Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: July 30-Aug. 2

Thursday, July 30

Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
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 festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will include an Asian craft market and Asian food vendors. The event takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on select evenings. Check the Zoo website for ticket prices. It continues through Aug. 23. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com

Evanescence at Blossom Music Center
While this rock band is best known for its 2003 record Fallen, new singles such as the Garbage-like "Fight Like a Girl" show that it remains relevant. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at Blossom. Spiritbox and Nova Twins open, and the group has reportedly partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will support organizations providing humanitarian aid and medical relief to people around the world. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com

An Evening of Poetry with Donald King at Loganberry Books
Raised in foster care, poet Donald King spent much of his youth navigating hardship. But he channeled that struggle into his poetry after his wife encouraged him to begin writing. He reads from his work at 7 p.m. at Loganberry Books in Shaker Heights. Admission is free, but a $10 donation to the Shaker Heights Arts Council's community arts program is suggested. 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights., 216-795-9800, loganberrybooks.com

Hallmark Stars Live: Christmas in July at Northfield Park Racino
Model, singer and actress Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas) hosts this special event featuring Hallmark movie stars who'll talk about what it's like to be on the movie set of some of the channel's best-known films. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkacino.com

Kaleidoscope at the Maltz Museum
The Maltz Museum hosts this summer party featuring local rockers Apostle Jones and DJ Teddy Eisenberg. Ladybug A/V Club will provide the visuals, and admission to the event includes access to the exhibit Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience. The event begins at 6 p.m., and tickets cost $20 or $10 for museum members. 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org

Lake County Fair at the Lake County Fairgrounds
Livestock plays a key role at the annual Lake County Fairgrounds, which takes place on the county fairgrounds in Painesville. The 4-H Club’s annual livestock auction is a key attraction, and there will be daily milkings. Of course, there’s lots of other stuff too, including truck pulls, live music and fair food. 1301 Mentor Ave., Painesville, 440-354-3339, lakecountyfair.org 

The Lion King at the State Theatre
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story "filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals." The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Mean Girls at Beck Center for the Arts
The musical adapted from the film by the same name comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It centers on a teenager who must navigate "frenemies" at her suburban high school. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the play runs through Aug. 9. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony at Mandel Concert Hall
Brian Wendel, a trombonist known for his score for The Godfather, joins the Cleveland Orchestra on Thursday at Mandel Concert Hall as it takes on Saint-Saëns’s “Organ” Symphony. The concert begins at 7 p.m. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Summit County Fair at the Summit County Fairgrounds
This county fair that dates back to 1850 offers truck and tractor pulls as well as livestock competitions and that glorious delicacy known as fair food. The event runs through Sunday at the Summit County Fairgrounds. 229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge, 330-633-6200, summitfair.com

Friday, July 31

Amber Autry at Hilarities
The comedian who hosts the I’m Fine, It’s Fine podcast about mental health issues performs at 7 and 9:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night at Hilarities. According to the club's website, the shows are sold out. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Reginald "Bruh Man" Ballard at the Funny Bone
Famous for playing the "Bruh Man" character on the sitcom Martin, this standup comedian comes to the Funny Bone on Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday night at 6:30 and 9 p.m. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Cherry Release Party at Beachland Ballroom
The local rock group celebrates the release of its new EP with this show at the Beachland Ballroom. No Bullets Til They're Beautiful, MK Ultra and Moravian open. The show begins at 8 p.m. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Guardians vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field
The Guardians go up against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first-and-only time this regular season. The National League team got off to a rough start but has recovered and is in the NL wildcard chase. Friday's first pitch is at 7:10 p.m., and fireworks follow the game. 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216-420-4487, mlb.com

Jukebox Breakdown aka Emo Night CLE at Mahall’s
Over the years, emo, the style of music characterized by noisy guitars and emotional and 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 more recent years, as bands such as Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein and the Used play some version of emo. Expect to hear music from different time periods at Friday's Jukedown Breakdown that takes place at 10 p.m. at Mahall's. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com

