clevelandimprov.com
Comedian Tony Baker comes to the Improv this weekend.
THU 09/09
Tony Baker
A Chicago native, comedian Tony Baker, a finalist on Seasons 8 and 9 of NBC's The Last Comic Standing, delivers what he calls Bakerisms during his raucous standup routines. "How come nobody smiles at drug deals?" he asks in one bit. "It's the easiest tax-free money around. You'd think everyone would be happy." Baker performs tonight at 7 at the Improv, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. Check the Improv website for ticket prices.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-IMPROV, clevelandimprov.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.
1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival Opening Night
GCUFF’s Opening Night will include an evening with producer/actor Michael Jai White with a reception at 6 tonight at Breen Center followed, by a conversation with Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists President Kevin Heard at 7:15 p.m. White will share his expansive career including his martial arts journey and the various roles from playing Mike Tyson in an HBO biopic to Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married and its, sequel that paved the way for OWN’s For Better Or Worse with co-host Tasha Smith. During Opening Night, White’s wife Gillian will make a guest appearance to discuss her film, Take Back. Consult the GCUFF website for more info.
2008 West 30th St., 216-397-3757, gcuff.org.
Indians vs. Minnesota Twins
At the beginning of the season, a four-game series against the Twins in September would appear to have great significance in terms of the division title. But since the Twins have faded from contention (and even unloaded Nelson Cruz, one of their best hitters, earlier this summer), the series doesn't appear to carry as much weight. The division rivals face off at 6:10 tonight at Progressive Field. Tickets start at $15.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Annie Lederman
Comedian and podcaster Annie Lederman originally gained popularity as one of the stars of MTV’s Girl Code and as a recurring guest on E!’s Chelsea Lately. She then launched her own short-lived pop-culture talk show "We Have Issues." A regular panelist on Comedy Central’s Lights Out with David Spade, Lederman recently wrote and produced on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Showtime series Who Is America? She performs tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where she has shows scheduled through Saturday. Check the Hilarities website for ticket prices.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 09/10
Indians vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Interleague play resumes for the Cleveland Indians this weekend as the Milwaukee Brewers, one of the best teams in the National League if not all of baseball, come to town for a three-game series. After a so-so season last year, the Brewers have been hitting on all cylinders this season and have led the NL Central for most of the year, battling with the Reds for possession of first place. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m., and tickets start at $15.
Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Inkcarceration
Back at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield after taking a year off because of the pandemic, the third incarnation of the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival features headliners Slipknot, Rob Zombie and Mudvayne (the group will reunite for the first time in 12 years), with additional performances from A Day To Remember, Mastodon, Halestorm, Chevelle, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Asking Alexandria, Steel Panther, Fever 333, The Hu, Pop Evil, just to name a few of the acts scheduled to play at the festival, which begins today and continues through Sunday. In addition, fans will be able to book appointments with more than 75 tattoo artists, and receive complimentary tours of the famous Ohio State Reformatory prison. On site, there will also be gourmet food, a wide selection of beverages, camping and the return of the award-winning Haunted House attraction Blood Prison. Consult the website for more info.
inkcarceration.com.
Life Drawing for World Suicide Prevention Day with Derek Hess
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, locally based graphic artist Derek Hess and moCa Cleveland have teamed up to offer a creative outlet to explore healing. From 1 to 4 p.m. today, Hess will give a guided drawing session at the museum to support those interested in “improving how they manage behaviors, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem.” Through creative exploration, Hess has found that emotions aren't always expressed well with words. He offers participants a different means of expression. The guided drawing session intends to support those interested in improving how they manage behaviors, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem. The on-site session is sold out, but unlimited participants can work alongside Hess through his Facebook and Youtube online livestream. The event takes place in partnership with Crisis Text Line.
11400 Euclid Ave, 2164218671, mocacleveland.org.
Monster Jam
Billed as "the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world today," Monster Jam returns to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse today for a full capacity event that will feature giant trucks vying to outdoor each other on a special dirt track that allows them to literally jump into the air. The lineup will feature drivers Elvis Lianez and Krysten Anderson in Grave Digger, a truck that holds the Guinness title for the highest ramp jump in a monster truck. Tonight's event starts at 7. Consult the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse site for the rest of the weekend's schedule and for ticket prices.
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Oktoberfest
After last year’s cancellation, Cleveland’s Oktoberfest returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this year. This year, however, the event takes place over the course of two weekends. It returned to the fairgrounds over Labor Day Weekend, and it's back at the venue today and tomorrow. Considered one of the largest (if not the largest) Oktoberfest outside of Munich, Germany, the event will feature Oktoberfest-style beers, tribute bands, wiener dog races, authentic German and European foods, fireworks and the largest glockenspiel in the entire country. General admission tickets cost $15 at the box office. VIP packages are available too, and parking is free.
19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, clevelandoktoberfest.com.
