As usual, this week is a busy one in Columbus arts! Just a quick scan through the calendars on ColumbusMakesArt.com and I’m finding performances, concerts, film festivals, gallery receptions and more. Here’s a highlight:

• The Nest Theatre performs a Harold on Thursday, Feb. 17. A Harold is a Chicago longform improv style, where performers build an entire show from suggestions by the audience.
• That same night, the McConnell Arts Center hosts an evening of immersive dance and art called Visual A/Effect, tied to Lance Johnson’s Post No Ills exhibition.
• On Thursday, Feb. 17, CATCO opens its newest show Luchadora!, a play for young audiences directed by Chris Leyva.
• Red Herring Productions also opens its latest show, a comedy called The Schedule.
• Also this Thursday, 934 Gallery opens a new pop-up exhibition at Seventh Son Brewing that explores escapism. The opening reception runs from 7-10 p.m. that night.
• You can return to the MAC Friday, Feb. 18 for A Night of Shorts. In partnership with the Columbus Black International Film Festival, they’re showing a collection of short films from local filmmakers like Donte Woods-Spikes.
• Starlit Ways performs in the latest Backstage at the Lincoln show on Friday, Feb. 18.
• Also on Friday night, ProMusica hosts A Night of Folk Songs & Dances at The Fives.
• Gerschwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is one of my favorite pieces, so I’d love to see the Columbus Symphony perform it this weekend at the Ohio Theatre, Feb. 18-20.
• On Friday, Feb. 18, Global Gallery Coffee Shop in Clintonville hosts a reception from 6-8 p.m. for its February featured artist, Nicole Massy.
• Both Natalie’s locations host a huge lineup of music this week. There are too many to list, but you can’t miss MojoFlo performing at the Grandview location on Saturday, Feb. 19.
• Chamber Music Columbus welcomes the Imani Winds in concert at the Southern Theatre on Feb. 19.
• Also on Saturday the 19th, the Columbus Museum of Art hosts the Teen Film Summit, a free program featuring a Q&A with Hakim Callwood and Donte Woods-Spikes.
• And finally, the King Arts Complex hosts its annual Aminah Day on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free but workshops require registration. The day is jam-packed with activities with Columbus artists like April Sunami, Nikki Burton, Queen Brooks, Janet George, Duarte Brown and others.

934 Gallery, Chamber Music Columbus, Columbus Black International Film Festival and Global Gallery are all recipients of the Arts Council’s Project Support grants.

(Image credit: from Visual A/Effect at the McConnell Arts Center)

Nick is marketing, communications, & events administrator for the Arts Council. He’s also a food/travel writer penning works for Columbus Monthly, Ohio.org, Ohio Magazine and on his own site BreakfastWithNick.com. The highlight of the Super Bowl for him was the Rings of Power teaser.