Friday, March 6: Beachland Turns 15 – It’s not often than an indie pop band scores a hit as big as Echosmith’s “Cool Kids.” If you listen to commercial radio, you’ll hear the catchy single with soulful vocals from the band’s 2013 debut Talking Dreams in constant rotation. It gets played alongside songs from the likes of Taylor Swift and Sam Smith. Seventeen-year-old singer Sydney Sierota, who fronts the band of siblings, says she thinks the song’s sentiments about not fitting in still apply, even though the band’s now a household name. “We all have felt that desire to fit in,” she says via phone as the band drives to a show “somewhere in Texas.” “No matter how old you are or how much success you’ve had, everyone feels that need at some point. I think that’s why the song is so successful. The base of the song is real and it is a story from Echosmith. We might be talking about another boy and girl, but we’re really talking about ourselves. It’s about accepting yourself and being okay with who you are. People now ask if we’re cool now. But we relate to the song more as time goes on. We’re constantly reminding ourselves to be true to who we are.” The group has cut its musical teeth on the festival circuit, so tonight’s club gig should be a winner. (Niesel) $15 (Photo via CleveScene archives)
Friday, March 6: Walk All Over Waterloo – March’s Walk All Over Waterloo features a number of opening receptions for new exhibitions throughout the neighborhood’s galleries from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday (though hours do vary by location). Here’s what you need to know for Friday. (Photo via CleveScene archives)
Friday, March 6: Giggle with Gabriel – Gabriel Iglesias is one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians and he performs in sold-out concerts across the United States and Internationally. His stand-up comedy is a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring his personal experiences to life. His unique and animated comedy style has made him popular among fans of all ages. Tonight’s show kicks off at 6 p.m. at the State Theatre. (Photo via Wikimedia)
Saturday, March 7: Arctic Plunge – The 6th Annual Arctic Plunge takes place today from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at Edgewater Park. Take this opportunity to strip down to your skivvies and jump in freezing cold water for a good cause. More details are available here. (Photo via Emanuel Wallace)
Saturday, March 7: Winter Warmer – More than 40 breweries will be on hand for today’s Winter Warmer Fest, an annual event that servers as a fundraiser for the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Blues musician Austin “Walkin’” Cane will perform and food trucks such as Fired Up Taco Truck, Scott’s Fire and Ice, Sweet! Mobile Cupcakery and Zydeco Bistro will be on hand as well. Tickets are $45 and that includes a souvenir glass and 20 tickets. VIP tickets are $75 and they include early admission. The fest runs from 2 to 6 p.m. (Niesel) (Photo via Ohio Brewer’s Association, Facebook)
Saturday, March 7: Fun Run – The inaugural Shamrock Run — a timed 5-K race, 1-mile walk, and post-race celebration — takes place today at Our Lady of Angels Parish. The run starts at 3 p.m. and the walk at 3:15 p.m. Registration fees are $20 by March 5. A family registration is $60 for a family of four, with an additional $15 for each additional family member. Race-day registration is $25. (Niesel) (Photo via CleveScene archives)
Saturday, March 7: A Student Show – After a busy Friday evening, BAYarts invites you back today from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for an opening reception in celebration of their Winter Student Show in the Dianne Boldman Education Gallery. The show highlights the efforts of students in several of BAYarts’ winter classes and runs through March 27. (Usmani) (Photo via CleveScene archives)
Sunday, March 8: Cleveland Auto Show – The Cleveland Auto Show kicked off yesterday and runs through next weekend. Except thousands of auto-lovers to come out to the I-X Center to view new models, do some test drives, sign up for auctions and giveaways, and much, much more. Get the details you need right here. (Photo via Cleveland Auto Show, Facebook)
Sunday, March 8: Toons for Troops – When America entered World War II, cartoon characters such as Daffy Duck, Three Little Pigs and Chicken Little were recruited to take on the enemy. They were used in training, fundraising and morale-building animated shorts. In conjunction with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibition, State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, these cartoons will be shown continuously today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maltz Museum in a program dubbed Cartoons Go to War. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. The price includes admission to State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda. (Niesel) (Photo via Wikimedia)
Sunday, March 8: Lotus – There’s something iconic and American about images of wooden roller coasters. I’m a sucker for enticing album covers, and Lotus’ Gilded Age draws me in sweetly. Nostalgia comes to mind, and bassist Jesse Miller confirmed as much when we spoke with him recently. “With this album, I think it did kind of start out with a couple songs at first — ‘Let Me In,’ ‘The Oaks,’ and ‘Gilded Age’ had been written a little while before. We wanted to do this kind of vibe of hinting at something that’s not quite a party song, something that’s reaching for something else. Then we ended up writing a few more things that fit into that same vein.” “The Oaks,” probably the best song on the album, dances between ebullient, almost Middle Eastern sounds and a central section that features open space, flourishes of synth and a hypnotic guitar line. Jesse’s heavy bass leads the band back to the roller coaster ride, and the main theme of “The Oaks” returns. (Sandy) $22 ADV, $25 DOS (Photo via Wikimedia)

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