We’ve had four seasons in one week here on the Sea Islands. Even if you’re coming here to enjoy warm temperatures, it doesn’t hurt to pack a cardigan or windbreaker just in case.
Please be advised it’s going to be a wet weekend. Wear boots or other rain-ready shoes and have a poncho handy. And now, on with the weekend roundup. It’s Easter weekend. While many businesses might take Easter off, there’s a fair amount of stuff happening that day.
FRIDAY (the 18th)
4pm: On James, Charleston Pour House, it’s Jimmy Landry and Friends on the deck. This is a free show.
6pm: On Johns, at Freshfields Village, there’s an outdoor concert series out on the Green. This week’s live music will be played by Shem Creek Boogie Band. If it rains, this event will most likely, not happen.
8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, Forty Mile Detour 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 the Brickhouse Kitchen, Big Daddy Cade is playing. Big Daddy Cade is an official BB King impersonator, so expect some smokin’ blues.
8:45pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Last Waltz Ensemble (a set for Levon). This show is $17 in advance and $20 at the door. See website for tickets and more information.
10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Bringers of the Dawn playing. If the drummer looks familiar, it’s because its Gino Castillo, a well-known Cuban hand percussionist who has his own jazz band. PS-Don’t forget, 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.
10pm: On James, at ChaCha’s Tequila Bar and Grill, the Avenue band is playing.
SATURDAY (the 19th)
8am: In West Ashley, Charleston’s independent music and movie store, Monster Music and Movies, is celebrating Record Store Day all day long.
9am: On Johns (Main Road heading to Savannah Highway), the Main Road Farmers Market brought to you by Charleston Petal Pushers is back. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen prepared food, natural compost fertilizer, 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 this week, I will be sure to post the link when the story runs in the West Of Newspaper.
9:30am: On Johns, check in for Lowcountry Local First’s Farm Tours is at Sun Dog Cat Moon Vet Clinic on Maybank Highway. Please be aware of extra traffic on country roads all morning and afternoon for these tours. If you’re going, pack snacks or bring cash to buy lunch fresh from the farm.
10am: On Johns, The Johns Island Farmers Market is held near the Main and Maybank intersection next to Dr. Anthony Ross’ Island Chiropractic. It has over 50 vendors, including local farms, artisans, specialty food products. There are also food trucks and live music. If you wanted to put together a basket of homemade goodies for yourself or someone else, you could easily do all your shopping here.
10:30am: In West Ashley, Magnolia Plantation is holding multiple Easter Egg Hunts today. The hunt, geared for the toddler age group, begins now. Bring your own baskets.
10:30am: In West Ashley, Middleton Place is holding an Easter Eggstravaganza. Kids should bring their own basket. Stables will feature egg-dyeing, and there will stories and colonial games. Families can enjoy Middleton’s regular amenities, too.
10:30am: Downtown, the Charleston Hat Ladies are gathering for their 14th Easter Promenade. Click link for details.
11am: On Johns, at Freshfields Village, there’s an Easter Festival geared towards younger children, including a jump castle, an inflatable obstacle course, an Easter bunny for photos. Live music performer John Cusatis will hire impromptu bandmates from the audience for an interactive performance. Kiawah and Seabrook artists guilds will be showing their work. There will be Barrier Island marine boats on display. Food and drink will available for purchase.
11am: On James, Bohemian Bull is serving brunch specials until 3. Brunch isn’t always easy to find on the islands, but you’ll definitely want to check out Johns Island spots like Wild Olive, Fat Hen, Sweeneys, Angel Oak Restaurant, and James and Folly spots like Heart Woodfire Kitchen, La Tabella, and Blu Restaurant (Folly). Three Little Birds is a good pick in West Ashley just over the Wappoo bridge.
11:30am: On Folly, an Easter Promenade on Center Street is happening.
