The Lost Art of Letter Writing
January 23, 2025
By Tom Poland When you write about earlier times as I often do, you hear from people who lived the very days you describe. Over the course of summer…
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Richland Library welcomes new artist-in-residence, Brittany Watkins
January 16, 2025Richland Library is dedicated to providing unrestricted access to programming, services, and resources, encompassing support for mental health and mindfulness. Please join us in welcoming the newest addition to the residency program,…
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Georgialina—A Southland As We Knew It
January 15, 2025
By Tom Poland In 2015, the University of South Carolina Press released my collection of memories on how things used to be. Here, then, is a trip down memory lane…
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SC Philharmonic to receive $20,000 award from the National Endowment for the Arts
January 15, 2025
The South Carolina Philharmonic announced it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support…
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Trustus Theatre announces Second Annual Gala: Harlem Nights
January 10, 2025
Trustus Theatre announced the date for its highly anticipated Second Annual Gala, taking place on February 7, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the South Carolina State Museum.…
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Nearly Sold Out: Join Us for “Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis” at Harbison Theatre
January 9, 2025
An evening of storytelling & song with performers from Davis’ new national TV Show On January 24, 2025, Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College will host South Carolina native Patrick…
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S.C. Arts Commission announces four staff members
January 8, 2025
Artist development, arts industry and communications roles filled The South Carolina Arts Commission began 2025 with full teams serving artists and arts organizations and its communications needs after adding four…
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Allendale County SC 250 Committee to host film screenings in January of American Revolutionary War heroes
December 17, 2024
The Allendale SC250 Revolutionary War Committee has been awarded a grant providing for screening events and discussions with audiences of two award-winning docudramas, All for Liberty, and Echoes of Freedom: Heroes from…
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Ernest A. Finney, Jr. Cultural Arts Center hosts Be the Light: A Celebration of Community for the Holidays
December 12, 2024
On Saturday, December 21 from noon to 4:00 PM, the Ernest A. Finney, Jr. Cultural Arts Center is hosting a FREE holiday celebration for everyone with giveaways, holiday treats, children’s…
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Walking Through Prairie With Philip Juras
December 12, 2024
By Tom Poland August 21, 6:15 p.m. Philip Juras and I are walking through remnant prairie. His mission is to paint a vestige of our lost Southland. Mine is…
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Fallen Color
December 5, 2024
By Tom Poland And a Never-Forgotten Dog Can uprooted trees flaunt fall color? No. Dead men don’t talk and dead leaves don’t reveal colors. I figured it was impossible.…
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Celebrate the Holiday Season at the Meeting Street Artisan Holiday Markets in West Columbia!
December 5, 2024
The City of West Columbia’s Meeting Street Artisan Market is bringing the holiday spirit to life with special Holiday Editions on the first three Saturdays of December: December 7, 14,…
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We’re Soft & We Can’t Deny It
November 20, 2024
By Tom Poland Mama trembled when she talked about the Great Depression. I never forgot that. She’s gone and only the oldest survivors recall those hard times. Today’s full-plate…
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A Kind Word for the Irish Travelers
November 20, 2024
By Tom Poland A few years back I was frustrated, trying to get a book off the ground but it just wouldn’t come together. My limitations as a writer…
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Wicked, The Original Broadway Blockbuster, to return to the Koger Center for the Arts
November 18, 2024
The stage is almost set to announce the 2025-2026 Broadway in Columbia Season presented by Bank of America. Broadway in Columbia announced the Original Broadway Blockbuster, WICKED will be part…
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Five Richland One Schools awarded Distinguished Arts Program grants from SC Department of Education
November 18, 2024
Five Richland One schools have been awarded 2024-2025 Distinguished Arts Program (DAP) grants from the South Carolina Department of Education. The grant, which is part of the Department of Education’s…
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“A Magical Cirque Christmas” reveals full cast ahead of the U.S. tour launch on November 15
November 14, 2024
