Wedding & Event Venue near Columbia, SC

Wednesday

What: Do some holiday shopping while supporting local artists at the Trenholm Artists Guild Holiday Show and Sale. Hosted at Stormwater Studios, this exhibition features works from 50 South Carolina creatives.

When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 10-14 and 17-21

Where: Stormwater Studios, 413 Pendleton St., Columbia

Price: Free admission

What: Bands Agnostic Front, Raw Brigade and Violent Way take the stage this week at New Brookland Tavern.

When: 6 p.m., Dec. 10

Where: New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St., Columbia

Price: $25 before fees

Thursday

What: Blending contemporary Christmas with traditional Scottish and Irish tunes, "Christmas with The Celts" is a holiday concert like no other. Get tickets to see the show, which is touring nationally for the 12th year, in the Midlands.

When: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 11

Where: Newberry Opera House, 1201 McKibben St., Newberry

Price: Starting at $45 before fees

What: This week's Modern Shag Night at Bill's Music Shop & Pickin' Parlor is bringing the holiday cheer. Dress festively for a shag lesson and dancing afterward, with Christmas music mixed into the night.

When: 9-11:30 p.m., Dec. 11

Where: Bill's Music Shop & Pickin' Parlor, 710 Meeting St., West Columbia

Price: $5 donation requested

More Information: https://tinyurl.com/3jw5566c

What: In celebration of The Big DM's 50th anniversary, "R&B Fanatics" is coming to Colonial Life Arena. The show will feature artists Keith Sweat, Ashanti, Bobby V., MC Lightfoot, SWV and 803Fresh.

When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12

Where: Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia

Price: Starting at $69.45 after fees

What: Moving Boxes, Stress Fractures, executive dysfunction, Fifth Floor and Calebjustcaleb perform this week at The Spaze.

When: 7 p.m., Dec. 12

Where: The Spaze, 804 S. Edisto Ave., Columbia

Price: $10 in advance, $15 at the door

What: Charleston bluesman Gary Erwin, who performs as Shrimp City Slim, will be back in Camden for a night of original music and blues classics.

When: 7 p.m., Dec. 12

Where: Broad & Vine Wine Bar, 1020 Broad St., Camden

Price: No cover

Saturday

What: Lace up your running shoes for a festive 5K at Sesquicentennial State Park. The course, winding through the forest and around the lake, will even give participants a view of the park's floating Christmas tree.

When: 10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13

Where: Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Road, Columbia

Price: $35, includes park admission

What: This week at 701 CCA, learn the art of collage from artist in residence Monica Cioppettini. A frequent visitor of flea markets and secondhand shops, Cioppettini centers her work around found objects and used jewelry.

When: 10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13

Where: 701 CCA AIR Loft, Suite 205, 701 Whaley St., Columbia

Price: $20 members, $25 general public

What: Calling all Eagles fans: Head to Icehouse Amphitheater this week to catch a performance by Southern Sky. This Eagles tribute band is made up of artists from the Southeast, coming together to honor these 1970s legends.

When: Gates open at 3 p.m., Dec. 14

Where: Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W. Main St., Lexington

Price: $26.18 after fees

What: This Sunday, the choirs of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will come together, alongside the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, for their annual "Messiah" performance. Purchase your ticket to enjoy this masterpiece by Handel.

When: 4-6 p.m., Dec. 14

Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter St., Columbia

Price: Starting at $20 before fees

What: Enjoy an evening of festive jazz with saxophonist Dante Lewis, taking the stage alongside musician Mike Stone and comedian Shuler King. This event, hosted at Brookland Baptist Church's Banquet and Conference Center, includes a plated dinner.

When: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15

Where: Brookland Banquet and Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia

Price: $71.21 after fees

What: Dick Harpootlian prosecuted South Carolina serial killer "Pee Wee" Gaskins Jr. in the 1980s. Four decades later, he's sharing his firsthand account in "Dig Me a Grave," co-authored with Shaun Assael. Hear from Harpootlian and moderator Dawn Staley at this All Good Books event.

Hosted by All Good Books

When: 6-8 p.m., Dec. 16

Where: 701 Whaley, 701 Whaley St., Columbia

Price: $29

It started in Italy. The impulse to survey the latest trends in contemporary art took shape in Venice in 1895. Since the first Venice Biennale, similar juried exhibitions have cropped up in New York City, Berlin, Liverpool and other cities around the world.

Columbia joined the mix 16 years ago, and the 701 Center for Contemporary Art is presently hosting Part Two of its Biennial. Now on view until Dec. 21 are representative works by half of the 24 South Carolina artists selected by a three-judge panel this past year.

When confronted with so many seemingly disparate works, visitors may be tempted to try to find a unifying thread. In this case, one readily discerns how most of the art pieces on display explore the various aspects of selfhood, both in its interior life and its outer expression.

Consider the concept of presentation, how we try to control how others see us by cultivating the image that we so carefully curate for external inspection. Portraiture, especially in the hands of so skillful a practitioner as Lori Isom of Camden, provides the most obvious examples. Her masterful 2024 self-portrait in acrylic exudes calm self-assurance.

