Next week I’m heading to Washington, D.C. for a few days for a — wait for it — dad blogging conference. I learned about it from Aaron Sheldon, photographer and dad behind Small Steps Are Giant Leaps photography blog. I’m hoping to learn some good stuff about blogging, social media, photography, video. And my space-loving eight-year-old has already instructed me to visit NASA’s headquarters and the National Air & Space Museum.
But I’m still focused on our adventures this week, searching ColumbusMakesArt.com to see what’s happening:
I love how you can find art in so many places across the city. This week I’m happy to visit the Urban Arts Space’s new exhibition, Ballast, featuring the thesis work of their MFA students.
If we want to get in the Mardi Gras mood, perhaps we’ll hit up the Columbus Mardi Gras Festival on Friday, Feb. 21, a show with five bands playing at Café Bourbon Street and the Summit Music Hall next door. Tickets are $10 for a full night of music.
David Butler just opened a new solo show at the Streetlight Guild called Black est. It celebrates and explores representations of the black experience, and is on view every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. (and during Streetlight Guild events) through Mar. 28.
Friday and Saturday nights (Feb. 21-22), the Columbus Symphony will perform Camille Saint-Saën’s famous organ symphony (think of the theme from the movie Babe). It’s a spectacular piece, and it’ll showcase the Ohio Theatre’s newly renovated pipe organ.
Sculptor Julie Abijanac opened a new exhibition, Just as Life Itself, at Ohio Dominican University’s Wehrle Gallery last week. Her work explores — through paper and fiber sculptures — her struggle with cancer.
We’ve covered the Wexner Center’s latest round of exhibitions and screenings, but I have to call out one that’s caught my eye: Youngstown/Steel Town. It’s a six-minute documentary by William E. Jones, which pairs 1944 footage of booming Youngstown, Ohio with modern footage of the city, highlighting how it has changed over the years.
Friday night, Feb. 21, the Nest Theatre features a collection of their house improv/comedy teams. Their shows are always fun, and are only $10!
Finally, Songs at the Center hosts its next taping on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Davidson Theatre in the Riffe Center.
This weekend we’ll share and search the #artmakescbus hashtag to find even more to do!
Nick is Marketing, Communications, & Events Administrator for the Arts Council. He also leads culinary tours and blogs about breakfast at breakfastwithnick.com. His birthday is next week so you have to be nice to him.