Charleston Events for June: Roundup

Downtown CharlestonSummertime is here! June is an exciting time to explore Charleston and all that it has to offer. Here’s a list of this month’s fun events and activities:

June 4: Freshfields Village Starlight Cinema

Head to the Village Green at Freshfields Village for Starlight Cinema, a free outdoor movies series. Beginning May 28, Starlight Cinema will take place every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. until August 27. Attendees are welcome to pack a picnic, bring blankets, or lounge in beach chairs to enjoy the movies!

On June 4, Freshfields Village will be screening Hook (PG, 145 min, 1991) starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.

For additional information, call 843-768-6491 or visit their website. 

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Freshfields Village Farmers Market

The Freshfields Village Farmers Market features the best Lowcountry produce, prepared foods, crafts, specialty products and more.

Taste local seafood, delicious sweets, artisan cheeses, and flavored olive oil. Visitors can purchase crafts and handmade products, including soaps, Sweetgrass baskets, handmade dog collars, and custom clay silhouettes. The Farmers Market vendors will also offer homemade BBQ, pierogies, cookies, and more.

The Market opens June 2 and takes place every Monday from 4-8 p.m. until August 25.

June 3 & 17: Yoga Under the Oaks

The Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site will host Yoga Under the Oaks from 6-7 p.m. on June 3 and 17. Happy hour will follow at the Legare-Waring House from 7 – 8 p.m. In case of rain, yoga will be moved to Founders Hall.

Admission is $10 (cash only). Catering is provided by Coastal Crust.

June 6: 2014 Loading Dock Live Music Series

Head over to Palmetto Brewery every Friday for the 2014 Loading Dock Live Music Series! They’ll be serving $5 pints of any flavor of Palmetto beer and admission is free for attendees. For more information on the bands and schedule, please visit the Facebook page.

Doors open at 5:30. Performances are from 6-9 p.m.

June 7: 26th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Contest

Join us at Front Beach on Isle of Palms for the 26th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Contest. Sculpt your own masterpiece and enter the contest as an individual or a team (maximum 4 people on a team). Registration will be offered at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Free t-shirts will be given to the first 200 pre-register participants!

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. To register, call 843-886-8294 or visit the website.

June 13: Circa 1886 Craft Beer Dinner

You’re invited to join Chef Marc Collins at Circa 1886 for an informal and fun 4-course Craft Beer Dinner. Chef Collins will showcase the craft beer from Freehouse Brewery paired with his renowned Southern fare.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $55 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For more information, check out the Circa 1886 website.

June 5, 12, 19, 26: Blues & BBQ Harbor Cruise

Every Thursday in June, you can hop aboard the Carolina Queen for a Blues & BBQ Harbor Cruise. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Charleston City Marina (17 Lockwood Drive). The cruise lasts from 7-9 p.m. and the Shrimp City Slim Band will be performing live music aboard the boat.

For details, go to the Charleston Harbor Tours website.

June 21: Fly Fishing 201 School

Join Captain John for Fly Fishing 201 class! Each class is typically offered once a month for a $75 fee. The class will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Your course fee includes lunch as well as any necessary tackle required.

Captain John will cover everything from fly casting to knots to flies selection for Lowcountry species.

Class sizes are limited to 10 participants. For details, click here.

June 28: Carolina Day 2014

Carolina Day celebrates the American victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. The first Carolina Day was celebrated in 1777, after the Battle was won on June 28, 1776. The Palmetto Society and the South Carolina Historical Society continue that commemoration today. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. C.L. “Chip” Bragg. Bragg is a native of Sumter, South Carolina.

The schedule of events includes:

10:00 AM – Church Service at St. Michael’s Church (71 Broad Street)
11:00 AM – Procession from Washington Park to White Point Garden
11:30 AM – Wreath-laying ceremony at Jasper Monument in White Point Garden

For additional information please contact Virginia Ellison at 843-723-3225 ext. 11 or visit the South Carolina Historical Society website.

If you know of any Charleston events happening this month, please let us know below!

