Festivals and other fun this Labor Day weekend

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Cleveland National Air Show
All eyes will be on the sky for this annual Labor Day tradition. Headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, C-130 Hercules and F-15 Eagle. Spectators can also enjoy military demonstrations, parachuters, vintage warbirds, solo aerobatics and the GEICO Skytypers. On the ground, there will be a number of aircraft to see up close as well as aviation exhibits on display. Tickets, $20-$35, box seats available. Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland. Sept. 4-6. DETAILS

Annual Larchmere Sidewalk Sale
The best deals will be available at Larchmere’s bi-annual sidewalk sale this Saturday. You can find one-of-a-kind items at special prices, and visit the East Side neighborhood’s many restaurants and shops along the way. Free.
Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland. Sept. 4. DETAILS

Go Tigers! College football kicks off in Northeast Ohio

The Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic returns to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s campus in Canton. This year’s Classic will pit the Grambling State University Tigers and the Tennessee State University Tigers in the game, which is 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, adjacent to the Hall of Fame Museum. But the game is just one aspect of the weekend, which will feature parties, a golf outing, social-justice discussion and other events. DETAILS

Float the River
Bob along the Cuyahoga River with Float the River, a one to two-hour tube adventure starting at downtown Cuyahoga Falls’ Water Works Park. It’s the last weekend of the season for this slow-moving fun. Tickets $20, group discounts available. 2025 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. Sept. 4-6. DETAILS

Lavell Crawford at Hilarities Theatre
Comedian Lavell Crawford, known for his role as Huell Babineaux in the shows “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” will perform five shows at Hilarities this weekend. Tickets range in cost, from $60-$180, for groups of two to six guests. 2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland. 7 p.m. Sept. 3, 4 and 5; 9:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5. DETAILS

Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival
Over 150 artisans from across the state including jewelry makers, potters, woodworkers, glass artists, soap and lotion makers, quilters and more will be selling their wares at Hale Farm & Village. The event also features live entertainment, food trucks and Ohio beer and wine. Tickets, $6-$12. 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron. Sept. 3-5. DETAILS

Cedar Point Nights
This is the last weekend of the season to experience the park’s nighttime glow DJ-dance party on the beach complete with lounge chairs, fire pits and games. For an additional fee, you can enjoy a unique glow-in-the-dark dining event. Daily admission starts at $49.99. Add on Dine in the Dark for $15.99-$24.99. Now through Sept. 5. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky. DETAILS

“Private Lives” exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Art
In the late 19th-century, a group of influential Paris painters named themselves the Nabis, including Pierre Bonnad, Maurice Denis, Edouard Vuillard and Felix Vallotton. Those four standouts are the focus of “Private Lives: Home and Family in the Art of the Nabis,” the Cleveland Museum of Art’s latest traveling exhibition.Tickets $8-$15, museum admission otherwise free. 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland. Through Sept. 19, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. DETAILS

Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Asian Lantern Festival lights up the night at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Walk through massive light installations on your way to see your favorite animals, and catch a few acrobatic performances throughout the evening. Tickets $20, group discounts available. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. 6:30-10:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 26. DETAILS

Make Em Laugh Mondays
Get a good laugh on Labor Day. A

comedy show will take place at B-Side Lounge, featuring local comedian John Bruton and friends. $5. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 7 p.m., Sept. 7. DETAILS

Stow Summer Sunset Blast
Say goodbye to summer at Silver Springs Park with all kinds of fun stuff like a mobile video game truck, inflatables, rock climbing wall, axe throwing, petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, caricature artists, food and more. Enjoy live performances by the Boy Band Night and Old Skool Cleveland. The event wraps up with a big fireworks finale at 9 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission. 5238 Young Road, Stow. 5-10 p.m., Sept. 4 & 5. DETAILS

Barberton Labor Day BBQ & Music Fest
You’ll find barbeque vendors, live music, a kids’ fishing derby and more at this family-friendly event on Lake Anna. Highlights include a rib burn-off and a performance by Disco Inferno with fireworks to follow on Saturday night. Lake Anna Park, Barberton. Sept. 4-6. DETAILS

EAT & DRINK

Cleveland Oktoberfest
Raise a glass to summer at Cleveland’s largest annual outdoor festival. Besides the beer, feast on German and Central European food, and enjoy live music, polka bands and dance groups. Don’t forget about the wiener dog races, too. If you miss out on the fun on Labor Day weekend, this year Cleveland Oktoberfest has added a second weekend of festivities, too. Tickets, $10-$13. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights. Sept. 3-6, Sept. 10-11. DETAILS

Chow down at the Akron Pizza Fest

The Akron Pizza Fest is this weekend in Lock 3 in downtown Akron. Participating eateries will be judged on best sauce, crust, toppings, overall and – here’s where you come in - people’s choice. It’s

4-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3; 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, and 1-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. Local and regional bands will perform throughout the event.

