Adults-only night at Charleston Aqua Park
Who said water parks were just for kids? Get ready for an epic night out and beat that early summer heat at Charleston Aqua Park. Leave the stress of the work week behind and dive into an evening of laughs, splashes and good vibes. Don’t forget to bring a pair of closed-toe shoes for the ropes course, and of course, Trophy Flakes truck will be on-site serving up grub.
May 29. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. $30/person. Charleston Aqua Park. 3050 Marlin Road. Johns Island. charlestonaquapark.com
An Awkward Mala Crawfish Boil
Kwei Fei Chef David Schuttenberg is inviting everyone to a one-night-only mala crawfish boil. The evening promises loud, hot vibes with Schuttenberg at the helm preparing a true Lowcountry-meets-Sichuan boil live. Guests can expect a three-course, pescatarian-friendly meal infused with bold spice and paired with delightful beverages.
May 28. Event starts at 6 p.m. $85/ticket. Kwei Fei. 1977 Maybank Highway. James Island. kweifei.com
Family Fridays at Drayton Hall
Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to the historic Drayton Hall in West Ashley for the last Family Friday of the event’s inaugural season. Bring the little ones for story time followed by crafts or games, then take your time enjoying Drayton Hall’s landscape with scavenger hunts and other activities to engage young learners. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Every Friday. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free. Drayton Hall. 3380 Ashley River Road. West Ashley. draytonhall.org
Charleston Farmers Market
Browse through a bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables, handcrafted goods and prepared foods as you explore the charming stalls inside Marion Square. From farm-fresh produce to food truck favorites, there’s something for everyone at the Charleston Farmers Market. Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, special events and activities for all ages in the heart of downtown.
Saturdays. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to attend. Marion Square. 329 Meeting St. Downtown. charlestonfarmersmarket.com
Let’s Move
Join the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry for Let’s Move twice a week. This interactive program is designed to inspire children to explore the joys of physical activity through play, discovery and imagination. Let’s Move is focused on promoting healthy lifestyles for children and combines fun and fitness in a dynamic environment. All events are free with paid museum admission.
Mondays and Saturdays. 11 a.m. to noon. $15/admission. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
25 Ann St. Downtown. explorecml.org
Arts + Music
Nature POP! opens May 23 at Magnolia Plantation
Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! is an outdoor art-and-nature experience named for the acclaimed artist who has created more than 40 larger-than-life sculptures made entirely of LEGO® bricks. Each celebrates the beauty of nature through a pop-art lens, blending bold colors, imaginative designs and craftsmanship to transform Magnolia’s gardens into an immersive outdoor gallery. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston.
CULTURE
- May 23 to June 8: Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston.
- May 23 to Oct. 5: The world premiere of the multimedia exhibition Picturing Freedom: Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid tracks how Tubman led the largest and most successful slave rebellion in the United States.
Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., downtown Charleston. - May 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cookie Washington: Gullah Rag Quilting as a Cultural Anchor features the artist presenting an interactive demonstration of the Rag Rug technique honoring Wadamalaw artist Sharon Cooper-Murray, aka “The Gullah Lady.”
Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Road. scetv.org - May 31, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Studio Union Open House, a collective of 20 artists working in ceramics, mixed media and oil painting, is an exhibition of member artists. Artists will be there to discuss work.
Studio Union, 2010 Hackemann Ave., North Charleston.
MUSIC
- May 23, 8 p.m.: Sturgill Simpson, Credit One Stadium. New album just released.
- May 24, 7:30 p.m.: Matt Megrue & Hibiki, Tin Roof
- May 24, 8 p.m.: Keith Urban, Credit One Stadium
- May 24, 9 p.m.: The Simplicity, Royal American. Album-release show
- May 24 & 25, 8 p.m.: Futurebirds, The Windjammer
A la carte
What’s new
Jeff’s Bagel Run, which recently opened its first Charleston location on Clements Ferry Road, now has a second location on Isle of Palms at 1400 Palm Blvd. The Southeastern franchise specializes in New York-style bagels. Learn more at jeffsbagelrun.com.
Charleston-based tea company Oliver Pluff & Co. on May 29 will open its first retail store at 49 John St. Known for its historically-inspired teas and coffee blends, Oliver Pluff & Co. will sell its popular packaged blends like the Colonial Bohea, English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas as well as exclusive rotating high-end teas and curated gifts and accessories.
The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Learn more at oliverpluff.com.
A Carolinas-based drive-thru coffee chain, Clutch Coffee, will be opening in North Mount Pleasant later this month, on S.C. Highway 41. The coffee chain is known for its traditional coffee drinks as well as its “energy” beverages and even its own version of cake pops. Guests can partake in a grand opening party on May 31 featuring $2 drinks.
Look for an additional Charleston area drive-thru to open at 8389 Dorchester Road later this year. Learn more at clutchcoffeebar.com.
What’s happening
Ma’am Saab, downtown’s popular Pakistani restaurant, will team up with local dumpling company, Sarah’s Dumps, for a five course K-Pak Flavor Night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 28. Chef Jason Lapp and Sarah’s Dumps co-owners Sarah and Nathan Williams-Scalise will serve a fusion menu ($75/per person) that “breaks all the rules.” This evening is presented by CHS AAPI Collective and reservations via OpenTable are highly encouraged. Learn more at maamsaabchs.com.
Kwei Fei’s chef David Schuttenberg will host a one-night-only mala-style crawfish boil at 6 p.m. May 28. Schuttenberg will be cooking on a wok cart, serving up a Lowcountry meets Sichuan boil. Tickets ($85/per person) include a three course menu with mala punch as well as Rieslings from Skurnik wine and Grassroots meant to “balance the burn.” Snag your ticket on resy.com.
You’ve got Memorial Day Monday off work — might as well live it up Sunday night. Estadio will host a collaborative evening starting at 6 p.m. May 25. Tickets ($125/per person, includes beverage pairings) can be purchased on resy.com. Guests can look forward to a pinxto party with plentiful bites from Estadio chef Alex Eaton, Kultura’s chef Nikko Cagalanan and Beautiful South/ Kwei Fei’s chef David Schuttenberg. Estadio owner Max Kuller will serve beverage pairings — including porrons, duh — from De Maison Selections. Learn more via the Resy link.
Check out our calendar for more events around town!
Need to sell tickets to your next event? Sale them on citypapertickets.com. Contact sales@charlestoncitypaper.com for more information.




