The year gets off to a tremendous start in Westerville, where sometime in January, Michael’s Pizza becomes the first place to serve alcohol there since 1875. When we moved here in the late 90s, Westerville and one small section of the Clintonville area were still both dry – so this becomes the last domino to fall. In less triumphant though somewhat related news, in symbolic yin/yang fashion, December will meanwhile see city council voting against renewing liquor licenses for Ledo’s Lounge (2608 North High Street), Miani’s (2619), and The Nut House (2159.) Somewhere in between these measures, both philosophically and chronologically, in November, select campus area UDF stores stop selling domestic beer in bottles – this apparently at the behest of Ohio State bigwigs, who are concerned about the ever escalating game day carnage.
January 2
Drexel Gateway Theatre hosts a viewing party for OSU’s bowl game against Notre Dame. It begins at 3:30pm (kickoff for the Fiesta Bowl is 4:30) and features $2 Bud Light Pounders, $1 hot dogs, as well as a $7 “tailgate food buffet.” According to the ad I’m reading, private party space is available for rent as well. Regarding the results, the Buckeyes win the game 34-20.
January 6
The Columbus Bride Show lifts its veil at Vets Memorial. Boasting 170+ exhibitors, three fashion shows, and thousands of dollars in door prizes – all for the low, low admission price of $8 – it runs from 10am to 5pm today, then noon to 5 on the 7th.
January 29
Wendy’s ditches Columbus in favor of the suburbs, as the corporation relocates its headquarters to Dublin.
February 10
Avett Brothers hit the Blue Note for a live performance.
February 15
Creole Kitchen, which boasts authentic Cajun fare up to and including alligator, opens its doors at 1052 Mount Vernon Avenue.
February 24
Tim O’Brien and Danny Barnes play a show together at the Newport. Here’s one song from their set that night:
For more of the Newport’s 2006 events calendar, please visit that page.
March 8
Yes! Those persistent rumors are true! The 1st Ohio Reptile Research & Conservation Conference is indeed held at Ohio Historical Society on this date.
March 11
The Raising Cane’s at University City Center opens.
March 31
The Ohio chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society holds its banquet at Villa Milano on Schrock Road.
And I couldn’t really avoid talking about this, either. It’s the most famous cold case in Columbus right now – possibly ever – and one of the more well known missing persons episodes around the world, period. This is the night Brian Shaffer went out for some drinks with a couple friends and was never seen again. Technically speaking, he disappeared on April 1, but he and his buddy Clint Forence began their bar-hopping odyssey tonight. They were later joined by a third friend, Meredith Reed. The three of them eventually wound up at Ugly Tuna Saloona, which is where the notorious incident transpired.
Shaffer is seen on video footage entering the bar, yet never leaving. And this was supposedly impossible, which is why the case immediately gained so much traction. Despite that concept being debunked, however, in countless media outlets over the years, this myth continues to persist and is the big calling card for those who enjoy obsessing over the case. If seeking to learn more about the intricacies of his disappearance, I would recommend the work they’ve done on True Crime Garage.
April 1
A turkey hunting seminar is held at the Hilliard Gander Mountain, 11am.
April 6
Lerone, Sarah Donnelly, and Adam Newman play at Acme Art Company. Carabar have Jesse Henry playing. At Flanagan’s Pub it’s Brad Moore. Gibby’s Arena District has Mother Trucker Lite performing. At Grandview Heights Public Library, it’s The Drowsy Lads, Marvin the Robot, and Sarah Asher. Hoggy’s Barn & Grill has Delyn Christian & the Fret Shop Band. At Oldfield’s on High it’s Floor Walkers. On The Rocks has School Boy Crush. Moving to Boise are playing at Slapsy Maxie’s. Acoustic Theory are at Tommy Keegan’s. At Ugly Tuna Saloona it’s Chris Logsdon. Victory’s has Nefarious Ewe. Zeno’s has The John Turck Trio.
Rob Zombie also happens to be in town, performing at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. John Petric is here and is mostly impressed with the show. Lacuna Coil and Bullet For My Valentine open.
April 7
At Carlile Club, it’s “Installation 2” of something, but I’m not sure what, exactly. As they are apparently dubbing this series Elektro Fridays, though, I think it means various DJs spinning house/trance/techno records. Vital Recordings is on the ground floor at 10pm, featuring John D. At the same time Dirrrty House Sessions Vol. 2 is at The Underground, featuring Nino Anthony and David Farlow.
It’s Comfest Volunteer Nite at Acme Art Company, featuring Audible Detonation, The Exceptionals, Nuke Daddies, The Floorwalkers, The Rackets, and Church of the Red Museum.
Elsewhere, tonight Chris Logsdon is at Adobe Gilas. Alrosa Villas has Bobaflex, X Facter 1, Desolate Mindframe, A Vicious Cycle, Umbra, Drifire. The Basement has Flyleaf, Revelation Theory, and Mercy Fall. Billiard Club has Headchange, Addison Lane, Gone Until Tomorrow, and Korba Kai. At Blues Station it’s the Spikedrivers. Bogey Inn has The Aaron Wright and John Zuck Duo. Razorback are playing at Cadillac Jack’s. At Carabar it’s Todd Deathrage, Todd May. C.B.R’s has Bad Johnny playing. Crown Sports Lounge IV has Hollywood Sean on tap. The Vague with Slanted are playing at Fat Billiards. Flanagan’s Pub has Eric Solomon. Frog, Bear and Wild Boar Bar has Chrome playing. Gibby’s Arena District has Vinyl. At Goat Tavern, it’s Christopher Swanson. Harvest Moon Cafe has Jonathan Burgess. Bad Influence are at Hot Spot Tavern. Larry B’s has Radio Surfers. Mulligan’s has Delyn Christian playing. For Oldfield’s on High it’s Jakob Freely, Andy Shaw, and Sean Benjamin Band. On the Rocks has Granny Shot, Next Exit. At Pit Stop Lounge it’s Night Caps. Hoo Doo Soul Band are performing at Ravari Room. X Rated Cowboys are at Short North Tavern. Skully’s Music Diner features Jamnesia, The G.R.I.T.S, DJ Numeric. Slapsy Maxies has Franc Aledia performing. St. James Tavern has Theresa Fyffe, Stephanie Jeffreys. At Tommy Keegan’s it’s Under New Ownership. 2 Rascal’s Pub has 70 West Band. Jonathan Rundman is at Victorian’s Midnight Cafe. Victory’s has Daybreak, Freak Nut Rat Patrol. Woo Doggies Grille has Fat Dog.
