(614) June | 2023

All concerts are held at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion (160 S. High St.) in the Columbus Commons. Gates open at 6pm. Concerts begin at 8pm.

NE-YO – Symphony with Soul A Symphonic Tribute 6/17

Super Diamond – The Music of Neil Diamond 6/24

Patriotic Pops & Soul with fireworks! 7/1

The Music of Whitney Houston: A Celebration 7/8

The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA 7/15

Ben Folds What Matters Most Tour 7/22

The OSU Marching B and 7/28 & 7/29

Tables start at $315. Single table seats start at $63. Lawn tickets start at $36.75, children $10.50, and kids 2 and under are free. Other fees may apply

NE-YO

The Music of Whitney Houston: A Celebration

Ben Folds

BIG PICTURE

A bustling Scioto Mile crowd takes in the sights, sounds and tastes of the 2022 Columbus Arts Festival.

For a guide to this year’s fest, turn to p.72

Photo by David Heasley

CHERRY POPPINS Miss Gay Ohio America 2022

My Columbus Pride

Someone once asked me, “What does pride mean to you?”

I still remember my response, and I still stand by it today. To me, Pride means living every day being unapologetically you, no matter what adversity or discrimination is thrown your way.

This idea has a place in the history of Columbus, and in the history of the world at large, like when the brave Queer and Trans individuals of color banded together to stand up for themselves in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in New York City.

While Pride is in part about having fun and connecting with your community, it’s also about protest when it’s needed; protest against censorship, and a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community living in our truth.

Living in fear is not an option for us, either. Individuals like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie fought for us, and we

have an obligation to keep this trend going for our Queer and Trans youth. To see others who look like you living out their true authentic selves in the face of adversity is the most inspiring thing a young queer person can see.

Our right to exist has always been under attack, but through it all, we still come together to celebrate Pride all over the nation. But very few places across the country is Pride as big as it is in Columbus.

With the second-largest Pride celebration in the Midwest, our community here is enormous, and continues to grow. The love, the energy, the movement here in Columbus is what makes Pride here such an amazing event.

That’s why I can’t think of a better place to celebrate being myself, being true to me, being unapologetically black and queer, than right here in the Arch City. We hope you’ll celebrate yourself with us this month, too.

Our staff picks

June is Pride month, and here in Columbus, Pride is a big deal. To honor it, and our city’s thriving LGBTQIA+ communities. This issue features individuals, businesses and more who are true to themselves. To find out what “True to You” means to us, we asked our staff members about what makes them unique individuals. Here’s what they said.

When I was a kid, my eyes were two different colors. I guess I grew out of it?

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

I can recite the alphabet backwards. And I feel like I'm the only person I know who eats hot dogs completely plain. Like zero toppings at all or I won't eat it.

— Justynne Pride, Marketing Director

I can't think of anything that interesting, but I graduated college before I could (legally) buy a drink.

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

This is a weird one, but I can fold my tongue into a W.

— Julia Attanasio, Marketing Coordinator

I don’t know if this counts, but I can roll my R’s.

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

When I was little, I wanted to try a cheeseburger in every state.

— Lindsay Press, CEO

I broke my back and pelvis in high school, and as of last week I can do a chin stand.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

I can jump approximately 6 ½ feet high

— Louie Attanasio, Barketing Consultant [Louie is a dog]

Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus’s top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

→ See where Columbus ranks in ‘U.S. News & World Reports’ list of best cities in the country to live

While The Arch City came in below a pair of other Ohio cities, it did crack a list of the country’s top 150 cities to live... Scan the QR code to read more.

→ Columbus donut company pairing with Little Ladies Soft Serve for Donut Ice Cream Sandwich pop-up

Two dessert powerhouses in Columbus are joining forces for one brief, beautiful weekend event... Scan the QR code to read more.

→ We rounded up a few of the best spots for dog-loving coffee enthusiasts to visit this summer

While dogs may be a “man’s best friend,” they’re still prohibited from entering numerous establishments in Columbus... Scan the QR code to read more.

#AsSeenInColumbus

PRES S PLAY

614 VIDEO

Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Keep an eye out for more on our (614) Columbus account and on social media. In the meantime, scan the QR code to check out our newest videos.

• When Snacks Attack!

Ahh, delicious, delectable snacks. Where would we be without you? Well, we suppose that depends on the flavor of said snack.

• Can't Miss Authentic Mexican Cuisine

El Vaquero's plates bring the taste of Mexico right to you. Oh, and try the Tequila Tower. We know we wish we could.

• Tasting Columbus: 3 Bites Bakery

Pulling together a fusion of globally inspired baked treats, 3 Bites Bakery is creating some delectable treats beside their perfectly portioned lunch menu.

• Finding your Dream Home

Buying a home can be quite daunting when you're trying to manage the rest of your life. Join Marci Press in finding your forever home without all the hassle that comes with it.

@a_girl_named_duck

@columbuspridebands

@mklebeaux

@tim_perdue

Where: Muirfield Village Golf Club

How much: Tickets required, but multiple options are available

Founded and hosted by golf great Jack Nicklaus, the annual Memorial Tournament brings together many of the world’s best golfers for a weeklong event that brings plenty of food, fun and excitement along with it.

Where: Select streets in Central Bexley

How much: Free

Launched several years ago, this event, which benefits Alzheimer’s research, is a unique way to take in live music or socialize. The festival will feature a number of musical artists performing on the porches of (previously notified and willing) Bexley residents. It will also offer food trucks, beer and wine.

Design by Bryce Patterson

Where: Scioto Mile

How much: Free

Returning for its 61st year, the Columbus Arts Festival is ready to line the Scioto Mile with artists and artisans from nearly every background and discipline imaginable. This year alone, the festival boasts a whopping 225 artists.

Where: Goodale Park

How much: Free

For decades, Stonewall Columbus has been hosting one of the country’s largest and most vibrant celebrations. The event, according to Stonewall, attracted over 700,000 visitors, who gathered in the Columbus area to celebrate what Pride means to them.

Where: Genoa Park

How much: Free

Now a state and federal holiday, you can celebrate Juneteenth at a number of Columbus events, including Genoa Park’s Juneteenth Ohio Festival. The event will include a drum circle for peace, food, a marketplace, live music and a whole lot more.

Ever wonder why central Ohio serves as a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community?

Local Historian John Clark will tell you

By John M. Clark

Believe it or not, without Jerry Falwell–the anti-gay celebrity preacher, the annual Columbus Pride event may not have never developed into the massive, nationally-noted celebration it is today.

It was Falwell’s planned establishment of a Moral Majority chapter in Central Ohio (his political organization) that prompted local LGBTQIA+ community members to speak out – in numbers – against discrimination and form Stonewall Union. That was in September 1981.

Moral Majority never took off here. But Stonewall’s organized protests certainly did, although it has grown massively since its early days. Attendance for their march the following June – the first to be recognized by the City of Columbus - was viewed in person by perhaps 200 people. Many of those marchers wore bags over their heads, fearful that they might lose their jobs in an era when few in their community enjoyed any such protections.

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

↑ Columbus Pride Marches ↓

Val Thogmartin was one of three local men credited with forming Stonewall Union, the forerunner to today’s community service agency known as Stonewall Columbus. In a 2004 interview, Thogmartin was quoted as saying, “We were just pioneers trying to forge a way for our people.”

Denny Valot remembers those days well. As the partner of another Stonewall Union pioneer, Craig Huffman, he preferred to stay in the background. “As an employee of the State of Ohio,” the retired attorney said recently, “I could have been fired just for being gay. But we had plenty of planning sessions at our house in Clintonville. And after that protest against Falwell, everyone came back to our house for a big celebration.”

