CityScene March/April 2024

MAR 9 2024 — SEP 2 2024

Real objects. Real stories.

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Crystal Clear Show

Cirque du Soleil brings a never-before-seen show performed on ice

By Maisie Fitzmaurice

Photos by Matt Baker and Olivier Brajon

THINK CIRQUE DU SOLEIL couldn’t get any cooler? Try adding ice.

The world-renowned acrobatic entertainment troupe is bringing a new show, Crystal, to Columbus, showcasing graceful ice skaters, daring acrobats and skilled circus actors.

“We’re able to do things that no other show does, which is essentially walking on frozen water,” says (aptly-named) Crystal Manich, Crystal’s Emmy-nominated artistic director.

Crystal is the company’s only current touring show to visit ice rinks. While an acrobatics-heavy show on ice promises to be novel, it does come with some added challenges for the company and its performers.

In tune with other Cirque shows, there are often multiple performers from different disciplines on stage at the same time, says Mary Siegel, a figure-skating performer. To help with safety, the acrobats wear special shoes, and the performers must rehearse heavily.

“You’re not just looking down. You’re also looking up at the same time,” Siegel says. “And it’s a much harder surface that is also a little bit unreliable at times. It’s

Save the date

Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal will be at the Schottenstein Center from April 4-7. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal

“We’re able to do things that no other show does, which is essentially walking on frozen water.” Artistic Director Crystal Manich

Close to home

This Columbus show will be special for Siegel, whose hometown is Cincinnati.

“I think about 40 family members are going to come to one show,” she says. “It’s different when you’re performing in front of faces that you don’t recognize, versus getting in front of faces that you do recognize, and the people will actually give you their honest truth when you are done performing.”

a bit slippery and it’s a lot harder on the joints. It also adds to the danger factor.”

Performing on ice requires a different set of skills and preparation, but this is ultimately what sets Crystal apart from the company’s other shows.

“Between people who are gliding, versus people who are running and also the aerial artists that we have, the combination of those three different aspects is what makes the show really special,” Manich says. “There’s so much visually that I think we take risks in terms of what we’re seeing and how the audience is viewing it.”

As a professional figure skater, Siegel doesn’t share the spotlight often, but she has loved being able to perform with other skaters with the company.

“It’s really nice to be able to look up at somebody and see them smiling back at you,” she says. “It gives me a little bit of comfort, and it’s exciting and fun when you have that connection with somebody and you’re feeding off each other.”

Siegel enjoys not only the performance aspect of the show, she says, but also the

story behind it. It includes a journey of self-discovery through the perspective of the main character, also named Crystal, as she changes perspective and adventures into a new creative world.

“I think everyone goes through times where they’re unsure of themselves and they need to have some introspection to come into themselves and be comfortable in their own skin,” she says. “I really do feel that it’s a story that anybody can connect with, whether they’re little kids or if they’re older, it’s something that they’ve gone through in their life.”

The music, makeup, costumes and sets play on the story’s theme, alternating between bright and colorful pieces and shaded and cold ones, in tune with the journey through Crystal’s mind and emotions.

“It really paints a beautiful picture and puts that magic touch into what the audience is viewing,” Siegel says. CS

Maisie Fitzmaurice is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at mfitzmaurice@cityscenemediagroup.com

More than a Disease

Diagnostic criteria and treatments for multiple sclerosis

By Jane Dimel

ONE YEAR AGO, OhioHealth became the first healthcare provider in the U.S. to administer the new drug ublituximab (brand name Briumvi), increasing the accessibility of treatment for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). OhioHealth’s Multiple Sclerosis Clinic was also the first in the world to administer the medicine Ocrevus in 2017.

In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month this March, Jacqueline Nicholas, system chief of neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis and director of MS research at OhioHealth, talks about the challenges of getting a diagnosis, as well as available treatments.

Types

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system randomly attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Since this system controls our body’s functions, damage from attacks can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, imbalance, blurry vision, and troubles with bladder and bowel control.

MS often presents between the ages of 20-40 years old, though about 5 percent of cases show up in childhood, Nicholas says.

One key factor in diagnosing MS is ruling out all other possible alternative diagnoses. The common symptoms of MS can correlate to vitamin deficiency, infections or other autoimmune conditions, so it

OhioHealth Neuroscience Center

is important to identify the cause to know how to best treat the patient. Some ways to screen for MS include blood tests, MRI brain imaging and lumbar puncture.

The most common form of the disease is relapsing-remitting, in which individuals experience episodes of their symptoms. Between the two main types, RelapsingRemitting MS (RRMS) and Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), Nicholas says, 85 percent of MS patients are diagnosed with RRMS. This is usually the case as the first physical symptom patients experience can sometimes last for hours or days, whereas patients with PPMS usually see their symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Jacqueline Nicholas

However, these diagnostic labels may change in the future, as experts believe that MS is a singular disease that can present in different ways based on its progression.

Treatment options

One of the drawbacks of current MS treatments is they cannot fix the damage already done to the brain and spinal cord.

However, before the 1990s, treatment for MS did not exist and little was known about the condition. Advocacy from loved ones and organizations such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America have helped scientists make tremendous strides related to research and care.

Photos courtesy of Marcus Thorpe and OhioHealth

Today, there are more than 20 treatments available, including at-home shots, oral pills and IV infusions. Most treatments target RRMS and build on previous treatments to be more convenient, effective and tolerable for patients.

Ocrevus, the drug OhioHealth was the first to administer in 2017, is the only FDA-approved treatment for PPMS.

The latest drug, Briumvi, is another IV infusion for RRMS. Though previous treatments required monthly, hour-long infusions with an hour of monitoring or, less frequently, two- to four-hour infusions, Briumvi is administered as an hour-long infusion every six months.

“That treatment, ublituximab, is excit ing for people with MS because it’s what we consider to be highly effective. It’s very effective at preventing new attacks and new damage on MRI, but also really important is it’s not time-consuming,” Nicholas says. “Many of our patients are parents, they are working, so to have to go in and spend a long time in a doctor’s office or in an infusion center to receive medication can be really hard. This makes it much more convenient.”

In addition to any medication a patient may be taking, Nicholas emphasizes exercise as an effective treatment for maintaining brain health and wellness, even in small amounts.

“It’s really important that somebody has those opportunities (to get active), that they get to go to physical therapy to learn what can they do with the physical abilities that they have to maintain that long-term health and function,” Nicholas says. CS

Jane Dimel is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com

Rare Types of Multiple Sclerosis

• Clinically Isolated Syndrome: potential precursor to MS, as the individual has experienced a symptomatic episode but does not yet meet all the criteria of MS

• Progressive-Relapsing MS: occurs when individuals experience a gradual worsening of the condition and episodes

• Radiologically Isolated Syndrome: occurs when abnormalities appear in an MRI that may or may not develop into MS

• Secondary Progressive MS: neurological function worsens over time and disability increases

Just Wing Food Fight

What is Columbus’ favorite way to wing?

By Tyler Kirkendall

With an explosion of chicken-centric restaurants in central Ohio over the past few years, it is getting difficult to make a choice when you are craving some fried – or smoked, grilled or baked – chicken.

Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, claims to be the creator of the chicken wing. The bar’s owner, Teressa Bellissimo, needed to quickly put something together to feed her son and his friends. She had a box of chicken wings, which were used primarily for

stock or soup rather than served on their own. That night, she turned them into the sports bar staple that we eat by the dozen each football season – fried, with bright orange sauce, served alongside blue cheese and celery.

Because chicken wings are my favorite food, I felt it was only right that I finally made the wing lover’s pilgrimage this year to try the plate that started it all – and it was perfect. I shared my review with a friend in our years-long discussion regarding the best wings around, only to realize how many debatable qualities surround the beloved finger food.

Are boneless wings real wings, or are they just dressed-up nuggets? Are drums or wings the superior appendage? Should wings be breaded before frying or is it best to crisp the skin itself? Should the meat sit atop a pool of sauce or does a little go a long way?

From massive chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and Wingstop to the Whole Foods hot bar – which has surprisingly great sauce – chicken wings are everywhere.

Jay Horvath, Roosters’ director of kitchen operations, says wings have replaced ribs as the “ultimate finger food.”

“After 32 years of being here, there isn’t a day that I come in here and say, ‘Ugh, I’m tired of chicken wings,” Horvath says. “Every single day, I can come in here (and) eat some chicken wings and be as satisfied as I was 30 years ago.”

Are boneless wings just nuggets?

If you hang around sports bars regularly, you’ve probably heard one patron shame another for ordering boneless wings. You can even buy T-shirts online to broadcast your feelings on the matter.

Some even consider the term “boneless wings” to be a misnomer, given that they are usually made of white meat, typically a tenderloin or breast.

This form of meat is perfect for those who don’t want sauce all over their fingers or lips. For some, the humbling inevitability of getting sauce all over yourself is crucial to the experience.

Once upon a time, Roosters did not offer boneless wings. The options were traditional or tenders.

“Some people just do not like chicken on a bone,” Horvath says. “To satisfy a guest like that, we wanted to come up with a way they can get the experience of a chicken wing without having to eat off the bone.”

Roosters’ boneless wings have a sterling reputation, which Horvath says is thanks to the ingredients he puts in the boneless wings that recreate the signature taste of traditional wings.

Hot Chicken Takeover (HCT), another Columbus favorite, doesn’t offer boneless wings, instead opting to call its bite-sized pieces nuggets. If you ask for “boneless” at HCT, you will get a single large chicken breast.

Your local sports bar likely has its own stance on the matter. Squeek’s Bar and Grill in Pickerington is well known for juicy wings with a signature “Bubba” sauce, with no boneless wings on the menu.

King condiment

Anchor Bar serves blue cheese alongside the original wing basket, showing it has been a foundational companion from the start. More recently, however, ranch dress ing has emerged a key accompaniment to good wings.

Ranch’s power in the food industry has grown so significantly in the past decade that some Mid westerners claim their love of ranch as a per sonality trait. Take a walk around The Ohio State University campus and you can see novelty T-shirts and phone cases sporting Hidden Valley’s iconic ranch bottle. Ranch dressing was invented by Steve Henson, a plumber from Nebraska, who mixed buttermilk, herbs, shallots, Miracle Whip and MSG to make his fellow workers’ meals more appetizing while on a job in Alaska.

Hot Chicken Takeover, a Columbus favorite, favors ranch over blue cheese as a side.

“I do think that ranch, in relation to blue cheese, is more cooling when you’re applying a lot of heat,” says Avi Szapiro, vice president of culinary and innovation at HCT’s parent company. “It’s a good marriage.”

Blue cheese has a stronger, more pungent flavor than ranch. The mold that gives blue cheese its flavor breaks down the fat in the cheese, giving it its earthy, funky flavor.

Passion is at an all-time high for the ranch vs. blue cheese debate.

“I don’t hate ranch, but I think blue cheese elevates (chicken wings),” says Megan Brokamp, who works in our sales department.

“Ugh, I hate blue cheese; it’s mold!” says CityScene President Kathy Gill. “I love ranch. It’s the cooling agent you need with hot wings.”

The ultimate chicken spreadsheet Columbus local Austin Yochus famously creates a spreadsheet each year that includes more than 100 Columbus eateries’ wing deals and includes recommendations for his personal favorites. The meticulously crafted list is updated each year for accuracy.

Roosters

Taking shape: drums or flats?

There can be nothing more satisfying than meeting a friend at a bar and finding out that they like drums and you like flats, making the experience of divvying up your order much easier.

Many establishments offer the option to get all drums or all flats for an upcharge. Drums are cheaper than flats because each drum has more meat, which means a pound of drums requires fewer chickens.

The extra meat is the biggest perk for drum lovers, followed by ease of handling.

“The benefit of drums that I see is that there is just a good bone-to-meat ratio and it provides a more even cook,” Szapiro says.

The three parts of a chicken wing are the tip, the wingette (or flat), and the drumette, not to be confused with the drumstick, which comes from the leg. Some establishments – including many barbecue joints – choose to keep the whole wing intact. Others slice them in three for easier cooking and to cater to customers who favor one piece over another.

“What I’m looking for when I fry a really crispy wing is that the meat of the chicken will just fall off the bone like (the end of a popsicle),” Szapiro says. “I want the meat slipping out of the bone with no friction. That, to me, is a telltale sign that that wing was beautifully cooked.”

Battle of the chains

Buffalo Wild Wings and Wingstop are two of the most recognizable names in wings.

Buffalo Wild Wings, which was founded in Columbus, is known more for its atmosphere than its food.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are optimal days for a “B-Dubs” visit, thanks to BOGO specials on traditional and boneless wings on those nights, respectively.

Texas-based Wingstop falls on the other side of the deal-centric wing franchise model, with an emphasis on hastily fulfilling wing cravings.

When Wingstop offers flavor combinations, such as hot lemon or garlic lemon – weird, I know, but trust me – it really shines as the king of franchised flavor. Its heavily seasoned fries and Cajun corn pack a great punch when it comes to sides.

Which sauce is boss?

Buffalo sauce, widely known to be equal parts hot sauce and butter, is made differently at each location. Some opt for a thicker, heavier sauce, where others use a runnier mixture with more vinegar or less butter.

Getting the right coverage can be tricky for a basket of wings, and sauce rationing is dependent upon the sauce’s viscosity.

“The thing is, there are different sauces that are going to give different coverage,” Horvath says. “Our donkey sauce is red hot, and it’s vinegar-based, so it will cover different from our mild, medium, hot, garlic, that are butter-based, so they’ll get heated up and spread and drip. Barbecue is a thicker type of sauce where we have to put a little bit more.”

Barbecue sauce is a common substitute for buffalo sauce for those seeking a sweeter, less spicy alternative. Some wing spots, such as Wing Snob in Dublin, take this a step further and have incorporated a chicken and waffles flavor of sauce, heavy on the maple flavor. bb.q Chicken once offered a maple sauce that was so full of comfort-food sweetness it could warm the soul, but it no longer appears on the menu.