3 Charleston Itineraries for 3 Different People

<img src="image.gif" alt="An historic building in Charleston" />Charleston is a place anyone can visit, no matter what they enjoy doing. Here are three sample 3-day itineraries for the adventurer, the history buff, and the beach lover.

Adventurer or Thrill Seeker

Day 1

Morning: Awendaw Passage Hike—The northernmost “tropical trail” in the country.

Afternoon: Charleston Sailing School—Learn to command your own boat. 

Evening: Overnight Blackwater Expedition—Enjoy the adventure and the calm.

Day 2

Morning: Marsh View Fishing Charter—Fish for sharks, cobia, and trout 

Afternoon: Mullet Hall Equestrian Center—Trail riding for everyone [Link to

Evening: Pavilion Bar—Al fresco dining [Link to

Day 3

Morning: Kayak Tour—Ultimate in water adventure.

Afternoon: Climbing Wall and Challenge Course at James Island—Scale the 50-foot wall and more. 

Evening: Overnight Saltwater Expedition—Explore the sea. 

 

History Buff

Day 1

Morning: Fort Sumter—Where the Civil War began.

Afternoon: Middleton Equestrian Center—History and horses.

Evening: Ghosts and Legends of Charleston Tour—Spooky stories.

Day 2

Morning: Hunley Tour—Explore the famous submarine.

Afternoon: Civil War Walk—Charleston 150 years ago. 

Evening: Haunted Jail Tour—Where infamous criminals spent their last days. 

Day 3

Morning: Patriots of Charleston—Step into their shoes. 

Afternoon: Charleston Museum—America’s First. 

Evening: Carriage Tour of the Commercial District—See what life was like years ago. 

 

Beach Lover or Water Baby

Day 1

Morning: Seabrook Island Beach—Serene and private. 

Afternoon: Isle of Palms Beach—Endless sand and water. 

Evening: Sunset Cruise—Blues and BBQ Harbor Cruise with plenty of food and drink [Link to

Day 2

Morning: Folly Beach—Friendly and laid back. 

Afternoon: Kiawah Island Beach—10 miles of pristine beach, dunes, and marshes. 

Evening: Kiawah Resort for dinner—Breathtaking views. 

Day 3

Morning: Sullivan’s Island—Go shopping and sailing.

Afternoon: Tidal Wave Water Sports—Parasailing and more

Evening: Live and Local Spiritline Dinner Cruise—Languish among the stars

It Was Another Amazing Dragon Boat Festival!

We were honored to serve as sponsors for the Dragon Boat Festival on May 3 at Brittlebank Park. This was the seventh year of the Festival, and it’s a unique event we’re proud to be part of.

There’s nothing like seeing cancer survivors get on the water to compete and have fun! The event benefits the cancer survivor programs of Dragon Boat Charleston, complete with colorful costumes, vendors offering all kinds of food and drink. We heard plenty of laughter and stories, which is why we love going every year.

2014 Charleston Dragonboat Festival from Liz Oakley Productions on Vimeo.

The Charleston Dragon Boat Festival has four classes of paddleboat racers: cancer survivors, men, women, and mixed-sex. Teams decorate their tents and wear team t-shirts, which are always creative and original. The entry fees for the Festival pay for cancer survivors to participate, yoga and nutrition workshops, a two-month outreach session for survivors, a Spring Camp, and year-round paddling 4-5 times per week.

According to Dragon Boat Charleston, “Since 2003, Dragon Boat Charleston has been paddling the waters of the Ashley River with the mission to promote physical and mental wellness among cancer survivors and their community through dragon boating. The organization strives to encourage healthy healing and healthy lifestyles through goal oriented exercise, good nutrition, education and fellowship and to support the beneficial effects of physical activity in survivorship through research. The club has over 160 members, some of which paddle in races throughout the country.”

We know that physical activity is beneficial to cancer survivors during and after cancer treatment, and thanks to events like the Dragon Boat Festival, wellness programs designed for cancer survivors have been developed across the country. We were privileged to join in this effort.

For more information, visit the Dragon Boat website.

