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- Columbus Curiosity - April 25th, 2025
Columbus Curiosity - April 25th, 2025
Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun
Nathan Griggs
April 25, 2025
Hey there, Columbus crew—
This week’s vibe? A chaotic symphony of geese terrorizing tigers, $2.5 million homes flexing their marble tubs, and White Castle dropping "dirty drinks" like it’s a late-night dare. Buckle up—we’ve got:
A goose with more bravery than your average 2AM Short North reveler 🦢
A $2.5M mansion that’s basically a time capsule with heated floors 🏰
COTA playing Tetris with bus routes for the Capital City Half Marathon 🚌
Ohio politicians flirting with cryptocurrency like it’s 2021 all over again ₿🤞
White Castle’s new "cheddar chicken rings" (because why not deep-fry cheese?) 🧀
🚨 The Headlines
🏡 Look Inside: A $2.5M Time Capsule Near Wolfe Park
This 1939 mansion is what happens when Downton Abbey and a Peloton subscription have a baby.
Why we’re obsessed:
Six bedrooms, six baths (because who doesn’t need a bathroom for every mood?).
Heated floors (for when your toes rebel against Ohio winters).
A basement gym (where resolutions go to die, but stylishly).
A “stone hosting room” (translation: a man cave with a pool table and a bar, because 1939 knew what was up).
Best detail? The primary bathroom has two sinks facing each other—perfect for passive-aggressive toothbrushing battles.
🦢 Goose vs. Tiger: The Ultimate Showdown at Columbus Zoo
Move over, David and Goliath—this goose just stared down a 400-pound Amur tiger named Vera and lived to quack about it.
The drama, in three acts:
Goose crashes tiger’s pad like an uninvited Airbnb guest.
Tiger pounces, goose flaps like it’s auditioning for Swan Lake, tiger retreats.
Zoo staff shrugs: “Eh, happens all the time.” (Meanwhile, the goose is probably bragging to its flock at Scioto Audubon.)
Moral of the story? Never underestimate Ohio wildlife. Or geese with a death wish.
🪙 Ohio’s Crypto Comeback: “This Time We’ll Do It Right”
Frank LaRose and Treasurer Sprague are back on their “let’s make Ohio the blockchain capital of the Midwest” grind—because apparently, 2019’s crypto flop wasn’t embarrassing enough.
The Plot Thickens:
2019: Ohio rolled out a crypto tax payment program… then the AG shut it down faster than a pop-up Bitcoin miner on a state laptop. (“Oops, we forgot to ask permission.”)
2025: LaRose, undeterred: “We’ve learned our lesson! This time, we’ll use a real payment processor—not just a guy named ‘CryptoDave’ in his basement.”
The Big Idea: Let Ohioans pay fees/taxes in crypto… but instantly convert it to cold, hard USD (so the state doesn’t wake up one day holding the digital equivalent of Beanie Babies).
“If we’re marketing Ohio as the place to do business, we need to move at the speed of technology.” — Sprague, while Ohio’s DMV still runs on Windows 98.
Why Care? Either Ohio’s about to become the Silicon Prairie… or we’ll all get a front-row seat to “Cryptocurrency: The Musical (A Tragedy).”
🏃♂️ Capital City Half Marathon: Road Closures & COTA Chaos
This weekend, 10,000 runners will flood Downtown, and COTA buses are playing Frogger to avoid them.
What to know:
Road closures start Friday (RIP, your usual shortcut).
High Street’s a no-go (so wave at the runners from your porch like the proud Ohioan you are).
COTA reroutes will make you question if Google Maps is gaslighting you.
Tip: Cheer with a mimosa in hand. It’s called hydration support.
🍊 White Castle’s Dirty Drinks + Cheddar Chicken Rings = Chaos Combo
The slider lords at White Castle are back, and this time they’ve gone full goblin mode.
Their spring drop?
Dirty Orange – A Fanta + sweet cream mashup that tastes like orange soda had a midlife crisis (in a good way).
Cheddar Chicken Rings – Because apparently we looked at the regular chicken rings and said “...but make it more unhinged.”
It’s all limited-time, so catch the combo while supplies last—or before your arteries stage a walkout.
🥐 Paris Baguette Opening April 26 @ Lane Avenue (OSU)
This one’s for the carb romantics.
Paris Baguette—aka Korea’s king of bougie bread—is bringing its third Columbus location right to campus. Expect matcha mochi doughnuts, pillowy brioche buns, and the kind of pastries that look like they’re too pretty to eat (but you’ll eat three anyway).
🗓️ Opening: Tomorrow
🎯 Location: Lane Ave, next to the stress of midterms
Hot take: Their almond croissants are more healing than your last three therapy sessions and your ex’s apology texts combined.
🥖 Chouette Just Became Columbus’ Most French Spot
Sticking to the french theme. Downtown’s Chouette just scored the World’s French Restaurant Certification—yes, that’s a real thing—and is now 1 of only 21 restaurants on Earth with it.
What does that mean?
The baguettes slap (in the Parisian sense).
The staff may silently judge your wine pairing (with love).
You might say merci to the valet and not even realize it.
Whether you’re cosplaying as a French film protagonist or just in need of some damn good duck confit, this is the spot.
🏆 Columbus Eats the Competition
According to USA TODAY’s latest 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, our local food scene isn’t just thriving — it’s nationally ranked.
