Entertainment
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It’s a weekend of throwbacks, with The Temptations and The Four Tops sharing a double bill, Otterbein Summer Theatre traveling back to the 1950s music scene in “Forever Plaid” and Shadowbox Live reprising “Evolutionaries Remastered,” the company’s hit tribute to David Bowie and Prince.
Speaking of big-name entertainment, it’s a sure bet there will be plenty of swooning at Chris Brown’s crooning when the R&B chart-topper cruises into Nationwide Arena on Monday.y
From cocktails to fairy tales, there’s a lot more fun in the midst of the aforementioned events. So, if you’re looking for something to do in the next few days, we’ve got you covered with the list below. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
‘Forever Plaid’ to relive magic moments of ’50s music
Experience the magic and nostalgia of ’50s music through the voices of Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie, also known as “The Plaids” as they perform the concert that never was.
In the Otterbein Summer Theatre production of “Forever Plaid,” the audience will be entertained with classics such as “Magic Moments,” “Heart and Soul” and “Catch a Falling Star.”
Performances are set at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, as well as June 13-15, and 2 p.m. Sunday and June 15 in the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. Tickets are $33, available online or by calling 614-823-1109. (otterbein.edu/forever-plaid)
Franklin Park Conservatory to host ‘Garden to Glass’ cocktail night
Mixology meets nature at Garden to Glass: A Cocktail Competition from 6-10 p.m. Thursday at Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St. Enjoy live entertainment and breathtaking garden views while watching top bartenders and mixologists create unique libations using fresh herbs, fruits and botanicals inspired by different biomes of the world.
Award-winning spirits from Watershed Distillery are to be featured. Your ticket includes samples of 20 competitor cocktails and small bites from Seven Little Sliders. Additional drinks and food are to be available for purchase. Tickets are $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers. (fpconservatory.org/events)
Shadowbox Live to bring back ‘Evolutionaries Remastered’
Relive the masterworks of two musical legends when Shadowbox Live (SBX) reprises one of their most successful tribute shows for a two-month run. Returning from 2017, “Evolutionaries Remastered” features 11 songs by David Bowie and 13 by Prince performed by the SBX Live house band, vocalists and dancers, along with stories about how the iconic artists revolutionized music, fashion and pop culture.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 11 at SBX, 503 S. Front St. in the Brewery District. Tickets to all SBX performances are sold by the table, with prices starting at $90. (shadowboxlive.org)
Main library to kick off summer with Super Saturday patio party
Adults are invited to stop by the Summer Kick-off on the Patio Party at Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday — “Super Saturday” — to visit activity areas for grown ups and discover what they can learn at the library.
Pet Partners therapy dogs are to be on hand (or paw) to share some love and information about how to add a pet to your life. Learn about local plants, pollinators and composting from local nonprofit groups SWACO, Chadwick Arboretum and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed.
Chat with library staff members about their top book picks, get a library card and sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. Then, grab a bag of popcorn or a frozen treat before playing a quick game of pingpong on the plaza. The event is free. (events.columbuslibrary.org/event/10825349)
Fairy tales to come true at family-friendly Storybook Village
Guests of all ages can see their favorite storybook characters and Disney favorites come to life at Storybook Village, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave.
You’ll also get the chance to meet some of your favorite characters from famous television shows and enjoy a petting zoo, community storytelling, booths with community partners from across central Ohio and various family-friendly programs and hands-on activities.
Admission to Storybook Village is free for Ohio History Connection members and children 3 and younger. For all others, tickets prices range from $10-$16. Advance-timed tickets are required for both OHC members and general admission. Tickets may be reserved online. (ohiohistory.org/events/storybook-village)
Rec and Parks’ next Cap City Festival to be held at Driving Park
The latest Cap City Festival presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is slated for 3-7 p.m. Saturday at Driving Park, 1100 Rhodes Ave. The festival series has been offered in various Columbus neighborhoods for more than a decade.
Festivalgoers can enjoy music by DJ Whitney Taylor Ray, food from Donatos, Johnson’s Ice Cream and Al’s Delicious Popcorn and activities for all ages, such as a climbing wall, inflatables, a zip line, animals from Bring the Farm to You and more. Admission is free. (columbusrecparks.com/capcity)
Bill Cohen to give thanks with ‘Songs of Gratitude’ concert
Friends. Family. Freedom. Food. We have these and many other things to be grateful for, so why wait until one day in November to express thanks? That’s why Bill Cohen is celebrating Thanksgiving in June with “Songs of Gratitude,” a concert featuring Cohen and his musical friends Joe Lambert and Joanne Blum at 7 p.m. Saturday at Glenwood Methodist Church, 2833 Valleyview Drive.
The trio is to sing well-known songs from decades ago by John Denver, Bing Crosby, Phil Ochs, Louis Armstrong, Don McLean and even from TV’s “The Golden Girls.” Inspirational words about gratitude also are to be part of the evening. Admission is a $5 donation at the door. (facebook.com/billcohensings)
Hot jazz meets the 21st century with the Whirlybirds
Blending modern influences with classic jazz songs, the Whirlybirds wrap up the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society’s (COHJS) spring season with a show from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Clintonville Woman’s Club, 3951 N. High St.
Made up of Joe Gilliland (vocals/guitar), Seth Daily (drums), Trent Sampson (bass/vocals) and Joe Brenneman (reeds/vocals), the popular quartet has been engaging audiences since 2016 with tight three-part vocal harmonies, virtuosic technique and polished arrangements.
Hot dogs, soup, coffee, soda and snacks are to be available to purchase. Alcohol is BYOB. Admission is $20 for the general public, $15 for COHJS members and SwingColumbus dancers and $10 for students. Music educators and students will be admitted for free. (cohjs.org)
‘King of R&B’ Chris Brown to breeze into Nationwide Arena
R&B megastar Chris Brown makes fans “Feel Something” when he puts them “Under the Influence” of his singing and dancing skills at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Credited as an evolver of the genre, the 35-year-old Brown is often referred to by contemporaries as the “King of R&B” and his talents have drawn comparisons to “King of Pop” Michael Jackson. His scheduled supporting act is Nigerian R&B/Afro-pop up-and-comer Ayra Starr. Tickets prices start at $109.50 (ticketmaster.com)
Temptations, Four Tops to bring Motown sound to McCoy Center
Old-school soul comes to town at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, when The Temptations and The Four Tops take the stage at the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Road, New Albany.
The Temptations appeared in Billboard magazine’s “125 Greatest of All Time Artists” list and Rolling Stone named them among its “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” Originally called the Four Aims, the Four Tops were signed without an audition to Motown’s Workshop Jazz label after Berry Gordy Jr. learned the group had hustled an appearance on “The Tonight Show.” The group was soon churning out hits with writing-producing trio Holland-Dozier-Holland. Limited tickets remain, with prices starting at $122. (capa.com/events)