I am ready for the weekend. Not in a cranky “this week sucked” way, but in a “OMG there are so many events to look forward to” way.
Perhaps the splashiest of these hot tickets is Hamilton opening this week at the Ohio Theatre. I scrimped and saved to get myself a ticket, and now that the show is here, I am positively giddy with excitement.
Also opening this week, Feb. 2, at the Wexner Center for the Arts, is John Waters: Indecent Exposure. This exhibition includes 160 photos, sculptures and videos from cult-film king and culture icon John Waters. Worth noting: the Wex is one of only two venues presenting the exhibition. I’m looking forward to checking this out. Oh, and one more note, while Wex admission is at most only $8 they also have a free day coming up, Sunday Feb. 3, and they offer free admission after 4 p.m. on Thursdays.
An artist in our city that everyone should get very familiar with is drummer and composer Mark Lomax II. This Thursday (Jan. 31) there’s a chance to see/hear him as one half of The Ogun Meji Duo. Lomax and Edwin Bayard (on tenor sax) are a force of nature. The first time I saw them, I was completely immersed in the music. My knowledge of jazz is pretty slim (unlike most of the audience), but it didn’t matter. I also remember being in awe of Mark’s drumming—it seemed as if four people were drumming, not just one. If you are a diehard jazz fan (and even if you’re not), this offering from Backstage at the Lincoln is a MUST.
Feb. 2 is the first Saturday of the month and that means Gallery Hop in the Short North, but this Saturday it also means Hilltop Art Hop, which includes a reception for the group show Red. And, on the north side this Saturday, Wild Goose Creative has their monthly gallery night, which means a new show. From Columbus With Love is inspired by the postcards one might find in the airport. In response to these sleek representations of our city, a collection of Columbus artists were tasked with creating a piece that conveys how they view Columbus.
Finally, Sunday brings the Columbus Children’s Choir winter concert (a nice Zen way to wrap up the weekend).
One more note: If you head to the North Market this weekend (because YUM) be sure to stop by the mezzanine level to check out artwork by artist Brittni Hall. Her work will be up through February.
Lacey Luce is a digital strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who thinks Thelonious Monk may be the coolest name in music history.