Thursday, Aug. 21
Chopin & Rachmaninoff at Mandel Concert Hall
Dima Slobodeniouk leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii performs Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto at this special concert at Mandel Concert Hall. It begins at 7 p.m. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Jefferson Starship at Kent Stage
The group brings its 50th anniversary tour to the Kent Stage. A major part of the San Francisco scene in the '60s and '70s, the band has undergone significant change over the years and now features singer-guitarist Cathy Richardson, who joined in 2008, as frontperson. The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
James Austin Johnson at Hilarities
A current cast member on Saturday Night Live, this comedian who's particularly good at impressions (he currently portrays Donald Trump on SNL) performs at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Please Don't Destroy at the Grog Shop
The comedy group from Saturday Night Live kicks off a three-night stand at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Known for their short films and improvised routines, the comedy trio even made a theatrical film in 2023. The shows take place at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Slow Groove Kings Release Party at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
The garage blues act celebrates the release of its new album, The Nashville Vampire Supper Club, with this concert at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood. Willow Tree and the Cowboy Princess Brigade open. The show starts at 7 p.m. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Standoperos Chisteando at the Funny Bone
Created by comedians Erick Bonilla, Cristina Sánchez and Titito Sánchez, this troupe started the longest-running weekly comedy show in Puerto Rico until its conclusion in December 2024. Now, the Spanish-speaking comedy has taken the show on the road. It performs at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Tennis in the Land at Nautica Entertainment Complex
The annual tennis tournament that features some of the world's top women's tennis stars continues at the Nautica Entertainment Complex through Saturday. Consult the website for a complete schedule and more info. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, tennisintheland.com
Friday, Aug. 22
The 41st Annual Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club
This annual bocce tournament that takes place Friday through Sunday will feature 120 bocce teams competing at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. There will also be live music, cultural activities and food. Check the website for a schedule. 29717 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, wickliffeianda.com
Attack Attack! at Globe Iron
On tour to support its noisy new album, Attack Attack! II, the metalcore/indie band's first full-length release since 2012, the group performs at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron. The band throws hip-hop and electronic beats into the mix, creating sensory overload. Bring earplugs. Savage Hands, Versus Me and Unhealthy While Unhinged open. 2325 Elm St., Cleveland, globeironcle.com
The Black Keys: No Rain, No Flowers at Blossom Music Center
The group with Ohio roots returns to Blossom. The duo famously booked a 2024 tour that it scrapped after receiving what it called bad advice from its management. These dates support last year's Ohio Players, another well-crafted collection of garage-blues tunes that draw equally from the arty indie rock of Beck and the gritty blues of Junior Kimbrough. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and bluesman Gary Clark Jr. opens. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com
Corey Holcomb at the Funny Bone
After debuting at an open mic night in 1992, comedian Corey Holcomb has gone on to take top honors at numerous comedy festivals, along with appearing at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and the Chicago Comedy Festival. He performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and at 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday night at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Bobby Lee at Hilarities
Bobby Lee is the black sheep of his very Korean family. He was supposed to take over the family clothing store, but instead he played in some bands and decided to become a comedian. His stories of awkwardness and compromising situations will have you cracking up. He performs Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Louis C.K. at Akron Civic Theatre
The veteran comedian established himself as a comedy superstar with the FX series Louie, which he directed, starred in and created. Accusations of sexual misconduct derailed his career in the mid-2010s, but he returned to the standup circuit in 2018. He performs Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
The Smithereens with Guest Vocalist John Cowsill at Music Box Supper Club
The alt-rock band from the '90s continues to tour with three original members (guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken and bassist Mike Mesaros). For this tour, it's teamed up with singer John Cowsill, who'll take the place of the late Pat DiNizio. The group performs at 8 p.m. at the Music Box Supper Club. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
South Euclid's Rock the Block 2025 at the South Euclid Food Truck Park
Blues rockers Welshly Arms headline this two-day event that takes place at the South Euclid Food Truck Park. The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday. A slew of local bands share the bill, and various food trucks will be on hand for the event. 4477 Rushton Road, South Euclid, serocktheblock.com
Nick Wilkinson & the Featured Players at Jilly’s Music Room
Chicago-Based, Ohio-Born Nick Wilkinson has reunited his original Akron-based backing band, the Featured Players, for the first time in eight years. The group plays what it calls "theater rock," and Wilkinson has worked the Chicago open mic circuit for years. The band performs at 8 p.m. at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com
