Northeast Ohio produces more events each week than it would
be possible to attend, even if you had a full-time maid,
chef, and/or babysitter. Hot Picks: This Week’s Smart
Stuff sorts through the lists of concerts, festivals, exhibits,
plays, readings and all sorts of other events and pulls
out a few that seem out-of-the-ordinary. There will be new
things each week, with the list updating each Monday.
Even though we like to think of ourselves as “in
the know,” there will always be things that escape
our notice. Please feel free to make suggestions to
(be aware, we make no promises and the final decision rests
with us). Enjoy!
Brews and Blues
Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.
Great Lakes Brewing Company Beer Cellar
Unwind on Monday evenings with Great Lakes Brewing Company and Kristine Jackson! Visit the Great Lakes Brewing Company from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and enjoy the bluesy sounds of Elyria native, Kristine Jackson.
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Beppe Gambetta
Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
Nighttown
From his unique background as an Italian musician in love with both American roots music as well as the music of his native country, Gambetta has traveled the world to charm music enthusiasts everywhere. While he still lives in his native Genova, he travels to North America at least three times each year. Gambetta has performed with some great heroes of the folk scene such as David Grisman, Gene Parsons, Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Men Of Steel.
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The Intimate Bach
Feb. 8 to Feb. 12
See Event for Details
J.S. Bach's rarely performed masterpieces for unaccompanied solo instruments inhabit an intimate aural world. They receive soulful virtuosity in the hands of the three dynamic leaders of Apollo's Fire. The Plain Dealer appluads its "Artistic passion...and invigorating and haunting virtuosity."
Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls
Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Fairlawn Lutheran Church
Feb. 10 at 8 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights
Feb. 11 at 8 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights
Feb. 12 at 4 p.m., Rocky River Presbyterian Church
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Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage
Feb. 8 to Feb. 12
14th Street Theatre, Playhouse Square
The story of Miss Abigail, the most sought-after relationship expert to the stars (think Dr. Ruth meets Emily Post), and her sexy sidekick Paco, as they travel the world teaching Miss Abigail's outrageously funny "how-to's" on dating, mating and marriage. Let Miss Abigail take you back to a simpler time, before booty calls and before speed-dating . . . back when the divorce rate wasn't 50% and when fidelity was more than an investment firm!
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Charlotte Rampling: The Look
Feb. 9 at 8:45 p.m.
The Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque
The aloof, enigmatic, now 65-year-old star of The Night Porter, The Swimming Pool, and many other movies talks with friends and artistic collaborators about topics ranging from age and beauty to demons, desire, and death. Breaking up the conversations are clips from Rampling's notable films: Woody Allen's Stardust Memories, Laurent Cantet's Heading South, François Ozon's Under the Sand, Sidney Lumet's The Verdict, and others.
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Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland
Feb. 10 to Feb. 26
Corning Auditorium, Willoughby Fine Arts Association
Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical adventure in Wonderland! Adapted by Charlotte Chropenning, directed by David Malinowski, performed by the Yarnell Youth Theatre Company. Children are invited to enter the Alice in Wonderland coloring contest which can be downloaded at the above link.
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Fireside Concert Series: Jen Maurer & Paul Kovac
Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Look About Lodge
Come out of the cold to cozy Look About Lodge for the annual Fireside Concert Series featuring Americana artists Jen Maurer and Paul Kovac. Registration is required. Call (440) 247-7075 to reserve seats for you and your family.
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The Black Lillies
Feb. 10 at 9 p.m.
The Winchester Music Hall
Born in the rumbling cab of a stone truck and aged in the oak of Tennessee's smoky night haunts, The Black Lillies have quickly risen to the forefront of the Americana scene. The band has created its own unique brand of country, roots, rock and blues. The Black Lillies' 2009 album, Whiskey Angel won the Independent Music Awards for Best Album, Americana.
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Damsels in Distress: The Hardships of Mating Behavior in Damselflies
Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Reproduction is a highly competitive process in damselflies. Dr. Schultz will examine stresses on both sexes under two different scenarios. In one, females are excessively harassed by males desperate to breed. In the other, males fight for the favor of choosy females. In both cases, the role that color plays in communication will be highlighted. The Explorer Lecture Series is sponsored by The Women's Committee of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
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Demetri Martin
Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.
Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square
The award winning stand-up comedian and scriptwriter, who made his name as a contributor to The Daily Show & regular Comedy Channel appearances, comes to Cleveland February 11. His show, Important Things with Demetri Martin is widely acclaimed.
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Gerald Ross & His Midwestern Swing All Stars & Ukelele Workshop
Feb 12, 3 p.m. Workshop, 6:30 p.m. show
The Beachland Tavern
Join Gerald Ross at the Beachland Tavern for a ukelele workshop. Gerald Ross & His Midwestern Swing All Stars will perform for its Cleveland debut. Blending the sounds of jazz blues and swing, Gerald Ross has created a style uniquely his own. Whether he is playing jazz standards, popular favorites, delta and urban blues, Tin Pan Alley melodies, New Orleans rhythms or boogie woogie, it's bound to be a delightful surprise to any listener.
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