Amy Poehler and Tina Fey at Playhouse Square, IngenuityFest 2023, Greta Van Fleet, HalloWeekends & more

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey at Playhouse Square

Join celebrities Amy Poehler and Tina Fey to celebrate their thirty years of friendship. They’ll entertain with an evening of jokes, stories and convertainment. Tickets are $79 and up. 8 p.m., Sept. 21-22; 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23; 5 p.m., Sept. 24. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland DETAILS

IngenuityFest 2023

IngenuityFest 2023, dubbed “Biologies and Geologies,” is back for year 19. In addition to performance spaces, original art works, and hundreds of exhibitors, performers and artisans, this year’s show welcomes festival villages such as Makers Mecca, Wellness Way, Inventors Emporium, Ideation Station and IndusTree Alley. The villages are dedicated to changing perceptions about manufacturing while celebrating Cleveland’s industrial heritage and highlighting dedication to sustainability. Prices vary by event. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sept. 22; 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sept. 23 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 24. IngenuityLabs at The Hamilton Collaborative, 5401 Hamilton Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

Cleveland Gaming Classic

If you like video games, tabletop games, card games, toys/collectibles, cosplay, competing in tournaments, comics, meeting legendary icons, nostalgia and more get to the Cleveland Gaming Classic at the I-X Center this weekend. Ohio’s largest convention for everything gaming takes place this weekend. Tickets are $20 to $87, plus fees. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 22; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 23; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 24. International Exposition Center, One I-X Center Dr., Cleveland. DETAILS

Browns vs. Titans in Cleveland

Brush off your tailgating gear and claim your space in the Muni lot Sunday morning as the Tennessee Titans will be in The Land to challenge the Browns. 1 p.m., Sept. 24. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland. DETAILS

Guardians play Baltimore, then Cincinnati

Cleveland Guardians have a busy home schedule this weekend. They start with three games against Baltimore Orioles and finish with two games against Cincinnati Reds. Tickets are $15 and up. Baltimore – 7:15 p.m., Sept. 21, 7:10 p.m., Sept 22, 6:10 p.m., Sept. 23 & 1:40 p.m., Sept. 24. Reds – 6:10 p.m., Sept. 26 & 27. Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland. DETAILS

HalloWeekends return to Cedar Point

HalloWeekends celebration is back with daytime fun, Halloween activities and shows for the family. When the sun goes down, fright zones, haunted houses and scary scenes all come alive. Tickets start at $49.99. Passes available. Thursdays through Sundays, ending Oct. 29. One Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky. DETAILS

Apple Harvest Weekend

Apple Harvest Weekend at Lake Metroparks Farmpark includes apple butter and cider making and other traditional harvest activities. Drink an apple slushies. Take a tour on the “Johnny Appleseed Trail.” Navigate the three-acre corn maze and more. Entrance $7 to $9. Members free. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 23-24. 8800 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland. DETAILS

“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812″

Influenced by War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, this imaginative electropop opera is from award-winning composer (and Lakewood native) Dave Malloy. It is summarized as “Young, impulsive Natasha, bewitched by handsome and cunning Anatole, falls to scandal. Family friend Pierre, a middle-aged man struggling with his own demons, must pick up the pieces to restore her reputation.” Tickets are $20 and up. Sept. 22 through Oct. 8. Hanna Theater, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta

This major exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art features more than 200 works representing the culture and land of the Jiangnan region. The pieces, dating from the Neolithic times to the 18th century, show how traditional China was depicted to the rest of the world. Tickets, $12-$15; free for members. Through Jan. 7, 2024. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS

‘Thurgood’

Film, TV, and regional theater veteran Lester Purry stars as Thurgood Marshall in an inspiring Cleveland Play House production that explores the life and career of the country’s first Black Supreme Court Justice. Tickets, $25-$95. Through Oct. 1. Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

'Fashion After Dark' opens at Cleveland History Center

“Fashion After Dark” opens Sept. 21 at the Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It will simulate the atmosphere of an evening on Euclid Avenue near the end of the 19th century with immersive lighting and sound. The show runs through June 30, 2024. A public Grand Opening Ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on opening day. Event tickets are $40 for the public, $20 for members. Admission tickets are $8 to $15, members free. Noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS

Cleveland Ballet opens season with “Carmen & Other Works”