Thinking inside the bun

If you are looking for an inventive way to satisfy two cravings at once, try out A & J Wingburger in Pickerington. The wingburger, named after the owner’s sons, is as simple as it sounds: it’s a burger with boneless buffalo wings on top. Onions, mushrooms and pepperjack cheese give the wingburger a complex flavor with a variety of indulgent savory flavors.

Fried, breaded or smoked, oh my!

When you order traditional wings at your favorite spot, it is usually safe to assume they will come fresh from a fryer.

The process leading up to the chicken’s boiling-hot bath is the key to crispy skin. Restaurants such as CM Chicken and bb.q Chicken Columbus offer Korean fried chicken, which has grown in popularity in recent years because of a crunch that you have to hear to believe.

Most wing recipes, however, drop wings directly into the fryer and rely on the skin to create the crispy coating. When chicken goes into a deep fryer, the oil boils the water inside it, creating the bubbles, cracks and pops you see when you fry something. Juicy fat and encapsulating skin are vital to keep ing chicken wings greasy and tasty. For wings that highlight the natural flavor of chicken, I recommend Winking Lizard Tavern, which typically cooks high-quality pieces of meat to perfection and limits the sauce atop each plate.

While messing up a basket of wings seems dif ficult, there is a careful bal ance that comes with the frying process. If a wing is fried for too long or gets too hot, it loses much of its moisture and flavor.

“We want a nice crisp without having too much breading,” Horvath says. “The breading shouldn’t be necessarily part of the wing to give it flavor; it’s almost more that it absorbs the sauce. Too much breading, and you lose the flavor of the chicken in the sauce.”

Smoked wings are available at countless locations around central Ohio. They are popular at barbecue joints such as Smoked on High and Pecan Penny’s – the latter offering $1 wings on Mondays – as well as some places like OX-B’s, which offers them alongside excellent fried traditional wings. Smoked wings can feel like a less gluttonous choice, though they are often even more juicy and offer a greater umami flavor than fried wings. CS

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

on the scene

For

(Art)working From Home

Downtown developer offers artist residency program for local creatives

By Rachel Karas

IF SOMEONE OFFERED you a year of free rent so you could pursue a dream, what could you do with that year?

That is the question Kaufman Development and its founder and CEO, Brett Kaufman, asked local artists when kicking off its artist residency program last year.

More than 45 people applied and four were chosen to live together at Gravity, free of charge, for the entirety of 2024. Those four artists are Ariel Peguero, Kerry Boganwright, Toése Brewer and Hyde Ebright.

With the rest of 2024 ahead of them, these artists are eager to get to work and see where this program can lead them, while making way for future artists to do the same.

Planting the seeds

The idea for the program came about at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and slowly developed until it came to fruition this past spring.

Mary Sundermeier, a brand ambassador and programming manager at Kaufman Development, got the idea off the ground. She has been the leading force since the program’s inception and says a big part of what brought it together was how much the Kaufman team wanted to help the local art scene.

“It’s going a step further and really trying to transform people and make a real impact in their lives. It’s not just about living, but being fully alive,” Sundermeier says. “One of our brand elements is creative expressions.

So what an impact to be able to give artists free housing, especially in these times.”

The artists chosen not only had to show great promise and drive, they had to have an open mind and love of collaboration.

Each artist must create some sort of public engagement piece at least once a month, which Sundermeier says may take the form of workshops, classes, talks or similar efforts. The goal is to help create a timeline and push the artists to hone their craft.

A mentor will be paired with each artist with the hope of helping them grow artistically, professionally and personally.

“I want the people that we choose to help (the artists) and be the right person to help open doors, because networking is everything when it comes to being an artist in Columbus,” Sundermeier says. “You really need to put yourself out there, and that’s what we’re trying to help facilitate.”

Excitement for the future

All four artists considered it an honor to be selected and are entering the program with open minds, looking forward to learning from one another.

“We’re going to be living with each other, so you’re going to be living with creative people that have different mediums (for) expressing their artistic minds,” says Brewer. “That’s the biggest thing for me. I should want to be in an environment where I can express myself and be around

people that are doing the same thing that I’m doing.”

Collaborative efforts have already started to take shape as the group finds its footing, in the artistic and business spheres.

Peguero, for example, is an associate for the grants and community engagement department at the Greater Columbus Arts Council and can share information about how and where to apply for assistance for larger projects. Boganwright has a lot of knowledge surrounding brand building, having worked with several companies in New York over the years to create events and campaigns.

“We all have experiences having to have gone through certain channels, so we can all leverage each other for those,” Boganwright says.

While all the artists are very excited to be a part of the program, they are also hopeful about the ways they can help create for future artists.

“We are going to be the first people experimenting with this thing in this newish part of town,” Peguero says. “We’re able to put down a footprint that I think is not going to come around again. We get to be the first ones to kick this thing off, and if we do it right, I feel like it’s going to set off a chain reaction.” CS

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

Kerry Boganwright

Toése Brewer Hyde Ebright Ariel Peguero

There’s No Business Like Showroom Business

Renovation and wholesale showrooms offer advantages over online searches

By Garth Bishop Photos courtesy of BathWorks, Carr Supply, Functional Living Design Group and the JAE Company

Between big home improvement stores, websites such as Houzz and Pinterest, and the ubiquitous Amazon, if you’re looking to remodel in 2024 (or thereafter), you have more ways than ever to figure out what you want.

For some, such a long list of options can be exhilarating. For others, it can be intimidating – especially if they or someone

they know has had a bad encounter with one of the above.

Luckily for those seeking greater levels of guidance, expertise and personalization, many remodelers and suppliers maintain showrooms around central Ohio. And they can point to any number of reasons why the showroom experience, old-school though it may be, offers advantages not found elsewhere.

Look, touch & feel

Probably the most obvious benefit of a showroom visit is the ability to see items in person and learn how they work.

“People get significantly more confident if they can come in and really see, touch and feel the product that is going to go into their home,” says Kathy Morgan, owner of Functional Living Design Group. “It gives them a more confident feeling than just looking at a picture.”

It’s much easier, Morgan says, to understand how a drawer or cabinet will fit into your home if you can operate it yourself and, if applicable, look around inside. She mentions the automatic inside-cabinet lights on Functional Living’s Lazy Susans and the pull-out drawers under its sinks as examples of things homeowners wouldn’t have a chance to notice elsewhere.

“If you’re going to spend the money – if you’re going to spend $8,000 on an air tub that has all the bells and whistles – you probably want to sit in it before you buy it,” says Lisa Tompkins, an outside sales consultant for Carr Supply.

Product quality

High-quality products aren’t the exclusive purview of showrooms, of course, but the curation processes they use naturally filter out lower-quality products that might still turn up in online searches. Think crack-prone plastic drain components, rather than more durable metal

Carr Supply

ones, says Robin Welsh, showroom manager for BathWorks.

This is part of the reason contractors often refer their clients to showrooms: They know the people, they know the products and they’re confident they can install what the showroom has on display. It helps them keep their promises that the renovation will last and continue to offer greater convenience even far into the future, says Kent Homoelle, vice president of development for the JAE Company.

