Music In The Air announces july and august events

Contact: Becky Lonardo, (614) 645-7996

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Music in the Air, a program of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, announces free outdoor events scheduled for July and August. While Music in the Air continues to present programs built around high-quality music and dance, family-friendly movies have been added to the schedule this season.

New this year, two of the Rhythm on the River dates will feature Family Fun Flicks. Slated for August 8 and 15, Family Fun Flicks will present activities and attractions that are perfect for a family-friendly night on the town. Highlights include hands-on activities and a kid-friendly movie that will cap off the evening. From the squiggly and squirmy creatures of PT Reptiles, to the colorful creativity of the Columbus Museum of Art, children will have the chance to explore and learn while having fun. For details and more information on Family Fun Flicks, visit www.musicintheair.org.

If snakes, bugs and movies aren’t your cup of tea, the Music in the Air July through August schedule offers something for everyone. Mark your calendar for these great events:

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Jazz & Rib Fest
Friday, July 25, 11 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 11 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Downtown Riverfront

Hungry for Jazz? Satisfy your craving! Now in its 29th year, Jazz & Rib Fest brings premier jazz musicians together with the finest ribs around. Rib burners from across North America—and one from Canada—come to downtown Columbus to serve up mouthwatering BBQ. Throughout the weekend, rib burners will compete for American Family Insurance Best Ribs Awards and vie for your votes to win the People’s Choice Award! Free admission.

This year’s jazz lineup includes: David Sanborn, Charles Tolliver Big Band, The Either/Orchestra with Ethiopian Special Guests, Randy Weston's African Rhythms Sextet, Simone, The Curtis Fuller Super Band, Albino, The Motet, Dafnis Prieto Sextet, Will Bernard, The Maurice Brown Effect, and Eric Person's Meta-Four.

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Short North Sunday Jazz
Sundays, July and August
Noon – 1:30 p.m. • Goodale Park Gazebo

Spend an afternoon in Goodale Park and enjoy the brilliant vocals of some of the city’s most dynamic women of song. Free.

July 13 Helen Hagerty and Sweet Sixteen, Dynamic Standards
July 20 - Canta Brasil Quintet, Brazilian Latin Fusion
August 3 - Eileen Howard Band, Vocal Jazz, Latin, Funk
August 10 - Actual Proof with Jeanette Williams, Funky Jazz
August 17 - The Vipers, Vintage Vocal and B-3
August 24 - Lisa Webster & Friends*, Contemporary Jazz Standards
* This performance begins at 12:30 p.m.

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The Motorists Insurance Group Topiary Garden Concerts
Tuesdays, July and August
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. • Deaf School Park

Step outside for a relaxing lunch break with upbeat music amidst the unique garden of topiaries in the Deaf School Park. Free.

July 8 Controversy, R&B and Motown
July 15 The Spike Drivers, Country-fried rock ‘n’ roll
July 29 Miss Molly, Alternative folk rock
August 5 The Ark Band, Reggae
August 12 Vocal Impact, Soulful jazz harmonies
August 19 Jakob Freely & The Mix Tape Bandits, Alternative pop rock
August 26 The Teeny Tucker Band, Blues

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Rhythm on the River
Fridays
Riverfront Amphitheater

Set against the downtown Columbus skyline, the Riverfront Amphitheater comes alive each summer with talented musicians and dancers. These FREE performances are a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy an evening out with the arts.

In addition to presenting a diverse collection of music and dance performances, Rhythm on the River now includes Family Fun Flicks! These family-friendly evenings will feature fun, interactive activities followed by an outdoor movie. Free.

August 1, 8 p.m. Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits
Called the grand master of Zimbabwean traditional pop, the prolific and socially conscious Oliver Mtukudzi, aka “Tuku,” blends southern Africa’s rural Shona and urban Zulu beats into his own original afro-pop mix, dubbed “Tuku music” by his fans. He will be joined on stage by his band, the Black Spirits.

August 8, 7 p.m. Family Fun Flicks: Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who
Enjoy Dr. Seuss' beloved children's tale of a kindhearted elephant named Horton and his quest to save the citizens of Whoville. Before the movie, learn about critters of all shapes and sizes from PT Reptiles and the Bug Man. Then take part in Green Eggs and Ham Hats—a hands-on activity with the Columbus Museum of Art!

August 15, 7 p.m. Family Fun Flicks: Nim’s Island
Join Nim for the adventure of a lifetime as she and her animal friends come together to save her father and the tropical island they call home. Before the movie, have an adventure of your own when you meet animals with Turtle Lady, The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, and Columbus Metro Parks.

August 29, 8 p.m. BalletMet and WaterFire
Marvel at the grace and artistry of BalletMet’s world class dancers as they perform under the stars. Then enjoy the beauty of the elements with a presentation of WaterFire.

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Jazz & Rib Fest is sponsored by Budweiser Select, American Family Insurance, Smooth Jazz WJZA 103.5/104.3, The CW on WWHO-TV, Kansas City Barbeque Society, Texas Tourism, FastTrack Airport Parking, T-Mobile, Holiday Inn- City Center, Cintas and Columbia Gas of Ohio.

Short North Sunday Jazz is sponsored by Short North Gazette, Columbus Young Professionals Club and the Friends of Goodale Park.

The Motorists Insurance Group Topiary Garden Concerts are sponsored by The Motorists Insurance Group and OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.

Rhythm on the River and Family Fun Flicks are sponsored by Mix 97.1 and The CW on WWHO-TV.

Events and performance series are produced by Music in the Air and the Office of Special Events, programs of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Additional support provided by: ASCAP, Class Acts Columbus, Inc., Columbus Fire Department Explorer Post 310, Hopkins Printing, Rickabaugh Graphics and SESAC.

Recorded Information Line: (614) 645-3800
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-750-0750
Websites: www.musicintheair.org, www.HotRibsCoolJazz.org