The civil rights activism seed that had been sown during riots at New York’s Stonewall Inn gay club in June 1969 eventually grew into the Midwest’s second-largest Pride march – attended by an estimated 700,000 people last year – topped only by Chicago’s. And because of size limitations being proposed for the event in the Windy City, this year’s march in Columbus might just exceed Chicago’s.

Karla Rothan is a former executive director of Stonewall Columbus. She attributes the popularity of the local event over the years to a number of reasons. “First, the tenacity and dedication of hundreds of brave activists who took to the streets to protest discrimination, many risking the loss of their families and jobs,” she said. “Columbus is home to one of the country’s largest universities, which brings tens of thousands of affirming voices to our city.”

Rothan also points out that a few key city leaders got on board early and began to support the gay rights movement here decades ago, as have many of Central Ohio’s largest employers, who make it a priority to attract the best and brightest talent regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Rothan, who spent 12-and-a-half years leading Stonewall Columbus, calls Columbus, “one of the greatest LGBTQ cities in the world.” “And because of Stonewall,” she added, “those who are in this community know where they can turn when they need help. Although there is still work to be done, Columbus is a much more open and affirming city. We don’t want to roll back the clock to the days of covering our faces for fear of losing jobs or families or friendships.”

Densil Porteous, Stonewall Columbus’ current executive director, agreed, adding, “Pride is the demonstration of power within our community. And it’s our single largest annual fundraiser. The proceeds we take in during the Pride March and Festival are used to fund our programs 365 days a year.” Porteous said, “our organization has evolved to keep up with the population growth of the country’s 14th largest city. At Stonewall, we are doing our best to remain representative of our growing LGBTQ community and to continue helping all those in need.”

This month, Columbus will no doubt witness hundreds of thousands from the LGBTQ community and their supporters –perhaps, even, a million – celebrating diversity with their uncovered faces held high and raising their voices even higher.

This year’s Columbus Pride starts with a brunch at the Athenaeum on June 4, followed by a City Hall illumination on June 5, the Pride Festival on June 16 and 17, and the Pride March on June 17.

John Clark is a local historian and author. You can find more unique historical stories about Columbus in his book, “Columbus Uncovered”

(614) Beer is a Registered Trademark of 614 Media Group, Inc.

Stitches

In her thesis, the Columbus-based fiber and print-making artist River F. Berry, observes that “feminist artists use a myriad of techniques and mediums to uplift their communities through their continued use of traditional crafts to explore and often subvert concepts of domesticity, womanhood, and 'women’s work'.”

Today, the CCAD grad and Columbusbased artist continues this through work of her own, which, using the fabric arts, aims to explore generational trauma while stitching communities together, just like the squares on one of her quilts.

Her work, often possessing a playful, almost childlike quality at first soothes the viewer into a state of belonging and familiarity. There is a warmth and a slowness that her chosen medium, quilting and fiber can attain, offering a break from today’s speedy digital world.

“Many of us can’t remember a life without our grandmothers’ quilts draped across our beds or wrapped around bodies protecting us from the cold,” Berry said

But beneath the bright colors and playful compositions is both the loaded history and the trauma inherent within. “I'm kind of investigating how that legacy is passed down, along with generational trauma, through families, and for me personally, as a woman, and through the women in my family,” Berry told me.

"Many of us can't remember a life without our grandmothers' quilts...protecting us from the cold."

The history and trauma, far from acting solely as a conceptual element, is literally ingrained in Berry’s craft.

Her work is partly driven by inspiring figures in her life like her grandmother, the late Columbus craft artist Sue Cavanaugh, and the late Dorothy Gill-Barnes, whose leftover materials Berry sometimes uses in her work. She hopes that recycling these materials carries on the legacies of those who came before her. “I would like to think that through my work I am keeping [their] practice alive,” she said.

At the foundation of her work is the theme of intersectional feminism. Intersectional feminism expands feminist thinking to include races, classes and all other groups who may have not been previously included. It enlarges who feminism is for and what equality might look like for everyone interested in it. This way, according to political activist Claudia Jones, it’s not only sex this is confronted, but also race and class.

"I would like to think that through my work I am keeping [their] practice alive."

"These works... become physical manifestations of women's empowerment and progress."

Combining all of these aspects of intersectional feminism is one of Berry’s main inspirations, the late Columbusbased artist, Aminah Robinson. “Robinson assembled, in her own way, a physical legacy of black communities in Columbus,” Berry reflected. Robinson’s mixed media works employed sewing, painting, and many other mediums to depict her community in Columbus. In her work, Berry hopes to reflect her community similar to Robinson.

Today, there are now an everincreasing number of feminist artists who are utilizing the medium of craft arts, once restrained privately to the home, to highlight the inequalities, history, and trauma out in the open. Artists like River F. Berry are making work that brings this history into display for us to confront, while also showing us how far we've come.

“These works,” Berry said, “become physical manifestations of women’s empowerment and progress.”

To see more of River's work, visit riverfberry.com

Story and Photos by Sav McKee

Story Design by Tori Smith

Learn why the natural wine craze is sweeping the Midwest, and where to find them in Columbus

Iheard about a phenomenon called "natural orange wine" back in 2017, and when I went to my local wine shop and asked for an orange wine or any natural wine, the shopkeeper laughed and assured me there was no such thing of a wine made from oranges.

While he was right in one sense (because wine made with oranges would be some strange version of orange juice), orange wine does in fact exist, taking its color from grape skins that are left on during fermentation.

Since then, orange wines and natural wines of various shades have become exponentially more popular around the world, and it's exciting that Columbus is leaning into this trend. What once could only be found in the most coveted bars in Los Angeles, are now featured on menus of many Columbus spots, including on even more traditional wine lists.

Why Natural Wine?

Buying a bottle of natural wine vs. any other wine, no matter how expensive, automatically means that you'll have less of a hangover due to less sugar and no pesticides or herbicides in the bottle. The grapes used in natural wines are handpicked with ethical labor, which is a huge plus if you're conscientious about exploitation.

Most unnatural wines use fillers such as egg, more sugar, and acids that can hurt your body if consumed too much, even if they're labeled as "organic," but natural wines use a native yeast for fermentation. Most natural wine is completely unfiltered; the cloudiness & funk associated with these unfiltered wines are the most charming parts.

The most alluring aspect of drinking natural wine is that I know I'm actually drinking grapes instead of the 60+ additives that can be found in many conventional wines.

Orange Wines

Despite its name, this type of natural wine is not made from oranges. They're referred to as "orange wines" (or skin contact wines) because of their vibrant colors that are the result of leaving the white grape skin on and seeds in during production.

Most orange wines are fermented in cement, clay, or ceramic, allowing the grape to be funkier than your normal white wine. Some can taste like a buffalo sauce, while other, more mellow bottles can taste like a mimosa or peaches. If you're new to the orange wine scene, try a more mild orange wine at first.

Chilled Reds

Maybe our grandmothers who put ice cubes in their red wines were actually onto something! Most natural red wines are best served a little cold, believe it or not. Natural reds are similar to orange wines, but they use red grapes and leave the skin off.

These reds range from juicy, light rosatos that taste like an adult Capri Sun, all the way to a dark, musky red with hints of tobacco and leather. I tend to lean towards fizzy, approachable, vibrant lambruscos or rosatos.

When going to your local wine shop, ask for a natural wine that fizzes, and they'll know exactly what youmean. Also, keep your eye out for any description on the bottle that says "Frizzante," and you'll know that it will have a funk and fizzle.

Pét Nats

If you love champagne but not so much the champagne hangover, a Pét Nat, short for the French term, "pétillant naturel,” is a must-try. Just like other naturals, these sparkling natural wines are made without additives and produced in small batches.

The colors of these effervescent wines range from gold, yellow, orange, red, or even pink.

Where To Look Locally

If you’re looking to go natural, look no further than these popular Columbus spots, all of which boast their own (often-rotating) varieties of natural wine:

Add a little sparkle to your next dinner party with this bottle, "Pétillant Naturel Piquette" by Old Westminster, found at Coast Wine House.

