the LocaL, July 2026

LocaL

1

JULY 2026

LocaL

2

JULY 2026

STUFF TO READ

Letter from the Publisher

PAWS Humane Society

4

ART & MUSEUMS

4

THE MAN A Few Stools Down

6 8

Transport Partnerships Are Saving Hundreds of Shelter Pets Calendar

AROUND TOWN Calendar

More Than A Choir CineForge Co-op

2026 Columbus Filmmakers Grant Winners

Don’t Forget the Music Bringing History Beyond the Village

10 12 14 16

Historic Westville And Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Team Up

From The Collection Of Carol John 18

Photo Courtesy of Westville Village 2026

Circles, Color, and a Space to Discover

has a way of testing our commitment.

706 250 7777 JOneuly It’s hot. The weather can’t seem to make up its mind. t hel o c a l c o l u mb u s. c om week we’re talking about summer plans, the next we’re

watching tropical systems roll through and wondering what they’ll do next.

Still, life keeps moving.

Events happen. Artists create. Volunteers show up.

Organizations keep doing the work. And all around Columbus and the surrounding communities, people continue finding ways to make this place a little better than they found it.

That’s something I was reminded of again and again while putting together this month’s issue.

We spent time with Voices of the Valley Children’s Choir, where young people are finding confidence, discipline, friendship, and a place to belong through music. Their upcoming Big Sing on July 17 is a reminder that investing in young people doesn’t always happen on a ball field or in a classroom. Sometimes it happens when a child discovers their voice and learns it deserves to be heard.

You’ll also find a look at a new partnership between Chattahoochee Valley Libraries and Historic Westville Village that will bring history directly into our communities through upcoming programs and events. It’s a creative collaboration built around a simple idea: make learning accessible, engaging, and close to home.

At the Do Good Fund, the work of artist Carol John is already on display, offering visitors another opportunity to connect with art that challenges, inspires, and invites conversation.

And then there’s a story that’s especially personal to me.

In this issue, you’ll find The Man a Few Stools Down, the story of a lawyer I met early in my career who helped my mother during one of the most difficult periods of her life. It’s a story about kindness, timing, and the lasting impact one person can have on another. It’s also a story with a missing piece, and I’m hoping one of our readers might be able to help fill it in.

I don’t know if the man at the center of the story will ever read it. He may not. But after all these years, it felt important to put it on paper. Sometimes gratitude arrives long after the moment that inspired it.

You’ll also find an important article from Paws Humane Society about transport partnerships and the role they play in saving shelter animals. Behind every successful transport is a larger conversation about responsible pet ownership, overcrowded shelters, and the choices we make as a community.

The things that make a community stronger rarely happen by accident. They happen because people choose to participate.

They volunteer. They mentor. They create. They support local organizations. They adopt. They attend. They donate. They show up.

And thankfully, a lot of people around here still do.

As always, thank you for picking up The LocaL, supporting the businesses and organizations that make these pages possible, and allowing us to continue telling the stories that connect us.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy the month ahead.

Monica Jones Publisher, The LocaL

What We Are All About.

The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events, people and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.

PUBLISHER

Monica Jones publisher@thelocalcolumbus.com editor@thelocalcolumbus.com

LAYOUT & DESIGN Mat Cornett

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Scott Berson

ADVERTISING | PR

Monica Jones ads@thelocalcolumbus.com

CONTRIBUTORS & CREDITS Monica Jones Scott Berson Paul Rowe Amy Byrne

ON THE COVER: From the collection of Carol John

Power House

LocaL

facebook.com/thelocalcolumbusga issuu.com/thelocalcolumbus

3

JULY 2026

Transport Partnerships Are Sa v in g Hu n d r e d s of S he l te r Pe ts

By Paws Humane Society & Animal SOS

Naval History Crew Meet & Greet

W

hen people hear that Paws Humane transports dogs to rescue partners and shelters in other states, one of the most common questions we receive is simple: “Why can’t those dogs be adopted here?”

The answer reflects a challenge facing not only Columbus, but communities across the South.

Every day, shelters throughout our region face overwhelming numbers of homeless pets. While our community continues to support animal welfare through adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donations, there are simply more animals who need help than there are local adopters available at any given time. That’s where transport partnerships become one of the most effective lifesaving tools available.

In 2025, Paws Humane Society and Animal SOS joined forces to create The Rescue Relay, a collaborative transport initiative built around one simple idea: Two Rescues. One Mission.

Together, our organizations identify animals who would benefit from transport opportunities and coordinate journeys to trusted rescue partners and shelters across the country. By combining resources, relationships, and a shared commitment to saving lives, we are able to help more animals than either organization could alone.

Many of our partner organizations are located in communities where there are fewer homeless animals and a greater demand for adoptable pets. Through carefully

coordinated transport efforts, dogs who might otherwise spend weeks or months waiting in a shelter often find homes much more quickly.

These are not random relocations. They are strategic partnerships designed to connect animals with opportunities while helping shelters make the best use of available resources. Every dog selected for transport receives medical care, vaccinations, health certificates, and preparation for LocaL

travel. An important part of that process is foster care.

Many transport dogs spend time in foster homes while they wait for their departure date. These temporary homes give dogs a chance to decompress, receive individualized attention, and prepare for the next chapter of their journey. In many cases, fostering is only needed for a few days or weeks, but that short period of time can make a lifesaving difference.

Without foster homes, some dogs may miss transport opportunities simply because there isn’t enough shelter space available until their ride arrives. That’s why we’re always looking for compassionate foster families willing to open their homes to a dog in need. Every transport starts with a rescue partner saying “yes,” but many of those journeys begin with a foster family saying “yes” first.

Every dog that leaves on transport creates space for another animal in need. That space allows us to continue responding to stray animal intake, owner surrenders, medical emergencies, and vulnerable animals with nowhere else to go.

Through The Rescue Relay and our growing network of rescue partners, hundreds of animals have been given opportunities they may never have otherwise had. These successes would not be possible without the rescue organizations, transport teams, volunteers, donors, fosters, and supporters who make every journey possible.

As shelters across the South continue to face the challenges of animal overpopulation, these partnerships remain more important than ever. Transport creates

Connect with fellow history enthusiasts, volunteers, and community members during a monthly gathering featuring conversation, museum insights, and occasional guest speakers or programming. First Mondays, 1–3 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus ½ off Tuesdays at the Columbus Collective Museums

Immerse yourself in a maze of thrifting and discovery.

Originally the Lunch Box Museum, now also the Royal Crown Cola Museum, The Chero-Cola Museum, The Nehi Drink Museum, The Georgia Radio Museum, The Tom Huston Peanut Museum, a Car Museum and more. Over 1,000 lunch boxes will just get you started. Local Readers get ½ off their ticket price every Tuesday. Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday, 3218 Hamilton Road, Columbus Tuesdays at 10 (ages 4 & up)

Drop by for weekly museum adventures featuring scavenger hunts, gallery exploration, art-making activities, and other hands-on surprises. Tuesdays, 10–11 a.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus.

