Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: April 9-12

Thursday, April 9 

CIFF50 Opening Night at Playhouse Square
The 50th iteration of the Cleveland International Film Festival opens with a special screening of a documentary about designer and activist Kenneth Cole. A cocktail reception with filmmaker Dori Berinstein and Cole starts at 5:30 p.m. at Playhouse Square, and the film screens at 7 p.m. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, clevelandfilm.org

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School at Jilly’s Music Room
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly's Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to "draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality." The fun begins at 7 p.m. 111 N. Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com

Here Come the Mummies at Kent Stage
This decade-old mystery band (members wear mummy outfits when they take the stage) sometimes embraces an old school R&B sound. For example, the tune “You Know the Drill” is every bit as funky as anything by George Clinton and the smooth sounding “Infinity” recalls Earth, Wind and Fire. Expect a lively, theatrical performance when the group plays at 7 p.m. at Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Mai Khôi & the Dissidents at the Bop Stop
Musician and human rights activist Mai Khôi has just released her new album, Five Years in Exile. She and her jazz group that includes keyboardist Mark Micchelli, who's played locally with the group Alla Boara, celebrate its release with this show at the Bop Stop. It begins at 7 p.m. 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org

Schubert & Shostakovich at Mandel Concert Hall
Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Schubert's Ninth Symphony and Shostakovich's Second Cello Concerto. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue through Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Starmites at the Helen
This musical centers on a shy teenage who builds a fantasy world around the sci-fi comic books she collects. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Helen, where performances continue through April 19. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Tartuffe at the Outcalt Theatre
Cleveland Play House presents its take on this French farce. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Outcalt Theatre, where performances continue through April 26. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Throwing Muses at the Grog Shop
Stepsisters, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly originally formed this group that went on to become critics' darlings. The group has a good run in the '80s and '90s before disbanding. Since reforming, it has toured and recorded infrequently but appears to have found a second wind, and it returned last year with the studio effort Moonlight Concessions. It performs at 8 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

Friday, April 10

Selwyn Birchwood at Music Box Supper Club
Singer-songwriter Selwyn Birchwood comes to Music Box Supper Club as part of a tour in support of his new album, Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues, his first for Chicago-based Alligator Records. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com

Chip Tha Ripper at Brothers Lounge
The rapper out of Cleveland made a name for himself with his mixtapes that circulated in the early 2000s. He plays a local warm-up show before he hits the road with superstar Kid Cudi, a frequent collaborator. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Brothers Lounge. 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.com

Michael Colyar at the Funny Bone
Comedian Michael Colyar tells the kinds of jokes that aren't designed to appeal solely to fans of a certain ethnicity, age or background. He aims at making everyone laugh. Colyar, who's just unleashed a Donald Trump impersonation that finds him spouting things like, "Let's make America white again," performs on Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Funny Bone, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Bob Dylan at the State Theatre
The indefatigable rocker returns to the State Theatre as he brings his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour back to Northeast Ohio. His Rough and Rowdy Ways album came out in 2020, and Dylan has toured relentlessly in support of it. While his voice has deteriorated over the years, his politically charged songs will undoubtedly resonate given our troubled times. The show begins at 8 p.m. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Flanagan's Wake at Kennedy’s Theatre
Part improv, part scripted, this interactive Irish wake is back again at Kennedy’s Theatre at Playhouse Square. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Gary Sczerbaniewicz: Cloud of Unknowing and Ling-lin Ku: Morning After Opening Reception at the Sculpture Center
These two concurrent exhibitions that open on Friday bring together artists whose sculptural practices explore "the tension between the familiar and the unknown," as it's put in a press release. On view through June 6, the exhibitions feature new work by Gary Sczerbaniewicz and Ling-lin Ku, each of whom presents an immersive sculptural environment. The opening reception takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Sculpture Center. 1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland, 216-229-6527, sculpturecenter.org

Saturday, April 11

The 2026 Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show at Sun Valley
This annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Sun Valley in Chagrin Falls. There will be crafted jewelry, home décor and other arts and crafts. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Alex Angart Fershtman Foundation. 10000 Edwards Lane, Chagrin Falls, avantgardeshows.com

Carbon Leaf at Kent Stage
A former college party band, Carbon Leaf is known for playing an eclectic mix of original music that draws from blues, folk and rock. The current tour supports its 15th album, Time is the Playground. The group plays Kent Stage on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Pete Correale at the Hanna Theatre
This comedian's career got a big boost last year when he opened for his superstar friend Sebastian Maniscalco. Now, Pete Correale, who also hosts a podcast with Maniscalco, plays more intimate venues on his As I Was Saying tour. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre. 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

John Legend: An Evening of Songs and Stories at Akron Civic Theatre
The talented singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. Billed as his Evening of Songs and Stories, the concert will feature stripped-down renditions of hits such as “All of Me,” “Ordinary People" and “Tonight” along with stories from his life and career. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

The Lottery League Draft at Ingenuity Cleveland
Now in its seventh season, the Lottery League, an event that randomly pairs local musicians with one another to form brand-new bands, hosts the "draft" for this year's season. More than 170 musicians from across Northeast Ohio will participate in this year's event. Billed as “a full night of entertainment,” the draft takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Ingenuity Cleveland. 5401 Hamilton Ave., Cleveland, 216-589-9444, lottery-league.com

Microwave at the Agora
The indie rock group celebrates the tenth anniversary of its Much Love album with this show that takes place at 6 p.m. at the Agora. Doors open at 6 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Sunday, April 12

Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena
The Cavs get a break as the lowly Washington Wizards, one of the NBA's worst teams, come to Rocket Arena. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, so you can expect plenty of giveaways. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus Honor Choir at Mandel Concert Hall
Top choral students from Northeast Ohio will participate in this concert that takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Let's Sing Taylor at the Agora
This tribute to superstar Taylor Swift takes place at 3 p.m. at the Agora. The show features a live band led by a Swift look-alike. Tickets don't cost nearly as much (and aren't nearly as hard to get) as seeing the real thing. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Liz Miele at Hilarities
Comedian Liz Miele started performing when she was just 16. Her popularity has steadily grown since several of her videos on Youtube, Instagram and Tiktok have gone viral. In a bit she calls “Feminist Sex Positions,” she talks about how she came up with three different sex positions that don't totally humiliate women. She performs on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Hilarities. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Soul Asylum at Kent Stage
For 30-something years now, Soul Asylum, which originally started as a punk band, has delivered rock songs that draw from punk, blues and roots rock. Think of them as the Midwest’s answer to Social Distortion, the SoCal punk band from the same milieu. Still touring and recording after all these years, the group plays an acoustic show at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

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