2021 NFL Draft Festivities
Visitors and locals alike have reason to flock to downtown Cleveland this week — the 2021 NFL Draft is here! The Draft Theater will see a kickoff performance by Kings of Leon, streamed live at NFL.com, Ann Wilson of Heart singing the national anthem and hometown talent to the tune The Sunrise Jones and Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s All-City Choir. Rock the Clock End Zones have been designated at Playhouse Square at US Bank Plaza, the Flats’ East Bank on Old River Road, and Mall C, promising good views, COVID-19 safety protocols, and an uptick in local business. Free, April 29-May 1, various locations, nfl.com
Arbor Day Redbud Seedling Giveaway at Holden Forests & Gardens
Snow may have littered Northeast Ohio last week, but the calendar can’t be turned back from spring. To ease into warmer weather, consider tipping a hat to Mother Nature on Arbor Day at Holden Forests & Gardens. On April 30, both the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden are offering free admission as well as free Eastern redbud seedlings. Limited edition sticker art by Julia Kuo entitled People for Trees can also be picked up by visitors. A stroll amid natural beauty and investment in a redbud to spruce up the yard helps usher in a brighter world. Remember to register first. Free, April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland; 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland; 440-946-4400; 216-721-1600, holdenarb.org
Becky Boyd Blues Brunch at the Music Box
With good food and music, the rest of Sunday is nothing but good vibes. Becky Boyd continues to be a Cleveland favorite of clear, unapologetic blues vocals after 40 years. Boyd has opened for The Outlaws, Gary Lewis, Buddy Miles and the Fairport Convention. In 2010, Boyd teamed up with blue guitarist Tim Matson and placed in the top eight at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Her band, Becky Boyd & Groove Train, is sure to drizzle some sweet melodies over your waffles. $10-$15, May 2, noon, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
Fair Food Drive-Thru at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
For those who have been hankering for the fried, the sweet and the savory, the wait is over. Concession stands will be pitched at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds to satisfy fair food cravings. Admission is free and COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed. Upon entry, each car will receive a map of the featured vendors. Bite into some chicken paprikash, caramel apples, warm elephant ears or cotton candy. Slurp it down with tangy to sweet lemonade. Let it serve as a midway appetizer until August. Free, May 1 & 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440-243-0090, cuyfair.com
Station Hope at Cleveland Public Theatre
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City had an alias on the Underground Railroad, “Station Hope.” Steeped in local as well as national history, the site remains hallowed ground for change and advocacy. Normally hosting an attendance of more than 2,000 people, Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2021 Station Hope festival will be live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube and its website this year. More than 250 new and returning artists will capture the audience with dance, music, theater and storytelling that elucidates contemporary issues, such as human trafficking, racism, gun violence, education and immigration. Free, May 1, 5-9 p.m., 216-631-2727, cptonline.org
Women of Resilience Exhibition Reception at the Massillon Museum
One hundred years after the 19th amendment’s adoption, equality continues wedded to resistance. In honor of the movements that made our time, the Massillon Museum celebrates its exhibit, Women of Resilience, with an in-person reception. The optimistic artwork depicting female superheroes and women’s rights created by 25 different artists is a diverse range of media, from paint, fabric, clay and even jewelry. On May 2, the Massillon Museum will also host a Collage of Resilience Workshop in engagement with the exhibit ($18-$22). The exhibit itself will be held through May 23. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. Free, May 1, 1-4 p.m., 121 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, 330-833-4061, massillonmuseum.org
