St. Patrick’s Day party guide, ‘King James’ in Cleveland, ‘& J uliet,’ Russo brothers back wit h 'The Electric State' and more

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Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend guide: Bar crawls, live music

St. Patrick’s Day weekend is upon us, and Greater Cleveland always knows how to go all-out when celebrating the Irish holiday. Live music, green beer and corned beef are always a part of March 17 celebrations in Northeast Ohio. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday this year, locals plan to spend the entire weekend celebrating. Check out more than 30 events taking place across Northeast Ohio to help you get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, culminating with the parade downtown. Whether it’s bar crawls or Irish pub parties, Greater Cleveland has plenty of options for celebrating. READ MORE

Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

It’s the weekend to celebrate all things Irish. The St. Patrick’s Day holiday is on a Monday this year and the day’s biggest biggest celebration is undoubtedly the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown Cleveland. The parade kicks off at 1:04 p.m., beginning at the intersection of Superior Avenue and E. 18th Street and ending at the Rockwell Avenue and Ontario Street intersection. This year’s parade theme is Celebrate the Life of St. Brigid. Downtown Cleveland. 1:04 p.m., March 17. stpatricksdaycleveland.com

Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Run

Cleveland’s Irish-themed 5K is set for Saturday, with attendees attempting to run as fast as possible while donning kilts, leprechaun costumes and plenty of green. The race also holds the Guinness World Record for the Largest Sport Kilt Race. The 5K starts at 4 p.m. Downtown Cleveland. 4 p.m., March 15. clevelandstpatricksdayrun.com

Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic

The Cavs take on the Magic at home on Sunday afternoon. The game will celebrate the team’s Women’s History Celebration. Tickets start at $43. Rocket Arena, 1 Center Court, Cleveland. 1 p.m., March 16. nba.com/cavaliers/

2025 MAC Men’s Basketball Championship

The Mid-American Conference hosts its annual men’s basketball championship at Rocket Arena. Several games are scheduled starting on Thursday, leading up to the 7:30 p.m. championship game on March 15. Rocket Arena, 1 Center Court, Cleveland. March 13-15. getsomemaction.com/index.aspx

“& Juliet”

This Tony-nominated jukebox musical comes to Playhouse Square straight from Broadway. Set to the music of Max Martin, the pop mastermind behind some of the biggest hits of the millennium (think Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, etc.), the show imagines what would have happened to Juliet if she hadn’t ended it all over Romeo. Tickets $40-$139. Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Now through March 23. playhousesquare.org

Whiskey Daredevils

Cleveland's long-running "cowpunk" band Whiskey Daredevils will celebrate their 17th album "Fast and Furious" with a release party at Beachland Ballroom on Friday, March 14. The self-described "fashion unconscious" quartet has performed in 38 states and 13 countries while maintaining day jobs, reports Peter Chakerian. 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Hillbilly Casino opens. READ MORE

Orchids: Love in Bloom

Love is the theme of the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual orchid show, immersing guests in enchanting and colorful displays featuring more than 3,000 flowers. Showcasing over 100 distinct types of orchids in hues of pink, purple, and yellow, the event offers photos ops and a bit of romance, too. Tickets $20. 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland. Now through March 30. holdenfg.org

“Burlesco”

Cleveland Burlesque’s latest show is a celebration of the legacy of the Northeast Ohio burlesque scene. Expect plenty of glamour, performance and all things glitter. Tickets start at $20. Knights Stage at Akron Civic Theatre, 182 South Main St., Akron. 8 p.m., March 15. akroncivic.com/

2025 Nike Shamrock Showdown

Cleveland will host more than 300 girls' volleyball teams to compete in the 2025 Nike Shamrock Showdown. The two-day competition at the I-X Center showcases athletes ages 12 to 18. Single-day tickets start at $15. 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland. 9 a.m., March 15 through 5 p.m., March 16. clevelandsports.org/

“King James”

