Is the SNBA promoting gratuitous sex, homosexuality and obscene language?

For those of you who attended the Short North’s Got Talent show earlier this month, you witnessed the ladies (and James) of the SNBA re-enact a scene from the TV show Glee.

But according to The Parents Television Council, quoted in an article on Christwire.org, Glee is chock full of “gratuitous sex, explicit dialogue and obscene language” as well as “homosexuality,” “steamy shower scenes” and “drug use.” The author goes on to also say “Additionally, the show has far too many musical numbers.”

Anyway, if you stumble upon this site, as I have, you can only gather that by re-creating a scene from Glee, the SNBA promotes those values. So I say “Let’s hear it for the SNBA crew!”

What I find so amazing (and entertaining) is the skewed perspective and paranoia of this group. Another quote from the article says “How many middle-aged men will find themselves in a dead-end Glee-based lifestyle? Will they be ostentatious and sensitive… Crying out to have that giant hole in their souls stuffed with some musky foreign thrill?” By the way, “musky foreign thrill” in the article links you to another article titled “Sodomy Is Never The Answer.” (Musky Foreign Thrill sounds like an opening act for Bare Naked Ladies. - ed.)

I have to say, this author is a never-ending source of entertainment! But paranoia is not new for this author. It would not be fair, or humorous, if I didn’t share one more tidbit from this article… so here goes. The author continues by saying: “Recently, I wrote about studies that revealed the dangerous influence the tv show ‘The Golden Girls’ had on American men now in their 30s, 40s and 50s… and increased risks of homosexual behavior. In a nutshell, the Golden Girls turned a generation away from procreation.”

Damn! I’m just glad no one from this group was at “The Short North’s Got Talent” show! (The Bea Arthur impersonator would have given them the vapors. Just kidding - there was no Bea Arthur impersonator this year. - ed.)

Decide for yourself how sinful song and dance can be.

Check out the youtube videos of Short North’s Got Talent!

In both movies: “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Back to the Future 2″, there were parallel universes that showed what those respective communities would look like if a difference sequence of events happened.

And in both movies, the alternate reality wasn’t pretty. Curiously, both had striking similarities showing their alternative futures consisting of greed, corruption and really bad signage.

Why was I thinking of this? Well, in an alternate reality, the Short North could’ve been a very different place as well.

If the Short North Business Association didn’t (or didn’t continue) to exist, we would all see very different views outside our front windows than we do now. That alternative reality would be one where blatant commercialism takes over the Gallery Hops, homeless folks begging on High Street would be more prominent, the cost of parking meters would be more and, oh yes, really bad signage would be the norm.

Every day the folks at, and volunteers of, the SNBA work to make a difference. But unfortunately, it seems like not every Short North business owner sees the benefits… unless they’re paying close attention. I’m not sure everyone realizes just how much the SNBA does on their behalf, because if they did, way more people would be involved. At a minimum, simply by supporting the SNBA by being a member.

As Collin Castore, owner of Bodega, puts it: “For a relatively small contribution there is an entire staff of talented individuals who bring publicity & opportunity to the neighborhood.”  So obviously, Collin is paying attention. And granted, so are lots of other businesses, but not enough, because I think only half of the business in the area are supporting the SNBA by being members.

The SNBA works to make the Short North better, safer, and more prosperous for the businesses here. The work they do benefits all our futures.

So if we want to continue having a wonderful life right here in the Short North, let’s support the SNBA.

And that’s the view from my window…

This weeks blog is by Barb Ebright, COO of Mukha Spa & Mukha Essentials

Ahhh… the Short North!  I’m not even sure where to begin.  I suppose I should start with the fact that it’s not so much the VIEW outside my window but the EXPERIENCE outside my window that I love most about working in the Short North, especially this time of year.

Having always lived in the “burbs”, coming to work everyday in the Short North is such an exciting experience on every level.  The interesting architecture, the amazing art seen everywhere you turn, the outstanding food and drink options right at my fingertips, and everything in-between.  When leaving work, there are few evenings that I walk to my car not thinking about how much I’d like to trade-in my suburban home and lifestyle for a far more interesting way of life in the Short North.  Who knows, maybe some day!

