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Why spend the money if you don’t have to? There's plenty of things going on this week in Charleston that you can do for free!
Monday, Nov. 30
Mustache Party: The Griffon & New Belgium Brewery host this mustache party with pint glass giveaways, multiple-rafflings for T-shirts, hats, gift certificates to bars and restaurants, etc. All beer proceeds will go to Movember which raises money for research and prevention for Prostate and Testicular Cancers in Men. Prizes for Best & Worst Mustaches (and Ugliest Sweater) will be awarded. This event is 8-11 p.m., at The Griffon, 18 Vendue Range, Downtown.
College of Charleston Chamber Orchestra: College of Charleston Monday Night Concert Series Presents College of Charleston Chamber Orchestra. $10, free/CofC students. This event is at 8 p.m. in The Physician's Auditorium, 66 George St., Downtown.
Mirror the Mirror: Reflections of the Soul: This is the last day to see this show! Local artist James Christopher Hill showcases his latest works of ultra-vibrant and dramatic landscapes and skyscapes with a bit of an abstract twist. This event is at the North Charleston City Gallery, International Blvd. (inside the Charleston Area Convention Center), North Charleston.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Ward Buckheister & Friends: Singer/guitarist/trombonist Ward Buckheister (of Charleston band Sol Driven Train) and guests play surprise hits and deep cuts. This event begins at 10 p.m., at The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy., James Island. www.soldriventrain.com
St. Luke's Recital Series: Sponsored by Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists/College of Charleston. This event begins at 12:15 p.m., at St. Luke's Chapel, 184 Ashley Ave., Downtown.
Army Wives Casting Call (continues on Wednesday): Army Wives, Lifetime’s hit TV series, is gearing up for Season 4 and will begin filming in Charleston mid-January 2010. The Casting Department is looking specifically for the following groups to appear as extras: Men & women, 18 to 40 years, all ethnicities and who are in good physical condition to appear as Army personnel; Men & women, 18 to 65 years, all ethnicities who are or could appear to be of Middle Eastern descent; Men & women, 55 to 85 years, all ethnicities in good physical condition. This is NOT an open casting call. These casting sessions are specifically for candidates who are new to Army Wives. If you have worked as an extra previously, these interviews are not for you, and the Casting Office will notify you after January 2010 to update your file. This event I 3-7 p.m., at Touchstone TV, 1505 King Street Extension, North Charleston.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Ready, Set, Enroll! Participants can apply for financial aid, apply for admission, attend orientation, take or schedule a placement test, register for classes, and take other steps to enroll for Spring Semester 2010. This event is 10 a.m.-7 p.m., at Trident Technical College (Main Campus), 7000 Rivers Ave., North Charleston.
www.tridenttech.edu
West Ashley Park Tree Lighting: This event is 5:30-6:30pm , at the West Ashely Park.
Thursday, Dec. 3
Gathering of the Elves: Share some Christmas cheer at the 6th Annual Gathering of the Elves to benefit The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center. Bring a toy for a child in need and be entered into a drawing for great prizes. No cost to attend, but toys should be a $10 value or higher. This event is 7-10 p.m., at Taco Boy, 217 Huger St., Downtown.
Dimensional Coloring and Energy Unearthed: Opening reception is tonight!,
Donald Swindler presents an exhibition featuring abstract expressionist work inspired by the unconscious mind. Susanne Frenzel’s exhibition, Energy Unearthed, features abstract works that combine different techniques and media to form colorful interpretations of impressions made in Europe. This event is 5-7 p.m. at the North Charleston City Gallery, International Blvd. (inside the Charleston Area Convention Center), North Charleston.
Holiday Book Signing: The Preservation Society of Charleston hosts its 13th Annual Holiday Book Signing. Join fellow literary enthusiasts as you enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres on this special evening commencing the 2009 holiday season. This event is 5-8 p.m., Preservation Society of Charleston, 147 King St., Downtown.
Friday, Dec. 4
Walk Through Bethlehem: Ashley River Church is hosting an outdoor Christmas drama for the local community. Call for reservations. This event is at the Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy., West Ashley.
French Quarter Art Walk: It’s been a slow, rather uneventful summer on Broad Street and around the French Quarter, but the galleries are waking up with a start this Friday for the French Quarter Art Walk. The free semi-monthly event keeps the downtown galleries open late with food and wine, fresh art, and socializing. Take one look at our full visual arts openings calendar, and you’ll see that this month’s Art Walk is going to be a beast — there’s sure to be something for every taste. This event is 5-8 p.m. www.frenchquarterarts.com
Movement and Flow (The Energy of Dance)
Opening reception is tonight!, 5-8 p.m.
Come in and see the Works by Olli Wendelin. This event is 5-8 p.m. at Charleston Artist Guild Gallery, 160 East Bay St., Downtown.
The Imagist: Southern Artists Working with Cameras
Opening reception is tonight! The Imagist: Southern Artists Working with Cameras On an annual basis, The Imagist features significant Southern artists whose photography and video explores central themes to the South. The exhibition this year will include locals Mark Sloan and Michelle VanParys along with Richard Sexton, Kendall Messick, and Chris Miner. Book signing with Mark Sloan and Michelle van Paryss. This event is 6-8 p.m. at Rebekah Jacob Gallery, 169-B King St., Downtown.
First Fridays on Gallery Row: Each doorway on Gallery Row offers you something special to treasure, be it a painting, a gift, or simply a wonderful memory. Participating merchants include Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA, Atmah Ja's, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, SCOOP Studios, Jake's, Blind Tiger, and Oak Steakhouse. This event is 5-8 p.m. at the listed locations downtown.
