Discover Gahanna Ohio

Every January, Memphis hosts the International Blues Challenge (IBC) where select blues bands from around the country come together for some great music and friendly competition. The IBC represents the worldwide search for those Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. This year, Deuce n’ a Quarter and The Drew Allan Duo were chosen to represent the Columbus area at the IBC this month after winning the Columbus Blues Alliance challenge, per the Blues Foundation Guidelines.

Recently, we had the opportunity to talk with Brian Peters of Deuce n’ a Quarter. Brian is the front man, singer, songwriter, harmonicist and manager for the band. He is also a longtime fan of Visit Gahanna’s annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival (CBJF), as well as a returning performer at the festival.

Have you attended/competed at the IBC before?
Yes, this is my second time competing with Deuce n’ a Quarter and third time being there personally. I was there the first time with the Shaun Booker Band in 2012 where we won the King of Beale Street! That’s a separate competition for those bands who didn’t make it to the finals at the IBC in order to see what bands they want playing in their bars. Beale Street is famous in Memphis for its history, as well as the history of blues.

After the 2012 competition, I decided I wanted to put together a band of my own. I achieved that goal in 2014 with Deuce n’ a Quarter, and in 2015 we won the Columbus Blues Challenge, which gave us eligibility to compete at the IBC in January of 2016.

For those who have never attended the event, can you briefly describe it?
It’s an absolute amazing time. The history of Memphis and Beale Street is something special. There are approximately 120-130 bands that show up to compete at the IBC to represent their blues societies. Each blues society has their own competition and the winners of those competition to go the IBC. When you’re down in Memphis for the event, it’s really like a huge party with great energy that feels like a high school reunion. You get to see old friends and make new ones.

As for the competition part -- music is so subjective, you never know who is going to win! Before the competition, you don’t know the venue you’re playing in or what time you’ll be on stage. After the competition each night, most of the venues have blues jam where some of the best blues musicians from all around hop up on stage. It’s just a good time!

What are you most looking forward to at IBC?
This time around, I’m hoping to get the to finals, and I look forward to networking. I don’t look at music as a competition, I’m just a fan. Other than that, I just want to keep the band moving and book more gigs! Since this is my third time competing this year, I plan to go down next year as a spectator. When you’re competing, you don’t get a lot of time to soak it all in. It would be nice to be there and see other bands. Memphis is also rich with history, so I want to go down early this year to do some tours and enjoy the city.

What will you be performing?
We will be performing our original songs. The first round of the competition is a 25-minute set and the second round is 30-minutes. If you get to the finals, it’s another 20 minute set. I’m not sure what all we’re going to cut, but it will be 100% our original music.

The judges score you based on a points system. They will give you the most points if your music is all blues music and the second biggest thing is playing original music. You can do covers but you’re better off playing original music.

You are a perennial fan favorite at the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival. What do you enjoy most about that event?
It has come full circle for me. When I first attended CBJF, I didn’t play music, sing or anything. It was a tradition - my son and I would go to CBJF for Father’s Day. After a few years of going with my son, I met a few people, picked up a harmonica one day and landed in the Shaun Booker Band. I have four kids and only one is left in the house. I have a 16 year old who still wants to go to CBJF with me and hang out, which means a lot to me.

My story starts at CBJF. To have the opportunity to play on the stage where I used to be spectator is amazing for me. I also love the festival’s variety. They have everything, not just blues music. I love to check out different genres and artists. The food and shops are really good too!

It’s also great when we have support when the band is in town. We’re on the road a lot, but my goal is to play here 3-4 times a year while also building a following in other cities. It’s always nice to get support from our roots in Columbus.

Want to learn more about the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festivals? Check out our event page here or like CBJF on Facebook.

The start of the new year is refreshing, exciting and full of possibilities. If your new year resolution is to work on your fitness and overall wellness, we’re here to help you keep true to your goals with a little help from our local businesses. After all, the year has just begun and the new you is right around the corner. You got this!

Gahanna Parks & Recreation  
With 52 parks (totaling more than 750+ acres), 17 miles of trails and a plethora of activities and features--there’s no reason NOT to get out and enjoy Mother Nature!  Explore Gahanna Woods-- with 99+ acres of nature trails and open meadows. It is part State Nature Preserve with a swamp forest, woodland pools and breathtaking spring wildflowers. Follow the link above to discover much more!

 Thrive Massage & Wellness | 4955 N Hamilton Rd.
Practice self love by treating yourself to a trip to Thrive Massage & Wellness. Whether you need a relaxing therapeutic massage, infrared light therapy or other wellness extras, this is your one stop shop. Thrive is unique for Central Ohio’s first spa with health-empowering, full spectrum infrared spas for weight loss, detox, pain relief, heart health, skin purification, and relaxation. 

