(614) September | 2023

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Music at St. Mary

Dr. Stephen Caracciolo, Artistic Director

MAGNIFICAT BACH'S MASTERPIECE and HANDEL'S CORONATION ANTHEMS NOS. 1, 2, & 3 with Chamber Orchestra!

TO

PURCHASE TICKETS:

MARK VORIS, FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Central Ohio's Premier All-Professional Chamber Choir!

2023/24 CONCERT SERIES DATES

For more information & to purchase tickets, visit musicatstmary.com

Sun 4:00 PM Sept. 10, 2023

Sat 7:00 PM Sept. 23, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Oct. 15, 2023

Mon 7:00 PM Oct. 23, 2023

Tue 7:00 PM Oct. 24, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Oct. 29, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Nov. 12, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Nov. 19, 2023

Sun 3:00 PM Dec. 3, 2023

Sat 11:00 PM Dec. 9, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Dec. 10, 2023

Sun 4:00 PM Jan. 21, 2024

Sun 4:00 PM Feb. 4, 2024

Sun 4:00 PM Feb. 25, 2024

Sun 4:00 PM Mar. 10, 2024

Sun 4:00 PM Apr. 14, 2024

Sun 4:00 PM Apr. 28, 2024

Latin American Festival at OSU | Anabella & Orlay

Worthington Chamber Orchestra

Laura Camara and the Jake Reed Trio

Orlay Alonso at OSU Piano Recital

Inaugural High School Choral Invitational

LANCASTERChorale Bach Magnificat

Flamenco Music & Dance

Steven Glaser Piano Recital

Village Lights of German Village

Columbus Landmarks Tour

LANCASTERChorale "At The Manger"

Orlay Alonso Piano Recital

Anabella Petronsi Voice Recital

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra

Columbus International Children's Choir

Dr. Richard Fitzgerald Organ Concert

LANCASTERChorale "Love Songs for Spring"

BIG PICTURE

A panoramic view of the Columbus skyline awaits visitors to Brass Eye, a new rooftop bar and one of multiple food and beverage concepts recently opened at The Junto, a new hotel in Franklinton.

TO READ MORE GO TO (Pg. 42) PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JUNTO

Opening Volley

PUBLISHER

Wayne

Lindsay

JACK MCLAUGHLIN Editor-In-Chief

The Kickoff

Let’s get things straight: Baseball might be America’s pastime, but football is America’s sport.

In true American fashion, it’s brash and dangerous; but electric and unapologetic, and unshakably appealing.

But just like other things that fit this description (Bruce Springsteen and fireworks come to mind), there are more than a few drawbacks to the sport of football.

As someone who played the sport in organized leagues for the better part of a decade growing up, I can attest to some of them firsthand.

It’s violent—at the highest levels, it’s a cut-throat business with questionable concern for holistic player safety and ethical scandals continue to rock the sport in spades.

I see the validity in all of these points and more, but if you tell me that the Giants and Eagles are playing on a Thursday night (or any team, at almost any level of play), I’ll also be the first one in front of the TV.

In my mind, too, one of the least-discussed aspects of football is one of its best attributes: the fan culture.

You may or may not have noticed, but Columbus is a football city. If you walk down High Street or Lane Avenue on a Buckeyes game day and let out a hearty, “Go Bucks,” you’ll probably be showered in cheers, someone might offer you a beer, and there’s a chance you’ll be carried away on the shoulders of scarlet and gray-clad strangers like a gladiator after an impossible conquest.

What I’m trying to say is this: Football creates its own community, and while it’s often an arbitrary and unusual one, there are few things in the world like willing team to victory amongst 100,000 other like-minded individuals; like hugging random strangers in a bar or stadium when your team hauls in a game-winning touchdown.

So while football is highly imperfect, it’s also capable of so much positivity, in so many avenues of life. And maybe just as importantly, it’s what we have here in Columbus, an amazing culture of football built around a great team and insatiable fans.

Sav McKee

Jen Brown, Taylor Dorrell, Sarah Pfeifer, Jada Mason, Cassidy Lee, Brooke Stiles

Jack McLaughlin, Sav McKee, John M. Clark, Taylor Dorrell,Sarah Grace Smith, Laura Hennigan, Molly Hammond, Jaquez Printup, Matt Mahoney

Bryce Patterson

Tori Smith

Atlas Biro

VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR

Austin Black

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Justynne Pride

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Julia Attanasio

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Zoe King

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Meggin Weimerskirch

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Paul VanHorn

Anna Gerhard

BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER

Lizzy Saunders EVENTS COORDINATOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CREATIVE DESIGNER

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

If you live in or anywhere near Columbus, you probably know September means football. We asked our staff about their favorite things the season brings, and here’s what they said.

The NFL is great, but there’s nothing like the energy of a gameday morning in a football city like Columbus!

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

Ooh my favorite thing is annoying Jason and rooting for the team he doesn’t want to win! And asking if the Browns being so bad is on purpose, he loves it.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

Having my hopes and dreams slowly crushed by the Browns week by week

—

Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

Watching the Steelers beat the browns every year

—

Bryce Patterson, Creative Designer

My favorite part of football season is that it means that it’s also pumpkin spice coffee season

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

Go...sports...

ON the WEB

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 suscribe to our daily email!

→ This anticipated Cleveland-based bagel shop will open its first Columbus location this weekend

Columbus’ long wait for Cocky’s Bagels is nearly over. The popular Clevelandbased shop known for its bagels and bagel sandwiches, plans to officially open the doors of its first Columbus storefront on Aug. 20.

→ It’s your chance to win millions – The ‘Price is Right Live’ is coming to Columbus

You’ll have the opportunity to buy tickets to participate in one of the most popular live game shows right here in Columbus, Ohio this fall.

The perfect crisp weather of a

→ Columbus-based coffee roaster takes home gold medal at world’s largest coffee roasting competition

What do Bake Me Happy, Third Way Cafe, Cafe Overlook, and the Grandview Grind all have in common? Well, they serve some really great, local coffee. Gold medal winning coffee, in fact.

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

I like seeing all the insane ads from the Superbowl, but maybe that's cause I'm a design nerd

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

fall game day! Makes me want to wear a cozy OSU hoodie and drink ciders all day

— Justynne Pride, Marketing Director

PRES S PLAY

614 VIDEO

Did you know that (614) launched 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, check out the newest videos on our channel:

now playing...

• Bottom to Top Thrifting Tips

Thrift stores across Central Ohio offer a second life to thousands of clothes, plates, accessories, furniture, decorations, and more. Join Sav as we dive into a few helpful tips to make your next (or first!) thrifting experience a great one!

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@amongthetreeslodging

@thhejuntohotel @jesswojtasek

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OCTOBER 21 @TBA

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By John M. Clark

Story Design by Bryce Patterson

There are numerous great moments in Ohio State football history no die-hard fan could ever forget. Like Archie Griffin’s first – and second – Heisman trophy; Coach Woody Hayes winning his fifth national title in 1970; the overtime win over heavily favored Miami in the 2003 national title game.

With any storied program like OSU’s, there are also some low points, as well. Like Woody Hayes losing his job for punching an opposing player. Or Coach John Cooper’s 2-10-1 record against archrival Michigan. And then, there are what you might call the “weird and wonderful” moments – both on the field and off. Here are just a few OSU football stories that make us go, “Huh?” →

From stolen recipes to moving rivers, Columbus historian John M. Clark reveals some of the strangest Buckeye football stories you’ve never heard

Image sourced from the Columbus Metropolitan Library

It was the final game of the 1950 season – Ohio State vs. Michigan in the Horseshoe, and the Big Ten Conference championship was on the line. There was three inches of snow on the ground at game time. And it kept coming – at a pace of two inches an hour, with a temperature of 10 degrees above zero and winds gusting at 28 miles an hour. The game started almost two-and-a-half hours late, as Boy Scouts struggled to remove tarps from the field. Fans set small bonfires in the stands to keep warm and wore boxes over their heads with holes cut in them to see through. For the game, Michigan had zero first downs, zero passing yards, and only 27 rushing yards. OSU’s stats weren’t much better, but they still lost 9-to-3. It was OSU Coach Wes Fesler’s fourth straight loss to Michigan. He resigned 18 days later and was replaced by Woody Hayes.

Home Game DISASTER

Hard to believe, but Ohio State hasn’t always been the football powerhouse it is today. In an inauspicious start, the Buckeyes had losing seasons for their first two years and didn’t even have their own playing field for a number of years after that. On May 3, 1890, the Buckeyes paid a visit to Ohio Wesleyan, where they toppled the Battling Bishops 20-14 in their very first game. But in Game 2, they fell in dramatic fashion in an exhibition game with the Dayton Athletic Club at the Dayton Fairgrounds. Hopes were high a few months later when OSU was given its first opportunity to play before a home crowd, at a recreation field at East Whittier and Jaeger, on the edge of today’s German Village. But the mighty Fighting Scots of Wooster College proved too strong in every aspect of the game, defeating Ohio State 64-to-0. 133 years later, the game still stands as one of OSU’s biggest losses.

Rose Bowl NO-GO

These days, mostly any college team would jump at the chance to play in the most famous bowl game of all. This wasn’t the case 63 years ago, though. At the end of the 1961 regular season, OSU was 8-0-1, had beaten Michigan 50 to 20, was number 2 in the nation (behind Alabama), and was awaiting an invitation to the Rose Bowl. The Big Ten’s contract with the Rose Bowl had lapsed, so the invitation went directly to OSU’s faculty. And the faculty responded, by a vote of 28 to 25, “No, thanks.” There were said to be several reasons, not the least of which was the feeling among faculty that sports at the university were beginning to overshadow academics. But that didn’t matter to the students. They rioted for two days, marched to the Statehouse, broke windows, and burned faculty members in effigy. Minnesota went on to beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl that year, but Alabama was crowned the national champion after defeating Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

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The Rose Bowl ↓

AnBecomesEarwig a TRADITION A STOLEN Recipe

OSU student John Tatgenhorst was at the Ohio State Fair in 1965 when he first heard a recording of “Hang On Sloopy” by The McCoys. He couldn’t get it out of his head and just knew it would be a hit at OSU football games. Tatgenhorst, a drummer who had arranged a few tunes for the OSU marching band, kept bugging director Charlie Spohn to let him arrange “Sloopy” for him. It took a few weeks, but Spohn finally said, “yes,” just as the song was rising to the top of the pop charts.

