COLUMBIA, S.C. — Summer is officially here!
If you're looking for something to do this weekend, try one or more of these cool ideas...
THURSDAY through SUNDAY, June 20-23
Black Eats Week 803, various locations, highlights Black-owned restaurants, eateries and establishments in the Midlands
THURSDAY, June 20
Summer solstice, the official first day of summer 2024 arrives at 4:51 p.m.
Drag Bingo, 7-9 p.m., Columbia Museum of Art. Hosted by Patti O’Furniture, prizes for the bingo game winners as well as those dressed to impress on the Rainbow Runway. $35 for public, $28 for CMA members or buy a table for your group.
Meeting Street Artisan Market: Summer Series, 4-8 p.m. 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Makers offer up arts and crafts in this evening market.
The Prom, 8 p.m. Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Musical tells the story of Emma, a high school student in small-town Indiana who only wants to take her girlfriend to the prom. When the PTA cancels the dance rather than allow the girls to attend, a group of eccentric Broadway stars champion her cause. Runs weekends through July 13.
FRIDAY, June 21
Gentle Yoga on the Plaza, 7-8 a.m. Boyd Plaza, 1515 Main St. Bring your own mat or settle into one of the provided mats or chairs for a morning session of mindfulness and wellbeing. Free with registration, no unaccompanied minors.
Make Music Day, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Enjoy a full day of free music exploration. Anyone can join in on the fun and music making with ukulele lessons, drum circles and other available instruments.
U-Pick Lavender, 5-8 p.m. Heritage Valley farm, 3040 Summerland Highway, Batesburg-Leesville. Come out and pick a bundle of lavender for sachets or arrangements.
Pride on Harden, 6 p.m.-midnight, 1112 Harden St. Spread love and positivity, and enjoy a day of music, food and fun.
Bluegrass on the Point, 6:30 p.m., St. Martin’s-In-The -Fields Episcopal Church, 5220 Clemson Ave., Forest Acres (across from Crayton Middle School). Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy the bluegrass sounds of The Millhands, free. Light refreshments provided or bring your own picnic.
Small Talk with Angie Stone & The Sequence, 7-9 p.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. Columbia native and singer/songwriter Angie Stone sits down with members of The Sequence, one of the first all-female hip hop groups, and talks about music and her career. Free.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, June 21 & 22
Dam Boat Run at Lake Murray. Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Skip Day Fun Run and Raft Up at the Sandy Beach family side. Saturday: 9:45 a.m. boats stage at Lake Murray Dam Towers; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. boat run; 2-4 p.m. raft up at Hurricane Hole; 4 p.m.-until banquet at Liberty/Lake Murray Marina
SATURDAY, June 22
Soda City Poetry Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. Open for all ages so young and experienced poets can share the same space and learn from each other. Conversations on writing, poetry readings, workshops and publishing a manuscript.
Strategy Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Kershaw County Library Elgin, 2652 Main St., Elgin. Game day for all ages! Bring family and friends or meet up with other gamers at the library for a day of classic and indie board games.
Juneteenth Celebration: Inclusivity for Everyone, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. Enjoy African dance with Imani School of Dance, West African Drumming, storytelling, jazz music and food from Scott's Southern Smoke BBQ & Dirty V
Juneteenth Celebration in Hopkins, noon-6 p.m., Harriet Barber House, 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins. The free event features live music by Cammwess, Quan Howell, Dante Lewis, Brandon Waller and Lil’ Co, food trucks, vendors and more.
Soul Food: The R&B Picnic + Festival Tour, 2-9 p.m. Historic Columbia Speedway, 2001 Charleston Highway, Cayce. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a day of music and good food. Coolers welcome but the site will have 3 full-service bars.
Concert in the Park: Under the Oaks, 2-4 p.m. Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd. Come and enjoy the Upstate Brass Quintet under the oaks at the spillway. Bring your chairs or blankets and snacks for this family-friendly outdoor event. Free with park admission.
Glowing for Cancer Awareness Walk, 6:30-7:30 p.m. presented by Randy Sims Cancer Network. The evening walk starts at Wayman Chapel Church, 400 South Garden St., Winnsboro, and ends at Fairfield High School Alumni Administration Building.
Columbia’s 8th Shrimp and Grits Fest, 6-9 p.m. Seawell’s, 1125 Rosewood Dr. Enjoy the classic combination of shrimp and grits as presented by some of the area’s top chefs. Sample the different versions and decide the winner. Tickets include unlimited shrimp and grits samples, live music and door prizes.
