Thursday, Sept. 4
UB40 at House of Blues
Formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England, UB40 has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart and achieved considerable international success. Expect to hear its biggest hits — “Red, Red Wine,” “Food for Thought,” “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You" — when the group performs Thursday at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the group recently had a hit with the poppy "Forever True." 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
19th Annual Cleveland Jewish FilmFest
This year’s lineup includes 33 films from 9 countries, screened at local venues including Cedar Lee Theatre, the Maltz Museum, the Cinematheque and the Mandel JCC. Select films, along with the Israeli series Kugel (a prequel to Shtisel), will also be available to stream on demand. Opening Night at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Murch Auditorium features the award-winning French drama Once Upon My Mother followed by a dessert reception. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and the festival continues through Sept. 14. Various locations, mandeljcc.org/FilmFest
Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi at Mandel Concert Hall
Composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi makes his Cleveland Orchestra debut Thursday at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. The program, which features Hisaishi's own symphonies, repeats Friday night at the same time and in the same venue. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Leonid & Friends: 2025 Or 6 to 4 at MGM Northfield Park
Originally formed as a studio project in Russia, Leonid & Friends became an international sensation when renditions of Chicago’s songs went viral. What began as a passion project by founder Leonid Vorobyev, a classically trained musician and producer, has since evolved a touring act that regularly visits Northeast Ohio. The group performs Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
Hudson Westbrook at Jacobs Pavilion
The singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Jacobs Pavilion as he brings his tour in support of his new album, Texas Forever, to town. The album's latest single, “Damn Good Taste In Whiskey," features lilting vocals and a catchy chorus, showing off the young musician's songwriting abilities (he co-wrote all the tunes on Texas Forever). 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com
Friday, Sept. 5
Jerry Cantrell at House of Blues
The Alice in Chains guitarist brings his I Want Blood Tour to House of Blues. The trek supports his new album, I Want Blood, a collection of heavy rock tunes that don't depart much from Alice in Chains and the grunge rock of the '90s. The show starts at 7 p.m. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
Cleveland Oktoberfest at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
The annual Cleveland Oktoberfest returns Friday and Saturday at 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, a classic car show and reportedly the largest glockenspiel in the entire country. Festivities continue Saturday too. Consult the website for a schedule and hours of operation. 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, clevelandoktoberfest.com
A Day to Remember & Yellowcard at Blossom Music Center
The double bill featuring Warped Tour alumni A Day To Remember and Yellowcard rolls into Blossom. A Day to Remember adroitly mixes metalcore and pop-punk, and Yellowcard famously throws a violin into its mix of punk and rock. Should be a good pairing. The show starts at 6:15 p.m. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com
Glamgore at the Grog Shop
The monthly event featuring a range of performers, from beauty queens to "drag monsters" returns to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Doors open at 8 p.m. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire at Rocket Arena
The family-friendly event takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Rocket Arena. In addition to the monster trucks, there will be a “transforming” robot and a demonstration by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Freestyle Motocross Team. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com
The Jötunn at Mahall’s 20 Lanes
At this special show at Mahall's 20 Lanes in Lakewood, these local rockers will donate the entire door to RAIN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) as well as do a raffle to raise more money for the organization. Us, Ichabod Crane, Terra Vista and Centerless will also perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com
Tom Keifer/L.A. Guns at the Agora
Singer Tom Keifer and hard rockers L.A. Guns share this bill that will find the acts revisiting their hair metal glory days. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Barrington Levy at Kent Stage
This reggae superstar recorded his debut single, "A Long Time Since We Don't Have No Love," back when he was only 14 years old. He's kept at it, releasing music at a steady clip up until the '90s. He performs at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
The Lynched Among Us at Mimi Ohio Theatre
Six wrongfully convicted men take the stage to tell their own stories in this theatrical production. Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Charlie Mosbrook Release Party at Cain Park
Local singer-songwriter Charlie Mosbrook celebrates the release of his new album, What Are We Waiting For? It's Time with this special show at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Mosbrook performed for more than three decades in the Cleveland area and throughout the country. His songs have won awards through the Woody Guthrie and John Hartford folk festivals. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com
Mark Normand at the Goodyear Theater
Most of comedian Mark Normand's material comes from observations of everyday life. A mild-mannered and soft-spoken guy who dresses like he's in a Gap ad, Normand likes to make fun of himself and other people who are self-conscious about being nerdy and white. As a result, he regularly comments on racism and other isms. Normand performs Friday at 7 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. 1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com
Texas Headhunters at Beachland Ballroom
The three members of this blues trio — Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller and Jesse Dayton — represent the last wave of the late Clifford Antone’s discoveries. The Austin-based blues club owner also famously mentored guitarists such Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson and Gary Clark, Jr. The Texas Headhunters will aim to keep his legacy alive when they perform Friday at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
