LOWCOUNTRY NOTES February 2014 Doug Holmes 843-475-1722
Ah February! It’s an odd month, we never know what it will bring weather-wise, but this year it seems pretty obvious it’ll be a little chillier than we are used to. February 2nd is Groundhog Day, immortalized in one of our favorite Bill Murray movies, The story is if it’s cloudy when the critter comes out of its burrow, then we will have an early spring. If sunny, he sees his shadow and runs back inside. This foretells another six weeks of winter weather
Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania is the most famous American rodent, while Canada has Shubenacadie Sam who emerges first in North America. His burrow is located in Nova Scotia which is on Atlantic time. Let’s hope they both agree enough is enough!
February is also known for 2 big holidays. Valentine’s Day (hint: always on the 14th) is a time-honored days to tell those important in our lives just how special they are. Don’t miss your chance. As usual, it’s also the first day of Southeastern Wildlife Expo, so make dinner reservations now!
Monday the 17th, we celebrate President’s Day/ Washington’s Birthday, a state and federal holiday. Always celebrated on the third Monday of the month, it actually never falls on a President’s birthday. Four of our Chief Executives - Washington, Harrison, Lincoln and Reagan - were born in February, but not close enough to make the holiday.
February is named after the roman festival marking a time to clean and prepare for spring. In the U.S., it is named as American Heart Month, Black History Month and Library Lovers Month among many other designations.
On the 22nd, we observe Earth Day, first celebrated in the U.S. in 1970. It has been credited with raising awareness and inspiring legislation like the Clean Air and Water Act. Earth Day is designed to promote ecology, encourage respect for life on earth and highlight concerns over pollution.
February opens on a weekend and it’s a full one, even without the Superbowl. The Blue Oyster Bash starts us off with their big shindig in Founders Hall at Charlestowne Landing at 7pm featuring the Blue Dogs. Chase after a Cure is hosting their 6th Annual Golden Gala at 7pm at Memminger Auditorium on the 1st. Featured entertainer is Elise Testonne. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and the Charleston Music Hall celebrate Groundhog Day with an intimate evening of music featuring both local and nationally-known talent on the 1st at 7pm at the Music Hall. That’s not all...the Charitable Society of Charleston’s Annual Oyster Roast will be going on at the Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed from 7-11pm on the 1st. Laissez les bon temps rouler, y’all, when Charleston Mardi Gras Week explodes in a week-long affair with parades, art shows, food fests, live music and our own royalty all leading up to the Grand Masquerade Ball. The 5th annual event begins with Taste of Louisiana, the opening of an exhibit of 3 critically acclaimed artists at 7pm at the Charleston Visitors Center. Cajun delicacies and specialty cocktails will be served. The show will run through the 2nd and benefit the Lowcountry Children’s Center All events lead up to the Grand Masquerade Ball held on the 8th at the Charleston Coliseum. Beginning at 6:30pm, it’s a crazy mix of pageantry, music, dance, beads, feathers and our own King and Queen. But that’s not all… On the 9th it’s time for a family friendly, all-day Fais do do. The event begins with a Boucherie (Cajun pig roast) at 10am, Alligator skinning and frying, etouffe lessons, crawfish boils, shrimp po’boys, gumbo cook-offs, a children’s Mardi Gras parade, costume contest and ending with an awards ceremony. It’s at the Charleston Convention Center. Famed Pit Master Rodney Scott”s Exile Tour across the South will come to an end with a homecoming celebration in Charleston on the 4th from 6-9. Scott will be welcomed by Sean Brock and Sam King and lots of Scott-style BBQ. Chart a Course for Children will be held at Fleet Landing on the 6th. The dinner and silent auction will benefit abused children through the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center. Studio 58: Inspired by the iconic Studio 54 club scene in NYC, Society 1858 will celebrate the launch of their new Prize for Contemporary Southern Art at their legendary winter party. The disco party will be held on the 7th at the Gibbes. Did you know…. 41% of young adults do not pay their bills on time? 43% of the young adults at the lowest level of financial literacy live in poverty? 66% of parents have not taught their teen how to balance a checkbook. Money Rocks is a free full day event focused on improving the financial literacy of young people and their families. Money Rocks teaches how to manage your money and plan for the future. Held at Charleston Southern on the 8th for kids as young as 12. www.CharlestonHoLmes.com The Chocolate Affair is returning on the 8th at the Daniel Island Club. The event, supporting Communities in Schools, is great for guilt free chocolate.
