Free Comic Book Day, Cedar Point opening weekend, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' new Ed Sheeran album & more

View in browser

Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Free Comic Book Day

Traditionally taking place the first Saturday in May, Free Comic Book Day returns this weekend on May 6. Comic book shops and other participating stores and venues will be offering special free comics, sales and other events throughout the day. Check out our list of 20 locations in Northeast Ohio that are participating in the promotion this year. Please note some shops may have additional restrictions on books early in the day and some locations do not carry every book. READ MORE

Opening Day at Cedar Point

Celebrate the yearly re-opening of one of the best amusement parks in the world by heading out to Sandusky to enjoy the dozens of rides and other forms of entertainment the park has to offer. Tickets start at $49.99 online. One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky. May 6. DETAILS

Guardians vs. Twins, Tigers

Get ready for a weekend series against Cleveland’s AL Central rivals from Minnesota, followed by visit from Detroit starting Monday. Tickets start at $15. Progressive Field, Cleveland. Twins games are 7:10 p.m., May 5; 6:10 p.m., May 6; 1:40 p.m., May 7. Tigers games are 6:10 p.m., May 8-9; 1:10 p.m., May 10. DETAILS

The Cleveland Orchestra: Weilerstein plays Barber

Cellist and Cleveland native Alisa Weilerstein joins Franz Welser-Möst and the orchestra in a performance of Barber’s Cello Concerto. The night also includes works by Prokofiev and Loggins-Hull. Tickets $24 and up.

11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., May 4 and 8 p.m., May 6. DETAILS

Step Afrika!

Blending percussive dance styles with traditional African dances, Step Afrika! also integrates songs, stories and audience participation into their performances. Tickets $15. KeyBank State Theatre. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., May 6. DETAILS

Sabrina Carpenter in concert

The former Disney Channel star brings her “Emails I Can’t Send Tour” to the North Coast. Tickets $47.50-$75. Agora Theatre, 5000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland. 8 p.m., May 7. DETAILS

Cleveland Jazz Orchestra: Coltrane, Sinatra, and the Surprise of Being

Saxophonist Joe Lovano joins the CJO for two nights at two locations. Program features works from Coltrane, Sinatra, and excerpts from “The Surprise of Being.” Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, at 7:30 p.m., May 5. Creative Arts Collaborative Center, 380 S. Main St, Akron at 7 p.m., May 6. DETAILS

Ain’t Misbehaving’

Great Lakes Theater presents a jazzy musical celebration of Fats Waller. Five actors croon, jive, wail, and dance their way through the songs that made Waller a household name. Tickets $20 to $89. Through May 21. Hanna Theatre, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. DETAILS

The Tudors at Cleveland Museum of Art

This touring exhibition explores the art and majesty of Renaissance England with more than 90 works that show how Tudor monarchs including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I used the arts as propaganda to prop up their dynasty. Timed tickets, $15 or free for members, recommended. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through May 14. DETAILS

‘Tina - The Tina Turner Musical’ at Playhouse Square

The Broadway touring production of “Tina - The Tina Turner Musical” is an inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice - in 1991 as a member of Ike & Tina Turner and in 2021 as a solo artist. Through May 14. Connor Palace, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. DETAILS

RubberDucks vs. Sea Dogs

Minor League Baseball is back in Akron as the RubberDucks continue their series with Portland throughout the weekend. Tickets $5-27. Canal Park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron. May 4 - May 7. DETAILS

‘Sleeping Beauty’

Ballet Theatre of Ohio invites you to the Akron Civic Theatre to enjoy this timeless classic with three weekend performances. Tickets $32-$42. 182 S. Main St, Akron. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., May 6; 2 p.m., May 7. DETAILS

May Flowers Craft Show

Featuring more than 60 vendors and other local small business owners. Admission is free for shoppers. Rocky River Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Dr, Rocky River. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 6. DETAILS

Once Upon a Mattress

This all-ages musical comedy opens Friday. Based on the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” the show will brings laughs to the whole family. Tickets $14. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood. May 5 - May 14. DETAILS

Keith Haring Show at Akron Art Museum

“Keith Haring: Against All Odds” is at the Akron Art Museum through late September. The late Haring started with chalk graffiti in New York City subway stations. In the 1980s, his popularity exploded into pop culture paintings, drawings, large-scale murals and fashion. Through September 23, 2023. 1 South High Street, Akron. DETAILS

