15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (October 9-12) – Cleveland Scene

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar. 

Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

The programming at this annual event that takes place at a variety of venues in Chagrin Falls includes 10 world premieres and 23 U.S, Midwest or Ohio debuts. More than 50 filmmakers from across the country and the globe will attend to participate in Q&A sessions and audience discussions.

chagrinfilmfest.org.

Dido and Aeneas

This Henry Purcell opera is considered a “gem of the baroque repertoire.” A performance of it takes place at 8 tonight at the Helen, where performances continue through Saturday.

1407 Euclid Ave, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School

Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to “draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.” The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw.

111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.

Jamey Haddad
The master percussionist who has just returned from a tour with Rock Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Simon performs tonight at 7 and 9 at EDWINS in Cleveland Heights.
12383 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org.

Sunday in the Park with George

The Sondheim musical that features songs such as songs like “Finishing the Hat,” “Sunday” and “Move On” comes to the Hanna Theatre as the Great Lakes Theater presents its production of the play. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 and performances continue through Sunday.

2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Trifonov Plays Brahms

Pianist Daniil Trifonov joins the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Brahms famous Second Piano Concerto. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where it repeats tomorrow and Saturday.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

ZZ Top

The classic rock act out of Texas first formed way back in 1969 when two rival acts — Blly Gibbons’ Moving Sidewalks and Frank Beard and Dusty Hill’s American Blues — joined forces to become a single entity. The group delivered a huge hit in 1973 with “La Grange,” a gritty blues number that introduced its singular sound. The band returns to MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.

FRI 10/10

Michael Blackson

Known as the “African King of Comedy,” Michael Blackson developed his comedic skills with original humor and the ability to be fearless on stage. He jokes about current affairs and takes aim at celebs such as Kim Kardashian and Michael Jordan; however, he also focuses on more serious topics such as race, his love for America and his African descent. He performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Cleveland Funny Bone.

1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.

DEVOtional 2025

The annual event that pays tribute to Akron’s wonderful New Wave group Devo returns to the Beachland Ballroom. Tonight’s celebration gets going at 6 p.m., and the festivities continue at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Bring your energy dome.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Hell’s Kitchen

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Alicia Keys inspired this musical about a 17-year-old girl who has a passion for music and strives to become a professional musician. Tonight’s performance takes at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 1.

1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Judith Hill
A former background singer who launched a solo career in the early 2000s, this singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist comes to the Cleveland Museum of Art as part of a tour in support of her new album, Letters from a Black Widow. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

Pete Holmes

The comedian and actor brings his latest standup show, dubbed the Pete Here Now Tour, to Hilarities. Performances take place at 7 and 9:45 tonight and at 6 and 8:45 tomorrow night.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

HR of Bad Brains

The local jam band C-Level will join Bad Brains singer HR for this special show at the Winchester Music Tavern in Lakewood. The group has collaborated with HR on a new single, which they’ll perform together. They’ll also play their own sets featuring tunes from their respective catalogs. Benny Coleman of the reggae band Quasi Kings opens the show. It begins at 8 p.m.

12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.

La Versión Infinita (The Infinite Version)

This play written by the acclaimed Argentine playwrights Contreras/Del Olmo/Sturla takes audiences into a “surreal and thought-provoking world where an ordinary insurance clerk receives a phone call from herself, but from an alternate reality.” The LatinUs Theater Company version of the play includes live projections to create an immersive experience. Tonight’s performance takes place at the Blackbox Theater in the Pivot Center, where performances continue through Oct. 12.

2937 W 25th St., pivotcenter.com.

Matt Moody Album Release

The local singer-songwriter plays a release party tonight at 9 at the Happy Dog. The show celebrates his third full length album, The Misery County Line, a twangy affair that finds him vacillating between indie rock and alt-country. Songs for an Unknown God open.

5801 Detroit Ave., 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com.

Papadosio

Ohio natives Papadosio have carved out a reputable niche in the jamtronica scene, and their arrival in Northeast Ohio is always welcome. The group performs at 7 tonight at Globe Iron. Local heroes Vibe & Direct open.

2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.

SAT 10/11

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny

This veteran comedian has toured so extensively at this point in his career, that he can boast he’s visited 40 different countries. He brings his latest tour, dubbed Laughs Funny, to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m.

1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Eric Church: Free the Machine Tour

The country singer-guitarist known for his epic live shows comes to Rocket Arena. The current tour supports Church’s ninth studio album, Evangeline vs. The Machine. In typical fashion, the album delivers moody numbers such as “Bleed on Paper” and calls-to-arms like “Hands of Time.” The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.

An Evening with Live

The ’90s rock act performs at 8 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. Led by emotionally charged singer-guitarist Ed Kowalczyk, the group delivered a huge hit in the mid-’90s with the anthem “Lightening Crashes.” While it hasn’t followed up with anything quite as massive, the band has remained active.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.

Kevin Gates

The rapper out of Baton Rouge made quite a splash with his 2016 debut studio album, Islah, comes to Jacobs Pavilion with opening acts Gelo and Rob Kazi. His latest album, I’m Him 2, serves as a sequel to 2019’s I’m Him. The show begins at 7 p.m.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Harvest Festival

This annual event that takes place today and tomorrow at Hale Farm & Village will feature cooking demonstrations, wagon rides provided by Trail Light Farms, early American crafts and trades, daily performances from Johnny Appleseed (portrayed by poet and educator Ray McNiece), seasonal games and activities, farm animals and Hale Farm’s MarketPlace. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2686 Oak Hill Rd., Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.

Sam Hooper Group
Bluesman Sam Hooper promises to play a few rare songs out of his catalog for tonight’s show at the Bop Stop. His band will feature Bill Ransom, a professor at Cleveland State University, on drums. The concert starts at 8 p.m.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.

MOMIX: Alice

The celebrated dance group brings its production of Alice, a program that references characters from Alice in Wonderland, to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Performances take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. today.

1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Speedbump Fest

The national act the Briefs, along with Ohio locals SlutBomb, HAMS and Hell Is Here will perform at Musica as part of the 10th iteration of this DIY festival.

51 East Market St., Akron, 330-374-1114, akronmusica.com.

Spooky Pooch Parade

Now in its 16th year, the Spooky Pooch Parade attracts hundreds of dogs to Lakewood’s Madison Park. Scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today, the event includes a festival within Madison Park, a parade and an awards presentation. It’s reportedly the only event of its kind within the region. The parade commences at 2 p.m.

13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-6650, lakewoodalive.com.

SUN 10/12

Beachland Flea

An assortment of vendors selling everything from rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia to vintage clothing will be on hand for this semi-regular event that takes place today at 10 a.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Aaron Berg

The comedian and actor who’s appeared in films such as The Boondock Saints 2, Detroit Rock City and the Independent Spirit Award-winning The Lookout, brings his latest standup show to Hilarities. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

Cleveland Bollywood Show!

This benefit concert will feature a performance by the Blue13 Dance Company, which combines hip-hop and contemporary dance. It begins at 5 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre.

1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

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