Next week my family and I are headed out on a big spring break trip to The Netherlands. We’re super excited, but it also makes for a crazy week leading up to it. Still, we’re leaving time to enjoy this week, and looking at ColumbusMakesArt.com I’m finding plenty of arts fun to incorporate this week!

Wednesday, March 20:

• The National Veterans Memorial & Museum hosts author and Marine Corps veteran Elliot Ackerman to talk about his latest book. Tickets are $10-15.
• Starting on Wednesday, March 20 and running through Saturday, March 23, Denison University hosts the TUTTI Festival, a series of music and dance performances. It kicks off with the exciting swing ensemble Wild Up. All of the TUTTI Festival events are free, although tickets are required.
• This week Cody Heichel opened a new exhibition of watercolors on paper at the OSU Faculty Club. The exhibition is free.

Friday, March 22:

• On Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, Columbus Metropolitan Quilters hosts its annual festival, Quilt Spectacular, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. My mom used to quilt, so I always think of her when I see quilt shows like this! Admission is $6.
• That same night, Curtain Players opens a series of short plays by David Ives. I remember seeing these plays in high school; they’re fast-paced, funny and full of wordplay. Tickets are $15-17 and the show runs through April 7.
• The Columbus Symphony performs Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 with Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä at the Ohio Theatre, March 22-23. Tickets start at $10!
• ReelAbilities Film Festival shows the feature film Being Michelle at the Urban Arts Space. The screening is free.
• And Friday and Saturday the McConnell Arts Center hosts the Beatles tribute concert Hard Day’s Night. Tickets are $25 apiece.

Saturday, March 23:

• The Columbus Pride Concert Band performs its latest concert, Roaring Into Our Twenties, on Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre. The evening will also include the introduction of the new Columbus Pride Jazz Bands. Tickets are $13-17.
• Also starting this Saturday is the Nest Theatre’s annual festival, called The Nestival: Comedy + Arts Festival. It spans three weekends at their space in Old North and includes improv, sketch, experimental pieces and more. Tickets range from $15-20.

Sunday, March 24:

• The Black Violin Experience arrives at the Ohio Theatre, marrying classical music and hip-hop. Tickets range from $25-60.
• The Wexner Center hosts the Mad Royal Film Festival on Sunday, too. The line-up is chosen by OSU students. It’s free but registration is required.

CAPA, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Theatre Association, National Veterans Memorial & Museum and Wexner Center for the Arts receive an Operating Support grant from GCAC. Art Possible Ohio and Columbus Pride Bands are Project Support recipients.

(Image credit: Cody Heichel's Watercolors at OSU Faculty Club)

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 is looking forward to Dutch cheese, beer, stroopwafel and pickled herring!