Homeowners who don’t do their due diligence may end up with products made with little information on the materials use, or products with inadequate – or no – warranties.

“If you buy a faucet on Amazon (as opposed to) wholesale, sometimes, the warranty is a huge difference,” Tompkins says.

Personalized experience

Visit a showroom in the Columbus area, and you can expect to have someone around to assist you – helping you figure out what appeals to you, answering questions and offering direction.

“Even if you’re just browsing because you want to do something a year from now, it’s important to have someone (you) can talk to,” Morgan says.

Most local showrooms take appointments and, though seldom required, they are usually recommended. Often, the showroom trip follows an in-depth conversation about your needs and wants, and may even follow a home visit by the company, allowing its representatives to know not just your desires, but the problems you hope the renovation will solve, along with all the relevant specifications.

“Our sales are very personal,” Homoelle says. “We’re redesigning someone’s kitchen or bathroom, (we’re) inside their home.”

Little details

Being able to see items in person means getting a closer look at smaller aspects that are easy to miss online or in larger stores, such as finishes.

It also presents an opportunity to see in person items you’ve previously only seen online, reducing the odds of an unpleasant surprise down the line. Morgan says she often sees customers inquire about trendy

items they saw on Instagram – think spice drawers – and use the showroom as a place to check one out.

Having an expert on hand also reduces the chances of missing or incompatible

parts. It’s not unusual, Tompkins says, for her to hear from someone who bought a new faucet or showerhead online, only to find out it can’t be installed because it doesn’t have the right valves.

The JAE Company

Functional Living Design Group

Clients often have grand visions of what they want in their space, Welsh says, but may not know the limitations their home imposes, giving the example of rain heads and hand sprayers in the shower.

“One valve cannot handle all of that without (using) a diverter valve,” she says, “and a diverter valve may not be able to handle all of it.”

Expertise

Access to expertise is one of the biggest differences a showroom can make. Showroom managers and employees can tell you everything you need to know about a given product, Tompkins says: how it works, its advantages and disadvantages, what kind of warranty it has, etc. The guidance you can expect goes beyond styles and finishes to the most intricate details about functionality, compatibility and materials.

“What we’re trying to do is take a picture and make it feel alive,” Homoelle says. “It’s something they get to experience.”

The experts also know exactly which questions to ask – say, how many gallons per minute your home’s plumbing can handle – and how you can get the answers.

“We say that probably 70 percent of our job is education,” Welsh says. “When you’re ordering something online, or even calling in and ordering it, you’re just talking to an order-taker that doesn’t necessarily know to ask questions about what you actually want to do.” CS

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

BathWorks

2631 Morse Rd., Westerville

As its name implies, BathWorks is a plumbing supply wholesaler, which emphasizes the expertise of its team as much as the selection available in its showroom.

The showroom contains a considerable number of working displays, including almost 30 working showerheads. It’s also home to a fully functioning bathroom that clients can visit with an appointment to try out the rain head shower, steam shower, air-jet tub, smart toilet and more, after which everything is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

Carr Supply

1415 Old Leonard Ave., Columbus

Carr Supply is a full-service plumbing and HVAC wholesaler with a number of Ohio locations outside of Columbus as well.

The central Ohio showroom has multiple working fixtures, from kitchen faucets to showers, and a wide variety of finishes as well as luxury items such as freestanding bathtubs. Many of its visitors are sent or accompanied by builders, designers and architects looking to make sure their clients have access to products they can trust, says Lisa Tompkins, business development manager.

Functional Living Design Group

238 W. Olentangy St., Powell

Functional Living Design Group is a design-build remodeler that exclusively does custom work. Its showroom encourages up-close looks at drawers, cabinetry, storage and a wide assortment of other home products.

The team at Functional Living is trained to ask all in-depth questions to better determine what clients need, says Owner Kathy Morgan: what drives you crazy about your current space, how many people use this bathroom, how many people might be in the kitchen at one time, etc.

The JAE Company

6295 Maxtown Rd., Westerville; 1745 W. Lane Ave., Columbus; 9226 Dublin Rd., Powell

The JAE Company provides home products and installation services to both homeowners and contractors from its three showrooms across central Ohio.

Its showroom teams specialize in learning all about clients’ current spaces, including exact specifications, to create designs that will work for those homes specifically. The huge variety of options across all three locations, including an expansive selection of door styles and finishes, is one of the key factors setting the company apart, says Kent Homoelle, vice president of development.

Other central Ohio showrooms to check out:

• The Cabinet Shop: 9075 Antares Ave., Columbus

• Columbus Bath Design: 8596 Cotter St., Lewis Center

• Daso Custom Cabinetry: 13 S. High St., Dublin; 285 W. Olentangy Rd., Powell

• Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers: 3505 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus

• Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery: 435 Polaris Pkwy., Ste. 102-105, Westerville; 4363 Lyman Dr., Hilliard

• Kitchen Kraft Inc.: 7079 Huntley Rd., Columbus

• Signature Cabinetry: 1285 Alum Creek Dr., Columbus

• Simple Bath & Simple Kitchen: 4235 Leap Rd., Hilliard

• The Strait & Lamp Group: 269 National Rd. S.E. Hebron; 7575 Fishel Dr. S., Dublin; 2310 W. Dublin Granville Rd., Worthington

BathWorks

Native Nurturing

New gardening methods that are healthy for your lawn

By Ava Huelskamp

Photos courtesy of Steve Herminghausen

Looking for a way to refresh your landscaping and gardens? While traditional landscaping is always an option, practices such as rewilding and meadowscaping are taking off in the gardening world, and could be more viable options for your home.

Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer and Westerville Garden Club President Steve Herminghausen has been experimenting with meadowscaping in his own yard after learning about its potential benefits for not only for the environment, but also those taking care of the garden.

According to Real Simple, meadowscaping is focused on using native grasses, wildflowers and other plants such as shrubs to mimic natural meadows or grasslands. Herminghausen describes it as a “less formal” way of gardening.

“People started realizing that, if you want to have birds, the birds need to eat caterpillars, and caterpillars need to eat native plants,” he says. “So there’s been a movement to try to get back to more native plants in our landscapes. Meadowscaping is a way to create a meadow in your yard.”

Rewilding is different from meadowscaping, Herminghausen says, because it focuses on allowing areas to revert back to what would naturally grow there.

Why meadowscape?

Meadowscaping’s benefits go beyond beautifying your lawn. Consider these advantages when planning your next yard reno:

• Planting native plants draws wildlife reliant on those plants to your yard. Herminghausen says these plants provide a safe space and resources for wildlife and help slow the decline of butterflies and bees.

• Meadowscaping doesn’t require the use of pesticides, which means it’s healthier for both the environment and animals.

• Meadowscaped gardens require less upkeep. Though planting everything and helping it get established requires some up-front work, the plants don’t require frequent mowing or watering and are, per Real Simple, less work in the long run.

