Best Bests: 10 things to do in Columbus include Christopher Cross, Celeste Barber, theater

The city will be alive with the sound of music this weekend, with acts ranging from country (Mary Chapin-Carpenter, North to Nashville) to classic pop (Christopher Cross with the Columbus Symphony) to Irish folk with a pop/hip-hop flavor (Dermot Kennedy), plus the Heritage Music Festival at Mayme Moore Park and Picktown Palooza in Pickerington.

If you're looking for a few laughs, there's the standup of Celeste Barber, aka Australia's Queen of Comedy, as well as Red Herring Theater Company's production of "Waiting for Waiting for Godot." (Yes, you read that correctly!)

There's a wealth of fun happenings over the next couple of days and you can read more about them here!

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Christopher Cross to perform with the Columbus Symphony

Find yourself between the moon and Downtown Columbus when singer-songwriter Christopher Cross appears with the Columbus Symphony at 8 p.m. Saturday at the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, East Rich and South High streets. Cross won an Oscar for performing and co-writing the theme from the 1981 Dudley Moore comedy "Arthur," containing a famous line referencing the moon and New York City. Cross’ other hits — including “All Right” and “Sailing ”— will be performed with symphonic support in the Picnic With the Pops concert. Lawn seating costs $35, or $10 for age 12 and younger, free for age 2 and younger. (www.columbussymphony.com)

Celeste Barber: Australia’s Queen of Comedy

Australian comedian Celeste Barber, billed as the Australian Queen of Comedy and the 2017 winner of a “Funniest Lady on Instagram” award, wrote the bestselling book “Challenge Accepted.” She has appeared on a Showtime special by the same name and has filmed the Netflix series “Wellmania.” Live Nation will present Barber’s standup act at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Tickets cost $48.50 to $68.50. (614-469-0939, www.cbusarts.com)

Agatha Christie whodunit on a train

Weathervane Playhouse continues its summer-stock season with “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by playwright Ken Ludwig from the British writer Christie’s classic mystery about detective Hercule Poirot investigating a locked-room murder of an American tycoon on a luxurious and isolated train in Europe. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdayand 7:30 p.m. July 20-23 at 100 Price Road, Newark. Tickets cost $15 to $37.(740-366-4616, www.weathervaneplayhouse.org)

MadLab to present young writers’ festival

MadLab Theatre will present the 11th Young Writers Short Play Festival, spotlighting seven new 10-minute comedies and dramas by students from central Ohio high schools, all directed and performed by theater professionals inside and outside the MadLab ensemble. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays from July 15 through July 30, at 227 N. 3rd St. Tickets cost $18, or $15 for students and senior citizens, and $13 for MadLab members. (614-221-5418, www.madlab.net)

Here's a  comedy worth waiting for

In “Waiting for Waiting for Godot,” two hapless understudies occupy time backstage during a production of Samuel Beckett’s classic existential drama while trying to understand art, theater and life. Red Herring Theater Company will present Dave Hanson’s comedy, a 2013 New York International Fringe Festival hit, at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays from July 14 through July 31 at 3723 S. High St. Tickets cost $30 online in advance or "pay what you can" at the door. (614-723-9116, www.redherringtheater.org)

Pack up the family and enjoy the fun at Picktown Palooza

The Picktown Palooza returns for three days of community fun from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, Pickerington. Music headliners (free with admission) include Winger on Thursday, Stephen Pearcy (the voice of RATT) on Friday and Cinderella's Tom Keifer Band on Saturday. A car, truck and bike show will be held on Saturday. . Carnival rides and food will be available throughout the Palooza, and a kids' corner will feature bounce houses, a dump truck slide, face painting, magic shows and more. Tickets: $5 per day or $10 for three days; kids 12 and younger free with adult admission. (614-379-2099, picktownpalooza.org)

Mary Chapin Carpenter to perform familiar classics

Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, who has been active since the '80s, will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 21 at the Davidson Theatre in the Riffe Center, 77 S, High St. Carpenter, who is best-known for songs including “Down at the Twist and Shout” and “He Thinks He'll Keep Her,” started out being categorized as a country artist, winning four Grammys for country vocal performances in the '90s, though she could just as easily have been slotted into the rock or folk categories. Her latest album, from 2020, is “The Dirt and the Stars.” Tickets start at $48. (614-469-0939, www.capa.com)

Dermot Kennedy to wow Columbus audience

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy, whose best-known song is “Outnumbered,” and who is known for combining folk sounds with elements of pop and hip-hop, will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Kennedy, whose first album was 2019's “Without Fear,” has another album, “Sonder,” ready to be released in September. His Columbus appearance is part of an extensive arena tour through the eastern half of the United States. Tickets start at $39.50. (614-469-0939, www.capa.com)

Heritage Festival at Mayme Moore Park

The Heritage Music Festival is back this summer and will feature a different concert on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. July 14-28 and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4-18  at Mayme Moore Park, 240 Martin Luther King Blvd. A signature community celebration for more than two decades, Thursday's concert will feature The Conspiracy Band.  The festival is a free community event, so bring a blanket, chair and enjoy a free concert with the family. (https://bit.ly/3O0wbeJ)

3rd Fridays on the Green

Led by former Ohio State lineman Evan Blankenship, the Columbus-based country band, North to Nashville, will headline Friday's 3rd Fridays on the Green event. Hosted by the City of Powell, the band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at Village Green Park, 47 Hall St., Powell. Known for high-energy performances, the local band will perform at the outdoor concert, which will also offer food trucks, beer sales and a designated outdoor refreshment area. Tickets are free (www.festival.cityofpowell.us)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Things to do in Columbus this weekend: Celeste Barber, Picktown Palooza