Tours at the Springer

Springer Tours is an unforgettable evening of history, mystery, and the unexplained. Are you brave enough to face the possible ghosts that haunt our historic theater? Please be aware that this is a 45-minute walking tour that will involve navigating multiple staircases within the Springer.

For ages 12 and up. Tickets are available at their Box Office at 706-327-3688. 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11 p.m., Springer Opera House, 103 East 10th Street, Columbus Sketching Under the Skylight

Come and join us for our monthly figure drawing series to catch the creative spirit while drawing under the Center’s skylights. This free event happens every second Thursday of the month and is open to the public of all ages and skill levels. Just bring your own supplies. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus Exhibition: America Fantastica: Memories, Dreams, and Chance

opportunity, connects animals with families ready to welcome them home, and ultimately helps save lives.

At Paws Humane Society and Animal SOS, we remain committed to finding positive outcomes for every animal that enters our care. Sometimes that outcome is adoption right here in our community. Sometimes it is foster care.

Sometimes it is reunification with a loving owner.

And sometimes, it begins with a journey hundreds of miles away.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a lifesaving impact without making a long-term commitment, fostering a transport dog may be the perfect opportunity. Learn more and sign up to become a short-term foster at pawshumane.org. u For more information or sponsorship inquiries, contact Debbie Mayhew, Donor Relations Manager, at dmayhew@ pawshumane.org or 706-987-8372.

Paws Humane Society 4900 Milgen Road, Columbus, GA 31907 pawshumane.org | 706-565-0035

4

Step into a surreal, interactive exhibition inspired by key moments in American Surrealism, featuring immersive elements and a hands-on exquisite corpse drawing experience. Daily, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Drop In Tour: Celebrating the Columbus Museum Collection

Join a COMU docent for a guided tour highlighting The Columbus Museum’s permanent collection. No registration required. Every Saturday, 2 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Look at Lunch

Spend your lunch break at COMU with a 20-minute gallery presentation followed by lunch in the courtyard. Bring your food or purchase from the Museum Café. Every 2nd Tuesday, 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Gallery Kids! (ages 5–10)

Kids can create art in a gallery setting surrounded by works from Carol John’s Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy exhibition during this free hands-on program led by a local art educator.

Wednesdays, July 1, 8 & 15, 10–11:30 a.m., The Do Good Fund Gallery, 111 12th Street, Suite 103, Columbus.

JULY 2026

FreedomFest 1776–2026

Celebrate America 250 with a free community event featuring historic reenactors, military displays, family activities, food trucks, live entertainment, and a finale concert by Keni Thomas. Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus Art & Patriotism Guided Tour

Explore how American artists have reflected history, identity, and patriotism through their work during this guided gallery experience led by Lucy Kacir, Director of Education and Engagement. Thursday, July 9, 5:30–6:30 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Corduroy

Follow the adventures of a lovable teddy bear searching for his missing button in this family-friendly stage adaptation of the beloved children’s classic. July 17–26, Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus Exhibition: Monica Ikegwu: Through the Veil

In her first solo museum-organized exhibition, Monica Ikegwu presents oil portraits exploring themes of concealment and revelation, often veiling her subjects to question visibility and identity. Through July 19, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Do Good Salon with Carol John & Spalding Nix

Explore the current exhibition and hear from artist Carol John and gallery owner Spalding Nix during this free artist talk and salon discussion. Wednesday, July 29, 6–8 p.m., The Do Good Fund Gallery, 111 12th Street, Suite 103, Columbus Forgotten Monitor: The Story of the USS Tecumseh

Discover the story of the USS Tecumseh during this presentation by retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer and historian Thomas E. Nank, exploring the legacy and mystery of one of the Civil War’s most notable ironclads. Thursday, July 30, 6–8 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus Exhibition: Georgia’s Fall Line

This exhibition explores the industrial and military history of Georgia’s Fall Line communities, highlighting manufacturing, textile mills, trade networks, and regional development through works from The Columbus Museum and partner institutions statewide. On view through August 2, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy: Paintings by Carol John

Explore a colorful exhibition of abstract paintings by acclaimed artist Carol John. On view through August 5.

Wednesday–Friday, 1–5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., The Do Good Fund Gallery, 111 12th Street, Suite 103, Columbus Exhibition: Beyond Go Figure VII

A group exhibition featuring work by Bo Bartlett Center board members, friends of the Center, and local artists from the Columbus area. Through August 15, The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus Exhibition: VACATIONLAND: American Artists and the State of Maine, 1850–2025

This exhibition explores more than 150 years of American artists inspired by Maine’s landscapes, featuring works from the museum’s permanent collection alongside artists connected to the region. On view through August 23,The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Exhibition: Columbus at Play

Explore how recreation and leisure have shaped life in the Chattahoochee Valley over the past 200 years, from games and sports to music and community activities.

On view May 16 – March 21, 2027, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Want to see your event listed here?

Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com LocaL

5

JULY 2026

THE MAN A F e w S t o o l s D o w n

By Monica Jones

e spend a lot of time in these pages telling the Temporary fixes meant to get her back on the floor, not W stories of Columbus through its events, businesses, heal her. and creative voices.

Then came the year she hurt herself badly enough This one is different.

It’s a personal story, but it’s also a Columbus story.

And after more than twenty years, I’m hoping you can help me finish it.

I’ve written before about my mother and the mills, about how deeply that world shaped our family. This is a different story from that same chapter.

In the summer of 2000, I had just begun working in radio. Not on air. I was new, learning the business side, figuring out how to carry myself in a professional world that still felt unfamiliar. I was navigating a new position in life as much as a new job.

At the same time, my mother’s life was unraveling.

She had worked at Fieldcrest Mills for roughly thirty years. Decades of loyalty, long shifts, and physical labor.

Somewhere along the way, she injured her back at work, and then injured it again. And again. For years, she lived in pain while the system around her did just enough to keep her functioning but never enough to make her well. Prescriptions for 800-milligram ibuprofen. Flexeril.

LocaL

that she couldn’t return at all.

What followed was not support, but a quiet abandonment. Eighty-six dollars a week. For a few weeks. And then nothing. No meaningful severance.

No real options. No path forward. Just the unspoken understanding that she was no longer useful to the company she had given most of her adult life to.

I moved in with her in Salem, Alabama, about forty minutes outside of Columbus. She was living in a double-wide trailer. I paid the bills. I commuted. I tried to be steady while learning a new job and holding everything together. The summer heat was brutal. The stress was heavier.

She sought legal help. She went to prominent attorneys in town. Offices that looked impressive.

Conversations that went nowhere. She was treated like she was exaggerating. Like she was confused. Like she was asking for something she didn’t deserve. No one wanted her case.

One afternoon, during the workday, I stopped by The Tap while making my rounds downtown. The bartender, John, knew me and asked how I’d been. He mentioned he hadn’t seen me in a while.

I told him why. I told him about my mother. About the mill. About everything falling apart at once.

There was one other person sitting at the bar, a few stools down, drinking Wild Turkey. I remember that detail clearly because I have never cared for the stuff.

After listening for a few minutes, he looked over and said something very close to, “I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help hearing your story. I hate to hear what your mom is going through. This is exactly why I became a lawyer.”

He told me he had an office right down the street and handed me his card.

