Courtesy of Live Nation
Maroon 5 comes to Blossom tonight.
THU 08/26
Maroon 5
The Grammy-winning multiplatinum rock/pop band Maroon 5 was supposed to swing into town last summer, but COVID derailed those plans. Tonight's gig at Blossom represents the rescheduled date in support of the single “Memories," a solid soulful pop tune. Expect to hear it alongside with all the biggest hits the group has delivered over the past two decades. The show starts at 7 p.m. Check the Live Nation website for ticket prices.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
Asian Lantern Festival
Taking over parks and zoos across the country, the traveling Asian Lantern Festival shows off thousands of colorful handmade paper lanterns in open, green spaces. This year's edition brings 70 "large-scale illuminated displays." This year’s festival will mark the return of live performances every hour, and there will be acrobatics including foot juggling, contortion and martial arts. Throughout the festival, guests can shop at an Asian craft market and taste a variety of culturally-inspired cuisine. The event takes place from 6:30 to 10 tonight through Sunday. Check the Zoo website for ticket prices.
3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.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.
Gordon's Golden Hour
A neighborhood pop-up event, Gordon's Golden Hour will host food from the Fungry Food Truck, coffee from Ready Set! and a cash bar. It all takes place today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Gordon Green. Admission is free.
5400 Detroit Ave., 216-406-2461.
Indians vs. Texas Rangers
The Indians get a break this week as the lowly Texas Rangers come to town. One of the worst teams in baseball, the Rangers have been well below .500 this season and endured one of their worst losing streaks in decades. They play the Tribe tonight at 7:10 at Progressive Field as part of a three-game series. Tickets start at $15.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Live and Local
As part of the Rock Hall's summer concert series, there will be live music from 8 to 10:30 tonight and tomorrow night. Dubbed Live and Local, the concerts will feature a mix of local and national acts. Tonight, local indie rockers Mourning [a]BLKstar will perform with the Katy. Tomorrow night, John Paul Keith and the Jack Fords take the stage. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. A separate ticket is required to tour the museum.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Lunch by the Lake
A summertime thing at the Rock Hall, Lunch by the Lake will feature free acoustic performances by the Rock Hall’s “Resident Rockers” and local artists from noon to 2 p.m. on today, tomorrow and Saturday at the beer garden. The event is free and no reservation is required. Continues through.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
John Mayall
Often referred to as the Godfather of British Blues, singer-guitarist John Mayall founded the seminal band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in the 1960s. Over the decades, Mayall's Bluesbreakers have included notable blues and blues rock guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya and Buddy Whittington. Mayall, who moved from England to Los Angeles in 1969, then began forming bands with American musicians. He's steadily toured and recorded ever since and regularly puts Northeast Ohio tour stops on his itinerary. Tonight's show starts at 8 at the Kent Stage. Check the Kent Stage website for ticket prices.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Tennis in the Land
Tennis in the Land, a WTA 250 Tour event, continues today at in the Nautica Complex parking lot, making it Cleveland's largest women-only event. It's reportedly the first time in history bringing a professional women's tennis tournament. This is an extremely high-level event featuring stars such as Cleveland's Lauren Davis and American Jennifer Brady. As part of the U.S Open Series and taking place a week prior to the U.S Open (NYC Grand Slam), this tournament will be an extremely crucial week on the WTA schedule for years to come. Consult the website for more information.
tennisintheland.com.
FRI 08/27
CLEVELAND WALLS! International Mural Program
Over the course of this week and into this weekend, some 20 murals have been installed throughout the MidTown neighborhood by national and local artists. It's all part of the CLEVELAND WALLS! International Mural program. Today and Saturday, organizers have programmed events with with partners like the Rainey Institute, Graffiti HeArt, the Morgan Conservatory, the Distinguished Gentlemen of the Spoken Word, and Shooting Without Bullets. The event's headquarters will be open today and tomorrow from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. with the bulk of the programming occurring from 5-9 p.m. today and from noon to 11 p.m. tomorrow. Visitors should visit the headquarters to pick up a mural passport booklet and then walk, bike, scooter or drive to nearby mural sites to watch the artists in action. Find more info on the website. midtowncleveland.org/clevelandwalls.
