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RoyalDivas

‘SIX’ makes its debut in Columbus, telling the story of Henry VIII’s wives

By Rachel Karas Photos courtesy of Joan Marcus

FOR DECADES, MUSICALS have told stories that not only take viewers on a melodic journey, but a historical one as well.

Productions such as Oklahoma!, Newsies and Hamilton have been engrossing theater-goers for years with colorful sets and costumes that make viewers feel like they have gone back in time.

One musical that has recently gained popularity and several awards, including a Tony Award for Best Original Score, sheds light on the nearly 500-year-old story of one English monarch’s love life.

SIX tells the story of King Henry VIII’s six wives, sharing the truth about who they were and what really happened behind the palace doors. The show stops in Columbus from Jan. 24-29.

Written by two Cambridge University students, SIX made its debut in 2017 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since then, it has entered the world of Broadway, and won 23 awards during the 2021-22 Broadway season alone.

Didi Romero, one of the six “queens” performing with the North American

tour’s Aragon company, grew up in Puerto Rico before attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York for two years. Before she was cast as Henry’s fifth wife, Katherine Howard, Romero performed in In the Heights and as part of the cast for Gina Yei and Mixtape (The Movie).

SIX is unique in its format and emphasis on audience interaction, Romero says.

“We break the fourth wall all the time,” she says. “The audience is the seventh character in the show, and we have so much fun with them and their reaction affects what we do. So it is a different show every single night.”

Another thing that stood out to Romero was the style of music, as the “funky and catchy” songs lean more into the pop genre.

“It’s not your typical musical theater song,” Romero says. “It talks about their stories, and you are hearing what they’re saying because they’re talking about what’s happened to them. But it’s in a pop song and it’s super catchy and fun.”

Didi Romero

While the show may not have a large cast – with only the six queens and their all-female band known as the Ladies in Waiting visible to the audience – it makes up for it with engaging music, attentiongrabbing lighting and detailed costuming.

Adorned with glitter and rhinestones from their crowns to their shoes, Romero says, each cast member’s costume finds subtle ways to not only represent the era they are from, but also highlight details from their unique stories.

Despite the queens’ differences, Romero says, they eventually learn that they have more in common than they realize. By the end of the show, they all band together, knowing they can be more powerful together than they ever were apart, which is something that Romero loves.

“This is literally a woman-powered show,” Romero says. “And it’s about just fixing each other’s crowns and not only being fierce and amazing and talented. It’s about not comparing women with women anymore.” CS

Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Rachel

Health Through the Decades

What health experts say your body needs as you age

By Connor Quinn

BECAUSE OUR METABOLISM, joint health and muscle mass all naturally decrease as we get older, staying fit and healthy gets progressively more difficult. However, health experts have designed a set of basic guidelines to ensure people are aware of how much exercise they should be getting to stay healthy, no matter their age.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults between the ages of 18-64 get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity and two sessions of strengthbuilding exercise per week.

Adults over 64 are advised to get the same amount of exercise, while adding an activity that improves balance. As these guidelines only cover two broad age groups, we took a closer look at what doctors recommend at different ages to stay healthy.

20s

According to Harvard Health Publishing, a person’s metabolism – which measures how well their body burns calories – peaks during this time period.

High-intensity aerobic exercise, such as running, is one of the best ways to

maintain a higher metabolism. Here are some tips to making running a more enjoyable experience:

• Find scenic routes that keep things interesting.

• Start with shorter distances before taking on longer runs.

• Break up your running with high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a strategy in which you alternate shorter bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest.

According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, adults who train all major muscle groups twice a week

are also at lower risk of cancer and heart disease. These major muscle groups include legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders and arms, according to the CDC.

30s

Health experts recommend the same amount of exercise with a few added recommendations for those in their 30s.

Per a report by the National Library of Medicine, flexibility begins to decrease in the 30s. Additionally, medical conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis become more common, according to Alexander Orthopaedic Associates.

In order to protect joint and tendon health, a proper stretching routine is vital. Hold stretches in place for 30-60 seconds before switching. Though stretching may feel dull at times, it can prevent injury and further health issues later on in life.

Another good way to protect joint health is to eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and antioxidants. Citrus fruits and peppers contain vitamin C and antioxidants, while several types of fish and other seafood are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

40s

General exercise recommendations remain the same when you reach your 40s, but if you have any issues with joint

or tendon pain, you may be concerned about running.

It is a common misconception that running is bad for your joints, especially the knees. A study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that if you do not already have arthritis in your knees, running can be a good way of preventing the condition.

Swimming can be a great alternative to running, since it is a low-impact exercise and can be practiced year-round. Cycling and yoga are also good options that can help keep you in shape.

50s

Muscle mass begins to decrease at a rate of 3-8% in your 30s, and that rate increases in your 60s, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Staying healthy in your 50s can help prevent this additional muscle loss. Strength and resistance training, along with a protein-rich diet, will help to keep your muscles in good shape and as strong as ever. Lifting weights, using resistance bands and doing body-weight exercises such as pushups can help achieve this goal.

60s and over

A minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week is still recommended by health

experts, along with two sessions of strength training and balance exercises such as standing on one leg for as long as possible.

Once you enter your 60s, your metabolism begins to decrease each year, which can lead to increased fat mass, per Harvard Health Publishing. Regular exercise not only burns calories and builds muscle, it can also boost your metabolism.

It is also important to maintain a balanced diet. Many physical issues experienced by older adults are linked to inflammation, so eating foods with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) – such as salmon, mackerel, flaxseed and walnuts – is helpful. A protein-rich diet will also aid in increasing your metabolism and converting fat to muscle. CS

Connor Quinn is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Staying active with your children

• If your child is enrolled in sports, practice with them at home during free time.

• Bicycle riding and swimming are easy ways to keep your child and yourself active throughout the year.

• Walking pets and walking kids to school can help fulfill basic exercise needs on a daily basis.

For many, getting together to enjoy food is an important social experience, in which cultures, recipes and stories can be shared amid hearty and delicious meals.

There are a variety of group dynamics through which people can create community around their shared interest of food.

Dinner Parties and Potlucks

These two classic styles of dining gettogethers are differentiated by the source of the food served, with the host providing everything at a dinner party and each attendee bringing a dish to share at a potluck.

According to a 2021 study, the number of dinner party hosts rose by 25% after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 46% of respondents stating they were very excited to host and entertain guests again.

The holiday season often brings with it a rise in enthusiasm for dinner parties, with events such as “Friendsgiving” giving way to holiday parties in December and January.

Dublin resident Terri Butler has been a part of a dinner party group since the 1980s. For many years, she and her friends would gather for a lunch once a month – sometimes with a specific theme – and each participant was assigned a specific dish to bring.

“We would all try to bring something really different, and then we shared our recipes with each other,” Butler says. “We just always went all out and we are best friends still. We just like to eat and cook whatever we want.”

Over the years, Butler’s group has adapted to accommodate family schedules and health considerations, and has now transitioned to serving dinners instead of lunches.

Breaking Bread Together

Gathering to share food and connect

By Lauren Serge

Photos courtesy of Terri Butler

One of the desserts Terri Butler made with her gourmet group

Butler is also a part of a gourmet group through New Neighbors League, through which she has participated in themed dinner parties as well as visits to restaurants.

“It’s a sharing experience,” Butler says. “Especially one that’s lasted this long, it’s not only the food, it’s the friendships, and it’s really so much fun.”

