Columbus CVB Blog

You can practically feel it in the air...the weekend's almost here!  There's plenty to get out and do and here's a couple of ideas you may want to check out.

There aren’t many events that you can say have been going on for 29 years, is a lot of fun, & does a lot of good for so many people…but one event that qualifies for all that is the Annual Midnight Express at Country’s Barbecue. More than 2000 runners and thousands of spectators will be at this event to help raise awareness and money to support the visually impaired.  But there is so much more going on before the race at midnight—PTAP will have their 5th Annual Car Show, CSU Cheerleaders will be there, Gold’s Gym will have a set-up, there will be three live bands including local favorite Classic Addict, and even a FireWalk where you can try walking across 1000 degree coals!  With all the community support, they’ve been able to raise more than $200,000 to help make life easier for the visually impaired in this area!  It all takes place at Country's Barbecue on Mercury Drive with the bands kicking off at 8:00pm, the FireWalk at 10:00pm and of course the run at midnight...through a candle-illuminated course...how cool is that!  If you want to register to run, it's only $25.  www.countrysbarbecue.com 

She’s back by popular demand because this is Bluegrass music at its best!  It’s world-renowned Rhonda Vincent and her band The Rage appearing for one show only at the Phenix City Amphitheatre Friday night.  It’s actually a two-for-one show because the Eastwind Bluegrass Band will open the night.  So how good is she?! The International Bluegrass Music Association awarded her its Female Vocalist of the Year award for the years 2000 - 2006, plus IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 2001.  You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but she’s been in the business for more than 40 years!  Concessions will be available, & you an bring folding chairs.  Admission is $10 for adults and free for kids 12 & under.  If you need more information, you can call Phenix City Parks & Rec at (334) 291.4719.

Because the stage production of "Stimulus" was so well received and well attended last weekend, producers have arranged for one more performance at the Liberty Theatre on Friday, August 28 beginning at 8:00pm.  This is a show we can all relate to as it's about surviving and raising a family in today's economic turmoil.  The Liberty Theatre is located at 813 8th Avenue.  Tickets range from $12-$15.  You can get all the details by calling (706) 561.8065.

Here’s another one of the activities happening during the time of the Midnight Express Run, but this one happens the day before and if you’ve never seen this, you’re missing a treat!  It’s the Annual Beep Ball Game that happens Friday night (7:00pm) at the CSU softball fields and here’s the set-up:  Each year, they bring in the World Championship Beep Ball team, the Chicago Comets.  The interesting thing about the players on this ball team is that they are all visually impaired and they are able to play because the ball and all the bases make a beeping noise that they follow.  But to make this even more interesting, they’ll play against a local team comprised of sponsors of the Midnight Express…who are all blindfolded!  If you don’t think this is fun, try putting on a blindfold and walking a straight line!  It’s all in fun, but the game also raises awareness and proceeds for programs to support the visually impaired. www.countrysbarbecue.com 

How about a little comedy this Saturday night?  The RiverCenter is playing host to one of the funniest comic actors to emerge from the Hollywood scene as of late…none other than Mike Epps!  This guy has done it all from comedy shows, DVD’s, starring in blockbuster movies, HBO specials, but it looks like his true love is stand up comedy and we have a chance to check out his act live and in person!  But one thing you do need to remember is that this show is for adults because it contains strong language and adult themes, so you’ll want to leave the kids at home or at grandma’s!  This is one show only and it starts at 8:00pm.  Tickets range from $25.50, $34.50, $44.50.  To find out more, call (706) 256.3612 or visit www.rivercenter.org.

One of the largest wedding expos in the area is this Sunday at 1:00pm at the RiverMill Event Centre (3715 First Avenue).  The first 500 people through the doors of this Ultimate Bridal Expo will receive a gift bag.  They'll have all sorts of free samples, door prizes, vendors from the region and a fashion show.  Grand prize drawing is a free catered rehearsal dinner at RiverMill for up to 40 people!  Admission is $3 per bride and $5 for each guest.  (706) 576.6239

That's just a taste of what's going on this weekend.  If you want to find out more you can check out the Columbus Community Calendar for all the details.  www.columbusgacalendar.com .