This bottle of Frisante Rosato by Il Farneto, found at Lawbird Supply House, pairs perfectly with pizza, pasta, or just by itself!

Litrozzo Vino Bianco

Biologico - an orange wine purchased from Lawbird Supply House

Vecchia Modena Lambrusco from The Bottle Shop

Two long-time local baristas have opened an inclusivity-focused coffee truck, and a Galaxy of possibilities, for Columbus

By Molly Hammond / Photos by Sumner Howells

Design by Tori Smith

Galaxy Coffee owners Jevonna Morris and Kels Wilson were committed to opening up a queer coffee shop in the heart of Columbus when they officially opened the concept as a truck last summer, but it’s something much more than mochas and flat whites it has been serving up since. →

Story

The

truck operates as an all-inclusive community space (even without a true brick and mortar storefront, although this is still part of the long-term plan), where people of all ages and those who don’t frequent the bar scene can feel included and connected to others.

Galaxy Coffee received its name after months of brainstorming. Morris and Wilson fretted over a title that would both honor and support the queer community, while also conveying inclusivity and expansion. The name refers to a concept in queer theory that gender is more than a binary or a spectrum—it’s more like a galaxy of possibilities.

“Being the first queer-owned coffee truck in Columbus is exciting, while also nerve-racking,” said Morris, “The feedback we’ve received has been wonderful and kind, with many people saying that they love having a place where they feel like they can just be themselves.”

Morris and the Galaxy Coffee team have given back to the community in more ways than one. A crowd-favorite detail about the Galaxy Coffee truck is its “Community Jar.”

The Community Jar is the truck’s version of a Pay it Forward system, or a Take-a-Penny Leave-a-Penny bowl. As a worker cooperative, each employee makes a living wage and doesn’t take tips. Anytime someone tips, that money is put into the

coffee

↑ Galaxy Coffee pastry offerings

community jar. Customers are allowed to use the money in the Community Jar to get a free cup of coffee or anything else off the menu. This idea was put into action as a way to be more accessible to the community and bring everyone in.

The truck also offered unlimited free drinks at Community Pride last year (in which they more than made up the cost in donations from that day alone) and recently parked close to the State House in April to support those giving testimonies against recent anti-trans bills. During these events, the team received an outpouring of comments and messages expressing gratitude. →

↑ Galaxy Coffee truck exterior

“One of my favorite interactions so far was when someone came up to our truck to thank us for existing and being visible,” said Morris. “They anonymously donated a large sum to our Community Jar in honor of their trans kid. It reminds me of why it's still important, and why we're doing this.”

Not only has the community come together extensively since the beginning of Galaxy Coffee to donate to LQBTQ fundraisers, the community jar and more, but they have helped Galaxy Coffee raise money for the truck alone. After a GoFundMe Morris posted in late 2022, the Columbus community helped raise over $9,000 for the business to pay for a new, quieter generator. The new generator was installed in February of this year and has made for a more peaceful coffee experience for both workers and customers.

Galaxy Coffee serves up items like the crowd-favorite Iced Lavender Oat Milk Latte to the delectable, ethically-sourced Mocha. The coffee truck also offers options for tea-drinkers, matcha enthusiasts, chai lovers and more. They have vegan pastries from Happy Little Treats, including chocolate croissants, gluten-free donuts and delectable pop tarts. There’s also a generous serving of community and connection on the menu too.

“Our hope is that through coffee and food, we can bring a source of connection between people,” Morris added. “We hope we’re a little source of joy to someone as they go about their day. If I can pass along my love of catching up with a friend over lattes, then we’ll bring people together one cup at a time.” ♦

To learn more, visit thegalaxycoffee.com

Delivering the Goods

Bake Me Happy is churning out some of the city’s best baked goods (despite the fact that they’re gluten-free), and now they’re doing it from a former Merion Village Post Office

It’s been seven months since Bake Me Happy moved from Merion Village to the 4000-square-foot former German Village Post Office on Parsons and Whitter. Becoming a property owner and investing in the South Side community has served the bakery well. →

← (From Left) Letha and Wendy Pugh, co-owners of Bake Me Happy

By Melinda Green / Photos by Jen Brown / Story Design by Atlas Biro

“If you’ve ever moved a business, man, it’ll break ya down,” co-owner Letha Pugh said, laughing. The construction timeline “got blown out of the water,” and the staff finally started packing in early July for the early fall move. Letha, and co-owner/baker Wendy Pugh, orchestrated the project together.

“It’s a process. You start throwing out the things you haven’t used in five years: furniture, all the things you collect, just like at home,” Letha said. “Then you start packing up things.”

“What was difficult was restaurant equipment,” she continued. “There aren’t a lot of companies that will move restaurant equipment, so you know, it’s pretty expensive. It takes quite a bit of organization and patience and money.”

Plus, the staff was furloughed, with pay, for almost a month during the move. But the expense is paying off.

One key to the new space’s success is the return of their open kitchen setup. “I think we kind of lost the ability for Wendy and the crew to, one, be acknowledged for their work, and two, interact with the customers and the supporters,” Letha said. “Now we’re back to that. I think sometimes with open concept kitchens, if you aren’t really focused on what you’re doing, you could forget to add the pound of sugar. We have it set up in a way that their workflow isn’t interrupted.”

All of this change is ideal to feed into their North Market Bridge Park location in Dublin, which opened just over two years ago. The Parsons location handles the preparation and delivers product to Dublin, where items are finished in a convection oven.

And corporate orders have been picking up as well, like those Unicorn Bars at Mikey’s Late Night Slice, filled with fruity pebbles and edible glitter.

If you’ve never been to the bakery, you might feel a bit suspicious when you learn it’s entirely gluten-free. The term conjures up tough, gritty, and often flavorless lowest-common-denominator workarounds. But this is very different. These cookies, brownies, and muffins are so good, you’ll forget they’re missing a staple ingredient. →

"If you've ever moved a business, man, it'll break ya down..."

↑ Zebra Cakes ↓ Coffee Beans, sold at Bake Me Happy

↓ Oatmeal Creme Clouds

Remember those Oatmeal Creme Pies and Ding Dongs you loved as a kid, that just taste cheap and disappointing now that you’re grown up? Bake Me Happy has—well, we can’t call it the next best thing, because it’s the best thing. It’s everything you remember, and big-kid-sized, made with equal parts of passion and quality ingredients.

The key to that deliciousness lies in the flours, and yes, gluten-free flours are expensive.

“Everything has a different flour mixture,” Letha said. “What works for the cookies doesn’t necessarily work for the pie shells.” The baking flours and grains are proprietary mixes of ingredients like brown and white rice, sorghum, and potato starch, for light, chewy, and crisp textures that are indistinguishable from, or even more refined than, their gluten-full counterparts.

↓ (From Left) Wendy and Letha Pugh

↑ Assorted Desserts

Sometimes the bakers will work on something as a group, honing a recipe over the course of weeks in their free time. Letha said that one of their bakers just created a vegan gluten-free cookie. “She’d been working on that for a while, because what’s the binder? With no animal and no gluten, what’s really keeping your cookie together?”

While they recover financially from the toll a move takes, they’re already investing in their new home turf. “We have always loved the South Side, so it’s nice to kind of see support for small businesses popping up here and there,” Letha said.

“But you know I think that a bigger testament is just the support that we’ve gotten from the local banks, SBA, and giving other small businesses that want to take the leap to buy the building they’re in, it can be done. It cuts into your cash flow, but it can be done.”

Letha serves on the Executive Committees of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers, and she’s the President of the Franklin County Recreation and Parks Commission. Plus, she just graduated from the Affordable Housing Trust developer program. It’s only natural that she’s heavily invested in her community.

