CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ready, set, summer!
The calendar still says spring, but everybody knows Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to the season of fun in the sun. That means a plethora of festivals and outdoor concerts on our weekly things to-do list. But we’ve included some indoor activities too in case the weather doesn’t cooperate or if that’s just how you roll.
Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off
Because it isn’t Memorial Day Weekend in Northeast Ohio until you’ve feasted on a slab of ribs or two. This annual event returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds with 10 rib teams from across the area competing for top honors in categories such as the best ribs, best sauce and the people’s choice. The event also features a craft beer garden, live music and a Corvette show. Admission, $10.
164 Eastland Rd, Berea
May 27-30
Tremont Greek Festival
Tremont’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church hosts the 50th edition of this annual celebration of Greek culture. Enjoy authentic delicacies like Souvlaki, Mousaka, Pastitsio and Spanakopita while you enjoy live music, dance performances, church tours and shopping. Free admission.
2187 W. 14th, Cleveland
May 27-30
Blossom Time Festival
This Chagrin Falls tradition includes midway rides, carnival games, food trucks, live music, a pie-eating contest, road race and parade. But it’s the hot air balloon launches and the beautiful Balloon Glow on Thursday night that make the fair unique. Free admission.
Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls
May 26-29
Cedar Point’s Frontier Festival
The amusement park’s annual celebration of hope, health and harvest returns in the form of a street festival through Frontier Town. Highlights include a cherry-themed special menu, craft beer, live music, fun games and local artisans and crafters selling their one-of-a-kind wares. Park admission starts at $45.
1 Cedar Point Dr. Sandusky
Frontier Fair now through June 19. Park open daily through Sept. 5
Cleveland Public Theatre presents Station Hope
This free community celebration features 250 artists performing social justice-inspired works. The performances, which include live theatre, music, storytelling and dance, address the most important issues of our time, taking place at Ohio City’s St. John’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland’s first authenticated Underground Railroad site.
2600 Church Ave., Cleveland
7-10 p.m., May 28
Rockin’ on the River
Northern Ohio’s longest-running and highest-attended outdoor concert series returns to downtown Lorain with its inaugural event of the season. The first headliner is Dirty Deeds, performing the music of AC/DC. Cover band Ace Molar, featuring Fox 8 anchor Todd Meany, opens. Admission, $7.
421 Black River Landing, Lorain
6:15 p.m., May 27
Reggae Fest Cleveland
It’s good vibes only as a variety reggae bands take the stage at Voinovich Park on Saturday. Catch performances by the Ark Band, the Flex Crew, Mighty Mystic, Pato Banton and Carlos Jones and the Plus Band. The festival also features food trucks, craft beer and wine. Tickets start at $30.
800 E. 9th Street Pier, Cleveland
noon-10 p.m., May 28
“Waitress” at Playhouse Square
This Broadway smash returns to Cleveland, this time in a more intimate setting at the Hanna Theatre. The musical, which tells the inspiring story of a struggling waitress looking to turn her life around via a pie baking contest, features a score by Grammy winner and Tony nominee Sara Bareilles. Tickets, $49-$109.
2067 E. 14th St, Cleveland
Now through June 26
• Related: Broadway smash ‘Waitress’ brings the audience closer in for a month-long run at the Hanna Theatre
Kraftwerk at Playhouse Square
The 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers bring their “3-D” tour to the Connor Palace on Sunday for a concert featuring 3D visuals, performance art and, of course, the band’s catalog of influential electronic tunes. Tickets, $39.50-$79.50.
8 p.m., May 29
1615 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
Cleveland Orchestra performs “Otello”
Jealousy, betrayal, and murder… Giuseppe Verdi’s opera based on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy has it all. Limmie Pulliam and Tamara Wilson’s voices soar over the Cleveland Orchestra and music director Franz Welser-Möst’s score in a powerful performance at Severance Music Center. Tickets start at $41.
11001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
May 26 & May 28
“American Moor” at Karamu House
The oldest producing African American theatre in the nation is staging a play by Keith Hamilton Cobb and Josh Tyson that follows a talented African-American actor as he auditions for the title character of Shakespeare’s Othello, encountering challenges and different perspectives from a younger white director. Tickets, $20-45.
2355 E. 89th St., Cleveland
May 27-29
Jay Pharoah at Hilarities
The comedian and actor is best known for his six seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” where he became a fan favorite for his spot-on impressions of Chris Rock, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and more. Pharoah, who more recently starred in the Netflix rom-com “Resort to Love” and on ABC’s “A Little Million Things,” brings his standup act to E. 4th Street for five shows. Tickets start at $70 for two.
2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland
May 27-29
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at the Agora
Legendary Cleveland hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will perform their signature brand of flowing, rolling, rapid-clip, harmonized rap to the Agora for what promises to be a good time. Tickets, $35-65
5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
8 p.m., May 28
Babyface Ray at House of Blues Cleveland
Detroit rapper Babyface Ray brings “The Sincerely Face Tour” to Cleveland. His latest singles include “Family Over Money,” “Motown Music,” and “My Thoughts 3/ Pops Prayer.” G.T., Peezy, Baby Money, and Los x Nutty are the opening acts.
308 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
7 p.m., May 30
Ray LaMontagne at the Akron Civic Theater
Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne comes to Akron in support of his most recent album, “Monovision.” Expect the folk artist to perform his latest songs including “I Was Born To Love You” and “Strong Enough,” plus his earlier material including the Grammy-nominated “Beg, Steal or Borrow.”
182 S Main St., Akron
7:30 p.m., May 29
Celebration Fundraiser at Winchester Music Tavern
This two-part event benefitting the Canopy Child Advocacy Center kicks off with an all-ages brunch event featuring live music by Taylor Lamborn, plus raffles and a $10 buffet. Front Porch Lights and Apostle Jones take the stage in the nightcap (ages 18+ only). Concert tickets, $10-$15.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., May 28
Concert, 7 p.m., May 28
Whole Love of Love Live Band Burlesque Revue at Beachland Ballroom
The Beams provide the music as a cast of burlesque performers strut, shimmy, and shake on stage in this tribute to the history of rock and roll. See Bella Sin, Scarlett Chaton, Ruby Rabbit, Empress Dupree and more perform to the sounds of Led Zeppelin, The Pretty Reckless, Melissa Etheridge, AC/DC, Jefferson Airplane and more. Tickets, $20-$40.
15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland
8:30 p.m., May 28
Carole King Tribute at Music Box Supper Club
Home Again celebrates the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carole King, just one of three women to be inducted twice as a songwriter and a recording artist. King is responsible for some of the most beloved songs in the history of popular music including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” and “I Feel the Earth Move.” Tickets, $25-$30.
1148 Main Ave, Cleveland
The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s featured exhibit celebrates the legacy of the Fab Four with film clips, audio, custom projections, original instruments, clothing and handwritten lyrics. Artifacts include John Lennon’s iconic wire-rimmed glasses, a black and gray shirt worn by Paul McCartney in the recording studio, Ringo Starr’s maple Ludwig drum kit and more. Tickets, $20-$30. Cleveland residents get in free.
1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion at Cleveland Museum of Art
The museum’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 September 11
Immersive Van Gogh
Extended into June, this popular art experience at Lighthouse ArtSpace offers a unique way to experience Vincent Van Gogh’s post-Impressionist works. The projection-based displays unfold on the walls around you, showcasing the Dutch master painter’s iconic works, including his most famous, “Starry Night.” Tickets $39.99-$54.99.
850 E. 72nd St., Cleveland
Now through June 26
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