Goodguys car show, Clippers, 'Thor: Love and Thunder': 10 things to do in Columbus

Now that the Fourth of July fireworks have fizzled out, you're no doubt looking for other sparks of fun to light up your weekend!

If you're into fast cars, there's the Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals; or if it's fastballs you favor, catch the Clippers facing off against the Nashville Sounds all weekend.

Movie lovers can take in the new “Thor: Love and Thunder" or if you fancy a flashback film, check out the next installment in CAPA's Summer Movie Series, “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope." May the force be with you!

These are just a few of the goings-on this weekend in Greater Columbus. Read on for more details about these and other events.

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Gravity hosts benefit for Pelotonia

Gravity, home of Pelotonia HQ, is hosting a night of music and food to benefit Pelotonia from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at 500 W. Broad St. The event is called Band Together for Pelotonia and will feature Franklinton's Jim Sweeney and Travis Hoewischer as emcees of the event. Dynamo Fuzz and Friends will play live music and Amy Turn Sharp will be there to read poetry. The NAICCO food truck will serve Native American fare and every ticket for the event includes one meal ticket. A cash bar will be available, and guests can bid on live and silent auction items like panels painted by Columbus artist Hakim Callwood. Tickets cost $40. (www.eventbrite.com)

Milanov takes on Haydn

In the latest in its “Summer Night Music” series of community concerts, Columbus Symphony Music Director Rossen Milanov will conduct the symphony in a performance of Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Symphony No. 99.” The concert — also featuring works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Camille Saint-Saens — will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Vineyard Community Center, 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville. Tickets cost $25, or $10 for children (www.columbussymphony.com)

‘Star Wars’ makes its debut at CAPA

During the many decades that classic movies have been shown as part of the CAPA Summer Movie Series, the original “Star Wars” has never made the cut. (Organizers say the movie was difficult to obtain for screenings until Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019.) That changes this weekend, when “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets cost $6, or $5 for senior citizens. (www.capa.com)

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ opens throughout Greater Columbus

Return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Chris Hemsworth resumes the title role of the Norse god superhero in “Thor: Love and Thunder.” The PG-13-rated release from Walt Disney Pictures also stars Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster/Mighty Thor and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. The movie opens in theaters throughout Greater Columbus starting Thursday.

Black Theatre Festival spotlights short plays

Mine 4 God Productions will present the 10th Annual Columbus Black Theatre Festival showcasing six short plays, by playwrights from across the country, exploring the theme of “Speaking Truth That Heals” and dramatizing issues such as child abandonment, dyslexia, homelessness, mental illness and self-identity. The festival opens with a celebration from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Auditorium, 96 S. Grant Ave. Performances are at 4 to 6 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave.; and 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road. Tickets cost $20; admission free for celebration. (www.mine4godproductions.com)

Third Eye Blind to play rain or shine

Pop rockers Third Eye Blind, masterminded by Stephan Jenkins, are celebrating 25 on-and-off-again years of music with their “Summer Gods” tour. They will be playing a rain-or-shine outdoor show at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Kemba Live, 405 Neil Ave. The five-member group, in which Jenkins and drummer Brad Hargreaves have been joined by a rotating cast of other musicians, put out a new album, “Our Bande Apart,” last year. Opening will be alternative rockers Taking Back Sunday and Australian surf-rock band Hockey Dad. Tickets: $49.50 (614-461-5483, promowestlive.com)

Columbus Clippers finish home series vs. Nashville Sounds

The Clippers will host the Nashville Sounds in a series that began on July 4 and will finish on Sunday. Both teams will be battling for first place in the International League West division. Friday is $5 Fridays, meaning all 16-ounce beers and cups of wine are $5. Sunday is Family Day, when fans can purchase a family pass with two adults and up to four youth bleacher or lawn tickets for $18 or reserved seating for $27. For more ticket information visit: www.milb.com/columbus/tickets.

Chihuly glass on display at Franklin Park Conservatory

From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., will display 18 installations of its Chihuly glass artwork. It is the largest private collection in a botanical garden. The colorful artwork will be placed throughout the conservatory’s biomes and plant collections, highlighting the connection between art and nature. This will be the first of four chances to see the artwork, which will also be on display on Aug. 20, Sept. 10, and Oct. 8. Tickets cost $25, or $22 for senior citizens, $15 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids younger than 3. (www.fpconservatory.org)

Thurber House evening with a best-selling author

Jessica Strawser, a bestselling author and editor-at-large at Writer’s Digest, will participate in a literary picnic from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave. She will speak about her book, "The Next Thing You Know," which was recognized by People Magazine as a pick for best new novel. Tickets cost $41 for dinner and the reading; $21 for reading only. (www.thurberhouse.org)

Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals

At the Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals, taking place Friday through Sunday at the Ohio Expo Center, located at Interstate 71 and East 17th Avenue, visitors can explore over 6,000 impressive 1997 and older hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and classics from all over the country. The weekend will feature 300 vendor exhibits, AutoCross timed racing featuring Forgeline “Buckeye” Shootout, an automotive swap meet, a model car show, free kids zone, live entertainment and more. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $25 each day. (www.good-guys.com)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Goodguys, Thor, Chiluly glass, Star Wars: Things to do in Columbus