CLEVELAND, Ohio — This weekend, downtown Cleveland will be packed with concertgoers during Elton John’s headlining performance at Progressive Field.
If you can’t make it to the show, there are still plenty of other events to check out in Northeast Ohio, including art show openings, dance parties, theatrical performances and more.
Here are a few ideas on ways to spend the next few days:
Elton John
The Rocket Man will say goodbye to Cleveland when he brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour to Progressive Field on Saturday night. The iconic singer is behind some of the most well-known pop-rock songs ever written, like “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “Tiny Dancer” and “I’m Still Standing” – and those songs will be peppered throughout his set at Cleveland’s baseball stadium. Tickets $249+, some also available on resale sites.
2401 Ontario St., Cleveland
8 p.m. July 30
- Read more: Elton John in Cleveland, how to get tickets to CLE show and nearby concerts
(Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival)
Cleveland Shakespeare Festival
See an outdoor performance of Moliére’s iconic play “The Learned Ladies” at three Cleveland Shakespeare Festival dates this weekend. Each performance will take place in a different Northeast Ohio location, featuring downtown Cleveland’s Public Square on Friday, Mentor’s James A. Garfield Historic Site on Saturday and Lorain’s Black River Landing on Sunday. Free.
Public Square, Cleveland; 8095 Mentor Ave., Mentor; 421 Black River Lane, Lorain
7 p.m. July 29-31
(Photo by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Inlet Dance Theatre
To celebrate the troupe’s 21-year anniversary, Inlet Dance Theatre will host two free performances at Cain Park this weekend. On Friday, the organization will host its family-friendly matinee, followed on Saturday by an evening show. Both events are free and open to the public.
14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights
1 p.m. July 29, 8 p.m. July 30
(Photo by Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
PianoDays’ “Rock The Classics” concert
The summertime PianoDays showcase will host one event this weekend on Friday at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check out a mix of local bands and classical pianists, performing classic hit rock songs at the museum’s Union Home Mortgage Plaza. Free.
1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
7 p.m. July 29
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Tower City Carnival
Head to Tower City for a carnival featuring games, magic shows, concessions, face painters, balloon twisters and more. The family-friendly event will take over the building’s Skylight Park area. Free.
230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland
11 a.m. July 30
Muna at Rock Hall
Indie-pop trio Muna will headline a show at the Rock Hall’s plaza on Saturday night, with support from Jensen McRae. Sing along to the band’s sugary-sweet hit songs like “I Know A Place,” “Silk Chiffon” and “Number One Fan” in front of Cleveland’s rock landmark. Tickets $21.
1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
8 p.m. July 30
“A Las Nubes”
Cleveland Play House will present an original play titled “A Las Nubes” at an outdoor community garden on Saturday. The Spanish play was inspired by conversations with Clark-Fulton children and the storybook “Broken Butterfly Wings” by Raquel Ortiz. Free.
Barrio Boy Community Garden, 3333 W. 33rd St., Cleveland
11 a.m. July 30
facebook.com/ClevelandPlayHouse
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Glenn Miller Orchestra at Severance
Cleveland’s home for classical music will get a little jazzy on Sunday afternoon when the Glenn Miller Orchestra swings by for a performance. The 18-piece group keeps Miller’s classic songs like “In the Mood,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade” alive. Tickets $55+.
11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
3 p.m. July 31
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Music and dancing at Grog Shop and B Side
On Saturday night, the Grog Shop and its downstairs sister business B Side will offer two unique events. Upstairs, check out The Grievance Club, Curtail, I Hate It Too and Ophelia rocking out. Downstairs, stop by the touring Emo Nite dance party a little later in the night. Tickets $16-$17 per event.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
8 p.m. July 30
(Photo by Carol Kovach, special to cleveland.com)
Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market
Get your fill of fresh produce and food products at this week’s farmers market at Kamm’s Corners. Plus, shop around for artisanal goods, and check out family activities while you’re there. Free to attend.
Corner of W. 168th St. and Albers Ave., Cleveland
10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 31
Gallery Talk at Kaiser Gallery
Art can have an environmental impact. Cleveland-based artist Jonah Jacobs and environmental scientist Megan Romanchok will discuss Jacobs’ eco-friendly creations at Kaiser Gallery’s weekend talk event in Tremont. Free.
2418 Professor Ave., Cleveland
6 p.m. July 30
(Photo by Matthew Murphy)
“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” at Playhouse Square
Follow the Temptations from their beginnings in Detroit to their worldwide fame in this musical featuring the group’s hits “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Get Ready” and “Just My Imagination.” The Playhouse Square shows are a part of the play’s first national tour in the U.S. Tickets $29-$129.
1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Through July 31
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Asian Lantern Festival
Massive light displays will fill the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the evening hours for this year’s Asian Lantern Festival. Visitors can also check out live performances including contortion and foot juggling, and an Asian Food Market. Walk-through tickets are available, at $22. Drive-through and four-packs of walk-through tickets are also available for $66.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
Through Aug. 21
To breathe full and free: a declaration, a re-visioning, a correction (19°36’16.9″N 72°13’07.0″W, 42° 21’48.762″ N 71°1’59.628″ W), 2021. Firelei BáezSteven Litt, cleveland.com
FRONT Triennial
More than 100 artists are featured at dozens of Northeast Ohio venues as a part of this international triennial exhibition, first held in 2018. This year’s series has the title “Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows,” from a Langston Hughes poem. Plus, workshops, movie screenings, readings, lectures, performances and more. Free.
Through Oct. 2
- Read more about FRONT Triennial
(Image courtesy of Michael Gill, Collective Arts Network)
CAN Triennial
The Collective Arts Network (CAN) hosts its second CAN Triennial this summer, after a year’s delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. The showcase of local artists’ works will appear at various venues in Cleveland, taking on the theme “You Are Here.” More than a dozen exhibitions will make up the event, set to take place once every three years. Free.
Various locations in Cleveland
July 8-Aug. 31
(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)John Kuntz, cleveland.com
“Awake in Every Sense” at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Textile artist Rachel Hayes put together a massive installation at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, titled “Awake in Every Sense.” The cloth creations add a pop of color to the garden’s outdoor spaces. Tickets $12-$16.
11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
Through Sept. 18
(Photo courtesy of Beck Center for the Arts)
“Something Rotten!” at Beck Center
Imagine trying to compete in playwriting at the same time as Shakespeare. That’s the setup behind the comedy “Something Rotten!,” Beck Center for the Arts’ latest production. Follow two brothers who aim to write a hit play in 1595, and end up penning the first musical ever. Tickets $10-$34.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
July 8-Aug. 7
beckcenter.org/shows/somethingrotten
(Photo by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The Science of Rock and Roll! at Great Lakes Science Center
Learn about the technology of the recording industry and the physiological effects of music on our brain or body in this new interactive exhibit. Or strum on an electric guitar, play the drums or sing in a recording studio to make your own music. Tickets, $13.95-$16.95.
601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland
Now through Sept. 5
“Adut Akech,” 2019, by Campbell Addy, will be on view in 2022 at the Cleveland Museum of Art in “The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion.” Image courtesy of Aperture, New York, 2019. © Campbell Addycourtesy of Aperture, New York, 2019. © Campbell Addy
The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s latest exhibition is a traveling display focusing on Black fashion design and fashion photography. Exclusive to Cleveland is a trio of installations with mannequins and fashions arranged by stylist-photographers Arielle Bobb-Willis and Daniel Obasi, and stylist Jermaine Daley. Tickets, $6-$12.
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
Now through Sept. 11
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