Progressive Dining

Another form of group eating is progressive dining, which features multiple locations throughout the night – one for each course of the meal. This allows for multiple participants to host each course, from soups and salads to entrees and dessert.

According to www.apartmentguide.com, progressive dining is best accomplished with thorough planning of meal themes and transportation logistics, allowing the night to go as smoothly as possible.

Progressive dining has evolved into other forms outside of the house. The experience can be accomplished by eating each course at a different restaurant, as opposed to a different house.

According to Cleveland Scene, progressive dining “enjoys a more leisurely pace than camping out at a single restaurant from start to finish.” For those who may desire to partake in progressive dining, Cleveland Scene says it is best to do so with a small group and to aim to spend roughly 30-60 minutes at each location.

The Columbus Date Night Guide provided options for a progressive dinner date in German Village, suggesting appetizers at Barcelona, a main course at Alpine and dessert at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus as one of the possible progressive dining plans in the Columbus area.

Going Out

A third option, of course, is the standard restaurant visit and, in central Ohio, there’s always something new to try.

Leo Japen runs the “Columbus Foodies” Facebook group, which started seven years ago and is now home to 42,000 food fanatics.

The group enables members to share their favorite Columbus eateries and discover new ones.

“If you’re looking for a certain cuisine or have a budget or special occasion you’re celebrating or even a part of town that you will be in, you can just ask and you will be flooded with options that other group members recommend,” Japen says. “I truly enjoy reading and learning all the incredible options that make Columbus the foodie paradise.”

There’s also Columbus Food Adventures, which arranges food tours for participants to try different cuisines around Columbus and learn about the area.

Co-founder Bethia Woolf says the tours enable participants to have a guided and curated eating experience.

“I think people enjoy the mix of history, as well as food,” Woolf says. “It’s like a guided tour. You’re learning about the Short North, or you’re learning about German Village, but at the same time, you’re getting to try lots of delicious food along the way.” CS

Lauren Serge is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Terri Butler, far left, dining with her group.

Edible Education

School lunches shed their bad reputation to offer nutrition and variety

By Lauren Serge

Photo courtesy of Columbus School for Girls

AFTER YEARS AS the butt of countless jokes, school lunches of late have changed to include more expansive menus providing children from kindergarten through 12th grade with a balanced – and much more tolerable – meal every school day.

According to the USDA, schools are required by law to offer lunches that follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines outline proper nutritional needs, ensuring that schools provide students with “the right balance of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains, and protein foods.”

Emilia Martin is a food operations manager for Sodexo, a hospitality company that provides school lunches for Dublin City Schools. Martin says the school district encourages students to eat fruits and vegetables, and also encourages them to try a variety of new menu items.

“Our menus highlight a lot of different cultural cuisines like Asian ramen bowls and Chinese chopsticks, Mediterranean, Greek, Mexican and Italian themes,” Martin says. “We also offer American classics that are more typical comfort foods like chicken bowls, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, mac and cheese, and more.”

The district operates on an “offer vs. serve” basis, Martin says, in which students are not obligated to eat specific foods, but have several options for an array of flavors.

also follows set guidelines to ensure nutritional needs are met for its students.

“We create a four-week menu cycle that must meet our team of dietitians’ approval,” Landrum says. “Throughout (my time here), we’ve generally offered more community-favorite foods while continuing to emphasize balanced nutrition.”

The daily offerings include soup, a hot entree with a vegetable and side, and a salad and deli bar, Landrum says.

In addition to ensuring the menu is stocked with nutritionally dense foods, many local schools have expanded menus to accommodate various dietary restrictions and food preferences.

As food sensitivities and preferences have evolved, Martin says, the availability of food options has as well, with districts catering to those specific diets through the inclusion of more expansive options.

“At this time, we offer some basic options that include (gluten-free) breads and chips that can be substituted for sandwiches, salads, etc. Eventually, I plan to have more (glutenfree) hot options that will correspond to our

Vanessa Landrum, food services director with SAGE Dining Services for Columbus School for Girls (CSG), says the school

“I love when parents ask me, ‘How did you get my child to eat Brussels sprouts?’”

normal menu to make students who need a (gluten-free) diet feel more inclusive,” Martin says. “Vegetarian diets are easier to handle, and most students are able to ask for no meat options at the higher grade levels or pick something without meat.”

When Landrum started at CSG, the primary concern was accommodating glutenfree diets. Now, the focus has shifted to accommodate dairy allergies, and the school is transitioning to a fully peanut- and tree nut-free campus.

“We’re very thorough when it comes to food allergies in the community, so we take several measures to accommodate those with a food allergy,” Landrum says. “Our menus offer such a wide variety of dishes, so we always have something for everyone.”

While dietary restrictions and nutritional guidelines have gotten more complex over the years, schools across the U.S. and here in central Ohio have taken the opportunity to diversify the options for their students, providing them with numerous meal choices to satisfy their hunger.

“We focus on offering a variety of items to accommodate all palates and meet a range of dietary needs,” Landrum says. “My team, along with the CSG community, encourages the students to try new menu items, especially vegetables. I love when parents ask me, ‘How did you get my child to eat Brussels sprouts?’” CS

Lauren Serge is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Still Going Strong

Guided by founders’ vision, the Arnold Sports Festival continues to grow and change after 35 years

By Rachel Karas Photos courtesy of Arnold Sports Festival

NOW BRINGING UPWARDS of 15,000 athletes from more than 80 countries to Columbus each year, the Arnold Sports Festival is one of the world’s premier athletic events.

It’s come a long way from its late 1980s origins, spearheaded by central Ohio resident Jim Lorimer alongside festival namesake Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Arnold returns to Columbus March 2-5 for its 35th go ’round.

Lorimer died in November at age 96. And though Schwarzenegger has long been a household name in the U.S. and around the world, Lorimer had also made a name for himself prior to the inaugural festival in 1989. In fact, he was well known both across the country and in the world of sports even before meeting Schwarzenegger.

A huge advocate for Title IX and women’s sports, Lorimer founded the Ohio Track Club Girls Team and served as secretary and chairman of the U.S. Olympic

Committee for Women’s Track & Field in the 1960s. He then helped run several sporting events, including the 1970 world weightlifting championships, at a time when Schwarzenegger was leaving his mark on the sport.

After Lorimer convinced him to compete in the championships, Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Universe title in London, then flew back to Columbus to win the Mr. World title that same year.

Impressed by how well Lorimer ran the championships, Schwarzenegger told him he wanted to partner with him after he was done competing. So when Schwarzenegger completed his final competition in 1975, the two joined forces and began their decades-long partnership.

Over the years, guided by Lorimer and Schwarzenegger, the festival has grown to include an ever-increasing list of new events. Originally known as the Arnold Classic, the festival underwent a name

change in 2006 to reflect its vast spectrum of sporting events.

While it originally centered on bodybuilding and strongman/strongwoman competition, the festival now hosts more than 50 sports and other attractions. These events range from arm wrestling and weightlifting to foosball and baton twirling.

On top of that, over the past 12 years, organizers have started additional festivals in South America, Africa, Australia and, most recently, the United Kingdom.

Lorimer stepped down in 2021, with Brian Powers taking over as executive director of the festival. At the time of the transition, the festival was struggling to recover after having to shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic. It has since slowly started to bring back events and competitors.

The Arnold has had quite an impact on not only the bodybuilding community, but also Columbus. According to Experience Columbus, the 2022 festival

welcomed 80,000 unique visitors, only 10,000 of whom were athletes. These visitors generated roughly $20.5 million for the local economy.