Have some fun this weekend,

shelby

Glad the work week is winding down and now we can get down to some serious fun! So let's take a look at some of the things going on around town.

The Springer Opera House is kicking off the 2009-10 season with some fancy footwork!  Now, you’ve got to break out your dancing shoes, and possibly shoulder pads, neon leg warmers, & big hair so you can learn a dance step from their upcoming production of “Footloose.” Dig deep into your closet & find your best ‘80s outfit & compete for door prizes. They’re going to attempt the largest street dance Columbus has ever seen! You can learn more about volunteering at the Springer, how to participate in their No Shame Theatre, (that sounds interesting!) hear Springer ghost stories as told by Paul Pierce, and get single tickets to Footloose.  There will be games & fun for the whole family. Tickle your tastebuds with hot dogs, burgers, pizza, ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn and more! (Sounds like they have all the major food groups covered!)  This is taking place at the Springer on Saturday (Aug 22) from 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. and all the activities are free.  This sounds like it should be a lot of fun!  (706) 327.3688 or www.springeroperahouse.org 

So if you missed or were one of the ones that tried to get into this new thing called “PlayDate Columbus” last month, you’ve got another shot to bring out the kid in you with a bunch of other adults.  In case you haven’t heard about this, PlayDate Columbus is a really fun alternative to a night out.  You get some of the things you expect like great food and cocktails, there’s music, you get to meet new people—all while you’re playing GAMES from way back in the day!  Games like Twister, Uno, Monopoly, Hungry Hippo, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Hula Hoops, Pac Man, even interactive games like Musical Chairs!  Get there early because it filled up fast last month!  How cool is this?  If you want to go, it's at the new Doubletree Hotel and Houlihan's Restaurant on Sidney Simons Blvd., Friday (Aug 21) from 8:00 P.M.-12 Midnight.  Admission is $10 and remember it's for those 21 years and older.  I love how the organizers put it..."You don't stop playing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop playing!"  Words to live by...   (706)  464.7310  www.playdatecolumbus.com 

It’s dinner with a twist…maybe even a twist of a knife because it’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with the folks from Sherlock’s Columbus called "Mafia Murders."  This time, you’ve been invited to attend the 100th birthday celebration of the Godfather, Don Cannoli Tortellini Pimento Clamato. He has to name his successor but who in the Clamato Clan will he choose? Or will the ruthless Ravioli family make their move before the old man has a chance to make his choice? Join your fellow "Wise Guys" for a 3-course as Sherlock's presents this hilarious spoof on Mafia Movies!  And after all this ravioli & tortellini talk, hope they have big plates of Italian food! Plays Fridays and Saturdays until October 10, but some performances have already sold out!  It all takes place at the Columbus Marriott Hotel (Front Ave) and starts at 7:00 P.M. sharp, so it's a good idea to get there much earlier to get your seat and maybe even the part YOU might be playing.  Admission is $45 per person and that includes a delicious 3-course meal.  (706) 718.7494  www.sherlockscolumbus.com 

Here’s something about 99.9% of all of us can relate to this day in time!  It’s a new play at the Liberty Theatre called “Stimulus.”  It takes place in the present & follows the trials & tribulations of an out of work mechanic who is navigating his way through the economic storms of 2009. See, told you we could all relate to this!  So here’s a guy withno job prospects, a family to support, bills piling up, and he can’t & won’t wait on a stimulus package.  But he’s got to figure out what to do quickly or risk losing everything he’s worked so hard for.  Sounds intriguing...  The Liberty Theatre is located at 813 8th Avenue and performances will be held now through Sunday (Aug 23) at 8:00 P.M. and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 P.M.  General admission is $15 and for Military, Students, AFLAC & TSYS Employees with ID are only $12.  (706) 561.8065

