Let’s Talk About Love Baby
We can always use a little more love in our lives, so start at Zimbabwean-born artist Chido Johnson’s love library collection. With an opening Jan. 13 at Zygote Press, this exhibit showcases the handiwork of love librarians or local artists have been selected to alter books that tailor to the topics of love, life and humanity inspired by Harlequin romance novels. Concerned about society’s tendency to homogenize individuals, this exhibit is driven by Johnson’s desire to re-establish our awareness to create and accept love. This show is a chapter in a movement that will travel to another city after Zygote to continue spreading the gospel of love. Free, Jan. 13- Feb. 25, 6-8 p. m., 1410 E. 30th St., Cleveland, zygotepress.com
Michael Stanley Superstar
Who is the Cuyahoga messiah? Michael Stanley, of course! Well, at least according to comedy sketch group Last Call Cleveland featuring Mike Polk Jr. This completely unauthorized biography of the king of heartland rock has plenty of CLE Easter eggs like Dick Goddard parodies and tongue-in-cheek versions of Stanley songs. $18, Jan. 13, 14, 20, 21, 8:30 p.m., Playhouse Square, Outcalt Theatre, playhousesquare.org
An Evening With (Out) David Bowie
A year has passed and the sting is still here. This two-part tribute explores the complexity of David Bowie’s musical career and his lifelong themes of alienation, space, death and androgyny. Take in rare video clips, needle drops, obscure cuts and recently surfaced details about the pop icon. Local glam-punk group Vanity Crash performs classics and some of their originals. $15, Part One Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m., $15 Part Two Jan. 13, 9:30 pm., $25 Parts One and Two; Bop Stop, 1125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, themusicsettlement.org
Cleveland Orchestra
Honor Martin Luther King Jr. at Cleveland Orchestra’s annual concert led by Thomas Wilkins. The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus, a local volunteer chorus with members from the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, Blossom Festival Chorus and other local church groups, joins the orchestra for this concert of gospel, jazz and spirituals. Mayor Frank Jackson presents the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2017 Community Service Awards. If you’re lucky enough to have a day off with the kiddos on Martin Luther King Day, head back to Severance Hall for free instrumental, vocal and dance performances noon-5 p.m. Sold-out, Live broadcast on 90.3 WCPN or WCLV 104.9, Jan. 15, 7 p.m., Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com
“BodyFeelGood” Release Party
If you’re already craving some fresh music in the new year, swing over to Marcus Alan Ward’s release party at the Grog Shop. Formerly known as Freeze-Tag, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist has been stepping into his own identity by releasing a series of singles that melds genres from electronic to R&B to alternative. On “BodyFeelGood,” Ward croons with the swagger of old funk songs, layers in psychedelic guitars and loops in futuristic tones for a reinvigorating track that gets the hips swervin.’ He’s joined by buzzy local soul rockers Thaddeus Anna Greene and local blues rock band Samfox. $8 advance, $12 at the door. Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland, marcusalanward.com