Charleston Events for May: Roundup

<img src="filename.gif" alt="Musical Notes">We love Charleston because so many fun and exciting events happen every month, and we like to let you know about those you might enjoy. From the Charleston Convention and Visitors’ Bureau website, here are some highlights for May.

May 9
2014 Movies in Marion Square
Charleston City Paper is excited for this year’s Movies in the Park in Marion Square!

On May 9, join us for a previously unreleased movie (Yes, it’s a surprise!) Local vendors, such as Cory’s Grilled Cheese, Roti Rolls, The Orange Spot, and T&T Kettle Korn supply the refreshments. Admission is free, and has been for the past 11 years.

For additional information, please visit the Charleston City Paper website.

Every Saturday in May
Special $5 Pancake Breakfast at Southerly
Set your alarms for Southerly’s $5 Pancake Breakfast every Saturday from 7:30-10 a.m.

Each week features a “Pancake of the Week,” with classics like Apple Cinnamon or fun new dishes like Peanut Butter & Jelly!

Kids six and under eat free (offer valid with an adult purchase; offer limited to two children).

To learn more, visit the Southern Season website.

May 16, 17, and 19
Explore Bulls Island—Multi-Day Adventure with Coastal Expeditions
Offered only eight times each year, don’t miss your chance to spend the night in a National Wildlife Refuge.

All meals are included, as are transportation to the island, accommodations, and guide service. Each day, your guide will take you around the beach and its trails as they share the history of the refuge, help you to spy wildlife, pick up shells along the shoreline, and leave you with an appreciation the refuge’s importance. This trip is ideal for all nature lovers.

Remaining 2014 trip dates:
October 17–19
November 14–16
December 5–7

Price: $415 per person ($200 deposit at time of booking)

For more information, visit the Bull’s Island website.

May 24
First Flush FesTEAval
The First Flush FesTEAval is a celebration of America’s own tea garden and its popular product line, American Classic Tea.

The festival name, First Flush, is defined as the growth of new leaves on the tea plants in the springtime after a winter of rest. Their “first flush” of new growth is harvested to produce what avid tea drinkers deem to be the most unique, fresh, and amazing cup of tea.

The festival is not just about tea. Residents from Charleston and all neighboring towns trek to picturesque Wadmalaw Island to enjoy music, entertainment, art, and local cuisine. Fun for the whole family!

Please visit the Charleston Tea Plantation website for more details.

May 26
Charleston Men’s Chorus to Honor Servicemen and Servicewomen at Memorial Day Concert
As part of the Piccolo Spoleto Special Events Series, the Charleston Men’s Chorus will pay tribute to veterans and armed forces members at its annual Memorial Day Concert on May 26 at noon at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

Admission is $20 for adults, seniors, and students. For additional information and tickets, please visit the Piccolo Spoleto website.

If you know of any Charleston events, please let us know below!

This Weekend: Charleston Dragon Boat Festival

Join us this Saturday, May 3rd as we proudly sponsor the Paddles & Pearls team in the 7th annual Charleston Dragon Boat Festival!

Since 2003, the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival has taken over the waters of the Ashley River with friendly competition, fabulous decorations and costumes, and a strong spirit of community to raise awareness for cancer survivors. It is definitely an event unlike any other! If you haven’t experienced the Dragon Boat Festival yet, we highly recommend you attend this one. Whether participating on a team or just watching from the sidelines, it’s a great time for amateur paddlers to push their strength and team building to the next level. The spirit of togetherness is almost palpable when the Festival is finished.

For an inside look at the Festival, check out this video:

For more info, visit the festival’s website, where you will find directions, times, and FAQs. Pack a picnic or bring grill items! Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, and come join the fun!

April Events in Charleston You Don’t Want to Miss, Part 1

 

As the temperature starts to rise, it seems like we all wake up and want to venture out of the house. We have plenty of fun events in Charleston in April, and here are several of them, courtesy of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

YOGAPOP – Yoga & Music Festival

April 3

Location: Charleston Visitor’s Center Bus Shed

375 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403

843.412.6122

www.yogapop.org

Whether you like yoga, music, or both, YOGAPOP’s first festival will inspire and delight you. It starts with a one-hour, all levels yoga class taught by local yoga teacher Bethany Bubenzer. DJ Moo Moo will feature music from two dozen bands that will be performing along the Cooper River Bridge Run route.

