City Picks: Events you should check out Oct. 17-24

Tick, Tick … Boom! — Before Rent revolutionized musical theatre and earned him a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, Jonathan Larson penned this autobiographical pop-rock musical. Larson considered giving up on his theatre dreams in the early ’90s, and Tick, Tick … Boom! is that story. Jonathan, a composer going on 30, faces a crossroads in life. His girlfriend Susan wants to get married and leave NYC, and his best friend has given up on his acting aspirations to make big money as a research analyist. Jonathan is still waiting tables while struggling to write the next big American musical. Marybeth Clark, now in her 10th season with Charleston Stage, directs this critically acclaimed Broadway show. After wrapping up the season-opening Gershwin at Folly, the five fresh-faced yet experienced interns who make up the Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company play the New York 30-somethings. “Charleston Stage is diving into a new style of theatre this season,” says box office manager Beth Curley. Don’t miss this first move in a new direction, and if you catch Wednesday night’s (Oct. 10) performance, it’s pay-what-you-will night. Perfect for starving artists like Larson. Adult content and explicit language merit a PG-13 rating. —Rachel Ward Through Oct. 27. $30/adults, $26/seniors, $21/students. American Theater. 446 King St. (843) 722-3456. www.charlestonstage.com. OPENS WEDNESDAY

Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction — We’ve all got celebrity crushes, sometimes of the local variety. Maybe you’ve got a thing for that sexy newscaster, that bubbly Stingrays cheerleader, or that hi-larious comedian down at Theatre 99. Well stalkers, now’s your chance to make your move. Some of Charleston’s most eligible singles will be up for grabs at Bids for Kids on Saturday night at the swanky Francis Marion Hotel. A number of local celebrities and single professionals are just waiting for your bid, like Brooke Ryan of 95SX, Bill Burr of Live Five News, Ben Pollard of Outlaws Rugby, and MUSC’s Phillip Nelson. If you can afford him, you might even get a chance to bid on Charleston City Paper’s own barefoot reporter, Stratton Lawrence, who comes with dinner at Cordavi, drinks at Mercato, a skydiving outing, and a massage from Earthling Day Spa. (All dates include a prize package.) The event, hosted by Ryan Nelson of Channel 4’s Lowcountry Live and Bryce Donovan from The Post and Courier, benefits the Windwood Farm Home for Children. Windwood is a local nonprofit residential care and treatment facility for neglected and abused children. They’re currently facing changes in government funding that will increase the need for support from outside donors. Ticket price include hors d’oeuvres, and bidders will enjoy music and a cash bar throughout the evening. Cocktail casual attire. —Erica Jackson Oct. 11, 7 p.m. Francis Marion Hotel. $40. (843) 200-7591. www.charlestoncharity.org THURSDAY

BookFest — Bookshelves looking a little sparse? Friends of the Charleston County Library is hosting its 25th annual big ol’ book sale at the Gaillard, with over 60,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and more on sale starting at 50 cents. The BookFest typically attracts more than 10,000 book lovers from around the area looking for new reads, old favorites, and cheap gifts for fellow bookworms. Get first pick on Thurs. Oct. 11 at a special catered pre-sale held for Friends of the Library members. Not a member? You can join at the door. Tickets are $20, and the event lasts from 5:30-8 p.m. If you can’t make the pre-sale (or you’d rather not shell out $20), you’ll still get an outstanding selection to choose from, as the tables are restocked daily to keep the choices fresh. The books were all donated and chosen for best quality. Cash only. —Erica Jackson Oct. 12-13, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Oct. 14, 12-3 p.m. Free. Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun St. (843) 577-7400. www.ccpl.org. FRIDAY-SUNDAY

