WED 07/11
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Summer Concert Series
Each summer, the National Park Service teams up with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park to produce a free summer concert series at Howe Meadow in Peninsula. This summer's schedule includes several terrific local acts such as singer-songwriter David Mayfield, who performs tonight. The concerts start at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit the website. (Jeff Niesel)
4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, conservancyforcvnp.org.
Indians vs. Cincinnati Reds
The "Battle for Ohio" comes to Progressive Field today as the Indians take on interleague rivals the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds haven't had a winning team in a few years, but after a horrible start, the team has started to come together and had a particularly good homestand against the Chicago Cubs last month. Tonight's game begins at 7:10 at Progressive Field. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Shane Mauss
In his routine called the "Butt Screamer," comedian Shane Mauss jokes about how he likes to stick his head into his girlfriend's butt when she's bent over and then begin to have a conversation. "Once in a while, I scream into her butthole," he says very matter-of-factly. He admits that it's a "peculiar" thing to do but it leads him to a conversation about nature versus nurture. Mauss never gets too worked up when he's cracking jokes and his low-key style comes off as rather endearing. He performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities. Tickets are $15 and $20. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Wade Oval Wednesdays
A summer tradition continues tonight from 6 to 9 at Wade Oval in University Circle. It's Wade Oval Wednesday, and there will be local food vendors, a beer and wine tent, a farmers market and free kids' activities — all laid out on the Wade Oval lawn, adjacent to Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Cleveland Art Museum, and the Cleveland Natural History Museum. Some museums will stay open late too. Tonight's musical entertainment comes from rockabilly group Lost State of Franklin. Details are on the website. (Niesel)
THU 07/12
Edgewater Live
A few years ago, the Cleveland Metroparks launched its extremely popular Edgewater Live series of Thursday-night happy-hour concerts. The fun returns this year, with musical performances from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 2. In addition to a local band, activities include yoga, standup paddleboarding and cornhole. Those ubiquitous food trucks will be on hand, of course, and the Beach House will sell drinks and food as well. It's free. (Niesel)
6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway NW, clevelandmetroparks.com.
Girls Night Out
Girls Night Out, a wine-and-shopping event at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, offers after-hours Aquarium access as guests shop for jewelry, clothing, purses and other "must-have" items from a variety of pop-up shops including the Sorelle Boutique, the Cocoa Exchange and others. The local jazz act Hubb's Groove will perform. Tickets are $35 per person, and that includes two glasses of wine, appetizers and dessert. Guests also receive one general admission voucher for a future aquarium visit. (Niesel)
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Harland Williams
At one point in his career, standup comedian Harland Williams started to get roles in major motion pictures. He played an imprisoned roommate in Half-Baked, a serial killer in There's Something About Mary, and a state trooper who drank urine in Dumb and Dumber. For his standup gigs, he'll talk about everything from relationships to pumpkins and Rice Krispies squares. His improvisational skills won him the award for best improviser on Thank God You Are Here, and he often interacts with audience members. He performs tonight at 8 at Pickwick and Frolic, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $23. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 07/13
Cain Park Arts Festival
This weekend's Cain Park Arts Festival includes approximately 150 artists (25 of whom are award winners from the previous year who were automatically accepted into this year's show) who work in a variety of media including painting, watercolors, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wood, leather, glass and other materials. This year's edition takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A free parking shuttle is available Saturday and Sunday at Cleveland Heights City Hall. Consult the Cain Park website for more info. (Niesel)
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
Flat Out Fridays
The East Bank of the Flats features a slew of great bars and restaurants. To take advantage of the terrific riverfront location, the venues have partnered for Flat Out Fridays, a summer music series by the waterfront that includes sweet treats, beverages and other outdoor entertainment. Tonight's Flat Out Friday runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and features music from Faction. Additional festivities take place on the second Friday of every month through September. Admission is free, and you can find the details on the website. (Niesel)
