Greek Festival! Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Thursday September 13, 2012 – Sunday September 16, 2012

Join the fun and savor the delicious Greek treats at the 26th Annual Greek Festival in downtown Columbia. Check out theschedule here.

The Curtain’s Up! Music Man: Town Theatre

Friday September 14, 2012 – Friday October 5, 2012

The musical follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize – this despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. Musical numbers include: “Yo Got Trouble,” “Seventy-six Trombones,” “Pick-a-little, Talk-a-little/Goodnight Ladies,” “Gary, Indiana,” and “Till There Was You.” Visit the Town Theatre website for info!

The Curtain’s Up! Legally Blonde – The Musical: Workshop Theatre

Friday September 14, 2012 – Saturday September 29, 2012

Legally Blonde: The Musical comes to the Workshop stage September 14-29. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name, Legally Blonde tells the story of Delta Nu sorority sister Elle Woods and her amazing trip through Harvard Law School in pursuit of the sexy Warner Huntington III. Along the way she meets friends Emmett and Paulette, who along with her Delta Nus help her to remain positive and see her through. Of course, we must not forget the cutest sidekick in the world, Elle’s Chihuahua, Bruiser. From fashionista to law student, our daredevil in high heels proves that being yourself and going after what you want never goes out of style. Visit Workshop Theatre’s website for tickets and info!

Discover Columbia! New Fall/Holiday Issue Available Now!

At Publix, Food Lion and Fine Restaurants Everywhere!

Whether you are looking for a fun and different way to spend quality time with your kids or you’re planning a romantic date night or you want to see a detailed list of haunted houses, corn mazes, trick or treat events, holiday lights and happenings… it’s in there!! Pick up your free copy in the front of all Publix and Food Lion grocery stores as well as in many fine restaurants, hotels, retailers, downtown sidewalk boxes or our office at 1523 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. Call us if you need large quantities! Check our the digital version here!

Lee County Cotton Festival: Bishopville SC

Friday September 14, 2012 & Saturday September 15, 2012

Less than an hour from Columbia, Bishopville is a quaint country town that is home to Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden, the South Carolina Cotton Museum and this weekend, to the Lee County Cotton Festival. All Day Friday & Saturday festival goers will enjoy Carnival Rides, Arts & Crafts, Food & Merchandise Vendors, Horse & Pony Rides, Antique Farm Equipment Exhibit, Childrens Face Painting and a Petting Zoo…. and more! See the Lee County Chamber of Commerce website for info.

New Exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art! Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade 1940-1950

Friday September 14, 2012 – January 6, 2013

Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade 1940-1950 celebrates one of the world’s most influential and best-known artists of the 20th century by featuring 37 paintings, watercolors and works on paper which are drawn largely from the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. A great selection of tours and lectures accompanies this exhibit. Visit the Columbia Museum of Art website for details.

Tour of Homes: Locations Throughout Greater Columbia

Saturdays and Sundays September 15, 2012 – September 30, 2012

The 2012 TOUR OF HOMES is a scattered-site showing of new homes and new home communities throughout Kershaw, Richland and Lexington Counties. With homes in all price ranges, the TOUR is the perfect resource for anyone planning on buying a new home. It’s also a great way to see what’s available in the Midlands and the latest building and design trends. Be sure to pick up your Tour of Homes book that will guide you to each neighborhood and home on the Tour. And check out Gardener Guides’ freshly updated new homes website: www.ColumbiaSCBestNewHomes.com - with info on builders and 75 new home communities. Pick up a copy of this week’s Free Times for information.

Concerts!

Friday September 14, 2012

Rhythm on the River welcomes Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor Country Legends Jamboree! More info at Rhythm on the River.

Killer B’s (Borodin, Beethoven and Brahms) opens the South Carolina Philharmonic’s 2012-2013 season.

Sunday September 16, 2012
Country legend Don Williams is joined with COLM on stage at the Township Auditorium.

Thursday September 20, 2012

The USC Symphony Orchestra welcomes David Kim, violin, to a performance of Brahms and Bruch. More at USC Symphony Orchestra.

Loading Dock Live! Free outdoor concert behind the Township. Danielle Howle + Fireworks Show. More info at Township website.

Fall Family Festival: Columbiana Centre

Saturday September 15, 2012

Take your children to a free family festival this Saturday in the court outside JC Penney in Columbiana Centre. Your kids will love getting their faces painted, will be fascinated by the juggling acts and balloon artist and you’ll enjoy the giveaways! Visit the Columbiana Centre facebook page for more info.

