CityScene isn’t the only Columbus entity celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. Many of the city’s arts organizations and businesses will also pop the corks and toast their own success. Pace yourself – this party will last throughout the year!
Columbus’ Broadway partnership marks 20 years
Broadway Across America - Columbus is currently featuring its blockbuster 20th anniversary season. The next production, Grease, kicks off Dec. 16 at the Palace Theatre.
“This is a special year for us,” says Leslie K. Broecker, president of Broadway Across America -Midwest. “We are celebrating 20 years of bringing first-class touring Broadway shows to Columbus and we are grateful to be a part of this thriving theater community.”
In the past 20 years, Broadway Across America has presented shows starring world-class performers such as Kathleen Turner, Jerry Lewis and Patti Lupone. This year’s anniversary line-up includes six shows and two season specials, including family favorites Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Annie, and 2007 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening.
“The community is always excited when we present a spectacular show like Wicked and The Lion King. It’s also great when we are able to present a celebrity along with the show, like we did with Jerry Lewis in Damn Yankees and Kathleen Turner in The Graduate,” Broecker says. “We hope to have many more wonderful seasons like our 20th.”
For more information and a complete 20th anniversary season schedule, visit www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.
ProMusica turns 30
The ProMusica Chamber Orchestra kicked off its 30th season in October, with a world premiere of 13-year-old pianist Conrad Tao’s new piece titled Fanfare, composed in celebration off the anniversary.
The official birthday celebration, Thurber’s Dogs, will be held Jan. 10 and 11 with the music of Peter Schickele, the art of James Thurber and the technology of Ohio State University’s Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design. The production was first commissioned in 1994 to honor James Thurber’s 100th birthday and is being brought back specifically for this special occasion.
Also, a 30th anniversary gala will be held May 8 at 8:30 p.m., featuring fiddler Mark O’Connor and the Ahn Trio. For a complete schedule or more information, visit www.promusicacolumbus.org.
CATCO celebrates silver
The Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCo) celebrates a quarter century all season long.
The anniversary kicked off in October with Escanaba in Love, followed by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in November. Through Dec. 21, the company will feature Truman Capote’s Christmas Memory and the Thanksgiving Visitor.
Almost, Maine will be presented in February, followed by The Clean House in April and Blackbird in June.
CATCO’s 25th anniversary gala, Varietee II, will be held Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. It will include a catered dinner, entertainment and a silent and live auction. For more information, visit www.catco.org.
Short North Gallery Hop celebrates 25 years
The transformation of the Short North district from a crime-laden, broken-down neighborhood to one of the country’s most thriving arts areas was expedited in 1984, when then-fledgling art galleries and stores kept their doors open later on the first Saturday of each month for Gallery Hop events.
Shortly thereafter, musicians and street performers joined in the mix for an all-encompassing and stimulating signature event along High Street. The Gallery Hop concept was taken from similar efforts in other cities and, in the 25 years since, has grown in attendance from about 300 to more than 10,000 per Hop. On a typical Hop, more than 40 galleries and non-traditional art venues such as restaurants, boutiques and salons participate by showing off the best of established and emerging Ohio, national and international artists.
The Short North Gallery Hop is now recognized as “the Best Arts Event in the State,” according to Ohio Magazine. The Hops are held on the first Saturday of each month from 4-10 p.m., with many restaurants and bars staying open considerably later. Visit www.shortnorth.org.
Notable Milestone Celebrations in 2009
Easton Town Center officially opened its doors in 1999. The South District, which currently boasts Crate and Barrel, The Cheesecake Factory, Restoration Hardware, Barnes & Noble, Brio Tuscan Grille, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, J. Crew, Panera Bread, Abercrombie & Fitch, Starbucks, Gap, Williams-Sonoma, White House/Black Market, Ann Taylor, Talbot’s and Pottery Barn, marks 10 years of business.
The Columbus Italian Festival will mark its 30th year in October.
Construction on the LaVeque Tower began in 1924, defining the skyline of Columbus for 85 years.
The Ohio News Association turns 75.
The Ohio State Alumni Association turns 130 in 2009.
Mayhem and Mystery Dinner Theatre Columbus is celebrating its 10th anniversary with its 2009-2010 season.
The Buckeye Miata Club is ringing in its 20th anniversary year with a “Miata World 2” event in Texas.
Columbus Square Bowling Palace is hosting its 20th anniversary “Rock 'n Bowl” on Saturday, Jan. 24 12:30 p m -2:30 p.m.
The Dublin Soccer League and its subsidiary, The Dublin Charity Cup, mark their 20th anniversary this year. Since its inception, the latter event has generated nearly $400,000 for children’s charities all over Central Ohio.
Opening in 2009
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will open a 13-acre “Polar Frontier” in 2009. This new habitat is part of the North American Region, and will house polar and brown bears, arctic foxes, mountain goats and reindeer. Visit www.columbuszoo.org.
The Columbus Clippers’ new baseball field, Huntington Park, opens in 2009.