CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Looking to get out this weekend? There are plenty of Cleveland events worth checking out.
You can see a few movies on the big screen at Short. Sweet. Film Fest, Animation Show of Shows or CatVideoFest. Or, dance the night away at Jukebox Breakdown’s fifth birthday party, Touch Supper Club’s I Got Five On It or an “Austin Powers” themed night at Mahall’s.
There’s also the Cleveland Auto Show, Downtown Restaurant Week, a couple of Leap Day events and more. Here are 20 things to do this weekend in Cleveland.
Short. Sweet. Film Fest
Hundreds of short films will be on the schedule at Short. Sweet. Film Fest, spanning five days of celebration at the Alex Theater in downtown Cleveland. Expect a mix of horror, comedy, animation and documentary films -- and special blocks for films made by students and local filmmakers, too. Tickets $15-$395.
2017 E. 9th St., Cleveland
Feb. 26-March 1
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week
Downtown Cleveland Alliance organizes the annual culinary event in Cleveland, which runs through Sunday, March 1. Participating restaurants -- like Mallorca, Lola, Cowell & Hubbard and Adega -- will offer prix-fixe, three-course meals. Menus will be $15 for lunch and start at $30 for dinner.
Various locations
Through March 1
Story Club Cleveland
Hear true tales from Clevelanders at this month’s “Leap”-themed Story Club Cleveland event. The show will feature performances by improv actor CJ Cobb and writer L.S. Quinn, with open mic slots for attendees to sign up for. $10 suggested donation.
CLE Urban Winery, 2180 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
7:30 p.m., Feb. 27
Jukebox Breakdown
It’s “Time To Dance” on Friday night to the best pop-punk and emo jams of past decades. Jukebox Breakdown will celebrate its 5th birthday with plenty of music, and also free pizza and cake for attendees, on Friday night. Free.
B Side Lounge, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
10 p.m., Feb. 28
Find a fish fry
The Fat Tuesday and packzi fun is done. It’s officially Lent and that means that Northeast Ohio’s legendary frenzy for fish frys is about to begin. Every Friday through April 10, thousands of diners will go forth to churches, schools, fraternal organizations and area restaurants in search of that perfect combo of fried fish and fried potatoes. (Cole slaw is considered an essential ingredient by many fish-fry fanatics, too). But where to go? We’ve got your back. Our annual fish-fry guide is one our most popular features, with details on more than 70 non-profit fish fries, plus some tips on local restaurants getting in on the Lenten action. So dig in! Check out our full guide to Northeast Ohio fish frys.
“Austin Powers” dance night at Mahall’s
Yeah, baby, yeah! A new Club Kidz R Us dance night will take over Mahall’s this Friday, with a “Shag Another Day: ‘90s Meets ‘60s Austin Powers” themed evening. Enjoy a mix of Britpop tunes while drag artists perform as “Spice Girls” characters. Tickets $5.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood
9 p.m., Feb. 28
I Got Five On It: Love Edition
Two floors of hip-hop will take over Touch Supper Club on the last Saturday of the month. The love edition of I Got Five On It will include songs about love all night, with DJs spinning classic love songs on the first floor and newer songs and samples on the second floor. Tickets $5 at 10 p.m., $10 after 11 p.m.
2710 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
10 p.m., Feb. 29
Leap Year Dance Party at Nighttown
Celebrate the existence of a day that only comes around once every four years. Nighttown will host a leap year dance party on Saturday, Feb. 29, hosted by Neil Slobin, who will spin a mix of motown, funk, soul, disco and R&B all night long. $10.
12383 Cedar Rd., Cleveland
7:30 p.m., Feb. 29
Leap Year Yoga and Beer
Participate in an all-level vinyasa class at Forest City Brewery, taught by Hikyoga instructors, then join the group for a hike on the Cleveland Towpath. Cap off all that exercise with a beer at the brewery. $22.
2135 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
Noon-2 p.m., Feb. 29
CatVideoFest
CatVideoFest, a touring feline-filled film presentation, will stop by the Cedar-Lee Theatre for three unique showings this weekend. Expect lots of cat videos collected from submissions, compiled into one video feature. (And don’t worry: It doesn’t include any CGI creatures from the new “Cats” movie.) Tickets $12.50.
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Feb. 29-March 1
Animation Show of Shows
The Cleveland Cinematheque will showcase 10 animated short films from seven countries, including Belgium, France, Russia and Israel, in the touring 2020 Animation Show of Shows. Tickets $8-$11.
11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
7 p.m., Feb. 29; 6:30 p.m., March 1
Kids’ Comic Con
Lake Erie Ink will put on its eighth annual kid-friendly comic-con at the end of the month, welcoming kids and teens to sessions about comic books, cosplay, sketching and more. Attendees can also check out the zine exchange to get some new reading materials. Tickets $10.
2843 Washington Blvd., Cleveland Heights
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 29
Tri-C High School Rock Off
The 2020 edition of the Tri-C High School Rock Off comes to a close this weekend with the Final Exam competition. Some of the best young musicians from around the country will compete for $1,000 in cash and other prizes. Tickets cost $12 and include admission to Rock Hall.
6 p.m., Feb. 29
1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle or just love cars, the Cleveland Auto Show has 1.2 million square feet of exhibits. Check out and even drive the latest models, get a glimpse into the future with the concept cars, dream big on Millionaire’s Row, take a trip down memory lane at the classic cars show or meet local celebrities like Nick Chubb and Stipe Miocic. Tickets, $12-$14.
I-X Center, One I-X Center Drive
Feb. 21-March 1
Orchid Mania at Cleveland Botanical Garden
"Vibrant Vietnam" is the theme of the garden's annual flower show, which celebrates that country's exotic beauty and vibrant culture with thousands of varieties of orchids on display. Tickets, $10-$15.
Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
Through March 10
Winter exhibits at MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts new exhibits -- Margaret Kilgallen’s “that’s where the beauty is.” and a group interactive multimedia display, “Temporary Spaces of Joy and Freedom” -- until mid-May. Free.
11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Through May 17
Great Lakes Theater presents “Sleuth”
Who doesn't love a good mystery? This Tony-winning play is a mind-bending whodunit thriller about a suspense writer who invites his wife's lover and fellow game enthusiast to the house, where a series of events challenges the audience to decipher what's real and what's not. Tickets, $15-$89.
Hanna Theatre, 2067 East 14th St., Cleveland
Feb. 14-March 8
Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes
You'll find your thrill in the chill at the Chalet in Strongsville, whooshing down the 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes on an old-timey toboggan. Afterwards, warm up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Tickets, $6-$12.
The Chalet in Millstream Run Reservation, 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville
Weekends through early March (weather permitting)
Flanagan’s Wake at Playhouse Square
Centered around an Irish funeral, “Flanagan’s Wake” doesn’t sound like a particularly humorous play. But the interactive performance, which has taken place in Cleveland regularly since 1996, involves improvisation based on audience participation, often leading to hilarious results. Tickets, $27.
Kennedy’s Cabaret, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Weekends through April 25
Tiffany in Bloom: Stained Glass Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany at Cleveland Museum of Art
This exhibit showcases 20 stained glass table and floor lamps by the famed American designer. The pieces, many of which are recent additions to the museum's permanent collection, are from the turn of the 20th century and represent the artist's finest work.
Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland
Now through June 14
Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll
The single largest exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's history features more than 130 of the most iconic instruments in music history, from Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen to Elvis and The Beatles. Admission, $18-$28.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard
Now through Sept. 13
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