This post is written by Sandi Combs, Marketing Coordinator for Experience Columbus. You can follow Sandi on Twitter @Sandi_ExpCols .

“HOUSE/DIVIDED ,” the compelling new theater production that explores the human experience within our country’s mortgage crisis, shows this weekend at Thurber Theatre for its world premiere.

A collection of scenes woven together with digital media and live acting, the show parallels the struggle of the Joad family from John Steinbeck’s, “The Grapes of Wrath,” with true stories and reenactments of today’s foreclosure disaster. Using multiple perspectives and a foreboding score, it artfully documents the emotional and psychological story of all those connected to the current plight. The production provides an insightful and necessary examination of how these events have affected and changed our society.

I appreciated the show for a number of reasons. First, the use of video and sound in combination with live acting was well done. As opposed to just being a cool way to tell a story, the multimedia served to augment the sensory aspects of the message so that the audience could understand the nuances of the situation presented on an entirely different level. I also really liked that the topic is timely and accessible, and that it takes a step back from the plain facts of the situation to dig deeper into how the mortgage crisis has changed society.

Finally, I liked the incorporation of local voices, specifically a local resident who is an average person just like you or me. Her story about going through the foreclosure process, and subsequently grappling with her self-identity, was powerful.

“HOUSE/DIVIDED” shows tonight and tomorrow (Oct. 7-8, 2011) at 8 p.m., and then is scheduled to tour around the country. Each is followed by a Q&A with the Builders. Tickets start at $10 and are available at wexarts.org or at 614-292-3535.

“HOUSE/DIVIDED” was created and is performed by the New York theater company The Builders Association. It was co-produced by the Wexner Center for the Arts in association with the Department of Theatre at The Ohio State University, with support provided from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Creative Campus Innovations Grant Program.

Have you seen the show? Which aspects did you like best?

Read more:

“Hard times inspired an update of an American classic”

“Steinbeck’s text and recent stories from a central Columbus neighborhood link present and past.”

“Wex collaboration, HOUSE/DIVIDED, brings home the housing crisis”

This post is written by Claudia Plumley, Experience Columbus’ Marketing Manager.

The fall’s one of my favorite times of the year and it’s not just because of the changing leaves. Fall’s the official start of the arts season.

Learning about Columbus’ arts scene - and all of Ohio’s arts events – is easy. Just read the Arts in Ohio Guide . Along with being available online, it’s also included in the September issue of Ohio Magazine.

I’ve already got my tickets for several events and have a bunch of others circled on my calendar. Here are just a few events I plan to see in 2011-12.

Guitarist Kevin Eubanks will join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra on Oct. 26-30. Does the name sound familiar? He’s the former bandleader from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra will team with BalletMet for Jazz Moves Columbus Feb. 2-12. It’s the third time these two groups have collaborated. Having seen the first two shows, I can easily say I’d move a European vacation to see this show. It’s just that good.

I’m also really curious about BalletMet’s DanceTech on April 20-28. It’s collaboration with the Wexner Center for the Arts where real-time video images will be created in direct response to the movement of the dancers. No performance will be the same – how cool is that?!

The Columbus Museum of Art is bringing out many of my favorite artworks for the exhibit Monet to Matisse starting Sept. 23. They’re showcasing their entire Sirak Collection, considered one of the finest private collections in the world when they acquired it 20 years ago.

I’ve never seen Mamma Mia and can’t wait for it to return to Columbus Dec. 13-18. Who can resist singing those great ABBA songs?!

Then, there’s all of the great art that’s moved – or moving downtown in the next year. Shadowbox’s new digs in the Brewery District are awesome. (No more mall bathrooms!!) They’re presenting The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sept. 11-Nov. 13. I haven’t done the time warp since high school – can’t wait!

One of my favorite festivals, the Columbus Arts Festival , is moving back to the riverfront in next June. And The Columbus Symphony is moving next summer’s Picnic with the Pops concerts to the new Columbus Commons.

I could write all day about the great arts events happening year-round in Columbus. Check out the full list in the Arts in Ohio Guide .

Sean Christopher Lewis in Just Kids
Photo: Available Light Theatre

Tomorrow night, Available Light Theatre opens its next production, Just Kids . It’s the newest creation from touring playwright/performer Sean Christopher Lewis and Available Light Theatre artistic director Matt Slaybaugh.

Their last collaboration, the award-winning play Killadelphia , has toured two-dozen U.S. cities and been heralded as a triumph everywhere it’s landed (including here in Columbus, where it knocked my socks off ). If you saw that show, you might be thinking that Just Kids is not to be missed.

You’d be right about that.

