#shadowboxlive

11/14/18

By Jenica Richards

The year may be winding down, but to my delight, the arts are turning up. This time of year generally brings about holiday-themed events (and trust me, there are many to choose from), but what fills me with glee is Columbus’ dedication to supporting arts of all shapes and sizes regardless of the season. Here’s what ColumbusMakesArt.com has to say about this weekend’s energy-filled arts offerings.

I used to be a singer myself, but I’m sure I couldn’t hold a candle to Opera Columbus presenting their high-voltage Voice of Freedom. Their second free performance will fill the Main Library this Thursday with a wall of sound, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renassiance. If you’re able to witness this powerful piece, don’t forget to walk down the hall and behold How Beautiful Am I one last time; the similarly Harlem Renaissance-themed exhibition, curated by April Sunami, closes on Friday. To continue the commemoration of the Harlem Renaissance, CAPA will host the electrifying Dance Theatre of Harlem on its Palace Theatre stage this Friday.

Just around the corner from the Palace, TEDxColumbus 2018: On the Edge speakers like Scott Woods will stimulate thinking caps at the Davidson Theatre in the Riffe Center, Friday as well. Scott’s lecture will explore the effect of social issues on poetry, so ready your mind for awakening. At the Wexner Center for the Arts, Lars Jan’s Early Morning Opera, a theatrical adaptation of Joan Didion’s essay The White Album, will satisfy your thirst for rebellion. Join actress Mia Barron Friday and Saturday as she performs the provocative essay while accompanied by a well-choreographed house party onstage.

Of course, this weekend would be incomplete without a little spark of holiday cheer. Hammond Harkins’ annual wintertime tradition Small & Wonderful, opening Friday, will feature artists like Dennison Griffith and Laura Alexander. Step up your gift game with wares from Gifts of the Craftsmen, now open at the Ohio Craft Museum. This Thursday, Shadowbox Live will kick off their spicy seasonal favorite Holiday Hoopla, and it’s sure to add a pep to your step. Finally, children and adults alike can marvel at Think Outside the Brick, Columbus Museum of Art’s annual LEGO exhibition. Is that a twinkle in your eye I see?

With these arts tips in hand, you can live your best life this weekend. Add some zest to your holiday, and remember to tag #artmakescbus!

8/29/18

By Jenica Money

One of my favorite weekends of the year is finally upon us. Behold Labor Day weekend, the time when we all celebrate (work? Are we celebrating work?) by not working at all. Ironically enough, a close friend is due to deliver a baby this week. So while she’ll have tons of labor, I can put up my own feet by enjoying an extra day of good art.

My restful weekend will start on Friday with a soothing alfresco performance of this year’s Rhythm on the River. Under Edwaard Liang’s artistic direction, BalletMet has made this a summer staple on the Bicentennial Park stage near the riverfront. Come see excerpts from their 2018-2019 season and get some shut-eye before a Saturday full of touring the Short North. Thirteen artists from Muse Gallery will complement the Short North’s monthly Gallery Hop with the grand opening of a new space: (Not) Sheep. A few blocks away, Stephanie Rond will host her second artist reception (the first being Friday) for Seeds of Kindness at Sharon Weiss Gallery. She has been collaborating with students from Eli Pinney Elementary for two years, and this show unveils the fruits of their labor.

Don’t forget to bounce over to the Discovery District and bask in the musical experience that won’t leave you “baroque.” VIVO Music Festival kicked off on Tuesday and will fill the Columbus Museum of Art with the likes of Bach and Brahms all weekend. Get some culture at VIVO Circles at Derby Court tomorrow night for the Museum’s Pay-What-You-Want Thursday. And starting this Saturday, the North Passageway Gallery at the Main Library down the street will display Historical Harlem Renaissance, an exhibition open Saturday until Halloween.

I’ve heard that Sunday is a day of rest, and I’m glad there’s time to snooze before hitting up the free Shadowbox Live performance of Evolutionaries at the Columbus Commons. The show will celebrate musical rebels David Bowie and Prince, which is even more appealing to me than drinking lemonade in a lawn chair on a warm September night. Sunday will button up nicely with a closing performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Schiller Park Amphitheater. I know it’s not midsummer anymore, but at least I can relax to a little Shakespeare while enjoying one last balmy evening outside.

Whether you’re hopping into the weekend with energy or dreaming of enjoying your Monday off, make sure you partake in some local art, and remember that #artmakescbus!

By Lacey Luce

5/23/18

Memorial Day weekend means, for me, a few precious extra hours off to relax and have some fun. Knowing that I have this rare gift of time, I headed over to ColumbusMakesArt.com to find out what’s what this weekend—per usual I was not disappointed.

The first thing that caught my eye may not be the first thing I attend, but it is definitely on my list: Shadowbox Live is giving a free performance of Which One’s Pink at the Columbus Commons, Sunday, May 27 starting at 6 p.m. A Pink Floyd tribute outdoors on a late spring night? I’ll take it.

While we are talking music and theater there are two more shows that are high on my list: Book of Mormon is back in town at the Ohio Theatre through May 27. I saw this their last time through and it is LOL funny. I highly recommend it. On Friday, Standing Room Only Theater Co. is opening Company at the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Both of these shows bring the laughs and right now that is exactly what I need.

On the dramatic end of the spectrum: Actors’ Theatre Columbus is opening their summer season at the Schiller Park Amphitheater on May 24 with Macbeth. It runs through June 17. While Macbeth may not be LOL funn, throw in a picnic and a lovely warm evening, and you’ve got a perfect relaxing night.

If it rains (hello Ohio), then I definitely need to head over to COSI for America’s Musical Journey, which starts screening May 24.

While we are on the topic of great American music, The Bobby Floyd Trio is at Copious Notes, Sunday May 27 with special guest Ernie Krivda.

Finally The Wexner Center for the Arts just opened a new exhibition, Inherent Structure, which showcases a multigenerational group of 16 exceptional artists who challenge abstract painting’s historical associations with chance, gesture, and aesthetic purity. I’m not sure which day I’ll go but I am grateful for the Wex’s generous open hours.

I may need to take some more time off to squeeze all of this in but I’ll be sure to share on Instagram/twitter with #artmakescbus. You can find more arts options at ColumbusMakesArt.com.