All This Intimacy: Trustus

Thursday October 6, 2011 - Saturday October 15, 2011

NiA presents a show by Rajiv Joseph! 30 year old Ty has managed to get his ex-girlfriend, his married forty year old neighbor and his eighteen year old student pregnant all in the same week. Ty is a mildly successful poet who, as an artist, should be in tune with the dealings of the human spirit but can't seem to put that knowledge into practice in his real life. Ty boasts intriguing ambiguity: he is charming, of course, to have seduced these three women seemingly without trying and does have genuine feelings for all three, but he proves himself less-than-savory in how he deals with the situation he has put them all in. He has a sense of entitlement that only he himself understands. This play successfully examines relationships between both friends and lovers and tries to dissect how lust can be an enemy to both. Shows Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 PM. All tickets for this show will be $15.00.
PRESENTED BY NiA, A play by Rajiv Joseph, Directed by Heather McCue. Trustus Blackbox website for details.

29th Annual Gaston Collard & Barbeque Festival

Friday October 7, 2011 - Saturday October 8, 2011

Come join us and enjoy the festivities. On Friday October 7th will be having an Auction at 7 pm., free rides for the kids and the Barbeque Competition. On Saturday October 8th will be the Festival’s Parade at 10 am., after the parade will begin the Live Entertainment at the outdoor stage and in the auditorium, more free rides for the kids, an Antique Car and Tractor display, Karaoke, the award ceremony for the parade and the Barbeque Competition winners and much more. And of course lets not forget the Collard and Barbeque plates will be available in the kitchen on Saturday from 11:30 until……. Details at Gaston Festival website.

Through Fiery Trials: Religion in the Civil War | South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum

Friday October 7, 2011 - May 12, 2011

An estimated 3,694 Union and Confederate chaplains served during the Civil War with an estimated 150,000 Confederate conversions or baptisms during the war and a similar number of revivals on the Union side. “Through Fiery Trials” will examine the experiences of chaplains, soldiers and citizens while challenging guests to assess the similarities in the role that religion played for both Northerners and Southerners during the War. The exhibit will highlight Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths and feature rare religious objects owned by some of the most storied figures from the war. Among the exhibit’s items are bibles that belonged to generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, a crucifix carried into battle by general George Pickett of the famous Pickett’s charge, a Jewish sweet meat bowl and a soldier’s bible that was struck by a bullet and has the resulting hole through it and much more. Visit the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum's website for more information.

Columbia Welcomes A New Comedy Club: The Comedy Zone!

Friday Nights

The Comedy Zone comes to Columbia, South Carolina! The largest comedy club network in America, each show features two great comedians touring the Southeast. Now we'll be able to enjoy top tier comedy acts too... and this Friday night, October 7, you'll be rolling with the comedy of Jamie Morgan and Ron Feingold. Two shows - 8pm and 10pm. For details, visit The Comedy Zone on the web.

SC Festival of Dance: Koger Center for the Arts

Friday October 7, 2011 - Saturday October 8, 2011

The University of SC Dance Program invites you to join the best dance groups in the state as part of the first annual SC Festival of Dance! Created to highlight the quality and diversity of the dance arts in SC, from classical to contemporary to cultural dance, the SC Festival of Dance features two incredible nights of dance performance at the world-class Koger Center for the Arts. On Friday, October 7, see some of the state's most accomplished professional dance companies as we present SC Dances! Participating professional companies include:

§ Carolina Ballet Theatre

§ Revolve Aerial Dance

§ Columbia Classical Ballet

§ Columbia City Ballet Unbound

§ DanceFX

§ The Power Company

§ Vibrations Dance Company

Then on Saturday, experience the SC Dance Festival Showcase, dedicated to the best of SC's non-professional troupes. Visit the SC Festival Dance webpage for info.

Amusement Park Science: EdVenture Children's Museum

Now through January 8, 2012

Just in time for the State Fair! Discover the physics behind the fun at amusement parks when you explore, Amusement Park Science October 1, 2011 through January 8, 2012. Experience the stomach-turning effects of a simulated rollercoaster ride on a 30” video monitor, spin on a rotating platform while learning about the “Conservation of Angular Momentum” and feel the action and reaction of a bumper car ride! This fascinating interactive exhibit will have your head spinning! Visit the EdVenture website for all the information!