If you haven't had a chance to catch the Family Theatre's production of "Harvey," it's going on this weekend and next weekend (2100 Hamilton Rd) and it's one the whole family will enjoy.  Also the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is hosting an incredible singer this Monday night (Aug 24).  It's world-renowned baritone Earl Coleman and he’ll present an all-English recital featuring classical art songs and arias, music of Broadway, and African-American spirituals.  Look for this in Legacy Hall starting at 7:30 P.M.  Admission is $20.  (706) 256.3612   www.rivercenter.org 

And that's just a small sample of things going on this weekend.  If you want to see more, just check out the online Community Calendar.  www.columbusgacalendar.com 

Have some fun this weekend,

shelby

Even with Summer winding down and back-to-school cranking up, there's still a lot to get out and do this weekend!  So take a break from the usual Monday through Friday routine and let's find some fun stuff to get into.

If you haven’t checked out what’s going on at the RiverCenter this season, you’re going to be amazed with the caliber of performances scheduled! “Single Ticket Saturday is for those of us who aren’t season ticket holders, so you have a chance to get individual tickets to events at the RiverCenter.  But it's not just an event where you go stand in line to get your tickets...they make a big family party out of it with all sorts of entertainment and treats like ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, pizza from Picasso’s, hot dogs from Cook’s Place, candy from Brothers General Store, popcorn from Carmike…and kids activities with Monkey Joe’s, Barnes & Noble and PAWS Humane.  I’m going to be first in line for tickets for the performance RAIN…which is a Beatles tribute band and they are incredible! It's all taking place inside and out at the RiverCenter on Broadway in Uptown Columbus from 10:00am-3:00pm this Saturday (August 15).  There's no cost for all the fun and food...but what you spend on tickets is all up to you!  (www.rivercenter.org)

The talented bunch with the Family Theatre is at it again with another great production and this time it’s the classic comedy…”Harvey.”  This story started its life as a stage play, then got the Hollywood treatment back in 1950 with a movie starring Jimmy Stewart, & now we have a chance to see it back on stage, but it’s the same great story! It’s, of course, the story of Elwood P. Dowd who makes friends with a spirit taking the form of a human-sized rabbit named Harvey that only he sees (and a few privileged others on occasion also.) After his sister tries to commit him to a mental institution, a comedy of errors ensues.  This won’t spoil it but Harvey wasn't imagined at all…so what about this invisible rabbit?  You’ll have to go see the play to find out for yourself!!  The Family Theatre is located at 2100 Hamilton Road and performances will be held August 14 & 15, 21 & 22, and 28-29 beginning at 7:30pm.  Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and Seniors...that's a great deal!  (www.familytheatre.org)

If you’re looking for something really different that you and your family or a group of friends can do, then check out the River City Walking Tour!  It’s a way to see a part of Columbus in a whole new way…instead of zipping by the sites in your car, you take a stroll with a guide!  And the stops on this one-hour, one-mile tour can include anything from art galleries, music venues, all different sorts of shops, historic landmarks, and maybe you’ll even hear a ghost story or two.  Maybe the guide can give us some insight on why books are suddenly hurling themselves across the room at Port Columbus?!  The other good thing about this tour is that it’s by appointment only, so you can do it on your schedule.  The tour begins at the Marriott Hotel (800 Front Avenue) and is $10 per person. (www.southernodysseys.com)

So, we talked about this a couple of weeks ago, but there has been so much interest in this the most-famous-cult-show-ever, that they’ve added some dates to the schedule.  We’re talking about none other than “The Rocky Horror Show” being presented by the Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company.  There has been so much buzz about this show and packed performances…and you can see why because it’s not every show you go to that they hand you an audience participation bag when you get there!  So be prepared to be part of the fun and part of the action.  Remember, this show is rated R…not one you’ll want to take the kids to!! It's being held at the International Marketplace (318 10th Avenue) with shows at 8:00pm and special midnight showings on August 15, 21 & 22.  General admission is $18 and for students, Seniors and military, it's $15.  (www.chattshakes.com)

And to round things out, there's the Annual CSU Faculty Art Exhibit called "CSU:  Studio Arts," where you can see what the faculty has been busy creating.  This exhibit will be open until September 5 at the Corn Center for the Visual Arts at the CSU Riverpark Campus.  No admission on this one! (706.501.8300)

Finally, don't forget about Market Days on Broadway in Uptown Columbus.  Last Saturday, it was PACKED so make sure you get there early to get the best pickins' of farm-fresh produce, fresh flowers, fresh from the oven baked goods, and even some arts and crafts pieces.  It's every Saturday (for the next couple of months at least) from 9:00am-12:00pm.  (706.596.0111)

Whatever you do this weekend, just make sure you have a little fun!

shelby

So I'm sure I don't have to ask, but are you in the need for a little fun this weekend?  Thought so!  Here's a list of a few of the things going on around town that you might like to get into.