April 8
The PRO Gun Show at Westland Mall hosts a home-study hunter education course, from 10am to 2pm, today and on the 9th.
At Andyman’s Treehouse, Early Empire play a CD release party for their debut EP, Resolutions and a Gun. Pretty Weapons and Vena Cava open. I work the door at this show and the Empire guys give me a disc for my troubles.
Elswhere, Billiard Club has Sex Slaves, Umbra playing. Cadillac Jack’s has Liquid Blue. Carabar has The Skilletlickers, Bob Sauls, Mors Ontologica, I’m With Stupid. C.B.R’s has Downplay, BlackCoin, Letter to the Editor, The Mercury Retrograde. At Club Sunset it’s The Schmangy Brothers. Crown Sports Lounge has Poison Ivory, while Crown Sports Lounge IV meanwhile Simply Misdirected. At Flanagan’s Pub it’s Blurred Vision. Frog, Bear and Wild Boar Bar has X Ray Jimmy Roger. Gibby’s Arena District has Jesse Davis playing. Harvest Moon Cafe has Brandon Abbott. Mother Trucker Lite are at Hilton. Hot Spot Tavern has Night Caps performing. Oldfield’s on High has Evil Queens, Ho Ag, One Point Three, ARKS. On the Rocks has Amanda Overboard. At Pit Stop Lounge it’s Wild Eagle. Plank’s on Broadway has JD Burlee. At Ravari Room it’s The Clampdown. Short North Tavern have Soul Kitchen. At Skully’s Music Diner, it’s listed as a Dresdon Dolls afterparty, but I don’t believe the Dresden Dolls themselves are taking the stage – instead, Zachery Allen Starkey, DJ True Skills, and Ocean Ghosts are. Slapsy Maxies has Agent 99.
April 10
The Subhumans invade The Basement, and according to John Petric, who also attends this show, they deliver a performance for the ages.
April 11
On the 101st day of the year (get it?), local FM station CD101 hosts a big blowout at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. Mayor Michael Coleman even gets into the act, voluntarily shilling for the event, boldly proclaiming this day on the calendar as CD101 Day. Except maybe in leap years when I guess they would have to hold this on the 10th.
Anyway, Rock Kills Kid kicks off the event, followed by Bril, Nine Black Alps, local boys The Sun, then Dresden Dolls, and finally headliners OK Go. In The Other Paper issue that arrives two days later, Rick Allen will claim that The Sun surprisingly stole the show.
April 12
Something for Rockets play at Skully’s Music Diner.
April 14
More of this “Installation” business at Carlile Club. This time around it’s chapter 3. Chicago house from Matt Boyd on the ground level at 10pm, and more of those Dirrrty House Sessions, also at 10, from the same crew as before in The Underground.
April 22
The latest Rent revival hits Palace Theatre, this time for two days only.
April 23
Ohio Roller Girls kick off their latest season
April 29
At Columbus Museum of Art (specifically the Ross Photography Center), the Ohio Art League begins its 95th Annual Spring Juried Exhibition. Claudine Ise, from Wexner Center for the Arts, is the juror, and this exhibit will run through September 3.
April 30
On this gloomy morn, the Sports Car Club of America holds its first Solo II competition of 2006. This autocross event, held on a parking lot behind OSU’s Child Care Center, attracts everyone from kindergarten aged go-karters to serious hobbyists in tricked out Corvettes. Regardless of the vehicle, though, participants must race through an obstacle course consisting of construction cones, and hope to emerge victorious. “For 20 bucks I get a full day’s worth of entertainment,” Aaron Ritch is quoted as saying in The Lantern. He’s driving a 2004 Subaru Impreza and adds, “it’s way better than going to a movie.” Meanwhile, OSU graduate Simi Dhilion, who was best in class last year (she’s driving a 2005 Scion tC now, not sure about then), offers in the same piece, “female drivers might not be taken as seriously as they could be, but the big thing is the driver. A lot of people out there are driving stick cars and still kicking butt.” Attendance is free for spectators, and should any students wish to enroll in this league, discounts are available.
May 2
The 12th annual National Conference on Diversity, Race, and Learning is held at the Fawcett Conference Center, from 7:45am to 4:15pm
At the Longaberger Alumni House, a conference called “The Knowledge Economy” begins at 8am. Its stated purpose is to take “a detailed look at the nontraditional possibilites available in Ohio’s communities to build economic sustainability by creating innovation that meets changing needs.” And here I thought my run-on sentences were bad. Anyway, it will run to 3pm for those that can endure it.
A lecture called “Safety in the Workplace” is held in Suite 430 at the South Campus Gateway. Presented by Organization and Human Resource Development, it runs from 11:30am to 1pm.
At Kottman Hall, Mick Micacchion is conducting a presentation on vernal pool animals and their habitat preferences. Free food and drinks are also provided – now this sounds a little more like it!
The Black Eyed Peas invade Value City Arena. Tickets begin at $37.50 and the show starts at 7.
