This Weeks's Columbus Events!

• Science of Big Machines  June 9-17, 2012 / COSI

  Bulldozers, dump trucks, and backhoes converge in downtown Columbus again this year for COSI's annual Science of Big Machines. Get behind the wheel and operate equipment that builds roads and buildings!

• Thurber House Literary Picnics: Thurber House Celebrates 200Columbus The Bicentennial  June 13, 2012 / Thurber House

  The spotlight's on Columbus and it's 200-year history as the evening features staged readings of Thurber's work by the Thurber Chamber Theatre and presentations by Joe Santry, the Columbus Clippers' noted historian; local author and President of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Doreen Uhas-Sauer; and Jim Tootle, former Ohio State University assistant dean, author, and the city's own Wikipedia on all things Thurber. Guests can purchase boxed dinners beforehand, or are free to bring their own food and alcoholic beverages. Also, guests should bring their own blankets and lawn chairs.

• FountainSide: Celebrate Columbus   June 13, 2012 / Bicentennial Park, Scioto Mile

  FountainSide is proud to feature activities from organizations that are near and dear to our Columbus Community! Join us as we celebrate Columbus in its Bicentennial year with some of Columbus' best! Kick it up with the Columbus Crew; enjoy a sample of local honey and more with the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association; build, play and learn with Bricks 4 Kidz, COSI, and Magic Mountain; and craft away with OSU Urban Arts Space!

• Victorian Tea: Summer Social Tea   June 13, 2012 / Kelton House Museum & Garden

  Throughout the year, the Kelton House offers Victorian-inspired teas with a tasteful sampling of savories and sweets reminiscent of 19th century ladies' get-togethers. The menu for each Tea is different, but is always accompanied by traditional Earl Grey tea. Each Tea also includes a short educational program that usually reflects either the season or an object from the Kelton House Museum collection.

• Miranda Lambert with Pistol Annies  June 14, 2012 / Nationwide Arena

  

• Tango CATS June Milonga   June 14, 2012 / Camelot Cellars Winery

  Attention tango dancers in and around Columbus, Tango CATS are thrilled that Camelot Cellars in the Short North has generously offered us their Tuscan Room with wood floor for our monthly milonga (dance party)! We will hold our June milonga in their venue once again. We need your support to continue using their beautiful venue. Please spread the word, and more importantly, please come to enjoy the music, the wine, tango and the companion of your friends.

• REO Speedwagon   June 14, 2012 / Huntington Park

  The iconic rock band with 13 Top 40 hits and over forty million records sold, including "Keep On Loving You" and "Take It On the Run" will be live in concert at Huntington Park, in a benefit for The Buckeye Ranch.

• Cinema 614: The Male Animal and Jennie Gerhardt    June 14, 2012 / Wexner Center for the Arts

  This program combines a tribute to native son James Thurber, perhaps the greatest American humorist of the 20th century, with a cinematic take on a Theodore Dreiser novel set partly in Columbus.

• World's Largest Swimming Lesson    June 14, 2012 / Zoombezi Bay

  The world's top water safety and training organizations are joining forces to present THE WORLD'S LARGEST SWIM LESSON (WLSL), to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. Waterparks, pools and other aquatic facilities around the globe will host local WLSL lessons simultaneously in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record.

• Bottoms Up, Historic Tavern Tours   June 14, 2012 / Departs in front of Subway Restaurant

  Our popular Historic Tavern Tours return with a mystery tour featuring three new watering holes, a traditional neighborhood bar that has been quietly in existence for over 50 years an up-and-coming tavern with a somewhat shady past and historic tie to Columbus as a foodie town and a new bar/restaurant residing in an 1890s tavern.

• National Quilting Association Show   June 14-16, 2012 / Greater Columbus Convention Center

  This event covers a range of quilting topics during classes, lectures and seminars. A mini-quilt auction and banquet will be held Friday night. The quilt show will be open and exhibitors will display products and quilting supplies Thursday-Saturday.

• WaterFire   June 15, 2012 / Downtown riverfront around Genoa Park and COSI

  Beginning at dusk, floating bonfires illuminate the Scioto River downtown as crowds gather to enjoy music and entertainment. Half a dozen burns are scheduled throughout the season.

• Movies on the Mile: Midnight In Paris   June 15, 2012 / Bicentennial Park, Scioto Mile

  Sit back, relax and enjoy cinematic classics and family favorites under the stars in Bicentennial Park. Arrive early for a variety of activities designed to complement the movie theme.

• Columbus Symphony Picnic with the Pops: Three Dog Night   June 15, 2012 / Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion, Columbus Commons

  Legendary music icons and Grammy-nominated Three Dog Night maintain an aggressive, year-round touring schedule of more than 80 dates each year, performing their well-loved hits as well as new songs for audiences spanning generations. Founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, original keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon, and original guitarist Michael Allsup, as well as Paul Kingery (bass and vocals) and Pat Bautz (drums) will perform a sampling of the group's 21 consecutive Top 40 hits such as "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Joy to the World," "Black and White," "Shambala," and "One."

• Pride Festival  June 15-16, 2012 / Goodale Park

  Parade begins at noon from downtown to Goodale Park. The largest pride event in the Midwest, the Pride Festival had more than 200,000 attendees last year with its marketplace, food court, family area and music. A brunch will conclude the festival weekend at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Columbus Athenaeum downtown. The theme for 2012 is Allies & Equality.

• Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival   June 15-17, 2012 / Mill Street and Creekside Plaza

  This music festival is the showcase for the best blues and jazz music in Ohio, if not the Midwest. Music isn't all that this renowned event has to offer. Centered around Creekside Park and Olde Gahanna, the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival promises something for everyone with more than 90 hours of entertainment on five stages, Sunday Jazz Brunch, Musical Discovery Zone, amusement rides, vendors, and of course, great food!

• Juneteenth Celebration   June 15-17, 2012 / Franklin Park

  Juneteenth Ohio symbolizes the end of slavery. Juneteenth has come to symbolize for many African-Americans what the Fourth of July symbolizes for all Americans - freedom. It serves as a historical milestone reminding Americans of the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery. It honors those African-American ancestors who survived the inhumane institution of bondage, as well as demonstrating pride in the marvelous legacy of resistance and perseverance they left us. A celebration of victory for all to enjoy!

• Coshocton Dulcimer Days Festival    June 15-17, 2012 / Historic Roscoe Village

  Coshocton County has been the host of the longest running heritage music festival in Ohio, Dulcimer Days. It is also the second oldest event of its kind in the United States. This year marks the 38th year of this nationally significant Appalachian musical event. Bring the whole family to share a music-filled weekend with the sounds of Appalachian and traditional music played on mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, bowed psalteries, fiddles, guitars, banjos, and other instruments.

• CAPA Summer Movie Series: Casablanca (1942)   June 15-17, 2012 / Ohio Theatre

  "Here's looking at you, kid." Winner of three Oscars including Best Picture, Casablanca topped the American Film Institute's list of America's Greatest Love Stories. Bogart and Bergman sizzle as star-crossed lovers fighting an ill-fated and powerful attraction while caught in a web of WWII politics, espionage, and deceit.

• Camelot Cellars Summer Jazz Series   June 15 - August 17, 2012 / Camelot Cellars Winery

  Camelot Cellars Winery and the Jazz Arts Group Columbus are teaming up to bring you the Camelot Cellars Summer Jazz Series. Come the third Friday of June, July and August and sip locally crafted award winning wines, enjoy Italian Artisan meats, cheeses and salads, while listening to the music of great local jazz artists.