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Things to do in Columbus, Cincinnati

By Aaron Epple, Contributing Writer 8:05 PM Thursday, November 12, 2009

From sports to music to comedy and more, check out these events that may just be worth that ride in the car.

Columbus

Hockey Fest

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Where: Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus

Cost: $20 to $75

More info: (614) 246-2000 or www.nationwidearena.com.

The scoop: A unique opportunity for hockey fans to interact with their favorite Blue Jacket players in a casual setting.

Verdict: There will also be lockerroom tours, live and silent auctions for Blue Jacket items and memorabilia, and a NHL 2K9 video game tournament where the winner gets to play Rick Nash (Blue Jacket right wing and team captain).

Worth the trip? All proceeds go to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, which focuses on solutions to pediatric cancer, education, children’s health and safety, and the development of youth and amateur hockey.

Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival

When: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

Where: Roberts Convention Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington Cost: $27-$60 (children 16 and younger are free with one adult purchase)

More info: (937) 372-5804 or www.somusicfest.com.

The Scoop: This twice-annual event is considered to be the Midwest’s premier bluegrass event.

Verdict: The lineup includes Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Cordle, Lonesome Standard Time and others.

Worth the trip? There will also be workshops, raffles and vendors. All-night jam sessions are welcome.

Daniel Tosh

When: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

Where: Capitol Theater, 77 S. High St., Columbus Cost: $30-$33

More info: (614) 460-7211 or www.capa.com/columbus

The Scoop: Daniel Tosh attributes his decision to work in comedy to his upbringing in Florida, which he described as “flat, hot and dumb.”

Verdict: Tosh has appeared on Letterman, Leno, Kimmel and Comedy Central. He’s released a pair of DVDs and hosts a show called “Tosh.0,” a sarcastic commentary program similar to “The Soup.”

Worth the trip? Come listen to Tosh’s commentary on America’s obsession with changing only the outer appearance, the “plight” of “Survivor” contestants suffering in places where people have lived for thousands of years, and why Nebraska is the most worthless state in the Union.

“Seconds”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13

Where: The Box at the Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St. Columbus Cost: $5-$7  More info: (614) 292-3535 or www.wexarts.org.

The Scoop: Popular Columbus radio host Fred Andrle introduces this classic John Frankenheimer (“French Connection II,” the original “Manchurian Candidate”) 1966 film starring Rock Hudson.

Verdict: An unhappy, middle-aged man, baited into admitting that his job and his marriage are pointless, agrees to undergo extensive plastic surgery to get a second chance at life. He becomes a handsome young bohemian in Southern California, only to discover that free love is not all it’s cracked up to be, and trying to escape can be deadly.

Worth the trip? One of the rare films that is just as disturbing now as it was when it was first released.

Trivium, Chimaira When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

Where: Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., Columbus Cost: $19.50 (advance), $22 (day of show)  More info: (614) 294-1659 or www.newportmusichall.com.

The Scoop: A solid metal bill that also includes White Chapel and Dirge Within. Trivium released their fourth album, “Shogun,” last year. Chimaira released their fifth album, “The Infection,” last April.

Verdict: Chimaira’s music is a pleasant combination of grinding guitars, haunting vocal salvos and Sepultura-like sirens.

Worth the trip? Trivium is consistently well-reviewed, with a sound that blends speed and power metal with a healthy amount of mystical/medieval imagery. “Shogun” sold 24,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 24 on Billboard.

Cincinnati

Dane Cook

When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15

Where: Bank of Kentucky Center, Northern Kentucky University, 500 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky.

Cost: $10 for general public

More info: (859) 442-2652 or www.bankofkentuckycenter.com

The Scoop: Cook recently released his fifth comedy CD, “Isolated Incident.” His 2003 debut CD, “Harmful if Swallowed,” was certified double-platinum, ultimately leading to movie roles alongside Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Simpson.

Verdict: Cook has taken his share of criticism (i.e. his material is bland to the point where it makes Seinfeld look edgy; or he doesn’t actually have material, it’s all spastic twitches).

Worth the trip? What is undeniable is that Cook is the first superstar the stand-up comedy industry has had in a long time.

“Three Sisters”

When: Through Nov. 21 — Tuesdays-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Where: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mt. Adams

Cost: $43 to $52

More info: (513) 421-3888 or www.cincyplay.com.

The Scoop: An adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play about three female siblings who are compelled by their military father to move to a remote town utterly bereft of stimulation (and by implication, a future).

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