Check out these 10 events if you're looking for fun this weekend
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then you just might be at Land-Grant Brewing Co. on Saturday for “Birds & Brews." Several of our web-footed friends will be on hand to pet and take photos with while you learn more about the Longbottom Bird Ranch, a Cincinnati domestic duck rescue.
That's just one of the many things going on this weekend in Columbus to enjoy along with the warm weather. Lots of laughs are in store with two theater productions, appearances by local comedian Amber Falter, and a show by an Ivy League-educated comic who'll use his scientific knowledge to amuse the audience.
National Poetry Month will be acknowledged during "Black Columbus Poets: Then and Now," featuring current local writers reading the works of poets from Columbus' past, and an award-winning filmmaker will offer a preview of her upcoming documentary about labor unionization.
For a more detailed look at these and other events on the horizon, read on. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Labor union film to be previewed
Cinéseries, an OSU student-led group that organizes monthly screenings in collaboration with the Wexner Center for the Arts, will host award-winning filmmaker Brett Story for a lecture and sneak peek at her upcoming film, "Untitled Labor Union Documentary" at 7 p.m. Friday in the Film/Video Theater at the Wex, 1871 N. High St. Co-directed by Stephen Maing, the documentary centers on a small group of Amazon workers-turned-activists attempting to organize several thousand co-workers to unionize in Staten Island. Stick around after Story's presentation for an intimate discussion facilitated by Cinéseries in the café, with light refreshments. The event is free with a ticket. (wexarts.org/film-video)
April full of comedy from Amber Falter
Local comedian Amber Falter will make several appearances in April, beginning with a free Franklinton Friday showcase at Taft's Brewporium, 500 W. Broad St., at 8 p.m. Friday. Also on the bill are Hakim Callwood, Hannah Romes, Jon Ruggiero and Bridjet Mendyuk. Falter also can be seen in "Tough Baby," an unconventional, multimedia comedy journey from Christine Horvath of Babe Roar, taking place Saturday, as well as on April 22 and April 29 at The Nest, 2643 N. High St. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets are $15. (nesttheater.com)
Abbey Theater goes to bat with 'Yankee'
Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road, will present the world premiere of Sean Cooney’s “A Yankee Goes Home” for a two-weekend run. The one-act comedy drama tells the story of a Yankees-loving retired New York policeman who, grieving the loss of his coworker, struggles to communicate with the world, but receives help from a special, renowned friend. Recommended for ages 12 and older. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and April 20-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday and April 22-23. Tickets are $20. (dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater)
Past and present to meet at poetry celebration
Celebrate National Poetry Month with "Black Columbus Poets: Then and Now," an afternoon of history and creativity featuring local artists reading the works of Black poets from Columbus' past. The free event will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in meeting rooms 1 and 2 of the Columbus Metropolitan Library Martin Luther King Branch, 1467 E. Long St. Rachael Scott will read Kathleen Evelyn DeLoache; Hanif Abdurraqib will read work by Is Said; Teri Collins will read Dr. Mary Ann Williams, and Scott Woods will be reading Elliott Blaine Henderson. (events.columbuslibrary.org)
Mary Gauthier bringing folk tour to Columbus
Admired by fans and fellow artists for her thoughtful, introspective songwriting and storytelling, Mary Gauthier will perform in the Nicholson Auditorium at the King Arts Complex, 835 Mt. Vernon Ave., at 8 p.m. Saturday. Gauthier, whose songs have been covered by musicians including Jimmy Buffett, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Boy George, is touring in support of her latest album, "Dark Enough to See the Stars." Gauthier's partner, Jaimee Harris, will be the opening act and accompany Gauthier on guitar. Harris' second album, "Boomerang Town," was released in February. Tickets are $28. (marygauthier.com/tour)
'Birds & Brews' to take flight at Land-Grant
The Longbottom Bird Ranch, a Cincinnati domestic duck rescue, will be visiting Land-Grant Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St., from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday as part of the rescue’s “Birds & Brews” series. The ducks will be at Land-Grant for people to meet, pet, hold and take photos with while they learn about the mission of the domestic duck rescue. In addition, there will be original art created by the ducks for sale. (longbottombirdranch.com)
Troupe to get wild with Beckett and the Bard
Wild Women Writing, Katherine Burkman’s theater group of local women writers, will present “Shake and Beck,” a meta-theatrical, company-created play billed as a “Will Shakespeare Sam Beckett conundrum.” The play focuses on the two playwrights showing up to resolve an artistic disagreement that sparked a fictional split among Wild Women Writing’s members. The free performance will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., as part of the museum’s free admission day. Arrive early, grab a seat and take time to look at the museum’s exhibits. (614-457-6580, katherineburkman@gmail.com)
Gramercy Books to host bestselling authors
Gramercy Books will welcome two noted authors launching their latest works. At 7 p.m. Monday, Bexley poet and essayist Maggie Smith will introduce her memoir, “You Could Make This Place Beautiful,” a powerful story of coming of age in middle age. Smith will be in conversation with poet-writer Saeed Jones at the Drexel Theatre, 2254 E. Main St. On April 19 at 7 p.m., Gramercy will host Matthew Desmond, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Evicted,” with WOSU Public Media’s Ann Fisher for the launch of "Poverty, by America," named one of the most anticipated books of 2023 by Time magazine. Desmond’s appearance will be in Canzani Auditorium at Columbus College of Art & Design, 60 Cleveland Ave. Tickets are $30 for each event. (gramercybooksbexley.com)
We Banjo 3's David Howley to play solo set
Multi-instrumental singer and songwriter David Howley, who has played numerous Columbus shows as a member of popular Irish group We Banjo 3, will bring his solo tour to Natalie's Grandview, 945 King Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A veritable one-man band, Howley will play guitar, bass and percussion at the same time, as well as the bouzouki, mixing indie folk and contemporary Irish with a hint of electronic elements. Presented by the Dublin Irish Celebration's Trad Nua Celtic Series, Howley's concert supports his new project, "from Venus," coming out April 21. Standing room tickets remain for $20. (nataliesgrandview.com)
Comic Ben Miller to blend laughs with learning
With a show that's funny, educational and deeply personal, Ben Miller has a little extra something that makes him unique among most comedians: He's also an Ivy League-educated scientist. Miller, who holds a degree in materials science and engineering from Columbia University, combines his skills to both entertain and inform, throwing in liberal doses of self-deprecating humor. Using pictures, graphs and videos, he'll bring his "Stand-Up Science" show — which enjoyed a sold-out run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival — to Two Dollar Radio, 1124 Parsons Ave., at 7 p.m. April 19. Tickets are $10. (benmillercomedy.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's happening in Columbus this weekend
