The Ohio State University

Wha’cha gonna do? October 16-18

Sorry peeps, I haven’t been blogging for a while.  But there’s a whole new crop of OSU folk who don’t know what to do this weekend so I feel obligated to clue them in.

A few years ago I won tickets to the gala opening of DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN and it was amazing!  But then when it wasn’t here the next year I was totally bummed out.  Well, it’s back - this year at Veteran’s Memorial on Broad St. and it’s only $10 admission for adults with students and seniors getting in for a sweet $5.  They call the displays “innovative dining environments” but basically it’s a table-decorating show.  Companies sponsor the artists to do the tables and money raised goes to help AIDS-related charities.  10am-2pm on Saturday.

Scene from the opening film, The Black Cat starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.

Don’t like the weather?  Couldn’t care less that there’s a football game?  Want to write home that you did something cool this weekend?  Spend noon Saturday until noon Sunday at the Shock Around the Clock Horror Film Festival at Grandview Theatre.  You’ll be the first ones to enjoy the theater’s cushy new seats as the building’s rennovation effort continues.  http://www.horrormarathon.com

Whooooooooo……scaaaaaarrrrrryyyy.   There’s a slew of Halloween activities this weekend and while a lot are fun this one is fun AND educational.  Haunted Statehouse Tours take place by lantern-light.  http://www.OhioStatehouse.org

Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping!  The 5th Annual Craftin’ Outlaws independent arts and crafts fair is this weekend at a new location, The Lodge Bar on Vine St.  I haven’t gone yet and not bought something, and it’s free admission so why not give it a go.  Over 60 vendors!  Saturday 11am-6pm. 

And this is the weekend for fall foliage!!!  Get out and catch it before the nasty mid-fall winds and rain make the leaves drop!

The Circleville Pumpkin Show starts Tuesday!

Have a good one!  Gretchen

October 16th, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? August 14-16

EWWWW!  That’s right, Grossfest is this Saturday!  If I were you, I’d bring along a drink to wash down all those edible bugs they’re going to have on hand.  1pm, Alum Creek State Park  visitdelohio.com

Art Al Fresco will take place in the Short North on Saturday.  Outdoor public art that only lasts one day = unpredictable fun for the senses!  Noon-Midnight!

Columbus-Worthington Art Fair.  This takes place in the parking lot of Worthington Square Mall and while you wouldn’t think that sounds very glamorous, this free juried art show with over 150 artists is a quality event - bring your wallet!  10am-5pm  Saturday and Sunday, free admission and parking.

If there’s one way to get me to like an art piece, it’s to base it on food.  Yummy! begins Friday night at Junctionview Studio’s Matchbox Gallery in Grandview and runs through September 13.  Gallery hours:  1-5pm Fridays and Noon-5pm Saturday and Sunday.  yummyartshow.blogspot.com

 The Pretenders will be at the LCP on Sunday! 

 Have a good one!  Gretchen

August 14th, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? July 31-August 2

The Ohio State Fair is here again, and again I was woefully unprepared to enter anything in the craft competitions.  Fortunately, that’s only a small portion of my annual fair experience.  I will be providing you, dear readers, with my annual fair review next week. 

I haven’t been to the CAPA Summer Movie Series yet.  This weekend might change that since they’re showing one of 1933’s best films, King Kong.  Saturday and Sunday 2:00 and 7:30.  Organ music beings 30 minutes prior to show time.  $4.  Strips of 10 tickets can be purchsed for $25 and used in any combination for the duration of the series.

Columbus Bacon Camp at Wild Goose Creative (1pm Saturday) will be a celebrations of foods/arts/joys of bacon.  To quote the great Homer Simpson:  “Mmmmm…..bacon….”   

The Dublin Irish Festival runs Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 11am-9pm.  Be sure to catch band The Prodigals on the Celtic Rock stage Friday at 9pm and 10pm on Saturday.  I’ve never been but finding the picture above makes me want to go!  I had no idea sand-sculpture was an event there.  Hmmm…..

