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.

More Information:  www.olivaaiken.com

2)  Presented by Stewart and Associates- attend part 2 of a 3 part series Management and Leadership Skills for Nonprofits in the USCA Convocation Center on Tuesday February 16th, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

3)  Have fun at the 4th Annual USCA (University of South Carolina at Aiken) Homecoming Parade.  Friday, February 19th, 2010. 

More Information: or to enter the parade:  803-641-3776

4)  On Thursday, February 18th, 2010 be part of the year long Celebrate Aiken festivities by joining the ’Green Boundary Tea’ at the Green Boundary Club  at 3pm and 4:30pm.  There is an admission fee and reservations are required.  Attendees are encouraged to wear period hats and gloves .  

More Information: Nancy Johnson (803-335-8740)

5)  Take a break from your afternoon stress and attend the Midday Music and Lunch Series to hear the Zephyr Brass Band play at 12:00 on Thursday, February 18th, 2010.  Reservations are encouraged and lunch is provided after the 30 minute concert.

More Information:  803-648-2662

6)  Enjoy the Arts as the Black Box Coffee House, part of the  Bechtel Experimental Theatre shows off at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 19th, 2010.  This time of short plays and musicals also includes an open mic time!  Begins at 7:00 p.m.

More Information:  www.aikencommunityplayhouse.org

7)  More Arts!  Attend the Moscow Ballet as they perform “Coppelia” on Friday evening February 19th, 2010 at 8:00

More Information:  803-641-3305

8)  It’s time again for the annual BATTLE OF AIKENat confederate field.  A time honored tradition watch as over 1100 actors display a reenactment of the Battle of Aiken fought in 1865. The event will be held on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

More Information: www.battleofaiken.org

9)  Attend an Aiken Running Club Meetingheld on Thursday February 18th, 2010 at 7:00.  Meeting is held at the USCA Fitness Center and attendees get to learn about new technologies and strategies for running.

More Information:  www.runaiken.com

10)  The Aiken County Chapter of the American Red Cross proudly presents  “Sporting Life” Art Show and Sale! held at the  Aiken Center for the Arts on Laurens St.  in Downtown Aiken, SC from 5:00 – 6:30 pm on Thursday, February 19th, 2010 

More Information:  www.ecalendaraiken.com

Bonus Event for the week!

11)  Attend a free movie at the Aiken County Library as they screen “The Time Travelers Wife” on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

More Information:  HERE

For informational purposes only, may contain errors.

1)  February 4th, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St., Aiken enjoy an opening reception celebrating the Antiques in the Heart of Aiken event.  Tickets  $50 per person or $95 for 2 tickets and include a weekend show pass. 

More Information:  803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org

2)  February 5th through February 7th, 2010-  Antiques in the Heart of Aiken- Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St, Aiken. A fabulous opportunity to see and even purchase fine antique furnishings presented by over 20 specialized dealers from our local area and across the nation.   Tickets are $8 per person for admission anytime during the event.  Tickets are sold at the door. Fri.-Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. noon-5pm.

More information call 803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org.

3)  February 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St., Aiken, continues in its  five-part, Friends of the Museum weekly lecture series.  On the 2nd  Walt Joseph of the SRS Heritage Museum will lecture on the history of the Savannah River Plant (Site), including its development and accomplishments.  Non-members will receive a one-year membership in the Friends. 

More Information:  Call 803-642-2015 for more information.

4)  February 6th, 2010 from 10:00 to 12:00  The Redcliff Event ‘Shared History’ at Redcliffe Plantation State Park,Beach Island  A documentary on the families of Bamberg’s Woodlands Plantation, home of James Henry Hammond’s closest confidante William Gilmore Simms.  

More Information:  Call 803-827-1473 or visit www.SouthCarolinaParks.com for more information. 

5)  Enjoy an arts lecture on February 2nd from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the  Aiken Center for the Arts as they celebrate Black History Month with a  lecture by Brian Lang, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts, at the Columbia Museum of Art, on their new exhibition The Chemistry of Color: Contemporary African-American Artists   which chronicles The exhibit portrays in timeline format the accomplishments and struggles of such artists as Bearden, Lawrence,  Ringgold, and  Saar in the latter half of the 20th century. 

