Right Now Downtown

WHAT’S ON THE MENU TONIGHT?

The Menus served up a feast of entertainment during Downtown LIVE last week on the patio at Darbys, but not before Francisco Roja whet the appetite of all the people ready to kick off the weekend early at the annual concert series.

In between appetizers and frosty beverages, players from the Capitol Square Kickball League sauntered over from the “People’s Lawn” to kick back before they kicked butt on the field.  By the way, there’s still time to get a team together for the second course of kickball (registration closes on July 23).

Check out the video below to see for yourself what Capitol Square looks like on Thursday nights during the summer, and thanks go out to The Hyatt and WCBE 90.5 for their generous support.

Untitled from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

LIVE FROM COLUMBUS…

It’s Thursday night!  That’s right, the Downtown LIVE summer concert series returns this week with the unparalleled sounds of Conspiracy.  Head to the Darbys Patio for happy hour starting at 4:30 p.m., enjoy opening tunes from Matt Munhall from 5 to 6 p.m., and then give a shout out to Rodney as Conspiracy takes the stage until 9 p.m.

Ever since Thursday night became the unofficial start of the weekend, revelers have been able to enjoy free outdoor concerts to celebrate a warm summer’s night downtown.  If you want to date yourself, admit that you used to hit Rally in the Alley.  Earlier this decade, the Rally was revitalized as Party on State.  And for the past few years the revamped Downtown Live has offered a great way to unwind after work with food and drink specials and the best in local and regional bands.

This year’s line-up offers something for every musical taste.  Each week a new band will hit the stage, including favorites such as The Menus, Reaganomics and Red Wanting Blue.  You’ll also get to know a variety of opening acts, including Muhnall, Alex White and Francisco Rojas.  While the tunes change weekly, the schedule stays the same (4:30 – 9 p.m.).  So mark your calendars and plan to be a regular, this week through August 26.

Downtown LIVE also provides the soundtrack for the Capitol Square Kickball League.  Players can kick butt during their games and then head over for some sustenance, be it liquid or solid, and a trip or two around the dance floor.  (If you haven’t registered to play kickball, you’re not too late.  Registration closes July 16, for Session II).

Summer’s here and the time is right for hot tunes and cold drinks downtown.  We’ll see you at the Rally… the Party… at Downtown LIVE this and every Thursday night!

For a complete band line-up, click here.

Capital Crossroads Summer Programming: Downtown LIVE Summer Concert Series

Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (CCSID) - sponsored summer fun doesn’t end with the Capitol Square Kickball League.  Downtown LIVE, a free after-work summer concert series, returned again this summer to the patio at the corner of Third and State Streets on Thursday evening, for a fifth summer of live music, happy hour specials, and fun.

The traditional gift for a fifth anniversary is wood.  Downtown LIVE went another route, adding an opening act to the line-up.  Alex White, who plays acoustic style easy listening tunes hits the stage at 5 pm, providing a welcoming stage presence as the crowd files in.  He also shares information about other downtown events between songs, helping to cross-promote the Capitol Square Kickball League and Pearl Market.

Again this year, CCSID has coordinated with Class Acts Entertainment to book an excellent line-up of bands, including the ever popular Reaganomics, the regional favorite, Red Wanting Blue, and culminating with country rock favorite, Jacked Up.  Most of the bands hail from Central Ohio, but this year there are also acts from Indianapolis, Cincinnati and even New York.

Though the partner restaurants remain the same this year, both Darbys Cafe and San Francisco Oven have upped the ante with new happy hour specials, to draw even bigger crowds.  Following the dollar menu craze, Darbys is offering $1 chips and salsa and $1 sliders, while San Francisco Oven is offering a whopping $5 off a large pizza and $10 buckets of five beers.

Joey Jerome of San Francisco Oven believes that the band line-up and the improved happy hour specials have increased crowd size this year.  “Definitely, more people are coming and they are coming earlier.  They seem to like the opening act too.  And we are seeing repeat customers.

