CALENDAR: Best of Charleston issue to hit the streets Wednesday

Staff reports  |  The Charleston City Paper’s annual Best of Charleston issue hits the street Wednesday  with winners in more than 350 categories — including recognition in more than 20 special categories that pay tribute to best efforts during the 2020 pandemic. 

The 2020 contest generated more than a million votes during the nomination and voting process as tens of thousands of readers picked their favorites for eating, drinking, shopping and playing throughout the Lowcountry.  

Winners will receive a special box of goodies Wednesday delivered by City Paper staffers.  Then on September 29, winners will celebrate with a smashing tropical Best of Charleston at Firefly Distillery in North Charleston.

“We generally host a tremendously fun party on the day that the big Best of Charleston issue is published, but out of an abundance of caution this year, we decided to wait until the fall because we didn’t want to have it during the sweating season, also known as summer,” publisher Andy Brack said.

• To see the Best of Charleston winners on Wednesday, go to: www.CharlestonCityPaper.com.

Also on the calendar:

Waterparks open May 15.  Each of Charleston County’s three parks — in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and James Island — will open May 15 for weekends only.  Splash Zone at James Island County Park will be open daily starting June 5 through mid-August, when it will return to weekends only until Labor Day. Splash Island  at Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park and Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark in the North Charleston Wannamaker County Park will be open weekends only until June 18, when they will open daily until mid-August.  Both will then open on weekends through Labor Day.

Hampton Park picnic:  11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 22, Hampton Park, Charleston.  The Charleston Nature Conservancy will hold a Picnic in the Park.  You can purchase a picnic basket (with wine) and enjoy it on the lawn near the Rose Pavilion.  More.

Safe Sounds: Firefly Distillery, North Charleston.  Head over to citypapertickets.com to secure a spot. Tickets are available now.  Doors open 6 p.m. for shows that begin an hour later. (Editor’s note: City Paper Tickets, which is run by sister publication Charleston City Paper, is operating ticketing for Safe Sounds.) Check out some of the shows that are on the way: 

• • May 20:  Jimmie Allen
  • May 22: The Reckoning

The Lawn Party exhibition: Opens May 8 and through Sept. 19, Charleston Museum, Meeting Street, Charleston.  The Charleston Museum is pleased to present The Lawn Party: From Satin to Seersucker, the latest offering in its Historic Textiles Gallery. In an “unprecedented” era when large gatherings have been discouraged and fashion has trended towards leisurewear, this exhibition is a celebration of getting dressed up for an outdoor party. Bringing a hint of glamour to a trying time, the garments on display were selected with the grand idea of “after” in mind. This is a perfect opportunity to come see what to wear for your next outdoor event as we head toward the new “normal.” 

Johns Island concerts:  June 5 and July 10,  Johns Island County Park.  The reggae sounds of Mystic vibrations on June 5 and the Motown sounds of The Legacy on July 10.  For each show, gates open at 6 p.m. with music beginning at 7 p.m.  Shows end by 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $60 per 10×10 square, not per person. Squares are limited to four people max.  Guests must arrive together, as each vehicle must have a ticket for entry. Squares will be available on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival.  Each show will also offer food vendors; no outside food, alcohol or coolers will be permitted.  Alcohol will be available for purchase. Patrons are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, tables, etc. to be used at their space. Masks are required, except when eating.

Ongoing

Holy City Farmers Market:  4 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday, Holy City Brewing, North Charleston. vendors rotate weekly to provide shoppers with a tiny but mighty shopping experience. vendors will be selling a range of products from specialty foods, home and body care to arts and crafts. More info.

Birds of Prey flight demonstrations: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Highway 17. Awendaw.  The center has reopened its doors to visitors after closing due to the COvID-19 pandemic, inviting people to once again come and explore the world of raptors through an outdoor program and flight demonstration. Tickets: . $20/adult; $15/children age 3-17. 

Quiet Edge: Through May 22,  Redux Contemporary Art Center, 1056 King St., Charleston.  This new show brings together the works of two artists who address rectangular forms that ebb and flow between depiction and abstraction: Suzanne Dittenber of Ashevlle, N.C., with the form of the book and Benny Fountain of Waco, Texas, with the window and room.  Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Artist exhibition in Park Circle: Through May 28, Park Circle Gallery, North Charleston.  More than a dozen new mixed media works will be on display by Johns Island-based artist Christine Bush Roman, winner of the 2020/21 North Charleston Arts Fest Poster Design Competition. Her winning design, Oak Circus, will be featured in the exhibition, which is presented as a component of the annual North Charleston Arts Fest. 

Sunday Brunch Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday, Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway, James Island. While the market is discouraging people from spending too much time hanging out during the market, everyone is invited to shop their local vendors.

Bird-watching at Caw Caw. Every Wednesday and Saturday — particularly through the end of February — you can see a plethora of birds at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel as they make their way through the Lowcountry.  The two-hour regular walks, which start at 8:30 a.m., are through distinct habitats that allow participants to view and discuss a variety of birds, butterflies, and other organisms. Registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.  A paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Max. 10 participants.   Fee: $9; free for Gold Pass holders.  Open to all ages.  More: Caw Caw Interpretive Center. 

• If you have any online events, drop us a line (editor@charlestoncurrents.com) and make sure to put “Online event” in the subject line.  Similarly, if you’ve got cool ideas for stuff to do while in isolation at home, send them our way.

CHARLESTON HISTORY

• ORDER NOW:  Copies of our new book, 350 Facts About Charleston, are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.