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 artstudiocola.com

The Columbia SC Visitors Center has partnered with One Columbia for Arts and Culture to host artist popups outside of the VC on weekends through July 28, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sundays, 1120 Lincoln Street. www.experiencecolumbiasc.com.

The Jasper Project and Richland Library will hold Big Tiny Gallery, an art exhibition inspired by the Jasper Project’s Tiny Gallery series, opening Friday March 15, 7– 11 p.m. with closing reception Friday, April 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Richland Library, 1431 Assembly Street. JasperProject.org.

No Place to Play Exhibition will be held March 10–April 13, South Carolina Architectural Foundation, 1530 Main Street, Suite C. lyndseydeaton.com/no-place-to-play/

•DANCE

Palmetto Scottish Country Dance (for all ages) is held every Monday, 6–7:45 p.m., Eastminster Presbyterian Community Life Center. 803-309-0495.

Adult Ballet Classes are held Thursdays, 7 p.m., Columbia Music Festival Association, 914 Pulaski Street. This is a beginner class, but all are welcome to come ages 12 and up. 803-269-2438.

The Ly-Ben Dance Alliance will host the Ubuntu Dance Festival April 20 and will consist of three parts: The Masterclasses will be held at the Columbia Music Festival Association, 914 Pulaski Street 9 a.m.–2 p.m., with auditions for the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive at 2:30 p.m.; “Dance Free Day” Community Dance Classes will be held at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and two other centers TBD 9 a.m.–1 p.m., for ages 2 years old through adults; The Ubuntu Dance concert will be held at the Cottingham Theater on the Columbia College campus at 7:30 p.m. 803-216-1953 or www.lybenda.weebly.com

•FAIRS/FESTIVALS

St. Pat’s in Five Points is set for Saturday, March 16. More than 40 local, regional, and national acts are set to perform across multiple stages and venues, including headlining performances from Lawrence, The War and Treaty, Futurebirds, Sister Hazel, and Conner Smith, making this year’s lineup the most extensive in the festival’s history. Columbia-based recording artist, producer, entrepreneur, and hip-hop activist Master Splnta, aka FatRat Da Czar will return as this year’s host. StPatsColumbia.com

Brookhaven HOA’s Annual Spring Craft Vendor Fare will be held May 11, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Road. For a vendor application or more information, send an email to hoabrookhaven@yahoo.com, subject line: Craft Fare.

The Midlands Crafter’s Association will present the 2024 Spring Arts & Crafts Market Extravaganza Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway. midlandcrafters.wix.com/

The Soiree on State will return to Cayce’s State Street Saturday, March 23 2–8 p.m. www.facebook.com/events/774953154207777

The Columbia Food & Wine Festival will be held April 24–28. Tickets are on sale now and details are available at columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.

The Shindiggity, Part I: Sham Rock Jam will be held Sunday, March 17, 1 p.m., Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce. follywoodrocks@gmail.com

Columbia’s 58th Annual Original Home & Garden Show will be held Friday, March 8, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., S.C. State Fairgrounds. homeshowcolumbia.com

The Cayce Fire Department will host Save a Life Day March 16, 11 a.m.–2 p. m., Granby Gardens Park, 800 12th Street, Cayce. This new initiative will combine important safety opportunities, like CPR and basic first aid, with fun for the whole family.caycesc.gov

•FUNDRAISER

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) will host a Spring Soirée fundraiser Saturday, March 2, 6–9 p.m., Saluda Shoals River Center. www.scwf.org/events/2024/3/2/spring-soiree

The Big Red Barn Retreat will hold its second annual BRBR Oyster Roast March 15, 6–10 p.m., 701 Whaley Street. www.thebigredbarnretreat.org

•GARDEN

The Greater Columbia Rose Society will host an outdoor educational session “How to Prune Roses” Saturday, March 2, 8:30–11 a.m., Prisma Health Richland Hospital, 5 Richland Medical Park Drive. 410-402-0483.

The Blythewood Garden Club will hold its Annual Community Education Event March 21, 6:30 p.m., Blythewood High School Media Center. 803-730-3855.

The Columbia Garden Club Spring Plant Exchange will be held Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m, Talbot’s parking lot, 4809 Forest Drive.

