Here we are, the end of April and the start of May.  We had a decent number of April showers, so I’m looking forward to seeing these May flowers.  The temperatures dropped a bit this past week, but they’re already rising.  8:30am on Friday and it’s already sixty degrees.  Today’s high is 83, tomorrow and Sunday 76 and 75, respectively.  Unfortunately, the chance of precipitation is above 80% all weekend.  I’m fine with that because finals are coming up, and we all have so much to do.

Today is gorgeous though, and there’s a yard sale!  64 W. 3rd Ave. all day 10-5.  Men’s and women’s clothing, musical instruments, bags, artwork, kitchenware, electronics, and some cameras.  I really want to sell stuff but today is too busy for me to make it over there.  Because I’m friends with the guy hosting this, I’m doing my best to convince him to extend the sale to Saturday.  Come by and check it out if you can.

8:00 tonight, Drink & Draw at reFINDesign Workshop (1122 N. High St.)  $10 donation for music, drinks, and the freedom to draw all over the walls.

Last Fridays, monthly party at Oldfield’s on 4th (corner of Chittenden and 4th St.).  DJ Self Help, DJ DeezNutz, and The Catalyst making music.  21+, $3, free before 10pm.

Tonight at Circus, The Town Monster is having a CD release show for their debut album, Autumn People.  Joining them are The Blastronauts, Sleepers Awake, and Loyal Divide.  18+ $5 9pm 1227 N High St.

Tomorrow, in the morning, Soul Brunch!  This is the third Soul Brunch Tony Collinger (aka Envelope) has hosted at Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails.  It’s pretty self explanatory, DJs (Detox, Mike Rep, and Envelope) play great soul, you eat Tip Top’s delicious brunch, and the hidden awesomeness, Tip Top donates a portion of sales to the Worthington Special Olympics.  11am-4pm!!!

It’s Gallery Hop, so there are great things happening all around.  DJ Moxy has a set in the empty space at Buttles and High.  Milk Bar will have DJs (Scotty Niemet, Bruno D, Dustin Knell, Johnny Cashola, and Ssagala) and big sales 3-11.  It’s their last Gallery Hop in their 5th and High location, so they’re going all out.  Roscoe Wilson and Tim Portlock at Roy G Biv.

Finally, Project Pat is performing at Skully’s, with supporting DJ sets by Johnny Cashola and Curt Hustle.  Presale $15  Door $20  $3 surcharge for the under 21 crowd.

Rain, rain, go away.  Come again another day.  Or not.

Hopefully some of you made it out to Record Store Day at Magnolia Thunderpussy this weekend. If not, here are some photos of Ben Folds working the counter.

The line at Magnolia was out the door all day.  Luckily I could pull the CCAD newspaper card and Wes Flexner got me inside.  It also helps to know employees.  Some bands played in the back but I didn’t see any of them.  It was a beautiful day to celebrate a great thing, record stores!

In case you haven’t checked your email, last night Dwayne Todd sent out the inaugural issue of Aurhaus!  Finally, people can see what we worked so hard for.  I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.  Now, I’ll get to business.

Tonight at 8:00, Mike Posner and Chip tha Ripper at Newport Music Hall, with supporting sets by DJ EV and CJ Townsend.  All ages, get tickets here:  http://www.vanline.eventbrite.com 

Funkdefy, the monthly funk dance party at Circus, is tonight.  18+ 10pm NO COVER

WE BITE is also tonight, a huge party being thrown at Outland.  Once again, I support anything and everything involving Scotty Niemet and DJ Moxy.  They helped make this event possible, among many other people.  DJing tonight are: JJ XXI from Cleveland, Moxy, Sybling Q, and Scotty Niemet.  Doors at 10, ladies free all night, boys $3 before midnight, $5 after.  95 Liberty St.

Big things happening tomorrow.  April 17th is Record Store Day and they’re celebrating right at Magnolia Thunderpussy.  Music from Karate Coyote, Hurt People Hurt People, Scattered Needles, United Snakes, Christ, The Metagame, and many more!  The music goes from noon-9pm, and Ben Folds will be working in the store from 1-2:30!  http://www.recordstoreday.com

You’ll probably want to go home and listen to all your new records all night, but alas, you cannot.  At Kafe Kerouac there is going to be a benefit for Redbird Books to Prisoners.  This is all based around a Nerd Competition where nerds will be going head to head to see who is the king of nerdom in categories such as games, books, and math.  $5-$10 donation suggested, BECAUSE IT’S A REALLY DAMN GOOD CAUSE.

