Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Oct. 1-4

Thursday, Oct. 1 

Big Jay Oakerson at Hilarities
The co-host of numerous popular podcasts, Big Jay Oakerson has consistently toured and released new material over the course of a two decade-long career. His recent hour-long special, Dog Belly, finds him opening with some crowd work before launching into bits about "girl drunk" and how calling yourself an "adult" is a cliche. This weekend, he returns to Hilarities, where he performs at 7 p.m. He has shows scheduled through Saturday at the club. 2035 E. Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

The Billy Joel Legacy at the Ohio Theatre
The producers of The Simon and Garfunkel Story and The Life and Music of George Michael present this tribute to the Piano Man whose hits span decades. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre. 1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field
The Browns go up against their long-time rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers in this nationally televised matchup that takes place at 8:15 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com

Death Becomes Her at the State Theatre
This musical comedy based on the 1992 film about two women who drink a potion that gives them immortality comes to the State Theatre. It takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through Oct. 3. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Ole 60 at Jacobs Pavilion
The Kentucky-based band raised eyebrows with the infectious rock, blues and folk influenced songs on 2025's Smokestack Town. The opening title track sets the tone for the album with undulating guitars and sneering vocals that draw equally from Southern rock and grunge. The group performs at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Kolton Moore, the Clever Few and Garret Elias open. 2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com

Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter at the Agora
On tour to celebrate 50 years of punk, the latest incarnation of the Sex Pistols comes to the Agora. The group will perform its groundbreaking 1977 album, Never Mind the Bollocks, in its entirety. God save the Agora! Bad Nerves open. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

John Waite at Northfield Park Racino
Singer-songwriter John Waite first came to prominence as the vocalist and bassist of the English rock outfit the Babys, best known for pop-rock hits such as “Isn’t It Time?” and “Every Time I Think of You” in the late 1970s. That group disbanded in 1980 (after a final performance in Akron), but Waite kept going and scored a No. 1 U.S. hit with “Missing You.” The singer-songwriter comes to the Northfield Park Racino. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com

West Clinton Historic Haunts at Near West Theatre
Hosted by the West Clinton Block Club in cooperation with Near West Theatre, this annual event features a lantern-lit, guided walking tour filled with artistic storytelling about the residential areas surrounding Gordon Square Arts District. Starting at 6:30 p.m., tours depart from Parish Hall every 15 minutes. 6702 Detroit Ave., nearwestheatre.org

“Whose Live Anyway?” at Akron Civic Theatre
Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray serve as cast members in this comedy show. The performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

The Winter's Tale at the Hanna Theatre
A jealous king destroys his family in this Shakespeare play about a lost princess's attempts to save a kingdom. Great Lakes Theater presents the play at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre, where it runs through Oct. 11. 2067 E. 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Friday, Oct. 2 

California Dreams — Sounds of Laurel Canyon at Kent Stage
This program promises to present "an immersive trip" through California in the '60s and '70s when so many great acts (the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt Jackson Browne) emerged from the Laurel Canyon area outside of Los Angeles. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Mickey Mencin Artist Reception at Beck Center for the Arts
A self-taught, “old-school” printmaker, local artist Mickey Mencin creates bold prints and home goods in a modern Arts and Crafts style. A new solo exhibition at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood celebrates her career, and an artist reception takes place at 6 p.m. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

MIX: Noche de Ritmos at Cleveland Museum of Art
This special monthly party at the Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates Latin Heritage Month with a performance by local musician Son Gitano. It begins at 6 p.m. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Monsters vs. Grand Rapids Griffins at Rocket Arena
The Monsters kick off their 2026-2027 season with a game against the Grand Rapids Griffins at Rocket Arena. The two teams play again at 3 p.m. on Saturday. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Marcus D. Wiley at the Funny Bone
With a little help from comedic superstar Ali Siddiq, Marcus D. Wiley released a new comedy special, Marriage Is Major Surgery, last year on YouTube to much acclaim. A former preacher, the comedian performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and again at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday night at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

World Class Care at Beck Center for the Arts
Set in a not-so-distant future, where two powerful hospital systems have expanded to control nearly all of Cleveland, this play by local playwright Eric Coble examines what happens when "profit-driven healthcare loses sight of humanity," as it's put in a press release. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Beck Center for the Arts, where performances continue through Nov. 1. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Saturday, Oct. 3

