Every Thursday, we offer you suggestions for things to do in the coming days. Let’s face it: on the weekends we are all ready for fun, relaxation and entertainment.

This week, the choice is vast: Want to attend a theatrical engagement? Consider “The African Company Presents Richard III,” presented by the Columbus Actors Theater at the Schiller Park Amphitheater; or “Otterbein Playwright Collective”, a collection of three one-act pieces written by Otterbein students.

Or why not attend the London Strawberry Festival, the Powell Open Air Market or the German Village Makers Market.

Arouse your interest? We hope. Enjoy the weekend!

Historical drama on the pioneer black theater

Actors’ Theater of Columbus will present “The African Company Presents Richard III”, the 1994 play by Carlyle Brown on the United States Black Theater Company’s First Troupe playing Shakespeare Despite the Challenges of 1822. Performances take place at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sunday through July 18 at Schiller Park Amphitheater, 1000 City Park Ave. The entry is “pay what you want”; $ 45 for premium boxes of two reserved zero gravity chairs, or $ 25 for a lawn box with a reserved cover for the Actors’ Theater logo (can be kept after the show) with online purchase in advance. Call 614-444-6888 or visit www.theactorstheater.org

Windy symphonic performance

The wind section of the Columbus Symphony will perform in a neighborhood summer night music concert at 7:30 pm Thursday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 5475 Brand Road, Dublin. The concert, which will be conducted by Luis Biava, will present works for wind instruments by composers Gaetano Donizetti, Antonin Dvorak and Charles Gounod. Tickets cost $ 25, or $ 10 for ages 3 to 14, free for ages 2 and under. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.

“From book to film” continues

The Gateway Film Center’s “Book to Film” series, which features family-friendly films based on classic works of literature, will continue with the screening of the 1999 film “October Sky” starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam Jr., a Westerner from Virginia, his youthful interest in rockets led him to a career as a NASA engineer. The film, starring Chris Cooper and Laura Dern, was based on Hickam’s memoir. The Film Center, 1550 N. High St., will screen the film at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry for four is free with a Columbus Metropolitan Library card; regular admission costs $ 9 per person. For more information, visit www.gatewayfilmcenter.org.

Three new plays in one act

The Abbey Theater of Dublin, in its first collaboration with the University of Otterbein, will present “Otterbein Playwright Collective”, a collection of three one-act plays written by students of Otterbein. The performances will be broadcast and offered live in person at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 5600 Post Road, Dublin, and aired on demand Sunday through July 3. Tickets cost $ 10. Call 614-410-4550 or visit dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater.

fractured fairytale musical

New Albany Community Playhouse will present “Into the Woods”, the fractured fairytale musical from Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine about choice, consequence, love and loss. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. July 2 and 2, and 7:30 p.m. July 3 at Five14 Church, 5744 N. Hamilton Road . Admission is “pay what you want” (minimum $ 10), with 10% of proceeds going to the New Albany Food Pantry. Visit www.newalbanycommunityplayhouse.org.

German village crafts market

Survey the wares of dozens of local artisans from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Four food trucks will provide food at the pet-friendly event at 79 Thurman Avenue (corner of Thurman Avenue and City Park). For more information visit www.flat51.com/gvmm

London Strawberry Festival

Eat strawberry shortbread, see a Cobra car show, take part in a fairy garden competition and enjoy free entertainment Thursday through Saturday at the London Strawberry Festival, based on Route 56 in central London. For more information, visit www.londonstrawberryfestival.com.

Powell Open Air Market

More than 60 artisans and vendors will take to the streets of downtown Powell from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Antiques, wares, Ohio-made goods and crafts will be on sale. Food trucks and local restaurants will provide the livelihood. For more information call 614-888-1090 or visit www.powellchamber.com