Tag: Columbus Festival

Columbus Jazz & Blues Festival 2026: September Music Events
You’ll hear brass, you’ll hear heart, you’ll hear the river humming under the stages — and I’ll bet you’ll want a front-row spot. You’ll stroll the Riverfront for bold headliners, duck into Market for gritty local sets, and linger in the Garden for late-night jams, taste-smudged napkins and cold craft beer in hand, while I nudge you toward a workshop that’ll make your fingers ache — but more on that in a sec.

Festival Highlights and Headliners

Think of this as your cheat sheet to the best sounds of the weekend — I’ll point out the can’t-miss sets, secret moments, and the one headline act that’ll make you tell your friends you were “there.”

I’ve already scoped the main stage: brass blares that’ll rattle your chest, a singer whose voice slides like warm honey over cold espresso, and a drummer who makes the crowd clap in unison without even asking; you’ll feel the bass in your ribs, smell street tacos from the vendor row, and see confetti catch the sunset.

You’ll walk through festival history, from smoky roots to bold reinvention, and spot genius artist collaborations that spark like matches.

I’ll nudge you to the undercard gems, tease the surprise set, and keep you wired.

Schedule Overview and Stage Locations

You loved the highlights, now let me show you where the noise happens. I’ll walk you through schedule details so you won’t miss a beat, literally.

Picture three main stages: Riverfront, Market, and Garden — each with distinct stage layouts, sound rigs, and sightlines; you’ll hear brass up close at Riverfront, feel bass at Market, and savor mellow sets in the Garden’s shade.

I’ll point out peak times, quick set swaps, and crowdflow shortcuts, so you can time coffee runs and encore chants.

I quip, I err, I map routes on the fly, but you’ll get clear times, maps, and handy tips. Follow this plan, and you’ll claim the best spots without panic or FOMO.

Local Artists to Watch

You’re not just walking past booths, you’re eavesdropping on Rising Columbus Voices that’ll snag your ear and stick like a good tune.

I’ll point out a few emerging bands, name-checks and stage times, and maybe roast my own terrible taste when I’m wrong.

Hear the brass up close, feel the snare in your ribs, and if one act makes you grin, follow them — you’ll thank me later.

Rising Columbus Voices

One dozen or so acts could fill a whole afternoon, but I’m starting small—three local voices you’ll want in your headphones by the time the festival lights go up.

You’ll meet a sax player who smells like coffee and rain, whose community engagement work runs after-school jams where kids steal solos and adults cheer too loud; he blows warm phrases that stick to your skin.

Then there’s a guitarist who folds folk into funk, arranging rooftop sessions born from artistic collaboration, her chords bright as porch lights, she jokes about bad hair days mid-song.

Finally, a singer with smoke-and-honey timing, she nails confessions into choruses, winks at the mic, makes you feel like a co-conspirator, not just an audience member.

Spotlight: Emerging Bands

Think of this as your backstage pass, minus the sticky floors and awkward small talk.

You’ll catch bands testing emerging genres, raw and hungry, mixing horn riffs with synth buzz, and you’ll nod like you already knew.

I lead you through the set, I point out tight drum fills, you taste smoke and coffee between songs, we laugh at my terrible jokes.
- The brass trio that bends blues into future-soul.
- A guitarist who talks in bending strings and honest grit.
- A singer swapping verses with a rap duo.
- A percussionist turning trash cans into heartbeat.
- A collective known for daring band collaborations.
You’ll leave with new favorites, and bragging rights, I promise you’ll smile.

Workshops, Jam Sessions, and Masterclasses

You’re going to want to grab a seat, tune up, and maybe swat a nervous sweat off your brow, because the festival’s instrument-specific technique sessions will put your chops under a friendly microscope.

I’ll show you improvisation and theory labs where we’ll practice call-and-response, bend a phrase, and turn “uh-oh” moments into musical high-fives.

Then we’ll hit open mic jam nights — bring your horn, your guitar, or just your ears — and I’ll cheer you on from the wings, embarrassed but proud.

