Breathe in one last May weekend before taking the high-dive into summer (yeah, yeah: summer doesn’t start until late June — whatever). There’s music to be heard, brunches to be eaten, art to be seen and races to be run. Consider this handful of goings-on with your Memorial Weekend festivities.
13th Annual International Guitar Weekend
Thursday through Saturday at Cleveland Institute of Music (11021 East Boulevard)
Welcome the world’s best guitarists, lutenists, lecturers, composers and teachers to a weekend of sharing expertise and performances in a concentrated series of ticketed recitals and free master classes, demos and exhibits. Events range from free to $22. Get Guitar Weekend tickets, schedules and full details.
Rust Belt Revival Tour Kick-Off
Friday, 6 p.m. and Saturday, 5 p.m. at Arts Collinwood (15605 Waterloo Road)
Saving Cities launches the Rust Belt Revival Tour with a two-day event, showcasing what’s going on in Rust Belt cities. The agenda includes screenings of Detropia and Red, White and Blueprints, ready-to-take-action stations, networking, drinks and plenty of interactive storytelling. Get the full scoop and agenda for this Rust-friendly event.
PechaKucha Night Cleveland — Vol. 18
Fiday, 7-10:30 p.m. at House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave)
Creativity at its finest. PechaKucha Night Cleveland fills the main hall at House of Blues for its latest installment of flip-by-flip presentations by creative folk getting schtuff done. They get 20 images, 20 seconds each, to give you the gist. It’s fast, furious, engaging and fun. Not familiar with Pechakucka? Check out past events.
Gordon Square goes to the orchestra
Friday, 6 p.m. departure from Happy Dog (5801 Detroit Ave), 7 p.m. concert at Severance Hall (11001 Euclid Ave)
Perfect Friday night? Discounted tickets ($30) to the Cleveland Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, followed by an after party of world music my Mokaad. Consider it a post-residency gift for your support in Gordon Square. Park at Happy Dog, bus to/fro for free. Call Happy Dog (216-651-9474) to save your spot or buy your way into the Friday @ 7 show yourself.
BONUS: Members of Ensemble HD will be at Severance Hall to sign copies of the Ensemble HD Live at the Happy Dog record.
D’Light Run 5K
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. at Montessori School at Holy Rosary (12009 Mayfield Road)
Recovered from Cleveland Marathon yet (or still hungover with inspired fitness envy)? Join a d’lightful run through Little Italy, followed by a family-friendly party with DJ, pizza, fruit and cookies at the finish in Tony Brush Park. Pre-race registration is $20; it’s $25 day-of. Get race and registration info.
Opening reception for Purr: A Juried Art Cats-travaganza
Saturday, 5-11 p.m. at BUCKBUCK Gallery (3910 Lorain Ave)
BUCKBUCK Gallery and Anna Tararova began with more than 100 cat-tastic submissions and whittled them down to 25 masterpieces at the center of a diverse show. Door donations benefit the Cleveland APL, which will also be on-site 6-9 p.m. with adoptable kittens and cats at this opening reception. Show runs through June 23. Get more purr-fect details.
Coventry Shop Hop
Saturday, noon-8 p.m.
Imagine it: checking out the new fro-yo stops, shopping the sidewalk sale, perusing Coventry’s eateries, stores and other businesses without the anxiety of whether or not the three quarters you had left in your car were enough to cover your parking fare. Last Saturday of the month is Coventry Shop Hop, featuring free parking at any public meters, including the garage. Get the facts.
Docurama Festival: Charge
Saturday, 11 a.m. at Capitol Theatre (1390 West 65th)
Cleveland Cinemas continues its series of seven nonfiction films that educate and entertain with Charge, narrated by Ewan McGregor and directed by Mark Neale. The film follows several teams from around the world to the first-ever zero-emissions road race. Get tickets and details and then watch the trailer:
Rock and Reggae Music Benefit for The Free Clinic
Saturday, 6 p.m. (doors) at Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Road)
Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band headline a night of local rock, reggae, food and art that benefits the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland. Other musical acts include The TwistOffs, JMiller Band, Oldboy and Big Ship. Tickets are $15 (donation) in advance, $20 (donation) day of the show. Get tickets and more info.
Brunch on Waterloo
Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Road)
Try a bloody mary and something with buttermilk biscuits at one of the city’s top brunches. Call 216-383-1124 for Rockin’ Brunch reservations (you’ll need them). And if you don’t get reservations in time, Chloe’s Kitchen Diner (400 East 156th) is a killer Sunday-morning stop too.
