Ribs, gyros, 'In the Heights,' Noah Kahan in concert and more things to do in Cleveland this Memorial Day weekend

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

This unofficial start of summer has arrived. Memorial Day Weekend in Northeast Ohio means ribs, gyros, live music and, frankly, vibes. But where to start? Here’s our list of things to do this weekend.

Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest

The beloved holiday tradition returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds as 10 rib teams from across the country compete for the coveted Best Ribs trophy. Expect craft beers, fair food and live music, too. Admission $10. Free Friday noon-5 p.m. 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights. May 24-27. DETAILS

Tremont Greek Festival

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church hosts the 52nd edition of this annual celebration of Greek culture. Feast on authentic delicacies like Gyros, Souvlaki, Mousaka, Pastitsio and Spanakopita while you enjoy live music and dance performances. Free admission. 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland. May 24-27. DETAILS

Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff is scheduled

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is holding the three-day Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff. It will include a judged competition for half a dozen rib joints – local and out-of-state. The fest, which has free admission, is set for May 24-26. The Hall of Fame is bringing back the fest, which had been on a 10-year hiatus. READ MORE

Blossom Time Festival

Hot air balloons will fill the sky at the spectacular Balloon Glow in Chagrin Falls, the kickoff event to the village’s annual festival. Carnival rides, midway games, live entertainment, food trucks, a 5.25-mile run and parade round out the fun. Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls. May 23-27. DETAILS

Noah Kahan

The “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk” singer-songwriter opens the Blossom Music Center season on Tuesday. Ryan Beatty is the opening act. Limited ticket availability. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 8 p.m., May 28. DETAILS

Alexander Payne

Oscar-winning writer-director Alexander Payne (”The Holdovers,” “Sideways”) comes to the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque for a screening of his breakthrough film “Election” and to answer questions about his career. Tickets $25 ($20 for members). Peter B. Lewis Theatre, 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 3 p.m., May 26. DETAILS

Station Hope

Now in its 11th year, this unique festival put on by Cleveland Public Theatre features 100 artists performing social justice-inspired works at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City, Cleveland’s first authenticated Underground Railroad site. Free. 2600 Church Ave., Cleveland. 7-10 p.m., May 25. DETAILS

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and festivals scheduled

Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer, means it’s time for families to celebrate the three-day weekend with picnics and parties. Local communities have also scheduled various events from Friday, May 24, through Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, reminding residents about the meaning of the holiday, which honors those who died while serving in the military. Here's a listing of parades, ceremonies and other community. READ MORE

“In the Heights”

Cleveland Play House brings Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical to life, an electrifying story of hope, heritage and love set in the predominately Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights. Tickets $25-$95. Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Now through June 9. DETAILS

Erica Rhodes

Comedian and actress Erica Rhodes (”Modern Family,” “New Girl”) brings her standup act to Cleveland for five shows at Hilarities inside Pickwick & Frolic. 2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland. May 23-25. DETAILS

Military Days at Cedar Point

The Amazement Park in Sandusky is thanking active military members and veterans for their service by offering them a free single-day ticket this weekend. The park features nearly 70 rides and attractions including 15 roller coasters. However, the newest coaster, Top Thrill 2, is currently closed while it undergoes a “mechanical modification.” Regular admission starts at $49.99. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky. May 24-27. DETAILS

Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’

Music director Franz Welser-Most, the Cleveland Orchestra and a star-studded cast perform a full-scale production of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” at Severance Music Center. The production, directed by Nikolaus Habjan, is the centerpiece of the 2024 Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival in Cleveland. Tickets start at $115. Mandel Concert Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 7 p.m., Friday, May 24; and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26. DETAILS

‘Corvair: The American Porsche’

Whether you think of the Corvair as a design innovation or unloved stepchild, the vehicle turns 64 years old this year, and the Crawford Auto Museum at the Western Reserve Historical Society has a full-throttle exhibition called “Corvair: The American Porsche?” which examines the sporty sedan line’s brief history. The exhibition itself is a delightful time warp, chock full of history, well-executed displays and impeccable automotive design prowess. With seven different Corvair models on display at the museum located at 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, this could be your car enthusiast’s banner event for the year. READ MORE

“Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution”

“Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution”at the Cleveland Museum of Art looks at history and the transformative legacy of Korean fashion. The exhibit includes 30 garments plus accompanying ephemera. These range from excavated 17th-century aristocratic garments to contemporary Korean couture by leading and emerging designers. Free. Through Oct. 13. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS

“Africa & Byzantium” at Cleveland Museum of Art

CMA’s flagship spring exhibition features more than 160 works, tracing the influence of Christianity through the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire and the expansion of Islam starting in the fourth century. Tickets $12-$15. Free for members. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Now through July 21. DETAILS