With so many people coming in, the festival fills much of the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Ohio Expo Center. In 2019, all 1.7 million square feet of the convention center were used to house booths, stages and practice spaces for the competitors.

In addition to people, the festival also brings international attention, making Columbus more appealing for other sporting events, meetings and conventions.

Those interested in seeing the full schedule or buying tickets for the four-day event can check out the organization’s website at www.arnoldsports.com. CS

Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Jim Lorimer accomplished many things in his life outside of the world of sports. Before entering the world of bodybuilding, Lorimer attended law school at Penn State University in Carlisle, Pennsylvania before entering the FBI. He also worked for Nationwide Insurance for 37 years and had a large presence in the Worthington community. Over the course of 52 years, Lorimer served as the mayor, vice mayor and a city councilman, and earned the title of Poet Laureate for the speeches he gave at local community events.

Heavy Petal

Floral inspiration defines Decorative Arts Center exhibition

By Claire McLean

Photos courtesy of Decorative Arts Center

TWELVE YEARS AGO, The Ohio State University’s Historic Costume & Textiles Collection hosted Flora in Fashion. The event featured a vast array of textiles with floral patterns, along with garments constructed from plant materials such as bark cloth, raffia and piña (pineapple fiber).

This year, the collection’s curator, Gayle Strege, is working alongside the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio to produce a stunning new display of plant-patterned garments, titled Flower Power: Flora in Fashion

Each gallery in the Lancaster-based Decorative Arts Center will take on a different theme inspired by the color nuances of the seasons.

One gallery will flaunt blue and purple hues, representing early spring. The next will showcase beiges, blacks and whites, paying tribute to the midsummer color palette. Another room will feature hot colors, reminiscent of late summer.

“We’re hoping that it speaks to a lot of individuals,” Strege says. “…I think that what

we’re trying to do with a lot of the stuff is look at clothing as a type of decorative art.”

The lower gallery of the center will feature a button collection, each piece of which is a work of art in itself. The materials that make up the buttons range from glass to ceramic, with shapes and depictions of flowers as their focal points. Many of the buttons also have the artists’ trademarks.

Though most of the pieces aren’t made from real plants, some have deep roots in history, such as flowered garments worn by Lady Bird Johnson and Annie Glenn.

“I’m excited to eventually see it up on display, when it’s all realized,” Strege says.

Decorative art means turning these sorts of objects into items that are functional and highly embellished, Strege says.

“One of the dresses that I really love and that brings a smile to my face is a 1950s ball gown,” she says. “… The skirt is a big full, white, cotton organdy, so it’s stiff and it kind of sticks out, and appli-

qued to that skirt are these … realisticlooking daisies.”

One interesting aspect of the 20th century pieces in the exhibition collection is the intricacy of their construction. Many of their construction details are higherend and not present in the fast fashion garments of today, Strege says, such as the decision to cut around the design of the flowers to install the zipper of Johnson’s dress, rather than through them.

As a curator, Strege’s role is to select the garments that will be displayed and choose a cohesive theme that encapsulates the garments.

“The editing is one of the hardest parts, because there are some great things that just don’t get to come out and play,” she says.

Flower Power: Flora in Fashion opens Feb. 4 and runs through April 23. CS

Claire McLean is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Continuous Care

Local health care experts explain how and why finding care is important

By Claire Miller

Preventative health care is life-changing. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, preventative care reduces the risk of disease, disability and death.

One of the best ways to receive preventative health care is by regularly visiting a primary care provider. A primary care doctor is an umbrella term for a pediatrician, family medicine physician or internal medicine physician. All three are generally specialized and see a variety of age groups.

Pediatricians treat patients up to 18-21 years old, internal medicine begins treating patients at age 18 and family medicine doctors see patients through their entire lifespan.

Robert Stone, chief medical officer at Central Ohio Primary Care, has practiced internal medicine for 20 years.

He likens the primary care physician to a quarterback, who acts as the advisor for patients and helps them navigate their health with their expertise, while the patient knows their body the best. The patient and doctor should work together as a team.

Seeing a primary care doctor annually, if you are in good health, provides the opportunity to catch problems before they become actual issues, says Barbara Bawer, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Medical Center’s Primary Care Westerville office.

Primary care providers can counsel you on ways to make better decisions about your health, such as managing stress, exercising, healthful eating and quitting smoking. They can make sure your vaccines are

up to date, offer screening tests – such as mammograms and colonoscopies – and manage long-term health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They can also refer you to other medical specialists.

Bawer and Stone offered several tips to establish and maintain a good relationship with your primary care provider.

Go to an appointment (in-person if possible)

Though telemedicine has become even more popular since the pandemic, Bawer says that patients often have a harder time connecting over video. When establishing care, she prefers to see patients in person if possible.

Establish care when you are healthy, if you can. Don’t wait until you urgently need to see a doctor to reach out for care, she says, since it usually takes some time to get scheduled for a first-time visit.

Do research ahead of time

Bawer recommends doing research on your primary care doctor ahead of time.

Beyond just checking to make sure they take your insurance, think about your preferences, such as wanting a male or female provider. There’s often a small bio for each provider that lists their interests, such as women’s health or preventative medicine. Read about them and see if the doctor’s interests align with yours and your main health concerns.

Feel a connection

It’s important to feel compatible with your provider, Bawer and Stone say.

“Do you feel like you were listened to? Do you feel like you provided all of your history? Do you feel like you were able to say everything you wanted to say during that visit?” Bawer says. “And then you’ve got to feel it out. It’s just like anywhere else, right? Sometimes that first person isn’t perfect for you, and that’s OK. You can always switch to someone else if needed.”

Bring questions, take notes

It helps to be prepared for your visit in order to get the most out of your time in the office. Come with questions, Stone says.

“Writing things down is a really critical thing to do both before a visit if you’ve got specific questions,” he says, “and during a visit in terms of making sure you take away the things that are being communicated to you.”

Be honest

Your doctor is on your side, Stone says, and won’t judge you for falling behind on, say, exercise plans. Don’t stop going to appointments even if you aren’t where you hoped to be.

“Patients think that not doing something like that makes the physician feel that they’ve failed or something like that,” he says. “And he or she is going to do whatever they can do to help you, but is never going to be disappointed in you.” CS

Claire Miller is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com

Breathe in, Breathe out

Tips for managing stress in the new year

By Katie Giffin

While a certain amount of stress can be helpful, too much stress is often debilitating. In fact, extended periods of stress can lead to physical damage and burnout. In an article published by Harvard Health, Dr. Ann Webster says, “As we age, our immune systems are less efficient, and adding stress to that can lead to disease progression or the onset of disease.”

It’s clear that too much stress is a bad thing. But how do you avoid getting overwhelmed?

Here are 10 tips to help minimize stress in everyday life:

Goal setting

Setting goals helps to manage not only daily stressors, but long-term ones as well. The key is to set specific, attainable goals. The more extreme or overly detailed they are, the more likely you are to become discouraged and lose motivation. Additionally, goals don’t always have to be growthrelated. Set a goal to take a vacation this month or to visit your favorite coffee shop over the weekend.

Meditation

Meditation involves regularly practicing breathing and mental exercises such as Alternate Nostril Breathing and noting. Doing this regularly will help build up positive thinking habits, which reduce stress levels. Apps such as Headspace offer great daily meditations, and there are also resources on Spotify and YouTube.

