WED 11/15
Casablanca 75th Anniversary
In the classic film Casabalanca, Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine, owner of a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Casablanca that's frequented by refugees desperate to escape German domination. He manages to remain netural, but all that changes when an attractive young woman (Ingrid Bergman) walks through the front door of his club. The movie screens today at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets are $12.50. (Jeff Niesel)
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-717-4696, clevelandcinemas.com.
Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties
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, author John H. Tidyman talks about Cleveland cops. The menu includes Bad Boy Bisque, Jailbird Marsala and Doughnut Bread Pudding. (Niesel)
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Jen Kirkman
A New York Times bestselling author (she's written two memoirs, I Can Barely Take Care of Myself and I Know What I'm Doing), comedian Jen Kirkman honed her comedic skills while working for many years as a writer and guest on Chelsea Lately. The sarcastic comic likes to make fun of the fact that she doesn't have children and that she's embraced a "not-so-conventional life after 40." This past year, she's had a run-in with "fraudulent" spiritual healers and been accused of not being "woke." These experiences will make up some of the material in her new standup show, dubbed the All New Material Girl Tour, that she brings to town this week. Kirkman performs at 8 tonight at Hilarities. Tickets are $20 to $25. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
THU 11/16
Monsters vs. Milwaukee Admirals
Tonight at 7 at the Q, the Cleveland Monsters battle the Milwaukee Admirals in the first of a two-game series. The two teams will meet again at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Q. Tonight, there will be $6 tickets for college students and $6 college meal deals that include a hot dog, chips and a soda. Saturday's game is Salute the Troops Night, and there will be a Veteran's Day tribute. These two games represent the first meetings between the teams this year. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
FRI 11/17
78th Street Studios Third Friday Art Walk
Stop by SmArt Space, on the ramp level of the 78th Street Studios, for the Third Friday Art Walk that takes place today between 5 and 9:30 p.m. More than 50 studios and galleries will participate in this popular indoor art walk; be sure to check out spots like the Derek Hess Gallery, Tregoning & Company, and Hilary Gent Studio. Needless to say, this is a fine opportunity to get a jump on that holiday shopping. (Niesel)
1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.
Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Cavs have struggled recently, and the team's defense is among the worst in the NBA. That should make it difficult to beat the high-scoring Los Angeles Clippers, a team that's played well despite losing star guard Chris Paul to free agency. Tonight's game begins at 7:30 at the Q. Tickets start at $16. (Niesel)
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, theqarena.com.
Ryan Dalton
It's been a long, slow climb to the middle for Cleveland comic Ryan Dalton. The guy started performing standup in 1998 and has had some minor success. He's regularly on The Bob and Tom Radio Show and has appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. He also makes the rounds of the comedy festival circuit. Much like Seinfeld, Dalton jokes about life's absurdities. It's a testament to the strength of his material that he doesn't need to rely heavily on obscenities in order to be funny, and he'll joke about things like what a mistake it is to tell a woman she has a gray hair. He performs at 10 tonight and at 7 on Sunday night at Hilarities. Tickets to tonight's show are $25; tickets to Sunday's show are $18. (Niesel)
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Fridays@7: Hamelin Plays Mozart
Tonight's special Fridays@7 concert at Severance Hall features an hour-long concert that includes performances by the Cleveland Orchestra of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 ("Jeunehomme") with pianist Mark-André Hamelin, and Mozart's Symphony No. 36 ("Linz"), all led by conductor and early music specialist Nicholas McGegan. Stick around after the performance for a post-concert party, featuring more songs from Mr. Hamelin on piano. A longer version of the concert featuring baroque tunes by Gluck and Rameau takes place tomorrow night at 8. Consult the web site for ticket prices. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards
>At 7 tonight and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Cleveland Museum of Art hosts the local premiere of director Michael Roberts' latest film, Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards. The documentary profiles the Spanish fashion designer Manolo Blahnik, who's become an international sensation with shoe boutiques and department store offerings in more than 20 countries. (And, yes, a young Manolo got his start making shoes out of candy wrappers for the lizards he found in the family garden.) Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members and students. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Wardrobes & Rings
Wardrobes & Rings imagines an encounter between fantasy authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who get together for what turns out to be the very last time. They meet at the Eagle and Child pub to knock back a few and to talk about all their disagreements — and there are many. Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30 at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday. Tickets are $20 to $35. (Niesel)
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Why Bob Dylan Matters
The Rock Hall's Library & Archives, Case Western Reserve University's Center for Popular Music Studies and CWRU's Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities have all teamed up to present tonight's lecture featuring authors Thomas Palaima and Richard Thomas. The two writers will participate in a special discussion of 1988 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bob Dylan. CWRU's Daniel Goldmark will moderate the event; admission is free with a reservation through the Rock Hall website. The talk takes place at 7 at the Kelvin + Eleanor Smith Foundation Ballroom in the Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University. (Niesel)
11038 Bellflower Rd., 216-368-5681, humanities.case.edu.
SAT 11/18
Nails
The horror thriller Nails stars Shauna Macdonald (The Descent) as a woman who can't speak after a near-fatal car accident. The vengeful spirit of an orderly nicknamed Nails haunts her but neither her family nor the hospital staff believe her, forcing her to take matters into her own hands. The movie screens at midnight tonight and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Capitol Theatre. Regular admission rates apply. (Niesel)
1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, clevelandcinemas.com.
