[BLOGGERS NOTE: THIS IS MY FINAL WEEKEND UPDATE. PLEASE MESSAGE ME ON TWITTER OR MY GMAIL) IF YOU ARE VISITING AND NEED IDEAS TAILORED TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND INTERESTS. THANKS!]

It’s always a great weekend to enjoy the beach, live music, indie film, farmers markets, family fun. Often, you get to help some local charities at the same time. Saturday is pretty busy all over town.

On with this weekend’s events… For the Terrace Theater’s newest offerings, also scroll down to ALL WEEKEND LONG.

FRIDAY (the 25th):

BREAKFAST HOTSPOTS 8am: On Folly, Planet Follywood is serving breakfast until 11:30, there’s also the elegant Folly’s Blu Restaurant and casual Rita’s Seaside Grille serving breakfast. James’ Three Little Birds, Cory’s Grilled Cheese, How Art Thou Cafe, Heart Woodfire, The Lot, Med Bistro, John’s Sunrise Bistro and Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe have breakfast. For healthy breakfast on the go, there’s The Juice Joint‘s truck n Folly or their storefront on James. On Johns, breakfast to go can be found at Southern Brews Coffee. In West Ashley near Johns, there’s Angel Oak Restaurant. For bigger budgets, check out John’s Fat Hen and Wild Olive, Kiawah’s Ocean Room or Jasmine Porch.

9am: On Wadmalaw, at Ambrose Family Farm it’s “you-pick blackberries and blueberries” time. Click the link to see the freshest picks, check out their booth at the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday (and Sunday mornings during Spoleto), or call 843.559.0988 if you want to go to the farm and pick something up.

9am: On Johns, at the County Library, there’s a book and media sale today until 6pm.

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. The produce is here, including peaches, tomatoes, and other produce on the way as we speak. MRFM’s regular inventory includes fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen prepared food (like yummy Bertolini pasta and pasta dishes), natural compost fertilizer, muscadine wreaths, tropical plants, local grits, local honey, Amish jams, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and homemade boiled peanuts. Please bring cash or check to make purchases. I had the privilege to talk to the owners Chris DeStefano and Lindsay Dickson this spring, and the story appeared in the West Of Newspaper.

3pm: On Johns, Kiawah Spirits has happy hour now until 7pm every Friday.

3pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, it’s the Dunderchiefs band. Check out the expanded deck and new VW bus bar!

4pm: On James, Charleston Pour House, it’s BYOG on the deck. This is a free show. If you haven’t already, check out the Lot’s new deck menu.

5pm: On Johns, at Freshfields, Andell Inn has happy hour 5-7pm: $5 porchside punch (house painkillers), $5 frozen coladas, $5 rosemary chicken flatbreads. Over at Freshfields, take in some shopping at Coastal Footwear, Coastal Palms Island Apparel, and Seacoast Outfitters all have July sales going on this month, they are open until 8pm.

5:30pm: Downtown, at Palmetto Brewery’s loading dock, it’s live music with Mozo and Overmountain. Keep an eye out for their new Hootie brew, which debuts on taps next Tuesday.

6pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, the Soulfish Duo band is playing until 9pm. Check out the expanded deck and new VW bus bar!

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, the Travelin’ Kine band 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 Johns, at Freshfields, it’s the Business delivering their unique spin on classic soul and rock tunes on the Village Green. Check out Carolina Clay Gallery for a reception with local artists.

8pm: On James, at the Brickhouse Kitchen, gutter country band Whiskey Diablo takes the stage.

10pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, it’s rock, electric and Motown band Roshambeaux from Cleveland, GA on the inside stage.

10pm: On Folly, at Planet Follywood, Dan Clamp band takes the stage.

10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has Bringers of the Dawn band.

10pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s Zach Deputy band. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Doors open at 9pm.

SATURDAY (the 26th):

TODAY ONLY 7am: In North Charleston, at the Coliseum, it’s the Fight for Air Climb benefitting the American Lung Association. Volunteers Needed for this event. Charleston, Sat., Email brittany (dot) greer (at) lungse (dot) org if interested. Practice sessions for participants have been held throughout July.

BREAKFAST HOTSPOTS 8am: On Folly, Planet Follywood is serving breakfast until 11:30, there’s also the elegant Folly’s Blu Restaurant and casual Rita’s Seaside Grille serving breakfast. James’ Three Little Birds, Cory’s Grilled Cheese, How Art Thou Cafe, Heart Woodfire, The Lot, Med Bistro, John’s Sunrise Bistro, Sweeney’s, and Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe have breakfast. For healthy breakfast on the go, there’s The Juice Joint‘s truck on Folly or their storefront on James. On Johns, breakfast to go can be found at Southern Brews Coffee. In West Ashley near Johns, there’s Angel Oak Restaurant. For bigger budgets, check out John’s Fat Hen and Wild Olive, Kiawah’s Ocean Room or Jasmine Porch.

8:15am: **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.

TODAY ONLY 9am: On Johns, at the County Library, there’s a book and media sale today until 4pm.

 

TODAY ONLY 9am: Hey Parents! In West Ashley, at Magnolia Plantation, there’s a ladybug release at 9am. A number of conservation booths and groups will be in attendance. There’s prizes for best ladybug costume for all age levels. $15 admission, children 6 and under get in free.

