Best Bets: BalletMet brings back 'Alice,' Ohio Roller Derby season kicks off
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Huzzah! If you're 21 or older and enjoy renaissance fairs, or if you're just looking for something to do Thursday night, COSI is opening its doors for some After Dark fun. Experience the science center after hours during this evening of entertainment and games, plus themed drinks and craft beer.
On the stage front, there are plays, concerts, comedy and family-friendly productions galore. Among them are BalletMet's return to the Ohio Theatre with "Alice" and the interactive adventures of "Baby Shark's Big Broadwave Tour!" at Mershon Auditorium.
Looking for fast-paced action? Catch the opening game of Ohio Roller Derby's new season Saturday at the Ohio Expo Center or get set for the 5th Line 5K Presented By OhioHealth on Sunday at Nationwide Arena.
You can read more about these events below, along with a few others. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
'After Dark' event to light up COSI
Ladies and lords at least 21 years of age can travel to the past at COSI After Dark: Renaissance Faire on Thursday night. Grab a turkey leg, roam the grounds of COSI, 333 W. Broad St., and raise a goblet to your companions with themed drinks and craft beer. Explore COSI without kids and enjoy entertainment, activities, games and experiences you can't get during any other visit. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 per person in advance or $30 per person at the door. No admission allowed without valid ID. (cosi.org/afterdark)
BalletMet's 'Alice' back after four years
Returning from its debut in 2020, BalletMet’s “Alice” will bring familiar characters such as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the heroine in its title to the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., for six performances Friday through Sunday. With original choreography by Artistic Director Edwaard Liang, the show will go on at 11 a.m. Friday (senior dress rehearsal); 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $38.50 to $118.30, except for the senior show, which is $36.40. Find information about the Pay What You Want and student/teacher Rush Ticket programs online. (balletmet.org)
Comedy crew to shine at the Schott
Buckle up and prepare for an uproarious ride when the “We Them One’s Comedy Tour” comes to the Schottenstein Center, West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road, at 8 p.m. Friday. Hosted by funnyman Mike Epps, known for both his standup and silver-screen work, the lineup will include Netflix comic Deray Davis, DC Young Fly, Chico Bean and Karlous Miller of MTV's "Wild 'N Out," comedian-musician Lil Duval, Mojo Brookzz and Money Bag Mafia. Remaining tickets start at $107.50. (ticketmaster.com)
'Baby Shark' to make a splash at Mershon
A "fincredible" time will be had exploring the underwater world of "Baby Shark's Big Broadwave Tour!" at Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St., on Friday and Saturday. The live, interactive show follows Baby and his fishy friends on an adventure to save the beloved Party Puddle Theatre — but they'll need the audience's help! Showtimes for this "swimsational" production will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $28. (ticketmaster.com)
Carpe Diem to play double-header
Carpe Diem String Quartet will present the next pair of concerts in its 2023-24 season, “Forward in all directions: Upward,” this weekend. Saturday's concert will begin at 4 p.m. at First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., and Sunday's performance will be at 2 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. The program will include the quartet's violist Korine Fujiwara's "Sunsets Like Childhood," the world premiere of Jonathan Cziner's "String Quartet" and other works. Tickets cost $35 general admission; $30 for senior citizens; $25 for church members; and $10 for students. Ages 18 and younger are admitted for free. Purchase tickets online or at the door. (cdsq.org)
Derby stars to skate into new season
Ohio Roller Derby will return for its 2024 season on Saturday in the Lausche Building at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. Doors will open at 4 p.m. The first game, which will start at 5 p.m., will feature the Ohio Roller Derby All-Stars. The second game, played by Ohio Roller Derby's Gang Green, will begin at approximately 7 p.m. Opponents to be announced. Concessions are available onsite. Games frequently sell out, so get your tickets early. General admission is $16; children 7 and younger are admitted free. Parking at the Expo Center is $7 per vehicle. (ohiorollerderby.com)
Orchestra tunes up for museum concert
The Columbus Cultural Orchestra (CCO), an ensemble showcasing young string musicians of color, will give a Black History Month pop-up concert at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. Led by Artist Director Stephen Spottswood, CCO's goals are to advance a collective of multi-generational musicians of color and to raise the percentage of Black musicians who play in professional symphony orchestras; that percentage is currently 2%. The 4-year-old group's repertoire spans genres from jazz and hip hop to traditional classical music. Admission is free. (ccomusic.org)
'Couples Therapy' to blend theater, improv
WItness the hilarity and chaos that ensues when couples go to counseling in JSK Production's production of "Couples Therapy," which will be staged at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. In this clever, insightful combination of theater, standup comedy and improv, the performers interact with the audience directly as well as through response surveys completed before the show. Tickets cost $44, with a limit of eight tickets per household. (capa.com/events)
5K to take off from Nationwide Arena
If you're fleet-footed and love the Columbus Blue Jackets, you'll want to take part in the 5th Line 5K Presented By OhioHealth, which will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday outside of Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Seating in sections 113-116 will open at 9 a.m. for spectators. The course will include a 3.1-mile tour of Downtown Columbus and the Arena District before finishing inside Nationwide Arena. All participants will receive redemption codes good for two tickets to a select Blue Jackets game during the remainder of the 2024 season. The race is limited to the first 4,000 runners and walkers to register. (the5thline5k.com)
'Love Letters' to bring romance to stage
Experience the timeless romance and enduring connection between Andrew and Melissa as their lives unfold in letters written over 50 years in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters." Starring David Vargo and Josie Merkle, New Herring Productions will open this captivating, heartwarming tale of love, friendship and the power of the written word at 8 p.m. on Valentine's Day at MadLab, 227 N. 3rd St. Other shows will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18. The Feb. 17 show is part of a special Saturday night social/fundraiser that includes a pre-performance reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tickets cost $30 for all shows, except Feb. 17, which costs $50. (newherring.org)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do in Columbus this weekend