Cleveland Ballet opens its ninth season with “Carmen & Other Works.” The performances are accompanied by Daniel Rodríguez’s flamenco guitar and opera singers - Zoya Gramagin from New York and James Binion from Florida. The Cleveland Ballet Orchestra will also accompany performances. Tickets are $28 and up. 7 p.m., Sept. 22-23. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

‘The Last Five Years’

Near West Theater stages the cult favorite Off-Broadway musical in the round in its Blackbox Theatre. The show chronicles the intense but brief relationship between two artists from each of their perspectives, at different points in their lives. Tickets, $15-$20 or pay what you choose. Through Sept. 24. 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

‘Lungs’

Ensemble Theatre presents the Cleveland premiere of Duncan Macmilllan’s drama at its home at the Notre Dame College Performing Arts Center. The play is described as a smart, brutally honest and edgy love story as it follows a couple through the surprising life cycle of their relationship. Tickets, $1-$35. Through Sept. 24. 4545 College Rd., South Euclid. DETAILS

Great Lake Science Center astronaut visit

Great Lakes Science Center is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Command Module Splashdown this Saturday. Retired astronaut and Marine Corps pilot Col Jack R. Lousma, one of the astronauts who flew on the command module’s mission, will greet guests and answer questions. General admission will be free for all guests. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 23. 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

FOOD & DINING

The Roaming Biscuit is worth getting out of bed for

Starting as a pop-up breakfast concept, the Roaming Biscuit is one of the more recent editions to Ohio City’s Hingetown neighborhood. The owners also operate the Bake Shop & Café in Cleveland’s Tyler Village, where the homemade biscuit sandwiches are also sold. Whether you get a “humble” biscuit with jam or a sandwich loaded with brisket, pimento cheese, and eggs, Roaming Biscuit’s breakfast sandwiches are sure to provide motivation for you to get out of bed. DETAILS

Little Italy goes beyond Italian food

Most of Little Italy’s restaurants are Italian-themed. Of course. But travel south down Murray Hill Road and you’ll come to Algebra Tea House, 2136 Murray Hill Rd, Cleveland. This Middle Eastern tea house started out as a funky art gallery with food in 2001. It is now a restaurant with art. A college student hangout, anyone who enjoys ethnic food and a whimsical environment should try dishes like baba ganouj, falafel, samosas and much more. DETAILS

Luigi’s Pizza: Downhome bites in downtown Akron

Luigi’s has been around since 1949. The pizza is the main event, but you have to order a cheese salad because any salad where shredded mozzarella covers every bit of lettuce is a good one. Luigi’s is at 105 N. Main St. a stone’s throw from downtown Akron. Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday. DETAILS

Little Italy Meatball Crawl & Wine Tasting

The Taste of Little Italy Meatball Crawl & Wine Tasting is Sunday. Ticketholders can visit more than 18 locations serving food and/or wine. Tickets are $68. Noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 24. 12510 Mayfield Road, Cleveland. DETAILS

Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus, Cleveland

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is holding Oktoberfest through mid-October with carnival games in the Biergarten, stein holding, live entertainment, German performers, food specials, and more. This week will include stein holding on Friday, pig roast on Saturday and both a brunch buffet and Barktoberfest on Sunday. Free. Weekends through Oct. 8. 1550 Chester Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

The Sip @ Cain -- Beer & Wine Festival

A new wine and beer sampling event is being launched at Cain Park this weekend. Tickets are $45 / VIP $65. 2 to 8 p.m., Sept. 23. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights. 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

'Expend4ables'

Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham & Co. dial up the action, violence and sex appeal in the fourth entry of the franchise, teaming up with newcomers Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Jacob Scipio and Levy Tran in a plot not immediately discernible from the movie’s trailer or official synopsis. Opens Sept. 22 in area theaters. DETAILS

‘Spy Kids’

Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" movies are pluckily still going, more than two decades after the director — with his kids in tow — first launched the admirably goofy, charmingly childlike espionage fantasy. The family film franchise, begun with the 2001 original, had tapered off by the time the lackluster fourth installment, "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World," was released in 2011. But Rodriguez and clan return for a reboot in Netflix's "Spy Kids: Armageddon," debuting Friday, Sept. 22. The film, written by Rodriguez and his 26-year-old son, Racer, stars Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi. DETAILS

‘Superpower’

Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn has co-directed a documentary about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Penn says he began the project — called "Superpower" — in 2021, with a lighthearted approach to the life of Zelenskyy, who was a comedian and actor before he entered politics. The tone and focus of the film shifted when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. "Superpower," which features interviews with Zelenskyy and families affected by the war, debuted this week on Paramount+. DETAILS

'The Super Models'

Before Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Winnie Harlow ever stepped onto a catwalk, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington defined the word glamour and became household names. A new four-part docu-series called "The Super Models" traces their rise to success. It debuted Wednesday on Apple TV+. DETAILS

‘Cassandro’

In Mexican lucha libra wrestling, exóticos traditionally are male fighters dressed in drag who offer a campy contrast to the machismo of the main-event matches. "Cassandro," premiering Friday, Sept. 22 on Amazon Prime Video, stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a pioneering exótico named Saúl Armendáriz who rose to become one of the biggest stars in Mexican wrestling. In my review of the film, directed by Roger Ross Williams, I wrote that Armendáriz's transformation of the exótico into something more than was prescribed by lucha tradition makes for a stirring metaphor for gay empowerment. DETAILS

‘Sex Education'

The critically acclaimed "Sex Education," one of Netflix's most popular shows, returns for its fourth and final season Thursday. The series stars Asa Butterfield as Otis, an awkward, precocious teen whose mother (played by Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist. (You can watch how that unique situation affected Otis' high school experience and social standing in earlier episodes.) In season four, Otis heads off to college. DETAILS

'The Continental: From the World of John Wick'

This prequel series explores the origin behind the iconic hotel from the film franchise as seen through the eyes of its eventual owner, a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell). Limited series premieres Friday, Sept. 22 on Peacock. DETAILS

MUSIC

Greta Van Fleet - Starcatcher World Tour

Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet is bringing the Starcatcher World Tour to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this weekend. The Starcatcher World Tour will include special guests Kaleo, Surf Curse, Mt. Joy and Black Honey. Tickets start at $49.50. 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23. 1 Center Court, Cleveland. DETAILS

Doja Cat

Long gone are the days of the viral retro-hit "Say So" – but who could expect the pop experimentalist Doja Cat to stay in one lane? (Anyone who remembers the viral "Moo! (B---- I'm a Cow)" video that made her an internet star would know better.) On "Scarlet," Doja Cat bids adieu to her former self and in the hardest rap verses of her career, demands listeners' heed. Like on the lead single, "Attention," a criticism of normalizing parasocial relationships, or "Demons," where she spits, "Are you off a key/I would never let you in my VIP/ We are enemies, we are foes/Who are you? And what are those?" while embodying her inner — and outer — incubus. DETAILS

Drake

Drake is no stranger to an inventive roll-out: the OVO rapper has a preference for surprise drops (last year's "Honesty, Nevermind" is evidence enough). But this year, he gave fans a bit of a heads up for his highly anticipated "For all the Dogs" album. At select dates, on stage at his massively popular "It's All A Blur" Tour, Drake teased collaborations with Nicki Minaj and Bad Bunny. The latter marks the duo's first collaboration since 2018's "MÍA," where Drake's Spanish-language singing was heard 'round the world. DETAILS

Chappell Roan

And now, to look away from pop's present and into its future! Chappell Roan, the Missouri-raised, LA-based dark pop balladeer first made headlines for her queer theatrical pop hit "Pink Pony Club," and later, the Gen-Z situationship anthem, "Casual," which she worked on with Olivia Rodrigo's chief collaborator and producer, Dan Nigro. "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" is Roan's solo debut, an enterprising collection of explicit ballads and bangers. Next year, Roan will open for Rodrigo on the "GUTS" singer's first-ever arena tour. Big things are on the horizon. DETAILS

Nerve DJs celebrate 20 years with hip-hop 50th birthday party

The Nerve DJs’ 20th Anniversary and Hip-Hop’s 50th Celebration & Awards Weekend is Friday at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Celebrate two major milestones in the music industry with live music and dancing. Tickets are $30 and up. 7 p.m., Sept. 22. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS

Parkway Drive at Jacobs Pavilion

Aussie metalcore troops Parkway Drive brings their Monsters of Oz tour to Jacobs Pavilion this weekend. $25 to $75. 7 p.m., Sept. 7. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. 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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