Star Light, Star Bright
October 27, 2021By Tom Poland Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, I’d leave on a Friday afternoon and head for the mountains, the Blue Ridge species. My monthly drives…
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Artist Minute – Adam Schrimmer, Muralist
October 25, 2021The Who’s on the Move, UpstateBizSC, Artist Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the undeniable impact that the arts and local artists have on our communities. One…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: podcast, the-arts
Magic In Some Alien World
October 21, 2021By Tom Poland On a hot, windless Sunday, I found a place where wind swept up and over a cliff to pour through pines. The cooling torrent felt like…
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‘War Dogs’ exhibit at Upcountry History Museum showcases bravery, service of military working dogs
October 20, 2021“War Dogs: Never Above You, Never Below You, Always Beside You” delivers a powerful display of the heroism, service, and history of America’s military working dogs in the newest exhibition…
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Proud Mary Theatre Company
October 12, 2021The mission of the Proud Mary Theatre Company, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and non-professional theatre, is to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community through the Arts by presenting LGBTQ+ voices…
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WandaVision actor from Greenville Stars in Falsettos musical Oct. 29 – Nov. 6
October 12, 2021WandaVision Actor from Greenville Stars in Falsettos Musical Oct. 29 – Nov. 6 Joshua Begelman, 12, who recently portrayed Young Quicksilver in an Emmy award-nominated episode of the Disney+ superhero…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, life, music, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Tall Tales—Truth Can Be Elusive
October 6, 2021By Tom Poland The last time I wrote about the nightlife, my late mom gave me a reading. She upbraided me about the evils of alcohol and told me…
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Ken Burns exhibit making its only southeastern stop at Upcountry History Museum
September 30, 2021Yes, that Ken Burns! America’s renowned filmmaker and documentarian reveals a more personal side of his storytelling talents in Uncovered: The Ken Burns Collection, the newest exhibition opening Saturday, October…
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You’ve Got To Feel the Food
September 29, 2021By Tom Poland A few years back on a fall day I attended a wild game dinner on the grounds of Hobcaw Barony’s Bellefield Stables. I sat among folks…
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The Good Old Days Are Gone
September 22, 2021By Tom Poland Last Friday night some grandparents went to watch their grandson play in a high school football game. They were in for a shock. Paying for the…
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Acclaimed 30 Americans headed to the Columbia Museum of Art
September 22, 2021Hugely popular and historically important exhibition opens October 9 The Columbia Museum of Art announces its major fall exhibition 30 Americans, a dynamic showcase of contemporary art featuring many of the…
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Freeway Music School celebrates 10-year anniversary
September 20, 2021South Carolina’s fastest growing music school continues its commitment of delivering high-quality music lessons and giving back to the community Freeway Music —Columbia, South Carolina’s locally owned, premier music school…
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Peace Center announces partnership with Fine Arts Center
September 16, 2021To deepen the partnership between the two organizations, four weeklong artist residencies for Fine Arts students have been announced. Each week will serve the shared goal of the two organizations…
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Who’s The Queen Of Flowers?
September 15, 2021By Tom Poland Orchids. There were days I wore them in my lapel for formal events, but those days are gone. I’ve not seen many in the wild, but…
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Where They Sleep, While They Sleep
September 8, 2021By Tom Poland I visit old cemeteries quite a bit. Lest you think death thoughts consume me, understand that readers tell me of near-forgotten cemeteries. It’s my duty to…
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South Carolina State Fair discount tickets available starting Sept. 8
September 8, 2021Save time and money by buying early online or at participating Circle K locations Discount admission and ride tickets for this year’s South Carolina State Fair will go on sale…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: agriculture, entertainment, food, local-industry, media, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
The Rose Ball announces new safety requirements for attendance
September 2, 2021The Rose Ball, Greenville’s longest-running charitable event, will continue as scheduled this year as an in-person evening gala on Friday, September 24 with new requirements for attendance. Guests of the…
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A Southern Writer
September 2, 2021By Tom Poland Mississippi’s Willie Morris Several years back, I attended Edgefield’s Camellia Tea. As I was leaving, a lady in a red blazer walked up. “You’re that fellow…
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Greenville Theatre continues its “Welcome Back” season with THE PRODUCERS
August 26, 2021Greenville Theatre is continuing its “Welcome Back” season with the hilarious Tony Award-Winning comedy, The Producers! This is the first production directed by new Producing Artistic Director, Max Quinlan. This…
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Long Lost Treasures, Heirloom Seeds
August 26, 2021By Tom Poland Metal detectives seek old coins and treasure, and many folks look for arrowheads. A rare breed seeks long-lost seeds. Old coins and arrowheads won’t make you…
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A Haunting Postscript
August 19, 2021By Tom Poland Missing Caskets Recently I wrote about finding my great granddad’s old farmhouse, but I left out an eerie aspect that would be suitable for a Halloween…
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For The Birds
August 5, 2021By Tom Poland This makes the second time I’ve used “For The Birds” as a title. “Contacting the dead through a Ouija board? That’s for the birds.” No flippancy…
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Chapman Cultural Center and Hub City Writers Project announce fellows selected for the Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters
August 2, 2021Chapman Cultural Center and Hub City Writers Project announced the selection of writer Morgan Thomas (they/them) of Gulf Breeze, FL, and visual artist Ben Winans (he/him) of Raleigh, NC, who…
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Proud Mary Theatre Company re-opens indoors with Sordid Lives
August 2, 2021Proud Mary Theatre Company will present SORDID LIVES, the classic cult comedy by Del Shores, August 12-21 as their first indoor performance in 18 months. Shows are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8…
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What’s The Big Rush?