Instrument-specific Technique Sessions

If you’ve ever wanted to make your saxophone scream, your bass groove so hard it’s practically a chiropractor, or your guitar whisper secrets into a mic, this section’s where we get serious—and have fun doing it.

I’ll guide you through tight, hands-on technique sessions that focus first on scales mastery and rhythm exercises, so you feel the notes, not just count them. You’ll warm up with breath, pluck, or pick, then dig into articulation, muting tricks, and dynamic control that make a phrase live.

Expect tactile demos, call-and-response drills, and honest feedback that’s blunt but helpful. Bring your instrument, curiosity, and a towel — you’ll sweat notes.
- One-on-one short clinics
- Instrument-specific drills
- Tone-shaping exercises
- Live technique demos
- Fast-feedback jam edits
Improvisation and Theory Labs

You just spent sweat and elbow grease locking down tone and technique; now I want to hear what you do with it.

You’ll walk into the lab, breathe in warm wood and brass, feel the room hum, and I’ll grin, saying, “Show me.”

We’ll peel back jazz improvisation, phrase by phrase, clipboards and coffee in hand, then push into blues theory, where blue notes bend like sunlight on chrome.

You’ll trade licks in masterclasses, get honest feedback, and surprise yourself.

I’ll toss a trick chord, you’ll chase it, stumble, then land — glorious.

Workshops turn theory into sound, jam sessions become testing grounds, and we’ll laugh at mistakes, celebrate tiny victories, and leave louder, smarter, hungrier.

Open Mic Jam Nights

When the lights drop and the mic stand squeaks under someone’s elbow, I grin and point — your turn — because Open Mic Jam Nights are where practice meets chaos in the best possible way.

You step up, heart tapping like a snare, and I’m right there, nudging you into the groove. These open mic evenings blend friendly risk, tips-on-the-fly, and real-time applause.

You’ll hear raw solos, shouted chords, and breathy harmonies, learn from quick masterclasses, and leave with a new lick or two stuck in your head.
- Grab a slot, warm up, and surprise yourself.
- Play a cover, then twist it.
- Trade phrases with strangers.
- Ask a pro for a quick fix.
- Stay late, keep listening.
Food, Drink, and Vendor Experiences

Ten bites, at least, will change your life — or your evening, which is probably more accurate, but I’m dramatic like that.

You’ll wander stalls smelling smoky ribs, sweet pies, tangy slaws, and sudden, perfect espresso. I’ll nudge you toward culinary delights, explain smart beverage pairings, and confess I stole that pickle once.

Grab tacos hot from the press, sip local craft beer, then chase it with a fruity cocktail, you won’t regret the combo. Vendors chat like old friends, they’ll hand you samples, wink, and upsell with pride.

Sit at picnic tables, watch the band, let a chef explain spice. If you’re indecisive, order two things, share them, taste twice, decide later — that’s my rule.

Ticketing Options and Accessibility Info

That snack crawl will keep you fueled, but let’s talk getting in the door — because no matter how perfect that taco was, you still need a ticket.

I’ll walk you through ticket prices and accessibility options so you don’t show up confused, sweaty, or holding an expired barcode. Buy single-day, weekend, or VIP passes online, they pop up fast, so set a reminder. Expect digital delivery, will-call, and limited early-bird deals.
- Single-day general admission — cheapest, great for casual plans.
- Weekend pass — save money, hear more bands.
- VIP packages — closer views, faster entry.
- ADA seating & companion tickets — reserved, clear sightlines.
- Sensory-friendly hours & quiet zones — calmer, shaded spots.
Ask customer service, they answer quickly, honestly, and kindly.

Travel, Parking, and Nearby Accommodations

How are you getting there — by car, bike, or the mysterious GPS route that swears it knows a shortcut?

I’ve got travel tips, a festival map, and a plan. Drive if you must, but scope parking options early, snap a screenshot of lot boundaries, and carry coins or an app for meters.

Bike lanes smell like summer, feel great, and save you time. Use public transport for stress-free arrival, hop off near stages, breathe city air, and follow signs.

