PAWS Humane Society
The Lifesaving Impact of Fostering Pets
ART & MUSEUMS Calendar
The Film Scout AUGUST
AROUND TOWN Calendar
Kenny Gray Mythmaker RiverCenter
Announces 2024-2025 Season
Chattahoochee River Conservancy Shoal Lily Restoration
The Columbus Jazz Society Gospel Jazz
Columbus Comics A Marvelous World
Welcome to the vibrant and exciting month of August. As the publisher of this magazine, I am proud to present to you a celebration of all that makes our city a vibrant and dynamic cultural hub.
We know it’s hot out there, but we are thrilled to bring you an eclectic mix of features, stories, and recommendations as we shine a spotlight on local artists, musicians, performers, and creatives who are shaping the cultural landscape of our community.
Get ready to be inspired, moved, and entertained as you discover the incredible stories behind the art and the artists making Columbus truly unique.
One of the highlights of this issue is our cover story on local photographer, Kenny Gray. Check out an eye opening exclusive by writer Mamie Pound for all the deets, and make sure to go see the collection for yourself. Kenny’s “My Southside” will be up at the Do Good Fund (111 W 12th Street), August 10 - September 28.
We also take a closer look at the hidden gems of Columbus - those off-the-beaten-path spots that are beloved by locals but may be undiscovered by many. One of these spots is our favorite cozy lil comic book store, Columbus Comics. Writer Natalie Downey takes time with our favorite comic book shop owner, Patrick Robinson as we gear up for plenty of ‘comic con’ type action later in the month as local gamebar Bytes and Brews (117 12th Street) Hosts The Comic and Art Show by local artist Brittney Green August 24th and the Columbus Toy and Comic Book Show happens the same weekend at the Coca Cola Space Science Center August 25th. Interested? All the deets you need are in our calendar of events.. You’ll find Pat’s story on page 18.
From coffee shops to quirky boutiques, picturesque parks to historic landmarks, our magazine uncovers the best-kept secrets of our city, inviting you to explore and experience Columbus in a whole new light, including the best in our jazz scene. There is plenty to celebrate when it comes to the talent we get to experience here in Columbus. Read more from one of our local jazz legends, Dr. David Banks, page16.
Of course, no issue would be complete without our signature calendar of events and recommendations. Whether you’re searching for the perfect date night spot, the hottest new art exhibit, or the must-see movie of the month, our expert team of writers has curated a selection of top picks to guide you through the best of Columbus. Make sure to read up on the latest must-watch movies and shows from our Film Scout, John Houzer.
So, dear reader, dive into the pages ahead and embark on a journey of discovery, creativity, and joy. Thank you for joining us on this incredible adventure - we can’t wait to share it with you.
Thanks for reading,
Monica Jones
issuu.com/thelocalcolumbus
What We Are All About.
The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events, people and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.
This past year has been incredibly challenging for humane societies nationwide. With a decline in adoptions, our beloved animals are facing longer stays in shelters, which limits our ability to rescue more atrisk pets. Simply put, fewer adoptions mean more lives lost.
In response to this pressing issue, we are dedicated to finding innovative ways to advocate for our animals and increase their chances of finding loving homes. One of our most impactful initiatives is the Foster-toAdopt program. This program provides all necessary supplies during the foster period, allowing you to welcome an animal into your home temporarily. This gives you the opportunity to see if they are a good fit for your family before making the commitment to adopt. It’s a wonderful way to ensure that both you and the pet are happy with the new arrangement.
Another way to get involved is by becoming a Foster Advocate. Foster Advocates take in an animal for a short period of time and actively participate in offsite events, visits to parks, and trips to animal-friendly
stores. These outings increase the pet’s visibility and significantly enhance their chances of finding a forever home. It’s a rewarding experience which allows you to be part of these animals’ journey to a better life.
If you have a bit more time and space, consider becoming a Foster Parent. Foster Parents provide temporary homes for pets until they are ready for adoption or transport to partner locations. This vital program aligns with our mission to keep pets out of
the shelter system and in loving homes. As a Foster Parent, you play a crucial role in the transition process, ensuring these pets have a safe and loving environment while they wait for their permanent homes.
Every fostering effort saves lives—both the life of
your foster pet and the life of another at-risk animal that can take their place in the shelter. Fostering is not just about providing a temporary home; it’s about giving these animals a second chance at life, love, and happiness. The impact of fostering extends beyond the immediate pet; it’s a community effort that helps to alleviate overcrowding in shelters and ultimately saves lives.
If you are interested in making a difference and becoming a part of our fostering programs, please reach out to us at foster@pawshumane.org. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can ensure that more animals find the loving homes they deserve. Thank you for your continued support and for being a hero to our furry friends in need.
Article written by Josh McQuien, Director of Marketing & Development, Paws Humane Society
Member Monday at the Naval Museum
Experience the stories that your support helps bring to the public. Members receive a private, guided tour of the galleries and behindthe-scenes. While your tour is complimentary, the guests we hope you bring pay only $5. Mondays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. , National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus ½ off Tuesdays at the Columbus Collective Museums
Discover the wonder of the Columbus Collective Museum. Immerse yourself in a maze of thrifting and discovery. Originally the Lunch Box Museum, now also the Royal Crown Cola Museum, The Chero-Cola Museum, The Nehi Drink Museum, The Georgia Radio Museum, The Tom Huston Peanut Museum, a Car Museum and more. Over 1,000 lunch boxes will just get you started. Local Readers get ½ off their ticket price every Tuesday. Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday , 3218 Hamilton Road, Columbus Tours on Tuesday at the Naval Museum
Visit the museum for stories you will hear nowhere else. Take a guided tour of the museum and explore our unique exhibits. Tours are open to the public. Each tour lasts about an hour. Price is General Admission. Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. , National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus Tuesday at 10
Drop by the Museum for new surprises each week. Each week will be something different: scavenger hunts, exploring and touching objects in the galleries, special art making activities... and more! This program is recommended for ages 4 and up. This is a free, drop-in program. No registration is required. Every Tuesday, 10 - 11 a.m. , The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Tours at the Springer
This exclusive behind-the-scenes tour grants entry to areas of the theatre rarely seen by the public. Springer Tours is an unforgettable evening of history, mystery, and the unexplained. Are you brave enough to face the possible ghosts that haunt our historic theater? Please be aware that this is a 45-minute walking tour that will involve navigating multiple staircases within the Springer. For ages 12 and up. Tickets are $25. Available at our Box Office at 706-3273688. Call for dates. Times are 8:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m. , Springer Opera House, 103 East 10th Street, Columbus No Shame Theatre
Every Friday night, come out to the Springer (side door) for a good ole hosting of No Shame Theatre. You never know what you’re going to get. Comedy, poetry, skits or music acts. Everything is good and even if it’s not? NO SHAME here. Be an act, just don’t act up. $5 cover. Sign up starts at 10 p.m. , show starts at 10:30. Every Friday Night, Springer Opera House, Columbus Drop In Tour:
Celebrating the Columbus Museum Collection
Join a COMU docent for a guided tour highlighting The Columbus Museum’s permanent collection. Learn about American art and regional history through this hour-long introduction to some of our most beloved collection objects. Free. No registration is required. Every Saturday in August, 2 - 3 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Sketching Under the Skylight
Leave your voices at the door & witness the power of the creative process as professional artists sketch from a live model in costume under the magical skylights of the Bo Bartlett Center. Free admission and open to the public. Skechers, only need to bring your own supplies. The second Thursday of each month, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. , The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus Summertime in The Do Good Fund Gallery
