th Annual Cleveland Heroes Run When: Sun., Sept. 18, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone: 216-631-8455 Price: $22 Early Registration, $25 Pre Registration, $30 Late Registration www.westparkmemorial.org The West Park Cleveland Police & Fire Fighters Memorial Fund 5 Mile Run, 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk & Kids Only Race. An Event to Honor the Memory and Survivors of Cleveland’s Fallen Safety Forces. Proceeds benefit The West Park Cleveland Police & Fire Fighters Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Kickball Tournament When: Sun., Sept. 18 Just weeks ago, ARTFUL announced that it finally found a location for its ambitious effort to bring affordable artist studios to Cleveland Heights in the former Coventry School building (2843 Washington Blvd.). In an effort to raise crucial funds, ARFUL is organizing its 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament at Denison Park today from 2 to 6 p.m. Participants can sign up as individuals, small groups or full teams of 10. Individuals and small groups will be paired by organizers to fill out full teams. Players are encouraged to dress in their favorite color or most creative outfit. The afternoon also includes food, prizes and a raffle. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and $80 for full teams of 10. Proceeds benefit ARTFUL’s future studios, community programs and classes. ARTFUL is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. (Usmani) 1015 Quarry Rd., Cleveland Heights., artful.ticketspice.com.