He listened. Not just to me, but later to my mother.

And unlike everyone else, he didn’t treat her like she was dramatic or confused or trying to get something for nothing. He saw what was happening. He believed her.

6

He took the case.

He went to bat for her against Fieldcrest Mills and won. Thirty thousand dollars.

It wasn’t a fortune. But it was dignity. It was breathing room. It was choice.

Because of that settlement, my mother was able to return to West Virginia, where her roots were. She bought a small cabin. She finally had the surgery she had needed for years. She lived without constant pain. She found joy again. She became a happy little mountain woman.

Not long after that conversation at The Tap, I took a job in Albany and left Columbus. The case was resolved after I left, and my mother began the next chapter of her life.

She only had a few years of that life. She passed away in 2005 from heart disease.

But those years mattered. They were good years. They were hers.

And they existed because one man, sitting a few stools down on an ordinary afternoon, chose to listen.

For a long time, I had his business card. I don’t know if he’s still practicing. I don’t know if he’d remember us. I don’t even know if he’d want recognition.

But I know this.

What he did mattered.

It changed the course of Carol Jones’s life at exactly the moment she needed it most.

So I’m asking for your help.

If you were around downtown Columbus in the late 1990s or early 2000s and remember a lawyer named Neal, or someone with Neil or Neal in his name, who practiced nearby and wasn’t afraid to take on cases others wouldn’t, I’d love to hear from you.

Some debts aren’t financial. Some are simply about saying thank you out loud.

If you happen to see him, tell him I owe him a Wild Turkey.u

Me, My Grandfather Luther Beverage (Who Was A WV Coal Miner) And My Mom

JULY 2026

LocaL

7

JULY 2026

Basics of Blacksmithing Workshop

A 4-hour hands-on workshop covering foundational blacksmithing techniques, including drawing, twisting, and bending, as participants create their own S-hook. Registration required; ages 21+. $75 per person. Fridays & Saturdays through December 12, Historic Westville Village, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus

Market Days on Broadway Weekly Swing Dance

Monday scaries? Not anymore. Come learn how to swing dance and twirl your cares away. 6:30-7p.m. Beginner lesson (free with admission), 7- 8:30 Social Dancing, $5. Every Monday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Center, 1027 2nd Avenue, Columbus

Ladies Monday Night Bike Ride

A group ride for women of all levels along the Columbus Riverwalk, with options for both faster-paced mileage and a more casual out-and-back ride. First and third Mondays, 6 p.m., One Arsenal Parking Lot, 900 Bay Avenue, Columbus

Taco Tuesdays with Salsa Dancing

Enjoy tacos, margaritas, and a beginner-friendly salsa lesson followed by music and social dancing. No partner required. 21+. Tuesdays, 6–9 p.m., The Suite, 5300 Sidney Simons Boulevard, Columbus

Tuesday Night Bike Ride

A weekly group ride for all skill levels along the Riverwalk, with multiple pace options ranging from casual to fast-paced mileage.

Riders roll out together and often gather for dinner afterward.

Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus

Trivia Night at Tommy G’s

Put your knowledge to the test with a weekly trivia night featuring prizes, food, drinks, and a lively, competitive atmosphere. Bring a team or join one and play for bragging rights. Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Tommy G’s, 6835 Midland Commons Boulevard, Columbus

Yoga at Daisy Park

Start the morning with a free outdoor yoga session hosted by Highside Market and Club Pilates, open to adults of all experience levels. Bring a mat or towel. Wednesdays, 9–10 a.m., Daisy Park at Highside Market, 211 13th Street, Columbus

Gallery Play Date (ages 6–24 months)

Families with little ones are invited to explore the galleries and enjoy toys, books, games, and playful activities together.

Wednesdays, July 8 & July 22, 10–11 a.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus

Story Time with Grammy Trish

Join us for Story Time with Grammy Trish where she’ll read charming children books and engage with your little ones. Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., Columbus Bound Bookshop, 1328 13th Street, Columbus

Sweet-South Music Revival @ The Loft

Enjoy music of the American South. Gospel, Blues, Soul, Funk, Zydeco, Jazz, Americana, and more. With Jesse Shelby & Jason Ezzell. Wednesday nights, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Crown and Comedy Night @ The Loft

It’s always laughs at the Loft as our favorite hostess with the mostest Lil’ Bit takes the stage to introduce the best comedians around.

Every Thursday, 7:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Salsa on the Square

Enjoy free outdoor Latin dancing with salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Thursdays, 7:45–9:30 p.m., 1100 block of Broadway, Columbus

Live Jazz at The Goetchius House

Enjoy live jazz from rotating Columbus Jazz Society bands in the historic setting of The Goetchius House. Thursdays, 8–10 p.m., The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus

Dancing on the River: Date Night Fridays

Enjoy an outdoor bachata lesson designed for couples and dance partners, with beginner-friendly instruction and scenic riverfront views. Fridays, 7:30–9 p.m., Columbus Riverwalk at Front Avenue, Columbus

Storytime Tours (Ages 4–10)

Explore the museum through stories, hands-on objects, and interactive gallery experiences designed for children and their caregivers. Fridays, 10–11 a.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus

Friday Night Luau Dinner

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Hawaiian-themed buffet featuring Kalua pig, Huli Huli chicken, tuna poke, island-inspired desserts, a welcome Mai Tai, and live Polynesian entertainment. Select Fridays through July 24, Callaway Gardens, 17800 US Highway 27, Pine Mountain

LocaL

Featuring 200+ local vendors, handmade goods, art, food, and boutique shopping in Uptown. Family- and pet-friendly. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Broadway, Uptown Columbus

Second Saturday Tours at Historic Westville Village

A 45-minute guided tour offering an overview of Historic Westville Village. Included with admission; begins at the Thornton Visitor Center. Second Saturdays, 11 – 11:45 a.m., Historic Westville, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus

Highside Farmers Market

Shop fresh produce, baked goods, meats, artisan foods, and more from local farmers and makers in a relaxed outdoor setting.

A weekly Sunday market highlighting seasonal offerings and community vendors. Sundays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Daisy Park, 211 13th Street, Columbus

Third Thursday: Food Trucks and Film

A monthly movie night featuring rotating food trucks, drinks, and a family-friendly outdoor film. Third Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Highside Market, 211 13th Street, Columbus

Unearth the Mysteries (ages 6–11)

Kids can dig into dinosaurs, geology, ancient history, and hands-on discovery during this adventure-packed summer series. Through July 23, 3–4 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus

Full Moon Ride

We will ride at a conversational pace with just a few miles to our destination. We’ll have some great music and will stop at a local spot to grab a beverage. Rentals are available but be sure to reserve in advance. Monday, June 29 & Wednesday, July 29, 8 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus

Women in Entrepreneurship Happy Hour

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, hear success stories from local women business owners, and enjoy an evening of conversation, inspiration, and community. First drink included. Wednesday, July 1, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Stirrup Trouble, Columbus

Summer Film Fest 2026

Cool off with a family-friendly summer movie series featuring popular films on the National Infantry Museum’s giant screen, with screenings on select Thursdays and Saturdays through July 3.