In reverence for the season, The Do Good Fund brings two summerthemed exhibitions to the Gallery. Summertime , features work from the Do Good Fund permanent collection by 18 artists being exhibited together for the first time. The images selected portray the iconic experience of summer in the American South from seeking respite at the beach to hot car seats, from front porches to the limitless supply of watermelon. Perdido , work by New Orleans based curator, photographer and writer Richard McCabe, explores the changing landscape of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Perdido is also
an homage to Perdido Bay and Key, located to the west of Pensacola. A sense of loss, grief and a life in transition inspired the creation of the work for this exhibition of photographs, lofi projections, found-objects and paintings. Free and open to the public. Available through August 3. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. , The Do Good Fund Gallery, 111 12th St. Suite 103, Columbus Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds & Cow Wallpaper Silver Clouds is a special interactive installation on loan from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. Created in 1966, Warhol’s Silver Clouds consists of a roomful of floating pillowshaped balloons. The reflective balloons are inflated with a proprietary mixture of air and pure helium, enabling them to float enchantingly in the space between the floor and the ceiling. The installation will be enhanced by a display of Warhol’s Cow Wallpaper, the first in the artist’s series of wallpaper designs, which were never made commercially available. This engaging environment is intended to delight visitors, inspiring a fun and immersive experience for all. August dates, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus A Decade of Drawings
Over the past ten years, The Columbus Museum has made noticeable gains in augmenting its outstanding collection of American drawings. This exhibition showcases over 30 images in a variety of media, most of which were gifts to the Museum. Highlights include portraits by John Singer Sargent and Burton Silverman, landscapes by Marsden Hartley and Frederick Hammersley, and figure studies by Benny Andrews and William Beckman. August dates, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. , The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Crossroads:
Chattahoochee Valley Blues & Folk Music
This exhibition features well-known figures of the 20th century such as Gertrude “Ma” Rainey and Darby & Tarlton alongside local folk singers and rock bands. Recording technologies and instruments are highlighted through both artifacts and digital content. The Chattahoochee Folk Festival, organized for years by this Museum, also receives a special look back. This project was co-curated by Dr. Reba Wissner’s Fall 2023 Music and Identity class at Columbus State University. August dates, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. , The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Our Own Work, Our Own Way
This exhibition brings together 42 women artists of the 20th century with connections to the South, including Elaine de Kooning, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Alma Thomas. Having faced resistance from the art world for decades, many of these artists are just beginning to receive critical attention. Composed of artwork from the 1930s to the 1990s, Our Own Work, Our Own Way champions a roster of artists whose aesthetic achievements transcended social conventions and invigorated modernism in the South. August dates,, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. , The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Beyond Go Figure V
A yearly exhibition through the Bo Bartlett Center containing works by established, upcoming, and student artists in the Chattahoochee Valley community. By spotlighting local artists, we are able to showcase the existing and continuously expanding arts community in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Every exhibition, participating artists have the option to list their work for sale. This provides visitors the opportunity to directly support their local artists in addition to seeing the exhibition. Through - August 24th , showing during regular gallery hours, The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus Free Guest Lecture: Dr. James Welborn III Dr. Welborn will present Dueling Cultures, Damnable Legacies. An Associate Professor of History at Georgia College & State University, Dr. Wellborn earned his PhD in history from the University of Georgia. His research explores the intersections of religion, masculinity, and race. His work also delves into the role of violence, vice, and virtue in southern values and Civil War memory. Thursday, August 8, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. , National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus My Southside - By Kenny
Gray
The Do Good Fund invites you to reminisce in the photography of Kenny Gray. His collections “My Southside” are up August 10th - September 28th, during regular Gallery hours. The Do Good Fund, 111 12th Street, Columbus Avatar: The Last Airbender Live in Concert A live orchestral rendition of the series’ iconic soundtrack,
paired with a nearly two-hour special recap of the animated series’ three seasons displayed on a full-size cinema screen. The projection will feature the original dialogue and sound effects without any pre-recorded music, allowing the live orchestra to perform the legendary score live and in perfect sync with the show scenes. The result? A truly immersive and grandiose concert experience that breathes new life into Avatar: The Last Airbender. Just as “Avatar: The Last Airbender” masterfully blends Chinese culture with anime and American cartoon styles, an orchestra especially handpicked for this event will harmoniously combine Eastern and Western musical traditions - a symphonic fusion that faithfully reflects the signature sound of the Avatar saga. Taiko drums and erhus will share the spotlight with violins and clarinets, while the series’ fan-favorite scenes are presented in chronological order on the film screen, breathing life into Aang’s liberating quest in an epic and authentic way. Tickets are on sale now at rivercenter. org. Friday, August 16, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus 15th Anniversary Gala & Auction presented by the 1775 Society
The National Infantry Museum’s annual Gala and Silent Auction celebrates 15 years at their 1775 Legacy Way location. Contact krobbins@nationalinfantryfoundation. org. Saturday, August 17, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus Did You Do It Stage Play
In this high-intensity one-hour Murder Mystery drama, attendees watch in suspense as they learn if the primary suspect is the murderer. It’s the perfect plot for those who indulge in courtroom dramas, love detective stories, and the guessers who think they can solve the murder before the end of the story. Caught at the scene of the crime, a man must persuade the public defender that he is innocent of his girlfriend’s murder. This murder mystery keeps you guessing: Did he really do it? You tell me. Saturday, August 17, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. , Comer Recreation Center, 107 41 Street, Columbus Columbus Artists’ Guild August Meeting
Regionally accomplished muralist Christoph Johnson will be presenting a program on his unique art. Originally from Roberta, Georgia, and currently living in Columbus, Chris received his BFA from Clemson University and his MFA in Studio Art from the University of South Carolina. For 10 years, Chris served as the Associate Professor of Art/ Director of the Fine Art Program at Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA. In 2019, Chris was awarded the Governor’s Award for the Art and Humanities for his efforts to revitalize communities through large-scale public art murals. Chris has over 100 murals throughout the Southeast and is working with more communities to help create public art throughout the region. The program is free, open to the public. Social starts at 5:30 , business meeting at 6:00p Thursday, August 29, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. , Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert
Witness the return of Miles Morales, our beloved friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, he embarks on an interdimensional journey across the Multiverse. Here, he encounters the Spider Society, a formidable team charged with safeguarding the very fabric of reality. However, when differing approaches to a new threat divide the heroes, Miles must navigate this rift alone, driven by a determination to protect those he holds dear. Tickets: $41-$51; On sale now through the RiverCenter Box Office and at rivercenter.org. Saturday, August 31, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Want to see your event listed here? Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com
By John Houzer
kay, so by the time you read this, my birthday will have either just passed or be just a couple days away. That being said, I wanna celebrate my birthday by bringing you the best films, tv shows, and movies that I can find.
