Jon Batiste, the Tina Turner Musical, Service! Gala and More Entertainment Picks for May
Plus, Jeni’s Strawberry Jam, a high school poetry celebration, ‘The Nancy Show’ and other ideas around town.
A curated list of things to see and do in Columbus for the month of May.
Jon Batiste & ProMusica
May 2-3
Nabbing musician and composer Jon Batiste for a two-night residency was a coup for ProMusica. Netflix documentary “American Symphony” follows the New Orleans native, Juilliard grad and former Stephen Colbert bandleader as he released Grammy-winning 2021 album We Are. Batiste also boasts an Academy Award for his score of the Pixar film “Soul.” promusicacolumbus.org
‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’
May 7-12
This hit Broadway production follows the remarkable journey of Tina Turner from rural Tennessee to her coronation as the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. The musical features some of the 12-time Grammy Award winner’s biggest hits, including “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Catch it at the Ohio Theatre. capa.com
Schooled on Poetry Celebration
May 11
This Lincoln Theatre event is the culmination of a spoken-word poetry project featuring students from Dublin Scioto, Grandview Heights, Independence, KIPP and Northland high schools. The celebration will feature group pieces and solo performances from poetry slam champions, along with local poets Hanif Abdurraqib and Cynthia Amoah, Chicago’s Christian “Rich Robbins” Robinson and Virginia’s Tim Seibles. capa.com
Nancy Fest
May 24-25
Ernie Bushmiller’s helmet-haired heroine is finally getting the celebration she’s long deserved. To launch its new exhibition, The Nancy Show: Bushmiller and Beyond (which runs through Nov. 3), the Billy Ireland will host a two-day conference about the iconic strip, including a prerecorded conversation with cartoonist Olivia Jaimes, the mastermind behind the revamped Nancy. cartoons.osu.edu
Jeni’s Strawberry Jam
May 25-26
Need an excuse to kick off summer? Land-Grant Brewing Co. is hosting Jeni’s Strawberry Jam for another fun-filled weekend of Jeni’s ice cream, live music, food trucks, games and more. Start the short and sweet strawberry season with this family-friendly event over Memorial Day weekend. landgrantbrewing.com
Opportunities to Give Back
May 4 | Culture & Artisans’ Fair
Support Central Ohio’s growing immigrant community at this event, which will feature about 20 artisans from all over the world. Community Refugee and Immigration Services is partnering with the city of Upper Arlington on the fair at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. crisohio.org
May 16 | Service! Gala
The hospitality nonprofit will host its first gala at High Line Car House in the Brewery District, with proceeds benefiting Service!’s relief efforts for struggling restaurant workers. servicerelief.org
May 31 | Sleep Out
This annual campout fundraiser will occur at the Chase Plaza at Lower.com Field. Participants raise money to support nonprofit Huckleberry House and increase awareness of youth homelessness. huckhouse.org
This story is from the May 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly.