It’s my birthday weekend and my gift to me is time. A break from adult responsibilities to go out and fully enjoy the many arts offerings in Columbus. With this in mind, I headed to the events calendar at ColumbusMakesArt.com to curate an itinerary of arts event options for this weekend. This is what’s on my list:
- Top on my list is the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s, Columbus Book Festival, July 15-16. Part of the library’s 150th anniversary festivities, this festival is for anyone who loves books (whether you write or read or both). It is chock-full of author talks, interactive events, workshops, vendors of all kinds—from book stores to publishers to writing groups,—food trucks and an indie authors alley. The festival is at the main library branch, both inside the building and throughout the Topiary Park that is literally in the library’s back yard.
- I have mentioned in past posts CAPA’s Summer Movies Series—an annual favorite for me. This weekend they have on screen in the Ohio Theatre: Psycho, Thursday; The Three Musketeers, Friday; Cartoon Capers, Saturday morning; Singing in the Rain, Saturday and Sunday;
- On Thursday, July 13, Lil’ Red & The Rooster are playing a free happy hour show on Charlie’s Stage at Natalie’s.
- Also on Thursday, there’s an opening reception for two exhibitions at the McConnell Arts Center: Visual Healing: Cyrus Fire and Dan Gerdeman and Jeremy Rosario: ABCs of Encouragement for Girls. While I’m not as familiar with two of the artists, I love Dan Gerdeman’s work and he is the nicest human. Fun fact: Dan had work in the Art Spot citywide installations earlier this year.
- Friday, July 14 is Franklinton Fridays, which includes Friendship Flea this month as well as the usual host of artists and music.
- Jazz Art Group presents JazZoo Swingin’ the Blues featuring Miche Braden at the Columbus Zoo on Friday.
- And, Eclipse Theater Company opens Kathleen Clark’s Southern Comforts on Friday.
- Saturday, July 15, the Columbus Symphony’s Picnic with the Pops is featuring a tribute to ABBA.
- Sunday July 16, Goodale Park Music Series features the Spikedrivers.
- And, July’s Sunlight Market is Sunday. You’ll find artisan pop-ups along Gay Street and Pearl Alley in downtown Columbus.
These are my picks, but of course there are more—it really is a busy weekend. Visit the free arts calendar at ColumbusMakesArt.com.
CAPA, Columbus Symphony and Jazz Arts Group are funded in part by GCAC Operating Support. The Goodale Park Music Series is funded in part with a Project Support grant to the Short North Foundation.
Image: from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.
Lacey Luce is a digital marketing strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who loves a good read and wrote one unpublished mystery novel.