On board? Tight!
The Boys is a dark comedy action TV series on Amazon Prime, based on the graphic novel of the same name written by Garth Ennis and co-created, designed, and illustrated by Darrick Robinson. It’s set in a world where superpowered “Supes” work for a shady company called Vought – but most of those “superheroes” are corrupt and dangerous rather than heroic. The show follows two groups: The Boys, who want to take down Vought, and The Seven, Vought’s top superhero team. The show’s appeal is how it’s able to really flip the superhero clichés in such a real way. The show has a stacked cast, with Karl Urban as Billy the Butcher, Jack Quaid as “Hughie” and Anthony Starr as the fan-favorite, Homelander.
I caught onto this show a little late, so I had a lot to catch up on. I was pulled in immediately. The first few minutes of the show give you the perfect setup to what you’re in for. The blood and guys are in there, but the show really shines with its storytelling. It’s great at making you care about its ensemble of characters while
not losing its sense of humor.
The action in this show is top notch too, and not in a “CW way” – this show gets uncomfortably realistic. You will see some literally jaw-dropping things that will make you wonder, ‘How on earth did they shoot that, and how could they take themselves seriously to do it?’
Guys, if you haven’t seen this series or more importantly are into violent political superhero stuff, give The Boys a watch. I’m excited to see the 5th season.
This film is directed by my favorite weird director, Yorgos Lanthimos. This movie is an anthology film cowritten with Efthimis Filippou and starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Willem Dafoe.
This movie is amazing, but only works if you’re a fan of Lanthimos’ films and his humor. He’s what I would call the Master of Dark Comedy. He’s a French director who makes eccentric films which really push the level. One of his latest films was the Academy Award-winning smash hit ‘Poor Things,’ he’s also had a lot of great movies to his name, like ‘Killing of a Sacred Deer’ and ‘The Lobster.’
I admire Lanthimos because he’s a filmmaker I would want to be like if I made movies. He just has the same dark humor I’m into, and inspires me to always keep thinking of weird stories which can be turned into new creations. This movie did not do well at the box office like ‘Poor Things,’ but that’s because this movie was for his fans..
Like I said, this film is more of a “dark comedy,” meaning there are a lot of very controversial things which happen, but the way Lanthimos is able to write a scene and balance humor with the darkness is amazing. Some people will not like this movie, and I’m okay with that.
‘Trap’ is a thriller written and directed by the legend himself, M. Night Shyamalan. It’s crazy that we’ve gotten two Shyamalan movies in one year, with his daughter’s ‘The Watchers’ debuting in June. ‘Trap’ is about a character named Cooper, infamously known as “The Butcher,” who attends a concert with his daughter, only to discover that the event is a police sting operation aimed at capturing him.
Before I start, let’s get this out the way…I’m a Shyamalan fan! Yes, I’m very aware not a lot of people like his films, and I can understand a lot of arguments against him, but if you haven’t caught up with his films lately, you really should. I’ve seen a lot of his more recent films, like ‘OLD.’ The guy has been cracking out some good stuff. Shyamalan excels at building tension in his movies. It’s one of his strongest writing skills and something I’d suggest as inspiration for other screenwriters if they’re looking for something to learn from. All that to say, I’m so excited for ‘Trap,’ mainly because I didn’t know this movie was even being made until very recently. Shyamalan: a master of mystery both on and off the camera. But secondly, the movie stars Josh Hartnett, whose acting stock just recently went up big time after his appearance in ‘Oppenheimer.’ It’s so great to see him back
on the big screen starring in movies again. It’s gonna be interesting seeing him play a role like this, as he normally plays the hero or love interest, whereas this time, he’s playing the antagonist. But then, who knows? It’s a Shyamalan movie.
I’m excited to see what Shyamalan has in store, and look forward to seeing this in theaters on August 2nd, 2024.u
A must-see since its debut in 2000. During suitable weather, these magnificent creatures – which cannot be released into the wild, due either to injury or having developed an unnatural association with humans known as “imprinting” – demonstrate their strength, speed, and natural instincts in daily flighted programs. Several birds appear at each program, swooping overhead and giving guests an up-close look “on the glove,” while our raptor experts explain how man’s actions affect their well-being. Callaway also offers a program called Adopt-ARaptor, which enables visitors to help support the feeding, training, housing, husbandry, and medical care of one of our resident raptors. Every day (weather permitting), 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. , At the Discovery Theatre, Callaway Gardens, Overlook Pavilion 17800 US-27, Pine Mountain Eco-Artists (Ages 6+)
A vibrant summer program led by local artist, Cora King and teacher, Olivia Rose where children explore the intersection of nature and art. Through hands-on activities and guided experiences in natural settings, students discover how to express their creativity while learning about environmental stewardship. Each day offers exciting opportunities for painting landscapes, crafting with natural materials, and engaging in eco-friendly projects that foster a deeper connection to the world around them. Join us for a transformative journey where imagination blooms and conservation values take root. Morning and afternoon sessions. Enroll at chattadventure.com. Mondays, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. & 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. , Converge Park 1622 3rd Avenue, Columbus Kundalini Tantra
Yogi Aftab will generously share over 50 years of teaching experience to empower your Tantra journey. RSVP and grab your spot early at getlocaltix.com. $40. Every Tuesday, 6 p.m.7: 30 p.m. , Art of Yoga, 4924 Armour Road, Columbus Line Dance Lessons at Broadway Saloon
Join us on Tuesdays as we teach ya to two-step. There are three dances and three instructors to help you learn the steps. You’ll have fun and meet new friends. Free. Just bring your line dancing shoes. Every Tuesday, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. , Broadway Saloon, 1111 Broadway, Columbus Weekly Trivia @ Bytes and Brews Gather ‘Round. We’re kicking off weekly Trivia at our Level Up Bar located upstairs at Bytes and Brews. Get your smartest friends, and fly that nerd flag proud. Hosted by local legend Tom Callahan. Trivia is an 18+ event so our second floor will be a kid free zone starting at 7:30. You never know what kind of trivia questions might pop up. Tom will have 5 rounds of trivia planned out, and maybe a few themed bonus round questions. Prizes to the top 3 teams, drink specials and good times. Every Wednesday, 78:30 p.m. , Bytes and Brews, 117 12th Street, Columbus Tacos and Karaoke at the Goetchius House
Get your groove on and let’s have some fun. Enjoy tasty tacos and special drinks. No skill required, just bring your friends and enthusiasm and come belt it out with us. Every Wednesday, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. , The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus Sweet South Music Revival @ The Loft
Celebrating the music of the American South. Gospel, Blues, Soul, Funk, Zydeco, Jazz, Americana, and more. Hosted by Jesse Shelby & Jason Ezzell. Wednesday nights, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. , The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Speakeasy Jazz Jam at the Goetchius House
Grab your favorite musical instrument, or grab a seat. Come ready to listen, or create, some amazing music together. It’s going to be a fun, laid-back evening filled with creativity, good vibes, and great company. $10 Suggested Donation to the Columbus Jazz Society at the door. Thursdays, 7 - 10 p.m. , The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus
Martinis & Oysters at Nutwood Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
Join us between 5-9pm when we’re serving up martinis for $8,
1/2 dozen oysters for $15 or a full dozen for $25. Valid only at our Restaurant & Wine Bar at 300 Main Street. Thursdays, Nutwood Winery, 300 Main Street, downtown, LaGrange
