Weekend Round-Up: Just ignore those clouds

We kicked off Friday on a binge of Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness.” Needless to say, we aren’t feeling the clouds this weekend. Good thing a little weather never stopped Charleston from having fun (driving, though, is a different subject entirely). Start your weekend with free wine, we mean, uh, beautiful art at Broad St.’s first Friday art walk. Spend Saturday in nature: This weekend there are loads of reptiles crawlin’ around the Lowcountry, which is fitting, since Saturday is National Trails Day. Stomping around to various Spoleto events doesn’t count. Speaking of Spoleto, make sure you make it out to Middleton Place for the finale, where St. Paul and the Broken Bones take the stage. Lana ain’t got nothin’ on them.

Friday

Ah, yes, faithful First Friday has come again. Emerge from your cave to enjoy the city and all that it offers — fine art, fine crafts, fashion, sculpture, jewelry, and refreshments. For art with a heart check out Mitchell Hill’s Art in the City.

Get your guffaws sated at Jay Leno’s show. We wonder if he’s as good live as he is on TV …

Embrace your inner mom at the Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series, with band Coolie G & Lion Reggae Band.

No babysitter required for this one – bring your kids for the Party at the Point, a summer concert series that has food and (cheap) drank available for purchase.

Dress up, send us pictures, and head to The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Terrace Theater. Huge bonuses will be live music and theater accompaniment.

Embrace your inner Ben Stiller at Nighttime at the Museum. Food and fun are provided.

Saturday

Learning about what scares you can be good, says my psychologist! Take his advice and head to Alligator Adventure at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center to get educated on the reptile and maybe even see a live one.

The creepy crawlies don’t have to stop there — head to Repticon to get your very own, err, reptile.

Come learn about the youngest Confederate Army lieutenant general appointed during the Civil War, Confederate General Stephen D. Lee, at the Charleston County Public Library.

Richard Porcher’s Story of Sea Island Cotton will discuss the finest cotton in the world, give a tour of the historic gin house (uh, yes), and sign your book.

Rise and shine for an early morning boat ride to Boneyard Beach at the Bulls Island Sunrise Photography Expedition.

Celebrate National Trails Day at the Francis Marion National Forest. Get your heart pumping with guided hikes, mountain biking, overnight camping, and more!

You don’t even have to bet on a horse to win big at The Alley’s Triple Crown Party: If American Pharaoh wins every attendee gets $10 in Alley bucks. Giddy up!

If you still haven’t tried Twenty Six Divine, head over for a five-course dinner accompanied by live music inspired by Herbie Hancock.

Sunday

What a better way to ignore the impending start of a week than to spend your day at Wild Wing Café for Wingstock. Come for eating, drinking, drinking more, and getting dunked in a dunk tank!

The dog days of summer have arrived, so bring your hound to Bark for Your Brew at the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Enjoy craft beer, food, and a Riverdogs game.

Learn how to (semi-) gracefully kayak in the waves at Kayak the Surf Zone.

Get your day started with Blackbeard’s Cove 9th Anniversary Celebration. Events throughout the day, balloon animals, airbrush tattoos, magic tricks, and live music, FREE FOOD – sure to be fun for all.

Watch the Stingrays take on Allen Americans in game four of the Kelly Cup Finals.

End Spoleto with a bang (we’re talkin’ fireworks and groovy jams) at the annual Spoleto Finale.