Hotel deals pop up around downtown; I book one with free breakfast and a comfy bed, pronto.

Explore local attractions between sets, grab street tacos, and practice your jazz whistle — you’ll thank me later.

Conclusion

You’ll walk into Riverfront brass blaring, and somehow stumble onto a Market set that feels like it was meant just for you—what are the odds? I’ll bet you’ll taste smoky ribs, sip a cold craft, and learn a lick in a masterclass, all before the Garden lights go up. You’ll laugh at my terrible dance moves, sing along anyway, and leave with a playlist, a new friend, and a story that starts, “Funny thing happened at the jazz fest…”
November 30, 2025
Columbus Summer Festival Series 2026: August Events Roundup
You’re heading into August, ears primed for weekend concerts and a riverfront that’ll buzz like a soda can—local bands warming up, a few big names stealing the night, lights reflecting on the water. You’ll smell smoky tacos and sweet funnel cakes, see kids painting under string lights, and stumble into artisan booths where someone’s carving wood live. I’ll point out the best late-night spots and the tiny secrets worth chasing, but first—which weekend can you snag?

Weekend Concerts and Riverfront Lineups

If you stroll down to the river on a Saturday night, you’ll feel it before you see it — bass thumping through the boardwalk, lights blinking like a city-sized jukebox, and the smell of grilled corn drifting past the crowd; I swear, it’s addictive.

You sidle up to the rail, breathe it in, and I’ll admit, you’ll grin like you forgot how to be boring. Weekend concerts pack the riverfront, local bands opening, headliners closing, everyone swaying.

I point out venue highlights, like the pop-up stage that hugs the water, the rooftop that glows, and the lawn with perfect sightlines. You’ll snag a spot, trade quips with strangers, and let the music decide your night.

Food Fairs, Night Markets, and Pop-Up Eats

Music fades, but the night keeps you—because once the last chord hangs in the air, your stomach starts bragging.

You wander stalls lit like fireflies, inhale cumin and caramel, and follow the siren call of a food truck parking like a hero. You taste heat, crunch, and cool sweetness, you trade banter with vendors, you learn to judge a taco by its warmth.

I drag you to pop-up eats you didn’t plan for, and we laugh when the sauce wins.
1. Street bites: skewers, sliders, bold sauces that stain your fingers.
2. Night market vibes: lanterns, local brews, live DJs mixing beats.
3. Food truck showcases: rotating menus, chefs on wheels.
4. Culinary workshops: hands-on demos, quick tips, tasty takeaways.
Family Activities, Outdoor Films, and Kids’ Events

While the grown-ups linger over craft beers, you’ll be steering the troop toward giant blankets and sticky popcorn, and I’ll be the one dropping tips like “park near the lamppost, not the porta-potty” with embarrassing confidence.

You’ll wander between sing-along outdoor films under starlight, kids’ movies that smell like buttery nostalgia, and pop-up zones full of family games that make everyone try too hard.

You’ll craft badges at outdoor crafts stations, feel glitter on your fingers, and hear a drum circle calling you to join.

I’ll point out quiet corners for naps, loud zones for shrieks, and the stroller-friendly routes.

Bring wet wipes, patience, and a sense of humor—you’ll leave sticky, smiling, and slightly proud you survived.

Arts, Artisan Markets, and Short North Happenings

When I wander Short North’s brick-lined streets, I get this giddy, slightly smug feeling like I’ve discovered the city’s secret closet — except everyone’s invited and the closet sells handmade soap and neon prints.

You’ll duck into galleries, inhale paint and coffee, and find art installations that stop you mid-step. You’ll chat with makers at artisan markets, fingers sticky from a rogue maple pretzel, smiling like you just cracked a joke.
1. Pop-up booths with ceramics, jewelry, and vintage vinyl.
2. Window gallery exhibitions that glow after dusk, quiet and mysterious.
3. Live demonstrations, clay on wheels, paint splatters catching sunlight.
4. Street musicians weaving through crowds, adding rhythm to your stroll.
You’ll leave with a tote and a grin.

