A Tribute to Mickey Katz at Cain Park

“He was ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic before Weird Al was born,” says Yiddishe Cup bandleader Bert Stratton. Stratton is speaking of Mickey Katz, the late Cleveland klezmer legend. Tonight, the band pays tribute to the Yiddish musician and comedian whose ever-so-silly songs include “Borscht Riders in the Sky,” “The Barber of Schlemiel,” and “The Poiple Kishke Eater.” In keeping with the theme, tonight’s show will focus on klezmer music, that zesty hybrid of American swing, Eastern European folk music, and Yiddish theater tunes. “We want to amuse people,” says Stratton. “Some of the tunes will be straight-ahead, not-funny instrumentals, but we'll also do a lot of vocal riffs about dead department stores like May Co. and Higbee’s, delicacies such as stuffed turkey necks and gelatinized cows' feet, and discuss bar mitzvah parties with too-loud DJs and bratty kids.” Stratton expects a mostly Jewish crowd, but hopes everyone who enjoys music, laughs, and a warm summer’s evening will attend. The fun starts at 7 p.m. at the Alma Theater at Cain Park. Purchase tickets on the website for $20 to $22, or at the door for $23 to $25.