Lindsay Jordan At COMFEST 2019 - OneShot!

Written/Photography

Andrew Livelsberger

Location:  Goodale Park, Columbus, OH - COMFEST 2019

Arriving later in the Comfest Weekend, Goodale Park was still alive and buzzing with musical performances.

We were present at the gazebo stage and were able to witness the powerful vocals of Lindsay Jordan and the Stormy Daniels band.

If you get a chance to check out this band do so!

Columbus Pride 2019

Written 

by 

Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography

by

Andrew Livelsberger

Background

Columbus Pride Parade and Festival is an annual event in support of the LGBTQ community.  It is held in downtown Columbus along the Scioto Mile by Genoa and Bicentennial Park.

Grand Marshall Nina West

Impression

We all have our own thoughts in political, religious realms.  We here at VisualOhio are no different.  We strive our best to cover events in Ohio that are of interest to our readership.

So, let's discuss the festival and parade as we would any other event.  We don't think that our readers would want us to write it any other way.

We've never been to the Pride Parade/Festival before so the first thing that we concern ourselves with is parking.  We were not going to get there until right before the parade started, so our plan was to park a little further out from the event location and we used the COGO Bike Stations to ride in from around the Scioto Audubon Metro Park area to Genoa Park.  There was a drop off COGO station there right behind COSI.

From there we walked over to High and Rich Street and found a location along the parade route.  We tucked ourselves a few hundred feet from the corner of High and Rich where the parade walkers were going.  It turned out to be a perfect spot!

From out vantage point, we could see most of the major floats and then were able to concentrate on the people walking right in front of us.

The streets were stacked with people looking on to see the parade line

No matter what you believe, we feel that one universal truth exists.  We should all love one another, and loving your neighbor has never caused anyone any harm.

This parade had many individual, church, corporate supporters.

The importance of events like these is knowing that no matter who you are, where you are from...color, race, religion do not matter.   What matters is the acceptance of people for who they are.   We need to come together more, have open, honest dialog about our perceived differences.  We think that you might find that we all have way more in common than we do differences.

Not only were the people in the parade a pleasure to talk with and watch, but there were plenty of awesome people watching the parade and at the festival.

People in the parade line and in the crowds were giving out "free hugs".  That was a very popular activity, being able to express your love for others freely, even to complete strangers.

Whenever we go to events, we always try and get the pulse of the attendees.  This event succeeded in making every single person feel welcome, included and accepted.   If that is all this event did, then count it as a success.  However, it did not stop there.  The festival section, which runs from Friday to Sunday, included community support with health screenings, and other types of assistance as well as entertainment.

Piano Peddler and Conga Drummer at Clintonville Farmers Market

Written by Dani and Andrew Livelsberger

Photography by Andrew Livelsberger

Background:

The Clintonville Farmers Market features everything from composting, fresh dairy, meats, herbs and produce to live music.

Held Saturday's on High Street right by the Donatos Pizza and Karen Wickliff Books.

Impression:

When most people think farmer's market, they invision having booth after booth of farm fresh produce.  That is true of this market as well, but along with the farm fresh products there is also live entertainment.   It usually switches up every week and on May 11, the Piano Peddler and a Conga Drummer lent their talents for all at the market area.

Citizen Jane Movie Screening

Written/Photography

Andrew Livelsberger

Our professional photography service, Best Light Photographic, was recently hired to cover a local event at the Gateway Film Center on High Street in Columbus.  The Center for Architecture and Design (CFAD) was having a documentary screening and a panel Q&A.    There was an interesting by product of this event for me that I wanted to share.

Going into the event, I had very little practical knowledge of architecture.  I had a general idea of what an architect does, being designing buildings and spaces.  My only real exposure was Ted Moseby's character in the TV show, How I Met Your Mother!

The event consisted of 2 documentary films.  One was about Franklinton and the North Market in Columbus, OH, the second was called Citizen Jane which outlined the urban renewal efforts of NYC's past.

What this event and these documentaries gave me was a sense of perspective.  Not of what an architect does, but a lot more of the why they do what they do and why they design the way they do.

I never took the time before to think about the socio-economic impact of architecture.  Not only must buildings and spaces be beautiful and functional, consideration must be placed on how the building/space will affect or mold the neighborhood.

Money can be saved by using existing structures as a base instead of bulldozing and building new.  When building new, do you spend more on a more durable structure that takes longer to build and has a higher up front cost or do you need the building up quickly and under a tight budget?

Consideration on how the building space will be utilized and the surrounding space will be accessed all need to be included.

The event taught me a lot about urban revival and the consequences that need to be considered during every new build and every renovation.