The band played the tune during halftime of the Illinois game on a rainy Saturday afternoon in October of 1965. The students went wild, and the band has played it at every home game ever since.

What’s a Buckeye football game without Buckeyes – the ones made with peanut butter and chocolate? The candy treats have become a staple wherever fans watch the game. But where did they originate? And how? It appears that the first batch of Buckeyes started out as just another pan of peanut butter balls –completely coated in a chocolate shell. But Gail Tabor, the woman who claims credit for the Buckeye, didn’t put enough chocolate on the peanut butter, leaving a little of the filling to peek through. The result was a tasty concoction

that looked a lot like the fruit of Ohio’s state tree, which lends its name to all of OSU’s athletic teams. A friend pleaded with Gail for the recipe, saying she was moving to Oklahoma soon and that she would never divulge the secret. Imagine Gail’s surprise when she returned to Columbus a few years later from a move to Arizona to discover that “Buckeye Balls” had become famous statewide. Her friend had broken her promise. Gail said that from that day on, she never again trusted anyone from Oklahoma.

The Ohio State University marching band during a halftime performance ↓

By 1913, Ohio Field, at High Street and Woodruff Avenue, was no longer big enough to contain the crowds who were eager to see Ohio State football games. The 20-thousand-seat stadium was bulging at the seams. Three years later, East High School standout Chic Harley joined the Buckeyes, scoring 201 points in a 23game career. It was clear: OSU needed a bigger venue. Construction on the Ohio Stadium, still known to many as “The House that Harley Built,” began in 1922, and the university went to great lengths to get it right. That included relocating the Olentangy River slightly to the west and building a slurry wall to keep the water out. The wall follows the perimeter of the field and runs 30 to 60 feet deep – all the way down to bedrock. Subsequent renovations upped the seating capacity from the original 60,000 to just over 100,000 today. Chic Harley would be proud.

The PlayerWHO MOVED A RIVER GO BUCKS!

Leatherlips, Ralph Helmick

Gather & Flow Studio KCA Our Single Garment of Destiny, Julian and Adriana Voss-Andreae

Moon Goddess (based on artwork by Walt Neil), Adam Brouillette, Francesca Miller, Tau Murphy and Shelbi Toone

Short North Gothic Steve Galgas and Mike Altman

Unicorn in the Garden Jack Greaves

letting loose

How four friends formed a Columbus-based studio that is–against the odds–turning out nationally-recognized and feature-length films

By Taylor Dorrell

If Columbus shares anything with America’s second largest and most culturally significant city of Los Angeles, it’s the fragmented marketdriven growth and the “postfordist” economy of retail giants and government contractors. But where LA goes a step further, and what Columbus lacks most, is the foundational lore of mythology, the cultural production of Hollywood.

Columbus, however, was not without its cultural heroes: James Thurber, George Bellows, Emerson Burkhart, Aminah Robison, and writers today like Hanif Abduraqib, Maggie Smith, and Prince Shakur. But lacking most in the field of Columbus’ culture production has undoubtedly been in the realm of feature films. This is an absence that one production studio is fighting to fill: Loose Films.→

Story Design by Atlas Biro

“I was living in a cabin alone in the woods in Minnesota for the summer trying to decide what I wanted to do,” Drew Johnson of Loose Films told me about the group’s origins. By the summer of 2015, after Johnson had lived in LA to pursue acting for a few months, he moved to Spain to teach English. It was there in this secluded cabin where Loose Films’ Noah Dixon came out to visit, inviting him to come to Columbus to get Loose off the ground. “It was either I go back to LA and be a small fish in LA or go to Ohio and help start this production company and make my own films,” he reflected. “And so I decided to move to Columbus.”

Four individuals – Ori Segev, Noah Dixon, Brett Reiter, and Drew Johnson – found themselves reunited, not by academic toils (they all graduated together in 2014 from Denison University), but the Columbus-based production company, Loose Films.

Over the next four years, they dreamed of making their first feature film, taking any gig they could get, paid or unpaid. “The key theme is that we weren’t sure what we were doing, but we did it anyway,” Brett told Denison Magazine

They did, however, find consistency and financial security in one industry: the growing economy of competitive gaming. They became the go-to contractor for all the needs of the large-scale gaming tournaments of America. Gears of War, Call of Duty, Halo, World of Warcraft, and much of the video work needed for Major League Gaming tournaments was contracted out to Loose Films. By 2019, they looked around and realized that they finally had the means to take a breath, and to do what they’d first sought out to do – that is, work on their first feature.

It was after a bike ride through Columbus that Noah sent a winded audio message to Drew. He had an idea for their first fulllength feature: a podcaster steals the identity of a local musician. The name of the film: Poser. The screenplay, largely inspired by the 1999 film, The Talented Mr. Ripley, tells the story of Lennon, played by local actor Sylvie Mix, who copies local artists’ lyrics, becoming obsessed with Bobbi Kitten, a local musician playing a fictionalized version of herself. After copying her style to an unsettling degree, she’s exposed for her lyrical deception and lashes out.

"It was either I go back to LA and be a small fish...or I go to Ohio and help start this production company."

↓ Behind the Scenes on the Poser set, Photo courtesy of Loose Films

Supplied with a modest budget of $88,000, an extensive deal of favors owed from local musicians, and a lengthening list of passionate actors seeking to break the local mold of commercial jobs, Loose Films completed their love letter to Columbus. Poser, a film solely intended to “show that we could make a movie so that we can make more movies,” as Drew put it, instead, had a reception that far exceeded their expectations.

“We didn't have any expectations for Poser other than just having a screen at the Gateway Film Center for our friends and family to watch,” Johnson told me. They were already excited that Gotham Labs had helped mentor them in making the film, but they were even more surprised when only a day after submitting the film to the Tribeca Film Festival they got the call that Poser had been accepted in their US Narrative Competition for 2021.

That’s when things accelerated. Oscilloscope Films purchased the film and agreed to hold the premiere in Columbus (before NYC and LA). They also held Poser Fest in Columbus, an event with 10 local bands that were featured in the film. The movie was shown in festivals across the country and around the world. “The weirdest part of all the reviews was just reading people write about you,” Ori said in an interview with Tuned Up

For many involved in the film, it sparked new opportunities in their careers. Bobby Kitten went on to act in a new John Slattery film, Maggie More(s) (2023); Juli Sasaki, a producer on Poser, worked on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the upcoming Fallout TV series; Poser’s Visual Effects person, Donovan Edwards, is working with the Philadelphia Eagles; and the cinematographer Logan Floyd is now working in LA. The entire crew of Poser was Columbus-based, a fact that is as rare as it is monumental. →

BUCKEYE BOWL BUCKEYE BOWL GAME GIVEAWAY GAME GIVEAWAY

↑ Noah Dixon, Brett Reiter, Ori Segev, and Drew Johnson, Photo by Taylor Dorrell

Since then, Loose Films has been keeping up video work with video game tournaments while planning their next feature, and earlier this summer, they released a music video for Kyle Gordon’s viral Eurodance parody track, Planet of the Bass. Although little, in fact no, details have been released publicly about their new project, what they can say is that all work on the film has come to a complete halt.

In May, 11,500 screenwriters in the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike. As studios continue to refuse to bargain in good faith, the actors union, SAG-AFTRA, has gone on strike as well. Although not members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), Loose Films is standing in solidarity with WGA by pausing all work on their new film. Once WGA workers receive a fair contract, it’s fair to predict that Loose Films’ next movie, which is not being made, as Poser was, solely to “show that we could make a movie so that we can make more movies,” will be a hit.

While Columbus-based film studios producing feature films are not commonplace outside of Loose Films, their existence is a statement to the city, the state, and the country: that we have our own mythologies, our own narratives outside of Madison Avenue and Hollywood. With the city’s exponential growth in population and jobs in retail, tech, and banking, with Columbus being hailed as a potential climate refuge, the future of the city’s culture is up in the air. The stories are there – all that’s left is for us to have the capacity to tell them. ♦

To learn more, visit www.loosefilms.com

"The key theme is that we weren't sure what we were doing, but we did it anyway."

On Fire

The culinary minds behind Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit roll out another new, live-fire restaurant in the Short North

Hiraeth is a Welsh term that has no literal English translation, but represents a feeling similar to homesickness and longing—in a good way. It also happens to be the name and inspiration of BJ Lieberman’s and Bronwyn Haines’ newest restaurant. This dynamic husband and wife duo and masterminds of Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit hope diners feel this sentiment when they leave their cozy concept, which opened early August at 36 E. Lincoln St., in the heart of the Short North.

Entering the street level space, guests are surrounded by a light and airy Mediterranean vibe, inspired by a summer that Lieberman spent in Greece. Custom made terrazzo tiles accent the upstairs area, which seats 20 and has a bar for walk-ins. By design, this area hides the full scope of the restaurant, and a trip down the stairs takes you to the main dining room and the star of Hiraeth: a massive wood burning hearth. →

Story Design by Atlas Biro

Photos by Jada Mason

By Laura Hennigan

“When the landlord built this space, they didn’t have a restaurant signed on, but they knew that they wanted to do a wood fired kitchen. So they invested in a hood and other special equipment to create the hearth, and they built the space with the shaft going all the way up to the roof,” said Lieberman. “We had no preconceptions about what kind of restaurant we wanted to open, so when they showed me the space and explained how it was specifically built to be a wood fired restaurant, we decided to go with it.”

Lieberman and head chef Wesley Grubbs, who also helped open Chapman’s, traveled to Atlanta to visit Grills by Demant, a custom live fire grill company that designs and builds modular grills. The two studied all the different options and then customized a grill for Hiraeth with the exact pieces they wanted. The result is a huge, open hearth with moveable sections, including a smoker box, grill that can be raised and lowered, and a sunken in yakitori, which is filled with hardwood charcoal for grilling skewers.

