Columbia SC Weekend Activities 10-8-2010

808 Lady
Gallery 80808/Vista Studios is Breaking the Rules with its latest exhibit. Featuring local and national painters, photographers and other artists, the gallery in the Vista is hosting an opening reception tonight at 6. Art will be displayed all around the main gallery, atrium and hallways from artists including Bob Manown, Charley Adams, Howard Hunt and Bonnie Goldberg. This is the first exhibit in Columbia for photographer Malena Georgieva, a Bulgarian photographer (photo provided by Georgieva). Complimentary wine will be provided. There is no charge to attend. The exhibit closes Sunday.

Ballpark Bash
The Young Leaders Society of the United Way of the Midlands is inviting fellow leaders and the community to kick off its third year and join the party from 6-9 tonight at the new University of South Carolina baseball stadium. Enjoy live music from '80s cover band Mighty McFly, plus food, drinks and a chance to give back. The society will be collecting art supplies for early education programs Vital Connections and Children's Garden, and participants are encouraged to bring crayons, construction paper, nontoxic finger paint and board books. Cost is $15 and tickets can be purchased at the door. For information, call 803-733-5419.

Think on your feet
Watch a little improv comedy as the Art Bar Players take to the stage Friday. The players take audience suggestions and run with them for two hours of gut-busting laughter in three different shows. Throw any kind of idea out there and the seasoned comics will turn it into a scene. Doors open at 8 and the first show starts at 8:30 p.m. The show is the second Friday of every month. There is no charge to attend. Art Bar is at 1211 Park St. in the Vista.

A cat's tale
For a storyline you probably haven't seen before, head to Trustus Theatre to watch an original play by South Carolinian Jon Tuttle. The Sweet Abyss centers on a woman who has lost her longtime companion - her cat. Follow her grief-filled journey, tinged with candor and wit. The play starts Friday and runs until Aug. 22. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $22.50 on Friday and Saturday and $17.50 on Sunday.

Deadly Medicine
A new exhibit at the S.C. State Museum explores the history of the eugenics used by Nazi Germany during World War II. Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race traces the origin of eugenics in the late 19th century to its use by the Nazis to justify the sterilization of hundreds of thousands of Germans. The exhibit includes photographs (pictured), posters and artifacts used by Adolf Hitler to build a "master race." The exhibit is organized by the  U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. It will be open until Feb. 14. Musuem admission is $7 and $3 for kids ages 3-12.

Home Improvement
The 15th annual Redo/Remix Home Improvement Show is coming to the S.C. State Fairgrounds this weekend. Almost 100 exhibitors will be there, and seminars will include green building, window replacement for tax credits and kitchen remodeling. A Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be open at the Cantey building with furniture, appliances and home improvement products. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5; no charge for kids.

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