Right Now Downtown

EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINMENT

December is the magical month in these parts.  Thanks to Daylight Savings, it gets dark early – so downtown’s glow combined with holiday lights makes the scene sparkle.  The air is crisp and it feels like something special has arrived.

This year, there are all kinds of after-hours opportunities to experience the magic.  Oh, you’ve already heard about BalletMet’s Nutcracker?  We love it too.  And there’s much more…

How’d you like to sing the Messiah with the choir?  Yes, really – it’s okay to sing at ProMusica’s Messiah (And More) Side-by-Side Sing Along on December 11 at the Southern Theatre.  There’s no better way to be literally engulfed by the sights and sounds of the season.

Rock and Roll more your style?  An old school Christmas Rock N’Roll Spectacular is set for the Capitol Theatre on December 12.

For a little mental exercise, Available Light Theatre brings XMAS to the stage from December 10 – 13.  It’s a new take on A Christmas Carol, re-designed to be a modern reminder of the original message.  XMAS is locally written and produced and will be performed at the Columbus Performing Arts Center (549 Franklin Ave.).

For the child in all of us, COSI is hosting A Day of Make-Believe on December 5.  Classic toys are the focus of attention, along with storytelling, puppet-making and a special appearance from BalletMet’s Nutcracker.  A few weeks later, December 18 – 19, look for COSI’s massive holiday train display, courtesy of a collaborative effort from several Ohio model railroad teams. 

Downtown IS home for the holidays!

Raising kids in the downtown area is a great experience.  When my kids were young, we had easy access to parks, playgrounds, COSI, BalletMet Academy, Columbus Museum of Art, the downtown library, festivals, and many other amenities.  For years, my kids considered COTA buses and skywalks to be as much fun as amusement parks.  They loved walking to bakeries and the North Market.

Downtown neighborhoods get better as city kids get older.  They develop a healthy sense of independence long before they get a driver’s license, because they can walk to each other’s homes and with their friends to movies, hockey games, coffee houses, Gallery Hops and clothing stores.  My teenage girl loves taking COTA to visit her friends, which I encourage because the bus is so much safer than driving.

Columbus City Schools keep getting better and better.  Although many City schools still struggle as they address high levels of poverty, many others maintain a balanced enrollment.  These schools often out-perform suburban schools.

To parents of young kids, I say.  “For the sake of your children, stay in the city!