Thursday, Aug. 7
Laufey: A Night at the Symphony at Blossom Music Center
The Icelandic-Chinese singer and pianist will play both original songs as well as "a few unexpected surprises" when she performs Thursday at 7 p.m. at Blossom with the Cleveland Orchestra. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
13th Annual Ohio Burlesque Festival at Beachland Ballroom
The annual event returns to the Beachland Ballroom, where performances continue through Saturday. Appropriately, this year's theme is "art is resistance," so you can expect the 70 or so entertainers who'll be on hand for the event to demonstrate art's vitality in some way. Thursday's kickoff takes place at 8 p.m. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Nasser Al-Rayess at the Funny Bone
The comedian who jokingly calls himself the Shawarma King performs Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cleveland Funny Bone. Expect to hear him joke about his own Arab-American identity during his standup routine. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
An August Evening with Wilco at Cain Park
Prior to starting Wilco in the early '90s, singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy established himself as a musical innovator with Uncle Tupelo, a group that arguably began the alt-country movement. Wilco carried that torch for several years before Tweedy tweaked the band's lineup and turned to indie rock. The veteran alt-country act out of Chicago rarely comes to Cleveland. It performs at 8 p.m. Thursday at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, and the Grog Shop hosts an official after party for ticket holders. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com
A Chorus Line at Beck Center
One of the longest-running Broadway shows ever, A Chorus Line, which began a lengthy run in the West End in 1976, was revived on Broadway in 2006, and in the West End in 2013. Beck Center will present a revamped version of the play. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through Aug. 10. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org
Cuyahoga County Fair at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
The Cuyahoga County Fair returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this week. The Midway rides are back this year, and there will be arts and crafts, beer and wine gardens, bee-keeping exhibits, a demolition derby, dog shows, a draft horse pull, fireworks, harness horse racing and a livestock auction. The event continues through Sunday. Check the website for more info. 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, cuyfair.com
Happy Together Tour 2025 at MGM Northfield Park
The tour featuring '60s acts such as the Turtles and Jay, Little Anthony, and Jay and the Americans returns to MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
The Verve Pipe at Music Box
The alt-rock group known for radio hits such as "Photograph" and "The Freshmen" comes to the Music Box Supper Club. The group formed in Michigan in the early '90s when talented singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark signed a production deal prior to the release of the group's debut, 1992's I've Suffered a Head Injury. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
Friday, Aug. 8
Black Moth Super Rainbow at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
The indie rock band known for its experimental approach draws from electronic and psychedelic rock on its latest effort, Soft New Magic Dream. It performs at 7 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Lavell Crawford at Hilarities
Some people are born funny; others grow into it. The latter seems to be the case for Lavell Crawford, a stand-up comedian whose act primarily revolves around his upbringing in St. Louis, jabs at his weight and the women who've wronged him over the years. If his obesity-centric material weren't enough, Crawford's supremely goofy and aloof demeanor only helps to make him more likable. He performs at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
MGK Day
The annual festival honoring the local rapper turned national act takes place for three days this year, commencing today with an event dubbed XX-Con at Jacobs Pavilion. There will be food, music, vendors and other activities (including a Harley Davidson ride and a skateboarding demonstration) that continue through Sunday. Check the website for details. Various locations, Cleveland, mgkday.com
Piano Men: Generations at the Hanna Theatre
This special concert pays tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, the two American pop stars who famously toured together in the '90s. The concert featuring the father-and-son duo Terry and Nick Davies begins at 8 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre. 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Reaper on Red at Beachland Tavern
The indie rock band with ties to Northeast Ohio comes to the Beachland Tavern. The band's Robert Cherry and Carla Cherry lived in Cleveland for many years and regularly gigged around town. They've just released their second album, Doom Daze, a collection of post-punk tunes with a Goth-y vibe that compares to acts such as Joy Division and Bauhaus. The show begins at 8 p.m., and Poem Rocket and the Elder Goths open. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Toto + Men at Work + Christopher Cross at Blossom
A triple bill of yacht rock superstars rolls into Blossom Friday at 6:45 p.m. as Toto, Men at Work and Christopher Cross team up for this triple bill of smooth grooves that go well with margaritas and other fruity drinks. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com
Marcus D. Wiley at the Funny Bone
The comedian who just released a new hour-long special on YouTube performs at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, and at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday night at the Funny Bone. Wiley, who reportedly used to be a professor at Texas Southern University, approaches standup from the position of an intellectual. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Saturday, Aug. 9
Civil War Weekend at Hale Farm & Village
