Events

Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Jan. 22-25

See a concert, theatre show, sporting event and more this weekend in Northeast Ohio.

by Jeff Niesel | Jan. 21, 2026 | 5:00 AM

PHOTO COURTESY CLEVELAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA

PHOTO COURTESY CLEVELAND JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Thursday, Jan. 22 

American Dream Film Series at Western Reserve Historical Society
The 1937 film The Women shows at the Western Reserve Historical Society as part of this special series spotlighting costume design and storytelling. A private group tour of the related exhibit, American Dream: Immigrants and the Business of Fashion, follows the screening. The event begins at 6 p.m. 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-5722, wrhs.org

Dancing with the Stars: Live at Akron Civic Theatre
The touring edition of the popular TV show comes to Akron Civic Theatre. Thursday's performance begins at 7:30 p.m. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Jordan Jensen at Hilarities
The comedian who hosts the podcasts RIP Jordan Jensen and Bein' Ian with Jordan performs at 7 p.m. at Hilarities, where she has shows scheduled through Saturday. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Monsters vs. Chicago Wolves at Rocket Arena
The Monsters wrap up a two-game series against the Chicago Wolves with Thursday's game at Rocket Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Near West Theatre
Near West Theatre and Baldwin Wallace University’s Music Theatre Program have teamed up for this production of the Tony-winning musical. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Near West Theatre, where performances run through Sunday. Tickets cost $20. 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-961-6391, nearwesttheatre.org

Sound of the Land at Fidelity Hotel
This local music event at the Fidelity Hotel highlights local acts as a result of a partnership with Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present & Future. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, local singer-songwriter Brent Kirby teams up with guitarist Andy Leach in the hotel's Club Room. 1940 E. Sixth St., Cleveland, 440-568-3200, fidelityhotelcle.com

Stereophonic at Connor Palace
Will Butler of the hipster band Arcade Fire wrote the music for this musical about a band trying to make it big in the 1970s. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Jan. 25. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

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Friday, Jan. 23

American Idiot at the Akron Civic Theatre
Young Americans struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world in this musical that features the music of the punk band Green Day. The Millennial Theatre Project presents the play Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage, where performances continue through Sunday. 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings at Rocket Arena
The Cavs take on the Sacramento Kings, a team that’s in a rebuilding phase and has struggled to notch wins this season, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

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

Jötunn Winternights at the Foundry Concert Club
The local death metal band the Jötunn will take over the Foundry for this special show that will feature "pagan-inspired stage production." A special menu will feature a smoked turkey leg, and the group will celebrate the release of its new album, Summoner. Years of Fire, Sterilizing the Deceased, Lower 13 and Chalked will perform. It all begins at 7:30 p.m. 4256 Pearl Road, Cleveland, 440-637-5483, foundryconcertclub.com

Noire After Dark at Severance Music Center
DJ Knyce & DJ Corey Grand will provide the beats at this special cocktail event that takes place at 8 p.m. at Severance Music Center. Patrons should come in all-black evening cocktail attire and "dress to impress." 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

The Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble Featuring Jennifer Koh at Cleveland Museum of Art
The Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble, violinist Jennifer Koh, soprano Alexandra Armantrading, tenor Rodrick Dixon and baritone Timothy LeFebvre team up for this concert that'll feature compositions by Olly Wilson, Jesse Jones and Courtney Bryan. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Cleveland Museum of Art. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Aida Rodriguez at the Funny Bone
This comedian and actress has survived two kidnappings as well as sexual abuse. Rodriguez, who performs at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Saturday night at Cleveland Funny Bone, regularly talks about her back story in her standup routines. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Saturday, Jan. 24

Blizzard Bash
John Carroll University student DJs will perform at this special benefit concert for the Hunger Network of Cleveland. Local acts Lilieae, High Tolerance and Newport Motel will also perform. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Broadway's Leading Men at the Cirigliano Studio Theatre
This event will feature iconic show tunes that Broadway's leading men made popular. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Cirigliano Studio Theatre located at Lorain Community College's Stocker Arts Center. 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, 440-366-4040, lorainccc.edu

Electric Feels at House of Blues
This "experiential party" from Los Angeles features DJs who spin popular indie rock tunes in a festive environment that features stage production and special guests. Organizers bill it as "a party with a festival feel." Saturday's performance takes place at 9 p.m. at House of Blues. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Heights High Plays the Grog Shop at the Grog Shop
Heights High students and alumni will play jazz, chamber music and rock at this specific benefit concert that'll raise money for uniforms, scholarships and touring for the high school students. A taco bar is included with admission. The show begins at 1 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band at Kent Stage
Local reggae icon Carlos Jones brings a summertime vibe to Kent Stage for this show, dubbed Kent Kabin Fever Celebration. Ms. BBC & Di Queendom open the night, and the music begins at 7:30 p.m. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

The Return of the Deep Cleveland Poets at Visible Voice Books
Local poets Mark Kuhar, Miles Budimir, dan smith, J.E. Stanley and Josh Gage will read from their work at this event that takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Visible Voice Books. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. 4601 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com

Dusty Slay at the Agora Theatre
Comedian Dusty Slay likes to say that he "leaves the serious topics like race, religion and politics" to someone who, unlike him, hasn't drank gas out of a water hose. As a result, his jokes tend be about his lower-class upbringing. Slay performs on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

"Stardust": The Songs of Hoagy Carmichael at the Maltz Performing Arts Center
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra collaborates with the Musical Theater Project to celebrate the music of Hoagy Carmichael, a jazz icon who wrote songs such as "Georgia on My Mind" and "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening." Vocalists Erin Keckan, Michael Shirtz and Evelyn Wright will be on hand for the performance. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, 216-368-6062, case.edu/maltzcenter

Sunday, Jan. 25

The Harlem Globetrotters' 100 Year Tour at the Covelli Centre
The basketball team known for its sensational style of play and for integrating pro sports before it was cool to integrate pro sports brings its 100th anniversary tour to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. 229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.com

Northeastern Ohio Band Invitational XXII at Mandel Concert Hall
Four high school performing ensembles from the area will perform along with the Cincinnati Wind Band and the Cleveland Youth Symphony Group 1. The event begins at 2 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Stingray Art Morning at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
A Greater Cleveland Aquarium aquarist will be on hand at the aquarium this morning to talk about stingrays and animal enrichment, and patrons will leave with an original piece of art “painted” by a stingray. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com

The Triumphant Return of Albert Lee at the Kent Stage
The influential British guitarist brings his band to Northeast Ohio. In the 1960s, Lee left school to play guitar full-time and formed the Thunderbirds, a successful British R&B and rock band in the 1960s. Upon leaving that band, he performed with the Everly Brothers for a good 20 years and has toured with the likes of guitarist Vince Gill and Bill Wyman. Sunday's show begins at 7 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

The University of Akron Steel Drum Band at Akron Civic Theatre
The University of Akron Steel Drum Band was formed in 1980, an era when only a handful of colleges had such ensembles. The group features both undergraduate and graduate students. For Sunday's performance at the Akron Civic Theatre, the group will play Caribbean music designed to help you "leave the winter blues behind." The show starts at 2:30 p.m. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

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Jeff Niesel

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

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