Crown and Comedy Night @ The Loft
It’s always laughs at the Loft as our favorite hostess with the mostest Lil’ Bit takes the stage to introduce the best comedians around. Great drinks, good friends and lots of comedy. Every Thursday, 7:30 p.m. , The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Live Music at Nutwood Winery
Join us every Friday, Saturday & Sun when we feature a local performer at our Tasting Room. Starting around 7pm on Fridays , 3pm on Saturdays and 1pm on Sundays . No cover charge but please tip your servers and performers. Free parking. Family-friendly. Every weekend, Nutwood Winery, 1339 Upper Big Springs Road, LaGrange
Relax with Sound
This free-form class is designed to offer the soothing benefits of a sound bath, while allowing you to use and explore the time and space how you wish. Jeffrey will play live instruments to create a meditative environment, and students are welcome to stretch, practice yoga, freely move, sit, lie down, or anything that simply feels good. $25 drop-in. Find tickets at getlocaltix. com or through your membership app. 1st Saturday of the Month, 2 p.m. , Art of Yoga, 4924 Armour Road, Columbus
Market Days On Broadway
Each Saturday, three blocks along Broadway host over 100 local and regional vendors. Visitors can expect to find fresh and organic produce, home goods, jewelry, unique crafts, and delicious baked goods. Market Days is the perfect Saturday activity for family, friends, and visitors. Don’t forget to bring your furry pals to get in on the fun. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. , Uptown Columbus
SUP 101 - Paddleboard Classes
Experience the outdoors while strengthening the whole body and calming the mind. This class is beginner friendly with optional challenges. No experience necessary. Receive guided 101 instruction on how to stand up paddle. Options to stand, kneel, or sit. You’ll be surprised how fast SUP can strengthen your balance. All while enjoying the natural landscape of the Chattahoochee River. After the lesson you are free to roam at your leisure. $30 - includes all equipment. Every Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & again on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. , Whitewater Express, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus
Free Meditative Nature Walk
For those who would like to enhance their yoga experience, join us for a meditative nature walk down the Chattahoochee River. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of flowing water and the rustling of leaves as you meander along this picturesque riverside path. Garden Om’s Sherri Johnston serves as your guide for this tranquil experience that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the natural world around you. Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. , The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus
Belly Dancing Classes
“The dance of the wind” or Belly Dancing is a very unique type of dance focusing on the pelvis. It actually has various benefits. With this dance, you really have to be “in the zone” so that you can focus on all of the movements. Belly Dancing is a full-body workout; you are working out your muscles in various parts of your body, improving your flexibility, and doing cardio all at the same time. The more you belly dance, the longer your back will be in a good position. Join instructor Haronid Veloz at the studio to experience a new way to connect with your body or learn the basics of belly dancing. RSVP your spot by snagging an advance ticket at getlocaltix.com. Every Saturday, 3:306:30 p.m. , Art of Yoga, 4924 Armour Road, Columbus $5 Mimosa Sundays at Nutwood Winery & Wine Bar
Join us for brunch at our downtown location (300 Main Street) and get your mimosas for just $5 between 12:30pm-4pm every Sunday. They pair perfectly with, well... just about everything. Reservations recommended but not required. Every Sunday, 12:30 - 4 p.m. , Nutwood Winery, 300 Main Street, LaGrange Salsa Sundays
Learn how to dance with BilaMo. Choose from beginner to more advanced classes. Either class will leave you feeling confident that you know how to dance. If this is your first time
dancing, you need to practice or need a refresher. This will be a great way to practice the moves you know and learn more. With a bit of musicality, footwork and partner work. Feel free to show off a bit as we add more techniques to our dancing. Only $10 cash or card at the door. Every Sunday, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. , Art of Yoga, 4924 Armour Road, Columbus Sunday Jam Session at The Outskirts
Calling all local musicians. Come out to The Outskirts on Sundays and use the stage to jam away alone, with your band or with other local talented musicians. This is a chance to hone your skills, meet others in the scene and just have fun. Judgment free. Every Sunday, 6 p.m. , The Outskirts, Columbus’ Rock Bar, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Motor and Mouths Monthly Meet Up
A family friendly monthly meeting of car guys/girls to run their motor mouths about their vehicles. Held the 2nd Sunday of month from 8-11am . Windsor Village parking lot, Carnoisseur Detail side, Columbus
Jazz at Sydney’s On First
It’s a jazzy afternoon at Sydney’s. Come out for a Free jazz session performed by local jazz musicians as they continue to hone their skills for your listening pleasure. Sydney’s has a great beer and wine bar and the vibes are always chill. Plus meet the people behind the jazz scene here in Columbus and make some new friends. Every 2nd Sunday, 5 p.m. , Sydney’s on First, 1214 1st Avenue, Columbus
Art of Nature: Walk on the Wild Side
Wild things live amidst the plants here at the Columbus Botanical Garden. Twelve larger than life animal topiaries will be roaring and soaring among us from June to October! Beautiful arrays of moss, flowers, and foliage all combine to create these magnificent creatures. Explore our various gardens to visit all our animals across CBG. Creation stations will be set up at various parts of the Garden, where guests of all ages can come and create some of their own art out of our nature here at the Garden. From constructing your own mandala to leaf sketching, embrace your inner wild side this year as a part of CBG’s Art of Nature: Walk on the Wild Side. Now - October , Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus Georgia Pop Culture and Horror Convention Come and experience the best in Horror, Anime, Comic’s and more...Arrive dressed in your best costume any day of the event. This is a show of All ages, and the Cosplay Contest will be open to all ages. Gapopandhorrorcon.com. August 2 - 4, Friday- 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. , Iron Works Convention and Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus Foxie 105: Tools For School
Join us for this exciting event. Which offers free school supplies to students, ensuring they have the tools they need for a successful school year. Supplies will be available until they run out, so be sure to arrive early. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for the upcoming academic year while connecting with the community. We look forward to seeing you there. Friday, August 2, 6 p.m. , The Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
Movie Night Under
Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of entertainment beneath the twinkling sky. Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy a fantastic movie in a beautiful outdoor setting. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We look forward to seeing you there. Friday, August 2, 8 p.m. , Columbus Public Safety Building, 500 East 10th Street, Columbus
Midnight Satellite Live @ The Loft
The band returns for another night of good music and even better vibes. Friday, August 2, 9:30 p.m. , The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
COMU Camp: All-Access Adventurers
Columbus Museum adventurers will explore behind-the- scenes spaces within the museum and work directly with staff to find out how curators select objects for exhibitions, how we care for works in our collection, how to design exhibits, and more. Participants will create their own work in the studio and will collaborate to create and display their own one-day exhibition at the conclusion of camp. $155 Members // $185 Non-Members. August 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. , The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus RiverCenter’s Back to School Bash