Pour on the Shore
Formerly known as the Avon Lake Beer Fest, this event will feature live music, local food, artisan booths and family activities. The event takes place on Friday and Saturday at Miller Road Park in Avon Lake. There will be a fireworks display on Saturday. Miller Road Park, Avon Lake, pouronshore.com

 Sister Act Presented by Akron Civic Theatre's Millennial Theatre Project at Akron Civic
The Millennial Theatre Project puts on this performance of the musical based on the movie about a woman who transforms a choir at a convent. Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Saturday, Aug. 1

Ashnikko at the Agora
The singer and rapper brings their latest tour to the Agora. Doors open at 7 p.m. Last year, Ashnikko released Smoochies, a studio record that yielded five singles. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Dazz Band: 50th Anniversary Celebration
The funk band from the '70s brings its 50th anniversary tour to the Northfield Park Racino. The show starts at 8 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com

Lakewood Arts Fest in Downtown Lakewood
More than 170 regional and national artists will be on hand for this annual event that takes place in downtown Lakewood. The juried festival will feature paintings, prints, photography, glass, ceramics and jewelry. Local musical acts Opus 216, Tam Tam Magic Senegalese Drums and Cats on Holiday will perform. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Detroit Avenue between Belle and Elmwood Avenues, Lakewood, lakewoodartsfest.org

Music in the Garden at Ben Franklin Community Park
These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. John Orsini Jazz Quintet performs on Saturday. The show begins at 6 p.m. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free. 1905 Spring Road, Cleveland, 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org

No Surf Festival at Halloran Park
Labra Brothers, Black Voltron, Nikki D & the Sisters of Thunder, Ray Flanagan and Da Land Brass Band will perform at this local music festival that takes place at Halloran Park. There will be food trucks, local vendors and activities for kids. It starts at 3 p.m. 3550 W. 117th St., Cleveland, nosurfhouse.org

Over the Rhine at Kent Stage
The folk-rock act from Cincinnati featuring husband and wife Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage. Members of the Newbees, a self-described vintage rock band, will join OTR for this special show. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Cedar Lee Theatre
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 film that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw rice and dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie, still draws big crowds to local showings. Expect a throng to show up for Saturday's screening that takes place at 10 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets cost $12. 2163 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com

Schumann’s Second Symphony at Blossom Music Center
Conductor Kazuki Yamada leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Schumann's Second Symphony, a piece written during a personal crisis. The Blossom Festival Chorus guests. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com

Tomahawk at House of Blues
After a decade-long hiatus from performing live, the experimental rock band featuring singer Mike Patton is back on the road. The group initially formed back in the early 2000s and has steadily released albums since putting out its self-titled debut in 2001. The show starts at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Sunday, Aug. 2

“Crucible of Honor”: Indian Dance Theatre with Live Orchestra at Cleveland Museum of Art
This dance theater production with live music coincides with the Cleveland Museum of Art exhibit Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the “‘Shangri’ Ramayana.” It takes place at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Men at Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife at Cain Park
Three very different musical acts affiliated with the '80s and '90s bring their summer tour to Cain Park. Men at Work delivered a number of quirky pop hits in the '80s while Toad the Wet Sprocket take more of an indie and alt-rock approach and broke through to the mainstream, thanks to college radio. The concert begins at 7 p.m. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com

Orion Levine at Hilarities
The bio for this comedian boasts that he's "incredibly handsome." Find out for yourself when he performs at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Hilarities. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Reggae Sundays at Music Box Supper Club
This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor and 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., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com 

Wax + DJ Hoppa at House of Blues Cambridge Room
Two years ago, Wax, a rapper, singer and songwriter with a career that stretches back two decades, teamed up with DJ Hoppa for a tour. The two then collaborated on an album, Highway Hotel. They bring their trek in support of the release to House of Blues Cambridge Room. The show starts at 7 p.m. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

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