Drake at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Brite Winter music festival in the Flats, fish fry mania & more

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Drake & J. Cole: It’s All A Blur Tour – Big As The What?

Rappers Drake and J. Cole will headline two nights of live music at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tickets start at $75. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Ct., Cleveland. 8 p.m., Feb. 24-25. DETAILS

Rob Schneider

Actor and comedian Rob Schneider will take Center Stage at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday. Tickets for the show start at $45. MGM Northfield Park, 10777 Northfield Rd., Northfield. DETAILS

Cleveland Cavaliers

The surging Cavs take on the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Ct., Cleveland. DETAILS

Cleveland Charge vs. Capital City Go-Go

Cleveland Charge has a packed weekend at home, taking on the Capital City Go-Go in two back-to-back games. The Wolstein Center will be hosting both Friday and Saturday night’s games. Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland. 7 p.m., Feb. 23 and Feb. 24. DETAILS

Monsters vs. Toronto Marlies

Hockey fans can catch the Cleveland Monsters take on the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and its Wear Red for Women night at the arena. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Ct., Cleveland. 7 p.m., Feb. 28. DETAILS

Cleveland Play House presents 'The Play That Goes Wrong'

Enjoy a night of mischief and mishaps as a drama society’s new production quickly falls apart in hilarious ways. Tickets $49-$95. Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Through March 3. DETAILS

'Murder on the Orient Express'

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” follows passengers who are stranded with a killer in their midst. Detective Poirot must determine who stabbed one American tycoon eight times in his locked compartment. Tickets $20 to $89. Through March 3. Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave. Ste. 200, Cleveland. DETAILS

Tobogganing at the Chalet

Find your thrill in the chill at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, tobogganing on one of two 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes. Reservations required. Tickets $13-$15. 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville. Through Feb. 25 (weather permitting). DETAILS

The Rink at Wade Oval

You don’t have to be an aspiring Olympic figure skater to have fun at this ice skating rink in the heart of the museum district in University Circle. It’s all about having fun and making memories. Admission with skate rentals $5-$10. Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland. Through Feb. 25. DETAILS

Fish fry guide 2024: Best non-profit fish frys in NE Ohio

Across Greater Cleveland, non-profit fish frys kick off this week. Churches, scouts, VFW halls and others will be serving up a river of fish – from cod to halibut, perch and more along with pierogis, mac and cheese and other tasty side dishes. Fish frys remain a popular tradition across the region, and our guide will tell you who is serving what and when. READ MORE

Best restaurant fish fry specials in Greater Cleveland

It’s fish fry time in Northeast Ohio now that the Catholic Lenten season has hit, and Greater Cleveland restaurants are adjusting menus in honor. Cleveland.com gathered a list of more than 50 local restaurants offering fish fry options for Lent, whether its a regular menu staple or a seasonal special. READ MORE

Orchids Forever: Golden Hours

Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual orchids show returns, this time to showcase the colors of sunrise and sunset. The beautiful and fragrant displays feature species such as Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Oncidium. Tickets $14-$20. Members free. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through Mar. 17. DETAILS

Skiing and Tubing

Feel the cold rush of winter as you schuss down the mountain at one of Northeast Ohio’s ski resorts. Most of the trails and lifts at Brandywine/Boston Mills and Alpine Valley are open daily, while the Polar Blast Tubing Park at Brandywine is open on weekends. Lift tickets $24-$61. Tubing $34.

NEOMA Playwrights Festival Week 2

The 2024 NEOMFA has its second week of showings starting this weekend. The second week features Cemetery Calling by Eric Mansfield, a play set in Lake View Cemetery. Tickets start at $20. 8 p.m., Through 24. Convergence Continuum, 2438 Scranton Rd., Cleveland. DETAILS

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore

Akron Art Museum exhibit includes art from the Wesley and Missy Cochran Collection and focuses on four themes: remembering, religion, racialization and resistance. Admission is free on Thursdays. Museum hours are Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 1 S. High St., Akron. Through March 24. DETAILS

'Mother Courage and Her Children'

EnsembleTheater is presenting “Mother Courage and Her Children,” perhaps one of Bertolt Brecht’s greatest works. Social criticism of war and injustice, it is set in the seventeenth century during the Thirty Years’ War. The story line follows Mother Courage who survives by running a commissary business that profits from all sides. Tickets $25 to $75. Through Feb. 25. The Performing Arts Center at Notre Dame College, 4545 College Rd. South Euclid. DETAILS

The Black Parade Poetry & Fashion Event

ACL Productions Inc. Is hosting its Black Parade Poetry and Fashion Event this weekend. Fashion designers and poets come together for a collaborative art event. Tickets $25-$30. 5745 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma. 5:30 p.m., Feb. 25. DETAILS

FOOD & DINING

Ohio Pie Co.