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 one and two), 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. Tonight, see just how funny he can be, even when performing in the context of a variety show. He hosts the Mike Polk Jr. Show Live tonight at 9:30 at Hilarities. Check the Hilarities website for ticket prices.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Walkabout Tremont
Walkabout Tremont, which takes place on the second Friday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m., showcases the best of this smart neighborhood, with art openings, extended hours at galleries and shops, restaurant and bar specials, street performers, live music, pop-up vendors, neighborhood walking tours and much more.
experiencetremont.com.
SAT 09/11
2021 Chalk Festival
The Cleveland Museum of Art will host the 2021 Chalk Festival in-person from noon to 5 p.m. today, rain or shine. The festival features sidewalk paintings by professional chalk artists and local community groups, families and individuals. This year, the community is invited to take part in a featured chalk drawing by artist Bruno Casiano. Participants will have an opportunity to showcase their own art on the museum’s south plaza and throughout the pathways that wind through the Fine Arts Garden and down to Wade Lagoon. Squares and boxes of chalk are available for $10 with on-site, day-of registration (supplies are limited). The Chalk Festival is free to visitors wishing to just check out the artists’ work and listen to live music by the reggae act Outlaws I & I.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
The 42nd Annual Tri-C JazzFest
Acts such as Samara Joy, Lakecia Benjamin, Christian Sands Trio, A Moment in Cleveland and Spanish Harlem Orchestra are all slated to perform at the 42nd annual Tri-C Jazz Fest, which takes place today at 3:30 p.m. at Cain Park. The event continues tomorrow at Cain Park too. Consult the Cain Park website for more information, including ticket prices.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
Jeff Allen
With humor that centers on marriage and living with teenagers, Jeff Allen is regarded as one of the best clean comedians out there. Full of family-friendly laughs, Allen’s clean-cut humor is a breath of fresh air. Appearing alongside other comedians in the film Apostles of Comedy, a profile of established funny folks, Allen demonstrates that you don’t need to be vulgar to make someone laugh. You can catch him at 4 today and at 7 tomorrow night at Hilarities. Check the Hilarities website for ticket prices.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Stewart Copeland’s Police Deranged for Orchestra
Formerly of the Police, drummer Stewart Copeland revisits the music of his former band with tonight's show at Blossom that pairs him with the Cleveland Orchestra. Dubbed Police Deranged for Orchestra , the show will include the Police’s biggest hits rearranged by Copeland, who'll play drums, three singers, a guitarist and the full symphony orchestra. The concert begins at 7:30. Check the orchestra website for more info.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Flogging Molly/Violent Femmes/Me First and the Gimme Gimmes/THICK
Flogging Molly and Violent Femmes both mix a little folk in with their punk rock leanings, making them good partners for this jaunt that also includes punk rock acts Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and THICK. 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.
Fresh Fest Cleveland
First launched in 2019, Fresh Fest Cleveland returns to Rid-All Farm and Otter Park today. The free event, which takes place from from noon to 9 p.m., will feature a performance by Grammy-winning DJ, producer, rapper and writer, Spinderella. Local acts Kyle Kidd, Gumbo Dance Party, Chelsea Pastel, Red Rose Panic and Jah Messengers will perform as well., The mission of Fresh Fest Cleveland is to "celebrate the arts and urban agriculture, promote health and wellness, showcase fresh local food, all while breaking down the barriers of this unified and fertile neighborhood and emphasizing cultural unity." The day-long multicultural festival will include a farmers market, art installations, hands-on activities and workshops, complimentary chef tastings, a beer garden, local food and art vendors, health and wellness activities, and a kids zone. Rid-All Farm and Otter Park includes 26.5 acres of previously vacant and repurposed land in Cleveland’s Kinsman neighborhood, and the Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone (UAIZ), is one of the spaces that will be activated during the festival. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the event will be provided from secure designated festival parking lots.
freshfestcleveland.com.
Legacy Live
One of Northeast Ohio's most popular free concert series, Legacy Live has become a tradition that families and couples look forward to each summer. The concerts, which take place on the Legacy Village lawn at 5 each Saturday night throughout the warmer months, feature local bands that play everything from blues to jazz and rock. Admission is free.
25333 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst, 216-382-3871, legacy-village.com.
Mexican Independence Day Celebration
This event, which takes place at 5:30 p.m. today at the Centennial Peace Plaza at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens serves as a way of celebrating our friends to the south. The gardens will celebrate Mexican heritage and culture with the Folkloric Dance Group, proclamations from the Mexican Consulate and surprise musical guests.
990 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio, 216-264-6998.
SUN 09/12
Coheed and Cambria/The Used/Meet [email protected] the Altar
Two independent-minded rock bands with cult followings, Coheed and Cambria and the Used bring their 18-city co-headlining U.S tour to town tonight. Both Coheed and the Used began their careers 20 years ago this year and last toured together in 2003, so this represents a union of sorts for the hard rock acts. Be sure to catch the up-and-coming pop-punk act Meet Me @ The Altar, which opens the show. 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.
