By Nick Dekker
Are we still talking about New Years resolutions? How far have you made it with yours? Just like that, we’re halfway through January already. I don’t make formal New Year’s resolutions, but I always have a list of things I hope to accomplish each year, and “getting out and exploring” is a standing item.
With the recent snow and cold, it’d be easy to hole up and hide. But a quick glance at the listings on ColumbusMakesArt.com shows you that Columbus cultural institutions show no sign of slowing down, so you have plenty of reasons to keep yourself moving.
If you want to escape to greener pastures, I’d consider Franklin Park Conservatory’s new Orchids exhibit. I mean, what better way to forget the cold than in a steamy, leafy indoor garden?
There are plenty of other events that get you in from the cold. The Short North Stage launches a year-long collaborative project of staged readings, productions, lectures, concerts and dance pieces exploring August Wilson’s 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle. They’re starting the festival this week with a reception, a lecture and a staged reading of Gem of the Ocean.
Angela Meleca Gallery also opens a showcase of CCAD professor Tim Rietenbach’s work called Sold Out. The King Arts Complex continues their photo exhibit Marching Forward With History-Wisdom-Faith in the Elijah Pierce Gallery. And the Dublin Arts Council opened a new gallery of student work called emerging this week.
If the post-holiday, back-to-work blues have caught up with you, I’d suggest scheduling a visit to Shadowbox Live’s Friday afternoon performances called The Lunchbox. Most Fridays at 1 p.m. they do a 45-minute version of their signature sketch comedy and rock-and-roll shows.
CATCO’s first show of 2016 is a children’s musical called Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!” Having read a number of Mo Willems’ books (on which the musical is based) to our boys, I can only imagine the show is going to be entertaining for all ages.
Finally, if you haven’t had Sunday brunch at Natalie’s Coal-Fired Pizza in Worthington, you should head there this weekend. They have great drinks, lots of hot Luck Bros’ coffee (in ceramic mugs made by a local artist), great brunch entrees, and live music. This Sunday they’re featuring The Markley Ensemble.
Shameless plug: the Ohio History Center also opens their Lego Design Challenge exhibition this week. I say “shameless” because one of my kiddos has a piece in the show. Look for a Lego tower with construction workers using a crane to build it. That’s ours!
As you explore your city this year, make sure you tag photos with #artmakescbus.
Nick helps with marketing and events for GCAC. He also leads culinary tours, writes for nearly every publication in town and blogs about breakfast at breakfastwithnick.com. His current Force Awakens viewing count: six.
