Thurber House presents a special reading with Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl

From: Emily Swartzlander
614.464.1032 x. 11

eswartzlander@thurberhouse.org

Columbus, Ohio — Thurber House will present a special reading with Gourmet editor and award-winning food critic Ruth Reichl at 7:30 p.m. on Wed., April 5 at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.

Reichl is considered by critics and audiences alike to be one of the world’s preeminent writers about food. She will read from her best-selling memoir, Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, which chronicles her six-year tenure as the food critic for The New York Times and offers a genuine, and often funny, commentary on the epicurean world. “Reading Ruth Reichl on food is almost as good as eating it,” said The Washington Post about the book. Reichl is the winner of three James Beard Awards and is the author of six previous books, including the memoirs Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me with Apples. She lives in New York.

A book signing will follow the reading. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance and at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 614-464-1032 or go to www.thurberhouse.org.

Indie short film festival

This release arrived on february 9, 2006

“Ohio Filmmakers put their shorts on display with 3rd LOOK AT MY SHORTS FILM
FESTIVAL”

Columbus, OH, February 9th, 2006 – The 3rd semi annual LOOK AT MY SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL will be held on February 26th, 2006 from 4:PM to 8:PM at the
Screens movie theatre at the Continent in Columbus. Over 20 short movies exclusively from moviemakers all over Ohio will be played on the big screen for free to the public. Previous editions of LOOK AT MY SHORTS have played to capacity crowds at the Arena Grand and Studio 35.

“The movement of independent film in Ohio is at an all time high”, says Peter John Ross, Producer/Director with Sonnyboo Productions, and co-director of the festival. “This year, we have professional commercial directors contributing short films and beginners. The range of film will be broad this year.”

This year’s festival is the biggest and longest one so far. There are more filmmakers and more films submitted than ever before. This is in direct correlation to the number of projects finished and completed in the past several months by Ohio moviemakers.

C. Alec Rossel, festival organizer said "After the success of last year’s event this was a no-brainer, that was only the second time this event had ever been held in Columbus and we packed the venue with over three hundred and fifty people. We’re going to do it again this year but bigger and better, with a bigger theater at The Screens at The Continent, more movies
and with more support from local media and businesses. We want to continue to put the spotlight on up and coming filmmakers from the Midwest. We’ve got some real talent out here and we can’t wait to show it off again on the big screen. We’re doing our best to swivel Hollywood’s head our direction."

Digital technology has enabled anyone to create a movie. A home PC can edit digital video and add titles and music in seconds. The new era of the Information Age has arrived. Being creative with visual arts, combined with the latest software and hardware open doors to creativity for anyone with the craving.

For your everyday independent filmmaker and aspiring actor, the opportunity to have your movie shown on the big screen is rare. Hollywood movies and the $1 million+ dollar “independent” films usually dominate the silver screens across the country, but thanks to digital projection & the support of independently owned theatre screens, the lowly $1,000 and below budgeted filmmaker (also known as microcinema) can now compete for screen time.
Offering the movies for free is a way to entice the $9 per ticket moviegoer into trying something new in locally made entertainment.

For more information about the LOOK AT MY SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, you can
visit the site http://lookatmyshorts.sonnyboo.com

Thurber House presents new writing program for high school students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Emily Swartzlander
614.464.1032 x. 11

Columbus, Ohio – Thurber House is excited to present a brand new writing program, the Thurber House Young Writer’s Studio, targeted at 10th through 12th grade writers.

The studio is a new and fun format that will give students a chance to put aside their homework and work with professional writers. Led by freelance writer and editor Kelli C. Trinoskey, along with other local writers, students will learn new writing techniques, explore different genres, and receive feedback on their work while interacting with other teens who love writing as much as they do.

The Young Writer’s Studio will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, March 22, April 26, and May 24 at Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave. The program is $25 for all four session, but the space is limited and the group is first come, first served. To register, students send an application form and payment to: Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave., Columbus, OH 43215. For more information, call Thurber House at 614-464-1032 or visit our Web site at www.thurberhouse.org.

Thurber House is a literary center and museum located in the former home of author and New Yorker humorist James Thurber. We offer fall and winter readings series with nationally known authors, outdoor summer picnics with Ohio-connected authors, writing classes for children, and special literary events year-round. In addition, we award the annual Thurber Prize for American Humor, the nation’s highest honor for the art of humor writing.

