WED 05/22
Cleveland Stories Dinner Party
Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is a weekly series that pairs fine food with storytelling. Through it, the folks at Music Box Supper Club hope to raise awareness of the mission of the Western Reserve Historical Society's new Cleveland History Center. The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to "bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland's past — from sports, to rock 'n' roll, to Millionaires' Row," as it's put in a press release. Admission is free, with no cover charge, although a prix fixe dinner, designed to complement the night's theme, is $20. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the storytelling starts at 7. Tonight, John Gorman, Flash Ferenc, Denny Sanders and John Chaffee talk about the glory days of WMMS, the once-great locally based rock station. (Jeff Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Indians vs. Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics regularly stay in contention. Last year's team won 97 games and managed to snag a wild card spot in the playoffs. This year's team is playing .500 ball and should be a tough matchup for the Tribe. Today, the two teams finish up a three-game series; first pitch is at 1:10 at Progressive Field. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Million Dollar Quartet
On Dec. 4, 1956, four guys you might have heard of — Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley — got together in the Sun Records' studio in Memphis. Their impromptu recording session is considered one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time. Great Lakes Theater's production of the award-winning Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet recreates that session. The plot doesn't amount to much, but the action includes a terrific set of tunes including classics such as "Great Balls of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Matchbox" and "Blue Suede Shoes." See it tonight at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre; performances continue through May 26. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Tommy
Presented in conjunction with the Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball exhibit and the 50th anniversary of the Who's studio album release Tommy, the Rock Hall will screen Tommy tonight at 7. Who singer Roger Daltrey plays the role of Tommy, and Elton John stars as the Pinball Wizard. The film also features appearances by Tina Turner and Jack Nicholson. Tickets cost $5.50; or it is free for Rock Hall members. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Walnut Wednesday
Walnut Wednesday is one of summer's great traditions. Today from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Perk Plaza at Chester Commons — at East 12th and Walnut streets — food trucks once again gather to serve up lunch to area residents and employees. Follow the Downtown Cleveland Alliance on Facebook for weekly updates on vendors, entertainment offerings and more. The series continues through Sept. 4. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. (Niesel) downtowncleveland.com.
THU 05/23
Black Mother
Black Mother, the latest movie by filmmaker and photographer Khalik Allah, comes off as a "loving, lyrical ode to Jamaica and its people (Allah's mother was born there). The film includes footage of everything from red-light districts to lush rain forests. It screens at 6:45 tonight and at 9:25 on Saturday night at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for members and students. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Blossom Time Music Festival
A festival put on and organized by the Chagrin Valley Jaycees, Blossom Time is an annual fundraiser that sends proceeds to charities and causes. It takes place tonight through Sunday at Riverside Park. There will be a carnival with a midway complete with games, food and rides. The music lineup includes Brent Kirby, who hosts his 10 X 3 Songwriter Showcase tonight at 8, and original acts such as Diana Chittester, Holden Laurence and By Light We Loom, who all play tomorrow. Admission is free. See the website for details. (Niesel)
Charming Disaster
The Brooklyn-based folk-noir duo Charming Disaster's songs address themes like love, death, crime, ancient mythology and the occult, and the group cites the Gothic humor of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, the noir fiction of Raymond Chandler, American murder ballads and the "dramatic flair" of the cabaret as inspirations. Tonight, the band returns to town in support of its new album, SPELLS + RITUALS. It performs at 7 at the Good Goat Gallery in Lakewood with local favorites Pinch and Squeal. Admission is $13. (Niesel)
17012 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 440-799-0675, thegoodgoatgallery.com.
Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays prove that you don't have to spend a ton of money to put together a competitive baseball team. The Rays have one of the lowest team salaries in the league and possess one of the league's best records. They come to town tonight for a four-game series. The game begins at 6:10, and tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Keenlyside Sings Sibelius
Inspired by his native Finland, the composer Sibelius wrote music that captures the country's folklore and landscape. Tonight at 7:30 at Severance Hall, baritone singer Simon Keenlyside performs a cycle of these rarely performed works chosen from an output of roughly 100 songs. The bill also includes Grieg's popular incidental music from Peer Gynt and the Richard Strauss piece, Au Italien. Consult the orchestra website for more info. The program repeats at 11 a.m. tomorrow (sans Sibelius) and at 8 p.m. on Saturday. A pre-concert talk from Rose Breckenridge, lecturer and administrator for Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups precedes the Friday and Saturday night's concerts. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Open Mic Night/Live Band Karaoke
Every Thursday, Stella's Music hosts a night of music, poetry and comedy. The club's doors open at 5 p.m., and performances begin at 8 p.m. Artists can sign up at stellasmusic.com/open-mic to secure a 15-minute time slot. Signups will be available at the club as well. Meanwhile, happy hour takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. (Niesel)
