[Parker Posey, Waiting For Guffman voice]: “It’s the week of the show, y’all.”
It’s the week of the Columbus Arts Festival! We’re so excited for this weekend of art shopping, music, demonstrations and live mural painting, kid’s and teen’s activities, fashion, film, food, drink – all of it. The Festival weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Sure, it can be hot and tiring, but it’s amazing to see everyone’s hard work come together to create this one-of-a-kind experience along Columbus’ riverfront.
BUT… I’m willing to admit that the Arts Fest isn’t the only thing happening this week. Here are some highlights in the Columbus arts world:
June 7
- Local crime thriller author Andrew Welsh-Huggins is speaking at the Thurber House.
- The New Albany Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Rose Run Fest.
- Hopkins Hall Gallery opens a new exhibition, Text Me When You Get Home
- While you’re at the Arts Fest, you can stop by COSI to see the Tutankhamun exhibit
June 8
- Catch stand-up comedy at the Nest Theatre
- There’s free live music, food trucks and more at Party on the Plaza in Upper Arlington
- George Barrie plays for the latest Easton Unplugged
June 9
- Opening day of the Columbus Arts Festival! Catch a fashion show with Columbus-area designers at 8 p.m. on the Genoa Park Main Stage, followed by MojoFlo.
- It’s also Franklinton Fridays! Visit the Big Local Arts Village near the Franklinton entrance to the Festival, then head over to the arts district. See Aaron Sheldon’s Block by Block Cbus at Wild Goose Creative (supported by a GCAC Big Ideas grant!), check out the opening at ROY G BIV Gallery, visit Chromedge Studios for AJ Heckman’s new exhibition Bipolarity. (Read more about AJ and his work here!)
- Enjoy classic rock and blues from The Twylights at Grove City’s Summer Sizzle concert series.
June 10
- Day two of the Arts Fest! Hit up the main stage to see Ghost Shirt at 8 p.m., followed by Chicago’s Dehd at 9:30 p.m.
- The New Albany Symphony Orchestra plays Summer in Germany.
- SPACE, the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo, takes place June 10-11 at the Rhodes Center at the fairgrounds.
- Catch the first Moonlight Market of the season at Pearl Alley and Gay Street. (And check out the recently installed Current while you’re there!)
June 11
- Last day of the Arts Fest! I’m making sure to hit up the Big Local Arts Village and the Word Is Art & Acoustic Lounge for music and poetry.
- Enjoy live music, lawn games, food and more during Sundays at the Park from 1-4 p.m. in Kaufman Plaza behind the library.
- The Matt Munhall Quartet plays Worthington’s free Concerts on the Green.
You can find these events and so many more at ColumbusMakesArt.com!
COSI and Thurber House receive Operating Support grants from GCAC, while ROY G BIV Gallery and Wild Goose Creative receive General Support.
(Image credit: the Columbus Arts Festival)
Nick is marketing, communications, & events administrator for GCAC. He’s also a food/travel writer penning works for Columbus Monthly, Ohio.org, Ohio Magazine and his own site BreakfastWithNick.com. He’s most looking forward to: Island Noodles, MojoFlo, Scribble live murals, the Big Local Arts Stage, any view of artist tents on the bridges.