The team is also active in Dublin. Letha explained, “It’s a completely different neighborhood, but I will tell you what, Dublin is amazing, and the people are supportive, and a lot of work in diversity and equity, and so being out there is not a drag on my soul. I actually feel good about it, you know?

“It’s [all] about us collectively knowing and working with other small business owners to support community needs. It really is using our ability to reach folks, other small business owners who, you know, you may not have a hundred thousand dollars to give, but if ten people can give a thousand dollars, hey, that makes a huge impact.”

But they never lose sight of their first priority. “Our whole goal with Bake Me Happy is hey, let’s make a product that, it doesn’t matter if you’re gluten free or not: you’re gonna enjoy it,” Letha said. “I’ll be the first to say that gluten-free people were kind of eating cardboard cookies there for a while. There’s been a huge shift, and, with Wendy and the crew, some innovation in gluten-free baking.

“We try to spread the love as much as we can. I think that’s important.” ♦

Steak Entree at Cut 132

AGAINST THE GRAIN

Easton’s newest steakhouse eschews classical conventions to offer great food with a whole lot of fun

By Laura Hennigan

Easton’s newest steakhouse, Cut 132, wants you to leave both your jacket and your expectations at the door. The restaurant is embracing what modern diners are looking for: an upscale experience with a “come as you are” attitude, delicious food and zero stuffiness.

Gone is the dim lighting and formal service found in traditional steakhouses. At Cut 132, you’ll find an open, airy atmosphere with plenty of windows and servers in jeans instead of captains coats.

Operating Partner Michael Krebs shared, “This is the way people are eating now - they want a fun, interactive experience that still feels fancy.”

Photos by Jordan Posner

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

The engaging service starts with the drink menu, several of which have entire presentations built around them. In a homage to Prohibition, the Prescription for Peach is a peach lemon drop martini that is put in a flask and arrives at the table hidden in a book. The Cowboy Luge is bone marrow which, once eaten, serves as a vessel for a shot of Watershed bourbon. Interested in sampling caviar for the first time? Order a Bumps and Bubbles, where you’ll enjoy a bite of Ossetra caviar, followed by a few sips of icy champagne.

At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Brian Pancir, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate and certified master butcher. Born and raised in Czechoslovakia, he is excited to introduce people to more progressive menu options.

“You have to be relevant in this industry, and you have to be more willing to explore more flavor profiles,” said Pancir. “I think our food is very innovative and we’re not that standard steakhouse where you’re getting creamed spinach as a side.” The recently launched spring/summer menu features plenty of sustainable, locally sourced ingredients including produce, microgreens, and Cut 132’s signature dry aged cuts.

More traditional starters like a Wedge Salad and Seafood Chowder find a home on the eatery’s menu alongside the less-expected Grilled Watermelon and BLT Gazpacho Soup. Patrons can order classic mains and the steak cut of their choice, but with a unique, almost fast-casual flair, where they’re able to pick a cut, in addition to their favorite toppings (Au Poivre, Melted Blue Cheese, Lobster and more), and a variety of sauces.

You have to be relevant in this industry, and you have to be more willing to explore more flavor profiles

Cowboy Luge ↓

Exterior facade of Cut 132 ↓

The restaurant also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Another feature not typically found at traditional steakhouses is the expansive patio, which sits at the prime people-watching corner of Brighton Rose Way and Worth Ave. Outfitted with 14 tables, a fire pit and indoor/outdoor bar seating with retractable garage doors, the space offers an ideal place to enjoy the restaurant’s signature social hour from 4-6 p.m.

“We want you to come, relax and enjoy time with others,” shared Krebbs. “Our setting is designed to appeal to everyone; the perfect place to have a great time and try something new.”

To learn more visit: cut132.com

This month we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and KEMBA Financial Credit Union is proud to support and recognize its many contributions that have helped shape Central Ohio. While many accomplishments and advancements have been made in the 42 years of Stonewall Columbus, the journey continues. Discrimination, violence and prejudices continue to plague our society. The LGBTQ+ community, as well as its advocates, continues furthering the progress and ongoing demand for support.

Columbus – and other Central Ohio communities – continue to be noted as some of the most LGBTQ+

friendly in the country. Part of that is due to our community leaders and many organizations who lead by example, and are committed to creating and shaping an inclusive environment. Many, including KEMBA, encourage Central Ohio to uphold the idea that the LGBTQ+ community makes society stronger.

Join us as we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and unite with purpose, passion, and power during this Pride month, 2023. Join us as we celebrate the people and the places behind Columbus Pride, and learn what it means to be True to You.

Section Design by Atlas Biro

Section Presented by

After 14 years, Columbus drag queen

By Shelby Metzger

Cherry Poppins, a Black, queer drag queen stationed in Columbus, Ohio, is raising the bar for drag performers across America. Crowned Miss Gay Ohio in 2022 while tirelessly raising awareness for young performers of color, Poppins is influencing her community both on and off the stage.

A self-described “good time gal”, Poppins is an upbeat and energetic persona, with a dash of passionate community building. Fans can find her glammed-out performances across Columbus, including popular gay bars such as Axis Nightclub, Union Cafe and District West. →

Meet

Gay Ohi O

Cherry Poppins hit it big; and she’s using her newfound fame to help the Arch City become a better place for all

Photos by Deondre White

↓ Cherry Poppins, Winner of Miss Gay Ohio 2022

“I like to be very glamorous and pretty. That's number one. And then I tried to put in some elements of fashion, or at least what I consider fashion,” she joked.

Poppins combines her drag persona with aspects of her real-life personality and passions, creating a unique mix that leaves fans and judges alike wanting more.

“I get to bring out what I like to call my alter ‘she-go’. That's kind of my favorite thing. I get to play this character. And I get to cater to my community.”

With a passion for both drag and her fellow peers, Poppins has a unique and illuminating presence that extends beyond just a performance.

But the daring alter ego of Cherry Poppins wasn’t fully curated until 2008. Before then, Danny Thomas was a young boy from Dayton, Ohio, who had his own reservations about performing on stage in full makeup and luxurious garb.

“To be honest, I used to be afraid of drag queens. They were very intimidating. But I remember one night being out at a show when I was in college and thinking like, you know what, I bet I could do this. It looks kind of easy. And it looks fun,” Thomas explained. “Well, I was half right. It's a lot of fun, but it is not easy. And so I tried to and people were telling me that I had potential. And I didn't think anything of it. I didn't think it was gonna be anything to me as to what it is now. And here we are almost 16 years later, and I'm obsessed with it."

And 14 years after first commanding the stage, Poppins was awarded the highly coveted title of Miss Gay Ohio in November 2022, on the pageant’s 50th anniversary. A yearly competition that is the precursor to Miss Gay America, the longest running gay pageantry in history, Miss Gay Ohio is a statewide battle of the best in drag.

“I competed in one of the hardest years. There were 24 qualified contestants. It was a lot. It was a lot of fun, though,” he said. “I competed for Miss Gay Ohio America five times. This was my fifth time doing it. And I finally won. I always placed kind of up in the top five area, but for some reason, I could just never get over that edge. I didn’t give up though.” →

"I've always aspired to... keep moving forward so I can inspire the young queens of color coming up after me."

But his road to success hasn’t always been easy. Being a Black, queer person, Thomas faced adversity from all sides, both in and out of the drag scene.

“Being an entertainer of color in a very white dominated community sometimes can be very challenging. I've obviously faced racism within the gay community, but I've also faced homophobia within the Black community,” he explained. “So, it's kind of a double edged sword. It oftentimes left me wondering where I fit in and where I could use my voice, and I've been very grateful that I've been able to navigate through that.”

Thomas didn’t get to where he is today alone, having had his fair share of role models to help pave the way. When asked about his inspirations behind the scenes, he lovingly described some of his most influential heroines.