DETAILS

Geauga County Fair
All the typical county fair attractions will be out for the Geauga County Fair, including farm animals, rides and lots of delectable fair food. But the fair also includes some eclectic programming over the weekend, including a demolition derby, rodeo, drag race and truck and tractor pull. Advance admission tickets $6-$25. Attractions vary in ticket price. 14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton. Sept. 2-6. DETAILS

St. Rocco’s Festival
Every year, St. Rocco’s Festival takes over Labor Day weekend with Italian food, live music and family-friendly fun. This year the festival has taken on a drive-thru format due to the pandemic, offering pasta, meatballs, cannoli, sausages and more, to-go. St. Rocco Catholic Church, 3205 Fulton Rd., Cleveland. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 3-6. DETAILS

65th Hungarian Festival
Ohio’s largest Hungarian festival takes place at German Central in Parma and features delicacies such as chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage and strudel. The event also has polka dance performances and lessons, live music, games, kids activities and crafts. Tickets, $7. 7863 York Road, Parma. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sept. 5. DETAILS

Kamm’s Corner Greek Festival
The George Varouh Cretan Club of Cleveland hosts its 10th annual Greek Festival featuring all your favorite Greek foods like stuffed grape leaves, pastitsio, gyros souvlaki, lamb chops, baklava and more. Stick around for live performances and dance performances, too. Free admission. 3853 W. 168th St., Cleveland. Sept. 3-6. DETAILS

St. Andrew Ukrainian Festival
Do you have a sweet tooth? Then check out the torte table at this ethnic festival hosted by St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy delicious Ukrainian cuisine, live music, dancing, children’s activities and a raffle. Free admission. 7700 Hoertz Road, Parma. Sept. 4-5. DETAILS

TV & MOVIES

“Worth”
Michael Keaton leads the new Netflix film, available starting Sept. 3, about the lawyer tasked with putting a dollar value lives of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. Based on a true story, Keaton’s character is forced to reevaluate his priorities after meeting a widower played by Stanley Tucci. The cast also includes Amy Ryan and Tate Donovan. Also on Netflix starting Sept. 1 are “Blade Runner: The Final Cut,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “Labyrinth” and “Mars Attacks!” DETAILS

“Cinderella”
“Pose” star Billy Porter plays a non-binary Fairy Godparent named Fab G in the latest version of “Cinderella,” streaming Sept. 3 on Amazon Prime Video. Pop star Camilla Cabello stars as the glass slipper-loser and Idina Menzel plays the Stepmother. Naturally, both are providing original songs for the soundtrack. It’s a stacked cast, too, with Minnie Driver as the Queen, Pierce Brosnan as the King, and James Corden and John Mulaney as the mice/footmen. And it was written and directed by Kay Cannon, who wrote the “Pitch Perfect” movies. DETAILS

Billie Eilish in concert
Billie Eilish and the city of LA star in a Disney+ special described as a cinematic concert experience. Eilish will perform her new album, “Happier than Ever,” in “Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” debuting Sept. 3. Her performance at the Hollywood Bowl is joined with animation to take viewers on a promised “dreamlike journey” thorough Eilish’s home and its landmarks. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and singer-songwriter Finneas, Eilish’s brother, are among those making guest appearances. DETAILS

“Billions”
After a pandemic-forced production break, Showtime’s “Billions” returns for the second half of season five on Sunday (9 p.m. EDT). There’s shifting alliances as the power struggle continues between hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and his prosecutor-nemesis Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). Among those along for the undoubtedly bumpy, five-episode ride, ahead of the announced season six: Corey Stoll as billionaire Mike Prince and Janeane Garofalo as Winslow, who owns a legit cannabis enterprise. DETAILS

MUSIC

The Cleveland Orchestra performs “A Salute to John Williams”
Hear some of the finest film soundtracks in the Cleveland Orchestra’s weekend performances at Blossom Music Center this weekend. The group will perform famous scores by John Williams from movies like “Harry Potter,” “E.T.,” “Star Wars” and more. Bring a picnic dinner with you for the family-friendly event. Tickets $26-$121. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m., Sept. 4-5. DETAILS

Lady A talks new album, name change and getting back on the road

Nobody has to tell Lady A what a song can do. The Nashville trio has notched 15 Top-10 Country chart singles during its nearly 15 years of recording, including No. 1′s such as “Run to You,” “Need You Now,” “American Honey,” “Just a Kiss” and “We Owned the Night.” The beat goes on, too, with the June release of the EP “What a Song Can Do (Chapter One),” and the full “What a Song Can Do” album, coming Oct. 22. READ MORE

Is ‘Donda’ Kanye West’s worst album?
What an unruly mess Kanye West has made. After weeks of buildup, three listening events and (for some reason) West befriending controversial figures DaBaby and Marilyn Manson, we finally get “Donda.” Read cleveland.com entertainment reporter Troy L. Smith's review of the new release HERE.

Brit Floyd in concert
The ultimate live Pink Floyd tribute show makes its way to Jacobs Pavilion in the Flats on Sunday. The band re-creates classics like “Wish You Were Young,” “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” with stunning authenticity. Tickets start at $27.50. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland. 8 p.m., Sept. 5. DETAILS

Rockin’ on the River
Take a trip back to the ‘80s with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute band King’s Highway and J. Geils cover band House Party at Black River Landing, the site of Northeast Ohio’s longest-running and highest-attended summer outdoor concert series. Tickets, $7. 421 Black River Landing, Lorain. 6:15 p.m., Sept. 3. DETAILS

Looking for even more Labor Day weekend events? Check out the complete list.

Want more concert & music picks? Visit cleveland.com/music

Listen to the latest episodes of CLE Rocks podcast, with Troy L. Smith

Entertainment | Music | Events

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