CLEVELAND, Ohio – Celebrities were out and about in downtown Cleveland Friday night as NBA All-Star Weekend kicked off. Not only did the annual Celebrity Game take place at the Wolstein Center. But some of the biggest names in music and sports took in Cleveland’s nightlife through the wee hours of the morning.
Of course, it was all headlined by LeBron James. Typically each year, King James takes an All-Star vacation with his family in Mexico. However, the Akron native skipped it this year to return to his hometown.
James will play in the All-Star Game on Sunday as captain of one of the teams. However, he was all over the place Friday in Cleveland, most notably appearing at his mother Gloria James’ House of Glo fashion show at Cleveland’s State Theatre.
James and his crew grabbed dinner with Dwyane Wade and DJ Khaled before heading to The Last Page at Pinecrest in Orange. The trip served as a celebration for James’ Lobos 1707 Tequila, which was on full display. All-Star Weekend has even featured a new Cleveland-themed ad for the beverage brand and a massive billboard near Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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James got his day in Cleveland started by hanging out with rap star Rick Ross, who stopped by Black Cat Barbershop on Detroit Avenue for a beard trimming. Ross explored downtown before heading to The Park Social Lounge on West 9th Street, where he and DJ Drama hosted a party.
Promoting your liquor must be the new “it” thing as the Ross-endorsed Luc Belaire champagne was on full display as the “Rich Forever” rapped hung out with Park Social’s hostesses team known as the “Park Baddies.”
Rapper Nelly headlined the “NBA Jamz” concert presented by Michelob Ultra at Public Auditorium following the NBA’s interactive Crossover fan fest. The “Country Grammar” rapper performed for more than an hour at a show that cost just $30. Nelly included a tribute to Cleveland rappers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Elsewhere, Lil Durk and Moneybagg performed during a packed show at the Galleria at Erieview.
The NBA All-Star Celebrity game took place at the Wolstein Center on Friday night. Reports suggested Migos rapper Quavo wasn’t happy with his playing time and performance. However, the hip-hop star seemed to recover nicely as he joined Machine Gun Kelly at the Cleveland musician/actor’s 27 Club in the Flats for an afterparty. And yes, Megan Fox is in town with MGK.
One of the other members of Migos, Offset (aka rapper Cardi B’s husband) performed at The Odeon. Meanwhile, Rapper Gunna performed at Medusa Restaurant & Lounge Cleveland on St. Clair Avenue. Elsewhere, rap legend Bun B performed for Art Beats + Lyrics, a touring urban art exhibition based out of Atlanta that was in town.
Lil Wayne may have been the biggest headliner of the evening. The rap star performed multiple hits during an appearance at The Dstrkt Hybrid Lounge.
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Of course, last night was only the beginning. There are more than 100 concerts, club events, brunches, pop-up shops and other events scheduled throughout the Cleveland area this weekend. Check back for more updates on cleveland.com
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