Then there’s working with the amazing talents of Tim Maurer and Sanito Mendoza, owners of Mukha.  It has been a great privilege to work with them the past three years on product development, staff development, and everything in between.   Finding personal beauty is an art, and it’s so exciting to be a part of this very special art form right here in the heart of the Short North.

First class experience… that’s what I see both inside and outside the windows of Mukha.  The people, more than any other aspect of the Short North, are the most rewarding part of the area.  Where else can you greet everyone on the streets - from the business owners to the casual strollers - and feel like you are REALLY part of something special?  Not many places can boast this characteristic.

As a very wise woman once told me many years ago, there is a season for everything.  This is such an exciting season for the Short North, for so many reasons.  I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it all!

Our guest blogger for this week is Lisa Craig Morton, owner of the Victorian Village Guest House

As I sit in the kitchen of my Neil Avenue home and look out on my sun-drenched garden, I am in awe of the wonders brought forth by spring’s rain showers, warm days and cool nights. The garden is exploding with greenery and pops of color. Birds are chirping and chattering in the canopy of hundred year old trees over the yard. This beautiful morning started with tending the garden – planting some new perennials, pinching the spent blooms off yesterday’s flowers, checking the progress of my herbs and tomatoes and seeing what has popped open since yesterday’s assessment! Today I discover that the first hydrangea is blooming and the first tomatoes are starting to take shape on the vine. The peonies (my favorite flower) are starting to fade, the rains of the last few days hastening their decline. In front of the house, the hum of traffic and passers-by up and down Neil Avenue is ever present. But the back yard is like a sanctuary, all lush and green, private and secluded. When people come to stay at our guest house, they are always surprised to find such an oasis in the middle of the city.

Growing up in Columbus, I always wanted to live on Neil Avenue. I was drawn to the interesting architecture, the history of the street and the possibility to be an agent for change in an area that had seen better days. Moving to Victorian Village six years ago was a dream come true as well as a transformational journey. I fell in love all over again with the Short North, an area I had frequented for many years, but was now getting to know on a whole new level. The diversity of the neighborhood and the surrounding businesses were the inspiration I needed to start a business of my own.

There is a sense of community here in the Short North. Having spent most of my life in suburbia and the trenches of Corporate America, I soon realized that the pace was a little different here, the players a little more quirky, the creative energy much more out in the open! It made me want to get involved and share this story with others, both here in central Ohio and those farther beyond. Creating Victorian Village Guest House has allowed me to support the Short North’s growing tourism business and has given me a way to let others “sample” what life could be like here in this walkable, wonderful collection of neighborhoods. It also gave me a new career and a livelihood when my banking job was eliminated in the recession. Standing at the back porch door and looking over the garden, I almost have to pinch myself when I realize that this is now my job!

This is the first guest commentary here at the Short North Blog.  Maria Galloway, owner of pm gallery and current president of the board of the SNBA is kicking us off!

Spring in the Short North

Prop the door open and catch the breeze, the aromas wafting from the restaurants and the roar of motorcycles.  At the corner of Buttles and North High it seems as though everyone is eating Jeni’s ice cream.  A sure sign of spring is the new seasonal flavors like Meyer Lemon Blueberry and Rhubarb Rose’.

Spring fashions adorn the windows at Rowe (in their new expanded space), Ladybird and a bit farther up the street - Undone, Voodoo Denim and Jinny.  The al fresco dining is in full swing with crowds at Union, Haiku, and La Fogata.

I love walking home in the evening this time of year. The lilacs fill the alley with their heady perfume. The daffodils in the park make me smile. The planter beds on High Street are newly planted with petunias, sweet potato vine and grasses. They have a ways to go to fill in, but I enjoy the formal spacing of the freshly planted. In a couple of months they will be lush and full and wild.

This is the time of year when anticipation of the year’s festivals begins. The June Gallery Hop almost always coincides with the downtown Arts Festival. Then in quick succession we have Comfest, the Gay Pride Parade, the DooDah Parade and the July Gallery Hop! Plus weddings in the park, graduations, and fashion photographers using the neighborhood as a backdrop. After the long winter is it so wonderful to see color and bustling activity return to the street.

