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- Columbus Curiosity - 5th September 2025
Columbus Curiosity - 5th September 2025
Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun
Nathan Griggs
September 05, 2025
Hey Columbus crew,
This week’s lineup has everything from The Chainsmokers crashing a frat party, to a Buckeye hype video that’ll make you want to tackle drywall, to stray cats plotting a city takeover (probably in the Short North).
We’ve also got teachers hitting the Powerball and still showing up Monday, vinyl shops worth ditching Spotify for, cozy hideouts in Gahanna, and enough concerts and festivals to keep your calendar packed from Friday to Thursday.
The Lineup:
🗞️ News You Missed — Chainsmokers surprise a frat with a backyard concert, OSU drops a hype video, Columbus cats go feral, and Crestview teachers score a $1M Powerball win.
💎 Hidden Gems — Vinyl shops that’ll eat your paycheck, a new coffee-to-cocktail hybrid in Linworth, Grandad’s Pizza gets a 7.1 from Dave Portnoy, plus cozy bars in Gahanna.
🎶 Live & Local — Oktoberfest steins, Clapton’s guitar heroics, Buckeyes vs. Grambling, Water Lanterns glowing in Franklin Park, and a lineup that swings from PUP’s chaos to Chris Fleming’s weird brilliance.
🖼️ Picture of the Week — Beam me up, Buckeyes — Reddit thought it was Batman, Ghostbusters, or Helldivers… turns out it was a game-week laser test near The Shoe.
Let’s dive into this week’s chaos:
🚨 The Headlines
The Chainsmokers Crash a Frat (Because They Missed Syllabus Week)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon at OSU somehow pulled off the surprise of the year: a pop-up concert with The Chainsmokers.
Yes, the Chainsmokers. Because what’s a Saturday in Columbus without EDM superstars playing “Closer” in your buddy’s backyard?
The Aftermath:
My Spotify Wrapped: "Closer" still in my top 5. The cringe is eternal.
SAE Brothers: Already updating their LinkedIn to "Concert Promoters"
The Chainsmokers: Probably the first act to go from Coachella to a frat basement
Ohio State’s Hype Video Will Make You Want to Tackle a Wall
The Buckeyes dropped a new trailer for the Grambling State game, and wow, it’s got more drama than my group chat.
Co-offensive coordinator Keenan Bailey said, “Don’t fight alone. It’s us vs. them.”
The Energy:
Keenan Bailey: Giving "Remember the Titans" speech energy
The Editor: Used approximately 47 slow-mo shots of the Shoe
Me After Watching: Trying to tackle my refrigerator
Stray Cats Are Taking Over Columbus (Yes, Really)
Animal rescue groups say the stray cat population is out of control. Apparently, there are so many cats that you can “just set a trap outside and catch one.”
The Feline Takeover Includes:
The Cats: Organizing union meetings in Short North alleys
My Dog: Giving me the side-eye like "Don't even think about it"
Columbus Humane: Offering $25 spay/neuter clinics (bless them)
Teachers Win $1M Powerball, Still Show Up to Work Monday
A group of educators from Crestview Elementary won a million bucks playing Powerball. They’ve been playing for six years, and they kept including their late colleague Mary Jo in the pool.
The Emotional Math:
The Teachers: "We're rich! But also... we have lesson plans due"
Me: Can't even win $5 on a scratch-off
Mary Jo's Family: Planning to honor her legacy (cue the tears)
💎 Hidden Gems & Local Legends
Vinyl Shops That’ll Make You Forget Spotify Exists
Used Kids Records (Columbus): The holy grail. So many records, you’ll need a cart. And maybe a therapist.
Magnolia Thunderpussy (Columbus): Best name in retail. Also, great selection. Expensive? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
Endangered Species (Delaware): Cheap, cool, and there’s a shop cat named Gary. Need I say more?
Barrel & Bloom: Coffee by Day, Cocktails by Night
Endeavor Brewing and Spirits just opened this hybrid spot in Linworth. They serve Stauf’s coffee until 2 p.m., and once the liquor license kicks in, they’ll swap espresso for espresso martinis.
Pro tip: Go for the coffee, stay for the cocktails, and pray you don’t have to adult later.
Dave Portnoy Reviews Grandad’s Pizza (And Actually Likes It?)
The Barstool sports guy gave Grandad’s Pizza a 7.1. He said, “It’s not my favorite style, but I can always eat it.”
Translation:
Dave: ”I’m trying to be nice, Columbus.”
Me: ”Still waiting for him to try my homemade pizza.”
Cozy Bars in Gahanna Where You Can Pretend You’re in a Movie
Three Creeks Bar & Kitchen: Rustic, cozy, and has couches. Perfect for hiding from your responsibilities.
Signature's Lounge: Intimate, friendly, and across from Creekside Park. Ideal for pretending you’re the main character.
