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Columbus, Ohio (AP) - Central Ohio's calendar is packed this weekend with family-friendly activities, sports matchups and theatrical performances as residents and visitors embrace winter in and around Columbus.FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Columbus kicks off the weekend with a men's hockey rivalry as the Michigan State Spartans visit the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center. Games take place Friday evening and again Saturday, appealing to local collegiate sports fans.The Broadway in Columbus presentation of "Back to the Future: The Musical" continues at the historic Ohio Theatre, with Friday evening performances bringing the cult classic to life onstage. Downtown, the annual Wanderlights light displays run from early evening into the night, offering a festive stroll through Columbus Commons and Bicentennial Park. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10Art and culture fill the weekend with events across the city. The Somali Culture Center Annual Performance at the Southern Theatre celebrates East African music, dance and storytelling Saturday afternoon. Families can head to the Ohio Expo Center for the Great Train Show, a popular model train exhibition running all weekend with large layouts, vendors and hands-on displays for all ages.Several performances and concerts offer variety in the evening, including rock symphony shows with the Columbus Symphony ("Rock Hits and Power Ballads") at the Riffe Center's Davidson Theatre. SUNDAY, JANUARY 11Sunday brings more family options: the Great Train Show continues, and Wanderlights remains lit for nighttime viewing.Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy winter nature activities such as a woodpecker walk at Three Creeks Metro Park or skating at Riverside Crossing Park's seasonal ice rink in Dublin - open weekends through March. ONGOING AND COMMUNITY EVENTSBeyond this weekend, Columbus institution Wanderlights VIII continues through Jan. 11, and local metro parks are offering winter hikes for those looking to stay active in the season. Libraries and community centers across Central Ohio host family-oriented events this weekend, including early literacy bingo, board game rooms and open art studios.Attendance fees vary by event, and some activities require advance tickets

Olivia Rodrigo is marking the fifth anniversary of her breakout single "Drivers License." The singer-songwriter, who debuted the song in 2021 at age 17, became the youngest artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1. Rodrigo is commemorating the milestone with special releases, including new covers and vinyl exclusives.As part of the celebration, David Byrne, frontman for Talking Heads, has released a cover of "Drivers License." Byrne previously joined Rodrigo during her headlining set at the 2023 Governors Ball, where they performed "Burning Down the House." Byrne's cover is available on all major streaming platforms and is the first in a planned series of covers tied to the anniversary of Rodrigo's debut album, "Sour," according to a press release.Rodrigo also announced a special 7-inch vinyl release featuring Byrne's version of "Drivers License" and highlights from her Governors Ball set. The vinyl will be pressed on translucent ruby vinyl, departing from Rodrigo's signature purple. Fans can pre-order the release through Rodrigo's website.Additionally, Target will offer an exclusive vinyl edition pressed on fruit punch-colored vinyl. This version includes the original recording of "Drivers License" and Rodrigo's live performance of the song from Governors Ball.As Rodrigo celebrates the fifth anniversaries of both "Drivers License" and "Sour," she has hinted at more new music. The singer recently teased a possible third album and confirmed she has been working in the studio. "I won't say too much, but I think 2026 is going to be a busy year for me," Rodrigo told Nylon.Track Listing for "Drivers License" 7-inch Vinyl:Side A: "Drivers License" (David Byrne version)
Side B: "Burning Down the House" (Live at Governors Ball)Target Exclusive Vinyl:Side A: "Drivers License"
Side B: "Drivers License" (Live at Governors Ball

