Had Harry Sat Here
April 30, 2020
By Tom Poland Rain, rain, and more rain. It hasn’t been a biblical forty days and forty nights but sure seems like it. A record sopping-wet winter has creeks…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Buddy bear.
April 30, 2020By Cathy Rigg Monetti There are a thousand reasons, I suppose, we are obsessed with the bear. He’s beautiful, for one. Big, and healthy, with a full shiny coat…
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S.C. Arts Commission to provide arts emergency relief grants
April 27, 2020
Applications to be accepted April 29 through May 15, 2020 The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is announcing emergency relief for South Carolina arts organizations and individual artists who can…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Kidcreate Art Studio
April 22, 2020
Previously a management professional, Andrea wanted a business with fun and flexibility after recently becoming a stay at home mom. She and her husband Anthea decided they wanted a business…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: the-arts
High As A Georgia Pine
April 16, 2020
By Tom Poland The South and its vernacular, love it and never lose it. Seems to me, we have the finest, most colorful expressions. Yes, Southerners have a flair…
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Be well.
April 16, 2020By Cathy Rigg Monetti YESTERDAY WE AWOKE to a strange and beautiful scene. It was 5:55 a.m., and through our east window we saw that slight but gorgeous glow…
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House Arrest Haircuts
April 8, 2020
By Tom Poland Nancy’s eyes betrayed frustration and fear. “I can’t cut your hair right now. I’ve got to close.” Early April 2020, the year of perfect vision, what…
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This Silent Strange Spring
April 1, 2020
By Tom Poland Spring’s springing. I put my hummingbird feeders up for soon the feathered jets will arrive. My azaleas burst into living color as Disney phrased it, and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Peace Center announces 2020-2021 Peace Broadway Season
March 31, 2020
The 2020-2021 Peace Broadway Season at the Peace Center, sponsored by Gibbs Cancer Center, features Tony Award®-winners, fan favorites, reimagined revivals and the hottest shows straight from New York City.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Hauling Up Water
March 26, 2020
By Tom Poland The cold water hurt my teeth, and it didn’t come from a cooler. Nor a faucet. There was no faucet. My grandparents cranked a windlass, lowering…
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The Wonder Of Woods And Waters
March 19, 2020
By Tom Poland Remembering & Thanking Harry Hampton Fall 1980, a St. Andrews Columbia office park known as Dutch Plaza teems with activity. We’re packing up files, desks, cameras,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: environmental, life, the-arts
South Carolina ETV reimagines mission-driven partnership with S.C. Department of Education in response to COVID-19
March 17, 2020
Network to modify programming three days each week beginning March 24 South Carolina ETV (SCETV) today announced a plan in partnership with the S.C. Department of Education (SCDE) to broadcast…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, government, health-care, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move, technology, the-arts
S.C. Arts Awards postponed because of COVID-19 concerns
March 16, 2020
Official statement from the South Carolina Arts Commission: COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Arts Awards scheduled for May 6, 2020 are being postponed until further notice. With the ongoing uncertainty…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville Theatre cancels remianing performances of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
March 16, 2020
Following the recommendation of the Governor and State Health Officials, and in the interest of public health, Greenville Theatre is canceling the remaining performances of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
A Genuine Barber Shop
March 11, 2020
By Tom Poland My great uncle cut my hair when I was growing up in Lincolnton, Georgia. That would be Waymon Walker, Granddad’s brother. Walker’s Barbershop of white concrete…
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The Dignity Found In Abandonment
March 4, 2020
By Tom Poland As you drive from here to there in a rush, how many times have you turned around to stop at an abandoned store? I do that…
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Artist Minute – Miranda Barnett, Actor
March 2, 2020
The 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…
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Doodling In the Dust
February 27, 2020
By Tom Poland Homes perch on rock piers in a forgotten land called Abandonment, but as that old Elton John song goes, they’re still standing. Now modern homes with…
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Curtis R. Harley Art Gallery presents “BURD BRAIN” by Marius Valdes
February 26, 2020
Curtis R. Harley Art Gallery, sponsored by the University of South Carolina Upstate, announce s“Burd Brain”, an exhibiton of paintings, garphics and illustrations by Marius Valdes. The exhibition opens on Feb.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Remembering A Journalist
February 20, 2020
By Tom Poland He didn’t like to fly, but he traveled the world, missing the South always. When he was in some country afar and by chance heard a…
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Camps Show Students Their Future
February 13, 2020
By Tom Poland Hands-On Learning, Real Learning, Fun Learning The blue lake, white sands, and green trees of summer camps live on as I recall days at Rock…
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Greenville Center for Creative Arts announces new Executive Director
February 12, 2020
Kim Fabian has been named Executive Director of the Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) following an extensive local and national search. Fabian brings more than 25 years of experience…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: headlines, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Spartanburg County Parks and Chapman Cultural Center launch the Cleveland Park Walkway Project
February 8, 2020
Chapman Cultural Center announces the completion of a new public art project that features a unique walkway mural between Cleveland Park and Berry Field. The walkway mural was a collaborative…
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S.C. Arts Commission announces six recipients of 2020 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts
February 5, 2020
South Carolina’s highest award for achievement in the arts is to be presented to six uniquely qualified arts practitioners and supporters announced today by the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC).…
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Down South
February 5, 2020
By Tom Poland Window To The Past The old window looks out on Highway 25. The view at best is limited. Standing behind the window, you’d peer through iron…
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Mardi Gras Columbia Festival and Parade set for February 22 at City Roots
February 5, 2020