SEWE Fall Soiree — The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is the nation’s largest wildlife art and nature event, and it happens right here in Charleston every February. For those who just can’t wait ‘til the spring, SEWE is hosting a fall soiree this Friday, patterned after the wildly popular party held during the Expo. The casual event will feature music and dancing with Men of Distinction, an open bar, and a Lowcountry feast including oysters, barbecue, wild game treats, and more. There will also be a silent auction and raffle from Ducks Unlimited, and the 2008 SEWE poster will be unveiled by featured artist Peggy Watkins. —Erica Jackson Oct. 12, 7 p.m. $40/advance, $50/door. (843) 723-1748. Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St. www.sewe.com. FRIDAY

[image-1]Edgar Allan Poe: Back from the Grave — On Saturday night, historic Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island will be transformed into a haunting — and very unique — performance space celebrating the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. The night will consist of four acts in which groups of 100 spectators will be welcomed into the dark, special-effects filled fort and allowed to wander through the labyrinthine passages where Poe himself marched as a soldier. They’ll encounter over a dozen rooms throughout the trek, each of which includes actors (from PURE Theatre) performing vignettes from Poe’s life and works. The individual vignettes will be repeated periodically, so if you miss the first half, you can stick around or come back to catch it again. After walking through the passages, viewers will wander to the open-air center of the fort, where they’ll enjoy a performance by Cabaret Kiki. With mini-plays from some of Charleston’s best actors, great special effects by Wonderworlds from Charlotte, and music from Cabaret Kiki, it promises to be a memorable event. All tickets include refreshments from Poe’s Tavern, the lead sponsor of the event. If you’re a VIP, you’ll enjoy pre-show libations at Mugdock Castle, a nearby medieval-style church. The event is being produced by Creative Spark Center for the Arts in cooperation with the National Park Service at Fort Moultrie. Not suitable for young children. —Erica Jackson Oct. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. $25, $50/VIP. (843) 509-0972. Fort Moultrie, 1214 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island. SATURDAY

The Big Read on Marion Square — The NEA-Sponsored Big Read event wraps up this weekend, with a few more events going on celebrating Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. The poetic pick tells the story of beautiful and vivacious Janie’s journey from simple beginnings to independence and love by way of three failed marriages (much to the chagrin of her small town) in the 1920s. If you only get to one event, make it Saturday night’s showing of the 2005 film adaptation of the book (rated PG-13) on the giant screen in Marion Square. Live music will kick off the fall evening in the park, with the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated movie starring Halle Berry following at dusk. Eats from T&T’s Original Kettle Korn, City Lights Coffee, and D’Allesandro’s Pizza beat movie concessions hands down. Picnic blanket or beach chair recommended; Fido welcome if leashed. Also wrapping up the Big Read this weekend are two finale events. On Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, Nia Production African Dance Company and performing arts students from area schools will provide entertainment for the whole family. On the same day at 5:30 p.m. at Emanuel AME Church (110 Calhoun St.) enjoy song, dance, prose, and more as you witness a variety of expressions of faith. Oct. 13. Free. (843) 805-6803. Marion Square. SATURDAY

Oktoberfest — Blackbaud goes Bavarian this Sunday, with an Oktoberfest party celebrating German culture and, of course, beer. The Charleston Battery hosts the event, based on the approximately three-week-long event that takes over Munich every year. A big tent filled with rows of tables and chairs seeks to replicate the beer-hall feel, and there will be plenty of room left for dancing. The Gootman Sauerkraut Band will perform authentic German and Austrian music, complete with Bavarian costumes, and a team of traditional dancers will keep things hoppin’. Food specials include bratwurst, knockwurst, and authentic German beers, and the first 1,000 attendees will receive a free commemorative stein. There’s fun for the kids too, including mini soccer games, face painting, and a mountain slide. The Oktoberfest Corporate Challenge will be going on in conjunction with the event, which pits local teams against each other in competitions like barrel races, tug-o-war, and bratwurst eating. Proceeds benefit local charities. O’zapft is! —Erica Jackson Oct. 14, 1-5 p.m. $5/advance, $7/gate. (843) 971-4625. Blackbaud Stadium, 1990 Daniel Island Dr. www.charlestonbattery.com SUNDAY

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City Picks: Events you should check out Oct. 17-24