• Meadowscaping improves soil health because the plants will eventually reach a state where the soil doesn’t have to be turned over, Herminghausen says, and they can just “feed into themselves.”

Herminghausen is still watching his meadowscaped yard grow – he started it about a year ago – but he’s already enjoying the additional wildlife, such as bluebirds and frogs, flocking to his garden.

Start blooming

An entirely new method of gardening can be overwhelming, so where should you start? Herminghausen recommends talking to someone who has experience

with meadowscaping to get their advice on what to plant and which plants will work well together.

He also suggests taking tours of local gardens and specialized nurseries to get inspiration and valuable insight from employees.

When it comes time to plant, Herminghausen says, it’s a common misconception that you have to dig up a spot for your meadowscaped garden. When preparing your space for plants, he says, you should cut the grass there short, cover it with cardboard, and then put mulch or wood chips on top of that.

614.392.5702

This practice helps prevent the grass from coming up through the cardboard and keeps your yard healthy by eliminating the grass that was there without tilling up the garden and disturbing the soil, Herminghausen says.

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Next, you can plant seeds or plugs, which are tiny mature plants that will accelerate the growing process. The meadow needs lots of water to get established, but after that, the majority of the maintenance is in keeping clean edges. CS

Ava Huelskamp is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Better Bathrooms

Smart technologies are creating more intuitive bathroom solutions

By Ria Akhilesh

Photos courtesy of Arrisea and Kohler

New technologies have always been at the forefront of remodeling trends, and with great strides in form and function, a remodel now can include increased efficiencies on top of the space’s beauty. In particular, smart technologies are incredible ways to update your bathroom’s feel and efficiency.

Bathtubs and showers

A good bathtub or shower can be a simple way to add a luxurious touch to your bathroom. With bath technologies becoming an increasing focus in the remodeling industry, there are many interesting new choices to consider when modeling your perfect bathroom. Kohler’s hydrotherapies technology creates an experience for the senses by synthesizing the natural properties of water – its light, sound and movement – into a single, soothing experience for its user.

Similarly, steam shower fixtures offer health benefits in addition to their opulent appearance. Delta’s SimpleSteam Shower Kits combine these elements into one unit for a smooth and simple remodeling process.

Not a fan of steam showers, but still looking to step up your shower game? Try a rain showerhead that will drip water from above you and make you feel like you are showering in the rain. Lefton’s Thermostatic Shower System offers several options with a sleek and intuitive design.

Sinks and mirrors

The right smart sink and mirror combination can help transform your daily rou-

tine. Kohler offers customizable bathroom vanities that bring together function and style based on the user’s taste and storage preferences. Install light-up mirrors with different modes of lighting, or floating cabinets and organizational storage tools to streamline use of products.

LED mirrors are becoming more and more intuitive to use and install. The REEF Smart LED Bathroom Mirror from Smart Living and Technology offers TV capabilities on a portion of the mirror for a more entertaining and relaxing gettingready experience.

Toilets

Smart toilets can create conveniences with everything from motion sensing technology to self-cleaning properties.

Arrisea’s “foot sensor flush” technologies can pick up the position of a step and flush accordingly. This toilet also sports UV LED sterilization, a bidet and a nightlight receiving mode that softly lights up the surrounding area.

Tankless toilets are a rising trend that not only offer a clean look, but create a more open feeling by freeing up wall space.

Accessories

Accessories make great finishing touches to unify your bathroom’s overall concept and feel. While you can have all of the finishes of your fixtures match, there are other options that can also offer cohesiveness without the matchy-matchy feel. For example, curved and hanging light fixtures combined with floating cabinetry create the feel of a bigger space.

If you are looking to only make small modifications to your space, revamping cabinets can effectively redesign bathroom spaces with little hardware modification. Smart cabinets, such as those developed by Artforma, combine mirrors, ambient lighting and storage solutions into one space for a modern feel.

Stone bath mats are also worth a look. In line with the current popularity of earthy, natural design concepts, Sutera’s Stone Bath Mat is made of diatomaceous earth and relies on rapid evaporation to keep floors and feet dry without water absorption, lending to a clean and stylish bath space. CS

Ria Akhilesh is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Kitchen Trends

Remodeling turns to nature with functional twists

By Ria Akhilesh

Photos courtesy of Prime Cabinetry, RoveConcepts, Ruvati and The Nordroom

Today’s kitchen trends are reflecting organic flows and instinctual experiences, with nature at the forefront of many new remodeling concepts. To keep with the latest trends in kitchen renovation, consider some of these designs for your next remodel.

Cabinetry

Because cabinetry frames the kitchen, the material, design and colors of your cabinets can immediately redefine the mood of your space. Leaning toward natural materials and tones – such as wood, deep greens or warm ivories – can also add an earthy feel to your kitchen.

Hidden cabinets and stow-away Lazy Susans also increase the functionality of the space and maintain a clean feel. Hardware Resources’ Half-Moon Lazy Susan is a stylish example of hidden function combined with wooden, natural detailing. Pull-out storage and refrigerators built into surrounding walls can also achieve this mix.

Appliances and accessories

Smart countertop appliances can reduce your time in the kitchen by automating smaller tasks while eliminating clutter. Some of Chefman’s appliances use dark or silver metals to blend into most backsplashes for a cleaner look. The company’s

Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer + can help reduce cooking times, for example, while its Barista Pro Plus Espresso Machine offers a professional coffee-making experience at home.

Homeowners are also installing increasing convenient kitchen sinks, designed for ease of use even during busy seasons. Ruvati’s Veniso Nova Workstation can complement any kitchen aesthetic. It features sloped bottoms for easy draining, sleek black or metal hardware, a foldable drying rack, and a scratch-resistant cutting board.

Feature spaces

Creating designated spaces for coffee and cocktails can make frequent-use household items more convenient to handle, and are a great way to showcase special interests and skills at a glance. These spaces can be found on your kitchen island or in their own cubby area. With the right design, any feature space will amplify the theme of your kitchen.

Ruvati workstation sinks

The Nordroom kitchen concept

Mobile carts offer flexibility and can serve as a moving accent between kitchens or living rooms. Wayfair’s Hamilton Solid Wood Kitchen Cart offers mobility, style and practical storage space within a singular unit. If you want a fixed feature space, a standalone base such as RoveConcepts’ Augustus Sideboard is an incredible and sturdy fixture to highlight your special kitchen interests. Incorporating smart appliances in your feature space creates an impressive and masterful station for your craft.

Fixtures and architecture

Focusing on the small hardware details can make a big difference in creating a unified feel to your kitchen’s theme. Curved archways, deep-golden or copper fixtures, and warm lighting can create a more welcoming and comfortable experience for guests by softening the space and bringing a rustic charm. Signature Hard-

ware offers a wide variety of faucet styles in copper or oil-rubbed bronze. Jesco Lighting’s Hand-blown Color Glass pendants come in greens, purples, blues and browns to complement any kitchen and offer a stylish, clean look.

Because of their timeless blend of practicality, aesthetic and function, these design trends are becoming incredibly popular.

Lisa Tompkins, an outside sales consultant for Carr Supply, says popular remodel styles such as these should be planned earlier rather than later.

