10 Things To Do This Weekend in Cleveland (Sept. 9 - 11)

Greg Fitzsimmons When: Thu., Sept. 8 Comedian Greg Fitzsimmons likes to joke that couples shouldn’t overdo their marriage vows when they get married. “You spend three months working on what you’ll say to the person and you will never speak that way to them again. Save it. Don’t blow it all up front.” He advises against doing a Shakespearean reading, exaggerating with his arms held high in the air as he speaks in a British accent. A frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Fitzsimmons likes to ridicule romance and other aspects of everyday life). The veteran comic performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $23.

MIX: Mughal When: Fri., Sept. 9 The Cleveland Museum of Art pushed its monthly MIX event back a week this month. MIX: Mughal celebrates the CMA’s centennial exhibition, Art and Stories from Mughal India. The event includes gallery talks in the exhibition with curator Sonya Quintanilla, as well as a pop-up restaurant featuring Indian-inspired cuisine, as well as music, drinks and dancing. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door (free for CMA members). MIX is an 18+ event. Art and Stories from Mughal India remains on view through Oct. 23 in the Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Hall. It takes place from 5 to 10 p.m.

Cozy Up! When: Fri., Sept. 9 Amber Esner and Phoebe Thomas founded the Cozy Up! Collective while the two were working together at Native Cleveland in Waterloo. The Cozy Up! Collective includes young, often emerging or underground DIY artists, illustrators and creators. These group exhibitions were originally held in the Native Cleveland Annex, located in a small store front just behind Native Cleveland’s dressing room. With the shows growing beyond the intimate space, Cozy Up! began presenting exhibitions at Canopy (although they continue to exhibit in the Native Cleveland Annex as well). Their eighth exhibition is themed as their second Zine Show. A one-night-only event, SHOW EIGHT (ZINE SHOW) takes place at Canopy from 6 to 10 tonight. Free.

All Things Cleveland When: Fri., Sept. 9 The Northern Ohio Illustrators Society is one of the most talented groups of artists in the region. They proved it earlier this year by winning the annual Drawn & Quartered event at HEDGE Gallery – defeating Dr. Sketchy Cleveland, Murray Hill Life Drawing Group and West Side Markers in the eighth annual live drawing event. For this year’s annual NOIS member show, the group’s theme is “All Things Cleveland.” Drawing inspiration from our city’s history, environment, people, cityscapes and more, NOIS members have created new work for this CLE-centric art show. This year’s show is juried by Anna Arnold, local painter and director of the Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College. All Things Cleveland opens with a reception today from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Willoughby Fine Art Gallery in Downtown Willoughby, and remains on view through Oct. 1. Free. 4134 Erie St., Willoughby, 440-946-8001, willoughbyfineartgallery.com.

Hingetown Hoedown When: Sat., Sept. 10 Self-proclaimed as “Cleveland’s first and only free folk and bluegrass music festival,” the second annual Hingetown Hoedown returns to the intersection of West 29th Street and Detroit Ave. on Sept. 10. The event features 12 acts with a bluegrass, folk, Americana, roots and string band sound. There will be food trucks, vendors, craft beer from Great Lakes Brewery, and family-friendly activities. Other acts include the Wayfarers and the Hocking River String Band. Vision Yoga & Wellness will lead a free, 60-minute, all levels Vinyasa yoga class onsite beginning at 1 p.m. There will be children’s activities including sidewalk chalk, Hoedown-themed photo ops and jumbo games. The Music Settlement’s Bob Stop will provide a “Musical Petting Zoo” featuring instruments for children to try out. The event takes place from 1 to 10 p.m. hingetownhoedown.com.

Bubba's-Q Pitchfest When: Sat., Sept. 10 In order to create more entrepreneurs in the greater Cleveland community, the folks at Bubba's-Q created Bubba's-Q Pitch Fest, a pitch contest (with a Shark Tank theme). Daymond John (from Shark Tank), Jimmy Malone (a host on WMJI 105.7) and comedian Ricky Smith (#R.A.K.E.) will judge. The grand prize winner will receive $2,500, an hour-long mentorship with the owners of Bubba’s-Q (Al “Bubba” Baker and Brittani Baker) and a design makeover and product package from Vistaprint. A runner-up will receive $1,000. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Bubba’s-Q Block Party, an event that's billed as "the ultimate celebration of entrepreneurs and their families," takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bubba’s Q will cater the block party and pair the food with beer and wine. There will be live music, special appearances from celebrities and plenty of activities for kids. The Cleveland Browns’ season opener broadcast live on the big screen. Tickets to Pitchfest are $15, and tickets to the Block Party are $25.

NEO Cycle When: Sat., Sept. 10 A bicycle and outdoor lifestyle festival held today and tomorrow at Edgewater Park, NEOCycle features six unique races and rides and celebrates cycling in Northeast Ohio. The event will feature a build-out from Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park, BMX shows, stand-up paddleboard races and demos, a kid’s zone, a beer garden and Cleveland’s top food trucks. NEOCycle also includes a music festival. This year, pop rockers Wild Child will headline the event. Local favorites Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band, the Floorwalkers, the Lighthouse and the Whaler, the Moxies MojoFlo, Mike Mains and the Branches, Thaddeus Anna Greene, Oldboy, Scarlet & the Harlots, Samfox, Lauren Lanzaretta, Jason Meyers Band, Nate Jones Band, and Squarebiz aka dj funk Shway will also perform. Fans can check the website for the latest lineup and schedule. NEOCycle.org.

Berea Arts Fest When: Sun., Sept. 11 Although fall is definitely approaching, there’s still plenty more summer arts festivities left as the Berea Arts Fest takes place on Front Street (from Bagley Road through Bridge Street) today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). Additionally, performers will be stationed at multiple locations around Coe Lake. This year’s event features over 100 artists, community organizations and food vendor booths. Special elements include a Kids Kreation Station, chalk walk, basket raffle and art raffle. Guests will receive a complimentary tote bag at the fest’s entrances. Free. 31 E. Bridge St., Berea, 440-891-1102, bereaartsfest.org.

Gospel Brunch When: Sun., Sept. 11 The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues, but it recently added a new choreographer. Created by famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. Starting at 11 a.m., the all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. Tickets are $40.

Toxic Burlesque When: Sun., Sept. 11 The folks at the local burlesque promotion company Toxic Burlesque have thrown a number of events at Brothers Lounge. According to promoter Frank Ian, who runs the company with his wife, there’s been a “packed house every time.” For tonight’s show, they’ve booked Carmen M'Knoxide, Rubi~Nesque, Ave Adore and Sylvette. The charming emcee is Champagne Charlie. With this show, the group celebrates its 4th year of hosting burlesque entertainment. Admission is $10.