New Program at Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division, ARTS IN WORK SPACES: CASPIAN II

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 26, 2006
Contact: Emily Cable, Arts Coordinator
Phone: 614-583-5311
Email: ecable@uaoh.net




(Upper Arlington, OH) – The Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division is pleased to announce a creative art partnership program with Upper Arlington businesses entitled Arts in Work Spaces. The first such partnership is with Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus, located in Upper Arlington at the Caspian II building, 3518 Riverside Drive.

The Caspian II exhibit includes four artists creating works of art in paper, Yasue Sakaoka, Paula Ramey, Kaye Boiarski, Neysa Felker. Origami, the Japanese folk art of paper folding is the foundational element for each sculptural form. Paper, essentially a flat piece of material, is transformed into three-dimesional artwork by the hands of each artist exhibited here. Yasue Sakaoka has been experimenting with paper and Origami shapes for the last 20 years. Paula Ramey’s apprenticeship to Sakaoka has inspired her artwork of spiritual expression to evolve using Origami shapes. Through her work at Stivers School, Neysa Felker worked with Sakaoka on Origami techniques that have influenced her sculptures. Kaye Boiarski uses three basic origami forms, enlarging and repeating the shapes to emphasize the shapes.

One of the long-range goals of the Cultural Arts Commission is to increase the accessibility of the arts for the community. In recent years the Cultural Arts Commission has worked to create an art program that shares art with UA businesses. An art-lending program, Arts in Work Spaces gives artists another opportunity for displaying their work, increasing the visibility of the Cultural Arts Commission and the City of UA, and fosters an appreciation for the arts among businesses and their clients.

The Arts in Work Spaces program connects business and art establishing a creative partnership. Please visit 3518 Riverside Drive to view the artwork through March. For more information about participating in the Arts in Work Spaces program and/or purchasing art contact the Cultural Arts Division. Please visit the Cultural Arts Division web section at www.ua-ohio.net, under Parks, Recreation and Leisure or call 614-583-5310.

ACME February dates updated

Melesa Klosek 614.299.0296 mel@acmeartco.org
February 2006 at Acme Art Company
Acme Art Company is pleased to announce the following performances.
More details may be obtained on the website at
www.acmeartco.org or email office@acmeartco.org or dial at
614.299.0296.

WED, 2/8 (9 PM) POOMA
FRI, 2/10 (6 PM—9 PM): Go! (North Carolina) An Icebox Music Show
(9 PM ) Engulfed, The Symbols, 4th Plague, Prime Directive, A Vicious
Cycle, Scene of the Crime - Metal In Your Ass Series $5 over 21/$7 under
21 - All ages welcome

FRI, 2/17 (Doors 7 PM): Byzantine (Charleston, WV), Dead Will Rise, 1931,
Shocking Jesus, Mayavirupa - Metal In Your Ass Series - $7 - 18 and over

SAT, 2/18 (9 PM): A benefit for Acme Art: Elephant's Gerald with Papa
Honk Schtick (Surf rock + Sergio Leone covers), Napoleon Maddox
from IsWhat?!, The Sonic Collage Orquestra, Lamb's Bread, Nolan &
Mackenzie Irish Explosion Fantasy, L.A. Jenkins, Ryan Jewell and Ben
Bennett - $5 minimum donation - All ages welcome

*Please note that POOMA’s schedule has changed and booked for the
2nd and 4th Wednesdays only (2/8 and 2/22).

Acme Art Company is currently booking rehearsal space for performers
and musicians at its space.

OOps below!

CCAPACITY is really CAPACITY
my bad, charlie

CCAPACITY open Mic

CAPACITY Open Mic during CCAD BLING Exhibit, February 1, 5-6 pm. Free Admission!
February 1
CCAD Canzani Center
107 N. High St.
5 -6 pm
More info: http://ecapacity.org/staging/mainlib2-1-06.htm

Bobby Floyd B3 Trio at Columbus Music Hall

JAZZ at COLUMBUS MUSIC HALL
www.columbusmusichall.com
734 Oak Street 464-0044
One block southeast of Broad & I-71
...an intimate jazz venue featuring local, regional,
and national musicians...



Reminder:
Bobby Floyd B3 Trio with Reggie Jackson, drums, and Derek DiCenzo, guitar, will be at the music hall on the FIRST Wednesday of each month beginning Feb. 1 at 8:30 pm, $7
Bobby will also be playing with Christian Howes, jazz violin, on Friday, Feb 3 at 10:00pm
The Sean Ferguson B3 trio will be opening at 9:00.


The first PBJ & Jazz for Kids and Families is Saturday, Feb 4 at 11:00 am. Christian Howes is the guest performer. This is a great way to introduce young kids (and their families) to a short,
comfortable dose of jazz. Help spread the word. Cost is $5 per person with a ceiling of $20 per family.


