Tennis in the Land, Buddy Guy in concert, Pauly Shore, Whiskey Island Paddlefest & more

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Tennis in the Land

The Cleveland Open tournament brings some of the best professional women’s tennis players to the banks of the Cuyahoga for a week of competition. Fan-fest zone will feature live music, food, pickleball and more. Tickets $25 and up. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. August 19-26. DETAILS

The Cleveland Orchestra: Fujita Plays Tchaikovsky

Ryan Bancroft conducts works by Shaw, Dawson and Tchaikovsky with guest pianist Mao Fujita. Tickets start at $25. 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m., August 19. DETAILS

Buddy Guy at Jacobs Pavilion

Legendary Blues guitarist makes a stop in Northeast Ohio as part of his farewell tour. With Jimmie Vaughan and Samantha Fish. Tickets start at $20. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. 7 p.m., August 19. DETAILS

‘Six’ at Playhouse Square

“Six” is the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, sung through the wives’ point of view. Tickets, $35-$120. Aug. 8 to Sept. 10. Connor Palace at Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Cleveland.com's Joey Morona has a review. READ MORE

The Offspring, Simple Plan & Sum 41 at Blossom Music Center

Enjoy a night full of fan-favorite hits from this trio of alt-rock bands. Tickets start at $29.50. 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m., August 22. DETAILS

Whiskey Island Paddlefest

9th annual event has fun happenings for both beginners and the more advanced, including both stand-up paddleboard and kayak races and a Capture the Swag Fun Paddle. For ages 12 and up. Tickets $40 and up. Kids and Youth races are free. Wendy Park, 2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland. 7:30 a.m., August 19. DETAILS

'Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End'

Nationally syndicated columnist Pam Sheman stars as Erma Bombeck in a solo show about one of America’s most beloved writers. This Cleveland Play House production celebrates the humanity and humor of a woman who gave a voice to a generation of suburban housewives. Tickets start at $25. Through Aug. 20. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

Guardians vs. Tigers

Cheer on Cleveland as the team looks to keep its playoff hopes alive against Detroit. Both Friday’s and Saturday’s games feature postgame fireworks. Tickets start at $15. Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland. Aug. 18-20. DETAILS

RubberDucks vs. Sea Wolves

Minor league baseball is back in Akron this weekend as the team concludes its homestand against Erie. Weekend activities include Akron Sauerkraut Balls Night and fireworks on Friday. See site for full list of weekend promotions. Tickets $5-$27. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. Aug. 18-20. DETAILS

Pauly Shore: Stick with the Dancing

Comedian Pauly Shore heads to Akron with his one-man show where he’ll share stories from his childhood, the ups-and-downs of his career and much more. Tickets start at $38. 1201 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m., August 19. DETAILS

'Fun Home'

This stage adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking graphic novel memoir won a Tony Award for Best Musical in 2015. Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 day of show. Alma Theater, Cain Park, Cleveland Heights

7 p.m., August 18 – 19. 2 p.m., August 20. DETAILS

Third Friday at 78th Street Studios open house

Power yourself with a snack and beverage while perusing the local art in more than 50 galleries at 78th Street Studios monthly 3rd Friday open house. Free. 5-9 p.m., August 18. 1300 West 78th Street, Cleveland. DETAILS

18th Annual International Festival

St. John Bosco’s annual parish festival features live music, food, carnival and casino games and much more. 6480 Pearl Road, Parma Heights. 5-11 p.m., August 18-19. 2-9 p.m., August 20. DETAILS

Lake County Captains vs. Peoria Chiefs

See potential Guardians future stars in action. Promotions this weekend include Friday fireworks. See site for complete list. Tickets $10-$23. Classic Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake. Aug. 18-20. DETAILS

Lake Erie Crushers vs. Gateway Grizzlies

There’s more minor league baseball in town this weekend as the Crushers host a three-game series at Mercy Health Stadium. Friday is Star Wars Night and includes a fireworks display, while the first 1,000 fans on Saturday will receive a Greg Pruitt bobblehead. Tickets start at $9. 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon. August 18-20. DETAILS

Summer on the Square

Family Friendly event featuring local businesses and organizations, artists & creators and much more. Shaker Square, Cleveland. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., August 19. DETAILS