The 10th annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival and Parade will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at City Roots urban farm in Columbia’s Rosewood neighborhood. Hosted by the festival’s…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: food, life, on-the-move, the-arts
Fifth annual African American History Month art exhibition now on display at Greenville Technical College library
February 3, 2020
An art exhibition at the Greenville Technical College library, in celebration of African American History Month, is on display through February 29, 2020. The library is located in the Beattie…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville Theatre
January 31, 2020
Greenville Theatre is a large professional theatre in downtown Greenville. Performing for people than any other producing theatre in South Carolina, our home is a beautiful 600 seat proscenium theatre…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: the-arts
Lost In Amethyst Country
January 29, 2020
By Tom Poland Another world entire hides along lesser-traveled roads. Do yourself a favor. Look for it. The day after Christmas I drove to Tignall, Georgia, to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Greenville Theatre announces sensational 94th season
January 27, 2020
Greenville Theatre donors, sponsors, and advertisers were treated to a musical ‘season reveal’ at the annual announcement party on January 26. Executive Artistic Director Allen McCalla thanked the attendees for their…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Furman English Professor Joni Tevis awarded NEA Fellowship
January 24, 2020
Joni Tevis, the Bennette E. Geer Associate Professor of English at Furman University, has been awarded a 2020 Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville’s limited premiere engagement plays Feb. 12-23 at the Peace Center
January 23, 2020
Casting has been announced for the Greenville engagement of Disney’s Aladdin. The hit Broadway musical will begin performances in Greenville at the Peace Center on Wednesday, Feb. 12 for a limited, two-week engagement…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Invisible People
January 22, 2020
By Tom Poland Clothes make the man, and when it comes to camouflage, it must make the man, woman, boy, and girl too. Seems everyone wears camouflage year-round, but…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
$20,000 NEA grant awarded to Spartanburg Philharmonic
January 16, 2020
Spartanburg Philharmonic has been approved for a $20,000 Art Works grant to support Discovering The Banjo. This project will improve the awareness within Spartanburg, and surrounding communities, of the banjo…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Lindler House, Beautiful Survivor
January 15, 2020
By Tom Poland It’s high noon at High Noon gift shop in Ballantine, South Carolina. I’m signing books when a lady approaches. “You write about old homes don’t you?”…
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Top Grossing Movies – January 13, 2020
January 13, 2020
Theatrical grosses from comScore Week of 01/10/2020 to 01/16/2020 Rank Title Weeks Weekend Gross Cumulative 1 1917 3 $37,000,200 $39,721,479 2 Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker 4 $15,187,034…
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Face Jugs
January 8, 2020
By Tom Poland Bulging whites with snake-eye slits for pupils and yellow teeth like chipped piano keys radiated light as if shadows could never exist. Its gruesome expression captured…
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The Warehouse Theatre
December 19, 2019
The Warehouse Theatre is committed to creating high-quality professional work that is vital, diverse, and adventurous. We aim to inspire and challenge our audiences and artists alike through cutting-edge productions…
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Walmart invests in arts education
December 18, 2019Lisa O’Connell, VP of Resource Development, (far right) & Brad Wright, Corporate Giving Manager, (2nd from right) accept check from Dorman Centre Walmart associates on behalf of Chapman Cultural Center…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
Deck The Halls
December 18, 2019
By Tom Poland You know the lyrics … “Deck the halls with boughs of holly …” Sadly, songs like “Deck the Halls” fall victim to commercialism. This time of…
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The Chapel In The Vale
December 11, 2019
By Tom Poland I spend more time photographing country churches than attending my own country church. Not sure what that says about me, but I’ll go with it. The…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Federation of Families of South Carolina to hold statewide art contest for the South Carolina Children’s Mental Health awareness poster
December 10, 2019
The Federation of Families of South Carolina will hold a statewide Art Contest in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Month. This year’s Art Contest theme is “Messengers of Hope.” During…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Magic Light Bulb
December 4, 2019
By Tom Poland You probably think an ordinary light bulb is boring in this era of LED lights. Well, the ordinary light bulb holds a special place in my…
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The Sad Ballad Of Moses Corley
November 26, 2019
By Tom Poland Each Thanksgiving, I Remember Moses We all cross paths with a person we can’t forget. And so, a man by the beautiful name of Moses Corley…
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Funerals Down South
November 20, 2019
By Tom Poland “Lawdy, Miss Ruth, I don’t know when I enjoyed a funeral so much.” Whenever a funeral came up Mom repeated what this lady told her. I…
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Chapman Cultural Center
November 15, 2019
Chapman Cultural Center provides major funding and education for many of Spartanburg’s arts and cultural organizations. Its educational programs serve more than 40,000 public and private school students throughout Spartanburg…
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Return Of The Beavers
November 14, 2019
By Tom Poland All these years later I still don’t know who is right, Uncle Joe or the beavers. I know one thing, though. The old mine hole, long…
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BMW Plant Spartanburg announced as the 2019 Cultural Champion
November 13, 2019
Chapman Cultural Center announces that BMW Plant Spartanburg was awarded the “2019 Cultural Champion” at the annual Champions luncheon on Thursday, November 7th. Each year, Chapman Cultural Center honors its…
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Inaugural Holiday Market and Open House at Aurora Farms
November 13, 2019
On Friday, November 29, from 10am until 2pm, Aurora Farms is presenting an inaugural “Holiday Market and Open House” event. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to visit…
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Citizen input to help form new long-range S.C. arts plan in public meetings and survey, S.C. Arts Commission queries arts’ direction
November 4, 2019
The South Carolina Arts Commission is fanning out across the state this fall and winter, gathering public input to help it form the next long-range plan for arts and culture…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
