It’s February and we’re getting a bit antsy to end our winter hibernation and start getting out again. I’m here with just the remedy to warm you up - the North Market Fiery Foods Festival , Feb. 19-20.

This family-friendly weekend features a little of everything spicy. On the first day of the festival, things kick off with an amateur guacamole contest and face painting. Things really heat up from there with the Chef Chili Challenge, followed by the amateur chili contest and fiery cornbread and jalapeno eating contests.

Day two will continue the spiciness with a Fiery Foods Brunch, Chili Pepper Art Contest judging, hot sauce competition, salsa competition, hot sundaes and hot wing eating contests.

Also available throughout the weekend will be the usual fare from your favorite North Market merchants . And you can come see what I’ll personally be serving up on Saturday at the guacamole and Chef Chili Challenge contests.

Check out the full schedule and other details here .

This post is part 4 of a 6 part series featuring Experience Columbus Days , which takes place Oct. 8-11. During that time, Columbus attractions offer 50% off (or in some cases, BOGO or free admission). Plus, the restaurants of Dine Originals Columbus offer 25% off your food bill for two people.

In this post, Ben features things to do that are perfect for art fans during Experience Columbus Days. You can also check out previous posts that feature delicious dining options , plus outings that are great for groups and great for dates . Stay tuned for the last two posts in the series - we’ll feature Experience Columbus Days activities that are fun for kids and recommended for history buffs.

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It’s no secret that Columbus has a lot to offer when it comes to the arts, and the same is true for Experience Columbus Days. If you’re an art fan, check out these options to make the most of Experience Columbus Days discounts (and don’t forget your discount flyer ). (more…)

Merrily We Roll Along certainly has a happy ending…but, the ending is actually the beginning.

Available Light Theatre has brought us a fabulous production of this musical, which features a story by George Furth and original music by Stephen Sondheim.

Merrily We Roll Along follows the career of Franklin Shepard backwards, from his time as a Hollywood movie producer to his more humble beginnings as young, idealistic songwriter. Frank and his friends Charley and Mary go on a journey through the past to find out just what made them the people they are in the present.

I attended the show last week and have to say that it was an amazing experience. I was enthralled by the excellent music and I enjoyed the lyrics, all sung beautifully by the Available Light cast. My girlfriend, who has far more experience in the musical theater than I do, remarked, "It’s hard to do Sondheim, let alone do Sondheim well." Available Light makes this musical great.

Need more convincing? Check out this review from The Columbus Dispatch ("frankly, it’s a hit"), or this one from Metromix Columbus ("a stellar Columbus premiere").

There are only seven showtimes left, and seats are filling fast. The cost is as reasonable as it gets - you pay what you want . Get the details and reserve seats here .

Playwright Chiquita Mullins Lee and Actor Alan Bomar Jones
Photo: CATCO

Pierce to the Soul premiered on April 7 in Columbus. While I have yet to see the performance in its entirety, I did attend a workshop for the play last month, presented by the Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO) and the Columbus Historical Society . Based on just that, I can’t wait to see the show.

During the performance part of the workshop I was able to experience what the one-man play is going to be like. Actor Alan Bomar Jones transforms himself into folk artist Elijah Pierce, a woodcarver and preacher who moved to Columbus in 1923. As I listened to stories from Elijah’s youth, along with anecdotes, life lessons and sermons, I felt as though I was sitting in the Columbus of Elijah’s time.

Next came the question and answer with all involved in the performance – Alan Bomar Jones, William Childs (dramaturge) and Chiquita Mullins Lee (playwright). Here, I was able to get a glimpse of the whole process that was involved in creating this piece. Chiquita spoke about how creating the play involved a decade-long process – compiling facts and stories from first-hand references to make the play as accurate as possible. She also invited the audience to share any stories they may have about Mr. Pierce, that they might add into the show. One gentleman recounted how both his father and Elijah were both preachers and barbers, and how he remembered Elijah coming into his father’s barbershop on a regular basis.

The show runs selected dates through April 25. For schedule and ticket info, click here or visit the Web site .

Since Meg recently posted about Columbus concert venues , I thought I’d share a tip for getting tickets.

A couple weeks ago I went to THE LC to pick up tickets for Passion Pit, who will be playing there on March 31. Unfortunately, as I walked up to the box office, I looked up to see "SOLD OUT" next to the band’s name on the marquee. Slightly despondent, I turned around to walk home.

Then I realized I might still have a shot at tickets through the ticket agency Dream Seats . I called them up immediately, and was able to obtain some of their last tickets for the show.

Dealing with Dream Seats was very easy - I was able to pay for my tickets over the phone and then picked them up at my convenience at their office in Grandview Heights. They presented the tickets to me when I arrived to prove they were legit, then put them in an envelope with my receipt for safekeeping until the show.

Keep Dream Seats in mind - even if your favorite show is sold out, they just might be able to help get you there.

Ah yes, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and you have to find something to do with that special someone. I thought I’d share my plan and expand on one of the Valentine’s Day ideas Scott shared earlier , because Opera Columbus has covered me for part of the weekend. I’ll be attending the opening performance of Romeo & Juliet at the Ohio Theatre with my girlfriend. Performances take place Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available here .

Tip: I was able to get my tickets on the cheap. As Opera Columbus shared on their Facebook page , if you use code FANS when buying your tickets, you’ll get a 20% discount.

And I’ll leave you with a fun fact -  the leads, Jonathan Boyd and Malinda Haslett, are a real life married couple. Brian Banion (Friar Lawrence) and Elise DesChamps (Stephano) are also a married couple. Love will certainly be in the air on stage.

Photo: CATCO

In Kelly’s last post about giving the gift of a Columbus experience, she mentioned a handful of local favorites.

One she didn’t mention, however, is one I had the opportunity to check out: The Santaland Diaries , presented by the Contemporary American Theatre Company (a.k.a. CATCO).

Last Friday, CAPA Columbus gave away tickets from their Twitter account . I was among a few participants who won, which made my day; I was excited to see this show.

The Santaland Diaries is a story by humorist David Sedaris about his time spent as a Macy’s elf in New York City, when he was also a struggling writer. Jon Putnam, returning for his fourth year as this character, gives a stunningly convincing performance as David Sedaris.

Filled with off-color humor and observations on how strange and deranged people can be during the holiday season, The Santaland Diaries is perfect for anyone looking for laughs. And if you consider yourself a bit of Grinch, chances are good you’ll enjoy it, too.

While I was at the performance I forgot it was theater, as the setting and encouraged participation from the audience made me feel as though a good friend was recounting a horrifyingly hilarious life experience.

The show runs through December 27. For details and tickets, click here .

Stay tuned for more on holiday experiences in Columbus. Up next, Irene will be here to share her recommendation.

Photo: CAPA Columbus

Recently, my day was made when I heard that No Reservations: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain will be at the Palace Theatre on November 21.

When I was in college, I discovered Anthony Bourdain through two books: Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and A Cooks Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal . I love to cook and I’m an avid reader, so I became hooked. I started looking into all things Anthony Bourdain - whatever I could find on YouTube, the Food Network, and the Travel Channel. I’ve been a fan ever since.

What I have come to expect through Bourdain’s writing and television programming is to expect the unexpected, and to be honest, I’m not exactly sure what’s in store for his performance at the Palace Theatre. Will he do a cooking demonstration or give a lecture on travel and the culinary arts? I’m not sure, but I do know it’s sure to be insightful, irreverent and brutally honest to the point of hilarity.

Tickets are still available for the show - click here to buy, and I’ll see you there.