9am: On Wadmalaw, at Ambrose Family Farm it’s “you-pick blueberries” time. Click the link to see the freshest picks, check out their booth at the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday (and Sunday mornings during Spoleto), or call 843.559.0988 if you want to go to the farm and pick something up.

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, here’s the link.

9am: On Johns, at the Homegrown Farmers Market, it’s fun with farm animals and Dr. Russell Bauman. Homegrown’s regular lineup includes 40+ vendors, including local farms, artisans, and specialty food product makers, and food trucks. There is also live music. The farm is open until 1pm.

TODAY ONLY 11am: In North Charleston, at Freehouse Brewery, it’s the Freehouse Feeds Midsummer Hoedown. $1 from every pint goes to fight hunger locally. There will be food trucks and live bluegrass and Americana music.

TODAY ONLY 1pm: On Johns, at Trophy Lakes, it’s the Johns Island Water Festival, a celebration of watersports and the outdoors. It runs until 7pm. See link for details.

3pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, the Dave Gillease band is playing until 9pm. Check out the expanded deck and new VW bus bar!

TODAY ONLY 3:30pm: Downtown, at the Customs House, the Run Dead 5k starts now.

4pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s americana goth pop band American Hologram, fronted by Eric Britt, takes the stage. This show is sponsored by James Island’s own Tradesman Brewing Co.

5pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, it’s Whiskey Happy Hour. Half-price on all whiskies under $20 until 6pm.

6pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, Howard Dlugasch is playing. Check out the expanded deck and new VW bus bar!

7pm: Downtown, at Mad River Bar & Grill, it’s the Mad River Meet Up. This event supports Lowcountry Firefighter Support. $5 admission. VIP drink package is $40. See the event page for details.

8pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, Will Cleveland and Bretton Dimick 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 4-7 pm, and a second one at 10.

8pm: On James, at the Brickhouse Kitchen, it’s funk, jazz and R & B act the Louie D Project, led by local saxman Louie D.

10pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s a two night special, Groundation and the Revolvers. It’s $18 in advance and $22 at the door.

10pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, the Fire Apes plays the inside stage.

10pm: On Folly, at Planet Follywood, One Kool Blow takes the stage.

10pm: On Folly, at Surf Bar, local reggae band International Mortality takes the stage.

10pm: On James, the Bohemian Bull has live music by (Gaslight Street’s frontman) Campbell Brown and Friends. PS-Don’t forget, the Bohemian Bull serves food late into the evening.

SUNDAY (the 27th):

8am: On Folly, Planet Follywood is serving breakfast until 11:30, there’s also the elegant Folly’s Blu Restaurant and casual Rita’s Seaside Grille serving breakfast. James’ Three Little Birds, Cory’s Grilled Cheese, Heart Woodfire, The Lot, Med Bistro, John’s Sunrise Bistro and Sweeney’s have breakfast. For healthy breakfast on the go, there’s The Juice Joint‘s truck on Folly or their storefront on James. In West Ashley near Johns, there’s Angel Oak Restaurant. For bigger budgets, check out John’s Fat Hen and Wild Olive, Kiawah’s Ocean Room or Jasmine Porch.

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.

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

3pm: On Folly, at Planet Follywood, Nathan Calhoun takes the stage.

4pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s Sunday Phunday with Runaway Gin playing Phish covers and Roti Rolls food truck.

4pm: On Johns, Kiawah Wine has happy hour now until 7pm every Sunday.

5pm: On Johns, at Seanachai, it’s Whiskey Happy Hour. Half-price on all whiskies under $20 until 6pm.

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

6pm: On Folly, at the Grill and Island Bar, it’s Jazz on the Edge, featuring food specials and a jazz jam.

9pm: On Folly, at Planet Follywood, Jess Strickland and Acoustic Tiger takes the stage.

10pm: On James, at the Charleston Pour House, it’s the second of a two night special, Groundation and the Revolvers. It’s $18 in advance and $22 at the door. Doors open at 9.

10pm: On Folly, at Surf Bar, local groove, rock, and R&B band Square One takes the stage.

10pm: On Folly, at Loggerheads, Grateful Dead tribute band, The Reckoning, is playing.

ALL WEEKEND LONG

On James, at the Terrace Theater, the following films opens today: the action thriller A Most Wanted Man (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Rob Reiner’s latest romantic comedy And So It Goes (Diane Keaton, Michael Douglas.)

Other movies playing include: Romantic dramedy Begin Again (Kiera Knightley, Mark Ruffalo), dramedy Chef (Jon Favreau), and the small town dramedy The Grand Seduction. [If you are familiar with the premise of the 1990s US show Northern Exposure, you will probably like the Grand Seduction.] The Terrace now has expanded parking options in front of the laundromat and nail salon next door.

For a bite to eat before or after, Zia Taqueria, Crust WoodFired Pizza (check out my interview), 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.

For dawn and dusk hours, bring bug spray as the “no-see-ums” (a.k.a sand flies, midgies) and given our daily rainshowers, the mosquitoes are fierce.

The Charleston County Public Library kicked off its 2014 summer reading programs for all ages in June. Fizz Boom Read is for babies through age 11, Spark a Reaction is for teens, and Reading Wave and Book On Downtown are for adults 18 and up. Click the links for details. Please sign up at any location or online.

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 future weekends, see previous Mondays’ posts.