Columbus CVB Blog

Ready for a little weekend fun?  Here's a list of just a few of the things going on that you might want check out.

We are very lucky to have so many different types of arts organizations in Columbus, so no matter what type of art you like, you’re bound to find it. Just look at this weekend…not many cities our size can boast of having an extremely talented ballet company like the Columbus Ballet and we get to see them, as well as a special performance from the Montgomery Ballet (a professional ballet company).  The Montgomery Ballet will be performing the story of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” complete with music from Mendelssohn.  Some of the senior dancers from the Columbus Ballet will get to perform in this as well.  The Columbus Ballet will open the program with the Act II of Swan Lake, which is a complete ballet within itself!  It's all happening in the Bill Heard Theatre at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Saturday (Jan. 30) with performances at 2:00pm and 7:30pm.  Tickets are $20 & $25.  Find out more by calling (706) 256.3612 or www.rivercenter.org .

There’s no better place in this country to garden, so if you have a green thumb or would like to learn how NOT to kill plants, then check out the 24th Annual Southern Gardening Symposium going on this weekend at Callaway Gardens.  They’re bringing in experts from all over to talk about anything from including water features in your garden, a one-stop gardening marketplace, all sorts of hands-on workshops, and silent & live auctions for unique plants and garden items.  This one’s a little pricier than most things we talk about, but you can spend this much in one trip to the nursery, only to have the plants dead within a week if you don’t plant things the right way!  Besides, the admission of $225 includes and evening reception, two continental breakfasts, a box lunch, banquet, as well as the programs and materials.  If you want more details, head to their website at www.callawaygardens.com  or call (706) 665.5153.

If you just need to get outside and do a little communing with nature, then inhale & exhale deeply and check out the Saturday Nature Walk at Oxbow Meadows!  It’s a great way to experience nature up close and personal and clear your mind at the same time. CSU staff will take you on a leisurely walk along the trails at the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Park this Saturday beginning at 8:00am.  You’ll  look at plants, birds and other wildlife…that are, believe it or not, right in the middle of the city!  You don’t have to be an experienced hiker or have a vast knowledge or the great outdoors…in fact, beginners (ages 8 & older) are welcome and encouraged. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather, and if you have them, bring a field guide and binoculars.  If you don't have them, they’ll provide loaners.  Oxbow Meadows  is located on South Lumpkin Road and their phone number is (706) 687.4090.

So here’s a guy that I’m not that familiar with, but after doing a little research on the internet, this might be someone I’d like to get matched with on E-Harmony!  Talking about country-star Jamey Johnson, who’ll be in concert at the Civic Center Friday night (8:00pm).  He is an unbelievably talented songwriter & has exploded onto the scene also as a singer and performer. He was raised outside Montgomery in a family that was poor but highly musical. He’s a study in contrasts--raised in a devout household, yet he spent part of his youth drinking beer and playing country songs at night on the tombstone of Hank Williams. He has a backwoods upbringing, but is a formally trained musician who knew music theory as early as junior high school. He is deadly serious about his music, yet has an outrageous sense of humor…not to mention his piercing pale–blue eyes and biker beard, he looks like a hell raiser, but he has the heart of a poet.  Sounds like my kind of guy!! Tickets are $22.50 & $32.50.

And don't forget, there are a couple of really good stage performances you should catch...Inherit the Wind at the Springer Opera House  and Gaslight with The Family Theatre  (2100 Hamilton Road.) 

That's just a sample of what's going on this weekend.  You can explore the Community Calendar  for a complete listing of events and activities.

Go have some fun,

shelby

We've posted new video footage of Sculpture Walk in Uptown Columbus. If you've never taken the time to explore beautiful Uptown Columbus, hopefully this will entice you to do so. Sculpture Walk is a collection of works of art from artists all over the United States. The sculptures change out periodically so there is always something new to see. Public art is such a big asset to any community, enhancing the quality of life and making the area even more beautiful and welcoming. To view the video, click here  to view it on YouTube.

Looks like a weekend full of great theatre and fun on ice!

First up, it’s been called one of the greatest plays of the past century and it’s being performed at one of the greatest theatres in the country…“Inherit the Wind” at the Springer Opera House.  It’s the story of a schoolteacher who is arrested for teaching Darwin's theories. He is defended by a very famous lawyer and is prosecuted by a fundamentalist politician.  The story is based on the 1925 "Scopes Monkey Trial" with debates between Clarence Darrow & William Jennings Bryan when they squared off in a Tennessee courtroom--a lot of the script is taken from the transcripts of that trial. Did you know this trial might have happened in Georgia instead of Tennessee if it hadn’t been for the Columbus Enquirer-Sun?  Hmmmm.......  Find out why at this production going on now through February 6 at 7:30pm and a Sunday matinee (January 31) at 2:30pm.  Admission is $35 and you can get tickets and more information at (706) 327.3688 or www.springeroperahouse.org.

