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

FRIDAY (the 16th)

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.

10am: **Hey Parents**On Edisto, the Serpentarium is open until 4pm. This is an indoor zoo dedicated to all the Lowcountry’s cold-blooded natives like snakes, alligators, and turtles. Demonstrations allow kids to “pet” these creatures safely as they held by trained handlers.

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 (like yummy Bertolini pasta and pasta dishes), 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 recently, and the story appeared in this week’s West Of Newspaper.

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

6pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, Mackenzie is playing.

7pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, a new show has opened: Douglas Clinton’s The Life and Times of Princess Sophia, featuring students in Midtown’s youth acting classes.

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, Red Top Ramblers 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.

9pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, the Deer Tick and Langhorn Slim & the Law band is playing. Show is $22 in advance. Doors open at 8. See website for tickets and more information. 

10pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, it’s Bobby Hogg and Friends.

10pm: On James, at ChaCha’s Tequila Bar, it’s the Electro Island Dance Party with beats by DJ Skitch. Pick up tickets for Sunday’s Sip and Slide event for just $10.

SATURDAY (the 17th)

8am: On Johns, at Freshfields Village, it’s Cars and Coffee at Java Java.

8am: On Edisto, there’s the first-ever Raft Race from Big Bay Creek to Pressleys at the Marina. There’s also a Raft Run at 1pm. Call Pressleys for more info. There’s also an Arts and Crafts show at the Edistonian.

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 owners Chris DeStefano and Lindsay Dickson recently, I will be sure to post the link when the story runs in the West Of Newspaper. 10am: **Hey Parents!**On James Island, Splash Zone at the James Island County Park is open today until 6pm. General admission is $20, Seniors 60 and up $9.99, under 48″ $14.99 a person, children 2 and under free. If you anticipate multiple visits all summer long, check out the splash pass. [NOTE: the 48″ height is required for several large slides, see the splash pass link for details.] In North Charleston, at Wannamaker County Park, Whirlin’ Waters is open today until 6pm, and in Mount Pleasant, at Palmetto Islands County Park, Splash Island is open today until 6pm.

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: **Hey Parents**On Edisto, the Serpentarium is open until 4pm. This is an indoor zoo dedicated to all the Lowcountry’s cold-blooded natives like snakes, alligators, and turtles. Demonstrations allow kids to “pet” these creatures safely as they held by trained handlers.

11am: In Mount Pleasant, at Palmetto Islands County Park, it’s an outdoor sports sampler day. Please wear close-toed shoes to enjoy all the activities, which include archery, rock climbing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and slacklining (think tightrope walking, but the tightrope isn’t tight.) All attendees under 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. $5 for kids 12 and under, $10 for ages 13 and up.

12pm: In Downtown Charleston, it’s 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.

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

12pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, it’s the second performance of Douglas Clinton’s The Life and Times of Princess Sophia, featuring students in Midtown’s youth acting classes.

12pm: On Wadmalaw, at Irvin-House Vineyards, it’s Sippin’ Saturday with music by Cotton Blue and food by Stono Café and Kona Ice. Please bring cash, lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray. But please, no coolers.

2pm: Downtown, at the Charleston Library, it’s a DIY Festival. Click link for details.

3pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, it’s the third performance of Douglas Clinton’s The Life and Times of Princess Sophia, featuring students in Midtown’s youth acting classes.

3pm: **Hey Parents**On Johns, at the County Library, its a Fancy Nancy reading party.

4pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has a Bikini Fashion Show, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, and the Yellowknife band playing. 

4pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, Hungry Monks play Jerry Garcia covers. Show is free.

6pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, Howard Dlugasch is playing.

6:30pm: It’s Preakness time on NBC, let’s see if California Chrome can win this one, too! Find your favorite sports bar (on James I suggest Smoky Oak Taproom or the Lowdown; on Johns, the Southern General, New Moon Pizzeria; closer to Kiawah, King Street Grille) or watch from home, and maybe try a Black-Eyed Susan cocktail. The recipe has had many changes over the decades, it is named for Maryland’s state flower, which echoes the colors of the state’s unique English baron-style flag.