And tonight there’s a great show happening at the Monster House.  Nick Tolford & Co., Tin Armor, Sexy Crimes, and Andrew Graham.  115 W. 10th Ave. 9pm $5

The rain is supposedly over, so don’t be afraid.  And if you are, go to the movies.  There is an absurd amount of hype about this movie Kick-Ass, so go see it.

Much love.

…not this weekend!

First off, my apologies for not posting last weekend.  I’m sure there were a lot of lost people because of it…I guess.

I know it’s cold outside.  And by cold I mean like, 52.  We got spoiled with sunshine and 70s, now look how mopey we are.  The weather is no reason to miss out on a fun weekend.  Especially because now you can pull out the cute scarf or sweater you packed away with your winter clothes.

First and foremost, I must promote DJ Moxy.  She’s spinning at Juicy 7 tonight.  Circus (5th and High), 18+, doors at 10, free before 11.  Along with Moxy, Mr. Shifter and Rainer.  For the big kids, $3 Smirnoff mixed drinks and shots.  I’ll be here shooting.  If that doesn’t entice you to come, I don’t know what will.  Moxy is moving to San Fran in a matter of weeks, so go see her whenever you can!  I mean, she was only voted the Best Columbus DJ of 2009 by Columbus Underground.  The music is great and the dancing is crazy, and the more you get into it, the more hyped Moxy gets.  Again, GO TO THIS.

I’ve promoted this event before, Moral Tales.  Scotty Niemet, the best party thrower in this city, puts this event on once a month at Havana (1st and High).  DJ Detox and Scotty himself will be laying down the jams this evening.  I’ll probably go to this too come to think of it.  I support all that Scotty does.  18+, 10pm

And if you like Ween, there’s a Ween tribute show happening in Cincinnati.

Saturday, big deal.  Off the Grid is happening at the Wex.  If you haven’t heard about this event, you must be living under a rock, because it has been promoted like crazy for many many weeks.  This is going to be the best Columbus event of  the month without a doubt.  Food, music, art.  This event is 21+, $40 in advance, $50 day of.  That may seem steep but wait until you see the list of restaurants providing food…

THE LINE-UP:

The Hood Internet (chicago)
Anna and the Annadroids
Nick Tolford and Company
DJ Detox
Video projections by Rainer

Your ticket includes food all evening from the following Dine Originals Columbus restaurants:

Barcelona
Barrio
The Burgundy Room
Cotters Restaurant
Due Amici
G. Michael’s Bistro
Katzinger’s Deli
Mezzo Italian Kitchen
Pistacia Vera
The Refectory
Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails
Trattoria Roman

Yeah I know right?  Pretty amazing.  Unfortunately I’ve got business in Cincinnati Saturday evening, or else I would be here for sure.  Maybe I’ll postpone Cincinnati and try get an Aurhaus press pass…hmmm….

More dancing, Clampdown at Ravari (Dodridge and High).  Fun dance tunes by DJ Charles.  And Hounddog’s is right there.  Nice.  Oh and it’s free.  21+

Aaand Sound Off! at A&R Bar.  Dancing, all ages, drinks specials.

Sunday, Surfer Blood with Turbo Fruits and Tin Armor at the Summit.  And if you plan on going to the show plan on going to the pre-party at Bodega 6-8.  They’ll also be giving away a free pair of tickets to the show.  But if you don’t win, you can just stay at Bodega and play trivia, hosted by teamtim.  He hosts every Sunday at Bodega and Monday at Park St. Tavern.  A Sunday tradition for me, trivia rules!

I know it’s kind of slim pickins this weekend, unless you love dance parties, then there are numerous options at your fingertips.  The high is only 53 today, but tomorrow it’s 68 so get out and enjoy the weather!  And seriously, go to Off the Grid if you can.  I forgot to mention all proceeds benefit Wex education programs.  Great cause, great music, great food.  Seriously GREAT food.

Spring Break is over.  Because we’re on semesters we don’t get the excitement of returning to a crisp new schedule, but we do have the pleasure of knowing this is the first of our last six weeks.  So close your eyes, haul ass, and let’s do this thing.

(Just because Spring Break is over and the busy season is kicking into full gear, doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun.  Seriously.)

Today Bread and Puppet Theater from Vermont (www.breadandpuppet.org) will be performing “Dirt Cheap Cabaret.”  The Summit on 16th, 82 E 16th Ave, all are welcome, $5 donation.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, The Smith Westerns, Male Bonding, and New World Vultures are playing at Cafe Bourbon St, 2216 Summit St.  10pm $7

Wednesday Passion Pit is playing at the LC.  Remember when they played at the Summit?  Those were the days.  Well, after that show you can swing next door to Sound Off! dance party at A&R Bar.  No cover, all ages.