The play weaves the stories of several damaged teens in Kansas, where Sean was teaching at a school for troubled youths, with Sean’s discoveries about his own unsettling past and difficult realizations about his long-estranged biological father. (more…)

Joel Morrison
Romeo, 2008
Courtesy of Gagosian Gallery

Columbus’ art scene just got six times better.

The Wexner Center for the Arts has unveiled it newest exhibit, Six Solos. It’s a collection of exhibitions by six rising international artists – so for the price of one ticket, you get a taste of multiple artists from around the world. The artists each have their own gallery space inside the Wexner Center to showcase their exhibits. A variety of media is used in their creations, including video, stainless steel, flagging tape and LED lights, just to name a few.

While five of the six solos are inside the center, one of them is actually outside on the Wexner Center’s “grid.” This amazing display of approximately 100 multicolored LED light sticks, created by Erwin Redl, seems to animate the exterior of the Wexner Center and brings it to life. This exterior exhibit is best seen at night and is well worth stopping by to take a peek.

Six Solos will be on display through Feb. 13. For more details, click here .

And here’s a budget-friendly tip: Visitors are admitted for free on Thursdays after 4 p.m. and on the first Sunday of each month. Plus, the Wexner Center offers free admission anytime for Wexner Center members, college students with ID, and anyone under 18.

Columbus Public Health has launched an exciting new initiative that combines art and exercise into one unique experience. You can now see up to 80 artistic, historical and architectural sites around Columbus, all by foot and with the help of pre-designed walking tours.

Columbus Art Walks was developed by Columbus Public Health’s Healthy Places Program to encourage people to experience the city in a positive, healthy way. These self-guided cell phone tours are currently available for four Columbus neighborhoods, including the Discovery District, Arena District, Ohio Statehouse and The Ohio State University.

The best part is that it’s free and easily accessible. All you need to participate is a cell phone and a map, which you can download here . The map provides an overview of the program, important phone numbers and a walking map with route details. Upon arrival at each site, a unique phone number can be called to hear details and interesting facts about the site. With 20-30 stops on each tour, there is plenty to see.

So lace up your sneakers and get ready to walk. With only a few weeks of fall foliage left to enjoy, this is a perfect excuse to get out and about.

Yesterday was the opening of Susurrus at the Franklin Park Conservatory, so my coworker Kelly and I went to check it out. Written and directed by Glasgow playwright David Leddy, Susurrus is a unique audio play presented in botanical gardens. This collaboration between the Wexner Center for the Arts and Franklin Park Conservatory runs through Oct. 24 Update! The show’s been extended and will run through Oct. 31.

Patrons are scheduled to begin their journey every 15 minutes to allow for a personal, uninterrupted experience. After receiving an iPod, headphones and a map from the visitor desk, we were on our way, walking through Franklin Park Conservatory as well as the grounds of Franklin Park itself, stopping at eight distinct spots during the play. (more…)

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…)

After a long and exciting festival season in Columbus, fall is in full swing and the independent spirit of local arts, bands, crafters, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs is gearing up for a major celebration.

After two successful years, the DIY commandos behind Independents’ Day are all set for Saturday, Sept. 18, when thousands of folks will enjoy an all-day block party on Gay Street, Pearl and Lynn Alleys.

In addition to 200 art, craft, food, and small business vendors, this free event features 50 bands on four stages, live theater, dancers and street performers.

Some of what you’ll see at Independents’ Day 2010: (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 .

Scorched Earth , 2006
Photo: Bruce M. White

If you’re up for some refreshingly cool contemporary art this summer, check out the Mark Bradford exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts on the campus of The Ohio State University.

I was lucky to tour the exhibit with Bradford when he was here for the opening. He is well known in contemporary art circles, yet I found him to be funny, engaging and very down-to-earth. He has a great sense of humor and I think you can see and feel this from his work, too.

Bradford is primarily a painter and a sculptor. Unique about his works is the use of paper, cardboard, rope, string and other materials, such as hair papers used for perms. (Working with his mother, Bradford was formerly a hairdresser.)

In the show, you’ll see a few pieces he created during his Wexner Center Residency, including Pinocchio is on Fire , a series of album covers designed following a staged rock event at Mershon Auditorium last fall. Another is literally a black room full of rectangular shaped paper on the walls and ceiling with music by Columbus native Nancy Wilson playing.

Impressive in scale and content, there are a few pieces that take up the entire wall, including Bread and Circuses which is a bright silver piece layered with drawings, string and paper. Another work that stuck with me is James Brown is Dead , made of a series of billboard papers Bradford scraped off of walls in urban Los Angeles. (more…)