Warren Miller Presents Line of Descent
The release of a new Warren Miller Entertainment ski film signals the start of ski season as much as anything. Tonight at 8, the Akron Civic Theatre will screen his latest flick of skiers performing death defying stunts. Prior to the film, a "ski-fest" where you can find vendors hawking the latest gear, begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. (Niesel)
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Winter Wine & Ale Fest
Given our recent run of unseasonably warm weather, it's hard to believe winter is just around the corner. But temperatures will drop soon enough for events such as the Downtown Cleveland Alliance's annual Winter Wine & Ale Fest. Organizers offer a variety of ticket options (prices range from $40 to $250) for the fest, which takes place from tonight from 8 to 11, at the Global Center for Health Innovation. Guests can sample ales, ciders, mead and boutique wines from Ohio-based establishments including the Brew Kettle, BrewDog, Columbus Brewing Company, Crafted Artisan Meadery and Goldhorn Brewery. Food tastings come from Ruth Chris, Adega at the 9, Brasa, Jack Frost Donuts and more. Find the details and buy tickets on the website. (Niesel)
SUN 11/19
At the Movies: North by Northwest Live
Richard Kaufman conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Bernard Herrmann's original score to North by Northwest, which will show on the big screen at Severance Hall tonight at 7. The Hitchcock classic stars Cary Grant as a Madison Avenue advertising man who finds himself thrust into the world of spies when he is mistaken for another man. Consult the website for ticket prices. (Niesel)
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Ed Caner & Friends
A founding member of the local band Hey Mavis, fiddler Ed Caner has performed with both local and national acts. For today's show at the Hines Hill Conference Center in Peninsula, he'll pair up with local musician Hal Walker, a guy who composes and improvises on the guitar, piano, harmonica, khaen, jew's harp and concertina. Doors open at 6:30 and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite; details are on the calendar at the Conservancy website below. (Niesel)
1403 West Hines Hill Rd., Peninsula, 216-479-8611.
Nick Offerman
Humorist Nick Offerman became a comedic star when his role in the TV sitcom Parks and Recreation catapulted him into the comedic canon. Offerman brought some real personality to the character of Ron Swanson, the ultra manly head of a city's parks and recreation department. For tonight's performance at Connor Palace, Offerman — a woodworker in real life — will present his "saw-dusty musings on survival in the wild, living with enthusiasm, and most importantly, the cultivation of fulsome body hair." The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.50 to $59.50. (Niesel)
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Singing Angels Holiday Spectacular
Members of the local performance troupe Singing Angels encompass numerous races, creeds and economic backgrounds. At tonight's Holiday Spectacular concert, you can hear three choruses with more than 200 singers, in total, performing holiday favorites. The concert takes place at 2 p.m. at Connor Palace. Tickets are $18 to $43. (Niesel)
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
MON 11/20
XTreme Music Theater Concert
Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater students have graduated to lead roles on Broadway and London's West End. They've also found their way to prime-time television, film and more. Tonight at Nighttown, the school's talented seniors will perform songs from Rent, Aladdin and Edges, in a program dubbed an XTreme Music Theater Concert. The show starts at 7, and tickets are $15. (Niesel)
12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-795-0550, nighttowncleveland.com.
TUE 11/21
Canaletto and the Art of Venice
The latest installment in the Exhibition on Screen gallery-film series, Canaletto and the Art of Venice provides viewers with access to the art exhibit currently at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace. It centers on the enigmatic artist Canaletto, a guy whose personal life is mired in mystery. The film makes its local debut today at 1:45 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tickets are $10, or $7 for CMA members. (Niesel)
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Classical Revolution Cleveland
Tonight, and the third Tuesday of every month, Classical Revolution Cleveland brings its wide array of chamber music to the Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern. Performers like the Trepanning Trio, Anime Duo, students of Cleveland Institute of Music and even Cleveland Orchestra members grace the stage in these exciting concerts. Tonight's free, all-ages performance starts at 8. (Patrick Stoops)
5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.
Laura DeMarco on Lost Cleveland
Organized chronologically, Lost Cleveland, a new coffee table book featuring photos of old Cleveland institutions that are no longer with us, includes photos from places such as Leo's Casino, the Hippodrome, Hough Bakery, Cleveland Municipal Stadium and Memphis Drive-In. Plain Dealer reporter Laura DeMarco did the painstaking research and wrote the copy that accompanies the vintage photos. DeMarco will talk about the "iconic architecture, legendary events, and fascinating true tales behind a city that was one of the largest and most prosperous in America," as it's put in a press release. Hear her tonight at 7:30 at the Euclid Tavern. Admission is free. (Niesel)
11625 Euclid Ave., 216-231-5400, happydogcleveland.com.