“I would recommend planning your project at least six months ahead of time,” Tompkins says. “So if you know you want something done by Christmas of 2024, it would be good to talk with somebody now, plan and get on their books.” CS

Ria Akhilesh is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com

RoveConcepts Augustus Sideboard

Prime Cabinetry half-moon Lazy Susan

REMODELING

In Full Bloom

How to have a beautiful, blooming garden year-round

By Ava Huelskamp

Photo courtesy of germanvillage.com

Make your outdoor living space dreams a reality and deck out your front yard with all of the best plants inspired by gardens in the Columbus area.

Frustrated that your flowers only bloom for a few weeks? Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer Steve Herminghausen has years of experience with planting and maintaining gardens, and says you don’t need to settle for only a couple weeks of bloom time.

Steve’s Top Tips

To have a successful continuous garden, Herminghausen says, you need to stagger the bloom times of your plants. For example, you can start some early blooming plants in the winter, such as winter Hellebores, also known as Lenten Rose.

“It’s really a matter of succession,” Herminghausen says.

He presents tulips as a prime example: Some bloom in March, some in April and some in May.

“If you can pick the right varieties that bloom at different times, it appears that your tulips are kind of just continuing on for a month or so,” Herminghausen says.

He also suggests picking a color you like and finding plants with different bloom times in that color family. That way, they bloom in succession, making your garden last much longer. For example, if you prefer blue, you can plant geraniums to bloom in May, Larkspur to bloom in June and Lobelia siphilitica, also known as Great Blue abelia, to bloom in late June, July and August.

Herminghausen advises paying attention to what types of plants you put

Feeling stuck creatively on what to plant in your garden? Get out of that rut and out into your community, and take inspiration from these local gardens.

German Village Haus und Garten Tour: Be transported to another world at the Annual Haus und Garten Tour. This event isn’t until the end of June, but make sure to get your tickets now to enjoy a day-long celebration of renowned designs, enchanting gardens and award-winning restorations.

Rooftop Garden Tours: Students and Ohio State fanatics can visit the historic Lazarus Building on campus to feed their garden inspiration. Free tours are available May through October, with a bonus rooftop view of Columbus included.

Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens: As with the German Village tour, spectators will be able to ooh and ahh over remarkable homes and gardens in the Short North area on Sept. 15.

Bexley Women’s Club Annual House & Garden Tour: The annual Bexley Women’s Club tour, scheduled for June 2, not only shows off Bexley homes and history, but is the main fundraiser for the Bexley Women’s Club Scholarships.

together. Some plants can be aggressive and may take over less aggressive plants that are nearby.

He says a lot of people will plant a “thug garden” to utilize more aggressive plants, such as common milkweed and black-eyed Susan, that are good plants, but would crowd out other things in the rest of the garden.

Herminghausen suggests going on neighborhood garden tours to see what plants and techniques have succeeded. Most of the time, other gardeners are will-

ing to share the plants they’ve been successful with.

“Find other people whose gardens you like and talk to them and find out how they’ve succeeded,” he says. “And that might be by joining in or going to a garden club meeting or going to some other organization that is promoting gardening.” CS

Ava Huelskamp is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Early days of the German Village Haus und Garten Tour

Global Flower Power

Floral festivals to put you in the spring spirit

By Amber Phipps

Photos courtesy of Strekoza2, Tulip Festival Amsterdam and Wirestock

AS THE GRASS becomes greener and flowers shed away the winter’s frost, there’s no better way to celebrate than by traveling to see flowers in all their blooming glory.

While there are plenty of flower displays and beautiful greenery to see in Ohio, there’s a whole world of flower festivals to visit during the springtime. From the local gardens in Columbus to the flourishing flower fields in Europe, your travels may lead you to visit places you’ve never been and discover flowers that might become your new favorite.

Local Flower Features

There are two key locations in Columbus to view the beautiful cherry blossom trees, which hit peak bloom in mid- to late April. Among the most prominent locations are Franklin Park’s upper and lower ponds, which are surrounded by 80-100 cherry blossom trees.

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is also a great spot to see the beautiful pink blossoms, which were shipped to Ohio all the way from Japan.

The Columbus Park of Roses is a 13acre garden filled with 12,000 bulbs that line the mile-long walkway. The roses reach peak bloom in late April, but the perennial gardens within the park often extend through November. Open to the public year-round, the Park is perfect for an afternoon stroll during the springtime.

Travel the country

Dallas, Texas

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Feb. 24-April 8

The Dallas Arboretum presents impressive floral arrangements and vibrant gardens. “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words” is the theme for this year’s display of 500,000 springtime flowers, including tulips, azaleas and cherry trees. Known as one of the largest floral festivals in the Southwest, this festival earns its reputation with more than 350,000 tulips on display. Expect to see walls of flowers, perfect for other photo opportunities, lining the walkways to guide you from one flower display to the next.

Miami, Florida

The Berry Farm Flower Festival

March 16-April 7

Every spring, the Berry Farm shows off 4 acres of colorful zinnias, marigolds and sunflowers. The festival incorporates the natural beauty of wildflowers and one-of-akind sunflower fields to create an immersive experience away from Miami’s ocean views. Special events over the course of the festival include an Easter celebration and a brisket cooking competition.

Mount Vernon, Washington

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

April 1-30

Located an hour north of Seattle, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the biggest outdoor flower events in the country. Millions of blooming tulips fill the fields, taking up acres of land. Festival or-

ganizers collaborate with vendors and local businesses to host outdoor games, art galleries, wineries and more.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

See the world

Paphos, Cyprus

Polemi Tulip Festival

March-April

Journey to the island of Cyprus to see stunning orchids and fields of wildflowers bloom across the vast landscape. The Polemi Tulip Festival, started in 2002, takes place near the end of March and beginning of April during peak bloom season. The celebration is packed with musical performances presented by local artists along with complementary wine. Make sure to check out some of the native orchids, which can only be found on the island.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tulip Festival Amsterdam

April 1-30

After touring the European countryside, you can visit Amsterdam and the fields of colorful tulips surrounding the city. Eighty-five locations within the city are blooming with tulips throughout the entire of month of April. The Keukenhof Tulip Garden will be blooming with freshly budding tulips from March

through May, while the festival offers a variety of tours through the tulip fields, an extravagant flower parade and a garden perfect for family photos.

Kyoto, Japan

Sakura Matsuri Festival

April 13-14

Japan has been celebrating the blooms of the cherry blossom trees for ages. The countryside of Japan is covered in beauti-

ful shades of pink and white as the cherry blossoms bloom for the spring. Peak bloom is around mid- to late-March in Kyoto, though blooming continues throughout April. Kyoto is flourishing with cherry blossom trees that line the sidewalks and illuminate pathways with pastel pink. The scenery is stunning as flower petals coat the ponds and bridges of Japan. Expect to tour the city while catching a bite to eat at any of the nearby restaurants. CS

Amber Phipps is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Other flower festivals to visit

✿ PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

March 2-10, Philadelphia, PA

✿ Boise Flower and Garden Show

March 22-24, Boise, ID

✿ Friends of Folsom Flower Festival

April 20, Folsom, CA

✿ The Memphis Flower Show

April 12-14, Memphis, TN

✿ Tulip Time Festival

May 4-12, Holland, MI

Tulip Festival Amsterdam

Sakura Matsuri Festival

Tariq Tarey

Visual Ethnography

Columbus-based artist captures refugee narratives through photography

By Mary Nader

Photos courtesy of Tariq

Tarey and Giles Clement

BORN IN MOGADISHU, Somalia, Tariq Tarey was a teenager when came to the U.S. as a refugee, adjusting to the complexities of understanding a new culture.