Here’s a group that has been called one of America’s finest professional male vocal ensembles.  It’s a group of guys called “Cantus” and they are known nationally and internationally for their broad repertoire, bold singing, and engaging stage presentations.  They have this uncanny ability to span all periods and genres and wherever they go, audiences and critics can’t say enough good things about them.  Not many vocal groups can claim to be able to do anything from Gregorian chants, to contemporary sacred works, then go back to Renaissance times, then switch to world music and even throw in a little pop music before they’re done! You can catch this performance at the RiverCenter's Legacy Hall on Sunday (January 24) at 4:00pm.  Tickets are only $20.  For more info, call (706) 649.7225 or visit www.rivercenter.org.

Lace up your skates and head to the Civic Center this Sunday (January 24) for 2 sessions of ice skating…there's one from 2:00-3:30 or you can attend the 4:30-6:00pm session.  You can bring your own skates or you can rent a pair for $3.  Admission is $7.  To find out more, call (706) 653.4460 or www.columbusciviccenter.org.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE classic movies and one of my all-time favorite movies is “Gaslight,” the thriller starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, so I got really excited when I saw where The Family Theatre is putting on a production of “Angel Street,” which was the Broadway production that later was turned into the movie “Gaslight.” Angel Street tells the demoniac story of the Manninghams of London. So Mr. Manningham does this real fake-out number on his wife pretending to be kindest of men, but he’s really torturing her psychologically, trying to make her think she is going insane.  He’s trying to make her think she is cuckoo crazy!  A nice bonus with this one is if you take a canned good, the Family Theatre will donate it to the Valley Rescue Mission AND take a dollar off your ticket.  The production will be held this Friday & Saturday (next weekend as well) beginning at 7:30pm at 2100 Hamilton Road.  Admission is $10, Seniors & Military tickets are $8, and Student are $6.  You can make reservations or get more details at (706) 536.8052 or www.familytheatre.org.

Looks like there’s a lot of great theatre to take in this weekend and this one is good for kids of all ages!  It’s “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business” being brought to us by CSUs Department of Theatre…their first performance of the year.  Kids of all ages are familiar with and love the Junie B. Jones series of books because children and adults of all ages can relate to, and empathize with, Junie’s predicaments!  It’s all about seeing the world through the eyes of a child…where kindergarten is a place to make new friends and NOT watch TV and your new baby brother could very well be a monkey!  For fans of this series, you’ll be glad to know that this adaptation takes what’s on the page & puts it on the stage…just in a musical format!  The production will be held on the Mainstage of CSUs Theatre on the Park at the RiverPark Campus in Uptown Columbus.  You can catch a performance now through Saturday at 7:30pm and there are also matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm.  General admission is $10, for Seniors, Children, Active Duty Military and CSU Alumni admission is only  $5.  You can get more scoop on this at (706) 507.8444 or at the CSU website.

And don't forget that our beloved Columbus Cottonmouths will take to the ice this Saturday (January 23) to play against the Pensacola Ice Flyers at 7:30pm at the Civic Center.  Tickets range from $12-$22.  Go Snakes!!!  Get more details at www.cottonmouths.com.

There's always a lot to get out to see and do...and remember, one of the best resources to find out where all the fun stuff is happening, is the Columbus Community Calendar.

Have a great weekend...go have some fun!

shelby

Just because the holidays are now officially over doesn't mean there isn't plenty of fun stuff to get out and do!  Here's just a sampling of things you and your family or friends can check out this weekend.

Remember last week how we kicked things off with something sweet & romantic like the big Wedding Extravaganza?  Not so sweet this week because we’re getting down & dirty with an event at the Columbus Civic Center called “Best of the Best—18:  The Real Deal!”  This is an action packed night of world class Mixed Martial Arts showcasing a lot fighting and punching!  It’s an 11-bout card that will feature fighters from around the country as well as the Columbus area. I didn’t know this but Mixed Martial Arts fuses techniques from around the world and developed throughout history to create this sport.  So just how wild is this going to be?  The press release I read said they’re not responsible for blood splashed on clothing of those seated in first 10 rows!!!!  Wow.  It's all happening this Friday night (Jan 15) beginning at 7:30pm.  (Doors open at 6:30pm)  Admission is $45 if you want to sit ringside, other reserved tickets are $25 & $35.  The Civic Center can give you more details at (706) 653.4460 or www.columbusciviccenter.org.

