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 .

I’m going to start off with a disclaimer: I’m a pescetarian (I eat seafood, but not other meat.) You’d think that would make the Jazz and Ribs Fest (July 22-24) low on my list of favorite summer festivals, but you’d be very wrong! There’s so much energy in this event that it’s hard to stay away - even if I’m grabbing a fresh squeezed cup of lemonade rather than a rack of ribs.

Set at North Bank Park and McPherson Commons in the Arena District, it’s a great place to spend a summer day. This year, the festival is even more special, because it’s the first big event to take place near the newly opened Scioto Mile park along the city’s riverfront! It’s a beautiful setting, made even better by the presence of cooling fountains and relaxing bench swings perfect for a break from the sunny July weather, just a short walk from the hustle of the festival. Even better, the festival is free!

Every year, the Jazz and Ribs Fest brings in more than 40 top national and local performers to fill downtown with music on three stages. This year, headliners include Dave Koz and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy and Latin Jazz virtuoso Bobby Sanabria, and local favorites MoJoFlo and Derek DiCenzo are always great to catch.

People tell me the ribs are outstanding, and having the chance to taste samples and meals from 23 different vendors in one location is pretty amazing. You’ll have to let me know - I’ll stick to the fair fries! You can even get tips for improving your own barbeque from the Great American BBC Tour

If you’re coming into town for this three-day festival, the Downtown Crowne Plaza is just a short walk away from the center of action. So come out and enjoy the music, the food and the new Scioto Mile! What are you looking forward to most?

It’s the time of year when children’s activities start shifting from outdoors to indoors. For a great indoor option this winter, check out PBJ & Jazz.

The Jazz Arts Group organizes PBJ & Jazz at the Lincoln Theatre. These concerts introduce jazz music to young children through a very informal setting. There was seating for those parents with shy children, also for children who just prefer a seat. There was also a large area for parents to sit on the floor and children to dance.

There was a great display of toddler and preschool dance moves, which are always original and fun to watch. My two-year-old daughter started with some light toe tapping while listening to the musicians warm-up. Twenty minutes later, she was up near the stage with some other children moving and grooving.

It was also a great opportunity to point out the different types of instruments and check out the beautiful Lincoln Theatre. PBJ & Jazz is a children’s activity that is also very enjoyable for parents and grandparents.

A tip if you go: Be sure your child has a snack beforehand, since the concerts are at 11 a.m. Each child is provided with a small peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Girl Scout cookie and juice. Depending on the child, it may be considered more snack size than full lunch size.

The next PBJ & Jazz is on Saturday, January 8. Click here for more details.

Experience Columbus staff was lucky to get a sneak preview of the much-anticipated restoration of the Lincoln Theatre . It’s located on Long Street in the King-Lincoln District, close to The King Arts Complex .

Lincoln Theatre rendering, courtesy of CAPA

CAPA has done an incredible job on the restoration of this intimate 600-seat 1928 Egyptian-style theatre. In its heyday, the Lincoln was the spot to see jazz legends such as Count Basie, James Brown, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Columbus’ own Nancy Wilson.

Our group was surprised and intrigued by the colorful, detailed Egyptian-looking paintings on the ceiling and all around the stage. This will be an awesome place to see almost any performance, as you’ll be so close to the stage, even in the balcony.

Pretty soon, the Lincoln Theatre will come alive with a packed schedule of diverse performances from groups like the Alfred Dove Dance Studio, Columbus Children’s Theatre , the Thiossane West African Dance Institute and OSU’s Theatre Department . It’ll also be home to an amazingly innovative Jazz Academy, operated by the Jazz Arts Group (JAG) .

A public grand opening is planned for the end of May with all kinds of activities and, likely, a big-name act. They promised the schedule will be announced soon, so watch the calendar .

Thanks, Todd Bemis of CAPA and Carol Agiro of JAG, for sharing your passion and ideas with us. Columbus residents and visitors are in for a real treat!