This Free event has fun for the whole family, with school supplies giveaways from our sponsors, the Chattahoochee Valley Library Truck, free Italian ice courtesy of Bruster’s Ice
Cream, and more. We’ll also be screening hilarious comedy silent films with live accompaniment on The WAVE Theatre Organ. Saturday, August 3, 10:30 - 12:30 p.m. , RiverCenter
For the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Learn to Enhance Mental Health with Nature’s Ingredients
Explore how to enhance your mental health with herbal teas, tinctures, and syrups in conjunction with simple wellness practices to bring your heart to center. Hosted by Skyy at the Sun People Sanctuary. $50 per person, 405broadway.com. Saturday, August 3, 4 - 6 p.m. , The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus
Back-To-School-Skate
Join us for our back-to-school skate! Admission and skate rental are free for students of all ages. Saturday, August 3, 5 p.m. , Columbus Ice Rink, 400 4th Street, Columbus
Shayla Plays Live @ Blue Canary
Join us for another underground performance in the back room as Shayla brings her talents to Blue Canary Records. Saturday, August 3, 7 - 9 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus
Mud Kitchen
Texture-based play in our Garden Mud Kitchen. Let your child get messy and learn through their senses. Perfect for ages 3-6 years old. Any age welcome. Bring a change of clothes, towel, reusable water bottle, hats/sunscreen, bug spray, and camp chairs. Tuesday, August 6, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. , Chattahoochee Adventure Co. 1622 3rd Avenue, Columbus
Open Drag Showcase
Get fierce and show us what you got. Judging best performance and prizes, with a chance to win a spotlight on the Saturday drag show. 21+. Tuesday, August 6, 5 - 7 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus
The Power of Herbs
Hosted by Abella Total Health. Discover the ancient wisdom and modern science behind the benefits of various herbs, from boosting immunity to aiding digestion and promoting relaxation. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to harness the power of nature’s pharmacy to support your well-being. Reserve your ticket at 405broadway.com. $75 per person. Tuesday, August 6, 6 p.m. , Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus Girls Night in The Gallery
Come create and have fun. Ladies 21 and up are invited to sip a mocktail, snack and just relax. All tie-dye materials will be included, though you are welcome to bring an item to dye. Enjoy a good vibes playlist, great company, and make excellent memories. Registration is required for entry - we’ll save a seat for you. All items will be take home ready that night. Thursday, August 8, 6:30 p.m. , The Gallery at Heritage, 102 6th Street, Columbus
Dixie Red @ T-Bones Steakhouse
Always look forward to rockin the house at T-Bones in Phenix City. Friday, August 9, 8 p.m. , T-Bones Steakhouse and 3745 US Hwy 80 W, Phenix City Princess for a Day
On this day, your princess will experience a magical time! From meeting one of their favorite princesses, crafting royal artwork, having their make-up professionally done, and much more! Mark your calendar for August 10, 2024 and purchase your ticket(s) to RSVP for this event. Please encourage your little one(s) to dress like royalty on this day. We will see you there. Adult- $15, Children- $25. Saturday, August 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. , The Iron Works Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus Drag Show
The wildly talented Monica & Athena Alexander in the back room. 21+. Saturday, August 10, 7 - 9 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus Bradley Charles Live @ Chattabrewchee Southern Brew House
Come out to the brew house for some great local craft beers and the smooth melodies of local musician Bradley Charles. We got room indoors and out. Saturday, August 10th, 79 p.m. , Chattabrewchee Southern Brew House, 1301 6th Avenue, Columbus
Gabby Barrett with Jason Madox at Sweetland Amphitheatre
Witness one of the hottest names in country music today
& already has quite the list of accolades to prove it. From receiving the Billboard Women in Music 2022’s Rising Star Award, being included in the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year, and receiving the iHeartRadio Titanium Award, Gabby Barrett is making her mark on the music world. She’s supported some of the biggest acts in country music, including Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, and Brooks & Dunn, and has surpassed 3 Billion global career streams. Saturday, August 10, 8 p.m. , Sweetland Amphitheatre, 110 W Bacon Street, LaGrange
Live Music @ Blue Canary Records
With You Will Burn, Pay Phone Confession, & Something Foul Live. $15 cover. Tuesday, August 13, 5 - 7 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus Disco Party at the Pearl
Join us for a Disco Party benefiting Columbus Historic District Preservation Society. Doors and bar open at 6pm, and the event will start at 7. There will be food, fun, and lots of entertainment. 70’s attire and dancing shoes encouraged. $75 get tickets at getlocaltix.com. Friday, August 16, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. , The Pearl, 1040 Broadway, Columbus
Live Music @ Blue Canary Records: Tabla Rosa Tabla Rosa performs life in the back room. $10. Friday, August 16, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus
Natural Skin Care Nourishment Class
Learn to create a natural skin care regime at home that nourishes your skin and body. We will create a rejuvenating face mask, infused grape seed body oil, herbal hair rinse and gel and more. Hosted by Skyy at Sun People Sanctuary. $50 per person. Saturday, August 17, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. , The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus
Live Music @ Blue Canary Records: Lucky Jones & The Black Cats
Come out as these guys really bring some amazing music to the back room. $10 entry. Saturday, August 17, 7 - 9 p.m. , Blue Canary Record Shop, 1250 Broadway, Columbus Sturgeon Moon Bike Ride
Join us for an easy, leisure ride with all your new friends in Columbus. We will ride at a conversational pace with just a few miles to our destination. We’ll have some great music and will stop to grab a beverage. Rentals are free, but be sure to call ahead to reserve. Also, don’t forget to fill out the waiver and show up about 30-20 mins early for your reservations if you’re renting a bike from us. We will give away your rental at 7:45/50 if no show, and hard shut down at 7:55 so we can roll @8. We can’t wait to see y’all, call us with any concerns or questions, Ride On. *16 and under are required to wear a helmet in the state of Georgia. Monday, August 19, 8 - 9 p.m. , Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus
Herbal Aromatics Workshop with Moonday Naturals
Learn all about using herbs aromatically to support mental and physical wellness. Making herb bundles for burning, Using herbal smoke, steaming and bathing to support wellness, Herbs used aromatically and their benefits, Make and take your own herb bundle. Thursday, August 22nd 6:30 p.m. , The Greenhouse Venue, 145 Cr-223, Smiths Station Friends of Libraries BIG Book Sale
Mark your calendar. The Friends of Libraries Big Book Sale is scheduled for August 23-25 at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. Thousands of gently used books will be on sale, all priced at $2 or less. Shop from a wide selection of books including bestsellers, paperbacks, and children’s books. There will be something for everyone at this three-day sale. Friday, A ugust 23 - 25, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. , Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
Timeless Treasures Antique Mall
Grand Opening
Come join us as we celebrate our new Antique Shop. The Harris Co. chamber will be there for ribbon cutting at 10am, with Live Music by David Tyler (The Guitar Man), Wine Tasting by One Hope Wine, and we will Raffle a Giclée by artist Scott Jacobs “Marilyn in Paradise” Appraised value $1550. Tickets available now at $10 or 6 for $50. All proceeds go to support The Valley Rescue Mission. Vendor Raffles, start at $1 and there’ll be plenty of free Gift bags. Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. , Timeless Treasures Antique Mall, 1049 US Hwy 27, Cataula
By Mamie Pound
Every photograph you see is a document of 1/100th of a second. The photographer engages the shutter
to capture what’s in front of him, and for that brief moment, he is blind. The result is the product of a chain reaction, only set in motion by the photographer once he pushes that button.
