Big voices will echo through the halls of two local performing arts centers, where much-anticipated appearances are scheduled. First up, the Columbus Symphony – with a guest pianist, vocalists and a worship choir – will salute the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on Saturday in the Ohio Theatre.
Then, Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens will perform with ProMusica during the orchestra’s annual fundraiser for its artistic and outreach programs. Though Giddens’ concert is a week away, we wanted to give you a chance to snatch up the few remaining tickets for this popular event!
Family-friendly fun comes in the shape of Brick Fest Live and the Great Train Show, both of which will run Saturday and Sunday. There are also happenings for film buffs, feline fans, art lovers, theater devotees and partygoers looking for a ’90s flashback.
You can read more about these events happening in and around Columbus in the listings below. To get these ideas in your inbox every week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Films on death and dying at the Wex
Starting this weekend, the Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St., will offer viewers a chance to reflect on questions of mortality. The month-long film series “Resting Places: Cinema at the End of Life” will begin at 7 p.m. Friday with a screening of “Mrs. Fang,” a documentary about a woman nearing the end of her battle with Alzheimer’s disease and the reaction of her kith and kin. A double bill featuring the films “Homegoings” and “Two Gods” will be shown at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $9, or $7 for Wexner Center members and senior citizens, $5 for students. (wexarts.org)
Rhiannon Giddens joins ProMusica
Folk, blues and American roots music will emanate from the stage of the Southern Theatre when Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens joins the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. Giddens will perform with ProMusica as part of the orchestra’s annual soiree fundraising event at 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Southern, 21 E. Main St. A pre-concert party at the Westin Great Southern Hotel will take place at 6 p.m. Tickets for the concert alone start at $45. (promusicacolumbus.org)
Celebrating the Queen of Soul
The Columbus Symphony will pay respect to the artist behind “Respect” by performing a tribute to the music of Aretha Franklin at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Ohio Theatre. Joining the symphony will be pianist John Boswell, vocalists Shaleah Adkisson, Tamika Lawrence and Blaine Krauss, and Gregory J. Watkins and the Worship and Praise Chorale. Tickets start at $18.70. (columbussymphony.com)
It’s All Been Done offers new edition
It’s All Been Done Presents, local producer of a monthly 80-minute modern, geeky comedy program in the style of old-timey radio serials, will perform a new edition of “It’s All Been Done Radio Hour” at 5 p.m. Saturday at Boxland Media, 6665 Huntley Road K. This performance will feature the return of “Life With a Voice Actor,” a reality TV-inspired series following the spouses of those who make a living with their vocal talents, plus other tales. Tickets cost $10 – or become a donor at Patreon.com/IABD. (614-916-6043, iabdpresents.com)
Follow the multicolored brick road
Fond of those little interlocking bricks in primary colors? Giant quantities of them will be trucked into the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., for Brick Fest Live on Saturday and Sunday. Check out life-size models, watch interactive stage shows, throw yourself into a giant brick pit, build structures in a glow-in-the-dark zone, take part in derby races, play a collaborative Minecraft game and collaborate on a giant floor mosaic. Timed entry tickets start at $16.99, with kids 2 and younger free. (brickfestlive.com)
‘Par-Tay’ like it’s 1999 at COSI
If you’re old enough to miss the ’90s, you’re old enough to attend COSI After Dark: ’90s Par-Tay. The museum’s monthly evening for those 21 and older will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at COSI, 333 W. Broad St. Show off your karaoke skills to music from the decade, test your trivia knowledge, dance to tunes spun by DJ Dayna, play retro video games and enjoy ‘90s-themed drinks and snacks. Tickets: $20 in advance, $30 at the door. (cosi.org)
A purr-fect event for cat lovers
Feline fans can get their fill of depictions of cats in paintings, drawings, collages, photos, videos, sculptures and more at the Amazing Cat Show from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at 400 W. Rich St. A portion of all purchases goes to support Columbus’ Cat Welfare Association. The show is part of Franklinton Fridays, so guests are invited to tour other studios and check out the work of artists in the Franklinton area on the same evening. Admission: free. (facebook.com/400westrich)
Make tracks to the Great Train Show
Choo-choo on over to the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., on Saturday and Sunday for the Great Train Show. Visitors can browse through model trains for sale, watch huge train set-ups in operation, and attend workshops and demonstrations while kids take a train ride. Admission: $12 on Saturday (ticket good all weekend), $11 on Sunday. Kids 11 and younger admitted free. (trainshow.com)
Watch ‘Friday the 13th’ on Friday the 13th
Watch 1980 horror classic “Friday the 13th” the way it was meant to be seen – in a 35mm print. As part of its monthly “Fright Night” series, the Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., will be showing the movie on Friday, introduced by hosts Hope Madden and George Wolf, together known as “Maddwolf.” Arrive for a mixer at 8 p.m. at the Center’s Torpedo Room, stay for the “Fright Night” podcast on famous lakes in horror movies at 9 p.m. and stick around for the movie screening at 9:30 p.m. (gatewayfilmcenter.org)
Contrasting exhibits to open with receptions
A pair of exhibits will open Thursday at the McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St., Worthington, and will continue at the center through March 16. Receptions for both will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. In “Motherhood,” Weiting Wei considers themes of pregnancy and motherhood in works crafted out of polymer clay using kitchen utensils. Ardine Nelson’s collection, “Transitory States,” features photographs of plants in various stages of aging and decay, posed against black velvet. Admission: free (mcconellarts.org).