Oak Studio | 1370 Cherry Bottom Rd.
Gahanna’s newest fit neighbor boasts several types of fitness classes. Their classes include bootcamp, sculpt flow, vinyasa flow, slow flow and power yoga. Whether you’re looking for high intensity workouts, low intensity or somewhere in the middle, Oak Studio has you covered. New students can start two weeks of unlimited classes for just $22!

Namaste in Love | 101 Mill St Suite 106
You may fall in love with this yoga studio located in the heart of Creekside, Gahanna! Namaste is committed to inner peace, self care and gratitude. Their classes include power flow, express flow, beginner classes, stretch + restore, Ashtanga and more! Their new student special is currently 32 days for just $32!

YMCA Gahanna I 555 YMCA Place  
Buy a day pass and explore all the healthy possibilities at Gahanna’s beautiful YMCA. From swimming, running and group fitness classes--to personal trainers, disease prevention & management workshops and corporate wellness programs, there are plenty of ways to get fit and healthy in 2019. 

Renew Wellness I ​287 W. Johnstown Rd.
Offering a variety of yoga classes and counseling, Renew Wellness strives to help guide individuals in discovering their best self through emotional and physical healing.

Healthy Day Nutrition | 1022 N Hamilton Rd.
Nutrition in the form of a yummy smoothie? Sign me up! Healthy Day Nutrition offers meal replacement smoothies that come in more than 60 flavors. The staff are warm and welcoming and are happy to help you with any questions or smoothie selections. Healthy Day is an easy choice for those looking to get in shape and eat healthier. 

Happy 2019 everyone! We hope this your best year yet. Don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

~Post by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Social Media Assistant

Building a long-time local tradition into a fun family attraction is no small task, but the City of Gahanna's Parks team, led by Alan Little--Parks & Facilities Superintendent--has done just that!  His team recently refreshed the existing Winter Village Houses and added a few new structures (using repurposed materials), resulting in a charming, free holiday attraction that will delight visitors of all ages.  (We just want to know when we can move in!?) We caught up with Alan to learn more about the project.  

How long has the City of Gahanna had the Winter Village Houses?
Some version of the houses have been utilized for over 10 years. This is the first year that we set them up in Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Ave.) 

How many houses are part of the village? 
There are 5 “miniature” houses and we plan to add more as we can in the future.

We understand that there are some creative new additions this year, based on the concept of “renew” and “reuse.” What are they?
Ours crews are very creative and skilled with repurposing outdated or underutilized materials for new solutions. We were able to repurpose the old wooden street signs and incorporate them into the new holiday houses. A Gahanna resident may be able to find their street on one of these new structures that look very similar to little log cabins.

Who built the new houses? How did the concepts come about for these? 
The Parks crews have traditionally done the construction of the houses and the Recreation Division has handled the decoration and the cosmetic touches. The concept was to simply provide fun and interactive structures that represent places in the community that children may already be familiar. There is a “workshop,” “toy store,” “stable” and a “post office.”

Can people walk into the houses?
The newer log cabins have areas that children can go inside, and a few have little wrap-around front porches.

Have you received any feedback about the Winter Village Houses display?
It has been very rewarding to see families visit Friendship Park and interact with the houses. It is very close to our maintenance building and I have seen quite a few people here even during the day. The restroom in the main shelter is heated and remains open throughout the winter, as an added benefit to have the houses located in the park. The Winter Village Houses seem to be well received and we hope to add to the display as we are able.

 

How long will the houses remain on display at Friendship Park?
We plan to remove the display in early January, as long as the park is dry enough (or frozen enough) so as to not damage the turf during removal.

If you’re looking for stocker stuffer inspiration, Visit Gahanna has you covered (even for the most difficult person to shop for on your list). And the best part is, you won’t have to travel far to find it!

Buckeye Candy Company
Who doesn’t love candy in their stocking? Buckeye Candy Company has every sweet and savory treat you can imagine. This candy shop has everything from insect suckers to nostalgic favorites that takes you back to when you were a kid!

Ohio Herb Education Center Gift Shop
The Ohio Herb Education Center gift shop has unique gifts ideal for every stocking. From men’s beard oils to manly scented candles--he’ll love the great natural gifts. Ohio honeys, herbal teas and accessories, all natural bath and body products, essential oils and other treasures will slide perfectly into any stocking.

Pigskin Brewing Company & Kindred Brewing
Okay, so maybe a growler won’t fit inside a stocking--but the craft beer lover in your life will love finding one under tree. If you’re focused solely on the stocking gifts, consider a T-shirt or gift card from these local favorite breweries.  

Be_Social Dress Boutique
Every girl needs a little (more) bling in her life, and Be_Social Dress Boutique at Creekside Gahanna, Ohio has beautiful selection of sparkly necklaces, bracelets and more … at really affordable prices. (Just remember who sent you ... when you see the happy look on her face as she discovers that glitzy treasure in her stocking!)  

