Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 09/16
The Claudettes
The Claudettes are doing the album-release tour in 2021 that they meant to do following the release of 2020's High Times in the Dark. Produced by Ted Hutt, the Grammy-winning producer of Violent Femmes, the Devil Makes Three, Old Crow Medicine Show and Lucero, the album finds the band delivering raucous piano ballads ("Bad Babe, Losin' Touch") and bluesy rockers ("Declined"). The show starts tonight at 8 at Jilly's Music Room in Akron, and tickets cost $10.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Lewis Black
Comedian Lewis Black regularly touches on current events, social media, politics and anything else that "exposes the hypocrisy and madness in the world," as he puts it. Given everything that's going on in the world these days, Black's analysis of the "hypocrisy and madness in the world" seems all the more relevant. He performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. Check the Hilarities website for ticket prices.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
The Choir of Man
With most of the Broadway touring shows still on pause because of the pandemic, The Choir of Man represents the sole performance taking place at Playhouse Square this month. A press release promises the show is both a party and concert: "It’s a pint-filled good time set in a working pub that combines hair-raising harmonies, high-energy dance, and live percussion with foot-stomping choreography." Tonight's show takes place at 7:30 in the Mimi Ohio Theatre. The run extends to Sept. 18. Check the Playhouse Square website for additional showtimes and ticket prices. Continues through Sept. 18.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Cirque Us Presents RagTag
A self-described group of "threadbare, yarn-spinning characters" will be on hand tonight for a show that promises to feature "high-flying, knot-tying, gravity defying aerialists, loopy jugglers, and musicians that pull at your heart strings." Dubbed RagTag: A Circus in Stitches, the show takes place at 8 at the WIZBANG! Theatre, where performances continue tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets are $10 with a student ID and $15 for general admission.
2134 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-534-9482, wizbangtheatre.com.
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 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.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Brett Eldredge: Good Day Tour
When country singer Brett Eldredge opened for Luke Bryan at Progressive Field last summer, he successfully won the audience over with his 45-minute set that featured hits such as “Superhero” and the poppy “Love Someone,” a tune the benefited from the exuberant “uh-huhs” in its chorus. His spot-on cover of Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” showed off his sharp pop sensibilities. Expect something similar when Eldredge, who's on tour in support of last year's Sunday Drive as well as his new single, "Good Day," comes back to town tonight as a headliner. Morgan Evans opens the show, which begins at 7:30 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. Consult the Live Nation website for ticket prices and more info.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, livenation.com.
Soul Asylum/Local H
Soul Asylum initially formed in the early '80s when frontman Dave Pirner was still in high school. The group then became part of the Minneapolis local music scene alongside fellow indie bands the Replacements and Hüsker Dü. Pirner brings the latest incarnation of the band to Cain Park tonight at 8. The hard-rocking duo Local H opens the show. Consult the Cain Park website for ticket prices.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
FRI 09/17
2021 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour
This weekend, the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque will host the 2021 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour, a 92-minute program of seven short films selected from this year’s festival. The Cinematheque will host the program, which includes BJ's Mobile Gift Shop, a film about a young Korean-American hustler who makes sales out of his "mobile gift shop,” The Criminals, a movie about a young couple struggling to find a place to stay in Turkey, and KKUM, an animated film from South Korean director Kang-min Kim, at 9:20 tonight and at 7:20 p.m. tomorrow.
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
78th Street Studios Third Friday Art Walk
Tonight, the Third Friday Art Walk returns to the cavernous 78th Street Studios. 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. Look for food trucks out front and live music on the first floor. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. and admission is free.
1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.
Brooks & Dunn REBOOT 2021 Tour
On the group’s latest release, 2019′s Reboot, Brooks and Dunn collaborate with other country singers like Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson and Kane Brown as they re-record Brooks & Dunn tunes. Expect to hear songs from it as well as tunes from the rest of the country's act catalog at tonight's concert. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. Consult the Live Nation website for ticket prices and more info.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Crocker Park Wine Festival
A two-day event that takes place today and tomorrow, the Crocker Park Wine Festival will be set up throughout the streets of Crocker Park and feature more than 150 local, national, and international wine producers. There will also be beer, spirits, local vendors, food vendors, casual seating and live music. The event will be located starting at Center Circle between Anthropologie and Altar’d State on Main Street to Gap and Banana Republic, where attendees can stroll and visit different wine vendors to ask questions, sample wine and learn more about various vineyards and producers. Additionally, beer and spirit tents will be available as well as live music and food offerings from several Crocker Park restaurants including Burntwood Tavern & Leo’s Italian Social. The event takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. today and from 2 to 10 p.m. tomorrow. Check the website for ticket prices.
189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerparkwinefestival.com.
Earthquake
Better known by his stage name Earthquake, Nathaniel Martin Stroman has worked as an actor, voice artist and comedian since the 1980s. His jokes tend to steer clear of current events as he talks generally about the trials and tribulations of being in relationships. "I've been investing in women for 40 years and have yet to see a profit," he jokes in one routine. He performs tonight at 7:30 and 10 at the Improv, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. Consult the Improv website for ticket prices.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.com.
Everything Is Subject to Radical Change: Cleveland Performance Art Festival Revisited
Tonight at the Bop Stop, Thomas Mulready, founder of Cleveland Performance Art Festival (1988-2003), presents Everything Is Subject to Radical Change: Cleveland Performance Art Festival Revisited. The annual Cleveland Performance Art Festival grew from a six-night non-curated program in 1988 to the largest festival of its kind in the world, at one point encompassing 12 weeks per year and eventually presenting over 1000 artists from 23 countries. Each presentation will conclude with a musical concert by special guests Vanity Crash. Adult supervision is advised for those under age 18. A portion of the proceeds from these shows will be donated to Cleveland Verses Foundation, a new non-profit supporting musicians, artists and venue worked afflicted by the pandemic. The event begins at 8 p.m.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, coolcleveland.com/Ii3rd.