16 Penny Opening Reception: 16 Penny Gallery is a new gallery space opening within 52.5 Records. Focusing on affordable art, the gallery will feature more than 200 screen prints from artists all over the United States, as well as original art work from local artists. Chuck Keppler (www.chuck-keppler.com) has collaborated with 52.5 Records in the past, to curate some of their most successful art shows (notably, the Gig! Poster series). Artists include Leia Bell, Strawberryluna, Johnny Pundt, Chuck Keppler, Mike Klay, Phillip Hyman, Adam Turman, Jeff Lamm, Crosshair, Pete Cardoso and Matt Pfahlert/Get a Clue Design. More artists to be added soon and new art added weekly. This event is 7-9 p.m. at 52.5 Records, 561 King St., Downtown.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Redux Open Studios: Redux Open Studios This bi-annual event celebrates the diversity and vitality of the visual arts at Redux. Come see 20 artists in their working environment and gain insight about their technique and process. This event is 3-7 p.m. at Redux Contemporary Art Center, 136 St. Philip St., Downtown.
29th Annual Holiday Parade of Boats: There will be a parade that begins along the Mount Pleasant waterfront at 5:30. Viewing from Downtown begins at 6:30. This event is at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard.
The 2009 Charleston Alternative Giving Fair: This is a chance to give gifts to friends in the form of donations made in their name. At the Holidays we are bombarded with messages to buy gifts. What if we focused on the giving part of "giving gifts". We believe there is an alternative. A way to give a gift and help people in your community at the same time. It is with this simple idea that the Charleston Alternative Giving Fair came to be. A way for people to give a gift during the Holidays and help support a non-profit. This event is 11-4 p.m. at Gage Hall (4 Archdale St), Downtown.
Free Fitness Boot Camp: Thanksgiving is over so start blasting calories from all the sweet potato casserole and pies. This free fitness boot camp for women is planned to get the holidays started off in a good direction. E-mail taylor@liftingrevolution.com today to hold your spot. This event is at 8:30 a.m., and locations are given when you email Taylor about holding a spot.
Decorating with Nature: Learn how to collect and use natural items to create beautiful wreaths, ornaments, garlands and more. Also get tips and creative ideas to put the holiday spirit in your home using fresh pine, holly, berries, grapevine, palm leaves and other easy-to-find items. This event is at 1 p.m., at Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd, West Ashley.
Park Angels Cleanup Day: Come help the garden continue to look its best. Learn what you need to be doing in your own garden. Local garden professionals will be on hand to answer questions. Don't show up empty handed. Bring your own tools to include: pruners, weeders, bucket and gloves. This event is 9-11 a.m, Windermere Community Garden Greenspace, 46 Windermere Blvd, West Ashley.
Taste of South Carolina for the Holidays: Customers will have the opportunity to meet the local producers, hear their stories and have a tasting of the local food specialties. And as a special treat on this day, Whole Foods Market Gift Basket Specialists will be on hand to create gift baskets free of charge filled with all of the local food specialties that customers have purchased. This event is noon-4p.m., at Whole Foods Market, 923 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Mt. Pleasant.
Tree Lighting: 23rd annual City of Charleston Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This event is 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Marion Square, Calhoun and King, Downtown.
Charleston Classic Disc Golf Tournament: Dec. 5-6. Top players from around the country come to Charleston to test their game. On Saturday, the pros are playing at Trophy Lakes on Johns Island. On Sunday, they come downtown to Hampton Park. Over 100 players are expected to compete. This event is at Trophy Lakes, Johns Island, Johns Island.
Walk Through Bethlehem: Ashley River Church is hosting an outdoor Christmas drama for the local community. Call for reservations. This event is at the Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy., West Ashley.
Charleston Farmers Market: The Farmers Market offers a variety of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers as well as breakfast and lunch vendors, live entertainment and an assortment of juried arts and crafts from local artisans. This event is 8-2p.m. at Marion Square, Calhoun and King, Downtown.
Holiday Craft Fair: Page's Thieves Market hosts a Holiday Craft Fair where local artists will be selling anything and everything handmade. Purchase your cheap and unique holiday gifts early. The fair will be held every Saturday from Halloween until Christmas, except for Dec. 12 (Mt. Pleasant's Holiday Fair). Everything is handmade including jewelry, candles, baked goods, etc. Any interested artists are welcome to e-mail primoduds@usa.com. This event is 9-2p.m., at Page's Thieves Market, 1460 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mt. Pleasant.
Sunday, Dec. 6
29th Annual Charleston Christmas Parade: Sponsored by the Tri-County Fire Chiefs Association. This event is 2-4p.m., at the Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed, 375 Meeting St., Downtown.
Charleston Academy of Music Honors Recital: The concert will feature selected piano, violin, classical guitar, and voice students who will perform various works by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms. This event begins at 4p.m, at Recital Hall, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St., Downtown.
Walk Through Bethlehem: Ashley River Church is hosting an outdoor Christmas drama for the local community. Call for reservations. This event is at the Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy., West Ashley.
Charleston Classic Disc Golf Tournament: Dec. 5-6. Top players from around the country come to Charleston to test their game. On Saturday, the pros are playing at Trophy Lakes on Johns Island. On Sunday, they come downtown to Hampton Park. Over 100 players are expected to compete. This event is at Trophy Lakes, Johns Island, Johns Island.
And, as always, if there’s something else, share in the comments below.