Here’s how Columbus made the leaderboard:
Budd Dairy Food Hall (#4 food hall nationally) - where else can you get Pokebap, cheesecake, and Modern Southern Table under one historic roof?
Worthington Farmers Market (#5 farmers market) - 100 vendors slinging everything from maple syrup to bison jerky since 1987
Our multicultural food scene continues to outshine cities twice our size. Suck it, Cleveland.
Moral of the story: Columbus is no longer “surprisingly” good at food. We’re just good—period.
Friday, April 25
🎻 American Roots Ensemble Concert @ Swasey Chapel
A foot-stomping blend of folk and Americana from this Denison ensemble. Great acoustics, better vibes.
🎤 Naruto Symphonic Experience @ Palace Theatre
Yes, this is real. An entire orchestra playing the Naruto soundtrack live while scenes from the anime roll. Believe it.
🎨 ‘YOU MADE THAT UP TO SCARE ME’ Opening Reception @ Denison Museum
This exhibit opening blends visual storytelling with myth and memory. Expect a wild mix of truth and trickery.
Saturday, April 26
🥂 Columbus Mimosa Fest @ Genoa Park
Bottomless brunch energy. Mimosas, DJs, food trucks, and sunshine. Good vibes only.
🎬 Columbus International Film & Animation Festival @ Lennox Town Center
The oldest film fest in the U.S. returns. Indie animation, global shorts, and stuff that’ll make you go “whoa.”
🎨 Westerville Art Hop @ Uptown Westerville
Local artists turn the town into an open-air gallery. Shop, stroll, and maybe meet your next favorite painter.
Sunday, April 27
🎭 2025 Short North Gala @ Hilton Columbus Downtown
Celebrate the neighborhood’s movers, shakers, and tastemakers. Fancy fits, food, and fundraising.
🎸 Circa Waves + Friday Pilots Club @ Newport Music Hall
British indie rock meets Midwest alt—this double bill brings the energy and the chaos.
→ Rock out
📚 Storytime w/ John Parra @ Cover to Cover Books
Award-winning author/illustrator reads from his latest book—great for families or illustration nerds.
Monday, April 28
📝 Adult Writing Workshop: Write the World You Want to See @ Thurber Center
Guided prompts, shared stories, and space to imagine better futures through writing.
🍺 Battlefield & Brews @ BrewDog DogTap
Veteran-led storytelling night with pints and purpose. Everyone’s got a story—come listen.
Tuesday, April 29
🎙️ Orla Gartland @ A&R Music Bar
Irish singer-songwriter with raw lyrics and indie charm. First U.S. tour stop—don’t sleep.
→ Be there
📚 Author Talk + Signing w/ Renee Rosen @ Storyline Bookshop
Historical fiction fans, this one’s for you. Chat, Q&A, and signed copies.
✍️ Young Writers’ Studio @ Thurber Center
This one's for your Grades 9–12 kids. Join a squad of teen storytellers and explore your voice through weekly writing challenges led by Frankie Wiley. Just vibes and creativity.
Wednesday, April 30
📽️ Dweezil Zappa: The Rox(Postroph)y Tour @ KEMBA LIVE!
Zappa’s son shreds his way through Frank’s wildest guitar work. If you like prog rock, chaos, and mustaches, it’s a must-see.
🧪 We Grow Scientists @ Waterman Farm (OSU)
A full day of kid-friendly science booths, hands-on STEM demos, and food trucks on a working farm. Perfect for curious minds (and hungry ones).
🎶 Nightly: Live on Tour @ Newport Music Hall
Alt-pop trio Nightly is back in Columbus—and they’re not playing small rooms anymore. With sold-out tours, festival stages, and collabs with names like Imagine Dragons and NF.
Thursday, May 1
🎶 Concert for Humanity @ Schottenstein Center
A night of music and mission. Multiple artists. One big crowd. All supporting humanitarian causes around the globe.
📖 Ekphrastic Writing Workshop w/ Michael J. Rosen @ Vern Riffe Center
Writers of all levels welcome. You’ll create poetry and prose inspired by art exhibits—perfect if your brain needs a creative spark.
👟 Major League Pickleball: Columbus Opener @ Pickle & Chill
Yes, it’s real. Yes, it’s intense. Watch pros battle it out in what might be the most wholesome competitive sport ever televised.
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
POV: You’re vibing at Franklin Park for Earth Day, soaking in the spring blooms… and then you spot her.
Queen Bee. Pollen warrior. Flower hopper. Mid-flight, mid-buzz, mid-iconic moment.
Shoutout to Reddit user nosam15 for catching this crisp spring snap. Between the blurred pink blossoms and that busy little bee doing her 9–5, it’s giving peak Columbus nature core.
Add #ColumbusCuriosity to your photo on Instagram or Reddit for a chance to be featured next week 🐝🌸
That’s a wrap, Columbus.
If you’re touring mansions, dodging marathoners, or debating if cheddar chicken rings are genius or a cry for help—we’re here for it.
Got a tiger-level brave pet? A favorite hidden gem? Hit reply. We’re all ears (and slightly concerned).
Until next time, stay curious, stay chaotic, and maybe don’t challenge any tigers to a duel.
— Nate
Columbus Curiosity
P.S. Forward this to someone who still thinks Columbus is “just a college town.” Then take them to Chouette and watch their jaw drop. 🥖😏