Monkeys Retreat -- Opening and Performance

Gallery Hop 2/7/09

Monkeys Retreat, 1202 N. High St. (294-9511), will celebrate the addition of Starfish Earth, the original clothing line of local artist and musician Michelle Ishida Lucey with an opening party from 7-10 pm for the February 7th Gallery Hop. Her son's group Crabfeather Quartet will provide live jazz for your shopping enjoyment. Crabfeather Quartet features Wes Perry on sax, Cole Ishida-Plavcan on bass, Hayden Huffman on drums and Eddie Loomis on guitar. The boys all attend Olentangy High School and are members of the Columbus Youth Jazz Programs. Check them out live on the web at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfo6AoKf9js or http://www.myspace.com/crabfeatherquartet

Riverfront Art Festival is new name & location for former Goodale Park Art Fest

Columbus, OH— This weekend there will be almost no empty space between COSI and the west bank of the Scioto in Genoa Park. That’s because the Riverfront Art Festival will debut with nearly 150 local, regional, and national artists along with plenty of food and entertainment.

The Riverfront Art Festival is the new incarnation of the Goodale Park Art Festival, which had been one of Columbus’s fastest growing festivals. After outgrowing the parking at its former location, the festival looked to the Riverfront, where parking is plentiful and attendees will have the opportunity to savor the artwork’s surprises while taking in the city’s skyline and mingling with fellow art lovers.

Organized by Jay Snyder, the former producer of Columbus Winterfair, the Riverfront Art Festival will feature every imaginable kind of fine art & craft ranging from decorative oil paintings and sculptures, to functional ceramics and jewelry. “With all of these artists, you are sure to find something that expresses your own unique taste,” said Snyder, “and every artist has a story - when you take that work home with you, you take home the story along with it.”

With free admission, you will have a hard time finding an excuse to miss this incredible close to downtown’s festival season. On Saturday, the incomparable WaterFire will be conducting its final burn of 2008 as a part of the Riverfront Art Festival’s full entertainment schedule. The amphitheater will also feature local and regional musical acts throughout the weekend.

The Riverfront Art Festival will be open Friday, September 19, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information log on to www.riverfrontartfestival.com or www.waterfirecolumbus.com.

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Black Olive Restaurant, Reviewed by Ralph Rosenfield

Rlaph and Jan Rosenfield are two old friends of mine who enjoy eating out and occasionally tell us what they think about it. Here's their comments on a new eating adventure in Columbus. - charlie

I guess Jan and I belong to the "You never have enough
good restaurants" school. We always seem to enjoy trying new places and
having new experiences. Then of course we get to share these experiences
with you, our friends. The Black Olive is a place that you will want to try,
and you too will want to share that experience with your friends.

Our experience started when our friends here at the
Buggyworks, Rick & Merry, asked us if we would like to have dinner with
them. Duh! We agreed to meet at the Black Olive which had been open for
about a week. I had heard good things... but you never know.

Rick had arrived ahead of us and already had a table and a
drink. Jan and I started with water but quickly moved to a chilled white
wine. We discussed the menu, and ended up with Hummus & Tapenade Plate,
which I would never would have ordered on my own. But this dish was enough
for the four of us to share and get a sampling of house made Hummus which
was very tasty and the also house made olive tapenade which I could have
made a meal of if there were enough there.

We also ordered the Shrimp & Grits - an unusual marriage,
it would seem, but one that works perfectly. The grits, which have been made
with parmesan cheese, have just enough of that sort of nutty flavor that,
combined with the red pepper coulis, marries quite well with the lightly
grilled shrimp. You should try this for sure.

Our final appetizer was the Caprese Salad; the thickly
sliced tomatoes are layered with fresh Mozzarella, basil, and balsamic
vinaigrette. A home run. The only way it could even think about being better
would be with heirloom tomatoes. But that is a personal thing for me.

For our dinners, Merry and Rick had the Pan Seared
Peppered Scallops ($18). The scallops are peppered and heavily seared, but
not over done, in a brown butter sauce. Then they were served over a carrot,
corn, onion, and potato hash. They say it has a hint of provolone cheese but
I didn't get the hint. All in all, this is a great dish if you like scallops
(which I normally don't).