12pm: On Wadmalaw, it’s Sippin’ Saturday at Irvin House Vineyards, featuring food by Linen’s BBQ and live music by the blues guitar and harmonica band the Bullgrapes. Please bring lawn chairs, blankets, and cash for food. No coolers, please.
12pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s a Food Truck Court. Live music includes a Schema band reunion (funk and trip-hop genre) and BYOG (jam band featuring baritone sax) playing until 6:30 p.m.
12pm: In North Charleston, at Smokey’s Place, its the Mommafest Blues Jam benefitting the Ronald McDonald House.
1pm: On James, at the Terrace Theater, Disney’s live action Bears movie premieres. At 12:30pm, Magnolia Plantation’s Chris Smith will be in the lobby with some creatures from Magnolia’s zoo. The animal demonstration is free with the purchase of a ticket to the movie. It benefits the Goodall Institute that helps protect wild chimpanzees. Keep the movie ticket to receive $1 off Magnolia’s $15 garden admission price. The redemption expires April 30. To see what else is showing at the Terrace this weekend, scroll down to “ALL WEEKEND LONG AND BEYOND”
2:30pm: On James, at the Terrace Theater, Disney’s live action Bears movie second show starts now. At 2pm, Magnolia Plantation’s Chris Smith will be in the lobby with some creatures from Magnolia’s zoo. and the show at 2:30pm. The animal demonstration is free with the purchase of a ticket to the movie. It benefits the Goodall Institute that helps protect wild chimpanzees. Keep the movie ticket to receive $1 off Magnolia’s $15 garden admission price. The redemption expires April 30. To see what else is showing at the Terrace this weekend, scroll down to “ALL WEEKEND LONG AND BEYOND”
8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, Cane Creek are 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.
10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Get Right Band (alternative rock) playing. PS-Don’t forget, 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.
9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s a Bully Pulpit (hard rock) EP release party with Cusses Dumb Doctors Fiasco. This show is $10 at the door and includes a digital download. See website for tickets and more information.
SUNDAY (the 20th)
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. This weekend, there will be a kids Easter Egg Hunt.
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.
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 22+ local jazz talents. Click link for details.
9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s the Jerry Garcia Cover band. It’s $8 at the door.
ALL WEEKEND LONG AND BEYOND
On James, at the Terrace Theater the following films are playing: The Lunchbox (Indian film that was a hit at the Toronto and Sundance film festivals), Casablanca (1942, starring Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart), Nymphomaniac Vol II (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skaarsgard), Bad Words (Jason Bateman, Allison Janney), The Lego Movie (numerous celebrity voices), Le Week-end (Jim Broadbent, Jeff Goldblum, Lindsey Duncan) is about a mature couple returning to their honeymoon spot, Paris, to rekindle their spark, 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 followed by a Graham Whorley show and an artists’ market.
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 all week long, see @SeaIslands101 on twitter for updates.
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.
April 22nd: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s an Earth Day Family Fun Jam. This event is free and starts at 10pm. If you play, bring your instrument.
April 24th: All over town, it’s Dine Out for Life to benefit AIDS research and the Ryan White Foundation. If you don’t know Ryan White’s story, click his name to learn more.
April 26th: In West Ashley, at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center & County Park, there’s a run starting at 8:30am. It’s $34 for entry, just $28 for Charleston County residents. Registration is available until the day before. Activities for children ages 6-12 will keep the kids busy while parents run.
April 26th: In North Charleston, at Riverfront Park, it’s the Charleston County Earth Day Festival starting at 11am.
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 3rd: It’s Kentucky Derby weekend. 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, Johns Island’s New Moon Pizzeria. Downtown at Johnson Hagood Stadium, there’s a Derby Party being held by the Junior League of Charleston.
May 3rd: On Johns, at Legare Farms, it’s Foam Fest 5k. Click link for more information.
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 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 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.
As always, whatever you get into, have fun and please be safe. If I see more happenings I will update this post.
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.
Sea Islands Dining Guide 