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- Columbus Curiosity - 20th June 2025
Columbus Curiosity - 20th June 2025
Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun
Nathan Griggs
June 20, 2025
Hey Columbus Crew—
This week Columbus is giving main character energy: grunge ghosts, cookie champions, and a literal circus rolling into town.
We’ve got Nirvana's secret High Street gigs, Bert Kreischer’s chaotic Ohio worship, and the return of Iron Maiden (sort of) — performed by women melting faces with solos.
Let’s unpack:
🗞️ News You Missed – Nirvana lore, circus chaos, and why Ohio is apparently America’s top-tier state (per one shirtless comedian).
🔍 Hidden Gems – Cookie royalty, brick-built Columbus, zoo glow-ups, and a donut dynasty from Zanesville.
🎟️ What’s On This Week – DEVO, WWE, Modest Mouse, K-pop invasions, and enough events to blow up your calendar.
🚨 The Headlines
🎸 Nirvana’s Secret High Street Romance (RIP Stache’s)
Before “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blew up your stereo, Nirvana played two gigs at Stache’s—a dive bar where sweat was the main décor.
1990s N. High St. Columbus, Ohio
Fun facts:
Drummer Chad Channing got the boot mid-tour (drama!).
Dave Grohl, our hometown hero from Warren, OH, took over. He literally grew up blocks away.
Sam Bayer (Northland High grad) directed the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video.
Cold truth: They booked Lollapalooza ’94 at Polaris… then Kurt died.
Columbus: always the almost-lover.
🎪 “World’s Largest Circus” Invades Crew Stadium (Bring Earplugs)
Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus rolls into town July 3-6, billing itself as “the largest circus on earth” (suck it, Ringling). Why it’s gloriously extra:
Human Cannonball, Wheel of Death, and the “World’s Smallest Person” (who probably has the biggest attitude).
Ohio logic - Motorcycles in a steel cage next to a moon bounce (chaos math).
Deals: First 100 tickets $22.50 + free kid ticket (so you can traumatize children affordably).
Vibe: Like a fever dream crossed with a county fair—if the fair had a “Sphere of Fear” and cotton candy the size of toddlers.
😂 Bert Kreischer Declares Ohio “Best State” (Yes, Seriously)
The shirtless comic who’s toured all 50 states crowned Ohio #1. His evidence:
“Topography is gorgeous” (looks at flat cornfield… sure, Bert).
“Perfect political place… not lunatics” (glances at Statehouse… nervous laugh).
“Big cities!” (Cincinnati and Cleveland high-fiving in confusion).
Our take: He’s either genius or had too much Skyline Chili.
🍔 Mad Cow Founders Launch Kid Circus + Booze Emporium
West 40 Social is coming to London, OH (the Ohio one, not the tea-sipping one). From the geniuses behind Mad Cow:
Live music + booze and a kids’ climbing park (because nothing says “relaxing pint” like toddlers screaming overhead).
Food trucks, farmers markets, and wedding spaces (get hitched then eat a taco in your gown).
Vibe: “Casual yet elevated” = you can wear jeans but your burger has truffle oil.
Columbus’s own cookie slayers just almost won USA Today’s crown. Lost to Grandma’s Cookies (MO). Our defense:
They once “closed” to sell cookies in a retirement home (heroes don’t all wear capes).
Flavors change faster than Ohio weather: Cosmic Iced Cookie, Puppy Chow, Frosted Animal Cracker.
🧱 LEGO Builds Columbus Better Than We Did
Legoland dumped 1.5 million bricks to recreate our skyline. Highlights:
Mini-concerts, water fights, campfires (no permits required!).
Summer of Play event: because adults wanna stomp plastic too.
🐺 Columbus Zoo’s North America Trek: Bears Fixed!
After cracked glass delayed the party (thanks, anxious bears), the new exhibit opens TODAY:
Bald eagles, wolves, river otters (nature’s hype squad).
Mexican wolves named Nicholas, Mosby, Kazoo… (yes, Kazoo).
🍩 Donald’s Donuts: #1 in USA (Zanesville > Planet Earth)
A family-run shop opened in 1960 just beat every hipster donut hole in Brooklyn.
Why go: Cherry cakes, glazed rings, generational magic.
Jennifer Bullock’s seal of approval: “No surprise” (she’s from Zanesville—trust her).
Friday, June 20
🎸 DEVO: 50 Years of De-Evolution
Ohio’s weirdest export is back with their dome hats and dystopian bangers. Expect crowd chants, synths, and existential dread (in a fun way).