National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus

Unleashed & Untapped

Celebrate the launch of alcohol sales at The Yard with drinks, live music, a food truck, treats from Three Dog Bakery, and plenty of canine companionship. Dog lovers, members, and future members are all welcome. Friday, July 3, 5–9 p.m., The Yard, 1432 Fifth Avenue, Columbus

Star-Spangled Beach Party

Celebrate July 4th weekend at Robin Lake Beach with family activities, beach games, water fun, Aqua Island, and nightly fireworks. Friday–Sunday, July 3–5, Callaway Gardens, 17800 US Highway 27, Pine Mountain

FreedomFest 1776–2026

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with historic reenactors, military displays, family activities, food vendors, live entertainment, and a finale concert by Keni Thomas. Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus

America’s 250th Birthday Celebration at Port Columbus

Celebrate Independence Day with live music from the Bob Barr Community Band and dramatic cannon firings during a day of history, patriotism, and family fun. Saturday, July 4, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus

4th of July & America’s 250th Parade

Celebrate America’s 250th with a patriotic community parade along 1st Avenue, followed by a drone show at Synovus Park.

Friday, July 3, 6:30 p.m., parade route runs along 1st Avenue from 14th Street to 9th Street, Columbus

4th of July Watch Party

Enjoy food, family activities, and riverfront views before settling in for a historic fireworks spectacular celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Live music from across the river and one of the largest fireworks displays ever presented in the Chattahoochee Valley make this free community celebration a highlight of the holiday weekend. Saturday, July 4, 5–10 p.m., Woodruff Riverfront Park, 1003 Bay Avenue, Columbus

8

Jazz America 250

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an evening of live jazz, family fun, and music spanning the nation’s history. Saturday, July 4, 6–9 p.m., Swift Park, 2301 Front Avenue, Columbus

706 Day Community Celebration

Enjoy live music, family activities, motivational speakers, local vendors, cultural food, and community fellowship during this annual celebration of Columbus and the people who make it special. Sunday, July 5, 4–8 p.m., Woodruff Riverfront Park, 1003 Bay Avenue, Columbus

Jurassic Expedition with Big Idea Dinosaur Adventures

Meet family-friendly dinosaurs, explore hands-on paleontology activities, and enjoy prehistoric games during this interactive adventure from Big Idea Dinosaur Adventures. Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus

Rock and Roar Discovery Series (Ages 6–11)

Explore dinosaurs, geology, and ancient history through themed adventures including Jurassic Games, Recyclosaurus Costumes & Dino Dance Party, and a T-Rex Tea Party. Thursdays, July 9, 16 & 23, 3–4 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus

Stars Over Georgia Showcase

Watch some of the region’s top softball talent compete during this college exposure tournament featuring teams from 14U through 18U divisions. Hosted at South Commons Softball Complex and Idle Hour Park, the showcase draws athletes, coaches, and recruiters from across the Southeast. July 10–12, South Commons Softball Complex, 3900 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus

Drag Dinner Party

Step into an evening of dazzling performances, music, dining, and entertainment as drag returns to the historic Goetchius House for a celebration of creativity, community, and self-expression. Friday, July 10, 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m., The Goetchius House, Columbus

Family FriYAYs

Celebrate summer with weekly themed activities inspired by art, nature, flowers, and Mexican traditions, featuring hands-on crafts and family-friendly fun. Fridays, July 10–31, 4–7 p.m., Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus

Dixie Red Live at The Varsity

Enjoy a night of live country and Southern rock favorites from one of the region’s most popular bands. Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m., The Varsity Sports Bar & Grill, 3745 US Highway 80 West, Phenix City

Honey Harvest

Learn about beekeeping and the honey-making process with extraction demonstrations, honey sales, crafts, story time, animal encounters, and more. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, 3535 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus

Story Time at Highside Market

Enjoy a complimentary family-friendly story time featuring special guest readers and fun activities for children of all ages. Saturdays, July 11 & 25, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Highside Market, 211 13th Street, Columbus

Cheers to 10 Years – The Peach Shoppe & Co.

Enjoy live music, food, pop-up vendors, giveaways, and a celebration of the people, places, and community connections that have helped shape a decade of business in Columbus. Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., The Peach Shoppe & Co., 900 Front Avenue, Suite 212, Columbus

Barbarosa Jones Live at The Dawg House

Settle in for a night of live music, good food, and good company as Barbarosa Jones takes the stage at The Dawg House. Saturday, July 11, 8 p.m., The Dawg House, 5140 Warm Springs Road, Columbus

Star Light, Star Bright

Learn about the night sky and view celestial objects through telescopes during this outdoor astronomy program presented by the Columbus Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Bring a chair or blanket for viewing. Saturday, July 11, 9:30–11:30 p.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain

Motors & Mouths: Back-to-School Car Meet

Check out a variety of vehicles while helping local students prepare for the new school year by donating school supplies. Breakfast burritos from Nacho Ordinary Tacos will be available, and all makes and models are welcome. Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Image Auto Lab, 3885 Miller Road, Suite 1, Columbus

Silent Yoga in the Park

Enjoy a beginner-friendly outdoor yoga experience with wireless headphones, guided instruction from Kween, and time to relax and connect afterward over light refreshments. Bring a yoga mat and settle into an afternoon of movement and mindfulness. Sunday,

JULY 2026

July 12, 3 p.m., Woodruff Riverfront Park, Bay Avenue and 11th Street, Columbus

COMU Shop Christmas in July Sale

Browse special discounts on unique gifts, museum-inspired finds, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes during this limited-time holiday shopping event. Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus

The Dan Lee Duo

Enjoy an evening of live music featuring classic rock, country, and crowd favorites while taking in lake views, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Friday, July 17, 5 p.m., Backwaters at The Landing, 9883 Lee Road 379, Valley

Luther Smalls & Friends: Jazz, Funk & Soul Concert

Celebrate an evening of live jazz, funk, and soul music while honoring the retirement and community service of musician and educator Luther Smalls III. Proceeds benefit the Tri-City Youth Jazz Ensemble. Friday, July 17, 6–10 p.m., Magnolia Dreams Event Center, 6007 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

H.O.R.D.E. Festival Revival

Relive the spirit of the legendary ’90s touring festival with live performances of songs by Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Blues Traveler, The Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, Spin Doctors, and more. Friday, July 17, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), Phenix City Amphitheater, 508 Dillingham Street, Phenix City

Friday Night Concert Series: Relative Sound

Enjoy live music, local food, and summer fun in Daisy Park as Relative Sound closes out Highside Market’s Friday Night Concert Series. Friday, July 17, 7–9 p.m., Daisy Park, 211 13th Street, Columbus

The Big Sing

Salamander Meander

Join park rangers for a hands-on stream exploration to discover salamanders, crayfish, and other aquatic creatures that call Georgia’s cold-water streams home. Wear shoes that can get wet.

