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!

Now that Art al Fresco has made a successful debut, the Short North is turning its focus to the next big thing… HighBall Halloween: A Masquerade Party on High Street. On Wednesday, Sept. 10 we’ll unveil the full details during the event launch at Skully’s Music Diner, but right now the development committee is debating some of the key aspects. Charly Bauer (Jeni’s Ice Creams) wants to see “fabulous” costumes at every turn and an outrageous diva-emcee like Nina West. Dawn Friedman agrees that the “wow factor” should be off the chart if it’s going to be worthy of Short North status, but thinks there has to be a twist to the event. Ryan Morgan thinks inviting Columbus’ couture fashion designers to create original costumes for a Project Runway-style fashion showdown would get juices flowing. Walker Evans wants to see high-profile prizes for the best, most creative, and most outrageous costumes. The next meeting, tomorrow afternoon, will iron out the details.

There are also many logistics questions to answer by Wednesday. What part of High Street will we close for the masquerade? Should we have bands or DJs? Dancing or parades? Beer or wine!? Who gets to be the Joker!?

More to come…

Art al Fresco made its debut on Saturday, August 16 in the heart of the Short North Arts District. And by every measure, it was a smash success. 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!”

A panel of judges toured the event bestowing special commendations to the art installations that impressed them the most. The panel consisted of Juli Rogers (owner of r design & printing and president of the Short North Business Association), Melissa Starker (Columbus alive!), Michelle Brandt (Kathryn Gallery), and Melissa Vogley Woods (Stitch in a Ditch). With so many well-executed installations, the judges debated vigorously over the merits of each.

Ultimately, a striking mural installed on the sidewall of Betty’s Fine Food + Spirit in Brickel Alley was crowned “Best of Show.” The study on the dwindling population of honey bees in the U.S. was created on site by Ben LaPlaca, Clint Davidson and Scott Williams. The piece wowed the judges with its beauty, form and message. “The color palette is the first thing I noticed. It’s absolutely striking,” commented Melissa Starker. “I was amazed by the way they combined a truly beautiful piece of work with a timely political issue,” observed Melissa Vogley Wood. “It’s perfect for the Short North. I hope it can remain on display for an extended period,” added Juli Rogers. The artists will receive $100 in cash and over $200 in gift certificates donated by area businesses.

Other award winners included:

Best Execution: Ryan Agnew for Shirts on a Wire on the south side of the Greystone Apartments. The judges were moved by the scale, movement and color selection of the installation.
Best Use of Found Materials: Yasue Sakaoka for Transparent Breezy at Bollinger Tower. The delicate, yet powerful installation was made completely of white, wire clothes hangers.

Most Whimsical: R.L. Hughes for The Wealthy Mouse and Dead Pac Man. The judges were particularly amused by the Crime Scene in the middle of a major art event.

Best Synergy Between Installation and Environment: Zen Genius for its packing material bikers racing down the wall of Dr. Mojoe. The judges commented that the side of a building is about the only place you won’t find a bike in the increasingly green-friendly Short North.

Most Original: Jen Burton and Mark Van Fleet for the “Birds of Hair” exhibit presented in the “Art Van” in the parking lot of Surly Girl Saloon. The judges appreciated the twist on established galleries in the district. “It takes ‘gallery’ out of the box.”

Best Adaptation of Materials: SSK for its tree knitwear in front of Byzantium. The judges observed that the artists had elevated a seemingly domestic craft-form to creative artform. “The colors added a splash of excitement to the streetscape.”

Judges’ Special Commendation for Excellence: Daniel Elson for Donald Goes On Vacation… a handmade silcon figure melting into the brick wall at Bodega Cafe. The judges were awed by the detail of the figure. “The skin was amazingly lifelike.”

Over 100 photos from the event are available in a six-part photo gallery. Click the following links to view each set of photos.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

The Short North Arts District extends a hardy congratulations to all the artists, performers, volunteers, and sponsors who helped christen the inaugural Art al Fresco. “We really loved the pure focus on the art and the artists,” shared Mark Wood of the Wood Companies, presenting sponsor of the event. “That focus is at the heart of the Short North.”

Art al Fresco

presenting sponsor
The Wood Companies

hosting sponsor
Columbus alive!

award sponsors
Art Exchange
John Angelo and Frank Neumann

artist sponsors
Byzantium
City Kids Daycare
Cookware Sorcerer
O’Brien & Associates
pm gallery
r design & printing

supporting partners
The Lamp Shade
First Community Bank
Ohio Art League
UPS

Special thanks
Bartha Audio Visual for its support of Walk in the Park and Ripple Effect

For information about the 2009 Art al Fresco, contact John Angelo at the Short North Arts District office.

614.299.8050 x13 or johnangelo@shortnorth.org