 THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS  Valentine's Day entertainment guide Love is in the air this weekend in Northeast Ohio. With Valentine’s Day landing on Monday, Feb. 14, the weekend ahead is full of love-themed events, plus concerts, theatrical shows, dinner specials and more. We put together a guide to events, deals, activities and more – including a few Super Bowl watch parties, too – for the upcoming weekend in Greater Cleveland. We also included some potential date ideas to explore next week, on Valentine’s Day.
Dinner specials Looking for a fancy meal on Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or any other time this weekend? Plenty of restaurants and other spaces will offer food and drink specials, and we highlighted a few spots with special events here. Some feature live music, while others feature drink pairings and other foodie fun. Be sure to call ahead to make a reservation, if the restaurant takes them:
Super Bowl watch parties It’s not just a weekend for celebrating love – it’s also a weekend for celebrating football. Football lovers can knock out two momentous occasions with one go, and attend a Super Bowl party at a local bar or restaurant, either before or during the big game. Here are a few spots to check out for Super Bowl fun in Northeast Ohio:
Rick Springfield at Goodyear Theater Hear stories and music from Rick Springfield on Valentine’s Day itself, at Akron’s Goodyear Theater. The actor and “Jessie’s Girl” singer will host an intimate “stripped down” show, performing solo for the audience. Tickets $49.50+, special buy-one-get-one deal offered with code “VDAY.” 1201 E. Market St., Akron. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14. DETAILS
Outdoor fun It might be a little wintery, but that shouldn’t scare off anyone from breaking out their boots and heading outside for an outdoorsy date. There are plenty of hikes to enjoy any time at various local parks or the Cuyahoga National Park. We suggest stopping by Chapin Forest Reservation for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, and checking out the Arbor Lane Loop trail as the sun sets to see string lights light up one mile’s worth of the path. Chapin Forest Reservation: 9938 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland. DETAILS
Beyond general exploring, two local park events add some extra outdoorsy fun this weekend. Canalway Center’s “Fight the Frost Festival” features cookies, hot cocoa, snowshoeing, snow sculpting, carpet skating and a campfire, along with guided winter walks at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. CanalWay Center: 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights; Noon-4 p.m. Feb. 12. DETAILS
Head to Shaker Lakes for the Winter Wonderland Luminary Walk, and hike a trail lit up by luminaries while enjoying live music by women’s a cappella group Nightingale. Food and warm beverages will be available for purchase. Shaker Lakes: 2600 S. Park Blvd., Cleveland; 6-8 p.m. Feb 12. DETAILS
Orchids Forever at Cleveland Botanical Garden Get a whiff of spring at the Cleveland Botanical Garden at the organization’s 16th annual Orchids Forever show. Check out varieties of the flowering plant, along with workshops and classes offered for gardeners and photographers. Tickets $12-$16. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through March 13. DETAIL The Great Big Home + Garden Show The Great Big Home + Garden Show is back in Cleveland, more than two years since it last rolled through town. The annual showcase of the latest home and garden trends runs through Feb. 13 at the I-X Center. Visitors will find more than 400 exhibits designed to inspire them for their next home-improvement project. READ MORE
'Jesus Christ Superstar' The 50th anniversary tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera is back for a three-week run at the Connor Palace Theatre, nearly two years after its 2020 stop here was interrupted by the COVID-19 shutdown. More rock concert than traditional musical, this revival focuses on the raw power of the original album, while modernizing the story of Jesus Christ's final days. An added bonus: 22 local strings players will join the 11-piece traveling ensemble to create an exclusive audio experience described as "live theatrical surround sound." “Jesus Christ Superstar” runs through Feb. 20. Tickets start at $59. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS
Pat McGann at Hilarities Standup comic Pat McGann will headline four shows at Hilarities for Valentine’s weekend. The Chicago comedian has toured with Sebastian Maniscalco, and performed on shows like “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and at festivals like Just for Laughs and The Great America Comedy Festival. Tickets $25-$30, VIP option available with steak dinner for $90. 2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland. 6:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Feb. 11-12. DETAILS  Sweetheart Showcase Weekender burlesque performances Two burlesque performances make up this year’s Sweetheart Showcase Weekender. Check out dozens of burlesque performers at the Beachland Ballroom on Friday, Feb. 11, and at the Goodyear Theater on Saturday, Feb. 12. Over the weekend, watch performances by Deva Diamond, Maxine Voltage, Cece Noir, Veranda L’Ni, Ruby Rabbit and plenty more. Tickets $10-$100. DETAILS