It’s a bit of performance art – magic really, according to Kenny Gray, whose collection, “My Southside,” will be available to view at the Do Good Fund Gallery August 10th through September 28th. I asked Kenny what inspired him to become a photographer.
“In the late sixties, there was a show at the Museum of Modern Art curated by John Szarkowski,”he says. It featured then-unknown artists, Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander and Garry Winogrand. It was called “New Documents.” It was arguably the first time that vernacular photography, personal photography, was considered art.”
Kenny says he started taking photographs as a serious art form in 1977. Back then. the process was analog and
required film and a darkroom. He describes the process as frustrating, citing the limitations of manipulating the images. “They were always compromised,” he says. There was no Photoshop. But with the advent of digital photography and digital editing systems, many of those problems went away. Kenny embraced the shift. “It’s the perfect marriage of capture capability and technology,” he says. By 1998 he’d fully switched to digital. “With digital, all the barriers disappeared.”
When asked if photographs are fact or fiction, he says he considers them a fiction. “A photograph lacks
our 360-degree world of three dimensional sounds and smells,” he says. In other words, it lacks a certain context. Kenny says the interaction between photographer and subject always affects the final result, creating something that’s not quite a representation of reality. It’s part of the process. I got the impression it’s not necessarily conscious, but it is inevitable. Even in that 1/100th of a second, something is captured that will change slightly in another half second.
When Kenny moved back to southside Columbus in the late seventies, he was inspired by its people and their circumstances. He recognized the beauty and intrinsic specialness of the days and nights of everyday life, and in the characters who live their lives in those spaces. This is evident in the fragile, fleeting glimpses of vulnerability in the photos in “My Southside.” In each tiny window of time, there’s fear and hope, pride and brazenness. He must have been within arms’ reach of some of his
subjects. In the photograph, “Santa’s Helpers, Christmas Parade,” the candid shot reveals a hundred different impressions of high school cheerleaders. They’re at once distracted, bored, hopeful, preening. The image is unique and universal.
I asked Kenny what makes a great photograph. He said, “It asks questions rather than provides answers. It makes me want to know what happened right before and right after.” The worst art is sentimental, he says, it overexplains, tells you exactly what you should be thinking. “I want my audience to bring the meaning. I don’t want to provide it.” The real power of photography, according to Kenny, is in the fact that people believe.
They bring their experiences to the picture. Kenny says he’s not doing serious photography nowadays. He’s given himself over to writing, of fiction, screenplay, and poetry. Poetry, he says, might be most similar to photography for its metaphoric quality. In poetry as well as photography, you need only a suggestion to evoke a million sensations. According to him, ambiguity is a heavy lifter. Something seemingly small and unimportant can provoke a powerful response. He told me a story about Bruce Springsteen and how he’d always introduce Steve Van Zandt as “Miami Steve Van Zandt.” Someone interviewed Bruce and asked
why he always referred to him as Miami. Springsteen responded, “Because he went to Florida one time.” It takes very little to create a myth.
The images of “My Southside,” are similarly mythical. They suggest a time and a place that’s long gone. It can’t be fact, Kenny says. It’s only a two-dimensional representation. You can’t smell the car exhaust, can’t feel the cold December wind of the Christmas parade, the uncertainty of a high school sophomore. You can’t know the pride of a tattooed, shirtless man standing beside a Cadillac with a shellacked alligator on its roof. You can’t hear the cush of the leather seat in which Phyllis sits, just outside the Domino Lounge smoking a Pall Mall. Or can you? u
By Natalie Downey
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, our hub for local arts and entertainment, recently announced their 2024-2025 season with an exciting lineup unlike anything that’s ever come through the RiverCenter before.
Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Wheel of Fortune Live! will all kick off national tours right here in Columbus, where local audiences will be the first to experience these shows before they set off to tour the country, says RiverCenter’s Marketing Manager Lauren Jenkins.
“This season is a step in a new, exciting direction for the RiverCenter,” says RiverCenter’s Marketing Manager Sarah Algoe. “We’re inviting more national musical touring acts that have never been seen before in Columbus, as well as a stellar lineup of Broadway shows. Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert and SpiderMan: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert will both feature live orchestra performances coordinated with large scale screenings of the animated films, offering a fully immersive and one-of-a-kind experience sure to appeal to new and experienced fans alike. “We hope that this season will be an invitation for audiences that may have never been to the RiverCenter to experience what we have to offer,” says Algoe.
In September, the Buddhist monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery will take up residence in Columbus while they create a mandala in the RiverCenter’s lobby. Their work will be livestreamed and open for free to public viewing,in a unique opportunity to witness the quiet beauty of this sacred ritual.
From spooky to mysterious to downright mean, RiverCenter’s 2024-2025 Broadway series offers a vibrant, expansive lineup of shows full of drama, laughter, singing, and dancing, with three shows never before seen in Columbus. The lineup includes The Addams Family, Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, Chicago, and Ain’t Too Proud.
The season’s concert series has an exciting
lineup for music lovers, with a variety of styles from country star Trace Adkins the songwriting blues and folk prowess of Keb’ Mo’ and Shawn Colvin with special guest Paul Kelley. For the jazz lovers, a performance called Jazz at the Lincoln Center: The New Orleans Songbook is scheduled for March of 2025.
Local contestants will have the once in a lifetime chance to spin the big wheel and participate in the tour launch of Wheel of Fortune Live! on September 22. Can you solve the puzzle? Come find out.
The holiday season will be full of cheer at the RiverCenter, with a lineup of festive performances including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Christmas with C.S. Lewis, and a special musical performance called Christmas with THE WAVE, featuring multiple organists playing holiday music. The annual Gingerbread Village will be open December 4-22.
THE WAVE, RiverCenter’s theatre organ, became a local hit when it took up residency in Columbus in 2021. This season, RiverCenter plans to delight audiences with
three separate opportunities to experience THE WAVE in conjunction with silent film viewings of 1920’s classics: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Sunrise, and Steamboat Bill JR.
Little ones are in for a treat with their own special events this season. RiverCenter’s ArtsReach series offers school matinee experiences for children. The season’s lineup includes The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, and Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical.
Don’t want to miss a single show? RiverCenter offers season subscription options with discounts as well as single show tickets. For more information, visit rivercenter.org or call the RiverCenter box office at (706) 256-3612 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. u
By Natalie Downey
We stand knee deep in the rushing creek, the water pulling at our feet, sunlight warming our backs as we bend over clusters of tall green stalks. We spread out across the water, our empty bags soon to be filled with green treasures: shoal lily seeds.
The shoal spider lily (Hymenocallis coronaria) goes by many names, but is native in only a handful of places: Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. In some places, this aquatic plant is known as the Cahaba lily; in others, the shortened moniker “shoal lily” suffices. Regardless, the plant is a rare gem with, unfortunately, an uncertain future.
