Remember Graceland? No, Elvis is not in the building. We’re talking about the harmonizing, dynamic and energizing Ladysmith Black Mambazo who shared the stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins and so many more. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is coming to town on February 8, and we have tickets to give away.
For more than 40 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has touched a worldwide audience as they belted out intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions. There’s no resting on their laurels though. This internationally acclaimed group has just released a new concert DVD and a children’s project so you are in for a treat when they arrive in Cbus.
For one night only, CAPA, in association with the King Arts Complex, brings Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Southern Theatre at 8pm on Wednesday, February 8. Ticketsare $28 and $33 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and ticketmaster.com. You can even purchase by phone at (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.
If you’re feeling lucky, enter to win a pair of tickets. Just tell us what kind of articles you like to see in Right Now Downtown every week and you will be entered to win. Good Luck.
Capital Crossroads SID, WOSU and CAPA are sponsoring the noon-time premiere of WOSU Columbus Neighborhoods: Downtown/Franklinton at noon on February 14, Columbus’ actual 200th birthday. The documentary digs into the historical roots of Franklinton, Central Ohio’s first settlement, and Downtown so it’s fitting to premier the show at one of Columbus’ coolest historical treasures – The Ohio Theatre.
If you purchase an advance ticket for $5, a lunchtime feast will be provided from Freshbox worth $10, and better yet, you will be entered to win tickets to Memphis, Simply Sinatra or Second City.
Call CAPA at 469-0939 to purchase your tickets and reserve your lunch, but act quick, presale tickets close on Friday, February 10 at 5 p.m.
If you don’t want lunch or a chance for the CAPA shows, you can still come to the show. Heck, come early at 11:30 a.m. to see the Mighty Morgan Organ and lightshow before the premiere.
If you have any questions, contact Melissa Fast at Capital Crossroads, 614-645-5281 or visit DowntownColumbus.com .
By now all the holiday fudge should be gone and if there are any cookies left, they’re crumbly stale so toss ‘em. Next on the to-do list? Well, while some of us might dream of liposuction to remove all the baked goods we snarfed down over the past two months, how about boosting activity instead?
The weather has been unseasonably warm this year with the sun even peeking from behind the clouds on occasion. A brisk walk through Columbus Commons or along Scioto Mile may just boost your mood and your Vitamin D.
We’ve extended registration for Downtown Dodgeball for one more week so you can crush cabin fever and work up a sweat.
How about a noontime stress buster? Downtown is home to many gyms, and checking the workout off your to-do list before you hit your front door after the sun slides down the horizon may yield big results. Metro Fitness and Arena District Athletic Club both have oodles of options to help you meet your 2012 fitness goals, and Ohio Fit Club will pump you up urbanator style with some of their unconventional high-intensity workouts.
Build your philanthropic muscles as you tone your flabby side when you check out the YMCA or YWCA. Both have modern workout facilities and programs while serving a humanitarian mission. You can find group fitness classes, personal trainers, swimming pools and movies stars. Oops, sorry that’s Beverly Hillbillies, but the YMCA does have a lap pool.
As you and your friends belted out Auld Lang Syne a few nights ago, did you hear anyone lay to rest ogre-like traits promising a positive 2012?
We’ve got news for you, there’s only room for one ogre in town – Shrek, and he’s making a grand entrance on January 10 at the Ohio Theatre. We may not be able to keep Lord Farquaad from torturing the Gingerbread Man, but we do have tickets for someone to see it all live.
CAPA presents Shrek The Musical, at the Ohio Theatre from January 10-15 and you still have time to get great seats. The must-see show is based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, and the stage production brings to life the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre. Oh, and don’t forget the non-stop chatter of donkey, a bad guy, SHORT on temper and a cookie with attitude. They’ll all be there and more.
The show features 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery. It’s a perfect way to set the stage for a fantastic new year.
Leave a comment below about what your New Year’s resolution is, and we will enter you to win a pair of tickets to see the show on opening night. Hurry, you only have until noon to enter.
Psssst. Pssst. Did you know somebody’s birthday is right around the corner? Columbus turns 200 in 2012, and there’s a year-long line up of parties, festivals, art, music and educational initiatives that will celebrate all the things great about Columbus.
First Night Columbus kicks off 200Columbus. This family-friendly party offers something for everyone with more than 100 entertainers in more than 10 downtown locales with ooohs and ahhs culminating with midnight fireworks.
But the party doesn’t stop there. After all, this is the BIG 2-0-0 so get ready for a whole year of fun, and there’s tons of ways you can join the celebration. There’s a lot to pack in as we honor the past, celebrate the present and envision the future. Bottom line is you’re going to want to be part of it all so pull out that brand-spankin’ new 2012 calendar and fill in your dance card.
Dancing means music, so musicians will want to Celebrate Columbus in Song with a fun contest. Beginning on February 14 (Columbus’ actual birthday) people will vote on their favorite Columbus-inspired song.
Whether you are looking to spread the word or buy a few last minute gifts, don’t forget the 200Columbus merchandise. There’s gobs of stuff that promises to get you in the party mode.
Cold, wet, dark weather is here. Grrr. It can put you in a bad mood just thinking about it. Don’t despair; we have the perfect solution to crush cabin fever before it threatens you. Find out how to dodge, dip and dive into some downtown fun. Dodgeball. Grab a ball and get the scoop, and we’re even going to sweeten the pot with a little discount.
Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and the Downtown YMCA sponsor Downtown Dodgeball, an eight-week league, which begins Thursday, January 19 and goes through March 8, but if you register now, we are taking off $25 of the registration fee.
Whether you have a team of underdogs or vie to call yourself The Champion of Champions, shoot into action with Downtown Dodgeball. It’s all good; it’s all fun.
Team registration is $250, including a championship, but if you write “Crush Cabin Fever” on your registration form and get it to us before December 30, we will give you the $25 discount. The league registration deadline is Friday, January 13. A team must have a minimum of six people, but bring a posse and dodge past the competition.
For more information or to download the registration, click here.
We’re not dissing daytime talk shows or even questioning anyone’s genealogy, but something exciting is headed to downtown, and we want to give you the scoop. Mamma Mia comes to town on December 13, so get your Dancing Queen.
The tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise with a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father. On the eve of her wedding, three men arrive from her mother’s past, and that’s where the fun begins. ABBA’s timeless songs propel the story making it easy to see how this Broadway hit has become the world’s number one show.
Mamma Mia is only in town December 13-18, but if you hurry you can still land a couple seats. Head on over to the CAPA ticket office at 39 E. State Street or buy your tickets online. Either way, fun is the Name of the Game.
And for those of you looking for the perfect Girls’ Night Out to celebrate the season, here’s a fantastic offer from CAPA. Get four tickets for just $80 for the Sunday, December 18 6:30 p.m. performance (select seats, restrictions apply). Just use the special offer code QUEEN when ordering your tickets.
No fluffy white stuff falling yet, but we’re about to add some sparkle and excitement to flip the switch for holiday fun.
Ohio’s First Lady, Karen Kasich, will be on hand Wednesday, November 30 at the People’s House during the official Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival. In keeping with the giving spirit, they invite visitors to bring a non-perishable food item for Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Refreshments, live entertainment and even an appearance from the jolly guy himself will round out the evening, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
And, that’s just the beginning. The Grand Illumination is Friday, December 2. Activities begin at 5 p.m., and Mayor Michael B. Coleman will flip the switch at 6 p.m. illuminating more than 100,000 lights in Columbus Commons and more than 40,000 lights along Scioto Mile. Wrap up the evening with a festive holiday stroll along the Scioto Mile Promenade, City Hall and Columbus Commons led by Mayor Coleman and Santa.
Milestone 229 will even fill your belly with their yummilicious mac ‘n cheese when you buy a piece of handcrafted pottery in support of the Empty Bowls Project, which benefits Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
The fun keeps coming on Wednesday, December 7 during a special lighting ceremony of the life-size nativity scene at State Auto, 518 East Broad Street. This annual tradition began in the 1930s, and now adds a modern twist offering a cell phone tour of the six different scenes on the site throughout the holiday season.
Create new family traditions at the Columbus Commons Holiday Fair, December 16 – 18, with trackless train rides, a Secret Santa Shop, a petting zoo and tons of family friendly activities. Visit ColumbusCommons.org for more information.
Have you mapped out routes for the big after Thanksgiving sales? If you want to hang around for some of grandma’s pumpkin pie and take the stress out of holiday shopping, we might have a solution.
There’s been a lot of press about the Small Business Saturday buy-local campaigns, but have you ever thought about the gifts you can buy right downtown, all week long? Okay, admittedly, we have a way to go (or a way to grow), but there are still great options all within a quick jaunt of where you work, live or play.
Let’s start on Gay Street. We’ve got less-is-more wallet action at Zeroz, and right next door is Sugardaddy’s who will even mail granny in Arizona a holiday care package.
While you’re on Gay Street, find gifts for foodies or the caffeine addicts among us, and for those who you never know what to get, just one word – jewelry. Diamond Exchange and Chet’s Jewelers have just what you need, and don’t forget the manicure gift certificate at Nail Styling Salon so the jewels will drip from perfectly groomed fingertips.
For the football fan on your list, head to The Peanut Shoppe for an assortment of goodies to munch on during the upcoming bowl games. Keep on truckin’ to the Statehouse Museum Store for Ohio gift items or chatkes with a political flare.
Haven’t found the perfect gift yet? Fill your bag with trendy home décor items at Crimson Design Group, and don’t forget the fresh flower arrangements while you’re there.
There are lots of options. We’ve only just started to help you with your list so get out and explore. For more downtown retailers, check out DowtownColumbus.com or the Small Business Beanstalk. Let us know what you find.
Whether you want to grab a quick breakfast on the way to the office, take a break during lunch or decompress after a long day at the office, you will think you stepped into another world when you enter de Novo Bistro and Bar. They’ve even got some great private meeting space for your board of directors’ luncheon or a bridal party rehearsal dinner, and once you hear the live entertainment, you may never want to leave.
The team that made Vonn Jazz Lounge a hit up north is behind this new, hip spot. Take a glimpse of what’s waiting and make your plans now to stop on by.
NO BLUE SUEDE SHOES – ONLY GREAT MUSIC
BIRTHDAY BASH
FITNESS FUNDATION
GET SHREK-TASTIC!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
CRUSH CABIN FEVER
WHO’S YOUR DADDY? 
FLIP THE SWITCH
SATURDAY ALL WEEK LONG