Finalize your weekend plans with these 10 things to do in Columbus

Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch
·6 min read

There are plenty of Veterans Day events to attend this weekend, including a standup comedy show featuring those who have served in the military.

In addition to the holiday events, Columbus residents may still enjoy an abundance of entertainment options, including theater productions, a movie filmed in Columbus, a concert honoring people of Ukraine, and a performance by famous singer B.Slade.

Read on for details about these and other weekend entertainment options. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.

Left to right, Jalen Carr as Leonardo, Shannon McCarren as Bride and Noah Bennett as Bridegroom in the Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts’ production of "Blood Wedding."
Left to right, Jalen Carr as Leonardo, Shannon McCarren as Bride and Noah Bennett as Bridegroom in the Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts’ production of "Blood Wedding."

'Blood Wedding' marries desire and revenge

Inflamed passions of desire and revenge fuel "Blood Wedding," the latest production by the Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts. Federico García Lorca's tragedy revolves around an ill-fated love triangle that tears asunder an arranged marriage between two well-to-do families. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 3 p.m. Sunday; and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-17 in the Blackbox Theatre at the at the Theatre, Film, and Media Arts Building, 1932 College Road. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 seniors, Ohio State faculty, staff and Alumni Association members, $15 students and children. (614-292-2295, theatreandfilm.osu.edu)

George Swarn as MJG and Latifat Sulaimon as Nkechi in The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio's "Good Grief," the first Ohio-based production of the critically lauded play by Ngozi Anyanwu.
George Swarn as MJG and Latifat Sulaimon as Nkechi in The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio's "Good Grief," the first Ohio-based production of the critically lauded play by Ngozi Anyanwu.

Joy to be found in darkness of 'Good Grief'

"In Good Grief," The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio chronicles a Nigerian American med school dropout's search for identity and healing after losing her best friend. Previews will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday in Studio Two in the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, with opening night at 8 p.m. Saturday. Additional performances will be at 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16; 8 p.m. Nov. 17-18; and 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets are $48 general admission. Pay-What-You-Want tickets can be purchased in advance by phone (614-469-0939), at the CBUSArts ticket office, 55 E. State St., or at the venue two hours before showtime. Student Rush tickets also are offered for $20 with valid ID at the Riffe box office up to two hours before showtime, subject to availability. (thecontemporaryohio.org)

Columbus-based comedian, actor and podcaster Barack Lesnar, standing, will present "Veterans Day Stand-Up Comedy Oorah!" on Saturday at the Crescent Lounge. Seated is DJ Kirk Diggler.
Columbus-based comedian, actor and podcaster Barack Lesnar, standing, will present "Veterans Day Stand-Up Comedy Oorah!" on Saturday at the Crescent Lounge. Seated is DJ Kirk Diggler.

Comedy and camaraderie to honor veterans

Paying homage to those who fought for our freedom, Columbus comedian, actor and podcaster Barack Lesnar in collaboration with The Illuminaughti will present "Veterans Day Stand-Up Comedy Oorah!" on Saturday at the Crescent Lounge, 5240 Godown Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. The show, which also honors the father of Cresent Lounge owner Anne Strayer, will feature comics who also are veterans: Leslie Battle, Frank DeMint, Larry Danflows and Goodie Hendrixson, as well as DJ Kirk Diggler, also a veteran. Tickets are $18 online, plus service fees; admission at the door is $20. Veterans will receive a 10% discount on their bar tabs. (eventbrite.com)

"B-The Underwater Bubble Show," a visually spectacular a modern fairy tale with a twist, will give two performances at the Davidson Theatre on Saturday.
"B-The Underwater Bubble Show," a visually spectacular a modern fairy tale with a twist, will give two performances at the Davidson Theatre on Saturday.

'Bubble Show' to amaze kids and adults alike

You might think a fairy tale set in an underwater world full of seahorses, starfish, mermaids and other creatures is kid stuff, but no one's too old to follow their inner child to Bubblelandia, the wondrous setting of "B-The Underwater Bubble Show," to be presented by CAPA at the Riffe Center Davidson Theater, 77 S. High St., at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday. Inspired by childhood classics like “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Peter Pan," the show features visual special effects that will dazzle audiences of all ages. Tickets are $27 and $37 at the CBUSArts Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., online and by phone. (614-469-0939, capa.com)

Left to right are Ryan Luther, Kaitlyn Garrett, Adi Mantra and Ulisis Ruiz in a scene from "I'll See You on Thankgiving," the debut feature film from Gentle Embers Media. Shot in Columbus, the film will premiere at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse on Saturday.
Left to right are Ryan Luther, Kaitlyn Garrett, Adi Mantra and Ulisis Ruiz in a scene from "I'll See You on Thankgiving," the debut feature film from Gentle Embers Media. Shot in Columbus, the film will premiere at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse on Saturday.

