Here are 10 cool events to check out this weekend in Columbus

The Arnold Sports Festival is taking over Columbus this weekend, but for those who aren't going, there are still many other options to get out and find something fun to do.

As Black History Month comes to an end, Gramercy Books of Bexley will welcome author Sheila Williams to discuss and sign her historical novel, "No Better Time," about the only Black Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during World War II.

If "the play's the thing" for you, several theater groups are staging productions, including the Hilliard Arts Council musical "Finding Nemo Junior," featuring an all-kid cast. In addition, an event at the Columbus Museum of Art is inspired by the work of esteemed artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson and country singer-songwriter Sam Hunt will perform at Nationwide Arena.

For the scoop on these and other events happening this weekend, read on below. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.

Author to discuss book on Black WACs

In recognition of Black History Month, Gramercy Books will host acclaimed author Sheila Williams and feature her historical novel, "No Better Time," at 7 p.m. Thursday at the bookstore, 2424 E. Main St., Bexley, The book addresses a little-known aspect of World War II — the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only Black Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during the conflict. Williams will be in conversation with Demetries Neely, executive director and CEO of the King Arts Complex. General admission costs $5, which includes a book-signing; admission fee is waived with the purchase of "No Better Time." Online registration required. (gramercybooksbexley.com/events)

'Skeleton Crew' to revisit recession struggles

Four Detroit auto plant workers grapple with their uncertain futures during the 2008 recession in "Skeleton Crew," the latest production by the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio. Preview performances will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday in Studio Two in the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St., where it will continue at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 17. The play is recommended for ages 12 and older. Tickets cost $48. See the Contemporary's website for details about Pay-What-You-Want and $20 student rush tickets. (thecontemporaryohio.org)

OSU theater to explore 'Silent Sky'

The Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts will stage “Silent Sky,” Lauren Gunderson’s two-act drama is based on a true story about Henrietta Leavitt, a Harvard “computer” who, despite not having access to the telescope, discovers a way to measure the light and distance of stars in her spare time. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and March 6-8 at the Theatre, Film, and Media Arts Building, 1932 College Road. Tickets cost $20 general admission; $18 for senior citizens and Ohio State faculty, staff and Alumni Association members; $15 for students and children, available at the theater ticket office, by phone or at ticketmaster.com. (theatreandfilm.osu.edu, 614-292-2295)

'Beauty and the Beast' to raise funds for Nationwide Children's

Butterfly Guild, an organization of central Ohio women committed to raising funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been producing a Broadway-quality production as its largest annual fundraiser for 66 years. This year, the guild will present the classic Disney love story "Beauty and the Beast" at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. The volunteer-led-and-produced musical opens at 7 p.m. Friday, with other shows at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $14, and can be purchased online, at the CAPA ticket office, 39 E. State St., or by calling 614-469-0939. There is an eight-ticket limit per household. (bit.ly/48tjxzb, cbusarts.com)

Award-winning 'Drift' to open at Gateway

After premiering at Sundance last year, "Drift," a powerful character study starring award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, will open Friday at Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., The film follows Liberian refugee Jacqueline (Erivo), who has fled her war-torn country for a Greek island, where she struggles to survive and keep traumatic memories at bay while forging a close friendship with an American tour guide (Alia Shawkat). Dialogue is sparse, with Erivo conveying a range of emotions through body language and facial expressions. Erivo also produced "Drift" and sings its theme song. Variety magazine calls the film, "an ode to healing and human connection." See theater website or call for prices and showtimes. (gatewayfilmcenter.org, 614-259-7182)

Early Music Columbus going for baroque

The Early Music in Columbus 44th season will continue with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra presenting “Passions Revealed,” a program of various 18th-century classics, at 8 p.m. Friday at Capital University’s Mees Hall, College Avenue and East Main Street, Bexley. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be a pre-concert talk at 7:30 p.m. Now in its 45th year, Tafelmusik is a chamber orchestra of 15 to 20 musicians and the Tafelmusik experience is often described as more intimate than that of a regular symphony orchestra. Ticket prices online or at the door are $35 general admission, $28 for senior citizens and $15 for students. (earlymusicincolumbus.org)

'Nemo Junior' to swim into Hilliard

The Hilliard Arts Council will get its 2024 season underway with "Finding Nemo Junior," a musical adaptation of the Disney Pixar favorite, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St. A cast of students in grades 4-8 will bring the adventurous Nemo's vibrant underwater world to life with numbers including "Just Keep Swimming" and "Fish Are Friends Not Food." Other performances will be at 7 p.m. March 8; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and March 9; and 3 p.m. Sunday and March 10. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $6 for children and $15 for those 60 and older. Check website to see how many seats remain for each performance. (hilliardartscouncil.org)

New Albany Symphony concerts to tell Wright Brothers' story

The New Albany Symphony Orchestra will present two aviation-themed concerts this weekend at the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Road, New Albany. The sensory-friendly "Take Flight!" will be performed at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and "The Story of Wilbur and Orville Wright" will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday. Both concerts will be narrated by WBNS-TV (Channel 10) news anchor Angela An and feature the Symphony’s 2024 Student Concerto Competition winners Alejandro Orta (senior division) and Sonya Moomaw (junior division). Tickets for Saturday cost $10; a limited number of free tickets are available by entering promo code SMILE2324 when ordering online or calling the CBUSArts Ticket Center. There is a limit of 4 free tickets per family. Additional tickets cost $10. Tickets prices for Sunday range from $10 to $25. (newalbanysymphony.com, cbusarts.com, 614-469-0939)

'Aminah's Playhouse!' to come alive at Columbus Museum of Art

The late Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson's influence on the art world will continue at "CMA Comes Alive: Aminah's Playhouse!," a family-friendly evening of activities taking place from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. Highlights will include Aminah-inspired artmaking, a collaborative LEGO build, DJ and dancing, dinner and dessert buffets, a cash bar for the grown-ups, plus a few surprises. Don your favorite party attire — sparkles are encouraged! Tickets cost $100 for ages 13 and older, and $40 for children 2 to 12; children younger than 2 will be admitted free. Special ticket packages are also available. (columbusmuseum.org)

Nationwide Arena to welcome Sam Hunt

Country singer-songwriter Sam Hunt, who has penned singles for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Billy Currington and Reba McEntire, will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Hunt’s own hits include "Leave the Night On," "Take Your Time," "Hard to Forget” and “Body Like a Back Road,” the last of which spent 37 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Hunt will be joined by multi-platinum-selling country artist Brett Young and fellow Georgia native Lily Rose. Ticket prices start at $40.75. (ticketmaster.com

bpaschal@dispatch.com

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