WED 08/02
Keep Talking
Keep Talking is an exciting storytellers program where locals can share their real-life experiences on a theme. The series offers attendees the chance to grab a drink and a dog while listening to some of their Cleveland neighbors tell tall tales. The theme for tonight's event is "Parents." It starts at 8 p.m. at the Happy Dog. Admission is $5. (Jeff Niesel)
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Summer in the City Concert Series
Presented by Great Lakes Brewing Company, Fat Head's Brewery and Magic Hat Brewing Company, the Rock Hall's free Summer in the City concert series features some of the top bands in Cleveland. Concerts start at 6 p.m. on the seasonal outdoor stage, July through August. (Rain location is inside, on the Klipsch Audio Main Stage.) Tonight's concert features the locally based, old-school country act Shooter Sharp & the Shootouts, along with singer-songwriter Cody J. Martin. Find out more on the website. (Niesel) 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Wade Oval Wednesdays
A summer tradition, Wade Oval Wednesday takes place every Wednesday through Aug. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Wade Oval in University Circle. The weekly party provides the opportunity to catch a free concert — jazz, swing, world music and more. Between sets, check out the local food vendors, the beer and wine tent, the 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. The local jazz act the Realthing plays tonight. Details are on the website. (Niesel)
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 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. 27. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. (Niesel)
THU 08/03
The Seventh Annual International Ohio Burlesque Festival
More than 80 performers will participate in the seventh annual Ohio Burlesque Festival. The three-day festival kicks off tonight at the Beachland with burlesque performances and comedy routines. Cleveland's Veranda L'Ni serves as host. The festival continues tomorrow and Saturday at the Beachland. Ken Schneck hosts tomorrow's event and organizers have billed Saturday's event as "the Saturday Night Gala." Tickets are $50 for a weekend pass. Single day tickets will cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with VIP and reserved tickets available. (Niesel)
5711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
All That Glitters: Burlesque at the Beachland
Six years ago, Bella Sin, founder of the local burlesque troupe Le Femme Mystique, began hosting the Ohio Burlesque Festival, a three-day event at the Beachland Ballroom featuring regional, national and international talent. In conjunction with this year's festival, Space: ROCK Gallery, next to the Beachland, will host All That Glitters: Burlesque at the Beachland, an exhibit featuring photos from previous years' fests, taken by Eric Paul Owens, Anastasia Pantsios, Bob Perkoski and Scene staff photographer Emanuel Wallace. There will be two opening receptions — at 5:30 p.m. today, the first day of the festival, and at 5 p.m. tomorrow, during Walk All Over Waterloo. Expect to see photos of performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities and body types, and acts that range from "elegant to comedic to acrobatic to bizarre to thought-provoking." (Niesel)
15721 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124.
Art Therapy Studio
Join Spaces and members of the Art Therapy Studio tonight (and every first Thursday night) from 6 to 7:30 for an evening of inspiration, artmaking and community connection. Tonight's edition is all about painting and poetry: Attendees will have a chance to experiment with some very fluid and abstract watercolor techniques and gather meaningful words from old books and magazines (or write an original haiku) to collage onto their paintings. A $5 admission fee covers the cost of supplies, and all materials are provided. At least five reservations are required for the class to be held. Please RSVP by calling the Art Therapy Studio directly at 216-791-9303, or by emailing [email protected]. (Josh Usmani)
2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org.
Edgewater Live
Now in its fourth season, Edgewater Live features local acts along the shore each Thursday throughout the summer. The event also boasts food trucks and recreational activities. The weekly beach party commences today at 4:30 p.m. on the Centennial Plaza at the new Edgewater Beach House with an opening performance from the Waves. From 6 to 9 p.m., Collage will perform on the RTA Main Stage. It's free. (Niesel)
6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway NW, clevelandmetroparks.com.
