CLEVELAND, Ohio – Resist if you want, but winter holiday events are creeping into the calendar before the Thanksgiving turkey is even thawed. This week we have two such events. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has added November dates to its North Pole Adventure train. Meanwhile, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is jazzing up Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. If you’re not ready for winter, plenty of nonseasonal events promise entertainment as well.
North Pole Adventure
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad continues its well-loved North Pole Adventure train ride with cookies and cocoa, letter writing to Santa and much more. The rides are available from the Akron Northside Station (7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) and Rockside Station (7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.). Thanksgiving is excluded. Tickets are $45 – $92.
Through Dec. 21
Rockside Station – 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence
Akron Northside Station – 27 Ridge Street, Akron
www.cvsr.org/northpoleadventure
Akron Symphony Orchestra: Ellington’s Nutcracker and the Ballad of the Brown King
Jazz up the holidays with an exciting twist to a classic holiday favorite. The Akron Symphony Orchestra performs Duke Ellington’s take on five of the best-known dances from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Tickets to the performance at E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall are $20+.
7:30 p.m., Nov. 12
92 North Main Street, Akron
Apollo’s Fire artistic director Jeannette Sorrell, seen here in a file photo, presided over a festive Bach program that lured many to attend their first live performance as COVID waned.
Apollo’s Fire features music inspired by storms and tempests
The power of nature has inspired composers for centuries. Hear the inspiration as Jeannette Sorrell leads Apollo’s Fire in a program of orchestral showpieces themed “Storms and Tempests.” These will take place at various venues in Northeast Ohio. Tickets are $23.
Thursday, Nov. 10: First United Methodist Church, Akron. 7:30 p.m
Friday, Nov. 11: Presbyterian Church, Rocky River. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 12: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 13: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights. 4 p.m.
DANCECleveland brings postmodern dance to Playhouse Square
DANCECleveland is bringing the Stephen Petronio Company to Cleveland. The troupe takes the stage at Playhouse Square with a mixed-repertory program showcasing the choreographic talent of postmodern icon and artistic director Stephen Petronio. New music, visual art, and fashion collide in his dances. Tickets range from $25 to $65
Mimi Ohio Theater, 1511 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
7:30 p.m., Nov. 12
Cheese & Wine Festival Cleveland
Try more than 50 kinds of cheese and 40 different wines at the Cleveland Cheese & Wine Festival this weekend. The event is at Lago Custom Events on the East Bank of the Flats. If the weather is pleasant, fire pits and outdoor tables will be available. Tickets $65.
1091 W. 10th Street, Cleveland
6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 11.
tastecle.com/event/cheese-wine-fest-cleveland-2022/
Cleveland Restaurant Week continues through Nov. 12.
Cleveland Restaurant Week
Cleveland Restaurant Week – which celebrates independent restaurants in Northeast Ohio — continues through Saturday, Nov. 12. More than 30 members of Cleveland Independents offer three-course, prix fixe meals. Most will be $36.
Various locations
Through Nov. 12
clevelandindependents.com/restaurantweek
Related: Cleveland Restaurant Week is set for its November run – cleveland.com
Dance the night away to salsa music
Dress up in neon clothes and body paints, then make your way to Music Box for a salsa dance party this weekend. Folks with the most creative and brightest outfits will win prizes. Free salsa dance lessons start at 9 p.m. During the night, a DJ will spin the hottest Latin tunes. Tickets are $15 to $20.
1148 Main Avenue
9 p.m., Nov. 12
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dunks the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Ashley Landis, AP
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tickets are $20 to $350.
1 Center Court
6 p.m., Nov. 13
www.rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Akron Art Museum’s “State of the Art: Constructs”
The traveling exhibition “State of the Art: Constructs,” opens from 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Akron Art Museum. The critically acclaimed show will be at the museum from Nov. 12 through Feb. 26, 2023. The show brings together a group of contemporary artists across various media, such as photography, mixed media, performance, sculpture, painting, and textile arts. Admission is free.
Through Feb. 26
1 South High Street, Akron
Improv Comedy: Tony Baker
Chicago native and standup comedian Tony Baker has been making people laugh for nearly a decade. He’ll be at the at the Improv this weekend. Tickets $37-$47
1148 Main Ave
Nov. 10 & 11
Walkabout Tremont, second Friday
Gather your walking shoes and sense of adventure for this month’s Walkabout Tremont. You’ll see the best of the neighborhood’s creative and culinary offerings. Shops and galleries extend their hours and pop-up shops add to the experience.
