Hey readers. This post is for Columbus. I know, I know, you're not all from here, living here or planning to travel here. But, Columbus is increasingly becoming a magnet creative city, one that's drawing artists and innovators from around the world to create events and projects that can't be missed. There's a lot to talk about.
So, if you are here - or are coming here - mark your calendars for these six can't miss Fall and Winter art events in our city. Most are new (within their first few years), a few are just all-time favorites of mine. These are literally some of the best creative, innovative and inspirational events going on in the Midwest, I hope to see you there:
September 19, beginning at noon
Independents Day
In the words of the founders, this is a day-long explosion of creative spirit. I believe it's destined to be as big as SxSW and twice as cool. Over 200 booths line Gay Street, Lynn Alley, and Pearl Alley and feature Columbus artists, organizations, and restaurants.There are multiple music stages featuring new and favorite acts. Plus, there are multiple performance and innovation spaces where people are doing literally everything from displaying strength and grace on a trapeze to diving into deep discussion on Zappos' customer-focused marketing model. Evcerything that gets the juices flowing is going on here. Learn more.
September 25 - 27, various times
Junctionview's C-Note Art Sale
Columbus' premiere independent arts collective hosts this source-for-all-my-holiday-shopping once a year. 300 artists. Over 600 pieces. All selling at a price point affordable to all: $100. Plus, my favorite treat vendors are always on hand: Raddog with his gourmet meatless hotdogs and Pattycake Bakery with their yummy vegan sweets. (For the record, I'm a carnivore ... what can I say, their stuff is just delicious.)
Learn more.
October 3, 8 pm
Art Fusion
You've probably heard of Art Ball - the see and be seen event where Columbus' most glamorous raise money for the art museum. As cool as it might be to go and mingle there, at $1,000 a plate, it's a little more than most of us what to pay - even for an awesome dressed-up, pampered night out. Art Fusion is the event for us. It's the same night as the Ball - and you still get to wear a cocktail dress - but it's only $100. Young professionals get to check out the amazing new Chihuly exhibit and get access to all the makings of a good time: food, open bar, music by DJ O Sharp, dancing, good people-meeting and people-watching. I hear you even get to hobknob with the fancy people at the end.
Learn more. Read my interview with Sarah Pirtle, Art netWork president on the event.
October 17, 11am
Craftin Outlaws
The midwest's very own alternative craft fair is in a new location this year: The Lodge Bar in the Arena District. Over 60 vendors upcycle, knit, weld, build, paint and otherwise craft some of the coolest never-knew-you-needed-it-but-must-must-have-it stuff you've ever come across. Oh, and there are usually some cool live crafting demos - try your hand at making a handbag live on stage with whatever happens to be sitting on the table.
Learn more.
November 5 - 15, 8pm
[How to] STAY HUMAN
It's a local theater sequel. Back in April, Available Light Theater wrote and produced the very best play I have seen: Dirty Math. Literally, I saw it three times. And, if it were playing again right now, I'd stand in line for tickets in a hail storm. Dirty Math was a look at how the heck we got ourselves into this current economic crisis. It was a race through time that look at how greed and gluttony shape our
economies. The peaks and crashes that are always predictable and always
a surprise. It was full of brilliant soliloquys, hysterical raps, and I think even a dance number. STAY HUMAN is the much anticipated followup. Don't miss it.
Learn more
December 5, 9am
CCAD Holiday Art Sale
This one may not need the long writeup. It's reputation preceeds it, but no one ever seems to know the date. So here it is. If you haven't been to one before, CCAD's spring and holiday art sales bring together the outstanding work of their current students with the more accomplished work of their graduates. You can buy anything from a print to an apron to an elaborate sculpture, but I recommend the glass work. I hope William Ortman is there this year.
Learn more (sorry, there's no landing page for this event)
Excellent stuff. Great to see completely new, unconnected people coming together by organizing these events... especially the energy they bring to it. Go forth and create!
Posted by: Mike Brown | September 01, 2009 at 10:43 PM