And then finally, on the South Oval, they’re throwing down with a free fest called Israel-Palooza, celebrating that nation’s 58th year of existence. Free food, music, and learning are on tap, making this perhaps the most well rounded offering of the day.
May 4
The second annual Columbus Fringe Festival begins, and will run through May 27. This is a sprawling series of events, in multiple different venues and discliplines, which is sponsored by MadLab Theatre. It’s actually a really complex schedule, scattered all over town, that should probably have its own post on this site. But absent that, here’s the condensed version: art exhibits at MadLab, ROY G BIV, Art Access, and Kirsten Bowen Gallery; plays at MadLab, Columbus Performaing Arts Center, Short Stop Youth Center, and Kafe Kerouac; dance/performing arts at Columbus Dance Theatre and exactly one night (May 16) at Axis Night Club; and then music shows at Carabar, Oldfield’s on High, and St. James Tavern.
Voters approve a $75 million bond for Hilliard, to build a new high school on Walker Road. Slated for a 2009 opening, this will give Hilliard three high schools.
May 10
General planning meetings for this year’s Comfest kick off at the Goodale Park Shelterhouse, 7:30pm. Follow up meetings are scheduled for May 21 and May 30.
May 11
The Alive! weekly paper holds its relaunch party at Spice Bar And Lounge. Apparently the place was giving out free Grey Goose beverages and dispensing tasty treats from the kitchen. One attendee is quoted in the next issue as proclaiming, “Columbus has a real paper now,” which can only mean that she never read The Other Paper. I know it was a packed house and sounds like a great time and everything, but come on. Colorful graphics can only take you so far. Another reader is nonethless stoked enough to declare, “it’s my city, my life, and my newspaper!”
At Global Gallery, they are hosting the 4th annual International Dinner, to promote World Fair Trade Day. It’s a buffet where every dish is labeled in a manner meant to promote global awareness, in support of fair trade. Tickets are $12 at the door ($10 advance) with special rates for couples, seniors, and students. This year’s event features a performance stage and also educational games for children.
May 13
S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo) is held at the Aladdin Shrine Complex on Stelzer Rd. Boasting over 180 exhibitors, it bills itself as the midwest’s largest event of this sort. 10am-6pm, with free parking.
At the Hyatt Regency downtown, the Half Pint Brawlers bring “brutal midget wrestling” to their Live At Hell City extravaganza. If this is your thing, they start throwing bodies to the mat at 7pm.
Death in the Midwest play at the Basement, 9pm.
The Ravari Room is hosting something called The Clampdown, which is billed as “a monthly rock n’ roll dance party.” There’s no cover charge and it starts at 9pm.
May 20
DJ Tiesto performs at Skye Bar. Tickets start at $35, with opening acts Serge Davant, Glenn B and Aus-10 also on the bill.
Axis is hosting a 7 Year Anniversary celebration, which is called Oz and therefore has an Emerald City theme. Resident DJ Rob Engel is spinning records, there’s a “special appearance” by Alexis Stevens, and Emerald City Margarita is the featured cocktail.
May 25
Chef Ninja X from Taco Ninja is featured in Alive!, rating his top 5 albums. Two local efforts make the cut, one from Guinea Worms (You Can’t Chump This) and another from his own band, Classical Ass, for which he plays drums.
May 27
Memorial Day Weekend party at Dolphin Lounge kicks off at 8pm.
May 28
Something called White Party at Axis
May 29
Tournament Time with DJ Drew Hanson begins at Dub Pub, and will run through June 4.
May 30
Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Sessions Band (doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?) play at Germain Amphitheater.
June 1
It’s bucket night at Cosmo’s.
June 2
Harry, Drew, and Nick’s going away party is held at B. Hampton’s.
June 3
The Short North Gallery Hop celebrates its 250th run.
June 9
The Jimmy McGee Band performs at Park Street Tavern.
June 11
2006 Summer Ohio Guitar Show is held at Aladdin Temple on Stelzer Road. From 11:30am to 6pm, $7 admission but free parking.
June 13
Franklin County Commissioners pass a resolution that allows construction to begin on Huntington Park, future home of the Columbus Clippers, provided that certain fair-contracting standards are met.
June 15
Three Columbus BikeSource locations (Sawmill, North High, State Street in Westerville) begin a Bikefest promo, now through June 25. Customers purchasing certain sale bikes earn themselves Bonus Bucks, ranging from $25 to $75. I’m not sure if these are actual real dollars or if they must be spent in-store.
June 16
Look out! It’s a Party At The Park at Cooper Stadium! John Schwab plays in the Picnic Pavilion from 6-7:15. After which, a scant ten minutes later, the Clippers take the field against Ottawa. Not only that, but The Famous (no longer San Diego) Chicken is here, and they’re giving out seat cushions to the first 2000 through the gates. $1 dogs, burgers, and beverages all night as well.
June 17
Long’s Bookstore enlists a pair of auctioneers to get rid of everything that’s left inside the building. Since they closed last summer and most everything useful was transferred to the new Barnes & Noble on south campus, it’s mostly just an oddball assortment of leftover junk, random souvenirs, and fixtures. I seriously think I might have been more interested in the Long’s employee aprons than just about anything else they are listing. In a somewhat amusing piece in The Other Paper, published just prior to the auction, one of the auctioneers is wondering however why there are mannequin parts strewn throughout the place. “These poor mannequins,” he is quoted as saying, “there’s pieces all over. I think Dahmer was here.” He’s joking, of course, although this does make me wonder: considering that Jeffrey Dahmer did briefly attend OSU, was he ever in Long’s Bookstore? A bone chilling prospect indeed. Mostly, though, this little episode is just the sad, final little upholstery nail in what was a former campus institution.
Rockin’ Country Night at Lazy Chameleon in Powell. It begins at 10pm and features Jon Anthony as well as the awesomely named Wishful Drinking.