Jan and I shared the Crusted Red Snapper ($19). The potato
crust is light and flavorful and the dish is served with sautéed asparagus
and red skin potatoes. There is a hint of tarragon (and I got the hint this
time). The crust wasn't too thick and seemed more like a light breading, -
just right for the fish which was very flavorful and flakey.

We did not stay for desert; Jeni's is across the street.
So give this a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Black Olive p.298 8750 a. 731 N. High Street


Ralph Rosenfield Jr.

Short North Launches Art al Fresco District Hosts Artists for Day of Public Exhibition

John Angelo, Executive Director, Short North Business Association, provided us this announcement:

Short North, Columbus, Ohio—Saturday, August 16, the Short North Arts District will launch Art al Fresco presented by The Wood Companies. The daylong event will celebrate Columbus' artistic spirit. "We've invited visual and performing artists from all across the city to share their talents," explains John Angelo, Executive Director of the Short North Business Association. "The entire Short North will serve as their stage and their gallery for a day. We want to inspire, engage and amuse visitors while spotlighting the power of public art."

Art al Fresco will consist of four unique components:
• The Usual Suspects,
• Unexpected Guests,
• PeeP Show, and
• Summer Games

The Usual Suspects: A sampling of the broad range of artwork on display in the many galleries and non-gallery venues (boutiques, restaurants, personal service salons, etc…) throughout the district. Over 40 destinations will be featured.

Unexpected Guests: Over two dozen artists will create temporary public art installations in surprising outdoor spaces: parks, courtyards, rooftops, even the sides of buildings. Look for an artist's vision brought to life on an oversized lite brite filled with 1,000 glowing pegs. Stumble across a life-like human figure melting into a brick wall. Rest under trees dressed in brightly colored, tailored knitwear. Surprises wait around every corner. Most of the installations can only be experienced on the 16th, but a few will be on display longer, depending upon the durability of the materials used. Many of the artworks will be visible all day, but several projection and light-based installations will only be visible after the sun sets.

Though this year's event will consist strictly of temporary public art installations, organizers anticipate future events to generate one or more permanent installations each year.

PeeP Show: From Anna and the Annadroids to the Ohio Roller Girls, from sculptors and painters to models and mimes, artists and performing artists will pepper the strip by taking over merchants' display windows. Under the arches, street performers will settle into the many alcoves of the District to entertain passersby as they explore the plethora of happenings. (right: Anna and the Annadroids performing in the display windows at G & Co. during Gallery Hop)

Summer Games: Sure the Olympics can be mesmerizing and thrilling, but what about the games that touch the child in each of us? Freeze tag. Twister. Think of it as adult recess on an extreme scale. You and 100 of your closest friends spontaneously converging for a quick game of dodge ball. That is the concept of Summer Games. Throughout the day, visitors will gather at designated sites to participate in a variety of group activities designed to bring a smile and a break from the drudgery of all-work-and-no-play.

Full details of art exhibitions, performances and games will be posted the week of August 11 on shortnorth.org. The day of the event, merchants throughout the district will have posted schedules and maps to help visitors navigate the many options.

What: Short North's Art al Fresco presented by The Wood Companies

When: Saturday, August 16, 3PM - Midnight

Where: Short North Arts District
In public areas and merchants' shops primarily along High Street from Vine Street to Fifth Ave.

Who: The Short North Arts District, the Ohio Art League, the Art Exchange, Kathryn Gallery and artists from across Columbus

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--
John Angelo
Executive Director
Short North Business Association
1126 1/2 A N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201
614.299.8050
johnangelo@shortnorth.org
www.shortnorth.org

Rally for Rachel Widomski & Juli Liu at the Gallery Hop

This message came from John Angelo, Short North Business Association

Short North, Columbus, OH - On the evening of May 15, Rachel Widomski, a server at Haiku restaurant, and Juli Liu, co-owner of the restaurant, were seriously injured when they were literally run over by a dine-and-dash customer. Though Julie is on the road to recovery, Rachel's severe spinal cord trauma will leave her paralyzed from the waist down for life. Rachel's journey from this point will be long and extremely difficult. She and her family need our support for both immediate and long-term needs.