Related: Cleveland Museum of Art transcends Eurocentric art history in ‘Africa and Byzantium’

Monet in Focus

This special exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art showcases five exquisite paintings by French Impressionist Claude Monet created during the tail end of his career, including three works on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. Free. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Now through Aug. 11. DETAILS

FOOD & DRINK

Cleveland’s Old 86 bar finds creative nightly snack option

Old 86 is a no-nonsense bar in Gordon Square that serves canned beer and straight shots seven nights a week. For patrons lucky enough to be there between 10 and 11 p.m., the bar offers an exclusive bar snack with its Bad Company wings. READ MORE

Irie Jamaican Kitchen

Chef Omar Mckay’s love of Jamaican food reaches back to his childhood and his melding of flavors reflects that wide-eyed love – paired with respect for spice that can only come from hands-on cooking experience. Dishes land somewhere between old-fashioned soul food and traditional. The jerk chicken and shrimp have depth and character; you can’t get oxtail on-the-go like theirs anywhere else. We could eat their mango salsa and cilantro lime sauce on anything. Multiple locations. READ MORE

On the Rise Artisan Breads

Bakeries are oft-overlooked places for breakfast and lunch. On the Rise Artisan Breads in Cleveland Heights serves a number of sandwiches including a tofu Bahn Mi for vegetarians or a Miller’s roast beef with house horseradish aioli, arugula and pickled shallots. Most of the ingredients are from local growers or purveyors. While you’re there get a cup of coffee and a loaf of bread for home use. On the Rise is at 3471 Fairmont Blvd., Cleveland Heights. READ MORE

Amba

Doug Katz’s Amba in Ohio City gets a lot of buzz for a reason. The menu features sharable Indian-style plates in a moody and sophisticated space that makes it feel like it belongs in a major city like New York or Berlin. The Amba Favorites curated menu is a must for two people. It comes with clay bread, herb raita, crispy puris, popcorn chicken, ghee-basted shrimp and wok-fired string beans, and it’s nearly impossible to pick one stand out of all the dynamic dishes. Amba is at 14308 W. 28th Street in Cleveland. DETAILS

TV & MOVIES

‘Dune: Part Two’

The spice will flow on Max starting this week when Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two" finally hits the streaming service. The film continues the saga of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he learns the ways of the desert-dwelling Fremen following the death of his father in "Part One." It's also a decidedly more action-packed spectacle than the first film, introducing a slew of new characters including the demonic Feyd Rautha played with scene-stealing menace by Austin Butler. DETAILS

‘The Blue Angels ‘

A different kind of eye-popping spectacle will also be available on Prime Video on Thursday in the documentary "The Blue Angels" about the daring U.S. Navy pilots who have thrilled air show audiences since 1946. Produced by J.J. Abrams and "Top Gun: Maverick" star Glen Powell, filmmaker Paul Crowder got unprecedented access to the pilots both on the ground and in the air to give audiences a front row seat to the show. They filmed the stunts using a helicopter with a mounted IMAX-certified camera – it was the first ever civilian aircraft that was allowed to fly in their performance airspace – and, unlike in "Top Gun: Maverick," there was no staging or second takes. DETAILS

‘Atlas ‘

The ever-prolific Jennifer Lopez has another movie on the way already in the sci-fi action pic "Atlas," debuting on Netflix on Friday, May 24. She plays the titular character, a data analyst who must learn to trust AI in order to save humanity, in a cast that includes Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong. Lopez has said that at its core, it's a love story. "Atlas" was directed by "San Andreas" helmer Brad Peyton. DETAILS

'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'

Buckle up, George Miller is back with another high-octane Mad Max tale focusing this time on a young Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and a warlord named Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. DETAILS

‘Murderesses’

A six-part series from Poland called "Murderesses" streams on Viaplay beginning Tuesday. It's based on a true crime novel by Katarzyna Bonda, about a rookie cop investigating the disappearance of her father who has been missing for one year. Her digging uncovers family secrets. DETAILS

‘Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars’

Has chef Gordon Ramsay met his match in season two of "Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars?" He faces-off against fellow Brit, restaurateur and reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump to find fresh talent in the food and beverage industry. They each lead teams of contestants who compete in various challenges and the winner gets $250,000 toward their brand. It's like "Shark Tank" meets "The Voice" meets "The Apprentice." Season two debuts this week on Fox. The series also streams on Hulu, Tubi and Fox.com. DETAILS

‘Thirst with Shay Mitchell ‘

Shay Mitchell, best-known from the original "Pretty Little Liars" series is serious about her love of travel. Mitchell hosts her own travel show on Max but with a twist. "Thirst with Shay Mitchell" is all about seeking out beverages unique to each area, soaking up local culture. Mitchell is game to try it all one sip at a time. DETAILS