The Fantasy Prom

Akron Civic Theatre’s annual gala lets you relive prom the way you would have wanted it to be. Night features dinner, open bar, live entertainment, complimentary valet parking and much more. Ticket packages start at $150. 182 S. Main St., Akron. 6:30 p.m., August 19. DETAILS

International Music Competition at Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Stars of Summer International Competition winners will compete in multiple formats include piano, orchestra, vocal and opera. 6:30 - 8 p.m., August 19. Centennial Peace Plaza, 1051 Martin Luther King Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS

Asian Lantern Festival

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is illuminated with more than 1,000 lanterns at this family-favorite event, now in its sixth year. The innovative and interactive displays include a 40-foot-tall giant lantern, walk-through tunnels and a 150-foot-long Enchanted Garden Experience, which immerses guests in larger-than-life displays featuring butterflies, flowers and insects. The festival also boasts live acrobatic performances and a variety of culturally inspired food. Tickets start at $22. Through Aug. 27. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. DETAILS

FOOD & DINING

Fat Bee Café

Fat Bee Café opened its first location in Kansas in 2017 but has since grown to become a franchise Vietnamese boba café with a location in Strongsville. The Fat Bee has plenty to offer in both menu and atmosphere. The small, yet colorful, space at 14405 Pearl Rd. is a perfect place to settle in with a comforting drink to do work or socialize with friends. The offerings include several renditions of coffee and tea that resemble nothing like a familiar American café menu. The signature Phin-Drip combines Dak Lak coffee with condensed milk for a slightly sweet option with an added caffeine boost. The milk tea flavors range from typical, like matcha, to more creative flavors such as crème brûlée or winter melon. There are even endless customizable options for mix-ins and toppings outside of brown-sugar boba pearls including popping boba, fruity jelly pieces, and more. DETAILS

LockKeepers

The entire menu at LockKeepers, 8001 Rockside Road, Valley View, is inviting. That makes it easy to overlook the pasta. Don’t. Not everyone can make pasta this interesting. This is all homemade and extruded through a bronze die by Chef Nick Francis. He recently served a paccheri noodle – like a smooth rigatoni – with a duck ragu. The tomato-ground-duck sauce, sweetened with carrots, is sublime with the incrementally thicker, al dente pasta. He also extrudes mafaldine, linguine, and spaghetti noodles. Lasagna sheets and gnocchi are made in house as well. READ MORE

Bar Louie

The news about Bar Louie’s martini of the month program supporting No Kid Hungry has us thinking about the bar-restaurant’s libations. From signature martinis, spiked sangrias and more, Bar Louie offers a chance to quench your thirst during the hot spell we’ve been having. Plus, the restaurant has five new entrees including Monterey chicken to citrus-grilled salmon. Northeast Ohio Bar Louie locations are at 24337 Cedar Road in Lyndhurst and 9 Main St. in Westlake. DETAILS

St. Maron Food Festival

Featuring Middle Eastern food, drink, live music and dancing, kids games and more. 7800 Brookside Rd., Independence. Noon - 10 p.m., August 19. Noon - 7 p.m., August 20. DETAILS

Great Lakes Brewing Co. 35th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate 35 years with family-friendly activities and treats, pop-up shops, food, music, limited releases and much more. Admission is free. 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., August 19. 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

‘Blue Beetle’

While most superheroes shield their identities from loved ones, in “Blue Beetle,” the first DC Comics movie to feature a Latino lead, it’s a group project. When recent college grad Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) unknowingly brings home an alien scarab in a fast-food box, he’s egged on by his sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) and Uncle Rudy (George Lopez) to check it out. The scarab quickly responds to him, forming a symbiotic relationship that affords Jaime the powers of a sentient battle suit complete with a Siri-style intelligence, Khaji-Da (voiced by Becky G). The alien suit may be nifty, allowing him to fly and fight and conjure weapons out of thin air, but Jaime derives his strength and drive from the tight-knit Reyes clan. His family is a crucial component in the comic books, lovingly transferred to the screen by director Angel Manuel Soto and writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. The first Latino superhero movie is a true reflection of Latino culture, including the food, the music, the history and the focus on family, first and foremost. REVIEW

‘The Monkey King’