1055 Old River Rd, 202-628-0123, flatseastbank.com.
Inkcarceration Festival
More than 30 bands will perform at the inaugural Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival set to take place today through Sunday at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The bill includes acts such as Rise Against, A Day to Remember, Bush, Of Mice and Men, Clutch, Our Lady Peace, Suicidal Tendencies, Fuel, Hatebreed, Sevendust, Living Colour and Alien Ant Farm. The festival will also include over 70 booths featuring local and regional tattoo artists, and there will be tours of the Historic Ohio State Reformatory, home of the Shawshank Rebellion prison. Admission to the festival includes entry to Hellzapoppin, a theatrical rock 'n' roll circus stunt show that features "death-defying stunts" such as fire eating, fire breathing, a machete walk, acrobatic stunts, sword swallowing, knife throwing and archery using human targets. (Niesel)
Kent Blues Fest
Kent offers a number of great music venues, and tonight, downtown bars and clubs will host the 10th Annual Kent Blues Fest. Thirty acts will perform at 24 locations including restaurants, bars, bookstores and outdoor parks. Acts such as Wallace Coleman, Colin John, the Ohio Weather Band, Dave Hammer, Cody Martin and Armstrong Bearcat Band are all slated to play. Admission is free. Find a complete schedule on the website. (Niesel) kentbluesfest.com.
Legacy Live
One of Northeast Ohio's most popular free concert series, Legacy Live has become a tradition that families and couples look forward to each summer. The concerts, which take place on the Legacy Village lawn at 6:30 each Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer, feature local bands that play everything from blues to jazz and rock. Tonight's entertainment comes from the folk/American band Rockport; tomorrow, catch a performance from the acoustic rock act Back 9 Par 4. Admission is free; the series continues through Aug. 31. (Niesel)
25333 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst, 216-382-3871, legacy-village.com.
A Symphony of Food and Fine Wine
This benefit featuring Cleveland Orchestra musicians, a garden-to-table dinner on Blossom's stage and special wine pairings serves to support the Cleveland Orchestra's performances and activities at Blossom Music Center. A Mozart flute quartet with Cleveland Orchestra Musicians will perform, and there will be an auction of prized wines. The food will come from local farms. The event takes place at 6 p.m. at Blossom. Consult the orchestra website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Walkabout Tremont
During this month's Walkabout Tremont, you can stop by any of the Tremont art galleries to see their current and/or new exhibits. Of course, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and specialty shops in the neighborhood, too, that participate in Walkabout Tremont, so don't overlook them, either. The stroll takes place from 5 to 10 tonight; this month's theme is "American classics." Check out the website for a schedule, maps and a listing of food and drink specials. (Niesel) walkabouttremont.com.
Whiskey & Women
The second Friday of every month this summer, Prosperity Social Club will serve up bourbon-and-whiskey-based cocktail and dinner specials that go with the local female artists who will perform. It's all part of its Whiskey & Women music series. The drink menu includes a Dark Rye Manhattan, Kentucky Mule, Bourbon Ricky and Blackberry Mint Lemonade. Food specials include blackened bourbon chicken with whiskey cream corn and rustic mashed potatoes, bourbon glazed salmon with maple brown butter sweet corn and lemon dill potatoes, and peppered sirloin with whiskey and mushroom pasta. Local "mountain pop" singer-songwriter Jen Maurer performs at 8 tonight. Admission is free. (Niesel)
1109 Starkweather Ave., 216-937-1938, prosperitysocialclub.com.
SAT 07/14
Cabaret Nights Revue
Cabaret Nights Revue tells the story of Parisian dancers who performed on the sultry Las Vegas Strip. The show features live music, "daring choreography" and authentic costumes. The performance, by a cast of professional dancers, takes place tonight at 7:30 at Kennedy's Theatre. Tickets are $26. (Niesel)
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Cleveland Flea
A self-described "small business incubator" that draws thousands of local shoppers to Tyler Village, the Cleveland Flea features a range of unique items you won't find at the typical retail store. As much a social gathering as a shopping experience, the Flea also serves as an excellent hang, a place to meet and make friends while supporting your local creatives. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continues monthly through Oct. 13. Admission is $1. (Niesel)
3615 Superior Ave., theclevelandflea.com.
India Food Fair 2018
Today, St. Gregorios Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church in Macedonia has served Orthodox Christians from Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Youngstown, and the Pittsburgh areas for more than 20 years. Today, the church hosts the inaugural India Food Fair 2018, which it hopes will become an annual event. Designed to celebrate Indian cuisine and culture by highlighting Indian food, local dance forms, music, art, crafts and games, the event takes place from 1 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel) 1252 East Aurora Rd., Macedonia, indiafoodfaircleveland.com.
