5 Things To Do This Week!

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are plenty of things going on throughout the city this week.

Here are CityScene Magazine’s top five picks:

1. A Wonderful World, Indeed.
The Jazz Arts Group’s 2009-2010 Swingin’ at the Southern series continues Feb. 24-28 at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., with “Louis, Ella & Friends,” a journey through the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald songbooks.

Also, the Jazz Arts Group’s tribute to Armstrong’s Hot Fives and Hot Sevens recordings is Feb. 19-20 at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. This music is considered to be among the finest in jazz history. Visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.

2. One of the Classics.
CAPA presents The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess Feb. 19-21 at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. This groundbreaking opera by George and Ira Gershwin weaves a tale of prejudice, love and tragedy, and incorporates blues and jazz into classical opera. Visit www.capa.com.

3. Comedy Break!
Curator Michael Neno brings Long Hair Music: Classical Music’s Response to the Counter Culture to the Wild Goose Creative gallery, 2491 Summit St., on Feb. 25. The exhibition showcases classical album covers from the ‘60s and ‘70s, when advertising agencies began marketing their products to the youth market.

The exhibition, on display through March, kicks off a three-day Columbus Comedy Festival at Wild Goose Creative. The festival features stand-up, sketch, improv and more. Visit www.wildgoosecreative.com.

4. Benevolence Abounds …
Beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 20, the public is invited to bid and purchase a variety of furniture items collected by the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio at the Alum Creek Distribution Center #1, 4458 Alum Creek Dr. Money raised from the auction will benefit families in need. Furniture pieces to be auctioned can be viewed at www.furniturebankcoh.org.

The Jazz Arts Group’s Youth Jazz Program fundraiser concert, featuring 2006 National Trumpet Competition winner and composer Etienne Charles, is at 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center – Shedd Theatre, 1111 E. Broad St. Visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.

At 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26, the Black Tie Blue Jackets Style Show takes place at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris. This is the Jackets Foundation's signature event in the fight against pediatric cancer and includes a pre-show wine tasting, dinner, entertainment, a commemorative gift and auction. Visit www.bluejacketsfoundation.org.

5. Cross Cultured.
The King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., features DanceAfrica at 7 p.m. Feb. 20. An African Bazaar will also be held, showcasing troupe members, based both in Africa and the African Diaspora. Visit www.kingartscomplex.com.

Heading east to Asia, CAPA presents the Peking Acrobats, a company of China’s most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers and gymnasts complemented by musicians playing traditional Chinese music. The performance is at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Visit www.capa.com.

BONUS:
When You Wish Upon a Star …
Disney on Ice presents “100 Years of Magic” from Feb. 24-28 at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Join the celebration as 65 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life. Visit www.nationwidearena.com.