2217 East Ninth St., 216-272-3377, stellasmusic.com.
Ron Taylor
A standup comedian, writer, and actor, Ron Taylor was selected as a New Face at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, and in 2017 he performed at the festival as part of Kevin Hart's talent showcase. He performs in festivals and clubs all over the world and has hosted Blake Griffin's Charity Comedy Show in Los Angeles and Russell Westbrook's Charity Comedy Show in Oklahoma City. Taylor performs tonight at 7:30 at the Improv, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Tickets start at $15. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
FRI 05/24
Art & Mind
Directed by Amélie Ravalec, the documentary film Art & Mind explores the relationship between visionary art, madness, and the unconscious in the work of the Flemish Masters of the Renaissance, the surrealists, practitioners of outsider art, and others. Featured artists include Hieronymus Bosch, Francisco Goya, Vincent van Gogh, William Blake, Edvard Munch and Salvador Dalí. The film shows at 7 p.m. today at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Cleveland Pops American Salute
As a tribute to Memorial Day, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra today plays several patriotic songs. You can expect to experience "military-inspired music and pageantry" courtesy of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Pops Chorus and Mutual Gifts Gospel Choir. Guests from all branches of the military and first responders who defend the home front will be on hand as well. The event begins at 8 at Severance Hall. Consult the Cleveland Orchestra website for ticket info. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
An Elephant Sitting Still
Chinese novelist-turned-filmmaker Hu Bo killed himself after finishing his latest film, An Elephant Sitting Still. Set in a northern Chinese industrial city, Hu's nearly four-hour film focuses on four individuals. Eventually, their lives overlap and intersect during the course of one day. The film features a "decidedly melancholy air" and "barbed humor." It screens tonight at 7 at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets cost $12, or $9 for members and students. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Jay Pharoah
When Jay Pharaoh was on Saturday Night Live, he did very funny impersonations of President Obama, Jay Z, Denzel Washington, Kanye West and Daniel Frye. At one point, he nailed a sketch impersonating rappers at the "secret rappers meeting" wherein Jay Z consulted friends like 50 Cent, DMX, Lil Wayne and Drake on what to do since Beyoncé aired his dirty laundry on Lemonade. Each impression Pharaoh did was spot-on and hilarious, so you're not going to want to miss him at Hilarities, where he performs tonight at 7 and 9:30. He has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets are $25 to $30. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Taste of Summer
Flats East Bank kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the third annual Taste of Summer, presented by Scene. The annual food festival features summertime eats from local restaurants along with live entertainment from some of Cleveland's most talented musicians and DJs. There will also be cocktails and beer, local vendors, a kids' play area and activities for all ages. Taste of Summer takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. today, from noon to 10 p.m. tomorrow and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. (Niesel) scenetasteofsummer.com.
Tremont Greek Festival
Held in Tremont every Memorial Day weekend at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the annual Greek Festival features Greek music, Greek food, Greek drink and even antiques (Greek or otherwise). Visitors will find a mouth-watering assortment of homemade Greek specialties like pastitsio, moussaka (Greek-style lasagna), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and lamb shanks. But the crowd favorite is always the gyro — and they don't get much better than they are here. Be sure to save some room for baklava or loukoumades (fried dough with honey). If you want something to wash it all down with, try the Greek beer Mythos or some Greek white wine. Hours are noon to midnight today through Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. Monday. Admission is free. (Niesel)
2187 West 14th St., tremontgreekfest.com.
SAT 05/25
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Three decades in the making, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote finally came to the big screen last year. The film focuses on a director (Adam Driver) who's shooting a commercial in rural Spain when he encounters a crazy old cobbler (Jonathan Pryce) who thinks he's Don Quixote. When the shoemaker insists that the young filmmaker is Sancho Panza, the two set off on a series of "outrageous, colorful, dreamlike" adventures. The film shows at 6:50 tonight and at 8:40 tomorrow night at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for Cinematheque members and students. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah got his start doing standup in post-apartheid South Africa, and was a successful comic even before he became a contributor — and then took over as host — on The Daily Show. In 2017, Noah debuted his ninth new comedy special, Afraid of the Dark, on Netflix. He performs tonight at 7 at MGM Northfield Park Center Stage. Consult the venue's website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com.
SUN 05/26
Catch Meaning Music Festival
What began in 2016 as a way to honor the memory of Alex Doody and Josh Weil, two Hawken School students who died three years ago in a tragic car accident, is now a one-of-a-kind North Coast festival for nationally and locally recognized indie music talent. FunkyardX, Madeline Finn, Ashley Fulton, Jack Harris, Recess and Hawken's Jazz Band Rhythm Section will all perform today. This year's fest takes place today at 3 p.m. at the Rock Hall. (Niesel)
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Inspirations from Vienna Concert
Pianist Alicja Basinka, violinist Jeanelle Brierley and French horn player Meghan Guegold will play classical music composed by Brahms, Korngold and Schubert today from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Beachwood Community Center. It's part of a show dubbed Inspirations from Vienna. Admission is free. (Niesel)
25325 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, beachwoodohio.com.
My Brilliant Career
In the 1979 film My Brilliant Career, Judy Davis portrays Sybille, a farm girl living in the Australian Outback during the late 19th century. Against her family's wishes, she aspires to become a writer. Critics regard the film as one of the key works of 1970s Australian New Wave. It screens at 1:30 p.m. today and at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Sunday Beat
The Sunday Beat is a free weekly live music series featuring jazz, roots, Americana, folk, blues and bossa nova at Visible Voice Books. Purchase a Sunday New York Times, and you'll receive a free bottomless mug of coffee or tea and half off a Jim Alesci's Place pastry. Music runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. As an added bonus, anyone who shows a same-day receipt from brunch at Music Box, Prosperity Social Club or any Tremont or Ohio City restaurant receives 10 percent off any Visible Voice book purchase. The bookstore is open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Niesel)
2258 Professor Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
MON 05/27
Monday Night Trivia
Do you have tons of obscure music knowledge? Are you a student of fast food menus and their nuanced histories? What say you about the geographic evolution of Scotch whisky? Tonight's your chance to wow your friends, make yourself instantly more desirable to someone you're newly dating, and hang with Cleveland's headiest hipsters and hot dog lovers. It's the Happy Dog Monday Night Trivia. Starting at 8 p.m., expect themed rounds and general knowledge questions that seem considerably trickier than some of the other live trivia locales in town. Obviously, have a hot dog and a craft brew while you're at it. And arrive early: Seats fill up fast. (Sam Allard)
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Movie Mondays
Every Monday, Cleveland Cinemas hosts $5 Movie Mondays, where film fans can catch up on the latest Hollywood flicks for significantly reduced prices. Bring your friends and family and make Movie Mondays a weekly tradition — many theaters even offer discounted concession stand items. Participating theaters include Apollo Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre, Chagrin Cinemas and Tower City Cinemas. Unfortunately, additional charges apply for 3-D movies. (Alaina Nutile) clevelandcinemas.com.
Shit Show Karaoke
Local rapper/promoter Dirty Jones and Scene's own Manny Wallace host Shit Show Karaoke, a weekly event at the B-Side Liquor Lounge wherein patrons choose from "an unlimited selection of jams from hip-hop to hard rock," and are encouraged to "be as bad as you want." Fueled by drink and shot specials, it all goes down tonight at 10 p.m. (Niesel)
2785 Euclid Hts. Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com.
Wing Dang Doodle
Blues icon Howlin' Wolf famously covered "Wang Dang Doodle," the old blues tune penned by Willie Dixon. Prosperity Social Club in Tremont has adopted that slogan, calling its wing night Wing Dang Doodle. The weekly event features specials on Buffalo wings and cold brews. Prosperity will not only serve up substantial, $1 whole wings, but it'll also offer meatless Monday "wing" baskets for vegans. Discounted drafts and a playlist of vintage-electric blues and soulful R&B curated by local musician Clint Holley will be on tap as well. Wing Dang Doodle takes place every Monday from 6 p.m. to midnight. (Niesel)
1109 Starkweather Ave., 216-937-1938, prosperitysocialclub.com.
TUE 05/28
The Eyes of Orson Welles
A film critic and cinema historian who became a director, Mark Cousins (The Story of Film: An Odyssey) received unprecedented access to hundreds of sketches, drawings, and paintings by esteemed filmmaker Orson Welles for his new documentary film, The Eyes of Orson Welles. The movie screens at 8:25 tonight and at 6:30 on Sunday night at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Tickets cost $10, or $7 for students and members. (Niesel)
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Open Turntable Tuesday
Tonight from 6 to 9, the Winchester hosts its weekly Open Turntable Tuesday. Jason Gokorsch will book guest DJs and offer slots to people who want to bring their own vinyl and spin their favorite songs or deep tracks. First time DJs are encouraged, and equipment is provided. Patrons can also bring records for the night's DJ to add to their set. Sign up on Northeast Ohio Vinyl Club's Facebook page. (Niesel)
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Truck Stop Tuesday
Crocker Park in Westlake has launched its seasonal Truck Stop Tuesday, a weekly food truck gathering that takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Needless to say, admission is free, but the food will cost you. Truck Stop Tuesday continues through Sept. 25. (Niesel)
189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
