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Paisha Thomas

Paisha Thomas is an American singer/songwriter who commands attention from the moment she takes the stage. Equally at home singing Soul, Gospel, R&B, she creates music about love, self-discovery, and the condition of the world.

Paisha released her first album in 2016, which drew immediate praise from critics and fans alike, and she frequently collaborates with Counterfeit Madison, Scott Woods (Holler & Streetlight Guild), and many others on a variety of engaging projects, including the ongoing “Say it Loud Columbus”, featuring compelling original protest music.

A descendant of the Randolph Freed People - a group of 383 freed slaves who traveled by foot from Roanoke, Virginia to their promised land in Ohio in 1846 only to be met by violent white mobs. Their land was seized and sold from under them – they scattered throughout Ohio. Paisha's music preserves not only her family history but sings to the current social and racial injustices in our country.

Paisha's performances seek to inform and inspire. To ask the question - When will we overcome? And present a call to action to the audience, bringing them into the movement.

In response to ongoing police violence in 2020, Paisha organized a collective of musicians to perform at protests around central Ohio – Say it Loud Columbus. The performers not only appeared on street corners, at vigils and in front of the Statehouse, they also recorded and released an album of original songs – Music for the Movement Vol.1.

Paisha uses music to educate, heal and unite. Her songs capture both the struggle and pride of being Black in America.
Paisha Thomas and the Soul Strings Band guide the audience on a music history journey of Black people’s contributions to Americana music.

$30

(LLI Week 3) Sandra K-Horn – Undercover: Becoming Street Smart in Central Ohio

Sandra K-Horn’s book, Undercover: Becoming Street Smart in Central Ohio, is the chilling biography of two undercover officers' journeys from rookie cop to undercover officer. Mike Powell and Shawn Bain started their careers in the lower echelon of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. They worked their way from beat cop to undercover drug enforcement. Powell commanded a nine-county bust operation that included a motorcycle gang and a web of traffickers and led to breaking up a conspiracy of Cuban Nationals. He assisted in bringing to justice individuals contributing to the operation of the Mexican Cartel that worked a network between New York, Columbus, Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles.

K-Horn will discuss Undercover and the five years during which she interviewed Powell and Bain to amass information for her book. She will be joined by Sargent Mike Powell (ret), who will answer questions about his time in the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and his work with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

$15

Stephanie Rond – Spacewalkers (Guided Gallery Tour)

Join exhibiting artist, Stephanie Rond, in an informative and in-depth tour of her exhibition, Spacewalkers, at the McConnell Arts Center. This will be an opportunity for patrons to be in conversation with the artist about the work as they tour the exhibition.

John Singer Sargent: Fashion & Swagger (Exhibition on Screen)

Step into the glittering world of fashion, scandal, and shameless self-promotion that made John Singer Sargent the painter who defined an era.

John Singer Sargent is known as the greatest portrait artist of his era. What made his ‘swagger’ portraits remarkable was his power over his sitters, what they wore and how they were presented to the audience. Through interviews with curators, contemporary fashionistas and style influencers, Exhibition on Screen’s film will examine how Sargent’s unique practice has influenced modern art, culture and fashion.

Filmed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Tate Britain, London, the exhibition reveals Sargent’s power to express distinctive personalities, power dynamics and gender identities during this fascinating period of cultural reinvention. Alongside 50 paintings by Sargent sit stunning items of clothing and accessories worn by his subjects, drawing the audience into the artist’s studio. Sargent’s sitters were often wealthy, their clothes costly, but what happens when you turn yourself over to the hands of a great artist? The manufacture of public identity is as controversial and contested today as it was at the turn of the 20th century, but somehow Sargent’s work transcends the social noise and captures an alluring truth with each brush stroke.

Edmar Castañeda (Cultural Connections)

Upon arriving in the United States in 1994, Colombian-born Edmar Castañeda has made a name for himself as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso. Castañeda brings forth a brilliance that beautifully merges the jazz tradition with a diverse set of styles and genres while bringing unbridled attention to a somewhat unfamiliar instrument: the harp. Singlehandedly, Castañeda has cemented the harp’s place in jazz with innovative technique and heartfelt creativity from a wealth of formidable collaborations with music titans such as Wynyton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ricki Lee Jones, Hiromi, Pedrito Martinez, Marcus Miller, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ivan Lins, The Yellowjackets, Paco De Lucia, and Paquito D’Rivera....

