Thursday Oct. 24
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 Sunday. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Chocolate Walk in Lakewood
With all of the sweet shops that line Detroit Avenue, Lakewood is a chocolate lover's paradise. To capitalize on that, Lakewood Alive, the city's economic development organization, has organized Chocolate Walk that includes visits to more than 20 of the establishments. The event begins at 6 p.m. lakewoodchocolatewalk.com
CIFF Spooky Shorts Event at Jukebox
This ticketed event includes five short film Cleveland International Film Festival alums, as well as one "spine-tingling sneak peek" of a short that will be part of CIFF49 in 2025. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at Jukebox. 1404 West 29th St., 216-206-7699, jukeboxcle.com
Dane Cook: Fresh New Flavor at Akron Civic Theatre
In the early 2000s, this comedian, now in his 50s, was hugely popular, selling out venues such as Madison Square Garden and hosting SNL. His popularity has since waned, but he continues tour and cut new comedy specials and albums. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., he brings his latest standup show to the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
History on Tap: Beyond the Veil at Cleveland History Center
Part of the four-day Cleveland Buried History Days event that commences today, this event features a costume display and table tipping demonstrations. It takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cleveland History Center. 10825 East Blvd., 216-721-5722, canalwaypartners.com
Lorna Shore at the Agora Theater
This hard rock band turned a corner when singer Will Ramos (Moment of a Memory, A Wake in Providence) joined and brought his screechy voice to the group's hard rock riffs. A song like "To the Hellfire" demonstrates his ability to scream like some kind of tortured animal. The group brings its latest tour to the Agora tonight. Whitechapel, Kublai Khan TX and Sanguisugabogg open. Doors are at 5:30 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.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 presents its production of the play tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre, where it continues through Sunday. 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Pumpkins & Piranhas at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
This event, which takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight (last admission at 7 p.m.) at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium will feature an activity booklet spotlighting misunderstood animals, underwater jack-o’-lanterns, costumed diver interactions, Halloween-themed décor and music, appearances by the landshark mascot Finn, animal encounters and a rotating array of nightly entertainers. The event runs through Sunday. 2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Think & Drink with the Extinct: Monster Bash at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Museum curators will be on hand for "lively chats" featuring spooky animal adaptations, the science behind monster myths, and the true tale of Gigantopithecus. The event takes place tonight at 6 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. 1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org
Vitamin String Quartet at E.J. Thomas Hall
For 25 years now, this group has established itself as a classical crossover success. Placements in the hit series Bridgerton have certainly helped. The group's latest album, VSQ Performs the Hits of 2024, features covers of tunes by Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. The group performs tonight at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, ejthomashall.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 at the Allen Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 3.
1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Lucas Zelnick at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre
Comedian Lucas Zelnick brings his Highly Laffeinated Comedy Tour to Hilarities tonight at 7 p.m. A festival favorite, Zelnick, who holds an MBA from Stanford, adopts a conversational approach in his standup routines and often talks about his "cushy Manhattan upbringing." 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Friday Oct. 25
Beat at the Agora Theater
A group featuring former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin along with guitar hero Steve Vai and Tool drummer Danny Carey will reinterpret songs from the King Crimson albums Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair, arguably the prog rock group's most accessible work. The four are some of prog rock's best musicians, so you can expect they'll nail the tunes even without Crimson mastermind Robert Fripp in the mix. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Broadway's Best at Mandel Concert Hall
Tonight at 7:30 at Mandel Concert Hall, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra takes on some of the best Broadway songs of all time. Expect to hear songs from Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Hamilton, Company and Les Misérables. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
The Detroit Pistons were one of the NBA's worst teams last season, and they're trying to rebuild around young talented stars such as Cade Cunningham. They play the Cavs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The game represents the Cavs’ home opener. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Funky Fest at MGM Northfield Park
The Bee Gees tribute act Stayin' Alive performs at this special benefit concert for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign that takes place tonight at 8 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.