‘What We Look Like’ at Dobama Theatre

Cleveland’s Off-Broadway Theatre hosts the professional world premiere of this comedy, which tells the story of the challenges and pressures faced by a black family after moving to a white suburban neighborhood. Tickets $15-$41. 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights. Through May 23. DETAILS

Ken Ludwig’s ‘Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure’

Sherlock Holmes’ and Dr. Watson’s investigation of the Bohemian king’s stolen letters turns into an international mystery. While securing world peace, the duo makes the audience laugh. Five actors play more than over 40 roles in this brand-new adventure. Tickets $25 to $75. April 29 to May 21. Allen Theater, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. DETAILS

‘The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin’

What’s a Black girl growing up in Southern California to do to cope during the racial tumult of the 1960s? In "Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin," now playing at Cleveland's Karumu House, she slaps on a bubbly smile and tries to be as white as she can be, Of course, there are consequences with that kind of self-denial, all of which play out to devastating effect in this humorous and pointed coming-of-age story. Tickets $25. Through May 14. 2355 East 89th St., Cleveland. DETAILS

Egyptomania: Fashion’s Conflicted Obsession

This recently opened exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art features dozens of objects exploring the influence of Egyptomania in fashion by juxtaposing contemporary clothing and jewelry with fine and decorative artworks from the museum’s collection. Free. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through January 2024. DETAILS

Cleveland Botanical Garden presents House Plants!

Unique house plants fill the indoor spaces of the botanical garden. The idea is to, um, plant ideas in the minds of visitors of ways to decorate their homes with greenery. Shop for plants afterward in the garden store. Admission $14-$20. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through May 21. DETAILS

Return of the Butterflies at Cleveland Botanical Garden

Hundreds of newly emerged butterflies have been released to fly freely in the garden’s Costa Rica Cloud Forest biome. Observe more than 30 species of these colorful and curious insects as they search for nectar and explore their surroundings. Admission, $13-$19. 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland. Through Nov. 30. DETAILS

Disney Animation: Immersive Experience

Feel the magic when you step inside some of your favorite animated Disney films. This one-of-a-kind experience at Lighthouse ArtSpace gives you a front-row seat at Simba’s presentation ceremony, sends you on a magic carpet ride with Aladdin and transports you to snowy Arendelle for a song by Elsa. Tickets start at $36. 850 E. 72nd St., Cleveland. Through May 29. DETAILS

FOOD & DINING

Don Shula’s American Kitchen open for business (and Derby Day party)

One of the region’s newest restaurants, Don Shula’s American Kitchen pays homage to the great football coach who hails from Northeast Ohio and who went to John Carroll University. This Saturday, the restaurant – in the Hall of Fame Village - is having a Kentucky Derby watch party 4 to 7 p.m. Cost is $75 for apps and open bar. The restaurant is at 2101 Hall of Fame Way NW, Suite 1, Canton. The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m. DETAILS

Pub Frato

If you’re going to the 2023 Chagrin Falls Margarita Crawl on Saturday May 6, grab a lunch or dinner at Pub Frato, 25 Pleasant Drive, Chagrin Falls. The gastropub offers a casual setting with on-trend food such as ahi tuna poke nachos, Brussels sprouts with goat cheese and bacon, mac n cheese, burgers, tacos and comfort food entrees. During the crawl, they’re featuring a grapefruit-lavender margarita. DETAILS

Maifest at Hofbrauhaus Cleveland

Celebrate the reopening of the Biergarten with a traditional German celebration also featuring lawn games, nail-driving competition, petting zoo and more. 1550 Chester Ave, Cleveland. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 7. DETAILS

‘Dine Drink CLE’ offers lively guide to restaurant, bar scenes

Get the latest news about Cleveland’s restaurant and bar scene in the new weekly "Dine Drink CLE" newsletter. With the latest on openings, closings, tastings and other events, plus recommendations, features and guides from our team of writers and critics. SUBSCRIBE

TV & MOVIES

‘White House Plumbers ‘

Fifty years later and Hollywood is still drawing from the Watergate well for entertainment. Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux co-star in "White House Plumbers" for HBO as E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy. Hunt was a former C.I.A. agent and Liddy a former F.B.I. agent who were tapped by the Nixon administration to investigate his political adversaries and help get him re-elected to a second term. The pair orchestrated the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel that ultimately led to Nixon's resignation. Hunt and Liddy were both characters in themselves and Harrelson and Theroux dive into their eccentricities. The five-episode series debuted Monday. DETAILS

‘Bupkis’

