by Alicia Kelso

Columbus has plenty of entertainment opportunities, from off-Broadway productions to cabarets to the top-rated zoo in the country. CityScene asked those who work hard to keep residents busy what their favorite entertainment memories are from the past decade and what they do to entertain out-of-town guests.

Steven Anderson
Artistic Director, The Pheonix Theatre for Children
My favorite memory is CAPA’s Big River, which featured both deaf and hearing actors. I take out-of-town guests to the Franklin Park Conservatory’s annual Blooms and Butterflies exhibit, the Columbus Museum of Art or picnics at the Thurber House.

Steve Guyer
CEO and Executive Producer of Shadowbox
My favorite memory was appearing on stage in a live performance with original Saturday Night Live cast member Garrett Morris when he was a guest star in Shadowbox's Celebrity Series. He performed with Shadowbox for a one-night-only show that featured Shadowbox's original sketches.

I bring (guests) to Shadowbox. I want to demonstrate to them that we do world-class entertainment right here in Columbus and that it's not something you'll find anywhere else.

Gerard Charles
Artistic Director for BalletMet
The event that sticks out the most is when Luciano Pavarotti performed at the Schottenstein Center in 1999. I take guests to the Ohio Theatre, to the Short North, the Metro Parks and to good restaurants.

Matthew Arnold
Executive Director, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
Aside from anything CGMC has done, I'd have to say Jazz Moves, the collaboration between the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and BalletMet, is memorable. We take guests to the North Market, Franklin Park Conservatory, Easton/Polaris, Alana's Restaurant, Northstar, Jeni's Ice Cream and one of our concerts (if they're in town for them).

John Angelo
Executive Director, Short North Business Association
My favorite memory is HighBall Halloween 2008. High Street was closed and a fashion runway was built under the arches. Upwards of 10,000 guests filled the street as designers took to the stage with some of the most amazing fashions and couture costumes I've seen in a long time. I really felt the creative spirit of Columbus had converged on High Street to celebrate the artistry of masquerade.

I take guests on an art, shopping and culinary tour of the Short North. I take them through the shops and galleries, then switch gears for a “progressive culinary experience,” including Bodega, Haiku, Marcella’s; cocktails at Eleven; ice cream at Jeni’s; and a nightcap at Short North Tavern. It never fails to get a really big “Wow! I had no idea Columbus had such a cool vibe.”

Gregg Dodd
Deputy Director for Communications, Marketing & Events, Ohio Statehouse
My favorite memory is gathering a group of 10 eclectic individuals and celebrating the summer at Picnic at the Pops with good food and wine. I’m glad the Pops are back this year!
I take my guests on a whirlwind tour, which includes the Ohio Statehouse (of course), the North Market, Short North, OSU Campus, the Horseshoe and Easton. We spend about an hour at each and the tour includes eating and shopping.

Bill Conner
President and CEO, CAPA
A favorite entertainment memory that sticks out is when Juanes (a Colombian rock musician) performed at the Ohio Theatre on March 20, 2005. Out of town guests are exposed to CATCO productions, the Columbus Museum of Art and the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Palm House.

Scott Peacock
Media Relations Manager, Experience Columbus
My favorite entertainment memory was April 21 (2009), the night of the first NHL playoff game in Columbus’ history and the fourth home game in Huntington Park history. I went to lunch in the Arena District and fans were already lined up for Jackets tickets and tailgating. It was standing room only at the Clippers game and the ballpark’s jumbo-tron had live Blue Jackets feeds in between innings. The entire day was full of buzz and excitement and it truly made me proud to be a Columbus sports fan in a city with a very bright future.

I take my guests to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, a walking tour of German Village, breakfast at Tasi’s, a stroll through the Short North and a shopping trip to Easton. I also try to take everyone to a Clippers or Crew game if possible. I have a lot of pride in Huntington Park and the growth of U.S. soccer, which I feel Columbus has played a key role in.