The row of seats directly in front of the fire show are tasting menu only, which runs around $100 per person. Same goes for the intimate, dimly lit bar, tucked away to the side and filled with reflective surfaces that highlight the

↑ Dish being prepared in the Hiraeth kitchen

FULL SERVICE. NO FUSS.

EVENTS & CATERINg

dancing light created by the flames. The rest of the tables, including a large communal one, can browse the curated menu, which is laid out in the model of a steakhouse, with shareable small plates, large cuts of meats, and sides.

“Our menu is led by what we can actually do down here, and that’s been a really fun thing to figure out with this contraption we bought,” said Lieberman. ”It’s different from Chapman’s, which feels more like a neighborhood joint or brasserie. Here, there are lots of global flavors, like Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and North African. We want to play around with the cuisines that utilize live fire, but not be too literal.”

Hiraeth will likely revise the small menu a few times per week, depending on what’s available from local farms. Lieberman is excited about every dish the kitchen has created so far, especially the ember roasted potatoes with celery, gribiche, chive and smoked trout roe, and the whole-roasted guinea hen they were able to source. Other options include shared plates like seared mackerel and lamb cavatelli, grilled skewered street corn and lemongrass pork, and a large, dry-aged ribeye.

Lieberman hopes people will schedule a whole evening out in the Short North, first grabbing drinks and a jazz show down the street at Ginger Rabbit, their sister establishment, before heading to Hiraeth for dinner. “We want to envelop people in this experience… the smell of the smoke, the smell of home, the feeling of nostalgia,” he said. “We want to create a space that is different from anything that anyone has experienced, something that you'll be longing for the moment that you leave, and that people will want to come back to see us again and again.”

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Varsity Honors

With its approachable charm and electric game-day atmosphere, the Varsity Club has worked itself into Columbus lore and anchored OSU tailgate parties for more than six decades

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

Story Design by Atlas Biro

“

I want to go back to Ohio State To old Columbus Town….

And when we win the game

And we'll drink to old Ohio 'Til we wobble in our shoes!

When these lyrics were written in the 1930’s, the authors likely never would have guessed that a small, windowless bookstore sitting at the corner of Lane Avenue would eventually become the epicenter of Ohio State football gatherings, where hundreds of fans gathered to sing their song.

That would change in 1959, when Don Swales bought the building (located at 278 W. Lane Ave) and turned it into the Varsity Club Restaurant and Bar. →

we'll buy a keg of booze!

Varsity Club Restaurant and Bar packed with patrons ↓

↑ Varsity Club Restaurant and Bar packed with patrons ↓

Whether you’re an OSU alum or just an occasional game day visitor, there’s pretty much no way you aren’t familiar with the Varsity Club. From its prime vantage point, less than 500 yards from the stadium (or should we say less than five football fields?), The Varsity Club hosts what is arguably the largest, most iconic tailgate party in the city during every home game.

In fact, according to the eatery’s website, it boasts one of the largest recurring tailgate parties in the country. Second generation owner Tony Mollica estimates that anywhere from two to five thousand people pass through the Varsity Club on game day, likely more when OSU is playing That Team Up North.

“My dad, Joe Mollica, and Jim Ryan bought the restaurant in 1974, and the footprint is basically the same,” said the younger Mollica. “It’s been renovated a few times; we’ve added bars upstairs and downstairs, covered the patio, and put in a parking lot.”

Whether fans are meeting up before a game, watching the action on one of the big screens, or looking to hang out afterwards, the Varsity Club serves as a catch-all gathering spot for everyone. During his time as president of OSU, Gordon Gee (who served as both the 11th and 14th school President over two terms that spanned 11 years) would often stop by on football Saturdays to shake hands and take photos with people. He also made a proclamation that is hanging on the wall declaring that the Varsity Club is the official headquarters of Buckeye Nation.

In addition to an extensive beer and drink menu, the restaurant also serves up plenty of college-food favorites, including appetizers, sandwiches, and pizza. “You can’t beat our location for any athletic event at OSU. We believe that we offer good service and selections, and are reasonably priced,” said Mollica. “Our reputation precedes us as the place to go on game day.” ♦

“

” Our reputation precedes us as the place to go on game day.

Confessions of

a

Former Brutus

We sat down with Kevin Pindoley, who served as the Buckeyes official mascot from 2011-2013, to learn about what it takes to be a Brutus

By Jack McLaughlin / Story Design by Atlas Biro

← Kevin Pindoley, Former Brutus the Buckeye, Photo by Sarah Pfeiffer

(614): What year(s) did you attend OSU, and what was the tryout process like?

Kevin Pindoley: Graduating class of 2014. The tryout process has many different parts over 3 days that correlate with cheerleading tryouts. Day one, you are given different scenarios and have to go through your reaction. This is done in full suit. Example situations would be: OSU Basketball just hit the game winning shot or you go up to small child and he is scared, etc. Day two is an interview with a panel of past alumni. Day three, you perform a skit that showcases you and what you can bring to Brutus. Showcasing creativity and how to captivate an audience.

(614): Was becoming a mascot something you'd wanted for a while, or did it just happen, more or less?

KP: The thought never actually crossed my mind. It was pure luck that I learned about the process. I actually had a class with a current Brutus and found out he did that from a mutual friend. That same week I met another at Campus Crusade for Christ. Talking with them, they convinced me to try out and the rest played itself out.

(614): How long did you serve as Brutus?

KP: 2011-2013

(614): How does each game work? Is there more than one person serving as mascot, or just you?

KP: Brutus does just about every televised sporting event. From Basketball to hockey to softball, every game and sport has its own set of processes. Football gamedays are by far the most in-depth. There is rarely a game that you will.not be in costume at some point. For a noon game, we had to be at the Field House by 7 a.m. During pregame, there can be up to three Brutuses out in different places around campus. To keep the illusion of there only being one, we have to coordinate different entrances and exits to be sure we are not seen at the same time. Games are usually split between first and second half. Occasionally two people will do a first half depending on heat. There was a game against Akron in 2012 that the field temperature was recorded at 150 degrees. Went through just about everyone that game. Games can be pretty spontaneous on what you can do. You have free reign to work the crowd outside of scripted TV timeouts, i.e. shirt cannon, fan of the game. When not in costume, you are escorting Brutus to be sure he gets to where he needs to be.

(614): What kind of preparation goes into being the official OSU mascot?

KP: We would lift and have conditioning two to three times a week. The suit is hot and you are constantly moving. You start by learning the basics of the walk, signature, head stand, head bang, and all the other moves that make Brutus the mascot he is. From there it is remembering you cannot talk and learning how much the suit hides motions. Everything from a head shake to a fist pump has to be over the top exaggerated. You want to be sure the people up in C-Deck know exactly what you are doing. After that, you learn so much by putting the costume on and doing it. Also as you watch the guys who have been doing it for a year or two you pick up on all the small things that look great and learn to work them into your own.

(614): Can you share one or two particular memorable experiences you went through as Brutus?

KP: There are so many memorable experiences, every game big or small, there is always something that will stick with you. For me, the most memorable experience was leading the team out of the tunnel for the first time. It was 2011 against Toledo. It was the first time taking the field and the presence of 100,00 fans in the Shoe while you are sprinting across the field is an indescribable feeling.

Then there is the most memorable experience that a lot of people know about. In 2013, I was the Brutus who was tackled by the player at the spring practice that was open to fans during Urban Meyer’s first year as coach. The video that was taken was good enough to land at number one of SportsCenter’s Not Top 10. I was in the huddle and motioned to Braxton that I wanted the ball. Well when he lined up behind center, I just kinda moved him.out of the way and took the snap. Mind you I had no clue what play was called and planned on throwing the ball but obviously could not see that well. In the moment, scrambling and running the ball seemed like a good idea. As for the hit, I personally do not really have a recollection of it.

(614): What’s your advice for aspiring Brutues?

(614): What's something most people don't realize or think about that a mascot has to deal with?

KP: The biggest thing is continuity. Though there is more than one person wearing the costume, we have to all be consistent in what Brutus looks like and how he acts. Even though we are different heights and have different traits. From the walk to the actions, poses, mannerisms, down to the signature. That also rolls back to the Brutii that came before you. You should never know who is under the costume as you want to ruin the magic. Also your ability to manage your time is important. You have a set schedule and practice times. Being able to balance all the awesome opportunities and events, as well as schoolwork and a social life. Events could be at any time and come up on short notice. I definitely skipped a class or two to do an event.

KP: One thing that I wish I knew was American Sign Language (ASL). You don't need to have any prior performing experience, you learn so much once the suit goes on. If you get the chance to don the suit, just really savor every opportunity and event, because it goes by so fast.

Players and coaches come and go, but Brutus will be a staple in the university forever.

Brutus is the face of the university. You are embodying the 50-plus year tradition of Brutus and the joy he brings to people. All the lives you touch from sick children who are fighting in the hospital, putting smiles on their face even though they are going through something unimaginable. Even someone coming up to you as they are at their first ever football or basketball game. Those smiles, reactions, and joy you bring to people are the real things you remember. ♦

”PLAYerS AND CoACHES CoME AND Go, BUT Brutus WILL BE A StAPLE IN THe uNIVerSITY ForEVEr.“

Inspired by Benjamin Franklin, Columbus’ new upscale hotel offers a buzzworthy bunch of new restaurants and bars against a chic and progressive backdrop

photo of The Brass Eye at the Junto Hotel, photo courtesy The Junto

By Sarah Grace Smith / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer / Story Design by Tori Smith

This June, a new hotel took Columbus by storm: The Junto. The Junto isn’t your regular run-of-the-mill hotel. Named after a club for mutual improvement created by Benjamin Franklin (yes, the Founding Father), this hotel is meant to be a gathering place for visitors, locals, entrepreneurs, and artists alike.

Just across the Scioto River from downtown, the Junto has seamlessly integrated itself into the Columbus community. It cultivates multiple spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can gather to exchange ideas, inspire each other, converse, or even get some work done. →

Just as much as it serves as a social hub (or even more), the Junto—complete with multiple different restaurant concepts— is set to operate as a chic new culinary hotspot for guests and Columbus residents both.