Pete Davidson stars in a semi-autobiographical comedy series about navigating family, fame, and relationships in "Bupkis," which he executive produced and wrote. Edie Falco plays his mom and Joe Pesci is his grandfather. The show also features many guest stars including Al Gore, Jon Stewart, La La Anthony, John Mulaney, Steve Buscemi and Colson Baker, who goes by Machine Gun Kelly. All eight episodes drop Thursday May 4, on Peacock. DETAILS

‘Jewish Matchmaking’

The producers of Netflix's "Indian Matchmaking" are broadening their TV search for love by filming Jewish singles ready to settle down. In "Jewish Matchmaking," professional cupid Aleeza Ben Shalom attempts to make love connections for Jewish singles in both the United States and Israel. She politely nods at some of their high-expectations and encourages others to go on another date or two to really decide if there's chemistry. "I have the hardest job in the world," Shalom remarks in the trailer. Watch her work her magic beginning Wednesday on Netflix.

‘A Man Called Otto’

— In "A Man Called Otto," Tom Hanks stars as a despondent and ornery widower whose suicide plans keep getting foiled by the needs of his neighbors. When it played in theaters in December, the Sony Pictures release proved the rare adult-oriented success at the box office, and grossed more than $100 million globally. Marc Forster's adaptation of Fredrik Backman's bestseller and remake of the 2016 Swedish film "A Man Called Ove" arrives Saturday, May 6, on Netflix. DETAILS

Birth of Asian-American cinema

A new series on the Criterion Channel pegs the 1980s as the birth of Asian American cinema. The 12 collected films — mostly products of the independent film movement — chronicle some of the inroads Asian Americans made in mainstream film while exploring new definitions of identity. Among the films here are several by Wayne Wang (1982's "Chan Is Missing" and 1985's "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart"), Peter Wang's China-set culture-clash comedy "A Great Wall" (1986) and Steven Okazaki's 1987 rom-com "Living on Tokyo Time." DETAILS

MUSIC

Ed Sheeran

Don't count Ed Sheeran out this week, even if his latest album is "-" or "Subtract." The British singer-songwriter will be releasing the Aaron Dessner-produced acoustic album on Friday, May 5, marking the end of his mathematical album era ("Divide," "Multiply" and "Plus") and diving into his personal grief, hope and how he's dealt with "fear, depression and anxiety." Among the song titles are "Boat," "Life Goes On," "End of Youth," "Spark" and "No Strings." If you need more Sheeran, tune into Disney+ on Wednesday for the four-part series "Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All," to find out "what Ed thinks of the world, of himself and how his experiences have influenced his music and shaped him into the chart-topping artist he is today." DETAILS

Smashing Pumpkins

Smashing Pumpkins have the last chapter to their ambitious three-part rock opera "Atum" on the way. Pronounced "autumn," the band's 12th LP is being called the narrative successor to 1995's "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" and 2000's "Machina/The Machines of God." The 33-song "Atum" sounds different from the band's 2020 album "Cyr," with music ranging from airy to headbanging, and the new single "Spellbinding" has 1980s-inspired synths before a heavier guitar-led chorus kicks in. DETAILS

Chicago

The hit rock band, and Hall of Fame Inductees, head to Northeast Ohio for a show at MGM Northfield Park. Enjoy decades of your favorite hits. Tickets start at $165. This is a 21-and-over show. 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. 7:30 p.m., May 7. DETAILS

Ministry

Gary Numen & Front Line Assembly join the industrial metal legends for a night of rock. Tickets $45-$75. Agora Theatre, 5000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland. 7 p.m., May 5. DETAILS

Salsa Cruise

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an evening of dancing out on the Goodtime III featuring the sounds of Sammy DeLeon y su Orquestra. 21 and over only. Tickets $40. Boarding time is 6:30 p.m. 825 E. 9th Street Pier, Cleveland. 7-9:30 p.m., May 5. DETAILS

The JiMiller Band 25th Anniversary Show

It’s been 25 years since Jim Miller formed the band. Head to The Winchester to celebrate their anniversary. Tickets $11 in advance, $20 at the door. 12112 Madison Ave, Lakewood. 7 p.m., May 6. DETAILS

What's ahead for live music in 2023

Want more concert & music picks?

Cleveland.com's weekly virtual concert guide is HERE

Cleveland.com's weekly new music guide is HERE

Entertainment | Music | Events

To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.cleveland.com to your address book or safe sender list. You received this email because you opted-in to the newsletter. Was it forwarded to you? Sign up now!
1801 Superior, Cleveland, OH 44114.

UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT US MOBILE APPS