This is wedding season at pm gallery. We get the anti-registry people. The people who want to get a memorable gift, not just plate #7 out of a 48 piece set. And it must work, because after 30 wedding seasons, we have only had one return. Funny thing is we have a gift registry, too. It is a What You See Is What You Get registry, since we have so many one of a kind items. I photograph the items and put them on our website. It is great for out-of-towners.

The slide into summer has begun. The air conditioner will be on soon and the noise of the street will be muted as we close the door against the heat. The colors will deepen and the days will lengthen. Buttles Avenue is my sundial.  The sun will be setting at the end of the street and the light and heat will fill the gallery. I am in no hurry for that to happen. Spring here, in the Short North, is full of change, evolution and fun. I am enjoying that.

The biggest sale of the year will be coming to the Short North District this month!  The Short North Winter Sale will be held January 22, 23 and 24.  This three day sale features incredible deals in the district’s favorite shops!  Mark your calender and come see what the Short North Arts District has to offer!  Save up to 80% on apparel, accessories, art, and more!  Core hours for the sale will be 11am to 6pm Friday & Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday (Some merchants will not be open on Sunday).  Come early for the best selection and enjoy the district!

Sample savings

Alexander’s Jewelers – 30% off all B Tiff Items

Bakery Gingham – 20% off all in-store cupcakes

Big Rock Little Rooster – Vera Wang Trunk Show Jan 21-23 - Sprig 2010 collection.  Brides receive 10% off. Appointments are required - Call 614-754-8116

Collier West – 25-75% off + $25 gift card for all purchases over $150

Emperor’s Newest Clothes – 20% - 50% off fall and winter items

Global Gallery - 20% off Alpaca Winter Wear

Go Figure Consignment – 20%-50% off outerwear & formal attire

GrandView Mercantile – 10 day sale starting Jan 22 offering 15% - 50% off

Ladybird– Fall/Winter holiday fashions 40% - 70% off

Luxe di vie - 80% off

Visit our site to see a full list of our merchants:  http://shortnorth.org/news.asp?n=212

Rising Star Althea Harper Will Hit the Runway with Original Designs and Help Judge Costume Contest

Dayton-born clothing designer Althea Harper was drawn to fashion at an early age. And on Saturday, October 31, this 24-year-old “Project Runway 6” contestant will be drawn back to Ohio as celebrity judge and featureddesigner for Columbus’ second annual HighBall Halloween.

This fashion-focused extravaganza will feature an 80-foot runway, professional models, live entertainment and a costume competition for fashion designers. Adults, children and pets will also compete for prizes, bragging rights and a moment in the spotlight. The theme for this year’s festival is “Cirque.”

A Young Designer Hits her Stride

Althea Harper is no stranger to visionary fashion design. “As a student, Althea was always thinking way beyond her skill set and pushing herself,” recalls Margie Voelker-Ferrier, professor and coordinator at University ofCincinnati (College of Design Art Architecture and Planning). “I think Althea has a beautiful aesthetic … she always makes women feel beautiful and elegant.”

The Project Runway judges clearly share Voelker-Ferrier’s view. As of this writing, Harper has edged out nineother contestants to reach Round 9 of the show. She’s won one of the weekly challenges, and she’s never been among the bottom three.

High-Powered Judges at HighBall Halloween ‘09

This year, Harper and her former professor will join a roster of industry professionals to help judge yourHalloween costume at the HighBall Halloween Costume Contest.

Do you have what it takes to make the HighBall runway?

Thousands will try. 40 will make it. One will win HighBall Costume of the Year. Come at 9:30 and show

Contest categories are:

• Best Celebrity Lookalike (sponsored by the Arena Grand Movie Theatre)
• Cirque Fantasy
• Best Tag Team (for teams of two or more people)
• Best King and Queen (drag, that is!)
• Simply Fabulous!

For more information about the costume contest, HighBall Halloween, and Althea Harper, visit HighBallHalloween.com.

blog content provided by Christa Sidman

Althea Harper

Althea Harper

If you are a visual artist, know a visual artist, or know someone who knows someone who knows a visual artist… then this message is for you!

The Short North Arts District is inviting artists to participate in Art al Fresco 2009 (August 15). Artists have until May 22 to submit proposals. Applications are available online at shortnorth.org or by request from CallForArtists@shortnorth.org.

