Buckeye football in NYC

If you are from Columbus and like me, the thing you probably miss least about our hometown is football Saturdays. Living in the vicinity of the campus area, one had to be sure to plan accordingly so as to not get caught in traffic or, more importantly, a drunken mob. I also made a point of never wearing red on those days, lest I be associated with couch burning and public urination.

With such concerns 500 miles away, it is no doubt much easier to enjoy the thrill of the game, though admittedly aside from last week’s win, the Buckeyes haven’t been too thrilling. Nevertheless, if you long for the camaraderie of other Ohio State fans, you are not alone. The Ohio State Alumni Club of Greater New York has made Tonic Times Square its home base for watching the games each Saturday. While its free to attend, one must make a reservation in advance. Members of the Club are able to reserve up to eight seats beginning on the Sunday before the game, while non-members must wait till Tuesday. For details on making a reservation, click on the game you want to watch on the Alumni Club’s events calendar.

If that much planning ahead is too much for you, Blondies Sports Bar on the upper west side and Manny’s on Second on the east side are also known as preferred spots for Buckeye fans.

Dear Hearts now Walking Boss at Don Pedro tonight


Tonight the two-piece formerly known as Dear Hearts will be making its first live appearance since expanding to a threesome (they added a drummer) and changing their moniker to Walking Boss. The band is led by singer and guitarist Karen Graves, whose name, if not her face, should be familiar to Columbus ex-pats. In addition to playing in Magic City while in Columbus, Graves was a regular contributor to The Other Paper’s music section for many years before moving to New York in 2007.

Rounding out the bill at Don Pedro tonight are Brooklyn trio Party Lights, punky five-piece Family Fun, and Bradley Dean & the Terminals, who will be making their live debut.