Reggae Takes Over Downtown Gahanna

-matt

Seems I am one of very few who hasn’t heard of The Ark Band. The reggae group, based out of Columbus, performed last night as part of the City of Gahanna’s new summer concert series Creekside Live @ 5.

Concertgoers old and young danced and sang to classics like “Three Little Birds” and “No Woman, No Cry.” I enjoyed the provided Yuengling as I pretended to know every word I was lip-synching. Creekside and really all of downtown Gahanna is beautiful. I had never been to Creekside but will surely return for 80’s rock music when the Reaganomics perform July 19.

Creekside Live @ 5 kicked off earlier this month and will continue until the end of September. Check out the remaining scheduled concerts below and visit Creekside Live @ 5 for full details.

July 5 – JERSEY (Springsteen Tribute)

July 19 – Reganomics (80’s Rock)

August 2 – The Prodigals (Irish Rock)

August 16 – John Schwab Party Band (Party Variety)

September 6 – Grassinine (Mountain Rock)

September 20 – Capital Sound (Soul/Funk)

Gordon Gee and his Bowties will be Missed

Gee at his finest (*photo from GameDayR.com)

-tim

Gordon Gee was the face of The Ohio State University…twice. He first held office from September 1, 1990 to January 2, 1998. He left Ohio State for Brown University, then to Vanderbilt before returning to the Buckeye State for his latest tenure.

Gee was once named Best University President by Time Magazine. Unfortunately the successful president had a sense of humor unlike the rest of the world. Comments about the University of Norte Dam and Catholics in early December of last year went public a couple of weeks ago. And when running one of the largest universities in the country, remarks even the slightest bit offensive can decay one’s reputation. His current tenure will end on the first of July.

I can’t say he was forced out by university officials. I can say he had so much left he wanted to accomplish. Responsible for pushing the university to new heights, he will remain an important part of OSU history.

Carrie Ghose of BizJournals reported last week that Gee is house hunting in the Short North. Columbus will not lose the colorful bow-tied president so easily after all.

Drew Davis Dazzles at Brothers Drake Meadery (I LOVE alliteration!)

-matt

Columbus is home to many great musicians. Today, I’m putting the spotlight on one of my favorite singer/songwriters from the area. Although Columbus isn’t technically her home now, it’s the city that nurtured the talent of singer/songwriter Drew Davis.

Now performing across the country, while maintaining a marketing position in Austin, Texas, I couldn’t miss the chance to see Drew perform at Brothers Drake Meadery on 5^th and High two weeks ago. Drawing an impressive crowd, Drew performed songs from her previous two albums and songs that will appear on her third album this fall.

In short, Drew’s music can be described as a cross between the seriousness of Fiona Apple and the bright, playfulness of Sara Bareilles. As I drank (slowly) my Scarlet Solstice, I fell in love with brand new song titled “Absence.” I hope this makes the cut for the new album. Other standouts of the night included “Ohio,” “Bottle of Sin” and “Not the Same.”

The four-year gap between her first two albums can be explained by a busy tour schedule and attending college in Georgia. However, I got word that the next album is being recorded THIS June with an expected release date later in the year; not even a year after her previous album, “Old, Old Heart.” 

Preview her music on SoundCloud then of course go to iTunes or Amazonmp3 to purchase her first two albums.

Drew Davis “Absence”

Me and Drew after the show 6/4/13