I know this pandemic is far from over, and that we still need to be cautious, but over the past week I’ve been feeling a bit of hope. I think the summer weather helps, but I’m starting to see signs of life. My wife and I and our oldest are all vaccinated. We went to the farmers market without masks. Restaurants are reopening, and I see our calendars on ColumbusMakesArt.com filling up once again! Suddenly everyone’s listing concerts and performances and new exhibitions – and it fills me with such joy.

Just look at what I’ve found for this week:

• Shadowbox is back! For the first time since early 2020, Shadowbox performers will be live on stage. They’re opening The Legends From Liverpool on May 27 and Let’s Get It On: Live Edition on May 29. Both run through late June.
• Actors Theatre is back as well! If you’re still not comfortable with indoor events, their outdoor productions are the perfect socially distanced activity. They’re kicking off the summer season with one of my favorite Shakespearean comedies, Much Ado About Nothing. Find it at the Schiller Park amphitheater through June 20.
• The Gateway Film Center also reopens for live screenings this Thursday May 27, but they still have great offerings in the virtual screening room, like New French Shorts 2021 premiering May 28. (P.S. The Drexel Theatre opens on the 27th, too!)
• The Urban Arts Spaces opens a few different exhibitions this week, including Soft-Shift/Material-Guilt, Willfully Neglected, Heron 1954-2002 and others.
• The Grange Audubon Center is hosting an exhibition of Justin Grubb’s photography. Grubb is a central Ohio native, and does a wonderful job capturing the natural world. Plus, you can pair a visit with a walk around the gardens and trails around the center.
• ProMusica performs a fascinating concert at Natalie’s in Grandview called From Bach to Rock on Thursday, May 27, where ProMusica violinist Katie McLin will play everything from Bach to Led Zeppelin.

Also, we’re entering the season of outdoor summer concerts, and everyone’s coming back in style. In Worthington, we’re excited for the return of Concerts on the Green next week, but I’m also looking at:

• Nocterra Brewing in Powell kicks off a Sun Scream summer concert series in their beer garden
• Easton hosts Unplugged at The Yard, a series of outdoor concerts in their newest section (close to some great bars and restaurants, FYI). On Thursday, May 27, Honey & Blue plays at 6 p.m.
• That same night is a concert with Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers at the South Drive-In Theater

There are plenty of events – exhibitions, opera, concerts, film screenings, theater productions – that wrap up this weekend, so be sure to search the calendars to find them before they’re gone.

Enjoy your long weekend and Happy Memorial Day!

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, Experience Columbus and on his own site breakfastwithnick.com. He is planning to grill everything this summer.