Calendar of Events
By Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com
The theme of this column is "trying new things." I'm happy to be starting this new project of writing the entertainment column for Leisure Living Magazine! I've done all I could to make the entertainment listing complete and varied, so there should be something for everyone. Although I've done my best to make sure all the information is accurate, please go online or call ahead to confirm your plans.
Any suggestions and details of your upcoming events can be sent to me at catharinehadley@gmail.com.
After some truly weird weather over the past few months, it's time to enjoy nature!
Biggest Week in
American Birding
The Biggest Week in American Birding is May 8 through 17. Each year in May, migratory birds and the migratory birders who love them flock to the shores of the western basin of Lake Erie.
The birds rest and feed before continuing their northward journey across the lake. The birders take advantage of the good visibility and convenience of Magee Marsh and the surrounding areas. There are plenty of Wings Over Lake Erie events at Erie MetroParks, lectures on birding at Lakeside, and other activities including van trips, workshops, and presentations
Many of those are at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, where you can register in person. Visit the Black Swamp Bird Observatory website for online registration and details.
On a related note, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has Wildlife Drives every day through May 29.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Earlier this year, when the weather was much colder, I got a taste of the tropics when I visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the annual orchid show. I might schedule another trip very soon, because this is the time of year for newly emerged butterflies in the Costa Rica biome. It might be a perfect rainy-day activity!
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Toledo's newest celebrity is Eugene, the baby giraffe with the awesome hair. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium "twilight evenings" begin the end of May. Admission is half price between 4 and 8 p.m. The zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Ohio Bike Week
Downtown Sandusky is the center of Ohio Bike Week May 29 through June 6. As always, the downtown block party is the focus of the fun each night. Expect to see thousands of riders over the nine-day event.
Visiting a winery is a fun summer pastime - and it's even better if the winery visits you! Seven wineries are participating in the 21st Annual Toast of Ohio Wine Festival on June 13 at the Jackson Street Pier in Sandusky.
Several food trucks will be on-site. Members of the Sandusky Art League will also be there, showing and selling their works. For information, visit the Merry Go Round Museum website and navigate to the events page.
This is the season to enjoy free outdoor concerts. Sandusky's Party at the Pier concert series begins on June 11. In downtown Port Clinton, the stage on Madison Street will feature performances Thursday through Saturday nights. Riverfront Live! guests start performing at 6 on Fridays. There are plenty more free outdoor music events listed in the calendar below.
Personally, I'm looking forward to one certain event this June: The CKDA performance of "Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" and Divertissements. As a child growing up in Norwalk, Cynthia Kniffin was my first ballet teacher. I''m thrilled that I still get to take dance classes from her! Now, under the direction of Mrs. Kniffin's daughter Amy Bond, the dance school's production will be June 11-13 at Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center at Norwalk High School.
To submit an event, email it to catharinehadley@gmail.com by June 10.
