The Downtown Weekender: Happenings Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, 2026

DOWNTOWN MARION — Downtown Marion fills Friday through Sunday with theatre, live music, brunch, art and pottery. Avenue Q brings its Tony-winning puppets to the Palace all weekend, Bucci's pours mimosas for its throwback sing-along brunch, and Mimi's Art Hollow runs everything from storytime to a 21-and-up pottery-and-karaoke night. Here's what's happening from August 21 through August 23.

Friday, August 21

7:00 PM – Live Music with Quintessence – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – Quintessence makes its first appearance at Shovel City with a local string quintet bringing classic rock, pop and more to the stage. Sweet Mama’s BBQ and Smoked Meats will also be on-site.

7:00 PM – DIY Karaoke and Paint – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Mimi’s Art Hollow hosts a Friday night mix of karaoke and painting from 7 to 9 p.m.

7:30 PM – Avenue Q – Marion Palace Theatre – 276 W. Center St., Marion – The Tony Award-winning musical opens at the Palace with puppetry, sharp humor, adult themes and songs about growing up, finding your place and realizing life does not always follow the plan. Tickets are $25, with $10 student tickets available with ID. Rated R.

Saturday, August 22

9:30 AM – Storytime with Miss Amanda and Little Art Explorers Club – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Mimi’s Art Hollow hosts Storytime with Miss Amanda and Little Art Explorers Club from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

10:00 AM – BRUNCH, PLEASE! A Mimosa-Fueled Throwback Sing-Along – Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen – 320 W. Center St., Marion – The sing-along brunch returns with mimosas, food, throwback songs and a room full of voices belting out the songs people know by heart.

3:00 PM – Kintsugi (Quilt Painting) – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Mimi’s Art Hollow hosts Kintsugi (Quilt Painting) from 3 to 5 p.m. Cost is $25 to $50.

7:30 PM – Avenue Q – Marion Palace Theatre – 276 W. Center St., Marion – Avenue Q continues Saturday night at the Palace with its mix of puppetry, comedy, music and adult-rated Broadway storytelling. Tickets are $25, with $10 student tickets available with ID.

7:30 PM – Queen of Hearts – Kin & Kilt – 130 S. Prospect St., Marion – Kin & Kilt’s weekly Queen of Hearts drawing continues Saturday night. Grab your tickets, try your luck and see if the crown is hiding on your card.

8:00 PM – Potty Mouth Pottery/Karaoke – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Mimi’s Art Hollow hosts a 21-and-older BYOB night with pottery and karaoke from 8 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, August 23

10:00 AM – BRUNCH, PLEASE! A Mimosa Fueled Throwback Sing-Along – Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen – 320 W. Center St., Marion – Bucci’s keeps the weekend going with another round of its ticketed throwback sing-along brunch.

1:00 PM – Sunday Funday Patio Party with Larry Thiel – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – Larry Thiel brings classic hits from the ’60s and ’70s to Shovel City’s Sunday patio from 1 to 4 p.m. Steak-N-It Food Truck will be serving outside from 12:30 to 5 p.m., with Sunday drink specials running all day.

2:00 PM – Avenue Q – Marion Palace Theatre – 276 W. Center St., Marion – The Tony Award-winning musical wraps its weekend run at the Palace with a Sunday matinee. Content advisory: strong language, adult themes and puppet nudity. Intended for mature audiences.