Last year I attended the Latin Festival that is organized by Music in the Air and the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. I walked over the festival located along the riverfront behind COSI from German Village which seemed normal enough to me but my friends were shocked and amazed. I went late in the afternoon and didn’t realize how heavily attended this event is, so I had a bit of time finding my friends. We ended up spotting each other a beer tent. Go figure. The highlight of this event for me was the music. The food, drink, and shopping was underwhelming in comparison. This is a fun local event just go knowing that the entire city will be there so plan ahead and come with patience.
Shawnie K.
Place rating: 4 Columbus, OH
Music in the Air is a free, outdoor summer music program organized by the Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation. A variety of musical performances by local musicians take place each week in different city parks from June through August. If you happen to work downtown, weekly lunchtime performances are held in the Topiary Garden, located behind the Main Library. This a great way to get out and enjoy the weather or have a picnic lunch in the park, while listening to some of Columbus’s best musicians. If you can’t catch a show mid-week, then spend a leisurely Sunday checking out the Short North Sunday Jazz sessions at the Gazebo in Goodale Park. Contemporary, Latin and Funk jazz musicians take the stage around noon for six weeks in July and August. A third series, Rhythm on the River, takes place at Riverfront Amphitheater at Genoa Park(near COSI) and range from family fun flicks to previews of BalletMet’s season. International artists and more abstract, artsy shows are often part of this lineup. Music in the Air not only organizes the free summer music series, but also co-sponsors the Festival Latino in June and the Jazz & Rib Fest in July. You can read more about these festivals in their own entries.