By Lacey Luce
It may not be technically fall, but the fall season is kicking in and it’s kind of a big deal.
Let’s start at the opera. I have never been to the opera and if I’m being totally honest I find it a bit intimidating (which is my bad). But after reading Peggy Kriha Dye’s Q&A in City Scene I was curious about Opera Columbus’ production of Lully’s Armide. After reading the production description on ColumbusMakesArt.com, I REALLY wanted to see this show—I mean torrid affairs and a sorceress? Sign me up!
Not only will this be a rare opportunity to see Kriha Dye perform while also being the artistic director, but this production is bringing to the table several collaborations. BalletMet and Cleveland’s Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra will be part of the performance, and local visual artist Sarah Fairchild brings a time-period transcending, couture aesthetic to the set design. Pro Tip: Thursday is a preview night, which means discounted tickets, but they are selling out quickly. I was already boxed out of my price range, because I was too slow to act. Don’t make my mistake.
On the subject of major productions, Taylor Swift is playing at Nationwide Arena. If you are a fan of Ms. Swift’s music then this is going to be a great weekend for you. If you are not a fan, you may want to jot down the dates and times and plan your travel accordingly. I learned some harsh traffic lessons when One Direction was in town.
Taylor Swift is not on my playlist, however, Death Cab for Cutie and Twenty One Pilots are more to my taste and both will be performing this weekend. And, for those who prefer a more folk-driven vibe, Milk Carton Kids are booked for the beautiful Lincoln Theatre—we all win!.
This is also a weekend for some major exhibition openings: The Wexner Center for the Arts is presenting After Picasso: 80 Contemporary Artists, and the Pizutti Collection is opening Us is Them.
You know you are from Ohio when weekend plans start by stalking the weather app. I’ve been doing that because, INDEPENDENTS’ DAY FESTIVAL! The first time I went, it was still on Gay Street, I had gone into work and decided to swing by and check it out. Eight hours later I went home with the kind of emotional high you can only get from a perfect impromptu night.
I can’t wait to go this weekend to hear great music, check out local arts vendors (including the return of the Big Local Arts Tent from the Columbus Arts Festival) and grab a bite. Tuesday, the chance of rain for Saturday had gone down to 20 percent, today it’s back up, but I’m going to keep stalking that weather app–this is Ohio after all.
While we are talking independents, I want to give a shout out to a few other openings this week.
Angela Meleca gallery has a new show: Dana Oldfather: Too Soft opens Thursday with a reception on Sept. 17, and tonight (Sept. 16) Evolution Theatre Company is opening the comedy Sordid Lives by Del Shores.
I won’t be able to get to every fun thing this weekend, but I look forward to living vicariously through #artmakescbus.
Featured image: Peggy Kriha Dye as Armide. Photo credit: Scott Cunningham
Lacey Luce is a marketing, communications and events strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who is still bitter about being trapped in One Direction traffic.