“Right here in Columbus, there's Corey Williams, aka Anisa Love. She's somebody that I look up to a huge deal. She is a person that I've been able to watch navigate through exactly what I'm talking about – homophobia in the Black community, and racism in the gay community –and do it with grace. And she has longevity and a lot of respect in this community,” Thomas said. “As well as my drag mother, who passed away in 2020. She was always true to herself…that's what I've always aspired to do is to keep moving forward so I can inspire the young queens of color coming up after me.”

↓ Cherry Poppins

And Thomas is doing just that. He uses his platform to raise awareness for racial biases both inside of the drag community and out, as well as for a local organization dedicated to providing a social space for queer men of color to obtain sexual health testing resources.

“When it comes to performing certain bars, I've also used my platform to help raise money for a local organization called Brothers in Unity through Equitas Health. And so that's kind of what I like to do, is being able to use this platform to not only entertain my community, but give back to my community,” he explained. “It's a unique job, I work in prevention for HIV and STIs. And it’s really great to be able to work in a place where I get to use my work and my hobby, aka drag, and kind of combine them together.”

There’s no denying that Cherry Poppins is more than a pretty face. Between being crowned the latest Miss Gay Ohio to utilizing her platform to change the community for the better, she’s making waves in the drag community and beyond. Nor is there any doubt Poppins will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

“I love anywhere where I get to have a platform to use my voice to create change,” he said. “That's one of the biggest things that I've been doing.” ♦

Follow Cherry Poppins, and stay up to date on her events, on Instagram @cpoppins88

KEMBA Financial Credit Union Proudly Supports Central Ohio's LGBTQIA+ Community

↓ Danny Thomas

Worn With Pride

Ty Collier’s move from small-town Ohio to big city Columbus helped spur the creation of Queerencia, his LGBTQIA+-owned, and communityfocused, clothing store

By Jaelani Turner-Williams / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

Born and raised in Piqua, Ohio, Ty Collier dreamed bigger than what his small town had to offer. “It's kind of like a bubble where a lot of people stay in the town, and there's not a lot of growth and opportunity that I was seeing for someone like myself that was openly queer and African-American,” he told (614). “So I left after graduating high school and came to Columbus. That's kind of where I found my community and felt safe and comfortable to be myself.” →

↓ (From Left) Ty Collier, Queerencia Founder and Ben Forrester

Feeling accepted in the communal and fairly liberal atmosphere of Columbus was all Collier needed to develop his LGTBQIA+ shop, Queerencia. A play on the Spanish word ‘querencia,’ Queerencia is an apparel webstore with a Columbus brick and mortar home that also travels across the country to participate in Pride conferences and host pop-up events. Before ideating Queerencia, Collier worked in the wholesale promotional product space for roughly ten years. In 2020, as white collar employees went into remote work, the 26-year-old soft launched his store as a “passion project” to see what it would evolve into.

And evolve it did.

“It gave me the time and opportunity to dig into what my passions are and that is the LGBTQ+ community,” Collier said about his business. “I started as a project thinking, ‘Okay, maybe we'll just be able to influence some friends and peers with some cool designs,’ and then it started evolving into more and more.”

Starting primarily online, Queerencia gradually became visible at small, in-person events throughout Columbus while the country began navigating out of the pandemic. It gave the fledgling concept time to chart its own path as well.

“Now that things have been a year or so out, we're seeing that we're returning to what our original plan was: to be in front of people to build community [and] to be able to be a positive influence in our local and national areas,” Collier shared.

The shop features a wide variety of items designed by the LGBTQIA+ community, and for it, but not exclusively. In addition to a myriad of designs boasting queer Pride, Black pride, trans Pride and more, the store offers clothing for allies and family members as well. One t-shirt features the phrase “I love my Child,” with the final word appearing in a wash of rainbow lettering.

In addition to mainstay products, Queerencia is now offering a 2023 collection featuring a ballroom t-shirt perfect for any Pose fan, a graphic t-shirt adorned with late queer liberation activist and drag performer Marsha P. Johnson, and a clack fan with the official colors of the Pride flag. →

"I found my community and felt safe...to be myself."

“Our clack fan is super fun. We took the progressive pride flag colors and turned it into a groovy design to keep people cool during the hot summer Pride days that are to come,” Collier said about the latter item.

As Columbus Pride is regularly held in the Short North, Collier embraces the neighborhood for uplifting queer voices, even referencing Queerencia’s involvement with Stonewall Sports Columbus, which invites LGBTQIA+ individuals to come out to showcase their athletic abilities. To pour back into the community, a portion of every Queerencia purchase is donated to both local and national organizations like The Trevor Project and Columbus’ Kaleidoscope Youth Center, both which focus on mental health awareness and creating resources for queer youth. Other organizations with support from Queerencia include Equitas Health, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute and Equality Ohio, all which allow Collier to advocate for missions that he sought in his youth.

“During my upbringing I faced a lot of, not only racial inequalities, but also a lot of homophobia and racism. I didn't have mentors and resources and access to queer history and culture like I wish that I did,” says Collier. It was extremely important to me to not only be the person that I needed when I was younger, but also provide resources for kids like me that grew up in those environments where they didn't feel safe and secure in their own identity.”

As Queerencia aims to highlight historical figures and forces in LGBTQIA+ history, the brand also remains contemporary, partnering with Stonewall Columbus for this month’s Pride-themed merchandise. Queerencia,

which will accompany Stonewall Columbus at their Pride merch booth, also has a full June schedule, and is expected to appear at Pittsburgh Pride, Washington D.C.’s Capital Pride, Upper Arlington Pride and Cincinnati Pride. Despite the presence of occasional protests against public drag shows, Collier looks forward to the events being family-friendly, embracing a new generation of LGBTQIA+ people.

“I think there is plenty of space and opportunities for youth to be at Pride. I wish that these experiences and events were around and promoted when I was younger,” he said. “Like I mentioned in my small town, I couldn’t imagine them having a Pride, and maybe one day they will, but I think that exposure of seeing what queer love, joy, success and happiness looks like, that would have helped me on my journey when navigating through my identity when I was younger.”

Striving to make a difference in Columbus and the LGBTQIA+ community at large, Queerencia continues to spread love, one design at a time. “I want the items to be an invitation to be yourself, to be bold and proud of who you are, to be able to represent all identities and create space for equality and inclusion and diversity,” Collier said. “That [is lacking] in a lot of spaces, and it is our mission to create spaces that we feel are not as accessible or not as equal as they could be. We're here to create those spaces, but also do it in a trendy way.” ♦

You can find Queerencia at 1391 W. 5th Ave, STE 388; or online at queerencia.co

KEMBA Financial Credit Union

Proudly Supports Central Ohio's LGBTQIA+ Community

Cutting

Ties

Matt and Dale Grinstead threw caution to the wind by leaving stable jobs behind to launch a unique Columbus barbershop concept, and it paid off big time

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

↓ Casey Lothgow, Goodfellow's Tonsorial Parlor Barber

Be forewarned: The next time you get together for a guys or girls day out, you may end up on an entirely different career path, and with a pair of successful high-end hair salons in your name.

Well, at least that’s how it happened for Dale and Matt Grinstead, the married duo behind Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor, one of the most unique hairdressing and self-care concepts in central Ohio.

The way the Grinsteads tell the story, seven years ago, Matthew was working a management position at a popular hotel chain, and Dale had taken a steady job as a landscape designer for a local company.

By all accounts, the couple led a good life before the idea—which started first with Dale— to open their own tonsorial parlor crept into a corner of their minds and refused to let go.

“I did have a steady job in landscaping but at the time, it wasn't feeling like it fit. Honestly, Matt and I were out to dinner and talked about having a men's spa date, with beard trims, bourbon and cigars,” Dale Grinstead said. “It got me thinking how great it must be to be a barber. You get to have 1-on-1 interactions with another human for 30-plus minutes and provide a service that helps make them feel better about themselves. It's a win win.”