J.J. Williamson at Funny Bone
Nearly 20 years ago, comedian J.J. Williamson won the Bay Area Comedy Competition in Oakland, thus launching his career as a standup comic. He likes to joke about the things he goes through every day. He frequently jokes about dating. "I am not a baller — I'm an outlet baller," he says in one bit. "I'm a baller on a budget." He performs Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Sunday night at 6:30 and 9 p.m. at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Saturday, Sept. 6
Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival at the Black River Landing
Participants have been prepping for the Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival's 250-meter heats since late May. An ancient sport whose roots can be found in China, where it began more than 2,000 years ago, Dragon Boating has been a popular sport in many Asian nations ever since. A typical dragon boat is close to 50 feet in length and holds 20 paddlers, one of whom drums so paddlers can work in sync. The fest starts at 9 a.m. at Black River Landing in Lorain; there will be music, vendors and family activities too. cledba.org
Model Martel Release Party at Happy Dog
In the past, the members of Model Martel have played in local acts such as Echoes of Harpers Ferry, Worship This, Sleeper Horse and Seafair, but when those groups dissolved, they formed Model Martel. They've just released a new music video for the catchy tune "Mitt" that they filmed locally at TRG Studios, and their new album comes out this week on Denver-based punk label Snappy Little Numbers. Saturday at 9 p.m. they play a release party at the Happy Dog. Lowspot and Dead End Days open. 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
The Notebook at Connor Palace
This musical that features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson comes to Connor Palace for an extended run. Saturday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the play runs through Sept. 27. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Ole 60 at Globe Iron
The group out of Kentucky dabbles in classic country, rock and folk on its latest album, Songs About You. The EP starts with the ballad "WDYWMTS" and includes alt-country-ish tunes "Memphis (Outta My Way)" and "Rose." The group performs at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron. 2325 Elm St., Cleveland, globeironcle.com
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Cedar Lee Theatre
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 film that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw rice and dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie, still draws big crowds to local showings. Expect a throng to show up for Saturday's screening that takes place at 9:30 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets cost $12. 2163 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com
Tom Segura at the Akron Civic Theatre
Best known for his Netflix specials Ball Hog, Disgraceful, Mostly Stories and Completely Normal, Tom Segura brings his latest venture, his Come Together tour, to town. He performs Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday night at 5 p.m. at the Akron Civic. 182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
Studio-A-Rama at Mather Memorial Courtyard
WRUW FM 91.1's annual showcase for local music takes place Saturday at Mather Memorial Courtyard The day-long music festival begins at 1 p.m. The Louisville-based post-harcore band Wombo headlines, and Cincinnati's Artificial Go will perform as well. Locals such as Village Bicycle, Public Squares and Napsack share the bill. Admission is free, and you can also watch on WRUW's YouTube channel or listen to a livestream on WRUW. 11220 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, 216-368-2208, wruw.org
Unwound: 30 Years of The Future of What at the Grog Shop
One of the flagship bands of the Kill Rock Stars label, the post-hardcore act Unwound has reunited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its 1995 album, The Future of What. The album's angular guitars and droll vocals recall acts such as Jawbox and Slint. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Harriet the Spy and Deep Essence open. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Sunday, Sept. 7
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field
Hope springs eternal once again this season as the Browns try to recapture the magic that took them to the playoffs two years ago. They start the season with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, their division rivals who're also looking for a return to form. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com
Alison Krauss & Union Station at Jacobs Pavilion
The veteran bluegrass-y band performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Arcadia, the band's first album in 14 years, finds it in great form. Album opener, "Looks Like the End of the Road," puts Alison Krauss's voice up front in the mix, and she sounds as sharp as ever. Other tunes like the narrative "The Hangman" show off the group's bluegrass roots as well as its ability to cast a dark mood with sparse instrumentation. Singer-songwriter Willie Watson opens. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com
Our Town at the Allen Theatre Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores themes of life and death and love and friendship. Cleveland Play House's production of the play promises to be a "magical new staging." Performances take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony at Blossom This multimedia symphonic experience features country music superstar Dolly Parton, who talks about her songs and stories in prerecorded material. Guest vocalists and musicians will help bring the program to life. It begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Shining Star CLE 2025 at Mimi Ohio Theatre
Monica Robins from WKYC serves as the master of ceremonies for this annual event that features high school singers vying for a prize package that includes $18,500 in college scholarships. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
Bill Squire at Hilarities
The local comedian who used to co-host The Alan Cox Show on WMMS headlines this special show at Hilarities. No stranger to standup, Squire has released comedy albums and regularly performed at local venues. The show begins at 7 p.m. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
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