Guided Walking Tour of Hollywood / Rose Hill: Second Sunday Strolls | Historic Columbia Foundation

Sunday October 9, 2011

Explore Columbia and discover the rich history found in her historic downtown neighborhoods. Bordered on the south by Rosewood, the north by Wales Garden and Wheeler Hill, the east by Shandon, and the west by the University of South Carolina athletic fields, the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood today is noted for its architectural heritage, the diversity and involvement of its residents, and its proximity to downtown attractions. Guided walking tour. Click to learn the details at the Historic Columbia Foundation website.

Passport to Art: Into the Mist | Columbia Museum of Art

Sunday October 9, 2011

This is your passport to fun! Using a palette of grays, create a moody, misty atmospheric work of art with pastels on paper. Travel through the world of Venice at night during a self directed family tour of Michael Kenna: Venezia. The FREE monthly open studio program for families features creative and theme inspired hands-on art projects followed by self-guided tours of the Museum. 12:00 - 3:00pm. Visit the Columbia Museum of Art for more info.

Maxcy Gregg Park Centennial

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Maxcy Gregg Park Centennial will be celebrated with an "Afternoon in the Park" from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Exhibits and demonstrations will be held throughout the afternoon and will include history, the new rain garden features in the park, Community Flower Gardens, Capital Senior Center’s Tai Chi and Qi Gong demonstrations and more. The Capital City Big Band, the Logan Elementary School Steel Drum Band and the Benedict College Concert Choir are scheduled to perform. Food and drinks will be available. For more information, visit the City Councilwoman Belinda Gergel's website.

The 701 CCA South Carolina Biennial 2011

Now through December 2011

701 Center for Contemporary Art in Columbia, S.C., announces the inaugural 701 CCA South Carolina Biennial 2011, which will take place in two parts from October – December, 2011. The exhibition will present 23 artists and one artist team of two from South Carolina currently producing some of the most exciting contemporary art in the state. Artists living in South Carolina were eligible for the South Carolina Biennial 2011. The invited artists live across the state. Their ages range from the mid-20s to mid-70s. Eight are South Carolina natives, twelve were born elsewhere in the United States, and five were born abroad. The artists’ work presents a wide range of media, from painting, drawing, collage, photo transfer, prints, sculpture and crafts to installation, performance and more. Learn more at the 701 CCA website.

Wine Dinner: Mint Julep Bistro & Lounge

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 • 7:00

I attended the first of Mint Julep's Wine Dinner Series, and it was delicious, educational and fun! If you have never been to a wine dinner, the idea is to try wines that are paired with certain foods, matched to bring out the special flavors of both. A wine company rep is present to enlighten the dining group about the wines and to answer questions. Next week they'll be hosting Dinner #2 where diners will get to try 4 different wines as well as an intriguing menu including poached pear on baby greens with toasted almonds, feta cheese, cranberry vinaigrette, wild mushroom bisque, braised short ribs with cuisson reduction, potato croquettes, wilted spinach, shaved zucchini salad and a peach panna cotta for dessert. Hungry? Space is limited so call for a reservation.
(803)419-7200
$30 per person $50 per couple
Visit Mint Julep's website for location info.

South Carolina State Fair: Fairgrounds

Wednesday October 12, 2011 - Sunday October 23, 2011

There is a whole lot more to The Fair than corndogs, elephant ears and boiled peanuts! Watch 3 top Columbia-area chefs battle it out in an event similar to Iron Chef... watch and hear top local talent in America's largest country music talent search... meet NASCAR legends, some with their race cars... and a special celebration of the City of Columbia's 225th Birthday with a display of our Capital City's historic past and bright future. That and tons more! Check out their very cool website!

Registration for Group Therapy's Chili Cook-Off Now Open!

The Chili Cookoff is an annual charity event which donates to a number of charities. It's a production of Group Therapy in Five Points and will be held on Saturday, October 22. This year's charities are Columbia's own CAMP KEMO (a program run by Palmetto Health), and The Disabilities Board Of Charleston County. Each year the event becomes larger than the previous year and in the heart of it all are the incredible chefs and cooks who donate their time, ingredients, recipes and talent. Please help the residents of our city and if you decide to participate, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

So get ready to cook your favorite chili recipe! Here are the categories (cool prizes to be awarded!)