“I think one of the challenging things for me was learning two languages,” Tarey says. “To communicate in English, and the other world of language: photography.”

Specializing in both photography and filmmaking, Tarey built his artistic career

on representing and preserving the history of underrepresented refugee communities. He focuses on creating what he describes as an “archival depository.”

“The reason I shoot film, especially black and white, is because of capability reasons,” he says “I want it to last way, way (longer) than I will ever live, so that future generations can enjoy it and see how we lived.”

Tarey focuses on portrait photography and intentionally shoots his subjects in the same manner. He aims to depict the lives of refugees by focusing on their faces and letting the viewer bear witness to their stories.

“The subject and the viewer, I want us to be equals,” he says. “What I mean is, I don’t want you to look at them all as these poor refugees. I want them to be dignified.

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Gallery Exhibits

934 Gallery: Cast Shadow. Work by Sarah Hiers, Clara Cecile and Allison Moore. Open March 16-April 13. Work by Aly Elliott, Kateryna Vysoka and Loie Greenwood. Open April 20-May 11. www.934gallery.org

Art Access Gallery: It’s All Abstract. New work by Sharon Dougherty, Anne Sherwook-Punkyk, Ron Johnson and Alan Crockett. Open through March 15. www. artaccessgallery.com

Beeler Gallery: Into the Uncanny Abyss. Art by Carol Boram-Hays, associate professor at CCAD. Open through March 30. Looking for Family. Featuring the work of Richard “Duarte” Brown and Larry Winston Collins, as well as pieces from the Smokey Brown Collection. Open through April 27. What is Real? Ohio Representational Art Collective inaugural exhibit curated by Hiroshi Hayakawa. Open April 4-27. www.beelergallery.org

Blockfort: Heavy IS a Heavy Thing. Art addressing the topics of contention experienced through media, institutional powers and society. Proofs from the Backyard. An exhibition of Columbus-based artists working in print. Both open March 1-30. The World of Wobbly. Autistic artist Tim Blackwell’s prolific and dynamically imaginative art. Art of Illustration. A juried show organized by student leadership to exhibit and support fellow students. Both open April 6-27. www.blockfortcolumbus.com

Brandt-Roberts Galleries: Unearthed. An immersive representation of earth’s changing climate systems. Open April 3-28. www.brandtrobertsgalleries.com

Columbus Museum of Art: New Encounters: Reframing the Contemporary Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art. An exhibition building on the momentum generated by CMA’s recent acquisition of the Pizzuti Collection, along with

promised gifts received from the Scantland Collection. Open through summer. Robin F. Williams: We’ve Been Expecting You. A collection of some of Williams’ work highlighting themes including the body, gender and identity expression, digital trends and artificial intelligence, folklore, and the supernatural. Marie Laurencin: Sapphic Paris. An exploration of Laurencin’s career including self-portraits, collaborative decorative projects, early cubist paintings and signature work that defined 1920s Paris. Both open April 5-Aug. 18. www.columbusmuseum.org

David Myers Art Studio and Gallery: The Joye of Spring. A 10th annual exhibit featuring selected original works by Kathy Norris, Elizabeth MacLeod, Tina Watman, Eddie K. and more than 20 studio artists. Open March 19-April 26. www.davidmyersart.com

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio: From STRUGGLE to STRENGTH. Photographed portraits of refugees living in central Ohio from award-winning photographer Tariq Tarey. Open through April 28. www.decartsohio.org

Dublin Arts Council Gallery: Echoes of Memory. A culmination of the combined Dublin Arts Council Gallery

Brandt-Roberts Galleries

echoes of memory and distinct shared approaches of artists Dawn Petrill, Gale Suver and Jennifer Glance. Open March 9-April 30. www.dublinarts.org

Hayley Gallery: Vivid Journeys. Featuring work by Kyndall Potts and Dana Grubbe. Open March 9-April 8. Worlds Explored. Both Carolyn Heffelfinger and Priya Rama draw inspiration from their travels. Open April 13-May 13. www.localohioart.com

Hawk Galleries: SCHMIDT, MESSENGER & SCHMIDT - A Family Legacy in Glass. A first-ever family exhibition featuring artist parents, mixed media sculptor Jack Schmidt and glass blower Shawn Messenger, with their son, sculptor Ian Schmidt. Open March 3-April 27. www. hawkgalleries.com

Hopkins Hall Gallery: Ohio State Auxiliary Faculty Show. Open March 18-April 5. Ohio State Department of Design Graduate Exhibition. Open April 15- 19. uas.osu.edu/hhg

Kittie’s Highline Arts Space: Small Works by Steven Riggs. From themes of mythology to the mystical, the extraordinary to the everyday. Open March 2-April 30. www. rebeccaink.com/highlinecoffeeartspace

Mac Worthington Studio Gallery & Sculpture Park: Surroundings. Floral mo-

Columbus Museum of Art

tif expressionistic paintings. March 1-31. 2024 Sculpture Garden Opening & Tour. Showcasing over 100 large-scale outdoor metal sculptures. Open April 1-30. www. macworthington.com

McConnell Arts Center: Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. The exhibition is open to submissions from all of Ohio’s

1,112 high schools. Open March 21-April 27. www.mcconnellarts.org

Ohio Craft Museum: Traversing Textiles and Fiber. Both utilitarian and artistic uses of fiber and textiles are represented by the work of numerous artists and craftspeople. Open through March 30. www.ohiocraft.org

Mac Worthington Studio Gallery & Sculpture Park

Hayley Gallery

OSU Faculty Club Gallery: Night & Day. Oil paintings by Dave Terry and oil pastels by his son Dane Terry. Open through March 15. Cody Heichel: Watercolors. Watercolor paintings by self-taught artist Cody Heichel. Open March 18-May 3. www.ohio-statefacultyclub.com

Riffe Gallery: In Touch. An exhibition featuring 13 Ohio artists, curated by Megan Young. Open through April 5. oac. ohio.gov/riffe-gallery

Sean Christopher Gallery: Twenty-Second Anniversary Show. An invitational exhibition featuring a variety of media by 12 artists, all of whom have a previous SCG exhibition histo ry. Open March 2-30. Eva Antebi-Lerman solo exhibition. Abstract paintings fea turing nature themes. Open April 6-27. www.seanchristophergallery.com

Sharon Weiss Gallery: Mary Chamberlain Solo Exhibit. Floral paintings. Open March 1-31. Karen LaValley Solo