Columbus-based film to debut at Studio 35

To get moviegoers in the holiday spirit, central Ohio-based Gentle Embers Media will premiere its first feature film, "I’ll See You on Thanksgiving," at 1 p.m. Saturday at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, 3055 Indianola Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Written and directed by Meshach Malley, this humorous and nostalgic coming-of-age tale follows a group of college friends gathering for Thanksgiving. With an all-Ohioan cast and crew, the movie was shot primarily at the Clintonville Mystery House, and also features scenes at Portia's Cafe, The Little Light Collective and outside of Lucky's Market. Tickets are $17. (bit.ly/3ZSPVIH)

Pianist Suzanne Newcomb will be the featured soloist for the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra's "Raise the Flag" concert at Ascension Lutheran Church on Sunday.
Pianist Suzanne Newcomb will be the featured soloist for the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra's "Raise the Flag" concert at Ascension Lutheran Church on Sunday.

MCO concert to honor people of Ukraine

Launching their 44th season, the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (MCO) will present "Raise the Flag," a concert in honor, recognition and support of the people enduring the war in Ukraine, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1479 Morse Road at 7 p.m. Sunday. Conducted by Luis Biava, the program will include Charles Ives' "Decoration Day," Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491, with soloist Suzanne Newcomb on piano, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2. Admission is free. (metropolitanchamberorchestra.com)

Luisa (Abby Adair) gets an earful from her father, Bellomy (Oliver Corrigan) in Stage Right Theatrics' presentation of its first musical, "The Fantasticks."
Luisa (Abby Adair) gets an earful from her father, Bellomy (Oliver Corrigan) in Stage Right Theatrics' presentation of its first musical, "The Fantasticks."

Stage Right Theatrics to offer 'fantastick' musical

Stage Right Theatrics will present its first musical production, "The Fantasticks," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, as well as at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at the Abbey Theatre of Dublin, 5600 Post Road, Dublin. Company president Robert Cooperman says the sunny, funny and beloved show "reminds us that life, despite its travails, always provides optimism for a new day." Tickets are $20 for both in-person attendance and the livestream. Discounts of $5 off are available for students, veterans and those over 60 by calling 614-233-1901. (stagert.org)

New York Times bestselling author Tim Johnston will discuss his latest novel, "Distant Sons," during a "Prosecco and Prose" reception presented by Gramercy Books at Giuseppe's Ritrovo on Monday.
New York Times bestselling author Tim Johnston will discuss his latest novel, "Distant Sons," during a "Prosecco and Prose" reception presented by Gramercy Books at Giuseppe's Ritrovo on Monday.

Bestselling author to launch latest novel

Gramercy Books of Bexley will celebrate the return of the "Prosecco & Prose" series with a literary reception featuring New York Times bestselling author Tim Johnston at Giuseppe's Ritrovo, 2268 E. Main St. from 5-7 p.m. Monday. Set in struggling blue-collar America, Johnston's newest novel, "Distant Sons," will strike a chord with fans of Peter Heller, Liz Moore and Cormac McCarthy. Tickets are $50, which includes the author talk, a meet and greet, a glass of Prosecco and hors d’oeuvres, plus a copy of "Distant Sons," which Johnston will sign at the event. (eventbrite.com)

Grammy-nominated artist B.Slade will headline the Lincoln Theatre’s annual North Star Concert on Nov. 16.
Grammy-nominated artist B.Slade will headline the Lincoln Theatre’s annual North Star Concert on Nov. 16.

B.Slade to lead uplifting North Star Concert

Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter, producer and actor B.Slade will come to the stage of the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., as headliner for the theater's annual North Star Concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 16. B.Slade has performed with artists including Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Snoop Dogg, and written and produced more than 300 gospel and mainstream songs for artists like Chaka Khan and Faith Evans. He also was a vocalist on select dates with Prince's former band, The New Power Generation. The concert also will feature local performers Gregory Watkins and The Worship & Praise Chorale and Jermaine Smith, a graduate of the Lincoln's artist incubation program who will serve as musical director. Tickets start at $37. (614-469-0939, lincolntheatrecolumbus.com)

"Parisian Palace with Pigeon" is one of more than 30 paintings in Columbus artist Michelle Boerio's exhibit, 'Andiamo/Allons-y: Summer in the Cities of Italy and France," at Wild Goose Creative in Franklinton through Nov. 29.
"Parisian Palace with Pigeon" is one of more than 30 paintings in Columbus artist Michelle Boerio's exhibit, 'Andiamo/Allons-y: Summer in the Cities of Italy and France," at Wild Goose Creative in Franklinton through Nov. 29.

Local artist to show works at Wild Goose Creative

Created over the course of 60 days in Europe, Columbus artist Michelle Boerio's exhibit, "Andiamo/Allons-y: Summer in the Cities of Italy and France," will be on display at Wild Goose Creative, 188 McDowell St., through Nov. 29. An opening reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 18. Boerio's fluid, expressive paintings were done primarily en plein air as she and composer Lauren Spavelko lived abroad this past summer, visiting the cities of Turin, Bologna, Verona, Venice, Rimini, Parma, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Naples and Positano. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. (michelleboerio.com)

bpaschal@dispatch.com

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