10 Things Going on in Cleveland this Weekend (May 16-18)

Local singer-turned-entrepreneur Cali Miles now runs her own talent group that deals with, as she puts it, “all facets of the entertainment industry.” Tonight from 8 to midnight at Shooters, she’ll host auditions for her Bomb Squad. "We're looking for all kinds of women, ranging from dancers to DJs," says Miles. "But we're also looking for leaders. We're looking for young women who want to go out into the community and give back because that's really important to us as well." You can bet some of the hottest dancers and models in town will be on hand for the event, which is open to the public. Plus, Miles will perform as well. A panel of celebrity judges will rate the best performers, and audience members can vote for their favorite performer as well. "I'm really excited to see all the girls perform," she says. (Niesel)

The bats, or at least Michael Brantley’s personal bats, have come alive! The starting pitching — thanks in no small part to Josh Tomlin’s Randy Thompson mullet — has settled into a whifftastic groove. After a pretty dismal showing through the month of April, the Indians are playing some pretty exciting baseball. But the As have the AL West’s best record and has proven to be one of the leagues’ most dominant all-around teams in the early going. Former Tribe hurler Scott Kazmir has pitched well for the A’s and young ace Sonny Gray’s ERA seems to do nothing but shrink. First pitch tonight and tomorrow at 7:05. They go at it again at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. (Allard)

Every year, the folks at Ohio Burlesque pay homage to the burlesque of yesteryear with Roxy Remembered, an event that features a slew of popular local and regional dancers. This year, acts such as Lushes La Moan, Xander Lovecraft, Bella Sin and Doll Bambino are all slated to perform. In addition, the event features vaudeville acts, skits and live music. Admission is $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating. VIP tickets cost $30. (Niesel)

This Is Not The Play delves into one of the 21st century's most uncomfortable topics: racism. The play explores the issue of a black playwright attempting to write the roles of several white, semi-self-aware characters. Lines blur as the play tries to define the difference between American racism and the playwright's own prejudices. Directed by Emily Ritger, the play is full of intense humor built on this uniquely post-modern conflict. The show runs through May 31 in Cleveland Public Theatre's James Levin Theatre. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12 to $28. (Patrick Stoops)

Did you see Scene’s cover story about Charles Ramsey three weeks ago? Part of the story was how Ramsey is envisioning the publication of his book Dead Giveaway as the first step in the construction of a new, international brand of which he will be the center. Ramsey’s on a local book tour for Dead Giveaway, and will appear at the Eton Center Barnes and Noble on Chagrin Road this afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. Say what you will abut Charles Ramsey, he’s incredibly giving of his time and is always more than happy to pose for pictures and sign copies of his book. Though the book itself leaves much to be desired, we can’t recommend spending some time with a local hero highly enough. (Allard)

The Hessler Street Fair is back again today and tomorrow. This yearly Cleveland fixture is located on Hessler Street of course, in the University Circle neighborhood. The festivities boast arts and crafts you can’t find anywhere else, local music acts and booths dedicated to various alternative lifestyles. Local, independent food vendors will be offering everything from ice cream and coffee to vegan faire to fresh, straight-from-the-farm items. New for the kids this year are pony rides (benefitting a pony rescue farm) at Harmony Park. It all starts at 11 and runs until dusk, both today and tomorrow. (Trenholme)

The folks at the Cleveland Orchestra are calling their production of The Cunning Little Vixen the “opera event of the season.” They just might be right. Featuring original animation, the production promises to “plumb the depths of human experience in a charming tale of love, peril, freedom, and family.” Sung in Czech with English supertitles, the opera centers on Vixen (Czech soprano Martina Janková) as she tries to find happiness. Tonight’s performance takes place at 8 p.m. at Severance Hall with repeat performances scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Student Tickets are $10 ($15 if purchased less than one hour prior to concert start time) and tickets for the general public start at $35. (Niesel)

Jazz and cinema are two art forms that developed in tandem, and the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque celebrates this relationship in what’s been dubbed the Double-C JazzFilmFest. This first-ever jazz film series is dedicated to the memory of WCPN’s Jazz Tracks host Bobby Jackson. The series runs until June 21 and serves as a fitting prelude to Tri-C JazzFest. Tonight’s iteration includes the new documentary A Great Day In Cleveland: Behind The Scenes, a film depicting 143 local jazz musicians, and supporters creating in image inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photograph A Great Day In Harlem. This short is followed by the Oscar-nominated documentary A Great Day In Harlem, giving insight to the aforementioned famous photo. The screening begins tonight at 5:15 and the film also shows at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow. Bird, Clint Eastwood’s portrait of Charlie Parker starring Forest Whitaker, also screens tonight at 6:45. Tickets are $9. (Eric Gonzalez)

Are you ready to run? The 37th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is back on Sunday, May 18. This year, runners will take to a new course, sweeping through Lakewood and Rocky River. The fun begins at 7 a.m. at Cleveland's historic Public Square and ends outside the Cuyahoga County Courthouse.(Vidmar)