Happy Hour History Tour: Main Street Downtown Columbia

Friday, May 27, 2011

Columbia’s Main Street boasts architectural styles spanning three centuries that speak to the tastes, interests, and aspirations of persons living and working in South Carolina’s second state capital. This guided tour offers insight into the history of Columbia focusing on the progress seen through the life of its Main Street and downtown corridor. Participants will stop at local historic sites and receive two free beverages and appetizers along the way. Meet at the South Carolina State House. For more info, visit the Historic Columbia Foundation website.

Much Ado About Nothing: Saluda Shoals Park

Friday, May 27, 2011 - Sunday, May 29, 2011

Beatrice and Benedick are jaded, quick-witted, hot-tempered, irresistibly charming torchbearers for the single life. In the pantheon of famous characters, two of Shakespeare's most memorable. Their battle of wits will keep you entertained throughout this hilarious comedy. The plot is driven by the kinds of misunderstandings, mistaken identities, twists, turns and jokes that are perfect for stage comedy, especially in this outdoor venue. Join the South Carolina Shakespeare Company for an evening of excitement and hilarious action in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. More information at SC Shakespeare Company's website.

Support Our Troops!: Dutch Square Mall Food Court

Friday May 27, 2011 - Saturday May 28, 2011

Support Our Troops Memorial Weekend!
For the 6th year Operation Thank You will be in the Food Court at Dutch Square Center Friday & Saturday, May 27 & 28 9am-6pm. More than ever, our troops need to know that we still support them! A great way to show your support is to write a few sentences on a specially designed and professionally printed thank you or get well card for our troops. More info at Dutch Square Mall.

UniverSoul Circus: Benedict College Stadium

Friday May 27, 2011 - Monday May 30, 2011
The UniverSoul Circus line up for 2011 will flat out blow you away. New acts include, The Mighty Shaolin Warriors, showcasing wicked combinations of Kung fu mastery and untold feats of brute strength. The beautiful and enchanting Rahel of Ethiopia will twist and turn her way into our hearts with a cutting edge presentation of contortion we like to call Pretty Girl Rocks. If that’s not enough we traveled all the way to Dalian, China to unearth Modern Biker Girls, a group of amazing young ladies who will put any extreme biker to shame with their amazing two-wheel, non-motorized, dexterity. And we’ve brought new meaning to the Russian Swing Act, armed with an acrobatic attitude and a whole lotta rhythm as they swing themselves into the upper echelons of our big top. Details at the UniverSoul Circus website.

River Rocks Festival: Riverfront Park

Saturday May 28, 2011

Bring the entire family to Riverfront Park on May 28 for a fun-filled day of boat races, children’s activities, and music. The first ever River Rocks Festival benefits Congaree Riverkeeper,
a non-profit organization that works to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and recreation on the Congaree, Lower Broad and Lower Saluda Rivers in the Midlands. The fun begins at 8 am with the River Rocks Run along the three-mile Columbia Canal path. Boat racing events begin at noon as does the musicwith the J’Ouvert Steel Band and runs all day and into the evening. Other
performers are Treadmill Trackstar, Danielle Howle, Wanda Jackson, Whiskey Tango Review, The Project and The Papa String Band, featured performers Acoustic Syndicate takes the stage at 7 pm. To register for races or to buy advance tickets,
visit the River Rocks Festival website.

Aladdin: Columbia Marionette Theatre

Saturday May 28, 2011

CMT brings an enchanting tale to the marionette stage in its latest production, Aladdin. Follow Aladdin's journey through an Arabian setting of palaces and mysterious caves as he matches wits with a power-hungry sorcerer. Watch the magic unravel as our clever hero teams up with a powerful genie and a captivating princess along the way. With a variety of shadow puppets and hand-carved marionettes this epic adventure comes to life! Performances every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the third Monday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $5 each and are available online or at the door. Columbia Marionette Theatre.

Bluegrass at the Haynes: Batesburg Leesville

Saturday May 28, 2011

Join us on the 4th Saturday of the month at the historic Haynes Auditorium in Leesville, South Carolina for some of the best bluegrass music in the South Carolina midlands. Appearing this Saturday is Darlene and Bluegrass Reflections and Red White and Bluegrass. More info. The doors open at 6:30, and the concerts begin at 7:00pm. Admission is $5.00.

Sample Sailing: Lanier Sailing Academy

Saturday May 28, 2011 - Monday May 30, 2011

Lanier Sailing Academy is offering a Let's Go Sailing event for a special price of $25 per person. For this special holiday evens, boats leave the dock at 9:30, 12:00, 2:30, and 5:00. Our Let's Go Sailing cruises are 2 hour skippered sails where you can sit back and relax or help sail the boat and learn about sailing if you choose. Please call (803) 317 9070 for more information or to schedule your cruise.

Opera Thursday: Palmetto Opera at Villa Tronco

Thursday June 2, 2011

Opera Thursday
If you've wanted to try opera but have been wary of committing to a full-fledged production, Opera Thursday can be a good introduction. Through a partnership with area restaurants and The Palmetto Opera, this series offers a sampling of opera during dinner. Singers will perform arias from wellknown operas during dinner hours. This Thursday, Palmetto Opera will perform at Villa Tronco in downtown Columbia. More info. Call (803) 256-7677 for dinner reservations.

Outdoor Concerts: Multiple Locations

Enjoy an outdoor concert this week at the following: Saturday May 28, Rhythm on the River at the West Columbia Riverwalk, featuring Garcia and Scott; Vista After Five on Thursday June 2 with the Finesse Band - Free Shag Lessons with JoJo in the Groove Shack (Held in the parking lot behind 800 Gervais Street).

Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

Jewtopia: Trustus Theatre

Last Weekend!!! Friday May 6 - May 28, 2011
Get ready for 2 hours of non-stop laughter! Jewtopia, the longest running comedy in both Off-Broadway and Los Angeles history is finally coming to Columbia! Jewtopia tells the story of two 30 year old single men, Chris O’Connell and Adam Lipschitz. Chris, a gentile, wants to marry a Jewish girl so he’ll never have to make another decision. Adam Lipschitz, a Jew, wants to marry a Jewish girl to please his family, but can’t get a date to save his life. Shows: Thursdays through Sundays only. (Please Note: there will not be a show on Sunday May 8th.) Details.

The Drowsy Chaperone: Town Theatre

Last Weekend!!! May 6 - May 28, 2011
Town Theatre proudly presents the South Carolina Premiere of this 5-time Tony Award winning musical-within-a-comedy. Crammed full of every theatrical character type, cliché, gag and gimmick with plenty of singing and dancing to boot, you’re certain to be entertained by “the show” and “the show-within-a-show.” May 6 – 28, 2011 Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00 PM Sunday matinees (May 15 and 22) at 3:00 PM (Please note: there is no performance on Mothers’ Day) TICKETS: Adults $20; Senior 65+/Active Military/College $17; Youth (17 and under) $12 More Info.

Hairspray: Workshop Theatre

Friday May 20, 2011 - Saturday June 4, 2011

Loveable plus-size heroine Tracy Turnblad has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, The Corny Collins Show. Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair? Find out! Workshop Theatre website.

Music at Sandhill: Village at Sandhill

Every Friday, Beginning June 3 for 14 weeks!
Village at Sandhill is pleased to once again provide the setting for some of South Carolina’s finest musicians with its 6th Annual Summer Concert Series, which kicks off Friday, June 3 in Town Center Commons. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. every Friday night throughout the summer , the fourteen-week “Music at Sandhill, presented by Michelob Ultra” series will feature live music from a variety of different genre’s: from Beach to Country to Rock ‘n Roll. Also new to this year’s events are a variety of family-friendly games and contests. Village at Sandhill events.

Columbia Community Cash

REGISTER TODAY! COMING IN JUNE! SAVE AND EARN!
$25 cash voucher to join! 50-90% savings! Earn on
cash back rewards program! Weekly and/or monthly drawings for cash,
vacation, and new car! Contests and prizes! Clubs, organizations, and
churches earn income on their members purchases(use dropdown on
website registration)! Shop and save with local merchants and help them
survive! Check website for merchant, partner, and employment information!

Summer Camps: Hammond School

With numerous programs available, there is something for all ages and interests. Programs range from sports, academics, and arts to more unusual offerings, such as fly fishing, ballroom dancing, and little man boot camp. We take summer fun seriously, which means our camp counselors, faculty, and coaches are teaming up to provide students and adults throughout the community with the best experience possible. Hammond’s outstanding facilities provide the perfect setting for a great summer experience. Sign up now... space is limited and goes quickly! More info.

Camp Invention is Coming to Columbia This Summer!

A WEEKLONG SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES ONE THROUGH SIX

The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun! A day at the Camp Invention program is packed with hands-on activities, brainstorming, experimentation, and unbelievable action! Three week-long camps will be held in June at 3 different Columbia-area locations. Visit the Camp Invention website for details.

Summer Camps: The Little Gym

Our Anytime, Summertime Camps offer hours of fun and activity. The specially developed camp curriculum is designed around themes such as “Fantasy Castle” or “Wild West” and combines physical fitness, gymnastics and play with arts and crafts and special events. Camps are for children ages 3-8 years old and are available Monday through Friday for 3 hours each day. Choose the days and weeks that fit your schedule or purchase a 5, 10 or 20 day flex pass and use them for when it works best for you! It’s the perfect break for kids – and parents – during the long summer months. Camps are available to both The Little Gym members and non-members. Two locations: Forest Acres and Lexington. More info at The Little Gym website.

Lexington Community Cash

REGISTER TODAY! COMING IN JUNE! SAVE AND EARN!
$25 cash voucher to join! 50-90% savings! Earn on
cash back rewards program! Weekly and/or monthly drawings for cash,
vacation, and new car! Contests and prizes! Clubs, organizations, and
churches earn income on their members purchases(use dropdown on
website registration)! Shop and save with local merchants and help them
survive! Check website for merchant, partner, and employment information!

The Princess and The Pea: Columbia Children's Theatre

June 10, 2011 - July 28, 2011
Join CCT's vagabond band of actors as they present the Hans Christian Andersen story like you've never seen before! Told in the commedia dell’arte style of last season's wildly popular "Pinocchio," Columbine, Arlequino, Punchin, Rosetta, and Pantalone are back with physical humor and witty banter that breathe new life and energy into this classic tale.Visit the Columbia Children's Theatre website for details.

Lake Murray History Cruise: Spirit of Lake Murray

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon out on sparkling Lake Murray, learn the history of the lake and its surroundings, and enjoy lunch! a 2.5 hour tour, lunch and lots of fun for just $35 adults and $19 for kids under 12. More information.

Five Points Carnival of Savings: Five Points

Saturday June 11, 2011 11AM - 3PM

On Saturday June 11, 2011 from 11am - 3pm the Five Points Association is hosting a unique summer event for people of all ages to celebrate the daytime life of Five Points. Although designed specifically to attract families with children, the event is a glorified sidewalk sale that reaches out to all those who love shopping in Five Points. The intention is to provide free fun while helping to boost summer sales for the independent retail merchants. From enjoyable activities on the streets to carnival games inside merchants' stores, the day will be full of summer joy. Five Points Association website.