By Lacey Luce
Do you ever have a friend look you right in the eye and whine that there’s nothing to do? If you do, please send that poor soul this blog. I’ve plotted out an entire weekend with 10 event recommendations.
I like to kick off the weekend on baby Friday (aka Thursday), and we are in luck because the King Arts Complex has an opening reception form 6-8 p.m. for their newest exhibition: 50 Years Later … The Voting Rights Act.
If you go to King Arts right at 6, you could conceivably still have time for a show, and several amazing shows have opened this week, but my first recommendation is The Tenshu at Shadowbox live. I’ve mentioned before that I love collaborations, and I love it when artists and organizations step out of the bounds of the traditional—The Tenshu does all of this. First, Shadowbox is collaborating with Japanese choreographer/director Hirmoi Sakamoto and New York Time best-selling author of the KABUKI graphic novels David Macki. Second, in addition to the usual high-caliber of Shadowbox performers; the show includes martial arts, magic, puppets, rock-n-roll and gorgeous costumes—need I say more?
While I am recommending you see The Tenshu this weekend, I feel obligated to tell you that there is a half-off opportunity on Sunday, Oct. 18. If you are going to wait and take advantage of this great deal, do not wait to get your tickets. This will sell out quickly. The promo code is on the event page, you should go use it now. But, Shadowbox tickets are very reasonable, so if you can go this weekend, or anytime this month I highly recommend it.
I’ve got three different directions you could take for a fabulous Fridy. Love fashion and in the mood for film? Go see Saint Laurent at the Wexner Center.
Need the high energy of a live performance? Check out Xclaim Dance Company’s season opener 5-6-7-8 (what a great name for a performance!).
Feeling the need to walk about (no matter what the weather)? Head to Franklinton Arts District for Franklinton Fridays and be sure to hit the Vanderelli room and see their latest exhibition.
Any of these options would go well with food. My recommendation: see what’s near your event of choice and then try something new.
So, now we are into Saturday and this would be my idea of a perfect night. Meet up with your peeps earlyish at the last Moonlight Market of the year. Give yourself plenty of time to walk around, shop and eat at one of the many choices on and around Gay Street. Then, go see Kinky Boots at the Ohio Theatre. Yes this is, for many of us, more of a splurge, but it’s so worth it. I got to check it out on opening night and they left me wanting more. If you’ve wanted to see this show for a while and you miss this opportunity you will regret it. I know from experience.
And that brings us to Sunday. Here are two very different recommendations, and honestly I’m not sure which I’d rather do. First, go to the Short North, have a nice long, slow brunch, then walk over to the new Hammond Harkins Galleries and see White Noise: Works by Laura Alexander and Andrea Myers. I went last Saturday and while the entire exhibition is stunning, there is an installation piece by Andrea Myers that is absolutely arresting. This exhibition filled me with pride for Columbus and for the women who make and exhibit art in our city.
The gallery closes at 5 p.m. so that gives you just enough time to grab a quick bite and head over to the Southern Theatre for ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s aptly named season opener, Opening Night. Doesn’t that all just sound so relaxing?
As I mentioned, there is another equally fun Sunday option—the Puffin Collaborative Film Festival at the Gateway Film Center. It kicks off at 11:45 and has a lineup of recognizable films that carry strong social messages, and wraps up with the Ohio premier of Boy Meets Girl.
That’s a wrap people. I can’t wait to see what you get up to via #artmakescbus.
Above image from left: The Tenshu, 5-6-7-8, Kinky Boots, artwork by Andrea Myers at Hammond Harkins Galleries
Lacey Luce is a marketing, communications and events specialist who is going to need to start taking Monday’ off as she will need a big nap to recover from so much weekend fun.