Equally compelling are the mixed media pieces by Donald Medley of Rock Hill. Variations of the collective title “Grey Area,” they blend the representational and the abstract. In each, male figures navigate a muted landscape both organic and inorganic; in each work, however, one visage appears to pierce the opaque veil cast over the rest of the composition to stare directly at viewers as if to challenge their socially conditioned misconceptions about young African American males.

Presentation. or at least a significant motivating intention, is the subject of the largest piece in the exhibition, an installation made of both found objects and sound recording. The brainchild of Jeff Sumerel of Travelers Rest and his artistic partner and mate Goda Rupeikaite, the work features a vertical cluster of abandoned aluminum walkers accompanied by a soundtrack featuring a taped message advocating the need to live an independent life. Words of encouragement echo through a thicket of castoff rolling mobility aids.

The inner self is also made manifest in the expressive brushwork of Sonya Diimmier’s abstract acrylic “Indian Wedding Dance;” and Iranian-born Nina Rastgart’s “Object of Immigration,” wherein the face on her student card peers through a small aperture in the metal box in which it is encased as if attempting to assert her personal identity in a world of externally imposed strictures; and in Nolan Wright’s dyed and painted pine needle sculptures, like “Bend, Don’t Break,” whose curvilinear structure is made possible through the use of waxed poly cord and metal weights.

Even works, such as landscapes, that focus on what is generally regarded as the outer world, what Ralph Waldo Emerson called the “Not Me” in his influential essay “Self-Reliance,” can be viewed in this notable exhibition as extensions of the self.

The dramatically ominous ink and pencil landscapes of Patrick Mahoney of Columbia, the kitchen vignettes of Ada Goldfield, wherein domestic objects become the catalysts for calamity; and the off-balance ceramic sculptures of Jay Owens can be read as projections of the artist’s frame of mind in the act of creation.

Finally, there is the large-scale oil on birch panel by Morgan East of North Charleston. Entitled “Nocturne,” the work is part of a series depicting luminous female figures submerged in a dark, watery element. What is one to make of this faceless figure, both hauntingly poetic and melancholy? Is it a modern-day Ophelia? Is it a universal image of the submerged, suspended self?

Taking the pulse of contemporary art in South Carolina, this second installment of the two-part 2025 Biennial closes out the year with much to see and ponder.

This year’s theme for the Columbia Carillon Parade is Making Merry Memories, apt for all the various South Carolina communities staging parades this holiday season.

The Carillon parade on Sumter Street, begins at Bull and Gervais streets at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday. Rain or shine.

Some 125 entries, including floats, bands and performances will be featured in this, the 73rd year. It is Columbia’s biggest Christmas parade. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott will be the grand marshal.

Organizers ask people to remember no cars are allowed to park along the parade route from Elmwood Avenue to Gervais street on Sumter Street.

Participants will need to park along Marion Street or Main Street. Click or tap here for more information.

Other area parades include:

Dec. 5, 6 p.m. — The Town of Lexington will stage a parade as part of its Dec 4-7 , a craft fair, carnival, movie night and tree lighting. The theme is “A Storybook Christmas.”

Dec. 6, 9 a.m. — The Town of Irmo will hold its first Christmas parade, beginning at Crossroads Intermediate School and wind its way down, concluding near the McDonald’s on St. Andrews Road.

Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. Poinsettia Christmas Parade along Greenville’s Main Street from Augusta Street to North Street. The city has sponsored the parade for more than 75 years.

Greenville businessman and founder and chairman of Artisphere Henry Horowitz is the grand marshal.

Dec. 6 11 a.m. Piedmont Holly Jolly Christmas Parade — marching bands, ROTC units, pageant winners, dance groups, antique cars and trucks, Santa, and more.

Dec. 6 2 p.m. Mauldin Christmas Parade — The Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual parade starting at the Golden Strip Career Center, traveling down Holland Road and ending at BridgeWay.

Dec. 7 4 p.m. Orangeburg County Christmas Parade. The theme is Rockin’ the 80s. Organizers say Expect bright lights, bold colors, and plenty of retro holiday fun as the community comes together to kick off the Christmas season in style!

Dec. 7 3 p.m. Prosperity Christmas Parade — Floats, bands, clowns, and all the usual parade antics march down Main Street.

Dec. 7 2:30 p.m. Greenwood Christmas Parade — Floats, bands, clowns and more travel down Main Street - 2025 theme: “Christmas on the Lily Pad at Frog Level”

Dec. 7 2:30 p.m. Greer Christmas Parade — The Greer Christmas Parade route is 1.1 miles; beginning at Poinsett Street & Memorial Drive and ending at N. Main Street & Cunningham Drive.

Dec. 7 3 p.m. Simpsonville’s Christmas Parade Parade Route runs north to south along N.E. & S.E. Main Street through downtown Simpsonville.

Dec. 13 noon Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce Parade Day 1— festivities kick off at the North Pole at the Greater CWC Chamber Office, 1006 12th Street, featuring live entertainment, amusements, family activities, shopping, and more. Then after the 5:30 p.m. sunset see the Holiday Parade of Lights down 12th street to Meeting Street in West Columbia.

