TI coming to town

I've never figured out why the Columbus Civic Center is so scared of rap acts.

I mean since it opened in 1996, I can count on the fingers of one hand all of the rap/hip hop concerts at the Civic Center.

So I was really glad that Columbus promoter Mike Blackwell is bringing TI, Yung Joc and DK to town.

The concert is scheduled for Nov. 3, right after the Fountain City Classic. Mike says there are usually 15,000 fans at the football game, so if a fraction of those folks go to the concert, along with people who just like the rappers and not football go, it should be a sell-out.

Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 5.

"I've got a good feeling about this," Mike told me. He's got a signed contract in his hand and got the OK from Calvin Smyre, who's one of the most important people of the Fountain City Classic's top folks.

Barring anything controversial coming out of this concert, including unruly fans and the like, maybe the Civic Center will be more amenable to getting more young (and popular among fans) African American acts on the schedule.

And don't forget that tickets to the Mo'Nique show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. She'll be bringing her "fluffy" girl act with fellow comedian George Wilborn at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Bill Heard Theatre. Tickets are $26-$39. Call 706-256-3612.