Sondheim, and the Symphony, and ELVIS, Oh My! How to Make the Most of This Weekend in Columbus, GA

At last count, there were more than fifteen art events this week in Columbus, Georgia. At least five of them are taking place this weekend, and we've come up with the perfect itinerary to maximize your chance at catching as much of it as possible.

Friday afternoon:

Swing by The Bo Bartlett Center to see their impressive selection of current exhibits. In one walk-through you have the rare chance to see the work of American Realism masters like Columbus natives Bo Bartlett and Amy Sherald, as well as artifacts by famous folk artist ST. EOM, and even a rare instrument once played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Image by Columbusite Student Ambassador Emma Gaines.

Friday night:

Catch the opening of Into the Woods at Riverside Theatre. This collaboration between Columbus State's Schwob School of Music and the Department of Theatre brings together top students from across the globe to perform Sondheim's famous fairy tale musical. (Tickets available here.)

Saturday night: Spend the evening at the symphony as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra opens its 2023-24 season with a concert designed for all. With music featuring Carlos Simon (a young, Black, Grammy-nominated composer from Georgia) and guest violinist Soobeen Lee, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a night at the symphony whether it's your 100th concert or your first time to see an orchestra live. (Tickets available here.)

Sunday afternoon: Catch the last performance of ELVIS: A Musical Revolution at the Springer Opera House. This season opener for the Springer wows with its incredible cast and hit music that spans across the many decades of the King of Rock & Roll's career. (Tickets available here.)

OR

If you've got children, take them to see The Itsy Bitsy Spider at the Springer Opera House. Designed for young children to have an immersive theatre experience, this show is perfect for families with children ages 0-5+. (Tickets available here.)

Also available to view this weekend:

Industrial Columbus–An exploration of our town's industrial history (at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts) The 2023 Columbus Artists Guild Annual Exhibition (at The Columbus Public Library)

'Flora & Fauna' Drawings from The Columbus Museum (at the W.C. Bradley Museum)

Looking for more events this weekend? Click here to see Columbus, Georgia's official event calendar.