Saturday, July 25, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain

Night at the Library: After-Hours Teen Movie Night

Teens can enjoy pizza and a special after-hours screening of the 2006 museum adventure film that asks what happens when exhibits come to life after dark. Reservations and a permission slip are required. Saturday, July 25, 5–7 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus

End of Summer Party: Punk/Alt Show

Enjoy an all-ages evening of punk and alternative music featuring Jenny and the Exes, Craigzlist Punks, PROXi, and Blue. Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), Cuckoo’s Nest Skateshop, 1326 10th Avenue, Columbus

Columbus Clingstones Baseball Clinic (Ages 5–15)

Learn baseball fundamentals from Columbus Clingstones players and coaches during this free youth clinic. Lunch is included.

Wednesday, July 29, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Synovus Park, 100 4th Street, Columbus

Dixie Red Live at VFW

Enjoy a night of live country and Southern rock favorites from one of the region’s most popular bands. Saturday, Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m., Cataula VFW & Canteen, 3379 U.S. Highway 27, Cataula

Want to see your event listed here?

Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com

Join Voices of the Valley for an evening of music, community, and the Genre Showdown during this fundraiser for the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus. Tickets: GetLocalTix.com. Friday, July 17, 7:30–10 p.m., The Pearl, 1040 Broadway, Columbus

Big Dog Heatwave 5 Miler

Take on this summertime point-to-point race benefiting Lifebridge Child Advocacy, with runners starting at Lake Oliver Marina and finishing in Uptown Columbus. Saturday, July 18, 8 a.m., Lake Oliver Marina, 5501 River Road, Columbus

Hero for a Day

Meet favorite superheroes, explore emergency vehicles, connect with local first responders, and enjoy hands-on activities during this family-friendly fundraiser benefiting Teen Advisors. Costumes are encouraged. Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus

Family Saturday

Explore art and history through hands-on activities inspired by the museum’s collections and special exhibitions during this monthly family-friendly program. Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus

Men at Work & Toad the Wet Sprocket

Two iconic bands of the ’80s and ’90s take the stage for an evening of hit songs and fan favorites, featuring Men at Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), Sweetland Amphitheatre, 110 Smith Street, LaGrange

We CARE Vet Fair

Veterans can connect with benefits specialists, healthcare providers, legal resources, and more during this free two-day event. Thursday features VA enrollment and benefits assistance (12–4 p.m.), while Friday includes more than 100 community partners, wellness services, and support resources (9 a.m.–4 p.m.).

July 23–24, Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street, Columbus

Friends of Libraries Big Book Sale

Browse a wide variety of books, including bestsellers, mysteries, romance, biographies, cookbooks, and more, with all titles priced at $2 or less. Friday–Saturday, July 24–25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sunday, July 26, 1:30–5 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus

Breed Meet-Up: Pitties

Jarret Holbrook

Celebrate everyone’s favorite house hippos during an evening of socializing, pittie trivia, themed drinks, and tail-wagging fun.

Friday, July 24, 5:30–7 p.m. (trivia at 6 p.m.), The Yard, 1432 Fifth Avenue, Columbus

Columbus Fashion Weekend (CFW)

Enjoy a networking mixer on Friday followed by runway showcases featuring designers and models from across the region on Saturday. July 24–25, 6–10 p.m., Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus

LocaL

9

JULY 2026

More Than a Choir

O

n July 17, a room full of people will gather at The Pearl in downtown Columbus to sing.

Some will be experienced musicians. Some will be former choir kids. Some will know exactly what they’re doing. Others may be stepping into a choir for the first time. There will be food, drinks, laughter, a little friendly competition, and a room full of people making a case for their favorite song in this year’s Genre Showdown.

The Second Annual Big Sing benefits Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, helping provide scholarships and opportunities for young singers throughout the Chattahoochee Valley. Spend a little time talking with Dr. Michelle Folta, artistic director of Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, however, and it becomes clear that the evening reflects

By Monica Jones

something much larger than a single fundraising event.

A few weeks ago, Voices of the Valley singers stood on the stage at Carnegie Hall. It’s the sort of accomplishment many organizations would gladly spend an entire conversation discussing. Folta mentions it, certainly, but she rarely stays there for long. Throughout our conversation, the focus repeatedly returned to people, friendships, community, and the relationships formed through making music together.

When I asked why she created The Big Sing, Folta talked about scholarships, outreach, and expanding opportunities for

The music, Folta says, is the vessel.

What happens inside that vessel is where Voices of the Valley distinguishes itself. Rehearsals often begin with good

news, giving students a chance to celebrate one another’s accomplishments. Singers learn to encourage each other, support each other, and take ownership of the community they are helping build. Older students mentor younger ones.

Friendships form. Confidence grows. Leadership develops.

Along the way, children discover that being part of a choir involves far more than learning notes and rhythms.

Folta spoke often about moments most audiences never see. A student helping another singer adjust a bow tie before a

Dr. Michelle Folta VOV

LocaL

children. Then she paused and offered another reason.

“To be frank, I miss my choir,” she said.

It was a moment that explained a great deal, and revealed something essential about the organization she has spent years building.

For nearly two decades, Voices of the Valley has brought together children from public and private schools, homeschool programs, military families, and communities across the region. They arrive with different experiences and different backgrounds, but they quickly become part of something larger than themselves.

10

JULY 2026

performance. A chorister quietly solving a problem before an adult even notices it. Young people learning how to encourage one another instead of competing. Those stories tell you as much about Voices of the Valley as any concert program or trophy shelf ever could.

The same philosophy extends beyond the choir room.

When donors help provide scholarships, students write thank-you notes. They introduce themselves. They learn

that opportunities are often made possible by people willing to invest in them and their future. The lesson is simple but important: nobody gets where they are alone.

That sense of connection may also explain why Voices of the Valley continued to grow. What began as a single choir gradually expanded as singers looked for ways to remain involved. Students grew older and wanted to continue singing.

Younger siblings wanted opportunities of their own. Alumni wanted to stay connected. Rather than viewing those requests as a natural ending point, Folta kept creating opportunities, adding new choirs and new pathways for participation whenever a need arose.

“I had to keep making choirs because they wouldn’t leave,” she says with a laugh.

Behind the humor is a reality many organizations would love to have. People tend to stay connected to places where they feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Over the years, Voices of the Valley has become that kind of place for many singers and families because Folta has consistently found

The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed. Last year, Folta’s husband found himself singing in the choir despite having no formal choir experience. During another fundraising challenge, she ended up riding piggyback across the stage while conducting.

The stories are entertaining, but they also reinforce something that surfaced repeatedly throughout our conversation. For all of the musical excellence Voices of the Valley is known for, there is very little pretense. The standards are high, the environment is welcoming, and participation is celebrated.

By the end of our conversation, I found myself thinking less about the event and more about the community behind it.

The Big Sing may be the reason people gather on July 17, but it reflects something Voices of the Valley has been building for years. In many ways, the fundraiser feels like a reflection of the organization itself: joyful, welcoming, and built around the simple idea that there is always room for one more voice.

The Second Annual Big Sing takes place July 17 at The Pearl, 1040 Broadway in Columbus. Open to participants ages 14 to 99, the event includes one rehearsal on July 16, with registration covering music and a commemorative T-shirt. Proceeds benefit Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus scholarship programs and outreach initiatives.

For tickets and additional information, visit GetLocalTix.com. Readers can also follow Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus on social media for updates, performances, and upcoming programs. u

ways to make room for them.

