It’s a busy weekend out on the Sea Islands.

I am excited to see the new issue of Dirt from the City Paper has arrived. Why? Because it highlights Lowcountry agriculture, and many local farms are located right here on the sea islands south of Charleston, like Johns, James, Wadmalaw and Yonges. [To be fair, parts of Daniel Island and Mount Pleasant, north of Charleston, have some farms, too.]

Now how about the new fresh crop of events happening this weekend?

Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. Expect to see specials on mint juleps at local bars. Sports bars are your best bet for watching the race, including James Island’s Smoky Oak Taproom, the Lowdown Oven and Bar, and Johns Island’s New Moon Pizzeria. In West Ashley, the Beach Bar is having a party and giving a prize for best hat. Downtown at Johnson Hagood Stadium, there’s also a Derby Party being held by the Junior League of Charleston.

It’s also the weekend before Cinco De Mayo. 3 Matadors (West Ashley) will be partying all weekend, Mex 1 Coastal Cantina and Yo Bo Cantina Fresca will be holding parties on Saturday, and ChaChas (James Island) is holding their party Monday the 5th.

FRIDAY (the 2nd)

For the Terrace Theater’s newest offerings, scroll down to ALL WEEKEND LONG.

9am: On Wadmalaw, Ambrose Family Farm is open for u-pick strawberries until 5pm.

9am: In North Charleston, at multiple locations, the 2014 North Charleston Arts Festival is underway. The NCAF has lots of free and very affordable events, like Spoleto pre-1989. This festival continues through May 10th.

11am: On Johns (Main Road heading to Savannah Highway), the Main Road Farmers Market, brought to you by Charleston Petal Pushers, is open until 6pm. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen prepared food, natural compost fertilizer, muscadine wreaths, bedding plants, tropical plants, local grits, local honey, Amish jams, and homemade boiled peanuts are just some of the goodies you will find here. Please bring cash or check to make purchases. I had the privilege to talk to the owners Chris DeStefano and Lindsay Dickson this week, I will be sure to post the link when the story runs in the West Of Newspaper.

4pm: On James, Charleston Pour House, it’s Jimmy Landry and Friends on the deck. This is a free show.

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, the Folly Beach Rhythm Section is playing. This bar doesn’t serve food, but you can order Southern General food from your barstool. The General also has two happy hours: one you might expect from 4-7pm, and a second one at 10.

8pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, a new show has opened: Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, a play by Mitch Albom. You may know Albom’s work from the books Tuesdays with Morrie, the Five People You Meet in Heaven. Albom was interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning recently, click the link to see it.

9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, live music is by the London Souls with Gaslight Street. Show is $10. Doors open at 9. See website for tickets and more information.

10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Eric Culberson playing. PS-Don’t forget, the Bohemian Bull serves food late into the evening. The Charleston City Paper made this late night menu a Critics Pick in the most recent Best Of Charleston issue.

SATURDAY (the 3rd)

May 3rd: On Johns, at Legare Farms, it’s Foam Fest 5k. Click link for more information.

9am: On Wadmalaw, Ambrose Family Farm is open for u-pick strawberries until 5pm.

9am: On Johns (Main Road heading to Savannah Highway), the Main Road Farmers Market brought to you by Charleston Petal Pushers is open until 6pm. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen pasta and pasta meals, Amish roll butter, amish bacon, natural compost fertilizer, Dirt in a Sock (for small gardens), wreaths, bedding plants, tropical plants, local grits, local honey, Amish jams, and homemade boiled peanuts are just some of the goodies you will find here. I had the privilege to talk to the owner Chris DeStefano recently, I will be sure to post the link when the story runs in the West Of Newspaper.

9am: Johns Island Conservancy will be conducting a litter pickup along Maybank Highway on Johns Island this morning. Please watch for pedestrians at the roadside and pass carefully.

9:00am: In Ladson, there’s an American Biker event. A bike show, live music, beer, and food. Click link for details.

9:30am: On Folly, there’s a Sea Turtle Homecoming Party.

10am: On Johns, The Homegrown Johns Island Farmers Market is held near the Main and Maybank intersection next to Dr. Anthony Ross’ Island Chiropractic. It has 50 vendors, including local farms, artisans, and specialty food products. There are also food trucks and live music.

