Jazz Legacies and Oscar Contenders: What's On in Columbus Today

Spotlight: Big Band Jazz at the Jazz Academy

Music enthusiasts can kick off the week with a soulful experience at the Jazz Academy today. The CYJ Night with Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra is scheduled for 7:30 PM. This 22-piece ensemble, known for its deep repertoire and skilled arrangements, provides a rare opportunity to hear professional-grade big band music in an intimate local setting. Whether you are a jazz aficionado or just looking for a sophisticated way to spend your Monday evening, this performance is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural scene today.

Cinema Highlights: Oscar Shorts and Scorsese

As awards season approaches, Columbus’s independent theaters are offering a deep dive into world-class cinema. The Drexel Theatre in Bexley is hosting a special screening of the 2026 Oscar-Nominated Short Films: Live-Action at 4:00 PM. Later in the evening, as part of their Scorsese retrospective, the theater will screen the classic Taxi Driver (1976) at 7:00 PM, offering a 50th-anniversary perspective on one of cinema's most enduring character studies.

Meanwhile, the Gateway Film Center continues its commitment to independent voices with screenings of Natchez (2026), a poignant documentary exploring the unreconciled history of the American South, with showtimes at 11:00 AM and 3:45 PM. Animation fans can also catch the 2026 Oscar-Nominated Short Films: Animation at 11:00 AM or a late-night 4K presentation at 8:15 PM.

Interactive Arts and Nightlife

For those seeking something more experimental, Prototype: The Experimental Museum in downtown Columbus is open today. Unlike traditional galleries, this "adults-only playground" blends art, media, and technology into an immersive environment designed for sensory exploration and social interaction. It is one of the few museums in the city open on Mondays, making it a perfect destination for those looking to avoid the typical weekend crowds.

Community Meetups and Trivia

If you prefer a more social and competitive Monday, Columbus has several trivia options available tonight:

• Bar Moxy (Short North): Catch "Bar Moxy Monday Trivia Nights" starting at 10:00 PM for a late-night social challenge.
• Brewdog New Albany: Features "What The Funk Music Trivia" at 7:00 PM, a unique phone-based "Name That Tune" style game.
• Seventh Son Brewing: Hosts their weekly Excesss Trivia night starting at 7:00 PM, widely considered a neighborhood staple.

Community Note

The Westerville Public Library is celebrating the reopening of its Seed Library today during standard library hours. Residents can visit the second floor to pick up free seed packets to start their spring gardens, with a limit of five packets per person.