Ani DiFranco
Fiercely independent, singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco released her self-titled debut in 1990 on her own Righteous Babe Records, and she’s steadily toured and recorded since then. In support of her latest album, the highly personal Revolutionary Love, Ani DiFranco has embarked on a summer tour that brings her to the Kent Stage tonight. The show starts at 8, and tickets cost $41 to $61. Note that all attendees will either present proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours preceding the show. Masks fully covering the mouth and nose will be worn by all attendees at all times within the venue, except when eating or drinking.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
The Grand Ol’ Opening Show
The Grand Ol’ Open Show, a Wizbang! Theatre and Circus School program, will feature multiple acts performed by a variety of performers. Performances take place at 8 tonight and at 2 and 8 tomorrow night. Expect "ridiculous acts, local circus performers, and professional misbehavers," as it's put in a press release. Created in 2013, the circus theater and school has put on shows throughout the Midwest. Pinch and Squeal the ringmasters of Wizbang!, have performed with Puddle’s Pity Party, Piff the Magic Dragon, Lady Gaga’s band leader Brian Newman, Bindlestiff Family Circus, Rochester Fringe, NYC’s Murray Hill, Women’s Correctional Facilities and Transylvanian Saxons. Consult the theater's website for more information.
2134 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-534-9482, wizbangtheatre.com.
Heathers: The Musical Presented by Millenial Theatre Project
In Heathers, a shoulder-padded, scrunchies-wearing Heather terrorizes a school, but the misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend. That's the plot of this musical presented by Millennial Theatre Project. Tonight's performance takes place at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets cost $20.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
Indians vs. Boston Red Sox
The Indians face a real test today as they take on the Boston Red Sox for the first time this season. The Red Sox have been stellar all season and have competed in the AL East for a good portion of the season. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m., and the two teams will face each other again tomorrow and Sunday. Tickets start at $15.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, clevelandindians.com.
Jukebox Breakdown aka Emo Night CLE
Over the years, emo, the style of music characterized by noisy guitars and emotional/introspective lyrics, has been through a number of phases. The roots go back to the Washington D.C. hardcore scene of the '80s and extend to today as bands such as Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein and the Used play some version of emo. Expect to hear music from different time periods at tonight's Jukebox Breakdown that takes place at 9 at Mahall's. Admission is free but limited to first come, first served.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Summer Jam with Lil Baby and Friends
Z107.9's Summer Jam had to take last year off because of the pandemic, but it's back for 2021 with Lil Baby, Lil Durk, MoneyBagg Yo, Jeezy and more taking the stage at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight at 7. Check the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse website for ticket prices.
1 Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Bill Toms & Hard Rain/Brian Lisik
A mix of blues, soul and Americana, Good for My Soul, one of the latest efforts from Bill Toms & Hard Rain features a collection of tunes that sound so familiar they could pass for standards. With its woozy horns and raspy vocals, "I'd Be a Rich Man Today" kicks the album off with a bang. Toms launched his career some 30 years ago as the lead guitarist in Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, a regional sensation that has always had a strong following in Cleveland. He plays tonight at 8 at the Beachland Tavern. Local singer-songwriter Brian Lisik opens. Tickets cost $15.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
SAT 08/28
Back on Broadway
Students from Baldwin-Wallace University's Music Theatre program will perform tonight at 8 at Cain Park under the direction of Victoria Bussert. The special cabaret performance will highlight songs from shows re-opening on Broadway this fall. Consult the Cain Park website for ticket prices and more info.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
Enigma Variations
A lovely tribute, Elgar’s Enigma Variations was an early version of what we now might call a mixtape. Elgar turned each movement into a tender portrait of a personal friend, and these powerful and emotional tokens of friendship have become extraordinarily popular. The “Nimrod” variation is often used as a song of national mourning and was played at Princess Diana’s funeral. The Cleveland Orchestra performs the piece at 7 tonight at Blossom. Check the orchestra website for ticket prices.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
Fresh Air All Day Festival
This free all-day festival which starts at 2 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. will be held on a private property on a lake, and promoters say there will be lifeguards and security on premises. It's bring your own beverages and food. Acts slated to perform include Skidmarxx, Baby G, Summer School and Konkrete Angel.