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The U.S. women's national soccer team will face Canada in the SheBelieves Cup on March 4 at ScotsMiracle-Gro Field, the Columbus Crew announced Thursday. It will be the second time in three years the North American rivals meet in Columbus.The teams last played in central Ohio in April 2024, when the United States defeated Canada on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw to win the SheBelieves Cup title.The doubleheader will begin with Argentina facing Colombia at 3:30 p.m., followed by the U.S.-Canada match at 6:45 p.m. The South American rivals last met in the semifinals of the 2023 Copa Am rica Femenina, which Colombia won on penalties.Columbus Crew season ticket holders can purchase tickets beginning Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public Jan. 12 at 8 a.m. The SheBelieves Cup matches will be the first events at ScotsMiracle-Gro Field in 2026, three days before the Crew's home opener March 7 against the Chicago Fire.This will be the third appearance for the U.S. women at the stadium, formerly known as Lower.com Field. The team debuted at the venue with a 9-0 friendly win over Uzbekistan in 2023, and returned in 2024 to play Canada.The U.S. has played 12 matches in Columbus since 1993, winning nine. The matchup with Canada is part of the Americans' preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. was eliminated in the Round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup, its earliest exit in tournament history.Following that disappointment, the U.S. women won gold at the Paris Olympics, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final.Other SheBelieves Cup matches will be held March 1 in Nashville (USA vs. Argentina, Canada vs. Colombia) and March 7 in Harrison, New Jersey (USA vs. Colombia, Canada vs. Argentina)

KATSEYE is interested in a future collaboration with pop star Charli XCX, the girl group said in an interview with People published Monday, Jan. 7.Charli XCX, who co-wrote KATSEYE''s Billboard Hot 100 hit "Gabriela," is "definitely" on the group''s list of dream collaborators, according to member Manon Bannerman."I just recently met her, and I think we all really hope to work with her more in the future," Bannerman told People."She''s definitely a KATSEYE girl, and we''re in love with her album ''Brat'' and everything about her," Bannerman said. "She''s such an inspiration to us. We don''t know what the future holds, but we''re definitely, definitely interested in that idea."The interview comes shortly after KATSEYE-which also includes Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung-earned its first Grammy nomination in the best new artist category, alongside Addison Rae, Lola Young, Olivia Dean and others.As the group''s popularity has grown, fueled by hits like "Gabriela" and "Gnarly," its members say they have experienced both increased support and criticism. In a recent interview with BBC News, Raj said, "If 1,000 people are, like, sending you death threats, it''s jarring." Laforteza added, "We know it''s a part of fame. But it doesn''t change the fact that we are human."Despite the challenges, the group said they have found support within the music industry. Raj told People that Kehlani recently reached out and offered "a lot of advice.""She''s someone I really, really look up to," Raj said. "She gave a lot of advice about pushing through. A lot of the artists we look up to have told us to stay present and enjoy real life, not just the internet. Enjoy the performances, enjoy meeting fans in person. Just stay present and enjoy every single moment."Charli XCX is currently preparing for the release of her "Wuthering Heights" companion album, which will accompany Emerald Fennell''s upcoming film adaptation of the classic novel starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. So far, Charli XCX has released "House" and "Chains of Love" from the project

Bruno Mars announced Jan. 5 on social media that his new album is complete, marking his first confirmation of a solo project since the release of his Grammy-winning 2016 album "24K Magic."The new album will be Mars' first solo studio release in nearly a decade. Although he has remained active in music with the Silk Sonic collaboration alongside Anderson .Paak and several high-profile features, Mars has not released a solo album since "24K Magic," which produced hits such as "That's What I Like" and "24K Magic." The album won six awards at the 2018 Grammy Awards.Since then, Mars has been selective with his music. In 2021, he and .Paak released "An Evening With Silk Sonic," a tribute to 1970s funk and soul that was met with critical acclaim and earned multiple Grammy Awards.In 2024, Mars was featured on "APT." with BLACKPINK's Ros . By early 2025, "APT." became the first song by a K-pop artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart. In April, the single achieved a record-extending 19th week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and ultimately topped the year-end Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and Billboard Global 200 charts. The song accumulated nearly 4.9 billion official on-demand global streams through Nov. 27, according to Luminate.In September, "APT." won song of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards, marking the first time a K-pop act received the honor. In November, it earned three Grammy Award nominations, including record of the year and song of the year.Mars also released "Die With a Smile" with Lady Gaga in 2024 and "Fat Juicy & Wet" with Sexyy Red in 2025.He has continued to perform live, including a recent appearance at a corporate holiday party with Slash, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile and others, suggesting his new album may include more eclectic, live instrumentation influences.Mars' announcement signals his return to solo work and hints at another chart-topping era