"Hey, Fred!" 10/23-10/29/2024
Goings On in Columbus, OH: Max Roach 100 Dance Tribute | Cimafunk | Dawoud Bey | Boboween | Keyona Willis Tribute
I say it often, but there were so many things I’m interested in that I couldn’t fit into five slots this time. But I 100% rep each of these; you won't be disappointed if the genre/medium is up your alley.
Dance
10/23/2024
Max Roach 100: Ayodele Casel, Rennie Harris Puremovement, and Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE, A Dance Company
Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St
October 23: Pre-performance talk with curator Richard Colton and filmmaker Kit Fitzgerald at 6 pm, show at 7 pm
Tickets starting at $15 for students available at https://wexarts.org/performing-arts/ayodele-casel-rennie-harris-puremovement-and-ronald-k-browns-evidence-dance-company
One of the slates I’m most excited for at the Wexner Center in many years starts this week with a program originally premiered at New York’s Joyce Theater, Max Roach 100.
I spoke with the curator Richard Colton in one of my favorite interviews, and reported on this at length for Columbus Underground, so I’ll let that preview do the talking, but this gets my absolute highest recommendation.
Visual Art
10/24/2024
Lambert Family Lecture: Dawoud Bey
Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St
October 24: 6 pm
Free with RSVP at https://wexarts.org/talks-more/dawoud-bey
Currently sold out but standby line available and streaming in lower lobby and via the link above
I knew Dawoud Bey’s work a little, but seeing the retrospective An American Project at the Whitney Museum in 2021, on my first trip out of my city after being vaccinated, left me slack-jawed. I bought the catalog, as anyone who’s been to my house in the intervening few years has seen, and it made my 2021 Best Of list where I commented that “Anne and I posted up at Radio Bar and talked about this for an hour after.” The intersection of rigor and empathy in his work continues to stun me and I can’t wait to hear him speak as part of the always-invigorating Lambert Family Lectures.
Music
10/23/2024
Cimafunk with Mojoflo
A&R Bar, 391 Neil Avenue
October 23: Doors 7 pm
$30 Tickets available at the Promowest Site
While my personal chances of attending this were significantly better when I could just walk across the street from Mershon after the Max Roach 100 dance performance, the move to A&R Bar makes this a special, intimate show for anyone who’s able to attend this performance from the Cuban funk powerhouse Cimafunk.
The new album, Pa’ Tu Cuerpa, includes collaborations with shining lights of multiple generations of US funk, from George Clinton to Eric Krasno to Big Freedia, along with UK dembow king Wampi and fellow Cuban stars Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Francisco Cespedes, while always feeling like a unified piece of work in the assured hands of Cimafunk and his crack nine-piece band.
Local funk stalwarts Mojoflo open, continuing their hot streak of renewed activity of the last couple of years, so make sure you get there early.
10/26/2024
Boboween
Cafe Bourbon Street, 2216 Summit St
October 26: 7 pm doors
$10 suggested donation at the door; all proceeds go to Mat Bisaro
For the last 20 years, some of the most fun times I’ve had around Halloween have been at Cafe Bourbon Street. This year’s Boboween celebration takes on special meaning as it’s also a benefit for great friend (to me and so many other in the scene) Mat Bisaro as he fights cancer.
A number of Mat’s friends have lined up into one-night-only tributes to a wide spectrum of their underground rock inspirations: including members of Psychic Wheels, Necropolis, Ipps, and Messrs performing as late ‘80s Scottish band The Vaselines; members of Manic Splits, Tetnis, and Mezclado performing as Belgian first-wave punkers The Kids; members of Pagan Car Bomb, Grayhawk, and Sophomore as Austin guiding lights of weirdness Butthole Surfers; members of Nick Tolford and Company, Tres Divorce, and 3rd Pyramid as vintage New Jersey horror-punk and The Misfits; and members of Oft Dreamy taking us further back in weird America to pay tribute to Roky Erickson; with the potential of more announcements.
No video because this’ll be a one-time thing but I never love my town more than when we’re rallying to help one another and I’ve always had a good time at any of these assemblies in the walls of Bobo.
10/27/2024
Strength in Song - A Concert to Celebrate Keyona
Trinity Episcopal Church at Capitol Square, 125 E Broad St
October 27: 4-7 pm
Donations Accepted
I feel like I saw Keyona Willis sing once, but didn’t know her or her work very well; but the outpouring and intensity of sincere, deeply felt tributes to her by people whose work I do know and who I like and respect personally bowled me over and made me feel the lack of not knowing her. In particular what tipped me over into including this were two made-me-tear-up-at-my-desk social media tributes by artists I know in town who are also astonishing educators and connectors/creators of community, chipping in and helping make sure all boats are lifted up.
Everything I said above about loving this town when we show up for each other should be on full display at this Sunday afternoon program, along with some explosive music. Donations are accepted at the door for Willis’ family or can be sent directly her partner by Venmo at @ChadGreenwald