Right Now Downtown

A DODGY DEAL

You asked and we deliver.

We received tons of feedback last week letting us know that a big reason you read Right Now Downtown is to get free and discounted stuff.  Oh yeah, and you want to know what hip things are happening downtown.

This week you have the chance to take care of it all, right now, right here.

We told you a couple weeks ago that we want to help you blast away winter blues as we Crush Cabin Fever with Downtown Dodgeball.  Well, we’re ready to up the ante.

If you thought about forming a Downtown Dodgeball team, but were a little short on cash, we’re here to sweeten the pot.  We are going to choose one team and waive the registration fees.  Just leave a comment here about what kinds of recreational activities you’d like to see downtown and your name will be thrown into the hat.  One name will be chosen, and that person can build a team on us – that’s six weeks of fun that will not even cost one red cent.  Nada.  Nothing.  Now, that’s a Downtown Deal.  If your team wins the league, you’ll be crowned champion and each team member gets a free t-shirt with all the bragging rights.

We’ve still got spaces and we want to fill the courts, so don’t delay.  For the rest of you sitting on the fence, grab your posse and send in your registration.  The deadline to register is quickly approaching on Thursday, February 3.  Play begins Thursday, February 10.    Click here to download all the necessary info, and get ready to Crush Cabin Fever with Downtown Dodgeball.

HEAT THINGS UP WITH RETAIL THERAPY

Last week we encouraged you to Crush Cabin Fever, but a little retail therapy might help you forget how chilly it’s been lately.  The Indoor Pearl Market takes the edge off the arctic blast, and it rolls through the end of February.

Stop by our indoor location at 33 N. Third Street (at the corner of Third and Lynn) on Tuesday, January 18, drop your business card at the Market Welcome table, and you’ll be entered to win some great winter-busting goodies.  Check out our video that highlights some of the fabulous things you might win.

CRUSH CABIN FEVER WITH DOWNTOWN DODGEBALL

Are you spending these cold, blustery days longingly looking out the window wishing May would arrive as the winter blues try to worm their way into your life?  Well, give your bad mood a rest because we have just the thing to blast through winter. 

Downtown Dodgeball is sponsored by Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and the Downtown YMCA.  Registration is now open and games begin on Thursday, February 10.  A team must have a minimum of six people, but heck, go ahead and register a posse and let the games begin.  The team entry fee is $235 and the deadline for entry is Thursday, February 3.

Crush Cabin Fever with Downtown Dodgeball and forget leaving the office after dark, hanging out at home in front of the boob tube for weeks on end, munching on chips and candy, while you swill gallons of sugary soda as your sweats get tighter and tighter.

Whether you have a team of underdogs or you are mighty warriors, come on out and join in the fun for the six-week-league; it will get your blood pumping and help you blast through winter with a breeze.

Click here for more information and to download the registration and release forms.  Questions?  Contact Lisa Cline, Program Director, Downtown YMCA at lcline@ymcacolumbus.org or 614.224.1137, extension 274, or you can contact Melissa Fast at Capital Crossroads SID at mlfast@sidservices.com or 614.645.5281.

On your mark, get set, GO.

STAYCATION, ALL I EVER WANTED

We don’t mean to harp on the less-than-pleasant Columbus weather, but the holidays have passed and the winter doldrums have arrived.  If your finances or time prohibit a Caribbean cruise, planning a staycation is a great way to liven up the winter months.

Downtown Columbus offers loads of lovely rooms in which to “staycation” for a night or a weekend.  Whether you want to book a room for one of the upcoming long weekends or make an overnight out of a Blue Jackets game or Broadway Series show, you’re sure to find just the right spot downtown.

Red Roof Inn
111 East Nationwide Boulevard
614.224.6539
The Red Roof Inn is holding a Grand Reopening event on January 20 to celebrate their recent renovation of the hotel.  Everything is new – the rooms, public areas and meeting rooms.  What they call their NextGen room design features a more boutique style, including flat screen TVs, wood floors, boutique-style bathrooms and many amenities.  This isn’t your parent’s Red Roof Inn!  If you want to plan your staycation, find deals at 1.800.redroof or at redroof.com.

Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel
50 North Third Street
614.228.5050
Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel is well known to food lovers for their wonderful Latitude 41 restaurant and its unique and elegant cuisine.  If you want to impress, book a three-night stay between February 10 and March 27 and get the third night at no cost (you must book the stay between January 21 and February 11).  marriott.com

Courtyard by Marriott
35 West Spring Street
614.228.3200
marriott.com

Crowne Plaza and The Lofts Hotel
33 and 55 East Nationwide Boulevard
614.461.4100 and 614.461.2663
The Lofts Hotel provides the feel of New York with loft stylings.  And both hotels offer a number of packages including massage packages, spa packages, Blue Jackets packages and more.  Just check out their websites for more details. crowneplaza.com and 55lofts.com

Doubletree Guest Suite
50 South Front Street
614.228.4600
doubletree1.hilton.com

Drury Inn & Suites
88 East Nationwide Boulevard
614.221.7008
druryhotels.com

Hampton Inn
501 North High Street
614.559.2000
hamptoninn.com

Holiday Inn Capitol Square
175 East Town Street
614.221.3281
holidayinn.com

Hyatt on Capitol Square
75 East State Street
614.228.1234
The Hyatt on Capitol Square offers three special packages which can be booked on their website under “Special Offers.”  There are no fixed rates for these packages, so check multiple dates for the best deal.  The Awaken package lets you ease into your day with a freshly prepared breakfast when you’re ready to make a move.  This package includes full breakfast and valet parking.  The Amour package lets you take the time to reconnect with that special person.  Enjoy time for just the two of you with an unforgettable setting and all the romantic touches.  This package includes full breakfast, champagne and spiced truffles, valet parking, and late check-out.  And the Explore package helps you experience local life and all of its ingredients.  This package includes full breakfast, choice of admission to COSI or the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, valet parking and late check-out. capitolsquare.hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency
350 North High Street
614.463.1234
Like the Red Roof Inn, the Hyatt Regency is going through major renovations.  Scheduled for full completion in April, the renovations include 42 inch flat screen TVs in all rooms, granite counter tops and more.  If you’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency before, this will be an all new experience.  Check out their website for rates.  columbus.hyatt.com

Residence Inn Columbus Downtown
36 East Gay Street
614.222.2610
residenceinncolumbusdowntown.com

Westin Great Southern Hotel
310 South High Street
614.228.3800
The Westin Great Southern is one of Columbus’ classic and most beautiful hotels.  They are offering winter escapes from 139.00 per night through March 31; a year of your birth special where your first night is 169.00 but your second and third nights are priced equal to the year of your birth (say 70.00 for 1970); plus bonus Starpoints for members on weekend stays and a 10 percent discount when you book 14 days in advance.  Check out their website for full details. starwoodhotels.com

STOMP INTO THE NEW YEAR

It’s cold, it’s windy and winter seems like it may never end, but CAPA and Broadway Across America will soon present STOMP, and the show promises to entertain the entire family and make you forget that spring is months away.  There’s still time to buy tickets and you have a chance to win a pair of tickets for opening night.

STOMP has been going strong and recently made some big changes, so if you’ve already seen the extravaganza, there is plenty of new stuff to feast your eyes and ears upon.  As the show evolves through years, it still remains true to the original concept of creating rhythmic music with instantly recognizable objects.  “Paint Cans” grew out of the “Boxes” routine from the Las Vegas show, and “Donuts” is a piece that implements huge tractor tire inner tubes worn around the waist on a bungee cord.  Mmmm… donuts.  Wait, put the food on hold and try to win some tickets.

Post a comment here about your favorite Broadway show and a winner will be selected at random to win a pair of tickets for opening night on January 14.

For the rest of you, tickets start at just $22.50 and can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State Street), all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.  For more information on show times, click here.  Don’t miss this award-winning international sensation when it makes its triumphant return to Columbus at the Palace Theatre on January 14 – 16.