The next concerts are Mar 11, featuring the Bobby Floyd trio with Chad Eby and Mary McClendon then April 1 with the Derek DiCenzo quartet.


Special events coming up are:

John Ellis Quartet from NYC with Jason Marsalis on drums, Thursday, February 9, 8:00pm - check the website for details.


Aaron Diehl - jazz piano with future jazz singing diva, Jennifer Sanon, Sunday, February 19,
7:30pm, $10.


And, of course,
Every Monday -Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra,7:30, $6

Every Tuesday - Yumbambé Latin Salsa Jazz, 8:30, $7

2nd Wednesdays - Larry Cook Trio with college combos as guests followed by a jam session,
7:30pm, $5, $3 students


Check the www.columbusmusichall.com website for further details!
Pass the word to help us find the Columbus "jazz" audience.

“COMMUNITY AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM CLASSES”

This message submitted by my good friend BabaaRitah.


“COMMUNITY AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM CLASSES”
Every Saturday February 4 – May 20, 2006 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Howard Recreation Center (Formerly known as Northeast Recreation Center) 2505 N Cassady Ave. Columbus, Ohio



Exciting Sabar Drum Lessons !
Jean Walang Sene of the DouDou N’diaye Rose family from Senegal
10:00 – 11:30 $5.00 per class



Aminata Mané Member of Najwa Dance Corp of Chicago, Illinois
Principal Dancer, Performing Artist Choreographer & Educator
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM


Special Guest Artist on April 1, 2006
Mabiba Baegne
From the Republic of Congo Brazzaville
Master Dancer, Choreographer, Musician and World Renown Singer


PLEASE BE ON TIME!
All Ages Welcome! Children Free! Adults $2.00
Experienced and Inexperienced! Fun! Great Exercise!

Contact : BabaaRitah ((614)258 5921
Afatamah & Shaka ( (614)275 3934

Thurber House Evenings with Authors presents renowned historian Taylor Branch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Emily Swartzlander
614.464.1032 x. 11

Columbus, Ohio — Thurber House will feature renowned historian Taylor Branch as part of its Evenings with Authors series at 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 15 at the King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.

Branch has twice succeeded in bringing the Civil Rights struggle to life through the first two books in his acclaimed three-part history about Martin Luther King Jr. And together, those books — Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63; and Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65 — have won nearly every major award, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. “Reading Branch, it is easier to see why even the most remarkable revolutions are never complete,” said Newsweek. Branch will read from the final book in the trilogy, At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years 1965-68, which chronicles the last three years of King’s life.

A book signing and reception will follow the reading. Tickets are $15 purchased ahead, $18 at the door, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 614-464-1032 or go to www.thurberhouse.org.

Studio Stu performs on the Studivarius

The email message below came from Studio Stu, the only (as far as I know) virtuoso washtub bass jazz musician who performs on his own, personal instrument, the Studivarious! We ran a feature on Stu in Innerart's Charliebits. Stu lives and performs mostly in the upstate New York area near Woodstock. Check him out if you ever have a chance.

Hey, You know it's cold this time of year, so, I'm set to do some regular gigs for the next five weeks, and stay close to home (Where is Home?)...including High Chai Russian TeaRoom/Vodka Bar/Restaurant in the East Village, NYC...You can see me across Eastern New York State in February...hope to see you sometime soon.... all ways, sTuDIo.

Visit his website at: http://www.studiostu.biz
Listen to exerpts of his latest CD Fools in Love ( and then BUY the CD!) at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/studiostu

9 PM-Midnight Saturday, January 28 STUDIO STU EVOCATIVE JAZZ EXOTIC LOUNGE HIGH CHAI RUSSIAN TEAROOM/VODKA BAR/RESTAURANT 18 AVENUE B (BET 2-3 STREET) NYC 212-477-2424 High Chai...an authentic Russian TeaRoom and vodka bar/restaurant in the East Village...beautifully furnished, mahogany feel, intimate and illusionary...come out and forget your troubles for an evening filled with intrigue and exotic lounge and jazz, infused vodka, and special teas...we can become friends, and please bring your lover, or meet a new one... http://www.highchai.com
7:30-10:30 PM Wednesday, February 1st & 15th BRIAN MELICK, STUDIO STU, & SPECIAL GUESTS JAZZ MANIACS THE CIRCUS CAFE 392 BROADWAY SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 518.583.1106 http://www.circuscafe.com
6 PM-9 PM Every Thursday in February STUDIO STU'S LOBSTER LOUNGE GADALETO'S SEAFOOD & BANDSTAND 246 MAIN STREET NEW PALTZ, NY 845-255-1717
6:30-9:30 PM Every Friday in February DUO LOCO; MARK DZIUBA & STUDIO STU NEKO SUSHI & SAKE BAR 1817 RTE 9 WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 845-298-9869
9 PM-Midnight Every Saturday in February STUDIO STU EVOCATIVE JAZZ EXOTIC LOUNGE HIGH CHAI RUSSIAN TEAROOM/VODKA BAR/RESTAURANT 18 AVENUE B (BET 2-3 STREET) NYC 212-477-2424 http://www.highchai.com

