25th Annual Greek Festival: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Today through Sunday September 18, 2011

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church welcomes you and offers their hospitality for the annual Greek Festival. Come and enjoy the music (Nick Demos Band and the Nick Trivelas Band, and Greek folk dancing), atmosphere, food and drink (lunch and dinner - Broiled Greek Style Chicken, Keftedes, Greek Style Roasted Lamb, Pastichio and more... the desserts are heavenly!! and learn a little about Greece (Greek Culture, History & Heritage, and Modern Greece). Located in downtown Columbia. Check out the festival website here.

Bar Stool Classic in Five Points

Friday, September 16, 2011

I don't care who you are, you're gonna love this! Putt-putt your way through Five Points bars and restaurants from 5 - 11pm! The Babcock Center Foundation along with the Five Points Association will be hosting the 3rd Annual Bar Stool Classic. $15 day of registration - registration packets include official tour t-shirt, souvenier golf ball, prizes, schwagg, after party invite, score card, and more!
$500 cash prize for winner
2nd and 3rd place prize packs (including a round of golf for 4 at Woodcreek Farms or Wildewood and a free golf lesson from Chris Foley)
Ben Arnold Wine Tasting at 2 holes | Prizes for Holes in One | Best Dressed prizes
After party - games, free food and cash bar
Free rides from Capital Pedi-Cab during the event for participants

All proceeds benefit the Babcock Center Foundation for their support of adults with disabilities.
Participants don't need any equipment, but you can bring your own putter if you want. Visit the Five Points Association website for more information.

Anything Goes: Workshop Theatre

Friday September 16, 201 1 - October 1. 2011

It's anchors aweigh for mirth, mischief and music as Anything Goes sets sail September 16 to October 1. Sponsored by Blue Cross / Blue Shield of South Carolina, the comedy of lovers and liars on a 1930s ocean cruise launches Workshop Theatre's 44th season.
It's a tale of boy-meets-girl in triplicate and the comic complications that ensue. All the deceptions and romances get sorted out and disaster averted aboard a ship where magic and deception rule, ensuring that "anything goes."
The hijinks on the high seas unwind amid Cole Porter classics — a blend of toe-tapping rousers and sophisticated ballads like "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "Blow Gabriel Blow," "It's De-Lovely," "Friendship," "Easy to Love" and "All Through the Night," as well as the title song.
Times have changed, as Porter suggests, but Anything Goes is still tops in entertainment. To paraphrase his urbane, witty lyrics, the voyage on our stage promises to be "de-wonderful" for everyone.Visit Workshop's website for all the info!

Rhythm on the River: West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre

Friday, September 16, 2011

The West Columbia Chamber of Commerce continues their Fall Concert Series with Danielle Howle. This favorite local punk rock girl has the voice of a honkeytonk angel. Free admission. Visit the Rhythm on the River website for details.

Trash-to-Treasure Upcycle/Recycle Festival: Our Hands Together

Saturday September 17, 2011

What's Upcycling? It's the process of turning something old,
used or left over into something new, functional, beautiful. From whimsical earrings crafted from Scrabble tiles to frames made from colorful magazine pages to flowers crafted from tin cans, Our Hands Together artisans have found some amazing and fun uses of old "useless" stuff. This gallery presents the artwork of local craftspeople and is definitely worth a visit. The Trash-to-Treasure event will be held from 10am - 4pm. Don't miss it! Visit the Our Hands Together website for directions and more information.

University of South Carolina Football: USC vs Navy

Saturday September 17, 2011

Single game tickets are still available for Saturday's game when 10th ranked USC (2-0) faces Navy (2-0). Kickoff for the home opener is set for 6 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium - and if you can't make it to town, the game is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN2.. Tickets available online here.

