CALENDAR, Aug. 8+: From tax referendum vote to opera talks and shows

(NEW) Sales tax referendum:  5 p.m., Aug. 9, Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston.  Charleston County Council will have special meeting for a third reading on a controversial proposal to add more in sales taxes for roads, bridges, green space and other projects.  Public comments are allowed for 30 minutes.  Click here to find out the public comment policy.

(NEW) Charleston’s opera in the colonial years: 6 p.m., Aug. 10, and 1 p.m., Aug. 13, Main Library, Charleston.  Historian Nic Butler will review the operas, performers and venues done in Charleston in the years before the Revolution.  The city hosted the first North American opera performance in 1735.  Free.

(NEW) Sprint Triathlon:  7:15 a.m., Aug. 14, James Island County Park, James Island.  The championship race of the five-race triathlon series  is open for spectators.  Races include a 600-yeard swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5K run.  More.

A Chorus Line:  Performances through Aug. 21, Footlight Players, 20 Queen St., Charleston.  The company will kick off its 85th season with this classic dance musical.  Performances are 8 p.m. on Aug. 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 and at 3 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 21. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for military/seniors and $25 for students. Order tickets online at footlightplayers.net or by calling the box office at843-722-4487.

Godspell:  Through Aug. 21, Midtown Theatre, 2816 Azalea Drive, North Charleston.  Midtown Productions will offer multiple shows with two casts — one of child actors and another of adult performers — of the timeless musical Godspell.  Tickets range from $8 to $25.  More:  www.midtownproductions.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 $10. 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.