Need plans? Here are 10 cool things to do in Columbus and central Ohio

This weekend will offer some entertainment that's sure to put you in good humor. Back-to-back comedy is lined up, starting with critical darling Alex Edelman on April 18, followed by a handful of shows April 18-20 by master impressionist Aries Spears, and an appearance by the riotously funny Tom Hearn on April 19.

For the literati, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum will host Spring Author Night, offering a deep dive into the life of Kurt Vonnegut to examine how the author's wartime experiences influenced his writing, as well as his friendship with artist Syd Solomon.

If you're looking for something a bit different, check out the bombastic burlesque of Shakedown Circus' "ReVamp" or the wonderfully weird Oddities & Curiosities Expo.

"A Beautiful Noise: Neil Diamond" will usher in the new week with an "American Idol" champ in the title role of the boy from Brooklyn who became a chart-topping, show-stopping Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Read below for more information about these upcoming events and others. To have this list delivered to your inbox each week, sign up for the  Life in the 614 newsletter .

Spring Author Night to delve into Kurt Vonnegut's life

A discussion panel will explore the impact Kurt Vonnegut's experiences as a POW during WWII had on his literary work at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Spring Author Night event also will highlight the friendship between Vonnegut and artist Syd Solomon, with a focus on the former's novel "Bluebeard" as a tie-in to the exhibition "Syd Solomon: Concealed and Revealed," on view at the NVMM through May 11.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for NVMM members, veterans and active-duty military personnel. ( bit.ly/43SsDXx )

World Heritage Day to take place at Octagon Earthworks

World Heritage Week began April 12, bringing various events to seven locations of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Presented by the Ohio History Connection and the National Park Service, the week will culminate in World Heritage Day, beginning at 11 a.m. April 18 at the Octagon Earthworks, 125 N. 33rd St., Newark.

The free daylong observance will include food trucks, guided tours, children's activities and a TED Talk-style panel discussion, "What it Means to Be a World Heritage Site," followed by a Q&A session. ( bit.ly/3RLb0Bw )

Tony-winning jokester Alex Edelman to bring comedy to Columbus

On the heels of his Tony and Emmy Award-winning show "Just for Us," critically lauded comedian Alex Edelman will come to the Riffe Center's Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St., at 7 p.m. on April 18 with his latest show, "What Are You Going to Do?"

Named one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2024 , Edelman has written for television, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox , and the U.S. State Department, among others.

Ticket prices start at $39.72 ( capa.com )

Comedian-actor Aries Spears to show 'em the funny

As a cast member on Fox's "Mad TV," Aries Spears became known for recurring characters such as Belma Buttons and impressions including Bill Cosby, Mike Tyson and Shaquille O'Neal, among others.

The comedian-actor, who has been seen in films including "Jerry Maguire," will bring his act to Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center, for shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. April 18, 6:30 and 9 p.m. April 19 and 6:30 p.m. April 20.

Tickets are $37. Doors open early for each show. Check website for times. ( columbus.funnybone.com )

Tom Hearn's 'fabulous' comedy coming to Columbus

A cavalcade of celebs including Martha Stewart, Reba McEntire, James Corden and Ina Garten are coming to Columbus, courtesy of sketch-comedian, actor and drag queen Tom Hearn and his hit show, "How Fabulous Is That?!"

The award-winning viral star is touring in advance of his debut comedy album, "Gay Garbage," and will appear at Up Front Performance Space, 503 S. Front St., Suite 260, at 7:30 p.m. April 19.

Tickets cost $20. ( boxoffice.upfrontps.org )

Wheatus frontman subject of 'Teenage Dirtbag' film

Movie buffs and music lovers will appreciate the intimate blend of music and cinema that is "The Story Of: Teenage Dirtbag," a documentary to be shown at 1 p.m. April 19 at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, 3055 Indianola Ave.

Produced by Columbus-born filmmaker Dan Zabludovsky, the 22-minute film tells the story behind the song "Teenage Dirtbag," penned by Wheatus lead singer Brendan Brown. Afterward, Zabludovsky and Brown will hold a Q&A, during which Brown will perform an acoustic version of the 2000 anthemic hit.

Brown also will perform with Wheatus at 8 p.m. April 19 at A&R Music Bar .

Tickets for the screening are $5. ( studio35.com )

Adults-only Shakedown Circus to present 'ReVamp' revue

The circus will be in town this weekend — but only for those 18 and older! Shakedown Circus' "ReVamp," a circus-burlesque revue combining dance, theater, comedy and improv, will offer over-the-top entertainment at 8 p.m. April 19 at The Church of the Sparkling Unicorn, 2350 Indianola Ave.

General-admission tickets are $45 for standing room and $65 for seating; VIP SuperFan packages are $100.

A portion of ticket sales will go to the Ohio chapter of the ACLU. Bar tips will benefit Motherful , which supports single mothers through education, community, resources, arts and wellness. ( shakedowncircus.com )

Alison Krauss & Union Station hit the road with new tunes

Touring for the first time in a decade in support of the album "Arcadia," their first new music since 2011, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will stop at Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St., at 7:30 p.m. April 19 .

Krauss, who joined Union Station as a teen in the late '80s, has won 27 Grammys during her career as a solo artist, with Union Station, as half of a duet with Robert Plant and as a record producer.

Ticket prices start at $68. ( ticketmaster.com )

Expo to showcase odd objects, curious collectibles

The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, a wonderland of the wild and weird, will return to the Ohio Expo Center (Bricker Building), 717 E. 17th Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20.

The event will showcase an assortment of rare and unusual items including taxidermy, preserved animal specimens, original horror and Halloween-inspired art, antiques, skulls, bones and funeral collectibles.

Photo opportunities, sideshow performances and tarot readings will be offered, and guests can also buy tickets for classes in taxidermy, entomology and wet specimen preservation.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 12 and younger are free; parents are advised to use their best judgment about children attending. ( odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com )

Musical to celebrate life, hits of Neil Diamond

Nick Fradiani, winner of "American Idol" season 14, will channel an American music icon in "A Beautiful Noise: Neil Diamond," which kicks off a seven-show run at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Created in collaboration with Diamond, the show tells the true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-topping star with more than 130 million albums sold and a catalogue of hits like "America" and "Sweet Caroline."

Additional showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 23-26, 2 p.m. April 26 and 1 p.m. April 27.

Ticket prices start at $28. ( ticketmaster.com )

Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@dispatch.com .

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do in Columbus and central Ohio