10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
Jerry Popiel Release Party at Collison Bend Brewery
Local singer-songwriter Jerry Popiel has had a busy year. He says he's played more than 50 shows so far and has particularly enjoyed performing on the Viking cruise ships when they visit Cleveland, Detroit and Windsor. He also found time to record Edgewater, a new folk-rock EP, and hopes he's captured what life is like on the shores of Lake Erie. He celebrates the album's release with tonight's show at Collision Bending Brewing Company. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
1250 Old River Road, 216-273-7879, collisionbendbrewery.com
Janis Siegel + Yaron Gershovsky at Market Garden Brewery
Manhattan Transfer singer Janis Siegel will play music from her new release, The Colors of My Life, a Cy Coleman Songbook. Yaron Gershovsky (long time pianist with the Manhattan Transfer and also the pianist on the new release) will accompany Siegel during this special show that takes place in Market Garden Brewery's Ohio City Room (lower level). Shows take place at 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night. 1947 West 25th St., 216-621-4000, marketgardenbrewery.com
Taylor Tomlinson at the State Theatre
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson comes to State Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. for a series of shows in the wake of her newly debuted Netflix special, Quarter Life Crisis. Tomlinson, who finished in the Top 10 in the ninth season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, is a regular on What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage. She began doing standup at age 16 after taking a class with her dad, and she regularly jokes about growing up in a highly religious family and practicing abstinence in high school. She plays the State Theatre tomorrow night at 8 p.m. as well. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Saturday Oct. 26
Creative Arts Academy Presents Spooktacular at the Tri-C Metro Campus Auditorium
Students of the Creative Arts Academy’s Orchestra Program as they present Spooktacular, a celebration of seasonal music, at 3 p.m. in the Metro Campus Auditorium. In addition to live music, there will be trick-or-treating in the auditorium lobby and a costume contest after the concert. Everyone is welcome to come dressed in their favorite Halloween attire. Admission is free, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 2900 Community College Ave., 216-987-6000, tri-c.edu
Fall Fun Day at Public Square
Public Square hosts this event that features mini pumpkin painting, a bubble and game station, coloring pages, temporary tattoos, fuse beads and other activities. Plus, the Cleveland Ghostbusters, Cleveland Public Library BookBike, Sketch the Square and the Celestial Treats Concession Stand will be participating. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
downtowncleveland.com
Halloween Spooktacular: Heroes & Villains! at Mandel Concert Hall
This year’s Halloween-themed concert at Mandel Concert Hall highlights superheroes, villains and witches with music by John Williams (Superman), Alan Silvestri (The Avengers) and Wagner (Ride of the Valkyries). A costume contest starts one hour before the concert along with other fun pre-concert activities. Doors open at 2 p.m. today and tomorrow. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
I-X Trick or Treat Street at the I-X Center
A popular Halloween-themed event, I-X Trick or Treat Street returns to the I-X Center today and tomorrow. There will be themed trick or treating houses, kiddie rides, "engaging" games and live entertainment. Today's hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tomorrow's hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. One I-X Center Drive, 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com
Into the Woods at the Hanna Theatre
With a score that features tunes such as “Into the Woods,” “Giants in the Sky” and “No One is Alone," this Stephen Sondheim musical rolls into the Hanna Theatre for an extended run. Tonight's performance begins at 7:30 p.m. 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Monsters vs. Rochester Americans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
After a successful playoff run last year that found them just short of making it to the finals, the Monsters return to the ice at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight at 7 p.m. to take on the Rochester Americans. As part of the opening night celebration, the first 5,000 fans will receive a long sleeve "schedule shirt." One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Mushroomhead at the Agora Theater
Thanks partly to the contributions of Ryan “Dr. F” Farrell, a longtime band member who recently went back to school to get his masters in composition, the latest Mushroomhead album, Call the Devil, features some carefully crafted carnival-like moments in tracks such as "UIOP (A Final Reprieve)." Expect to hear it when the local group brings its annual Halloween show back to the Agora. Upon a Burning Body, There Is No Us, Mind Incision, Bittersweet Revenge and Psycho open. Doors are at 5:30 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Owls & Howls at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
This two-day day-long celebration at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will feature themed crafts and activities inspired by local wildlife, special demonstrations with the museum’s animal ambassadors, and fun photo opportunities.
1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org
Pop Punk Halloween at the Grog Shop
Local groups Truss, Grant and Tall Grass will play sets of covers of songs by Paramore, Weezer and Green Day, respectively, at this special show at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Doors open at 7 p.m. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
To Books and Beyond: Spooky Edition at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
Vendors selling books and handmade goods will be on hand for this special event that takes place today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
WCSB's Halloween Ball at Beachland Ballroom
The local college station's annual Halloween bash returns to the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern tonight at 6 p.m. Mephiskapheles, Noun (Marissa Paternoster), Chris Farren, Pal, Autopolitan, Brood X, Jinari Kemet and OONGOW!!! are slated to perform. 15711 Waterloo Road., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Sunday Oct. 27
Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Band Field
The Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens, their division rivals, today at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. With the season-ending injury to starting QB Deshaun Watson, the Browns will have a second or third-stringer player taking the snaps (and might be better off for it). 100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com
The Dear Hunter: Celebrating 20 Years at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
What started as a side project for Casey Crescenzo of the Receiving End of Sirens fame turned into a priority shortly after the release of the band's 2004 demo, Dear Ms. Leading, a proggy affair that possesses elements of Death Cab for Cutie. At 7 p.m. tonight, the indie rock group brings its 20th anniversary tour to the Roxy at Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Gold Over America Tour at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles joins Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Fred Richard, Joscelyn Roberson, Shane Wiskus and Yul Moldeaur for this special gymnast exposition that comes to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse today at 7 p.m. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Jokes on You at Hilarities
Inspired by crowd work clinicians like Dave Attell, Ian Bagg, and Big Jay Oakerson, Jokes on You makes the audience the center of the show by "pushing comics to avoid prepared material or written jokes and instead focus on organic interaction with the audience," as it's put in a press release about this event, which takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at Hilarities. John Bruton and Jimmie Graham host the event. 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, hilarities.com
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