Photo: Franklin Park Conservatory

If you’re looking for an all-ages activity, consider a visit to Blooms & Butterflies , open through September 7 at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

The annual exhibit features a daily release of dozens of butterflies in the Conservatory’s Pacific Island Water Garden - a place that really is as relaxing as it sounds.

It’s an affordable outing, and you have the option of attending just the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit or touring the entire Franklin Park Conservatory .

For the little ones, the bright colors of the flowers and movement of the butterflies offer much to watch. My 9-month-old daughter was fascinated by the brightly colored butterflies flying about and was working hard at tracking them as they flitted around the Pacific Island Water Garden. The biggest hit, however, was the koi pond, which was filled with enormous Japanese koi of various colors. The constant movement of the fish swimming around floating Chihuly glass pieces kept my daughter transfixed for quite awhile.

Blooms & Butterflies easily makes me feel as though I am off on a tropical island somewhere. With exotic flowers, trickling water, lush green foliage and butterflies it’s easy to feel transported. I felt more and more relaxed as we lazily wandered the exhibit.

I can’t wait to bring my daughter back to the Conservatory for Chihuly Reimagined , which opens July 4th. I’m sure she will enjoy the bright colors of this exhibit as well, while I admire the artistry.

The post below was written by Leigh Householder, a local blogger who writes at Advergirl.com , IndieColumbus.com and DowntownSnob.com .

Available Light Theatre - Leigh’s very favorite arts group in Columbus - is opening a new play this weekend. Leigh’s here to share the details and, of course, convince you to go.

I exist among the 75% of Available Light attendees Leigh mentions here. My first show hooked me, and I won’t be missing this one. How about you?

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So, GI Joe, the Tooth Fairy and Eleni Papaleonardos walk into a theater…
by Leigh Householder

I want to invite you to see some local theater.

I know what you’re thinking - sounds like school. You think you’ll squirm, not get the references and generally be busier doodling on the program than being entertained.

But this isn’t just any play. This play has G.I. Joe, an erratic tooth fairy and a barrel full of family drama. Better yet, it’s produced by Available Light Theatre - a wicked talented group of artists dedicated to building a more conscious and compassionate world through joyful and profound theater.

Yeah, joyful and profound. Those are the things that make their productions so addictive. You laugh (or cry) and have a great time watching the show, but then find yourself thinking about - and talking about it - for days afterward. IF it’s like school, it’s like that one class that totally inspired you to want to change the world.

Ok, about the play. Here’s the rundown:

In this story, a family is both torn apart and drawn together by the accidental death of a child. They are aided in their search for connection and solace by flights of fantasy involving a singing Tooth Fairy and a life-size G.I. Joe. In the space between what is said and what is unspeakable they find a heartrending collage of truth and cliché.

As the New York Times declared, “words gush forth in torrents, spewing up like geysers on a ghostly plain” in this “arrestingly odd … ode to love, loss and the routines of life.”

Even in the most emotional moments, Director Eleni Papaleonardos manages to bring hilarity, tension and even sensuality to the stage. It is something of wild ride.

So come. And bring friends. Over 75% of first-time attendees at Available Light’s two most recent shows reported that they “loved it” (much to the satisfaction of the AVLT veterans who had told them over and over again that they would). If you’re bringing a group of eight or more, call ahead and they’ll save a whole row for you.

Tickets are pay what you want. Really. There’s no expectation. The average people give is $10 - $20. But your fiver or your C-note will be equally well received.  (Tickets at this particular show are cash only)

Details:

Show times:
Thursday, June 11 @ 8pm
Friday, June 12 @ 12pm (with boxed lunch from Tip-Top)
Friday, June 12 @ 8pm
Saturday, June 13 @ 8pm
Sunday, June 14 @ 2pm
Friday, June 19 @ 8pm
Saturday, June 20 @ 8pm

Location:
Columbus Dance Theatre
592 East Main Street

Website:
http://avltheatre.com/index.php/godsear/index/

The Columbus Arts Festival , a well-loved Columbus favorite, takes place in the Discovery District this weekend (check their site here for all the details).

As part of the weekend, the Columbus Museum of Art is celebrating with a special offer and activities for festival goers including free admission, kid-friendly fun and your last chance to see To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum .

Nannette Macijunes, CMA Executive Director, shares the details below.

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As part of the Discovery District , the Columbus Museum of Art is delighted that the Columbus Arts Festival will once again be in our own backyard. To celebrate, CMA, and our special exhibition To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, will be free to festival goers. The exhibition closes June 7, so if you haven’t had the chance to visit, Arts Festival is the perfect time to explore ancient Egyptian artworks, play the ancient game of the pharaohs and dress in ancient Egyptian costumes. Our parking lot will be transformed into a children’s area with hands-on art making activities and visitors can also take advantage of daily tours, Art Challenges and Museum Quest activities throughout our galleries.