Art al Fresco made its debut on Saturday, August 16, 2008 in the heart of the Arts District, and by every measure, it was a smash success. Upwards of 75 visual and performing artists converged on the district to be a part of the event, which also included special exhibitions at a number of Short North galleries. Over 5,000 guests showed up, touring High Street, cameras in hand, to experience dozens of public art installations and scores of live art performances. The Columbus Dispatch enthusiastically proclaimed: “Bohemians on the Loose!” GCAC even nominated the event for its annual Artistic Excellence Award.

Last year’s best of show accolade went to Ben LaPlaca, Clint Davidson and Scott Williams for their mural depicting the issue of the dwindling honey bee population (at right). A review of last year’s winners can be found at shortnorth.org

A wonderful collection of images from the event is posted on our Facebook page: Short North Arts District.

Kudos to my fellow development committee members for the hard work they have already invested to make 2009 an even bigger success: Joe Baer of ZenGenius, Judy Basso of the Wood Companies, Kristin Meyer of The Art Exchange, Michelle Brandt of Kathryn Gallery, Maria Galloway of pm gallery, Rhonda Bartoe Tucker of Studios on High, Sean Cooper of the Ohio Art League, Christie Nohle of Urban Gardener, Sherrie Hawk of Sherrie Gallerie, Carmen Owens of Surly Girl, Suzie Simpson of Stonewall Columbus, Juli Rogers of r design & printing, and Morgan Baughman of the SNBA.

Following is more information about the event:

Short North Arts District
2nd annual Art al Fresco
presented by The Wood Companies
Saturday • August 15

A day-long event celebrating Columbus’ artistic spirit. Visual and performing artists from across the city unite to share their talents. The entire Short North becomes both a gallery and a stage.

The goal: inspire, engage and amuse visitors while spotlighting the power of public art. In all, over 100 exhibitions, installations and performances will be showcased.

Art al Fresco features three unique components:
The Usual Suspects

A broad range of artwork on display in the galleries and non-traditional venues throughout the district.

Unexpected Guests
Up to 50 artists will create temporary public art installations in surprising outdoor venues: parks, courtyards, rooftops, even the sides of buildings. Most of the installations will exist for only a day, but some will be on display for a month or longer.

PeeP Show
From freeze modeling to celebrity impersonations, from actors to dancers, performing artists will take over merchants’ display windows throughout the district. Under the arches, street performers will settle into the many alcoves to entertain passersby.

Art al Fresco is an event of the Short North Arts District. For more info, please email CallForArtists@shortnorth.org.

A couple days ago I received an invitation to Mahan Gallery’s March art opening. My eyes popped when I opened the envelope. The featured artist: Ric Ocasek. My first thought was: “How many Ric Ocasek’s can there be?” A product of the ‘70s and ‘80s, I immediately associated R.O. with the Cars, even hearing a bit of “Just What I Needed” in my head. It couldn’t be the same guy. And yet, when I turned the invitation over, there was the confirmation. Step One… I immediately called and rsvp’d. Step Two… I pondered why Ric was dabbling in art. I wondered how many people would show up purely because of the fanboy effect, and how many would be there for the art. That led me to a question of celebrity and commercialism versus authenticity. So before I dug myself a deeper hole, I called Jacquie Mahan (gallery proprietor) and scheduled a chat on the subject.

And I was glad I did.

We sat at Jacquie’s desk (pure white, blending in with the white exhibition walls) at the back of the gallery. Before jumping in to the obvious questions I thought I’d start with a bit of focus on the gallery itself.

JA: What is your philosophy about art and your gallery?
JM: I want to keep it real. Accessible. Honest. We are a highly contemporary gallery. We take a lot of risks and they usually pay off.

JA: So it’s not always a formal or traditional installation?
JM: We do feature traditionally hung shows, but it’s also fun to do something non-traditional. Artwork doesn’t have to be so serious. Sometimes it can be really fun. We support young artists as well as high-profile artists. In June we have an exhibit with the architect, George Acock.

JA: How serious are you about the gallery experience?
JM: I take artwork seriously, but I don’t take myself so seriously. I’m always open to learning, to hearing new ideas, and to experiencing. I think Mahan Gallery stands out with a very different gallery formula in Columbus. There are a lot of “art shops” out there filled with pieces to sell. Our gallery is attention driven. We embrace a theme. Make it intense. Make it an experience. We want the gallery to be a destination apart from other galleries.