Yoga

Exercise is another effective way of combating stress. Yoga in particular combines breathing exercises, meditative practices and physical movement for a holistic experience. It is also especially effective because of its accessibility: There are countless modifications making it perfect for every level of strength and flexibility. For a free yoga resource, check out Yoga with Adriene on YouTube for yoga at any level for any situation.

Self-care regimen

Self-care looks different for everyone and changes according to need. Sometimes it’s a hot bubble bath, other times

it’s gearing up and cleaning the bathroom or even spending a night out with friends. It’s important to listen to your body and choose a self-care activity that acknowledges where you are right now.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Sometimes, talking to an impartial third party is the perfect way to gain perspective. According to an article from Good Therapy, CBT is particularly helpful with managing stress because it helps restructure thought patterns, shifting them from negative to positive.

Take a walk

Take a pause during the day for a walk outside. Getting outside has been proven to boost mood and lower tension and stress in the body. Plus, you get some extra vitamin D, which is hard to come by in the cold months. Listening to audiobooks or podcasts while you’re walking can be an extra break from reality. We recommend checking places such as Spotify or Audible to find a good story to listen to.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the most important factors in reducing stress. Some ways to practice good sleep hygiene include avoiding screens before bed, trying to take naps (no longer than an hour) before 3 p.m. and avoiding caffeine for 4-6 hours before bed.

Connect with your community

According to an article from Dignity Health, acts of kindness and compassion are shown to lower rates of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body. Feeling con-

nected to others helps you feel calm and can even improve heart health.

Manage social media time

According to research from the Pew Research Organization, social media is a tool for good and evil when it comes to stress. Social media platforms can help us feel connected, but can also increase stress (especially in women) due to the heightened awareness of stressors in the lives of friends and family. Be intentional with social media usage by turning off notifications or setting a timer.

Stressing the Importance

How mental and physical health are affected by stress

By Carson Hutton

Stress is an everyday occurrence, both in our bodies and our minds, whether we realize it or not. It’s the body’s reaction to harmful situations, both real and made-up, and the effects can leave a bigger impact than some people realize. When stress continues to build up, it can be concerning and dangerous, so here is a look at how stress affects different aspects of our lives.

Eating

The appetite is one of the biggest aspects of our day-to-day lives to be affected by stress. Weight gain and loss can become common, potentially leading to binge eating or not eating at all.

Cortisol, the main stress hormone, can increase appetite. Meanwhile, blood sugar is affected by eating too much or too little.

Bodily Functions

Stress can also trigger the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that controls hormones and moderates the endocrine system.

This is where threats are perceived, causing adrenal glands to release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. That means stress reduces the adrenaline rush of good feelings.

Sleep Patterns

Sleep can be greatly impaired when stress hormones spike, triggering other responses throughout the body. Sleep deprivation, in turn, can affect memory and learning, lower metabolism, and cause endocrine dysfunction.

Pain

Because stress causes physical reactions such as muscle tension, it can lead to aches in different parts of the body. The natural guardedness that results from pain and injury has a wear and tear

Eat healthy

Although eating well may seem obvious, maintaining a healthy and consistent diet is often the first thing to go in times of stress. In addition to eating foods high in protein, try prioritizing foods high in omega-3s, leafy greens and probiotic rich foods, which have all been shown to help reduce anxiety and stress. CS

Katie Giffin is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

effect on the body, and on top of that, stress can also cause spasms due to rising cortisol, causing inflammation and pain the longer it goes on.

On the psychological side, constant stress has a number of negative effects, commonly placed under the umbrella of “burnout.” Symptoms may include emotional exhaustion, a sense of decreased accomplishment and a loss of empathy.

Limiting the stress you encounter on a daily basis has both immediate and long-term benefits.

Some ways to handle stress include taking deep breaths, meditating, eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding excessive drinking. To learn more, check out our article on pg. 25.

Carson Hutton is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Fitness for All

Breaking down popular fitness activities fit for everyone

By Carson Hutton

Though most people understand the importance of physical fitness, figuring out where to start can be tricky. Fortunately, there are a huge number of options for getting started, both online and in-person.

Here’s a deeper look at three viable options: yoga, walking and Tai Chi.

Yoga

The development of yoga can be traced back almost 10,000 years. The concept of is has changed drastically over time, but in modern American culture, it focuses on the practice of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines aimed at controlling and stilling the mind.

Yoga can help strengthen muscles through healthy stress in various shapes and motions, and strengthen the mind as well. Columbus has a long list of yoga offerings, and trying out a class is a great place to start.

GIVE Yoga in Clintonville and German Village, Zen Yoga Studio in Clintonville, and Bikram Hot Yoga Columbus in Grandview Heights are popular spots worth a glance for both beginners and veterans. Yoga can help improve strength,

balance and flexibility, while increasing blood flow and warming up muscles.

Walking

Walking is one of the easiest and oldest forms of exercise. It doesn’t require any fancy memberships, equipment or special skills making it a convenient way to stay active.

Walking increases heart rate, blood flow and energy levels while also helping eliminate potential health problems. Regularly walking can help improve the health of your muscles, increase flexibility of your ligaments and supply your body with strength to maintain balance.

Columbus and its suburbs feature plenty of paths and trails perfect for going on a walk. The Scioto Trail, which is part of the Scioto Mile, is a great place to start as it offers a great view of downtown Columbus. Other popular walking trails include Highbanks Metro Park, Blendon Woods Metro Park and Alum Creek State Park. Whether you want the privacy of the woods or the bustling energy of the city, there is no shortage of options to walk.

Tai Chi

This form of exercise is an alternative for those who want something different. Tai Chi, also known as shadowboxing, is a Chinese martial arts practice that can be used for defense training, health benefits and meditation.

It has been in use since the 1600s and emphasizes breathing and energy methods, while highlighting use of the whole body even when just one body part is being moved. It helps with slow motion and weight shifting, which improves strength and joint stability.

Chen Taiji of Ohio at the Tuttle Park Community Center is a great option around the University District if you want to get in some practice. There are a lot of places to try out around the city, including Dr. Wu’s Institute near Grandview Heights and Body Wisdom Healing Group in Clintonville. Studios generally emphasize the idea that, within all of us, there are two competing forces that must harmonize to make us whole. CS

Carson Hutton is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Mental Health Matters

The ins and outs of your mental health

By Kobe Collins

For one in every five Ohioans, seasonal affective disorder –also known as seasonal depression – sucks the joy out of the winter months. In a time of heightened melancholy, it’s important to understand the role mental health and self-care have in your daily life.

In a 2021 study, the National Alliance on Mental Health found that 22% of Ohioans were told by professionals that they have some form of depression. Over 43% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, and people ages 25-64 were most likely to die by suicide.

According to the JED Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fights to protect emotional health, the three most common warning signs of mental struggles are mood, behavioral and physical changes. When thinking about seeking help, it’s important to ask yourself such questions as:

• Am I missing work, avoiding certain activities or struggling to complete tasks?

• Am I fighting or feeling disconnected from the people around me more than usual?

• Am I constantly thinking about work, school or other tasks, even when I am not there?

Though these questions are not the end-all be-all, it is a start. Beginning to think about mental health and building an awareness of one’s own emotions can make a difference.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lays out four key areas to focus on in overcoming mental health challenges:

• Health: This step focuses on the ability to overcome or manage symptoms and choices while staying informed about your emotional, physical and mental health.