There will also be a Salon Schools make-up station where you can transform yourself into a King Tut or a Cleopatra, and a Generation Gap magical Act featuring Jim Rogers and his thirteen-year-old grandson Ian Davis performing family-friendly illusions. Finally, and I have to say I think this is truly a first for the Museum, there will be a giant inflatable slide located in our parking lot along with an inflatable bounce house. I am fairly certain we’ve managed to cover our bases and can honestly say that we will, indeed, have something here for every visitor.

Arts Festival is one of those fabulous Columbus traditions that helps make central Ohio the richly layered community it is and firmly establishes us a cultural destination. Last year, nearly 7,000 people visited the Museum over the course of the festival, we hope to welcome even more of you this year.

Art Speaks. Join the Conversation.

Nannette Maciejunes, CMA Executive Director

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Photo: Mummy Cartonnage of a Woman, Roman Period, 1st century C.E. Linen, gilded gesso, glass and faience 22 11/16 x 14 5/8 x 7 1/2 in. (57.6 x 37.2 x 19 cm) possible place collected: Hawara, Egypt, Africa, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund.

Columbus Symphony

While I consider myself a fan of the arts, I have no extensive knowledge of one art form in particular. Rather, I like to be inspired, constantly stimulated and surrounded by beauty.

I recently discovered that the Columbus Symphony provides all three of these in one neat little package.

I attended opening night back in January. Part of the performance focused on the planets of the solar system and was narrated by former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, whose authenticity made a genuine connection with the audience. We watched the story of each planet unfold, both musically and visually, as pictures of planets flashed across a large screen in perfect unison with Gustva Holst’s The Planets.

It was my first symphony experience, and I’m glad to say I’ll be back again. Currently, the Columbus Symphony is featuring a variety of shows ranging from the works of Mozart to a collection of fairytale favorites. You can check their calendar here for upcoming performances taking place during selected weekends through May.

You may also want to check out these links to view videos and stay connected:

YouTube
Facebook
Twitter

Photo: WexArts.org

I stumbled upon Antony and the Johnsons for the first time in 2002 - I knew nothing about them and decided to attend the concert on a whim. I take these "risks" often at the Wexner Center for the Arts . I don’t always know if I will "like" what I see there, but I do know that when I leave I’ll be a little more informed and always more appreciative of the variety of film, music, art and dance that the Wex brings to Columbus.

The show began quietly, when a performer provided the audience with a long opening message given entirely in Morse code. Then a strong but feminine voice filled the room and gently commanded attention. The lights lifted and slowly unveiled the lead singer of the band, the androgynous-looking Antony Hegarty .

Antony wore a pink boa and moved subtly across the stage, allowing me to concentrate on his lyrics of melancholy and longing. In fact, the draw of his unique voice was so powerful that, after a few minutes, I stopped trying to figure out if he was male or female and instead got lost in the rest of the performance.

I left the concert and purchased anything I could find by Antony and the Johnsons. I also knew if they came back to Columbus, I’d be there. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the show coming to our city on Feb. 4 .

Back in 2002, the dimly lit performance space at the Wexner Center was the perfect venue for a minimalist, cabaret-style delivery. But over the past seven years, Antony and the Johnsons albums have seen subtle increases in orchestral sound and growing recognition from the mainstream. So it makes sense that the venue for this visit is the Southern Theatre . Antony’s voice and the organic acoustics of this beautiful theater are sure to complement each other.

Until showtime, here are some additional links worth a look:

• Buy tickets
• Tell your friends and RSVP on Facebook
  
• Listen to tunes on YouTube
• Check out a video, an MP3 and artist info on the Wexner’s site

Photo by Thomas Alexander
(see more on Flickr )

If you’re looking for an alternative to happy hour at a local bar, consider Cocktails @ the Conservatory .

It’s held at the Franklin Park Conservatory every Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). There’s no cover and parking is free.

The holiday season is a great time to go since the Conservatory is decked out with beautiful holiday lights and decorations, including a 15-foot tall poinsettia tree. I attended with a friend and we enjoyed music by Encore Entertainment and delicious hors d’oeuvres (let’s just say I can never turn down food from Cameron Mitchell ).

The best part was seeing Light Ramient II , the Palm House light installation by award-winning artist James Turrell . It was chilly outside, but well worth stepping outdoors for a few minutes to take a look at the color-changing lights. Seeing the Palm House illuminated against the night sky was breathtaking.

I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m looking to kick off the weekend early.

Yesterday I attended a press conference announcing an exciting joint venture. The Columbus Museum of Art , COSI Columbus , the Columbus Metropolitan Library and several other central Ohio libraries have partnered to create Egypt in Columbus .

