Thursday, July 17
GHOST: Skeletour World Tour 2025 at Rocket Arena
Last year, the mysterious masked metal band released the feature film Rite Here Rite Now and solidified its position as an arena rock sensation. On tour in support of its latest release, Skeleta, the Swedish group performs at 8 p.m. at Rocket Arena. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com
Beethoven & Ravel at Mandel Concert Hall
The Cleveland Orchestra plays Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 along with pieces by Stravinsky and Ravel. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Beetlejuice Jr. at Cain Park
The musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Eddie Perfect and a book by Tony Award–nominated Anthony King and Scott Brown comes to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. A preview performance takes place at 7 p.m., and performances continue through Sunday. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com
BorderLight Theatre Festival at Playhouse Square
Welcoming new audiences, showcasing innovative performances, and spotlighting artists from Cleveland, across the country, and around the globe. It takes place through Saturday across 16 stages in the Playhouse Square neighborhood. 1501 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, borderlightcle.org
Kimberly Akimbo at Connor Palace
This musical about a 16-year-old who is about to move to a new town with her family features a Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone. Performances continue through Aug. 3. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Dave Smith at Hilarities
Though he's a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, don't hold that against comedian Dave Smith. The political commentator and radio and TV personality performs through Saturday. 2035 E. Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Friday, July 18
A Chorus Line at Beck Center for the Arts
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 for the Arts will present a revamped version of the play. Performances continue through Aug. 10. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
This year's festival headliner is the High Kings, one of the world’s leading Irish folk bands. In addition, Ally the Piper will be back after recently dropping her latest album, The Session. The Irish American folk group Cherish the Ladies, Scythian, Trasna, the Narrowbacks, the New Barleycorn and Brigid's Cross will also perform. The annual event takes place through Sunday. 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, clevelandirish.org
Hadestown: Teen Edition at Near West Theatre
Near West Theatre's reimagining of the Tony Award-winning musical brings together a cast of teen performers (ages 15-19) to tell a "timeless story that resonates deeply with the world they’re inheriting today," as it's put in a press release. The play runs through Aug. 3. 6702 Detroit Road, 216-961-6391, nearwesttheatre.org
Inkcarceration at the Ohio State Reformatory
Inkcarceration, the annual music and tattoo festival at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, returns this weekend. The event, which takes place through Sunday, will feature a slew of hard rock bands and more than 115 tattoo artists and haunted attractions. Acts such as Falling in Reverse, Knocked Loose, Beartooth, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Slaughter To Prevail and Five Finger Death Punch are slated to perform. 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield, inkcarceration.com
Oakland Athletics vs. Guardians at Progressive Field
The Guardians will attempt to get back to .500 and make a playoff run in the season’s second half as they take on the lowly Oakland Athletics, one of the worst teams in the American League, in this three-game series. 2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians
Painesville Party in the Park 2025 at Veterans Park
More than 25 bands will perform at this annual event that takes place at Veterans Park in Painesville. Food trucks and local vendors will be on hand as well. The event runs through Sunday. 7 Richmond St., Painesville, 440-352-9301, painesevilleimprovement.com
The Saw Doctors at the Agora
On tour in support of last year's Wha’D’Ya Think a That, the Irish rock band performs at 7 p.m. at the Agora. The title track that kicks off the EP has a rockabilly vibe with its twangy guitars and heavy drums. Expect the live show to be equally engaging. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Third Friday at 78th Street Studios
From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free. 1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com
Kountry Wayne at the Funny Bone Comedy Club
Wayne Colley, better known by his stage name Kountry Wayne, became a viral social-media sensation overnight on account of his hilarious videos. Wayne performs tonight at 7 and 9:30 at the Funny Bone, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday. 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Saturday, July 19
Artist in the Atrium at Cleveland Museum of Art
Every third Saturday of each month, stop by the Ames Family Atrium between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to get a firsthand look at the art-making process. Each session provides the opportunity to engage and interact with a different Northeast Ohio maker during pop-up demonstrations and activities. 11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org
Beethoven's Violin Concerto at Blossom Music Center
Violinist Veronika Eberle sits in with the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Beethoven's Violin Concerto along with a piece by R. Schumann. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Blazing Paddles Paddlefest at Flats West Bank
For this annual event on the west bank of the Flats celebrates the Cuyahoga River, Music Box Supper Club serves as the hospitality partner and will host a free reggae concert and serve up Caribbean-inspired cuisine. 1148 Main Avenue, 216-242-1250, sharetheriver.com
Cimafunk at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Cuban star will perform with La Tribu (The Tribe), his nine-piece band from Havana. He just released his latest effort, Pa' Tu Cuerpa, last year, and it features exuberant funk/soul numbers such as "Cuchi Cuchi." The concert begins at 8 p.m. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.co
Elbow Room and High Class Criminals at Mahall's 20 Lanes
The two local bands play a co-headlining show at Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood. The punk group Elbow Room formed in 2018 and then took a break during the pandemic. It reformed in 2021 and has continued to play live and release new material. The alt-pop act High Class Criminals has a ten-year history of performing locally. The show begins at 8 p.m. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Into the Blue at Beachland Ballroom
The Grateful Dead's tenure spans 30 years, and much of that time is divided into various "eras" (different musicians, different modalities, etc.). This local tribute act can play music from all eras. 15711 Waterloo Road, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Lakewood Summer Meltdown in Downtown Lakewood
This annual block party takes place on Detroit Avenue between Marlowe and Arthur Avenues. The festival features a 5K race and 1-mile family fun run and walk. It also features games, food vendors, a beer garden and live music. lakewoodalive.org
Todd Rundgren at the Agora
Just about the only consistency across Todd Rundgren’s 40-year career has been his infamous and infinite level of ambition. In the early ’70s, he followed up the AM-radio charm of "Hello, It's Me" and "We Gotta Get You a Woman" with the massive production experiment A Wizard, a True Star. Since then, Rundgren has continued to back up his bravado with innovative results. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Smug Brothers at the Little Rose Tavern
This Columbus-based garage rock band that formed in 2004 returns to town to play the Little Rose Tavern. Expect to hear songs from the band's latest effort, Stuck on Beta, a terrific collection of tunes that compares favorably to acts such as Guided by Voices and R.E.M. Songs such as the Big Star-like "Borrow the Hook" and "Prank Editions" are power-pop gems. 14206 Lorain Ave., 216-331-1441, facebook.com/LittleRoseTavern
Sunday, July 20
The 5 Browns: The Edge of the World at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
Five Juilliard-trained siblings play arrangements of classical favorites on five Steinway pianos during the Piano Days kick-off gala program. This performance benefiting Piano Cleveland includes a dessert reception, fundraising activities and a meet-and-greet opportunity with the group. The concert takes place at 2 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. 1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Reggae Sundays at the 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. The venue will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series. 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com
Taste of Tremont
One of Cleveland’s longest standing neighborhood festivals returns today as Tremont welcomes more than 20,000 people to Professor Avenue for the annual Taste of Tremont. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from various vendors. There will be live music throughout the festival, which takes place from noon to 8 p.m. experiencetremont.com
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