…And now for something completely different!  Our world-class Columbus Symphony Orchestra will be taking to the stage at RiverCenter for a performance called “Two Great Symphonies” this Saturday night.  This one will focus on two of the greatest classical musical minds of the 20th Century--Mahler and Shostakovich.  And something a little different the CSO will be doing is featuring live performance notes & musical demonstrations from the stage…so you’ll get entertained and educated at the same time!  By the way, when Mahler wrote Symphony No. 10, he was at the peak of his musical career, but his personal life was in the gutter because he found out his wife was getting busy with an architect, so he went to Sigmund Freud for help…then he died!  Who said classical music was boring...  Tickets are $36 and you can get them by calling (706) 256.3612 or at the CSOs website-www.csoga.org.

There are also several nice events going on to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, including the 14th Annual MLK Unity Parade of Excellence that will kick off this Saturday (Jan 16) at 1:00pm on Colin Powell Parkway in Phenix City, crossing over the 13th Street Bridge into Columbus, then south on Broadway, ending at 9th Street.

Then, it's the first ever Martin Luther King Gospel Concert this Saturday at the Civic Center...and the featured performers in this concert, The William Brothers, are amazing!  Few gospel groups can equal the Williams Brothers in terms of longevity and popularity. The trio dates back to 1960, when Doug and Melvin's father, the late Leon "Pop" Williams founded the group. The Brothers have received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Soul Gospel Album ("This Is Your Night"), won two Stellar Awards & earned a gold record.  These guys are so incredibly talented that they’ve been on stage performing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Amy Grant & James Taylor!  The show starts at 6:30pm and tickets are $22.50 in advance and $27.50 at the door.  You can get more information by calling (334) 614.8903 or www.columbusciviccenter.org.

So far, we’ve had a little classical and a little gospel music, so let’s make room for a little bit of Broadway!  Plus, this will give you something to look forward to doing the first of next week.  It’s “Camelot” at RiverCenter next Tuesday & Wednesday (Jan 19 & 20) and it’s musical theatre at its best!  It is, of course, the sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign and all is well until Queen Guenevere breaks King Arthur’s heart when she falls in love with young Lancelot.  This one contains some of the most hauntingly romantic songs of any Broadway production…”If Ever I Would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” & “Follow Me.”  Looks likes this is going to be quite a performance!  Tickets are $39.50, $44.50, & $49.50 and you can get them by calling (706) 256.3612 or www.rivercenter.org.

Get in a little ice hockey action this Sunday at 4:00pm at Columbus Civic Center when the Columbus Cottonmouths take on the Fayetteville FireAntz.  Tickets range from $12-$22.  You can get all the details at (706) 571.0086 or www.cottonmouths.com.

Don't forget you can find info about all of these events and lots more at the Columbus Community Calendar. 

Go have some fun...

shelby

So, the CVB is kicking off its 51 Reasons campaign. It's basically just a fun, ever-changing list of reasons to visit or live in Columbus, GA. I asked our Facebook fans and friends to give me some of their favorite reasons, and these are a couple of the responses I received:

"I loved living in the Wildwood area! The historic homes and apartment that I lived in was beautiful and the parks are very well kept!" Kelly Carden McAbee

"A genuine historical catalog of "Suburban American architecture" from mid-1800s til today, rich military heritage balanced with a theatre district & vibrant songwriter/music scene.

Columbus, Georgia is an example of an American city transitioning from industrial to creative and back again...

Create in Columbus. Export to the world..." Sean Rox Michael Schoff

Please feel free to send any of your favorite reasons for visiting or living in Columbus, GA! Thanks!

We really should count our blessings that we are able to call such a wonderful city home. Columbus, GA has changed a lot over the past 10 years...and change has been great for us. I hear so many people lamenting the fact that we don't have a beach, or we don't have an amusement park, and go on and on about what Columbus doesn't have. But what about what we do have? What about the RiverWalk? The new Skate Park at South Commons? The National Infantry Museum? The Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia? Port Columbus? All of the local organizations that offer new things to do and ways to meet people, like the Columbus Roadrunners or the Rivertown Adventure Club, just to name a few. With all of our rich history, an environment that is extremely conducive to raising a family, and some of the friendliest people I know, natives should be proud to call Columbus home.

More and more people than ever are learning about Columbus, GA and what a great city it is. Usually, people's first question when they are thinking about coming here or have just arrived is, "So, tell me what there is to do in Columbus?" And the answer they receive is always much more than they expected. With all of our rich history, wonderful attractions, such as the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, the Springer Opera House, and the Chattahoochee River Walk, and friendly natives, visitors to our city are always surprised and sometimes a little overwhelmed with everything they can see and do while here. In fact, many people have to schedule another trip because they don't have enough time to get it all in. If you want to hear more about Columbus, listen to this recent radio interview with Peter Bowden.

