South Carolina Peanut Party: Pelion

Friday Aug. 12- Saturday Aug. 13, 2011

Join the folks in Pelion as they celebrate 30 years of partyin' with the peanut and 100 years of great small town living in the Town of Pelion! The weekend kicks off Thursday night with an outdoor dance in the Smoak House Restaurant parking lot, featuring the Al G's Roadhouse Band (7pm - 11pm). Festivities escalate on Friday for the 5 pm Blessing of the Pots (wherein the peanuts shall be boiled!), carnival rides, concessions, craft booths, a Peanutty cooking contest (get your entries to them by noon), and a 7pm show by Ten Toes Up - a Pawleys Island band with a sound combining funk, jazz and calypso. Saturday it's an all day affair starting with a library book sale, the official Peanut Party Parade, amusement rides, crafters, live entertainment, but most of all - lovely, delicious, fantasmagorical BOILED PEANUTS!! Visit the Pelion Peanut Party website for more info.

World Premiere Swing 39: Trustus

Friday August 12, 2011 - Saturday August 20, 2011

A New Play By: Alessandro King | Directed By: Chad Henderson
Dreams die hard in Alessandro King's bright new drama of East Harlem at the height of the Swing Era. Adventurous Maggie DiNapoli wants out of the neighborhood, and Benny Goodman could show her that escape, but will she go? Plunge into the intoxicating world of 1930's New York in this timeless examination of the haves and have-nots. A world-premiere. Visit Trustus website.

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse: Now Open

After a major renovation, the old Kress store on Main Street emerges as Columbia's newest downtown dining experience. And what an experience! Currently open for dinner beginning at 4pm (noon on Sunday), the restaurant offers a fabulous cold bar with antipasti offerings including a cheese assortment, fresh shrimp, smoked salmon, gourmet olive assortment, wonderful salads, fresh breads and much more. Bring your appetite as this is an "all-you-can-eat" extravaganza! Grilled meats prepared to perfection over open flames and brought to your table - beef steak (various cuts including filet mignon), lamb chops, leg of lamb, lamb loin, pork ribs, pork loin, pork parmesan, chicken and the house specialty, Picanha. For reservations, call 803-728-0887. View the menu here.

Outdoor Movie: RANGO: Historic Columbia Speedway

Friday August 12, 2011

Enjoy a family event that will have everyone giggling as a special showing of the movie Rango will be presented under the stars at the Historic Columbia Speedway this Friday night. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy a wonderful night outside with your family before school starts. The movie starts at around 8:45pm on the grass infield of the Historic Columbia Speedway at 2001 Charleston Hwy in Cayce. The movie will be shown on a GIGANTIC 40 ft. outdoor inflatable screen. The event is being produced as a fund raiser for the Cayce Public Safety Foundation. They will be accepting $2.00 donations at the gate, and the foundation will be selling concessions during the movie.

For more information, contact John Banks at 803-665-7620.

Music at Sandhill

Friday, August 12, 2011

If you haven't been out to the Village at Sandhill on a Friday evening this summer, you are missing some great music and fun! Starting at 5pm, attendees can enjoy everything from ring toss games to a bounce house for the kids.There are adult contests with prizes provided by the concert series sponsor, Michelob Ultra, as well as special Village merchant offerings. Then at 7pm, the music begins... this Friday Rock Candy (Style: 80‘s Rock, Metal) will entertain. The event is free. Visit Village at Sandhill Town Center. This concert series runs through September 2.

Countdown to Kindergarten: EdVenture Children's Museum

Friday August 12, 2011

The first day of kindergarten is right around the corner! To celebrate this milestone, EdVenture Children’s Museum and The United Way of the Midlands invite all South Carolina rising kindergartners and their families to the eighth annual Countdown to Kindergarten Celebration from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12. The evening will feature FREE admission to the museum, costumed characters, games, face painting, karaoke, information booths and resources for parents on keeping kids safe and healthy. In addition, rising kindergartners can practice boarding a school bus and carrying a lunch tray. Families can connect with representatives from school districts, state agencies and community organizations to learn about educational, health and community resources available to them, while health personnel will be on hand to provide free dental and vision screenings. EdVenture Children's Museum website.

Southeastern Toy Soldier Show: South Carolina State Museum

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Exquisitely detailed military miniature figures or the little plastic G.I. Joes from your childhood, they’re all here at the Southeastern Toy Soldier Show. See, buy, or trade toy soldiers or other military miniatures from various periods of history and enjoy special museum programs presented during the day. From old to new, metal to plastic, an array of toy soldiers and military collectibles can be bought, traded, or admired at the South Carolina State Museum’s Southeastern Toy Soldier Show.
More than 30 exhibitors. Reenactors will recreate Civil War and World War II British soldiers, plus Roman legionnaires. In addition, military vehicles from the World War II and Vietnam eras will be shown. SC State Museum website for information.

Dinner & A Movie Under the Stars: Saluda Shoals Park

Saturday August 13, 2011

Celebrate the end of the summer with a special outdoor showing of the hit animated movie RIO at Saluda Shoals Park. Starting at 6:00 p.m., the Pawleys Front Porch Mobile Eats will serve hamburgers, hot dogs and more! (Costs $1-$7) The movie will begin at nightfall, between 8:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Admission to the park is free beginning at 6:00 p.m. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. No alcohol or pets please.