• Home: This component refers to having a safe and stable place to live, where you’re comfortable and feel you can be yourself.

• Purpose: Participating in meaningful activities, enjoying your job, volunteering, caretaking or practicing a hobby all fall under this value.

• Community: Having a community or network of relationships that help support, love and care for one another changes the lives of everyone involved.

Talking to a trusted friend or family member is one of the first steps to finding help. Start the conversation for yourself, or gently bring it up to a loved one who might be struggling. Take time to encourage them and help them in seeking a professional counselor. Taking the steps to fight mental illness is not easy, but it is always necessary.

Kobe Collins is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Grand View

New porch offers scenic vistas and plenty of space to entertain

By Garth Bishop Photos courtesy of Marshall Evans Photography

You’d never know that the porch on this Grandview Heights house hasn’t been there for the entirety of its nearly 100-year existence.

The reality, though, is that the porch is a fairly recent addition – and, per the homeowners, a much-needed one on a house that was aching for more outdoor living space.

As much as Natalie and Pierre Wolfe appreciate their 1928-built home, they had long found it lacking when it came to entertaining.

When they first reached out to the Cleary Company to rectify that situation, they were thinking more about a terrace than a full-fledged porch. But the 336square-foot addition, completed in 2020, has been all that they hoped for and more, they say.

“Grandview is kind of a front porch community … and our house never had a front porch,” Natalie says.

A wide overhang marks a clear division between sections of the new brushed con-

crete porch. On one side, covering about two-thirds of the space, is a fully covered area for dining and inclement-weather gathering. On the other is an open pergola with a fire pit, more suited for casual get-togethers.

“We wanted to make sure it looked like it had been part of the home the whole time,” says Cleary Design Manager Laura Watson. “We didn’t want it to look like an addition.”

The positioning of the house – thanks, in large part, to its proximity to a scenic ravine – is such that what most people would consider the front (with the garage and driveway) is actually the Before

back. As a result, the official front and surrounding yard were largely devoid of character, despite the house’s otherwise charming architectural details.

“They didn’t really have a good place to sit outside, unless they sat in their driveway, which is on the other side of the house,” says Watson.

Now, the couple have all the space they need for entertaining, and have hosted as many as 16 people for dinner. Even in the winter, the fire pit keeps the porch appealing for company.

Not only did the Wolfes want to be able to host guests outside, they wanted to make it easy for those guests to split their time between the indoor and outdoor spaces. To accomplish that, Cleary replaced the standard single door leading outside with a set

“We went from something simple to something really elegant. It’s really added to the quality of our life.”

Pierre Wolfe

of French doors, which the Wolfes can leave open, weather permitting, when they have company.

The sitting side of the porch is designed to be open concept, bringing light and ventilation into the house through the French doors, and allowing for a more natural look with vines and other greenery on the roof.

“Our goal is to have wisteria grow on that open end so we can add a floral element there,” Natalie says.

Because the lot has a steep drop, the porch juts out between the middle posts, making it feel more like a balcony, Watson says. That’s a definite plus for the homeowners, who wanted to take advantage of the view, Pierre says.

The porch is surrounded by a gated metal railing so the couple’s dogs can have the run of the porch space, but not the whole yard.

Visitors are struck by the flexibility of the space, Natalie says, not to mention how well it fits in with the character of the neighborhood. Neighbors are drawn to it, and one has already expressed interest in building their own, Pierre says.

“We went from something simple to something really elegant,” he says. “It’s really added to the quality of our life.”

Other highlights of the new porch include:

• A modern farmhouse-style chandelier over the dining area

• Modern light fixtures with soft lighting

• A set of columns designed to keep with the original architectural design of the home, with caps on the top and bottom of each

• Pavers leading around from both sides of the house

The project won local and regional Contractor of the Year awards through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, in the category of Residential Exterior $50,000-$100,000. CS

Garth Bishop is a contributing editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

TRENDS

New Year, New Space

Renovation apps to help refresh your home for the New Year

By Claire McLean

With the New Year come new beginnings, new ideas and new opportunities to spruce up your home. Today, it is easier than ever to try out new flooring, paint and backsplashes before you commit to a color or style. There are countless apps you can find on your devices, so we’ve broken down some that we recommend.

Paint Apps

To test out your dream kitchen paint color, try Home Depot ProjectColor or Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap.

The Home Depot app allows you to match paint colors to your furniture or simply browse the company’s wide selection of colors. After downloading the app, simply upload a photo of your space,

browse or match color options, and visualize the color in your space. Additionally, the app allows the user to save their favorite colors, find coordinating colors and even order paint samples directly.

ColorSnap is just as easy to use, with a few additional features. Using augmented reality, the app allows you to instantly visualize any of SherwinWilliams’ 1,700 colors on your own walls.

Does a particular photo inspire you? Upload the

image and tap on it to find the closest Sherwin-Williams color match. The app also features day and night lighting options, so you can see what your favorite color will look like throughout the day.

Additionally, there’s no need to overbuy paint. You can enter the dimensions of your walls and ColorSnap will estimate the amount of paint you need to complete the project. Finally, explore coordinating colors to find shades that will match your chosen colors.

Floor Apps

Next up, Picture It! Floor Visualizer by LL Flooring helps with all of your flooring needs.

First, select your floor from the large variety of styles and types of flooring offered by LL Flooring. Once you’ve found your favorite, click on “See this floor in your room.” Next, upload a photo of your space to see what your perfect floor will look like. If you’re not able to snap a picture of your space, you can select one of the app’s sample rooms.

The app also allows you to customize your floor by trying out different finishes, as well as see the before-and-after transformation. Once you’ve found the perfect fit, you can order a free sample to see your selection in real life.

Space-visualizing App

The next app is an exciting and multifaceted tool designed to help you choose furniture, lighting, appliances and more to customize your own room.

After downloading the Room PlannerHome Design 3D app, enter the dimensions of your room along with other aspects of the room’s layout. You can view the floor plan or explore the room from a 360-degree panorama.

Additionally, you can change flooring and walls to make the model look just like your own room. Next, select furniture and lighting options from the side panel to test out different options in your space.

One additional feature of the app is “Styles,” which allows the user to select a style from a variety of options such as Mid-century Modern, Scandinavian and Boho. Each style comes with a variety of furniture and décor options to add a level of cohesiveness to your space. CS

Claire McLean is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Frozen Fun

Midwest winter festivals for those who love the snow and ice

By Tyler Kirkendall

THE HOLIDAY SEASON has come and gone, which lands us square in the middle of another Ohio winter. And while some dread the oncoming snow, ice and slush, there are many who embrace the change of seasons and accept the cold as a way of life for the first few months of the year.

The Midwest is known for this mentality, especially as you go further north and west from our beloved home state.

Many of the states around Ohio celebrate winter on another level. Here are suggestions for Midwest winter festivals for those who refuse to let cabin fever into their homes.

St. Paul Winter Carnival: Jan. 26-Feb. 5

This event started with the sentiments of the Midwest firmly in the hearts of its founders. Reporters from the eastern U.S. likened the Midwest to Siberia, saying it was unfit for comfortable everyday life.

Dedicated Minnesotans took this as a call to arms in 1885, launching the St. Paul Winter Carnival the following year. They were fortunate that Montreal was having a smallpox outbreak, as they snatched the talents of the Canadian city’s lead ice sculptor, Alexander Hutchinson. Hutchinson designed St. Paul’s first ice palace, which measured 106 feet tall.