Exhibit. Paintings highlighting travels throughout the southern and western areas of the United States. Open April 4-28. Inside & Out. Debra Joyce Dawson’s solo exhibit featuring recent works from Ohio, Ireland and France. Open April 4-28. www.sharon weissgallery.com

Studios On High Gallery: Hit the Hop: Mood Indigo. Annual, open call, juried exhibition open to Ohio artists. The 2024 theme is Mood Indigo. Open March 2-April 4. Renewal. Teda Theis celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature, and how it inspires growth and change. Open April 6-May 2. www.studiosonhigh.com

Curator: Megan Young

Urban Arts Space: Being Michelle. Made by Art Possible, the film documents the story of a formerly incarcerated deaf woman with autism. Showing March 22, 6:30-8 p.m. Respect the Mic poetry reading. Features Roger Robinson and Ajanaé Dawkins. April 5, 5-9 p.m. Ohio Department of Art Spring Exhibition. Open April 22-May 3. uas.osu.edu

Wexner Center for the Arts: Tricontinental Cinema. The first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to filmmaker Sarah Maldoror (1929–2020), a pioneer of African cinema and fighter for Black women’s empowerment. Open through April 28. www.wexarts.org

Wild Goose Creative: My Grandmother’s Kitchen. The exhibition focuses on the artist’s ethnic heritage, pulling from memories from their grandmother’s home. April Gallery Opening. CRIS, which will be presenting the gallery, is an independent nonprofit organization that serves the refugee and immigrant populations in central Ohio. Open April 11May 1. www.wildgoosecreative.com

Sean Christopher Gallery

Sharon Weiss Gallery

Riffe Gallery

Picks&Previews

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

The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents Skeleton Crew

Through March 17

Studio Two, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

Dive into America’s auto-factory world and explore the lives of four workers who face the challenges of a spiraling economy. With sharp writing and a phenomenal cast, Skeleton Crew addresses the complexities of the working class. www.the contemporaryohio.org

Opera Columbus presents Eugene Onegin

March 1-2

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

In collaboration with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Onegin tells the story of a man who rejects the love of a woman only to be haunted by it years later. Set in the 1950s, this show has everything from romance to deadly rivalries to keep audiences captivated. www.operacolumbus.org

Jazz Arts Group presents And All That Jazz

March 7-10

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Experience the history of Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington’s jazz with performances by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. The rhythms and big band sounds are accompanied by clarinetist Ken Peplowski and vocalist Sydney McSweeney. www.jazzartsgroup.org

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Go Now! The Music of the Moody Blues

March 9, 8 p.m.

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Join The Moody Blues as they play all their best hits and classics, including “Nights in White Satin,” “Go Now” and “Tuesday Afternoon.” Prepare for a night of epic live music as a tribute to the band’s classic rock hits and original recordings. www.columbussymphony.com

Broadway Columbus presents Mamma Mia!

March 12-17

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

As Donna Sheridan is helping her daughter, Sophie, prepare for her wedding, she must face three men from her past: previous partners Sophie invited with in hopes of finding the father she never met. Follow Donna and Sophie through their journey of love, discovery and acceptance

Bruce Springsteen

Asian Voices

(with a few ABBA songs to help tell the story). columbus.broadway.com

The New Albany Lecture Series presents National Security Discussion with Gen. Wesley Clark and Malcolm Nance

March 12, 7 p.m.

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

General Wesley Clark shares the stage with counter-terrorism and intelligence consultant Malcolm Nance. With decades of experience in U.S. government special operations, the discussion will offer unique perspectives on the subjects of national security, terrorism and counterintelligence. www.newalbanyfoundation.org

Short North Stage presents The Prom

March 14-April 7

Garden Theatre, 1187 N. High St.

This heartfelt musical tells the true story of a small-town girl from Indiana with the dream to experience a normal prom. Follow along as a group of Broadway actors embark on an incredible journey in support of an LGBTQ+ teen and the discovery of her inner courage. www.shortnorthstage.org

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents Soirée

March 15, 8 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Joshua Henry takes the stage for an evening of live music with the orchestra. The performance features music from his Broadway hits, as well as jazz and funk collaborations with the group. www.promusicacolumbus.org

BalletMet presents Asian Voices

March 15-23

Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

A collection of short stories told through the visual art of ballet, Asian Voices is a fusion of Chinese dance and contemporary movement. Featuring choreography by world-renowned dancers, this live performance is passionate and awe-inspiring. www.balletmet.org

Columbus Museum of Art presents Mozart to Matisse

March 16, 2-3 p.m.

Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. Music and art meet in this live performance and collaboration with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Follow the journey of aesthetic themes that blend the musical genius of Mozart with the artistry of Matisse. www.columbusmuseum.org

Photo: Jennifer Zmuda

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CAPA presents Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour, featuring special guest Tom Hambridge

April 2, 7:30 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Influential blues artist Buddy Guy has released 33 albums throughout his 70-year career and gone on to influence legends such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee is joined by his award-winning drummer-producer, Tom Hambridge. www.capa.com

Cirque du Soleil presents Crystal April 4-7

Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr.

Watch as Cirque du Soleil takes its thrilling acrobatics and aerial tricks to the ice for an event you’ll never forget. This performance will push boundaries while highlighting some of Cirque du Soleil’s most magical acts. www.schottensteincenter.com

Broadway Columbus presents Clue April 9-14

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Based on the 1985 movie and classic board game, Clue tells the story of six guests thrown into a night of mysteries. Filled with epic twists and hilarious dialogue, Clue will leave you on the edge of your seat. columbus.broadway.com

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents The Italian Sun April 13-14

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

Cellist Johannes Moser collaborates with Vadim Gluzman in this performance

packed with beautiful string instrument rhythms. This modern arrangement takes a twist on Tchaikovsky’s and Geminiani’s classics. www.promusicacolumbus.org

The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents Ride the Cyclone

April 18-May 5

Riffe Center Studio, 77 S. High St.

This musical tells the story of several high school students competing in the afterlife for a chance to return home. This musical will have you laughing at hilarious performances while also taking a dive into the characters’ deepest feelings. www.the contemporaryohio.org

Nationwide Arena presents Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band April 21, 7:30 p.m.

Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.

Spend an evening rocking with Bruce Springsteen and live performances by the E Street Band. After having to reschedule a few times, Springsteen has officially set a new date. The long-awaited concert will be packed with some of Springsteen’s greatest hits from his decades-long career. www.nationwidearena.com

BalletMet presents Romeo and Juliet April 26-28

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

The Shakespeare classic comes to life in this timeless production of Romeo and Juliet. This full-length ballet is packed with enough excitement, romance and elegance to leave anyone in awe. www.balletmet.org

Chamber Music Columbus presents Chanticleer April 27, 7 p.m.

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.

A Grammy award-winning male chorus, Chanticleer captures audiences with blends of musical range from classical to jazz to today’s hits. This ensemble has recorded more than 40 albums and offers breathtaking vocals with range and accuracy unlike any other. www.chambermusiccolumbus.org

Clue

Romeo and Juliet