Thursday Dec 12
Black Nativity at the Hanna Theatre
Way back in 1961, Russell and Rowena Jelliffe, founders of Karamu House, commissioned Langston Hughes to write Black Nativity. The retelling of the Nativity Story performed using gospel music became a hit. It returns to the Hanna Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Dec. 15. 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
A Christmas Carol at Mimi Ohio Theatre
Great Lakes Theatre revives its rendition of the Charles Dickens classic about an ornery miser named Scrooge. Today's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, and the play runs through Dec. 22. 1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
A Christmas Story at the Allen Theatre
The Cleveland Play House’s production of A Christmas Story rides a two-hour wave of intricate details to unerringly establish the period and to help even the youngest patrons make the leap back to a time before televisions were omnipresent and cowboy hero Red Ryder was king of the wireless. Today's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Allen Theatre. Performances continue through Dec. 22. 1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts at Mandel Concert Hall
Sarah Hicks conducts the Cleveland Orchestra for this special holiday concert. Singer Jimmie Herrod, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Blossom Festival Chorus will perform as well. Tonight's concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue through Dec. 22. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto at Covelli Centre
Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Disney on Ice kicks off a four-day stand at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. The skaters will re-enact scenes from Frozen and Encanto. Performances continue through Sunday. 229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.com
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School at Jilly’s Music Room
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly's Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to "draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality." The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com
Monsters vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
At 7 p.m. tonight and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Monsters take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Saturday's game will feature a special Fossil Faceoff. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Angela Perley at Beachland Tavern
This singer-songwriter, who grew up in Hilliard, started writing songs when she was still in high school and initially put together an all-girl pop-punk band. Then, while attending college at Ohio University in Athens, she began to develop an alt-country bent. She brings her special holiday-themed show to the Beachland Tavern. Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts share the bill. The music begins at 8 p.m. 15711 Waterloo Road, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Tease the Season Deux: Burlesque Holiday Spectacular at Cleveland Public Theatre
This special holiday show hosted by Cleveland Burlesque returns to Cleveland Public Theatre. The program includes burlesque, drag, and variety performers, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday. 6415 Detroit Ave., 216-631-2727, cptonline.org
Trampled by Turtles at the Agora Theatre
The bluegrass band that formed in Duluth, MN way back in 2003 performs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Agora. Wilco's Jeff Tweedy produced the group's 2022 album, Alpenglow, a great distillation of the band's twangy sound. One dollar per ticket will be donated to Backline, a non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resource. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Cirque du Soleil at the State Theatre
Expect acrobats and dancers as Cirque du Soleil takes on the traditional Christmas story for this special performance that takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre. Performances continue through Dec. 15. 1519 Euclid Avenue, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Friday Dec. 13
Baldassarre Rock Orchestra at the Agora Theatre
Talented guitar hero Carl Baldassarre, who once fronted the popular Cleveland rock act Abraxas and can play just about anything in Led Zeppelin's catalogue, brings his Baldassarre Rock Orchestra to the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Christmas Around the World at Crushers Stadium
This special event that takes place from today through Jan. 4 will feature a tubing hill, a miniature golf course, entertainment, a 52-foot Christmas tree, and a special Glockenspiel adapted for the holiday season. Today's hours are 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Check the website for additional hours and more information. 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, 440-934-3636, christmasatw.com/
Greg Fitzsimmons at Hilarities
A frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, Greg Fitzsimmons likes to ridicule romance and other aspects of everyday life. The veteran comic performs tonight at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. and tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
GlamGore: Hairy, Scary & Feral at the Grog Shop
Cleveland’s “Vixen of Versatility,” Anhedonia Delight, hosts this alternative and themed drag show series. Tonight's performance takes place at 8:30 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures — Regina Brett Book Reading
A former Plain Dealer columnist, Cleveland native Regina Brett shares short, personal essays in her new book, Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures. She reads from it tonight at 6 p.m. at Visible Voice Books. 2258 Professor Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com
Music in the Galleries: Jacob Trombetta at Cleveland Museum of Art
Jacob Trombetta, a pedal steel guitarist who utilizes electronics in his playing, performs tonight at 6 p.m. at Cleveland Museum of Art. Trombetta has collaborated with the likes of Mark Mothersbaugh and Patrick Carney, both of whom have deep roots in Northeast Ohio. Admission is free. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org
The Nutcracker at Connor Palace
Today at 7 p.m. at Connor Palace, Cleveland Ballet presents its rendition of the classic ballet that features music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Performances continue through Dec. 22. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Pickle in the Land at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
More than 530 athletes have registered for this event that kicks off today at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Spectators can enjoy vendor village that includes sampling, giveaways, interactive activities, a live broadcast from Rock Entertainment Sports Network, food and beverage options, and pickleball matches all day long. Admission is free. 500 Lakeside Ave., 216-928-1600
Tip "T.I." Harris featuring the HaHa Mafia at Cleveland Funny Bone
Comedian Tip "T.I." Harris and several of his comedian friends perform tonight at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9 p.m. at the Cleveland Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Saturday Dec. 14
Cleveland Better Streets Film Festival at the Capitol Theatre
Bike Cleveland presents this film festival dubbed Better Streets at the Capitol Theatre. The two-hour fest with nine short films on sustainable cities starts at 4 p.m. 1390 West 65th St., 216-651-7295, events.humanitix.com/better-streets-film-festival
Jingle Bell Holiday Shop at the Grog Shop
Local vendors will be on hand for this event that takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both the Grog Shop and the B-Side Lounge in Cleveland Heights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
The Ohio City Singers Holiday Party at the Rock Hall
The locally based 9-piece band returns to the Rock Hall for its annual holiday party. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20, but admission is free for Rock Hall members. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greets at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Scuba Claus Meet & Greets continue today at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The event includes full aquarium access, a winter-themed activity sheet, a candy cane and a commemorative digital photo. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. today and tomorrow. 2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Ali Siddiq at the Agora Theatre
Famous for his bit about a prison riot during which "Mexicans got on boots," the veteran comedian who's appeared on several popular podcasts and TV shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, 85 South, Kill Tony, Good Morning America, Uncle Joey's Joint with Joey Diaz, Ari Shaffir's Skeptic Tank, Bertcast and Pour Minds brings his I Got a Story to Tell tour to the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Sunday Dec. 15
Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field
The Browns will undoubtedly have a hard time matching up against their best opponent of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs won last year's Super Bowl and don't appear to have lost a step this year. They play the Browns today at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com
Kash Doll at the Agora Theatre
The actress and rapper who proclaims to be the "reigning queen of Detroit hip-hop," has just released the single "Kash Kommandments," a simmering anthem that finds her defiantly rattling off a list of street-wise rules to live by, performs tonight at 7 p.m. at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
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