Making its local premiere, this Cleveland Play House production is a joyful drama about two die-hard Clevelanders connected by their admiration of LeBron James and love of the game. Tickets $25-$90. Outcalt Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Through March 23. clevelandplayhouse.com

“The Wolves”

Dobama Theatre presents Sarah DeLappe’s Pulitzer Prize finalist play, which follows nine members of a girls' soccer team as they navigate society, sex and sports through the lens of adolescence. Tickets $15-$45. 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. Through March 30. dobama.org

Picasso and Paper at Cleveland Museum of Art

This highly anticipated exhibition takes an unprecedented look into Pablo Picasso’s creative process, featuring nearly 300 works that explore the artist’s use of paper as a medium. Advance tickets required $11-$22. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through March 23, 2025. DETAILS

“Impressions of Picasso”

The Cleveland Museum of Art and Cleveland Ballet are honoring the “Picasso and Paper” exhibition with a special performance. The two ballets are inspired by Picasso’s works Guernica and Harlequin. Tickets start at $35. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., March 14. cleveballet.org/

Becky Robinson: Members Only Tour

TikTok comedy sensation Becky Robinson will perform back-to-back shows at the Agora. Robinson will incorporate several characters into her Members Only shows, including her famous “Entitled Housewife” persona. Tickets start at $35. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., March 13 and March 14. agoracleveland.com/

FOOD & DRINK

60+ Greater Cleveland restaurants, bars for Lenten fish fry specials

Northeast Ohio restaurants are ready for the Lenten season with an array of fish fry specials. From traditional beer-battered cod to Lake Erie perch, more than 40 establishments are offering seafood dishes with classic sides like pierogi, fries, and coleslaw through Easter Sunday. Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe report on prices ranging from budget-friendly $10.99 specials to upscale $28 walleye dinners, with some locations featuring all-you-can-eat options and unique preparations like koji-fried fish. READ MORE

National Espresso Martini Day

Espresso martinis – in all their variations -- are an American favorite. With National Espresso Martini Day on Saturday, March 15, we’ve thought about the versions we’ve quaffed. Some were strong and black, others soft and creamy. Some hinted of bitterness, others of dessert sweetness. Most hit the spot. A few were perfect. We we asked local bartenders to spill their secrets for the coffee-fueled cocktail. Instead of clarity, we found confusion. Recipes, ingredients and brands vary. Some don’t even use coffee. READ MORE

Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival

Six Northeast Ohio wineries and one distillery are celebrating the 22nd annual ice wine festival throughout the month. Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Risorante, Grand River Cellars, Laurello Vineyards, Cask 307, South River Vineyards and Red Eagle Distillery are all participating in daily tastings. Wineries in Madison and Geneva. Through March 30. wggrv.com/

Cleveland Restaurant Week

Cleveland Restaurant Week is underwat. About 30 locally owned Cleveland Independents’ restaurants are participating in the promotional event, which is set to run through Friday, March 14. Three-course prix fixe dinners will be priced around $39. READ MORE

TOP PICKS

Cibreo Italian Restaurant

Playhouse Square has an evolving menu of restaurants. Among them is Cibreo Italian Restaurant, an established dining room with an Italian-American menu. Dishes include pasta, risotto and protein entrees. Think piccata, parmigiana, marsala and more. The chicken marsala and polenta are so good they barely need the wild mushroom and broccolini. Craft cocktails and wine are well chosen. – Paris Wolfe - DETAILS

Beau’s Grille

Hotel restaurants traditionally have to be something for everyone, and Beau’s has elevated that to a nice level with a great wine list and an assortment of dishes from sea bass to short ribs. You can have a sandwich or go for a steak from the assortment of “from the grill” items. Multiple desserts are topped off by an amazing creme brulee. The restaurant at 3180 W. Market St., is in the DoubleTree by Hilton. -- Marc Bona DETAILS

