CLEVELAND, Ohio – Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Northeast Ohio?
There are plenty of events, festivals, markets, art shows and more to check out. Here are a few ideas:
(Image courtesy Superscript)
Free Comic Book Day
Superscript Comics and Games goes all-out for Free Comic Book Day, with two days of festivities slated this weekend. On Friday, stop by BottleHouse Lakewood for a cosplay contest, a “Magic: The Gathering” draft, a party game pop-up and trivia, all before free comic books drop at midnight. On Saturday, the shop will host local artists in the shop and also at Rising Star and Lakewood Art Supply. Free.
13361 Madison Ave., Lakewood and surrounding businesses
May 6-7
Other shops will also host specials for the holiday; check out our guide to Northeast Ohio’s comic book stores here.
(Photo courtesy of Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present & Future)
Waterloo fun
This Friday, enjoy the monthly Walk All Over Waterloo art event, and also a free concert featuring acclaimed jazz vocalists Shirley Cook and Ava Preston. The seated event will take place at the Beachland Ballroom, kicking off this season’s installment of the Waterloo Makes Music concert series. Free.
15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland
7 p.m., May 6
Fire on the Beach, 2019. Dana Scruggs (American).Image courtesy of Aperture, New York, 2019. © Dana Scruggs
“The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion” at the Cleveland Museum of Art
Black photographers, models and stylists are the focus of a new photography exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art, opening in the Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Exhibition Gallery on Sunday. “The New Black Vanguard” looks to explore the dynamic between photographers and their subjects, plus behind-the-scenes styling work, which culminates in an image.
11150 East Blvd, Cleveland
Now through Sept. 11
(Photo by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
(Photo by Ann Cicarella)
Cleveland Metroparks native plant sales
This weekend, stop by various Cleveland Metroparks locations to stock up on some native plants for your gardening or landscaping projects. Brecksville Nature Center will host its plant sale on May 7; North Chagrin Nature Center and CanalWay Center will host their sales May 7-8; Watershed Stewardship Center will host its sale on May 8. Free to attend.
Brecksville Nature Center: 9000 Chippewa Road, Brecksville
North Chagrin Nature Center: 401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy, Willoughby
CanalWay Center: 4524 E. 49th St., Cleveland
Watershed Stewardship Center: 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma
May 7-8
(Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Leon Bridges at Jacobs Pavilion
Jacobs Pavilion will open its doors for the first time this season on Sunday night, with a show featuring blues-rock musician Leon Bridges. The show is one of only a handful of Live Nation concerts remaining at the venue, since AEG took over ownership of Jacobs Pavilion this spring. Tickets $49+.
2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland
7:30 p.m., May 8
Music at Main
Stop by the Cleveland Public Library’s Eastman reading garden for some live music on Saturday afternoon, during the Music at Main event. Cleveland Brassworks, a classical brass quintet that also performs funk, jazz, Latin and rock songs, will perform. Free.
325 Superior Ave., Cleveland
2 p.m., May 7
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)
The Quiet Room
A new local concert series fills the Underdog, located in the Happy Dog’s basement, with local music best heard in quiet atmospheres. The next installment of “The Quiet Room” takes place Saturday night, featuring RA Washington, Michelle Gaw and Brent Kirby. Tickets $5.
5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
7 p.m., May 7
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Joe Pera at Grog Shop
Comedian Joe Pera, the host of Adult Swim’s “Joe Pera Talks with You,” will bring his soft-spoken standup to the Grog Shop for a show on Sunday night. Carmen Christopher will also perform. Tickets $25-$30.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
5:30 p.m., May 8
Interpol at Agora
Interpol’s spring tour arrives at the Agora on Sunday night, celebrating an upcoming new album produced with Flood & Moulder in London. Tycho and Matthew Dear will open. Tickets $39.50+.
5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
7 p.m., May 8
“Illustrious Gravitas” art show
The power of illustration will be shown at Yards Projects’ latest show, featuring local graphic designers and illustrators. Morgan Bukovec, Shyvonne Coleman, Sequoia Bostick, Benji Diaz, Justin Michael Will and have work on display at Worthington Yards in downtown Cleveland. Free.
725 Johnson Court, Cleveland
Opens 5:30-8 p.m., May 5, on view through June 18
Rosavelt at Forest City Brewery
Cleveland rock band Rosavelt will celebrate a momentous occasion on Saturday night: the 25th birthday of its first album “Carp & Bones.” See them perform a special anniversary show at Forest City Brewery’s Waldorf Beer Hall. Tickets $12-$14.
2135 Columbus Road, Cleveland
7 p.m., May 7
facebook.com/forestcitybrewery
‘90s night at Little Rose Tavern
Jam to the best ‘90s tunes of every genre at the Little Rose Tavern’s next “Spin the Black Circle” event. DJs Hip Hop Hooray, Doowutchyalike and Flip Fantasia, along with guest DJ Guilty Pleasures, will be providing a unique dance mix all night long. Free.
14206 Lorain Road, Cleveland
8 p.m., May 7
(Photo by Johnny Joo)
Johnny Joo photography show
Photographer Johnny Joo is known for capturing scenes of abandoned landmarks in Ohio and elsewhere, often taking photos of the ghosts of former malls, amusement parks and homes. Joo’s work will be on display at Matt Shiffler’s photography gallery on Waterloo Road, and he’ll also be selling prints, books and other items.
16101 Waterloo Road, Cleveland
Show opens 5:30-9:30 p.m. May 6
facebook.com/mattshifflerphotography
(Photo by Allison Carey, The Plain Dealer)
Screw Factory Spring Art Show
Screw Factory Artist Lofts will open its doors for shoppers to peruse locally made artwork and other handicrafts at this weekend’s Spring Art Show. Both resident artists and visiting makers will sell their creations at the event. Check out candles, illustrations, photography, metalwork, egg art, jewelry, ceramics and more.
13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood
6-10 p.m., May 6 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., May 7
(Image courtesy of Fatima Al Matar)
Fatima Al Matar art show
Local artist and author Fatima Al Matar will showcase some paintings at The Root Cafe in Lakewood. The solo exhibition runs through the month of may, showcasing Al Matar’s political portraits commenting on gun violence, along with her paintings themed around dogs and literature.
15118 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Through May 31
(Image courtesy of CPT)
Cleveland Public Theatre presents “The Absolutely Amazing and True Adventure of Ms. Joan Evelyn Southgate”
Cleveland Public Theatre’s current production is a project written and performed by Nina Domingue. The play follows the story of Clevelander Joan Evelyn Southgate, an activist who walked 519 miles across Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Canada to honor the experience of the Underground Railroad. Tickets available on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Gordon Square theatre
6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
April 21-May 14
Funny Bus comedy tour
Hop aboard the Funny Bus for a comedy-filled tour of Cleveland. The bus, which hosts 34 passengers, is hosted by comedians and Cleveland natives Julia Mary and Bryan Sternik. Funny Bus tours often incorporate music, games and dancing. Guests can bring beer and wine on the bus in sealed containers that fit under the seats. Tickets $28.
1250 Old River Road, Cleveland
May 6-8
(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)John Kuntz, cleveland.com
The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s newest 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.
(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
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Immersive Van Gogh
Extended through May, 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 May 30
Get a jumpstart on the weekend and sign up for cleveland.com’s weekly “In the CLE” email newsletter, your essential guide to the top things to do in Greater Cleveland. It will arrive in your inbox on Friday mornings – an exclusive to-do list, focusing on the best of the weekend fun. Restaurants, music, movies, performing arts, family fun and more. Just click here to subscribe. All cleveland.com newsletters are free.