⚔️ The Iron Maidens Melt Faces (and Gender Norms)
The world’s only all-female Iron Maiden tribute band is shredding through Columbus with firepower, solos, and stage presence that rivals the real thing.
⚾ Clippers vs. Indians: Friday Night Lights
America’s pastime, cheap eats, and maybe a fireworks show? Even if you don’t watch a pitch, Huntington Park's summer vibes are elite.
Saturday, June 2
🤠 Buckeye Country Superfest
Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Megan Moroney & more take over The Shoe. Cowboy boots? Optional. Good times? Guaranteed.
🎤 Lil Baby at Nationwide
Chart-toppers, arena energy, and a whole lotta drip. If you miss this, your playlist will judge you.
🎸 Modest Mouse: Float On & Freak Out
Indie icons bring the nostalgia and the chaos. Sing, sway, existentially spiral.
Sunday, June 22
🎨 Short North Arches Canvas Night
Paint the town—literally. Studio 614 hosts a step-by-step class where you recreate Columbus’ iconic arches. No talent required, just vibes.
☀️ Summer Solstice Celebration
Raise a pint to the longest day of the year with sunshine, beer specials, and summer jams. Bonus: zero druids required.
🎸 Concerts on the Green
Spread a blanket in Worthington and catch a free community concert under the evening sky. Classic summer vibes.
Monday, June 23
💥 WWE Monday Night RAW
Body slams, pyro, and plotlines more dramatic than your group chat. RAW returns to Columbus—brace for chants and chair shots.
🎸 Morgan Wade Live
Country with grit. The breakout star brings heartbreak and healing to the Schott for a night of raw vocals and rebel twang.
🛼 Adult Skating – Newbie Night
Dust off your wheels and relive middle school glory—minus the awkward chaperones. All levels welcome.
Tuesday, June 24
🎸 The Native Howl & Tejon Street Corner Thieves
Get ready for banjos with bite—this gritty bluegrass-punk duo rolls into Rumba Café for a foot-stompin’, beard-shakin’ good time.
🧠 Improvement Movement Live
It’s not a TED Talk. It’s better. Join this uplifting mix of music, storytelling, and collective therapy (with a bar tab).
💪 Abs & Booty Burn: Swerve Edition
Earn your post-workout tacos with this hip-hop fitness blast. Your core will cry. Your glutes will glow.
Wednesday, June 25
⚽ Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United
Midweek MLS clash! The Crew hosts Atlanta under the lights—expect big plays, louder chants, and at least one confused out-of-towner yelling “offsides!”
🎤 Riff Raff + Jarren Benton at A&R Music Bar
Doubleheader alert. Riff Raff brings the neon chaos, while Jarren Benton delivers bars like a freight train. For lovers of lyrical whiplash and chaotic energy.
🎸 Christie Lenée’s Acoustic Wizardry
Grammy-level fingerstyle magic with soul-soothing vibes. If guitars could hug you, this is what it’d feel like.
Thursday, June 26
🕺 The Disco Biscuits at The Bluestone
Jamtronica royalty hits Columbus for a night of lasers, loops, and trancey improvisation. Prepare to get weird—in the best way.
🎸 Blacktop Mojo’s Southern Grunge Storm
If Soundgarden and Lynyrd Skynyrd had a bearded baby, it’d sound like this. Expect heavy riffs and heartland swagger.
🎤 82MAJOR TOUR: <82 SYNDROME>
K-Pop invades The KING of CLUBS. Loud fans, slick choreo, and neon-drenched euphoria.
How'd We Do This Week?We’re always cooking up new ways to make your inbox the best part of your week. Be honest—how’s this one stacking up? |
📸 Picture of the Week
Lily pads are flexing hard at Goodale Park this week—just in time for peak pond vibes and sneaky picnic selfies.
Snapped by u/Lipstick-lumberjack, this low-angle gem shows off the blooming lilies like they’re posing for a botanical Vogue spread.
Bonus points for the iconic elephant fountain cameo in the background.
Got a legendary photo or a shot that screams “Columbus”?
Reply to this email for a chance to be featured!
That’s a wrap, Columbus
From circus cannonballs to K-Pop stage flips, from WWE smackdowns to backyard concerts under Worthington skies—Columbus really said, “Hold my beer.”
If you made it to the end of this email, congrats. You now know more about Ohio's donut hierarchy, underground fitness cults, and Lego architecture than most.
Stay weird. Stay curious.
— Nate
Columbus Curiosity