‘The Ms. Pat Show ‘

Season four of "The Ms. Pat Show" comes to BET+ on Thursday. It stars comedian Patricia "Pat" Williams, known in showbiz as Ms. Patt, who draws from her life experience as a suburban mom who grew up in a rough neighborhood and has a history of drug-dealing. Jordan E. Cooper created the series with Ms. Pat and is also its showrunner. He wrote and starred in the play "Ain't No Mo,'" which made him the youngest Black American playwright in Broadway history. DETAILS

‘South Park ‘

"South Park" has never shied away from poking fun of hot-button topics. In a new special, weight loss drugs are all the rage in South Park. The kids get involved when Cartman is denied access. "South Park: The End of Obesity" streams on Paramount+ on Friday, May 24. DETAILS

‘My Adventures with Superman ‘

For a more family friendly animated option, "My Adventures with Superman" is back for a season two on Saturday, May 25 on Adult Swim. Jack Quaid voices Clark Kent/Superman as a young man who is roommates with his best friend, Jimmy Olson, played by Ishmel Sahid. Alice Lee voices Lois Lane. The lighthearted take on the DC Comics hero also streams on Max. DETAILS

‘The Beach Boys ‘

You've seen nearly all eight hours of Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary "Get Back" on Disney+. Now, prepare yourself to watch a definitive documentary on America's band, the Beach Boys, on the same platform starting Friday, May 24. (Let the spirited rivalry continue!) Appropriately titled "The Beach Boys," this doc boasts of never-before-seen footage and all new interviews with members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston. DETAILS

‘Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A.’

At the epicenter of Memphis' music scene in the '50s and '60s was Stax Records, home to Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Staple Singers, and many others; a funk, R&B and soul label that celebrated interracial creative endeavors at a point in American history when doing so was life-threatening. Now, there's a documentary that works to chronicle the legacy of the institution: "Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A." starting ths week on HBO Max. DETAILS

MUSIC

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz is back with his first full-length album in six years: "Blue Electric Light." (The album follows 2018's "Raise Vibration.") It is a testament to his status as one of the last remaining true rock stars, evident from the moment he released the album's lead single, "TK421." (The title may very well be a "Star Wars" reference, so it's best not to harken on it too much — and instead watch the very "not safe for work" music video that partners the funky track's release instead. Seriously, wait until you're home.) Last year, Kravitz described the album as "the album I didn't make in my teens" to the Associated Press. DETAILS

Gary Clark Jr.

Four-time Grammy-winning guitarist and singer Gary Clark brings his unmistakable sound to Jacobs Pavilion on the west bank of the Flats. Abraham Alexander opens. Tickets $29.50-$149.50. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. 7 p.m., May 24. DETAILS

X Ambassadors

This pop rock band, who broke through in the 2010s with big radio hits like “Unsteady” and “Renegades,” comes to House of Blues Cleveland in support of their latest album “Townie.” Tickets $42-$82. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., May 26. DETAILS

Mr. Big

It’s an ‘80s party on Friday at the Agora, where rockers Mr. Big will perform some of their biggest hits from the greatest decade in music including “To Be with You” and “Just Take My Heart”. Tickets $35-$95. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., May 24. DETAILS

Reggae Fest Cleveland

The best reggae party in Ohio is happening this weekend. Get down to the sounds of 10 reggae artists with performances by Mighty Mystic, The Quasi Kings, Carlos Jones, Arise Roots and more. Tickets $25-$125. Mall C, Cleveland. May 25-26. DETAILS

Jesse DeNatale

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Jesse DeNatale performs at Beachland Ballroom in anticipation of his latest album, “The Hands of Time,” which drops on July 14. Joseph Alan Betram is the opener. Tickets $25. 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland. 8 p.m., May 25. DETAILS

Rockin’ on the River

Northern Ohio’s longest-running outdoor summer concert series returns to Black River Landing. The first show of the season features Dirty Deeds, an “extreme” AC/DC tribute band. Right Now opens, performing music from Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar era. Tickets $10. 421 Black River Lane, Lorain. 6:15 p.m., May 24. DETAILS

Nathy Peluso

Argentine and Spanish singer Nathy Peluso will release her third album and first in four years, "Grasa," following 2020's Latin Grammy award winning "Calambre." She co-wrote and co-produced most of the album with Manuel Lara (known for his work with Kali Uchis and Bad Bunny ), and it shows. The album is an eclectic exploration of a variety of genres: salsa, ballads, hip-hop, R&B and beyond. It's also stacked with collaborations, including a delightfully surprising one from Dev Hynes' Blood Orange on "El Dia Que Perdí Mi Juventud." DETAILS

Entertainment | Music | Events

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