Indians vs. New York Yankees
Whether or not the Cleveland Indians return to the playoffs this year will hinge on how well the team performs this month. The schedule gets tough as the Tribe comes off a series in Boston to play the Yankees tonight at Progressive Field. The Yankees have the league's best home-run hitter in young Aaron Judge, and the team stands poised to make a playoff push as it has kept pace with Boston in the American League East. Tonight's game starts at 7:10. Tickets begin at $13 and the two teams face off again tomorrow night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. (Niesel)
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Makers' Market in Collinwood
Looking for something truly unique and locally produced? Check out the Made in Collinwood Makers' Market tonight from 5:30 to 8:30, featuring a diverse collective of local makers and artisans from the greater Collinwood community. Held at the East Shore Park Club, the event is produced in conjunction with the club's Summer Concert series. A free concert by local cover band FM77 will begin at 7 p.m. Can't make it this Thursday? Additional market dates include Aug. 17 and 24. Admission is free. (Usmani)
17217 Dorchester Dr., 216-481-7660, facebook.com/madeincollinwood.
No Beast Feast Lebanese Cuisine
On a semi-regular basis at Now That's Class, the restaurant Helio Terra presents a No Beast Feast featuring vegan delicacies. Today at 8 p.m., Now That's Class will host another veggie-friendly event catered by Helio Terra. For tonight's No Beast Feast: Lebanese Cuisine, Helio Terra will offer a four-course meal for $15. Takeout will be available too. (Niesel)
11213 Detroit Ave., 216-221-8576, nowthatsclass.net.
Paul Virzi
Host of the popular podcast, The Virzi Effect, comedian Paul Virzi takes a very casual approach to his standup gigs. He likes to joke about his love for the reality TV show Pawnstars. "I have to know what that musket is worth," he says sarcastically. "They're going to screw this poor bastard and I have to watch it go down." Like most of Virzi's material, the joke is based on a keen observation about popular culture. He performs tonight at 8 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. Tickets are $18 to $28. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 08/04.
Bruce Bruce
A larger-than-life personality makes comedian Bruce Bruce a hard act to forget. Even with his adult humor, Bruce prides himself on not relying on vulgarity to get a laugh out of the crowd. His personality and humor will be enough to keep you laughing the entire time. He also previously hosted the BET series Comic View, where the show achieved its highest ratings ever. You can catch Bruce at the Improv tonight at 7:30 and 10; performances are scheduled through Sunday. Tickets are $25 to $35. (Martin Harp)
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
A Dual Opening
The first event at the Morgan Conservatory since last month's 10-year anniversary celebration features a dual opening reception for two new group exhibitions: Below the Surface: Intaglio Exhibition and the final installment of the Know-How Workshop Instructors Exhibition. Stop by from 6 to 9 tonight to view the exhibitions and enjoy light refreshments. Below the Surface includes the work of 30 artists sharing a love for intaglio printing, a traditional process where ink rests in grooves carved below the surface of a metal plate and is transferred to paper via a printing press. The final installment of a rotating three-part exhibition of work by the Morgan Conservatory's workshop instructors, Know-How features papermaking, printmaking, book arts, bookbinding and mixed technique. Admission is free. (Usmani)
1754 East 47th St., 216-361-9255, morganconservatory.org.
Mix: Summer
With its acclaimed exhibition, Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s, coming to an end this weekend, and summer days getting shorter, the Cleveland Museum of Art's monthly Mix event's theme is perfectly fitting. Mix: Summer features a 1950s midcentury-modern theme, including the best of the decade's art, music, dancing and drinks. During the evening, guests can learn the jitterbug with Get Hep Swing, enjoy a special cocktail and create a festive pinwheel. The fun takes place from 6 to 10 tonight. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door or free for CMA members; admission to Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s is included in the price. (Usmani)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Open Projector Night
You've heard of open mic night, but how about Open Projector Night? This ongoing series encourages local filmmakers to bring their short films (10 minutes or less) to MOCA Cleveland for an opportunity to screen them before an audience of both experts and novices, open mic-style. Films will be added to the night's lineup on a first-come, first-served basis until a 60-minute time limit is reached. Admission is free for MOCA members; otherwise, it's "pay what you can," with a $5 suggested donation. Film screenings begin at 8 p.m. The shorts are uncensored and not pre-screened: Viewer discretion is advised. More details are on the website. (Usmani)
