10 things to do this weekend include Lord Huron, Margaret Atwood, 'Don Pasquale'

Oh, the weather outside's delightful and the happenings around town are plentiful! Whether you're a sun worshipper or prefer the air-conditioned indoors, there's something for you to do this weekend.

If you're of a literary bent, a visit by author Margaret Atwood — who's written more than 50 books including "The Handmaid's Tale" — is right up your alley. The lively novelist and poet will be at the Palace Theatre on Wednesday.

Music of all kinds is also on tap, from farcical opera to the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, who will regale audiences Saturday and Sunday with tunes by Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, The Chicks and more.

Outdoorsy types can enjoy camping in rustic splendor and enjoying the musical lineup that highlights the Duck Creek Log Jam, taking place June 16-18.

There's more fun in store and you can read all about our 10 things you don't want to miss this weekend.

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The many sides of Margaret Atwood

Canadian novelist and poet Margaret Atwood will engage in what's likely to be a spirited and surprising conversation with Ann Fisher, host of WOSU”s “All Sides,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Atwood is best-known as the author of “The Handmaid's Tale,” which has just been produced in a fireproof edition, all the better to prevent book-burning. Atwood has also written more than 50 other books, including her latest, “Burning Questions: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004- 2021.” The event is presented by the Central Library Consortium. Tickets start at $29. (www.capa.com)

Comic opera on tap

Prepare to applaud — and to laugh — at this opera: Opera Project Columbus will close its season with a production of Gaetano Donizetti’s 1843 comic opera “Don Pasquale,” a rollicking farce revolving around marriage, money and trickery. The cast includes bass Jason Budd in the title role, tenor Benjamin Boskoff as Ernesto and soprano Chelsea Hart Melcher as Norina. The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Fridayand 3 p.m. Sunday in the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Tickets cost $29 to $44. (www.operaprojectcolumbus.com)

Contemporary Celtic crooning

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Ladies of Longford — a contemporary Celtic band consisting of vocalist and guitarist Hilda Doyle, vocalist and drummer Heather Doyle Fraser, vocalist and bassist Stephanie Doyle and fiddler Elizabeth Blickenstaff — will perform “Celtic Catharsis” in the first concert of the Tuesdays at Trinity music series at Capital University’s Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E. Main St. Donations are accepted. (www.capital.edu/trinity)

'Mrs. Mannerly': Etiquette class comedy

Otterbein Summer Theatre will present the Greater Columbus premiere of “Mrs. Mannerly,” Ohio native and off-Broadway playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s classroom comedy about a 10-year-old boy striving to overcome treachery by fellow students to become the first to achieve a perfect score in Mrs. Mannerly’s etiquette class. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, and 8 p.m. June 16-18 at Cowan Hall’s Fritsche Theatre, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. Tickets cost $25. (614-823-1109, www.otterbein.edu/drama)

Chris Tomlin: Songs of praise and worship

Texan Christian singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin has been making music since the '90s, and is known for songs such as “How Great Is Our God” and “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies”). He will appear at 7 p.m. Thursday at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., in a show rescheduled from Feb. 18. Co-headlining will be Hillsong United, a multi-member worship band with a rotating cast of musicians and worship leaders that got its start in Hillsong Church. Tickets start at $20. (614-246-2000, www.nationwidearena.com)

Jammin' at Duck Creek

Duck Creek Log Jam, the small, backwoods-themed music festival located near Lake Logan State Park (see website for location details) will be taking what's likely to be its final bow on June 16-18. Woodsy campsites are available for those who would like to spend a weekend listening to the likes of Fruition, Cabinet, the Brothers Comatose, the Hocking River String Band and TK and the Holy Know-Nothings. Admission starts at $70 for a daily pass with no camping or $85 for a daily pass with camping. (duckcreeklogjam.com)

Artisans, crafters and food — oh, my!

Shop local from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundayat the Columbus Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, held at the Makoy Event Center, 5462 Center St., Hilliard. Dozens of local artists and craft-makers will be selling jewelry, home decorations, birdhouses and other garden paraphernalia, candles, books, superhero-themed gifts and much more. A concession area will be open for food. Admission is $3, with kids younger than 12 free. A portion of the profits will benefit local nonprofit Pets Without Parents. (www.avantgardeshows.com)

Hello, Dolly ... Parton and more

The sounds of country music will raise the roof of the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, when the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus presents “Dolly and the Swift Chicks.” Expect the tunes of Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, the Chicks and many more in what's bound to be an entertaining concert filled with dance and pop, country and crossover music. Tickets start at $25. (www.capa.com)

Lords of indie rock

Indie rock band Lord Huron will be playing a rain-or-shine show outdoors at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Kemba Live, 405 Neil Ave. Like most of their music, their latest album, “Long Lost,” reflects Americana tinged with a retro Western beat. In concert, the band is known for its spellbinding visuals as well as its sound. Opening will be folk-pop artist Erin Rae. Tickets: $32.50 (promowestlive.com)

Franklinton Fridays in the groove

On Friday — and the second Friday of each month — the Franklinton Arts District will host its district-wide art crawl and music series. The event begins at 6 p.m. and will feature local artists and musicians until 10 p.m. Check out all of the gallery openings, workshops and concerts for free and find food and other entertainment along the way. (franklintonartsdistrict.com)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Weekend things to do in Columbus: Margaret Atwood, Donizetti opera