Seven Oaks Park: Community Day & Garage Sale

Saturday September 15, 2012

Two events are set for this Saturday at Seven Oaks Park. Things get started at 7am and go til 11am with a huge garage sale featuring treasures and bargains galore! Then stick around for Community Day, from 10am – 2pm! View displays from various law enforcement agencies including: Traffic Control, CSI, Bike Patrol, SWAT, Marine Patrol, Crime Prevention and the National Guard. Activities: K-9 Demo, Combat Simulator, Fingerprinting, Robot, Bomb Truck, and more. The event is free and open to the public. Concessions will be available. In partnership with the Lexington County Sherriff’s Department. For info on both events, go to the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission’s website.

Animal Enrichment Day: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Saturday September 15, 2012

Fall into enrichment at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. The Zoo invites you to help celebrate Animal Enrichment Day on Saturday, September 15. Watch the zoo wildlife in action when keepers give them special treats designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors. Guests will also enjoy animal encounters, a temporary tattoo station, arts and crafts, and a silent auction to participate in behind-the-scenes tours. Activites will take place between 10am and 4:30pm. The event is free with paid admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. More at Riverbanks’ website.

Jazz on the Lawn: Blythewood

Sunday September 16, 2012

Featuring The Blythewood Jazz Orchestra, T Foxx, Big Mo Dixon, The Blythewood Jazz Sextet, The Hard Core Tanker. The fun begins at 3:00pm at 1509 Lorick Road. A beautiful setting under large shady trees for an afternoon of musical delights! Food will be served, and the fun goes til 7pm! Bring your lawn chairs. Visit the Jazz on the Lawn facebook page for more information.

Recommended Restaurant:

Jillians

At our office, we take the birthday girl to lunch on her special day. Week before last, it was Carmen’s (graphic designer) turn. Ever faithful to our advertisers, Carmen chose Jillian’s for lunch. We were soooo impressed. They have an amazing lunch menu and it’s really inexpensive. Everything is $6.99 and that includes a drink. Carmen had a beautiful lemon chicken pasta that was truly enough for two, and I had a fresh crispy salad with grilled chicken. Tina opted for the lemon chicken pasta as well, and we loved everything. If you are downtown and hungry around lunchtime,Jillian’s is high on my list of favorites.

Fabulous Ongoing Events, Upcoming Events, News and Special Offers!

Save the Date! Midlands Plant & Flower Festival: SC State Farmers Market

Friday September 28, 2012 – Sunday September 30, 2012
Friday & Saturday 8am-6pm
Sunday 12-5pm
Now’s the time to start working on your fall flowers and arrangements, planting next spring’s bulbs and getting trees and shrubs in. If the urge to work outside in our beautiful fall weather has you looking for new things to put in the ground, make it to the SC State Farmers Market the last weekend in September! Lots of seasonal suggestions with mums, pumpkins and Indian corn too! Visit the SC State Farmers Market website for information!

Buy Tickets Now and Save!

Fido Dog Rescue Silent Auction

Saturday September 29, 2012

Great food, great auction items, great cause!! Silent Auction for Fido Dog Rescue at the Old Mill in Lexington, Sat. Sept. 29th 5:30-8:00 pm. Selling tickets now for $10 prior to and at the event ( you are encouraged you buy your tickets early) which will also include catered food from Cafe Chartier, The Cotton Grill & Creekside Restaurant as well as musical entertainment from Arnie Jones of the Black Bottom Biscuits. At auction they’ll offer pet items, Gamecock & Clemson gifts & collectibles, seasonal decor,musical equipment, jewelry & fine jewelry, vacation packages, art, collectibles, antiques, services, gifts & gift certificates. Charlotte Ramsey, the founder, has been saving dogs lives for over 34 yrs, we plan on continuing this with your help. If you would like to foster or know of anyone that might be interested, please let us know. For more information, make a donation or buy tickets to this event, contact Kira Jones at ajkkjones@juno.com 803-926-9154. More info available at the Fido Dog Rescue facebook page.

Save the Date! 5th Annual Italian Festival & Bocce Tournament: Downtown Columbia

Saturday September 29, 2012

Free Admission
City Parking Facilities Available
Free Entertainment & Attractions for ALL!

This year’s entertainment includes Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms, from Columbus, Ohio, the most recognized and dynamic Italian-American show band coast-to-coast; The Fettucini Brothers, comedy & juggling wrapped into one, brothers Al & Al perform tricks galore…hilarious!; Castra Romana, impressive Roman Centurions in authentic period uniforms. Fun for the entire family includes CarnivaleMask Making (new);Giant Bubble Show (new); Trevi Fountain (new); Children’s Games-prizes; Old-country Italian Games-Prizes for Adults; Grape Stomping; Photo in a Gondola with a Gondolier! Authentic Italian Foods at Bella Italia’s Café and specialty foods from Italian Fresh Market! See all the details at the Italian Festival website.