Dowtnown LIVE will continue on Thursday nights through August 27.  For a complete band line-up, visit downtowncolumbus.com.

The Fabulous Johnson Brothers outdid themselves last night at Downtown Live, as illustrated by a clip from their rendition of ‘9 to 5.’   You gotta think they didn’t plan to be anywhere at 9 this morning!  Thanks to everyone that came out, especially those back-up dancers.  Boys, you have a future!

Downtown Live: Fabulous Johnson Brothers from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

Each time I eat or drink at San Francisco Oven on East State Street, I am reminded that the outdoor dining area between San Francisco Oven and the Hyatt on Capitol Square is one of the best amenities in downtown.   This space has spectacular features, including mature trees, a fountain designed by Alfred Tibor, seating for several hundred people, and great views of Capitol Square.  On hot days, the space draws a cool breeze, and the fountain calms frenetic souls.

Two restaurants serve this patio: Darbys as well as San Francisco Oven.  I am amazed the area is not full of diners seven evenings a week.  Apparently, not enough people linger downtown after work.

One of the reasons why Capital Crossroads SID sponsors Downtown LIVE is to feature this incredible space.  If you have not experienced it, you should consider having dinner and drinks during a concert by The Fabulous Johnson Brothers this Thursday evening.  For those of you who have experienced it, I am interested to know if this space is as good as I think it is.

Named to Fox Channel’s Next Great American Band Top 20 list, The Fabulous Johnson Brothers are coming to Downtown Live this week to put on a show you’ll never forget.  With influences from all over the charts, including names from Michael Jackson (may he RIP) to Prince, The Rolling Stones and Arcade Fire, their sound is familiar and unique all at the same time.  A cooking rhythm section and hot horn section only encourage kinetic frontman Aaron Pickering creating a personal non-stop party on stage that inevitably brings people together to let loose and party!

For more information on the band and this Downtown Live event, visit www.downtowncolumbus.com.

Happy Hour starts at 4 and music starts at 5.  Don’t miss drink and food specials from Darby’s Cafe and San Francisco Oven while enjoying a free show with all your friends on the corner of Third & State Streets.

The fun doesn’t stop at the Downtown Live Columbus Concert Series and this week’s featured band Red Wanting Blue is sure to give you a good time.  Known for their contagious energy and captivating stage presence, RWB has an ever-growing fan base on top of  national recognition.  Chicago Street Scene writes, “Red Wanting Blue brings nothing but energy and flat out great shows to the stage. Their live performances are all the proof you’ll need to become a member of their ever-growing fan base.”

Don’t miss this free show from the group Hard Rock Haven dubs “the best underground independent rock band in the United States of America.”

Show is this Thursday from 5 – 9 p.m. at the corner of Third & State Streets.  Happy Hour starts at 4:30 and food and drink specials are provided all evening by Darby’s Cafe and San Francisco Oven.  Admission is open and free to the public.

Come to unwind this Thursday at the Downtown Live Summer Concert Series.  This week Conspiracy will provide live entertainment on the corner of Third and State Streets from 5 – 9 p.m.

Come for drinks after work as Happy Hour begins at 4:30 p.m.  and food and drink specials are offered all evening from Darby’s Cafe and San Francisco Oven.

It’s a great night out as you head into the end of your week and the beginning of your weekend!

Admission is free and open to the public.

Hoo Doo Soul Band at Downtown Live

A vibrant crowd rocked out with Hoo Doo Soul Band at tonight’s Downtown Live kick off at the plaza near State and Third (in front of Hyatt and 65 E State Street).  The weather was picture perfect and the music was even better.

Mayor Coleman with Set Em Free Kickball team members at Downtown Live

The Mayor even stopped by to congratulate some kickballers from the Set ‘Em Free team on their loss.  They only let the opposing team score six runs (the previous game it was 11!).

Kickball and Downtown Live continue every Thursday through the summer…come down for the fun!