10am: On Edisto, there’s a Bazaar of local arts and crafts. Click link for details.

12pm: On James, Tradesman Brewing Co.’s tasting room is open until 8pm.

12pm: In West Ashley, 3 Matadors continues its Cincopalooza festivities.

12pm: On Wadmalaw, at Irvin-House Vineyards, it’s Sippin’ Saturday with music by Jefferson Coker and food by Linen’s BBQ. Please bring cash, lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray. But please, no coolers.

12pm: In West Ashley, at Mex 1 Coastal Cantina, its Cinco de Mex 1. Malandro Soul starts now, followed by the Dubplates band. Click the event link for more info.

1pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, live music will be played by it’s Girls Rock Charleston, an afterschool program putting on its first-ever live showcase. They will be followed by Davis Coen.

1pm: In West Ashley, Yo Bo Cantina Fresca is holding their Cinco and Anniversary Party.

 

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, Castle Crossing is playing. This bar doesn’t serve food, but you can order Southern General food from your barstool. The General also has two happy hours: one you might expect from 4-7 pm, and a second one at 10.

8pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, a play by Mitch Albom. You may know Albom’s work from the novels Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Albom was interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning recently, click the link to see the interview.

9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, Elephant Revival is playing. Show is $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Doors open at 9 pm.

10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Whiskey Diablo playing. PS-Don’t forget, the Bohemian Bull serves food late into the evening. The Charleston City Paper made this late night menu a Critics Pick in the most recent Best Of Charleston issue.

SUNDAY (the 4th)

8-11am: On James, the Coastal Cyclists will be cycling from James, to Kiawah and back, about 40 miles total. Please drive and pass carefully.

11am: On James, the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market features food trucks, local farmers, and local vendors. Live music is also on site.

4pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s Sunday Phunday with Runaway Gin playing Phish covers on the deck. Roti Rolls food truck will be in attendance. This show is free. Check out the new deck bar. There is no later act scheduled at this time. 

4pm: UPDATED! On Johns, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, there’s a Piccolo Spoleto preview show. Click this link to print a ticket.

6pm: On Folly, at the Grill and Island Bar, it’s Jazz on the Edge. Food and drink specials, and an open jazz jam by over 22 local jazz talents. Click link for details.

9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s soul, R&B and funk double header: T-Bird and the Breaks and Jessice Hernandez and the Deltas band. It’s $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Doors open at 8:30.

ALL WEEKEND LONG AND BEYOND 

On James, at the Terrace Theater, the following films open today: the “gangster dramedy” Dom Hemingway (Jude Law) and the rock documentary Mistaken for Strangers (starring real-life brothers Tom and Matt Berninger). Also playing are the post-WWII drama The Railway Man (Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman) and the unlikely female friends comedy The Other Woman (Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Upton), The Lunchbox (an Indian film that was a hit at the Toronto and Sundance film festivals), Bears (narrated by John C. Reilly), and The Grand Budapest Hotel  (too many actors to name). Click title links for the trailers.

For a bite to eat before or after, Zia Taqueria, Crust WoodFired Pizza (check out my interview here), and How Art Thou Café are just steps away. If you take a quick sprint across the street, you’ll find Charleston’s best indie music spot, The Pour House, and its excellent farm to table restaurant, The Lot. The Lot’s Chef Lira has really made a name for himself in our area since relocating from New York in 2012. He recently showcased his talents at last month’s Wine and Food Festival Downtown.

WEEKLY: On James, the Brick House Kitchen has Food, Beverage, and Entertainer Discount Mondays. Tuesdays are a Drum Circle Night followed by a Graham Whorley show and an artists’ market. Wednesday evenings, it’s just $25 for a bottle of wine, and a fruit and cheese plate.

WEEKLY: On James, ChaCha’s Bar and Grill holds Get Weird Wednesdays, feat. $2 Vodka, trivia, then DJ United mixing it up until late night. Every week they give away a $50 gift certificate to Roses & Ruins Tattoo Shop.