🎶 Live Music & Entertainment hoh
Fri, September 5th
Columbus Oktoberfest @ Ohio Expo Center
The city’s biggest fall kickoff: beer halls, polka, bratwurst, and steins clinking into the night. A Columbus staple.
Columbus Comedy Festival (Multiple Venues)
National + local comics across showcases, roasts, and improv madness. If you want laughs, this is the weekend to be out.
Eric Clapton @ Mershon Auditorium
A legend, live. Guitar icon, timeless classics, and maybe a few goosebumps you’ll tell your kids about.
Electric Feels: Indie Rock + EDM Party @ Newport Music Hall
Dance floor takeover with indie hits mashed into electronic beats. Think sweaty, loud, and absolutely electric.
Sat, September 6th
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Grambling State Tigers @ Ohio Stadium
Game day in the ‘Shoe. Scarlet, gray, and 100k voices loud enough to shake the Olentangy. It’s more than football—it’s religion.
Lithopolis Honeyfest @ Village of Lithopolis
Buzz-worthy fest with honey tastings, local crafts, and live music. Sweet and small-town cozy.
September Hops on High @ Short North
Craft beer crawl through the Arts District. Dozens of taps, one unforgettable Saturday.
Columbus Water Lantern Festival @ Franklin Park
Thousands of glowing lanterns floating into the night. Add live music, food trucks, and good vibes—it’s straight out of a movie scene.
Trash Party @ Wilson Rd. Park (9 AM – Noon)
After some Labor Day rest, the cleanup crew is back. Since launching, they’ve hauled more than 35,000 pounds of trash out of Columbus parks. This weekend, it’s Wilson Rd. Park’s turn. Expect good vibes, new friends, and a cleaner city.
Sun, September 7th
10cc @ KEMBA LIVE!
British rock legends with timeless hits and harmonies that still hit.
Bike the Cbus @ Land-Grant Brewing Co.
Annual cycling event rolling through the city. Pedals by day, beers by night.
Ohio State Women’s Volleyball vs. Florida Gators @ Covelli Center
Top-tier college volleyball, right here at home.
Mon, September 8th
An Evening with Andrew Lippa @ Eisner Center
Broadway composer shares stories, songs, and stage secrets.
USA Matchday Eve @ KEMBA LIVE!
Party ahead of the U.S. Men’s National Team match. Expect chants, beers, and patriotic hype.
Wisp: If Not Winter Tour @ A&R Music Bar
Indie dreamscapes with support from Dream, Ivory, and aldn.
Tue, September 9th
PUP & Jeff Rosenstock @ KEMBA LIVE!
Punk anthems and chaos — the most fun you’ll have yelling in a crowd.
K Camp: Kiss 6 Tour @ Newport Music Hall
Rap star on tour with new tracks and fan favorites.
Twofer Tuesday Crowdwork Show @ The Attic Comedy Club
Interactive comedy with audience banter driving the set.
Wed, September 10th
Piff the Magic Dragon’s All-Star Vegas @ Southern Theatre
The comedy-magician and his crew bring Vegas spectacle to Columbus—laughs, illusions, and a tiny dragon sidekick.
Kelton House Author Talk @ Kelton House Museum & Garden
In honor of International Underground Railroad Month, hear stories and scholarship in a historic setting.
Blues & Beyond: Just Another Mojo @ Natalie’s Grandview
Free “happening hour” of blues and soul from local favorites. A midweek musical reset.
Thu, September 11th
NO SH!T Comedy ft. Hannibal Callens @ The Attic (8 PM)
Bold comedy, zero apologies. A raw stand-up showcase with big laughs.
Madison Ryann Ward: The Standing Tall Tour @ A&R Music Bar
Soulful vocals and powerhouse songwriting from one of R&B’s rising stars. Expect goosebumps.
Chris Fleming @ Southern Theatre (7 PM)
The offbeat comedy king of Gayle fame brings his bizarre brilliance to Columbus. Expect sharp, strange, and laugh-out-loud funny.
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
Beam me up, Buckeyes
Spotted over Columbus: a sky-high light pillar that had Reddit guessing Batman, Helldivers, even “a new hand touches the beacon.”
The crowd-sourced verdict: it was a game-week laser/“space cannon” near Ohio Stadium, testing ahead of the Texas matchup and visible for miles (it even paused as aircraft passed).
Best comments included: “O f— a virgin opened the Sanderson sisters’ spellbook,” “Helldivers extraction point,” and “A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE BEACON.”
😀See You Next Week
From frat-house EDM to lantern-lit parks, from hype videos to stray cat conspiracies, Columbus never runs out of drama.
Hydrate, tip your bartenders, and maybe adopt a cat (or two).
Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay caffeinated.
— Nate
Columbus Curiosity