Hanna & Maxine Birthday Celebration

Hanna and Maxine Mendelson's yearly birthday bash at Monkeys Retreat happened last weekend in the ArtForceOne performing space, accessible to the rear of Monkeys Retreat. Music was provided by their dad Ro-z and uncle Darryl's group, the Mendelsonics, as well as several other special guests and surprises.

The pictures included here came from Ukele Man. (see Pictures at an Exhibition in December archives)

Z Cucina reviewed by Ralph Rosenfield

This review appears in the current issue of innnerat.com webzine, under Food Reviews


Z Cucina

Or simply “Z”. At last, a restaurant with a name that is easy to pronounce and remember. “Z” is a great example of creatively using space that a previous restaurant occupied, in a way that lets you know it’s a new place but doesn’t waste a lot of money replacing things that were perfectly good. “Z” is the creation of Rick Ziliak, owner (you know him already as the owner of the North Market’s “Pastaria”), Executive Chef Michael Jones, and Brian Pawlak, the Chef de Cuisine. These guys have created a place that is all about the food. Much like The Rossi, Basi Italia, or Rigsby’s. Sure, it’s hip and stylish, but the story is THE FOOD.

Jan and I went early Saturday evening just after scouting out stables for Jan to re-start her horseback riding interest and get in shape for a planned trip to Costa Rica. Since we were eating early and by ourselves, we didn’t sample a full range of menu items. Nevertheless, I think that what we did experience might be enough to encourage you to give “Z” a try.

We started our meal with a starter order of sweetbreads with butternut squash risotto. Unlike most sweetbread offerings, which tend to be sautéed in butter or olive oil, these were delicately and perfectly deep fried, leaving them light, plump, and full of the distinctive flavor and texture that sweetbreads are known for. The butternut squash risotto was a colorful and flavorful complement.

Our next treat was the Red Pepper and Parsnip Soup. This was done with a vegetable stock and was thick with a wonderful aroma. I think there may have been some onion and garlic added as well. We added some fresh ground pepper and were thrilled.

Next, Jan ordered the Classico Salade. This was made with field greens, pickled red onions, fresh asiago cheese, toasted hazelnuts with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I had the Riserva Salade, with field greens, green beans, oven roasted tomatoes, and toasted pinenuts, with a ricotta salata cheese and pinenut dressing. Both were very good, fresh and delicious, but I think we liked the Classico better, maybe because the hazelnuts and very lively dressing made it just different enough to really set it apart.

We shared the main course - the special that evening - a braised Lamb shank done in its own juice and served with spinach and garlic mashed potatoes. This was a huge and tender shank, with all the savory flavor one would expect. At this point I should mention that Rick recommended the evening’s special wine, an Oregon Pinot Noir Kings Ridge and it was indeed a perfect match for our meal. The wine was good enough that I’ll be looking to add it to my at-home stock.

We were too full to sample any of the wonderful sounding desserts, but I have to tell you about a couple of other menu items that captured our interest – and will draw us back for another visit. The Bolognese Lasagna looked very hearty and rich as it passed by our table. I didn’t see the Cioppino but it sounded wonderful and we intend to try it next time. An impressive range of pasta, beef, veal and pork dishes also populate the menu, as did a Duck Breast Piedmontese that looked, well… good enough to eat!

For me, “Z” represents all that is great about fine restaurants - people coming together to share their passion, food, flavor, and friendship. I encourage everyone to support our city’s many chef/owner-operated establishments, such as “Z”, where you find well-trained, passionate people who make dining in Columbus such a great experience.

Z Cucina; 1368 Grandview Ave. Columbus, Ohio 614 486 9200 (reservations are recommended)

Pics from Mark Berger

Mark Berger sent us this on-line photo portfolio (Click on dotPhoto slide show)