NCAA Women's Final Four, Solar Eclipse, Guardians Opening Day Among Highlights

April is ushering in an historic few days in Cleveland, with hundreds of thousands expected to descend on our city to experience the action first-hand. And at the epicenter of it all is Cleveland State University’s downtown campus.  
 
From the NCAA women’s Final Four to the first total eclipse in Ohio in more than 200 years and the Cleveland Guardians’ home opener, there are plenty of history-making events throughout the week that will keep people talking for years—all within walking distance of CSU.

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – BEGINS APRIL 3 AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE 

The 48th Cleveland International Film Festival will take place in person at Playhouse Square from April 3-13 and online from April 14-21. The festival’s in-person lineup will include more than 130 feature-length and 225 short films. In-person screening tickets will be $16 for CIFF members and $18 for non-members. 

Distance from CSU: 8 minutes by foot / 1 minute by car 

2024 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR AND EVENTS – FROM APRIL 4 THROUGH 7 AT ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE 

The top women’s college basketball teams ascend on The Land and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for a chance at the 2024 National Championship. There are plenty of events in town leading up to the big games with which everyone can get involved.   
 
CSU’s women’s basketball team, fresh off their first outright Horizon League Championship, is led by coach Chris Kielsmeier, who is excited that the city is hosting such a prestigious event.  

“Cleveland is a sports town, so they’re going to embrace the final four, embrace women’s basketball, Cleveland is anything you want it to be,” said Kielsmeier in an October interview with the marchmadnesswbb podcast. “People that are coming in from out of town will be able to script a day where maybe they’re walking on the beach one day and they’re skiing the next depending on how the weather is, so it’s an amazing city, and we are so thankful it’s coming here and we can showcase not only the city, but basketball at the highest level.” 

Cleveland last hosted the women’s Final Four in 2007, when the Candace Parker-led Tennessee Lady Volunteers defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the championship round. Cleveland was selected to be the host city in 2018. It joined San Antonio, Minneapolis and Dallas, which hosted the Final Four from 2021-23, respectively.  

Distance from CSU: 17 minutes by foot / 3 minutes by car 

WHEN THE SERPENT BITES THE SUN: HOW THE ANCIENT MAYA PREDICTED ECLIPSES (FREE LECTURE) - APRIL 4

Eclipses are mysterious, and while most of us can only dream of understanding them, even fewer can predict them. The ancient Maya seemed to crack the code, and one of their books contains a table that predicts eclipses anywhere in the world, just like the one we are about to experience in Northeast Ohio on April 8. How exactly did they do it? Dr. Peter Dunham, retired archaeologist from CSU's Anthropology program in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, will give you the inside scoop when he hosts a free lecture April 4 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Michael Schwartz Library. 

Distance from CSU: On campus!

2024 WOMEN’S COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME – APRIL 6 AT CSU 

For the first time in 18 years, the women’s college basketball All-Star Game returns to Cleveland. It will be played on April 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Wolstein Center and broadcast on ESPN 2. Tickets are available here.   
 
The player watch list includes players from 11 different conferences, including the Big Ten, Big East and MAC. Four women’s basketball legends, including former Cleveland Rockers forward Janice Braxton, will join Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally and Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum as coaches in the All-Star Game.  

Distance from CSU: On campus! 

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE – APRIL 8 

For the first time since 1806, Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. More importantly, because Cleveland lies within the path of totality, it is expected that many people will travel to our region to enjoy the experience with us! A partial eclipse will begin at 1:59 p.m. and end at 4:29 p.m., but the totality will begin at 3:13 p.m. and end at 3:17 p.m.  
 
There will be plenty of events on CSU’s campus leading up to the big moment, including an eclipse concert featuring eclipse-themed songs that will be held at the Student Center Atrium. Speaking of music, take a listen to this personalized playlist that is sure to get you amped up for the big event! 

CSU eclipse viewing glasses are now available at Viking Outfitters. Show a valid CSU ID at the register to receive your free pair. One per person, please. 

Distance from CSU: On campus! 

GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER – FROM APRIL 6 THROUGH 8 

Due to the Cleveland area being a prime spot to view the eclipse, NASA will set up shop and broadcast from the Great Lakes Science Center on April 8. From April 6-8, they will hold a free outdoor family-friendly science and arts festival featuring concerts, performances, speakers and hands-on science activities.  

Distance from CSU: 29 minutes by foot / 6 minutes by car 
 
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS HOME OPENER – APRIL 8 AT PROGRESSIVE FIELD 

The Guardians could not have aligned (no pun intended) their home opener more appropriately with the eclipse, as they take on the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field with a first pitch of 5:10 p.m. The gates will open at 2 p.m., and the team is encouraging fans to arrive early, as downtown is expected to resemble more of Grand Central Station. 
 
Distance from CSU: 19 minutes by foot / 5 minutes by car 

CLEVELAND THYAGARAJA FESTIVAL – BEGINS APRIL 10 AT CSU 

The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India, will begin on April 10. The 12-day event is supported in part through a public grant. A full schedule can be found here. 

Distance from CSU: On campus!