WEEKLY: On James, at Smoky Oak Taproom, Mexi-Mondays mean margarita pitchers and steak and shrimp fajitas. There are budget-friendly dinner specials announced all week long if you “Like” their Facebook page.

WEEKLY: On Johns, Red’s Ice House at Bohicket has all you can eat crab legs on Mondays for $29, Happy hour 4-7pm, and Dave Landeo Band performing live. Every Tuesday is food and beverage (F&B) workers night, with late night appetizer specials, happy hour 4-7pm, $2 vodkas, and Hank Futch & Friends (cover band) playing live acoustic music. Oyster roasts are on Thursdays, it’s just $12 for a bucket of oysters and two Buds.

WEEKLY: Melvin’s Barbeque on James Island has half-price burgers on Tuesdays. One free kids meal per purchased adult meal on Wednesdays.

WEEKLY: In West Ashley, at Hometeam BBQ, every Wednesday is the Lowcountry Blues Club jam. Bring your instrument and make new friends.

If I see more happenings I will update this post.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MAY AND JUNE…

May 1st: In West Ashley, Charlestowne Landing is holding the first of several 5ks throughout May and into June. Click the link for more information.

May 5th: On James, at ChaCha’s Tequila Bar and Grill, it’s a Cinco de Mayo party. There’s a free pig roast, $2.50 DosEquis (XX) drafts, and $5 1800 silver. Music will be provided by Luis Skye. Sign up at 4:30pm for for the 5pm cornhole tournament. $10 per team to enter. 1st place wins $100 gift card, 2nd place $50.

May 8th: On James, at the Terrace, there is a special screening of the acclaimed documentary Dancing in Jaffa. Click link for more information.

May 9th: On James, at the Brickhouse Kitchen, it’s local favorite the Louie D Project performing funk, jazz, hip-hop, and  rock.

May 10th: On James and Folly, it’s the sixth annual Leslie McCravy 5k Run and Walk benefitting James Island’s Pet Helpers.

May 11th: It’s Mother’s Day weekend. Downtown, the College of Charleston and the Citadel are holding their graduations. At the Greek Orthodox Church Downtown, Charleston Greek festival happens all weekend long, offering church tours, jump castles for this kids, delicious gyros and other Greek food, Greek dancing, and arts and crafts sales.

May 15th: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in West Ashley is giving away a Sharing the Romance wedding package. Today is the deadline to enter your 3-5 minute video to be in the running for a wedding in February 2015.

May 17th: In Downtown Charleston, its the Charleston Beer Garden at Brittlebank Park. Benefitting James Island’s Pet Helpers, this event has 30+ beers, a Beer Olympics, a Charleston City Paper VIP Grove, an Earth Fare beer school, and live music all day long. Click link for ticket information.

May 17th: On Johns, at Freshfields Village, it’s Cars and Coffee at Java Java.

May 24th: The Charleston Tea Plantation will be holding its First Flush Festeaval. The Avett Bros. are headlining, other acts include Stoplight Observations, The Luke Cunningham Band, Atlas Road Crew, Uncle Mingo, Tyler Boone Band, Ben Fagan and the Holy City Hooligans, and The Executives. Tickets are $37.50 in advance and $45 day of show. VIP tickets are $100.

May 24th: Downtown, the March Against Monsanto starts at 11am on Ann and Meeting Streets.

May 31st: Keep Charleston Beautiful’s Green and Lean 5k is happening at Brittlebank Park. Right now they are reaching out for auction donations. Click the link for more info. Keep Charleston Beautiful is an anti-litter organization, hosting cleanups all over town, all year long.

June 11th: The Terrace Theater , Lowcountry Parent, and the Post and Courier present the eighth Family Film Series. Kids $10 and under are free, everyone else is $4.

Spring is the most beautiful season we have in this area–the trees are covered in seed pods and blooms, and the bushes are covered in blooms. If this season tends to aggravate your allergies, don’t forget the tissues, allergy meds, and eye drops. For dawn and dusk hours, bring bug spray as the “no-see-ums”  (a.k.a sand flies, midgies) are already back and spring rains mean the mosquitos aren’t far behind.

As always, whatever you get into, have fun and please be safe. If I see other happenings I will update this post.