By Lacey Luce
It’s time to say good-bye to May, and it seems like she just got here. But, alas, she’s already packing her bags and making her travel arrangements—so, we really should see May off in style, right?!
There’s plenty to see and do for May’s last weekend. I’m going to start with the Creative Arts of Women (CAW) exhibition, Remnants, at Urban Arts Space. It opened Tuesday but the reception is Saturday. I’m a big fan of CAW. Everyone I’ve met from the group so far has been inspiring—not just because they are talented, but also because of their energy and commitment. I’m also a big fan of the idea behind this exhibition: “Contributing artists have been challenged to repurpose used and discarded materials to inform or create significant visual artwork, installations, and performances that will occupy the entire space.” I can’t wait to see this.
Another interesting artist collective exhibition to check out is Winds of Change, Phoenix Rising Printmaking Collective, which is up through June 20 at the Cultural Arts Center. Pro tip: M has a great happy hour. Meet some friends, have some food and drink, then walk over and check out the exhibition.
Here’s something else that caught my eye, Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. I can’t tell you more except that I’m intrigued.
One more intriguing visual arts recommendation: Eddie Adams: Vietnam, and rarely seen collection of work by a Pulitzer-prize winning photo journalist.
Art has a way of getting me to think and ponder deep thoughts even when it’s wrapped in song and dance. YANK! The Musical by Evolution Theatre Company is definitely thought provoking. Playing at the Van Fleet Theatre, YANK! The Musical is a love story set in WWII that explores how the war became a great catalyst in bringing gay men and women together. What really intrigues me is that while the characters are fictional, the inspiration came from researching memoirs and oral histories of gay (and straight) service members from WWII.
There’s more live theater to be found at The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. CATCO has the comedy Buyer & Cellar, while in Riffe Studio 2, Available Light Theater is putting on The Christians.
This weekend also brings us Anne: Diary in Dance, by Columbus Dance Theater at the spectacular Lincoln Theater.
Finally if you feel the need to do a little dancing of your own, I hope you got your tickets to OFF THE GRID at the Wexner Center. There’s no better party at which to shake what your momma gave ya.
Now go and get the most out of the last days of May.
Image credit: Mabi Ponce de Leon, Lady of the Beasts, oil and mixed media on canvas, triptych 126″ x 48″ 2014
Lacey Luce is a marketing, communications and events strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who is REALLY going to miss May.