May
Through May 25 - Walleye Festival, Water Works Park, Port Clinton
Through May 30 - Ottawa County Celebrates America's 250 Years of Freedom traveling exhibit, Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton
Through June 1 - "From Imagination to Creation: The Artwork of Cary Ferguson" exhibit presented by Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, The Arts Garage, Port Clinton
Through June 30 - Spring Into Summer Art Show presented by Main Street Vermilion
Through Aug. 23 - "France in the Time of Manet and Morisot" special exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
Through Oct. 18 - "Provenance: Journeys of Korean Art" exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
18-June 12 - "Dogs of War and Peace" exhibit of works by Ohio artist James Mellick, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
22 - The Drowsy Lands, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
22 - Bruce Springsteen & E Street: Land of Hopes & Dreams American Tour, Rocket Arena, Cleveland
22 - The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies, and Gary Lewis & The Playboys perform, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
22 - Alison Krauss performs at Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
23 - Bevy of Blooms Plant Sale, Lakeside Schoolhouse, Lakeside
23 - "A Celebration of Motown & Soul," Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
23 - Artasia and Bookie Nights: A Night Market Experience, The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark
23 - Dolly Parton tribute, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
23-24 - Grand Tactical 1812 Re-Enactment, Fort Meigs State Memorial, Perrysburg
23-25 - Flower Day Weekend, Toledo Farmers' Market
26-31 - "The Wiz," Stranahan Theatre, Toledo
26-Aug. 21 - "Video Space: Lucy Raven" exhibit, Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College
28 through June 1 - Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, Lakeside
29 - "100 Years of Broadway," Valentine Theater, Toledo
29 - "Honky Tonk Angels" performed by Rachel Brown & The Beatnik Playboys, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
29 - Party in the Park season opener, Promenade Park, Toledo
29-30 - Put-in-Bay Dog Bowl DockDogs Showcase McCann's Field, Put-in-Bay
29 Through June 6 - Ohio Bike Week, downtown Sandusky and surrounding areas
29-30 - "An American in Paris" presented by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Toledo
30 - Bob Dylan Birthday Bash, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
30 - Sandusky Witches Walk Improvised Musical Comedy Fundraiser, The Emporium at West Market Street, Sandusky
30-31 - Maple and Main Art & Music Festival, Olander Park, Sylvania
31-Nov. 15 - "The Plum Scenery Studio: Wu Hufan and His Circle in Modern Shanghai" exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
June
1-July 1 - 1776 Patriotic Home Decorating Contest, Village of Green Springs
2 - "Songs of Correspondence" performed by Kira McGirr with Anthena String Quartet, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
3 - Bike Week Dice Run, Kelleys Island
4 - Darius Rucker performs, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
4-29 - "Storytelling, Art by Hope Burger" exhibit presented by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, The Arts Garage, Port Clinton
5 - Songs at the Center LIVE! performs at Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
5 - Ben Delong performs Riverfront Live!, downtown Port Clinton
5 - Party in the Park, Promenade Park, Toledo
5 - Denny Schaffer Summer Disco Party, Hensville Park, Toledo
5-6 - Village Wide Garage Sale Days, Oak Harbor
5-6 - Mills Trophy Race, Toledo to Put-in-Bay with festivities at Put-in-Bay Yacht Club
5-7 and 12-14 - "Agatha Christie's Mousetrap" presented by Playmakers Civic Theatre, Port Clinton
6 - "Songs and Stories of American Folk Rock," Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
6 - Native Plant Saturday, Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, Huron
6 - The Baldassarre Rock Orchestra, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
6 - "Appalachian Spring and Adagio for Strings" presented by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Toledo
6-7 - Annual Historic West End Festival & King Wamba Parade, Old West End neighborhood, Toledo
8 - Put-in-Bay Pride
9 - Farmers' market, Elmore Historical Society, Elmore
9-28 - "The Great Gatsby, a New Musical," Connor Palace, Playhouse Square, Cleveland
10 - Verandah Concert, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
10 - Whiskers & Wine, Barks & Brew fundraiser for the Humane Society of Sandusky County, Hall's Wine R We & Brews 4 U, Clyde
11 - Art Loop: Starburst, International Cove Glass City Metropark - Upriver, Toledo
11 - Legend of New Country: Wallen & Wilson perform Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
11-14 - Watershed Weekend, Glass City Riverwalk, Toledo
12 - Emmet Cohen Trio performs as part of Chautauqua Jazz Week, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
