If you love musicals, this is the theater company to watch. If you don't think you love musicals,…read morethis is also the theater company to watch. Known for staging shows both traditional and outlandish, CSP's recent season included The Rocky Horror Show, She Loves Me, Sweet Charity and Reefer Madness. As you can see they're down with variety. Columbus' only all-musical troupe, they seem to have honed the art. Their current home is Axis Nightclub, which gives the shows a dinner-theater quality (the full bar is open during shows). Performances are always intimate, and frequently include audience involvement of one kind or another. Don't be surprised if a zombie brushes past you at some point or an actor lands in your lap. (Sometimes literally - the stage is unusually shaped and on the small side and actors have been known to fall off during rehearsal...) It seems the rotating group of directors each have their own style, but all have a wicked sense of humor and it shows. And while the quality of show can vary ever so slightly as the cast and production staff change for each show, I've never experienced a show here that wasn't highly entertaining and worth my ticket price.

I saw the Center Stage Players doing a street performance during a summer Gallery Hop. They were…read moreplaying show tunes from Little Shop of Horrors. I'm not much for show tunes, but they seemed to have a pretty fair gathering. Their performance wasn't half bad, but they were absurdly loud, like ear-bleeding loud. They were really belting it out. It didn't help that their amp was echoing off the neighboring buildings. I felt bad for the other street performers who were being totally overshadowed. Despite Center Stage's disregard of the city sound ordinance, I'm a big fan of community theatre and would love to see one of their traditional live shows. They billed Rocky Horror last month. It seems like everyone around here grabs onto that story. The venue is appealing as well. They perform at Axis nightclub. Tickets are usually under $20 and can be purchased at the door the night of the event or online beforehand.

I had a chance to watch their winter show featuring works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and more…read morevirtually. As much as I love dressing up, driving downtown, and being in the beautiful theater, it was almost just as great being able to watch the performance at anytime (within a couple of weeks) according to my schedule, kick back in my jammies, and open a cold one. I hope they continue to offer both in person performances as well as virtual ones. I've only ever been to two performances by ProMusica, the other featuring Rachmaninoff, and I love how they talk about the pieces, discuss the composers' lives, and talk about their organization as a whole. It's quite an educational and different experience from the classic orchestral performance. Can't wait to see more from this talented group, whether it's from home on my couch or in person in the future. Additionally, I'm impressed by their ingenuity and willingness to continue going despite the pandemic stopping many other forms of entertainment. I really admire that resiliency!

While COVID disrupts many gatherings, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra has worked diligently, expanding…read moreonline presence. I watched WinterFEST: Vadim & Friends - Feb 26 - Mar 11 program and I am very happy with the quality and performance of its talented musicians. It brought a sense of nostalgia hearing musicians perform in harmony, in cohesive joy of performing music with others. Doesn't make sense? It is difficult to explain unless you experience it as a musician. Experiencing this joy is like a rare moment that is loved by many, marriage, birth, graduation etc. except this can happen simultaneously by musicians and more often when performing music. I can see the musicians bodies moving with the music in joy and miss that. Music temporarily brings happiness and healing that people need. Something I still long for since I wanted to become a music director and perform but choices hindered my chance. This definitely takes me back and I wish to see orchestra or concertos in person. The joyful musical moments I have experienced recently before COVID was watching Virgil Donati band live. I personally want to attend a performance again.

I can't say enough good about this program. Angie, the proprietor, is a wonderful instructor who…read moreuses technique-based teaching. I have four daughters who have studied dance most of their lives. One is getting ready to be a performing arts major at Heidelberg University. 1st Steps to Broadway's approach made all the difference. Most programs are "recital" based; that is, they work toward teaching dancers the steps for a routine and not much more. But Angie's program develops skills and technique and the whole dancer. I wish we had found her years ago.

I have danced at Marjorie Jones school of dance and Northwest School of dance for the past 14…read moreyears. The teachers are so supportive and every class is fun and teaches you so much! I would never trade my experience for any other.

Baroque music is a beautiful thing! To hear it performed live is uplifting and enlightening and…read morewhile I try to squeeze in at least one performance per year by the Columbus Bach Ensemble, central Ohio's only Baroque orchestra. The Columbus Bach Ensemble was founded in 2000 by Worthington resident Christine Shumway Mortine. The chamber orchestra focuses primarily on the music of J.S Bach and other great masters of the 7th and 18th century, such as Hayden and Mozart. The season consists of about eight concerts, most of which are played at the Southern Theatre downtown. It is, however, a real treat to hear their music the hallowed halls of the gothic-style St. Turibius Chapel at the Pontifical College at the Josephinum in Worthington. This is a calming, yet exhuberant way to spend a Sunday afternoon and, as far as classical concerts go, ticket prices seem affordable at $10-$15.

First of all, what a great name for a gay colorguard. The name for me is 50% of the appeal…read more The guys and gals who make up the Flaggots may not be the most adept flag twirlers you've ever seen, but they are entertaining. They come to events dressed in brightly colored matching outfits and dance and spin, mainly to 80s tunes. I think they're in it just for the camaraderie and the fun. And while their moves may not wow you, their enthusiasm is contagious. The Flaggots are mostly men, but they do accept women too. A few of them performed on flag teams in high school and/or college. They come to every Pride Parade, and I've also spotted them randomly at other events. I think they got their start at a Pride Parade, actually. My favorite Flaggots moment occurred when I saw the group performing on High St. While the rest of the group was doing its thing, an interested spectator approached one of the Flaggot members who was taking a break on the sidelines. The spectator was a gray-haired, conservative woman straight from the 'burbs. She apparently had niece who twirled and was looking for a group to join. The colorguard member proclaimed, 'Oh, I'm so glad you're interested! We're Flaggots. Hold on, let me get you a business card.' By the time she came back with the business card, the suburbanite was two blocks away. She booked it out of there.

I love music! I love the arts! The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is amazing!…read moreI love attending concerts and hearing all of the wonderful talent! The theater is just extraordinary. I love the vintage vibe of it all. Do yourself a favor and go enjoy a concert by the great Columbus Symphony Orchestra!

Per Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." This is an obvious truism, the…read moreworld needs music. My family definitely felt the need to listen to some great music and on 02/18/2023, we went to the Ohio Theatre to listen to the Columbus Symphony play Schubert's Symphony Number 4. It was our first time listening to these masterfully talented musicians. I have listened to many different symphonies and I can tell you that the Columbus Symphony Orchestra is a first class organization, and you can see it in everything they do! Firstly, they obviously develop young musical talent very well. Before the symphony started, they had a harpist play from their Young Musician's Showcase near the concessions area. She is incredibly talented, and it was truly a pleasure to listen to her before everything started. Secondly, they played masterfully, and even though we were seated well away from orchestra level, we were able to enjoy it. One guy seated in front of us was so moved by the performance, he was actually in tears. I also loved getting a thank you card for attending mailed to my home. I have attended symphonies in many cities across the country, and I have never received that. That is very classy. I plan to come to Columbus again as I am not a local, and if I do, I will be attending another performance by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. If you are visiting Columbus, or live in the city, you need to attend one of their productions. It is simply an amazing experience! It would be a great mistake to miss out on such

This was so much fun. My daughter and I went to The Franklinton playhouse and seen the Vagina…read moreMonologue. The performance was amazing. But the playhouse is a small no frills building. We enjoyed our evening and will look for more performances to go to. Love to support local.