This past weekend we took our boys to see a ComedySportz improv show at the Nest Theatre, and it was a blast! Every other Saturday they perform a show that’s appropriate for kids down to the age of 10. I used to do a lot of improv in high school and college, and this brought back a lot of fond memories. I’d highly recommend seeing one of their shows, from longform Chicago-style improv to experimental nights to completely improvised musicals.

A comedy show is one of many ways to incorporate the arts into Labor Day weekend. Here’s what I found on ColumbusMakesArt.com:

• Today – Wednesday, Aug. 30 – is the last day to catch the free exhibition After Cuba, 2019-2023 in CCAD’s Acock Gallery.
• One of our favorite Labor Day traditions is back: the Upper Arlington Labor Arts Festival. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, head to Northam Park for dozens of artists, live music, hands-on activities and more.
• The Streetlight Guild brings back its Rhapsody & Refrain 30 Columbus Poets series for the third time. You can visit every day, Sept. 1-30, to see a different Columbus poet performing.
• Gallery Hop is this Saturday, Sept. 2. You’ll find new shows like a salon exhibit and From Colorado to Ohio With Love at Sharon Weiss Gallery and Worn at Studios on High.
• The traveling exhibition Undesign the Redline, which explores the impact of 1938 redlining maps in Columbus, moves to the Old Worthington Library, Sept. 1 – Oct. 31.
• All People Arts is also running their latest group exhibition, Back in the Day, now through Oct. 19.
• Finally, this weekend is the last chance to catch A Raisin in the Sun, the final production of the season from Actors’ Theatre. It runs through Sunday, Sept. 3.

As always, there’s loads of live music this week:

• Reaganomics and MojoFlo play a free show at the Columbus Commons on Thursday, Aug. 31, while Zach Whitney hosts an open mic at Rambling House.
• The Tony Hagood Quartet plays highlights from the Great American Songbook at Natalie’s while Ginger Wixx graces the stage at Combustion Brewery in Pickerington Sept. 1.
• On Sept. 2 Hey Mavis visits Natalie’s while LUI plays Rambling House.
• Bill Cohen plays a concert exploring the meaning of Labor Day at Columbus Mennonite Church in Clintonville on Sunday, Sept. 3.

This is also the last weekend to catch big shows like Wendy Red Star at the Columbus Museum of Art and Tutankhamun: His Tomb and Treasures at COSI.

Columbus Museum of Art and COSI receive Operating Support grants from GCAC, while Actors’ Theatre of Columbus and All People Arts are General Support grantees. Short North Alliance, Inc. is a Project Support recipient.

(Image credit: the Nest Theatre, by Elizabeth Dekker)

Nick is marketing, communications, & events administrator for GCAC. He’s also a food/travel writer penning works for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine and his own site BreakfastWithNick.com. He made his own pumpkin spice syrup in hopes of summoning the spirit of fall.