ALDS Game 1 at Progressive Field
After playing stellar baseball in September, the Guardians received a bye for the first round of the playoffs. They’ll play the winner of the Houston Astros/Chicago White Sox wild card series today at Progressive Field. Game 2 will take place a Progressive Field on Monday. 2401 Ontario St., mlb.com/guardians

An Acoustic Evening with John Hiatt at Kent Stage
The singer-songwriter holds down a two-night stand at the Kent Stage and performs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Hiatt's career dates back to the 1970s, and his 1987 album, Bring the Family, generated moderate hits with the ballad "Have a Little Faith in Me' and the bluesy "Memphis in the Meantime.” 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.com

Celebrating Black Warriors in Family and Community Past and Present at East Cleveland Public Library
The program featuring W. Paul Coates in conversation with Black Child Journal publisher, interviewer and longtime East Cleveland resident Paul Hill Jr. commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. It begins at 1 p.m. at the East Cleveland Public Library. 14101 Euclid Ave., 216-541-4128, eastclevelandpubliclibrary.org 

Cleveland Pickle Fest
From sweet and spicy to dill, all shapes, sizes and flavors of pickled cucumbers are included in this free, family-friendly event. Restaurants from around Cleveland are set to offer up all kinds of pickle-themed dishes at this event that also includes live music. Gates open at 11 a.m. Mall C, off Lakeside Avenue, clevelandpicklefest.com

Fusión Latina: A Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration at Severance Music Center
Fusión Latina, a 12-piece group featuring Colombian performer Ale Almanza, will perform as part of this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that takes place at 8 p.m. at Severance Music Center. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Hessler Street Fair at Hessler Road
The annual event that had been on hiatus for the past six years returns with 40 vendors and live music. It takes place from noon to 7 p.m. on Hessler Road. Hessler Road and Hessler Ct., facebook.com/officialhesslerstreetfair

Hispanic Heritage Celebration
The local band Grupo Son Gitano and 2026 Artist in Residence, Carlo Michel, will perform at this event celebrating Hispanic heritage. DJ Fuse1 will man the wheels of steel and spin Latin tunes. It takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rock Hall. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com

In the Heartland at Goodyear Theater
Local rockers pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Michael Stanley, one of the most successful musical acts to ever come out of Northeast Ohio. Pet the Cougar opens the show. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. 1201 E. Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com

Bert Kreischer at Rocket Arena
Not many comedians have fought a grizzly bear. In his 2005 television movie Hurt Bert, Bert Kreischer not only comes face to face with a ferocious (yet ultimately harmless) bear but lives to tell you about it in his nationally successful comedy act. Kreischer makes his way to Cleveland this week for a standup show at 7 p.m. at Rocket Arena. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Stop Making Sense at the Ohio Theatre
Talking Head Jerry Harrison hosts this screening of the 1984 concert film featuring art-punks Talking Heads. Harrison will introduce the restored version of the film and answer questions following the screening. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre. 1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org 

Wish You Were Here: The Great Tour in the Sky at Akron Civic Theatre
The Pink Floyd tribute act puts on this special concert that benefits the Akron Children's Pediatric Palliative Care Center. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Sunday, Oct. 4 

Cortex at the Agora
Founded by pianist, composer and singer Alain Mion, this jazz /rock/funk group famously influenced numerous hip-hop acts and has been heavily sampled. The concert takes place at 6 p.m. Adrian Younge and J Rocc open. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Michael Franti Trio at House of Blues
The lanky singer and rapper brings his trio to House of Blues. Franti uses his inspirational concerts that draw from reggae, rock and hip-hop to spread positive vibrations, so you can expect this to be a rousing good time. 308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Les Délices: Bach's “Musical Offering” at Cleveland Museum of Art
The local string ensemble plays Bach's The Musical Offering at Cleveland Museum of Art. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

Robin Trower at Northfield Park Racino
The veteran guitarist performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino. Now 81, Trower played with Procol Harum in the late ’60s. He put a new solo album, Come and Find Me, last year. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com

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