SATURDAY
Mex 1 6th annual Rail Jam
The Mex 1 Coastal Cantina parking lot will be packed with 40,000 pounds of snow and converted into a snowboarding jump with a 20-foot ramp and rail. Amateur snowboarders from all over the country will gather to show off their skills. This year’s Rail Jam also celebrates Mex 1’s 10th anniversary with live music and a laser show plus outdoor bars, food stations and vendors. Children ages 12 and younger receive free admission.
Jan. 14. 5-11 p.m. $18-$25. Mex 1 Coastal Cantina. 817 St. Andrews Blvd. West Ashley. citypapertickets.com
SUNDAY
Black Food Truck Festival: Battle of the Bands
Celebrate Black culture and cuisine at the Black Food Truck Festival featuring more than 40 food trucks serving everything from West African dishes to soul food and seafood. This family friendly festival elevates the street food experience with live music ranging from R&B and funk to hip-hop and ’90s pop. The music lineup includes Charleston act Black Diamond Band, Flesh Experience from Florence and The Red Sample Band from Atlanta.
Jan. 15. 8 p.m. $30. Music Farm. 32 Ann St. Downtown. blackfoodtruckfestival.com
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Black Ink: A Charleston Book Festival
The 7th annual Black Ink African American Book Festival is a three-day event featuring 20 authors and publishing professionals, plus a keynote address by best-selling author Namina Forna. This community event offers more than a dozen workshops and presentations. Topics include Black voices in sci-fi, South Carolina Black narratives and conversations with authors. Virtual events take place Thursday and Friday. Saturday events are in-person.
Jan 12-14. Times vary. Free. Trident Technical College. 7000 Rivers Ave. North Charleston. blackinkcharleston.org
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Nerdfest
This all-ages gaming and cosplay event is fun for the whole family. The taproom at Frothy Beard Brewing will welcome vendors including Captain’s Comics, Contender E-Sports, The Mandalorian Mercs, Monster Music and more. Saturday events include a cosplay contest and drag show, and Sunday ends with a nerd-themed comedy show.
Jan. 14-15. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $25-$35. Frothy Beard Brewing Co. 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
West Ashley. facebook.com/nerdfest
NEXT WEDNESDAY
Pecha Kucha 41
Charleston’s beloved presentation series, PechaKucha, returns to the Charleston Music Hall for its 41st installment. Eight presenters speak for 6 minutes and 40 seconds about topics related to art and entrepreneurship. The audience will hear from musicians Alva Anderson, LaFaye and Keon Masters, food writer Parker Milner, visual artist Patch Whisky, Redux Contemporary Art Center director Kate Ledbetter, Ibu Movement founder Susan Hull Walker and Void Theatre Company founder Shannon Vogt.
Jan. 18. 8 p.m. $12-$14. Charleston Music Hall. 37 John St. Downtown. charlestonmusichall.com
Keep the City Paper free We don't have a paywall. Each week's printed issue is free. We're local, independent and free. Let's keep it this way. Please consider a donation of $100 to keep the City Paper free. Donate: chscp.us