Columbia Star

1963        Celebrating 60 Years      2023

CALENDAR OF EVENTS


•ART

Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult classes, kids classes, kids camps, and art class groups. Visit cafeartcola.com.

The Historic Melrose Art in the Yard (AIY) will be held Sunday, April 16, 1–5 p.m. Historic Melrose Art in the Yard held the first art event in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Historic Columbia’s Palladium Tour will be held in conjunction with AIY. historiccolumbia.org/palladiumtour.

•CLEAN-UP

Take pride in the West Side! The City of West Columbia’s City Wide Litter Pick-Day will be held Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia. Volunteers must sign up in advance at bit.ly/LitterPickup.

Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB) will celebrate the beginning of the 2023 Great American Cleanup by hosting a volunteer litter pickup off Shop Road and George Rogers Boulevard Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. kmbsc.org or 803-733-1139.

•DANCE

Community Dancing for Busy People is held the second and fourth Saturday of the month (March 25, April 8, April 25, etc.), 6–7:30 p.m., Pilgrim Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1430 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. $7 donation. 803-747-0508.

•EASTER

The Lemonade Twins will host their 2nd annual community Easter egg hunt April 1, 12–3 p.m., 6500 Olde Knight Parkway, Woodland Park. www.thelemonadetwins.com.

In observance of Good Friday, the City of Columbia’s buildings and offices will be closed Friday, April 7.

•FESTIVALS/FAIRS/SHOWS

Irmo International Festival will be held April 30, 2023, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Irmo Community Park, 7473 Church Street, Irmo. www.irmoscinternationalfestival.com/home.

West Columbia’s Kinetic Derby Day, featuring iMAGINE STEAM Festival, will be held Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. Registration is open. www.kineticderbyday.com.

Columbia Food and Wine Festival will be held Wednesday, April 19–Sunday, April 23 with eight events across the five-day span in two counties. columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.

Brookhaven HOA’s Annual Spring Craft Vendor Fare will be held May 13, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Road. Looking for unique vendors with handmade jewelry, accessories, pottery, clothing, artwork, handbags, woodworking, crafts, ornaments, wreaths, sweets, etc. For an application or more information please send an email to hoabrookhaven@yahoo.com, subject line: Craft Fare.

The Associated Model Railroads of Columbia (AMROC) will participate in the Spring Model Train and Toy show presented by Carolina Train Shows Saturday March 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Jamil Shrine Temple. www.amroc.org/home.html.

The Midlands KidFest & Camp Fair will be held Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street. info@touchofmagicevents.com.

Columbia International Festival will be held Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday, April 2, noon –7 p.m. www.cifonline.org.

Richland County Recreation Commission will present its 53rd Annual Cottontail Festival Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Meadowlake Park, 600 Beckman Road.

The Soiree on State will return to Cayce’s State Street Saturday, March 25, 2–8 p.m. caycesc.gov

•FUNDRAISER

Keep the Midlands Beautiful’s (KMB) annual shoe drive fundraiser continues through May 31. Anyone can help by dropping off gently worn, used, and new shoes at any time at KMB’s office, 1305 Augusta Road, West Columbia. 803-733-1139 or lblakeorr@kmbsc.org.

The Annual Dreher Foundation and National Honor Society BBQ Bash plus Dreher Dance Department’s Dancing with the Teachers will be held March 24, dinner 5–6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m., Dreher High School Auditorium and Cafeteria, 3319 Millwood Avenue. 312v45433066873.3dcartstores.com.

Tin Roof and The Senate in the Vista will host its 17th annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation signature head-shaving event to raise funds for lifesaving childhood cancer research Saturday, March 25, 1 p.m., Tin Roof, 1022 Senate Street. 803-807-7783.

•GARDEN

Richland County Master Gardener Association Plant and Garden Treasures Sale will be held April 20 and 21, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Sandhill Farmers Market.

South Carolina Iris Society will hold its Annual Plant Sale May 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., First Citizens Bank Parking Lot 2760 Clemson Road. sjbhi@yahoo.com.

Midlands Native Plant Society spring natives sale will be held April 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Canoeing for Kids Headquarters, 114 Riverchase Court, Lexington. scnps.org/midlands.

Columbia Garden Club’s Plant Exchange will be held Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m., Talbot’s parking lot, Forest Drive.

The West Columbia Beautification Foundation will hold a Spring Plant Sale at City Hall Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

•JOB FAIR

Columbia VA Health Care System (VAHCS) will host a Hiring Fair March 25, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road.