Each of the hotel’s food and drink concepts embody a unique theme while fostering a personalized experience for diners. To get an idea of what the dining experiences offer, we sat down with Executive Chef Bret Workman and Food and Beverage Director Scott Harney to get the scoop on the flashy new hotel’s hot dining options.

LITTLE WEST TAVERN

Strap on your cowboy boots and step back in time to the Old West. Inspired by the independent spirit of the West, the Little West Tavern is decorated with wooden bars, cast iron tables, pictures of cowboys, and even saddles. It also has an open feel, with glass windows, garage doors and a bar that’s located both inside and outside.

The restaurant revolves around a hearth which is set up in the dining room. About a third of the menu is cooked right on it, providing that signature Western, smokey flavor. “That’s my favorite part,” said Workman. “Not every chef gets to work with a hearth, so that’s been a really fun and unique experience.”

With hearth dishes like a Tavern Burger, Cedar Plank Salmon (literally served on a plank), and Chicken Under a Brick, you’ll feel like a cowboy kicking it back after a long day on the ranch.

↑ Little West Tavern at the Junto Hotel

LITTLE WEST POUTINE

As

THE BRASS EYE

Named after one of the many terms for drinking listed in Ben Franklin’s The Drinker’s Dictionary, the Brass Eye offers a panoramic view of the city for patrons to enjoy. With the downtown skyline to the east and the sunset to the west, the rooftop cocktail bar offers a space for curious and experienced drinkers alike. The bar is focused on creating an unpretentious and energetic environment where people can come together and enjoy community. While they’re at it, maybe they’ll learn a thing or two from the Brass Eye’s multiple copies of The Drinker’s Dictionary

“Everyone knows Ben Franklin for his contributions to science and government,” said Harney, “but he was also a fun guy…He’s kind of the inspiration for the rooftop. We named different parts of the menu from different terms he had.” →

↑ The Brass Eye at the Junto Hotel, photo courtesy The Junto

an extension of the restaurant, the tavern recently opened a poutine window where customers can walk up and order from outside. A new take on street food, the window offers a classic poutine, a short rib version, as well as a dessert option. Customers can grab their food and drinks from the window in the Little West Alley and hang out in the enclosed outdoor area by a fireplace.

MAUDINE'S

As The Junto’s coffee bar, breakfast restaurant, and graband-go station, Maudine’s gets its name from the 1926 Ohio State homecoming queen: a cow. Nominated as a prank by the College of Agriculture students, the cow–named Maudine Ormsby–was given the title of queen after the electron committee declared no human winner could be named due to voter fraud. Sadly, though, she didn’t get to attend the actual event.

One Line Coffee with your choice of whole milk or housemade plant-based milks such as pumpkin seed, pecan, and cashew, in addition to common alternatives. Their house-made syrups are also a hit among customers, with flavors like house vanilla, honey cinnamon, brown sugar, plus more.

pastries. “This is where our pastry chef really gets to shine and have fun,” said Workman. Their most famous is the Brody Cow Cow, a lemon sugar cookie with icing shaped to make the face of a cow.

Brody, the son of The Junto’s CEO James Merkel, named his toy cow growing up “Cow Cow.” The name stuck.

THE TRADE ROOM

not that kind of sterile breakfast place you see in most hotels.” At night, it turns into a cozy bar. Filled with comfortable chairs, bookshelves, and an enormous fireplace, the Trade Room is the ultimate spot for inspiration or relaxation. ♦

↓ Breakfast sandwich at the Junto Hotel

↓ Pastry at the Junto Hotel

← Latte at the Junto Hotel

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Aerotique Columbus is an aerial dance studio that welcomes students of all ages and levels. We offer programming in aerial silks, hammock, hoop, trapeze, and corde lisse.

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Bloc Garten, located within the Audubon Metro Park in German Village, is a bouldering gym that involves climbing short, challenging routes without the use of ropes or harnesses. It requires a combination of strength, balance, and problem-solving skills as climbers navigate sequences of holds on walls indoors. Bouldering provides a full-body workout while fostering mental focus and determination, making it a favorite choice for both fitness enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

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F45 is the best workout in Columbus! These 45 Minute HIIT workouts are all about you! The workouts are different every single day and designed for all ages and all fitness levels.

CorePower Yoga shares the transformative power of yoga with every mind, everybody, everywhere. With over 220 locations in 21 states and virtual live streaming and video on-demand classes, we offer a physically intense workout that is rooted in the mindfulness of yoga.

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Whether you are just starting out or have been practicing yoga for years, whether you are looking to relax and unwind or build balance and strength, we offer an array of class styles taught by friendly and passionate instructors to help create the space for you to find exactly what you need to care for your body, mind and spirit. It is our goal to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable in our spaces and to deliver yoga – no matter what the style – in a simple and empowering way.

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Swerve Dance and Fitness is a unique fitness center in Worthington, Ohio that combines the power of dance, exercise, and community in one dynamic space.

Luxe + Lemons is a local woman-owned prepared meal delivery service that makes all your favorite comfort foods healthy + easy! Our ready-to-eat meals are delivered right to your door, just heat + eat + enjoy!

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Do you feel that? That energy in the air? It's more than just the crisp onset of fall. It's football season. And as you may or may not know, football season in Columbus means one thing: Buckeyes football. This year, we reached out to Eleven Warriors, a regular Buckeyes blog populated by the people who know Ohio State football better than anyone. Our cover section, written by the fine folks at Eleven Warriors, includes a detailed difficulty ranking of each Buckeyes game, a series of over/under predictions revolving around star players' outputs, and a slate of six Buckeyes to watch this year. So let's dig in, and remember, when I say "O-H," you say "I-O." →

Photo courtesy of Eleven Warriors ↑

SIZING UP THE OPPOSITION

The Eleven Warriors staff ranks all 12 regular-season games from easiest to most difficult

By Eleven Warriors Staff

Photos courtesy of Eleven Warriors

Prior to the regular season kickoff, the Eleven Warriors staff ranked Ohio State’s 12 games in order from the game they’re most confident the Buckeyes will win to the one they’re most concerned about the Buckeyes losing –or, in other words, the game they’d bet the most money on the Buckeyes winning straight up to the game they’d bet the least money on Ohio State winning outright.

Ten staffers participated in the voting, with 1 representing the easiest game and 12 the most difficult. Eleven Warriors averaged out the rankings on each of their 10 ballots to develop their overall confidence rankings for the Buckeyes’ 2023 schedule.

YOUNGSTOWN STATE (SEPT. 9, HOME)

Average Ranking: 1

High Rank: 1

Low Rank: 1

Ohio State won 76-0 the last time it played an FCS opponent (Florida A&M in 2013). There’s no excuse for the Buckeyes not to dominate this game from start to finish, and everyone on our staff agrees that beating the Penguins will be the easiest win of the year.

2

RUTGERS (NOV. 4, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 3.1

High Rank: 2

Low Rank: 4

Rutgers hasn’t come close to beating Ohio State in any of the nine meetings since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten, and we don’t expect that to change this year. The Scarlet Knights are coming off their eighth consecutive losing season. While Greg Schiano has brought some talent to Rutgers since returning to Piscataway, there’s still a considerable gap between the Scarlet Knights’ roster and the Buckeyes’ roster.

WESTERN KENTUCKY (SEPT. 16, HOME)

Average Ranking: 3.1

High Rank: 2

Low Rank: 6

Even though this is a buy game against a Group of 5 school, it might not be as much of a cakewalk as the Youngstown State game should be. At the least, it will be the first big test of the year for Ohio State’s pass defense. Western Kentucky led the entire FBS with 4,929 passing yards last season, and quarterback Austin Reed is back this year along with Malachi Corley, the leader in receiving yards among all returning FBS receivers.

Nine of our 10 voters still ranked Western Kentucky as one of the four easiest wins of the season, with half of our voters listing the Hilltoppers as the second-easiest opponent, but Johnny Ginter – who recently co-hosted an episode of the Eleven Dubcast in which they made the case for Western Kentucky being a quietly dangerous game – put the Hilltoppers sixth.

4

INDIANA (SEPT. 2, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 3.5

High Rank: 2

Low Rank: 7

Ohio State has won 28 straight games against Indiana, and most of our staff expects the Buckeyes to have no problem making that 29. Four of our 10 voters ranked the season opener behind only Youngstown State as the second-easiest win of the year, while all but two voters put the Hoosiers in the top four.

Wins haven’t always come easy when the Buckeyes have opened their season with a conference game on the road, however; the Buckeyes have trailed at halftime the last two times they’ve done that (Minnesota in 2021 and Indiana in 2017) before ultimately going on to win. With that in mind, as well as the uncertainty Ohio State will enter the season with at quarterback and on the offensive line, Matt Gutridge ranked the season opener as only his seventh-most confident win.

5

MICHIGAN STATE (NOV. 11, HOME)

Average Ranking: 5.7

High: 5

Low: 8

The entire staff agreed that Michigan State belonged in the middle tier of our confidence rankings, with everyone ranking the Spartans between their fifth-most confident win and eighthmost confident win.

It wasn’t that long ago that Michigan State was one of the most feared annual opponents on the schedule, as the Spartans went 3-2 against the Buckeyes from 2011-15. Still, Ohio State has beaten MSU seven straight times since, with the last three victories coming in blowout fashion. OSU will also have the advantage of what should be one of its best home environments of the season as the Buckeyes host the Spartans in a primetime “Gray Out" with the team wearing alternate uniforms.

6 MINNESOTA (NOV. 18, HOME)

Average Ranking: 6.1

High: 5

Low: 8

Like Michigan State, the entire staff agreed that Minnesota would not be one of the four easiest teams to beat but that it also wouldn’t be one of the four toughest.

The Golden Gophers have enough weapons on both sides of the ball to be a contender in the Big Ten West, and the penultimate week of the regular season always comes with the threat of the Buckeyes getting caught looking ahead to The Game. But Ohio State has won 12 straight games against Minnesota dating back to 2001, and the Buckeyes will surely want to put their best foot forward on Senior Day in their final home game of the year.