$10 – $30

(LLI Week 4) Brent Davis & Rich Baker – On & On: The History of Bluegrass Music in Columbus

For decades, Central Ohio was a popular destination for Appalachian residents searching for good paying jobs. Arriving from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Virginias, they brought not only their families but also their love of mountain string music. After working all week in the factories on Columbus's southside, they would relax with food, drink, camaraderie, and the music they loved from back in the hills of home. Join Brent Davis and Rich Baker as they discuss how this traditional American music helped shape the culture of Columbus.

Peter and the Wolf (Worthington Chamber Orchestra with Hixon Dance)

WCO’s Education and Family Series kicks off with a magical retelling of Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved Peter and the Wolf. This timeless musical tale introduces young audiences to the instruments of the orchestra as they follow Peter’s brave adventure in the forest. The captivating choreography by Sarah Hixon of Hixon Dance brings each character to life with vibrant movement, making this a feast for the eyes and ears. Perfect for families, this program offers an engaging way to introduce children to classical music and the joy of storytelling through sound and dance.

$10 – $15

(LLI Week 5) Todd Kleismit – Celebrating Ohio at the Nation’s 250th

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Along with the National Semiquincentennial Commission established by Congress, each state has been charged with forming a commission to design a celebration that reflects its unique character and contributions to the nation over the last 250+ years. The America 250-Ohio Commission is leading Ohio's efforts to commemorate this significant milestone and is rolling out numerous programs, activities, and events now through 2026. Programs include the 4th Grade History Pass, Trails & Tales statewide driving tours, America 250-Ohio Communities, Ohio Goes to the Movies, monthly celebration themes for 2026, and many more! Come learn how you, your community, employer, neighborhood, and family can get involved.

$15

Jim & Susie Malcolm

For the past 30 years and more, Jim Malcolm has been the ultimate Scots troubadour, taking the traditional songs of Scotland and his own prizewinning compositions to all corners of the UK and around almost every state in the USA. His voice is one of the finest in Scotland, and his mellifluous guitar playing is the perfect accompaniment. He plays mouthorgan to a standard you’ll rarely hear. In recent years his wife Susie has flown the empty nest to join him in concert. An award-winning traditional singer herself, Susie sings songs from the North East of Scotland and has a penchant for ancient ballads. They have three CDs as a duo and together they offer a concert of harmonies and humour - tales from the road, the riverside and from the home front, and are not to be missed.

$10 – $30

Lonesome River Band and The Ramblin’ Bluegrass Ensemble

Few bluegrass groups have been around for forty years, and even fewer have been more popular, more widely admired, or more influential for as long as Mountain Home Music Company recording artists Lonesome River Band. | The Ramblin’ Bluegrass Ensemble is a super-group of roots-based musicians pulled from active central Ohio bands. | Join us for a pair of talented bands as they serve up exciting and authentic Appalachian music!

$10 – $25

(LLI Week 6) Sheri Maria Morgan – Raqs Al Assaya: Folkloric Dance of Upper Egypt

Raqs al Assaya (“dance of the cane/stick” in Arabic), is an Egyptian folkloric dance that originated from the popular stick game, which is still played in some parts of Egypt, such as the Delta region, Western cities, and Upper Egypt, under the name of “Tahtib” folk game. Maria will walk us through the history of the dance, from ancient Egypt through its gain in popularity in Egypt and then how the dance won international renown. She will demonstrate some dance moves, present video examples the dance, and explain its unique movements, recognizable music, distinct instrumentation, and specific costuming.

Jake & Liz Vasiloff with Dr. V’s Generations Band

Special Olympians, Jake & Liz, invite you to a special concert of singing and dancing to raise money for Upper Arlington Special Olympics (UASO)

The full price of all tickets sales go directly to UASO!

The music is acoustic folk-rock provided by Dr V’s Generations band. In addition to the band, special guests include  Erin Helgeson Torres, flute, Megan Wetzel, violin,  Worthington Center for the Arts Director Kimberlee Goodwin, flute, and dancers Chelsea Wintzer and Rebecca Walker!
Dr. V’s Generations Band includes:
Jeff Vasiloff, vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo.
Jake Vasiloff, drums, percussion, and vocals.
Stan Smith, guitar.
Paul Weiss, piano and vocals.
Pete Cary, guitar and vocal.

$15
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