Right Now Downtown

NO BLUE SUEDE SHOES – ONLY GREAT MUSIC

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. Tickets are $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.

BIRTHDAY BASH

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 .

GET SHREK-TASTIC!

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. 

THE BOYS ARE CALLING

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.

BREATHE IT IN

It’s official.  Spring is here so breathe it in.  Word is snow is expected later in the week, but it can march on by – try Minnesota – we’ve heard they like the cold, white stuff.  Here in Cbus, most of us have had quite enough and are ready to move on to warm-weather activities that bring some fresh perspective.

You can get a little taste of something brand-spanking new when you visit the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery.  This multi-media art gallery might be just the thing to get your creative juices flowing and shed the doldrums of winter.

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery is part of Southeast, Inc., which provides recovery and mental health care services in Franklin County.  Did you know that more than 71,700 people in Franklin County suffer from depression and anxiety disorders?  The goal of the art gallery is to blast apart the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse by highlighting art created by individuals who are affected.  Who knew you could go see some great art and help support a noble cause all at once?

On March 22, Fresh A.I.R. presents the opening reception of Energy Through Eternity, sculptures by Chappelle Letman.  Employed as a mason, book illustrator and painter, Letman was affected by blindness later in life.  His sculptures became a representation of his life journey and gave him a way to connect with the life force energy of the universe.

Geez, suddenly complaining about the stack of virtual mail in the inbox seems pretty trivial compared to what some of the featured artists have encountered on their road to recovery.  So, clear your agenda for tomorrow from 5:30 – 7 p.m.  The gallery and opening reception offer more cool things to do right downtown that won’t cost you a dime.  All you have to do is head to the corner of Long and High streets at 131 North High, or click here to find out more about what’s coming up next.  Check it out and breathe a little fresh air into your spring.

The Winter Pearl Market is in full swing at its indoor location at 33 N. Third Street.  Stop by on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and check out all there is to offer (but we won’t be there on Friday, November 26).  Here’s a quick video to show you what you’ve been missing.  With all the produce, food items and handmade offerings, you can find great holiday gifts and wonderful local produce to prepare for your holiday guests.

I love the chill in the air!  Especially with the Cafe Brioso coffee smell wafting down the street, along with pumpkin spice crepes!  It was a glorious fall day at the Market.  This week I stocked up on vegetable.  Everything is so ripe and looks fantastic!  I don’t know who found purple vegetables in the first place, but I love them, and more importantly, my kids love them.  We got purple bell peppers that taste just like the green variety but come in a color more appropriate for princesses.  Let’s face it; princesses can’t eat your average colored vegetables.  I also got arugula, spinach, tomatoes, banana peppers and zucchini.

I stopped by Zapico Foods this week to sample their sauces.  This place has it all!  Owner Mike tells of his grandmother making these recipes a hundred years ago for the family, and teaching him about growing his own vegetables to put in the recipes.  These sauces and dressings are all made and packaged at The Ohio State University.  He makes a rich tomato sauce, a balsamic dressing and a smoky barbeque sauce, all at a very reasonable price.

The Vintage Vamp has beautiful jewelry.  Her things have such an exquisite look about them, like you would belong in an old movie while wearing them.  If you like her style, she does custom work as well.  Definitely worth checking out while you are at the Market.

See you next time!

Since I spend a good deal of time at the Market each week, I love it when new vendors pop up. And last week there were at least a couple that I had never seen before. Right next to us was a little gem called Cobenick Studios. They have all sorts of leather books and journals that I was astonished to learn are entirely handmade and bound. They are also quite affordable. The leather is hand-tooled and hand-dyed, or painted. The filler paper is also handmade; you can learn more about that at their Website. They also do wedding invitations that are stunning.

I stopped in to visit Ale’s House Peruvian this week as well. They have the cutest little things. And by little, I mean miniature. I’ve always loved miniature things; doesn’t everyone? There are little tiny houses made out of organic things like trees and gourds. There are tiny people in the tiny houses who are doing tiny things. It’s all just so magnificently tiny and cute.

I would tell you about the gorgeous cherry tomatoes that I got this week and how great they were, but I can’t because I didn’t get any! My kids ate them ALL while we were still at the Market. I would consider that a ringing endorsement, but I sure wish I could have had a couple. I guess I’ll have to try again next week.

Until next time. See you at the Market!

While it is usually sweltering around here this time of year, the last Market day was breezy and lovely and cool.  Loosely Strung played some old favorites, making the afternoon feel festive.

In search of new treasures this week, I cam across Green Handle Designs.  She has some fantastic jewelry, or rather wearable art.  She also has duct tape flowers that are bright and colorful, catching your eye from afar.  The flowers come as magnets, barrettes and ink pens, and I had to get one of each.  People that can make things out of duct tape besides patches for furniture amaze me.

I also finally stopped at the photography booth just down from mine, Phosegraphe, which means “light writing” in Greek.  His pictures are gorgeous!  The way that he plays with light and color make me want to start collecting his pictures.  If you are coming down this way, I strongly suggest you stop and take a look!

On my way out, I saw a farm stand that I hadn’t yet seen and couldn’t resist stopping for some green beans at Darby Farms.  They are from West Jefferson and I used to live there, so it felt like old friends.  Delicious green beans!  I hope they come back next week.

Counting down until the next market…  Hope to see you there!