Need something cool to do? Check out these 10 things happening in Columbus

As we prepare to spring forward, let's also look ahead at what's going on this weekend for your entertainment pleasure. Music, theater and musical theater. Hopping and shopping. Art galore and so much more.

First up, Nationwide Arena will host two big stars in the next couple of days — Bruce Springsteen on Thursday and Blake Shelton on Friday. And Shadowbox Theatre will perform an encore run of "Flower Power," its groovy homage to hippie culture.

Businesses in the Hilltop will host their monthly hop, where you can shop till you drop, and COSI will present the after-hours Columbus Brew Festival open to those 21 and older.

You can read about these and other weekend events below. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter. (And don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday!)

'The Boss' and band coming to Nationwide Arena

Heartland rock icon Bruce Springsteen, who has released 21 studio albums during a career spanning six decades, will appear with his famous E Street Band at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Springsteen boasts an impressive body of work, including hits like "Born to Run," "The River," "Hungry Heart," "Born in the U.S.A." and "Glory Days," among many others. One of the world's best-selling artists, he has sold more than 71 million records in the U.S. and twice that number worldwide. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has earned 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award and a special Tony Award for "Springsteen on Broadway." Tickets for the show start at $100. (nationwidearena.com)

Shadowbox Live reprises 'Flower Power'

Following its debut last summer, "Flower Power" is back for a three-month run beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St., Suite 260. A celebration of the influence of hippie culture, the show features music from the era by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Sly & the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin and numerous others. “The hippies of the time made love and peace their mission and we are able to tell their story in this show through the incredible music of the decade," said producing director Julie Klein. Performances will be on select Thursdays and Sundays through June 4. Tickets are sold by the table, beginning at $40. (shadowboxlive.org)

Blake Shelton bringing hits to Columbus

Country artist and television personality Blake Shelton, with guests Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean, will play Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. Friday. Shelton has charted 40 singles, including 28 No. 1 hits, 17 of which were consecutive. In 2020, he had two hits with wife Gwen Stefani, "Nobody But You" and "Happy Anywhere." Fellow Grand Ole Opry member Pearce is a three-time Country Music Association Award winner, a four-time Academy of Country Music Award winner, has received one CMT Music Award and one Grammy Award. Dean, a young up-and-comer, scored a hit in 2022 with "Don't Come Lookin', which was featured in an episode of the Paramount Network TV series "Yellowstone." Ticket prices start at $49. (nationwidearena.com)

Laughs in store with Leanne Morgan

Combining Southern charm and hilarious, relatable stories from her own life, Leanne Morgan will bring her "Just Getting Started" tour to the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., at 7 p.m. Friday. Morgan has appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," ABC’s "The View," and as a finalist on Nick at Nite’s "Funniest Mom" competition. The show also will feature Karen Mills, a veteran comic who manages to find the humor in the most unlikely situations, including her battle with ovarian cancer. Tickets are $35.75-$125.75, with a limit of eight tickets per person/household. (capa.com)

'Wild Women' to take the stage

The Wild sisters of Winedale, Virginia — Fanny and Willa and their frustratingly quirky sister-in-law, Johnnie Faye ("Jef") — are at a crossroads in their lives in the funny but touching "The Wild Women of Winedale," which opens Friday at Eclipse Theatre Company, 915 Schrock Road. In this comedy written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, the trio comes up with wonderful, if unorthodox ways to free themselves of the things holding them back. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and March 16-18; 2 p.m. Sunday and March 19. General admission tickets are $20. (eclipsecolumbus.com)

Head to COSI for Columbus Brew Festival

If you're 21 or older and you enjoy sipping suds, come to COSI, 333 W. Broad St., on Saturday evening for the after-hours Columbus Brew Festival. More than 150 kinds of beers will be offered by over 50 breweries, and COSI's numerous exhibits also will be open for viewing. General admission (8-11 p.m.) is $50, which includes samples of beer, access throughout the museum and exhibits. Early admission at 7 p.m. costs $65 and includes all the benefits of general admission, plus an extra hour including specialty beers. Designated drivers pay $30 cash at the door. Food is sold separately at the museum's cafe. (columbusbrewfestival.com)

Hilltop businesses hosting monthly hop

It's the second Saturday of the month, which means it's time for the March Hilltop Hop. Hosted by local businesses Third Way Cafe, Broad & Westmoor, and The Design Refinery, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Visitors can shop and enjoy specials at each of the businesses on the block at the corner of West Broad Street and North Westmoor Avenue, including Koko, Clay Street Ceramics, Design Refinery and Third Way Cafe. (facebook.com/thirdwaycafe)

Story time to feature local author

Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers, 2116 Arlington Ave., Upper Arlington, will host a special story time with Columbus author Carlotta Penn, featuring her latest book, "Bright Boy ABCs" at 10 a.m. Saturday. With illustrations by Nysha Lilly, "Bright Boy ABCs" features a curious boy who demonstrates his talents, explores new adventures and spreads kindness among his family and friends. As they journey from A to Z, young readers will find an element of their lives and dreams reflected in the youngster's adventures and feel assured that they, too, are the bright stars of their own stories. Penn, founder of Daydreamers Press, has written other books including "Dream a Rainbow," "Turtle with an Afro" and "Turtle with an Afro: A Star Is Born!" (covertocoverchildrensbooks.com)

Dublin Wind Symphony to 'Spring Forward'

The Dublin Wind Symphony will present "Spring Forward," a program including works by Copland, Berstein, Grainger and others at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Marina Davis Performing Arts Center at Dublin Scioto High School, 4000 Hard Road, Dublin. Directed by Jeff Chesser, the Dublin Wind Symphony is a standard concert band featuring woodwind, brass and percussion musicians. The concert is free; donations will be accepted. (dublinbands.com)

Gallery hosting two-artist exhibit

Brandt-Roberts Galleries, 642 N. High St., has paired two Ohio artists in an exhibit that showcases their complementary approaches to subject matter as a means of resurrecting hope in challenging times. "Wisdom in the Marigolds” features the works of Caitlin Cartwright and LaShae Boyd, both influenced by what is around them: current events, pop culture, textiles, animals, landscape and music. Their work is defined by their use of acrylics and collage with a particular focus on textural elements. The exhibit will be on view through March 29. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and by private appointment. Admission is free. (brandtrobertsgalleries.com)

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Entertainment and events happening this weekend in Columbus