Thursday Oct. 10
Matthew Sweet at Music Box Supper Club
Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, who’s performing his first live shows in nearly four years, is back on the road as an acoustic trio that features his longtime bassist Paul Chastain and guitarist Adrian Carter (Amy Ray Band). Expect fresh arrangements of Sweet’s classic hits as well as rarely heard deep-cuts. He performs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Music Box Supper Club. 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
A Beautiful Noise at Connor Palace
This musical charts how Neil Diamond, a guy who identifies as a "kid from Brooklyn," became an international superstar thanks to hit songs such as "Sweet Caroline" and "America." Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Connor Palace, where performances continue through Oct. 27. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Cavs vs. Indiana Pacers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
The Cavs square up against a very good Indiana Paces team tonight at 7 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The preseason game should provide a good look at what will be a season-long rivalry between the two evenly matched teams. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
The Jerry Douglas Band at Kent Stage
A veteran bluegrass and folk musician, dobro master Jerry Douglas comes to the Kent Stage tonight at 6:30 p.m. In addition to leading his own band, Douglas is a member of Alison Kraus & Union Station, a co-bandleader for Transatlantic Sessions and founder for the Grammy winner bluegrass super-group the Earls of Leicester. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
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., second Thursday of every month. It costs $10 to draw. 111 N. Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com
Kaleo at House of Blues
The Icelandic group has been touring with the Rolling Stones and recently dropped the Americana/folk single “Lonely Cowboy,” which serves as "a reflection on the recurring themes of mass shootings and overall gun violence that occur across America," as it's put in a press release. Expect to hear the moody number when the band plays tonight at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. 308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Hanna Theatre
A group of would-be actors engage in "a joyful celebration of love lost, transformed and restored" in Shakespeare's classic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Great Lakes Theater production of the play opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre, where it continues through Oct. 27. 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Salonen Conducts Salonen at Mandel Concert Hall
Cellist Senja Rummukainen joins the Cleveland Orchestra as it performs pieces by Ravel, Esa-Pekka Solonen and Sibelius. Esa-Pekka Salonen will serve as guest conductor. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances also take place on Saturday and Sunday. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Andrew Santino at the Agora
Co-host of the popular Bad Friends podcast with fellow comic Bobby Lee, this dry-witted comedian also acts (and is very funny as the manager of a nerdy white rapper in Dave). He brings his Freeze Peach Tour to the Agora tonight at 6 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Friday Oct. 11
Cleveland Latino International Film Festival at the Pivot Center
Today through Sunday at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance, and Expression, LatinUs Theater Company presents the first-ever Cleveland Latino International Film Festival. The event will feature screenings that highlight stories of resilience, identity, and community, along with opportunities for Q&A sessions with filmmakers, discussions, and networking. The event is free with an RSVP. Find more info on the website. 2937 W. 25th St., 216-619-6192, latinustheater.com
Coin at the Agora
Initially, this Nashville-based pop band found a handful of other indie pop bands that could help it develop that part of the Music City’s music scene. The band self-released two EPs before signing to Columbia Records a few years ago after a successful showcase at the College Music Journal Conference; the current tour supports I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore, another album of infectious pop tunes. The group performs tonight at 7 p.m. at the Agora. Aidan Bissett opens. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Ginger Root at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
Since his first release, a collection of tunes he refers to as "aggressive elevator soul," multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter and visual artist, Cameron Lew (aka Ginger Root), has been making handmade synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie, and soul. He comes to the Roxy at Mahall's in Lakewood tonight at 7 p.m. The current tour supports the new album, Shinbangumi. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Nurse John at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
Host of the popular I Beg Your Pardon podcast, Nurse John (John Dela Cruz) brings his standup show to the Mimi Ohio Theatre tonight at 7. Since Dela Cruz is a nurse by profession, expect to hear stories about what it's like to work in the healthcare industry these days. 1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Olivier Messiaen: Catalogue d'oiseaux at Reinberger Chamber Hall
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Reinberger Chamber Hall, pianist Gregorio Benítez performs one of Olivier Messiaen's most famous pieces. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Saturday Oct. 12
Art Bites Performance: Musicians Cary Moskovitz and Mark Olitsky at Artists Archives of the Western Reserve
This Art Bites series at Artists Archive of the Western Reserve features old-time bluegrass in the galleries. Award-winning banjo players Mark Olitsky and Cary Moskovitz will perform. Olitsky has given many workshops at festivals and music camps and won ribbons at old-time conventions throughout the South. The event begins at 8 p.m. 1834 East 123rd St., 216-721-9020, artistsarchives.org
