Southern Truth Tellers
March 18, 2026
By Tom Poland Each January, my thoughts turn to a fellow Georgian. James Dickey died January 19, 1997, of the same disease that took my mother’s life. On June…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia children’s theatre presents Peter Pan JR.
March 17, 2026
Columbia Children’s Theatre (CCT) invites families across the Midlands to take flight this spring with Peter Pan JR., a high-flying musical adventure full of magic, mischief, and the power of imagination!…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation awards $280,512 in grants to advance cultural vibrancy and civic engagement in Columbia
March 17, 2026
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation awarded $280,512 to six organizations spearheading projects that strengthen cultural vibrancy and civic engagement across Columbia.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Fashion House Coordinator
March 12, 2026
Prime & Prim Studio of the Arts is an elite Cultural Incubator for models, dancers, and creative professionals seeking to take their careers to the next level. Through our High…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: the-arts
A Good Whooping
March 11, 2026
By Tom Poland I am no stranger to the flyswatter, switch, belt, and paddle. I even got a good whooping with a paint brush. I ought to be a…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts and Culture names Larry Hembree as 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award recipient
March 10, 2026One Columbia for Arts and Culture announced Larry Andrew Hembree as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award. This honor recognizes Hembree’s exceptional leadership, creativity, and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
CNN commentator and author Alencia Johnson to headline Fireside Chat and Book Signing in Columbia on March 13
March 10, 2026Senator Tameika Isaac Devine & Former Mayor Steve Benjamin to Host Evening of Bold Conversation about Leadership and Change Community leaders, changemakers, and book lovers are invited to an inspiring…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Summer Blink Book Review: “That Which Binds Us” by Cathy Rigg
March 10, 2026By Reba Hull Campbell When traveling light, I still indulge in the luxury of carrying a hard copy book with me. For a recent vacation trip, I chose Cathy Rigg’s…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia’s skyline comes to life in 235-foot mural at Columbiana Centre
March 9, 2026The City of Columbia, through its Columbia Streams Art public art program, partnered with Columbiana Centre to commission a large-scale mural that captures the skyline and spirit of the capital city. The…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art April 2026 calendar
March 8, 2026
EXHIBITIONS Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil On view March 21 through June 28, 2026 Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil is a thematic presentation of this important…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Muzika! 2026 Festival announces 5th anniversary season in South Carolina
March 5, 2026
25-year international legacy brings Metropolitan Opera leadership, Broadway classics, and Bulgarian folk to the Palmetto State this June This June, the Muzika! Festival returns to South Carolina for its fifth…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission announces six recipients of 2026 Governor’s Awards for the Arts
March 5, 2026
Recipients from Charleston, Florence, Hampton, Richland and York counties The South Carolina Arts Commission is happily announcing six unique and deserving 2026 recipients of the state’s highest recognition for exceptional…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Osprey At Crooked Bridge
March 4, 2026
By Tom Poland Three birds hold me in their thrall. The osprey, whippoorwill, and oft-slighted buzzard. I love the whippoorwill’s lilting call. The noble osprey and its distinctive M-shaped…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Colors of Spain, European tour comes to Columbia for one night only
March 3, 2026Columbia audiences will get a rare first look at a European touring production this month when “The Colors of Spain” makes its U.S. premiere at the Koger Center for the Arts. Set for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, life, music, on-the-move, the-arts
CMA organizes major exhibition with Columbia-born artist Rodney McMillian
March 2, 2026
The Columbia Museum of Art presents major spring exhibition Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil, on view from March 21 through June 28, 2026. Organized by the Columbia Museum…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Mischief Along The Augusta Highway
February 26, 2026
By Tom Poland A restless boy grew up in the midst of forests and pastures. Outside of biking, reading, and exploring woods, the Augusta Highway entertained me. If Rambling…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Literacy SC hosts math film at The Nick for Pi Day, gives free tickets to area teachers
February 19, 2026
Literacy SC is kicking off its 2026 Better Together campaign. This year-long series of unique community events will bring education and Columbia together in unexpected ways. First up is a…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: conversations, education, festivals-special-events, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The 8th annual Cottontown Art Crawl returns on March 7th!
