ANIMALS

Residents in the City of Columbia and Richland County can now get their pet microchipped for just $10 at Columbia Animal Services, 127 Humane Lane.

ART

Alexandra’s Art Studio, 111 Sparkleberry Crossing Road, offers adult classes, kids classes, kids camps, and art class groups. artstudiocola.com.

Columbia Open Studios will be held Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, 12–6 p.m., 701 Whaley Street. Register by January 31 at columbiaopenstudios.org.

CITY

The City of Columbia will host its fourth annual career fair to promote openings within various departments Tuesday, April 22, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street. ColumbiaSC.gov.

DANCE

Palmetto Scottish Country Dance (for all ages) is held every Monday, 6–7:45 p.m., Eastminster Presbyterian Community Life Center. 803-309-0495.

Adult Ballet classes are held Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Columbia Music Festival Association, 914 Pulaski Street. Ages 12 and up are welcome. 803-216-1953.

FESTIVALS/SHOWS

The 2025 Columbia Food & Wine Festival will be held April 22–27 with the Kickoff Dinner being held Tuesday, April 22, 6–9 p.m., Black Rooster, 201 Meeting Street, West Columbia. columbiafoodandwinefestival.com.

Congaree National Park’s 2025 Synchronized Firefly Viewing Event will be held May 14-21. Passes will be required to enter the park on event nights and will be awarded through a lottery system hosted through Recreation.gov. This year’s pass lottery will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 3 and will remain open for one week, ending at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 9. www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300008

Central S.C. Habitat for Humanity, partnered with BMW of Columbia, will host its second annual Brew 2 Build Festival April 5, 2–6 p.m., The Coop, a tailgating hub beside Williams-Brice Stadium. www.habitatcsc.org.

The Midlands 2025 Spring Coin Show will be held Friday, April 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Medallion Conference Center, 7309 Garners Ferry Road.

Columbia College will host the Wellness In Action Festival April 4–5, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 1320 Columbia College Drive. www.strictlyrunning.com/gpuilreg-8l.asp?uRaceId=4592

FUNDRAISERS

The Big Red Barn Retreat will host its 3rd annual Southern Shuckdown Charity Oyster Roast, presented by The Folline King Group at Merrill Lynch, A Bank of America Company, April 4, 6–10 p.m., 701 Whaley Street. thebigredbarnretreat.org/fundraising-events/2025-oyster-roast/.

Keep the Midlands Beautiful’s (KMB) annual shoe drive fundraiser continues through May 31 to help KMB raise funds to support its mission to engage, inspire, and educate the Midlands to invest in our community through litter prevention, recycling and beautification. Drop off new or gently worn shoes at KMB’s office, 1305 Augusta Road, West Columbia. keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org.

The third annual Madelyn’s Fund Pink Bow Fashion Show, sponsored by Jim Hudson Automotive, will be held Thursday, May 1, 5:30–10 p.m., Central Energy in the BullStreet District, to help raise money in support of Midlands NICU and pediatric families. bit.ly/pink-bow-fs.

GARDEN

The 2025 Spring Plant Sale at Historic Columbia’s Hampton- Preston Mansion will be held April 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and April 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Bloomin’ Art presented by the Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia will be held April 12 and 13, noon–4 p.m., Garden Club Council Building, 1605 Park Circle near Maxcy Gregg Park. View flower artwork by K-12 students in Richland One and Floral Arrangements matching student artwork by 26 local garden clubs.

South Carolina Iris Society will hold its 61st South Carolina Iris Society Flower Show April 26, 1–4 p.m., Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1005 Asbury Drive. sjbhi@yahoo.com.

Richland County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale will be held April 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Clemson Sandhills Research Center, 1 Pecan Grove Road.

HISTORY

“The Shot Heard Round the World,” a special 250th-American Revolution anniversary celebration of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, will be held April 19, 4–8:30 p.m., Lexington’s Old Mill Pond Trail.

Historic Columbia’s Palladium Tour is coming to Forest Hills Sunday, April 6, 1–4 p.m. www.historiccolumbia.org/palladiumtour.