Cleveland Bazaar Valentine Head to Lake Affect Studios on Saturday to shop local for your Valentine’s Day gifts. Whether you’re looking for a unique piece of jewelry or a delectable sweet, plenty of locally based vendors will be at the festive market, offering one-of-a-kind treasures for your special someone. Free. 1615 E. 25th St., Cleveland. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Feb. 12. DETAILS
NEOMFA Playwrights Festival Dress up and check out a local theatrical performance on Valentine’s Day weekend. The NEOMFA Playwrights Festival will feature three different 10-minute plays written by local graduate students at convergence-continuum. Tickets $10-$15. Before or after the show, consider making a reservation at one of Tremont’s many local restaurants and bars. 2438 Scranton Road, Cleveland. Through Feb. 12. DETAILS
A day out in University Circle Check out love-themed works of art at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Valentine’s Day, using a self-guided collection tour on the ArtLens App. While you’re there, be sure to check out the museum’s “Picturing Motherhood Now” and “Women in Print” exhibitions. Museum entry is free, with “Picturing Motherhood Now” tickets ranging from $6-$12 for adults. Follow up the museum visit with a romantic stroll around Wade Lagoon, viewing the frozen pond in one of University Circle’s most striking parks. Finally, just a short walk away, head to the Rink at Wade Oval for ice skating during the rink’s special “Pink the Rink” weekend – where the ice is dyed pink for the holiday. Admission $1-$2, skate rentals $2-$3. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. DETAILS
Blind date with a book Every year, Fear’s Confections and Reading Room CLE collaborate for the perfect celebration for any reader. The two businesses will host a “Blind date with a book” takeout special. Customers can grab a brownie or a hot drink from Fear’s Confections, then pick out a wrapped book from The Reading Room CLE with a “Tinder bio” on the cover, giving just a few hints to the story that hides beneath the wrapping. Tickets $20. 15208 Madison Ave., Lakewood. 3-4 p.m., Feb. 13. DETAILS
“That’s A-Moray” at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium Visit the Greater Cleveland Aquarium during its special date-night hours Feb. 12-15, to enjoy its Valentine’s Day offerings. The family-friendly evening visits include a romance-themed “I Spy” challenge, a photo opp and romantic music throughout the building. Plus, attendees will also have the chance to win a prize package that includes an aquarium pass, an after-hours aquarium visit, gift cards to local businesses and a skyline cruise on the Nautica Queen. Tickets $13.95-$19.95. A free online Valentine’s Day box turtle painting art party will also take place at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, for kids to learn more about box turtles and create their own work of art. 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland. Feb. 11-14. DETAILS
Cleveland Public Theatre presents 'Panther Women' Local playwright India Nicole Burton is debuting her play “Panther Women” at Cleveland Public Theatre. Inspired by the stories of prominent women in the Black Panther party, the artsy performance will feature poetry, choreography and music. Tickets are available on a “choose-what-you-pay” basis. 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Through Feb. 26. DETAILS
'Hurricane Diane' at Dobama Theatre Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Madeleine George confronts the climate crisis in this comedy, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2019 and has been described as a cross between a Greek tragedy and “Desperate Housewives.” Tickets, $22-$38. 2340 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights. Through Feb. 13. DETAILS
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition You don’t have to go to the Vatican to experience the wonder of Michelangelo’s famous frescos. This traveling showcase, featuring more than 30 life-sized reproductions of the artist’s Sistine Chapel paintings, is open for a few more weeks at Great Lakes Mall. Tickets start at $19.20. 7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Through Feb. 20. DETAILS 'Stories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory'
Hit the slopes Unleash your inner Lindsey Vonn or Shaun White at Vail Resorts’ trio of ski areas in Northeast Ohio. Combined, Boston Mills, Brandywine and Alpine Valley offer 25 slopes and 20 lifts for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. Lift tickets start at $50. Days and hours vary. Check websites for info.