Beachpark Fest at Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
Named after a mix of the location and promoter putting the event together, Beachpark Fest was organized with the intent of celebrating the strength of the entire Midwest rock music scene. The lineup for the concert features locals such as TRUSS, LoConti, Blossom Park, Solon, False Teeth, GRANT and Off-Leash (formerly Detention). Other regional acts round out the bill. Doors open at 4 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. 15711 Waterloo Road, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Ekoostik Hookah at Kent Stage
The grandfathers of Ohio’s expansive jam band scene — culturally and musically — have always maintained close ties to the Cleveland area and regularly venture up to these parts from their Columbus home base. The group performs tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
Exit Stencil Farewell Party at Happy Dog
The heavily Cleveland-centric, Exit Stencil Records has released a number of critically acclaimed reissues by Cleveland bands as well as new bands from across the country. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Happy Dog hosts a farewell party/wake for the local label. The night will feature local acts Herzog, This Moment in Black History, Hot Cha Cha, New Lou Reeds and a number of special guests from the label’s catalog over the years. Label owners will sell "super cheap" records and distribute giveaways to clear out any back stock. 5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
Harvest Festival at Hale Farm & Village
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, Hale Farm & Village hosts Harvest Festival, a family-friendly event offers seasonal experiences such as apple cider pressing and butter churning, and pumpkin painting. Other harvest activities can be seen at the Saltbox House herb garden (funded and maintained by the Bath Gamma Garden Club) where herbs will be harvested and preserved for use during the winter, and at First Settlement where cooking demonstrations will happen. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org
OB StreetFest on Broadview Road
Today from noon to 8 p.m., Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) hosts the inaugural OB StreetFest, an outdoor celebration of the people, places, and, spaces of the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The free event on Broadview Road will transform six blocks of the neighborhood into a "lively and welcoming place" for the community to enjoy live music, food, a beer garden, local vendors and family-friendly, activities. oldbrooklyn.com
Opeth at the Agora
Due out later this year, Opeth's 14th album finds the metal band emphasizing the prog rock side of its sound. Several songs add a classic rock dimension too as Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson contributes on flute and vocals. The group performs tonight at the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and Tribulation opens. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Spooky Pooch Parade at Madison Park
Now in its 16th year, the Spooky Pooch Parade attracts hundreds of dogs to Lakewood’s Madison Park. Scheduled to take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. today, the event includes a festival within Madison Park, a parade and an awards presentation. It’s reportedly the only event of its kind within the region. 13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-6650, lakewoodalive.com
What the Constitution Means to Me at the Allen Theatre
Playwright Heidi Schreck imagines how the U.S. Constitution might change in the future in her Obie Award-winning play. Tonight's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 3. 1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Sunday Oct. 13
Celebration Day at the Rock Hall
To celebrate this year's Rock Hall Inductees, the Rock Hall will host a free event for Ohio residents featuring daytime live music from local musicians such as the Joe Brown Band, Marcus Smith and the Rapscallions, Truss and the Mechanics. The festivities begin when the Rock Hall opens at 9 a.m. and continue until closing at 9 p.m. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
The Front Bottoms at House of Blues
Last year, this duo released its latest effort, You Are Who You Hang Out With, to wide acclaim. Recorded in multi-week spurts with producer Mike Sapone both in The Front Bottoms’ New Jersey studio and Ghost Hit Recording in Massachusetts, the album features the singles “Emotional,” “Punching Bag,” “Outlook,” and “Paris.” The group brings its tour in support of the album to House of Blues. The show starts at 7 p.m. tonight, and the group plays the club again at 7 p.m. tomorrow night. 308 Euclid Ave, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
Chris Mondak Band at the Bop Stop
This Nashville-based jazz combo has put out three CDs in the past five years. The current tour supports the latest release, last year's Blank with Colour, and the group will record tonight's show at the Bop Stop for a possible live release. The music begins at 7 p.m. 2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org
Revolutionary Love Tour with Valarie Kaur and Friends at the Transformer Station
Civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, and innovator Valarie Kaur will present "an immersive experience of storytelling, music, song, ancestral wisdom and community building" at this event that takes place tonight at 6 at the Transformer Station. 1460 West 29th St., 216-938-5429, transformerstation.org
Rick Wakeman — The Final Solo Tour at Kent Stage
The former Strawbs/Yes keyboardist brings his final tour to the Kent Stage. He had a string of successful solo albums in the '70s, so you can expect the show will touch upon those releases as well as "Space Oddity," a David Bowie song that he famously guested on back in the day. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
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