That brings us back to The Big Sing.

Now in its second year, the event invites participants ages 14 to 99 to gather for an evening of music, food, community, and a little friendly rivalry. One rehearsal. One performance.

Familiar songs. Audience participation, and plenty of opportunities for laughter. This year’s Genre Showdown will pit musical favorites from different generations against each other, and attendees will even have a chance to unlock a secret Oscar-winning song if fundraising goals are met.

LocaL

11

JULY 2026

2026 Columbus Filmmakers

PRINCESS GOODEN, PFLG ENTERTAINMENT, PRINCESS

GRANT WINNERS

By Paul Rowe very industry analyst will tell you that 2026 is the response from that community, before a single frame has E rise (or the return, for you history buffs) of the been been shot, has already lit a fire under the project. independent film - of investing in new, creative voices.

Five Columbus creators, all 2026 Local Filmmaker Grant Program winners, have entered the chat.

The genres they work in span horror, comedythriller, drama, and crime. Ask any of them why they put themselves through the arduous journey of making a film, and the common theme is very similar: they can’t stop.

ZACK COLLINS, PHILMWURKS, THE HAZE

Zack Collins spent more than two decades as a lawyer and judge watching stories arrive toward their tail end.

By the time someone reached his courtroom, the damage was done.

“Filmmaking lets me start at the beginning of a story instead of cleaning up somebody’s mess on the back end,” Collins said.

The Haze is a horror-slasher short with a high body count, masked killer, and terrified coed – but wait, what’s on the surface isn’t the point, says Collins. The film is really about a young woman reckoning with her own legacy and the cost of institutional silence. The subject matter is hazing, and Collins is acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with it.

“The thing that scares me isn’t a bad review,” he said.

“It’s the possibility that a person who’s been hurt by hazing watches it and feels used instead of feeling seen.”

What gets him out of bed is the chance to tell a story he hasn’t seen on screen before. At the center of The Haze is Bennie Butler, a figure in a cracked bonewhite mask whose story unfolds within the Black Greek community, a setting rarely explored in horror. The LocaL

The film wouldn’t exist, Collins says, without his producing partner Paul Rowe, Cinematographer Trey Walker of Mud Films, and a local businessman named Kevin Adams, who handed Collins the keys to his cabin.

When The Haze screens, Collins wants the audience to leave unsettled in the way only good horror can: with an anxious checking of the back seat before driving home. Underneath the horror, he wants something else - he wants people to feel represented. And he wants them to know this story was built right here, by people from Columbus, and can stand next to anything a studio makes.

PAYTON KING & REBECCA GOSSETT, GLASSEYE PRODUCTIONS, GIVE & TAKE

Give & Take started from a simple, nagging anxiety: what if something happened to your partner while you were waiting in the car?

“What would you be willing to do to save someone you love?” King said. “Our film taps into that anxiety while featuring characters who are, frankly, completely out of their element.”

The short film is a love story, a comedy, and a thriller all at once. Gossett, who handles much of the stunt work, admits she goes to bed most nights rethinking the choreography.

“They’ve got to be cool, fun, and of course safe,” she said of the stunts. “They hit a lot of notes.”

For Gossett, the highlight of her experience is working with the cast. She has worked with these actors before and knows they make the material sharper, funnier, more alive. “The best actors are smart people,” she said, “and these guys are some of the smartest, wittiest people I know.”

The local thread runs through everything. Their primary location is Columbus Bound, a local independent bookstore, which has been generous with its space.

Gossett also credits the Springer Theatre, where working there put the right collaborators in her orbit at the right time. “I need good players on my team,” she said. “Well, we’ve got the best.”

King’s hope for the audience is modest: “If they leave having enjoyed their time with these characters as much as we have, that’s a win for us.”

12

Princess Gooden has been carrying these characters around since she was a kid. They had nowhere to live but in her head. Now they’re getting out.

“It’s never felt like work,” she said. “I see it as a blessing I get to do, versus something being done to me.”

Princess is about every girl who was handed a definition of herself and then handed a life that didn’t match. “[It’s for] the girl who got the crown and none of the castle,” Gooden said.

What keeps her up is the fear of not doing the story justice, not having enough resources to let it land the way it deserves. What gets her up is the community that’s already behind her, making it clear the weight isn’t hers alone to carry. That community is specific. The people of Piney Grove, Waverly Hall, and the Bridge of Columbus, Inc. They treat the film like it belongs to them.

When it screens, Gooden says she won’t be looking for applause. She’ll be watching faces. “I want them to walk out lighter than they walked in,” she said. “I want some healing to happen in there. I want them talking not the kind of talk that stops in the parking lot, but the kind that follows them home.”

PAUL ROWE, LAST CARESS PRODUCTIONS, DIE ALONE

JULY 2026

Paul Rowe’s film features a contract killer with two faces: one a lie, one the truth, the two so intertwined that separating them is nearly impossible. Rowe describes the film itself the same way: a road trip movie with a fun candy shell, dark comedy sprinkles, and a thought-provoking center.

Rowe has been making films long enough with his team to have built what he calls ‘callouses.’

“It’s a daily grind, every day, consistently for a long period of time,” he said. “You’re putting one foot in front of the other for a year or more on a single project when you’re a filmmaker.”

His larger goal is bigger than any one project: growing a film community in Columbus and the Valley that can produce films and attract them. Every project is a brick.

He credits Andy Carpenter, a friend, writer, filmmaker, as someone who embodies the kind of collaborative care and bond the community runs on.

When the lights come up at the premiere, Rowe borrows a line he loves from Nicole Kidman’s AMC Theaters intro: “We come to this place for magic.”

That’s what he wants the audience to walk away having felt.

KANE KETTERING, COLLAPSE While we couldn’t reach Kane prior to the deadline, we wanted to make sure he and his film also had coverage.

Collapse is a film set in a dystopic post-governmental corporate-run world where anything and everything is for sale. Allegiances and safety are fleeting as competing agendas complicate even the simplest of goals.

2026 Columbus Filmmakers

GRANT WINNERS

Zack Collins, The Haze

Payton King & Rebecca Gossett, Give & Take

Princess Gooden, Princess

Paul Rowe, Die Alone

ACTION! Independent filmmaking runs on the belief that the story matters, that the timing is right, and that the community around you is worth building something for. The 2026 grant recipients are proof that Columbus has all three.

These local filmmakers, and the many that applied, as well as FilmColumbusGA grant program is a signal that a film community is alive, thriving, and is very much taking part in the next great wave of independent film.u

LocaL

13

JULY 2026

tend to do. One thing reminded me of another thing, and before long I was thinking about RiverFest, the Pig Jig, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and a handful of stories that probably have no business being connected except that they all happened here.

Don’t et

Forg

Beastie Boys’ ‘Licensed to Ill’ Tour

the Music

ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT IN COLUMBUS, MUSIC

IS HAPPENING SOMEWHERE

T

get arrested. And I have a sneaking suspicion I’m forgetting somebody else. But I’m very sure somebody is going to stop me at lunch and tell me exactly who I left out.

They’re probably going to be right.

By Monica Jones

hat’s not exactly a groundbreaking observation, but stick with me for a minute.