Free Sundays at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland can enjoy free admission every Sunday for the next three years thanks to a $3 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. Currently featured is “100 Years of Discovery,” an exhibit that celebrates the museum’s centennial and looks ahead to its future. Regular admission, $14-$17. 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland. Sunday hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. DETAILS Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes Find your thrill in the chill at the Chalet in Strongsville, whooshing down 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes on an old-timey toboggan. Reservations required. Tickets, $11-$13. 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville. Through March 6. DETAILS
Immersive Van Gogh This popular art experience at the new Lighthouse ArtSpace offers a unique way to experience Vincent Van Gogh’s post-Impressionist works. The projection-based displays unfold on the walls around you, showcasing the Dutch master painter’s iconic works, including his most famous, “Starry Night.” Tickets $39.99-$49.99. Through March 6. 850 E. 72nd St., Cleveland. DETAILS  EAT & DRINK Virtual wine tasting Make a dinner and pair it with wine chosen from the folks at Flight Cleveland. The wine bar will host a virtual event led by Vias Imports sales manager Rudy Basile, who will walk attendees through a selection of wines from the Italian Alps. Wines range from $20-$32, event link provided with purchase of drinks. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11. DETAILS
Edwins Too cooking class Over the weekend, Edwins Too will accommodate plenty of diners with its Valentine’s specials. But following the holiday, the restaurant will offer an opportunity to learn how to make sauces at home, with the acclaimed restaurant’s chefs. Cooking classes for two will be offered on Feb. 12, teaching “the mother sauces,” like béchamel, velouté, Espagnole, and hollandaise. Tickets $45 per couple, available on Eventbrite. 13220 Shaker Square, Cleveland. 6:30 p.m., Feb. 16. DETAILS
Banter Beer and Wine We’ve had Banter Beer and Wine on our minds since the folks at the eatery announced it will be returning to Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood soon. Banter had its store-shop featuring sausage, poutine, wine and beer on the city’s West Side for five years before closing in 2020. The owners announced this week that they will reopen Banter nearby, in the form Minh Anh location nearby. But the eatery in the Van Aken District Market Hall in Shaker Square is still going strong. It’s a tasty lunchtime treat to munch on a Polish Boy, veggie sausage, classic corn dog or other favorites. Banter is at 3441 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights. DETAILS  TV & MOVIES ‘Marry Me’ Valentine's Day means romantic comedies, and romantic comedies — often enough — mean Jennifer Lopez. The rom-com mainstay of "Maid in Manhattan" and "The Wedding Planner" returns to the genre in "Marry Me," which opens Friday in theaters and on Peacock. In it, she plays a J-Lo-like pop star who learns her fiancé has been cheating on her just before their wedding is to be televised. Heartbroken and distraught, she pulls a random fan (Owen Wilson) out of the audience who happens to be holding a "Marry Me" sign. The movie, which Lopez produced and performs songs in, will surely strike some as reflecting the star's own closely followed, always-in-the-spotlight romantic life. It's also her first lead role in a movie since 2019's acclaimed "Hustlers." DETAILS ‘Marry Me’ at Cleveland Cinemas Head to one of Cleveland Cinemas’ four theaters for Valentine’s Day weekend specials surrounding the new movie “Marry Me,” starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez. If you show up for the film and say “sweetheart” at the concession stand, you’ll get a free brownie, while supplies last. The theaters will also have a special on beverages for those seeing the movie, offering free fountain drinks with popcorn purchases. Tickets $5-$10.25. DETAILS
Cinematheque on Valentine’s Day Swing by the Cinematheque on Valentine’s Day for a special throwback showing of Audrey Hepburn classic “Roman Holiday.” The Cinematheque will also screen various noir, documentary and art films over the weekend leading up to Feb. 14. Capitol Theatre: 1390 W. 65th St., Cleveland Cedar Lee Theatre: 2163 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights Chagrin Cinemas: 8200 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls Apollo Theatre: 19 E. College St., Oberlin Cleveland Cinematheque: 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Feb. 11-14. DETAILS
‘I Want You Back’ Amazon Studios, too, has its own prominent rom-com offering, starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. In "I Want You Back," they play a pair of dumped 30-somethings stewing over their breakups. The two friends conspire to ruin their ex's new relationships to win them back. The film, which debuts Friday on Amazon Prime Video, is directed by Jason Orley, who helmed the charming 2019 Pete Davidson film "Big Time Adolescence." Davidson also makes an appearance in "I Want You Back." DETAILS
‘KIMI’ The never-quenched thirst for streaming content is well suited to Steven Soderbergh, a protean filmmaker who churns out compelling movies at a blistering speed. "KIMI," which debuts this week on HBO Max, is his third movie for the streamer in just over a year. First was "Let Them All Talk," a nifty little movie shot largely while crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2. Last summer, came the engrossing Detroit crime drama "No Sudden Move." "KIMI," scripted by David Koepp ("Jurassic Park"), stars Zoë Kravitz as an agoraphobic voice stream interpreter who believes she overheard a murder on a recording she's analyzing. DETAILS