MARYLAND (OCT. 7, HOME)

Average Ranking: 6.8

High: 3

Low: 8

Maryland has never played well against Ohio State in Columbus, losing its four previous games against the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium by an average of more than 44 points, which Matt cited as his reasoning for picking the Buckeyes’ homecoming game as his third-most confident win of the year. Ohio State will also have the benefit of an extra week to prepare for this game, as the Buckeyes will be coming off a bye week (which Maryland will not be).

Even so, the majority of our staff put this game in the bottom half of our confidence rankings, with seven of 10 voters ranking this game either seventh or eighth. The Terps gave the Buckeyes a bit of a scare last season in College Park, where Ohio State led by only one score for most of the fourth quarter before winning 43-30, and they should have one of the Big Ten’s better offenses once again with Taulia Tagovailoa back for his fourth year as Maryland’s starting quarterback.

PURDUE (OCT. 14, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 7

High Rank: 4

Low Rank: 10

Purdue was the only opponent to make the top four of at least one staffer’s confidence ranking and also land in the bottom four of at least one staffer’s confidence ranking, as Johnny ranked Purdue as his fourth-most confident win while Ramzy Nasrallah (ninth) and Jacob Rhee (10th) both slotted the Boilermakers as one of their four least confident victories.

On paper, Purdue should rank as one of the easier opponents for Ohio State this season, with a roster that ranks on the lower end of the Big Ten in terms of overall talent and a first-year head coach in Ryan Walters. But Buckeye fans need no reminder of what happened last time Ohio State went to West Lafayette, and given that Ohio State has lost three of its last four trips there, there’s reason to have at least a little trepidation about playing the “Spoilermakers” on the road.

9 NOTRE DAME (SEP. 23, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 9.6

High Rank: 8

Low Rank: 11

While the first eight games in this countdown are all games that Ohio State will be heavily favored to win, the bottom four games are the contests that will truly make or break the Buckeyes’ season. The first of those four games on the schedule, and in our confidence rankings, comes when Ohio State plays Notre Dame on the road in its final game of September.

After a defensive slugfest in Columbus last year, Notre Dame is expected to be more explosive offensively this year with Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman at quarterback. Notre Dame’s defense should also be the best by far that Ohio State faces in the first month of the season, making the trip to South Bend the first real test for the Buckeyes’ new starting quarterback. And the Fighting Irish, who have playoff hopes as the No. 13 team in the preseason AP poll, will surely be motivated to earn a signature early-season win that puts them in the CFP conversation.

Still, only four of our staffers view Notre Dame as one of Ohio State’s three toughest games of the year.

WISCONSIN (OCT. 28, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 9.9

High Rank: 9

Low Rank: 11

The Eleven Warriors staff unanimously agreed that Ohio State’s late October trip to Madison will be one of the Buckeyes’ four most difficult games of the season. We all put Wisconsin between ninth and 11th in our confidence rankings.

Ohio State has won its last nine games against Wisconsin, but the Badgers have the potential to be more dangerous than they have been in recent years with Luke Fickell taking over as head coach. New offensive coordinator Phil Longo is expected to modernize the Wisconsin offense with the help of a quarterback upgrade in SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai, while the Badgers should still have a strong defense and a stout running game led by Braelon Allen.

Add in the fact that Ohio State’s first trip to Camp Randall Stadium in seven years comes just one week after another big game against Penn State, and this game has the recipe to be a dangerous one, even though the Badgers don’t have quite the same level of talent as the powers on the East side of the conference.

11 PENN STATE (OCT. 21, HOME)

Average Ranking: 10.2

High Rank: 8

Low Rank: 11

Penn State has been consistently circled as one of the biggest annual tests on Ohio State’s schedule since the Nittany Lions upset the Buckeyes in 2016, and this year is no different.

The Buckeyes have won the last six matchups with the Nittany Lions, but James Franklin may have his best squad this year since the one that won the Big Ten seven years ago. Expectations are high for new Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, while Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are one of the nation’s best running back tandems and Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter and Kalen King headline a defense loaded with playmakers.

Ohio State hasn’t lost to Penn State at home since 2011, and the Buckeyes will have the benefit of the home crowd on their side this year. That will only make life more difficult for an inexperienced quarterback in what will be Penn State’s biggest road test of the season. But with exactly half of our voters ranking this as the second-most concerning game on Ohio State’s schedule, there’s a clear consensus that the Nittany Lions are not an opponent to be taken lightly.

12 MICHIGAN (NOV. 25, AWAY)

Average Ranking: 12

High Rank: 12

Low Rank: 12

Just as the staff unanimously agreed that Youngstown State will be the easiest win of the season, we all agreed that beating Michigan will be the toughest task of the season for Ohio State.

That speaks to how the tenor of the rivalry has changed over the past two seasons as the Wolverines have earned back-to-back wins over the Buckeyes in decisive fashion. Michigan, ranked second nationally in the major preseason polls, could have an even better team this year than it’s had the past two years, and playing The Game in Ann Arbor will only make the task of beating the team up north tougher.

Beating Michigan is undeniably the biggest priority for Ohio State entering 2023, but with the way the last two years have gone, a win over the Wolverines can no longer simply be expected. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are now in the position of having to prove they can rise to the occasion in the biggest game of the year, and because it is expected to be the most difficult game of the year, Ohio State’s performance in all of its first 11 games will be viewed through the lens of whether it’s good enough to win The Game. ♦

THE SEASON WILL HINGE UPON

From behind center to inside the trenches on both sides of the ball, Eleven Warriors picks six pivotal Buckeyes in 2023

KYLE MCCORD OR DEVIN BROWN

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and with an open battle at the spot still ongoing in Ohio State’s training camp, whoever ends up being the starter will be a clear choice as the biggest “hinge” player on the team.

There’s no questioning the weapons Kyle McCord or Devin Brown will have surrounding them. Not only is Marvin Harrison Jr. widely regarded as the best receiver – if not the best player – in all of college football, but Emeka Egbuka will be back off a 1,100-yard receiving season and Cade Stover is back off one of the best seasons from a Buckeye tight end in recent memory.

That and the team’s arsenal of running backs should help alleviate some of the pressures that come with being a first-year starting signalcaller at a program such as Ohio State. With new starters breaking in at offensive tackle and center, however, the amount of time either Brown or McCord gets in the pocket will be an important trend to watch.

Beyond that, it’s a test of the abilities of whoever wins the job and Day’s ability to produce quarterbacks. He developed three consecutive Heisman Trophy finalists and firstround NFL draft picks at the position prior to this year in C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins.

Coming out of Ohio State’s Saturday scrimmage, Day still feels as though neither Brown nor McCord have grabbed the mantle at the position as of yet.

“I do wish that somebody had really emerged,” Day said. “I don’t think, right now, it’s two guys that are just blowing it out of the water to where you’re like, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know who’s going to play.’ But it’s also not like they’re not doing well either. There’s really good play out there, there’s ability. Now we’re just looking for consistency.”

Regardless of who ultimately takes the field at Indiana on Sept. 2, the Buckeyes need one of these quarterbacks to be able to run the offense efficiently in order to achieve their goals.

JIMMY SIMMONS

Staying on the offensive side of the football, Ohio State’s offensive tackle situation has been a concern all offseason. After missing on several targets during the first transfer window to bolster the competition there, the Buckeyes finally landed former San Diego State edge protector Jimmy Simmons in the post-spring transfer window.

Simmons didn’t make the Mountain West’s All-Conference team a year ago, so it’s clear there was still a way for him to go to reach the ceiling expected of a Buckeye offensive tackle. He also committed 17 penalties over the course

By Andy Anders of Eleven Warriors @andyanders55

Photos courtesy of Eleven Warriors

of the 2022 season, so his on-field discipline will have to improve.

But Simmons has also been described as “freaky athletic,” and Day had positive things to say about the lineman Monday.

“I think he's had some really good practices and he's shown that he can be the starting left tackle,” Day said. “He has not won that job yet. But he has shown traits that make us believe he can be that guy.”

Kyle McCord ↑

Devin Brown ↑

Replacing a first-team All-American in Paris Johnson Jr. is no easy task. But getting Simmons to a place where he’s at least a quality tackle will be of paramount importance for Ohio State’s offense, perhaps the most important development of any position outside quarterback.

Because if those quarterbacks are getting pressured from their blind side constantly, it’s going to be difficult to look good regardless of who the starter under center is.

JOSH FRYAR

Staying in the vein of offensive tackles, Josh Fryar is currently projected as the starting right tackle for 2023 and enters his fourth season at Ohio State attempting to secure said spot.

Fryar started one game a year ago at right tackle in place of a then-injured Dawand Jones, filling in admirably against Indiana. He’s always had a bit of a punch to his run blocking – part of the reason he started his career as an interior offensive lineman – but it’s his pass blocking that will need to take another step forward.

That pass blocking will be a trait that is, once again, emphasized by the fact that the team is bringing along a new starting quarterback.

While (offensive line coach Justin) Frye lauded Fryar in the spring and summer, saying his “confidence has grown,” Day was noncommittal Monday when asked whether Fryar would be the starting right tackle come Week 1. Freshman Luke Montgomery is already making a push for playing time and redshirt freshman Tegra Tshabola is also competing for a starting job, per Day. Fryar was the first-team left tackle during spring practice prior to Simmons’ arrival. →

↑ Jimmy Simmons

“He's somebody that, he's kind of gone back and forth a little bit, he's got flexibility that way,” Day said of Fryar. “For Josh, he feels comfortable playing on the right side, and so is Luke. And so, like we talked about last week, we've looked at who's going to be the best moving forward for the long term.”

If the veteran can step forward and solidify the team’s offensive line, it will go a long way in ensuring Ohio State remains among college football’s best offenses.

“I think I'm very prepared,” Fryar said March 23. “Honestly, just hearing everybody talk about it and worried about it just gets me more motivated to step up into that position and succeed.”

“He had a great spring,” Ohio State cornerbacks coach Tim Walton said in May. “He did a great job. He’s locked in, he’s our leader over there.”

Burke enjoyed a breakout freshman campaign in 2021, recording 12 pass breakups and an interception. Injuries plagued him last season, however, and he went from allowing 5.375 yards per target in 2021 to 8.513 in 2022, per PFF. Back to full health, he's hoping to return to or even surpass his level of play from his first season.

