Need plans? Here are 10 cool events coming up in Columbus

Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun or a date night without the kids, Columbus has you covered this weekend and early next week with options ranging from a live production spawned by a popular children's show to an offering based on a historical (albeit tragic) event.

Audience members of all ages can get in on the fun during the interactive "PAW Patrol Live! Heroes United," or if grown-up fun is more your speed, spend the evening enjoying a first-class dinner and period music as The Refectory re-creates an evening aboard the Titanic — minus the iceberg.

Other highlights include a full month of jazz at the Bexley Public Library, AIDS Walk Ohio and the homecoming of Columbus' own Spencer Sutherland, who'll perform April 12 at The Bluestone.

There's even more to see and do, and you can read all about it below. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.

Bexley library jazzed up for April

A Tribe for Jazz will celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month at the Bexley Public Library Auditorium, 2411 E. Main St., Bexley, with a series of events beginning Thursday with the 1-3 p.m. screening of the film "Legacy Jon Irabagon: A Solo Tenor Odyssey." On Saturday, Irabagon, the 2008 winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, will give a live performance at 3 p.m. Other events include: a concert film featuring the duo of pianist Fabian Almazan and Grammy-winning bassist Linda May Han Oh (2 p.m. April 15); a concert film featuring trumpeter Adam O'Farrill's Stranger Days (6 p.m. April 27); and a live performance and talk by Almazan (3 p.m. April 29). All events are free and open to the public. (atribeforjazz.org)

Author to discuss incarceration and art

MacArthur Fellow and Ohio native Nicole R. Fleetwood will give a public lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Canzani Center Auditorium at Columbus College of Art & Design, 60 Cleveland Ave. Fleetwood's book "Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration" explores the impact of incarceration on contemporary visual art and shows how the imprisoned turn ordinary objects into elaborate art. Her other works cover topics including Black diasporic art, photography studies, performance studies, gender and feminism, Black cultural history, creative nonfiction and poverty. The lecture is free, but registration is required. (ccad.edu/fleetwood)

'PAW Patrol Live!' to be interactive

When the going gets "ruff," audience members will be recruited to help the puppy pack in “PAW Patrol Live! Heroes United," coming to the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. for six shows this weekend. Based on the popular animated series "PAW Patrol" on Nickelodeon, the colorful production pits the pups against Mayor Humdinger as they try to rescue Robo Dog. Showtimes are 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $25. A limited number of V.I.P. (Very Important Pup) packages are available, starting at $120. (cbusarts.com)

Frequency Fridays experiments with sound

April 2023 Frequency Fridays will showcase several experimental electronic musicians and sound artists at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, 139 W. Main St., at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 8 p.m. The lineup includes Minneapolis/Oakland-based trio Signal Quest, New Yorker Jason Anthony Harris’ solo project Public Speaking, Pennsylvanian Jeremy dePrisco’s project Shivasongster, and Columbus own' Jacoti Sommes. Masks are encouraged regardless of vaccination status and will be provided at the door. No outside food or drink allowed. Tickets are $9.25 in advance, $10 at the door. (thefusefactory.org)

Comic Dan Cummins to stop at Riffe Center

Stand-up comedian and podcaster Dan Cummins will bring his "Burn it All Down" tour to the Riffe Center’s Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St., at 7 p.m. Saturday. In addition to his three one-hour specials and eight comedy albums, Cummins is one of the most frequently played comedians on Pandora with over 850,000 artist stations created and more than 650 million plays. His podcasts, "Timesuck" and "Scared to Death," are regularly featured in the top of the Apple podcast comedy charts. Tickets range from $32-$125, with a limit of eight tickets per person/household. VIP tickets include preferred seating and a meet-and-greet. (cbusarts.com)

'Drag Race' star to host Aids Walk Ohio

Popular drag performer Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, better known as Miss Vanjie, will host this year's Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Ohio 2023, which steps off Saturday at Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St. Miss Vanjie won millions of fans when she sashayed away from season 10 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" in the first round and appeared again in season 11, placing fifth out of 14 contestants. The 5k walk, 5K run and one-mile AIDS Walk annually raises funds and awareness for people living with HIV in Ohio. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., followed by remarks and stage performances at 9:45 a.m. The walk/run starts at 10:30 a.m. Registration to participate in person or virtually is just $1 with a commitment to raise at least $50. There also is an option to participate in your own neighborhood. (aidswalkohio.com)

The Refectory re-creates Titanic experience

The Refectory Dinner Music Series will feature "An Evening Aboard the Titanic" on Monday and Tuesday at the Refectory Restaurant and Wine Shop, 1092 Bethel Road. Chef Richard Blondin will re-create the four-course dinner for first-class passengers the night the ship sank, and period music will be played by the Lyrata String Quartet. Dinner seating starts at 5:15 p.m. and music begins at 6:45 p.m. both days. The menu can be adjusted for vegetarian, seafood, meat or any other dietary concerns. When making reservations, please note your request, then call 614-451-9774 to confirm. Cost is $175 per guest. (refectory.com)

Otterbein's 'Bright Star' musical continues

The Otterbein University Department of Theatre and Dance and Department of Music continues their run of “Bright Star” at 8 p.m. April 12-15, and 2 p.m. April 15-16 in the Campus Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St., Westerville. Inspired by a true story and featuring a Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, “Bright Star” tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s. Tickets cost $30. Student Rush discounts are available one hour prior to curtain, pending ticket availability. (614-823-1109; otterbein.edu/drama)

Spencer Sutherland coming home for concert

Things have changed drastically for Pickerington-born singer-songwriter Spencer Sutherland, who earned spare cash as a teen singing and playing guitar at local restaurants. The 30-year-old musician, who has since released a slew of singles, had songs featured in several films and guest-starred on the Amazon series "I Know What You Did Last Summer," will return to Columbus from LA for a show at The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad St. on April 12. Doors open at 7 p.m. Touring in support of his new debut album, "In His Mania," Sutherland will be joined by pop artist Jordy, who has appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and won acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, MTV, Time, and more. Tickets are $20, plus fees. (ticketmaster.com)

Equine Affaire to be 'mane' event at expo center

The Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., will rein in horse fans when Equine Affaire gallops into town. The expo will include educational clinics and demonstrations, a meet-and-greet Breed Pavilion, two competitions, interactive activities, shopping, and more. A nighttime show, "Fantasia," requiring a separate ticket, will feature performances to a variety of musical styles, plus other entertainment. Tickets for Equine Affaire are $16 for ages 11 and older, $10 for children 7-10. Children 6 and younger get in free. Adult four-day passes are also available for $52. Cash-only ticket sales will be available at the door. "Fantasia" tickets range from $14 to $25, with children 2 and younger free when sitting on a lap. Seats go quickly, so buy in advance. Equine Affaire hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 13-15, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16. The Coliseum doors will open for "Fantasia" at 6:45 p.m. April 13-15. (equineaffaire.com)

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do in Columbus this weekend and early next week