Picks&Previews

What to watch, what to watch for and what not to miss!

Arnold Sports Festival

March 2-5

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

The Arnold Sports Festival has been a staple event in the Columbus area for decades. The convention center will play host to a number of the world’s biggest and best athletes in the body building industry. www.arnoldsports.com

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Mahler Symphony No. 9

March 3-4, 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

One of Gustav Mahler’s last compositions, “Symphony No. 9,” was created out of his growing sense of finality following a diagnosis with a terminal heart condition. Rossen Milanov conducts the Columbus Symphony in its performance. www.columbussymphony.com

Carrie Underwood with Jimmie Allen

March 4, 7:30 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Eight-time Grammy award winner Carrie Underwood (“Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Before He Cheats”) brings her honkytonk tunes to Nationwide Arena for a spectacular night of entertainment. www. nationwidearena.com

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents Classical & Klezmer

March 4-5, 7 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Experience an orchestral journey through Mozart’s music from infancy to his untimely death. ProMusica is proud to perform his earliest symphony, composed when Mozart was just 8 years old, and his final work. www.promusicacolumbus.org

Broadway in Columbus presents Beetlejuice

March 7-12

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

This rendition of Tim Burton’s classic Beetlejuice tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a teenager whose life is changed when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon in pinstripes. columbus.broadway.com

The New Albany Lecture Series: An Evening with Economists Arthur Laffer & Robert Reich, Moderated by Rana Foroohar

March 8, 7 p.m.

Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany

U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration and bestselling author Robert Reich debates with former advisor to President Reagan and inventor of the “Laffer Curve” Dr. Arthur Laffer in a panel designed to provide insight on economics. www.newalbanyfoundation.org

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

March 9, 7:30 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

The Boss is coming to town! Bruce Springsteen is back in action with the E Street Band at Nationwide Arena. Enjoy all the classic Springsteen hits while enjoying all that Nationwide Arena has to offer. www.nationwidearena.com

Blake Shelton with Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean

March 10, 7 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Award winning country music artist and judge on TV’s The Voice Blake Shelton (“Hillbilly Bone,” “Sure Be Cool if You Did”) performs with support from Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean. www.nation widearena.com

BalletMet presents A Celebration of New Works

March 10-12

Riffe Center Studio Theatres, 77 S. High St.

Enjoy an evening at the BalletMet with some of their most gifted choreographers as they push the boundaries of classic ballet choreography. These works are brand new and have never been seen by the public. www.balletmet.org

NCAA March Madness Tournament

First and Second Rounds

March 17, 19

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

March Madness takes over Nationwide Arena for two days of dramatic college basketball. Watch some of the nation’s top athletes compete for a chance to play for a NCAA National Championship. www. nationwidearena.com

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and his Treasures Grand Opening

March 18, 10 a.m.

COSI, 333 W. Broad St.

This brand new COSI exhibit provides a once-in-a-lifetime insight into the archeology of ancient Egypt. Explore his ancient burial chambers exactly as they were discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. www.cosi.org

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents the Irish Tenors

March 25, 8 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Since 1998, the Irish Tenors have produced 10 best-selling CDs to propel them into one of PBS’s biggest moneymakers. This performance sees them team up with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. www.columbussymphony.com

Shadowbox Live presents Climax

Fridays and Saturdays through March 31

Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St. Come down to Shadowbox Live for a night of humorous improv. This sketch comedy show will provide some of the best highlights from 2022. www.shadowboxlive.org

Opera Columbus presents Rigoletto

March 31-April 1, 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Set in the decadent Italian Renaissance, this production of Rigoletto is a collaboration between the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Opera Columbus. www.opera columbus.org

CAPA presents Paw Patrol Live!

April 7-9

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Paw Patrol has swept the nation, providing children with entertainment through the power of police and puppies. This liveaction adaptation of the fan favorite show is coming to the Ohio Theatre. www.capa.com

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Carmen Suite

April 14-15, 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

This interpretation of the classic opera incorporates jazz, Latin, pop, flamenco and contemporary music. www.columbus symphony.com

ProMusica presents Mozart & Golijov

April 15-16, 7 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Violinist Vadim Gluzman will lead the orchestra though an evocative journey through time in this two-night event. Indonesian pianist Janice Carissa makes her ProMusica debut as a soloist for “Piano Concerto No. 23.” www.promusicacolumbus.org

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Symphony Storytime

April 16, 3 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Associate Director Andrés Lopera and the musicians of the Columbus Symphony play the greatest hits from legendary composer Tchaikovsky and other storybook heroes. www.columbussymphony.com

CAPA presents Ain’t Too Proud

April 18-23

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. The Temptations have been providing electrifying smash hits since the 1960s.

This theatrical take on their inspiring career as musicians will have you feeling the groove through their silky-smooth harmonies. www.capa.com

Jazz Arts Group presents Ray Charles and the Roots of R&B

April 20-23

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Ty Taylor will take you on a journey through the history of rhythm and blues to close out the 50th season of Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Experience the soulful sounds of classic R&B at the beautiful Southern Theatre. www.jazzartsgroup.org

New Albany Symphony Orchestra presents Itzhak Perlman

April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany

Conductor Luis Biava shares the stage with one of the most celebrated violinists in the world for a one-night-only event. www.newalbanysymphony.com

Columbus Museum of Art presents Art in Bloom

April 27-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.

The museum’s permanent exhibits are given new life with floral creations by a number of talented artists. This exhibit showcases some of Columbus’ finest floral artists and designers bringing the best floral art Columbus has to offer. www.columbusmuseum.org

BalletMet presents Swan Lake

April 28-30

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Swan Lake is a ballet classic, and BalletMet is proud to present its rendition of arguably the most famous and beautiful ballet. www. balletmet.org

CAPA presents The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Night with Cary Elwes

April 29, 8 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Join star Cary Elwes (Westley) for a screening of the movie The Princess Bride and a behind-the-scenes Q&A of his onscreen and private lives. After the screening, Elwes will provide a sneak peek into the cast and crew’s off-screen antics. www.capa.com

Shadowbox Live presents No Return: The Deadly Dance of Bonnie & Clyde

Thursdays and Sundays through April 30

Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St.

Shadowbox Live is proud to present their rendition of the story featuring one of the deadliest couples in American history. This original script is supported by modern pop, rock and jazz hits which reimagines the legend of Bonnie and Clyde. www.shadowboxlive.org

Opera Columbus presents The Cooper-Bing Competition

April 30, 3 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

A $10,000 reward is up for grabs in this year’s Cooper-Bing Competition. Cast your vote for a special audience award at this electrifying vocal battle royale. www. operacolumbus.org