DATEBOOK

Music

Star Wars

Return of the Jedi

May 13: Columbus

Music

Cincinnati May Festival

May 19-27: mayfestival.com

Since 1873, the Cincinnati May Festival has celebrated choral music in what has become known as “The City That Sings.” Held at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall, the annual two-week choral festival returns May 19 through 27 for its 150th anniversary, inviting a selection of guest musicians from around the world to perform during the event.

This year features 20 guest performers, including 16 who are making their May Festival debut. The festival will conclude with Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand,” a collaboration between the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, Cincinnati Boychoir, Cincinnati Youth Choir and both May Festival chorus groups.

Other events

“[‘Symphony of a Thousand’] doesn’t come up often in the rest of the musical world,” says Robert Porco, director of choruses for the May Festival. “We have done it a number of times on special occasions. It is a very big piece that actually calls for two choruses.”

For 2023, the May Festival will also celebrate its commissioning legacy and Cincinnati’s choral history with a new project, “25 for 25: A New Time for Choral Music.” Twenty-five pieces written by composers from the Luna Composition Lab will be performed by local musicians throughout the spring.

“We have 25 different people who don’t know each other outside “What brings gether is music there is no anxiety for reward is the of music.”

Lauren

Fort Meigs After Dark Lantern Tour May 13: Perrysburg

History is alight at northwest Ohio’s Fort Meigs. Depart for a guided, two-hour walk across grounds traversed diers during the War of 1812. Guides dressed in period lead groups of 50 through the life of an 1800s soldier, dramatic readings from the diaries of those who lived “There are some lighthearted readings, but there some melancholy as well,” says John Thompson, ager of historic programming at Fort Meigs. “It’s a well-rounded show with an emotional element to it.” Advance registration required; fortmeigs.org

The sounds of George Lucas’ famed film franchise come alive this spring at Columbus Commons, thanks to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Listen to sweeping melodies from the sands of Tatooine and forests of Endor as the orchestra performs the 1983 film’s score while the movie plays on screen. columbus symphony.com festival

Cleveland Asian Festival

May 20–21: Cleveland diversity

Cleveland’s neighborduring Asian and Pacific Heritage this twofestival filled experiences highlighting Asian culEnjoy a variety of live performances, fashion show and Asian Pop Competition games activities for family. clevelandasian festival.org