February 19, 2026
Annual Festival, Presented by Prisma Health, Enjoys its 8th Year in 2026. The 8th Annual Cottontown Art Crawl, presented by Prisma Health, returns on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10am-4pm…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Ghosts Of Winter
February 18, 2026
By Tom Poland Fall in full tumble gives us a kind of X-ray vision. We see that a leafless land is a lovely land, a surprising land. We see what…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
SC Humanities announces Ask Me Anything State Tour
February 18, 2026
Statewide series introduces new Executive Director and invites public dialogue across all seven congressional districts. South Carolina Humanities announces the launch of its new statewide public engagement initiative, SC Humanities…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: conversations, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Collard Green Memories
February 11, 2026
By Tom Poland Being the chap I was, collard greens’ smell and similarity to the stringy dark-green algae in fish ponds repulsed me. Mom would cook up a mess…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Theatre adaptation of Orlando brings Virginia Woolf’s trailblazing tale of gender and identity to life at USC’s Benson Theatre
February 10, 2026
The USC Department of Theatre and Dance will present Orlando, Sarah Ruhl’s theatrical adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s groundbreaking story of self-discovery, February 26 – March 1 at Benson Theatre. Performance times…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
South Carolina Philharmonic announces two new Board Members
February 9, 2026
The South Carolina Philharmonic announced the appointment of two new community leaders and established contributors to the orchestra’s Board of Directors: Carol Addy and Hassan Anderson. Carol Addy serves as Chief…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission announces leadership transition
February 5, 2026
David Platts to retire from distinguished public service After 33 years serving as a teacher, school administrator and arts administrator, South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director David Platts will retire…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
March events at the Columbia Museum of Art
February 5, 2026
Columbia Museum of Art March 2026 Calendar EXHIBITIONS Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil On view March 21 through June 28, 2026 Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Cast Iron Cornbread
February 5, 2026
By Tom Poland Born of fire, master of fire, and survivor of fire, my vintage cast iron cornbread mold fed many a soul. Best I figure it came to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Sweetest Smoke A Man Was Ever To Smell
February 2, 2026
By Tom Poland To some, the smokehouse remains a symbol of the impoverished, rural South. Not me. I see it as a rustic savior, and I thank the late…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts and Culture reopens nominations for prestigious Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award
January 29, 2026
Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award Returns to Celebrate Columbia’s Cultural Leaders One Columbia for Arts and Culture announced the highly anticipated return of the Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award. After…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
My Lost Geisha
January 28, 2026
By Tom Poland It was the photograph in my father’s war album. Her white kimono. Hair black as onyx. Pale, serene face. Perfect bone structure. Gloss, a sheen upon her…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Red Clay
January 21, 2026
By Tom Poland Drizzle drifted and spritzed as if it were January except it was October. Mists coated my camera. In its viewfinder red mud glistened in rain that…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Last Open Door
January 14, 2026
By Tom Poland For the first time in my life I was alone in my church. The old Regulator wall clock ticked away as I ticked away the families…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art February 2026 exhibitions and events calendar
January 8, 2026
EXHIBITIONS Keith Haring: Radiant Vision On view through February 15, 2026 Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Sardis Road
January 7, 2026
By Tom Poland Back roads never disappoint me. Such was the case with a road, paved just a tad, but deliciously dirt the rest of the way. As I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art’s new collection galleries open next week
January 6, 2026
The Columbia Museum of Art announces the opening of its newly imagined collection galleries, the final phase of a legacy renovation project a year in the making. Capping off the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art’s new collection galleries open in January
December 19, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art announces the opening of its newly imagined collection galleries, the final phase of a legacy renovation project a year in the making. Capping off the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, headlines, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The Nickelodeon Theater presents Local Cinema Studios’ The Grand Strand, an award-winning South Carolina-made film
December 19, 2025
The Nickelodeon Theater presents a special theatrical run of The Grand Strand, an award-winning independent film produced by Columbia-based nonprofit Local Cinema Studios (LCS). The film will screen January 15–29,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The South Carolina Philharmonic announces Palmetto Citizens Educator Discount
December 18, 2025
Half-price discount for all SC Phil concerts at Koger Center for the Arts The South Carolina Philharmonic (SC Phil), in partnership with Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, announced a special offer for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
SCRA announces new leadership promotions
December 18, 2025
South Carolina Research Authority has announced two recent promotions. Patti Mack is now director of finance and administration. Teresa Hinson is now the director of governance, risk, and compliance. “Patti…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission designates state’s 13th cultural district in Summerville
December 11, 2025
The South Carolina Arts Commission announced that a downtown portion of Summerville was designated by its board of commissioners as the 13th South Carolina Cultural District The proposal for the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art January 2026 exhibitions and events calendar
December 10, 2025
EXHIBITIONS Keith Haring: Radiant Vision On view through February 15, 2026 Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The City of Columbia and BizArts present A Christmas Story, a holiday celebration supporting Richland County First Steps
December 9, 2025
7Sunday’s BizArts, in partnership with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, announced BizArts: A Christmas Story—an uplifting holiday community celebration, nonprofit and small business showcase, and fundraiser supporting…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
CMA announces major gift from the Joseph Bruce Collection of Georgian Porcelain
December 4, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art announced a major gift of the Joseph Bruce Collection of Georgian Porcelain, one of the most comprehensive private holdings of New Hall porcelain in the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
My Fried Chicken History
December 3, 2025
By Tom Poland As evening shadows fell, I made my way home through woods. Overpowering the peppery smell of autumn leaves, the chicken frying in Mom’s cast iron skillet…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Amazon announces Best Books of 2025
December 3, 2025
Each year, I like to publish Amazon’s Best Books of the Year and buy my wife the No. 1 book as a Christmas present. Looks like Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Artist in Residence Monica Cioppettini
December 2, 2025
From November 23 to December 20, 2025, 701 CCA welcomes Monica Cioppettini as our Artist-in-Residence. Monica is a multidisciplinary artist whose work breathes new life into discarded jewelry and found objects, transforming them…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
SC Philharmonic returns with 3rd annual “Home for the Holidays”
December 2, 2025
Columbia’s new favorite holiday tradition celebrates the wealth of artistic talent in the Midlands The South Carolina Philharmonic presents Home for the Holidays on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM at…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
NOMA announces Light Up Cookie Crawl Festival on Saturday, December 13th
December 2, 2025
Who: City of Columbia, The NOMA Foundation, Chavis Painting, Palmetto Life Church, and participating NOMA businesses. What/Where: Light Up NOMA Cookie Crawl — a celebration of shopping, entertainment, dining, and of course,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Streams Art Local Artist Holiday Art Market now located at Finlay Park
December 2, 2025
The Columbia Streams Art public art program announces that the first holiday market to support local artists will now be held at Finlay Park. This local artist holiday market will…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Highway Song, Part II
November 25, 2025
By Tom Poland A Sunday Drive Highways 321 and 301 meet my criteria for back roads. Little traffic. Lots of abandonment. Old stuff getting older. Those 1950 snowbirds heading…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts & Culture hosts festive holiday party and Open Studios event
November 25, 2025
One Columbia for Arts & Culture invites the community to its annual Holiday Party, a festive celebration of art and the holiday season. The event will take place during First…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