Alex Williams at Beachland Tavern
Inspired by his longtime love for '80s metal, Space Brain, the latest effort from singer-songwriter Alex Williams, features renditions of tunes by Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Cinderella and Motörhead. On tour in support of the album, Williams performs at 8 p.m. Friday at the Beachland Tavern. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Wish Upon a Star: A Night of Hope and Wishes at the Encore Event Center
Hosted at the Encore Event Center in Strongsville, this annual fundraiser helps grant "life-changing" wishes for local children facing critical illnesses. There will be a dinner, open bar, raffle items, a live auction and a "powerful wish reveal" shared by local Wish Families. Doors open at 5 p.m. at the Encore Event Center. 16808 Pearl Road, Strongsville, WASmithWish.com
Saturday, Aug. 23
18th Annual Multi Music Fest at Jacobs Pavilion
Boney James, Avery Sunshine, Forecast and Stokely perform at this annual jazz festival. If the lineup just included sax man James, a smooth jazz sensation whose career stretches back decades (he got his start in the 1970s), that would've been worth the price of admission. The other musicians provide added value. The show starts at 5 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com
Carl Baldassarre & the Baldassarre Orchestra at Beachland Ballroom
Talented guitar hero Carl Baldassarre, who once fronted the popular Cleveland rock act Abraxas and can play just about anything in Led Zeppelin's catalog, brings his Baldassarre Rock Orchestra to the Beachland Ballroom. Saturday's show will celebrate his 45-year career and feature music from all his bands. The show begins at 8 p.m. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Chuck Auerbach: A Celebration of a Great Life at Jilly’s Music Room
An all-star cast of Akron area acts including 15 60 75 Numbers Band, the Shootouts, Grady/Miller, Tracey Thomas, Rachel Roberts, Godbrother and members of the HiFis will be at Jilly's Music Room in Akron Saturday night to pay tribute to the late Chuck Auerbach, the father of Black Keys singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach. The show starts at 7 p.m., and proceeds benefit 91.3 The Summit FM. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com
Cleveland Garlic Festival at Shaker Square
The Cleveland Garlic Festival takes place this weekend at Shaker Square, home to the weekly North Union Farmers Market. The annual event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. This year, there will be more than 40 varieties of garlic from area farms and vendors. Highlights include Zanzibar's garlic shrimp, Edwin's garlic chicken wings and Mitchell's garlic ice cream, in addition to garlic grill offs and live music. Proceeds benefit North Union Farmers Market. 13000 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, clevelandgarlicfestival.org
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field
The Browns take on the Los Angeles Rams in this preseason game that should help the Browns figure out which quarterback is best suited to lead them this season. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com
Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony at Blossom Music Center
Mendelssohn found inspiration for his Symphony No. 3 in the ruins of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Chapel. Saturday at 7 p.m. at Blossom, the Cleveland Orchestra plays the piece along with selections by Britten and Saint-Saëns. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Sunday, Aug. 24
Concerts at Lakeview Cemetery at Lakeview Cemetery
The annual summer concert series at Lake View Cemetery offers locals yet another great opportunity to savor some free outdoor performances. The concert series takes place on the Garfield Monument lawn, making it one of the most unique settings in the city. Sunday's concert begins at 4 p.m. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, blanket or picnic basket. Admission is free. 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com
LoveMuffinPalooza at the Bop Stop
This annual concert serves as a fundraiser for the Gathering Place, a cancer support center with locations in Beachwood and Westlake. The Gathering Place provides free programs and services for individuals and families coping with a cancer diagnosis. In addition to musical performances by local bands, there will also be a raffle with prizes from local Cleveland businesses. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bop Stop. 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org
One World Day at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
Since 1945 the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) has celebrated this day-long event that exemplifies the theme Peace through Mutual Understanding. With the streets closed to traffic, visitors can stroll, bike, scoot or ride the free shuttles throughout the 250-acre area and visit many of gardens. The Parade of Flags, which takes place at noon, will feature more than 1,000 people from 50 cultures marching with flags and traditional clothing of their heritage. Admission is free. 1051 Martin Luther King Blvd., Cleveland, clevelandculturalgardens.org
PNWK Showcase at the Rock Hall
The emo label PNWK Records presents this showcase at the Rock Hall that features bands such as Tiny Voices, Leisure Hour and Motion Sick. It takes place from noon to 3 p.m., and admission is free with an RSVP. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland, 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
Reggae Sundays at Music Box Supper Club
This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series is a summer highlight. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Music Box. The venue will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
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