REVIEW: In ‘KIMI,’ Soderbergh, Kravitz build a classic tech thriller
‘Power Book IV: Force’ Joseph Sikora's Tommy Egan is at the center of "Power Book IV: Force," as is Chicago. It's where Tommy ends up after ditching the familiar turf of New York, and executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson says the Windy City is both a character and a means of approaching the third "Power Book" spinoff with a clean slate and new tone. For Tommy, what was intended as a quick stop ends up plunging him into the city's drug game and scheming to become its kingpin. Isaac Keys, Lili Simmons, Gabrielle Ryan and Shane Harper are among the cast members in the drama now on Starz. DETAILS
‘The Girl Before’ Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo star in HBO Max's "The Girl Before," adapted from novelist JP Delaney's best-selling psychological thriller of the same name. Mbatha-Raw's Jane is delighted to move into an impressively sleek, modern house, the work of an architect (Oyelowo) who requires occupants to follow his demanding rules. When Jane begins to discover parallels between her experience and that of previous tenant Emma (Jessica Plummer), the posh digs start to look far less appealing. The drama's four episodes are out this week. DETAILS
‘Puppy Bowl’ All together now: Awww, Puppy Bowl is back! The event rides the coattails of that other, puppy-less bowl game and for the good cause of showcasing animal shelters, their dedicated staffers and the furry residents in need of homes. When Team Ruff and Team Fluff and coaches Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg meet in "Puppy Bowl XVIII," more pups will take the field than ever before. The three-hour event, on discovery+ and Animal Planet at 2 p.m. Sunday features 118 adoptable players from 33 states. Among them: Benny, a wheelchair-using Labradoodle, and Pongo, a deaf Dalmatian. DETAILS
Puppy Bowl watch party Plenty of Super Bowl watch parties will be available to attend this weekend, but what about the adorable Puppy Bowl? Terrestrial Brewing Company will put on its fourth-annual Puppy Bowl party, welcoming four-legged friends and their families for a brunch and plenty of fun. Dogs can enjoy a football field and a costume contest. Food specials will be available for both dogs and humans, too. Donations will be accepted for City Dogs. 7524 Father Frascati, Cleveland. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 13. DETAILS
MUSIC  Mary J. Blige Mary J. Blige may have just said goodbye to viewers in the season finale of her Starz series "Power Book II: Ghost" but she's not going away: Blige pops up in a big way this week with a new album out Friday and a spot in the Super Bowl halftime show. The 13-track album, called "Good Morning Gorgeous," features Anderson .Paak, Usher, DJ Khaled, Dave East and Fivio Foreign. The title track is an affirmation: "Sometimes you gotta look in the mirror and say/'Good morning gorgeous'/No one else can make me feel this way." DETAILS
Spoon Spoon roar back with the 10-track, stripped-down rock 'n' roll album "Lucifer on the Sofa" out Friday. It marks the quintet's first set of songs recorded in its hometown of Austin, Texas, in more than a decade, kicked off by the single "Wild." "We wanted to make a rock 'n' roll record, a great rock 'n' roll record. I just don't feel like there's enough great rock 'n' roll records being made these days," frontman Britt Daniel recently told The AP. He also revealed that the title song refers to himself, saying that's "the character that I can become when I'm at my worst." DETAILS
Eddie Vedder Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder steps outside of the band for a fourth time on “Earthling." The mostly rocking and occasionally arty 13-song solo set was produced by Andrew Watt (Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne, Miley Cyrus, Elton John) and features an all-star cast of collaborators that includes John, Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, late of the Chili Peppers and now working with Pearl Jam. DETAILS
Cate Le Bon at Grog Shop One week after releasing her powerful new album “Pompeii,” Welsh musician Cate Le Bon will headline at the Grog Shop. Stop by to hear the new tunes, fresh on Le Bon’s tour, which will take the musician around the world. The art-pop act will be joined by the experimental act Mega Bog and Cleveland musician Uno Lady. Tickets $18. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 8 p.m., Feb. 11. DETAILS
Silent Disco: Valentine’s Day edition Boogie to three different channels of music at a Valentine’s Day edition of a silent disco, held at B-Side. DJs Guilty Pleasures, Zoe Lapin and Mimi Dromette will share a mix of indie rock, funk, hip-hop and goth tunes all night long. Tickets $10. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland. 9 p.m., Feb. 12. DETAILS
TropicalCleveland presents Noche en Rojo Wear a red outfit to TropicalCleveland’s Noche en Rojo (“night in red”) dance party, set for the Saturday before Valentine’s Day at the Music Box Supper Club. Break out your steamiest dance moves at the party, which will feature the 13-piece local Latin band Papo Ruiz y la Dulzura de la Salsa and DJ Danny Vey. If you need to freshen your skills, be sure to attend salsa lessons at 9 p.m. Tickets $20-$30. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. 8:30 p.m., Feb. 12. DETAILS
Dane Vannatter at Bop Stop Cleveland cabaret singer Dane Vannatter will serenade listeners at the Bop Stop on Saturday night, providing a romantic, swoony evening of tunes also featuring pianist Joe Hunter, bassist Bryan Thomas, drummer Ricky Exton and trumpet player James Moore. Attendees are welcome to the venue, and they can also access a live stream on the Bop Stop’s Facebook page. Tickets to in-person show $20. 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., Feb. 12. DETAILS
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