Parents looking for fresh animated offerings should rejoice that Netflix has a new film from Stephen Chow, the actor and producer known for "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," in "The Monkey King" streaming Friday, Aug. 18. Jimmy O. Yang of "Silicon Valley" and "Crazy Rich Asians" voices said Monkey King, born from a stone with magical powers and a big ego and who is on a quest for immortality. A young human girl (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) teams up with him to defeat dragons and demons. Other voice actors include Jo Koy, Bowen Yang, Stephanie Hsu and BD Wong. It's loosely based on the 16th century, Wu Cheng'en Ming dynasty novel "Journey to the West." DETAILS

‘Strays’

The trash-talking, garden gnome-humping comedy “Strays” appears destined to crack up Moviegoer A while turning Moviegoer B into Nipper, the puzzled, presumably silent terrier on the old RCA record labels. Yes, there are laughs in director Josh Greenbaum’s new film, written by Dan Perrault (who did the mockumentary series “American Vandal”). And you really notice it, because too much of “Strays” settles for less. The protagonist, sweet-natured border terrier Reggie voiced by Will Ferrell is looking to find his way home. The twist: He wants to get home so he can bite the penis off his hideously cruel human owner, played by Will Forte.Reggie’s dog pals include Bug, a Boston terrie voiced by Jamie Foxx and an Australian shepherd Maggie, voiced by Isla Fisher. REVIEW

‘Depp v. Heard’

Netflix also has "Depp v. Heard," a new doc about the widely watched libel trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, coming this week from director Emma Cooper ("The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes"). DETAILS

‘Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback’

"Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback," a new feature-length documentary about the making of the television special that revitalized Elvis Presley's career. When it aired on the night of Dec. 3, 1968, nearly half of the entire TV-watching audience tuned in to see Presley, clad in an iconic black leather suit, deliver some of the greatest performances of his life. The special lands on Paramount+ this week. DETAILS

‘Cocaine Bear ‘

"Cocaine Bear" is coming to Prime Video this week. Very loosely based on a true story (and taken to wild heights), the non-stop action comedy from Elizabeth Banks stars Keri Russell, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, Kristofer Hivju, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich and the late Ray Liotta. AP's Mark Kennedy was no fan in his zero-star review but said that at an efficient 95 minutes it "snorts along." Others were enchanted. "When the movie's pitched, you hear the word 'Cocaine,' you're like I'm not sure what to think of this," producer Phil Lord told the AP. "Then when you hear the word 'Bear,' you're like: I'm all in." DETAILS

‘No Hard Feelings ‘

Or if you want to settle in with a raunchy comedy, the Jennifer Lawrence vehicle "No Hard Feelings" is coming to video-on-demand this week. Lawrence plays a woman who answers a Craigslist ad posted by some concerned parents who want someone to "date" their awkward teenage son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he heads to college. Lawrence's pal Gene Stupnitsky ("Good Boys") wrote it for her to showcase her comedy prowess, which has so far been mostly relegated to her talk show appearances. Film writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review that the movie "works better than it ought to" and that it gives Lawrence "plenty of room to showcase her talent at upending traditional ideas of Hollywood glamour. At every moment, she delights in undercutting her own sexiness; it's not every A-lister who's willing to film a beach brawl in the nude." DETAILS

‘Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie’

A new "Peanut's" special on Apple TV+ puts Marcie, the introverted, studious bestie of Peppermint Patty and the gang, in the spotlight with her first special. In "Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie," the character has lots of ideas to make her friend's lives easier, but when those problem-solving abilities get her elected class president, the attention makes Marcie uncomfortable, and she becomes overwhelmed. "One-of-a-Kind Marcie" debuts Friday, Aug. 18. DETAILS

‘Harlan Coben's Shelter ‘

Best-selling author Harlan Coben has had many of his books adapted for TV, but his latest offering, "Harlan Coben's Shelter" for Prime Video, centers on a younger protagonist. Jaden Michael ("Colin in Black & White") stars as Mickey Bolitar — the teen nephew of famed Coben character Myron Bolitar. (Mickey has been the subject of YA books by Coben.) In this series, we meet Mickey when he is taken in by his aunt in New Jersey after his dad's death. He quickly channels his own grief into obsessing over a local disappearance. We also see Mickey interact with colorful school classmates including Abby Corrigan, Adrian Greensmith, Sage Linder and Antonio Cipriano, doing his best Biff from "Back to the Future." The series debuts Friday, Aug. 18. DETAILS