Or if you don’t want to go to that, but you really want to go to a Passion Pit after party, go to Axis, 861 N High St.  (It kind of sits behind where Planet Smoothie used to be, by Sole Classics and the Segway store, I had a hard time finding it the first time I went.)  Members of Passion Pit will be playing DJ sets, with supporting sets by CJ Townsend and Scotty Niemet.  There are many reasons why you should go to this.  The music will be sweet (members of Passion Pit know a little something, PLUS CJ and Scotty, two of Columbus’s favorite DJs), {milk bar} is sponsoring the event, and {milk bar} is sweet, Axis is awesome and gigantic, and it will have to be considering 535 people are “attending” on facebook.  Basically, anything involving Scotty (sweatin’, moral tales), CJ (614 Tuesdays and Level regularly, and tons of other sick Columbus parties), and Kareem (milk bar, get right) will be down right amazing.  I think I’ve given enough reasons why everyone should go to this.  Numbers: 18+ $3 before 12/$5 after.

Thursday Robert Francis, Lawrence Arabia, and Fanfarlo for $5 at Outland.

Also Thursday at Kafe Kerouac, a showing of “The Business of Being Born,” to be followed by a discussion of birth options in Columbus.  $5 donation, which will go towards the medical expenses of a home birth in our community.  2250 N High St.

That’s it.  A good post-Spring Break week I’d say.

Words in the New York Times just for us?  And CCAD even gets a mention.  As if I wasn’t happy to be living in this city already, I sure am now.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/travel/14headsup.html

March 12-14!  Can you believe it, we’re already almost halfway through March?  And Spring Break is only one week away!  So I know we all have lots to do to make sure we don’t get stuck with a big project over Spring Break, oh well.  There’s still time to go out and enjoy the (rainy, yet delightfully warm) weather.

.Tonight tonight my friends, New Creases 7” release show at Carabar (115 Parsons Ave).  Other bands, This Moment is Black History, Sun God, and Beast in the Field.  Trust me, this is gonna be super awesome.  I will be there if the rain doesn’t get my bike too wet.

.Horse Feathers with Old Hundred and Saint Seneca at Rumba Cafe (2507 Summit St).

.The Greatest Show #10: Surf’s Up, Dragonfly Neo-V.  Comedy, Tin Armor, and The Compressions.  This is second to last Greatest Show, get out there!

.Mt. Vernon Music and Fine Arts Festival, 216 Fosdick St.  Bands:  No No Knots, and Paego Paego.  DJs:  John Zahorian / tristan seufert (SHIN TOWER DJ SET), positronic, and CA cash refund / supreme BOP.  Artists:  Brent Lashley and Pb Kain.

.Moral Tales, dance party at Havana (1st Ave & High St).

Saturday….

.Peacewalk Celebration and Circus, 7-9, Summit Methodist Church on 16th, 82 East 16th Avenue.  Footprints for Peace 2010 Peace Walk and The Olive Tree Circus.  $5

.We Were Promised Jetpacks with Lonely Forest and Bear Hands at The Summit 

.More DJs and dancing at Bristol Bar (5th & Summit) with Cbus vs. The Nati (ft. CJ Townsend, DJ Clockwork, and P. Blackk)…I’m rooting for The Nati

.Dancing at Ravari Room for Clampdown!

Extreme Wieners will be permanently closing its doors on Tuesday.  Business is good, but the boys have decided to go their separate ways.  I’ve been an extremely loyal Extreme Wieners customer since my first visit.  In case you aren’t aware, they are located inside Cafe Bourbon Street, at 2216 Summit St.  Their hot dogs (veggie dogs in my case) really destroy all other dogs in Columbus, and they’ve got plenty of competition.  Their homemade vegan chili is out of this world in a bowl, and even better on a dog.  The salsa is homemade, and even though I’m a baby and can barely handle the spice, I always order a dog with salsa and tomatoes.  Ask anyone who knows anything, and they’ll tell you the best dollar deal in Columbus is easily Extreme Wieners’s dollar dog night.  No, not dollar grilled cheese or dollar burgers, dollar dogs.  Dollar dogs and surf rock and PBR tall boys.  Or if you were busy on Mondays, there was always karaoke Sundays.  Nothing feels better than belting out some Blackstreet or Avril Lavigne, then refueling with a Chicago dog.  Or if you were in the mood to take a risk, but skydiving was too dangerous, there was the Topher Special, a guarantee to never get the same dog twice.  Perfectly fried french fries every time, and veggie dogs (and regular ones too I’m sure) so delicious it could have all been a dream.