Angelo’s Pizza

Angelo’s Pizza has been an old reliable for so many folks in Lakewood for a reason. The pizza shop specializes in crowd-pleasing pizza that’s consistently delicious. Angelo’s Crust is crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and the brand has a signature, slightly-sweet sauce that pairs with meatballs, banana peppers and beyond. Specialty pies like the Baked Potato or Deluxe are not to be overlooked. Angelo’s is at 13715 Madison Avenue in Lakewood. – Alex Darus DETAILS

Sleepy Rooster

This hotspot in the Chagrin Falls-Bainbridge-Russell quadrant is at once adventurous and experimental, offering wonderful takes on all things petit dejeuner. We love their goetta, that delicious breakfast meat fortified with steel-cut oats popular in Cincinnati. Set us up with that, the Craig’s Benedict and a stack of Rooster Cakes – a “hotcakes riff” on 1700s England and its penchant to pair cheddar cheese and apple pie together – and I’m a happy guy. That last bit sound weird? It’s a must-try. You’ll get addicted. – Peter Chakerian DETAILS

TV & MOVIES

"The Electric State"

—Directors Anthony and Joe Russo ("Avengers: Endgame") are back on Netflix with their adaptation of Simon Stalenhag's 2018 illustrated novel "The Electric State." The Russos, who last released 2022's "The Gray Man" on the streaming service, bring their big-budget flare to a retro-futuristic tale populated by cartoon-like robots. Millie Bobby Brown stars as a teenager in search of her long-lost brother, who travels the American southwest with Keats (Chris Pratt) and his robot sidekick, Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). DETAILS

"Moana 2"

"Moana 2" was nearly a streaming series. Instead, it arrives this week on Disney+ after more than $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales. The movie, the third-biggest box-office hit of 2024, is set three years after the 2016 original. Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) again sets sail from her home island, this time in search of a wider community of Pacific Islanders. Dwayne Johnson, as the voice of Maui, is also back. In my review, I wrote that "the warm Polynesian spirit and open-sea sense of adventure is back in 'Moana 2,' but little of the original's humor or catchy songs finds its way into this heartfelt but lackluster sequel." DETAILS

"Confessions of Octomom"

In 2009, the world was introduced to Nadya Suleman, a single mom of six who gave birth to eight living children at one time via in vitro fertilization. The public fascination into this woman dubbed Octomom quickly became vicious and judgmental. Suleman had no job and relied on government assistance, so she was declared irresponsible and unfit to raise 14 kids. She did capitalize on the attention with a book deal, tabloid deals and paid TV appearances but within a few years she'd declared bankruptcy, turned to pornography to earn money and was accused of welfare fraud by the state of California. A new six-part series called "Confessions of Octomom" looks back at that turbulent time and how Suleman and her 14 kids made it through. It debuts Wednesday on Lifetime and streams on Hulu live. DETAILS

"Everybody's Live with John Mulaney"

Comedian John Mulaney launches a live weekly celebrity talk show on Netflix called "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney" on Wednesday. It's a follow-up to "John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA" a live nightly show during last year's Netflix is a Joke comedy festival. Richard Kind returns as the sidekick. At a press event earlier this year to promote Netflix's 2025 programming, Maloney promised, "We will never be relevant. We will never be your source of news. We will always be reckless." DETAILS

“Long Bright River"

Amanda Seyfried, who won an Emmy Award in 2022 for portraying former Silicon Valley It Girl, Elizabeth Holmes, stars in a new thriller series for Peacock. In "Long Bright River," Seyfried plays Mickey, a Philadelphia patrol officer in a neighborhood plagued by rampant opioid addiction. Mickey becomes determined to solve a series of murders when her sister, who is also an addict, goes missing. It's based on a novel by Liz Moore. The eight-episode series launches Thursday. DETAILS

“Dope Thief”

