Shen Yun

March 2-3

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Shen Yun dance company performs classical Chinese dance and music marked by grace and traditional Chinese virtue. www.shenyunperformingarts.org

 

2011 Arnold Sports Festival

March 3-6

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

The nation’s largest health and fitness exposition. Includes three days of fitness competition. www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

 

Worthington Community Theatre presents The Curious Savage

March 3-6

McConnell Arts Center’s Bronwynn Theatre, 777 Evening St., Worthington

When Mrs. Savage’s late husband leaves her $10 million, she must go on a quest away from her stepchildren and into a sanatorium to use her money for good. www.mcconnellarts.org

 

The Trojan Women

March 3-6

The Columbus School for Girls, 56 S. Columbia Ave.

Actors’ Theatre of Columbus and the Columbus School for Girls present a play about the aftermath of the Trojan War. www.theactorstheatre.org

 

Mike Epps with Sheryl Underwood

March 4, 7:30 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

A fun-filled night with comedian and actor Mike Epps. www.mikeepps.tv

 

CATCO presents Charlotte's Web

March 4-6

Riffe Center’s Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High St.

This Phoenix Theatre for Children production showcases the classic friendship of a spider and a pig. www.catco.org

 

Senior Repertory of Ohio Theatre Company presents Rumors

March 4-13

Columbus Performing Arts Center’s Shedd Theatre, 549 Franklin Ave.

The troupe performs Neil Simon’s tale of a missing wife, a damaged car, a recurring back spasm and many more unfortunate events. www.sro-theatre.org

 

Dead of Winter Bash

March 5, 7 p.m.

Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St.

The combination costume gala – attendees are encouraged to dress as famous dead people – and art auction benefits Ethiopian Orphan Relief, a charity that works to improve the living conditions of orphaned children in Ethopia. www.wildgoosecreative.com

 

CAPA presents the Second City's Fair and Unbalanced

March 5, 8 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Chicago’s legendary comedy theater unabashedly pokes fun at politicians, the Hollywood elite and your significant other. www.capa.com

 

Chris Thomas King

March 5, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

Grammy Award winner Chris Thomas King brings an evening of blues that is both fresh and classic. www.christhomasking.com

 

The OSU Department of Theatre presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

March 6, 1 and 3 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

The Ohio State University Department of Theatre partners with CAPA to bring a 60-minute version of a Shakespearean classic designed to introduce young audiences to Shakespeare. www.capa.org

 

Columbus: Celebrate the Experience

March 8, 11 a.m.

Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Grand Ballroom, 400 N. High St.

Experience Columbus presents some of the city’s highlights and their contributions to the city, including live performances and food tastings. www.experiencecolumbus.com

 

Thurber House’s Evenings with Authors presents Lisa Gardner

March 9, 7:30 p.m.

Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave.

New York Times best-selling author discusses her book Love You More, one of her famous detective thrillers. www.thurberhouse.org

 

Atlan

March 9, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

The award-winning band Atlan offers up traditional Irish songs as well as reels and jigs. www.altan.ie

 

Abbey Theatre’s Terminus

March 9, 8 p.m.

Drake Center’s Thurber Theatre, 1849 Cannon Dr.

Abbey Theatre, the national theater of Ireland, presents Mark O’Rowe’s fantastical play involving the often humorous world of serial killers and avenging angels. www.wexarts.org

 

The Monster Ball Tour starring Lady Gaga

March 10, 8 p.m.

Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr.

Pop sensation Lady Gaga performs. The Scissor Sisters open. www.schottensteincenter.com

 

Columbus Children’s Theatre presents Stuart Little

March 10-27

Park Street Theatre, 512 Park St.

Columbus Children’s Theatre performs the classic tale of a mouse born into a New York family.  Appropriate for ages 3 and up. www.colschildrenstheatre.org

 

From the Pubs of Ireland Candlelight Dinner

March 11-12, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Ohio Historical Center, 1982 Velma Ave.

Enjoy an Irish pub meal followed by an evening of Irish melodies and humorous Irish drinking songs courtesy of the Ohio Village Singers. www.ohiohistory.org

 

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Verdi: Requiem

March 11-13

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Performance featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus. www.columbussymphony.com

 

The Pleasure Guild presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

March 11-13

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

The Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital produces this play to raise funds for the Hospice and Palliative Care Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital. giving.nationwidechildrens.org

 

BalletMet Up Close

March 11-26

BalletMet Performance Space, 322 Mount Vernon Ave.