Lazer Kraze & Glow Putt Mini-Golf
For the kids in your life (big or little), treat them to some future fun!  Gift cards to Lazer Kraze and/or Glow Putt Mini-Golf in Gahanna mean you’re gifting them with your time and laughter, along with all the ingredients for great memories!

Art Garden Studio & Gahanna Bead Studio
Give your creative one a gift certificate good for a hands-on class or workshop! Art Garden Studio offers both children’s and adult classes.  Or consider having owner Juli Hess (an accomplished artist) create an original small home painting for the new homeowners in your life. Gahanna Bead Studio (considered one of the best bead shops in Ohio) has an extensive schedule of workshops for all ages.  Added bonus: these classes offer a great way to spend quality time with a friend, relative or grandchild.

Pay It Forward
Trying to think of the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person who has everything? Consider giving a donation in their name to one of the very worthy non-profits in Gahanna who help those in need, such as  Gahanna Neighborhood Bridges or GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need).  

Unique Gift Cards
Gahanna has many unique shops, businesses and restaurants to inspire fun in 2019! Include a gift card to one or more of these #UniquelyGahanna establishments: Oak Studio, Thrive Massage & Wellness, Great Gift & Paper Company, Mrs. Turbo’s Cookies, Namaste In Love Yoga Studio, Barrel & Boar, Arepazo, 101 Beer Kitchen, Creekside Local Cantina, Wyandotte Winery, Old Bag of Nails, Pam’s Market Popcorn or Signatures Mill Stone Tavern.  

Don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

~Post by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Social Media Assistant

Bang! Boom! Pow! Comic fans will be thrilled about Gahanna’s newest neighbor - Krazzy Comics! We had the opportunity to speak with Allen Harrington, the owner of Krazzy Comics to talk about his new shop, how comic books shaped his life and his life-changing meeting with Stan Lee!

What peaked your interest in comic books?
I’ve been into comics since I was young. I remember I was given my first comic book in kindergarten or first grade by a D.A.R.E. officer at my school.  Then when I was 11 or 12 years old, the Spiderman, Batman, and X-Man cartoon comics came out and I’ve been hooked ever since.

How would you describe your shop?
Our shop is more than just a comic book shop. It’s a family friendly place that all people are welcome to come and check out. You don’t necessarily have to be into comics. We want to get involved in our community, and the great thing about comics is that they are so diverse. We love to educate people about comics, and even if you’re not “into” comics, we can still chat, see what you are into and make recommendations based on your interests!

Rumor has it that you not only met Stan Lee, but that something very memorable came out of that meeting. Can you tell us about that?
My (now) wife and I went to a convention in Cincinnati, and we were able to go to the Stan Lee panel. During this convention, a lot of fans talk and share fun facts and knowledge with each other about comics. That’s where I heard Stan Lee was a licensed minister.

When it was my turn to ask Stan Lee a question during the Q&A panel, I asked him, “Are you a licensed minister? And can you marry my fiance and I?” We weren’t planning on getting married that day, but we were married by Stan Lee in front of room full of people. It was very spontaneous, but it was Stan Lee’s farewell tour across America and his last stop in the midwest--so we had to take a shot.

Who are your target customers?
I think first our target customers are those who are already fans of geekdom and comics. But we welcome everyone else! I think a lot of people are intimidated to get into comics, but our shop provides a space and opportunity to get an education in comics and become interested. Once you get into it, you quickly realize what you’ve been missing.

Why did you choose Gahanna to open up shop?
My wife’s friend lives in Gahanna and had told us there’s nothing like this here. She said she also wished there was a comic store in town, so we knew there was some interest! Gahanna is such a great location.

Do you have any favorite comics or characters?
Spider-Man is my absolute favorite. He was my first hero growing up and I was instantly drawn to him. I’ve actually learned a lot from Spider-Man's morality; he taught me how to me a good person.

Out of all the Spider-Man movies, my favorite is actually the one that just came out, Spider-Man: Homecoming. I love how the movie captured both sides of his personality ... Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about your shop?
We are more than just a comic book store. We offer a space for everyone - artists, writers, gamers or anyone who is thinking about getting into comics. We also have a media room and soon we will be holding free classes to educate people about the world of comics and its different aspects. We have table tops for those who want to rent the space out or play games like Pokemon and Dungeon and Dragons.

To visit:
Address: 5544 N Hamilton Rd
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am-10 pm / Sat. 11 am-8 pm / Sun. 12-5 pm
Phone:  614/245-8854
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrazzyComics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krazzycomics/

Don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!

~Post by Braeden Chicase, Visit Gahanna Social Media Assistant