Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Sept. 17-20

Thursday, Sept. 17 

Rush: Fifty Something at Rocket Arena
The Canadian progressive rock trio brings its anticipated reunion tour to Rocket Arena. Expect to hear hits such as "The Spirit of the Radio" and "Limelight" alongside deep cuts from 2112. The group performs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday night. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

The Addams Family Musical Comedy at Cain Park
In this comical farce based on the TV show of the same name, Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a man from a respectable family. Thursday's show at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances run through Sept. 20. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com

Bikini Kill at the Agora
A feminist punk band that put the Riot Grrrl movement on the map in the ’90s, Bikini Kill reformed a few years ago to tour in support of the reissue of two major albums, Pussy Whipped and Reject All American. The group performs at 7 p.m. at the Agora. Ganser opens. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Ashley Cooke at Globe Iron
The singer-songwriter has already had two successful singles come out of her self-titled sophomore album. The tunes “famous to frances” and “johnny ’n june" reveal her pop sensibilities. Expect to hear them when Cooke performs at 8 p.m. on Thursday night at Globe Iron. 2325 Elm St., Cleveland, globeironcle.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. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through Oct. 3. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Margaret Glaspy at Beachland Ballroom
Singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy first started writing songs at age 15 and hasn't let up. Her new album takes inspiration from disparate influences such as Sonic Youth, Vivienne Westwood, Tom Waits and the 1985 Japanese Western film Tampopo. The singer-songwriter performs on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Leanne Morgan at Connor Palace
The Southern comedian known for her jokes about motherhood and "life's unexpected curveballs and beautiful blessings," as she puts in her memoir, comes to Connor Palace for a two-night stand. She performs at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday night. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Strauss & Shostakovich at Mandel Concert Hall
Music Director Franz Welser-Möst begins his final season with the Cleveland Orchestra with Thursday's concert at Mandel Concert Hall. It begins at 7:30 p.m. South African soprano Golda Schultz guests. The concert repeats at 3 p.m. on Sunday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Friday, Sept. 18

Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul at Kent Stage
A documentary film exploring the life and work of the late, great Gregg Allman, co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, screens on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards 2026 at Maltz Performing Arts Center
The annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards ceremony returns to the Maltz Performing Arts Center for a fifth consecutive year. The event will honor the 2026 winners for poetry, nonfiction, memoir and fiction. Nell Irvin Painter will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, 216-368-6062, case.edu

Crocker Park Wine Festival at Crocker Park
This annual two-day event at Crocker Park will feature samples of more than 150 wine varieties as well as beer, food and music. Proceeds benefit University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Friday's hours are 4 to 10 p.m. The event runs from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com

Guardians vs. Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field
The Oakland Athletics have proven to be a competitive team this season and are in the mix for the division title out in the Al West. They come to Progressive Field on Friday for a three-game series. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216-420-4487, mlb.com

Leonid & Friends at Northfield Park Racino
Originally formed as a studio project in Russia, Leonid & Friends became an international sensation when renditions of Chicago’s songs went viral. What began as a passion project by founder Leonid Vorobyev, a classically trained musician and producer, has since evolved a touring act that regularly visits Northeast Ohio. The group performs on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com

Ziggy Marley: Brightside Tour 2026 at Goodyear Theater
Son of the late reggae superstar Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley has established himself as a reggae artist of some stature. His career as a singer, songwriter and producer now stretches back nearly 40 years. His new album, Brightside, features a solid collection of new tunes, including the spirited, horn-driven songs "JAH We Give Glory" and the bluesy "Hey People Now." Marley performs on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. 1201 E. Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com

The Progressive North Coast Harbor Boat Show at North Coast Harbor
This event celebrates boating in Northeast Ohio with special access to about 40 boats that'll be docked at North Coast Harbor for the event. Friday's hours are noon to 6 p.m., and the event runs through Sunday. Corner of Erieside Ave. and East Ninth St., Cleveland, northcoastharborboatshow.com

Third Friday at 78th Street Studios
From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free. 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland, 78thstreetstudios.com

Joe Torry at the Funny Bone
The host of Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam, Joe Torry has also had small roles on TV shows such as ER and NYPD Blue. The quick-witted Torry often likes to make fun of the people in the audience, ridiculing their hairstyles and fashion choices. While his comments can be harsh, he has an uncanny ability to improvise. He performs on Friday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Phil Wickham at Wolstein Center
The Christian singer-songwriter out of San Diego comes to the Wolstein Center. He's steadily toured and recorded since released Give You My World way back in 2003. The concert begins at 7 p.m. 2000 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, 216-687-9292, wolsteincenter.com

Winter Houseplant Care Happy Hour at Mishi Lifestyle
Mishi Lifestyle in Lakewood hosts this event that will cover the ins and outs of lighting, watering, and maintenance to keep your plants thriving during the winter. It starts at 5 p.m. 15602 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-304-3832, mishilifestyle.com

Saturday, Sept. 19

Killswitch Engage
According to press materials, Killswitch Engage "pioneered a union of thrashed-out European guitar pyrotechnics" and combined that with "East Coast hardcore spirit, onstage hijinks and enlightened lyricism that set the pace for what the turn-of-the-century deemed." The hard rock group performs at 5:30 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Machine Head, Rivers of Nihil and Judiciary open. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com 

Ray LaMontagne: Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour at Akron Civic
The singer-songwriter celebrates the 20th anniversary of his most popular album, Trouble, with Saturday's show at the Akron Civic Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com

Music in the Garden at Ben Franklin Community Garden
These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free. This weekend, cellist and singer-songwriter Eri Snowden-Rodriguez performs with bassoonist Arleigh Savage. The show starts at 6 p.m. 1905 Spring Road, Cleveland, 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org

The Night Before at the Sculpture Center
This one-night art party serves as a fundraiser for the Sculpture Center, the contemporary art space dedicated to artistic experimentation. During the event, patrons can access TSC’s courtyard, galleries and rarely seen David E. Davis art collection. The party gets started at 6 p.m., but a VIP ticket grants you early admission. 1834 East 123rd St., Cleveland, 216-229-6527, sculpturecenter.org

Pandemonium 2026 at Cleveland Public Theatre
Cleveland Public Theatre's annual fundraiser returns with the theme of "under construction." Expect theater, dance and visual art at this self-proclaimed "feature for the eyes, mind, appetite and imagination." 6415 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 216-631-2727, cptonline.org

Punch Brothers at Cain Park
The bluegrass group with a 20year career performs at 7:30 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Mandolin player Chris Thile is a virtuoso who's also ventured outside of the group with acts such as Mutual Admiration Society and Nickel Creek. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com

Wax & Tracks Fest at Vinyl Groove Records
Independent record stores and local vendors will be on hand for this event that'll also feature two stages of live music. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Vinyl Groove Records. The store will stock a limited 600-copy Midwest vinyl variant of the Funkadelic album Maggot Brain for the event, and local Mikey Silas will play the title track at noon. 5100 Pearl Road, Suite 208, Cleveland, 440-439-8371, thevinylgrooverecords.com

Sunday, Sept. 20

15th Annual Run Through History
At this run and walk that takes place at Lake View Cemetery, runners and walkers will make their way through Lake View Cemetery and pass historic monuments. It all begins at 8:50 a.m. Check the website for more info. 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com

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