JA: Give me an example of “experiential.”
JM: One of my favorites was our Maya Hayuk installation. Maya is from Brooklyn and has been to Columbus several times. She came to do a solo show at our gallery. We gave her the entire space. She simply took over. Paintings. Photos. She even painted pieces directly on our walls. Not on canvas, on our walls. It was completely immersive. If you didn’t see it at the gallery, you wouldn’t see it anywhere else. When collectors entered the door, they could instantly feel the art. There was even an opportunity to take self-portraits with the art via a ripcord - camera mechanism Maya installed. Fully engaging. It was a risk. And we liked taking it.

JA: So let’s talk about Ric. How did you get him to make his first gallery appearance at Mahan?
JM: It’s funny. People are going to think it’s only because he’s my father-in-law, but that’s not the whole story. It took years to gradually convince him to take this step. Yes, I had an inside track, but the biggest factors were probably the quality of our gallery, including our website, and his trust in how we would handle the installation. In the end, he decided to let us install the exhibit.

JA: So you made a proposal to Ric and here we are.
JM: Not nearly. It took five years of putting seeds out there. I saw Ric’s work for the first time on a beach trip. My husband Adam said: “You have to go see my dad’s work. It’s really cool.” From that point I began telling Ric: “You’re really good at this. You should share it with others.” We never went much deeper than that, and I decided not to push it. I just kept putting it out there. One day Paulina said: “You should talk to him about an installation.” She’s the one who really gave me the signal to make the ask. So I broached the subject. Ric simply said: “When are we having a show?” I said 6 months. “Okay. How many pieces?”  I suggested 50 - 150. Ric responded: “I’ll send you more.” That was about the extent of the conversation once we got over the hurdle of having the exhibit. So it was a lot of being patient. A lot of saying the right things at the right time. And having no ulterior motives. When he picked Mahan I was really happy, but if he had picked somewhere else I still would have been happy to see the works finally displayed.

JA: So here’s the rub. Is this really about an artist or an insanely famous guy?
JM: This installation is about the person. When it all gets peeled away, (the rock icon, my father-in-law, Adam’s dad, Paulina Porizkova’s husband) what’s left is some amazing artwork. The artwork speaks for itself. Ric’s work is really personal. It’s real. He makes his work for himself and by himself. Being around him at family functions I watch how he works. He sits by himself and starts creating. He’s no longer in the room. He’s by himself. I see that zoning out in Adam as well. I find the work very vulnerable. It’s a self-portrait. Think about it. If you made something never intending for others to see it, you make it real. You make it the way you want it to be. You’re not thinking about how others will react.

JA: So what is Ric’s inspiration?
JM: Ric views his work as a visual form of his music. He calls it the visual noise going on in his head. That’s where the name of the exhibit came from: Noise Colored Party. There is a rhythm and a tempo to every thing you will see.

JA: And what can we expect from Noise Colored Party?
JM: Ric works with markers, pen, and pencil on paper… some even on his letterhead from Elektra Records. There are also photographs, paintings and paper collages.

JA: Is there a theme or message in his work?
JM: Ric is very abstract. You can’t sum him up. His work is what it is. You can’t say it means anything specific… it means everything. If anything, it’s a stream of consciousness show. It’s a product of what people do when nobody’s looking. He’s really being himself.

JA: So this is a big deal for him to take this step with Mahan?
JM: It really is. It shows how paralleled he is. Keeping to himself all these years and now opening up to share his work.

JA: Did he have specifications about the installation?
JM: He said: “Make the installation look like music.” There will be 171 pieces for the show, maybe 175 if we get the four additional paintings I would like to include. The whole place will be totally saturated in crazy drawings.

JA: Will the works be for sale?
JM: Yes.
Photographs $800 - $1,200
Drawings $800 - $2,200
Paintings $2,500 - $5,000

JA: How is Ric feeling about his decision now that the opening is less than a month away?
JM: He is taken aback that people are interested in the pieces. He’s flattered that people like them so much. I don’t think he gives himself credit for his talent. To him, this is his knitting. Paulina is a knitter. She knits every night. I like sewing. We all have creative outlets. His is art.