•MARKET/SALE

Shandon United Methodist Church’s Second Annual Clothing and Book Sale will be held Friday, March 24, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–7 p.m., and Saturday, March 25, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., 3407 Devine Street.

•MEETINGS/CLUBS

Spring Valley Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 1–2 p.m., Grand Hall of Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road in Northeast Columbia. To learn more about membership, contact Brian Dunphy at 803-920-4751.

The Golden K Kiwanis Club of Columbia meets every Wednesday, 9:30–10:45 a.m., Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle. chrisemaw.2015@gmail.com.

Forest Acres Rotary Club meets the first four Wednesdays of the month, 1–2 p.m., St. Michaels of All Angels, 6408 Bridgewood Road off Trenholm Road. sandyo@sc.rr.com.

Rotary Club of Columbia East meets Tuesdays at noon at Seawell’s Restaurant near the State Fair Grounds. almjjmjlm@aol.com.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) group meets every fourth Monday, 2–4 p.m., Richland County Library, 7490 Parklane Road. For 803-782-2587 or 803-807-3436.

Rotary Club of Five Points meets Fridays, 1–2 p.m. For weekly meeting location and speaker, see fivepointsrotary.com.

Lower Richland Ruritan Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., Lower Richland Club House, Rabbit Run, Hopkins.

The Busby Street Community Center hosts the Aces Bridge Club every Monday, 10 a.m., 1735 Busby Street. 803-476-0933.

•MUSEUMS

Olympia Mill Village Museum, “The Story of Olympia Mill Village Life in 1920s,” Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 1170 Olympia Avenue. www.olympiagranbymillvillagemuseum.com.

The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum will commemorate our state’s historic role with Revolutionary War Day Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 301 Gervais Street. icrr.sc.gov.

•MUSIC

In celebration of its Tenth Anniversary with USC, the Parker Quartet will perform the entire cycle of Beethoven’s string quartets over the course of six concerts at historic locations in downtown Columbia, through March 30. All concerts are free, but reservations are suggested. sc.edu/music.

USC Percussion Ensemble will present a free concert, Sunday, April 2, 3 p.m., USC School of Music Recital Hall. sc.edu/music/calendar.

Dr. Rosetta Dingle, music educator and mezzo-soprano; Dr. Ramelle Brooks, vocal teacher and bass-baritone; and Dr. Ronald H. High, vocal pedagogue, collaborative pianist, and tenor, will present a concert titled The Artistry of Solo Piano and Vocal Music Interpreted Sunday, March 26, 5 p.m., Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 827 Wildwood Avenue.

The Carolina Jazz Society will hold a concert Sunday, April 2, 5 p.m., Heyward Street United Methodist Church, 2501 Heyward Street. www.carolinajazzsociety.com.

Nursery Road Elementary School-Arts Magnet (NRESAM) fifth graders are creating and producing an original opera entitled Liar, Liar, This Birthday Is on Fire opening Monday, April 3, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, April 4, 1 and 6 p.m., NRES-AM, 6706 Nursery Road. www.lexrich5.org/opera.

•REUNION

A.C. Flora Class of 1973 50th Reunion will be held August 5, 6:30–10 p.m. Please contact Mary Bellios at 615-482-3713 for more information.

Dreher High School Class of 1963 will hold its 60th Reunion April 22, 6:30–10:30p.m., Senate’s End, 300 Senate Street. 803-728-0239.

•ROAD TRIPS

The Camden Burials Weekend will be a weekend full of memorable and meaningful events, services, etc. April 20-22. It will be capped off Saturday at 3 p.m. with the reinterment of the soldiers’ remains at the Battle of Camden battlefield. www.scbattlegroundtrust.org/camden-burials.

Camden Fire Department, Kershaw County Fire Service, and Lugoff Fire Department are partnering with Beulah United Methodist Church, the community of Charlotte-Thompson, and the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association to honor and recognize the centennial of the Cleveland School fire Tuesday, May 16, 6 p.m., Camden Revolutionary War Visitors Center, 212 Broad Street, Camden. The anniversary recognition service will be held Wednesday, May 17, 10 a.m. 410 Cleveland School Road, Camden. www.clevelandschoolsc.com.