Ikabana International Chapter 182 will host the Ikebana Exhibition and 50th Anniversary Celebration, March 22–23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, Garden Club Council Building,1605 Park Circle. www.ikebanacolumbia.org/2024-exhibition/

•JOB FAIR

Columbia VAHCS will host a radiology hiring fair Wednesday, March 9, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., 6439 Garners Ferry Road (Building 106, Rm. D100). www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care

•MARKET/SALE

Midlands Clay Arts Society Spring Sale will be held Thursday, April 4, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, April 5, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Stormwater Studios, 413 Pendleton Street. Follow Midlands Clay Arts Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Blythewood High School FFA Plant Sale will be held Friday, March 22, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 10901 Wilson Boulevard, Blythewood.

•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.

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.

The Golden K Kiwanis Club of Columbia meets every Wednesday, 9:30–10:45 a.m., Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle. andrewchase@bellsouth.net.

The Rotary Club of Columbia meets every Monday, 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Seawell’s Restaurant across from the State Fair Grounds. annewalker@aws1962.org

Ikebana International Chapter 282 meets the third Wednesday of each month, September through May, 9:30 a.m., Garden Club Council Building, 1605 Park Circle. 803-799-7368.

Junior League of Columbia will continue its centennial celebration a Milestone Luncheon March 6, 12 p.m., Central Energy, 2030 Gregg Street; and a Centennial Gala Saturday, April 13, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street. jlcolumbia.org

•MUSEUMS

Olympia Mill Village Museum, the story of “Life in the Olympia Mill Village in the 1920s.” Free admission, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 1170 Olympia Avenue. Museum includes the Olympia School Annex, the Mill House Museum, and 15 outdoor exhibits. www.olympiamillvillagemuseum.org

•SCHOLARSHIP

The South Carolina State Fair has opened applications for its 27th annual Ride of Your Life Scholarship program. Each year, this initiative allocates more than $500,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors across South Carolina. Applications are open until March 15, 2024, and can be submitted online at scstatefair.org/scholarships.

•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.naranon.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.

•TEENS

The FBI Columbia Field Office is accepting applications for the annual Teen Academy this summer, June 26–27, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., FBI Columbia headquarters, 222 Caughman Farm Lane, Lexington. The Teen Academy program allows rising junior and senior high school students to experience a comprehensive look into today’s FBI. Students will receive presentations on topics including terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, violent crime, evidence response, SWAT, and other day-to-day FBI field office operations. Those interested in participating in the FBI Columbia Teen Academy must have parental approval before applying and must meet the eligibility requirements as follows—must be a United States citizen; must reside in South Carolina; must be a rising high school junior or senior; must be enrolled in an accredited high school or home school environment recognized by your school district; must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher. www.fbi.gov/file-repository/columbia-teen-academy-2024-1.pdf/view.

•WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

The 2024 StoryCorps Mobile Tour will visit 10 cities nationwide, including Columbia March 21–April 19, South Carolina Public Radio. Participants will have the option of recording in person or remotely, using StoryCorps’ free recording tools. On the Mobile Tour, facilitated recording sessions are offered to the public free of charge, and can be booked online at storycorps.org/mobile-tour.

COR (Columbia Opportunity Resource) Crash Course Columbia tour will be held March 7-8. ourcor.org/engage/crash-course-columbia/tickets/.

New Morning, a South Carolina-based nonprofit organization working to expand access to affordable contraceptive and family planning services across the state, will host its 6th annual Access for All: A Reproductive Health Summit April 25–26, Columbia Marriott. www.newmorning.org/conference.

•VOLUNTEERS

Family Connection of South Carolina is seeking professionals to serve in volunteer leadership positions for its LOOK! and Buddy Walk fundraising events. The LOOK! 2024 opening ceremony will take place Sunday, June 2, the Richland County Library. Buddy Walk, a part of the activities honoring Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October, will be held On Sunday, October 27, Saluda Shoals Park. www.familyconnectionsc.org or 1-800-578-8750.

•WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

Brookhaven HOA will present a “Community Police Forum” Education Night March 14, 7–8 p.m., North Springs Community Center, 1320 Clemson Road. Please RSVP at hoabrookhaven@yahoo.com Subject Line: Education Session as seating is limited.

History teacher Mike Burgess will speak about “The Soul of America: The Challenges of Teaching the American Revolution in the 21st Century” Friday, March 8, noon, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum 301 Gervais Street. crr.sc.gov.

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