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
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
GJFF reschedules The Sea for March 1
February 4, 2026
The next Pop-Up Movie from the Greenville Jewish Film Festival is the South Carolina premier of “The Sea” on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 4 pm at Camelot Cinemas in…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, on-the-move, the-arts
A Night to Remember: Celebrating legacy and emerging talent at Pickens County Performing Arts Center
February 4, 2026
On February 13, 2026, the Pickens County Performing Arts Center will host a remarkable night of country music, featuring Montgomery Gentry with Eddie Montgomery and special guest Benton Blount. This…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
World-renowned a cappella group, The King’s Singers, returns to the Carlos Moseley Chamber Music Series at Converse
February 3, 2026
Converse University welcomes back GRAMMY and Emmy Award–winning a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers to campus for another captivating performance as part of the Carlos Moseley Chamber Music Series. Returning…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: 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
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
Original artwork, nostalgic displays highlight arrival of Bugs Bunny and friends at Upcountry History Museum
January 28, 2026
On Saturday morning, January 31, 2026, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Tweety Bird, and Sylvester won’t just be cartoons on your television screen, they and fellow Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, day-care, education, entertainment, entrepreneurship, marketing-and-communications, media, military, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, sports, teens-and-young-adult, the-arts, veterans
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
Our night out at The Mockingbird
January 20, 2026By Alan Cooper Publisher UpstateBizSC Last Friday night, we spent the evening at the opening of The Mockingbird, Greenville’s newest music venue. Thanks for the invite, Kara Dullea! We were…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville Theatre presents Sunday in the Park with George: A Staged Symphony Concert
January 15, 2026
Join Greenville Theatre for the first production of the new year, Sunday in the Park with George: A Staged Symphony Concert. Don’t miss this musical theatre masterpiece as it has never been…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: 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
Clemson musicians to bring silent film “The Freshman” to life with live performance and a new score
January 13, 2026
Under the baton of Director Kimberly Souther, the Clemson University Symphony and String Orchestras will present their third annual Silent Film Concert on February 1, 2026, at the Brooks Center…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
The Peace Center unveils its two new music venues – The Mockingbird and Coach Music Factory
January 8, 2026The Peace Center unveiled its two new music venues –– The Mockingbird and Coach Music Factory –– along with a new Arts Education Center and Artist Dorms, during a media-only…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: 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
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…
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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
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
Many Splendors of Love by Teri Leigh Teed selected for 2025 Inspired by Nature Invitational Exhibition
November 24, 2025Many Splendors of Love, a fine art photograph from Teri Leigh Teed’s Healing Spirit Art© Collection, Eleanor’s Dream series, has been selected for the 2025 Inspired by Nature Invitational Exhibition.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Peace Center announces first bookings for new live music venue, Coach Music Factory
November 20, 2025
Love & Special Sauce, The Lone Bellow, and The Infamous Stringdusters to headline opening lineup The Peace Center’s 35th season continues to deliver big news with the announcement of the first…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Where The Dead Live On
November 12, 2025
By Tom Poland On a sultry August Sunday I drove up on Shady Grove Methodist Church. Seeing it resurrected James Agee’s “Shady Grove, Alabama, July 1936,” his description of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Peace Center unveils yearlong Song Sessions for The Mockingbird — Greenville’s newest live music venue
November 11, 2025
The Peace Center kicks off its 35th season with a month of big announcements! Coming off the heels of unveiling GRAMMY-winning country music superstar Maren Morris as part of its milestone season lineup, the…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, on-the-move, the-arts
Holiday Open House on Augusta Street
November 9, 2025Augusta Street Holiday Tradition Continues Augusta Road Business Association (ARBA) is hosting their annual celebration to kick off the holiday season. Holiday Open House will take place on Sunday, November…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, retail, the-arts
Dick Harpootlian launches Dig Me a Grave book tour
November 9, 2025
Tour begins Dec. 16 in Columbia, SC, the city where Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, South Carolina’s most prolific killer and the book’s protagonist, was put to death nearly 35 years…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: law, on-the-move, the-arts
Winter’s Rainy Windows
November 5, 2025
By Tom Poland I have long admired the work of a fighter pilot turned writer. He wrote under the pen name James Salter. James Arnold Horowitz volunteered for combat duty…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
New quilt exhibition at Upcountry History Museum showcases storytelling of holiday classic in cloth
October 30, 2025
Quilts and holidays are a perfect blend, and the Upcountry History Museum’s newest exhibition, “Sue Reich’s The Quilter’s Night Before Christmas,” will take visitors on a familiar yet unique journey…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, day-care, education, entertainment, festivals-special-events, hospitality, hotels, local-industry, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, retail, the-arts, veterans
Return To Pawleys
October 28, 2025
By Tom Poland Sunday lunch at the Sea View Inn. Forty-five years it had been since my daughters and I were together at Pawleys. While eating I thought about our…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Entrepreneur Minute – David Platts, SC Arts Commission
