Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: March 26-29

Thursday, March 26 

Hannah Berner: None of My Business Tour at Severance Music Center
The comedian and author known for her crowd word comes to Severance's Mandel Concert Hall in the wake of her successful debut comedy special, We Ride at Dawn. The show begins at 7 p.m. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Michael Blaustein at Hilarities
Co-host of the popular podcast Stiff Socks and co-director and co-star in the indie film Up There, this comedian performs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Brent Cobb at the Grog Shop
This talented country and Southern rock singer-songwriter brings his Ain't Rocked in a While tour to the Grog Shop. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

Macbeth at the Hanna Theatre
Great Lakes Theatre takes on Shakespeare's classic play about corruption and power. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanna Theatre, where performances continue through April 4. 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Monsters vs. Grand Rapids Griffins at Rocket Arena
The Monsters take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. at Rocket Arena. The Monsters will stay home to play the Utica Comets at 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Gary Numan at House of Blues
Electronic and industrial pioneer Gary Numan had an out-of-the-blue hit in 1979 when the dark, Joy Division-like "Cars" somehow became a hit. The hits quickly dried up, but Numan has soldiered on thanks to the fact that contemporary acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Battles have cited him as an influence. He performs at 7 p.m. on Thursday at House of Blues. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Water for Elephants at Connor Palace
A young man joins a traveling circus after literally hopping onto a moving train in this musical based on the best-selling novel by the same name. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Connor Palace, where performances continue through March 29. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Friday, March 27

Benji Brown at the Funny Bone
Comedian Benji Brown likes to talk about how difficult relationships can be. “Brothers, stop hitting on the ladies,” he jokes in one routine. “Touch ’em, and you go to jail.” His animated routine calls attention to domestic violence in a humorous (but not offensive) manner. He performs at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Sunday night at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Cavs vs. Miami Heat at Rocket Arena
A team previously known for its defensive prowess, the Miami Heat have emphasized offense this season and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. They take on the Cavs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach at Beck Center for the Arts
This musical centers on a young man sent to chop down an old fruit tree. In the process, he embarks on a magical journey inside a giant peach. Featuring a score by the Tony Award-winning songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman, the play comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and performances continue through March 29. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Dirty Dancing in Concert
A live band will play the music to this '80s blockbuster film that stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Expedition Exhibition: A Mixed Media Showcase of a Great Journey Opening Reception at Beck Center
A mixed-media artist, muralist and teacher, Heather McCormick regularly collaborates with nonprofits and schools in Northeast Ohio. Her latest exhibit, Expedition Exhibition: A Mixed Media Showcase of a Great Journey, features 16 pieces of her artwork. An artist reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Flanagan's Wake at Kennedy’s Theatre
Part improv, part scripted, this interactive Irish wake is back again at Kennedy’s Theatre at Playhouse Square. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama at the I-X Center
Organizers of this event boast that it is "the largest indoor showcase of custom cars, trucks, antique construction equipment, motorcycles, tractors, military equipment and more of its kind in the world." It takes place today through Sunday at the I-X Center. 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com

Lacuna Coil at Globe Iron
With poltergeist-like vocals and pummeling drums, the hard rock group sounds as energized as ever on its latest album, last year's Sleepless Empire. The subject matter of the songs is particularly timely. "The Siege" addresses ennui and the title track makes references to our obsession with social media. The group performs at 7:30 p.m. at Globe Iron. Escape the Fate and VOWWS open. 2325 Elm St., Cleveland, globeironcle.com

Nuggets Celebration Featuring Lenny Kaye & Friends at Beachland Ballroom
In the early 1970s, musician, writer and producer Lenny Kaye put together a compilation of garage rock tunes from the 1960s that never got their due (think acts such as Thirteenth Floor Elevators and the Woolies). Dubbed Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, the collection became a must-have for any '60s rock aficionado. Kaye comes to the Beachland Ballroom tonight to celebrate the collection's anniversary. His backing band will include Clevelanders Don Dixon and Chris Butler. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Tom Papa at the State Theatre
The veteran comedian, actor, host and author brings his Grateful Bread tour to the State Theatre. Papa’s career dates back to the early ’90s and his podcast with fellow comedian Fortune Feimster has been a hit since it debuted in 2019. Friday's show begins at 7 p.m. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

We Play On: Celebrating the Lives and Legacies of Michael LoConti and John Love at the Treelawn
Local musicians such as Chris Lugo, Sabby, Erin Donovan, Henry LoConti, Anna Marie, Brian Paskey, Mike Rellick, Marie & the Restaurant and Rellick will perform as part of this tribute to two beloved musicians who've recently passed away. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Treelawn. 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com

Saturday, March 28 

Ballet Unbound at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
Ohio Contemporary Ballet presents a program of dance featuring pieces by Paul Taylor and Nycole Ray. The performances begins at 7 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Cleveland Blues Jam Series at the Sixty6
This quarterly series at the Sixty6 celebrates the ongoing legacy of local bluesman Wallace Coleman. Coleman and one other local artist will perform. Check the venue's website for more info. 1966 E. 66th St., Cleveland, 216-615-7261, thesixty6.com

Famous Ladies of Song at Mandel Concert Hall
Singer Capathia Jenkins pays tribute to divas such as Whitney Houston, Carole King, Barbra Streisand and Adele in this special concert that takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Donnie Iris & the Cruisers at Kent Stage
The singer-songwriter out of Pittsburgh returns to the Kent Stage with his backing band, the Cruisers. Donnie Iris famously had hits in the early '70s with groups such as the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry, which delivered the smash "Play That Funky Music." As Donnie Iris & the Cruisers, Iris would sign with Cleveland-based Midwest Records and become a regional sensation. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Adam Ray at the Agora
The comedian and YouTube star known for his spot-on impersonation of Dr. Phil comes to the Agora as part of his Who Is Me tour. The show begins at 7 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Sunday, March 29

John Cowan Trio Featuring Luke Bulla and Ethan Ballinger at the Kent Stage
Singer-guitarist John Cown plays a bit of everything, including country, bluegrass, gospel, soul and jazz. He performs on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Kent Stage. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Jokes on You at Hilarities
Inspired by crowd work clinicians like Dave Attell, Ian Bagg, and Big Jay Oakerson, Jokes On You makes the audience the center of the show by "pushing comics to avoid prepared material or written jokes and instead focus on organic interaction with the audience," as it's put in a press release about this event, which takes place on Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Frolic Cabaret Room at Hilarities. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

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