The Short North Business Association, the Central Ohio Restaurant Association and the Couchfire Collective (a Columbus arts organization) are collaboratively spearheading a series of events designed to help raise funds for Rachel's recovery. The events kick off with "Hope Weekend," Friday, June 6 - Sunday, June 8. In particular, several initiatives are being orchestrated during Saturday's Gallery Hop. Beginning at 6:00PM, volunteers will spearhead an art auction at The Art Exchange (17 East Brickel), a letter writing and fundraising campaign (650 N. High Street), and a concert by area bands at the intersection of High Street and Hubbard Avenue (the site of Rachel's assault).

Join the effort and help turn a horrible, senseless act into a message of Hope for recovery, and a new beginning for Rachel and her family. Complete details are posted at www.HopeWeekend.com.

If you cannot make the Gallery Hop, but would like to contribute in support of the Rachel Widomski Medical Care Trust, please visit any area Huntington Bank or visit hopeweekend.com to make contributions online.

"Hope Weekend" consists of five key components:

1) Over 60 businesses are participating citywide by placing collection jars on their counters and inviting their patrons to donate. Many servers are contributing their own tips and numerous businesses are matching the proceeds.

2) A "Place of Reflection" will be set up in the shop windows at 650 N. High Street... the space will feature Rachel's art, messages from the community (many in the form of haikus), information about Rachel's status, and much more. The space will be staffed from 6PM to 10PM during Gallery Hop.

3) A silent auction of donated art will be held at the Art Exchange, 17 E. Brickel (proceeds will go to Rachel's Trust), 6pm - 10pm

4) A lineup of bands and performers will be on stage at High and Hubbard outside Haiku Restaurant
6:30 pm - Bob Ray Starker
7:30 pm - Megan Palmer
8:30 pm - Karate Coyote
9:30 pm - Paper Airplane
10:30 pm - Two Cow Garage

5) "Big Night" at Studio 35, 3055 Indianola Avenue

Sunday, June 8 4:00pm
See the film "Big Night" for only $5
All proceeds will benefit the recovery fund.

More information is available at haikuhelp.com

Notable contributions:

Sysco of Central Ohio has committed a minimum of $10,000 ($.10 of every case of food they sell through June 7 will go to the fund)

Heartland Payment Systems has pledged a matching grant of up to $25,000. The grant can be activated by donations from the public or other businesses.

Short North Arches Go Technicolor - September Gallery Hop

September Gallery Hop Celebrates “Summer Days and Technicolor Nights”
Color transformation with “glowing procession” will begin at Poplar and travel northward throughout the District


Saturday, September 1 • 9:00PM
at the 17 arches along High Street

“The effects will be amazing,” comments Sharon O’Brien, board member of the Short North SID. “This is the real eye-popper we’ve been waiting for since we began the project. Every bulb on every arch can be individually programmed to produce a million different effects. The lights can morph from one color to another, pulse and even appear to travel up and down the district.”

John Angelo, Director of the Short North Business Association (SNBA), adds: “The programmed arches will be unlike anything seen in the Midwest. In addition to adding to the experiential offerings of the Short North, the mile-long strip of High will become a barometer of major happenings in Columbus. The strip might be pink the night before the Race for the Cure. It could be silver, gold and white for the winter holidays. It could be a rolling rainbow for ComFest and the Pride Festival. The possibilities are endless.”

The arches were designed and installed as part of a collaborative effort between the City of Columbus and the Short North Arts District, working directly with the Short North Special Improvement District (SID). The programming of the arches will also be managed collaboratively by the city, the SID and the SNBA.

Look for up-to-the-minute news on the evening’s happenings at www.ShortNorth.org”

Next Gallery Hop - Saturday, August 4

Short North Columbus, Ohio - With over 20 years of tradition, the Short North is renowned for its monthly "Gallery Hop." The first Saturday of every month, thousands of visitors converge on the strip to celebrate art, see the launch of new exhibits, and partake in an evening of sights, sounds, good food, shopping, and fun.

Though many shops are open earlier, the Gallery Hop officially starts at 4PM and runs to 10PM with restaurants and bars staying open considerably later.

The painting by Michelle Wiliams is on exhibit at the Kathryn Gallery in the Short North. To learn more about this artist, and to see a more complete Galley Hop Schedule of Current Exhibits, click on: "Gallery Hop."