Primus — A Tribute to Kings
The alternative rock act Primus planned to take its tribute to the prog rock act Rush on the road last summer. The pandemic wiped out that jaunt, but the group will finally bring the rescheduled show to town tonight. Dubbed A Tribute to Kings, the cross-country tour will feature the Bay Area trio playing Rush's classic 1977 album A Farewell to Kings in its entirety. Primus will also play some of its own music own music. The Sword opens the show, which begins at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. Consult the Live Nation website for ticket prices and more info.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, livenation.com.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
An eighth generation Louisiana Creole, Terrance Simien and his Zydeco Experience bandmates have become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. Simian and band have performed over 9000 concerts. The group performs tonight at 8 at Cain Park. Admission is free.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
The 'Round Town Music Festival
The 'Round Town Music Festival returns to downtown Kent today. Produced by the Crooked River Arts Council, the annual music festival offers free live performances by 27 bands and artists at 23 different venues. The event started more than 50 years ago as the Kent State Folk Festival, and over time has morphed into the 'Round Town Music Festival. The line-up this year features singer-songwriter Roger Hoover, country rocker Melanie May, blues rockers the Danny Shipley Trio, and singer-songwriter Sean Benjamin. Monica Robins & tThe Whiskey Kings will be once again hold down the festival’s largest outdoor venue, the Hometown Bank Plaza, starting at 7 p.m. The Dan Smith Community Park will host the QS Jazz Trio.
kentroundtown.org.
SAT 09/18
311 - Live From The Ride Tour
On the heels of its 30th anniversary, 311 has announced its return to the road with a 36-date coast-to-coast tour dubbed Live From the Ride (a play on Live From the Hive, the online livestream concert series that the band launched from its Hive Studio in 2020 when touring paused). Iration and Iya Terra open, and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. Consult the Live Nation website for ticket prices and more info.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, livenation.com.
Cleveland Bazaar in Market Square Park
Cleveland Bazaar has organized pop-up retail events for makers, artists and small businesses in northeast Ohio since 2004. Its summer shows at Market Square Park across from the West Side Market are a great way to shop local. Today's event, which is free, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
W. 25th St. and Lorain Ave., loc8nearme.com/ohio/cleveland/cleveland-bazaar/6206878/.
Pekar Park Comic Book Fest
The Pekar Park Comic Book Fest is back for 2021, and the event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. today throughout the Coventry Village business district with a special free screening of Big Hero 6 at 8 p.m. in the PEACE Park. There will be free face painting, Cosplay/character costumes, zine-making/illustration crafts with Lake Erie Ink, free takeaway crafts from Heights Libraries, as sidewalk chalk art competition in Pekar Park, kids carnival games, a bounce house in the PEACE Park, a maker's market and a fall festival by Made Cleveland, a group of local creators. At 2 p.m., Mac’s Backs will present a special event for the more serious comics fans, Comix Today: A Panel Discussion with Artists, Writers and Editors. Panelists will discuss the current state of the comics industry and make recommendations on what comic fans should be reading. The event will take place outdoors in front of the Cleveland Heights library.
heightslibrary.org.
Under the Streetlamp
The musical act Under the Streetlamp creates its own arrangements of classics from the American Songbook, delivering rock, doo wop and Motown hits along the way. The group was founded by leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys. When their run in that show ended, they formed Under the Streetlamp as a musical celebration. They come to Cain Park tonight at 8. Consult the Cain Park website for ticket prices. Sept. 18.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
SUN 09/19
Browns vs. Houston Texans
After opening the season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs and nearly pulling off a win, the Browns play their home opener against the Houston Texans today at 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Texans are coming off a losing season, so the Browns, who made the playoffs last year and added some terrific talent in the off-season, should have the upper hand here. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Check the Browns website for more information.
100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, clevelandbrowns.com.
The Pat Harris Quartet
A vocalist extraordinaire with a five-octave vocal range, Pat Harris dabbles in opera, jazz, R&B, pop, theatrical, and gospel. She studied under Kurt Weil in Zurich, Switzerland and attended college in Lucerne, Switzerland for Vocal Performance. She has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Pop Orchestra, The Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, The Jazz Heritage Orchestra, The Akron Symphony Orchestra and Zurich Opera House. She performs a free show today at 1 p.m. at Cain Park.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium encourages guests to come in costume to celebrate the event. In addition, there will be a themed trivia hunt, coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, craft instructions and a short guide to pirate speak. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last ticket is sold at 4 p.m.) during the aquarium's regular Sunday hours. Due to limited capacity and time entry for social distancing, advance tickets are recommended for non-passholders.
2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Maker Town Market
Maker Town and Saucy Brew Works have teamed up to present free outdoor markets every Sunday at Saucy's Vibe Garden. The weekly event will feature handmade jewelry, home decor, wall art, fashion, pet products, wellness items, furniture and paper goods. Located at W. 28th St. and Church Ave., Saucy's Vibe Garden features picnic tables and an outdoor bar. Food can be ordered from the brewery via an app. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's free.
2807 Church Ave., 216-666-2568, makertownusa.com/market/.
Thomas Rhett: The Center Point Road Tour 2021
This singer-songwriter who's written singles for the likes of Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, LoCash, and Michael Ray, returns to Blossom tonight to make up for a concert that bad weather postponed last month. The tour supports Rhett's latest album, Center Point Road, which came out in 2019. Given the uptempo tunes on the poppy album, expect this concert to come with a good amount of feel-good energy. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Blossom. Consult the Live Nation website for ticket prices and more info.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
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