10 things to do in Greater Columbus the weekend of Oct. 21: comedians, many fall fests
Happy fall, y'all. Though it's officially been autumn for a month now, it's just starting to feel like it here in Greater Columbus.
We hope you are enjoying the cooler weather and finding some great autumn activities to do. Haunted houses, corn mazes and pumpkin patches are easy to find around here, if you know where to look.
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As far as other things you can do to fill your time this weekend, may we suggest HighBall Halloween or the conclusion of the Circleville Pumpkin Show?
If those aren't your speed, never fear. We have 10 more excellent options in store.
Break into some fun with Tom Papa
The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts will present comedian-actor Tom Papa, who released the Netflix special “You’re Doing Great!,” and hosts the SiriusXM Radio show “What a Joke with Papa and Fortune” and the “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” podcast. Papa will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test required. Tickets cost $29.30 to $58.70 at CBUSArts Ticket Center (614-469-0939, www.cbusarts.com)
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Chamber music returns to the Southern
The Southern Theatre is known as a great space for acoustics, and this weekend, an acclaimed piano player will fill the hall with gorgeous music. For its first live presentation since the start of the pandemic, the long-running Chamber Music Columbus series will present pianist Sergei Babayan in a concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Southern, 21 E. Main St. The artist will perform works by Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Sergei Rachmaninoff and other composers. Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test required. Tickets cost $20 to $60. (www.chambermusiccolumbus.org)
Classical music:How the Columbus Cultural Orchestra is trying to diversify classical music
Heather McMahan makes stop at the Palace
Atlanta-born comedian Heather McMahan, whose wry, witty take on things have won her over 650,000 followers on Instagram, will stop in Columbus this weekend as part of a so-called “farewell tour.” Wait — “farewell tour”? Since the comedian is still in her 30s, you might want to take that — and everything else she says — with a grain of salt when she performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test required. Tickets cost $36.50 to $156.50. (www.cbusarts.com)
Goblins and ghosts in Gahanna
Get scared stiff without leaving the comfort of your car at the Great Gahanna Goblin Trail. From 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22, Gahanna Parks & Recreation will turn Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Road, into a hub for ghosts and goblins. As cars, SUVS, trucks and vans make their way through the park, they will encounter a light show, fire performers and partake in a drive-through trick-or-treat. Tickets cost $15 and must be purchased in advance; no RVs or buses allowed. Organizers encourage drivers and passengers to dress up, and feel free to decorate your vehicle, too. (www.eventbrite.com)
Haunted places in Columbus:Ohio Statehouse, other venues have long history of 'ghost' stories
Haunted history tours at Fort Hayes
The fascinating history of — and scary ghost stories surrounding — Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, the building of which was formerly a military training center and arsenal, will be explored in “History and Haunts of Fort Hayes,” a tour that will take place twice this month at the high school, at 546 Jack Gibbs Blvd., from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 31. Tickets cost $35. Masks are recommended. (www.columbuscityadventures.com)
Curtain Players to present 'Angel Street'
See the play that popularized “gas-lighting” as a reference to deception. Curtain Players will present “Angel Street,” Patrick Hamilton’s Victorian mystery-thriller about a husband trying to drive his wife insane to steal from her. The dark British drama, perhaps best-known for inspiring the Oscar-winning 1944 film “Gaslight” starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, will be performed at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 (pay-what-you-can-preview), Oct. 22-23, Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 5-6; and 2 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 at 5691 Harlem Road, Galena. Masks required. Tickets cost $17, or $15 for students and senior citizens. (614-360-1000, curtainplayers.org)
Dayglow to bring a little sunshine to Columbus
Bouncy young Dayglow – otherwise known as Sloan Struble – is heading out from his home in Austin to promote his new album, “Harmony House,” and sing peppy songs like “Can I Call You Tonight?” and “Woah Man” at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 in Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St. The artist, known for his playful self-produced videos and groovy indie pop beats, is likely to bring a smile. COVID vaccination and masks required. Tickets: $25 (614-461-5483, promowestlive.com)
COVID rules at Columbus venues:Going to a concert or performance? What you need to know
Sunbury Fall Festival promises plenty of fun
Enjoy the October weather and mosey on out to Sunbury Town Square, 51 E. Cherry St., Sunbury, from 3 to 6 p.m. for the Sunbury Fall Festival. The free festival includes hayrides, a straw maze, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating. Kids can bounce on inflatables or hop onto rides, and alpacas will be on hand for petting. The local Cub Scouts will be selling popcorn and cotton candy, and Sunbury Christian Church will provide food. Costumes are encouraged. (sunburyohio.org)
4th Friday in Westerville has spooky theme!
The final Westerville 4th Friday event of the year will also be the spookiest. Head, if you dare, to the corner of State and Home streets in uptown Westerville from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22 for “Magical Midnight Madness.” Costumes are welcome, over 90 pop-up vendors will be doing business and the Uptown DORA will be in place. Kids can make rubber-band helicopters with the OSU Society of Women Engineers, pick up animals from balloon twisters and check out the Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow. Don't miss the “Thriller on State” flash mob at 8 p.m. on the corner of State and Home streets. (www.uptownwestervilleinc.com)
Enchanted trick-or-treat trail in Delaware
Costume up and take a hike from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 at Gallant Woods Park, 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware, where kids will be able to gather treats from characters along an enchanted nature trail. Visitors can also decorate pumpkins, take a hayride and vote for the best scarecrow constructed by competitors in a scarecrow contest. The “Bug Man” will be on hand with a collection of insects of all shapes and sizes, and Ohio Nature Education will offer the opportunity to meet nocturnal birds of prey. The event is free. (614-956-6542, preservationparks.com)
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