I tried to get all of this into one post, but I got tired... there's so much. In my first post previewing the fall arts scene in town, I took at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Met, Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra and Opera Columbus. If you missed it, check it out. So as my heroine Kathy Griffin would say, "Lemme break it down for you." But before we get stated, think Date Night. You don't even have to love music, any of these concerts make a for a lovely, romantic evening if you want to show off. Ticket prices won't break the bank, either. Chamber Music Columbus I'm late with this one. CCM has already presented the wonderful a capella chorus Cantus, based in Minneapolis and singing all over the world. There are several all male A Capella groups out there, grandchildren of The King's Singers. All have their own sound, as does Cantus-young and sassy. CCM presents concerts in the Southern Theater.
- Quartetto Casals with Manuel Barrueco, guitar Sunday October 24 4 p.m.
- Pacifica Quartet with Marc-Andre Hamelin, November 16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBs53SlEkso Marc-Andre Hamelin has done some sublime piano playing with the Columbus Symphony in Ravel and Brahms. Manuel Barrueco brings fire to every performance. After Cantus, CCM continues to provide the community with high quality musicians and great variety. Opera Project Columbus Alessandro Siciliani, Columbus's favorite maestro is conductor. "Just in time for Halloween" OPC presents:
- Masquerade: Masks and Mistaken Identities  October 18 and 20 at First Unitarian Church in Clintonville.
Truly an Ohio based company, OPC is thriving in its third season. Columbus Dance Theater my buddy Tim Veach, founder of CDT is a regular with me on All Sides Weekend. He threatens to get me dancing. It'll take a crane to get me off my feet. CDT presents terrific new work and story-themed dances in its own theater on Main St. Coming up:
- Dancers Making Dances, Oct. 4-5
- Match Girl, Dec. 13-14
- Claudel, based on the sculptor Camille Claudel, with music by Carpe Diem String Quartet January 24-25
- O. Twist, Tim's new take on Oliver Twist, at the Lincoln Theater in May
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omBhyhfpO84 Early Music in Columbus  This will be a big crowd pleaser:
- The Mark of Zorro the 1920 silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks, with live music from Old and New Spain. Drexel Theater, November 1
Early Music is a favorite for my own listening. It's unusual to have a marriage between this music and film, but it's a great idea! Also from Early Music in Columbus, Cleveland's terrific baroque orchestra and chorus:
- Apollo's Fire with A Celtic Christmas December 6, First Congregational Church
- The Early Interval presents A Mediterranean Christmas January 4 and 5, First Congregational Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lr0gJd7szg Jefferson Academy of Music: JAM is devoted to teaching string instruments to kids. They also present a concert series on Sunday afternoons at the Columbus Museum of Art.
- Dmitry Kouzov, cello on October 6
- Dover String Quartet, November 10
- Yuri Gandelsman, viola February 16
- Manhattan String Quartet March 16
- Amara Piano Quartet April 6
Still more to come: music in our churches.