Late-Night Dance Parties, DJs, and After-Hours Pop-Ups

If the day’s art crawl leaves you caffeinated and restless, stick around—because the Short North flips the switch and becomes a different kind of gorgeous after dark, and yes, you’ll want to be part of it.

I drag you through alleys lit like confetti, we duck into basements pulsing with bass, and you feel the floor hum under your shoes. DJs spin tight sets, mixing new dance trends with guilty-pleasure throwbacks, and you grin because even your two left feet find a rhythm.

Pop-ups serve neon tacos, espresso shots, and limited-run zines at 2 a.m., because festival vibes don’t clock out.

I whisper venue tips, you nod, we trade a dumb joke, then we dance until the sky blurs into dawn.

Conclusion

You’ll want to be here — I’ll bet you can already taste the smoky street tacos, hear the bassline thump under the bridge, and feel the warm river breeze on your skin. Who wouldn’t want nights like this? I’ll stroll vendor rows with you, snag a paper plate, and argue over the best local band (I’ll lose, graciously). Come early, stay late, dance barefoot, and bring people who laugh loud. See you in August.
November 30, 2025
ComFest Columbus 2026: Community Festival Guide & Performers
Last year you danced in the rain to a surprise set by a local band, and you’ll want that story ready for ComFest Columbus 2026; I’ll walk you through who’s playing, where to park, and which taco truck does the lime right. You’ll smell kettle corn and sunscreen, hear kids practicing a drum circle, and maybe volunteer a few hours to feel useful—I’ll keep it practical, a little cheeky, and useful enough that you’ll actually show up.

What to Expect at ComFest Columbus 2026

Wondering what awaits you at ComFest Columbus 2026? You’ll walk into a warm, loud festival atmosphere, music and laughter wrapping you like a favorite hoodie, and you’ll breathe in kettle corn, sunscreen, and grass.

I’ll point out cozy art booths, DIY workshops where you can get your hands messy, and food trucks that’ll make your phone camera drool. You’ll chat with neighbors, join impromptu drum circles, and see organizers hustling — community engagement isn’t a slogan, it’s how folks show up.

Expect kids racing, dogs trotting, and volunteers high-fiving strangers. You’ll find quiet nooks for a breather, surprise performances around corners, and a feeling that you’re part of something real.

Come curious, leave with stories.

Headliners, Local Acts, and Stage Schedule

You’re gonna want to stake out the Main Stage early, because the headliners bring big sound, bright lights, and that goosebump moment you swear you’ll remember.

I’ll point out a few local band spotlights you shouldn’t miss, name-drop the ones that’ll make you grin, and confess which underdog I’m secretly betting on.

Then we’ll map the daily stage schedule so you can plan coffee, crowds, and the perfect spot to hear that chorus again.

Main Stage Headliners

Three big nights, three headline acts that’ll make you cheer so loud your voice will file a formal complaint the next morning.

You’ll spot headliner trends everywhere — curated diversity, surprise collabs, retro reunions — and I’ll point out how that shapes your festival preparation, like staking out soundcheck times and charging your phone twice.

On Main Stage nights you’ll feel the bass in your chest, see confetti drift like tired snow, and clap until your hands buzz.

I’ll tell you when to arrive for the best sightlines, where the calmer side lawn hides if you need air, and which sets lean epic or intimate.

Expect big production, tight setlists, and a couple of moments that’ll make you grin and swear you cried.

Local Band Spotlights

One lineup map, a pocket-sized obsession you’ll clutch like a map to buried treasure — I’m starting this Local Band Spotlights section with the acts you’ll want to actually remember.

You’ll hear local music pulsing from corners, feel bass under your feet, and I’ll nudge you toward surprises, sweaty harmonies, and band collaborations that spark like back-alley fireworks.

I speak like a friend who’s been there, lost a shoe, found a song.
- Check the indie-folk trio by the oak, they smell like cedar and coffee.
- Hunt the brass quartet near the food trucks, horns bright and honest.
- Don’t miss garage rock, sticky with riffs.
- Seek experimental electronica in the shaded tent.
- Catch a surprise duet, two bands trading riffs.
Daily Stage Schedule

Okay, now we shift from hunting those secret sets to the main map — I’ll tell you where to stand, when to sprint, and which headliners will make you forget your phone’s battery life.