More Information or Reservations:   Call 803-641-9094

6)  Catch a Car Show at the Home Depot located on Whiskey Road on Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. All makes and models of cars and motorcycles. 

More Information:  803-648-4761.

7)  Enjoy a celebration at The Center for African American History, as they invite  you to “Experience Black History with The Center.”    There will be education and entertainment for the whole entire family. From African dance/drum workshop, to storytelling,  and stimulating and thought provoking symposiums.    Refreshments will be served.  This event will take place at the Lloyd Kennedy Charter School. 

More Information:  Public is invited call 803.649.2221.

8)  The Aiken Hounds hold Hunt Week Fixture Saturday, Feb. 6th -at  11:00 am with Breakfast at the Green Boundary Club at 1:00 p.m.

More Information:  HERE

9)  Enjoy a current events discussion at the Aiken County Library  Great Decisions Discussion – Kenya and R2P – This popular current events discussion returns to the Aiken Library with new topics for 2010. The discussions are based on a 30 minute video on each subject that will be shown at 2:30, prior to the discussion.

More Information: call 641-6875. 

10)  Story time at the Aiken County Library held on Tuesday February 2nd, 2010 begins at 10:10 a.m. and goes to 12:00.  The sessions are broken down by age.

More Information:  HERE

Photos of Aiken Blessing of the Hounds:

**** Blog is by True South Communities and is for entertainment purposes only.  May contain errors.

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

 

1)  ‘Historic Banksia Watering Trough Dedication’ at the Aiken County Historical Museum at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23rd.  This function is a contributing event to Celebrate Aiken.   A hunt breakfast hosted by Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum and the Equestrian Community will follow the open to the public event.

More Information:   Contact Billy Benton (803-649-0045) or Elliot Levy (803-642-2015)

2)  ‘Squabbles’ will be performed at the Aiken Community Playhouse.  Enjoy a comedic performance about a father-in law and a mother. January 22nd and 23rd at 3pm and 8:30 p.m. on the 24th. 

More Information: 803-648-1438,or email info@aikencommunityplayhouse.com or www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
01-22 :: 01-24

3) On January 23rd, attend an Aiken Illustrated Book Signing by Ginny Soutworth and Richard Pearce.  The book was created in honor of the 175th Celebrate Aiken Event.  2:00 to 3:30 at the Aiken County Library- Aiken, SC

More Information:  http://aikenlibraryfriends.com/events.html

 4)  Enjoy a great journaling workshop at the Aiken Branch of the Aiken County Library from 2:00 to 3:00 on the 24th.  ”You do not need a special locked book to keep a journal! Adult participants should bring their own pen and notebook to this free program.

More Information:  HERE

5)  On Saturday the 23rd, Watch the incredible Sandy Hills Farm Jumping Derby.  This preliminary is for Beg.Novice.  1195 Sizemore Road in Aiken.

More Information: (803) 295-7065

6) Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours this Thursday, January 21st . Open your eyes to medicine and art.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers (ARMC) at the Aiken Center for the Arts (122 Laurens Street, SW).  Meet ARMC executives, new physicians, and mingle with key medical staff.  Includes a fabulous Art Show which is part of this years 175th Celebration of Aiken History. 

More Information: Contact: The Aiken Chamber of Commerce

7)   January 22nd to the 30th at the James Brown Arena in Augusta have fun at the Augusta Equestrian Futurity.

More Information and full list of events:  www.augustafuturity.com

8)  Winter Opera Performance Galaby the Aiken Opera Society on Saturday, January 23 6 to 9 p.m. at Banksia.

More Information:  Jane Gunnell (803) 215-6164.

9)  The Midday Music & Lunch Concert Seriesat First Presbyterian Church of Aiken 12:00 Noon. Lunch follows the 30 minute concert. On the corner of Laurens Street and Barnwell Street. 

More Information: 803.648.2662.
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10)    The Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra 8:00 p.m. the Etherridge Center.

More Information:  www.usca.edu/ec   Phone: 803-641-3305