This past weekend was full of arts-centric experiences for me and my family. Saturday night my wife and I saw one of our favorite bands, Cincinnati-based Over the Rhine, in concert at the Davidson Theatre in the Riffe Center. We catch their Christmas tour every year. Then Sunday we spent the day as a family, seeing the new Van Gogh exhibition at the Columbus Museum of Art (it’s lovely), strolling through Craftin’ Outlaws, having lunch downtown (pot roast at Tip Top!), hitting up some stores and looking at murals in the Short North, then enjoying the absolutely delightful Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony. We capped it off with a walk to see all the holiday lights on the Columbus Commons.
All of this is to say… the arts offer a wealth of enriching experiences, perfect if you’re getting out for some holiday fun this season. There are loads of events on ColumbusMakesArt.com; if you need a little help, here are 14 I found this week:
- The McConnell Arts Center hosts vocalist Lisa Ferraro to Jazz Up the Holidays Wednesday, Dec. 8, and the Mad Mad Men for their Swingin’ Holiday show this weekend, Dec. 9-11.
- Sean Christopher Gallery opens a new exhibition of work by Mychaelyn Michalec on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Catch it through Jan. 29.
- The Hilton Downtown Columbus is showcasing the work of Sue Cavanaugh throughout December and January in its front lobby. Stop by if you’re strolling the neighborhood.
- The Gallery Players opens their production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Jewish Community Center this Thursday, Dec. 9 and runs it through Dec. 19.
- The annual tradition returns! BalletMet performs The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre starting this Friday, Dec. 10 and continuing through Dec. 26.
- Columbus Children's Theatre also opens a musical version of A Christmas Story, Dec. 10-23. "You'll shoot your eye out!"
- Love Hallmark holiday movies? The Nest Theatre performs a Hallmark Parody show on Friday, Dec. 10.
- This Friday, Dec. 10 is also the next Franklinton Fridays. It’s one of my favorite regular arts events. You can grab dinner in the district, tour the galleries and studios, maybe get some holiday shopping done. Glass Axis kicks off its annual holiday sale that night, while 400 West Rich opens an exhibition featuring artist Marjaneh Abbasi.
- There are two more chances to see Imagine Productions’ Second to Sherlock, Dec. 10-11. Sounds like a fun riff on the Sherlock Holmes stories.
- The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus performs The Island of Misfits’ Joy at the Columbus Museum of Art four times this weekend, Dec. 10-12.
- ProMusica returns to the Southern Theatre with pianist Simone Dinnerstein Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12.
Have fun, stay safe and support local this holiday season!
Nick is marketing, communications, & events administrator for the Arts Council. He’s also a food/travel writer penning works for Columbus Monthly, Ohio.org, Ohio Magazine and on his own site BreakfastWithNick.com. He recommends Hawkeye for some fun December streaming.
Photo credit: BalletMet's The Nutcracker