You’ll get a daily stage schedule that’s tight, readable, and blessedly honest. I’ll call out stage logistics — main stage for big sound, acoustic corner for chill vibes, and the late-night tent when your feet still cooperate.

Expect performer highlights peppered between local acts, timed so you won’t miss a single drum fill or killer harmony. I’ll tell you when to queue, where to stash your snacks, and how to pivot if rain shows up.

You’ll leave knowing exactly which set to camp out for, no regrets.

Family-Friendly Activities and Kids’ Zone

If you’re hauling kids, or you’re the kid at heart pretending not to be, I’ve got your back—ComFest’s Kids’ Zone turns the northwest lawn into a small, loud, gloriously sticky universe where tiny humans run the show.

You’ll dodge chalk dust, hear laughter like a live band, and grab a spot on a picnic blanket while you referee bubble wars. I lead you through hands-on craft activities and lively interactive games, so everyone stays busy, messy, and delighted.
- Face painting stalls that actually look like you wanted them to
- Giant bubble stations, bring sunglasses
- Puppet shows with improv that embarrasses parents
- Sensory play tables for tots, think squish and spark
- Short family-friendly workshops, make something and leave proud
Go, enjoy, get cornered by a glitter flurry.

Food Vendors, Local Makers, and Market Highlights

Smell that? You’ll follow it straight to a row of food trucks, tents, sizzling grills, where food experiences burst in color and scent, and you won’t pretend you’re not excited.

I’ll point out the empanada stand, you’ll grab a spicy one, we’ll high-five and regret nothing.

Local makers set up booths nearby, showing off artisan crafts—leather, pottery, tiny sculptures that whisper “buy me.”

Walk slower, touch the textiles, taste samples, ask the maker about her glaze, listen to a joke or two.

Market highlights pop up like surprise guests: a kombucha bar, a bakery with sacrificial croissants, a chef demo that turns you into a willing audience.

Stick around, shop small, leave with crumbs and stories.

Volunteer Opportunities and How to Get Involved

Because volunteering’s how you get the best stories and the free T‑shirt, I’ll tell you straight: show up, sign up, and you’ll be part of the pulse.

You’ll greet sun-warm crowds, flap wristbands, lift boxes, and high-five musicians; I promise, it smells like kettle corn and triumph.

Pick a volunteer role that fits your vibe, and you’ll feel the community impact in every sweaty, joyful hour.
- Info booth shifts, smiling and giving directions.
- Stage crew, heavy cables and louder applause.
- KidZone helper, craft glue and sticky grins.
- Cleanup crew, trash bags and instant satisfaction.
- Accessibility assistant, calm voice, clear routes.
Sign up online, pick shifts, bring water, and show up ready.

Supporting Grassroots Causes and Community Resources

While you’re wandering between stages and catching the scent of grilled corn, let me point out the small miracles that make ComFest more than a good playlist and a great T‑shirt.

You’ll spot tables stacked with flyers, volunteers swapping quick smiles, and people handing out stickers that somehow feel like tiny flags.

I’ll nudge you toward booths supporting grassroots initiatives, where you can ask questions, sign up, or drop a few dollars. Touch a brochure, taste a sample, listen to someone’s story—these are real threads in the neighborhood fabric.

Your presence matters; your card swipe funds a program, your time fixes a problem. Join a circle, clap loud, share a contact. Community engagement isn’t optional here, it’s contagious.

Conclusion

You’ll walk into ComFest like a pocketknife—simple, sharp, full of surprises—ready to pop open stories, songs, snacks. I’ll be there, nudging you toward the stage, handing you a paper cone of fries, pointing out the kids’ painted hands like little flags. You’ll laugh, volunteer, buy a candle from a smiling maker, feel the bass in your ribs, and leave with pockets heavier than when you came—good trouble, good company, plenty to keep.
November 30, 2025