“My confidence is probably at an all-time high, the highest it’s ever been,” Burke said. “And confidence is a big thing, man. If you don’t have that, it’s going to be a long day for you. And you gain confidence by going out here and guarding Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka every day. They’re going to get you better and I’m going to get them better, too.”

In Knowles’ three-safety system, the “adjuster” is a field-safety position that both covers the most ground and sets the rest of the back seven into place. Right now that adjuster is projected to be Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter.

Carter started three seasons with the Orange, collecting 136 tackles with five interceptions and seven pass breakups. Three of those picks came in 2022.

Thus far in fall camp, Carter has been accompanied by Sonny Styles at nickel safety and Lathan Ransom at “bandit,” or boundary safety. Carter was originally brought in to play nickel but has quickly been sent to a deep safety spot by Knowles.

“Ja’Had is more of a high safety,” Knowles said. “We experimented with him on the slot, and that’s part of learning the system, it’s good for safeties to play different positions early. But he’s more of a high safety.”

Knowles has been impressed with his ability to take film room work and apply it to the field.

“Ja’Had, being a transfer, has just been a very coachable player,” Knowles said. “He’s one of those guys, you can say something to him, (tell him to) correct it, and he corrects it immediately on the field. That’s rare. His learning and processing of our system has been great.”

Carter was known as a ballhawk at Syracuse, making plays tracking the pigskin inflight and disrupting opposing passing games. If he’s being referred to in similar ways in 2023, it will be a promising sign for Ohio State’s back end.

“That comes from playing receiver in high school, ball in the air and go get it,” Carter said. “That’s my mindset, ‘Ball in the air, go get it,’ and make sure I’m aggressive at the point of attack.”

DENZEL BURKE JA’HAD CARTER

The goal has been stated every offseason for Ohio State’s cornerbacks, but it's been under special emphasis off a 2022 campaign in which they struggled: Bring about the return of BIA, meaning “Best in America,” at the position.

“We remind ourselves of that every day,” Denzel Burke said Thursday. “(What we did last year), that’s not our brand. We’re going to bring that back. It’s just about getting better every single day.”

No player will have a bigger role in living up to or falling short of those expectations than Burke, who is primed to be the team’s No. 1 cornerback for the third year in a row after drawing rampant praise from Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and cornerbacks coach Tim Walton this offseason.

Burke’s trash-talking, physical style lends itself both to man coverage and to being a leader in the position room for the Buckeyes. Where he goes in terms of his quality of play, the room may very well follow.

Speaking of the secondary, it was Ohio State’s safeties that gave up a glut of big plays in the team’s two most important games to close the season last year against Michigan and Georgia. Players were caught out of position on long passes or – on one more notorious play – slipped to allow a receiver to run by for a touchdown.

↑ Josh Fryar

↑ Denzel Burke

TY HAMILTON

Mike Hall Jr. has shown he can be a monster when healthy as evidenced by the 3.5 sacks he recorded against Michigan State (one of which was erased by a hands-to-the-face penalty by a teammate) in eight snaps last season. Quality of play and reaching another echelon aren’t concerns as much as health is for Hall.

One player from Ohio State’s interior defensive line group that seems primed to take another step forward in his play is Ty Hamilton. It wasn’t just through the air that Ohio State gave up big plays last campaign, it was on the ground too, with Michigan running back Donovan Edwards rattling off a 75-yard touchdown run and an 85-yard touchdown run on back-to-back drives to ice away the team’s 45-23 victory over the Buckeyes Nov. 26.

Hamilton started five games in 2022 and picked up 15 tackles. He played in all 13 games, serving as a rotational asset when not used as a starter.

He’s been starting alongside Hall during fall camp. In the springtime, Hamilton said he was improving in all facets of his game.

“Being able to play off the ball, being faster, quicker, everything like that, especially off the field, like school,” Hamilton said. “It’s just automatic progress.” ♦

Ja'Had Carter ↑

Ty Hamilton ↑

Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Players ↑

Eleven Warriors breaks down over/under propositions for 9 of the Buckeyes most prominent players this season

TREVEYON HENDERSON

1,049.5 rushing yards, 11.5 rushing touchdowns

After an impressive freshman campaign, one in which Henderson totaled 183 carries for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with 27 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns in 2021, the running back tore a ligament in his foot in 2022, an injury that eventually forced him to undergo season-ending surgery. He had just 107 carries for 571 yards and six touchdowns in his sophomore season.

While leading the deepest running back room in the country this fall, Henderson will look to have a bounce-back season. But with so much talent in the backfield, how many opportunities will Henderson actually receive every game? That will be the biggest factor in whether Henderson notches at least 1,000 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for the second time in three seasons.

PREDICTION: OVER

With a starting quarterback that has yet to be named and Henderson back at 100%, the junior will take advantage of shouldering more of the workload offensively and get back to the numbers he had as a freshman.

EMEKA EGBUKA

1,099.5 receiving yards, 9.5 touchdowns

The second-best wide receiver in the country is WR2 in Columbus, which perfectly explains just how stacked Ohio State's wide receiver room is without even discussing the rest of the talent in the unit.

By Josh Poloha of Eleven Warriors @jorshp

MIYAN WILLIAMS

849.5 rushing yards, 8.5 rushing touchdowns

Despite dealing with a number of ailments of his own last season, Williams had a career year with 128 carries for 825 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns in 2022. The senior would be RB1 on the majority of teams throughout the country because he is one of the best running backs in college football.

PREDICTION: OVER

He will receive fewer opportunities than Henderson, but Williams proved last season that he can be relied upon in any situation. Ohio State's running backs will play more of a role this season and Williams will have yet another great season for the second straight year. Expect him to receive more goal-line opportunities as well.

A season ago, Egbuka had 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns (the latter two of which are fifth in program history for a single season) while also sharing the workload with Harrison, among others.

Egbuka is extremely talented, but his final stats will come down to how much of the workload he will get in a loaded wide receiver corps.

PREDICTION: OVER ON TOUCHDOWNS, UNDER ON YARDS

Egbuka will notch 1,000-plus receiving yards but I don't expect him to get much more than that. Although he will be second on the team in receiving yards, expect Egbuka to lead the team in receptions. He'll take advantage of opposing defenses focusing on Harrison.

Photos courtesy of Eleven Warriors

Treveyon Henderson ↑

Miyan Williams ↑

1,199.5 receiving yards, 13.5 touchdowns

The best player in college football regardless of position, Harrison had 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore (the latter two of which are fourth in program history for a single season), a season that concluded with Harrison becoming Ohio State's first unanimous All-American receiver. Even then, Harrison still has a chip on his shoulder after not winning the Biletnikoff Award in 2022.

That was also with the No. 2 pick in NFL Draft last April. With a first-year starter behind center this fall – whether it's Kyle McCord or Devin Brown – things probably won’t be as easy for the passing game, at least early on.

Day and Hartline will put Harrison in the best position to dominate, including in the slot, where the junior is expected to be used more often than he was during his first two seasons in Columbus, but it will be a learning process with a new quarterback. Then again, if McCord wins the job, he and Harrison were high school teammates who have plenty of chemistry and experience together.

Either way, we all know that Ohio State's offense will evolve around the best player in college football this fall and Harrison is going to get his.

PREDICTION: OVER

No matter who the starting quarterback is, Harrison will dominate. He's that good. Unless the opposing team double-teams him at all times, the best receiver in college football will prove to be unguardable all season. Bet the over for Harrison. Always. →

MARVIN HARRISON JR.

Emeka Egbuka & Marvin Harrison Jr. ↑

XAVIER JOHNSON

99.5 rushing yards, 349.5 receiving yards

The most versatile player on Ohio State's loaded offense, Johnson is looking to have his best year yet in his sixth (and final) season as a Buckeye.

The do-it-all skill player on offense's role has grown very gradually in his first five years in Columbus. He had just four carries and zero catches in his first four years as a Buckeye before last season. Then, in 2022, he totaled 13 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 12 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown, a season that Johnson instantly proved he could be a playmaker on Ohio State's offense in addition to his regular playing time on special teams.

Hartline has said he wants to take advantage of Johnson's versatility, but with so much talent at wide receiver and running back, his numbers will come down to where Johnson's skill set fits in the offensive game plan.

PREDICTION: OVER ON RECEIVING YARDS, UNDER ON RUSHING YARDS

Day and Hartline are going to make sure to get the ball in Johnson's hands no matter where he is on the field. They will use his versatility to Ohio State's advantage and the hybrid skill player will take advantage of every opportunity in order to have his best year as a Buckeye. Expect some trickery involving Johnson out of the backfield just to keep the opponent guessing, too.

CADE STOVER

399.5 receiving yards, 4.5 touchdowns

In a season that started hot and slowed down as the months went on, especially in November, Stover was still able to notch 36 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. He’ll look to prove that production wasn’t a fluke in 2023.

PREDICTION: OVER ON YARDS, UNDER ON TOUCHDOWNS

Stover will regain his early-season success in 2022 and the first-year starting quarterback will lean on his tight end to make plays early on and in short-yardage situations outside of the red zone. That said, inside the red zone, I expect Ohio State to lean more on its running backs. He will have one of the most productive seasons by a Buckeye tight end in recent memory in terms of yardage but will have fewer touchdowns than last year.

JT TUIMOLOAU

7.5 sacks

One of the best defensive ends in the country, Tuimoloau will look to make a bigger impact in the box score this year after totaling 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season, numbers that certainly don't jump off the stat sheet.

The junior is expected to have his best season yet. If he lives up to expectations this fall, Tuimoloau would become the first Buckeye to have at least six sacks since 2019, when Chase Young (16.5) and Davon Hamilton (six) both reached that number.

PREDICTION: OVER

While every game won't be like last season's game at Penn State, Tuimoloau will prove to be the best defensive end since 2019 and be a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen all while making a living in opposing backfields.

JACK SAWYER

7.5 sacks

Tuimoloau and Sawyer could be one of the best defensive end duos in the country this season. That's a big if, but the two certainly have the talent to do so.

In 2022, Sawyer had 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, numbers that the junior wants to improve upon this fall now that he’s playing defensive end full-time. And he should have more opportunities for sacks given that Ohio State's secondary is supposed to be much improved.