June 19
Clippers take on Syracuse, another home game. A Monday, also known as 10 Cent Slyder Night.
June 23
This year’s Community Festival (AKA Comfest) kicks off, and will run nightly through June 25.
June 28
Nine Inch Nails survive a rain drenched show at Germain Amphitheater. They play Terrible Lie, Closer, and Down In It alongside other golden oldies. Meanwhile, Paul Simon is playing Value City Arena here in town – which is actually the far more controversial show, surprisingly enough, because Ticketmaster is just giving away seats, for the last two days leading up to this.
Apparently ticket sales were so sluggish they decided to make this highly unusual move, even going as far as to only charge a 75 cent “convenience” fee, period, for anyone who wanted to scoop up a seat. I wouldn’t pretend to know the inner workings of a tour like this, but I’m guessing that Simon was probably given a guaranteed payout for the show, and it doesn’t really matter to him whether the tickets do or do not sell. Whether they ever book him again is maybe open for debate, but management on both sides probably figured it looks better to save face by filling up the venue, probably leads to a better show from a morale standpoint, and anyway more bodies equals more concessions and merch.
I always find the unexpected collision of two major acts in town on the same night to be somewhat fascinating. This smarmy quoted dude in The Other Paper, who runs a ticket brokerage firm, is questioning, “who looked at this and thought it was a good idea?” in regards to the Schottenstein Center agreeing to book this Simon show. But, I don’t know, to me I can equally see myself attending either concert, and am feeling like a wide swath of my age bracket would agree. However I do think in a coin flip situation, the older act probably loses – just because you’re more likely to have seen them before.
June 30
Elvis Costello plays Lifestyle Communities Pavilion with his own band plus Allen Toussaint and the Crescent City Horns backing him. After opening the show with Peace, Love, and Understanding, minus Toussaint and company, that crew then took the stage for the remainder of the evening. I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, Tears Before Bedtime, Pump It Up, and of course Alison are among the tunes dispensed by this ensemble. Plus lots of new tracks from the Costello/Toussaint CD that just came out.
Painter Karl Mullen’s exhibit opens at Lindsay Gallery, and his very own musical group, Karl Mullen Band, plays here as well, at 8pm.
July 1
The Capital Center at Capital University holds an art sale, featuring over 1000 pieces, some starting at just $10. The sale will also repeat on July 2nd, running 9am-6pm both days.
Surly Girl Saloon and the Columbus Music Co-Op stage an outdoor music festival called Here Comes Your Weekend/Parking Lot Blowout. Earwig play first, followed in some order by The Morsels, Ugly Stick, Rosehips, Envelope, The Rackets, Tiara, Columbus Power Squadron, and finally headliners Deadsea to close out the night.
Sherrie Gallerie opens up a two month exhibition featuring the works of Andi and Robert Moran.
July 6
Awesome Car Funmaker are at C.B.R.’s. At Thirsty Ear Tavern it’s Biersdorf & Kolbe. DJs Jon Witzky & Chris Lutzko are at Bristol Bar, DJ Dubb B at Polo’s, DJ Max playing Euro house at Q, DJ Chuckstar overseeing Ladies Eighties at Skully’s Music Diner, DJ Holla at Skye Bar, DJ Matt Bailey playing everything from “heavy 70s to crushing doom” at Surly Girl Saloon. At Ravari Room they’re hosting Funkdefy with Mikey G & Latino Pimp.
July 7
The fifth annual North Market Food and All-Ohio Wine Festival kicks off at North Market. It will run through July 9. Jeni’s is giving away free ice cream samples, and there are cooking demos sprinkled about the premises, as well as a climbing wall for the kiddies. Yumbambe is the musical act on tap for tonight. This year they have expanded the event, too, to where part of Spruce Street is roped off and included. Admission is $15 for Friday only, though this nets you 10 wine tastings and a souvenir glass. The other two days are $5 each, for two tastings and the glass, though you can add-on if curious about tasting some more.
Elsewhere, Hope Vitellas are playing at St. James Tavern. Eric Jerardi is at Blues Station. DJ Lynn spins records at Crown Sports Lounge, DJ Karen Vowell at Eldorado’s, DJ Quinn Spin at Fifth & Joyce, DJ James Brown at Liu Pon-Xi, DJ Nautikat at Metro Bar & Grill, DJ Daze at Polo’s, Orbit with DJ Matthew S. at Q, DJ Jimmy Sexton at Skye Bar, DJ Shabaka the C-City Rocka at Zeno’s, and DJ Holla at Frog, Bear and Wild Boar Bar.
Hip Hop & Reggaeton Explosion hits Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, featuring Fat Joe, Pitbull, and Rashad.
July 8
Christian Howes is playing the North Market wine festival. At Blues Station, it’s Mother Trucker Trio, Smoked Stack Lightning. The Fabulous Johnson Brothers are at Park Street Tavern. Roop Brothers has Dick Jackson & Friends. Thirsty Ear Tavern hosts Jah Blues: Free Beer & Chicken Coalition with Amongst the Grass – make of that mouthful what you will. DJ Joey Blaze is at Adobe Gilas, Quantum and Milhouse at Carlile Club, DJ Unibomber at Cosmo’s Grille, DJ Dubb B at Polo’s, Push with Michael T. Diamond at Q, DJ James Brown at Skye Bar, DJ Putzz at Ugly Tuna Saloona, DJ Diamond Dave at Woo Doggies Grille, and DJ Shabaka the C-City Rocka at Zeno’s. 17th Floor play at Frog, Bear and Wild Boar Bar.
July 9
Donna Mogavero closes out the North Market wine festival. Kickin’ Back with Kolbe Acoustic Blues invades Thirsty Ear Tavern. Q holds something called a Tea Dance featuring DJ Jeremy James, Fierce Screaming Divas. At Skully’s it’s DJs Kenny Kim & Carma running Soul Glo Sundays.