11400 Euclid Ave., 216-421-8671, mocacleveland.org.
Pet Days on the Plaza
Vendors, groomers and local rescue organizations will be on Playhouse Square today for Pet Days on the Plaza, an opportunity to give your pet some special treatment or even adopt a new furry friend. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the U.S. Bank Plaza. (Niesel)
14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
SAT 08/05
All Gold All the Time Night
The punk/indie rock club Now That's Class isn't above a good gimmick. Tonight, the club hosts All Gold All the Time Night. Come to the venue wearing gold of any kind and you'll get half-price drinks and pay only $1 for 12-ounce beers. In addition, the person with "the best look" will win a $25 gift certificate to Now That's Class. The event is free and runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Niesel)
11213 Detroit Ave., 216-221-8576, nowthatsclass.net.
Best in Show
Cleveland Cinemas' Late Shift series, a program dedicated to the nostalgic cult and camp cinema that we love and cherish even though it's certainly not Oscar-worthy material, has been a fixture at the local chain of theaters since 2006. The 2017 schedule continues tonight with Best in Show, Christopher Guest's satirical look at the competitive world of dog shows. It screens tonight at 9:30 and midnight, and tomorrow night at 7 p.m., at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets are $6. (Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-717-4696, clevelandcinemas.com.
Free First Saturday
Admission to MOCA Cleveland is free today, and on the first Saturday of every month, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This month, you can visit the open art studio, attend a one-hour discussion about one single piece of art, and check out MOCA's Summer 2017 exhibitions, including Keith Mayerson: My American Dream, the group exhibit Constant as the Sun, and Lu Yang: Delusional Mandala. Each exhibit features socially conscious artwork exploring relevant and important issues of community in contemporary society. Constant as the Sun includes work by Tyree Guyton from Detroit's famous Heidelberg Project, which utilizes art made from found materials to embellish the exteriors and lawns of vacant homes. Viewable from MOCA's staircase, a wall outside the gallery features 10 of Guyton's nonfunctional clocks, which explore the concept of time as a metaphor. At 1 p.m. today, Guyton visits the museum for a free discussion with his partner Jenenne Whitfield and a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Come Unto Me: The Faces of Tyree Guyton (1999). The exhibits remain on view through Sept. 17. (Usmani)
11400 Euclid Ave., 216-421-8671, mocacleveland.org.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It's the first Saturday of the month again, so tonight the Cedar Lee Theatre hosts a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 film that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw rice and dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie. Tickets are $9.50. (Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5411, clevelandcinemas.com.
Scene Ale Fest
A summer tradition, the ninth annual Ale Fest returns to Lincoln Park in Tremont today from 1 to 6 p.m. This celebration of beer brings together beer novices, beer connoisseurs and everyone in between for a day in the park complete with food and retail vendors, interactive games and more. Patrons can sample more than 100 beers. This year, Ale Fest will feature an Ohio Made Row with beers from Market Garden Brewery, Portside Distillery, Thirsty Dog, Ohio Brewing Company, Platform and more. Folks from Tito's Handmade Vodka will mix all your favorite craft cocktails. In addition, there will be live music from local favorite Oldboy and touring country music star Michael Christopher. It's pet friendly too! Tickets are $45 at the door and include 15 drink tickets and all-day entry into Ale Fest. Look for details on the website. (Niesel)
Walk All Over Waterloo
This month's Walk All Over Waterloo includes several new exhibitions in the district's many galleries, including solo shows by Erin R. Miller at Praxis and S. Jordan Fine's Pattern Play at Brick Ceramic + Design Studio. Stop by the Maria Neil Art Project for another chance to see Bryon Miller's photography exhibition. Walk All Over Waterloo takes place today from 5 to 9 p.m., although individual gallery hours may vary slightly. Of course, there's always plenty more to see and do throughout the Waterloo Arts District. (Usmani)
SUN 08/06
Van Jones: We Rise Tour powered by #LoveArmy