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, J.A.N.E. 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 the Charleston Pour House, it’s Inertia Live: A live conceptual electronic dance music performance featuring Klipart, DjTrav, Jake B, LAZRZ, Arenaissance, Pauld Eagle, DJ Skitch, and Ynot. Show is $10 at the door.

10pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, The Southern Belles band are playing.

10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Reverend Hilton and the Devils Hands playing. PS-Don’t forget, the Bohemian Bull serves food late into the evening.

10pm: On Folly, at Surf Bar, Big John Belly is playing.

SUNDAY (the 18th)

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.

10am: **Hey Parents!**On James Island, Splash Zone at the James Island County Park is open today until 6pm. General admission is $20, Seniors 60 and up $9.99, under 48″ $14.99 a person, children 2 and under free. If you anticipate multiple visits all summer long, check out the splash pass. [NOTE: the 48″ height is required for several large slides, see the splash pass link for details.]

10am: **Hey Parents!**In North Charleston, at Wannamaker County Park, Whirlin’ Waters is open today until 6pm. General admission is $20, Seniors 60 and up $9.99, under 48″ $14.99 a person, children 2 and under free. If you anticipate multiple visits all summer long, check out the splash pass. [NOTE: the 48″ height is required for several large slides, see the splash pass link for details.]

10am: **Hey Parents!**In Mount Pleasant, at Palmetto Islands County Park, Splash Island is open today until 6pm. General admission is $20, Seniors 60 and up $9.99, under 48″ $14.99 a person, children 2 and under free. If you anticipate multiple visits all summer long, check out the splash pass. [NOTE: the 48″ height is required for several large slides, see the splash pass link for details.]

10am: **Hey Parents!** In Mt. Pleasant, at Patriots Point, it’s the last Open Cockpit Sunday before summer hits. Patriots is open until 4pm today.

11am: On James, the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market features food trucks, local farmers, and local vendors. Live music is also on site. Now open until 2pm.

11am: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s the Oak Grove Montessori School Benefit Miss Hazel and Friends of the Hungry Monks and Yost will be playing. There is a jump castle and a mechanical bull. $10 minimum donation.

2pm: On James, at ChaCha’s Tequila Bar, it’s a Sip and Slide party. There’s a Bikini contest, giant slides, and drink specials. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

2:30pm: On James, Cup Fine Coffee and Roasters features their third Sunday coffee lecture and tasting. This Sunday, varieties are gesha, catura, and typica.

3pm: On James, at Midtown Productions, it’s the final show for Douglas Clinton’s The Life and Times of Princess Sophia, featuring students in Midtown’s youth acting classes.

3pm: In West Ashley, at Tin Roof, there is a benefit concert featuring local acts Skye Paige, First World Problem, Dallas Baker, the 33s, Dumb Doctors, Lily Slay, Dirty Circus, and Slay. This event benefit’s the late Cassie V. Perkins’ son Brandon and Postpartum Support Charleston. $10 cover.

3pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, Yellowknife is playing.

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

4pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, there’s a Paddy Wagon party. Gerry is unveiling a party bus in Seanachai’s bright and dark green color scheme. Charleston Choo foodtruck will be on site.

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.

6pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, One Kool Blow is playing.

9:30pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s The Felice Bros. It’s $15 in advance and at the door. Doors open at 8:30.

10pm: On Folly, at Surf Bar, it’s Funk You Folly.

ALL WEEKEND LONG

On James, at the Terrace Theater, the following film opens today: Million Dollar Arm (Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Alan Aarkin, and Lake Bell). It’s about a sports agent who goes to India seeking a cricket player who could be the next big American baseball pitcher. This film’s opening is a tie-in with our local Riverdogs team. Come see the movie Saturday, and you are in the running to win one of four pairs of box seats to a future Riverdogs game. Also playing are the comedy Fading Gigolo (John Turturro, Woody Allen, Liev Schrieber, Vanessa Paradis, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara), 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).

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.

If spring 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 (like we had just this week) 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. For events coming up this week and on future weekends, watch for Monday’s post!