The aquatic shoal lily requires a specific habitat to survive: shallow, swiftly moving water, rocky soil (hence the “shoal” in its name), and lots of sunlight. While the Chattahoochee River once held one of the world’s largest populations of this plant, man-made alterations affected the river’s natural flow so severely that entire populations were wiped out, until the sight of a shoal lily on the river became a rare thing.
An important part of the river’s natural ecosystem, the shoal lily offers many benefits including purifying the water, channeling water flow, attracting pollinators, slowing erosion, and providing habitat for young fish, shellfish, and microorganisms which all also play important roles. On top of that, the shoal lily’s stunning white blooms, occurring between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day each year, are a breathtaking sight to behold, bringing in tourists and botany lovers from all over.
The shoal lily has been under consideration for the Endangered Species Act due to its diminishing populations and threatened future. And while not much can be done to restore a population in a body of water which doesn’t provide a sustainable habitat, dam removals have raised hope that populations can be restored and our river can once again thrive in its original state.
In 2010, after two dams were removed on the 2.5 mile whitewater stretch of the Chattahoochee River, multiple groups in the area began discussing the potential for a restoration program to see
the return of the native shoal lily in our area. John Turner and Whitewater Express collaborated with Chattahoochee River Conservancy, a local nonprofit working to protect the future of our watershed, to begin the work. Nearly Native Nursery soon became a partner, taking on the important work of germination and cultivation until the healthy plants were ready to be transported to the Chattahoochee River.
Shoal lily seeds are collected in late spring and early summer from an established population in a creek with permission from the landowner. After collection, the seeds are taken to Nearly
Native Nursery where a germination tub is set up to simulate the natural processes they would experience in the creek. After germination, the seeds with their sprouted radicle are tucked into pots of soil where they’ll quietly grow over winter until the following summer, when they’ll be transported to the whitewater stretch of the Chattahoochee River. A group of Chattahoochee River Conservancy staff, along with Whitewater Express representatives and Nearly Native Nursery owners Jim and Debi Rodgers all set out on a whitewater rafting excursion to access planting spots along the river. Full gear and intense paddling are required - the effort is not just in the planting, but in accessing the spots on the river where the shoal lilies have the best chance at survival. A day of planting shoal lilies is tiring, sweaty, but fulfilling work.
What has affectionately become known as “Planting Day” is a day of celebration, scouting planting sites, digging down into the rocky soil, and carefully transferring the plants to their new home. As our rafts float away from the newly established shoal lilies, we send them a wish for good luck and happy growth, knowing that our efforts and hard work will take time to flourish.
The cycle’s culmination occurs when, one warm day in May, we look out across the river and see our first glimpse of a proud, white bloom, and utter a whisper, or maybe a shout of “Thank you” to all who invested in and understood the value of one little plant on that expanse of flowing water.
Restoring a plant species is an ongoing process, with plant populations taking years to reach a self-sustaining state. Since 2015, Chattahoochee River Conservancy has planted more than 10,000 shoal lilies in the 2.5 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River that meanders through downtown Columbus. Each spring, CRC takes a group of staff and volunteers to assess the success of the project by counting shoal lilies. This year, the group counted 1,453 thriving shoal lilies on the planting route, an exciting
testament to the hard work of all of the invested groups. The long-term goal count is 2-3 thousand plants, at which point the CRC will continue to monitor the plants but will halt their planting work.
The shoal lilies face many challenges as they grow here in Columbus, the main ones being the fluctuation of the water level, public disturbance, and man-made alterations to the river’s natural state and water quality. Thousands are planted with the understanding that only a percentage will take root, establish, and thrive.
Today, the native shoal lily has returned home to Columbus thanks to the hard work of the Chattahoochee River Conservancy, Whitewater Express, Nearly Native Nursery, and the many donors and volunteers who have supported the program. Today, the Chattahoochee River is healthier than it was ten years ago, and we intend to continue to move forward in the direction of progress.
A healthy community and a healthy watershed go hand in hand, and the Chattahoochee River Conservancy is committed to their ongoing work to see this community and river thrive.
The CRC is a nonprofit 501c3 headquartered in Columbus, and their work is funded by the generosity of the community. To learn more and support their work , visit chattriver.org.u
By Dr. David Banks
Just as there are at least seven different styles of jazz music, there are at least seven distinct styles of gospel music. It would follow naturally then that the styles, at some point, would overlap or crossover.
“Gospel/Jazz” has been coined out of this overlap as a distinct style of music because of what both styles have in common. The same conditions which gave rise to gospel also gave rise to jazz, and both often share the same musicians and often even the same audience. Finally, they are both uniquely American art forms.
The traditional gospel style of music grew out of jazz by Georgia’s own Thomas “Georgia Tom” Dorsey, who also just happened to be a pianist for Ma Rainey, right here in Columbus. The first gospel recording artist to achieve international acclaim, Rosetta Thorpe, was a gospel/ jazz artist. Other popular gospel/jazz artists include Ben Tankard and “Allen and Allen.” In recent years contemporary smooth jazz artists have produced gospel/ jazz” projects as well, such as Kirk Whalum’s “The Gospel According to Jazz” and Ramsey Lewis’s “With One Voice.”
musical improvisation to their
repertoire. They have found a way to use their creative passion by blending the gospel and jazz genres together. In the mix, gospel adds the fervor and spirit while jazz adds creative improvisation.
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 21, the David Banks Gospel Jazz Experience hosted a Jazz Vesper at the St. James AME Church, featuring an array of both vocal and instrumental artists. Those who attended experienced not only a musical crossover, but a historical crossover. It was only fitting that this event took place at the historic St. James AME church, which was established right around the end of the Civil War and has since played a pivotal role in the spiritual, social, musical and academic advancement of the citizens of Columbus and surrounding areas.
Find out more at drdav.org.
CJS Musician of The Month: Mr. Jerald Sheldon Dorsett
CJS: What got you into jazz/music?
JL: My Family & Culture…Bahamian decent; Born in Miami, FL; Raised in Seale Ala./Columbus GA.
CJS: What makes you excited about playing jazz in Columbus?
JL: The Ancestral feelings & emotions.
CJS: Where can people hear you play?
JL: Follow me on: Instagram @jerald_dorsett
CJS: 3 jazz artists you’d recommend for beginner, intermediate, and advanced listeners.
JL: Doobie Powel / Michael Mayo & André Crouch
CJS: Favorite local musician and why?
JL: Lloyd Buchanan @iamlloydbuchanan, Charles Robinson @charlieraymusic - The most Unselfish Gentlemen I’ve met in some Time.
CJS: Advice for aspiring musicians?
JL: Practice Loving every part of the music!!