PREDICTION: UNDER

This one will be close. I expect that he will have a better season than he did last year but that Sawyer will finish with six sacks, just under the over/under.

DENZEL BURKE

2.5 interceptions

After an impressive offseason following a disappointing 2022 season, one that didn't live up to expectations due to a number of different injuries following an impressive freshman season in 2021, Burke wants to be a lockdown cornerback for Ohio State in 2023.

Ohio State’s cornerbacks didn't record any interceptions in 2022, but that's expected to change this season. As the top cornerback in a group that claims it’s ready to regain BIA status, he’ll need to make some big plays to back up the talk.

PREDICTION: OVER

Burke has talked the talk all offseason and he will walk the walk this season, bringing back Ohio State's BIA status. If opposing quarterbacks continue to throw at Burke as the season goes on, he will easily catch at least three interceptions. ♦

Cade Stover ↑

CONTENT BY ELEVEN WARRIORS. READ MORE ABOUT THE SEASON OVER AT ELEVENWARRIORS.COM

JT Tuimoloau ↑

Jack Sawyer ↑

Xavier Johnson ↑

The Columbus branch of the international 40 Plus Double Dutch Club offers members a return to youthful fun and a community to call their own

By Molly Hammond

Pamela Robinson and her co-founder

Catrina were in a transitional period of their lives in May of 2016. Both of them found themselves at a crossroads, trying to navigate a hard season in their 40’s; they were searching to find something that made them feel fulfilled personally and connected with their community. What started in Chicago as a small group of 7 women double Dutching, hula-hooping, hopscotching and more, turned into over 100 sub-clubs all across the nation—40 Plus Double Dutch Club.

With one right here in the heart of Columbus, the club has grown tremendously over the years and has 40+ year old women channeling their inner child—a nostalgia for their childhood they never thought they would be able to get back—all while staying active and productive.

Candace Foster, head of the Columbus sub-club, started the Arch City’s branch of the 40 Plus Double Dutch Club in early 2020—another transitional time, but in this case, for the entire world.

Foster’s mission for helping launch the Columbus branch, she said, is to encapsulate everything that Pamela and Catrina wanted for the organization as a whole—fun, faith, fitness and friendship.

Every week, Candace and her Columbus members meet up at Linden Recreation Center to “just be kids again,” as she explained it. Currently, the club has 20 active members, with the oldest being 66 years old. The women come together to play the games they used to play as kids—double Dutch, hula hoop, hopscotch, jax, jump rope, line dance and more. But the biggest thing Candace likes to drive home is that the meet-ups are not obligatory. →

PHOTO BY @COLUMBUSDRONIE

Photos by Cassidy Lee

Story Design by Tori Smith

↑ Columbus' 40 Plus Double Dutch Club members posing for a group photo

“This organization was built on being a safe place for women to go to do something for themselves,” explained Foster. “As women, we are all so caught up in the craziness of life. We have wives, husbands, children, grandchildren, jobs and businesses. We almost never have time to take a step back and take time for ourselves. That’s what this club is built around—the mental and physical self care that we so often believe we don’t have the time for.”

The Columbus sub-club often travels to Cleveland and Cincinnati to meet up with other 40 Plus Double Dutch groups and will often get asked to perform at local events, with most recently the African American Wellness Walk in the heart of Downtown. The Columbus sub-club is also partnered with Columbus Parks & Recreation and attends events to encourage and inspire those attending.

Foster emphasized, “We want to go around to meet new people, cheer people on, bring the energy and show everyone involved the importance of self-care, fitness and friendship.”

The club not only allows double Dutch jumpers and hula hoopers, but also people that just want to come for the connection. With people in knee surgery recovery, back surgery recovery, and with other medical conditions, Candace and other 40 Plus leaders alike welcome them all. They just want to see members coming together to pray, encourage, and root for one another.

“We find that a lot of people come for the double-Dutch and nostalgia, but they STAY for the friendship,” said Robinson. “Our oldest member, an 89 year old woman in Chicago, just learned to double Dutch within the last year. We came together as a group and taught her how to do it. That’s the point of all of this. We want everyone to feel connected and seen.”

The group has been a national hit and recently went global with sub-clubs popping up in Germany, Canada, and Israel.

“Our goal is to make women our age see the importance of making themselves the number one priority. Putting yourself first can change your life, relationships, and health. It’s the most important thing,” said Foster. ♦

To learn more, visit 40plusdoubledutchclub.org

↓ Pamela Robinson, Chicago club founder

↓ 40+ Double Dutch Club T-Shirt

A NEW LIFE

Revamp your closet, revitalize lives –that’s the power of your Goodwill donation. That seasonal cleanse extends far beyond just tidying up and tossing out clothes that no longer fit; it sparks a chain reaction within our community and transforms lives. Every item you donate sets off a series of opportunities by diverting 7 million pounds of clothing from entering the Central Ohio landfills each year and simultaneously empowering individuals.

How Goodwill is empowering Columbus through second-hand clothing and hundreds of employment opportunities

By Sav Mckee

Photos by Sarah Pfiefer

Goodwill is more than just a secondhand retail store; this non-profit employs thousands of workers in the Columbus area, many of whom have never had a job before, or who have disabilities impacting their career choices.

Remember that old shirt you donated? It’s getting a new lease on life at Goodwill, and it created a catalyst for change by creating three unique opportunities for employees. From the welcoming hands at the donation door, to the

associates adding a colored-coded tag to the shirt, and the helpful individuals organizing the shirt on the shelves and assisting at the registers, it’s a collective effort that’s changing the world. Yes, one old shirt at a time. →

In 1902, Edgar Helms, who inspired Goodwill’s concept, started hiring people with disabilities on the streets of Boston to pick up trash and tossed household goods and clothes, repurpose them, then sell them. The goods were then sold or given to the people who repaired them, and Goodwill is keeping Helms’ tradition alive.

For example, a donated bike that no longer functions can still be useful at Goodwill. Goodwill sends the bike to a facility, where an individual with a disability learns how to fix the bike through a partnership with Franklinton Cycle Works. The bike is then sold at Goodwill, and a portion of the profit goes directly back to the individual who fixed the bike. The renewed bicycle becomes more than just a mode of transportation; it carries a story of teamwork, redemption, and second chances. →

Goodwill is rooted in 3 core organizational functions and values centered around providing jobs, offering free job training, supporting sustainability, and empowering individuals, and community members can help with all of these services simply by continuing to donate and shop here.

Goodwill's "Donated Retail" component means the organization strives for inclusivity, proudly hiring employees with mental and physical disabilities as 30% of their workforce. This encompasses the twelve retail stores in Franklin County, as well as Goodwill’s eCommerce component (shopgoodwill.com/ columbus), where more expensive and unique items, like jewelry, rare Beanie Babies, Legos, and many more antiquities are auctioned off. This eCommerce side of Goodwill teaches digital skills and internet literacy to their employees. There’s also the Auto Auction section of their retail component, where people can donate their cars, and those are auctioned off as well.

The “Business Services” core element offers over 300 employment opportunities in the fields of unarmed security and custodial services. These employees

serve dozens of facilities across the region, including helping out at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Statehouse! Through this program, Goodwill is helping build and sustain a workforce for the future.

The last of the three core elements at Goodwill are “People Services.” Goodwill works very closely with the intellectual and developmental disability community and with anyone in general who is unemployed or looking for new skills. They provide person-centered, employment-focused services, 1-on-1 coaching, certifications, and job training programs, completely for free at job training centers and within several Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.

At Goodwill, all individuals are embraced as valued and dignified members of our community, and that means you, too! Every contribution matters. Join Goodwill as they shape a brighter future – one donation at a time. ♦

Southern Theatre Thursday | 7:30 pm

Southern Theatre, Friday | 8 pm Featuring Mike Dawes

Palace Theatre Friday | 7 pm CHELCIE

2 FINGERS AND A 12 PACK

Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center Sunday | 7 pm

Ohio Theatre Friday & Saturday 7:30 pm

Sunday | 2 pm ELF IN CONCERT WITH COLUMBUS SYMPHONY

Palace Theatre Saturday | 7 pm

Palace Theatre Monday | 7:30 pm

Palace Theatre, Wednesday | 7:30 pm

AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS™ PART 1 IN CONCERT WITH COLUMBUS SYMPHONY

From ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ as a musical to Bruce Springsteen and Drake, we round up the highlights of the Columbus arts this fall

By Jaquez Printup

FALL ARTS GUIDE

arts

Story Design by Tori Smith

PERFORMING ARTS

SEPT 21 COUNTESS CABARE T

Southern Theatre

The Real Housewives of New York star Luann de Lesseps brings her cabaret tour to the Buckeye State. Enjoy her singles, "Money Can't Buy You Class," "Chic C'est La Vie," "Girl Code," and many others live in person.

OCT 3 8

OCT 31 - NOV 5

SEPT 8 9

CHRISTOPHER TITUS COMEDY SHOW

Funny Bone

ABC and NBC’s Christopher Titus will bring his critically acclaimed tour to Easton Town Center for an entertaining two-night event full of good laughs and clever quips.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Ohio Theatre

In honor of its 50th anniversary, an enchanting production of the awardwinning musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, takes the stage at the Ohio Theatre.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE

Ohio Theatre

Experience the Golden Globe-winning film Mrs. Doubtfire as a musical when the production’s national tour stops at the Official Theatre of the State of Ohio.

OCT 13 21 ON STAGE

Davidson Theater

Frank Sinatra in ballet?

You’d better believe it. This BalletMet production combines a trio of American ballets (Nine Sinatra Songs, The Times are Racing and Vespers) into a single evening.

SEPT 22 24 HOLST: THE PLANETS

Ohio Theatre

English composer Eugene Holst’s celestial-inspired pieces are performed by the Columbus Symphony Women’s Chorus and paired with galactic imagery to create a dynamic tour through the solar system.

DAIGLE

Funny Bone

SHOW

SEPT 26 MEGAN GAILEY COMEDY

This writer, actor, and standup comedian, praised by audiences on Conan and The Tonight Show, will bring her tour to the Funny Bone in late September for a night of comedic gems.