July 10
At Bento Go Go, there’s something called Pump The Breaks with the ever busy Kenny Kim and his unknown sidekick Wild Kyle. Bristol Bar has Monday Mashup. At Fifth & Joyce it’s a Blue Monday with DJ Eddie B, which is funk and r&b oldies, not gloomy 80s Britpop. Skully’s meanwhile has a Mixed Tape Monday starring DJs Pegasi and Gypsy Rider.
July 11
Tricky Home Concoction play at Oldfield’s on High. Willie Phoenix is at Andyman’s Treehouse. At Blues Station, there’s an open blues and jazz jam with Larry Smith, Cary and Linda Dachtyl. DJ Moxy is at Q, DJ Prime Time and Skye Bar, and DJ Nando doing “throwback 70-90s” at Summit Station.
July 12
It’s “country night” at Crown Sports Lounge IV. At Bristol Bar, it’s “Hump Wednesday” with Titonton. Q has Retro Wednesday featuring 80s and 90s music. Elsewhere, we have The Serious Side Effects at Park Street Tavern. Floor Walkers at Shi Sha Lounge. Thirsty Ear Tavern has an acoustic open stage with Billy Zenn. VooDoo Cafe has Willie Phoenix Unplugged. DJ Putzz is spinning at Adobe Gilas, 30 Gig DJ at Summit Station, DJ Hooch manning College Night at Whiskey Dick’s and then DJs Detox and R Joe heading up The Beat Lounge revival at Surly Girl Saloon.
July 13
South Campus Gateway’s brain trust, racking their brains for a way to attract more interest in their shiny new project, decide to launch something called Campus Hop – which is exactly what it sounds like, i.e. a riff on the longstanding Short North Gallery Hop involving art, music, businesses keeping later hours, et cetera. Tonight is the first of what they hope will be many more. Cold Stone Creamery is giving out free ice cream, and the Wexner Center, which isn’t located here but plans on getting in the mix anyway, has an outdoor showing of the old b-movie Monster on the Campus at 8:45pm.
July 14
Bon Vie hosts the latest of its Friday night wine tastings. Tickets are $30 for five samples and some hors d’oeuvres to nibble upon. It’s an outdoor patio event, featuring live local music and a raffle.
July 19
Burgundy Room in Dublin hosts an event they’re calling “30 for 40.” $40 gets you a whopping 30 samples, although I’m not sure I’d like to see who is still standing upright after this marathon – could not be a pretty sight, one would imagine. They are providing some munchies to go with your vino, however.
August 5
Local band Morning Round play in front of Hair Color Xperts for Gallery Hop. The store went all out on promotions, in the form of free food, drinks, and a fashion show as well.
August 10
Fat Dog play Gatherings at the Continent.
August 11
American Idol barnstorming tour hits Cbus. Kellie Pickler and Ace Young are among the performers.
August 12
Columbus Blues Alliance stages an event at Whiskey Dick’s, with Scotty Bratcher and Colin John co-headlining.
August 16
Daymon Dodson of local band El Jesus De Magico unexpectedly dies as a result of a seizure. He is just 29 years old. And actually referring to him simply as being a musician in a local band is incredibly reductive, as he has his handprints on seemingly half a million different endeavors around this great town and beyond. Just to rattle off a couple of them, he was also working as the merchandise rep for Columbus Discount Records and as a designer for Abercrombie & Fitch. In addition to some art projects and countless musical ones.
August 17
This time it’s Guns N’ Roses tribute band Appetite For Destruction playing Gatherings at the Continent.
August 24
Union Station holds the annual Bartender Olympics, now in its 10th year. Contestants are forced to craft three Long Islands and pop the tops on three beers in the shortest time possible. Brad Hobbs (from Smith and Wollensky) takes home top prize of $500 for accomplishing this in 36 seconds. His mom is on hand to lend support, which may have made all the difference. Steven Dunn, Jeff Kover, and Matt Erhard are the judges, and the other known participants include Josh Herndon (3rd place, $200; from Havana here in town) and Dan Murphy (Union Station.) Virginia West hosts in an impressively skimpy outfit.
Addison Lane play at Gas Werks.
August 26
World Party are the latest CD101 Low Dough Show ($5 for all tickets), this time at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion.
September 2
New Bomb Turks play a reunion show at Carabar, with Grafton and Necropolis opening.
September 5
Aerosmith and Motley Crue show at Germain. I attend this one with a veritable slew of my Wild Oats coworkers – Ancie Schmidt and her husband Dan bought tickets for all of us. Really unbelievable and expectionally kind of them to do so, and we have a great time.
Still, it’s the first stop on the tour and there are some kinks to iron out. Like Vince Neil surprisingly enough is strumming an acoustic early on, except for some reason there’s this really crackly sound coming from his speaker every time he does. So they drop that from their act entirely. Ditto Nikki Sixx’s headbanging, which lasts for about two songs before he apparently suffers whiplash or something and never does so again. They’re just a really peculiar act overall because their drummer is probably the most famous member at this point, and therefore Tommy stands up behind the kit between songs quite often, does the most between-song talking of anyone. Most hilarious of all, when Motley does their final bow, it’s just three of them out there – Mick Mars ran off the stage the instant they were done playing.
They sounded okay, put on a pretty solid show, but suffer I think to some extent from being billed as “co-headliners” with Aerosmith. If you’d have called them the opening act, the perception and reaction would have been much better, leaving people believing that was an awesome added bonus. Aerosmith meanwhile sounds killer as always and while the two Joes blew me away the first time I saw them (and are just as awesome here), I have to say Steven Tyler really impressed me tonight. He had throat surgery of some sort and is obviously quite pleased with his pipes now – like this one moment where he really belts out a line, and then I see him turn, off-mic, and shout a triumphant “yeah!” like you would to yourself if totally jazzed about something you just did. Like sinking a basket at the buzzer or winning a big poker hand, something to that effect.