Tour of Homes: Homebuilders Association of Greater Columbia

Weekends Through October 2, 2011

Columbia’s Largest Open House of New Homes for Sale is the 2011 TOUR OF HOMES coming this September 17, 18, 24, and 25 and October 1 and 2 from Noon to 6 p.m. The annual scattered-site showing will offer six Featured Communities and 46 new homes for your inspection. (See our YouTube channel for a preview of some TOUR entries.) Many different builders and developers will participate in the TOUR OF HOMES this year. As you tour their lovely neighborhoods and homes, remember that a new home is still one of the most sound investments you can make. Interest rates are still significantly lower than at any other time in the last 25 years, so now is one of the best times to buy a new home. Perhaps one of the homes or communities you see will be the one that is perfect for your family. Visit the HBA of Greater Columbia website for more info.

Blythewood Jazz Festival: Blythewood SC

Sunday September 18, 2011

From 2:00pm - 8:00pm, sit back and enjoy the Blythewood Jazz Orchestra and Blythewood Jazz Sextet plus special guests, Drink Small (Blues Doctor) and the jazzy blues voice of Bess Daniels. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers, listen and, if you are in the mood, dance. Free admission and food. Sponsored by the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group. Visit their facebook page for more info. 1509 Lorick Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

Elegant 4-Course Wine Dinner: Mint Julep

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What a wonderful way to experience the fine foods offered at Mint Julep in Northeast Columbia and get to try 4 wines at the same time! Mint Julep kicks off their new Wine Dinner series, a special monthly event, on Tuesday September 20, 2011. Take a look at the menu for their first Wine Dinner:

§ 1st course- Four Vines Naked Chardonnay and a shrimp and calamari ceviche with cilantro, garlic, and lime

§ 2nd course- Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier and a spinach and apple salad with candied pecans, shaved red onion, sundried tomato vinegarette

§ 3rd course- Paso Creek Merlot- Pan seared duck breast or grilled petit filet with a merlot reduction over potatoes au gratin with haricot verts

§ 4th course- Croft Tawny Port with a dark chocolate mousse, whipped cream and berries

Four wines with a four course dinner. $30 per person. $50 per couple. Please RSVP by Friday September 16 to cary@mintjuleprestaurant.com or call 803-419-7200.
View the Evite.

Pups on the Patio: Mr. Friendly's, Solstice & Pupcakes

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 & Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Pupcakes, the Five Points boutique for the pampered pooch, invites you to enjoy the cooler Fall weather! Now that the worst of summer is behind us, Pupcakes would like to meet for dinner! They'll be dining on the patio at Mr. Friendly's Tuesday (the 20th) night at 6:00. Can't make that one? No problem! They'll be at Solstice on Wednesday (21st) night at 6:30.

The cost is $12 per dog, and while they dig in, you get to enjoy your favorite dishes from the restaurant's menu. Call Pupcakes to make your reservation at 803-461-0236. Space is limited!

Additional Events, Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

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.

Save the Dates! Irmo Okra Strut

Friday, September 23, 2011 & Saturday, September 24, 2011

Lexington Medical Center presents the 2011 Irmo Okra Strut on Friday, September 23 6-11pm and Saturday, September 24, 9-5pm in the Irmo Village Shopping Center. Come enjoy the Friday Night Street Dance featuring the Coastal Breeze Band and the O'Kaysions with their hit 'I'm a Girlwatcher'. The First Citizens Parade begins at 9am Saturday and two day event features a street dance, parade, arts and crafts, rides and amusements and lots of festival food. For details, visit the Irmo Okra Strut website for info.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical: Trustus Theatre

Now - October 1, 2011

Back by popular demand! There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres—and she's wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil–loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband—the storms begin to brew. Throw in Pippi’s insane marker-sniffing ex-boyfriend, and you’ve got a recipe for hilarious disaster. Please note that there will not be a show on Sunday September 11th. All tickets are $25.00 Visit the Trustus Theatre website.

South Pacific: Town Theatre

Now - October 1, 2011
This classic musical's timeless tunes – “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair” and “Bali Ha'i,” – alone are worth the price of admission. However, the classic story from the Golden Age of American Musical Theatre will enchant those who have loved it for years as well as those experiencing it for the first time. Visit the Town Theatre website for additional info.