Step into BalletMet’s Performance Space to enjoy dance “up close.” www.balletmet.org

 

PBJ & Jazz Series: Liquid Crystal Project

March 12, 11 a.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

Columbus jazz-hop band infuses fundamental jazz with hip-hop elements in this one-hour performance designed to introduce jazz and American music to children and families. www.jazzartsgroup.org

 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 12, 11 a.m.

Starts from Metro Place, Dublin

Celebrate the “greenest, grandest” St. Patrick’s Day Parade. www.dublin.oh.us

 

Chamber Music Columbus presents Brentano String Quartet

March 12, 8 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

The first-ever ensemble-in-residence at Princeton, Brentano String Quartet is known for technical brilliance, musical insight and stylistic elegance. www.columbuschambermusic.org

 

Westerville Symphony presents Masterworks II

March 13, 7 p.m.

Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville

The symphony presents selections from operas including Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Aida and Mascagni’s Cavelleria Rusticana. www.westervillesymphony.org

 

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents Mozart and More

March 13, 7 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

This concert features rising-star violinist Caroline Goulding performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5. www.promusicacolumbus.org

 

CCAD Visiting Artist Series: Gabriel Esquivel

March 14, 11 a.m.

Canzani Center Auditorium, 60 Cleveland Ave.

Practicing architect and OSU professor Gabriel Esquivel discusses interior design, organization of space and systems of representation. www.ccad.edu

 

Broadway Across America presents Les Misérables

March 15-20

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Cameron Mackintosh presents a 25th-anniversary edition of Les Misérables, using new staging and scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. www.capa.com

 

Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s Swingin’ at the Southern Series: Basie, Buddy & Benny

March 16-20

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

CJO celebrates the music of Count Basie, Buddy Rich and the “King of Swing,” Benny Goodman. Butch Miles plays drums and Ken Peplowski is on clarinet. www.jazzartsgroup.org

 

Exploring Mars: Rovers of the Red Planet with Kobie Boykins

March 18, 8 p.m.

Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 W. Granville St., New Albany

Dynamic NASA engineer Kobie Boykins lectures about his work at the forefront of Mars exploration. www.mccoycenter.org

 

CAPA presents Joe Bonamassa

March 18, 8 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Enjoy an evening with Joe Bonamassa, who has been lauded as one of the world’s greatest guitarists. www.capa.com

 

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents Musicians in Harmony

March 18-19

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

ProMusica, the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus and the Columbus Children’s Choir collaborate for this special weekend event. www.promusicacolumbus.org

 

The Gallery Players present Curtains

March 19-April 3

Roth-Resler Theatre, 1125 College Ave.

This musical, set in 1959 Boston, begins when an untalented star is murdered during her opening night curtain call. www.jccgalleryplayers.org

 

Shadowbox Live presents Fantasies

March 24-May 26

Shadowbox Live, 164 Easton Town Center

This original sketch comedy pairs with rock ‘n roll music in a delightfully delusional world where anything is possible. www.shadowboxlive.org

 

Backyard Science

March 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

COSI, 333 W. Broad St.

Hands-on activities with the likes of microscopes and fossils help patrons discover spring.  www.cosi.org

 

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Bolero!

March 26-27

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

New maestro Jean-Marie Zeitouni conducts, with Katherine Chi on piano. www.columbussymphony.com

 

Beco’s Birthday Celebration

March 27, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrates the 2nd birthday of Asian elephant Beco. www.colszoo.org

 

CCAD’s Visiting Artist Series: Nora Sturges

March 28, 11 a.m.

Canzani Center Auditorium, 60 Cleveland Ave.

Nora Sturges discusses her paintings, including her recent work that reflects human attempts to live in and understand the vastness of nature. www.ccad.edu

 

Gregory Maqoma and Shanell Winlock: Southern Bound Comfort

March 30-April 2

Performance Space at Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St.

Award-winning dancers perform duets. Maqoma is known for choreographing the opening of the World Cup in South Africa. www.wexarts.org

 

CATCO presents What the Butler Saw

March 30-April 17

Riffe Center’s Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High St.

In this classic farce, a psychiatric clinic erupts in chaos involving the likes of mistaken identities, attempted seduction and political intrigue. www.catco.org