This week's highlights
Max power
In 1981, way pre-religious controversy, Mel Gibson was in the flow of Australian film talent that started making its way Stateside, as was director George Miller. They've since won Oscars separately — Gibson for Braveheart, Miller for Happy Feet — but back then they did some fine work together on the Mad Max trilogy, and by far the best of the three is The Road Warrior. The movie runs full throttle as Gibson's Max helps a commune of post-apocalypse refugees escape a killer gang with all their precious gasoline intact, leaving a wake of inspiration that covered everything from new-wave fashion to the party-crashing scene in Weird Science. Road Warrior screens this weekend at the Gateway as part of the theater's Midnight Madness series.
—Melissa Starker
What: "The Road Warrior"
When: Midnight, Aug. 29-31
Where: Gateway Theater, Campus
Web: landmarktheatres.com
Four-day feast
A trip to the annual Greek Festival, happening this weekend, comes with an assault of scrumptious food options. There's Greek lasagna and pizza, moussaka, spinach pies and grape leaves, plus a lamb roast and the option of some honey puffs or a baklava sundae for dessert. You'd be hurting if you tried to eat it all in one day, but admission tickets that are good for the four-day run of the fest mean you don't have to, so you can spread your feast out comfortably while enjoying other options: live music, traditional folk dancing and art making.
—Melissa Starker
What: 2008 Greek Festival
When: Friday-Monday, Aug. 29-Sept. 1
Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Short North
Web: greekcathedral.com
Picture day
Feeling some Michael Phelps withdrawal? With the Olympics over and a long Labor Day weekend ahead, you won't get a better opportunity or excuse to catch up with the Ohio Historical Center's blockbuster show, Capture the Moment, before it closes. The largest show of Pulitzer Prize-winning photography ever, Capture the Moment presents each of the 152 photographs to win the prize since its inception, including images frightening (the Kent State massacre), full of hope (the shot of Olympic swimmers, above, from 1985) and full of something else (the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima).
—Melissa Starker
What: "Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs"
When: Through Sept. 14
Where: Ohio Historical Center, North Side
Web: ohiohistory.org
Labor of love
The only thing close to work you should consider doing this holiday weekend is getting over to the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival on Monday. An annual tradition now in its 42nd year, the one-day blind-juried arts festival held in Northam Park showcases nearly 200 fine artists from across the country. Twenty different mediums will be represented — including ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture and wood — so art enthusiasts of all backgrounds will not be disappointed. Keep an eye open for area artists Edward Miller, Barbara Crockett, Stephanie Polk, Michael Rozell, Nancy Backner, Sonja Sheriff, Kristan Early, Anne Holman, Amy Kaye Taylor and Linda Langhorst.
—Nikki Davis
What: Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
Where: Northam Park, Upper Arlington
Web: ua-ohio.net
Flash dance
Dance lovers can get a glimpse of BalletMet's upcoming season this Friday as part of Music in the Air's Rhythm on the River series. Set against the backdrop of the Scioto River and the Downtown skyline, BalletMet dancers will perform highlights from previous seasons in addition to excerpts from the 2008-09 season. Arrive early and watch the dancers warm up prior to the performance.
—Nikki Davis
What: Rhythm on the River
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29
Where: Riverfront Amphitheater, Downtown
Web: musicintheair.org
