Top 5: Editors' Picks for the Best of Columbus This Month

Sept. 3

After a summer of touring with his son, Chicago singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy will rejoin his Wilco bandmates for the group's first live show of 2014 at the LC Pavilion. The six-piece hasn't dropped a new album since 2011's The Whole Love, so the set list is anyone's guess. Want to hear something specific? Visit the band's website to request a song from a list of more than 200 originals and covers. wilcoworld.net -Anthony Dominic

Sept. 13

Since 1989, patrons of the AIDS Resource Center Ohio have been getting together once every other year for a glitzy night of food, drink, music and-most of all-art. The biennial event at the Ohio History Center has raised $2 million that has paid for medical care, HIV screening and counseling, public education, pharmacy services and much more. Rarely has it been more fun to raise money for a worthy cause. A ticket to Art for Life gives you admission to a live auction that includes work by prominent Columbus artists Dennison Griffith, Ann Hamilton and Aminah Robinson, as well as celebrated new-guard artists Laura Alexander, Stephanie Rond and Adam Brouillette. A silent auction includes dozens more pieces, including one by Wallace Peck, who is profiled in this issue. artforlifecolumbus.org -Kristen Schmidt

Sept. 17

Nationwide Children's Hospital has been throwing Columbus' biggest pizza party for 25 years. For $15 ($12 in advance), attendees can sample slices from 20 pizza shops, including local favorites Mikey's Late Night Slice, Adriatico's and Sparano's. The family-friendly event, which will be held at Columbus Commons and benefits pediatric research at Nationwide Children's, will also feature craft beer and wine, live music by local band The Bug Hounds and children's activities. giving.nationwidechildrens.org -Emily Thompson

Sept. 19 to 21

Columbus' annual celebration of all things independent garnered a good deal of buzz earlier this year when it was announced the event would move to Franklinton from its previous home on Gay Street. "We were on Gay Street for six years, and we've seen a lot of growth in that area and were excited to see people get familiar with Downtown," says Shea Scott, Independents' Day captain. "Now we're excited to show off Franklinton and all the cool stuff going on over there." The neighborhood switch-up hails some obvious changes-the presence of arts haven 400 West Rich will have a substantial impact on the festival's arts programming, Scott says-but the overall vibe will remain the same. Friday's focus will be highlighting the businesses in the neighborhood, while Saturday will feature the bulk of the 40 bands performing throughout the weekend. Sunday's offerings will include crafters and a paper-airplane competition. thisisindependent.com -Jenny Rogers

Sept. 21

Don't fret when Ohio State's football team has a bye week this month. There will still be plenty of Buckeyes-themed fun during the second annual Ohio State Four-Miler. Starting outside Ohio Stadium, 12,000 runners and walkers will complete the 4-mile course that winds through campus. Ohio State cheerleaders, former athletes, including Scoonie Penn and Dimitrious Stanley, and even Brutus Buckeye will also be racing. Spectators can cheer from the south stands and attend a post-race tailgate party, featuring food vendors, music, a kid-friendly obstacle course and raffles. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research. ohiostatefourmiler.com -Michelle Sullivan