Acting Out! Fest
Continuing from Wednesday, this arts fest to spread mental health awareness goes on tonight with a mental health panel discussion at Happy Dog in Gordon Square Arts District. Following that, Forced Perspective, the documentary on local artist Derek Hess, who thought up the fest Martin Geramita, screens at Capitol Theatre with a post-film Q&A. On Oct. 21, come to the Derek Hess Gallery to see artwork by 26 artists who have been affected by mental illness, dual diagnosis or addiction. Then cap off the fest back at Happy Dog with tribute sets dedicated to musicians who battled mental illness, dual diagnosis or addiction performed by local acts including electronic neo-soul group Mourning a Blackstar, led by the Guide to Kulchur poet and beatmaker R.A. Washington. Proceeds from a silent auction of Hess’ art and from the other events will be donated to NAMI Greater Cleveland. Oct. 20 & Oct. 21, Visit website for time and price, Various locations, actingoutcle.com
Hedge Gallery Opening
Wax meets architectural landscapes in Hedge’s latest fall opening, Architectonic. Coming from Toronto as a Cleveland newbie, Christopher Kier and his latest work, Domus, play with the complexities of encaustic wax, format and color in different homes. Meanwhile, Carmen Romine’s Fabric of Time exhibit shows the paper fabrications with natural materials that are arranged in a continuous cycle of repurposing, messing with our thoughts on time and space. Free, Oct. 21-Dec. 6, Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 78th Street Studios, Hedge Gallery, 1300 W. 78th St., hedgeartgallery.com
Mr. Gnome
The Cleveland-based art-rock duo returns to the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern to play from its stylish latest release, The Heart of a Dark Star. Married couple Nicole Barille (vocals, guitar) and Sam Meister (piano, drums) broke out in 2005 and have since been named a “Band to Watch” by Rolling Stone. $14 at the door, Oct. 21, 8 p.m, Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, beachlandballroom.com
Halloweenus
A part of the monthly Platform Concert Series, local West Side brews meet local bands in Lake Affect Studios’ Halloween shindig. Bop along with music from rock-and-soul artist Marcus Alan Ward as well as Whiskey Hollow, Nights and Playing to Vapors, eats from Ninja City and art by painter Terry Urban. Costumes are an “absolute must” and will be awarded on the basis of funniest to sexiest. Boogie late this year to a new set by DJ Eso. $10 at the door, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., Lake Affect Studios, 1615 E 25th St., lakeaffectstudios.com
Halloweezy
Could what’s coming be worse than the zombie apocalypse? Ingenuity Cleveland’s annual off-kilter Halloween bash imagines so with a destruction-themed soiree featuring a haunting burlesque show from Blackwater Cabaret, drag show by the Lady J. Martinez O’Neal and a hot performance by the Flomentum Fire Tribe. $15, Oct. 22, 9 p.m., 5401 Hamilton Ave. facebook.com/Halloweezy216