The Woody’s Place concert series in the Ohio Union offers a cheap, late-night treat for Ohio State students.
The program was created by the Ohio Union Activities Board to bring live music to the university’s under-21 crowd. Manish Lamba, senior co-chair of concerts for OUAB, said the concert division was started by his predecessor, Jim Allison.
“He was looking for a venue for small acts that were popular in Columbus in order to bring them to campus and Woody’s seemed like a logical place. He also wanted easy access for students,” Lamba said.
According to Lamba, the venue was used several times last year for special events and more acts were added during spring quarter. This year, OUAB began booking three acts per week.
To accommodate the increased number of shows, a permanent stage, light and a DJ booth were added. Previously, such equipment had to be rented, said J.P. Potter, a Woody’s Place manager.
Lamba said the money for the renovation came from both a Coca-Cola grant and the Ohio Union.
The OUAB and managers of Woody’s Place have been pleased with the results thus far.
“I’ve actually been pretty satisfied. I think that the more continuous these events are, (the more crowds) they seem to be drawing,” said Abby Hertzfeld, the director of cafe services.
Potter agreed, adding that crowd size is influenced by the popularity of the band. He also said the program is drawing students to the Union at night.
Three nights each week, the concert series breathes life back into the Ohio Union, beginning at 9 p.m. “Pretty much after 9 p.m., the whole Union goes dead unless there is a late-night event or something here at Woody’s,” Potter said.
Every Thursday, Woody’s house band, After Hours – a local Jazz act – entertains students. Potter said the group has been attracting several groups of swing dancers.
Friday nights feature local rock band, House of Heroes, and on Saturday night, show-goers can hear The Argument, as it hits Woody’s with an alternative pop sound.
The student activity fee has allowed OUAB to keep the shows free of charge to OSU students who show their Buck-ID.
This weekend is the last chance for students to take advantage of the Woody’s Place concert series until next quarter. The program will continue winter quarter with a variety of other shows, Lamba said.
To receive more information about the concert series – including the schedule – visit www.ouab.net.
