Columbia SC Weekend Activities 8-26-2010

Judgment Day Palmetto Boxing's Judgment Day takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at the Township Auditorium. Watch as Palmetto Boxing's hottest middleweight prospect, Chris "The Irish Ghost" Fitzpatrick, puts his 10-0 undefeated record on the line against the undefeated Ronnie Glass (6-0). The event also features other boxers and mixed martial artists. Tickets range from $10.50 to $30.50. Call 803-576-2350 for information.

Art with a heart 701 Center for Contemporary Art, at 701 Whaley, will host the Art with a Heart show this evening from 5:30-8:30 p.m., featuring the work of 20 well-known local artists. Dessert is courtesy of The Melting Pot, and refreshments and live entertainment are included. Tickets are $15 each, or $25 per couple, and a portion of all proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Get tickets at the door or at 803-254-0118.

Latin Festival

The 2010 Main Street Latin Festival will be held in the Columbia City Center at the intersection of Main and Hampton streets on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy salsa, grupera, Latin, pop and reggaeton music while munching on Caribbean, Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican dishes. The kids will have plenty of activities to choose from. Call 803-939-0360 for more information.

Late Night at the Nick The Other Network's Mental Floss presents TV pilots that were too controversial, too idiosyncratic or just too ridiculous for prime-time TV. These fully produced TV shows were never aired, and never seen ... until now. Head to the Nickelodeon Theatre on Friday at 11 p.m. to enjoy these black sheep of the TV viewing world. Call 803-254-8234 more more information.

Mixology – part two The second installment of the bar bash at Momo's Bistro returns on Friday night. Watch the mixologist throw down creative concoctions and libations, and even try your own hand at making a signature drink. Features include a new cocktail and mixed drink menu. Call 803-252-2700 for information.

Art opening Toby Morriss came to Columbia in 2005 to flee the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. A popular instructor in the University of South Carolina Department of Art, Morriss was renowned for his stark images produced almost exclusively in black and white through the silver gelatin process. His life and career were cut short after a hit-and-run accident Feb. 21 at the age of 36. His works will be displayed at SilverYana, beginning Saturday on the 2nd floor of the North Gallery at USC's McKissick Museum.

Celebration of water Grab the kids and head to Riverfront Park on Saturday for a fun-filled day celebrating water. Go swimming and splashing, tubing and canoeing in the Columbia Canal; go on riverfront walks with city of Columbia park rangers; and take fishing lessons courtesy of Pure Fishing and Trout Unlimited. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and the fun won't stop until 2 p.m. There is no charge for admission. Call 803-733-8613 for more information.

One summer night

The S.C. Wildlife Federation is hosting its annual Wild Summer's Nite Auction and Wild Game Feast on Saturday at Tronco's Medallion Center off Garners Ferry Road from 6-10:30 p.m. Nosh on an all-you-can-eat feast of wild game including venison, quail, catfish and duck, as well as chicken and vegetarian dishes. Plus, enjoy sweets and spirits. There will be silent and live auctions, offering a wide variety of items. Tickets are $60 for individuals, $160 for benefactors. Call 803-256-0670 for information.

Heritage festival Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Historic Columbia Foundation will host Jubilee: Festival of Heritage, held at the Mann-Simons Cottage. Enjoy tours of the cottage and bus tours of other black heritage sites. Plus, enjoy art and cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment, chilrden's activities and vendors.

Great big trucks with great big wheels Let the kiddos get an up-close experience with trucks, emergency vehicles and other big machines. Learn all about how these vehicles move, push, pull and haul at Big Wheels, a one-day exhibit at EdVenture children's museum. It's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and is included with museum admission.

Edventure - Correction

Don't get too excited about the big trucks just yet. We mixed up the date, so you'll have to put it on your calendar for Sept. 25. But you can check out a more delicate matter at the EdVenture museum this weekend. Blooming Butterflies will put the miracle of life on display at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday as newly emerged butterflies will be released into their new home in the exhibit. An EdVenture educator will be around to give you the opportunity to ask questions, too. It's $3, in addition to regular admission.

Coming soon: Gamecocks' home opener: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2. The University of South Carolina Gamecocks open their season against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Greek festival: Sept 16-19 at the corner of Sumter and Calhoun streets. Enjoy Columbia's 24th annual Greek Festival. Columbia Blues Festival: Oct. 1-2. The 16th annual festival will be held at Martin Luther King Memorial Park in Five Points. The event begins at noon each day. Third Annual Italian Festival: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 2. Celebrate with the Sons of Italy Lodge 2808 at a fun-filled festival.

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