Columbia SC Weekend Activities 8-5-2010

The Newberry Opera House will kick off its 2010-2011 season with a performance from John Tudor and Friends. Cruise in for the 8 p.m. Friday show for a night of magic. It will be energetic mix of illusion and imaginative stories. Tickets are $22.50, or half-price for students, and can be purchased online. Get tickets for Saturday's Jason D. Williams tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis at the same time ($22.50), and get $10 off.

 

Head to Embassy Suites Hotel, 200 Stoneridge Drive, on Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Diva Swap 2010. Refresh your wardrobe and remove some clutter from the closet. Exchange items in good condition with another diva for "new to you" items. All items not swapped will be donated to local shelters and charities. Live music, food and goodies will also be available. Get your ticket for $17.

The first Friday of each month, the Columbia Museum of Art's galleries and shop stay open until 8 p.m. This month's First Friday features a concert and silent film presented in partnership with Nickelodeon Theater. The international jazz group Kenosha Kid, featuring guest drummer Jeff Sipe, will perform along with Buster Keaton's silent film Steamboat Bill Jr. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8. Admission is $8 for museum members, $10 for nonmembers. There will also be a cash bar. Call 803-799-2810 for information.

City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd., is hosting the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Compare commercial versus locally grown heirloom varieties; check out the homegrown tomato competition; live music; a cash bar; tomato bobbing; and a "Chuck the Commercial Tomato" distance throwing competition. Bring a dish for the tomato recipe showcase potluck supper. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door, no charge for kids younger than 13. Call 803-528-4481 for information.

 

The Puddlin' Duck will host trivia night from 7:30-9:30 p.m. tonight. Enjoy $2 cosmos and martini specials, plus other select specials from the bartender. Join the fun and test your wits on the 9300 block of Two Notch Road behind Dunkin' Donuts.

Experience the excitement of the Carolina Panthers. EdVenture is offering an outdoor classroom to teach kids football drills and essential life skills, such as teamwork, respect for authority, self-confidence and discipline. Admission is complimentary but is limited to 200 children, so don't wait to reserve your spot. Fill out the registration form and fax to 803-779-3144. Participants must arrange transportation to and from the practice facility in Spartanburg.

Head to Saluda Shoals Park today at 5:30 p.m. to witness the work of more than 150 children taking part in the Summer Safari Camp. The campers will display nine hand-painted doors, an improvisational skit, and a steel and West African drum performance.

Dr. Erica Mallery Blyth, an artist known for her breathtaking and stimulating images, will have her art on display at Village Artists, 631-8 Promenade Place, on Friday from 6-9 p.m. Join this celebration and meet the artist at a wine and cheese reception featuring live music and professional dancers.

 

The White Mule will host hometown alternative country artist Riley Etheridge on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. Etheridge has deep roots in Southern and alternative country music and has just released Things I Used to Know. He'll be playing with S-Tribe and Now You See Them. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door.

The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County in Camden will host James Gregory on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Come witness the caricature of the carefree, grinning Gregory as he takes the stage telling stories of life from the front porch. This one is sure to have you in tears.

Greek festival: Sept 16-19 at the corner of Sumter and Calhoun streets. Enjoy Columbia's 24th annual Greek Festival.

Get you Sommore: Aug. 20-22 at the Comedy House Theatre. Enjoy a show from the reigning Queen of Comedy, Sommore, with her quick wit and sharp sarcasm.

Gamecocks home opener: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2. The University of South Carolina Gamecocks open their season against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.

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.

Weekend! 10 Ways to Play is published each Thursday
by the Columbia Regional Business Report.

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