The tradition of constructing the ice palace is important to Twin Cities residents, and the 1992 Pepsi Palace set a Guinness World Record for its 165-foot stature, at a cost of nearly $2 million.

Gawking at magnificent ice sculptures is not the only thing to do during this nearly two-week event.

There is a constant rotation of live music, as well as fireworks and ice skating. Local towns such as White Bear Lake get in on the action, too, with a “golf on ice” event proving popular in recent years.

You can also take a “Gangsters and Ghosts” walking tour, which exhibits the history of the city in a new, chilling light.

The event overlaps with another cultural touchstone event for Minnesotans: the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships.

Michigan Tech Winter Carnival: Feb. 8-11

Another lake-heavy state that knows how to celebrate the cold is our rival neighbor to the north.

Michigan Technology University, which sits on one of the highest points of Michi-

Photos courtesy of Education Images, Michigan Tech and Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

St. Paul Winter Carnival

gan’s upper peninsula, hosts a Winter Carnival that just celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2022.

The carnival features two ice-sculpting competitions, one of which lasts a month and boasts larger-than-life sculptures of buildings, people and more, as well as an overnight competition for artists who have enough ice in their veins to work under a dusk-till-dawn time crunch.

Each year the carnival hosts a SnoBall dance and a plethora of sports and activities. These include the ever-popular broomball (a version of hockey that utilizes altered sticks and no skates) and human sled dog races in which six people

pull along a sled that holds four passengers for a 100-yard dash.

The event takes place on Lake Superior, where you can view a frozen horizon longer than you can find anywhere else.

University of Okoboji Winter Games: Jan. 26-29

This event started as a broomball tournament in 1981 and has since turned into an exhibition of eclectic winter sports and activities.

There is no University of Okoboji. The event is organized by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by local businesses.

Okoboji is the secluded home to many lakes and great surfaces for flag football, ATV races, broomball and other activities for those who love staying active out in the cold.

Live music, axe throwing, a polar plunge, mega snow pong and a pickleball tournament all dot the schedule over the course of the long weekend, which leads up to “The Burning of the Greens,” wherein Iowans set a pile of discarded Christmas trees ablaze. CS

Tyler Kirkendall is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at tkirkendall@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Michigan Tech Winter Carnival

University of Okoboji Winter Games

The Evolution of An Artist

Stacy sharesLeeman

By Claire McLean

how her inspiration has changed over time

Photos courtesy of Stacy Leeman

COLUMBUS NATIVE STACY Leeman wanted to be an artist since she was 5 years old. Though her academic and artistic journey took her to New York for several years, she eventually returned to Columbus, and today, her oil paintings are displayed in galleries and art shows throughout the city.

“I feel like I go through stretches where, if I’m working really, really steadily, I learn all kinds of new things,” Leeman says. “And I feel like artists really love to sort of talk about their materials and stuff. Every once in a while.”

Leeman finds inspiration for her work through text, particularly Jewish texts such as the Talmud and the Five Books of Moses. Working with these texts allows her to find meaning in literature that is very complex and difficult to understand.

Her most recent series is inspired by the Virginia Wolfe essay A Room of One’s Own. Since the end of her undergraduate career, Leeman has mostly been interested in abstract work, with a particular focus on scale and texture.

“So space works really differently,” Leeman says. “You work with different materials, and sometimes, your brushes and supplies that you’re working with have to change because of the changing scale.”

Leeman primarily paints on canvas, wood and Dura-Lar – a polyester film – all of which hold paint differently and offer a unique visual and textural experience. She has also recently begun experimenting with oil pastels after seeing the beautiful work one of her students created using the medium.

Her students aren’t the only people who have influenced Leeman over the years. While in graduate school at Rutgers University, she became part of a close-knit community of fellow artists. And even before graduate school, Leeman found a sense of belonging among a group of artists with whom she shared a studio in Manhattan.

“I have this sort of group of artists that I can lean on, and a fellow colleague at Otterbein that I’m really close friends with,

so when I have questions, I reach out to them,” Leeman says. “They’re sort of my go-to people. Or when I find something new, I send a text or an email saying, ‘Hey, have you ever used this color or this material?’ And it’s really kind of fun.”

Leeman has found that having a sense of community is very important to her, and to artists in general.

“It’s a very solitary experience,” Leeman says. “You spend hours and hours and hours by yourself, and I’m not going to say that I dislike that, but it can be lonely.”

During the pandemic, Leeman was able to spend a lot of time in her studio working, free of everyday distractions. She was even able to start a new series of paintings

that later made appearances in her show with the Dublin Arts Council.

In addition to her artistic ventures, Leeman also added a new art studio onto her house. Her previous studio was located in her attic, and it did not lend itself well to the larger works she was creating.

Leeman primarily showcases her art in Brandt-Roberts Galleries, with a presence in four other galleries throughout the country.

Leeman recently presented her work in Stacy Leeman: A Room of One’s Own, organized by the Dublin Arts Council. The sheer size of the space presented Leeman with the opportunity to present 47 of her paintings across three rooms.

The Columbus art community in particular has been very supportive and kind, often lending itself to many new opportunities for artists.

“Artists have opportunities to make art, to sell art. And they have opportunities to experiment,” Leeman says. “You’re not dealing with New York City galleries, so I feel like artists have a little more artistic freedom.” CS

Claire McLean is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemedia.com

Presented by

Thursday, May 18, 2023 • 6 PM Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Join us for a memorable evening with St. Jude friends, entertainment and wonderful food – while immersed in the world of the majestic animals of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Hear an inspirational story from a St. Jude patient celebrating a cancer-free milestone.

Cocktails | Plated Dinner | Live & Silent Auctions

The Shadow Knows

Gina Osterloh’s Mirror Shadow Shape Explores Abstract Perspectives

By Kobe Collins

A NEW SOLO exhibition at the Columbus Museum of Art has given Gina Osterloh the opportunity to help patrons deepen their understandings of themselves and their environment through use of a variety of unique mediums.

“In those early works, I was thinking about the pressures to assimilate, passing or not passing for a singular or particular racial identity,” Osterloh says. “Later, my work started

to play more with the origins of photography.”

Mirror Shadow Shape, opening in February and running through the fall, showcases Osterloh’s studiobased photography, film, performance and drawing to explore the complexity of human perception. The exhibition emphasizes brightly colored tableaus, intense scenes and abstract concepts to keep visitors engaged.

Press and Outline, 2014. 16mm film loop, black and white, no audio, TRT 5 min. 30 sec.

“I developed visual strategies including camouflage, working with large monochrome room structures, in which figures would be partially obscured or camouflaged, repeating a similar pattern or color in a room,” Osterloh says.

In addition to being a working artist, Osterloh is an assistant professor of art at The Ohio State University. Her abstract style allows her to convey her complex life experiences and thoughts as a Filipino-American growing up in Ohio.

“I’m always trying to depict larger questions of our identity,” states Osterloh. “... I’m hoping the photographs ask you to question what you see.”

A prominent voice in growing the vision and impact of the Columbus Museum of Art, CEO and Executive Director Nannette Maciejunes, stepped down at the end of last year. As a way to pay tribute to her almost 20 years of dedication to the museum, longtime community art patrons Donna and Larry James announced a planned donation of 42 different works by Black artists.

With new exhibits opening up at the start of the new year, it is never to late to give the gift of art with a CMA membership or uniquely crafted gifts found in the museum’s shop. For more information on exhibits and gifts, visit the Columbus Museum of Art website, www.columbusmuseum.org CS

Mirror Woman, 2020. 31 x 22 inches, archival pigment print.