Pulpfest 2009!  Get your fill of cheesey fiction and cheesier cover art at this sale/celebration.  Ramada Plaza Hotel.  http://www.pulpfest.com   

Have a good one!  Gretchen

July 31st, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? July 17-19

Summertime!  I have to take my car in for an oil change!  Here are a few more exciting things in store for the weekend!

Friday I will be seeing you at the Billy Squire show!  I actually was processing a new book today about the album covers of Andy Warhol, and the record above was prominently featured.  Tickets for the Lifestyle Communities Pavillion show are only $10 for lawn ($22 if you want to mosh in the pit - which you will if you’re a true headbanger).  Billy Squier is awesome and sings my favorite Christmas song, Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You which he probably won’t perform live being that it’s mid-July.

Saturday, if you still have the energy, you can go see Peter Frampton at the LCP.  He lives in Cincinnati, so go support a homeboy!  Beforehand maybe you and your buds can gear up for it by renting the 1978 classic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonley Hearts Club Band movie starring Frampton and The Bee Gees.  I saw it in the theater when I was 10 and remember it being pretty great.  There’s a review you can take to the bank! 

Get out your wallets!  The Dublin Art Fair is on the Sells Middle School front lawn from 6-9pm Friday and Noon-8pm Saturday.  http://Dublinohioart.com

And until the end of the month there’s a really interesting little work of media art being show in The Box (straight across from the gift shop) in the Wexner Center.  Sunday, 6th April, 11:42 a.m. is the title of the film produced by the Italian art group Flatform.  It plays on a loop every 6 minutes,  so it’s not a huge investment of time, but you will think about it a lot afterwards.  Free whenever the galleries are open.

Have a good one!  Gretchen

July 16th, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? July 10-13

I will be back in Detroit this weekend to experience the joy which is Mr. Tom Jones.  While I’m tossing underwear at a 69-year-old singer, you may want to do some stuff around town this weekend.

The Franklin Park Conservatory hosts Chihuly Reimagined through March of next year.  It will run concurrently with an exhibition opening at the Columbus Museum of Art this fall. 

Offset by John Kiley

OSU Urban Arts Space and Hawk Galleries are dividing the hosting duties of their new exhibit BIGG:  Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass.  The opening is Friday from 7-9pm at the Urban Arts Space.

Bird by Ann Smith

Second Nature:  Art From Recycled Materials Inspired by Animals, Plants and Insects begins Sunday at the Ohio Craft Musuem.  1-4pm Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm weekdays.  Free.  1665 W. Fifth Ave.

Yes, he was on Mad TV…but he also played a character named Chilly Chill in the awesome movie Kickin’ It Old Skool!  Bobby Lee graces the Funny Bone at Easton with his comedy stylings Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  See website for show times.   http://www.columbusfunnybone.com/

Monday Peace activist Cindy Sheehan will be lecturing in support of her new book Myth America:  10 Greatest Myths of the Robber Class and the Case for Revolution.  7-9pm  Free and open to the public but donations are accepted.  Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave.

Have a good one!  Gretchen

July 10th, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? July 3-5

I’m going to Detroit to see The English Beat in concert, but if you are someone who isn’t pining for ’80’s ska you might enjoy doing some things around town this weekend. 

Red White and Boom! takes place on July 3 and while most people focus on the fireworks in the evening, this is actually an all-day festival that begins at 10am.  www.redwhiteandboom.org 

Celebrate your 4th of July with a heaping helping of humor!  The Doo-Dah Parade takes place at noon in the Short North.  www.doodahparade.com

Dublin always hosts an amazing July 4 experience complete with an awesome free concert.  This year’s entertainment is Boys II Men and The Four Tops.  http://www.dublin.oh.us/events/independence/index.php

Short North Independents Hop July 4 from 4-10pm.  Former FIN student employee Alex Walp will be featured in a new show at Roy G Biv Gallery!  Check it out!  Through July.  http://www.roygbivgallery.com/ 

Have a good one!  Gretchen

July 2nd, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? May 22-25

Memorial Day Weekend!

