SNEAK PEEK

MadLab Theatre Presents Theatre Roulette 2012

Theatre Roulette is the longest running annual shorts festival in central Ohio. In its 13th year, it is a truly unique collection of plays. Since its debut, Theatre Roulette has featured more than 125 plays selected from well over 6,000 submissions and has featyred world premieres for many plays that have since gone on to be published, one was even featured in the highly-acclaimed Humana Festival in Louisville.

This year’s Roulette will represent work from nine states across the country and the United Kingdom. Six of the shows are being performed for the first time while the other six will make their premiere in Ohio. Roulette shows are split into three nights with different themes, with the plays shown on a rotating basis until the final day when all 12 shows are presented. This year’s themes are Snake Eyes, Box Cars and High Rollers.

Roulette provides opportunities for several playwrights to experience a professional production of their work. The scope of the festival also utilizes more actors than MadLab's other projects, bringing in new performers and new audiences along with them. Each night’s set of shows run nearly two hours including trailers of the other two nights of shows as well as a 10-minute intermission.

Where: 227 N. 3rd St. Columbus, 43215

When: May 3-26, Thursdays through Saturdays from 8-10 p.m. On the last day, May 26, the shows will run 2-4 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.

SNAKE EYES night of programming: May 3, 11, 19 and 24 (all at 8 p.m.), May 26 at 2 p.m.
The Waiting Room by Steven Shapiro
Ten Minutes in the Orchard with Uncle Vanya’s Sister and her Seagull by Gary Dooley
The Peach by Alex Dremann
Datenav by Gary Dooley

BOX CARS night of programming: May 2, 12, 17 and 25 (all at 8 p.m.); May 26 at 4 p.m.
Slipping into Anarchy by Jeffrey Wolf
Dead Zone by Spenser Davis
Unnamed Lands by Nicholas Sawin
Based on Real Events by David Vardeman

HIGH ROLLERS night of programming: May 5, 10, 18 and 26  (all at 8 p.m.)
Endless Sea by Elena Hartwell
Misfortune by Mark Harvey Levine
Shadows by Greg Freier
But Was it an Approved Death? by Greg Freier

For more information and/or tickets: publicity@madlab.net, (614) 221-5418, www.madlab.net.

Photo left to right: Jim Azelvandre as Gary, Josh Kessler as Sean, Stephen Woosley as Martin, David Tull as Henry.  Photo credit: Andy Batt from Boom Pow Oof by Jennifer Feather Youngblood - part of MadLab's Twelfth Annual Theatre Roulette.

The Couchfire Collective and Junctionview Studios Present: Agora 9

Agora is an immersive event that brings artists and art patrons together to celebrate Central Ohio's diverse and talented creative community. Agora guests have the opportunity to view and purchase hundreds of works of art, wander through 50 working artists' studios, and watch performances by dancers, musicians, and theatre groups.

Agora is an all-inclusive exhibition. Every visual artist that signs up to participate is included in the show.

This year's Agora will feature hundreds of works of art including an Instagram photo installation and work by local video artists. There will be musical performances by Jackie and the Stabbs, Tigers in the Mirror, Teen Fiction, The Smoking Guns, Post Coma Network, The Weight of Whales and more. The day will also feature comedy performances by The Asbestos Crew and performances from local dancers. There will also be craft and art vendors set up next to local food trucks. The night will close with a fashion show featuring the works of CCAD students, a fire show, and a dance party.

Where: Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Avenue, Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212

When: May 12 from 2 p.m. - Midnight

For more information on the event or to get involved, go to info@thecouchfire.org and www.agoracolumbus.com

Asian Festival 2012

Thousands of people from all over central Ohio and the Midwest will gather in Columbus to enjoy the 18th Annual Asian Festival at Franklin Park for Memorial Day weekend. Every year the festival has something new to offer! The 2012 Asian Festival will feature cultural displays, colorful entertainment, artist demonstrations, delicious food, a job fair, health and wellness screenings and activities from 15 ethnic groups, focusing on performance and cultural activities.

The Asian Festival is proud to feature performances and arts reflecting both traditional and contemporary arts from of Asia. Local and national groups will perform including Bali Dancers from Indonesia, Philippine Music Ensemble, Nachda Punjab (Bhangra Group) and more. Food offerings span the continent from Indonesian sate skewers to Chinese spicy home-style noodles, Indian naan and tandoori chicken, Philippine fried rice, pancit and more.

“As Columbus celebrates our bicentennial year, our mission is to showcase our Asian Heritage and Culture to the central Ohio community” said Dr. Yung-Chen Lu.

Featured entertainment at the Asian Festival includes America’s Best Dance Crew—Instant Noodles—performing at the Amphitheater on both Saturday and Sunday. Instant Noodles is the first ever all-Taiwanese dance crew and has been featured on MTV.

The Dragon Boat Race will take place in Genoa Park on the Scioto River on Monday, May 28. Dragon Boat Race teams include corporate, non-profit and high school groups. The winning team will receive an award and be recognized in the 2013 Dragon Boat race event. As part of the festivities, there will be a “dotting the eye of the dragon” ceremony at the beginning of the races. Enjoy colorful Chinese lanterns and Indian decorations that will adorn the park, as well as a variety of food offerings at this day-long event.

Where and When: Asian Festival will take place at Franklin Park, 1777 E Broad Street, Columbus, 43209 on Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27.

The Dragon Boat Race will take place on Monday, May 28 at Genoa Park on the Scioto River behind COSI, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, 43215.

For more information: FREE and open to the public. For more information about the Festival and Dragon Boat Race, www.asian-festival.org, www.twitter.com/asianfest or www.facebook.com/asianfest or call (614) 366-8214.