Yale-educated attorney Van Jones hosts the CNN program The Messy Truth, with Van Jones. The founder and president of Dream Corps, a nonprofit organization that works to solve "America's toughest problems," Jones gave the 2017 commencement speech for Morehouse College. He plans to release his third book, Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart & How We Came Together, this fall. Tonight's program at the State Theatre promises to bring together "an array of artists, athletes, thought leaders and local officials" to speak about current events. It begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are $39.50 to $49.50. (Niesel)
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
A Painting Party
Sadly, the signs of summer's end are here: shorter days, cooler nights and back to school supplies in every store. Before the kids head back to school, Spaces hosts a painting party with Northeast Ohio Rocks! If you've unexpectedly found a painted rock in Northeast Ohio, you're not alone. The group's Facebook page currently has more than 168,000 members. The project encourages artists of all ages and skill levels to paint rocks and "hide" them in unexpected places around town. Spaces' family-friendly rock painting party takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. today. Organizers will have rocks to paint, but guests are encouraged to bring their own. After the event, share a photo of your painted rock on the Northeast Ohio Rocks! Facebook page and hide it in your favorite spot for someone else to stumble upon. It's free. (Usmani)
2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org.
Sloppy Sundays in the Sun
The bartenders at Now That's Class will serve "the coolest and tastiest pitchers" of cocktails today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Sloppy Sundays in the Sun. Pitchers of specialty cocktails ($12) include Paul's Puerto Rican Punch, Nascar Nectar and Stripple Nipple. The club will also set up a basketball hoop out back for patrons to show off their skills. Admission is free. (Niesel)
11213 Detroit Ave., 216-221-8576, nowthatsclass.net.
mon 08/07
Wing Ding 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 Ding 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 offering 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 Ding Doodle takes place every Monday from 6 p.m. to midnight. (Niesel)
1109 Starkweather Ave., 216-937-1938, prosperitysocialclub.com.
TUE 08/08
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live!
For almost 30 years, the award-winning television comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000 has been one of the top cult TV shows of all time. Created by Joel Hodgson, the first season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 aired in 1988 on a local TV station in Minneapolis. The show followed a hapless host forced to watch "some of the most outrageously unfortunate B-movies ever created." To keep his sanity, he builds two robot sidekicks and they help him provide a running commentary on the films. MST3K has been going strong ever since; the Comedy Channel (later known as Comedy Central) helped it attain a national audience by broadcasting its episodes. Now, Hodgson and new host Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray) will bring the first live touring production of MST3K to Cleveland on the Watch Out for Snakes! tour. Robot companions Crow (Hampton Yount), Tom Servo and Gypsy, along with Synthia (Rebecca Hanson) and her Bonehead henchmen will join them as will the Mads, Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and Son of TV's Frank (Patton Oswald). The event begins at 8 tonight at the Ohio Theatre. Tickets are $39.50 to $49.50. (Niesel)
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Mike Polk Jr. Show Live
If you've seen local comedian Mike Polk Jr., the man behind the Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video, the Factory of Sadness video (Parts 1 and 2), Last Call Cleveland comedy troupe and his very own show on Fox 8 (aptly called the Mike Polk Jr. Show), perform live, you know he really thrives on having an audience at his disposal. He hosts the Mike Polk Jr. Show Live tonight at 8 at Hilarities. Admission is free. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Dancing Under the Stars
As a part of the 12-week outdoor dance series at Playhouse Square, local dance instructors will lead Dancing Under the Stars tonight at U.S. Bank Plaza. Throw on your best dancing shoes, grab a partner and head downtown for a night full of Sizzling Salsa dancing. If you aren't familiar with salsa, then you won't want to miss the fun instruction at 6 from the staffers at Viva Dance Studio. Then, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., the plaza turns into a massive, fun-filled dance party featuring a live band. (This week, it's Orquestra Sonora.) Learn new moves and experience a different culture through dance. Admission is free. The series continues through Aug. 29. Find a complete schedule on the website.(Niesel)
East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org.
