VISUAL ARTS EVENT — The princes of prints
Invasion: Redux Artists in the French Quarter
Fri. July 7
6-9 p.m.
Free
Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art
39 Broad St.
722-0697
www.reduxstudios.org

Redux Contemporary Art Center moves out of the relative safety and anonymity of their St. Philip Street location to mingle with the establishment down in the French Quarter for a one-night-only fund-raiser to help offset the costs of this year’s program expansion. It seems like only yesterday that Redux posited the idea that a nonprofit, nonstodgy art center could not only exist but thrive in the crowded Charleston art scene; it was actually five years ago that the Center opened its doors, and each year they’ve added more classes, studios, innovations, and programs for students and adults. This fall, they’ll offer a new artist lecture series, along with free art film screenings (let’s hope they don’t let Matthew Barney in there). Friday night’s benefit features limited edition new and original prints created by Redux artists past and present, including Bob Snead, Townsend Davidson, Seth Curcio, Julie Henson, Max Miller, Seth Gadsden, Colleen Terrell, Jonathan Brilliant, and six others. Collect them while you can…
FRIDAY

FAMILY & KIDS — Ahoy, maties!
Pirates of Charleston
Sat. July 8
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Free for members or with admission ($10/adults, $4/children, free for children under 3)
The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting St.
722-2996
www.charlestonmuseum.org

Calling all future pirates and their parents: The timbers will likely be the only things shivering at this midsummer family event. The Charleston Museum presents Pirates of Charleston, one in a series of monthly Saturday programs offering an educational and exciting experience for children of all ages. Hear stories of pirate attacks on Charleston, including the one by that rogue Stede Bonnet, and the legends that surround them. Have fun with presentations and craft projects and use a treasure map to search for buried treasure hidden somewhere in the Museum. Good pirates get to sign a pirate code of conduct, make a pirate hat, and create a chest to hoard their gold. Stick to the code or ye shall walk the plank!
SATURDAY

NATURE & PETS — So, do you put a merkin on a bald cat?
Cat Fanciers’ Association Cat Show
July 8-9
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (until 3:30 p.m. on Sun.)
$5, $4/seniors and military, free for children under 10
Omar Shrine Auditorium
176 Patriots Point Road
795-9592

As veterans of the cat show, the City Paper can vouch for two things: a) it’s a cat lover’s wonderland, with information, cat toys and accessories, and actual felines (including kittens for sale and adoption) filling the sizable Omar Shrine Auditorium, and b) be prepared to walk into a cloud of heady, musky cat scent. If you don’t mind a room that smells like a giant (poop-free) litter box, the third annual CFA Cat Show, sponsored by the Fort Sumter Cat Club, offers an interesting peek into the world of the cat show — the dog show’s smaller, timider, and, well, more catty sibling. This year’s special guest is Judy Watson, with the Survival Outreach Sanctuary in Florida, who will bring a live puma along for spectators to see up close and learn about. There are over 10 breeds of cats at the show, including the mysterious Sphinx, the wild-looking Ocicats, and the squishy-faced Himalayans, and there will be a household pet competition for those who want to put their precious pussy on display. If you’re still dubious about attending the cat show, remember: It’s the beginning of July. What else do you have to do this weekend?
SAT-SUN

EVENT — You better work
Quiksilver/Roxy Fashion Show
Fri. July 7
8 p.m.
Free
Elysium Salon (Mt. Pleasant)
216-7181
www.elysiumsalon.net

Local hair-salon-of-all-trades Elysium provides a cool alternative to these hot July nights with their latest fusion of art, fashion, design, and couture: a surf-inspired fashion show featuring new threads from Quiksilver and Roxy. The show begins with a cocktail reception and live skateboarding demonstration featuring THE PARK boarders from North Charleston at 8 p.m., followed by live music from DJs James Belk and John E5 and rapper MC Wilkesy and complimentary food and bevs by CHOPS Butcher Shop, and the catwalking begins at 10 p.m. If you take some initiative and reserve a space in advance over the phone or on the website, you can grab a VIP pass, which lets attendees arrive early to watch the backstage happenings and sends them home with a complimentary goodie bag.
FRIDAY


Love Best of Charleston?

Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.