CALENDAR, Jan. 1+: Berman’s civil rights photos on display at library

Staff reports  |  If you want to know more of what life was like on Johns Island as the civil rights movement was blossoming, you should see Ida Berman’s collection of photographs now on display at the Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston.

A celebrated photographer and immigrant, Berman snapped these never-before-seen photos of places and scenes on the sea island from January 1959 include people working at The Progressive Club as well as portraits of civil rights leaders Esau Jenkins, Myles Horton, Septima Clark and others.

• Special Jan. 4 event: Candie Carawan, who published the landmark, “Ain’t You Got a Right to the Tree of Life?” with husband Guy Carawan, will share civil rights stories with Team Backpack journalists 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 in the library’s auditorium.  The book includes statements from Johns Island residents during the modern civil rights movement.

The exhibition in the lobby of the library and the Jan. 4 talk are sponsored by A Backpack Journalist, Buxton Books, Charleston Friends of the Library, Charleston County Public Library, The Citadel, City of Charleston, the Francis Marion Hotel and Harold’s Cabin.

Also on the calendar:

(NEW) Restaurant Week:  Jan. 10-21 in Charleston area restaurants.  Charleston diners will be able to enjoy special food and drinks from renowned chefs at dozens of local eateries during the latest installment of Charleston Restaurant Week.  More than 100 restaurants are expected to participate.  For a list, click here.

(NEW) Tata talk: Noon, Jan. 10, High Cotton restaurant, East Bay St., Charleston.  Retired Brigadier Gen. A.J. Tata will profile his latest military thriller, Direct Fire, at this Blue Bicycle Books Charleston Author Series Luncheon.  Tickets are $31 for the luncheon and $58 for the luncheon and signed copy of the book.  More info.

(NEW) Sondheim Nights:  Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, 84 ½ Society St., Charleston.  The What If? Piano Bar Series kicks off this month with Sondheim Nights, an evening of song and story celebrating the music of Stephen Sondheim.  Brian Porter will perform with Kevin Thorn on the piano.  Learn more about tickets and tables here.

Charleston Jazz Festival: Jan. 18-21, 2018.  More than 100 locally-, regionally- and nationally-recognized jazz musicians, including Kenny G,  are in the lineup for the fourth annual event, which will stretch across four days this year. Learn more and get tickets:  CharlestonJazz.com.

(NEW) Off-road Duathlon: 8:30 a.m., Jan. 20, Laurel Hill County Park, 1400 Highway 41, Mount Pleasant.  Charleston County Parks will offer the inaugural run-bike-run event throughout the park.  It will include a two-mile run, seven-mile bike ride and end with another two-mile run.  Fee is $45.  Registration and information are here.

Cornhole for a Cause:  11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 27, Magnolia Park and Community Garden, corner of Magnolia Road and Sycamore Ave., West Ashley.  The Rotary Club of St. Andrews — Charleston is hosting this second annual two-person team cornhole tournament to raise $1,00 to benefit area nonprofits.  Register for $50 per team.  There will be music plus food trucks and beer available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. There is no fee to attend and watch the tournament.  For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/2BdIH9Q

STEM Festival:  Feb. 3, 2018, Brittlebank Park, Charleston.  The annual Charleston STEM Festival will celebrate science, technology, engineering and math with many interactive experiences for students.  More information.

(NEW) Repticon Charleston: Feb. 3-4, Omar Shrine Center, Mount Pleasant.  This reptile and exotic animal expo offers a family-oriented, fun-filled event for guests to learn about animals not normally seen in pet stores.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children.  Learn more.

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.