Why?Five different “Brunch Pies,” all outstanding: The “Good Morning” and “Bodega” are mainstream crowd-pleasing party options. But “Uncle Tony” (peppadew peppers, egg and cheese), “Defonte” (potato, egg and cheese) and the “Snooze Button” (essentially a western omelet) are all worth exploring. Signature “everything” crust, cream cheese-based white “party” sauce and their garlic oil seals the deal. Pizza for breakfast, elevated. DETAILS

Greek Village Grill

For those local to Lakewood who are looking for some of the best takeout (and value) in town, Greek Village Grill is the place. The humble restaurant is churning out authentic dishes, from its famous gyros to Olympic platters. The extras, dips and sides are perfect for sharing with a crew, with options like gyro bites, orzo pasta salad, spinach artichoke feta dip and spanakopita being no-brainer options. Greek Village Grill is located at 14019 Madison Ave., Lakewood DETAILS

Chardon Tavern and Grill

Chardon Tavern and Grill was once the dive bar Chardon Beverage. It’s been dressed up with a new façade and indoor renovations. It’s now a friendly local pub, with a few secrets. The menu has burgers, sandwiches, pizza and bar food for that night you don’t want to cook or break the budget. Wing nights are Monday and Wednesday. But Friday, sshhh, the specials go gourmet with dishes like crab cakes, lobster ravioli and veal or steak. And, if you know to ask, they sometimes keep a bottle of purple, top-shelf Empress Gin, behind the bar. Chardon Tavern is at 405 Water St., Chardon. Parking is in back. DETAILS

Ki Asian Cuisine

Fans of House of Hunan were saddened when the Asian restaurant in Fairlawn Town Center closed. It has been replaced by Ki Asian Cuisine, which – like its predecessor – offers an extensive menu of offerings. A shining star is the octopus salad – a refreshing palate cleanser and nice change from fried calamari so many places offer. Note: No alcohol license for now. It’s at 2717 W. Market St., Fairlawn. DETAILS

DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast

If you like food and drink – and who doesn’t -- we’re breaking new ground with our lively new podcast about dining and drinking in Greater Cleveland. Hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus crackle with their fun talk about the latest foodie happenings, joined by the most in-the-know experts in town, Marc Bona, Paris Wolfe and Pete Chakerian. It’s called DineDrink C-L-E and you can find it anywhere you download podcasts. Give it a listen and get your mouth watering. LISTEN HERE

TV & MOVIES

'Drive-Away Dolls'

"Drive-Away Dolls" is disposable if not inexplicable fun. Don't expect much more from Ethan Coen's first film without brother Joel than the sort of bad-but-in-a-good-way B-movies that were popular in the 1970s. "Fargo" or "The Big Lebowski" it's not. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan play best friends whose road trip to Florida is interrupted by a pair of bickering goons after the mysterious briefcase in the trunk of their car. Trust me, you'll never guess what happens from there. Weird, queer and unapologetically unserious, the movie is somewhat of an acquired taste. Dynamite performances by its two leads at least make it one worth trying. REVIEW

Dune: Part Two'

“Dune: Part Two” lives up to the hype. Denis Villeneuve’s stunning sequel is a sweeping epic with breathtaking visuals and heart-pounding action where sci-fi meets Shakespeare. But consider this a fair warning: the film will break your heart. That’s because behind the grand spectacle, world-building and mythology, this messianic tale is a tragic love story. Timothée Chalamet stars again as Paul Atreides, the purported chosen one destined to deliver victory to the native Fremen on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis. Zendaya is Chani, the fierce and battle-hardened warrior whose captured his heart in this timeless tail of good vs. evil. A truly immersive cinematic experience, be sure to see this one on the biggest screen possible. DETAILS

