This post is written by Jennifer Poleon, Digital Communications Manager for the Columbus Museum of Art. You can follow the Museum on Twitter @ColumbusMuseum .

In honor of the Columbus Bicentennial and our relationship with our sister city Genoa, Italy, our exclusive Caravaggio: Behold the Man exhibition featuring the Ecce Homo painting remains on view through February 12, 2012 . This is your last week to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the Italian master’s work up close. Caravaggio’s works are quite rare, as in his short life the Italian master only painted about 80 known works. Our Curator of European Art Dominique Vasseur reflects back on what it’s been like to host such an important exhibition.

As Curator of European Art, what are two of the most exciting things about having the Ecce Homo in Columbus?
The opportunity to host an internationally-known painting by Caravaggio from Genoa, our sister city, and the ability to share with our visitors this artist’s amazing impact upon European painting in the early 17th century.

The exhibition has attracted everyone from young art students to clergy members. What is it about Caravaggio that appeals to such a wide audience?
Caravaggio’s realism and ability to address the human condition are as true today as during his lifetime. Students may be drawn to the immediacy of his painting technique, as well as, the stories of his turbulent life. Members of the clergy—both Catholic and Protestant—are likely moved by the poignancy of this important moment in Christ’s passion and the sensitive manner in which Caravaggio depicts it.

What is the most memorable moment of the exhibition for you?
There are many actually, but I have to share my top four: my November 2010 meeting in Genoa with the director of the Musei di Strada Nuova to see and discuss the Caravaggio; the morning of Sunday, October 16, 2011, when we un-crated and installed the Ecce Homo here; our Media/VIP preview the evening of October 19, which was a great success; and finally the lecture presented here on November 12 by Italian scholar Lorenzo Pericolo, who had just published an important and scholarly book on Caravaggio. In it he thoroughly discusses the Ecce Homo and presents several fascinating new theories about the unusual figure of Pontius Pilate.

What about the exhibition were you most proud of?
I am very proud that Columbus was able to organize this special, focus exhibition as a way to begin our 2012 Columbus bicentennial celebrations, as well as the fact that all the major art museums in Ohio (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Oberlin, and Toledo) so generously lent Caravaggesque works to support the thesis of the exhibition: “the impact of a revolutionary realist.” It was immensely gratifying.

It’s been called the must-attend party of the year, and there are a lot of reasons to join in the fun!  Presented by Grange Insurance , 200Columbus, The Bicentennial Birthday will be a night full of the people, places, tastes and sounds that have made Columbus the unique gem of a city it is.

The Bicentennial Band (click here for a quick video of a recent practice session) led by MoJoFlo and Conspiracy, and including more than 200 members will provide renditions of great original music. Specially crafted Bicentennial cocktails, made with locally produced Watershed Distillery vodka and gin, will be served alongside five-star food.

An amazing 225 feet of 200Columbus cake will be served in style only fit for Columbus, created by Columbus State Community College Major Baking and Pastry Arts Program. This is definitely something not to miss! Bobby Floyd and Shadowbox Cabaret will offer performances, and there will be plenty of special surprises along the way. For more information and to buy tickets, click here .

If this party doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, don’t worry! There are a lot of other ways to celebrate Columbus’ birthday, both this weekend and throughout the year. Visit 200Columbus.com to find the full list of events, projects and celebrations that are starting Columbus off on it’s next 200 years of success!

Starting Feb. 11 and running through Feb. 15, attractions, entertainment, shops and restaurants around the city are offering deals and discounts to anyone who wants to explore the city (just bring a flier with you.) Visit 200ColumbusDays.com for more information and to print your flier or save it to your mobile device.

This post is written by Tim Simeone, Visitor Services Specialist for Experience Columbus. You can follow Tim on Twitter @TimSimeone .

My wife and I stumbled upon Elijah Aaron, local musician, at one of the Short North Gallery Hops . He performs in front of his father’s cartoon shop, Palnik Studios at 14 E. Lincoln. His most recent song called “The Buckeye City,” commemorates the city’s bicentennial. You can listen to it here .

When asked about the process of writing his latest song, The Buckeye City, he said “Every songwriter would agree that occasionally there is a song that just flows out without any effort. The Buckeye City was one of those songs.”

The song plays like a tour of Columbus mentioning some great attractions and several neighborhoods. Though it is Elijah’s personal experience of Columbus, it is still one that locals could relate to and visitors could appreciate. Aaron recruited his whole family towards the end of the song, “The singing of O-H-I-O at the end was sung by my brother, sister, girlfriend, and father.” The creativity runs in the family.

Aaron grew up in Bexley, went to school in Boston, and performed his music in St. Louis and throughout the Midwest. He has most recently moved back to Columbus. On why he returned to his home town he said, “Columbus has a lively arts community and I am discovering its vitality daily. Columbus rocks creatively…that is why I came back.”

Elijah didn’t start out playing the guitar. He studied world percussion while in Boston and trained with Jamey Haddad, Paul Simon’s lead percussionist. He is currently playing percussion for Columbus’ BalletMet and OSU Dance Department, “I love the energy of dance and really get into accompanying modern dance.” Aaron’s talent with his guitar and percussion are what make his music so unique and masterful.

When he’s not playing music all around town he likes to visit German Village . “It’s a fascinating place to wander around in,” he says. He also enjoys the Columbus Museum of Art , the Zoo , and he will “never turn down a trip to the North Market .”

We play his music and other local Columbus musicians in our Visitor Center downtown. If you want to see Elijah perform check out his website at www.elijahaaron.com .

Columbus is known far and wide for our local brews and spirits - but did you know there are also lots of great wineries around the city? One fun choice for a night out, right in the heart of the Short North Arts District, is Camelot Cellars . Camelot is celebrating it’s one-year anniversary of being back under local management. In the past year, the whole storefront has been transformed into a casual yet sophisticated space to enjoy the award-winning wine, conversation, and maybe do some people watching along High Street. Camelot also give guest the chance to make their own wine!

Camelot is celebrating its anniversary 7-10 p.m., Feb. 8 , with complimentary appetizers, $2 off all glasses of wine, gift bags from local Short North businesses, and chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards crafting your very own wine at Camelot Cellars. So stop in, have a glass of wine, enjoy some great company and toast to the success of this great local business!

For more inspiration on the local drinks scene, check out our Pinterest Board: Columbus Drinks .

This post is written by Megumi Robinson of Geben Communication.

It’s no secret that Central Ohio isn’t the warmest place to be in February, so Thurber House , a nonprofit literary museum and center located in the former home of writer and cartoonist James Thurber, is bringing warmth and sunshine to Columbus through New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey .

On Feb. 22, Thurber House’s Evenings with Authors series welcomes Dorsey as he shares from his newest book, Pineapple Grenade, set in sunny Miami, Fla. His fifteenth novel features Serge Storms, the hero of Dorsey’s stories, and the series of events he finds himself in including getting involved with Homeland Security, umbrella drinks, a dictator, murder and madcap adventure. The reading begins at 7:30 p.m. and is at the Columbus Museum of Art . (Click here for more details.)

We’re giving you the chance win a pair of tickets to hear Tim share from his hilarious new novel, ask questions and meet and greet with him after the event during a book signing.

Here’s how to win: Leave a comment below, or tweet at us (@ExpCols ) with the best book you’ve read this winter to be entered to win a pair of tickets to Evenings with Authors featuring Tim Dorsey. All entries must be posted by Thursday, Feb. 9 . One entry per person, please. We’ll randomly select the winners and notify you if you’ve won by Feb. 10.