The movie will be shown on a 30 ft. inflatable screen. A pre-movie slide show featuring photos of people in the audience will be shown before the movie and musical entertainment will be provided by Laurence “Luckyman” Beall from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Visit the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission website for more info.

Summer Jazz Series: Finlay Park

Sunday August 14, 2011

Enjoy a free smooth jazz concert with soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas who brings urban funk to his smooth tunes. This Atlanta-based artist did not pick up the sax until the age of 28 and has now released three successful solo CDs. He has shared the stage wirh Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Gregg Karukas, Jeff Golub, Euge Groove, Gerald Albright and more!
Visit the Summer Jazz Series website.

Cottontown Walking Tour: Historic Columbia Foundation

Sunday August 14, 2011

Explore Columbia and discover the rich history found in her historic downtown neighborhoods. Second Sunday Strolls provide a guided tour for many of the neighborhoods featured in Historic Columbia Foundation's Retrace (Connecting Communities Through History) brochures. Tours are 30 – 60 minutes in length (varies by neighborhood and tour participants).

Neighborhood for August Tour: Cottontown. Meet at the North Columbia Fire Station No. 7, 2622 North Main Street.

Proceeds benefit Historic Columbia Foundation.

4th Annual Art with a Heart: 701 Whaley Street

Thursday August 18, 2011

4th Annual Art With a Heart- August 18, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. - Wind down your Thursday evening with tremendous artwork as well as dessert from The Melting Pot, drinks and live entertainment by Day Clean, as well as an acrobatic performance. 701 Whaley will host this annual benefit art show which features the work of 25 well-known local artists. All art will be offered for sale and a portion of all proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia’s cornerstone programs- the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Tickets are $15 each or $25 per couple. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 803-254-0118 or at our website www.rmhcofcolumbia.org or at the door the night of the performance. Also, check out our website for a list of participating artists. Visit Art with a Heart event webpage.

Additional Events, Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

Mommy and Me: Our Hands Together

Every Other Monday Morning: July and August, 2011

Help your child discover the fun and sense of accomplishment that comes with creating art! Kids will paint a ceramic based upon a story read in class, $8. Call 803-749-0011 or email sheri@ourhandstogether.com to register. Classes require pre-registration. Visit the Our Hands Together website for class schedule and details.

Coming Soon! 17th Annual Home Improvement Show: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Friday August 19, 2011 - Sunday August 21, 2011

Whether you're just thinking about remodeling your home, or if you're in the middle of a project and looking for the latest in home improvement technology, you'll enjoy a one-stop shopping and learning experience with this show. Exhibitors will present in-depth seminars about remodeling your kitchen and bath and on a variety of home improvement products and services throughout the weekend. In addition to the many exhibitors, the show will have some Special Features throughout the weekend. Central SC Habitat For Humanity will once again present the Habitat For Humanity ReStore where attendees can find great bargains on a wide array of home improvement items. The ReStore will be held throughout the show. Attendees will also have the chance to win door prizes from exhibitors with drawings held every 20 minutes of the show. Prizes are donated from exhibitors in the show and include $25 cash, gift baskets, home décor items, tools and much more. Visit the Home Improvement Show website.

Save the Dates - My Gym Open House

Saturday August 20, 2011 (Lexington) and Sunday August 21, 2011 (Northeast)

Never been to My Gym? Our Fall Open House is a great time for the kids to see the facility, play and have fun. Open gym time, character appearances, raffle prizes, games, puppets, refreshments and more! Meet the friendly My Gym staff and learn about our gymnastics & fitness classes, birthday parties, Mother's Morning Out and enjoy fantastic enrollment specials going on all day - over $200 in savings towards My Gym programs! Open to all ages. For more information you can find us on the web - Lexington: or Northeast Columbia: , or find us on facebook

Save the Date: Open House at The Little Gym

Lexington Gym - Sat, August 27th 1:00-4:30pm Columbia Gym - Sun, August 28th
2:00-6:00 pm

Since 1976, The Little Gym has fostered experiential learning through physical programs that provide opportunities for kids to explore their own potential and to better understand and enjoy the world around them. Since the beginning, we have emphasized Serious Fun through a progressive curriculum, in which each success builds off the last. All of our programs are divided into themed, multi-week Learning Units that lead to a natural progression of skills throughout our Core Season, into our Summer Session and from one year to the next. The coordination and confidence that enable your baby to first crawl across the mat, lay the foundation to master a somersault at age three, try a handspring at age six, and assert leadership skills both in the gym and throughout the community. Our open houses help parents to assess our facilities, our instructors and our programs. Please stop by one of our gyms during Open House and we'll show you around! The Little Gym website.

Create A Backyard Escape: Graceland Portable Buildings

Remember back when you were a kid and how much fun you had in your very own treehouse, or refrigerator box or tent? It was your own little escape, wasn't it? Create a grown-up space for quality alone-time right in your own backyard with a high-quality, Menonnite constructed, Graceland Portable Building! A wide variety of attractive shapes and sizes is available and are built and open for your inspection on Two Notch Road at I-77! And with this Weekday Therapy offer, you can save $75 on any new building! Print coupon here.