So Dale, shortly after their spa date, floated the idea to his partner.

“He told me, ‘I want to quit my job and open a barbershop in Columbus,” Matt said. “And I told him, ‘What are you talking about?’”

To his credit, Dale did exactly what he sought out to do, and in short time. According to Matt, one month later, Dale had quit his job and enrolled in barber school.

And while this was a big change for the duo, it was only the beginning for the Grinsteads.

After looking at “upward of 30 properties” to house their new salon concept, the duo settled on a historic former home on High Street in the Brewery District. With its wrought-iron gate and ornate, streetfacing pillars, the space had the unique appeal that the pair knew they wanted for their storefront. →

"You get to have 1 -on- 1 interactions...and provide a service that helps make them feel better about themselves."

There was one small problem, however: It had most recently served as an hourly staffing agency.

“It was terrible inside: Fluorescent lighting, strange ceilings, not at all what it is today,” Matt Grinstead said with a laugh. “Dale did most of the work himself, refurbishing the first floor before working his way up to the others. Lots of hardwood, inviting and warm. He transformed the house back to its original grandeur.”

Today, part of what makes the concept so popular is its unique atmosphere. Guests enter and are immediately transported into an immersive space that seems just as chic as it does timeless.

This return to grandeur wasn’t cheap, though.

“We started a GoFundMe, we maxed out our credit, took out loans, we were rubbing Pennies together to make change,” Matt said, “I remember the weekend we opened, we had mortgages to pay and a total of $197 in our bank account.”

Even though money was tight at first, Goodfellows Tonsorial Parlor thrived. Starting with a staff of only three—Dale, Matt, and a hairdresser

who remains with Goodfellows to this day—the concept became known for not only its unique, historic interior, but also its open, social environment. And its liquor license.

Several years ago, the Grinsteads secured a serving license for the premises, allowing patrons to enjoy a pour of whiskey or bourbon, a craft beer or wine, or even a premade cocktail while inside.

Throughout the more than six and a half years the concept has operated, it has also grown to embrace its role as a unique and welcoming social space. Today, Goodfellows offers massage therapy, in addition to a fully functional event space. This area hosts bridal showers and a handful of other event types, but the space also caters to parties of groomsmen as well, tapping into what the Grinsteads say is an under-represented service, and one that recalls Goodfellow’s own origin story.

While this does nod to the concept’s beginnings, there’s a whole lot of new on the horizon as well.

Not only was Matt featured on the most recent season of “Survivor,” but Goodfellows quietly

opened a brand-new parlor in White Salmon, Washington, boasting a chic cabin-inspired interior, plus breathtaking front-door views of Mr. Hood.

“We were originally looking to open a new location in Granville, but then my mother-in-law [Dale’s mother] passed away last April. Dale’s brother lives in Seattle, and we really wanted to be closer to family,” Matt Grinstead said, “I’m born and raised in Ohio, but I’m always up for an adventure.”

The two will split time between Washington and Columbus, and their original location will continue to operate without any interruptions. A pair of longtime employees will step up to handle more day-to-day oversight of the store, but it will be owned and, whenever they’re not in Washington, operated by the Grinsteads.

And anyway, it’s pretty clear that a big life change or two is not about to stand in the Grinsteads’ way. ♦

↑ Dale Grinstead-Mayle, Goodfellow's Owner & Barber

↑ Goodfellow's Tonsorial Parlor Interior ↓

t he Bi G sTa G e

The story of Big Girl Burlesque, a Columbus-born entertainment troupe offering a star-studded home to performers of all shapes, sizes, sexual preferences and gender expressions

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

When Lana Moy was looking for a burlesque troupe to join nearly 10 years ago, she couldn’t find any that featured people who looked like her. So she contacted some like-minded friends, asked them if they were interested in staging a show and thus, Big Girl Burlesque was born. The group is composed of self-confident, body-positive, voluptuous humans who know that size has nothing to do with sexy.

“We got together and figured out what made us each feel good on the stage, we supported each other and worked our way through the pitfalls,” shared Moy, who uses the stage name Ms. DeMunchon. “That September, we performed for the first time at the Ohio Lesbian Festival. I remember there was a woman who was throwing herself at the stage and I never felt more like a star.”

After that, the group began fielding calls from bars and kink conventions who wanted to book them. Big Girl Burlesque eventually landed at the Vanderelli Room in Franklinton and became the house troupe for the space a few years ago.

That’s where they hold their weekly rehearsals, creating shows with nine performers, plus the help of a full backstage crew.

Stage manager Sharon Orgasms* said that for many people, attending a BGB production will be a brand new type of encounter. “Not only are the dancers bringing all shapes, sizes and presentations to the stage, but the moment you walk into the door you’re in our world. A fat femme or a big squishy bear may take your ticket. A little butch will make your drink. A cheerful nonbinary human in a top hat and tails will make change for you. A spooky aging goth may sell you a raffle ticket. Big bodies are moving props. Everyone is working together to create a whole experience.” →

"That September... I never felt more like a star"

*Editor's Note: At the request of several troupe members, stage names will be used in lieu of legal names

The troupe stages several shows a year, with past themes like “Anything but Princesses,” “Big Glamour” and their annual production of “Statement,” which seeks to make the audience a bit uncomfortable while addressing topics like abortion, police violence and systemic racism.

Having this visible platform, which allows for full creative expression and freedom, has been a powerful outlet for every member of BGB. “Burlesque performers have been using their bodies as a form of resistance since its inception,” said troupe member Inanna LeThorn. “We often incorporate parody, comedy and even rage in our numbers…This type of work is so key in our communities. It gives a tangible form of representation for every type of viewer. Every time I’m on stage, I perform for the fat queer girl in the audience who just wants to feel seen and sexy in their body. I perform for the aging parent whose trauma tells her that she’s no longer sexy because she has cellulite and a kid. I perform for the nonbinary 30-something who wants to feel powerful and queer but keeps getting put back into a gendered box.”

Moy said that people audition for the troupe for a wide variety of reasons, and that everyone has their own story to share. “The motivation to start burlesque for many of us was that we were trying to find a piece of ourselves that we had lost.” She knows that it’s easy to fall into the trap of insecurity and self-doubt, but wants people to ignore those fears and find their community. “You don’t have to be brave. You just have to keep trying and reach out to people who support you, because it’s only ever going to be you who can make the change. You’re the only one who can get up and do it. You have to trust yourself enough to try.”

Likewise, performer Jameson Havoc is grateful to have a safe space that allows them to explore gender in a way they never believed was possible. “When I saw my first plus size burlesque show, it changed my life. It was so empowering to see humans who looked like me own their bodies and their sexiness. In a world that told me I wasn’t beautiful or sexy or desirable, the Big Girl Burlesque told me that I was all those things and more.” ♦

To keep up with Big Girl Burlesque and find event info, follow @biggirlburlesque on Instagram

"In a world that told me I wasn't beautiful or sexy...the Big Girl Burlesque told me I was all those things and more"

↑ Lana Moy, Big Girl Burlesque Co-Founder

↓ Lady Luna, Big Girl Burlesque Performer

YOUR GUIDE TO THE COLUMBUS

FESTIVAL ARTS ARTS

By Sav McKee

Story Design by Tori Smith

Where else in Ohio can you soak in the work of award winning artists, eat an award winning lobster roll from a gourmet food truck, and wash it down with a never before had beer? None other than the Columbus Cultural Arts Festival, of course. This year’s highly acclaimed arts festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of artistic expression, cultural diversity, and community engagement. Stunning performances, hands-on activities, and dozens of delicious food and drink vendors will all gather downtown to share their devotion to the arts with Columbus. Here’s your guide on what to know, see, eat, drink, and do while there.