§ People's Choice

§ Overall Best Chili 1st, 2nd, 3rd

§ Best Vegetarian

§ Best Exotic

§ Best Bar/Restaurant

§ Best Edible Hot Chili

§ Overall Best Set-up

§ Best American Hero's Chili (SC Fire House, Police, US Armed Forces)

Register online!

Fabulous Ongoing Events, Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

This Weekend! Giant Yard Sale: St. Paul's

Saturday October 8, 2011

St. Paul's Child Care Ministry's annual yard sale is a dream-come-true for bargain hunters! From furniture to frocks, this is shopping fun at its best. Get there early for the best deals - opens at 8am on the 8th!

NFL Sunday Ticket in HD at Dano's Pizzeria $2 Pints All Day

Sundays

A great place to hang out with good friends, good food and football! Dano's Pizzeria on Rosewood has a menu loaded with favorites like hand-tossed pizza and overloaded subs and new offerings like Caprese Salad and Tuscan Chicken Sandwich! WHAT A DEAL - $2 Bud and Bud Light Pints - ALL DAY!

Visit Dano's website for info!

Oktoberfest Lake Cruise: Spirit of Lake Murray
Saturday October 29, 2011

Hearty German cuisine is the main attraction on this special dinner cruise aboard Lake Murray's only dinner-cruise yacht, the beautiful Spirit of Lake Murray! The menu includes Cucumber Salad, Sauerbraten-Roast Beef, Mustard Pork Chops, Boiled Potatoes, German Style Green Beans and Quark Pudding for dessert! A cash bar will allow diners to treat themselves to their favorite beer, wine or cocktail. Cruise the lake for 2.5 hours and enjoy a lovely sunset, see the moon and stars reflect in the water and feel a refreshing breeze! You're going to love it! Visit the Spirit of Lake Murray website for details.

Parents' Night Out
Every Friday Night

Bring your children to Lake Murray Gymnastics for a great evening of fun they'll be talking about for weeks - while you enjoy some "me" time. Parents' Night Out is held every Friday evening at our brand new, state of the art, 10,000sq ft. gymnastics training center in Irmo. Along with supervised activities on our equipment, including trampoline, kids will build confidence and meet new friends. We have been teaching gymnastics in the Columbia area since 2005.
For more information, visit the Lake Murray Gymnastics website.

Game Night! Toys and Games Etc

Fridays and Tuesdays

Do you buy your kids games to play, only to have them play them once and never again? Put those days behind you and try before you buy! Toys and Games Etc., located at 264-G Harbison Blvd. behind the Olive Garden, hosts Game Night twice a week. Featuring over 200 open games that you and your family can play! Free! Just show up from 6pm - 9pm and start playing!

Fridays: 6 yrs of age & up
Tuesdays: 14 yrs of age & up

Toys and Games Etc.
264-G Harbison Blvd.
803-732-3242

Save the Date! 4th Annual Italian Festival & Bocce Tournament
Saturday October 22, 2011

Italians love to have a good time... and you can join them for one of Columbia's best outdoor parties! From 10am - 10pm on Main Street in downtown Columbia, you'll be treated to delicious Italian foods like their signature pepperoni rolls, pizza and dolce (out-of-this-world pastries), gelato... an Italian Fresh Market, learn about Italian-American culture, delight in this year's main attraction - Ray Massa's EURORHYTHMS, the best Italian-American band in the USA! Participate in a bocce tournament, learn to dance the Tarantella, let your kids play games, listen to stories, and stomp grapes! Your entire family will love this really great event, hosted by the Bella Italia Lodge 2808. Visit the Italian Festival website for details and mark this one on your calendar!

Save the Date! Lexington Oktoberfest!
Saturday October 22, 2011

Lexington's Oktoberfest is sure to have something for everyone. Admission is FREE! Visit the "German Village" from noon to 5pm where you will find arts and craft vendors, free giveaways, and activities for the little ones, like "bouncy castles" , face painting, crafts, balloons and more! Local businesses will be providing an eclectic mix of activities, giveaways and services for the whole family to enjoy! At the center of it all will be the "Oompah Tent" with authentic German food, German beer & live German music from noon until 10pm. After 5pm Oktoberfest is going to be joined by it's good friend Rocktoberfest, brought to you by Main Street Cafe of Lexington! Several bands will be playing live on an outdoor stage. Details online at the Lexington Oktoberfest website.