Thursday, Aug. 28
2025 NewNowat Tri-C’s Gallery East
Work by some 77 regional artists will be displayed at this Artists Archives of the Western Reserve show. It opens Thursday with a reception that takes place at 6 p.m. at Tri-C's Gallery East in Highland Hills. Admission is free. 4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills, 216-987-2473, tri-c.edu/galleryeast
Ice Nine Kills at the Covelli Centre
The metalcore group that reportedly took its band name from the 1963 Kurt Vonnegut novel Cat's Cradle brings its summer tour to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. The group's latest album, Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2, offers the usual quotient of blistering guitar solos and parched vocals. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. 229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.com
Friday, Aug. 29
Reginald Ballard at the Funny Bone
Famous for playing the "Bruh Man" character on the sitcom Martin, this standup comedian comes to the Funny Bone at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday night. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Cleveland Oktoberfest at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
The annual Cleveland Oktoberfest returns Friday to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The fest features more than 15 different types of Oktoberfest-style beers, German and European restaurants, tribute bands, vendors and local artisans, wiener dog races, fireworks, a Miss Oktoberfest contest, a Bavarian Shopping Village, the Great Lakes 5K Bier Run, the Best Oktoberfest Microbrew Competition and a classic car show. Festivities continue through Monday and pick up again next weekend. 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, clevelandoktoberfest.com
Cleveland Taco Fest at Jacobs Pavilion
More than 30 taquerias and eateries will be on hand for this annual event that starts Friday and continues through Monday at Jacobs Pavilion. There will also be two stages featuring some of Cleveland's best DJs and top cover bands. A Kids Zone will feature interactive games and engaging activities. Daily events include Lucha Libre wrestling, daily contests like timed taco-eating competitions, hot sauce taste challenges and tequila sampling. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, tacofestcle.com
Disney’s The Lion King Live in Concert at Blossom Music Center
At 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at Blossom, the Cleveland Orchestra plays the score of The Lion King while the movie screens. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Guardians vs. Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field
The Mariners swept the series when the Guardians played them in Seattle earlier in the season. As a result, the Guards will be looking for payback as they go up a team that's vying for a playoff spot. Friday's first pitch is at 7:10 p.m., and the series continues through Sunday at Progressive Field. 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians
Kamm's Corners Greek Festival
For the past 15 years, the George Varouh Cretan Club of Cleveland has played host to the Kamm’s Corners Greek Festival. This year’s installment kicks off Friday at 3 p.m. It features Greek food and pastries as well as a full dinner menu that includes lamb shank, lamb roasted on the spit, Greek roasted chicken dinners and more. There will be dance performances and live music as well. You’ll be able to sit both inside and outside. Greek beer and wine will be served. Admission is free. The event continues through Monday. 3853 West 168th St., Cleveland, 216-941-4455, westparkkamms.org
Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival at Hale Farm & Village
The Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival returns to Hale Farm & Village Friday through Sunday when the event returns to the venue. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The juried festival features more than 150 Ohio artisans, local food and entertainment. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org
Nightmare Weekend at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
This event that takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland will feature cast reunions from cult classic favorites, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show (50th Anniversary), Friday the 13th, Terrifier, Halloween, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Re-Animator and more! In addition, there will be Q&A’s, performances, comedy, fan panels, screenings, video gaming, tabletop gaming and tattooing. 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, 216-928-1600, galaxycon.com
Sixth Annual Akron Pizza Festival at Lock 3
There will be live music, a corn hole tournament and a pizza eating contest at this event held at Lock 3 in Akron. The event starts at 5 p.m. Friday; Saturday's hours are 2 to 10 p.m. 200 S. Main St., Akron, akronpizzafest.com
Streetlight Manifesto at the Agora
This ska-punk band has been a staple on the scene for more than 20 years. They released their debut album, Everything Goes Numb, way back in 2003 and have toured and recorded steadily since then. They're touring behind the new album, The Place Behind the Stars, and the LP really shows off their ability to write complex horn arrangements. The tour comes to the Agora Friday. Doors open at 7 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Tate McRae: Miss Possessive Tour at Rocket Arena
This singer-songwriter and dancer became an overnight sensation back in 2020 when her confessional, Billie Eilish-like "you broke me first” became a massive hit. For her latest album, So Close to What, she teams up with producers such as Timbaland and the Neptunes, who provide the club friendly beats on the release. She performs at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com
Brent Terhune at Hilarities
A loud mouth standup comedian, writer and podcaster who likes to taunt his fans, Brent Terhune also tells plenty of self-effacing jokes about his pale complexion and weight. "You see a guy with pale skin and everyone says, 'Look at him. He's sick,'" he says in one bit dubbed "Women Don't Want to Date a Red Head." He performs Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Saturday, Aug. 30
Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport
This annual event returns to Burke Lakefront Airport this weekend. U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Red Bull Air Force will be on hand and so will vintage aircraft including T-33 Shooting Star, Trojan Phlyers and “Mister Mulligan.” It continues through Monday. 2301 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland, clevelandairshow.com
Hingetown Jazz Festival
This free event held in the Hingetown neighborhood celebrates Northeast Ohio's rich jazz community by showcasing talented local and regional artists. The festival takes place across multiple venues, including the Bop Stop, Saucy Brew Works and Jukebox. It runs from 3 to 10 p.m. It's free. Various locations, Cleveland, hingetownjazzfest.org
Real American Freestyle at Wolstein Center
A new wrestling league backed by Hulk Hogan makes its debut Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wolstein Center. There will be eight men's and four women's matches. 2000 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, 216-687-9292, wolsteincenter.com
The Shootouts at Dunlap’s Corner Bar
The Canton-based group embraces old school country and Western swing on its latest effort, Switchback. Expect to hear the new songs when the group performs at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Dunlap's Corner Bar. Local singer-songwriter Brent Kirby opens. 3258 W. 32nd St., Cleveland, 216-417-2203, dunlapsbar.com
Two Mile Moon Release Party at Brothers Lounge
The Cleveland-based Two Mile Moon makes melodic, high-energy songs rooted in '90s alt rock and power pop, and its new album, Ego Death Metal, features a style that the band calls Pop Rock Extremism. The group plays a release party Saturday at 8 p.m. at Brothers Lounge. 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.com
Sunday, Aug. 31
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 Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Frolic Cabaret Room at Hilarities. John Bruton and Jimmie Graham host the event. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Lake Street Dive at Akron Civic Center
Lake Street Dive drummer Mike Calabrese has said the jazz/pop/rock band was “barely good” in the early days when the group of music school students from Boston started playing live. But over time, the group has evolved and it capably plays music from a range of musical genres. It performs Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
Mekimi at Cain Park
The University Heights-based band that plays modern Hebrew and classic rock music plays a free show Sunday at 7 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com
Nine Inch Nails: Peel It Back Tour at Rocket Arena
The industrial rock group with ties to Northeast Ohio returns to Rocket Arena. The group just released "As Alive as You Need Me To Be," the first official music from the band in five years. The tune comes from the soundtrack for the forthcoming TRON: Ares film and features noisy guitars mixed with pulsating synths and Trent Reznor's typically intense vocals (he always sounds like he's on the verge of a breakdown). The show begins at 7:30 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com
Reggae Sundays at Music Box
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. Free. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
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