Right Now Downtown

This year, February 14 isn’t just a day to celebrate love. It’s time to celebrate Columbus’ big 2-0-0!

The bicentennial birthday hooplah kicks of this Friday with the Columbus Bicentennial Birthday bash. Billed as the Celebration of the Centuries, this shindig features five-star foods, special Bicentennial cocktails, the 2012 Bicentennial Band (Conspiracy plus MojoFlo plus guest musicians), other entertainment and a 225-foot 200Columbus cake! You won’t want to miss this black-tie affair.

Columbus Bicentennial Birthday
Location: Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Greater Columbus Convention Center
Hours: February 10, 5:45 – 11:30 p.m.
Admission: $125 – $520

Phone: 614.595.1387
200columbus.com 

The best thing about this birthday? Instead of buying a gift, you get one! In honor of the big day, 200Columbus is offering special offers and deals all week long. With 200ColumbusDays, enjoy exclusive offers, special activities and shopping from local favorites. Check out 200columbusdays.com to print out a flyer.

Next on the 200th birthday party slate, head to the Ohio Theatre for the premiere of WOSU Columbus Neighborhoods: Downtown/Franklinton. Sponsored by Capital Crossroads SID, WOSU and CAPA, this documentary delves into the historical roots of Franklinton, Central Ohio’s first settlement, and downtown.

Head over to the theatre at 11:30 a.m. to enjoy the sounds of the Mighty Morgan Organ and a lightshow before the movie premiere. And if you purchase your $5 ticket in advance, you will receive a boxed lunch from Freshbox valued at $10.

Act quickly; presale ticket sales close on February 10 at 5 p.m. You do not need to purchase advance tickets – in fact, there is no cost to attend – but lunch is only included with the presale tickets.

If you have any questions, contact Melissa Fast at Capital Crossroads at 614.645.5281 or call the CAPA ticket office to purchase your tickets at 614.469.0939.

Movie Premiere: WOSU Columbus Neighborhoods: Downtown/Franklinton
Location: Ohio Theater
Hours: February 14, noon
Admission: $5 presale, includes lunch; No cost the day of, without lunch
Phone: 614.469.0939
downtowncolumbus.com

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. 

WHO’S YOUR DADDY? 

THE GOOD GUYS DO WIN

You really can get something for nothing, a whole lot of something as a matter of fact. If you show up at 20 E. Broad Street this Friday, September 9 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., you will see what we’re talking about. But wait, isn’t that a vacant building? Maybe, but if you stop by, you can get a complimentary lunch and learn some cool things to prevent crime, maybe even stop it in its tracks.

Capital Crossroads SID and Columbus Division of Police are teaming up for a state-of-the-art crime prevention reception. You will learn tons of stuff, but best yet, we want you to bring your loot like GPS units, laptops, iPods and bikes to register the valuables with Report it, a nifty inventory tracking system. While you’re there, you will learn cool tips about how to prevent crime.

“Citywide there are about 13,000 car break-ins every year,” said Lisa Defendiefer, Capital Crossroads Safety Coordinator. “It’s the most common crime that occurs and often can be prevented.”

It’s the good guys v. bad guys, and we’re going to give you the information aka. ammunition you need to help keep you from becoming a victim. Downtown Columbus is a safe place to hang, but it’s always good to be prepared, and just to show you how good we really are, we are throwing in a complimentary lunch from Café Napolitana. We’re also raffling off a CAPA gift certificate. Heck, we’ve upped the ante to lunch and a show. What more can you ask?

If you have any questions, just give Lisa Defendiefer a call at 645-5064 or go to downtowncolumbus.com.

THE BOYS ARE CALLING

BALL, BOOM, BREW AND A FLICK

Calling history buffs, baseball enthusiasts, kids, bargain shoppers and peeps who like good eats. Yea, you get the point, calling EVERYONE. 

Save the date to head down to the People’s House on Friday, July 22. The fun begins at 7 p.m. with the Ohio Village Muffins vs. Ohio General Assembly in some old-time base ball, and for the record, base and ball were two words back in the day. Geez, you even get a grammar lesson to boot.  

The Statehouse Sesquicentennial celebration continues with family games, Ohio historical displays, and the dudes with the cannons even promise big booming good times. Concessions, including a cash bar with plenty of frosty beverages, will be in easy reach on the Statehouse Lawn thanks to the guys at Milo’s Catering and Banquet Service.  

Once the sun sinks behind the Cbus skyline at about 9 p.m., Glory will explode on the giant screen outdoors, so bring a blanket big enough for the entire family and plan to stay until the last credits roll. 

Oh, and if it rains? CAPA’s got you covered. They’ll show Glory on their big screen at the Ohio Theatre. What are you waiting on? Call a friend or two and invite them along. See ya at the People’s House.

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.

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.