This Weeks Theme is Spring is Busting out All Over in Aiken, SC!

1) Monday, May 3rd through Saturday, May 8th join in the Celebrate Aiken activities as Jim Harrison “Scenes of Aiken” Exhibition is shown at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St., Aiken. View the poster nationally know artist, Harrison has completed for the 175th anniversary celebration. For more information call 803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org

2) Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 attend an 1830′s Picnic and Lawn Party to be held at the Rye Patch as part of the ongoing Celebrate Aiken event schedule. Admission is free-bring your own lunch.

3) WWE Smackdown at the USCA Convocation Center, 375 Robert Bell Pkwy., Aiken. www.Georgialinatix.com or call 803-643-6901 for more information.

4) Join the Aiken Bicycling Club for a Saturday ride. Rides are held every Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Odell Weeks Activity Center. Contact: tjlexc5@aol.com for more information

5) The lobster race will be held again in downtown Aiken. Join the fun and participate in lobster races, music and lots of great food. Call 803.649.9500 or visit www.lobsterrace.com for more information.

6) The Sixth Annual Aiken Garden Show will be held on May 7th and 8th and is sponsored by the Aiken County Historical Society. More information 803.641.6777. Proceeds to benefit Aiken Land Conservancy & Aiken Garden Club Council.

7) The Aiken Library will hold a book signing on Tuesday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m. with author Susan Richards. Richards book Saddled has just been released.

Birds and Butterflies Nature Series Begins at 7:00 pm on May 4th. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED call; 803-649-7999. Shop discounts & special door prizes and refreshments at each seminar at Birds & Butterflies.

9) May 9th and every Sunday attend a polo match at Whitney Field. Matches begin at 3:00 p.m. 803- 643-3611 for more information.

10) Enjoy a weekly vocal review. Hosted by the Wilcox Inn on Saturday’s during the summer beginning at 6:00 p.m. and lasting until 8:00 p.m. Vocals from times long past will be performed in the main lobby of the Hotel. Call 803-648-1898 for more details.

**** for entertainment purposes only. May contain errors.

This Weeks Theme is Art and Horses, Everywhere… as Aiken celebrates spring through many different artistic and equestrian venues!

1)  Monday April 19th through the 24th join in the Celebrate Aiken activities as Jim Harrison “Scenes of Aiken” Exhibition is shown at the   Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St., Aiken.  View the poster nationally know artist, Harrison has completed for the 175th anniversary celebration.  For more information call 803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org

2)  Aiken Center for the Arts announces its exhibits for the month of April: Brooks Gallery – ACA Annual Students Arts Exhibition; Aiken Artist Guild Gallery – Mary Ann Brock.  Exhibits are open from 10 to 5 daily Monday through Friday.  Call the Center for More info, call 803-641-9094.

3)  The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, announces its Spring Exhibits:  ‘The Magnificent Fifty-The Southern Capitols’ through the 24th and  ’Body of work-The Human Figure’ through May 29th.  Also the ‘History of North Augusta Garden Clubs’ , ‘The Artworks of Florence Euganks Connelly & Edith Jackson Alexander, and ‘Tying the Knot A Century of Weddings’ will run through June 26th. ;  For more information call 803-441-4380

4)  The April 4 Goal Invitational Polo Eventis hosted by The Aiken Polo Club;  Whitney Field, Tickets for viewing and the social tent are available. For more information call 803-643-3611 or visit www.aikenpoloclub.org.

5)  ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ theatrical presentation will be held  at the USCA Etherredge Center, on April, 19th and 20th @7:30pm;  Call 803-641-3305 for more information.

6)  On April 24th and 25th the Aiken Bicycle Club will sponsor its annual Aiken to Ride. Bicycle race through Aiken,Wagener and Williston.   For information visit www.aikenbicycleclub.org.

7)  Langley Pond Sprint Triathlon will be held on April 24th at 8:00 a.m..  This event is sponsored by the Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism  For info call 803-642-7559.

8)  Enjoy a fun filled day of Space Exploration as the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center celebrates: National Astronomy Day on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 Rain or shine.  For more info visit: http://rpsec.usca.edu or call 803-641-3313.  The day will also be celebrated at the DuPont Planetarium as they Show ‘To the Moon and Beyond’   Show times 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.For more info visit: http://rpsec.usca.edu or call 803-641-3313.

9)  The Annual Strawberry Festival will be held at  Mead Hall, on Saturday the 24th of April.  Enjoy a festival atmosphere with all the Strawberry delights your taste buds can call for.  Call 803-644-1122 for more information.

10)  A Little Wrestling maybe?  WWE Smackdown at the USCA Convocation Center, Visit www.Georgialinatix.com or call 803-643-6901 for more information on this event to be held on Saturday the 24th of April.

Bonus Events:

11)  AA Spring Mastersto be held at the Highfields Event Center on the 21st through the 25th of April.  For More Information (803) 649-3505 psjshows@aol.com

12)  Join a book discussion on “Undaunted Courage” by Steven Ambrose at the Aiken County Library on Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

13)  On  April 24th join the Aiken Running Club for he Riedell 5K at USCA. More Information:  www.runaiken.com.

For entertainment purposes only.  May contain errors. Published by True South Communities a licensed Real Estate Company located in Aiken, South Carolina.  www.truesouthcommunities.com.