When, Where & How to Get

Guests can begin festivities at Columbus’ Downtown Riverfront on Friday, June 9th from 11am to 10:30pm, Saturday, June 10th from 10am to 10:30pm, and Sunday, June 11th from 10am to 5pm. Parking is available all around downtown and the Scioto Mile, and bus riders can use the High St. and Front St. bus lines for easy access. There’s even bike parking at Franklinton Cycle Works! Just bring your own lock. →

Who to VISIT

Over 200 incredible artists will be displaying pieces that they’ve hand-selected exclusively for this event. Ceramicists, jewelry makers, glass blowers, fiber spinners, and a variety of other artists will be showcasing the best of the midwest (and other regions!).

Who to WATCH

There’s a reason this festival takes place over 3 days; along with all of the artists to see, there are also film makers, musicians, fashion designers, dancers, and poets taking the stage. You won’t want to miss performances by Columbus Modern Dance Company, Fashion As Art, The Black Women Rise Poetry Collective, Maella Belly Dance, or the Columbus Children’s Theater. For a comprehensive list of performers and their schedules, check out the festival’s website or download their app using this QR code.

Honors and pays tribute to cultural icons with the ultimate goal of telling a story.

Utilizes scrap wood to make amusing pieces that make us think critically.

Evan Miller Columbus, OH

Benjamin Lamb Columbus, OH

An experienced glass blower since 1979 who focuses on lively colors and patterns.

Stitches whimsical, handmade animals from reclaimed sweaters & eco-friendly fabrics.

Steve Palmer Minnetonka, MN

Melissa Bracken Cincinnati, OH

Specializes in 2D mixed media using paper and paint. Their work often portrays humans experiencing a transformative journey.

Cody Miller Columbus, OH

A ceramicist focusing on creating utilitarian wares which blend elements of fine art design with functional craft.

Samuel Hitchman Cincinnati, OH

Inspired by lucid dreams and the majesties of the natural world, their work is considered “Dreamscape Realism.”

Liza Compass Tampa, FL

A jewelry designer offering contemporary necklaces, bracelets, and other statement pieces.

Annie Grimes Williams Winston Salem, NC

↓ Photo courtesy Columbus Modern Dance Company

EXTRA EVENTS!

STONEWALL COLUMBUS PRIDE

June 16-17

JUNETEENTH OHIO CELEBRATION

June 17-18

COMMUNITY FEST (COMFEST)

June 23-25

JAZZ & RIB FEST

July 21-23

OHIO STATE FAIR

July 26-Aug. 6

PELOTONIA

Aug. 4-6

COLUMBUS FESTIVAL LATINO

Aug. 12-13

COLUMBUS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

Aug. 19-20

What to EAT

Local classics and Columbus staples such as Graeters, Schmidt’s, Pizza Cottage, Melt, and Mikey’s Late Night Slice will all be there, but take a look at (and try a taste of) what these other exceptional food trucks have to offer:

Serving specialty wraps, signature sandwiches, and their famous loaded nachos.

Try their award winning, wok fired soba noodles with vegan friendly options.

Customizable Mexican street food and churros.

Deep fried cheese curds... say no more.

Big Mouth Egg Rolls

Known for growing all of their produce themselves or purchasing from a local farm in Urbana, OH.

From trap to truck, this award winning, gourmet food truck featured on Shark Tank keeps sustainability in mind with each lobster roll.

Simply D'Lish

Hawaiian style shaved ice in a variety of tropical flavors.

Boasts the “freshest, biggest, BEST Funnel Cakes you've ever had!”

Fork in Nigeria

Established with a passion for healthy and local food and an ode to childhood treats, these popsicles are made with fresh produce and specialty ingredients.

Fresh, handmade, Vietnamese egg rolls using a traditional family recipe, fully sourced from local ingredients. A portion of the profits are shared with the owner’s extended family in Vietnam to help with better housing, education, and other resources to improve their quality of life.

Nigerian cuisine that honors the communities from the mountains of Isuikwuato. They prepare steak, goat, chicken, and vegetarian options that embody the flavors and traditions of authentic Nigeria.

Rime Time Pops

Kona Ice Tortilla Street Food

Concessions & Confections Squeaky's Cheese Curds

Fresh Harvest

Cousins Maine Lobster

Cate’s Steakhouse Catering

Island Noodles

Specially made for this event, Rhinegeist and the Columbus Arts Festival teamed up to create a limited release, hoppy, wheat ale they named “Sketch.” It has bright notes of grapefruit, orange, and cream. If beer’s not your thing, some other options include:

• A High Bank Distillery frozen cocktail. You can purchase an insulated, refillable tumbler for $10 and refill for only $8!

• Graham + Fisk’s Wine-In-A-Can: Red, white, bubbly rose, or moscato

• Soda stations

What to DRINK What to DO

Besides all of the eating, taking in live performances, and mingling with top artists, there’s plenty of other choices. The Hands-On Interactive Activities Village will offer entertainment suited for a wide range of interests and ages, all led by volunteers from more than a dozen of local organizations.

Younger children can play with kinetic sand, dabble in face painting, design their own castles, partake in arts & crafts, sing, dance, play instruments, make bracelets, and much more.

Teenagers and young adults can also participate in more in-depth arts & crafts projects like cookie decorating and floral arranging.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, music lover, a foodie, or just looking for a fun day in Columbus, this festival has something for everyone. Columbus has plenty to offer, and thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, artists, performers, and members of our community, we can join together to celebrate what makes our city so remarkable. ♦

↑ 2022 Columbus Arts Festival, photo by Joe Maiorana

A New Milestone

More than a decade ago, Columbus restaurant veteran Steve Vogelsang came aboard the Milestone 229 staff as a line cook. After several other stints with Milestone 229 and ten years later, he was tapped as the Downtown restaurant’s new Executive Chef in January, and he brought a new, exciting menu along with him.

According to Vogelsang, he returned to Milestone 229 as Executive Chef not only because of its reputation as a top-tier

Columbus restaurant, but also, he noted, because of the people behind Milestone 229 as well.

“It always has to do with the people, the cooks, the managers, at a restaurant, and the people here are great. All of them,” he said.

As a nod to this, when the restaurant officially rolled out its overhauled brunch, lunch and dinner menus in early May, it wasn’t just his name that appeared on

Meet Milestone 229’s new Executive Chef Steve Vogelsang, and the brand-new menu he’s rolled out at the Downtown eatery

the bottom of it: The name of all the other chefs at Milestone 229 were printed alongside his.

“I did it because I don’t take full credit for creating the menu, I don’t think many executive chefs can. I have my dishes and my sous chef has his, but everyone has a part in it too,” Vogelsang said.

The menu was more than just a longer list of names the new Executive Chef left on the Milestone 229 menus, however. He left his mark on them as well.

↓ Executive Chef Steve Vogelsang

While Milestone 229's lunch menu saw the fewest changes (but did benefit from the addition of a handful of sandwiches and switching some of the eatery’s pizza options), Vogelsang said its brunch and dinner menus saw large-scale adjustments that retain the restaurant’s chic character while presenting options that are new and exciting for diners.

Vogelsang’s goal with the restaurant’s new dinner menu was to lean even more into Milestone 229’s seafood plates, and to keep protein options as varied as possible.

Making up the new dinner menu are items like the Togarashi Tuna (with soba noodles, charred bok choy, red cabbage, grilled shishito peppers, carrots, miso dressing and gochujang aioli) and Lobster Ravioli (with corn saute, lobster sherry sauce and butter-poached claw meat).

There are still plenty of non-seafood proteins for dinner patrons as well, Vogelsang said. For the first time in his tenure, MIlestone 229 is offering multiple varieties of steak, including one of Vogelsang’s favorite dishes, the Hangar Steak, which is marinated for at least 24 hours before being served alongside a black bean puree, Spanish dirty rice and chimichurri.