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender ‘

— Fifteen years after the popular Nickelodeon animated series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" went off the air, the story has gotten the live-action treatment by Netflix. This new "Last Airbender" stars Gordon Cormier as Aang, a 12-year-old boy with the fate of the world on his shoulders. The series premiered Thursday. DETAILS

‘The Good Doctor,’ ‘The Rookie’ & more

— A trio of popular ABC shows return this week after eight months due to the Hollywood strikes. "Will Trent," based on books by Karin Slaughter, stars Ramon Rodriguez as an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Nathan Fillion leads the police procedural "The Rookie," and Freddie Highmore returns for the seventh and final season of the hospital drama, "The Good Doctor" where he plays a surgeon with autism. Episodes also stream on Hulu. DETAILS

‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live ‘

Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira return to "The Walking Dead" universe in their own spin-off, "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live." The six-episode series follows their star-crossed characters, Rick and Michonne, as they fight to find their way back to one another after years of separation. Scott Gimple, the chief content officer for "The Walking Dead" franchise created the series with Lincoln and Gurira. New characters are also played by Terry O'Quinn, Lesley-Ann Brandt and Aaron Bachelor. The show premieres Sunday, Feb. 25 on AMC and AMC+. DETAILS

‘All of Us Strangers’

It missed out on Oscar nominations, but Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" was one of the best films of 2023. The film, which debuts on Hulu on Thursday, stars Andrew Scott as a writer working on an autobiographical script, work that transports him back to his childhood home where he finds his long dead parents (Claire Foy, Jamie Bell) as they once were. At the same time, a romance with a neighbor (Paul Mescal) evolves. Metaphysical and melancholy, "All of Us Strangers" is a stunner that AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called an "a deeply felt journey of acceptance, love and forgiveness" in her review. DETAILS

‘Priscilla ‘

Another near-miss with the Oscars, Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla," hits Max on Friday, Feb. 23. Coppola's dreamy, textured tale of Priscilla Presley's surreal romance with Elvis produced two of last year's most memorably breakthrough performances in Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi. In my review, I praised "Priscilla" as "a kind of fairy tale that turns claustrophobic and cautionary." DETAILS

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once ‘ & ‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On '

Two notable veterans of last year's Oscar race, both from A24, arrive this week on Netflix. "Everything Everywhere All at Once, " Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's multiverse romp arrives Friday, Feb. 23, almost exactly a year after the anarchic sci-fi whatsit's improbable Academy Awards sweep. Also hitting Netflix, on Saturday, Feb. 24, is the 2023 best animation nominee "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On." Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp's whimsical stop-motion animated film about a one-inch tall seashell with a big heart and an endearing fondness for Lesley Stahl. DETAILS

MUSIC

Brite Winter

Brite Winter is one of the city’s premiere events for fighting off the winter blues. The nonprofit art and music festival takes place on the West Bank of the Flats, regardless of the temperature, to immerse themselves in local creativity. Tickets $12. West Bank of the Flats, 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. 3 p.m., Feb. 24. DETAILS

Emo Night at Velvet Dog

Velvet Dog is giving folks a chance to relieve their teenage angst during a 21 and older Emo Night on Friday. The set will feature emo, pop-punk and alt-rock tracks from decades past. Free admission. Velvet Dog, 1280 W. 6th St., Cleveland. 9 p.m., Feb. 23. DETAILS

MGMT

MGMT is ready to midwife their 10-track "Loss of Life," which the band says had a "relatively painless birth after a lengthy gestation period." The psychedelic, synth-pop duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser joke "Musically speaking, we are running at around 20% adult contemporary." Christine and the Queens appear on the song "Dancing in Babylon" — the first-ever feature on an MGMT album. "Loss Of Life," the follow-up to 2018's "Little Dark Age," has spun off the singled "Nothing To Declare," "Bubblegum Dog" and "Mother Nature." It lands Friday, Feb. 23. DETAILS

Allie X

Goth-pop singer Allie X is putting it all on the line with "Girl With No Face," her first self-produced album. "There is a death in this music, as well as the beginning of a rebirth. I needed to make something that came completely from me," she wrote. The classically trained pop artist from Toronto has released a trio of tracks from the new collection, including "Black Eye," an off-kilter, retro electro-banger with a video she directed and the lyrics, "The world goes round/Makes me dizzy but I hold my ground/When I get nauseous I just gag it down." The album drops Friday, Feb. 23. DETAILS

Entertainment | Music | Events

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