 Click Here to Listen.  

Granted, it's a little cold outside, but there's still plenty of fun stuff to get out and do!  Here's a quick rundown of a few of the things going on...it's always nice to have something fun to look forward to doing.

So it may be chilly, but the summer wedding season will be here before you know it…actually, weddings are big all year ‘round, and the longer you have to plan it, the better it is for everybody in the wedding party!  So if you do have a wedding in the near future, you HAVE to check out the big Wedding Extravaganza at the Trade Center this Sunday (Jan 10).  They’ll have lots of vendors there with all sorts of products and ideas to help make yours the wedding of your dreams.  They'll have info on anything from entertainment, to receptions, honeymoon locations, and a spectacular fashion show.  A lot of the vendors offer demos, samples and money-saving specials!  And you’ll have a chance to win great prizes & gifts.  Admission is only $6 and the show will be going on Sunday from 12:30-4:30pm.  Want to find out more?  Contact organizers at (678) 548.9498 or visit www.weddingsofgeorgia.com.

By the way, if you are thinking about making that trip down the aisle, when you're done with the Wedding Extravaganza, you may want to head to the Garrett-Bullock House (1402 2nd Ave) for their Open House this Sunday.  This is a beautiful, historic Victorian house where you can either have parties/showers, receptions, or even get married there.  Kimble's by Design will also be on hand with some tasty samples.  It's free to attend, but you do need to RSVP (706) 536.4054 or www.garrettbullockhouse.com .

So maybe if you do have a wedding coming up, or a class reunion, family reunion, or you just want to get healthy and look better, then CSU’s 2010 Fitness Blitz may be just what you’re looking for!  This is a really cool program to help all of us find an exercise routine that works because you get to try out several different ones. They’ll have very experienced instructors giving you the opportunity to sample a different fitness class each evening next week… Pilates, Yoga, Body Sculpting, Zumba, T’ai Chi, Hip Hop Funk, Swing Dance, Latin Dance and  more.  You can choose select classes to participate in or you can do the 4-class package that’s only $29.  This way, you can try something new and it might be just the exercise you’ve been looking for to keep you motivated!  It's all taking place at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center on the Main Campus at CSU, next week (Jan 11-14) beginning at 6:00pm.  Cost per class is $10 or don't forget about the 4-class package for $29..that's a great deal.  For more details, call (706) 507.8070 or visit www.conted.colstate.edu.

How about shaking things up a little this weekend and take in some music that may not be on your normal play list!  The Columbus Jazz Society is having their January Concert & Jam Session and they are welcoming a special guest…on trumpet & flugelhorn…Milkshake Mayfield.  (What a great name for a jazz musician!) Milkshake has traveled around the world and back, & has been on national and international stages with some of the greatest ‘who’s who’ among contemporary jazz giants -- Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, & Cab Calloway.  Besides Milkshake, you’ll get to hear a lot of talented local folks jamming!   This is taking place at the Historic Liberty Theatre Cultural Center (813 8th Ave) on Sunday (Jan 10) from 6:00-9:00pm.  Admission is only $10.  For more info, call (706) 660.9295 or www.columbusjazzsociety.com.

Remember during the holidays when you were eating those cookies, having an extra helping of dressing and washing it all down with a big glass of egg nogg…and you told yourself you’d worry about that after the holidays?  Well the holidays are over and if you need to get out and run some of those extra calories off, then sign up for the Red Nose Run that’s taking place in Uptown Columbus on Saturday (Jan 9).  This one's for pretty serious runners, though...it includes a half-marathon that begins at 8:00am and a full marathon that starts at 7:00am--registration starts at 6:00am.  This race was the vision of a handful or two of runners wanting to promote fitness following the holiday season.  Races Start in Uptown Columbus then onto Columbus RiverWalk along Chattahoochee River.  There is no cost to participate in the race, but donations are welcome.  In fact, any proceeds raised benefits the John B. Amos Cancer Center.  You can find out the whole scoop at (706) 315.7060 or go to www.columbusroadrunners.com.

And if you'd like to take a quick roadtrip to Americus, GA, the Rylander Theatre is hosting "The Todd Allen Show" on Friday (Jan 8) beginning at 7:30pm.  It's a real family-friendly show full of oldies and country music and he puts on a Las Vegas-style show, performing artists like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and he does an award-winning tribute to Elvis!  Tickets are $12 and can be ordered by calling (229) 931.0001 or visit www.rylander.org.

Don't forget, you can always find out more by checking out the Community Calendar!

Happy New Year and have some fun this weekend!

shelby