JA: So what’s left to be done for the installation?
JM: Tons! We pick up the framing supplies on Friday. We will be building new frames for every single piece. Ric is a perfectionist. Each work is float mounted and placed on tiered matting. We will be working nonstop March 1 - March 5. It will take a really long time, but it will be totally worth it.

JA: How has the community reacted to news of the debut?
JM: I think people of the 80’s, people who love his music are particularly excited. They have an affinity for him, they relate to him, they want to know more about him. There has been a lot of support and expectation.

JA: One last question. How did Mahan Gallery end up in Columbus… in the Short North?
JM: I have family here. But that’s not enough. More importantly, Columbus is a viable community. I came to the SN because the rent was cheap. I liked the area. I liked the mix. I felt grateful to get established. There was no other choice. I wouldn’t have thrived the same way anywhere else… it’s a community where we keep it real.

_________________________

Noise Colored Party

Ric Ocasek

Solo Exhibition

March 6 - April 25, 2009
Invite-Only Reception: Fri., March 6
Gallery Hop: Sat., March 7, 6-10p

Mahan Gallery • 717 N High Street

In retrospect, I probably sounded a bit like a pickup artist at the February Hop. I spent a few hours touching base with visitors, asking them a variety of questions… innocuous little tidbits like:

Where ya in from?

What’s been your favorite stop so far?

Come here often?

You can find out a lot that way. For example, the Short North is probably the number one place locals bring out of town guests… particularly if it’s a Hop. Or, that about half of our visitors have never walked north of 1st Avenue. These folks are missing some amazing destinations that have blossomed “way up in yonderland.” More on that later. Or, Saturday’s a-ha moment: visitors WANT to find the galleries, but they need help.

Maybe we (the district) take it for granted that everyone knows where everything is. After all, we all know where Rivet and Terra and Lindsay galleries are located. Right? So when we say “come visit the galleries during Gallery Hop,” it seems like a sincere enough invitation. And that the galleries are distributed over a mile-long stretch shouldn’t seem daunting. Right? Wrong. The reality, as I found on Saturday, is that thousands and thousands of visitors make their way for a monthly sojourn they thoroughly enjoy… but have no idea they haven’t quite maximized.

Well no more! The Short North is too much of a treasure to not explore it completely. Beginning with the March Hop, we will introduce the Gallery Hop Gallery Locator. This pocket fold map will be available online at shortnorth.org, at galleries, and at a variety of shops and restaurants. I’m very excited about its addition to the Hop experience. It will undoubtedly impact the experience (in a very good way) for many, many people.

Additionally, the district is in the process of designing way-finding kiosks that will help even the seasoned expert uncover heretofore overlooked district nuances. Look for more on that front in April/May.

And in the spirit of moving things right along, below is a roster of the galleries you’ll want to add to your March Hop experience. The list is organized from north, around High and Fifth, to south, across from the Convention Center. How many have you visited in the last 6 months?

Rivet • 1200 N. High (near Fifth and High)

Rebecca Ibel Gallery • 1055 N. High (at 3rd and High)

Roy G Biv Gallery • 997 N. High (at 2nd and High)

Lindsay Gallery • 986 N. High (near 2nd and High)

Ohio Art League • 954 N. High (near 2nd and High)

KIACA Gallery • 937 N. High (near 1st and High)

pm gallery • 726 N. High (at Buttles and High)

Mahan Gallery • 717 N. High (near Buttles and High)

Marcia Evans Art Consulting and Gallery • 8 E. Lincoln (Lincoln and High)

Palnik Cartoon Studio • 14 E. Lincoln (Lincoln and High)

Sharon Weiss Gallery • 20 E. Lincoln (Lincoln and High)

Sherrie Gallerie • 694 N. High (near Brickel and High)

Studios On High Gallery • 686 N. High (near Brickel and High)

The Art Exchange • 17 E. Brickel (at Brickel and High)

Kathryn Gallery • 642 N. High (at Russell and High)

Terra Gallery • 8 E. Poplar (at Poplar and High)

Elements of Art / Art Space • 507 N. High (near Swan and High)