Dec. 13 10 a.m. Kershaw County Christmas Parade — More than 3,000 spectators turn out for the Kershaw County Christmas Parade which boasts fire trucks, floats, pageant winners, classic cars, dancing, music, Santa, and much, much more!

The parade will begin at the corner of Broad Street and Laurens in downtown Camden. It will proceed along Broad Street and end at the City Arena. This year’s theme is “Christmas Fun For Everyone.”

Dec. 21 2 p.m. Boykin Christmas Parade — bills itself as the “world’s most unique Christmas Parade.” Thousands flock to the tiny hamlet of Boykin to enjoy a country Christmas and see what means of transportation Santa will find. “You just never know what to expect at the Boykin Christmas Parade.”

This is a parade with a sense of humor. On their Facebook page they say “if you can decorate it, drive it, pull it, or pray it forward ... we want it in the parade! This is the year for wacky homemade floats, small-town spirit, redneck creativity.”

Dec. 13 6:30 p.m. Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade — Sponsored by the Lugoff Optimist Club, this is a night time parade “that is magical for young and old,” organizers say.

Do you drive through southeast Columbia? You could soon run into new major construction, with a long-unchanged corner lot in a busy Columbia corridor now available for redevelopment.

Commercial real estate firm NAI Columbia wants someone to lease the 3.14 acre site at the corner of Rosewood Drive and Beltline Boulevard, currently occupied by a handful of businesses and homes. Specifically, NAI says a convenience store would be ideal for the site “as there is little to no competition in the immediate area.”

The busy intersection where the new development would come is something of a Columbia traffic sorter, giving drivers access to major thoroughfare roads that span the city: Take Rosewood Drive to Beltline Boulevard to get to Forest Acres. Take Rosewood a little further to Garners Ferry and get to Lower Richland. Take Rosewood Drive east and get to downtown Columbia.

Because of this, the intersection sees a lot of traffic. An average of 24,000 vehicles drive down Rosewood Boulevard each day. Another 10,000 each day travel the piece of Beltline Boulevard between Rosewood Drive and Devine Street. More than 8,000 cars a day take Beltline Boulevard to Rosewood Drive, and another nearly 19,000 cars take Rosewood Drive to Garners Ferry Road.

NAI Columbia hopes that traffic entices new business to the intersection, which is occupied now by a cell phone repair store, a body piercing shop, and several homes. The full 3.14 acre site is owned by a family trust for the Gaffos Family.

The State has contacted NAI Columbia for additional information, including what the plans are for the businesses already on the site.

What does the proposed development plan mean for you? Nothing yet. Right now, NAI Columbia is looking for interested parties, but there are no formal site plans for a convenience store project at that intersection as of now.

If a convenience store did set up on the site, it would join a string of similar shops on Rosewood Drive and Beltline Boulevard, as well as a Quick Trip 1.5 miles away near Fort Jackson.

A teacher at Crayton Middle School was removed from the building in November. Students and parents don’t know why, and the school district won’t say.

Stephen Price, a mathematics teacher who also coached the Crayton’s wrestling team, was escorted from school premises on Nov. 17 during school hours, said Meagan Kerr, the parent of a Crayton student and member of the wrestling team. Kerr told The State that students were instructed to go into their classrooms, shut the doors and told to remain there while Price was escorted out.

Since then, the wrestling program at the Forest Acres school has been at a standstill.

In a Nov. 20 message, which was obtained by The State, Crayton Principal Angela Burns told parents and guardians that the school wanted to address questions regarding Price’s absence and encouraged families to reach out to her with questions.

“While we understand that you may have concerns please know that we are unable to share specific details due to privacy laws that protect all employees,” Burns wrote. “What we can assure you is that we are committed to maintaining a safe and productive learning environment for your children. ... we have measures in place to ensure students receive the support they need.”

Burns said that instruction would continue as planned.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in avoiding speculation or spreading rumors, as this can be harmful and inaccurate,” Burns wrote.

Price is still listed as a faculty member on the middle school’s website. He could not be reached for comment.

Wrestling practice was abruptly canceled, Kerr said, and parents and students are “completely in the dark,” with little information about the future of the wrestling programs. It’s led to safety concerns among families, and rumors among students, she said.

“Right now the lack of information is causing a lot of confusion and speculation,” Kerr wrote in an email to Burns on Nov. 20.

A spokesperson for Richland School District 1 declined to answer a reporter’s questions about the nature of Price’s removal, the status of his employment or if any disciplinary action was taken.

“The situation at Crayton involves a confidential personnel matter, which is being addressed,” Karen York said in a statement. “Yes, there may be some rumors and misinformation about the situation but, as I noted, this involves a confidential personnel matter so we cannot discuss any possible disciplinary actions or other details.”

York said wrestling practices were canceled because the program is without a coach, though the principal is continuing to explore options and is hopeful wrestling will be able to resume.

Kerr said that parents volunteered to coach the team, but were told they were not allowed to do so.

The wrestling team has three meets in the next two weeks that they will not be able to attend, Kerr said.