Camp Chase Fifes & Drums will bring the music of the Civil War battlefield to life at this annual event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Hale Farm & Village. In addition, there will be cavalry demonstrations, a pop-up exhibit about female spies and a reenactment of the Battle of Sailor's Creek. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org
The Fray at the Agora
The alternative rock group celebrates the 20th anniversary of its hit tune, "How To Save a Life," with this show at the Agora. The band formed in Denver way back in 2002; "How To Save a Life" was one of two successful singles from the album of the same name. Doors open at 6 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Mahler's Titan at Blossom
Elim Chan conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Mahler's Symphony No. 1 along with Ravel’s Shéhérazade. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Night Demon at the Rock Hall
The California-based metal band considers Cleveland to be a second home ever since Bill Peters helped it establish a local audience by playing the group on his Metal on Metal radio show. Celebrating the anniversary of its breakthrough album, The Curse of the Damned, performs Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Rock Hall. It'll play the album in its entirety. Destructor and Sacred Few open. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland, 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
Peninsula Flea at Heritage Farms
This upscale flea market features handmade, repurposed and vintage items from dedicated artists, crafts people and collectors. Local musicians are slated to perform and food vendors will be on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Farm. Admission is free. 6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula, explorepeninsula.com
Queenplanning LLC Presents: A FREE Gospel Concert! at Severance Music Center
Exuberant radio personality Ahmaad Crump serves as the master of ceremonies for this special concert that features the local soul group Hubb's Groove along with other special musical guests. It begins at 5 p.m. at Severance Music Center. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
River Rally at Hart Crane Park
This annual event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hart Crane Park features free boat tours on the Holiday boat, walking tours hosted by Cuyahoga County’s Fresh Water Institute, birding walking tours hosted by the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, free kayak excursions and free dragon boat lessons provided by the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association. 1820 Merwin Ave., Cleveland, canalwaypartners.com
SLS Championship Tour at the North Coast Yard
This skateboarding event will will showcase top professional street skateboards competing in a variety of contests. There will be live music, food vendors, "interactive brand activations," and merchandise sales, all built around world-class skateboarding. It takes place at the North Coast Yard. The event begins at 1 p.m. 515 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, streetleague.com
War Story and Sunnyside at Cleveland Public Library
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) will present this double bill of silent shorts, including War Story, a rare 21st century silent picture directed by Lorain native John Baumgartner, and Sunnyside, the Charlie Chaplin shorts that inspired it. The event takes place at 3 p.m. at Downtown Cleveland's Main Library. Pianist Mike Petrone will provide the score. 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-623-2800, cpl.org
Sunday, Aug. 10
Beachland Flea at Beachland Ballroom
Vendors who specialize in vinyl records, retro clothing and handmade jewelry will be on hand for this flea market that takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Andrew Dice Clay at the Agora
The polarizing comedian comes to the Agora. Now 67, Clay is essentially a caricature of the guy who's acted and hosted a podcast over the course of a career that stretches back to the late '70s. Doors open at 7 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion at Jacobs Pavilion
The two veteran punk bands bring their co-headlining tour to Jacobs Pavilion. Known for their stance against political and social oppression, the Dropkick Murphys have been in the news lately for dedicating their song "First Class Loser" to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. The show starts at 6 p.m., and the Mainliners open. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com
The Music of Billy Joel at Blossom
Singer-pianist Tony DeSare joins the Cleveland Orchestra to pay tribute to piano man Billy Joel at this special concert that takes place Sunday at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.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. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
Matt Rife: Stay Golden Tour at Rocket Arena
The comedian who courted controversy for his jokes about domestic violence brings his Stay Golden tour to Rocket Arena. An Ohio native, Rife reportedly started doing standup when he was only 15 years old. The show begins at 6 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com
Salsa Across Borders: Festival and Competition at the Rock Hall
The dance competition takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rock Hall. Admission is free with an RSVP. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland, 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
Tri CLE Rock Roll Run at Edgewater Park
Participants will start the swim at Edgewater Beach. The distances on the swim are 250 meters for the Super Sprint, 750 meters for the Sprint, and 1,500 meters for the Olympic distance triathlon. Races start as early as 6:30 a.m. Find more info on the website. 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway NW, Cleveland, rockrollrun.com
Wilson Phillips at MGM Northfield Park
Thanks to the success of "Hold On," the hit single from Wilson Phillips's 1990 self-titled debut, this pop group became an overnight sensation. The inspirational tune features the threesome's remarkable vocal harmonies. Though it went on hiatus for a few years, the group has continued to produce music of a similar ilk. It performs at 7:30 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
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