Right Now Downtown

FEED THE CULTURE

Finally, we traded in winter boots and mittens for sandals and t-shirts, but now what are you going to do for the rest of the summer? You might plan to take in the festivities of Red, White and Boom coming up this week, but what’s up after the last of the fireworks sputter?

Mark your calendars now for Picnic with the Pots at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, July 9 from 6-9:30 p.m. The list of fun stuff to do downtown is growing, and this one costs you nothing. There’s even free parking around the corner.

The event promises a sensation extravaganza – watch artists at work, take tours of the cool digs, browse the gift shop, join in an old-fashioned cake walk (mmmm…cake) and listen to great tunes by The Juggernauts. 

So, forget about digging your feet into the sand to find summer fun. At Picnic with the Pots you can scoop up a mound of clay with professional artisans to make your very own pot. You might have so much fun you will find yourself signing up for one of CAC’s fine art studio classes, which are a fantastic bargain, by the way. 

So, just where is this artistic Mecca? The Cultural Arts Center is downtown across the street from Bicentennial Park, which is part of the new Scioto Mile (set to open on July 7). For more information or to RSVP for Picnic with the Pots click here. While there, click on their Facebook page and “like” them to be entered in a drawing for a certificate worth 50 bucks to use in the gift shop.

This week’s vendor spotlight shines on CaffeineDaddy.com!

CaffeineDaddy.com is new to Pearl Market this season. Entrepreneur Jeffrey Foulke created CaffeineDaddy.com and sells all kinds of caffeinated products. Whether you’re looking for caffeinated soap, toothpicks, lollipops, beef jerky, or more; if you can name it, CaffeineDaddy has it. Want something to slow you down? CaffeineDaddy has that too. To learn more about CaffeineDaddy.com visit their website and check out our weekly vendor spotlight video. 

MAKE IT A COMBO

Hump day is a day away, which means it’s almost time for Lunch for the Lawn at Columbus Commons. On Wednesdays this summer you may have a hard time choosing from all the vendors at the Food Cart, Food Court, but what about the rest of the week?

Well, Lori and Kevin Ames have been filling hungry bellies of office workers in one of their three restaurants on Capitol Square for quite a while, and now they’ve got what you’re craving at the Commons – all week long. Check out this video to see their new digs take shape.

McCormick Family Concessions, run by Heather and Sean McCormick, is a new vendor to Pearl Market this season. They sell homemade lemonade and locally grown, organic kettle corn popcorn at Pearl Market and other fairs, festivals and shows.

To learn more about McCormick Family Concessions and to see some of their products, check out the video below.

THE BEST SEAT IN TOWN

Got plans? Wouldn’t you like to tell your ex-whatever that you’re too busy to talk because you are on your way to hang with Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant?

OK, so we can’t put you face-to-face with these Hollywood stars, but we have the next best thing. The CAPA Summer Movie Series kicks off this Friday, June 17 and runs through August 13. The line-up offers something for everyone, from classics to cult favorites to plain old beloved must-see cartoons. You can even buy a strip of 10 tickets for $25 to share with a buddy or make him buy his own – there are 23 movies to see, after all.

Either way, you will have the best seat in town – the grand and historic Ohio Theatre. Don’t be late because Clark Wilson will tickle the ivories of the grand Mighty Morgan pipe organ 30 minutes prior to each show.

No worries if you forget to buy a strip of tickets in advance – you can also get general admission tickets the day of the show and still have money in your pocket t0 pick up some Junior Mints at the concession stand.

Click here to check out the summer line-up.  And if you would like a chance to win a strip of 10 tickets, just post a comment here telling us about your funniest (or most pathetic) movie date night.

CHEERS TO THE SUNSHINE

It’s amazing what a little sunshine can do to the attitude. It’s time to crawl out of the dark cave, rub winter away and find some fun.

We’ve even had a few rain-free days sprinkled here and there to make us believe that we can sit out on a patio and soak in some fresh air. Happy Hour seems like a good a place to start, and you’ll be able to fill your dance card downtown pretty quickly.

OK, we won’t pretend to have an all-encompassing list, but a few places around downtown gave us the scoop of what’s on tap and what’s coming out of the kitchen for the after-work crowd. You might even want to knock off a little early to take full advantage.

Start by sampling a handcrafted pint from The Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus Monday – Friday for just 2.50 from 3-7 p.m., but if a frosty one isn’t your cup of tea, sip on 2.50 well cocktails and house wines and don’t forget to saddle up to the bar for 5.00 appetizers.

The Flat Iron is sporting a newly remodeled patio with 5.00 martinis and 2.00 well drinks and domestic beers from 4-7 p.m.

Special drink pricing and buy-one-get-one-free appetizers give you a lot of leeway at Latitude 41, Monday – Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m. It’s a perfect place to cool off on the shady patio in the toasty summer temps.

When you head out to our little oasis of Gay Street, check out Plantain Café for their 2.00 tacos from 3-6 p.m. And while you’re strolling around, make sure to hit Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails, Due Amici and J. Gumbo’s as you kick back and enjoy some time with friends after work. 

Lexi’s on Third has a happy hour menu that includes drinks and eats that will keep you coming back for more. You might just find a new home on their spacious patio. Go ahead… Eat, Drink and Be Social.

And don’t forget to stop in and say hi to the other new kid on the block at Quarthouse. Fill your gut with 25 cent jumbo wings and wash them down with a cool one. You’ll find 2.00 domestics, 3.00 imports and 3.00 well drinks. Or try out Quarthouse’s sister location; Ringside Cafe will mix it up a bit with the same drink specials.

That’s a lot of places to hit. Probably makes you hot and tired just thinking about it. You might even need to cool off with a drink. So, here are a few more places you might want to check out…

Barrio
Darby’s Outdoor Café
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
Fleur
The Jury Room
Little Palace