10 cool things to do: What's going on in Columbus this weekend?
Spring is definitely in the air at the Columbus Museum, where a reception on Thursday will usher in a weekend of "Art in Bloom." This festival of all things floral ― from art exhibits to flower-arranging to fashion ― will run through Sunday.
On Saturday morning, you can head downtown to the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, even if it's just to cheer on the runners and walkers from the sidelines. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators.
Other highlights of the weekend include a Saturday drag brunch to benefit the Kaleidoscope Youth Center, the annual Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable awards on Sunday, and a tribute to the late Charles "Chas" Wetherbee, a beloved local violinist and former concertmaster who will be celebrated during concerts on Saturday and Sunday,
There's no shortage of things to do in Columbus this weekend (and early next week) and you can get all the details below. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Museum of Art celebrates the power of flowers
Everything's coming up roses — and other flowers — all weekend at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., where "Art in Bloom" will showcase more than 50 designers' floral displays inspired by the museum's permanent collection. Celebrate the kickoff of the museum's fundraising festival of flowers from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday with a first look at the displays, light bites, music, a cash bar and special floral fashion couture. A lineup of programs is planned through Sunday, including talks about landscape architecture and Japanese flower arranging, and expert-led lessons in creating floral arrangements, fashion accessories and essential oils. Guests also can view works from the Bee Collective's art gallery exhibition and peruse pressed-flower gifts from delicate botanics. Visit the museum website for a full schedule of programs, individual program prices and more information. (columbusmuseum.org)
'Cinderella' to dance into the Palace Theatre
The magical world of "Cinderella" will come to the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., as part of the World Ballet Series' 130-city national tour presented by Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions on Friday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Performed by a cast of 40 professional dancers from 10 countries, the production features Sergei Prokofiev’s celebrated score, 150-plus costumes hand-sewn in Ukraine, richly detailed, hand-crafted sets and more. Ticket prices begin at $29.50, with an eight-ticket limit per household. Child price tickets are available for ages 4-11. Children under 4 sitting on an adult's lap are free; however, a ticket is still required. Stop by the box office window beginning two hours before the show to pick up a free lap ticket. (cbusarts.com)
Nora McInerny to share grief and giggles
Host, author, and reluctant grief expert Nora McInerny will give a live performance of her award-winning podcast, "Terrible, Thanks for Asking," at 8 p.m. Friday in the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. On McInerny's show, real people share their complicated and honest feelings about their life experiences — sometimes sad, sometimes funny and often both. Descriptions of the podcast include: "a Netflix special meets group therapy,” “a transformative experience,” "not sad enough" and by the New York Times, "a gift." McInerny has written books including "Bad Vibes Only (And Other Things I Bring to the Table)," "It's OK to Laugh (Crying is Cool, Too)" and her memoir, "The Hot Young Widows Club." Ticket prices begin at $37, with a limit of six tickets per person/household. A VIP ticket includes a 6 p.m. meet-and-greet with McInerny. (cbusarts.com)
Marathon ready to get set and go
Put on your best running or walking shoes and join the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown Columbus. The route will go from German Village to OSU's campus and through the Short North, with the finish line at the Columbus Commons. The event includes the Capital City Half Marathon (13.1 miles), OhioHealth Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles) and Columbus Promise 5K (3.1 miles). Once you cross the finish line, a 20th anniversary celebration continues at the Byers Xtra Mile Finish Line Party and PNC Post-Race Concert featuring North to Nashville at Columbus Commons. All runners and walkers will receive free food and drinks from several local businesses. Online registration will remain open until 8 a.m. on race day; fees vary. (capitalcityhalfmarathon.com)
Rapper treks home for special performance
Recently back from an appearance at the world-renowned South by Southwest Festival, Columbus rapper Trek Manifest will come to Classic Victory's Sports Bar, 547 S. High St., for a special encore of his SXSW performance at 8 p.m. Saturday. In addition to Trek Manifest offering selections from his two 2022 albums "Everything's Personal" and "The One Day I Arrived," the evening will feature special guests D.U.E.C.E, OG VERN and King Ezz. Tickets are $10 in advance and admission at the door costs $15. (eventbrite.com)
Musicians to memorialize late violinist
Area musicians will gather for two concerts celebrating the life and legacy of Charles "Chas" Wetherbee, late violinist for the Carpe Diem String Quartet and a former Columbus Symphony concertmaster who died of cancer in January at age 56. Performers will include present and past members of the CDSQ and Columbus Symphony, longtime friends and chamber music collaborators. Works by composers including Schubert, Tchaikovsky and CDSQ violist Korine Fujiwara will be presented, as well as a photo/video/musical montage. Performances are at 4 p.m. Saturday at First Community North, 3777 Dublin Road, and 2 p.m. Sunday at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 seniors, $25 church members and $10 students. Tickets bought for previously postponed CDSQ events will be honored; email info@cdsq.org or call 614-205-8160 to let them know which show you plan to attend. (cdsq.org)
Drag brunch to benefit LGBTQ youth
Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) and Land-Grant Brewing Company have partnered for a 21-and-up, drag brunch outdoor (weather permitting) at the brewery at 424 W. Town St. at 11 a.m. Saturday. Doors open at 10 a.m. Hosts Anisa Love and Virginia West also will perform, along with other guests. Food will be provided by Ray Ray's Hog Pit and Mikey's Late Night Slice. Bring cash for a 50/50 raffle. Registration is strongly recommended. There are three ticket tiers: First row VIP ($200/table for six) includes seating and KYC pint glass and swag; second row VIP ($150/table for six) includes KYC pint glass; and free general admission (donations will be accepted). General admission registration does not guarantee seating. Proceeds will go to KYC. (kycbrunch.eventbrite.com)
Roundtable to present annual theater awards
The Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable, representing area troupes, will present its annual celebration of the past year’s theater with a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. awards show Sunday at Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St. Entertainment will include Shadowbox, Vaud-Villities, Mine4God Productions, It's All Been Done and MusicalLand Theatre. Veteran performer-producer Tom Cardinal will receive the Harold award, area theater critics will present citations and the Roy Bowen Award for lifetime achievement, and the Roundtable’s Standing Ovation awards will recognize collaborations, innovations, education, unsung heroes and more. Tickets cost $20. (theatre-roundtable.org)
Ohio State saxman to perform at FJO show
Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra (FJO) will welcome a special guest, saxophonist Jerrod Shackleford, to the Clintonville Woman's Club, 3951 N. High St., at 7:30 p.m. Monday. A fifth-year jazz composition and chemical engineering student at The Ohio State University, Shackleford will perform with his jazz ensemble between the FJO's two sets, playing selections including "The Rainbow Connection" (from "The Muppet Movie"), "Where is the Love?" by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway, and "Pure Imagination" (from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). Admission at the door is $15 for adults, $10 students, cash only. (famousjazzorchestra.com)
Author, students collaborate on original play
What makes content "appropriate" for teens? A high school drama club grapples with this question as their school board decides whether or not to allow them to perform a controversial play in "Explicit Content for Teens." Drawing from their personal experiences with banned materials, bestselling author Grace Ellis and Gahanna Lincoln High School theater students developed the original production about free speech, censorship and artistic expression, and will present it at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Little Theatre at the school, 140 Hamilton Road, Gahanna. There will be a talkback after the show with the actors, director and playwright. Ellis, writer of the award–winning graphic novel "Lumberjanes" and the 2022 New York Times Notable Book "Flung Out of Space," won an Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council in 2020 for her previous work with the Gahanna Lincoln theater program. Admission to the play is free. (ohheygraceellis.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's happening in Columbus this weekend and early next week