October 27, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission, David Platts, executive director elected to national leadership role
October 23, 2025
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) announced the election of a new chair and nine members to its board of directors. As part of a rigorous national nomination…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ exhibition helps kick off holiday season at Upcountry History Museum
October 22, 2025
The doors of the Upcountry History Museum have now opened to the enchanting world of animation with “Beyond Halloween Land: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” an exhibition dedicated to…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, education, entertainment, hospitality, life, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, technology, the-arts
Southern Exposure—The Fly Swatter
October 9, 2025
By Tom Poland Grandmothers’ Weapon Of Choice The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “fly swatter” as “an implement used for swatting insects, typically a square of plastic mesh attached…
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October MoseleyNext event features high-energy chamber music group Project Trio
October 7, 2025
Converse University will welcome innovative music group, Project Trio for the first MoseleyNext concert of the 2025-2025 season. Celebrated for their dynamic stage presence and genre-defying performances, Project Trio redefines…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Audition announcement for Disney’s Frozen
October 2, 2025
We are excited to invite you to audition for Greenville Theatre’s production of Frozen in the historic 100th season. Greenville Theatre is an equal opportunity employer and encourages performers of…
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SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities accepting applications for 2026-2027
October 1, 2025
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a top-ranked public, residential high school for artistically talented students, is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, music, on-the-move, the-arts
Primal Fear
September 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Stumbling Onto A Corpse Besides the solitary confinement of writing, I cut myself off from the world in two places. Hard-to-reach wilderness areas and forgotten churches where…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
New numbers: SC Arts Commission grantmaking, services impacted all 46 counties in FY25
September 25, 2025
Communities receive $12.5 million through 676 grants Artmaking and learning in and through the arts received support in all 46 South Carolina counties in FY25 thanks to $12.5 million in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Upcountry History Museum exhibit to showcase extraordinary bravery and service of K9 military heroes
September 17, 2025
“War Dogs: K9 Military Heroes” delivers a powerful display of the heroism, service, and history of America’s military working dogs in the newest exhibition opening Saturday, September 20, 2025, at…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, military, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts, veterans
SCETV celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with special programming available on-air and online
September 16, 2025
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month held Sept.15 – Oct. 15. This celebration of tradition, history, art and achievement spotlights Hispanic culture through featured programs…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: education, entertainment, media, on-the-move, the-arts
Arts Commission grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs
September 11, 2025
Grant, program supports three S.C. artist-entrepreneurs The South Carolina Arts Commission is supporting the business initiatives of three South Carolina artist entrepreneurs (#SCartists) through a program and grant designed to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Hometown Weekly
September 3, 2025
By Tom Poland In my youth we had a daily newspaper, The Augusta Chronicle. What we didn’t get every day was local news. That’s what made The Lincoln Journal…
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Ticket sales now live for Greenville Convention Center’s Holiday Fair benefiting Rotary Club of Greenville
September 3, 2025
Greenville Convention Center announced ticket sales are now live for Holiday Fair, a cherished tradition in the Upstate, bringing joy of the season to families, friends and holiday enthusiasts alike.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, food, local-industry, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, restaurant, social-scene, the-arts
Caffeine
August 29, 2025
By Tom Poland “Cocaine,” JJ Cale wrote it. Eric Clapton sung it. Clapton described the song as anti-cocaine and that seems to be the case, if you read between…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission names seven new ‘emerging artists’
August 26, 2025
New cohort receives project funding, mentoring Seven artists establishing themselves in their artistic pursuits will benefit from the South Carolina Arts Commission Emerging Artists program, receiving a project-based grant and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Grandma’s Petunias
August 13, 2025
By Tom Poland A Short and Sweet, Fragrant Memory Vintage petunias, those flowers my grandma loved, I saw them in youth. As I sort through my memory album they…
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Join Judson Mill District for the unveiling of ‘Weaver the Piano’ with
August 12, 2025
Live Performance by Marvin King Revue – Thursday, August 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Judson Mill District invites the community to an evening of music, art, and celebration as…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Queen Of The Shoals
August 7, 2025
By Tom Poland Her May-June reign approaches. The rocky shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, will soon flaunt her crown of white, green, and gold. Exquisite, ephemeral, and periled. Much…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Highway 13, Cemetery Road
July 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Pot holes pockmarked the old road. She promised a bumpy ride, but rivulets of tar stitched her together, and that was good enough for me. I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
My Love Affair With Miss Zebco
July 24, 2025
By Tom Poland I fished many a farm pond as a boy. When I left my red-varnished cane pole for Miss Zebco, I fell in love. I filled my…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
