They know how important it is for buildings to have good bones. And the leaders of Exhibit Columbus figure it can be important to have a good funnybone, too.
So next week’s Exhibit Columbus symposium’s opening day on Thursday will close with a three-comic stand-up show at 5:45 p.m. The Commons at 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
The idea? That perhaps there can be a few newcomers to the serious architectural awe locally after a not-so-serious evening at one of the city’s Modernist marvels.
Bloomington comic Mat Alano-Martin, who has been featured on everything from “The Bob and Tom Show” to Sirius XM, sees the event something of that kind of challenge.
“Maybe we can be the gateway to indirectly introduce a few people to some aspects of the local architecture,” Alano-Martin said, speaking by phone. “I think it’s a pretty nice way to blend two creative art forms.”
Organizers are hoping for 200 or more registrants for the conference that the nonprofit Landmark Columbus Foundation organizes every other year. The theme is “Yes And … .” The free gathering “acts as a convener of people and ideas around Columbus and its cultural heritage,” according to promotional material.
Richard McCoy is executive director of the foundation. He has seen the symposium slowly change with the times since it began in 2016 with an estimated 1,000 attendees. Two years ago, more than 400 attended.
“Today, we are less sage on a stage and more of an open invitation to everyone in the state to participate in some way with the best art and architecture program around,” McCoy said. “Eight years ago, in that first(symposium) year, it was heavy on architecture history. But we’ve now published a 500-page book on that.
“So, this presents a new opportunity for us to get even more people involved and to make new connections. … One of the best things about Exhibit Columbus is that it always should be fresh and new.”
Alano-Martin, who has done his share of corporate events in his 16 years in comedy, sees this arrangement as markedly different from that somewhat official environment.
“It’s not at all like everyone’s boss and human resources person will be there at this event,” he said.
Besides him, Cincinnati-based comic Rashika Rashika Jaipuriar, a former journalist, will open the show and Kelly Collette will headline. Collette has been seen on such national and international forums as Dry Bar Comedy and elsewhere. Alano-Martin expects to take a basic approach.
“I’m kind of autobiographical,” he said. “I’ll probably keep things very light and silly. I’m often the butt of my own jokes.”
As different as architecture and comedy might seem to some, there remains one glaring similarity: Refined lines are often celebrated. With Alano-Martin, that includes his banter about his journey into sobriety nearly a decade ago, when food binging on cheeseburgers and the like replaced heavy drinking and he quickly gained 45 pounds — and his regular Denny’s waitress became concerned, unaware of his change.
“I didn’t exactly know how to tell her that this WAS my healthy choice,” he said in one performance.
He concedes that this choice of work is easier than his previous pursuit: a touring manager for regional rock bands.
“There are definite challenges there,” he said of his music biz foray. “Standup is especially nice because you’re responsible only for yourself.”
About the comedy show
Who: Rashika Rashika Jaipuriar, Mat Alano-Martin and Kelly Collette.
When: 5:45 p.m. Thursday.Oct. 24
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in dontown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Information and the remainder of the schedule: exhibitcolumbus.org
About the comedy show
Who: Rashika Rashika Jaipuriar, Mat Alano-Martin and Kelly Collette.
When: 5:45 p.m. Thursday.
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in dontown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Information and the remainder of the schedule: exhibitcolumbus.org
