10 things to do in Columbus this weekend besides fireworks: 'Minions', disco, 'CHEER'

The Fourth of July weekend has arrived!

Columbus has waited three years for the return of Red, White & Boom, and it's fast approaching. So, too, are the suburban parades, fireworks and the ever-popular Doo Dah Parade.

But for those seeking entertainment other than holiday-related fare, we have you covered, too. There is much to enjoy in Greater Columbus.

So get in the spirit of the three-day holiday weekend by checking out all of the events that will be happening.

Be safe, and have fun!

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Get ready to cheer on 'CHEER Live'

Fans of the Netflix docuseries “CHEER” can watch their favorite stars in person during CHEER Live at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Value City Arena, West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road. Members of the rival cheer teams from Navarro College and Trinity Valley Community College will be performing stunts and choreographed routines, telling stories and answering questions. In addition to the couple dozen athletes who will be performing, including Gabi Butler and Morgan Simianer, will be Navarro Bulldogs coach Monica Aldama (614-688-3939, schottensteincenter.com)

BAM Thursdays in swing

The Columbus Museum of Art will be hosting its weekly BAM Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The event will feature drinks, art and live music at the museum. The event will feature DJ Rarelife, owner of the Columbus-based vinyl label, Shut Off Notice.

You don't need a reservation or ticket to attend BAM Thursdays. You don't need a reservation or ticket to attend BAM Thursdays, but if you would like to visit the museum, it is recommended to reserve a timed ticket in advance.

While tickets aren't required, tables are only available on a first-come, first-served basis for dining until 9 p.m. (columbusmuseum.org)

The symphony goes to London (Ohio)

As part of its community-wide Summer Night Music series, musicians from the Columbus Symphony will make a stop at First United Methodist Church of London, 52 N. Main St., London, for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursda. Concertmaster Joanna Frankel will lead a string sextet in performances of works by composers Felix Mendelssohn, Russell Peck and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tickets cost $25, or $10 for children. (www.columbussymphony.com)

Classic cinema at the Ohio Theatre

Looking to escape the heat and catch a classic flick? The CAPA Summer Movie Series continues with a screening of the 1939 romantic drama “Wuthering Heights” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. The adaptation of the novel by Emily Bronte stars Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff and Merle Oberon as Cathy. Tickets cost $6, or $5 for senior citizens. (www.capa.com)

More ‘Minions’ on the march

Admit it: Even if you’re older than the target audience for the Minions movies, you’re a wee bit charmed by those miniscule yellow life forms, right? If that’s the case, then you won’t want to miss the computer-animated sequel to the 2015 film “Minions,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” Steve Carrell lends his vocal talent to the role of uber-bad guy Gru, while assorted Minions are voiced by Pierre Coffin. The G-rated Universal Pictures release opens in theaters throughout Greater Columbus on Thursday.

Wild West frontier musical on tap in Newark

Weathervane Playhouse will present “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” a romantic-comedy musical adapted from the classic 1954 movie musical about seven unruly men on the rough Oregon frontier who meet their match when they bring in seven women from afar to marry. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. July 5-9 at 100 Price Road, Newark. Tickets cost $15 to $37.(740-366-4616, www.weathervaneplayhouse.org)

First Ladies of Disco will get you movin' and groovin'

Revel in decades of disco nostalgia at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., where “The First Ladies of Disco” will work through a catalog of hits, both their own and others'. The trio includes Martha Walsh, formerly of the Weather Girls (“It's Raining Men); Norma Jean Wright, formerly of CHIC (“Le Freak”) and Linda Clifford (“Never Gonna Stop”). Glam up and expect to be on your feet busting some moves. Tickets start at $51.50. (614-469-0939, capa.com)

Bowling for Soup, other bands, a blast from the past

Good-humored pop-punk band Bowling for Soup, whose latest single is “I Wanna Be Brad Pitt,” has been putting out albums like “Drunk Enough to Dance” and “Songs People Actually Liked” since the '90s. The band will be bringing the “Back for the Attack” tour to Kemba Live at 6 p.m. Saturday. Co-headlining will be '90s ska punk band Less Than Jake and '90s Californian rockers the Aquabats, known for their superhero costumes and fun-filled shows. Tickets: $39.50 (614-461-5483, promowestlive.com)

The Columbus Crew and fireworks, literally

Cheer on the Columbus Crew as they play the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The two teams last faced off in Philadelphia in April, when Philadelphia won 1 to 0. Cheer on the Crew who, regrettably, must be considered the underdog,  while toasting the team with a Rhinegeist or Land-Grant beer or a Black-and-Gold cream puff from Schmidt's. Tickets start at $39. Discount tickets are available for members of the military, first responders and health-care professionals. Whether the Crew wins or loses, the game will be followed by a fireworks display. (www.columbuscrew.com)

A pair of penguins' story dramatized

Roy and Silo were male chinstrap penguins who partnered in 1998, adopted an egg, hatched and raised a chick together in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Based on the true story, “Birds of a Feather” dramatizes the trials and tribulations of parenting, regardless of species or sex. Evolution Theatre Company is presenting the area premiere of Marc Acito’s play, which continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road. Tickets, suggested for ages 13 and up, cost $15 to $30. (614-233-1124, www.evolutiontheatre.org)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Things to do in Columbus this weekend: Crew, theater, music, movies