MagicSpace Entertainment revealed its full cast of illusionists, circus performers, and specialized acts featured in this year’s national tour of A Magical Cirque Christmas, returning this holiday season for a…
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Cassette Music Memories
November 12, 2024
By Tom Poland Last week my writer-daughter, Beth, wrote a story about her MTV years. She recalled the 1980s watching music videos. She wrote, “When my sister and I…
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The Philosophy of Five Points: A unique evening of art, ideas, and community connection
November 11, 2024
Cola Love, in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Philosophy Department, announced The Philosophy of Five Points, an evening event dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and the…
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A Thin White Line
November 6, 2024
By Tom Poland CUMBERLAND SOUND, Fernandina Beach, Florida (Nov. 1, 2024): The catamaran motors by pelicans perched upon piers. It passes monstrous, red-orange contraptions that could be the Martian…
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Off to the Races! Balloon Turkey STEM Fun at Clinton Library
November 3, 2024
Families in Clinton are in for a festive treat as the Clinton Library gears up to host an exciting and educational event, Off to the Races!, on November 12 at…
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The Last Pecan Pie
October 31, 2024
By Tom Poland When I heard Hurricane Helene destroyed some 42,000 pecan trees in Georgia, I thought of my mother and my last pecan pie, not the last…
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SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities to host open door event for prospective students
October 31, 2024
The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public, residential high school for the arts in Greenville, is hosting its largest event of the year—Go Govie! Day—for families…
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Midlands Clay Arts Society Holiday Sale
October 29, 2024
You are invited to our 23rd Annual Midlands Clay Arts Holiday Sale, to be held December 5-7, 2024 at Stormwater Studios, 413 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC. Over 35 local artists…
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Local Handyman sculpts unique life-sized pink dinosaur display for Breast Cancer Awareness and Halloween
October 29, 2024
Fundraiser benefits American Cancer Society until November 14, General public encouraged to stop by and post photos Lexington-area native and master sculptor Christopher Price of Price Handyworks, LLC has created…
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A Spider Fit for Halloween
October 24, 2024
By Tom Poland Read no further if you suffer arachnophobia … How well I remember a night when we were under the lights scrimmaging. I can’t recall who we…
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Arts & Draughts returns with puppetry, French Moderns, and more
October 22, 2024Columbia’s favorite museum party Arts & Draughts returns on Friday, November 8, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. This signature CMA event is a great opportunity to connect with friends and…
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Something’s Afoot at Town Theatre
October 21, 2024
Ten strangers are trapped in an isolated English mansion during a storm. One by one… each meets an untimely – and hysterically absurd – demise. But who is behind the…
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Grammy-nominated The War and Treaty at Harbison Theatre
October 17, 2024
With opening act The Kentucky Gentlemen, one of NPR’s 2023 “Artists to Watch” The War and Treaty is coming to South Carolina for one night only, November 1, at Harbison…
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From Sacred Earth—Catawba Pottery
October 17, 2024
By Tom Poland On a hot July Saturday I drove to the Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, South Carolina. First chance I got, I abandoned I-20 for U.S. 21.…
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Award-winning comics artist Ebony Flowers to speak at USC
October 16, 2024
One of the country’s foremost African American comics artists, Ebony Flowers, will discuss creative storytelling during a public talk at the University of South Carolina. Flowers, renowned for her award-winning…
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Vanilla Flavored Memories
October 10, 2024
By Tom Poland Springs creaking, Granddad’s maroon Ford rattles down Mom and Dad’s long dirt driveway. Washouts make for a rough ride but that doesn’t stop Granddad. Here he…
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Five Points association officially unveils newest art installation, “Fritz”
October 9, 2024
The Five Points District, known for its eclectic art scene and vibrant community, announced the official naming of its newest public art installation, “Fritz”. The 1,200-pound robot head, created by…
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Call for artists: 7th annual Cottontown Art Crawl in Columbia, SC
October 9, 2024
