Hello, my name is Lacey Luce and I am a gen-xer who watched The Karate Kid for the first time this past weekend. Why am I sharing this? Because the movie left me very curious not about Karate, but about Bonsai trees. Which would explain why, while scrolling through the arts events offering for this weekend, my eye immediately stopped at the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Bonsai Collection exhibition, which is on view through Nov. 1.
The Franklin Park Conservatory (like many of our arts and cultural institutions) has been very careful about its reopening. In addition to masks, they have timed entry to make it easy for guests to social distance.
Wexner Center for the Arts is joining those orgs who are cautiously reopening. The galleries and the store are now open. Masks must be worn and entrance to the gallery is via timed tickets to ensure plenty of socially distant space to enjoy your visit. They still have their winter shows up (until Aug. 23), which is likely a relief to folks who wanted to visit and were foiled by the lock down. Of course the lock down feels like a decade ago so here’s a refresher.
On view now at the Wex galleries:
I greatly appreciate the efforts that arts organizations are making to keep us safe. I am very cautious about going out and TBH still I still tend to prefer outdoor and virtual activities.
These events are on my short list for this weekend:
- Apart Together Concert Series (virtual events).
- Aug. 13 Donna Mogavero, acoustic singer song writer
- Aug. 14, Sean Carney, blues
- Aug. 15 Willie Pheonix, rock/pop
- BalletMet’s Virtual Fool’s Paradise, Friday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. This is a virtual show that will release at 7 p.m. and it will be available for 72 hours.
- Summer Spray, the collaborative, live mural project in the Short North will feature artist Chris Cropper Saturday, Aug. 15
- The Thurber House online author event: Thurber Prize finalist Ken Pisani in conversation with comedian/director Dave Coulier via zoom. Tune in at 7 p.m. for conversation between humorists.
- The Wex continues to offer a robust list of virtual content. My pick this week is a 2020 film, The Flight, which looks at the lawyers of the ACLU. Streaming for $12 through Aug. 19.
- If you feel comfortable at an indoor performance, I recommend Sons of Gladys: Elvis Tribute, Friday, Aug. 14 at Natalie’s Grandview.
Nothing is “normal” right now, but if there is one thing artists and arts organizations are good at, it’s adapting. Every sector of the service industry is losing money, but the arts and culture sector has been particularly hard hit. If you have enjoyed one of the many free virtual offerings that our orgs have put out in the last several months, please consider donating to them. Creating the art still costs money. Keeping these orgs afloat and artists paid is critical.
Finally a little pro-tip: If you have a decent outdoor space at home that gets wifi, take your phone/tablet/laptop out there to listen to one of the virtual concerts. Pour yourself a drink (whatever your poison may be) put up your feet, and enjoy a beautiful summer night with incredible Columbus talent.
Lacey Luce is a digital marketing strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who is pondering if one should match her mask with her shoes.