I’ve known the Riffe brothers (co-owners) for just a bit over a year and they are two truly awesome people.  As saddened as I am by their decision to shut down, I have high hopes for them and what the future has in store.  Best wishes and huge thank you’s and much much love to Paige (the lady Riffe) and Topher (eye candy and singer extraordinaire).

Good morning my sunshines.  I must apologize deeply for not posting the usual array of fun Columbus events on Friday.  I was in bed with strep throat, so whatever you missed because of me, I missed too.  To make it up to you, a couple of things to do, GASP, during the week.

Tomorrow, Tuesday March 9th, eat pizza!  The Pizza Hut on Lane Avenue is fundraising tomorrow.  Columbus Volunteers for Katrina Relief will be there raising money for their trip to New Orleans to help rebuild the city.  You must print off a flier (which is on the Facebook event, which I will put the link to below) and bring it in.  Then, 15% of your purchase will go to funding the trip.  If you would like to sit and eat, volunteers will be serving and the tips will be donated!  Hop on a bike, because the high is FIFTY-EIGHT degrees.  Yes, 58, and I had to spell it out so I could put it in all caps.  Pedal yourself down, or up, to Pizza Hut on Lane Avenue and eat pizza and help people help people!

Print flier from here : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=321934259422&index=1

Wednesday, there are no classes during the day, thank you Sophomore (/Junior) Reviews!  So do something.  It doesn’t matter what you do, but please, something fun, I’m begging you.  The high is FIFTY-NINE.  There is also a 40% chance of rain, but I’m going to ignore that.  Even if it’s raining, be thankful you no longer have to rely on www.rainymood.com for the feeling of Spring, or maybe that was just me.  Put on a Beach Boys record and bring the sunshine inside.  Or if weather.com is wrong, go outside.  Ride a bike to the park, read a book, take a nap (in the sun), even do some homework if you must.  Then eat Jeni’s ice cream, or Greater’s, because I have Cincinnati pride.  No matter what the weather is, enjoy this beautiful day off, and if I see you working in the labs when I am being paid to work in the labs, I will be severely disappointed.

Thursday, enjoy some rad local and a little touring music at the Monster House.

RYAN STARINSKY (local solo, shooting star)
NICOLE REYNOLDS (PA, tiny folk, mighty beautiful songs)
RED WOLF TALES (local indie folker)

115 W. 10th Ave.  9pm  all ages  $5 donation strongly encouraged by me

They have a few more shows coming up this month that’ll be super awesome, I will post them at a later date.

Our first week of warm weather, YOU BETTER ENJOY IT.

Say goodbye to February this weekend, and welcome March with open arms.  Spring is coming, sort of.  Jane here with your weekly update of Columbus events.

Today, Friday February 26th

Another installment of The Greatest Show, this one being “The Greatest Show #8: The Video and Light Show.”  In Dragonfly Neo V’s Gallery Space (247 King Ave) at 9pm.  Facebook details!

“This week we’ll be stimulating both your optic and vestibulocochlear nerves. See what you hear, and hear what you see at the Video and Light Show.

Hosts: Zachariah Baird & Phil Kim

Act 1: Joe Shaw & His Puppet Arty
The Timeless Bandits with DJ Count Funkula

Act 2: Huge Euge
Shin Tower Music”

If you’ve got your dancing shoes on, which you probably should always, head out to SWEATIN’ presents: Tommie Sunshine.  10pm, 18+, Outland (95 Liberty St.), doors open at 10 until sometime after 3am, $5 before 12.  A little about Tommie Sunshine taken from the Facebook event:

“TOMMIE SUNSHINE

http://www.myspace.com/tommiesunshine
http://www.soundcloud.com/tommiesunshine

-In every generation there are the trendsetters, and there are the rest who follow. Let’s just say DJ, producer, remixer, and songwriter Tommie Sunshine has never been one to follow or duck from controversy. He is at the same time a visionary and historian, having been personal witness to the bleeding-edge of popular culture and music for nearly 3 decades. 

“I’ve constantly been in the chrysalis of so many different movements of music,” says Tommie. “I’ve always found that exciting and inspiring. I love the evolution of music, it never gets boring.”

His absorption of this musical evolution around him has helped create his unique brand of no-holds barred electro house, infused with the raw feeling of punk rock. His hallmark sound has influenced many of the tastemakers of the 21st century, starting in 2000 with Felix Da Housecat. Tommie’s deep knowledge of dance music, new wave, and punk earned him songwriting credits on the critically acclaimed electroclash LP, Kittenz and Thee Glitz— “Happy Hour” and “Silver Screen (Shower Scene)”.

