CALENDAR, Oct. 9+:  THAT Big Book Sale, festivals, more

Star Wars Day at the library is one of the many programs put on thanks to help from Charleston Friends of the Library.

Staff reports  |  Looking for the perfect holiday present?  You can find an outstanding array of 60,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other materials at the Charleston Friends of the Library’s biggest event of the year, THAT Big Book Sale.

Held Oct. 13 to Oct. 15 at the Omar Shrine Auditorium, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, the event has something for everyone.  Proceeds help the Friends fund thousands of programs put on throughout the Charleston County Public Library’s network of libraries.  

If you’re looking for a great way to spend a lazy fall afternoon, check out the book sale.  For times and more, click here.

Also on the calendar:

Free Verse Festival:  Charleston’s first poetry extravaganza will continue to run with lots of cool events through the end of the month.  View events online at FreeVerseFestival.com.

(NEW) A Kennedy in town: 10 a.m., Oct. 11, Stern Center Ballroom, 71 George St., College of Charleston.  Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Joseph Kennedy II will discuss mental illness in a talk, “My Journey: Making Mental Health Essential Health,” that is free and open to the public It is co-hosted by the College‘s Collegiate Recovery Program and Counseling and Substance Abuse Services.

Charleston RumFest: 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Oct. 14, Memminger Auditorium, Charleston.   The Cancer Survivor Program of Dragon Boat Charleston will benefit from this second annual event that features cocktails, fun, food and more.  Tickets are $65 each.  Learn more.

(NEW) Latin American Festival:  Noon to 6 p.m., Oct. 15, Wannamaker County Park, North Charleston.  The 26th annual festival will offer six bands over six hours as well as it celebrates Latin American music, dance, art, food and children’s activities and is highlighted by amazing performances inspired by culture from around the globe.  More.

To Kill a Mockingbird:  Various times, Oct. 18 to Nov. 5, Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St., Charleston.  Charleston Stage will perform a stage version of the literary classic by Harper Lee over two weeks in what is set to be an exciting performance.  Nineteen cast members perform in the show, which offers tickets from $31 to $64 for adults.  Purchase tickets here.

Colour of Music Festival:  Oct. 18-22, Charleston.  The fifth annual festival will offer an array of classical music to showcase the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers.  More.

(NEW) Cookbook party:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 21, Le Creuset Charleston Boutique, 112 N. Market St., Charleston.  The French cookware company will launch a new cookbook that seeks to demystify French cooking.  There will be cooking demonstrations, food and giveaways.  Learn more here.

(NEW) Take a walk on the Wild Side:  5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 4, Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown, S.C.  The S.C. Environmental Law Project will hold its 8th Annual Wild Side with special guest, naturalist Rudy Mancke, scheduled to be the featured speaker.  Great event with boat tours, food, drinks, live music and more.  For ticket prices and more information on the nonprofit benefit, click here.

Love Potion No. 9:  Various times, through Nov. 11, 200 Meeting St., Charleston.  The post-apocalyptic doo-wop musical will be presented by 34 West Theater Company at various times on Tuesdays, and Thursdays through Sundays  with tickets at $35.  More.

Farmers markets.  Here is a list of various markets in the Lowcountry throughout the summer:

• TUESDAYS:  Mount Pleasant Farmers Market occurs every Tuesday starting at 3:30 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. Location:  645 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant.
• WEDNESDAYS: West Ashley Farmers Market opens at 3 p.m. every Wednesday in Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Ave., Charleston.  Season extended through Nov. 19.
• WEDNESDAYS: Folly Beach Farmers Market opens at 6 p.m. and closed three hours later at Folly River Park on Center St.  Runs through November.
• THURSDAYS:  Sullivan’s Island Farmers Market starts at 2:30 p.m. every Thursday at 1921 I’On Avenue in front of the Poe Library.
• SATURDAYS:  Charleston Farmers Market occurs every Saturday through Nov. 25 at Marion Square.  It opens at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.
• SATURDAYS:  Johns Island Farmers Market operates each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round with more than 50 local farmers and vendors, food trucks, music and more.  The market is located on the campus of Charleston Collegiate School, 2024 Academy Road, Johns Island.
• SATURDAYS: The Town Market on James Island opens every Saturday at 9 a.m. at the James Island Youth Soccer Club, 871 Fort Johnson Road, James Island.
• List of other markets.

Early morning bird walks at Caw Caw:  8:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel.  You can learn about habitats and birds, butterflies and other organisms in this two-hour session.  Registration not required, but participants are to be 15 and up.  $10 per person or free to Gold Pass holders.  More:  http://www.CharlestonCountyParks.com.

• 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.