12 - John Pickle performs Riverfront Live!, downtown Port Clinton
12 - Party in the Park and Hot Air Balloon Glow, Promenade Park, Toledo
12 - Wine tasting, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
13 - Welcome Back! Live Glassblowing, Art Demonstrations, Art and Music, Charles Herndon Galleries, Kelleys Island
13 - Ray Angry, The Toledo Jazz Orchestra, Valentine Theater, Toledo
13 - Brews Cruise: Black Flag Rising pirate-themed adventure to Kelleys Island sponsored by the Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce, Sandusky and Kelleys Island
13 - "Forever Simon & Garfunkel: A Tribute," Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
13 - Founders Day and Pooch Parade, De Rivera Park, Put-in-Bay
13 - History lecture and book signing for "The Western Reserve - An Unsettling Settlement" by Frank Kuron, Maritime Museum of Sandusky
13 - TECHLEDO free electronic music festival, The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark - Downriver, Toledo
13-14 - Fremont Flea Market, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont
13-14 - MS Bike to the Bay event, beginning at Owens Community College
14 - Benson Ford Shiphouse tour, Put-in-Bay
16-21 - "A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical," Stranahan Theater, Toledo
18 - Third Thursday Music, Flowers, and a Sunset, downtown Vermilion
18 - 24K Magic: Tribute to Bruno Mars performs Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
18 - Veterans appreciation event, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, Elmore
18-25 - Lakeside Art Show
19 - Apollo's Fire, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
19 - Sea Jamz 7 performs Riverfront Live!, downtown Port Clinton
19 - Juneteenth at Put-in-Bay
19 - Marquis 66 performs Concert on the Lawn, Clyde Museum, Clyde
19 - Party in the Park, Promenade Park, Toledo
19 - Trouble Man: Tribute to Marvin Gaye perform Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
19-21 - Festival of the Fish, downtown Vermilion
20 - Asparagus showcase dinner, Culinary Vegetable Institute, Huron
20 - Lake Erie Crushers baseball game fundraiser for the Humane Society of Erie County and FIDO's Companion Rescue, ForeFront Field, Avon
20 - 20th Annual Lakeside Collector Car Show, Lakeside
20 - The Labra Brothers, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
20 - Ohio's Island Wine Festival, Put-in-Bay
20 - Downtown Fremont Farmers Market
20 - Car show, downtown Fremont
20 - Toledo Night Market at Toledo Farmers' Market
20 - Sammy Hagar, Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
21 - Rat Pack Together Again, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
21-Dec. 6 - "'Bunjin' in Japanese Art" exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
22 - North Coast Concert Band performs in Norwalk
23 - Paul Simon, Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
24 - Verandah Concert, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
25 - American Vanity performs Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
26 - OPUS 216, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
26 - Jordan Weiwandt performs Riverfront Live!, downtown Port Clinton
26 - Party in the Park, Promenade Park, Toledo
26 - John Schneider & The Good Ole Boys, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
26-28 - Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest XVIII, Put-in-Bay
27 - GroveFest, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
27 - The Stray Cats' Lee Rocker, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
27 - Alex Warren Presents: Finding Family on the Road, Rocket Arena, Cleveland
27-28 - Mulberry Market, Mulberry Creek Herb Farm, Huron
27-28 - Toledo Festival of the Arts, Toledo Botanical Garden
28 - North Coast Concert Band performs in Fremont
28 - The Guess Who, Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
30 - George Washington historian and interpreter, Clyde Museum, Clyde
30 - Chicago performs, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
July
2 - The Raleigh Ringers, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
2 - Straight On: Tribute to the Music of Heart perform Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
2-August 3 - "Inspirations and the Feeling of Yes! Artwork by Gregory Ehmann, Susan Walker, and Nicolette Tolomeo Germain" exhibit presented by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, The Arts Garage, Port Clinton
3 - The Ultimate Tribute to Elvis featuring Mike Albert & the Big "E" Band, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
3 - Mikey Blue performs Riverfront Live!, downtown Port Clinton
3 - Party in the Park, Promenade Park, Toledo
3 - Arrival From Sweden tribute to ABBA perform Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
4 - Car show, downtown Fremont
4 - Independence Day Concert, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
4 - DJ Chosen performs Party at the Pier concert, Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
updated 05.22.26 CAE
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