Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council joins hundreds of arts organizations and communities around the state and nation in celebrating National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) throughout October. Initiated in 1993 and coordinated by Americans for the Arts (http://www.americansforthearts.org/get_involved/advocacy/nahm/default.asp), NAHM is the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. From arts center open houses to mayoral proclamations to banners and media coverage, communities across the United States join together to recognize the importance of arts and culture in our daily lives.
The month-long celebration kicked off this week on October 4 at the Ohio Statehouse with a reading of Governor Ted Strickland’s proclamation marking October as Arts and Humanities Month throughout Ohio.
The following are just some of the events that will be held in conjunction with the NAHM throughout Columbus and central Ohio:
Through October 9: BalletMet Columbus presents Requiem at the Capitol Theatre. The provocative contemporary masterwork, which had its North American debut with BalletMet in 1997, was a 1998 winner of the GCAC Artistic Excellence Award. For information and tickets, visit www.balletmet.org/requiem. BalletMet will also host a free open rehearsal in the BalletMet Performance Space Oct. 29, 5:00-6:00 p.m. No reservations required. Patrons can watch a sneak peek of company rehearsals for Dangerous Liaisons (Nov. 5-13).
Through October 29: Columbus—Ohio’s Hometown exhibition organized by artists Jim Siemer and Tom Baillieul features more than 110 works of 44 artists presenting their visions and interpretations of our city in a run-up to Columbus’ Bicentennial celebration in 2012. The show is currently on exhibit in the Rhodes State Office Tower lobby, 30 E. Broad Street, across from the Ohio Statehouse downtown. Exhibition hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and an artists’ reception is planned for Thursday, October 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., guest-hosted by Columbus City Councilwoman, Priscilla Tyson. Light refreshments will be provided along with live music by Gene Walker. Admission is free to the public. For more information, please contact: Tom Baillieul at 614-447-1223, or e-mail at tbaillieul@gmail.com.
Through November 30: Origami On Hand, a free exhibition at The Paper Circle located in Nelsonville, Ohio, features works by international artist/author Tomoko Fuse of Japan, Robert J. Lang of the U.S. and David and Assia Brill of Great Britain. In addition to these professional artists are works by Charles “Doc” Santee of Illinois and local artists including rising star Jon Tucker, Dr. Michael Weinstein and a large work by the students of Professor Susan Melsop at the Ohio State University. The exhibit spans the spectrum of origami from the traditional (one piece of paper, no cuts, no glue) to modular works made up of hundreds of interlocking pieces. Visit www.ohiopaperfolders.com or contact John Scully or Monica Salisbury at 740-334-4213 for more information.
October 12: Ohio Arts Council and the Ohioana Library Association are sponsoring an hour-long poetry and fiction reading event. Ohio poet Nancy Kangas and author Lisa Klein (whose Two Girls of Gettysburg has been selected for the 2011 Choose to Read Ohio program) will read from their recent compositions, and a student from the Poetry Out Loud competition will perform. Ohio poet Chiquita Mullins Lee will emcee the event and conduct Q&A sessions. This event is free and open to the public and runs from noon-1:00 p.m. at the Riffe Gallery, 77 S. High Street in downtown Columbus across from the Ohio Statehouse. For a full list of events coordinated by the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Statehouse, click here.
October 12: Early Music in Columbus will present Apollo’s Fire: The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra in the “Monteverdi Vespers of 1610” at 8:00 pm at Capital University’s Mees Hall. Soloists, orchestra and chorus will perform this ground-breaking masterpiece of the early Baroque period in this 400th anniversary of its publication. Tickets are $27, $22 (Seniors) and $12 (Students). Call CAPA (469-0939), Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000) or Early Music in Columbus (614) 861-4569.
October 23: Chamber Music Columbus will present Brazilian- born pianist Arnaldo Cohen performing music by Bach, Chopin, Nazareth and others at 8:00 p.m. at the Southern Theatre, at the corner of High and Main Streets downtown. Tickets are from $15 to $40, students and those 25 and under get in half price. To celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month Chamber Music Columbus is offering a special discount; 25 % off for up to four (4) tickets at CAPA and TicketMaster. More information visit www.CMColumbus.org.
October 24: The Columbus Children’s Choir’s 15th Anniversary Season Opener. All nine choirs will perform in Capital University ’s Mees Hall at 3:30 p.m. with special birthday guest, Thiossane West African Dance Institute. In the spirit of this season’s theme, The World of Music, songs performed will include Zulu dowry and South African freedom songs, a song of the Djola people, and a Mi’k Maq honor song from Canada , which features animal sounds and tribal chants. Tickets available by calling (614) 220-5555 or at the door. Group rates available. Go to www.columbuschildrenschoir.org for more information.
October 27: Local artists will be recognized by the South Side Settlement House, Nationwide and Easton Town Center Community Foundation at the 10th Annual Arts Freedom Awards gala reception at the Columbus College of Arts and Design, Canzani Center 1st floor, 60 Cleveland Ave. at 6 p.m. The 2010 recipients are Suanne Goings, Chief Baba Shongo Obadina, and John Sunami. A piece of their work will be auctioned at the event. For more information regarding the services of the South Side Settlement House or the Arts Freedom Awards, call (614) 444-9868.
October 27-31: Allen Toussaint joins the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for a Mardi Gras celebration, New Orleans on Parade, at the Southern Theatre, located at the corner of High and Main Streets downtown. In a career that has spanned nearly half the century, Allen Toussaint has exerted an unparalleled influence over the music of New Orleans. His massive influence on American music reaches deep into the idioms of rhythm and blues, pop, country, musical theater, blues and jazz. Join in the festivities as the party transforms into an unforgettable Mardi Gras celebration with the “Southern Knight” himself. Visit www.jazzartsgroup.org for more information.
Ohio National Arts & Humanities Month events are organized by the Ohio Arts Council with support from the Ohio Statehouse, Ohioana Library, OhioDance and the Columbus Museum of Art.
The Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Arts Council have a long list of events planned for NAHM. Click here for a full list of events.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support. Thanks also to Time Warner Cable, alive!, American Electric Power and CD101 for support of the Columbus Arts Festival.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org