The latest productions on his sonic chopping block include remixes of “Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and “Keep It Going Louder” by Major Lazer. Tommie is also back in the studio creating original works. His most recent, “Tokyo Pollution,” is a hard-hitting tech house track that borrows inspiration from the straight ahead beats and synth sounds of 90s acid house.

Indeed, his street cred as a remixer, combined with his unique ear for the latest and greatest music to fit the mood has made Tommie Sunshine a hot commodity as a DJ in a wide variety of influential circles. His punk rock style of House is heard in the most cutting edge parties in the world, and at the same time he can open the ears of the cultural elite to new soundscapes at high profile charity events, like the opening of a wing of the Guggenheim, or the launch party for Richard Branson’s famous Virgin Galatic venture.

Putting the “riot” back in “patriot,” Tommie Sunshine can be trusted to tell you how we got here, what’s happening now, and what’s going to happen next. ”

Also spinning, Figure (Brooklyn Fire Records), Moxy, and LA Confidential.  Plus a live video projection by Brent Haley.

Bid farewell to Six Gallery at Ravari Room.  The boys will be hitting the road for approximately 50 US dates, then hopping the sea for a European tour immediately following.  Joining them will be Afortiori and Slow Claw.

If you feel like venturing down to Cincinnati, Free Pop, No No Knots, and Fractal Fractal + Bunk News will be playing at the Mockbee (2260 Central Parkway) for at 9pm for $5.

Finally, if you feel like venturing to Chicago, this weekend is the Campus Antiwar Network 2010 National Conference.   I strongly encourage people to go to this, and not just because my best friend is the midwest regional coordinator.  There’s going to be so many mind blowing talks and discussions and debates.  It deeply saddens me that I can’t go to this, but alas, family obligations come first.  So, in my place, other people should go.  For more information, and a schedule of events, http://campusantiwar.net/CANference_2010

Now, Saturday February 27th:

Hopefully you’ve had the chance to make it to Roy G Biv at some point this month to see some of Cassandra Troyan’s work.  If you haven’t, you missed out, but here is a resource for those of you who like sitting in front of a computer to experience art, http://www.cassandratroyan.com/.  Saturday she will be holding an Artist Talk to talk about her art, what it is, what it means, among other things such as art economics, sexuality, desire, performance art, and running with the art school racket (hey we go to art school, maybe we have something to contribute, like an opinion or something!).  That is happening at from 2:30-4:00 at Roy G Biv (997 N High St.), go to it.

When the sun goes down, grab those dancing shoes from last night, or maybe just buy a new pair because this night is full of epic dancing.  From north to south, Dance or Die, B-Side Wax, Juicy4!, and O-Gee.

Dance or Die is at Oldfield’s on High (2590 N High St.).  The night will open with Athens band Spooktober at 9.  Then, Self Help and DJ Barticus will lead the night in dance jams.  Free until 11, $3 after, 21+.

A bit south and touch east, B-Side Wax at the Summit (2216 Summit St).  DJs Ginsu, Mikey G, True Skills, and Funky D will be spinning the greatest of funk, garage, soul, jazz, psychedelic, blues, and 70s rock.  Free!  Plus, at any moment you can walk next door to Cafe Bourbon Street and get some delicious Extreme Wieners.  Seriously, it’s ridiculously delicious and cheap and the dudes who own it are the coolest guys I know, and Dan’s vegan chili is badass.

South and back to the west, Juicy4! at Circus (1227 N Hight St., 5th and High).  Spinning this time around: CJ Townsend, Mark Mayhem, and Peto & Flek.  18+, doors at 10, free before 11.  This is going to be tight!

And way down south, our neighbors here at CCAD, Due Amici (67 E Gay St.), will be hosting O-Gee.  Unaffili(8)d and special guest DJ Kwest_On will be spinning old school hip hop and other jams.  Sponsored by Milk Bar and Repertoire.  If I wasn’t going to Cincinnati this weekend, I would be going to this without a doubt, so good.

That’ll do it for Saturday but Sunday, lady cyclists (!), the first of four installments of the Women’s Cycling Conversation Forum will be held from 2-5 at 82 E 16th Ave.  Women cyclists are outnumbered by men quite a bit.  Topics to be discussed at the forum include, what cycling means to us, how we experience cycling in Columbus, and what our vision is for cycling in this city.  If you have to miss this one like me, don’t fret, it’ll happen again in May, August, and November.

Enjoy yourselves friends, we don’t have to put up with this cold for too much longer.