MUSIC

OCT 28 LAUREN

Schottenstein Center

This Billboard Music Awardwinning artist returns to Columbus for The Kaleidoscope Tour, performing inspiring music from her last three albums, How Can It Be, Look Up Child, and her self-titled project, Lauren Daigle

OCT 9 DRAKE; 21

SAVAGE

Schottenstein Center

The Grammy Award-winning rapper Drake makes his way to Columbus with 21 Savage for their highly-anticipated It’s All A Blur tour.

SEPT 21 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND

SEPT 15

Nationwide Arena

Join the iconic Bruce Springsteen and The E Street band for a legendary performance of their signature songs, "Born in the U.S.A.,” "Dancing in the Dark,” and “Atlantic City.”

LUKE BRYAN

Miller Family Farm

Luke Bryan, the awardwinning country singer and American Idol host will touch down in Millersport, OH, mid-September for his longawaited Farm Tour. Join him in singing his biggest tracks, "Drunk on You" and "That's My Kind of Night.”

OCT 24 ADAM PADDOCK; KINGS KALEIDOSCOPE

Skully’s Music Diner

Ohio’s own Adam Paddock will join Kings Kaleidoscope in the Short North to jam out to their best tracks, “AUTHENTIC” and “Broken Clarity.”

11

Lincoln Theatre

SEPT 28 WES MONTGOMERY AT

Featuring the Indianapolis Jazz Collective and Russel Malone, this event acts as homage to the legendary Hoosier-born jazz arts Wes Montgomery, in what would have been his 100th year.

Gallery exhibits by local and regional artists

↓ Luann de Lesseps

↓ Bruce Springsteen

↓ Drake

SEPT 10 24 + OCT 8

SUNDAYS

AT SCIOTO

Scioto Park (Dublin)

This riverfront concert series, proudly featuring “live and local” bands, has been a part of Dublin’s art scene since 1983. Free parking is available, and picnics are welcome.

OCT 19 - NOV 11

THE SLEEPWALKERS OF HOLSTENWALL

Location TBA

Inspired by The Cabinet of Caligari, which is considered by some to be the first horror movie ever made, this show serves as part immersive exhibit, part interactive escape room. Visitors can take on multiple different storylines to immerse themselves into an entirely new world.

FESTIVALS + EXHIBITIONS

SEPT 4 LABOR DAY ARTS FESTIVAL

Northam Park

Upper Arlington’s Labor Day Arts Festival will feature a beautiful art exhibit, fine art, jewelry, live music, and more.

SEPT 17 COLUMBUS FALL AVANT-GARDE ART & CRAFT SHOW

Makoy Center

Join artists and crafters at the Fall Avant-Garde show as they sell their original handmade items in Hilliard, OH.

UNTIL DEC 30 BREAK, TAKE, ERASE, TALLY (JUMANA MANNA)

Wexner Center for the Arts

Palestinian-born art Jumana

Manna’s first major museum show in the US brings together a collection of stark and cryptic sculptural forms alongside a pair of video pieces.

UNTIL

(SUZANNE SILVER)

Wexner Center for the Arts

DEC 31 VANISHING ACTS

Ohio-born artist Suzanne Silver’s film project Vanishing Acts serves as a sort of visual diary of light and shadow that began during the pandemic. Silver traces the light of the sun as it moves through the rooms in her house in a series of fragments that is just as beautiful as it is fleeting and sad.

Sundays at Scioto ↑

Detail from Break, Take, Erase, Tally ↑

The StaBig ge

While in many ways, the United States has changed dramatically in the last 100 years—today we can order a pizza in a few taps of a cell phone and send a remote-controlled vehicle all the way to Mars—there are still fundamental issues we have as a country that remain largely the same.

One of those issues is–as it has been for the better part of 125 years–the topic of race, class, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Ragtime, a story set in the early years of the 20th century, provides a panoramic view on this topic, offering a look that’s just as applicable and poignant today, 100 years after its setting.

Columbus Children’s Theatre's

productions

By Jack McLaughlin

Photos by Brooke Stiles

The musical, which will be produced this fall, involves the stories of three different racial groups making their way through early 20th century America: Black Americans in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, upper-class suburbanites, and Eastern European immigrants. Ragtime will premiere at the Lincoln Theatre on Sept. 22. Additional showtimes will be held on Sept. 23, 24, 29 and 30, in addition to an Oct. 1 showing.

The two-act musical, which retains much of its original poignancy to this day, features an “absolutely packed” cast with vocal coaching from popular local TikTok content creator and coach Jaron Legrair, and direction from the prolific David Bahgat.

full slate of

offers poignant social takes, immersive worlds and much more

"Our scenic designer, Seth Howard, has done an excellent job creating the world of the play (industrial inspired), without taking away from the focus of the three main characters. Our choreographer, Gabrielle Stefura, is using the movement to support the characters and their journey, and not adding movement for movements sake," Bahgat said. "The through-line of this piece is 'The American Dream,' and my job as director is to make sure that everything goes back to that."

While CCT is a children’s theater, it implements an ageappropriate casting model, featuring children actors in addition to professional adult actors from across the country.

Ragtime will kick off Columbus Children’s Theatre’s Professional Series this year, but it’s far from the only enticing production offered.

From Oct. 19-Nov. 12, CCT will put on a unique, immersive piece inspired by the 1920 film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which many consider to be the first true horror

movie. Billed as a cross between immersive theater and an escape room, visitors will be able to pursue multiple different character paths in a fully-realized, interactive world complete with actors.

“Columbus has really never seen theatre like this. CCT is building a completely new world for audiences to physically step into and interact with.” From CCT Artistic Director, Zac DelMonte.

Rounding out CCT’s offerings will be the annual, fanfavorite production Mr. Scrooge the Musical (Dec. 1-23), a one-hour take on the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, and a rendition of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (April 26-May 5).

Tickets are available for Ragtime online at columbuschildrenstheatre.org/shows/ now, and will be available soon for this season’s other productions. They likely won’t last long, so grab them while you can! ♦

"Columbus has quite literally never seen theatre like this. CCT is building a completely new world for audiences..."

With football season upon us, Matt “Man About Town” Mahoney visits some of the most storied bars OSU campus has to offer, and lets you know how to act when patronizing them

By Matt Mahoney /

Story Design by Tori Smith

Throughout this guide, you will notice that the figures discussed within will be referred to exclusively by first name. I didn’t ask for last names, and I did that on purpose. There are many reasons for this. Foremost, words come at a premium when the music is loud and booze is abundant. The longer a sentence goes, the smaller and smaller the chance becomes that your conversational partner will remember it; in my eyes, you’re better off communicating through a series of grunts, or better yet, simple hand gestures. Outside of brevity, you also might not want to share your last name to avoid any potential legal liability. I’m not speaking from experience, of course, but let me tell you, sometimes you may or may not need to disappear into the night with no way for others to trace you.

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS BARS ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN

My first stop is a campus institution known as Out-R-Inn. It’s a slow night, so I’m able to wrangle the bartender Dave and chat him up for a few minutes. After more than six years behind the bar, he’s seen his fair share of improprieties, and it doesn’t take much to get him chatting.

We talk tipping, how not to steal stuff and how to properly approach the bar and order drinks – know what you want, don’t order 10 different shots, don’t ask the bartender what he likes – but the highlight of our conversation surrounds illegal entry.

Those who are familiar with Out-R-Inn know that the bar is a coveted jewel in the eyes of underage drinkers. I have fond memories of sitting on the patio for Sunday mug night and watching droves of clueless freshmen attempt to put their latest purchase from IDChief to good use, only to find themselves turned away. Because of this, some drinkers have resorted to methods that straddle the line between ingenious and harebrained to gain entry.

“I mean like, we used to go through this really bad phase where people would try to sneak in, and they would climb onto the roof of UDF and hop over and people would, like, fall,” Dave said. “There was a guy that tried to climb in between the buildings between here and Sicilia’s and he fell through it and cracked his head.”

Drinking with the older, more well-behaved crowd can be fun, but sometimes it just isn’t worth it. Better to curl up at home with a warm glass of milk and count down the days until 21 finally comes. →

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The legendary dive known as Toos Under High is long gone, but the spirit of Too’s lives on at Threes (clever, I know) on the corner of Norwich and High. As I walk by, I spy one of my old college rugby buddies, Corey, who helps manage the growing fleet of “number bars” that dot High street. I decide to enter for a chat.

People can do stupid things when they’re drunk. I know this better than anyone else. I could offer you some advice like, “don’t do stupid things,” but we both know that would be a futile effort. Instead, I’d like to provide some insight on how to pick up the pieces the morning after. Between barstools and neon signs, drunken patrons have walked out of Three’s with all kinds of bar property; and while this is obviously not desirable behavior, the real mistake here would be failing to return it.

“Our policy here is… they’re drunk college kids, everybody does something stupid. Our method is, bring us the stool back. 95% of the time, that stool or whatever that is, they’re already hitting us up in the DM’s apologizing.”

It can be embarrassing crawling back the next day with your tail between your legs, sure, but it’s better than losing privileges to your favorite bar. Worst case scenario, they make you wipe down all the barstools.

With my beer total starting to climb, I retire for a bathroom break, where I am confronted with an etiquette question to which I have no answer. There are two urinals—so close together that you might be touching your pee partner—plus a stall. To avoid having an uncomfortable face to face conversation with, I head for the stall, but I ask him his thoughts on the matter.

He is at first surprised at my willingness to start a conversation, but very quickly invites me to come pee beside him. I decline, but after explaining my business here, he seems willing to offer his perspective on the topic of bar etiquette.

Within a few moments I am back at a table with my newfound friend, leading a round-table discussion with a half dozen young patrons. We chat for a hot minute, and I learn a great deal, but the big takeaway here surrounds what to do when one of your friends gets lost in the sauce.

As Sam, a student and patron argues, “I feel like a lot of us have gotten, ya know, very kinda messed up, and as drunk as we’ve gotten, we always take care of each other. There’s never been a time where I've been so drunk that you guys left me behind, and I’ve gotten pretty drunk before.”

It should go without saying, but as this conversation suggests, it's important to always have your buddy’s back, as you never know when you might need someone to watch yours. ♦

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