I want to take the time to thank Tim Lai of Lai Architecture as well as CFAD for the opportunity to work for them, but also for the fabulous educational moment.

Wizard World Columbus 2017 - Day 3

Written by Dani / Andrew Livelsberger and Elise Mabry

Photo/Video by Andrew Livelsberger

Combatants from the Columbus chapter of The Saber Legion sparred for out viewing pleasure.

Background:
Wizard World is one of the largest comicon/sci-fi conventions held in Central Ohio.  Day 3 gave us witness to light saber fights and more cosplay!

Impression:
Winding down the last day, the cosplayers were back.  Most new, but there were some that made appearances all 3 days.  This was a long and exciting weekend.  Capped off by lots of panels, competitions and just more of the same cosplay love.

Deathstroke caught me getting his picture.   I might need to run!  :D

Mario Kart!

Star Wars inspired BB-8 dress and hat

Dr. Who teaching a fan a hand signal.

I would not want to mess with this Mandalorian warrior

Weeping Angel gives free hugs!

Rick from Rick and Morty

Skeletor making the rounds, surveying his next possible conquest.

The stand out entertainment for Day 3 for us was the light saber duel on the entertainment stage.  The Saber Legion, a worldwide saber club focusing on saber combat and sparing put on a few matches.

A representative from The Saber Legion explained a bit about the organization.  Then we got a run down of the sparring rules and how points are scored.    This is not a scripted or choreographed fight sequence!   These guys are involved in a sport very similar to fencing.   As you'll see in the images below, there is safety gear involved.

Explaining the dueling rules before the matches begin.

Wizard World Columbus 2017 - Day 2

Written by Dani / Andrew Livelsberger and Elise Mabry

Photo/Video by Andrew Livelsberger

DC Cosplay Meetup on the Entertainment Stage

Background:
Wizard World is one of the largest comicon/sci-fi conventions held in Central Ohio.  Day 2, gave us more cosplay, video game tournaments and Q&A sessions with some great celebrities.

Impression:
Cosplay was amped up a notch on Saturday.  In both quality and quantity, the creative minds of the fans continued to give you a lot to view!

Celebrity Q&A sessions were in full force as well.  We got to see David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch), Catherine Tate(The Catherine Tate Show, Doctor Who, The Office - US) and John Barrowman(Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow).

David Tennant answered a question about his interest in helping people with mental illness.

David Tennant provided a humor and seriousness in his Q&A.   He was very personable and relatable.

Catherine Tate loved hearing all the questions about her diverse career.

Catherine Tate started out her TV career on a comedy show, so it was no surprise that she brought a good sense of humor and a light hearted touch to the discussions.  At the beginning of the show, one VIP section was empty, so she invited everyone from the back of the ballroom to come to the front and fill the section.

Just a few weeks after an appendectomy, John Barrowman told some great stories, answered questions and even capped off the Q&A session with a song, "I Am Who I Am"

More cosplayers than you can count!  The dedication not only to crafting the costumes, but to the character immersion is just a sight to be experienced!

While some are professional cosplayers, there are many aficionados out there that put in a lot of effort and in my estimation, there work is just as good as the pros!

Chewbacca shows some love to a folically challenged fan.

Boushh the bounty hunter even showed up.  Wonder who the bounty is for?

Powdered Toast Man of Ren and Stimpy fame.

Dathomirian Zabrak female Sith Lord makes her way to the comicon entrance.

I think that Ghost Rider was looking for his motorcycle!!

Wonder Woman stares down someone in the crowd.

Aquaman, even though far away from his home in the water, looks confident that he can take on any foe that comes his way.

The shreek of the Black Canary!!

Dadrkman comes out of hiding and sits for a minute to see who is winning the Tekken 7 tournament.

A Jawa was wondering the comicon floor, looking for unattended droids to capture and sell on Tatooine.

A Weeping Angel from Doctor Who tried to garb me.  Luckily, I was able to keep my eye on it long enough to escape through the convention center doors.

A curious convention goer gets up close and personal with a Dalek Sek.

Nicholan Brendon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) even stopped by the Entertainment Stage and sang karaoke with some fans.

Even the celebrities got in on the karaoke fun!

Wizard Video Gaming also returned.
This day featured fighting games such as Tekken and Street Fighter.

Even Batman should have a little cash on him!

Pondering a sword purchase from one of the many vendors.

Day 2 was the more intense day....more people, more cosplayers, more energy, just more of everything, really.  To be honest if you can make every day of the three you should as their is a great experience to be had by everyone on each day.  If you can only make one day, then Saturday will be your best bet on being able to get a little bit of everything.