CLEVELAND, Ohio -- We’ve reached the end of July, and summer will be over before you know it. So, be sure to make it count by having some fun this weekend. There is a plethora of events and activities to choose from, from festivals and theater shows to concerts, carnivals and more.
Need ideas? We’ve got some. BorderLight Theatre Festival Inspired by the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this 4th annual event features an exciting and diverse lineup of international touring shows, self-produced acts and workshops. Tickets start at $12 but many performances are free.
Playhouse Square Now through July 27 borderlightcle.org • Preview: BorderLight Theater Festival brings the creative spirit of a fringe festival to Cleveland “Beautiful, the Carole King Musical” Beck Center for the Arts’ production of this jukebox musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carole King features timeless hits such as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Tickets $10-$38.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Now through Aug. 11 beckcenter.
org “Legally Blonde The Musical” Near West Theatre’s teen summer mainstage production is this fabulous musical based on the hit movie. Follow sorority girl Elle Woods to Harvard Law, where she surprises everybody including herself. Tickets $20 or pay what you choose.
6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Now through Aug. 4 nearwesttheatre.
org Roman Banks is Michael Jackson in "MJ," the Tony-winning musical now playing at the KeyBank State Theatre in Playhouse Square through Aug. 11. (Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade) Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade “MJ: The Musical” From the “ABC” to “Thriller” and everything in between, experience the generational talent and creative genius of Michael Jackson in this Tony-winning musical at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre.
Tickets $39-$189. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Now through Aug.
11 playhousesquare.org • Review: ‘MJ’ is an absolute thriller at Playhouse Square Totally Tubular Festival See your favorite new wave artists from the 1980s on one stage as Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins, Modern English, Men Without Hats and Bow Wow Wow perform at Blossom Music Center for one gnarly night. Lawn tickets start at $35.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls 6 p.
m., July 28 livenation.com 311: The Unity Tour Best known for their hit singles “Down” and “All Mixed Up,” ‘90s rockers 311 bring their unmistakable sound to the waterfront stage at Jacobs Pavilion.
Awolnation and Neon Trees open. Tickets start at $25. 2014 Sycamore St.
, Cleveland 7 p.m., July 28 jacobspavilion.
com Michael Longfellow “Saturday Night Live” cast member Michael Longfellow brings his deadpan style of standup comedy to Hilarities 4th Street Theatre for three nights. Tickets start at $25. 2035 E.
4th St., Cleveland July 25-27 hilarities.com Sleater-Kinney Rockers and feminist rebels Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein take the Rock Hall’s outdoor plaza stage in support of their latest album “Little Rope.
” Come early to check out the museum’s new “World Series of Rock” exhibit. Tickets $45 (museum admission not included). 1100 E.
9th. St, Cleveland 8 p.m.
, July 27 rockhall.com The Band Camino This Nashville-based rock group brings their unique style of ‘80s-influenced mix of indie rock and electropop to the Agora. Tickets start at $39.
50. 8 p.m.
, July 27 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland agoracleveland.com Great Lakes Medieval Fair & Marketplace Travel back in time to the 13th century for a day of merriment in a Sherwood Forest-like setting with entertainment, arts and crafts, rides, games and foods fit for a king.
This weekend’s theme is “Pirates, Princesses, and Pups!” Tickets start at $25. 3033 State Route 534, Rock Creek July 27-Aug. 11 medievalfaire.
com The Asian Lantern Festival returns to the Cleveland Zoo now through August 25. Walk-through and drive-through tours are available. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.
com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com Asian Lantern Festival This popular nighttime summer festival is back at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the 7th straight year with a 50-foot-tall pagoda, walk-through tunnels, immersive themed areas and live acrobatic performances. Tickets start at $24 ($21 for members).
Now through Aug. 25 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland clevelandmetroparks.com Balloon Classic Part of the ongoing Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, this picturesque event at the Kent State Stark Campus draws balloonists from across the country.
Five hot-air balloon launches are scheduled. There are also tethered balloon rides, fireworks and a new drone light show. Free admission.
Parking $10. 6000 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton July 26-28 profootballhoffestival.
com Cleveland Orchestra presents Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra returns to its scenic summer home at Blossom Music Center to perform Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s most powerful symphony. Conducted by Hannu Lintu, the program includes a featured performance by principal cello Mark Kosower. Tickets start at $25.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls 7 p.
m., July 27 clevelandorchestra.com “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR.
” Based on the popular animated franchise, this Cain Park youth theater production follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the hip hip Hippo on an unexpected musical adventure. Tickets $5-15. 14591 Superior Rd.
, Cleveland Heights July 26-28 cainpark.com Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival Returning for its 50th year, the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival returns for the first of four weekends of free dance performances in Akron’s parks. The Ohio Contemporary Ballet is up first with an enchanting evening of classical and contemporary ballet at Forest Lodge Park.
GroundWorks Dance Theater, Inlet Dance Theatre and Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. perform on subsequent weekends. 260 Greenwood Ave.
, Akron July 26-27 akrondancefestival.org Lake Metroparks Farmpark will host the Historical Engine Society’s 53rd Annual Antique Power Exhibition on July 26, 27 and 28. Lake Metroparks Historical Engine Society Antique Power Exhibition See antique tractors, construction and excavation equipment, cars, trucks and more at this 53th annual event at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.
Admission $7-$9. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland July 26-28 lakemetroparks.
com Opera in the Italian Garden Enjoy beautiful music in the Renaissance-themed Italian Garden located within the Cleveland Cultural Gardens as talented singers perform well-known opera, Broadway and Italian songs. Free with reserved seating available for $32. 990 East Blvd.
, Cleveland 6 p.m., July 28 clevelandculturalgardens.
org Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Festival Get your Greek on as this east-side favorite festival returns for a weekend of ethnic eats, live music and dance performances. Serving gyros, moussaka, baklava and much more.
Free admission. 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights July 25-28 facebook.
com/ClevelandGreekFestival Strongsville Homecoming Festival Celebrate Strongsville’s rich heritage and community pride at this 82nd-annual festival full of carnival rides, delicious food, live music and family-friendly activities. Free admission. July 24-27 Strongsville City Commons at Royalton and Pearl Roads strongsvillechamber.
com/homecoming-festival Concert Over The Valley One of the most picturesque outdoor concert venues is located at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick. The orchard’s Friday summer concert series rolls on with Out of Eden, an Eagles tribute band performing ‘70s classics like “Hotel California,” “Desperado” and more. Tickets $10.
7 p.m., July 26 294 Pearl Rd.
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