After the class, roll up your mat and join us at the Yoga Village, for drinks, dinner, and great conversation. You’ll love the live yoga performance by Flight of the Phoenix and electro-pop from Lectra Lust.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, if available. Buy your ticket now, as space is limited. For tickets and additional information, please visit the website listed above.

 

37th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run

April 5

Location: Cooper River Bridge

843.937.4183

www.bridgerun.com

Known as the best 10K race in the world, the Cooper River Bridge Run promotes a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. World-class runners converge here every year, inspiring the community to participate in healthy events all year long. Visit the website above for details. Join us for fun, running, and more.

 

Gala of the Royal Horses

April 6

Location: North Charleston Performing Arts Center

5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston, SC 29418

843.529.5035

www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com

Riding Master Rene Gasser brings his “Gala of The Royal Horses” equestrian tour to the North Charleston Coliseum. Featuring performances from Andalusian, Arabian, Lipizzaner, and Friesian horses, the gala showcases the beauty and grace of these magnificent animals. Routines include the amazing maneuvers used on the battlefield now known as “The Airs above the Ground”.

Ticket prices are $26, $36, and $46 (plus fees).  A limited number of VIP seats are available for $56 (plus fees).

 

American Red Cross Home, Garden & Art Tour

April 13

Location: Old Village of Mt. Pleasant

www.redcross.org/carolinalowcountry

Take a leisurely walk through the beautiful Old Village of Mt. Pleasant from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on a self-guided Home, Garden & Art Tour. You’ll see stately homes, enjoy delicious cuisine, listen to fine music, and see local artists in action.

For tickets visit www.redcross.org/carolinalowcountry or email Roberta.Freer@RedCross.org

Tickets are $35 through March 15 and $45 thereafter.

Event proceeds support the services and programs of the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, including Disaster Services, Services to Armed Forces, Volunteer and Youth Services, and Health & Safety.

 

Join Us for the 2013 Survivor’s Celebration!

 Susan G. Komen Survivors Celebration The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is honored to be the Promise Partner Sponsor for the Komen Lowcountry Survivor’s Celebration again this year.

On April 14, 2013, we’re celebrating 20 years of serving the Lowcountry—and you’re invited to join the excitement! Whether it’s your first anniversary as a breast cancer survivor or your thirtieth, come celebrate your fantastic life with us!

Check out the event details below, and be sure to register now—space is limited!

2013 Survivor’s Celebration Details

  • Happens Sunday, April 14, 2013
  • Festivities take place at the beautiful Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Blvd, Charleston, SC
  • Registration opens at 2 p.m. ET
    Survivors: $10
    Co-survivors: $15
    Table for 10: $200
  • Celebration begins at 3 p.m. ET

Visit vendor tables and register for prizes from 2–3 p.m. The food, fun, and festivities begin at 3 p.m.

Wave Your Celebration Flag High!
Show your pride and encouragement with your own survivor flag or pennant to wave high during the Survivor’s Recognition. If you forget, you can stop by the Celebration table and create one on the spot. No giant flags or banners, please—we want everyone to be able to see the action!

 

For more information about this special event, feel free to contact Komen Lowcountry at 843-556-8011 or forthecure@komenlowcountry.org, or call our office at 866-374-2627.

Mark your calendar, and register here

Top 3 Holiday Related Activities to Enjoy in Charleston

festival of lightsImage to the left taken from the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission website.

 

Charleston comes alive during the holidays, and enchanting activities for all ages abound. Here are just a few of the festive holiday celebrations to enjoy right now.

Holiday Festival of Lights
James Island County Park, November 10, 2011–January 1, 2012

With over 2 million lights, the Holiday Festival of Lights is a must-see event. Set up as a 3-mile driving tour or a fun-filled train ride, the Festival of Lights also offers several activities besides twinkling lights, such as marshmallow roasts, gift shops, carousel rides, life-size greeting cards, and a tree lighting.