The Columbus Museum of Art and COSI will both feature Egypt-themed exhibits, and have worked together to create a joint Web site to promote them.  The site includes information about both exhibitions, a suggested reading list from participating local libraries and more.

These groups have also collaborated to create a Passport To Egypt for students ages 6-13. Passport holders can explore each of the exhibitions and visit a participating library to answer questions and receive passport stamps. When students finish their journey through Egypt in Columbus, they can turn in their passport at COSI for the chance to win a prize.

More about the exhibitions:

To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum
Columbus Museum of Art
February 13 – June 7
This exhibit explores ancient Egyptian beliefs about death and the afterlife. More than 100 objects tell the story of mummification, funeral processions and rituals, the contents of the tomb, the final judgment and the afterlife. Take your picture in an ancient Egyptian costume, play the board game of the Pharoahs, and hunt for hieroglyphics.

Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science
COSI Columbus
May 30 – September 7
An interactive exhibition featuring animal mummies, forensic facial reconstructions and, for the first time ever, a life-size rapid prototype of a human mummy. View artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt, decipher hieroglyphs and use the tools and technology of archaeologists. Connect with modern scientists working on projects in Egypt through interactive experiences, video interviews and photographs from the field.

Egypt in Columbus will truly make our city a place of exploration and education, and will offer a great way to end the school year or start your summer.

Like art? How about sports? Want to do something a little different this weekend? If you said yes at least once, here are two events to check out. They’re both in Grandview Heights (just a hop from downtown), they’re both this weekend, and they’re both sure to be a unique experience:

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C-Note Art Show

Feel free to fall in love with the artwork here – every piece is only $100. Over 150 independent Columbus artists will be showcasing nearly 600 pieces of artwork. You’ll find every imaginable style of art – ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography and woodwork will all be available.

• Preview Dec. 12, Show Dec. 13 at Junctionview Studios.
• Visit the C-Note site for complete schedule and admission info.

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Skatemare Before Christmas II , presented by the Ohio Roller Girls

The Ohio Roller Girls is Columbus’ first and only all-female roller derby league. At the Skatemare Before Christmas II , you can cheer the ladies on during a derby style “gift exchange” (read: a few good hits and bruises given on the derby track). Dress warm and bring a chair.

• Dec. 13 at Central Ohio Roller Hockey . Doors open at 3:30 p.m., game starts at 4:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $5 with canned good donation. $6 regular admission.

I’m not the first to mention that it’s the season for gift giving . I set out to find a Christmas gift for my mom a few weeks back and decided to turn to Columbus’ arts and entertainment scene for unique ideas.

The task was easier than expected. I searched the Columbus Events Calendar and found plenty of gift options, ranging from tickets to a Duran Duran concert to a Radio City Rockettes performance. I landed on an obvious winner - tickets to the musical Grease . What could be more perfect? After all, "Grease is the word" for my mom’s generation.

Broadway Across America-Columbus is bringing this popular musical to the Palace Theatre , Dec. 16-21. Named Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” this is a show worth seeing. Tickets range from $22.50-$64.50 and are available online or at the Experience Columbus Visitor Center .

Andy Warhol Self-Portrait, 1986

My in-laws, Ed and Bonnie, recently flew in to Columbus from their home in Long Island. They’ve grown to love Columbus, and each time they’re here my wife and I expose them to something new.

This visit, we went to the Wexner Center for the Arts to see Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms . While there, we ran into Wexner’s director, Sherri Geldin . Seeing Sherri was an unexpected treat and she shared extra background on Warhol that even this expansive exhibit couldn’t delve into, including Warhol’s fascination with Truman Capote .

One cannot help but be overwhelmed by such an intimate look inside this complex artist. Searching for his own identity, Warhol utilizes a wide range of media in his expression of social, political and cultural upheaval. I felt like a voyeur watching his home movies, reading his personal scribblings and viewing his sketches and photos. It’s as though Andy touches your shoulder and says, “Come with me, I’ll show you the good stuff.”

As Ed and Bonnie went through the exhibit, their eyes grew big at the site of the iconic Campbell Soup art, their faces wrinkled in amusement while reading Warhol’s writings, and they smiled warmly at the gentle sound of Warhol’s voice in his movies.

Lifetime New Yorkers, Ed and Bonnie are never shy about expressing their opinions. They wouldn’t rave about something unless they were truly moved by it, and they raved about Other Voices, Other Rooms . Their reaction to the exhibit was as expansive as the exhibit itself.

“He has many people in his head,” Bonnie said, and Sherri smiled and agreed. Bonnie remarked on how many times she had seen Warhol’s work in galleries in New York, but had never seen a collection like this one (Columbus is the only U.S. stop on this international tour).

Bonnie was nearly moved to tears imagining what Warhol might think if he knew how close to him we had become:

And I was reminded to never take Columbus treasures like the Wex for granted.