1)  Attend an evening of dance and art at the USCA Convocation Center on Thursday night the 25th at 7:00.  The Columbia Classical Ballet presents “Cabaret”and evening filled with a variety of dance acumen! 

More Information:  706-262-4573

2)     Enjoy a historical walking tour of downtown Aiken as part of the year long Celebrate Aiken festivities.  The tour begins at Aiken Preparatory School at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27th, rain or shine!

More Information: 803-648-7612

3)  Have fun at a Jumping Derby… equestrian style!  Hosted by Paradise Farm on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010. 

More Information:  leslie@paradisefarmaiken.com

4)  Enjoy a historical presentation at the Living History Park in North Augusta, SC as they celebrate the “Last Saturday of the Month”.  18th  Century actors and exhibitions will be held throughout the day on Saturday, February 27th.  Opens at 10:30 and runs until 4:00  

More Information:  lynn@colonialtimes.us

5)  Attend a “Great Decisions Discussion”  on U.S.-China Security Relations at the Aiken County Library-Sunday February 28th, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. the discussion will be based on a 30 minute video shown at 2:30. 

More Information:  803-641-6875 

6)  Learn how to cook Gnocchi, Shrimp, Nicoise Salad, Beef Burgundy and Chocolate Mousse with chef Manuel Verney at Manuel’s Bread Cafe on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 7:00 p.m..  Open to the first 12 reservations.  Price is $75 per person, which includes dinner and wine.  (Restaurant will be closed that night.) 

More Information:  Call 803-380-1323 or email manuelvc@comcast.net to reserve your spot

7)  “Meet me in St. Louis”will be performed by the Aiken Community Playhouse at the Washington Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 26th, 27th, and 28th 2010. Show times are at 8:00 Friday and Saturday and 3:00 Sunday.

More  Information:  803-648-1438

8)  Join the ARC (Aiken Running Council) as they travel to Lexington for the Lexington Race Against Hunger 10K to be held on Saturday, February 27th, 2010.

More Information:  HERE

9)  Enjoy networking with the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours.  The event will be held at “The Haven at Market Street Station” on Thursday, February 25th,  5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.

More Information:  HERE

10)  Go back in time at the ninth annual Battle of Braxton Bridge reenactment.  The event will be held at the historical Braxton Bridge Plantation on Saturday, February 27th, and Sunday February 28th, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

More Information:  803-625-3585

*** for entertainment purposes only, may contain errors and published by True South Communities.

1)  Aiken County Historical Museum,  Friends of the Museum weekly lecture series.  January 26th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.  Owen Clary, Chairman of the Aiken Historical Commission will discuss  Aiken County history beginning with the early history and ending with the construction of the “Bomb Plant”.   $30 for non-members of the Friends of the Museum and $25 for current members. 

More Information:  Call 803-642-2015

2)   “Visions of the Great Plains” at Main Street Souvenirs on January 27th, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a Concert and Art Exhibit, featuring Scott Kirby a Visual artist and composer.  The event will be held at the  Etherredge Center  Tickets: $15 per person (students admitted free w/ID). 

More Information:  803-641-3305. 

3)  ‘Squabbles’ - A play at the Aiken Community Playhouse a comedy about a  father-in-law who is pitted against a mother and their resulting squabbles. Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th at  8pm. 

More Information: 803-648-1438

4)  Saturdays in the Park at the Living History Park will feature a living history demonstration.  January 30th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. (providing weather is good) Free to the general public.Saturday in the Park, Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta.

More Information:   www.colonialtimes.us  or  (803)-279-7560
 

5)  Red Nose Run 5K, 10K sponsored by the ARC (Aiken Running Council)  Saturday, January 30th 8:00 am to 10:00 am.  

More Information: http://www.runaiken.com/events/red_nose_app_10.pdf  or Alex Nicyper 803-254-0118

6)  Pinch Gut Puffer Run in  Augusta, GA  on Saturday, January 30, 8am – 11am at the Augusta Museum of History. The XC course for runners and walkers traces the historic path of Private Puffer. This 7.5K (4.7 mile) run will begin at Standard Textile at Goodrich Street and end at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Augusta. Shuttle bus starts @ 7:45 am, Race at 9 am.

More Information:  HERE

7)  Polo, Polo, and more Polo  The Winter I Recognized Horse Trials for Beg. Novice – Novice – Training will be held on January 30th, 2010 at the Pinetop Farm

More Information:  Gwen Urbanik gsupmu@aol.com

8)  Live Performance by Caroline McIntyreas she portrays  Mary Draper Ingles, Survivor of the Wilderness, 1755.  The program is told Chautauqua-style,which encourages questions from the audience. It is sponsored by the Speaker’s Bureau Program of the SC Humanities Council. This program is intended for ages 12 to adult on Saturday January 30th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

More Information:  HERE

9)  At the Aiken County Public Library join the Great Decisions Discussion – Special Envoys – This popular current events discussion returns to the Aiken Library with new topics for 2010.  Sunday, January 30th, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

More Information:  call 641-6875

10)  Aiken Standard Battle of the Bands registration is due on January 29th, 2010. Register your band now for the great Spring Event! 

Registration Form:  HERE