Things to do Columbus this weekend: Shakespeare, symphony, market

Looking for something to keep you busy this weekend in the Columbus area? Each week, we offer suggestions of events and activities that look like fun in the days ahead.

A performance by Dave Koz, a variety of theater productions and a symphony serenade are on tap during the weekend in central Ohio.

Things to do:‘Ohio Shorts’ — Wexner Center’s experimental film program — to be shown at South Drive-In

Shakespearean tragedy 

The Ohio State University at Newark Black Box Theater’s Pandemic Players will present senior lecturer Edie L. Norlin’s edited adaptation of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare’s play about the assassination of the Roman emperor and its bloody aftermath. The free Reader’s Theatre performance, with student and community actors, is available on demand starting Thursday on YouTube. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/blackboxtheater.

CATCO free gala 

CATCO will celebrate its resiliency through the pandemic at its 2021 Virtual Gala, with a pre-show, program emceed by Christopher Austin, performances by 15 singer-actors and a dance party with DJ Mark Dantzer. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Friday. Special programs for families will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, including theater games, laughter and a crash-course in acting. Admission is free. For more information, call 614-469-0939 or visit www.catco.org/gala/ 

One-man comedy 

Abbey Theater of Dublin will present “How to Be a Trainer,” a new one-man comedy about training seminars written and performed by Columbus playwright Robert Cooperman. The production will be performed live, with health guidelines, and via live streaming at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $10 per patron/stream at DublinOhioUSA.gov/abbey-theater. 

Serenades at the symphony 

In its latest limited-capacity concert, the Columbus Symphony will perform a pair of works by composer Antonin Dvorak, “Serenade for Winds” and “Serenade for Strings.” Conducted by Music Director Rossen Milanov, the performances will take place 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Attendance at each concert will be limited to 300 individuals, all of whom must practice social-distancing and wear face masks. Tickets cost $39. For more information, visit columbussymphony.com. 

Pandemonium pieces 

Wild Women Writing will present a Zoom dramatic reading of “Pandemonium,” a 45-minute collection of monologues, short plays and ramblings about seeking peace from today’s stresses. The show, written and performed by AnneMarie Brethauer, Patricia Ake, Chiquita Mullins Lee, Rebecca Zelanin, Christy Brothers, Carole Dale, Sydney Schardt and Katherine Burkman, will stream at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83100120992.  For more information, call 614-457-6580 or visit wildwomenwritingreadings.wordpress.com.