Fall Craft Fair & Chili Cook-Off: Jellystone Park: Benefits the SC Autism Society

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Join the gang at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ at River Bottom Farms for a day full of Family Fun at our Fall Craft Fair & Chili Cook - Off! We’ll have great variety of crafts and vendors, inflatables for the kids, a dunk tank, gospel singing for our campers, and some of the best chili around! The festivities will be open to the public from 10am-5pm Saturday, September 24th. Booths for crafts or the chili cook-off are just $25 and proceeds from booth rentals will be donated to the South Carolina Autism Society. Space is still available, so call and reserve your booth today! Rules for the chili cook off and set up times can be found at the Jellystone/ Riverbottom Farms website.

Sunset Dinner & Concert Cruise With Red Fraley, Live on the Acoustic Guitar

Friday, September 30, 2011

Enjoy a relaxing autumn evening, cruising out on the Lake listening to the lovely strains of acoustic guitar as Red Fraley plays. A delicious dinner featuring a Rosemary Chicken (w/ a Stout Chili BBQ Sauce) Carving Station; Bacon Wrapped Shrimp w/ Peach Bourbon Glaze; Fried Catfish with Cherry Pepper Tarter Sauce and more. Cash Bar for Beer & Wine. For more information, visit the Spirit of Lake Murray website.

Rock Around the Clock: Winnsboro SC

Friday September 30, 2011 and Saturday October 1, 2011

Named for its famous Town Clock, Winnsboro again celebrates with this annual downtown festival. A parade kicks off the festivities on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 7pm, followed by a street dance from 8-11pm. On Saturday, October 1, the fun continues from 10am - 3pm with live music, children's amusements, food, arts & crafts, exhibits and a great classic car and truck show. Call Chamber of Commerce 803 635-4242 or visit their events webpage here.

Off the Wall: Columbia City Ballet

Friday September 30, 2011 - Sunday October 2, 2011

Columbia City Ballet's William Starrett's Off the Wall & Onto the Stage translates South Carolina artist Jonathan Green's extraordinary images to the contemporary stage in a visionary return to classical ballet's blending of dance, music and fine art. Comprised of a series of vignettes drawn directly from 22 of Jonathan's energetic paintings, William's production explores the dynamics and inner meanings of the paintings. The costumes, the landscapes and the people in Jonathan's works literally come to life in dance set to music rooted in the history of the region, including gospel, jazz, folk songs and hymns. This unique commingling of the arts is an exhilarating testament to the lively, multi-cultural reality of the South, and one with real significance for America and the world.

Performed at the Koger Center - Tickets on sale at Capitol Tickets! Purchase by phone at (803)251-2222 or online at www.capitoltickets.com.
For more information about this production, please visit www.dancingtheart.com.

Congaree Bluegrass Festival: Granby Gardens in Cayce SC

Saturday October 1, 2011

From 11am - 7pm, come out and enjoy music from top-notch bluegrass bands including the Steep Canyon Rangers and Bill Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass, and dancing with The Capital City Cloggers. Your younguns will be entertained with a bounce house, slide and playground at Granby Gardens Park in Cayce. Food and beverages available. Free, but cans of non-perishable food will be collected for the Harvest Hope Food Bank, so please bring something. Details at www.congareebluegrassfestival.com

9th Annual Congaree Swampfest: Congaree National Park & Hopkins SC

Friday September 30, 2011 & Saturday October 1, 2011

Join the good folks in Lower Richland for a celebration of the Congaree Swamp, good music (blues and jazz) and great barbeque. The festival kicks off at 7pm on Friday at the Harriet Barber House with H2FLO, SECOND NATURE, KATRINA GARVIN AND CARLOS SANTAN OF ATLANTA. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 day of the event. Then on Saturday, a walk-a-thon, children's carnival, balloons, book signings, and more food (including Congaree Swamp Juice!) The Congaree National Park will be offering a treasure hunt, guided tours hourly, an art contest display and basket weaving. Visit the Congaree Swampfest website for more information.