Anne Boninsegna
COO, Franklin Park Conservatory
The Julie Taymor Playing with Fire exhibition at the Wexner Center was such a beautifully-curated show. I was mesmerized by her costumes and set design illuminations. Of course I take guests to the Franklin Park Conservatory. I also love to show off the Topiary Park. It is so unique and beautifully kept.

Amy Drake
Adviser to the Board, Chamber Music Columbus
My favorite memory from the past decade would have to be on Oct. 21, 2006 at the Southern Theatre. It was a very special evening for me and my then-future husband because we were at a chamber music concert with the Cypress String Quartet and the setting is so intimate and it really spoke to me. That’s why and when I became involved with the chamber.

When we have guests, we sometimes invite musicians to our home (in German Village) to perform. It gives them an idea of how talented our local musicians are. We also take them to Columbus landmark restaurants, such as the Columbus Maennerchor, Schmidt’s, G. Michaels, even Max & Erma’s. It gives them a true flavor of the city.

Kelli Gaza Nowinsky
Public Relations Manager, COSI
My first favorite performance is BalletMet’s The Nutcracker. It’s not Christmas until you’ve watched the Sugar Plum Fairy dance across that stage. I also always love it when Cirque Du Soleil comes to town. There is something truly magical about their shows and watching it under the colorful big top in Columbus makes it perfect.

I of course bring guests to COSI. Our to-do list also includes the Columbus Zoo, Easton, the Columbus Museum of Art and the Franklin Park Conservatory.

Walker Evans
Founder, ColumbusUnderground.com
My favorite memory is the inaugural Short North Halloween Highball last year (2008). High Street has not been closed off for anything other than parades in years, and it was amazing to have more than 10,000 people crowd into the streets to celebrate Halloween in style.

I love to show off our urban neighborhoods and local businesses. I'll take them through Schiller Park and hit Bakery Gingham for cupcakes, walk them through the Short North for shopping and grab lunch at the North Market, and keep our guests entertained at places like the OSU Urban Arts Space or newly renovated Lincoln Theatre with dinner at Tip Top or Barrio.

Virgil Strickler
General Manager, Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair
My favorite memory is the Rascal Flatts concert on the last day of the 2005 Ohio State Fair. This was the first concert held in Crew Stadium during the fair, and it was an amazing show.

Usually there is a great event going on at the Expo Center to attend with my guests, such as the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, GoodGuys Car Show, the Ohio State Fair, Equine Affaire, the Home and Garden Show or high school basketball tournaments. I like to finish the day with dinner at the Rusty Bucket on Polaris Parkway.

Ellie Merritt
NBC4 First at 4 Anchor
My favorite memory is being on the sidelines of the Ohio State/Michigan game in 2002. Lucky me, I got to cover the game and will never forget looking up into the crowd as the Buckeyes clinched their victory.

For out of town guests, I love the new Huntington Park! What a great place to enjoy a game and cold beverage on a nice evening. We like to head to Grandview. We enjoy Figlio for dinner or a glass of wine at Vino Vino.

Anne Marie Blaire
Partner at Black Dog Strategy Partners
Some of my favorite memories from the past 10 years are from Picnic with the Pops, which is fairly high up there for a perfect evening with a large group. Also when the Lyon Ballet came to the Wexner Center in 2002. I was starving for more diversity, cultural experiences and shocking, jaw-dropping energy I found in New York, Paris or London. I was utterly blown away by this performance and it’s why I became a member of the Wexner Center.

I show out of town guests the unique characteristics of our city, which includes maybe lunch at Northstar, yoga at Yoga on High, dinner at Figlio or Vino Vino, a Wexner Center performance and a stop at Jeni’s Ice Cream. By far the biggest surprise, delight and love for visitors is Jeni’s.

Janet Chen
Executive Director, ProMusica
My most memorable Columbus event was attending my first ever Ohio State football game two years ago – OSU versus Michigan State. Prior to that I had never attended a college football game and after tailgating, going to the game and tailgating some more, I finally understood!

If there is an opportunity, I take guests to a ProMusica concert. I also take family and friends to Short North Gallery Hops, Easton and now to a Clippers game at the new Huntington Park.

Alicia Kelso is editor of CityScene.