George Benson brings his Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole to the NChas Coliseum on the 8th at 8pm. Also on the 8th at 4:30 in the Mt Zion AME Church , Lowcountry Voices will premiere their latest signature theme concert plus an homage to Nelson Mandela. Second Sunday on King Street falls on the 9th this month. Stop by and see all the special events for this special day. Start the week with some fun! The first Southeastern Wildlife Expo took place in 1982 with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 attendees. Now, the festival has grown to over 40,000 folks celebrating the outdoors in the Lowcountry. It’s a weekend of action the 14th-16th: dock dogs, retrievers, birds of prey, chef demos, Jack Hanna entertaining the crowds, art exhibits plus quick draw and speed sculpts. Don’t miss Peter Nero in a special Valentine’s night concert, Music of the Heart, at the Sottile Theatre at 7pm. Arlo Guthrie will bring his tribute to Woody Guthrie to the NChas Performing Arts Center on Valentine’s Day. The Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette is offering a 7 week Teen Confidential class for 14-17 year olds at the Daniel Island CC on the 15th. The North Charleston POPS! brings its Endless Love show to the NChas Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the 15th. Memphis, the 2010 winner of the Tony for Best Musical, will take the stage at NChas PAC for a 18th &19th run. Part of the Best of Broadway series.
Feeling thirsty? The 5th Annual Brewvival will be, as always, the last Saturday in February (22nd) in the field across from COAST Brewing.12-5pm Darius Rucker’s True Believer Tour will hit the N Chas Coliseum on the 20th. Kiawah Island uncorks its Beverage Series. It will unfold over the next 11 months with special dinners spread over 7 venues beginning on the 20th. Motown’s hit makes, The Temptations and The Four Tops, unite for one show at the NChas PAC on the 22nd. It’s Alton Brown Live! He’s taken his off beat humor and culinary science on the road in the “Edible Inevitable Tour” at the NChas PAC on the 25th. It’s “part stand up comedy, talk show antics, multimedia lecture, music and food.” The award-winning Breath of Spring Flower Show (and boy could we use a breath of spring right now) will be at Cypress Gardens on the 28th through March 2nd. Themed “See the USA,” the standard flower show will be open to the public from 10 am-4 pm.
In sports, get healthy and help a good cause at the same time! The Go Red Heart 5K Run and Walk will be held at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina Pavilion on the 1st at 9am. Wear lots of red, this race is all about heart health awareness. Prizes given for costumes. The 12th Annual Master of Environmental Studies Student Association (MESSA) 8K Run promotes improved water quality in the Charleston area. Proceeds will benefit victims of Typhoon Haiayn in the Philippines through Water Missions. Two events for the 15th. Cupid’s Undie Run will kick off its fundraiser for the Children’s Tumor Foundation by putting some hilarity into charity. Half naked runners will run Folly Beach after the starting party at Loggerheads. Run time is 2pm. The You can’t Run From Love 8K will be in Mary Ader Park on the 15th beginning at 9am. It’s mostly a paved course with beautiful scenic Lowcountry views. Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. On the 22nd is the 9th Annual LifePoint Race for Life 10K, 5K and Half Mile Run. Meet at the James Island County Park Wando Shelter 7:45am. Support organ donation. The Challenge Walk MS:Charleston Challenge 2014 will begin on the 28th. Three days and 50 miles later you’ll cover alot of ground ending at the Isle of Palms. Walk with a purpose. Tennis, anyone? No, strike that, tennis, ladies? It’s the Kiawah Ladies Tennis Weekend coming up on the 7th. Meet women players from across the country with programs, demos and drills just for you. Or is golf your passion? Just learning? Kiawah has a programs for you too. It’s the Golfing Gals Bootcamp, beginning on the 22nd. This program includes instructions from some of the top female teaching instructions in the country with different options for experienced, intermediate and beginning golfers. Ashley Ridge High School has its Fox Trot 5K on the 1st of March. Enjoy!