Photos courtesy of The Columbus Museum of Art and Len Price Photography

Kobe Collins is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com

Mute Rash, 2008. 30 x 38.5 inches, archival pigment print. Holding Zero #1, 2020. 43 x 56.5 inches, archival pigment print.

Drawing for the Camera, 2014. 53 x 31 inches, archival pigment print.

Dash Room Dance, 2018. 34 x 35.5 inches, archival pigment print.

Dot front Misfire, 2008. 30 x 38.5 inches, archival pigment print.

VIEW Dates and shows are subject to change. Visit the websites for more information.

Gallery Exhibits

Art Access Gallery: Landscapes by Joe Lombardo. Vibrant and atmospheric pieces in the artist’s plein air style. Through Feb. 28. www.artacessgallery.com

The Arts Castle Gallery 22: Form & Function and Faces by Clay Cua and Roger Brackins. Features wood and steel work by Cua and oil paintings by Brackins. Jan. 6-Feb. 24. www.artscastle.org

Blockfort: We Go Together Like. An exhibition that pairs 12 writers and artists together to create collaborative works. Writer Signe Damron helped curate the exhibit. Jan. 13-Feb. 25. www. blockfortcolumbus.com

Capital University Schumacher Gallery: Dignity: Tribes in Transition by Dana Gluckstein. More than 60 black-and-white portraits of Indigenous peoples over several decades. Jan. 16-April 1. Artists’ reception on Jan. 19 from 5-7 p.m. www.schumacher gallery.org

Columbus Museum of Art: Mirror Shadow Shape by Gina Osterloh. An exhibition looking at the preconceived ways we understand ourselves and others through photography, film, performance and drawings. Feb. 24-Oct. 8. www.columbusmuseum.org

Contemporary Art Matters: Two of Us by Dion Johnson and Michael Reafsnyder. Unique abstract art styles. Feb. 2-March 10. “Closer Look” reception Feb. 2 from 5-7 . p.m. . www.contemporary artmatters.com

David Myers Art Studio & Gallery: The Synergy of Collaboration. Paintings made by multiple artists using a unique, therapeutic process. Feb. 3-March 17. www.davidmyers art.com

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio: Flower Power: Flora in Fashion presented by the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection at The Ohio State University with curator Gayle Strege. Everything from extravagant hats to sublime shoes showcasing colorful floral motifs. Feb. 4-April 23. www.decartsohio.org

Dublin Arts Council: Emerging. The council’s annual exhibition of student artwork featuring artwork from students in grades K-12 and the PATHS post-secondary program. Students are able to sell their artwork at this juried exhibition. Jan. 10-Feb.24. www.dublinarts.org

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery and SEEN Studios: Wolf Girl: Flight, Fight, Freeze by Mariana Weflen. A wordless graphic novel that takes on topics such as post-traumatic stress responses, cultural roles and spirituality through a folkloric tale about a girl and her mothering wolf. Through Jan. 20. www.southeasthc.org/services/ freshairgallery

Hayley Gallery: Best of Hayley Gallery Artists. Feature work from more than 30 visual artists. Jan. 14-Feb.15. And work by artists Suzanne Robinson and Jessica Kovan. Feb. 18-March 14. www.localohioart.com

Hawk Galleries: Brilliant. Sculptures and other artwork collections of 18 different artists including Conrad Bishop, Lisa Horkin and Ethan Stern. Through Jan. 31. www.hawkgalleries.com

ON

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery and SEEN Studios

Mac Worthington Studio, Gallery & Sculpture Park

Keny Galleries: Holiday Treasures. Featuring historic American paintings and works on paper by several artists including George Bellows, Edna Hopkins and Elijah Pierce. Through Jan. 15. www. kenygalleries.com

Mac Worthington Studio, Gallery & Sculpture Park: Space Between Fall & Spring. Seasonally themed paintings. Jan. 1-28. And Snow capped splendor. 105 outdoor sculptures in an outside setting. Feb. 1-28. www.macworthington.com

Marcia Evans Gallery: 25 Prints Celebrating 25 Years: Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative. Works by past and present members that showcase the diversity of printmaking methods over the past 25 years. Opening in February.  www. marciaevansgallery.com

McConnell Arts Center: Motherhood by Weiting Wei and Transitory States by Ardine Nelson. Wei’s work tells the beauty and struggle of motherhood through a visual storybook in polymer clay, while Nelson’s features photography documenting the life cycle of plants. Jan. 12-March 16. Opening reception Jan. 12 from 6-8 p.m. www.mcconnellarts.org

Ohio Art Council’s Riffe Gallery: Arts Beacon of Light. Featuring the work of 17 Ohio artists created during the pandemic as part of an initiative. Jan. 31-April 7. Curator tour on Feb. 3, opening reception on Feb. 4. www.oac.ohio.gov/ Riffe-Gallery

Ohio Craft Museum: Alchemy 6, organized by the Enamelist Society. Jewelry, objects, sculpture and installations by professional artists and student artists from around the world. Feb. 4-April 1. www.ohiocraft.org

Open Door Art Studio & Gallery: Coast to Coast . A collection of work that features landmarks, natural wonders and sightseeing attractions around the U.S. by a collection of several artists. Feb. 11-March 3. Opening reception Feb. 11 from 5-7 p.m. www.open doorcolumbus.org

Ohio Craft Museum

Ohio Art Council’s Riffe Gallery

Wexner Center for the Arts

OSU Urban Arts Space: Fergus Scholarship exhibition. Jan. 9-20. And Department of Art First Year MFA exhibition. Jan. 30-Feb. 10. www.uas.osu.edu

Otterbein University Miller Gallery: Mixtape: Landscape by Jonathan Johnson. Darkroom experiments, video and color images that focus on landscape, place and autobiography. Much of the work was created during the artist’s travels through

Thailand, Scotland and Scandinavia. Jan. 9-Feb. 24. www.otterbein.edu/art/millerfisher-galleries/.

Pizzuti Collection of Columbus Museum of Art: Greater Columbus. A collection of work featuring several central Ohio artists to recognize their outstanding talent. And Was It Your Trigger Finger? by Bobby T. Luck. Film, collage and sculpture work that re-imagines globalization and the self

by breaking down diplomatic and emotional borders. Both showing Feb. 17-Aug. 6. www.columbusmuseum.org

ROY G BIV Gallery: January show, featuring four artists who present personal ideas of influence and experiences through creative texture or characteristic color. Jan. 13-Feb. 3. And February show, featuring new artists who show their interpretation of the intersection of the real and virtual worlds. Feb. 10-March 3. www. roygbivgallery.org

Sarah Gormley Gallery: A Couturier’s Garden by Devi Vallabhaneni. 3D handsculptured embroideries using the finest materials from France and Japan. Jan. 11-Feb. 18. And Rosebud by Melodie Thompson. Work exploring people’s connection to the natural world through a fictional place. Feb. 22-March 31. www. sarahgormleygallery.com

Studios on High Gallery: The Art of Gifting. An annual holiday show that features several smaller pieces by member artists. Through Feb. 2. www. studiosonhigh.com

Terra Gallery & Creative Studios: The Creators’ Collection. Work by studio artists and art instructors showcasing a wide variety of mediums including paintings, paper pulp, metal and ceramics. Jan. 6-Feb. 26. www.terra-gallery.com

Wexner Center for the Arts: Meditation Ocean Constellation by Hope Ginsburg and several other partners. An immersive installation of underwater meditation footage. Opening Feb. 11. www.wexarts.org

Sarah Gormley Gallery

FOUNDATIONS

Picks&Previews

What to watch, what to watch for and what not to miss!