If you’re in the mood for some serious rock and roll this weekend, the folks at Ft. Benning have arranged for a raucous night this Saturday.  They are bringing the self-proclaimed bad-boy band “Hinder” to the stage at Wetherby Field.  These guys have been compared to AC/DC, Aerosmith, KISS, Guns n Roses…in fact their debut CD went triple platinum which doesn’t happen everyday-that’s quite an accomplishment.  Now, pay attention to the fact that they enjoy their wild & wooly lifestyle and that spills over into their music, so it goes without saying that this is probably one you’ll want to make a date night and leave the kids at home!  Open to everyone, not just military and you don’t even have to go thru traffic check!  The gates open at 5:30pm and the concert starts at 7:00pm.  Advanced tickets are $20 and they'll be $25 at the gate.  (www.benningmwr.com)

Thanks to the low-carb craze a few years ago, the poor loaf of bread became much misunderstood and talked bad about!  Bread is not evil and is actually a very healthy and important part of your diet.  That’s why you need to make sure you’re eating the best bread possible.  And if you love to bake or want to learn how, there’s a special Healthy Bread Seminar this Saturday (Aug 8) beginning at 10:00am at the Friendship Cafe.  Bread can improve your immune system, can reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, chronic fatigue, it’s even said that it can help increase your energy level….but you need to make sure you’re eating HEALTHY bread!  Just don’t go to all the trouble of learning to make fresh, healthy bread then slather it with butter and mayo!  The Friendship Cafe is located next to Albright's Florist on University Avenue.  If you want more detail, you can call (706) 607.2487.

Here’s a way to see Callaway Gardens in a whole new light…moonlight!  This Friday night, they’ll take you on a “Dog Days of Summer Full Moon Night Hike!”   The term “Dog Days” refers to the sultriest period of summer, originally the days when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose at the same time as sunrise.  This will take hikers through portions of the 11,500 acres of land owned by Callaway which only are accessible to visitors during specially scheduled programs.  Plus it may be a it cooler to hike under a full moon  and it’ll be concentrated in The Preserve, which is a great place to look and listen for bats, owls and other creatures of the night.  The hike is about 2.5 miles long and is recommended for ages 10 & older.  Make sure you wear some good walking shoes, bring some water and maybe even a flashlight.  It's only $5 for Callaway members and $6 for non-members.  (www.callawaygardens.com)

So earlier we mentioned some rock n roll with Hinder at Ft. Benning, but if that’s not your cup of tea or you just enjoy all different genres of music, then how about some jazz with the Columbus Jazz Society.  They’re having one of their famous Jazz Jams at the Liberty Theatre and they are welcoming special guest performers, The Auburn Knights Orchestra playing some Big Band tunes.  Believe it or not, The Auburn Knights Orchestra is quite possibly the longest performing college-age big band organization in the world…coming together back in 1930.  Some of the players may have changed in the lineup, but they’ve been performing year-round for more than 70 years!  Show is scheduled to be held from 6:00-9:00pm and admission is $7.  The Liberty Theatre is located at 813 8th Ave.  (www.columbusjazzsociety.com)

And don't forget that Uptown Columbus is having a huge "Summer Yard Sale" this Saturday (Aug. 8), so this may be a great place to find some treasures and bargains!  Look for this in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway from 8:00am-12:00pm.  (www.uptowncolumbusga.com)

Don't forget you can find out more details about these events and tons more by checking out the City's Community Calendar  (www.columbusgacalendar.com).

Have a great weekend,

shelby