Somewhere, a student is practicing for a recital. Somewhere else, a band is dragging equipment through a back door and hoping nobody forgot a cable. A songwriter is working on a song that may never leave a notebook. A jazz musician is settling into a familiar corner. Somebody is playing guitar downtown while people walk by carrying takeout and trying to decide where they’re headed next.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about that because music has always been around. It’s part of a Friday night downtown, a festival weekend, a church service, a school performance, or one of those evenings when you hear something good coming from a venue and decide whatever you were doing can wait a few minutes.

A few weeks ago, I was making my way through Uptown during the Friday Night Concert Series. Broadway was packed.

Lawn chairs covered the street. Restaurants were full. People were carrying drinks, catching up with friends, and settling in

If you were around during those years, you probably have your own version of those memories. Maybe it was RiverFest.

Maybe it was the Pig Jig. Maybe it was a show at The Loft or some venue that’s long gone.

What I remember most isn’t necessarily a particular song or performer. I remember running into the same people over and over again. In Columbus, every fifth person you see is somebody you know anyway, and those events seemed determined to prove it.

You’d stop to talk to somebody, walk twenty feet, and run into somebody else. By the end of the night, you’d somehow seen half the people you knew without making a single plan beforehand.

One of the memories that surfaced was standing on the riverfront in the early 2000s watching the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. What sticks with me now isn’t the set list. It’s the crowd. The riverfront packed with people. Friends spread out in lawn chairs. Running into people you hadn’t seen in months.

Back then it felt completely normal. Twenty years later, it’s one of the first memories that came rushing back when I started thinking about music in Columbus.

Of course, Columbus being Columbus, we couldn’t just have concerts. We had to make national news too. If you were around in the late ‘80s, you probably remember when the Beastie Boys rolled through town on their Licensed to Ill tour and wound up in jail. The whole thing

Long before any of us were dragging lawn chairs to Broadway concerts, spending an evening at Midland Commons, or arguing about where to go on a Friday night, there was Ma Rainey. Her connection to Columbus is one of those things we probably don’t talk about often enough, but it’s hard to argue with. Long before most of us arrived, she was helping shape American music history right here.

The names have changed. The venues have changed. The music is still here.

Some of it happens at Schwob, where students spend countless hours learning their craft. Some of it happens in churches. Some of it happens at local venues, breweries,

Relative Sound performs in Uptown Columbus on Friday, April 21, 2023.

(Michael Webb)

for the evening. A few days later, I found myself looking at photos from Midland Commons and laughing because it looked remarkably familiar. Different location, same basic ingredients: food trucks, families, live music, and people sticking around long after they could have called it a night.

Apparently, give Columbus a band and something to eat and we’ll happily entertain ourselves for hours.

Looking at those photos did what Columbus memories

LocaL

created enough commotion that Columbus eventually adopted an anti-lewdness ordinance.

Then Bobby Brown came through and wound up in jail under that same ordinance.

When you stop and think about it, that’s a pretty remarkable piece of Columbus trivia. For a brief moment in time, we seemed determined to become the city where musicians came to 14

JULY 2026

Ma Rainey

always writing a song, practicing a set, tuning a guitar, or figuring out where they’re playing next.

Somewhere else, somebody is pulling up a lawn chair, ordering dinner, and getting ready to listen.

No, Columbus isn’t Nashville, and it isn’t Athens. It doesn’t need to be. We’ve got our own stories, our own venues, our own musicians, and our own memories. We’ve got students learning their craft, veteran performers still doing what they love, and artists writing songs nobody has heard yet.

Maybe that’s why all those memories came rushing back. The Pig Jig. RiverFest. Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the riverfront. Dido at The Loft. Broadway packed with lawn chairs. The Friday Night Concert Series. Midland Commons.

A city where every fifth person you see is somebody you know and every now and then a musician winds up in jail.

I’d hate to lose that.

Don’t forget the music.u

restaurants, and festivals.

Every now and then you’ll hear somebody playing downtown and realize you’ve stopped walking without meaning to. You weren’t planning to listen. You were headed somewhere else.

Then suddenly you’re standing there for another song.

Columbus has a funny habit of catching people before the rest of the world does. Matchbox Twenty came through before arenas. Dido played The Loft before “Stan” sent her voice everywhere. More recently, we’ve watched artists like Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen pass through before their careers exploded.

Looking back, everybody wants to connect the dots.

At the time, it was just Friday night and somebody said there was a good band playing.

If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ve probably had that conversation. Somebody mentions an artist and somebody else immediately says, “Oh, I saw them at The Loft back in...” and suddenly nobody can remember what year it was, but everybody remembers being there.

Every city gets known for something.

Nashville gets music. Athens gets music. We tend to get Fort Benning, whitewater, and

whatever new restaurant everybody is debating this week. Fair enough.

But spend enough time around Columbus and you’ll notice that music keeps showing up. It shows up on Broadway. It shows up at Midland Commons. It shows up at festivals, school performances, churches, restaurants, bars, and community events. It shows up in people willing to spend hours learning an instrument, writing a song, or hauling equipment into a venue because they love what they do.

I guess that’s what I was really thinking about while looking at those concert photos.

Not the bands themselves, although they certainly help. It was the fact that no matter how much Columbus changes, somebody is LocaL

15

JULY 2026

BRINGING HISTORY

otherwise discovered.

“The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries take great pride in offering lifelong learning opportunities to our community,” said Henry McCoy, Program & Media Content Coordinator for Chattahoochee Valley Libraries. “Our growing partnership with Historic Westville Village is the definition of a win-win for both organizations. It allows us to fulfill our educational missions while introducing new audiences to both the library system and Historic Westville.”

Image By Andy Funderburk

BEYOND THE VILLAGE

HISTORIC WEST VILLE & CHAT TAHOOCHEE VALLEY LIBR ARIES TEAM UP TO MAKE LOC AL HISTORY MORE ACCESSIBLE

By Monica Jones

or many families, summer means finding new ways F to keep curious minds engaged. Libraries become gathering places. Museums become destinations.

Community programs offer opportunities to learn, create, and explore.

This summer, two local institutions are bringing those experiences together.

Through an expanding partnership between Historic Westville Village and Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, residents across the region can explore local history through free programs offered at library branches throughout the system. From hands-on crafts and artifact demonstrations to educational presentations and interactive activities, the collaboration is designed

That regional reach is a significant part of the partnership’s value. While many people are familiar with their local library branch, they may not realize the scope of programming available through the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries system or the variety of educational experiences Historic Westville offers throughout the year.

By working together, the two organizations are able to connect with families where they already gather while introducing them to opportunities they may not have

The partnership is also part of a larger effort to bring the museum experience beyond the village itself.

Rather than waiting for families to discover Historic Westville, the organization is finding new ways to connect with people where they already gather. Library branches, community centers, and public programs provide opportunities to introduce visitors to local history through hands-on activities.

By taking pieces of the museum experience into communities across the region, Historic Westville can reach new audiences while making history more accessible and engaging.

Recently, Historic Westville Village partnered with Columbus Parks and Recreation on a program that invited children to create their own cardboard houses while learning about historic structures and artifacts from the village. The activity combined creativity with history, giving participants something tangible to build, explore, and take home.