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Winter Festival Jan. 6-7, 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

The Columbus Symphony performs Prokofiev’s first violin concerto, featuring Bulgarian violinist Bella Hristova. Violinist Joseph Szigeti describes the work as a “mixture of fairy-tale naivete and daring savagery in a lay-out texture,” a timely piece when Dmitri Shostakovich wrote it in 1939. www.columbussymphony.com

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin Jan. 14, 8 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Aretha Franklin was named the greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone for her amazing work. She worked hard on stage –winning 18 Grammy Awards and topping the Billboard charts 112 times – but also off stage, fighting for women’s rights and civil rights. The performance is meant to honor

and celebrate the work of the late Queen of Soul. www.columbussymphony.com

I Love the 90s Show!

Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Celebrate the 1990s with SWV (“Weak”), Tony! Toni! Tone! (“Feels Good”) and Dave Hollister of Blackstreet (“No Diggity”) as they transform the Palace Theatre with their live concert performance. www.capa.com

Jazz Arts Group presents The Micah Thomas Quartet Jan. 19, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Pianist Micah Thomas, a Columbus Youth Jazz alumnus and Hank Marr Award winner, returns to the Lincoln stage for an evening of inventive and futuristic jazz with his quartet. The performance will be recorded and posted on JAG.TV and YouTube after Jan. 27 for future viewing enjoyment. www.jazzartsgroup.org

New Albany Lecture Series: An Evening with 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Ressa Jan. 23, 7 p.m. McCoy Center, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany

Maria Ressa was named a 2021 Nobel Prize winner, chosen as Time Magazine’s 2018 Person of the Year and among its 100 Most Influential People of 2019, to name a few of her accomplishments. Ressa has also worked for nearly 35 years as a journalist in Asia and will bring that knowledge and experience with her as she discusses social justice to kick off this year’s lecture series. www.newalbanyfoundation.org

Broadway in Columbus presents SIX Jan. 24-29 Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

The musical that has been getting rave reviews from outlets such as the New York Times and Washington Post since 2017 is finally coming to Columbus. SIX tells the story of the wives of Henry VIII with a

Jay Leno

unique twist on the nearly 500-year-old story that turns the Tudor queens into pop princesses with an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power. www.capa.com

Columbus Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival Jan. 28, 7-11 p.m.

COSI, 333 W. Broad St.

Looking to sample some wine or whiskey and feed your sweet tooth? This festival will have a multitude of decadent chocolate treats such as cookies, cakes, macaroons and candies. Tickets also cover the cost of a tasting glass to enjoy unlimited wine and whiskey with a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and non-alcoholic beverages as well. www.chocolatewine whiskey.com

Chamber Music Columbus presents Cavani String Quartet Jan. 28, 4 p.m. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Known for its artistic excellence and generous spirit, the Cavani Quartet has a more than 30-year legacy that has earned its countless awards. The ensemble will be joined by award-winning soprano singer Louise Toppin, who was a finalist in the Munich International Competition and winner of the Metropolitan Opera regional auditions. www.chambermusiccolumbus.org

Greensky Bluegrass Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.

KEMBA LIVE!, 405 Neil Ave.

This traditional bluegrass group was founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan in the

mid-2000s and now tours the country with its five members and light show. www.promowestlive.com

CATCO presents 9 to 5, The Musical Feb. 2-19 Studio One, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

Based on the hit 1980 movie, 9 to 5, The Musical follows the life of three unlikely friends who try to get even with their boss and take control of their office by working together. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, this show is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge with plenty of humor along the way. www.catco.org

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Dvorˇák’s New World Feb. 3-4, 7:30 p.m. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Guest violinist Aubree Oliverson joins the Columbus Symphony to perform pieces that are deeply rooted in American folk traditions. Oliverson is well-known for her evocative lyricism and joyful, genuine approach to music. www.columbussymphony.com

“Live at the McCoy” Party!: Jay Leno Feb. 3, 8 p.m.

McCoy Center, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany

Late-night TV show host, stand-up comedian, children’s book author, and pioneering car builder and mechanic Jay Leno brings his unique comedy to the McCoy Center. www.mccoycenter.org

CAPA presents An Evening with George Winston Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

George Winston has been playing the acoustic piano for more than 40 years and has sold 15 million albums. His playing has been described as “akin to breathing” because it gives listeners the “chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander.” www.capa.com

BalletMet presents Dorothy and the Prince of Oz Feb. 10-12 Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Dorothy is summoned back to Oz by Glinda to help save the Prince of Oz and reunite the two kingdoms before a war breaks out. The show brings a new Oz to life with amazing music and choreography and beautiful puppetry and scenery. www. balletmet.org

New Albany Lecture Series: An Evening with Bret Baier, Fox Anchor & Best-Selling Author Feb. 16, 7 p.m. McCoy Center, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany

Bret Baier serves as FOX News Channel’s chief political anchor and as anchor

Cavani String Quartet and Louise Toppin

of Special Report with Bret Baier. With experience interviewing countless leaders throughout the United States, Baier brings that knowledge to the stage to connect the current political climate to the stories of the Ulysses S. Grant era. www. newalbanyfoundation.org

Fortune Feimster: Live Laugh Love! Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Gaining popularity while working on shows such as Chelsea Lately and The Mindy Project, Fortune Feimster is a standup comedian, writer and actor. Her confessional comedy is known for bringing people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations

together through laughter and storytelling. www.capa.com

Chamber Music Columbus presents St. Lawrence String Quartet Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Critics describe the St. Lawrence String Quartet as “modern” and “wickedly attentive with a hint of rock ‘n’ roll energy,” as it is known for its intense performances and commitment to engaging concert experiences. The group will also perform pieces written by musician and composer Korine Fujiwara ,who formerly played with a ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. www.chambermusiccolumbus.org

World’s Toughest Rodeo Feb. 18, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Fans gather to see the best cowboy athletes compete to get one step closer to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Events include fan favorites such as Bull

Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bareback Riding, as well as the Showdown Round and Women’s Barrel Racing. www. nationwidearena.com

Jazz Art Group Columbus presents the Kenny Banks and Kenny Banks Jr. Band Feb. 23, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

This father-and-son duo are both Columbus natives and sensational pianists. Kenny Banks has been studying and playing since the age of 7 and has performed at the United Nations Ceremony for President Obama, Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Philharmonie in Berlin. www.jazzartsgroup.org

Opera Columbus presents Maria De Buenos Aires Feb. 24-26

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

The sensual rhythms of Argentinian tango and mesmerizing poetry by Horacio Ferrer portray the journey of the opera’s heroine, Maria. Set in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, this mesmerizing tale tells the story of a woman consumed by passion and her reckless search for love and freedom. Get to the performance early and you can dance on the stage before the show starts. www.operacolumbus.org

CAPA presents Welcome to Night Vale: The Haunting of Night Vale Feb. 24, 8 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

Based on the twice-monthly podcast Welcome to Night Vale, this live performance brings the stories of the small desert town of Night Vale to life. Listen to never-before-told stories as told by Night Vale, Cecil Baldwin and some surprise guests who can introduce you to the town. www.capa.com

St. Lawrence String Quartet

Fortune Feimster