COLUMBIA, S.C. — School is back in session. Have you settled back into your routine yet?
While high school football is well underway, college teams are still about a week away, so while you're eagerly anticipating that first Saturday game at Williams-Brice, take note of the many other activities that are going on in and around the Columbia area this weekend.
One of the larger events is Soda City Comic Con this Saturday and Sunday at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Maybe cosplay as your favorite player, eh?
Here's a sampling of things to do now through Sunday, Aug. 25:
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21
Forest Acres Farmers Market, 2 to 6 p.m., 24 Forest Lake Place. Fresh meats and veggies from area farms, arts and crafts, and food trucks.
WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY, Aug. 21-25
Dandelion: An Original Musical, evening and matinee performances, Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Jane must decide to either follow her dream or stay at home and take care of her mother, who is struggling with mental illness and opioid addiction.
So Long Roscoe, evening and matinee performances, Chapin Theatre Company, 830 Columbia Ave., Chapin. An original production, written by Chapin resident MonaLisa T. Botts, captures South Texas sibling rivalry at its comedic height.
Columbia Fireflies vs Fredericksburg Nationals, Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. Come to the ballpark for the Fireflies’ home stand against the Nationals. Wednesday is Dog Days of Summer, bring your furry friend to the game; Thursday is The Office-themed night with between-innings events and videos; Friday is First Responders Night with post-game fireworks; Saturday is Faith and Family Night with post-game fireworks; Sunday afternoon celebrates Women in Sports with pre-game autographs and post-game kids run the bases event.
THURSDAY through SUNDAY, Aug. 22-25
Freedom Festival International, various times, Spotlight Cinemas, 201 Columbia Mall Blvd, 29223. Over 65 independent films from all over the world in one weekend. Purchase tickets for one day, a block of your favorite category, or the whole festival. Tickets on sale at the box office or online
THURSDAY, Aug. 22
Meeting Street Artisan Market, 4 to 8 p.m. Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Visit with local artisans, crafters and bakers, grab a beverage from local breweries and eat from local restaurants.
Spritz Mix Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art. There will be a build-your-own spritz bar, music with a DJ, and a cash bar with beer and wine. Gallery access is free.
Opening Reception for Shepard Fairey, Facing the Giant: 3 Decades of Dissent, 5:30 to 7 p.m., McKissick Museum, 816 Bull St., on the USC Horseshoe. An exhibition of over 30 silkscreen and mixed media prints by renowned Charleston street artist.
Koger Center 35th Birthday Party, 5 to 8 p.m. Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. Celebrate 35 years with cake, drinks, music and a behind-the-scenes look at the performance venue.
Five After Five: Lola Grace and the Night, 6 to 9 p.m. Five Points Fountain, 747 Saluda Ave. Bring a chair, blanket, and snack from a nearby restaurant and enjoy a free concert.
Chris Koslowski's debut novel, Kayfabe, will be read, discussed, and signed at All Good Books, 734 Harden St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Chris will be in conversation with USC Professor Elise Blackwell.
FRIDAY, Aug. 23
Gentle Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza, 7 to 8 a.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Ease into your weekend with a yoga class. Mats and chairs provided. Ages 13 and up. Free with registration.
From Soil to Soul: Exploring (Un)Settled through Music and Conversation, 6 to 8 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art. An evening of art, music, conversation and storytelling. Musician and host Benny Starr is joined by featured guests Beckee Garris, Catawba citizen, historian, and storyteller; Marion “Rollen” Chalmers, business owner and farmer of SC heritage crops; Thomas Mosely, drummer and storyteller; and Rodrick BinGichi and JT Rollerson, multi-instrumentalists from the Four20s band. $15 for public, $12 for CMA members
FRIDAY and SATURDAY, Aug. 23-24
Black Pride Week. Celebrate the culture with a week of events featuring:
- Friday, Aug. 23: Welcome Reception, 7 p.m. to midnight, The Big Apple. Free food, free entry, and free parking, with Kam and Sounds by Aiko Finesse
- Saturday, Aug. 24: Cultural Arts and Wellness Festival, doors open at noon, Junction 800, 800 Gervais St. Live entertainment, music, food, giveaways, health screenings, HIV testing and PrEP Clinic
- Saturday, Aug. 24: White Party, 8 p.m., The Big Apple, with Jeames Patrick and special guests Carlos Dwayne and Moca Mula
SATURDAY, Aug. 24
Soda City Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Main Street, Columbia. Check out the arts and crafts, food trucks and more at this year-round Saturday market.
Main Street Latin Festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 1300 block of Main Street, Columbia. It features live music, dancing, art, and food in a family-friendly environment.
Little Red Riding Hood, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Columbia Marionette Theatre, 401 Laurel St. With various puppetry techniques and plenty of humor, Little Red Riding Hood is an irreverent take on the classic fairy tale.
Once Upon A Time in the Land of Amore, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. Classical meets Pop/Rock and Bluegrass as Walter Hemingway, the lead singer from "The Root Doctors," and Nahi Gruv,” Brittany Martin, Soprano, and "Carolina Bluegrass Style" join Ensemble Eclectica! in presenting "Once Upon a Time in the Land of Amore." Roxana Marinoff and Cesar Davalos, Sheila Brown, and Eric S. Blair Robles interpret the dance of love. Noted singer, actor and dancer Tracy Steele will be the Master of Ceremonies. "Love will be in the air" is the way Maestra Suzanna Pavlovsky, CEO and Artistic Director of Ensemble Eclectica! describes the program.
Taco and Tequila Crawl, 1 to 6 p.m., various restaurants along Gervais Street in the Vista. You'll go at your own pace, eating the best tacos and sipping tasty margaritas at 5+ bars until you end at the after-party for the ultimate fiesta. Basic and VIP tickets are available.
SATURDAY and SUNDAY, Aug. 24-25
Soda City Comic Con, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. Come dressed to impress and meet the artists and featured guests. Free-play arcade games, compete in cosplay and experience virtual reality. Tickets are available online or at the door.
SUNDAY, Aug. 25
Public Tour: Carolina in the Collection, 1 to 2 p.m., Columbia Museum of Art. Learn about the Charleston Renaissance, Catawba pottery, and artists in Columbia while you explore works by Richard Samuel Roberts, Edmund Yaghjian, Michaela Pilar Brown, and more.
Star Wars: A New Hope, in concert, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Koger Center for the Arts. SC Philharmonic Music Director Morihiko Nakahara conducts the orchestra as it plays Oscar-winning composer John Williams’ musical score live as the movie is shown on the big screen.
Purple Martin Cruise, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Spirit of Lake Murray. Take a cruise to Lake Murray’s Bomb Island at sunset to observe the thousands of purple martins returning to roost for the night. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the boat—$59 per adult and $50 for children 10 and under.
COMING UP
Hootie & the Blowfish: Summer Camp with Trucks Tour, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 29 and 30, Colonial Life Arena. Iconic pop-rock band Hootie & the Blowfish with special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain.
USC Gamecocks vs Old Dominion, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks kick off the 2024 football season.
Clemson Tigers vs Georgia Bulldogs, noon, Saturday, Aug. 31, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.