Enoree River Winery in Newberry will host 5k Wine Run to support efforts to improve the Newberry College Athletic facilities March 26, 10 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/SC/Newberry/EnoreeWineRun5k?raceRefCode=ivdXjj9a&fbclid=IwAR0lGpCOu7nLtOBO3Clij9u3lU5fwxCwDd69TO1KGZaKvqaE_AKPgw2Q5oU

•SPORTS/OUTDOORS

Walk A Mile In Our Shoes, the annual event that provides funding for Pathways to Healing (formerly Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands), will be held in person April 1 to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 9:30 a.m., South Carolina State House grounds, 1100 Gervais Street. www.classy.org/event/walk-a-mile-in-our-shoes-2023/e449902

Lexington Medical Center is the title sponsor of the annual Governor’s Cup Road Race—a half-marathon, 5K run or walk, Main Street Mile and Kids Main Street Mile Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8. The open Main Street Mile and Elite Main Street Mile will be combined this year and begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday night, intersection of Main and Laurel Streets and finish between Laurel and Richland Streets. The Kids Main Street Mile starts at 6:45 p.m. Friday night at 1800 Main Street and ends at the corner of Laurel and Main Streets. The half marathon will start at the corner of Sumter and Senate Streets at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The 5K starts at 7:45 a.m. at 1100 Sumter Street by Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. GoverorsCupSC.org.

•STUDENTS

Richland One is accepting applications for students to enroll in magnet programs with spots still available for the 2023-2024 school year. Application deadline is April 28; apply at rsd.novuschoice.com/go/fx_student_applications/default.cfm?actionxm=RegisterSignIn. Parents will be notified by May 31 if students are selected for the magnet program of their choice.

Lexington-Richland School District Five will host a Community Resource Fair March 28, 5–7 p.m., Irmo High School’s Center for the Arts, 6671 St. Andrews Road.

•SUPPORT GROUPS

Promise of Serenity NAR-ANON Meeting (For families and friends of addicts) is held every Monday, 6 p.m., Angelican Church of the Epiphany, 2512 N. Beltline Boulevard. colanaraon@gmail.com or www.nar-anon.org.

ADD/ADHD Support Group of the Midlands (AttentionDeficitHelp.com)—The people involved with this local support group are parents, families, co-workers and special individuals sharing and learning about the joys, frustrations, opportunities, and challenges of ADD/ADHD. The goal is to give hope and support. Join monthly in-person and virtual meetings, www.attentiondeficithelp.com.

The SC Youth Advocate Program is available 24 hours a day for foster families. 800-882-5513 or scyap.com.

•TAXES

The Cooperative Ministry will hold a tax site every Saturday until April 15, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 950 Jackson Avenue. IRS-certified volunteers will be preparing taxes for the public for free. Participants will need a photo ID, social security cards for all dependents, and all other tax-related information.

•VETERANS

VFW Post 641, 534 South Beltline Boulevard, open Wednesday, 5–11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.–12 a.m.; hosts Shag/Dance Wednesdays, 7–11 p.m. and Karaoke Saturdays, 7–11 p.m. 803-782-5943 or PostVFW641@gmail.com.

VFW Post 641 and Auxiliary of Columbia meets every second Sunday, 3–4 p.m., 534 South Beltline Boulevard. 803-782-5943 or PostVFW641@gmail.com.

Admission will be free for all military veterans and active duty personnel Wednesday, March 29, at the South Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, in observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, 301 Gervais Street. crr.sc.gov.

•WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

Shepherd’s Center of St. Andrews will begin the Spring Session of Adventures in Learning Tuesday, April 18, both onsite at center headquarters, Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road. Onsite classes and hybrid classes (onsite and simultaneously on Zoom) meet on Tuesdays; Zoom classes meet on Thursdays. Courses onsite at Ashland UMC on Tuesdays include Meditation: Not Just What You Think!; Chair Yoga; Crochet: Happy Hookers!; Art: Perfecting Your Skills in Watercolor; Beginning Spanish; Bell Ensemble; Ukulele; Creative Quilting; Line Dancing; Let’s Play Mah Jongg; Bridge for Fun; and Games with Friends. Tuesday hybrid courses, onsite and via Zoom include TV Sit-Coms; Down the Great Unknown; and Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization. Thursday Zoom courses include Trivial Pursuit; A Journey of Faith: One More Step along the Road; Travel Sites/Sights in South Carolina; Down My Favorite Rabbit-Hole; Readers’ Circle; and Creative Writing Group. 803-731-9394 or www.shepherdscenterofstandrews.org.

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