Jupiter & Okwess
The Cleveland Museum of Art and FRONT International have joined forces this year for City Stages, CMA's summer concert series that, in the past, has taken place in Ohio City. This year, shows will still take place outside the Transformer Station in Ohio City on Wednesdays throughout July, but they'll also migrate to other parts of the city. The series commences tonight at 7:30 with Jupiter Bonkodji, a Kinshasa musician who weaves Congolese rhythms into contemporary African music. He'll perform with his backing band, Okwess. That concert will be part of FRONT's public opening celebration that includes late hours and special exhibitions at MOCA, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Institute of Art. The concert takes place at Uptown in University Circle. Admission is free. (Niesel)
La Bastille
In what's billed as a "highly anticipated summer event," you can celebrate the storming of the Bastille and the fight for equality at La Bastille, a special dinner tonight at Edwins. There will be a silent auction and raffles to help raise money for Edwins' programs. The menu will feature French fare (from the traditional to the exotic). Vegetarian/vegan options will also be offered. Dessert items include a pot de crème, Meyer lemon tart, macarons and more. The event begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $125 per person; $75 is a tax-deductible contribution. Find details, and buy your ticket, on the website. (Niesel)
13101 Shaker Square, 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org.
Lakewood Summer Meltdown
Now in its ninth year, Lakewood Summer Meltdown takes place today on Detroit Avenue between Marlowe and Mars. The street festival features all sorts of outdoor games and activities, including a 5-K race and a 1-mile Kids Fun Race for the little ones. (You can register for the races on the website.) The local band Front Porch Lights will perform, food trucks will arrive and (yes!) there is a beer garden. The fest takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel)
Rock & Recovery with Inductee Ricky Byrd
Rock Hall inductee Ricky Byrd joins Michael Des Barres, Liberty DeVitto, and Paul Ill to discuss how rock 'n' roll can play a role in helping addicts recover. The conversation will include performances of songs that address both addiction and the recovery process. Akron Civic Theatre's Millenial Theatre Project meditation and sound for mindfulness with Dawn Witt Schroeder will also deliver a performance related to heroin addiction. An Inner Bliss Yoga teacher, Schroeder is the founder of Pranaverdana.com and a sound healing enthusiast. The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Singin' in the Rain — Live
One of the greatest film musicals ever made, Singin' in the Rain features an all-star cast that includes Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor. Tonight at Blossom, you can watch the movie while the Cleveland Orchestra performs the score. Richard Kaufman conducts the orchestra, and the event begins at 8:30 p.m. Consult the website for ticket info. (Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Splash Fund Edgewater Adopt-A-Beach
For the seventh year, Greater Cleveland Aquarium's nonprofit Splash Fund hosts an Adopt-a-Beach shoreline cleanup program. Volunteers who participate in the removal of trash from Edgewater Park beach today will receive one free aquarium admission in exchange for their time. Aquarium staffer Elizabeth Allen will be on hand to "advise, assist and provide necessary supplies." Cleanup takes place today from 9:45 a.m. to noon. The aquarium has partnered with Battery Park's Terrestrial Brewing Company, which will serve as the initial meeting spot and then host an after-party. Details are on the website. (Niesel) 7524 Father Frascati, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
SUN 07/15
Schumann's Spring Symphony
John Storgårds conducts the Cleveland Orchestra tonight as it takes on Antheil's Over the Plains, Britten's Violin Concerto and Schumann's Symphony No. 1, also known as the Spring Symphony. The concert begins at 7 at Blossom. Violinist Vilde Frang will sit in with the orchestra as well. Consult the orchestra website for info on ticket prices. (Niesel)
1145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Taste of Tremont
