10 things to do in Columbus include OSU parties, ‘Charlie Brown’ live – The Columbus Dispatch
It’s here at last: the weekend of “The Big Game.” Ohio State will face off against Michigan in an ages-old rivalry and you can be part of the action. Whether you’re a diehard Buckeye fan or a neutral spectator, there are parties you can attend to celebrate with other football fanatics.
There also is a ton of theatrical offerings this weekend, from Shadowbox Live’s “Not So Silent Night” and a national touring show, “Thick Thighs & Sweet Potato Pies,” to a production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage,” aimed at kids from 4 to 12.
Poet-essayist Ross Gay will have a sit-down with Columbus author Hanif Abdurraqib, as well as discuss his latest book, “Inciting Joy.”
And of course, there are holiday happenings because ’tis the season to be jolly! Read on for more information about these and other weekend events.
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Who’s game for an OSU-Michigan rivalry party?
Ready to get in the mood for the Michigan game? Get an early start at the “QFM96 Beat Xichigan Breakfast Club” at Kemba Live, 405 Neil Ave., where doors open at 6 a.m. Friday. Admission (16 and older only) is free and a buffet breakfast is $5 (promowestlive.com). Later in the day, wear your favorite Buckeye or turkey-themed apparel to the Valley Dale Ballroom,1590 Sunbury Rd., for the “Beat _ichigan Dance.” Tickets: $22 (valleydaleballroom.com). If you have a secret admiration for Michigan, or simply want a slightly less biased approach, the Lumin Sky Bar, 517 Park St., is hosting a “Rivalry Under One Roof” tailgate kickoff party from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, with tapas and tailgate menu specials, and signature Buckeye and Wolverine cocktails (luminskybar.com).
The chorale at Christmas
LancasterChorale will get you in the spirit of the season through song: The acclaimed Fairfield County-based ensemble will travel to Columbus to perform “Christmas in Germany: Carols and Sacred Works for the Season.” Led by Artistic Director Stephen Caracciolo, the chorale will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 684 S. 3rd St. Tickets cost $30, or $25 for senior citizens, free for students and active-duty military personnel. (The same program will be performed at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta on Sunday.) Visit southcolscatholic.org/musicseries for tickets.
Calling all ‘Knives Out’ fans
Over the years, Daniel Craig has become widely identified with the role of James Bond, but these days, he is getting better and better known for playing a crime-fighter and/or solver of a different sort: Craig played detective Benoit Blanc in the 2019 hit movie “Knives Out” and now picks up the role in a new sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” The movie, written and directed by “Knives Out” creator Rian Johnson, also stars Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Kate Hudson. Numerous local theaters will be showing the movie this weekend — engagements began the day before Thanksgiving — ahead of its streaming premiere on Netflix on Dec. 23.
‘Peanuts’ musical Christmas tour
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and the rest of the “Peanuts” gang will appear in “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage,” a new 90-minute, two-act touring production suggested for families and targeted at children between 4 and 12 with an interactive post-show Christmas-tune concert. Cartoonist Charles M. Schultz’s music-enhanced story offers characters singing, dancing and discovering the true meaning of Christmas. The performance is at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Tickets cost $29 to $69 (cbusarts.com).
Shadowbox’s ‘not-so-silent’ holiday musical
Shadowbox Live will present an encore run of “Not So Silent Night” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, as well as 2 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 18 at 503 S. Front St. The company-created musical, which premiered last year, revolves around a radio-station disc jockey playing favorite holiday music and taking phone dedications on Christmas Eve, while worrying about his traveling wife and son during a terrible snowstorm. Tickets start at $40 (614-416-7625, shadowboxlive.org).
‘Uptown Scrooge’ returns
Good Medicine Productions will present “Uptown Scrooge” at 12:30, 1, 1:45, 2:30 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 27 through Dec. 18 in uptown Westerville, starting with tour check-in at 30 E. College Ave., Westerville. Written and directed by Kristie Koehler Vuocolo, the family-oriented, immersive 90-minute walking street-tour performance retells Scrooge’s journey and Dickens’ classic tale of holiday redemption with music, storytelling, improvisation and performances by local theater professionals. Tickets cost $30, or $15 for students and children (614-776-4082, GoodMedicineProductions.org).
Soul food sisters comedy-drama
Playwright-producer C.L. Woodson III will present “Thick Thighs & Sweet Potato Pies,” his two-act comedy-drama (with some gospel and R&B music) about three African American sisters who inherit the family’s soul food restaurant as it struggles to stay open during the pandemic. The national tour, suggested for ages 12 and older, will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets cost $44.50 (cbusarts.com).
Poet-essayist Ross Gay explores joy
Poet and essayist Ross Gay will read from and discuss his new book, “Inciting Joy,” in a cbusarts.com conversation with Columbus author Hanif Abdurraqib at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the King Arts Center, 835 Mount Vernon Ave. Gay follows up his previous “The Book of Delights” with a deeper dive into expansive meditations on some sources of joy, including gardening, basketball, skateboarding and spending time with family and friends. Tickets are $5. Admission is waived with purchase of the book. (gramercybooksbexley.com).
Holiday happenings at the Main Library
Make your way to the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 for the library’s Holiday Open House. Watch the Huntington Holiday Train running up and down through its massive alpine village setting, enjoy hands-on activities and live music, and meet a “special guest.” Outside on Kaufman Plaza, live reindeer will be on hand, and hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Admission and parking are free (columbuslibrary.org).
Turkey Trot for the whole family
Join USA Race Timing & Event Management for a 5k and 10k run/walk and a Kids’ Fun Run on Saturday behind COSI, at 333 W. Broad St. The Columbus Hungry Turkey Trot will begin with the kids’ dash at 9 a.m. followed by the 5k and 10k at 9:15 a.m., which will follow a paved path along the river for most of the route. Participants will receive their choice of a hooded sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt, custom race bib, finisher’s medal, a sweet treat and more. The event benefits the Delaware County Humane Society. Registration prices vary (ColumbusHungryTurkeyRun.ItsYourRace.com).