Historic Columbia April events—Birdwatching in the Gardens Thursday, April 10, 8–9 a.m., Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street; Spring Plant Sale Friday, April 11, 11 a.m.– 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street; Elmwood Park Walking Tour Sunday, April 13, 1–2:30 p.m., begins and ends at Village Church Downtown Campus, 2204 Park Street; Birdwatching in the Gardens Migration Season Thursday, April 24, 8–9 a.m., Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding Street; Congaree Vista Walking Tour Sunday, April 27, 1–2:30 p.m., begins and ends at the First Responder monument, 1101 Lincoln Street. historiccolumbia.org.

MARKETS/SALES

Midlands Clay Arts Society Spring Sale will be held Thursday, May 1, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, May 2, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; and Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Stormwater Studios, 413 Pendleton Street. www.midlandsclay.com.

The Moms, Babies and Families Marketplace, a free event women can attend to gain information and resources supporting women, moms, babies, and families, will be held April 5, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way.

The second annual Spring Flea will be held at the Shoppes of Pontiac Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., 10509 Two Notch Road, Elgin.

MEETINGS/CLUBS

Spring Valley Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 1–2 p.m., Grand Hall of Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road in Northeast Columbia. To learn more about membership, contact Brian Dunphy at 803-920-4751.

Forest Acres Rotary Club meets the first four Wednesdays of the month, 1–2 p.m., St. Michaels of All Angels, 6408 Bridgewood Road off Trenholm Road. sandyo@sc.rr.com.

Rotary Club of Columbia East meets Tuesdays at noon at Seawell’s Restaurant near the State Fair Grounds. almjjmjlm@aol.com.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) group meets every fourth Wednesday, 2–4 p.m., Richland County Library, 7490 Parklane Road. For 803-782-2587 or 803-807-3436.

Rotary Club of Five Points meets Fridays, 1–2 p.m. For weekly meeting location and speaker, see fivepointsrotary.com.

Lower Richland Ruritan Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., Lower Richland Club House, Rabbit Run, Hopkins.

The Busby Street Community Center hosts the Aces Bridge Club every Monday, 10 a.m., 1735 Busby Street. 803-476-0933.

The Golden K Kiwanis Club of Columbia meets every Wednesday, 9:30–10:45 a.m., Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle. andrewchase@bellsouth.net.

The Rotary Club of Columbia meets every Monday, 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Seawell’s Restaurant across from the State Fair Grounds. annewalker@aws1962.org

Ikebana International Chapter 282 meets the third Wednesday of each month, September through May, 9:30 a.m., Garden Club Council Building, 1605 Park Circle. 803-799-7368.

Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOS), a peer led group, not a place for someone who is in crisis of suicide, meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7–8:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church 1715 Broad River Road. 803-622-1512 or SOSColumbiaSC@gmail.com. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741.

Eau Claire Rotary Club meets each second and fourth Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Lenoir Rhyne Student Union (2nd floor), 4201 N. Main St. and Wildwood. Carl@lebbyconsulting.com

Midlands Coin Club meets the second Thursday of every month. www.MidlandsCoinClub.com

The Greater Irmo Lions Club meets the fourth Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m., Zorba’s Restaurant, Irmo. To learn about membership, contact Henry Gibson at 803-920-5896.

Two Notch Toastmasters (TNT-the dynamite club!) meets every first and third Friday mornings, 7–8:15 a.m., Lizards Thicket, 10170 Two Notch Road.

The Media Club of Columbia meets the third Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m., Woman’s Club of Cayce, 701 Oakland Avenue, Cayce. www.facebook.com/MediaClubofColumbia

Palmetto Shell Club meets the second Sunday of each month, 2 p.m., Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Lane. 1276@gmail.com.

The Rotary Club of St. Andrews–Columbia meets every Tuesday 1-2 p.m., Lizard’s Thicket, 7569 St. Andrews Road, Irmo. Bingo hosted by the St. Andrews Rotary Club–Columbia, 6 p.m., Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Lane.

Columbia Philatelic Society meets the third Sunday of every month, 2–4:30 p.m., Tri-City Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Avenue, West Columbia. www.columbiascphilately.com.