‘Stand Up to Cancer ‘

The star-studded TV fundraiser for cancer research co-founded by Katie Couric called "Stand Up to Cancer" returns on Saturday, Aug. 19. Celebs taking part include Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Danai Gurira and Justin Timberlake. It will also feature skits and musical performances from past specials. The fundraiser airs every other year and this time, it will simulcast across 50 media platforms in both the U.S. and Canada, including on the four major U.S. broadcast networks. DETAILS

MUSIC

Goo Goo Dolls & O.A.R. at Blossom Music Center

Bands roll into town as part of their summer “Big Night Out” tour featuring classic favorites and new music. Remaining available tickets start at $75. 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m., August 20. DETAILS

Rock Hall Live: Grandmaster Flash

Summer concert series brings 2007 inducted Grandmaster Flash to the plaza stage for a night of music that will have you on your feet and dancing. Tickets are $25. 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland. 8 p.m., August 18. DETAILS

Porch Rokr Music and Art Festival

The city of Akron is known for several of its musical exports, including Chrissie Hynde, The Black Keys, Howard Hewitt, Devo and James Ingram. But Akron can also boast about the Highland Square Porch Rokr Music and Art Festival, one of the region’s most popular single-day neighborhood music fests. This year's Porch Rokr features 140 bands playing on porches in the Highland Square neighborhood and takes Saturday, Aug. 19. The festival drew initial inspiration from Cleveland’s Larchmere Festival and has blossomed into its own, a day-long neighborhood party that in past years has drawn upwards of 15,000 people to Akron’s eclectic West Side neighborhood for a day of music, arts and artisans, food, drink and a good hang in “The Square.” READ MORE

Steven Page at Cain Park

Barenaked Ladies co-founder brings his solo show to town in promotion of his latest album, “Excelsior.” Tickets $20/$30 in advance or $23/$33 day of show. 14951 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights. 8 p.m., August 18. DETAILS

Rhiannon Giddens

It’s been six years since Rhiannon Giddens' last album, but she’s hardly been idle -- in fact, the Carolina Chocolate Drops co-founder won this year’s Pulitzer Prize in music for her 2022 opera “Omar.” “You’re the One” (Nonesuch) returns Giddens to her “day job,” featuring 12 new, mostly uptempo and stylistically varied tracks with production by Jack Splash and guest appearances from Jason Isbell, Leyla McCalla and Eryn Allen Kane. DETAILS

Hozier

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier's third studio album, "Unreal Unearth," comes out Friday, Aug. 18. The 16-track collection is loosely based on Dante's "Nine Circles of Hell" and features the slinky "De Selby (Part 2)," "Unknown/Nth," "All Things End," "Eat Your Young" and "Francesca," which builds to a thrilling, Phil Spector Wall of Sound-like climax. "I'm proud of this record and enjoyed watching it come to life over the past year," Hozier wrote to fans. Also listen for Brandi Carlile on "Butchered Tongue." DETAILS

Idina Menzel

Take center stage with Broadway icon Idina Menzel, whose "Drama Queen" shows off her big, rich vocals. "I want everyone to move and sing with me and embrace their inner 'Drama Queen,'" the Tony Award-winner told fans. The "Let It Go" singer worked alongside Nile Rodgers on the song, "Paradise," and goes full disco on first single, "Move," a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. "I'll meet you on the dance floor or at the stage door or wherever you will have me. This album is for you." DETAILS

‘San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time’

Go back in time and groove to the two-part music docuseries "San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time," premiering on Sunday, Aug. 20 from MGM+. The series tracks the history of the San Francisco music scene from 1965 to 1975. The series follows the creative explosion in San Francisco that featured the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Steve Miller, Santana, Moby Grape and more. The second part drops Aug. 27. DETAILS

Nelson: Live in Concert

Twin rockers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson head to Akron’s Goodyear Theater for a night of rock. Tickets start at $30. 1201 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m., August 18. DETAILS

The Smithereens

‘80s rockers are joined by special guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw. The night will also feature a performance by Falling Stars Unplugged. Tickets $35-$55. Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., August 18. DETAILS

LoveMuffinPalooza

Annual music festival and fundraiser for The Gathering Place returns for its 15th year. John Latimer will emcee the evening which features live music, raffles and more. Tickets $10. The Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. 4-10 p.m., August 20. DETAILS

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

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