39421 US-20, North Ridgeville, facebook.com/FreshAirFestivalClevelandOhio/.
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. Continues through Sept. 11.
25333 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst, 216-382-3871, legacy-village.com.
Water Lantern Festival
The event, held at Voinovich Park today from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., invites attendees to write positive messages on rice paper lanterns before sending them off into the water. Each ticket comes with a wristband for entry into the festival area with access to food trucks, a floating lantern kit, a LED candle, a commemorative drawstring bag and a marker. The ticket prices also includes lantern retrieval and water clean up. Find ticket prices on the website.
waterlanternfestival.com.
SUN 08/29
A Celebration of Cleveland Rock History with Deanna Adams & Ray Carr
Deanna Adams, author of Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Venues and other Cleveland-related books, celebrates the release of her book about Cleveland venues with today's talk at the Beachland Ballroom. In addition to Adams, this event will feature many Cleveland musicians, deejays and other notable figures in the city’s history, who'll recount their stories on stage. Adams's first nonfiction book, Rock ’n’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection (Kent State University Press, 2002), was named a finalist for the Ohioana Award for nonfiction, and received the ARSC Award (Association for Recorded Sound Collections) for excellence in research. Tickets to today's event at the Beachland cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Doors open at noon.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Cleveland Chamber Collective
Tonight at 8 at Cain Park, Cleveland Chamber Collective performs Cleveland Chamber Collective performs three pieces with Inlet Dance Theatre, who'll present a new ballet, Caliban Ascendant, after intermission. "The Cleveland Chamber Collective is committed to the idea that great music can have a great impact," read a press release about the concert. "Their mission is to enrich, ennoble, and encourage the diverse people of our community by providing exceptional artistic experiences to all." Admission is free.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
Concerts at Lakeview Cemetery
The annual summer concert series at Lake View Cemetery offers locals yet another great opportunity to savor some free outdoor performances. The concert series takes place on the Garfield Monument lawn, making it one of the most unique settings in the city. Lake View Cemetery has partnered with Jim Wadsworth Productions to set the lineup. Tonight's concert features the local soul/R&B act Hubb's Groove. Concerts take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, blanket or picnic basket. Admission is free.
12316 Euclid Ave., 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com.
Sammy DeLeon & Jackie Warren Quartet
Sammy DeLeon, a locally based master timbales player has splayed all around the world during his lengthy career. Formerly the musical director of Impacto Nuevo, DeLeon has led his own group since 1996. Jackie Warren, a locally based singer and keyboardist, performs solo, leads her own trio and works as the featured soloist and arranger for Sammy DeLeon's Salsa and Latin-Jazz ensemble. Tonight, the two join forces for a concert that takes place at 7:30 at the B-Side Lounge. Tickets cost $10.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com.
Jokes on You
Inspired by crowd work clinicians like Dave Attell, Ian Bagg, and Big Jay Oakerson, Jokes On You makes the audience the center of the show by "pushing comics to avoid prepared material or written jokes and instead focus on organic interaction with the audience," as it's put in a press release about this event, which takes place tonight at 7 at Hilarities. John Bruton and Bill Squire host the event. Last Sunday of every month.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.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 Avenue, 216-666-2568, makertownusa.com/market/.
One World Day
Since 1945, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) has celebrated One World Day, and while the pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event, One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens returns today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the Gardens on both East and MLK Boulevards. The event will feature ethnic performances, food and cultural activities in the 30+ Cultural Gardens. There will be special performances from the Singing Angels and Brazilian Jazz artist Moises Borges. Other One World Day highlights will also return, including the moving Naturalization Ceremony and the popular Parade of Flags. The Parade of Flags has grown into a large and colorful display of the numerous heritages represented in the Gardens and the broader Cleveland community. Admission is free.
1051 Martin Luther King Dr., 216-220-3075, clevelandculturalgardens.org.
Reggae Sundays
This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series is a summertime tradition at the Music Box Supper Club The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Thomas Rhett
On his fourth album, Center Point Road, country singer Thomas Rhett delivers some pretty infectious pop-influenced tunes. Album opener "Up" features spirited horns and a choir, and Rhett flexes his funk chops with "Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time," a tune that could give Bruno Mars a run for his money. Tonight's show at Blossom show starts at 7:30. Check the Live Nation site for ticket prices.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
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