Chapin Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin.

MUSEUMS

Olympia Mill Village Museum, the story of “Life in the Olympia Mill Village in the 1920s.” Free admission, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 1170 Olympia Avenue. Museum includes the Olympia School Annex, the Mill House Museum, and 15 outdoor exhibits. www.olympiamillvillagemuseum.org.

MUSIC

The Loose Canon Recorder Consort meets every Tuesday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. to play a variety of music including baroque, Irish, and contemporary. Advanced beginners and more advanced players are welcome to join the group. loosecanonrecorders@gmail.com.

The Carolina Jazz Society concert will be held Sunday, April 6, 5 p.m., Heyward Street United Methodist Church, 2501 Heyward Street. www.carolinajazzsociety.com.

Classical Piano Concert by pianist Matthew Ganong will be held Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward Street. music@uucolumbia.org.

SPORTS/OUTDOORS

The Lexington Medical Center Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler Race will be held May 17. This women-only event features a five-mile run/walk and a three-mile fitness walk that begins and ends at Gills Creek Memorial Park in the City of Forest Acres. HeartAndSoleRun.com.

The 2025 Garnet and Black Spring Football Game presented by Palmetto Shirt Company will be held April 18, 7:30 p.m., Williams-Brice Stadium. Admission to the game is free for all fans. There will be auctions and experiences that fans can participate in to enhance your spring game through Forever Garnet Memories. fevoenterprise.com/group/Forevergarnet588.

Coach Daryl Jarvis Community Fun Day will be held April 5, C.A. Johnson High School Gym, 2219 Barhamville Road. 803-467-4293.

Eager 2 Motivate (E2M) Fitness will host Step Jam South walk/run event Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m., Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. 1920 Two Notch Road. eager2run.com.

STUDENTS

The Omicron Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host the Alfred F. Young Oratorical Contest Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m., The Meeting Place Church of Greater Columbia, 201 Columbia Mall Boulevard. 803-718-2224.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Promise of Serenity NAR-ANON Meeting (For families and friends of addicts) is held every Monday, 6 p.m., Angelican Church of the Epiphany, 2512 N. Beltline Boulevard. colanaraon@gmail.com or www.nar-anon.org.

ADD/ADHD Support Group of the Midlands (AttentionDeficitHelp.com)—The people involved with this local support group are parents, families, co-workers and special individuals sharing and learning about the joys, frustrations, opportunities, and challenges of ADD/ADHD. The goal is to give hope and support. Join monthly in-person and virtual meetings, www.attentiondeficithelp.com.

The SC Youth Advocate Program is available 24-hours-a-day for foster families. 800-882-5513 or scyap.com.

Invitation to Change, a new support group designed to empower loved ones facing substance abuse meets every Thursday, 5:30–6:45 p.m., Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. eastminsterpres.org/events/change-group/

TAXES

The Cooperative Ministry is again offering free tax preparation services, provided by IRS-certified volunteers, to families and individuals with annual incomes of $67,000 or less through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Locations and operating hours are available at www.coopmin.org/vita.

THEATER/SHOWS

UniverSoul Circus will present its Rhythm of the World production Thursday, April 24–Sunday, May 4, Columbia Place Mall, 7201 Two Notch Road. UniverSoulCircus.com.

On Saturday April 5, 2025, Harbison Theatre will host “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., 7300 College Street, Irmo. www.harbisontheatre.org.

WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

Shepherd’s Center of St. Andrews Spring Session of Adventures in Learning begins April 8, Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road. Subject courses and activity classes range from chair yoga to “CSI Columbia,” a series featuring professional crime-scene investigators who share their scientific methods along with stories of real local crimes. shepherdscenterofstandrews.org.

Senior P.R.E.P. (Planning and Resources for Emergency Preparedness) will be held Friday, April 4, 9 a.m.–noon, 213 Barr Road, Lexington. aging.sc.gov/senior-prep.

The post CALENDAR OF EVENTS first appeared on Columbia Star.

April 3, 2025 | Columbia Star, The (SC)
Author/Byline: ops@our-hometown.com | Section: Events