CJS: Favorite quote or saying
JL: ”Seek YE 1st The KINGDOM of the LORD” u
Britts Comics - Comic and Art Show
Local comic artist Brittney Green will have her comic art on display and for purchase at a full day event at our popular game bar Bytes and Brews. Enjoy a full day filled with Comic Art, Raffles, Contests, Food & Drinks specials, Local Artists, Vendors inside and out and more. Tickets just $5 in advance at getlocaltix.com, $8 at the door. Saturday, August 24, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. , Bytes and Brews, 117 12th Street, Columbus Columbus Sip & Savor Wine Fest
Join us for an exquisite journey through the world of wines at the inaugural Sip & Savor Wine Fest, a celebration dedicated not just to the artistry of winemaking but to the spirit of diversity and inclusivity in the wine industry. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Columbus, Georgia, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for wine enthusiasts and advocates of cultural richness alike. Saturday, August 24, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street, Columbus Trapt - Live @ The Outskirts
Coming back to Columbus for another killer show. Yes, that Trapt. Get tickets in advance. $20 single, $150 for a table for 4 (limited availability) getlocaltix.com. Saturday, August 24, 8 - 11 p.m., The Outskirts, Columbus’ Favorite Rock Bar, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
43rd Annual Country’s Midnight Express
Our 43rd annual 5k for the visually impaired. Come out to support a great cause! Music and fun starts at 9p and the race starts at Midnight. Saturday, August 24, 9 p.m., Country’s original location, 3137 Mercury Drive, North Main Street Village, & Downtown on Broadway, Columbus Everclear With Sister Hazel Live @ Sweetland Amphitheatre
Friday, August 23, 8 p.m. , Sweetland Amphitheatre, 110 W Bacon Street, LaGrange
The Columbus Toy & Comic Book Show
Come to check out local vendors selling collectible Toys and Comic Books. Card Tournaments for Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh will be held with prizes offered. Raffle Prizes are drawn every hour. VIP Entrance 1 hour early + A Show in the planetarium at 11am. Gameroom for all to enjoy. Food Trucks will also be there. Tickets at www.ccssc.org. Sunday, August 25, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. , Coca-Cola Space Science Center, 701 Front Avenue, Columbus
The Biggest Food Truck Festival
Join us for an unforgettable culinary adventure to delight food lovers of all ages. Experience a diverse array of food trucks showcasing the best flavors from Georgia and Alabama. From savory to sweet, and everything in between, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Bring your friends, family, and a big appetite to enjoy an afternoon of great food, fun, and community. Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Saturday, August 31, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. , The Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street, Columbus
Labor Day Weekend
Featuring Hot Air Balloons
Light up your Labor Day with a three-day celebration at Callaway Resort & Gardens. Stay and play all day with garden and beach access, waterfront activities like putt putt, and endless entertainment. Saturday, August 31 , Callaway Gardens, Overlook Pavilion, 17800 US27, Pine Mountain
Dixie Red Live @ The Outskirts
It’s Rickey’s birthday. So y’all make sure you are at The Outskirts cause it’s gonna be a good one. Toast at 9. Saturday, August 31, 9 p.m. , The Outskirts, Columbus’ Rock bar. 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Zac Young Featuring Dakota Allyn @ The Loft
It’s Rickey’s birthday. So y’all make sure you are at The Outskirts cause it’s gonna be a good one. Toast at 9. Saturday, August 31, 9 p.m. , The Outskirts, Columbus’ Rock bar. 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Want to see your event listed here? Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com
F
rom its humble spot off Hamilton Park Drive, it may seem like just another store – but inside the doors of Columbus Comics, a world of scheming villains, valiant heroes, and breathtaking adventure awaits.
Comic books have long been loved by those who enjoy a thrilling storyline, colorful characters, and limitless creative elements. Patrick Robinson, owner of Columbus Comics, is one of the many who feel drawn to the world of comic books.
Originally Columbus Book Exchange, the shop traces its history back to 1969. “It’s been around awhile,” Patrick says. In 1980, Patrick bought the business, having
By Natalie Downey
spent much time in the book shop as a teenager. Under his guidance, and through many changes over the years, Columbus Comics has evolved to become the place in town to shop for comic books.
In the early 80s, one of the first major changes took place when the shop began buying comics directly from comic book companies. Previously they had gotten their materials from the local Muscogee News. Buying direct allowed the shop to provide a broader variety of materials and changed the comic book business altogether. “I got to be on the ground level of a big explosion that totally changed the comic book business,” Patrick recalls. “Direct distribution and independent companies opened
up a whole new world.”
Patrick has seen the comic book industry go through many changes over his time running the shop.
“When I was growing up, you could buy comic books in the grocery store, drug store, and places like that, but nowadays, pretty much the only place you can buy new comics is in a comic book shop,” Patrick says. One major boost he recalls noticing is the interest people began taking in comic books during the height of the superhero film era during the 2010s. “Those movies definitely got people more interested,” Patrick says.
Around fifteen years ago, Columbus Book Exchange became Columbus Comics, and Patrick took paperback novels off the shelves to make room for more comics, as the shop became a one-stop comic book shop.
For Patrick, it’s all about the stories. “I love the
characters, the plot, and the imagination that goes into creating the comics,” Patrick says. “A good character is a good start, but you have to put the character into a compelling story to create a really good comic.” He notes that comics appeal to a vast and diverse audience because comics are made for every interest. “There’s something everyone can relate to,” Patrick says.
For Patrick, comic books hold another appeal as well – they can be surprisingly relatable. “Heroes are heroes, but often the story is seen through the eyes of normal people.” In this sense, we can all relate to the fear, the suspense, and thrill of the journeys we experience with these characters experiences we join in.
Talking with a man who has immersed himself in the world of comics for over 40 years, one can’t help but ask: “What’s your personal favorite?”
Patrick names The Flash as being one of his childhood favorites. For him, the most interesting feature may be the ever-shifting cast of dastardly villains. “Adversaries make for good stories,” Patrick explains. He also enjoys the relentless heroism of Batman, the all-around good guy appeal of Superman, and team stories where everyone has to work together.
Patrick’s stint as the local comic book guy has taken him far and wide, and his experiences and stories include the opportunity to meet comic book legend Stan Lee. The photo is now proudly hung on the wall just inside the front door of the shop.
Patrick has spent more than four decades
surrounded by compelling stories and drawings, but for him, the best part is seeing kids grow to love comics. “I’ve got hundreds of children,” Patrick says. He has watched countless kids in the community grow up, frequently returning to his shop for their next issue. Today, many of them return with their own children. “I’ve watched people grow up and get married. I love
that part of it,” Patrick says. “It’s a good community.” He has many stories of comic book lovers coming together to support the community. During the pandemic, a mystery philanthropist bought all of Patrick’s items and donated them back to the store to be given to kids who came in looking for something to read. “It spread, and other customers started doing the same thing,” Patrick recalls. When schools closed down, one of Patrick’s regulars bought comic books and took them to Feeding the Valley, where school lunches were being given out to children. They allowed the children to also pick out a comic book to take home. “It kept me in business, but took it one step further to help the kids,” Patrick says. “It’s the best thing that happened to me.”
Today, Columbus Comics gets new books each week, and carries back issues and graphic novels for people to complete collections and catch up on storylines. In addition, Columbus Comics offers a subscription service and can take customer orders for specific books.
The local comic community is one of a kind, finding camaraderie in their love of a good character, a good story, and good comic art. “People come in here and start talking about what they like to read and recommending new things to each other. We all have similar interests, we all help each other out,” Patrick says. More than anything, he aims to create a space at Columbus Comics where people feel safe, have fun, and feel accepted and included.
Columbus Comics is located at 6440 Hamilton Park Drive Ste B, Patrick points out a good way to describe the location is off Veterans, right behind Rooms-To-Go. Their hours of operation are Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. u
