Right Now Downtown

Highlights from Independents’ Day, September 19.

Inside 43215: Independents Day Montage from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

HEY BIG FELLA

Independents are supposed to be “the little guys.”  It’s the soulless conglomerates that build monolithic operations under one umbrella. 

Then again, check out the line-up on the Independents’ Day Web site.  Forget about “the little guy”, this year we’re rooting for the BIG guy, and the giant happens to be independent operators. 

How big is this year’s celebration?  In terms of duration, the event is pretty similar.  The festivities around Gay Street kick off at noon on Saturday, September 19 and continue into the wee hours of September 20. 

What they pack into that teeny time frame is downright dumbfounding.  It’s HUGE: the Downtown Resident’s Association is hosting a giant flea market; there will be live music, food from Columbus Originals restaurants, two-hundred vendors, Via Colori’s chalk artistry, live mural painting, hula hoops AND the Ohio Roller Girls. 

Adam Brouillete, who is brave enough to coordinate all these independent souls, understands the phenomena at work here.  “This city is full of a spirit in which people want to be active, contributing members of their creative community. The growth in this year’s event is merely an open invitation to those people to do what they do.” 

Whatever that is, they all want to “do what they do” right here, downtown.

Event “big guy” Adam Brouillette shares a little about what to expect this Saturday, promising rowdy, even naughty, artists and fun surprises.

Inside 43215 on Independents Day. from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

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.

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.

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.

Conspiracy put on a great, energetic show Thursday night as part of the Downtown Columbus Live concert series in front of an even more energetic crowd.  Located at the corner of Third and State Streets, crowds  came from all over Columbus to be part of the biggest block party in the city.

The spectators couldn’t help but smile while enjoying the free entertainment on this beautiful evening.

Concerts continue every Thursday throughout the summer, next week featuring local band Red Wanting Blue.  Don’t miss out, be sure to come downtown for drinks, food and fun!

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.