September 7
Brothers Bar & Grill in the Arena district kicks off Super September with a series of Thursday promotions it is running. Tonight is Books4Bucks, which gives one lucky winner $200 in cash – theoretically for school books, although I’m not sure how they would enforce such a thing.
September 9
In the wake of the Buckeye football team’s victory over Texas, massive “rioting” breaks out all over campus, to the tune of a reputed 41 known fires the authorities document. A couple of things that are strange about this latest outbreak, though, are that they won the contest – by a relative blowout, at 24-7 – but also that this wasn’t even a home game.
September 10
A wholly unique rock n’ roll fantasy camp descends upon Germain Amphitheater – if you rightfully call a one day event a “camp.” Spencer Davis, Skunk Baxter, and Mark Farner are among the most noteworthy camp counselors, who are tasked with splitting the attendees into 11 different bands, teaching them one song, and then throwing them onstage to battle at the end of the day, in front of a crowd. The prize? An opening slot for Journey and Def Leppard, members of which show up late in the day for a meet and greet.
Other counselors forming their own bands include Teddy Andreadis (touring member of Guns N’ Roses), Fred Coury (Cinderella, and actually also a touring member of Guns N’ Roses at one point), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Simon Kirke (drummer for Paul Rodgers in both Bad Company and Free), and then a few more people from the 80s you might have sort of heard of.
Chris Deville from Alive! is sent to report and participate. He’s playing guitar in the Skunk-led group, alongside another Columbus local, Read Wineland, and a handful of out-of-towners. Instead of kissing up to their teacher, though, they decide to try and impress Farner with a Grand Funk Railroad tune, I’m Your Captain. Baxter is less than impressed by the early results, so he decides to teach the fortysomething woman playing keyboards a Bach prelude, leading into the tune, and this seems to work much better. They dub themselves Skunk’s Punx and, since their isn’t much of audience the first time around (they are the opening act of the eleven), get to play a second time later. Still don’t win, though Deville reports that even a short lesson from Baxter has noticeably improved his guitar playing. At least one other known C-bus resident, this guy named Greg Schweppe, is mentioned as attending, and is quoted saying, “this is totally worth the two grand I blew on it.”
September 11
At Otterbein College’s Miller Gallery, an exhibition titled The Tokyo & Kyoto Portfolios: Recent work by Nicholas Hill begins its run. It will conclude on October 13, with a reception featuring Hill himself sandwiched in the middle, on September 22.
Also at Otterbein College, over at the Fisher Gallery, another exhibition gets underway. This one is called The Art of the Bookplate: Works on Paper by Contemporary American Artists. It will run through November 22.
September 13
And at Otterbein College’s Frank Museum Of Art, The Passionate Eye: Selections from the Dianne Komminsk African Art Collection begins. Curated by Albert Germanson, it runs from now through November 17th.
September 14
The Brothers Bar & Grill gift giving frenzy continues – tonight, it’s a mountain bike up for grabs.
September 15
Fall Exhibitions Opening Celebration is held at the Wexner Center for the Arts. A free event, it runs from 5:30 to 9pm and begins with an artist panel, followed by a reception.
The Whiles with Eric Metronome are at St. James Tavern.
September 16
OSU’s football team hosts Cinnanati. I’m fairly sure this must have been a blowout, despite not looking up the actual results. At Riverwatch Tower on Lane Avenue, they’re holding the whole Rally At Riverwatch viewing party extravaganza (a blowout of an entirely different kind), which I’m guessing they figure sounds cooler than Hineygate these days – even if everyone still calls it “Hineygate.” Similar to how those who package toilet paper keep trying to get people to refer to it as bathroom tissue, I suppose, though 0.000000% of the population ever has. Anyway, local radio personalities Mark The Shark and Jeff Logan are on hand for this one, as are of course corresponding FM stations The Blitz (99.7) and TED (103.9) and who knows what other broadcasting entities. There’s live music before and after the game, with the contest itself beaming from a giant TV screen set up for the occasion. It’s free, of course, and they get started mighty early, considering it’s a noon start time for the game.
At the Wexner Center, this season kicks off with various exhibits. All are free to view, and offer guided tours if interested. There’s Shiny, which is described as a “bright, playful exhibition featuring artworks with reflective surfaces.” Also Louise Lawler’s Twice Untitled and Other Pictures (looking back) and then Frank Stella 1958, which features paintings by that eponymous American artist.
Tonight St. James Tavern has a Singer Songwriter Showcase featuring Bob Starker, Ed Mann, Jesse Henry, Todd May.
September 17
The big move in day for dorm residents at OSU campus. Also, the months long exhibition of Richard Avedon’s In The American West ends at Columbus Museum of Art.
September 21
This is as close as I will ever get, apparently, to official acceptance by the city’s media gatekeepers. Today I have a somewhat short article published in Alive! as part of this contest where they’re looking for their next sportswriter. It began with a preliminary round where everyone who was interested sent them a different piece (mine was ripping on the lunacy of Buckeye football fanatics), from which they selected sixteen finalists. The figures going through these submissions and picking the winners were Jody Shelley (a Columbus Blue Jacket), Dom Tiberi from the local CBS station, AM radio station 1460 The Fan’s Bruce Hooley, and finally Alive! writer Brian Lindamood.
So I made it through that round, into this “sweet sixteen” tournament. One which will then have us squaring off, bracket style, head to head until a winner is crowned. This week I’m up against Matthew Haynes and, considering it’s a popularity contest dependant upon who gets the most votes on the columbusalive.com website, I’m pretty much expecting to lose. And do.
In the same issue, Postcard is named Alive! Artist of the Week.