The driving tour is $12 per car, and the train ride is $3 per person. Children under 2 are admitted free.

Charleston Christmas Sleigh Ride 2011
Charleston Harbor, December 1–31, 2011

Every night in December excluding Christmas, Thriller Charleston hosts sleigh rides by boat to look at the Christmas lights and decorations. You’ll depart from Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant and see the sights in Charleston, James Island, and Mt. Pleasant. As you drink hot cocoa, you’ll hear charming stories of Charleston’s Christmas customs. You keep your travel mug and rain poncho.

Sleigh rides are $45 for adults and $35 for children ages 5–12. Children under 5 are admitted free, but do not receive the hot chocolate or rain poncho.

What’s your favorite Charleston holiday tradition?

Time for the 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure®

Logo to the left taken from the Komen.org website.

The largest sequence of 5K run / walks in the world, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series benefits education, research, and treatment programs for breast cancer. Three-fourths of the money raised by the Lowcountry Affiliate is invested into local projects, while the remainder supports the national research programs.

The 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® takes place Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Daniels Island, SC. You have the option to run or walk, by yourself or as part of a team, or you can Sleep in for the Cure. Registration fees are $25 for individuals, $20 for team members, and $35 for sleepers.

The registration fee includes the official Komen Race for the Cure® t-shirt and bib. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, let the organizers know, and you’ll receive a pink survivors t-shirt, hat, and bib. Please consider participating in Zeta Tau Alpha’s Race Day Survivor Recognition Program at 8 a.m. on Race day.

Team registration is due by Friday, September 23, and team bib and shirt pickup takes place Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7. Online registration ends Wednesday, October 12, and in-person registration ends Race morning. Individuals may pick up shirts and bibs Friday, October 14 or Race day.

Each Race participant receives his or her own fundraising website, which can be shared by encouraging others to visit the site and donate. If each Racer raised $100 over the registration fee, the Komen Lowcountry Affiliate would raise over a million dollars.

Race day schedule is as follows:

7 a.m. Survivor Tent, Sponsor Village, and Expo open.

8 a.m. Survivor Celebration begins.

8:30 a.m. Fun Run / Walk begins.

9:15 a.m. Timed 5K Run begins.

9:20 a.m. Untimed 5K Run / Walk begins.

10 a.m. Awards Ceremony begins.

Awards are given for the following finishers in the timed race:

  • Top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female
  • Top 3 in each division
  • Top 3 overall breast cancer survivor finishers
  • Top survivor age 40–59
  • Top survivor age 60+

Volunteers are always needed, and their help is appreciated. For more information on the Race, to register, or to find out how you can help, click here.

Fashion Feminar: What to Wear to a Wedding

 

what to wear to a weddingJoin Lee Heyward, style coach and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, and Kathryn Poe, owner of Mary Mojo Boutique, as they discuss tips for planning your wardrobe for a wedding. The live event, What to Wear to a Wedding, happening on Wednesday, May 25th at 6:30 p.m. at Mary Mojo Boutique in Mount Pleasant, SC, will benefit the Warriors Wear Pink organization.

Warriors Wear Pink lends assistance both financially and mentally to families fighting breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and shopping at Mary Mojo Boutique during the evening of the event will be donated to Warriors Wear Pink. (Click here to register!)

In an effort to eradicate wedding attire confusion, Lee and Mary will host this exciting and highly informative Feminar, dedicated to helping women eliminate frustration and quickly and easily dress for a wedding.

During this event at Mary Mojo Boutique (1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC), you’ll learn . . .

  • How to make one dress work for both a casual and dressy wedding.
  • What to wear according to the time of a wedding.
  • How to know the dress code when it isn’t specified.
  • What colors you should NEVER wear.
  • Which accessories are must-haves for the next wedding you attend.

Once Lee and Mary have finished their Feminar, you’ll be invited to delight in refreshments and shopping. Tickets to the event cost $20, but remember, part of the proceeds go to a great cause!

Since space is limited, you must register for this live event. Click here for more information or to register for this exclusive Feminar.

 

 

 

Share this event with your friends and bring your girlfriends along for a fun night of refreshments and shopping!