Jammin’ Til the Jam Is Through
Be a Rastafarian for a night at Reggae Nights
The best description we can offer about the Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series comes straight from the source. “It’s Irie.” If you don’t speak Rastafarian, Irie stands for I Respect I Eternally. Suburban geek translation: Irie is keepin’ your cool, mon. Just remember that every little thing is gonna be all right when you’re in the Irie mindset. And you’re in good company.
Next in the music series lineup is Eclectic Roots Ensemble at James Island County Park on July 18. Hailing from Atlanta, ERE is “a classical, yet progressive reggae band with a unique touch for moods and lyric in their vibes.”
And after that, there’s much more to come — we’re talking Da Gullah Rootz (Aug. 8), Mystic Vibrations (Aug. 22), Ever-G (Sept. 19), and Reggae Infinity (Oct. 17).
Gates open at 7:30 p.m. for each event, and the music begins at 8:30.
There are all sorts of goodies to buy including food, beverages (the adult kind, too), and souvenirs — no word yet on whether or not you can snag one of those totally righteous hats complete with fake dreads.
Because of all the food and beverage availability, they ask that you don’t bring your own coolers or outside alcohol.
For all you Piggly Wiggly shoppers, this is an excellent opportunity to cash in those Greenbax. While tickets are $8 for ages 13 and up, you can gain admission with just five Greenbax.
The gigs change venues between James Island County Park and Wannamaker County Park up in North Charleston, allowing folks to get their reggae fix on different sides of town.
Bring a chair or a blanket for maximum comfort and get your groove on with “traditional old school roots reggae with a new school attitude in a beautiful outdoor setting.” Sounds like a good time to us.
For the complete line-up, including the bands’ personal websites, check out the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission’s website at ccprc.com.
Reggae Night Summer Concert Series
James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park
8:30pm
$8, free/ages 12 and under
(843) 795-4386
Don’t Go Quietly into the Night
Patriots Point Fourth of July Blast
If you’re into pyrotechnics, chances are lighting off roman candles in your backyard this Fourth of July may not be enough. Instead of burning your house down, head over to the July 4th Celebration at Patriots Point. Not only do they boast one of the best fireworks displays in Charleston (where else can you watch fireworks launched from the flight deck of a WWII aircraft carrier?), but they are sure to deliver all the remaining ingredients for the most patriotic of July 4th entertainment.
We’re talking beer gardens, food vendors, and even an 83-foot inflatable replica of an aircraft carrier. Now that’s patriotic.
Throw in two live bands, a 40-foot ferris wheel, and some line-dancing to boot and you got yourself a good ol’ no-nonsense Southern party. And with special admission to the USS Yorktown for only $5 after 5 p.m., attendees can listen to the heroic stories from veterans of WWII and the Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq wars.
Don’t forget to give back to the community by participating in the Piggly Wiggly Can Food Drive, benefiting local charities like the Lowcountry Food Bank, East Cooper Community Outreach, and the Good Neighbor Center.
To cap the night off, watch the fireworks display over Charleston Harbor set to the songs of liberty. Heck, you might even shed a tear or two. Just don’t take after Mel Gibson and start stabbing Redcoats with American flags. Let’s keep it PG, folks.
Fourth of July Blast at Patriots Point
40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant
4 p.m.-midnight
Free
(866) 831-1720
patriotspoint.org
Let Freedom Ring
Fourth of July at Kiawah
Night Heron Park
4923 Mariners Watch, Kiawah Island
Fri. July 3 -Sun. July 5
Free
(843) 768-6001
Fourth of July at Harbor Grille
360 Concord St., Downtown
Sat. July 4
11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Reservations strongly suggested)
(843) 853-5752
theharborgrille.com
Fourth of July at Middleton Place
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Road, West Ashley
Sat. July 4-Sun. July 5
Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
(843) 556-6020
middletonplace.org
Red, White, and Blue on the Green
Summerville, Town Square
Sat. July 4
4-7 p.m.
Free
summervilledream.org
North Charleston Fourth of July Festival
Riverfront Park
1001 Everglades Drive, North Charleston
Sat. July 4
3-10 p.m.
Free
(843) 740-2538
Summer-long Food + Art Madness
Art, cheese, and wine — all wrapped up in one delectable evening. Start your weekend off right with a comfortable amble down Broad Street and enjoy all the area has to offer.
First Fridays on Broad
Gallery Row
Broad St., Downtown
All summer
Don’t Mess With These Fests
For some family fun that doesn’t revolve around all things edible, check out these events around town. And don’t worry, we’re sure there will be food on hand most places.
Charleston Harbor Fest
Charleston
June 26-29
(843) 853-3625
charlestonharborfest.org
54th Annual Beaufort Water Festival
Beaufort
July 10-19
(843) 524-0660
bftwaterfestival.com
First Day Festival
Charleston
Aug. 16
(843) 965-4190
Original Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival
Charleston
Aug. 27-30
pivotsbeachclub.com/id17.html
Gullah/Geechee Nation
International Music and Movement Festival
Charleston
Aug. 21-23
(843) 838-1171
officialgullahgeechee.info
Darty Hard
If you often find yourself partying during the day (“dartying,” as those clever collegians like to call it), then be sure to take advantage of wide array of food fests across the Southeast this summer. Consider this a sampler. —Moira Phillips
2009 Pig Bowl
Columbus, Ga.
June 20-21
(706) 221-1900
Pageland Watermelon Festival
Pageland, S.C.
July 17-18
(843) 672-6400
pagelandwatermelonfestival.com
S.C. State BBQ Championship
Greenwood
July 10-11
(864) 942-8448
uptowngreenwood.com
Palette and Palate Stroll
Downtown
July 17
5:30-7:30 p.m.
charlestonfineartdealersassociation.com
Dillard Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival
Dillard, Ga.
July 31-Aug. 1
(706) 746-2690
dillardbbq.org
Fried Green Tomato Festival
Beech Island. S.C.
Aug. 1
(803) 867-2388
ironhorsebarandgrill.net/festival.html
S.C. Peanut Party
Pelion, S.C.
Aug. 7-8
scpeanutparty.com
Pigs & Peaches BBQ Contest
Kennesaw, Ga.
Aug. 14-15
(770) 422-9714
kennesaw-ga.gov
The Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival
Myrtle Beach
Sept. 4-5
(843) 916-7221
sunfunfestival.com
Southern National BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Fest
Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant
Sept. 6
(843) 884-4371
boonehallplantation.com
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