Another Super September night at Brothers. At stake this time around is an iPod Nano with two, count ’em two, gigs of storage.
Meanwhile, at McFadden’s in the South Campus Gateway, they are hosting a Back-2-School Party featuring the OSU Calendar Girls as well as an appearance by John from Real World: Key West.
Tool are at Nationwide Arena, their first Columbus show in five years.
Lt. Dan’s New Legs perform at the Coliseum, beginning at 8:30. Following them it’s 90s Remix night featuring DJs Rob H. and BMass.
September 22
Ann Hampton Callaway sings with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, at Southern Theatre. The show is titled Blues in the Night and is a tribute to Peggy Lee, which will repeat on 9/23 as well.
September 23
Megadeth play Nationwide Arena.
September 28
And finally Brothers wraps up its Super September series with what it is calling Boob Tube Thursday. One lucky winner goes home with a 27″ flat screen TV. Carlile Club is hosting DJ Nick Nice and his “Naughty or Nice Birthday Bash.”
September 29
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood play Germain Amphitheater.
Parity International kicks off an Open House at 1305 Holly Avenue, 7pm. There’s a corn hole competition, “random” catered appetizers, open stage and DJ performances both, some sort of surprise cast and crew, a silent auction and cashless bar, all for a suggested donation of just $5. This organization dedicates itself to “bridging the digital divide for disabled individuals, underprivileged students, and non-profit organizations.”
At Carlile Club, there’s an event called Quality with $5 admission. I don’t know quite what this means but it costs $5 and says it features The Sound Republic. Below that some names are listed: Jason “Lemon” Lyman, Pavlo Kosmos, Ryan Mack, Nelson. This place is known for dance parties, so I’m assuming that’s what this is.
September 30
Day two of the Parity International open house runs from 12-5pm.
The Moops perform at Larry’s.
October 4
Widespread Panic are at Palace Theatre.
October 6
This year’s edition of Terror Park kicks off at Cooper Stadium. In only slightly less terrifying news, Toby Keith and a drunken mob of redneck fans close out the concert season at Germain Amphitheater.
October 8
Oakland Nurseries in Dublin hosts The National Pumpkin Weigh-Off, beginning at 2pm. They boast showcasing some of the largest pumpkins available in the U.S.A.
October 12
Carlile Club holds The Movers and Shakers Affair 2006, whatever that means.
October 13
Grafton play a CD release show at Cafe Bourbon Street, for their album Jumpstart Wire. Times New Viking, Guinea Worms, and The Patsys open.
Meanwhile, The Wailin’ Jennys are in town from Canada, for a gig at Fawcett Center. And at Brothers Bar & Grill, their Oktoberfest kicks off. If you buy a commemorative jumbo beer stein, $5 will fill it with any Bud product, and it’s just $3 for a refill both tonight and tomorrow night. Polka music is on tap, too, just in case you’re wondering.
October 14
Earwig play Cafe Bourbon Street, a CD release show for their latest album Center of the Earth. Which is an incredible listen, it’s worth noting. Rosehips and The Proper Nouns open.
October 15
Matt Miner from local band Teeth of the Hydra (and my coworker at Wild Oats) is profiled in a Dispatch piece, leading off their Arts section. He’s being interviewed about their latest album, Greenland, and is amusingly quoted at one point saying, “I don’t write songs about being (ticked) off at work.” Although how he is able to resist that rich material vein I personally can’t fathom. But anyway, it’s a great article, as he gets to discuss at length the inspiration for many of his lyrics on the album. And while workplace drama might be off limits, he does reveal that Eruptin’ is about the band’s van – so it’s not all death & destruction on here, for this skull crushing metal trio.
Donald Berman performs at Southern Theatre, kicking off ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s 28th season
October 26
Mission Man is in town to ply his wares at Cafe Bourbon Street. A play version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels begins its run at Ohio Theatre, from today through October 29.
October 27
Men Of Leisure are playing at Grandview Cafe. Beat The Devil are at Carabar. The OSU men’s hockey team loses 2-0 to the Nothern Michigan Wildcats, even though they only allow sixteen shots on the goal. Morgan Marziali of the OSU women’s hockey team scores a short handed, third period goal at home, in their 4-1 loss to Minnesota. It is her 4th goal of the season.
October 28
And now Hat Trick is the scheduled act at Grandview Cafe.
Matt McIlvane of the OSU men’s hockey team scores two goals in a 4-2 win over Northern Michigan. Jason DeSantis meanwhile chipped in with another goal and an assist, and at this moment leads the Buckeyes in points.
October 29
The Lindsay perform at Carabar, with Coffenberry opening. Barenaked Ladies are at Value City Arena, with Mike Doughty’s Band opening.
October 30
Red Hot Chili Peppers hit the Schottenstein Center.
November 1
OSU’s basketball team squeaks out an exhibition game win against Findlay, their first contest of the season. Despite the 80-57 score, they are actually outrebounded by the weaker team, 39-30, and appear mighty shaky during various stretches. And yet they are ranked #4 heading into the regular season anyway, possibly because people are confident that an injured Greg Oden is going to make a huge impact once his wrist heals. “Now we need to set a practice plan of our glowing weaknesses,” head coach Thad Matta is quoted as saying in The Lantern.
November 2
dance concert at Sullivant Hall Theater titled “virtual.rituals/altered.worlds.” Begins today and will run through the 4th. Brought to you by OSU’s Department of Dance, it incorporates a wide variety of motifs and disciplines. Sarah Hixon, in her third year of the Master’s program, presents Of The Transcendent Unknown, combining Asian and European Baroque in a manner that is, “more about ritual and mythology, sort of relating a lot of imagery but no necessarily a linear story,” she says in today’s issue of The Lantern. Boris Willis’s Abandoned Revolution meanwhile is billed as a live video game, one which is even soundtracked by music composed somehow on a Nintendo Game Boy. The audience plays along during the piece, and in the process learn more than a little about the history of dance. Finally, senior Sara Wiseman performs a piece created by Teen Custer, The Be-Girl Diaries, which explores gender roles in hip-hop, while at the same time presenting itself as a eulogy for that genre as an art form.