The Cottontown Art Crawl announced its call for artists for the 7th Annual Cottontown Art Crawl, taking place on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This highly anticipated event will once again…
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Constellation Concert Series: Music in the Observatory this Thursday
October 7, 2024
The Wilder Flower Thurs., Oct. 10 | 6:30 – 9 p.m. Experience Live Music Under the Stars at the State Museum’s New Concert Series This new event inside of the…
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Columbia Museum of Art November 2024 Exhibitions and Events Calendar
October 4, 2024
EXHIBITIONS French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950 On view October 5, 2024 – January 5, 2025 In France, the years between the Revolution of 1848 and the end…
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The Boxmasters to rock the house at Harbison Theatre
October 2, 2024
Experience a signature take on 60s rock with The Boxmasters featuring Billy Bob Thornton The Boxmasters, featuring Billy Bob Thornton, will be at Harbison Theatre one night only, October 18,…
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Hurricanes, A Personal History
September 30, 2024
By Tom Poland Growing up in landlocked Lincoln County, Georgia, I never worried about hurricanes. I left that to folks on the coast. Hurricanes were not to be feared. If…
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Remembering Ken Burger
September 26, 2024
By Tom Poland “Don’t forget to be happy. It’s the only measurement of success that really counts.” – Ken Burger I wish I had known Ken Burger for more…
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State Museum announces Constellation Concert Series
September 26, 2024
Experience Live Music Under the Stars at the State Museum’s New Concert Series The South Carolina State Museum unveiled its new Constellation Concert Series, offering an evening of live music…
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New Mural Grant Program aims to beautify West Columbia and promote local artists
September 25, 2024
The City of West Columbia introduced the West Columbia Mural Grant (WCMG) Program, an initiative to transform public spaces through vibrant, outdoor murals. The program invites local businesses and property…
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Melrose Heights brings artists and food to a historic Columbia neighborhood!
September 25, 2024
The Historic Melrose Art in the Yard will once again welcome artists and artisans to show and sell their original work in the historic, downtown Columbia neighborhood. The event will…
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S.C. Arts Commission launches Creative Careers website
September 23, 2024
Today, the South Carolina Arts Commission formally announced the launch of a new website designed to provide information and insight into the vast career opportunities within the state’s thriving $14…
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Rogue Squirrel
September 19, 2024
By Tom Poland For two summers now I have battled a rogue squirrel, and the score is squirrel 100, Tom zero. He raids my “go to” hummingbird feeder, and…
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USC Theatre opens new season with centuries-old tale of civil disobedience Antigone
September 17, 2024
The University of SC Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2024-2025 season with a production of the timeless classic Antigone, October 4-12 at historic Longstreet Theatre. Show times are…
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Major exhibition of French modern art opens October 5
September 17, 2024
Monet, Matisse, and much more courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum The Columbia Museum of Art announced French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950, a major exhibition on view Saturday,…
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A Conversation with Kristin Cobb, Executive Director at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College
September 17, 2024
The 2024-2025 season has begun Kristin Cobb, the Executive Director at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, talks about the 2024-2025 season. The season officially kicked off on September 6…
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SC Arts Commission grants support artists’ entrepreneurism
September 17, 2024
Applications for next round opened today The arts-based business initiatives of three South Carolina artists (#SCartists) are receiving support from a South Carolina Arts Commission grant and program designed to…
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Anything Goes sets sail at Town Theatre
September 6, 2024
Prepare to embark on a high-seas adventure as Town Theatre proudly presents the timeless classic, Anything Goes. This vibrant, toe-tapping musical promises a voyage filled with laughter, romance and Cole…
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Wake Up Call Aboard The Pamela Sue
September 5, 2024
By Tom Poland Shrimping Down McClellanville Way I got up at 4:30 a.m. to go to two Carolina bays in the Francis Marion National Forest. Hours later I left pitcher…
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