CALENDAR, Aug. 3+: Tax free weekend, musical, back-to-school

Tax free weekend: Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, across the state. Parents with school supplies to buy — and people who want things like computers, sheets, towels and lots of other stuff — can save money during the state’s sales tax holiday. Learn what’s exempt from the state’s 6 percent sales tax.

(NEW) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:  Aug. 7 to 23, Footlight Players, 20 Queen St., Charleston.  The Footlight Players opens its 84th season with the regional premiere of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name. Performances are 8 p.m. Aug. 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 and at 3 p.m. Aug. 9, 16, 23.  Performance is not suitable for children under 13 years. Tickets are $35 for adults; $32 for seniors/military; $25 for students. Order tickets online at footlightplayers.net or by calling the box office at 843-722-4487.

Back to School Bash and Basketball Showcase: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 8, Schroder Community Center, Hollywood. Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and The Parklands Foundation will host the free event for families with kids up to grade 12 who are going back to school. Lots of activities. More: 843.795.4386.

Begin With Books Pop Up: Noon to 4 p.m., Aug. 8, Coast Brewing, 1250 Second Street, North Charleston. Join the nonprofit for food and fun as it seeks to raise money to help provide kids with books. More: BeginWithBooks.org

Natural history exhibit: Through Aug. 10, 2015. “From Land to Sea: 35 Million Years of Whale Evolution” will be featured in The Charleston Museum’s lobby gallery with displays of whale fossils from millions of years ago. There’s limited availability for an overview by Natural History Curator Matthew Gibson on opening night. Learn more.

Back to School Bash: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 13, Haut Gap Middle School, Johns Island. Parents and children returning to school can meet county parks and recreation staff at this event to get ready for school. Lots of activities. More: 843.795.4386.

Shaking a leg. The Folly Beach Pier is set to have more Moonlight Mixers throughout the summer starting at 7 p.m. A DJ will spin great old tunes to keep your feet moving. Dates are Aug. 21 and Sept. 18. In Mount Pleasant, the Shaggin’ on the Cooper series will be held Aug. 15 and Sept. 12. Click here for more.

(NEW) Schein to talk:  7 p.m. Aug. 25, Charleston Jewish Community Center.  As part of JCC Jewish Bookfest this year, Beaufort author Bernie Schein will talk about his zany Southern epic novel, “Famous All Over Town,” that revisits South Carolina issues and adds some Charleston gossip.  Admission:  $5 for JCC members; $7 for all.  More:  Contact Sandra Brett.  sandrab@charlestonjcc.org

Bird walks: 8:30 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday and Saturday. This is the time of year that a great variety of migrating birds fly through the Lowcountry so what better time to take part in one of the regular early morning bird walks at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel. Pre-registration is suggested. Cost is $5. Walks also are conducted on James Island and Folly Beach. Learn more online.

If you have an event to list on our calendar, please send it to editor@charlestoncurrents.com for consideration.  The calendar is updated weekly on Mondays.