November 4
Bob Saget is at Palace Theater
November 5
The Columbus Zoo conducts a job fair, on site, for seasonal jobs that last through the holidays. 12-3pm.
A fall concert called All Creatures is held at King Avenue United Methodist Church, at 3pm, starring the Capital Pride Band.
Columbus Maennerchor and Damenchor stage a concert honoring Mozart’s 250th birthday. Otoniel Gonzaga is featured as a soloist. This held at 7pm in the Holy Family Church on West Broad. Tickets range from $15 to $5 to free, depending upon the attendee’s age. A wine and cheese reception follows at Maennerchor.
November 7
Limited Brands hosts a party called “Step Into Our Closet: Fashion Show and Wine Tasting,” held at their international headquarters. It’s a benefit on behalf of New Directions Career Center and features a buffet courtesy of Bexley’s Monk, live music from the Ft. Hayes Jazz Ensemble. “It’s a fabulous event that brings a New York feel to Columbus, and we’re excited to showcase what we have at the center,” Board president Dawn Tyler Lee is quoted as saying in Alive!
November 9
An ad runs in the paper for a live seminar on “The Non-Surgical Herniated Disc Solution,” tonight at 7pm. It mentions video footage featuring former anchorman Ren Scott. Yet oddly enough never specifies where the seminar is located.
Skully’s is hosting a 1980s themed Five Year Anniversary Party, with a best-dressed contest paying a cool $500 for first prize. And $25 runner up giveaways all night. There are also free massages thanks to Open Sky Bodyworks, and this being an 80s themed bash and all, I can only wonder at the nature of said massages.
November 10
The Decemberists are at LC Pavilion. Or you can catch Jovial Flow play at Fats Bar & Billiards. Skully’s meanwhile offers a potent bill somewhere between these two extremes, consisting of Embassy, Novada, Marking Twain, and Sean Banjamin. $1 PBRs may get you in the door as well, in case you weren’t already enticed.
Columbus Dance Theater hosts something called Ten Cents A Dance, which is live cabaret and dance, at the Fisher Theater. A repeat performance follows on the 11th.
The Kyle Sowashes play an album release party at Carabar. Distribution of this puppy is limited to 300 copies of a vinyl seven inch. Very cool!
November 11
This month’s Coffee And Conversation group at the Junghaus is centered around a presentation on Rumi, the 13th century Persian spiritual master. Claire Hagan Bauza spearheads the gathering, which runs from 10am to noon and is free of charge.
Skully’s now has a Hip Hop Beat Battle. Never let it be said they aren’t mighty diverse with their offerings. The Green Brothers, Lord 360, and more of that ballyhooed dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon are among the listed attractions.
At Southern Theatre, a show called ProMusica Goes To the Movies includes Michael Riesman on piano and Marc Moskovitz on cello. There’s a repeat performance on the 12th.
St. James Tavern celebrates its 10th Anniversary with Whoa Nellie playing at 4pm, Megan Palmer & The Hopefuls at 6, The Townsmen at 8 and The Randys also at 8 somehow (unless this is a typo.) Attendees get a free raffle ticket with their $5 door charge, and the bar’s offering free pizza alongside other snacks, $2.50 Guiness pints, $1 jello shots.
November 12
AEON begins interviewing candidates for teaching English in Japan. Interviews will run through the 14th.
Soulglo, DJ Kenny Kim, & Carma are the listed performers at Skully’s. A student ID will net you half priced drinks.
November 14
Skully’s features $3 Skully Burgers, a live DJ, and half off drinks for service industry personnel
November 15
Leah-Carla Gordone is playing at Skully’s. Not on this specific night, but on some other occasion, Brandon and I were at some other bar and saw a poster advertising an upcoming Gordone performance. He joked that this sounded like some mobster’s daughter, and that if you ever happened to bump into that crew at some bar, her mafia don dad would hint around about wacking you if you didn’t go see her show. You wanna be catchin’ her show, now, sonnyboy, if you get my drift. Got it? Not that we ever did.
November 17
Band: Mickey Avalon is at Skully’s. Whatever that means. Less ambigious is Columbus Dance Theater’s “Dancing Alone,” which features eight solo artists. This will run nightly through the 19th at Fisher Theater.
November 18
Skully’s has a leukemia benefit featuring 4 bands
November 24
Columbus Dance Theater stages a ballet titled Matchgirl, held in Cowan Hall at Otterbein College on today and the 25th.
November 25
Johnson’s Fish Market closes. That night, Skully’s hosts “The Return of…The Flying Saucers.” Although I’m not sure if this is a movie, some other band, or else the return of local group Th’ Flyin’ Saucers, who disbanded I think in the late 90s.
November 29
Miss Molly and Hope Vitellas are at Skully’s.
November 30
Yoga On High hosts a screening of the film What The Bleep Do We Know. It’s free of charge, though seating is limited.
December 1
Skully’s has Red Dahlia and Evil Queens on the bill.
December 7
Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares, who are a Grammy winning vocal group, are in town for a holiday concert at Pontifical College Josephinum Auditorium.
December 8
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra stages something called Messiah Side-By-Side Sing Along at Southern Theatre
December 9
The Fred Hersch Trio stage Hersch For The Holidays at Southern Theatre. A repeat performance follows on the 10th.
December 11
The Who hit Value City Arena as part of their latest comeback tour. The Pretenders open, are the so-called “special guest.”
December 12
Author Sister Helen Prejean is in town for a speaking engagement at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. It starts at 7pm and is a free event, though donations are encouraged.