A different limited series for Apple TV+ called "Dope Thief" is also set in Philadelphia against the world of drugs. Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura star as two longtime friends who pose as DEA agents and conduct fake raids to take possession of other people's drugs and money. It's a series of easy scores until the two men target the wrong people. "Dope Thief," produced by Ridley Scott, begins streaming Friday, March 14. DETAILS

“All We Imagine as Light”

Payal Kapadia's luminous "All We Imagine as Light" begins streaming on the Criterion Channel. The film, one of the most acclaimed of 2024, is about three Mumbai hospital workers — played by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam — who are each grappling with different constrictions in modern Mumbai. When they travel to a seaside town, "All We Imagine as Light" transforms into a radiant, illusary imagination of the lives they could have. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote, "Like a dream, this is a film that washes over you." DETAILS

MUSIC

Marshall Crenshaw

The 70-year-old musician has built a 44-year career spanning 10 studio albums, multiple Grammy nominations, and numerous collaborations with artists from Bob Dylan to the Smithereens. He performs Friday at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, promoting a new compilation of home recordings coming this fall. Crenshaw's Beachland show is being presented as part of the beloved music venue’s 25th anniversary celebrations. James Mastro will be supporting. Tickets start at $30. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. 8 p.m., March 14. READ MORE

Chris Trapper

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Chris Trapper will perform at Cleveland's Treelawn Social this Friday, March 14, celebrating his 12th solo album "Watching Sparks Fly By." The Boston-based troubadour's new release features collaborations with Pat Benatar and was partly inspired by the loss of his brother, reports freelance music writer Gary Graff. 15335 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland. 8 p.m. Cincinnati’s Jimmy Infinity opens. Tickets for this rare, small-hall appearance are available on TicketWeb.com and at the door day of show. READ MORE

Lilly Hiatt brings rock-forward sound to Cleveland

Lilly Hiatt, daughter of Grammy-nominated John Hiatt, has carved out her own musical identity over six albums, including this year's rock-leaning "Forever." She performs Sunday at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom, bringing a heavier sound that reflects her lifelong love of grunge and Pearl Jam, reports music freelancer Gary Graff. 8 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland.

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The Altons and Thee Sinseers: Club Heartache Tour

The Altons and Thee Sinseers will bring some soul to Mahall’s this weekend. The two headlining bands Club Heartache tour stop will be supported by Parlor Greens. Tickets start at $25. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood. 7 p.m., March 14 . mahalls20lanes.com/

The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night

House of Blues Cleveland will host a Taylor Swift dance party on Friday for those 18 and older. The themed party will feature a DJ playing the pop star’s biggest hits and cult-favorite tracks. Tickets start at $18. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., March 14. houseofblues.com/cleveland

Bob Marley Tribute by The Ark Band

Reggae fans can enjoy The Ark Band’s take on Bob Marley hits at the Music Box Supper Club this weekend. Carlos Jones and Mark Hunter are also on the bill. Tickets start at $15. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., March 14. musicboxcle.com/

One: A Celebration of U2

House of Blues has a busy weekend planned, with One, the U2 tribute band, slated for Saturday. Tickets start at $15. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., March 15. houseofblues.com/cleveland

LE SSERAFIM

In 2022, the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM emerged fully-formed: An ambitious Gen Z quintet whose hooks who helped usher in a new wave of such groups. It was their single "ANTIFRAGILE" that seemed to suggest a new sound was being popularized: They pulled from reggaetón filtered through Rosalía as much as they did the tentpoles of much K-pop: stacked melodies, R&B, hip-hop, EDM. On Friday, they will release a new EP, "HOT," its title-track promising further combinations of "rock and disco elements, revolving around love," their agency Source Music said in a statement. It's enough to get excited about. DETAILS

"Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party"

In February 1983, "Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party" aired just once on MTV — a long-lost documentary that doubles as Cameron Crowe's true directorial debut. It follows Petty and his Heartbreakers around their 1982 "Long After Dark" album. The film has been found and remastered, and premiered this week on Paramount+. DETAILS

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