March brings concerts, dancing stars, more to central Ohio

March brings concerts, dancing stars, more to central Ohio

Welcome to March, the month that's not just a noun, but a verb. So let’s march right into a few happenings in central Ohio.

Watch a movie and enjoy a live concert at the same time at two separate events. The Columbus Symphony and Chorus will perform along with "Amadeus" on March 6-7, while March 8 will bring "Dirty Dancing in Concert."

Fast-footed pros with spin-credible moves will return to Columbus, bringing routines from "Dancing with the Stars" season 34 and new numbers to the Schottenstein Center on March 10.

Other offerings include The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio's "Jaja's African Hair Braiding," Three Days Grace live, the fourth edition of Columbus Against the World, and more.

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'Jaja's' to weave comedy into timely topics

Step into a world where West African immigrant stylists create elaborate hairstyles while twisting hilarious banter into resonant reflections on cultural identity, immigration and assimilation.

The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio will take you to “Jaja's African Hair Braiding,” a Tony-nominated play by Ghanaian-American playwright and Ohio State grad Jocelyn Bioh.

The show marks the return of director Shanelle Marie, who directed The Contemporary's sold-out run of Bioh’s "School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play" in 2022.

Details: Previews at 7:30 p.m. March 5 and 8 p.m. March 6. The play will open at 8 p.m. March 7; additional shows at 7:30 p.m. March 12, 19; 8 p.m. March 7, 13-14, 20-21; and 2 p.m. March 8, 15, 22.

Where: Studio One at the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

Tickets: $68.55. Pay-What-You-Want tickets available two hours before previews. Student Rush tickets are $20 with valid student ID two hours before showtime for any performance. (capa.com)

Ramadan to be observed at night market

MAS Columbus will get into the spirit of Ramadan with food, fun and good company. The night market is a space to build bonds, deepen faith and uplift one another.

Details: 10:30 p.m. March 6 to 2:30 a.m. March 7, 535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd., Worthington. Tickets: $10 general admission. Limited tickets will be sold at the door for a higher price. (bit.ly/cbusnightmarket)

Symphony, chorus to go live with 'Amadeus'

Celebrate the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth with the Columbus Symphony and Chorus while viewing the Oscar-winning film about the composer.

Led by principal Pops conductor Stuart Chafetz and chorus director Stephen Caracciolo, "Amadeus Live” will feature the symphony and vocalists performing along with Miloš Forman's 1984 drama "Amadeus.”

Costumes are encouraged, so dress up as your favorite character from the film and share your outfits on social media, making sure to tag @ColumbusSymphony.

Details: 7:30 p.m. March 6-7, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets: $37.91-$96.99 (capa.com)

Bierman to open new site with reptile event

Bierman Autism Centers will mark the opening of its fourth site with a sensory-friendly adventure. Kids with autism and their families can meet gentle reptiles, learn facts from handlers and enjoy crafts and other activities.

Details: 10 a.m. to noon March 7, Bierman Autism Centers-Upper Arlington, 4830 Knightsbridge Blvd. #D. Free, with RSVP required online (bit.ly/4kZqdNo)

Alternative music show to rock for fourth year

Adam Paddock – the man − is back with the fourth edition of Columbus Against the World (CATW4), a showcase of rising local musicians including Adam Paddock − the band.

Paddock, who started CATW in 2023, fronts a band bearing his name featuring Caelan Quigley, Adrian Oliver and Max Lew. They'll hit the road on March 14 on "The Great Compromise" tour.

Also on the roster for CATW4 is Columbus-based Douglas Katula, whose vibe has been likened to artists such as The 1975 and The Neighbourhood. The lineup will be rounded out by Sunday Driver, whose debut album is in the works.

Details: 7:30 p.m. March 7, Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St. Doors open at 6 p.m. for VIP and 7 p.m. general admission. Tickets: general admission $24.23, platinum seating $43.45. Four-packs and meet-and-greet packages also available (adampaddock.com)

'Dirty Dancing' to offer time of your life

Get ready to have the time of your life watching "Dirty Dancing" as a live band and singer perform the hit songs simultaneously. At an after-party, the audience can sing and dance to their favorite songs from the 1987 film.

Details: 7 p.m. March 8, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. (capa.com)

Three Days Grace to play hits at Nationwide

With the December 2025 release of "Kill Me Fast," Three Days Grace boasts 20 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, second only to Shinedown's total of 21. I Prevail and The Funeral Portrait will open for the Canadian rockers.

Details: 7 p.m. March 8, Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Dancing stars to shine at the Schott

Fan favorites including Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, Ezra Sosa, Jenna Johnson, Pasha Pashkov, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Hailey Bills will present "Dancing With The Stars: Live!"

Details: 7 p.m. March 10, Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive

Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.

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