My pal Mary Neno at Sullivant Library is going to have one tired behind after sitting on it to watch all those movies at Cinevent this weekend.  $15 a day at the Ramada on Sinclair Rd.  www.Cinevent.com

Our student employee Amelia is a Trekkie-in-denial.  And she SAYS she isn’t going to Marcon 44, the 44th Multiple Alternatives Realities Convention, but I think she secretly has a Klingon costume ready to go.    http://www.Marcon.org 

My parents were here from out-of-town last weekend and wanted to go birding at Greenlawn Cemetery, but couldn’t find it.  Unfortunately, they aren’t here this weekend, because if they were they could just follow the crowd to the Greenlawn Abbey Memorial Day Open House from 10am-4pm on Monday.  700 Greenlawn Ave.

The Lincoln Theatre Community Open House is Monday.  771 E. Long St.  http://www.capa.com  The recent press articles I’ve read make its refurbishment sound amazing. 

Have a good one!  Gretchen

May 22nd, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? May 15-17

Want to go up to Motor City Comic Con to meet Carrie Fisher this weekend but can’t get away?  Oh, wait, you say that’s just me projecting?  Well, nonetheless, there are things to keep us all occupied in C-Town this weekend.

Whetstone Community Center is hosting the Eco-Chic Craftacular on Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday noon-5pm.  Crafts will be for sale by Etsy sellers and workshops will be offered.  Free admission AND parking!  Score!  

Sunday afternoon see my cousin, the amazing Ashley Donelson, sing in her last choir concert before graduating high school.  Gahanna Lincoln High School 3:30pm. Admission fee required.

Sunday evening make an “I Love Lenny!” sign to take to the show, as former Laverne-and-Shirley star Michael McKean joins his pals Harry Shearer (The Simpsons) and Christopher Guest (Best in Show) in concert.  Songs from their movies Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind should be amazing in this “unwigged, unplugged” format.  Palace Theatre, 8pm.

Gena’s Restaurant in Westerville has a Wall of Fame that I have made it one of my life-long goals to appear on.  In the 5 years Gena’s has been open, only 14 men have been able to finish a plate of 3 pancakes.  No women.  Well, people, sexism cannot exist where pancakes are concerned and I am making it my goal to break down that barrier.  Try it yourself..IF YOU DARE!  Actually, I have a hard time believing it can be that difficult.  5947 S. Sunbury Rd.

Happy 3rd Birthday Charlie Green!  Have a good one!  Gretchen

May 15th, 2009

Wha’cha gonna do? May 8-13

Mother’s Day weekend!

Friday is the annual ACCAD Open House from 4-7pm.  This event is always SUPER fun and educational for all ages.  Get there early for the best snacks!

Saturday evening Michael Neno will be exhibiting Steinweiss: the Inventor of the Record Album Cover at the Wild Goose Creative at 2491 Summit St.  The exhibit of 50 Alex Steinweiss covers from Michael’s personal collection begins at 7pm. 

Sunday is the John Doe concert at the Rumba Cafe on Summit St.   The Sadies will also be appearing.  Don’t take Doe’s appearance here for granted - living legends don’t appear at tiny places like this all the time, so make sure to see the X frontman before he moves on.  FYI - X will be in Detroit in mid-June at the Majestic Theater.

My favorite reality star Bridget Marquardt will be on campus Wednesday!  The star of The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches will be lecturing in Independence Hall about her experiences.  No word if her little dog Wednesday will be travelling with her.  Tickets are available to students-only through the OUAB office. 

Have a good one!  Gretchen

May 7th, 2009

How do you use the web?

Let your voice be heard: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pOojyLDTq9HaODn1Kbacbg_3d_3d

May 7th, 2009