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

 

Week Beginning December 7th, 2009

Happy Pearl Harbor Day- we appreciate the members of our armed forces who work tirelessly to

provide us with security and freedom!

1)  Night of 1000 Lights in Downtown Aiken on Thursday, December 10th beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Downtown vendors will offer special holiday shopping sales while shoppers enjoy an evening lit by thousands of luminaries that will line the streets. 

2)  Enjoy an evening of Jazzat the Ethridge Center at USCA.  Beginning at 7:00 on Friday, December 11ththe concert will feature Preston and Weston with Sandara Simmons.

3)  Enjoy a choral performance by the Masterworks Chorale of Aiken at 5:00 on Sunday, December 13th.  Tickets are available at the Ethridge Center box office for 10.00 each.

4)  Nightly venture to Hopeland Gardens for their annual Christmas in Hopelands light display.  The lighting begins at 5:30 with a shuttle running from Whisky Road (Goodwill) until 9:00 p.m.

5)  Join the Aiken Choral Society for their annual Holiday Home Tour.  Tour begins at 4:00 with maps available at 3:30 from the Chamber of Commerce and other partner vendors.  803-642-0467 for more information.

6)  It’s a Wonderful Life! Enjoy the play at the Washington Center of the Arts December 11th and 12th at 8:00 p.m.

7) On Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 2:00pm  Have fun at the Reptiles and Turtles Program with Book Signing The authors Whit Gibbons and Judy Green will introduce The Animal Answer Guide and Lizards and Crocodiles of the Southeast their two newest offerings to the public.

8)  Attend the Nutcracker Ballet at the Ethridge Center 803-641-3305 for more information.  Performance by the Aiken Civic Ballet Group will begin at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12th.

9) Go to the Aiken Farmers Market for Holly Days! Vendors will have wreaths and other holiday wears as well as the usually fabulous selection of winter produce.  Saturday December 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

10)  Pony Up! At the Highlands Horse Show progressive jumping will be in full spring!  http://www.psjshows.comfor more information. December 12th and 13th admission is free.

Spotlight:  One Table visit onetable.org for more details. 

Something not seen in any other community I have lived or visited on the day of feasting we Americans call Thanksgiving happens in downtown Aiken every year!  The ONE TABLE celebration began in 2005 and is an opportunity for neighbors from Aiken to gather together around a community banquet table and enjoy Thanksgiving as a community, just the way the pilgrims did it!  Billed on their website as a “hand shake” rather than a hand out, pictures from events past and comments by local authority and celebrity figures posted on the website tell a story of an amazing opportunity to enjoy all that is Aiken, SC during a time of gratitude and hope for the future!  Details on the event are listed below but you may also contact Kathryn Wade at 803-295-8585.  This year more than 2000 residents are expected to gather from 11:00 to 2:00 in The Ally just behind City Hall. 

1)  One Table-  community Thanksgiving table in The Ally behind City Hall from 11:00 to 2:00 on ThursdayNovember 26th.

2)  The Blessing of the Hounds- The Aiken Hounds opening meet and The Blessing of the Hounds happens on Thanksgiving day, November 26th at 11:00 a.m. visit http://www.aikenhounds.com for more information.

3)  Enjoy a Quilt Show and Exhibit-  Hosted by the Aiken Historical Society enjoy a great display of this amazing form of  artwork that has been handed down as a legacy through the ages.  Show will be from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Aiken Historical Society located on Newberry Street.  803-642-2015 or museum@aikencountysc.gov for more information.

4)  Visit The Jim Harrison Gallery- A customer appreciation event will be hosted on Saturday, November 29th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Jim Harrison will be on site to personally sign any purchased artwork. They will be giving away a free print with each purchase!

5)  It’s A Wonderful Life- the play will be held at the Washington Center for Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday.  Based on the beloved film by Frank Capra the play will be held both nights at 8:00pm.  For more information go to http://www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

6)  Attend the United States Equestrian Association Horse Trials at the Pinetop Farm.  Contact 706-449-3039 for more details on this event located in Thompson Georgia and attended by many equestrian lovers in Aiken, SC.

7) Get an Aiken Arts Registry Listing- Aiken continues to compile a list of area artists in a list that can be requested by emailing bgassman@aiken.net.  Need to commission a woodworker, artist, graphic designer, or mixed discipline artist?  This is the place to go for a comprehensive listing of available talent in our area!  If you are an artist wanting to be on the registry, visit HERE for details.

8)  Bike, Bird, or Hike along the Greenway in North Augusta- Just minutes our neighbor, North Augusta offers a seven mile paved greenway path that winds its way through some of our areas most spectacular natural amenities.  Join friends and family in saluting the amazing weather we have in our area by visiting the Greenway today!  A great place to walk off that extra green bean or pineapple casserole you inhaled on Thanksgiving! HERE for more details

9)  Visit the Aiken Farmers Market on Tuesday  to pick up those last minute fresh shopping and decorative items needed for your family feast!  The market is actually open 7 days a week with vendors preferring Tuesday’s and Saturday’s during the winter months beginning in January.  Hours are from 8:30 am to 1:30pm.  Call 803-642-7761 to verify time, produce available and in season and for directions.

10)  Visit a Green Home under constructionand visit with Custom Builder Don Cerra.  Don will explain the benefits of going green as you tour his green home under construction in Kings Ridge, a True South Communities Gated Homestead.  Call 803-335-8468 for an appointment.