For brunch, diners can dig into reimagined Eggs Benedict (Milestone 229 now offers a whopping four different options, including Smoked Pulled Pork, Smoked Salmon, Traditional and Crabcake), or the Island Waffle (with seasonal fruit, guava chiffon, pistachios and coconut whipped cream) if they’re favoring something sweet.

While Shrimp and Grits has been on the restaurant’s menu before, Vogelsang and company worked to reimagine the dish, which now features much larger shrimp served with andouille, trinity vegetables and smoked tomato on a bed of gruyere grits.

“The whole menu, really, is different. We wanted to change things up, so we rolled out about 100 new items over three months. And everything is spot on,” Vogelsang said.

Taste these dishes for yourself at Milestone 229 229 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.427.0276 milestone229.com

↑ Milestone 229's Shrimp and Grits

Milestone 229’s Medallions Oscar ↓

Milestone 229’s Togarashi Tuna ↓

Ohio State wrestler Seth Shumate →

By Molly Hammond

While name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, especially in the fertile grounds for collegiate athletics that Columbus has proven itself to be, are nothing new. But NIL deals for tattoo shops are not something we haven’t seen much of before.

That status quo is changing. Or more accurately, it’s evolving.

Beloved Columbus-based tattoo and body piercing shop, Evolved Body Art, has long broken the mold when it comes to business practices (as the shop leans into sustainable practices and even operates largely off of solar power), but now Evolved is setting a milestone for itself in the realm of collegiate athletics.

This popular Columbus tattoo shop continues its trailblazing ways by partnering with a promising Ohio State wrestler in unique new NIL deal

Photos by Leonardo Carrizo

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

The shop recently broke into the NIL arena with the signing of Ohio State wrestler Seth Shumate in early May. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved the use of the NIL policy in July of 2021 and college athletes have had the chance to benefit from their name ever since.

This isn’t to say that Shumate was an unfamiliar name for Evolved owner Nick Wolak beforehand, however.

“We have this kind of friends and family thing we do for all of us, for our friends and loved ones, and Seth was already a part of that. He was my son’s training partner in high school, actually,” Wolak said. He has the accolades on the mat to back his new deal up as well, though. Shumate had a 12-2 record at Ohio State for the 2022-2023 season, and his high school career saw him win three Ohio Division 1 state championships in wrestling. The only year of high school career he didn’t win was 2020, when state meets were canceled due to COVID-19.

“Seth is just one of those athletes,” Wolak said with a laugh. “And we respect him so much for his determination and work ethic as well.”

The Dublin-Coffman graduate Shumate is also catching attention for his body art, boasting large, intricate pieces on his shoulders and upper chest, which were done by Evolved artist Chris Churchill. As Shumate was patronizing Evolved before attending OSU, his deal (the terms of which couldn’t be specifically disclosed) makes even more sense for both parties.

“A few years ago we tattooed one of his chest panels. The next year we tattooed his other side when he won state again,” Wolak said. “Actually, all of the ink on Seth’s body was done by Chris.”

As an Ohio State graduate and owner of Evolved Body Art, Nick Wolak cites the reason behind the NIL partnership as his love for the university and the opportunities it presented him with.

“Being alumni of Ohio State, we love to work closely with the university, its faculty, staff and students,” said Wolak. “This month, we are celebrating 23 years of being open right across from Ohio State’s campus. Over the years, we’ve had our time to speak at many classes, trainings and university events. It’s amazing to be so close to Ohio State and have so many great connections there.”

According to the tattoo shop owner, Evolved is always looking for opportunities to partner with community members, and ones of all races, genders and professions, whether this means another NIL deal with a student, or more broad community-specific events and initiatives.

“We love supporting local businesses, charities and individuals,” Wolak said. “I think any way we can support our community members is a win-win. For everyone involved.”

Keep up with Shumate on Instagram, @shumateseth1, and learn more about Evolved Body art at evolvedbodyart.com

ESCAPES Urban

Five drivable cities where adventure and excitement await

By Sarah Grace Smith Story Design by Tori Smith

As the days begin to last longer into evenings and the heat starts to rise, many of us are itching to get out of town. Sadly, typical vacation destinations like Florida and Carolina beaches tend to be far and costly.

Lucky for you, we compiled a list of cities just a couple hours away—perfect for a weekend getaway or even a longer stay.

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Resting on the border between Ohio and Kentucky, Cincinnati boasts a culture of Midwest kindness and Southern charisma. Known for its food, arts and sports, Cincinnati includes something for everyone.

Animal lovers can visit the city’s famous Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Sports fans can cheer on the Reds, Bengals or Orange and Blue. Foodies can sample Cincinnati chili (it’s on spaghetti!), and beer connoisseurs can visit one of the eighty breweries.

The city also enjoys a wide variety of excellent coffee shops and thought-provoking museums as well as a vibrant music and arts scene.

Named one of “America’s Prettiest Towns” by Forbes Magazine, Holland holds both the charm of a rural getaway and the liveliness of an urban escape. A well-preserved historical Dutch town, Holland gives you a taste of history with its tulip gardens, settlers houses and windmills.

Downtown, you can visit over 100 local shops, galleries, restaurants, and pubs. If you stay during the week, you may even catch a street performance on Thursday night!

HOLLAND, LOUISVILLE,

MICHIGAN KENTUCKY

Not only does Holland advertise a historical village and a downtown, but it also lies near a few beaches! Most are near hiking trails as well, so you can stay active while you travel.

Head on down to the nation’s Bourbon city and experience a town shaped by spirit. Check out both the Urban Bourbon Experience and the Urban Bourbon Trail to take your taste buds on an adventure. The city boasts ten distilleries, thirty-five bars, and more than sixty types of bourbons.

Time flies by at the Churchill Downs racehorse track and the Kentucky Derby Museum, two iconic institutions that showcase Kentucky’s famous thoroughbred horses. Just don’t lose too much money on horse racing.

On the arts side, Louisville happens to be one of the few U.S. cities with a professional orchestra, ballet, opera, dinner theatre, children’s theatre, and Broadway Series. They just can’t get enough!

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

The famous Chi town—where else can you devour deep dish, gaze above skyscrapers, and paddle across a lake all in the same day?

From the Magnificent Mile and the Art Institute to the Cubs and the GreenMill Jazz Club, Chicago has a must-see for everyone. It’s no secret why Condé Nast Traveler voted Chicago the Best Big City in the U.S. for six years straight.

Any Chicago explorer worth their salt uses the Chicago CityPASS, a ticket that allows you to visit five main attractions of your choosing within a nine day trip. Options include Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and more.

↑ Louisville, Kentucky

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

A city of three rivers, Pittsburgh is the perfect destination for walks along the water and bike rides across the bridges. Head down to Pittsburgh for their sports and festival season or for a chance to return to the outdoors—the city has both!

Home to the famous Andy Warhol Museum, the city prides itself on its numerous art galleries and museums. Craving a sweet treat? Stop by the famed Milkshake Factory, the premium dessert restaurant of Pittsburgh, serving only the best farm fresh dairy.

Be sure to ride the iconic inclines, little red and yellow railway cars that were built in the 1870s. You can now purchase a ticket to rise the natural slopes and view the city skyline.

CLEVELAND,

Last but not least, “the Land” offers a quick and convenient weekend getaway. Make your way up north for some kayaking, sunbathing, rock-n-rollin’ and sightseeing.

Over 100 ethnicities comprise the Cleveland population, making it a unique city where cultures and stories weave together. Experience all the culture has to offer through the food, architecture and festivals throughout the city.

Be sure to hit all the main attractions as well. Start by visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame then grab some grub at the West Side Market. End the evening with a night on the town or a game to the Cavs, and you’re set.