The Wiz
First made famous through the combined talents of Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in the ‘70s, The Wiz is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The soul-infused Broadway show follows Dorothy, a 24-year-old Harlem schoolteacher, after she’s transported to the fantastical Land of Oz — that is, a more colorful take on New York City. Paired up with Near West Theatre’s talented youth cast (with Zeakia Jordon as Dorothy), director Kelcie Dugger’s take on The Wiz is sure to be funky. $10, Feb. 10 & 11, 7:30 p.m., Near West Theatre, 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, nearwesttheatre.org
Best Cleveland Albums of 2016
Cleveland Music City’s annual showcase of last year’s best comes back to the Grog. The list is dense with certified up-and-comers such as the happy soul on Samfox’s The Feels, west side beats with Fresh Produce’s Duce and the sweet retro vibes on Keep it Safe from John’s Little Sister. Other bands on the list such as Harvey Pekar, Heavenly Queen, Matthew Leek and Beach Stav will be performing, while emcee James Carol provides annotations on 2016’s best. $8, Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, grogshop.gs
Mardi Gras Walkabout Tremont
Beads, booze and art are all around this month’s Walkabout in Tremont, which takes on a Fat Tuesday vibe for Carnival. Find gallery openings, live jazz and funk, around-town food and drink specials and, of course, plenty of purple, green and gold necklaces to be tossed in good cheer. Get your supplied Mardi Gras passport stamped at each stop for end-of-the-night prize-winning. Free, Feb. 10, 5 p.m., Cleveland, walkabouttremont.com
Speedbumps with Canton Symphony
The Kent-based indie folk groovers pair up with the 36-piece orchestra led by conductor Rachel L. Waddell. The duo first performed together for a show at the Palace Theatre in October 2012 and reunite to play old Speedbump favorites from previous albums such as Soil to the Seed, The Harbors We Seek and more, as well as yet to be released tunes. $20-$30, Feb. 11, 8 p.m., Canton Palace Theatre, 2331 17th St. NW, Canton, cantonsymphony.org
The Movement Project at Pilgrim Congregational Church
New work from one of Cleveland’s dance saviors debuts at Tremont’s ballet-friendly church with short and long pieces composed by Movement Project choreographers Jon Lawson, Grace Nicklos, Rebecca Leuszler and Megan Gargano. Following the show will be an open Q&A with leading dancers and choreographers, allowing audience members insight into exactly what’s behind all the plies and arabesques. $18, Feb. 10 & 11, 7:30 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2592 W. 14th St., Cleveland, themovementproject.org
The Weekender: 5 Things to Do Feb. 10-12
From a bar band playing with an orchestral accompaniment to an arts fest with masquerade masks and experimental dance at church, make this weekend all about pairings.
entertainment
11:30 AM EST
February 10, 2017