Well hello May! I see you come bearing gifts. With the warm weather there seems to be an influx of new arts events to explore. Here’s 10 for your consideration:

Thursday

• Thursday, May 2, enjoy a creative writing workshop with Sara Abou Rashed at the Riffe Gallery as part of their incredible new exhibition, Sequence. I first heard Sara read at a Greater Columbus Arts Council event, and she is an incredible poet and human. I also checked out Sequence last week and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the different ways in which artists incorporate printmaking into their work. The workshop and exhibition are free, but registration is required for the workshop as space is limited.
• Wild Goose Creative’s May Speak Easy, a live story telling event, is Thursday, and is focused on the theme of Beauty. Admission is $5 at the door.
• Thursday also brings the opening of Beth Veldey: Just Walking Around at Kittie’s Highline in Worthington. Admission is free.

Friday

• Natalie’s is always a good source for live music, with multiple shows happening most nights, but two that caught my interest are on Friday, May 3: Alexandra Hill, at 5:15 on the Charlie’s Stage side of the venue. This is a free happy hour performance and you can set a reservation. Natalie’s does not list a drink/food minimum, but if you go, get drinks and food—that’s how they pay the artists. Following Ms. Hill is Theo’s Loose Hinges, I heard and loved them at the Columbus Arts Festival. You will need a ticket for this show. Tickets are $20.
• Also happening Friday, the illustrious Ms. Nina West will be at the Gateway Film Center for a screening of Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. For those that don’t know Nina West played Divine in the movie—so Andrew Levitt played Nina West playing Divine. That is talent.
• Classical piano lovers will enjoy The Columbus Symphony on Friday and Saturday as they welcome back Natasha Paremski. Tickets range from $30.50 to $88.50.

Friday or Saturday

Saturday

• Want to hang outside and listen to good music, while enjoying art vendors, food, drink and public art? Head to Blockfort (downtown at 162 N. Sixth St.) for the annual Alley Islands event. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased ahead of time or at the entrance. Point of interest while the mural on the Blockfort building changes each year, this year Blockfort worked with a slew of artists to create a series of new permanent murals on the buildings surrounding them. I can’t think of a better way to check out new public art than at a big party.
• Saturday, the Columbus Museum of Art is hosting a screening of Pulp Fiction Saturday night in connection with the exhibition Robin F. Williams: We’ve Been Expecting You. The event includes time with the exhibition, snacks, music and dancing. Williams explores cinema, pop culture and gender in her work. Bonus, NYT published a great interview with Williams. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.
• Latin Music with Flautango is playing at the Columbus Museum of Art May 5 at 2 p.m., and the concert is free along with admission to the museum.

Sunday

So many choices, but there’s even more to be found at ColumbusMakesArt.com/events. What will YOU do?

Image: Siri Defends Her Honor by Robin F. Williams from the exhibition Robin F. Williams: We’ve Been Expecting You at the Columbus Museum of Art.

The Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Symphony and Gateway Film Center are funded in part by a GCAC Operating Support grant. Wild Goose Creative is funded in part by a GCAC General Support grant.

Lacey Luce is a digital strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who loves the scents of hyacinth and lilac.