5 to 9 p.m., Nov. 11.
Tremont
Taylor Harris stars at Grizabella in the national touring production of “Cats.”
‘CATS’
Part of the KeyBank Broadway Series, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical returns to Playhouse Square with new sound design, direction and choreography. Tickets $20-100.
Connor Palace Theatre, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Through Nov. 20
Related: Back for the first time in a decade, ‘Cats’ is poised to make new memories at Playhouse Square
Review: ‘Cats’ shows there’s beauty in the bizarre at Playhouse Square
‘Annie’
Follow this classic, lovable adventure of a young girl who starts out as an orphan before eventually finding a new home and family in New York. Tickets are $14.
Independence Community Theater, 6652 Brecksville Rd., Independence
8 p.m., Nov. 4-5
2 p.m., Nov. 6; weekends through Nov. 20
independencecommunitytheater.org
‘Describe the Night’
Ensemble Theatre presents a play by Rajiv Joseph set in Russia over a period of 90 years tracing the stories of eight individuals linked by history, myth and conspiracy. Tickets $15 to $32.
Notre Dame College Performing Arts Center, 4545 College Rd., South Euclid
7:30 p.m., Nov. 11-12 and 2 p.m., Nov. 13
Boxer Montana Love answers question from the press in front of his promotional poster for his upcoming fight before working out at Revolution Fight and Fitness gym in Cleveland, November 3, 2022. Love (18-0-1) headlines his hometown of Cleveland for the first time, as he collides with Australian puncher Steve Spark (15-2) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, November 12, 2022. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Love vs. Spark
Cleveland’s own Montana Love will face Aussie Steve Spark in a title fight on an eight-bout card as he defends his IBF North American Super-Lightweight title. Tickets start at $20.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
5 p.m., Nov. 12.
rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com/events
Related: For Montana Love, a title fight in Cleveland caps an emotional journey
The Vindys
From Youngstown, the Vindys have an enthusiastic fan base. Their work features a blend of pop, jazz, and rock with soul influences. They’ve been compared to Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones. They’re performing at the Music Box. Tickets $25-$35.
1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland
Nov. 10-11
Lucy Kaplansky
Singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky has eight critically acclaimed CDs. Two received Best Pop Album of the year by the Association for Independent Music. She will be at the Kent Stage Saturday, Nov. 12. Tickets are $25 to $35.
175 East Main Street, Kent
7 p.m., Nov. 12
Death from Above 1979
The alternative rock duo from Toronto released its debut album, “You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine,” in 2004. They released their latest album, “Is 4 Lovers,” in 2021. They’ll perform at Beachland Ballroom on Friday, Nov. 11.
15711 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland
8 p.m. Nov. 11
The Legendary Pink Dots – The Museum of Human Happiness 2022 Tour
Formed in London in 1980, The Legendary Pink Dots are an Anglo-Dutch experimental rock band. They have core members but play with rotating musicians. They’ll be at the Grog Shop on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Tickets are $20 to $25.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights
8 p.m. Nov. 15
Comedian Trevor Wallace’s “Are You That Guy?” Tour
Stand-up comedian Trevor Wallace is all over the internet, with more than 1 billion views on social media. Now he’s bringing his show to the Agora. Tickets are $29.50 to $75.
5000 Euclid Avenue
7 p.m. Nov. 13
‘The Great Leap’
A simple “friendship game” between an American college basketball team and a Chinese squad, becomes much more than a game in this production at the Cleveland Play House’s Outcalt Theater. The coaches have much riding on the outcome. Characterized as a darkly comic sports drama the play tackles cultural and generational clashes.
1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Through Nov. 20
Tammy Pescatelli
Cleveland’s own Tammy Pescatelli is both comedian and actress with numerous credits to her name. Most recently, she guest starred on “Blue Bloods.” She also appeared on the Showtime Comedy Special, “Women of a Certain Age 2.” She’ll be performing at the Hanna Theater on Saturday, Nov. 12.
1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
8 p.m. Nov. 12