It doesn’t cost a penny to vote, and we think that’s a damn good freebie. This Saturday is South Carolina’s Republican Primary and next Sat. Feb. 27 is the Democratic Primary, so whether you’re trying to make America great again, or you just want to feel the Bern, you’ve got a chance to have your voice heard. From political-themed concerts to non-partisan trivia nights, we’ve got your week chock full of the free stuff. Happy President’s Day from us, to you.
Monday
Today’s the last day to register to volunteer as a volunteer for Charleston Fashion week where your assistance during the event gets you a free backstage pass to shows.
Jam to Rodeo Clown, a Grateful Dead tribute string band at PoHo starting at 6 p.m.
Drink until it’s funny at The Sparrow’s stand-up open mic comedy night starting at 9:30 p.m.
East Bay Meeting House hosts a poetry and music night every Monday starting at 8 p.m.
Get your bingo and blues on at Elliotborough Mini Bar from 7-10 p.m.
Tuesday
Dr. Fuzz and Hollywood Wells hit up the Rec Room with punk rock music.
Learn more about Loblolly Adventures’ childhood outdoor programs and a meet and greet demo class at Mt. Pleasant’s Palmetto Islands County Park. The two classes will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Get involved in your local transit system by checking out the CARTA public meeting at Mt. Pleasant Municipal Complex from 6-8 p.m.
The Grand Bohemian presents wildlife paintings by Stefano Cecchini, an Italian artist best known for his realistic oil paintings of African wildlife, with a reception from 6-7:30 p.m.
Head to North Charleston to help update Charleston’s Historical and Architectural Survey at 6:30 p.m. at Lonnie Hamilton III Public Service building.
It’s Palmetto’s open mic night, hosted by Jaybird and Hambone from 5-7 p.m.
Get your Tuesday trivia on at Home Team Sullivan’s, Cutty’s, or Bay Street Biergarten.
Wednesday
The Hungry Monks hit PoHo’s deck at 6:30 p.m.
Check out Julia Deckman’s exhibit, Garden Party, starting today at Real Estate Studio on King Street.
Wevonneda Minis, a genealogist, researcher, and writer, leads this program, Digging Your Roots: Basic Research and Tips for Tracing African-American Ancestors, at the Main Library at 6 p.m.
Bingo! It’s Wednesday so play the game at Tin Roof starting at 7 p.m.
West Ashley’s Wolf Track Inn hosts an open mic night starting at 9 p.m.
Play some team trivia at Drop In on Folly Beach.
Name the Music, including song titles, artists, and release dates, at Southside 17 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Get lost in Oblivion at the Tin Roof’s Oblivion goth dance night starting at 9 p.m. with DJ Chris #2 and DJ XO spinning the tunes.
Redleg Husky plays acoustic folk at Tattooed Moose downtown at 8 p.m.
Patricia Lowe Smith, Drayton Hall’s curator of Historic Architectural Resources, takes a look back at what makes Drayton Hall’s portico special in her talk, The Best Portico: Rehabilitating an Architectural Icon. The talk will be held at South Carolina Society Hall at 6:30 p.m.
If you’re interested in affecting change in global poverty, check out this talk, Global Poverty: Why Should We Care? at the International Longshoremen’s Association from 6-8 p.m.
Catch a free movie screening at the Main Library at 6 p.m. The flick, The Chambermaid, is about a shy chambermaid whose live changes after she discovers the phone of a call girl.
Summerville Third Thursday means live music and an art walk on Main Street from 5-8 p.m.
Friday
Avery Research Center hosts The Presentation of the Atlantic Slave Trade in U.S. and Brazilian school textbooks with Dr. Nafees Khan from noon-1:15 p.m.
Learn more about African Heritage at the Arthur Christopher Community Center from 6-7:30 p.m. where the Charleston rec department hosts children’s performances. There will also be music, art, and food.
The Charleston Library Society hosts Geoffrey Cowan, author of the book Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary from 6-7 p.m.
Buckley Willis and Michael Germany rock out at Elliotborough Mini Bar at 8 p.m.
Free comedy? That’s nothing to laugh about. Theatre 99 presents Blast Off, a show featuring local comedians trying out new acts at 7:30 p.m.
If Friday’s have you itching for karaoke, try it out at the Island Bar & Grill, Harbor Breeze, True Blue’s House of Wings, or the Back 9 Pub.
Palmetto’s Loading Dock series will feature music by Hans Wenzel and the Eighty Sixers, Jordy Searcy, and The Alexander Project, with food from Fauzia’s Kitchen. The music starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday
If you’re out on Kiawah head to Cars & Coffee at Freshfields Village from 9-11 a.m., where you can check out antique and classic cars while sipping some java.
Join fellow Austen-ites at the Charleston Library Society for February’s Jane Austen meeting from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Are you a #Girlboss? Join fellow female business (and otherwise) leaders at Republic for a networking mixer from noon-3 p.m.
Check out artist Tom Stanley’s paintings, Road to Nowhere, at the George Gallery from 3-5 p.m.
Get an eyeful of jewelry and if you buy it, your money goes to a good cause. Local 616 hosts a jewelry sale fundraiser for a Charleston Dragon Boat team starting at 4 p.m.
Surf’s up at Mellow Mushroom Avondale where Carolina Surf Brand is screening flicks like Volcom’s Pyshic Migrations starting at 8 p.m.
It’s the only year-round farmers market, and it’s a damn good one at that. Check out the Johns Island Farmers market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 3546 Maybank Hwy.
Listen to acoustic jams at Palmetto Unplugged from 4-6 p.m.
Sunday
Swing into Sunday with swing dancing at Prohibition at 6:30 p.m.
Fleet Landing hosts FleetFest, their third annual oyster roast and live music shindig from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Get political at the Pour House with Bernie Bash: Rock the Primary Vote from 4-9 p.m. Bands like Jeff Mosier, Weigh Station, The Hungry Monks, and more will play and there will be a registration table for attendees to register to vote in November’s presidential election.
Holy Cow Yoga holds free zen meditation every Sunday from 7:45-10:15 a.m. Ohm-azing.