Similar experiences are becoming a hallmark of the library partnership.

“Most of them are hands-on craft activities where people will take something home,” Kirk said. “We are

to make history more accessible while introducing new audiences to the stories preserved at Historic Westville.

While the partnership is already bringing Historic Westville programs to library branches this summer, the collaboration is expected to expand even further in the fall.

“This summer we are partnering with the libraries, and this fall we will be in every branch of the library at least once a month, if not more,” said Historic Westville Executive Director April Kirk. “We’re doing both adult and kids programming.”

LocaL

16

JULY 2026

Image By Andy Funderburk

grateful that the library and their foundation are both very generous with providing all the supplies.”

The goal is not simply to tell people about history – it’s to invite them into it.

Visitors may have the opportunity to examine artifacts, learn about daily life in the nineteenth century, explore traditional skills, or participate in projects inspired by the people and places that shaped Georgia’s past. Rather than reading about history from a distance, participants are encouraged to engage with it directly.

One example is the “Day in the Life of Little House on the Prairie” storytime and craft activities scheduled at North Columbus Public Library, where visitors can explore aspects of pioneer life and gain a better understanding of the experiences that shaped early American communities.

For some participants, that first experience may inspire a deeper interest in local history. A child who enjoys a craft activity at the library may later visit

artifacts can spark questions. A simple craft project can open the door to a larger story. A visit to the library can become the beginning of a deeper connection to the region’s past.

Additional Historic Westville Village programs will continue throughout the summer and into the fall at library branches across the Chattahoochee Valley.

Residents can find upcoming events through their local library branch, the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries event calendar, and Historic Westville Village.

The programs may begin with a craft, a conversation, or a chance encounter with history, but they share a common goal: making the stories of the past available to more people, in more places, throughout the communities they call home.u Image By Andy Funderburk

Image by AJ, Image by Gary Poole

Westville with family. An adult who attends a presentation may decide to explore the village’s workshops, demonstrations, or special events.

The partnership creates a pathway between the two organizations, allowing each to build upon the other’s strengths.

Libraries provide trusted community spaces dedicated to lifelong learning.

Historic Westville Village offers immersive experiences that bring history to life. Together, they are creating opportunities for residents throughout the Chattahoochee Valley to engage with local history in new and meaningful ways.

In a time when so much information arrives through screens, there is something refreshing about learning through conversation, creativity, and handson discovery. A touch table filled with LocaL

17

JULY 2026

Circles, Color, & A

The title Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy might lead visitors to expect something uncomplicated and airy, but John’s work offers something richer than that.

By Monica Jones

Space To Discover

By Monica Jones

There is something wonderfully disarming about walking into a gallery filled with bright colors, playful shapes, and thousands upon thousands of painted circles.

At first glance, Carol John’s work feels joyful. Her exhibition, Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy, now on view at The Do Good Fund Gallery, practically radiates

“Life is complex and full of layers,” she says. “Anything we do will bring that along.”

Her paintings make room for both light and darkness.

Vibrant colors and playful forms share space with uncertainty, tension, and the realities of a world that is rarely simple. Yet even as she acknowledges those realities, they never become the center of the conversation.

There is something refreshingly candid about that perspective. John acknowledges darkness without centering it. Life is complicated. Difficult things happen.

Hope and uncertainty often exist side by side. Her response is not to ignore those truths, but to continue exploring, creating, and searching for what might be discovered next.

“Hopefully, good prevails over evil,” she says.

That same openness extends to the way John views

Carol John

optimism from the walls. Color moves across the canvas.

Patterns emerge and dissolve. Shapes gather, separate, and reconnect. The paintings feel alive.

Beneath the color and movement are questions about uncertainty, discovery, intuition, and the complicated layers that exist within everyday life. The paintings remain abstract and non-representational, yet they often LocaL

suggest stories, emotions, and experiences that feel familiar even when they resist a clear explanation.

For John, discovery is the foundation of her practice.

Working from a former church in Athens, Georgia, she has built a daily routine around painting circles and dots, sometimes by the thousands. What begins as repetition becomes exploration. What begins as a simple mark gradually grows into something larger, shaped by intuition, curiosity, and time.

“The dot is associated with playfulness,” John says.

“I find circles and dots a great place to start a painting.

Playfulness for me allows for discovery, is a pathway for discovery, which is the point of the entire practice, and why I paint.”

That spirit of exploration runs throughout the exhibition. John describes her process as intuitive, allowing the repetitive nature of the work to create room for new ideas, arrangements, and possibilities. The paintings often suggest narratives she never intended and stories she never planned.

18

abstraction itself. While some artists are eager to explain their work, she seems content to allow viewers their own experience. When asked what people most often misunderstand about abstract art, her answer was JULY 2026

surprisingly simple.

“I cannot speak for others but feel free to like or dislike a piece of art for any reason,” she says. “That’s your personal choice.”

It is not a dismissal – it is trust.

The paintings are not asking viewers to arrive at a predetermined conclusion. They are not asking anyone to solve a puzzle or decode a hidden message.

They simply offer an opportunity to look, spend time, and discover what resonates.

That philosophy feels very much at home at The Do Good Fund Gallery.

For years, The Do Good Fund has quietly brought meaningful exhibitions to Columbus while keeping the experience accessible to the community. Visitors can spend an afternoon in the gallery, attend an artist talk, return for a second look, or introduce someone else to a new artist. The invitation remains open.

This summer, that invitation extends to younger visitors through Gallery Kids, a new educational initiative inspired by Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy. Led

by local teaching artist Sarah Beth Cardin, the free program encourages children ages 5 to 10 to explore color, shape, abstraction, and creative expression while surrounded by John’s work.

Cardin, a Columbus State University graduate currently pursuing her master’s degree in elementary education, centers her work around curiosity, creativity, and playful learning. During each session, children spend time exploring the exhibition before creating artwork of their own inspired by what they discover in the gallery.

Gallery Kids is offered free of charge through the support of Kim Mixon Real Estate, creating opportunities for young visitors and their families to LocaL

engage directly with art and creative expression in a gallery setting. Registration is required, and families may sign up for one or multiple sessions through The Do Good Fund.

There is a generosity running through this exhibition and the people behind it. Carol John has spent years building a body of work rooted in curiosity, discovery, and daily practice. The Do Good Fund has created a space where that work can be shared freely with the community. Through Gallery Kids, that invitation now extends to the next generation of artists, thinkers, and creators.

The paintings are there. The doors are open. The opportunity is ours.

Sunshine, Happiness, & Joy will remain on view through August 5 at The Do Good Fund Gallery, located at 111 12th Street in Uptown Columbus, next

to My Boulange and Black Cow. An artist talk featuring Carol John and Spalding Nix of Spalding Nix Fine Art will take place Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission is always free. Visitors can learn more about the exhibition, register for Gallery Kids, and explore upcoming programs at DoGoodFund.org, by visiting The Do Good Fund Gallery at 111 12th Street in Uptown Columbus, or by following The Do Good Fund on social media. u 19

JULY 2026

LocaL

20

JULY 2026