Ring in 2020 with our Bucket List + Member Perks!

Updated: Jan 2, 2020

Happy New Year, Columbusites!

We've spent a lot of time pondering ways we could continue our mission to further arts & culture in the life of our community this year, and we thought there was no better way than to encourage each of you to actively engage in the arts, on your own, as individuals this year.

But how? We needed a plan that everyone could enjoy, and one with a reward at the end that was worth working toward. So, after a lot of brainstorming and some work, we decided to provide a Bucket List of simple, enjoyable, affordable, and practical ways to engage in local arts & culture this year.

Introducing our 2020 Bucket List.

Complete all items on the list below and receive one of our new membership cards. Members will be registered in our database and receive access to exclusive content, swag, and local discounts at restaurants, events, and shows when available. The best part? It's free, and we'll keep you posted throughout the year on what's available to you and when.

To qualify, simply complete the list below and keep track of your progress with photos. Use #columbusite2020 so we can keep up with you, and when you've completed the list, contact us to let us know. We'll register you as a member and send you your card in the mail right away.

Sound good? Great. Here's the list with a few guidelines below to help you navigate the tasks at hand.

☐ Attend an event at The Bo Bartlett Center.

☐ Take a whitewater trip down the Chattahoochee River at Rush South Whitewater Park.

☐ See a new exhibit at The Columbus Museum.

☐ ☐ Attend a show and a concert at CSU.

☐ Meet some friends for Jazz at The Loft.

☐ Dine at Epic.

☐ Attend a concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra!

☐ Visit the Columbus Botanical Garden.

☐ See a RiverCenter Broadway Show.

☐ Help send a kid to Springer Academy.

☐ Spend a day at the National Infantry Museum.

☐ Purchase a piece of art from a local artist.

1) Attend an event at The Bo Bartlett Center.

This can be any event. A gallery opening, yoga class, artist talk, Sketching Under the Skylights, or one of the many concerts in the main gallery throughout the year.

2) Take a whitewater trip down the Chattahoochee River at Rush South Whitewater Park.

We're firm believers that every Columbusite should take at least one trip down the river on our hometown whitewater course. We also know some of you may not be able to do it for health reasons. If that's you, pay a visit to Whitewater Express and consider trying one of their other adventure options. Zipline, take a fly fishing lesson, or spend an afternoon on RiverWalk Island watching a kayaking competition or two.

3) See a new exhibit at The Columbus Museum.

We recommend checking out the current exhibit of Saya Woolfalk: Augmented Visionary Reality Outpost or attending the upcoming Philip Haas: Sculpture Breathes Life Into Painting & Music exhibit. Haas is a performance artist on an international tour, and the Columbus Museum will serve as the Georgia venue in 2020. The residency runs for two weeks in mid-February. Click here for more information.

4) Attend a show and a concert at CSU.

Support higher arts education by attending one of the many theatre performances and at least one concert at Columbus State University. For your theatre show, we recommend Cabaret which opens April 10 at Riverside Theatre. For your concert, we recommend seeing anything (and everything!) you can in Legacy Hall. Concerts through CSU's Schwob School of Music are free and open to the public. Just check their concert schedule here before you go!

5) Meet some friends for Jazz at The Loft.

This is our editor's favorite thing in town. Check the schedule and head to The Loft for some jazz. We've been known to round up 20 of our closest friends for a night with the Schwob Jazz Orchestra. The talent caliber is world-class, and they're right here in our city. Don't miss it.

6) Dine at Epic.

Rated one of the Top 40 restaurants in America by Gayot, Epic is a local must for dining. If the Chef's Table experience isn't in your budget, consider meeting for drinks or dessert with some friends. There's something on the menu for everyone.

7) Go to the Symphony!

Columbus is home to the second oldest symphony in the country, and though historic, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra is anything but an old-fashioned time. The symphony has made tremendous efforts to modernize its experiences - offering everything from an app you can use during concerts to hip events and outreach programs for children. If we could only send you to hear them one time this Spring though, we'd suggest their annual Symphony on the Sand at Callaway Gardens. It's an outdoor pops concert on the beach at Callaway that's sure to become your favorite Spring tradition for years to come.

8) Visit the Columbus Botanical Garden.

We've had more than a few readers tell us they've never been to the Columbus Botanical Garden, and we just can't believe it's true. Our local botanical garden is in a transformational time as the staff and board members prepare for major expansions in 2020. It's free to visit any day of the year, and there's always something new in bloom. Headed that way soon? Don't miss the Sam Wellborn Camellia Garden. It's tucked away down a trail near the back of the property, so ask if you can't find it. Trust us. It's work the trip, and is our absolute favorite Winter outing in town. Beauty abounds around every corner. Just don't forget to take a photo of your favorite bloom!

9) See a RiverCenter Broadway Show.

The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts brings some of the finest talent in the world to town with their TSYS on Broadway Series. Check their calendar for upcoming shows. We're especially looking forward to seeing CATS in February and Waitress this summer!

10) Help send a kid to Springer Academy.

Springer Academy at The Springer Opera House teaches life skills through stage skills to hundreds of students enrolled in their immersive theatre program each summer. The transformative arts education initiative offers scholarships to children who may not otherwise be able to attend the Academy each summer. Your donation of any amount (even just a few dollars can make a difference!) will help to ensure that local youth have the opportunity to encounter a life-changing experience in the arts this year. Can't donate this time? Consider calling to see if there's another way to get involved.

11) Spend a day at the National Infantry Museum.

It's a privilege to live in a military town, but have you taken the time to learn as much about our country's brave soldiers as possible? Just a few miles from Uptown Columbus is one of the nation's top resources for U.S. Army history. Spend a day at the National Infantry Museum immersed in the incredible and informative exhibits on display there. It's something every Columbusite should do at least once.

12) Purchase a piece of art from a local artist.

This one, we'll leave entirely up to you. Our city is exploding with creative talent in a variety of mediums. Looking for something or someone in particular? Head to our Art Directory for a listing of local artists and where to find them. Or, check out one of the many local galleries in town. Just don't forget to share a photo of what you find!