Need plans this weekend? Check out these 10 fun things happening in Columbus

If you can't wait until Friday, kick off your weekend a day early with some onstage entertainment, as two local theater troupes open productions on Thursday and run for multiple weekends. Available Light Theatre's "Everybody" will bring a rotating cast to the Riffe Center, while Evolution Theatre will lampoon The Great White Way in "Forbidden Broadway."

If you're in a musical mood, there are myriad options, from an evening with composer Maria Schneider leading the Columbus Jazz Orchestra to happy hour with Lydia Loveless to a pop-up performance by the Columbus Cultural Orchestra.

Also on tap is the Columbus Museum of Art's "CMA Comes Alive" bash, along with a drag brunch hosted by Anisa Love and more.

Read on below for more information these and other upcoming events. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.

Meaning of life explored in 'Everybody'

Available Light Theatre, a leading semi-professional company, will present the area premiere of the acclaimed play, “Everybody,” a 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins that offers a modern take on the 15th-century morality play “Everyman.” The play, about the journey through life’s greatest mystery - the meaning of living -changes at every performance, with the cast rotating randomly via lottery. Performances will be 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, as well as Feb. 17-18 and Feb. 23-25, and 2 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Riffe Center, Studio Two, 77 S. High St. Tickets are $26; “Pay What You Want” available at the door. (avltheatre.com)

Maria Schneider to team up with CJO

Seven-time Grammy Award-winning jazz composer Maria Schneider will join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for several concerts over the next few days at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Blurring the lines between genres, Schneider's varied commissioners stretch from Jazz at Lincoln Center to The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to the American Dance Festival, and include a collaboration with David Bowie. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday (preceded by a Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra performance at 2 p.m. for 3 p.m. ticketholders). Tickets range from $14 to $74; student tickets are available for $15 at the box office with student ID. (CBUSArts.com)

Evolution Theatre bringing 'Broadway' to Dublin

Evolution Theatre will launch its production of the long-running off-Broadway hit "Forbidden Broadway" with a preview performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road. Broadway’s greatest musical legends meet satire in this hilarious, loving and entertaining tribute to some of the theater's greatest stars and songwriters. Recommended for ages 12 and older, the musical revue also will be presented 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-16; and 8 p.m. Feb. 17-18. Tickets start at $15. (evolutiontheatre.org)

Lydia Loveless to host happy hour

Pop tinged with punk, honky-tonk and classic country will come to Charlie's Stage at Natalie's Grandview, 945 King Ave., during the free happy hour show, "Secret Studio Presents: Lydia Loveless," at 5 p.m. Friday. The Columbus-based Loveless has released several well-received albums including 2020's "Daughter," her first recording on her own label, Honey, You're Gonna Be Late Records, and is the subject of a documentary, "Who is Lydia Loveless?," which chronicles the making of her critically lauded 2016 album, "Real," and follows her on tour. Reservations are recommended. (nataliesgrandview.com)

National Fishing Expo returns

Hundreds of vendors and exhibitors will converge on the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. this weekend to showcase, demonstrate and sell their products at the National Fishing Expo - Columbus. One of the largest groups of handmade tackle, guides and Canadian outfitters in the country, the expo will be held in the Bricker Building from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Numerous speakers will discuss all things fishing from tips to techniques. Admission is $12 per ticket with two children under 17 admitted for free. Parking at the Expo Center is $5 for a one-time entry, subject to change for special events. (nationalfishingexpos.com)

Barroom blues and pop psychedelia on tap

Breakout blues trio GA-20 will make a stop at Woodlands Tavern, 1200 W. 3rd Ave., at 7 p.m. Friday in support of their latest studio album, "Crackdown," which debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard’s and Apple Music's blues charts. The group will be performing with Columbus-based musician M Ross Perkins, whose new album, "E Pluribus M Ross," is garnering praise for its luscious, psychedelic pop sound. Admission to the all-ages show is $10. (woodlandsproductions.com/)

Brunch with a punch at The Walrus

If you like a little sass and brass with your meals, drag diva Anisa Love will deliver that and more while you enjoy the Drag Brunch at The Walrus, 143 E. Main St., beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Known for her “mad emcee skills,” the multiple-award-winning Love has performed and hosted shows at many clubs around Columbus, including District West and Axis Nightclub. She also has chaired AIDS Walk Ohio. Love will be joined by Boyonce, Shawty West and Ava Aurora Fox. There is no admission cost for the show, but brunch must be purchased. Early arrival is suggested. (https://fb.me/e/2C0oUJcmy)

Columbus Museum of Art to throw 'wild' party

Don your favorite party attire (sparkles encouraged!) and come to the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., for an evening of family fun during "CMA Comes Alive: Wild Things Are Happening!" from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The theme is inspired by the current exhibit "Wild Things are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak," which runs through March 5. Highlights include a LEGO construction build, cardboard challenge, artmaking in the Studio, DJ and dancing, dinner and dessert buffets, plus a few surprises. The cost is $100 per adult ticket ($75 is tax-deductible), which includes admission, buffet dinner and cash bar; child tickets are $40 each ($25 is tax-deductible), which includes admission for children 2-12 years old and buffet dinner. Children younger than 2 are free. There also are ticket packages ranging from $500 to $2,500. (columbusmuseum.org)

Columbus Cultural Orchestra to 'pop up' at museum

The Columbus Cultural Orchestra (CCO), a chamber ensemble showcasing young string musicians of color, will give a pop-up concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Columbus Museum of Art. Formed in 2020, CCO crosses musical genres, offering arrangements of classical, jazz and hip-hop favorites from Mozart to Miles Davis to Drake, and performed to a sold-out crowd at the Lincoln Theatre Backstage Concert Series in 2021. The concert is free, with donations paid directly to CCO musicians. (ccomusic.org)

Big Gigantic lands at Newport Music Hall

Big Gigantic, a Colorado-based electronic hip-hop duo made up of Dominic Lalli (saxophone/producer) and Jeremy Salken (drums), will perform at Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., at 7 p.m. Feb. 15. The twosome has played at well-known festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and many others. Since 2012, they have sold out their festival, Rowdytown, each September at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Tickets are $32.50. (promowestlive.com)

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things happening in Columbus this weekend and beyond