July 28, 2021By Tom Poland My back-road trips of late have been good but not as pleasant they usually are. Too many people. They drive like madmen. They pass on hills.…
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The Parking Lot Of The Dead
July 21, 2021By Tom Poland Even in death they cling to dignity. Left to rust, they bless the rare visitor with awe and mystery. Just how did old trucks and cars…
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My Mother’s Bible
July 15, 2021By Tom Poland After Mom died, my sisters and I began to go through her and Dad’s belongings. Quite a task that surprised, amused, and puzzled us. Lots of…
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Artist Minute – Mark Batory, Potter
July 13, 2021The Who’s on the Move, UpstateBizSC, Artist Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the undeniable impact that the arts and local artists have on our communities. One…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: podcast, the-arts
Ospreys—Nature Never Quits
July 8, 2021By Tom Poland Noon sharp, a hot, humid Monday. Just twenty yards away a tremendous crash like a rock hitting water got my attention. There sat an osprey with…
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Greenville Theatre prepares for reopening with THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB
July 7, 2021After 16 months without any live performances, Greenville Theatre is reopening with the hilarious and touching comedy The Dixie Swim Club. This is the first production under the new leadership…
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Artist Minute – Shannon Hoover, Musician, Composer, Educator
July 1, 2021The Who’s on the Move, UpstateBizSC, Artist Minute is a quick, two-minute interview in support of the undeniable impact that the arts and local artists have on our communities. One…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: podcast, the-arts
Hemp & Kudzu, A Good Summer Combo
June 30, 2021By Tom Poland It was like stepping back into the 1960s, sitting in that cool, refreshing gazebo up North Carolina way. Its vines and emerald green leaves, translucent and…
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S.C. Department of Education and S.C. Arts Commission announce $20 million partnership to expand arts learning initiatives
June 29, 2021A $20 million partnership announced today by the South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina Arts Commission will help public schools throughout the state address pandemic related learning loss…
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Statewide expedition planners meet in Camden
June 25, 2021Final preparation for SC7 expedition held before kickoff event in Oconee County By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Members of the SOUTH CAROLINA SEVEN (SC7) expedition logistics-and-planning team gathered for a…
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Years Lost To Time, The Silent Thief
June 24, 2021By Tom Poland Growing up I could hear the tick of my church’s old Regulator wall clock. I can’t hear it today, but my hearing’s good. All that keeping…
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S.C. Arts Commission announces FY2022 fellows
June 22, 2021South Carolina artists exhibiting hard work and exceptional ability in visual art, craft, and media production and screenwriting are recipients of fiscal year 2022 South Carolina Arts Commission fellowships. The…
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The Peace Center announces 2021-2022 Peace Broadway Series
June 14, 2021The 2021-2022 Peace Broadway Season at the Peace Center, sponsored by Gibbs Cancer Center, features Tony Award®-winners, fan favorites, theatrical takes on beloved films and reimagined revivals, representing the best…
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Reedy Reels Film Festival announces winners and highlights
June 11, 2021The sixth annual Reedy Reels Film Festival was held over the weekend of June 4th and showcased over forty films of all genres. Of those forty films, over a dozen…
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History Surrounds You
June 10, 2021By Tom Poland History really does surround you. You just have to slow down a tad and open your eyes. It will help if you turn off the TV…
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Every State Needs A John Mulhouse
June 3, 2021By Tom Poland Every state needs someone to record what it’s lost. Every state needs a John Mulhouse. I’ve never met John but we’re in touch and we share…
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Compelled To Pick Up Rocks
May 26, 2021By Tom Poland Do you pick up rocks? I do. I feel compelled to pick up rocks. And so do others. Many people take rocks home and create a…
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Reedy Reels to feature Women in Film panel, special guests and more
May 24, 2021The Reedy Reels Film Festival has announced a schedule that features plenty of interesting events sure to draw in any film lover next month. There are numerous especially exclusive events…
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Lacey Hennessey: New Look, New Art
May 18, 2021Artist Debuts @Lacey_Does with Launch of New Collection Lacey Hennessey, a Greenville artist and muralist, recently debuted a new name, @Lacey_Does, with the launch of her new art collection. Previously…
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Brooks Center for the Performing Arts announces a return to in-person performances this fall
May 17, 2021The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2021-22 season. Performances will take place in person at the Brooks Center. Managing Director Thomas Hudgins looks forward to welcoming patrons…
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S.C. Arts Commission approved for $891,400 NEA Partnership Award
May 13, 2021Yesterday, May 12, 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced approval of an $891,400 FY21 partnership grant to the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC). The SCAC will use…
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The Allure Of Copper
May 13, 2021By Tom Poland The hills were red. Barren, like some alien landscape. Nothing green. Could have been Mars. I was just ten or so when Dad drove us through…
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Chapman Cultural Center promotes Dawkins to facilities director
May 11, 2021Chapman Cultural Center is pleased to announce that Tarah S. Dawkins has been promoted to the Director of Facility Operations for Chapman Cultural Center. Dawkins joined the organization in 2016…
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An Evening of Rachel Lynett Short Plays
May 11, 2021Proud Mary Theatre Company continues our groundbreaking play series featuring playwrights of color with An Evening of Rachel Lynett Short Plays streaming free May 20-23. This double-feature of short plays – In Transit and Choosing…
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Breaking The Cult of Difficulty
May 6, 2021By Tom Poland Many tell me how difficult they find writing to be. Well, they speak the truth. It’s difficult to write at a high level, and that’s why…
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Adam Schrimmer tapped to paint mural at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
April 29, 2021Adam Schrimmer, owner and lead artist at Blank Canvas Mural Company has been commissioned to paint a mural inside The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. The museum, located at 300…
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