Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Dec. 11-14

Thursday, Dec. 11

A Christmas Carol at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
This Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival production never fails to engage and delight. Framed as a story within a story in this Gerald Freedman adaptation, the production really comes alive once the ghost of Jacob Marley appears, dragging his chains and creaking eerily with every movement. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, where performances continue through Dec. 21. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

A Christmas Story at the Allen Theatre
Cleveland Play House’s production of this story about a Cleveland kid who just wants a BB gun for Christmas returns to the Allen Theatre, where it continues through Dec. 21. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the State Theatre
The musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss story about a curmudgeon who tries to steal Christmas away from an unsuspecting village comes to the State Theatre. Thursday's performance takes place at 7 p.m., and performances continue through Sunday. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.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.; it costs $10 to draw. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com

A Motown Christmas at the Hanna Theatre
This holiday event features classic tunes by the likes of the Temptations, the Supremes and the Jackson 5. Thursday's performance takes place at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday. 2067 East 14th St., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

The SpongeBob Musical at Beck Center for the Arts
The musical that features tunes by the likes of They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith arrives at Beck Center for the Arts. Thursday's show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Jan. 4. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Voctave 'It Feels Like Christmas' at Mandel Concert Hall
Voctave’s 11-member vocal ensemble will perform holiday songs made famous by the likes of Disney and Broadway. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Friday, Dec. 12

Gerald Albright with Special Guest Joe McBride at the Goodyear Theater
The Grammy-nominated saxophonist swings into the Goodyear Theater in Akron with special guest Joe McBride. Albright's latest album, last year's G-Stream 3, finds him playing multiple instruments. Expect to hear tracks from it at Friday night's gig. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. 1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com

Chamber Music in the Atrium: A Musical Prelude for the Holidays at Cleveland Museum of Art
MUSiC—Stars in the Classics presents a selection of vocal works, piano duets, and other "musical delights" celebrating the season at this concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by Ohio Contemporary Ballet will be part of the program too. It begins at 6 p.m. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org 

The Cleveland Arts Prize Presents: The CAP Show at Bostwick Design Art Initiative
The Cleveland Arts Prize presents this exhibit of select Cleveland Arts Prize winners from the past six decades. The exhibit includes painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass and mixed media. An opening reception takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative Gallery. 2729 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, clevelandartsprize.org

Holiday Brass Quintet at Mandel Concert Hall
As part of the Music Explorers program intended for children ages 3 to 6, Cleveland Orchestra musicians will perform short sections celebrating the holidays with this program. Performances take place at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Presented by BOOM Theater at the Knight Stage at Akron Civic Theatre
In addition to its famous title track, this musical features “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and "How Deep Is the Ocean.” It arrives at the Knight Stage Akron Civic Theatre just in time for the holiday season. Performances take place at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Ohio City Singers at the Winchester
The local group that plays original holiday music plays the Winchester in Lakewood for the very first time. Led by singer-songwriter Chris Allen, the ensemble just released two new holiday singles, "Santa, Won't You See Me Tonight" and "Christmas Card from Heaven." The live shows are always engaging affairs that feature the more uptempo tunes in the band's repertoire. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern

Santa's Circus at Akron Civic Theatre
Acrobatics will blend theater, dance and gymnastics at this special circus-themed holiday show that takes place at 7 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Guy Torry at the Funny Bone
Comedian Guy Torry likes to joke that he used to get kicked out of class for telling the kind of jokes that he now gets paid to tell on TV. His material ranges from talking about the "stand-in-line-rage" he experiences when he goes to the bank, to the generational differences he sees in the world of sports. All the while, he delivers his narrative-based jokes with frenetic energy. He performs on Friday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Saturday, Dec. 13

The Baldassarre Orchestra's Holiday All-Star Show at the Treelawn
Local guitar hero Carl Baldassarre brings his rock orchestra to the Treelawn for this special show that will also feature the Singing Angels. It begins at 7:30 p.m. 15335 Waterloo Road, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com

ChristkindlMarket at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
Mahall's brings its ChristkindlMarket back to the club for the second year. This year's event featuring local craft vendors has expanded to two days. It takes place tomorrow too. Doors open at 11 a.m. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com

Cleveland Charge vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce at Public Hall
The Charge return to Public Hall on Saturday at 7 p.m. for First Responders Night. The first 1,500 fans will receive an exclusive Charge Hooded Jersey. 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, cleveland.gleague.nba.com/schedule/promotions

Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena
College basketball comes to Rocket Arena on Saturday as Ohio State takes on West Virginia and the University of Ohio plays St. Bonaventure. For start times, which are subject to change for national TV, check the arena website. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

The Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts at Mandel Concert Hall
At this time each year, the Cleveland Orchestra plays a series of shows at Mandel Concert Hall that are designed to celebrate the holiday season. The orchestra performs at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

ETC — School of Musical Arts: Holiday Choir Concert at the Akron Civic Theatre
ETC Heid's School of Musical Arts presents this holiday choir concert at the Akron Civic Theatre. The event begins at 7 p.m. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Eric Gales at the Kent Stage
The blues guitarist has released 18 albums during the course of a 30-year career. Gales evokes Jimi Hendrix's unhinged style of playing on his 2022 album, Crown. It documents his struggles with substance abuse and serves as the most personal release in his catalog. He performs at 7:30 pm. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Holiday Art Market at the Van Aken District Market Hall
Vendors will sell glass, ceramics, jewelry and other crafts at this pop-up holiday market that takes place from noon to 9 p.m. at the Van Aken District Market Hall. The event will also feature live metal demos and a kids craft station. 3401 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights, 216-491-8800, shakerartscounctil.org

The Jingle Bell Holiday Shop at the Grog Shop
More than 40 vendors will be on hand for this holiday show that takes place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. There will be music, drinks and shopping, and both the Grog Shop and the B-Side Lounge located in the Grog basement will be open. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

Rubber City Rock Revival: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band with Peter Rivera at the Goodyear Theater
This concert that aims to replace the now-dormant Moondog Coronation Ball revivals features veteran rockers John Cafferty and Peter Rivera. The former Rare Earth singer, Rivera now releases music under his own name. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. 1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com

Songwriters in the Round at the Treelawn
Locals Dan Holt, Dan McCoy, and Michael Sean McDonald perform at this special songwriter showcase that takes place at 7 p.m. at the Treelawn Social Club. 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com

Three Dog Night at MGM Northfield Park
Still led by founding member Danny Hutton, the classic rock group performs at 8 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage. In the 1970s, the group delivered hits such as “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Joy to the World,” “Black and White" and “Shambala” and “One.” 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com

Sunday, Dec. 14

Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Arena
On Sunday at 7 p.m. at Rocket Arena, the Cavs face a Charlotte Hornets team that is in the process of rebuilding after trading away its high-priced players last season. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

The Gilmour Project at the Agora
A “descendant” of Blue Floyd, the early 2000s group made up of Allen Woody, Matt Abts, Marc Ford, Berry Oakley Jr. and Johnny Neel, and a tribute to Pink Floyd singer-guitarist David Gilmour, the Gilmour Project takes Pink Floyd tunes and puts a twist on them. The group performs at 6:30 p.m. at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

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