An event that seemingly gets bigger and better each year, the 16th annual Taste of Tremont promises to be as crowded and popular as ever. The food fest, which takes place on Professor Avenue from noon to 8 p.m., will feature 30 assorted food vendors as well as live music and shopping. There will be a beer garden where you can drink local craft beers, mead from Duck Island's Western Reserve Meadery and a speciality cocktail from the Spotted Owl. Admission is free, and details are on the website. (Niesel)
MON 07/16
Lunch Hour Live Trivia
Last Call Trivia, a live hosted event during which teams compete for prizes by answering trivia questions, takes place every Monday throughout the summer at 12:30 p.m., at U.S. Bank Plaza on Playhouse Square. Designed to be "a spirited competition," the contest lasts an hour. The games also include a point wagering system that gives teams the ability to choose their own strategy. Admission is free. (Niesel) East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
Gayle Skidmore
The week before her wedding, singer-songwriter Gayle Skidmore was still finishing vocals for her new album, The Golden West. Her 20th independent release, it includes an adult coloring book, each picture depicting one of the album's songs. Tracks such as "Pale Ghosts" feature ornate string arrangements and dreamy vocals that recall singer-songwriter Julee Cruise. Eagles of Death Metal's Dave Catching plays guitar on "Only Ever You" and adds a bit of grit to the tune. Skidmore performs tonight at 7 at the Market Avenue Wine Bar in Ohio City. Admission is free. (Niesel)
2526 Market Ave., 216-696-9463, marketavewinebar.com.
TUE 07/17
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Concert Series
As part of a summer concert series sponsored by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a quintet featuring Cleveland Orchestra musicians will perform tonight at 7 at the Happy Days Lodge. The group includes Jessica Lee and Isabel Trautwein on violin, Eric Wong of the Cavani Quartet on viola, Tanya Ell-Woolfrey on cello and Robert Woolfrey on clarinet. Trautwein has been a member of the first violin section of the Cleveland Orchestra since September. Consult the website for ticket info. (Niesel)
500 West Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula, 330-657-2909, conservancyforcvnp.org.
Dancing Under the Stars
As a part of the 13-week outdoor dance series at Playhouse Square, local dance instructors lead Dancing Under the Stars tonight, and every Tuesday night through Aug. 28, at U.S. Bank Plaza. Tonight at 6, teachers from Viva Dance Studio will teach you the salsa; Sammy De León y Su Orquesta provides the music. The dancing begins at 6:30 and continues until 9 p.m. Admission is free. Find a complete schedule of upcoming sessions on the website. (Niesel)
East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
Hamilton
Since making its Broadway debut three years ago, Hamilton, the hip-hop musical that tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, has been a smash hit. It traces the life story of Hamilton, referred to in the play as "a bastard, orphan, son of a whore," as he joins the Revolutionary War and then plays a key role in writing The Federalist papers and serving in President George Washington's Cabinet. There's plenty of drama in Hamilton's life, which ends in a duel, and the play exploits every bit of it with a superb soundtrack of catchy songs that tell his remarkable story. It opens tonight at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances run through Aug. 26. A few tickets still remain. (Niesel)
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Retro Tuesdays
Visiting the Aut-O-Rama is a magical experience. Built in 1965 by the Sherman family, the drive-in is still owned and operated by the family's third generation. You can catch the latest films on the weekends, but the Aut-O-Rama also offers classic double features for Retro Tuesday. Tonight's features: The Goonies and Gremlins. Check the website for times and ticket prices. (BJ Colangelo)
33395 Lorain Rd., North Ridgeville, 440-734-1786, autoramadrivein.com.
Taylgate
Country/pop megastar Taylor Swift brings her stadium tour to town tonight and the Rock Hall aims to get in on the action with Taylgate, an event that serves as a concert pre-party. The Accidentals will give a free live performance on the PNC main stage, and fans can hang out on the plaza, where there will be food, drinks and trivia. The event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. The Rock Hall will remain open until 9 p.m. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
