Rock out with John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp is marking 40 years since the release of his first album, released under the stage name “Johnny Cougar.” Since then there have been 21 more albums, dozens of hits, even a musical written with Stephen King. All that should make for a rich and varied evening at the Akron Civic Theatre at 7 p.m., and as of press time tickets were still available at $39.50-$122.50. The Civic is at 182 S. Main St., Akron; 330-253-2488, www.akroncivic.com.
Be mesmerized by gymnastics
The Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions brings tumbling, flying superstars from the 2016 and 2012 Olympic gold-medal teams to the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29-$299 at www.wolsteincenter.com.
Catch a show at the Kent Stage
George Winston embodied the soothing, acoustic “Windham Hill sound” of the late ’80s and early ’90s. He’ll play at 8 p.m. at the Kent Stage. Winston has been raising money for local food banks at his shows for 30 years, so he encourages patrons to bring canned food for Kent Social Services and will donate proceeds of merchandise sales to the organization. The Kent Stage is at 175 E. Main St.; tickets are $25 and $40 at 330-677-5005, www.thekentstage.com.
Hear Joan Baez in Cleveland
How’s this for timing? Newly crowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee Joan Baez plays the State Theatre in Playhouse Square at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35-$75 at the Playhouse Square ticket office, at www.playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000.