6AM City In-house

A journey from land to sea 🐍

Riverbanks set to open Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center
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A rendering for the outside of the new Conservation Center | Photo provided by Riverbanks Zoo
The new Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center at Riverbanks Zoo is opening on Thursday, March 2.

Guests can expect to see close-up encounters of wildlife, care + conservation efforts that the zoo plays a part in, and propagation of coral species inside of a new coral conservation lab.

The new aquarium project took four years from concept to completion and is the second project in phase one of Riverbanks’ plan to build a Bridge to the Wild. Bridge to the Wild hopes to transform both sides of the Saluda River into the state’s leading conservation resource.

Here is what you can expect when it opens and some of the animals you’ll see.

đŸ§Ș Conservation labs
  • The labs will showcase conservation work that was previously only experienced during behind-the-scenes tours.
  • Coral labs will exhibit corals rescued off the Southern coast of Florida near Key West.
  • Terrestrial labs will allow guests to see endangered reptiles and amphibians from across the world and highlight Riverbanks’ work supporting the gecko population.
đŸŒ” New Desert Biome
  • The desert biome will highlight arid climates in the Western hemisphere, focusing mostly on the desert southwest.
  • The biome will feature desert dwellers like tortoises, rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, thick-billed parrots, and burrowing owls.
🐊 More highlights
  • Look forward to views of reptilians like the alligator snapping turtle, cottonmouth, bushmaster, and green anaconda.
  • A wall of moon jellies
  • A giant Pacific octopus named Susan (in honor of Susan Boyd and her favorite animal)
The new Conservation Center will be open during normal hours and will be included with general admission and membership. And don’t forget, admission to the zoo is free on Fridays through February for Lexington and Richland County residents.
MUSC Health

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Friday, Jan. 27
  • Ribbon Cutting: Crumbl Cookies - Harbison | Fri., Jan. 27 | 12 p.m. | Crumbl Cookies Harbison - 150 Harbison Blvd., Unit C, Columbia | Free | Celebrate the ribbon-cutting with Crumbl Cookies and the local community.
  • The Water Kickers “Winter Alone” Single Release Concert | Fri., Jan. 27 | 6:30-10 p.m. | The Living Room, 6729 Two Notch Rd., Suite 70, Columbia | $10 | A songwriter collaboration of Kelley and Brodie Porterfield, The Water Kickers celebrate the release of their newest single “Winter Alone.”
  • Anne Frank Center at USC Tour | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. | Anne Frank Center, 1731 College St. Barringer House, Columbia | $10 | To honor Holocaust Remembrance Day, visitors can experience Anne Frank’s story through a guided, four-room tour of the center on USC’s campus.
  • The Play That Goes Wrong | Friday, Jan. 27-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | This hilarious hit play-within-a-play about a theater company murder is sure to leave you in stitches.*
Saturday, January 28
  • CMA Contemporaries Ball: A Secret Garden Affair | Sat., Jan. 28 | 7-11 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | $125 | You are cordially invited to one of the grandest events of the social season, a formal and fantastical evening among the flowers - A Secret Garden Affair, an annual fundraising ball presented by CMA.
  • The Dubber, Chris Compton Band, Richard and The Twins; at NOMA Warehouse | Sat., Jan. 28 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | $10 | A modern-day bluesman, The Dubber tells life stories through his vocals and his guitar playing.
  • Savage Craft 2nd Anniversary | Sat., Jan. 28 | 12-11 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., West Columbia | Free | Spend the day at Savage Craft Ale Works to celebrate the brewery’s second year of business with live music, a custom menu, and fun for the whole family.
Sunday, January 29
  • Freeman Sundays @3 | Sun., Jan. 29 | 3 p.m. | USC School of Music Recital Hall, 813 Assembly St., Columbia | $5-$15 | The ticket sales raise money for student scholarships.
  • Loveland Coffee 10 Year Anniversary Party | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 2-5 p.m. | Loveland Coffee, 7475 Carlisle St., Irmo | Free | Celebrate 10 years of Loveland Coffee with an afternoon of music, food, cake, and giveaways.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Get jazzed about this upcoming Charleston, SC event đŸŽ·
A man with a saxophone standing against a wall.
Charleston is home to many jazz musicians who played in bandstands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington or Jimmie Lunceford + more.
Did you know that jazz music has significant roots in Charleston, SC?

Along with an interesting story about a Charleston orphanage, jazz was brought to the Lowcountry through enslaved Africans, whose polyrhythms (aka Gullah rhythms) is the defining rhythmic feature of many styles of jazz music.

During the Festival of Houses and Gardens (March 15-April 16), Historic Charleston Foundation’s Festival Music Series will feature the Plantation Singers + Charleston-based saxophonist Jonathan Kammer — giving visitors a chance to explore the musical heritage of Charleston.*
SEE MORE EVENTS + SNAG TIX

Weather
  • 54Âș | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain
Closing
  • Moctezuma Taqueria shared that it is closing the Fort Jackson location. The Mexican restaurant said it would focus on its original location (506 Beltline Blvd.) and its food truck. You still have time to stop by and say goodbye. The final day of business is today. 🌼
Open
  • Loose Lucy’s in Five Points is back open after closing briefly for renovations. The “mom-and-pop hippie shop” celebrated its 30th-anniversary last year and is a go-to shop for tie-dye, incense, funky goods, and more. đŸ•Żïž
  • A new Tesla charging station is open at 494 Town Center Place, behind Champs Sports off Two Notch Road. The new station has 12 chargers with up to 250kW charging speed and is currently the fastest way to charge your electric vehicle. 🔋 (Cola Daily)
Community
  • Concerned about tree trimming around powerlines in your community? The City of Columbia and Dominion Energy are holding a public meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 6-7 p.m. at Eau Claire Print Building (3907 Ensor Ave.) to answer questions about the 2023 trimming schedule. 🌳
Ranked
  • No.1. That’s where USC’s College of Nursing is ranked for its online master’s in the nursing program, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual report. The nursing school also ranked No. 14 in the administration/leadership category in online graduate nursing programs. đŸ©ș
Concert
  • GRAMMY award-winning country group Little Big Town is coming to the Township Auditorium on April 22 on their “Friends of Mine” tour. Presale tickets start Tuesday, Jan. 31 and general admission sales begin on Feb. 3. 🎾
Health
  • If quitting smoking was on your New Year’s resolution list — and you’re already feeling discouraged — know you’re not alone. Quitting smoking is a marathon, not a sprint, says MUSC Health Tobacco Treatment Specialist Emily Ware, Pharm.D. Need some motivation? Here are seven things you need to know to quit smoking.*
Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Traffic
  • What we’re buying for our cars: Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚩*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Columbia Fireflies 2023 theme nights
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The Fireflies take the field after a short rain delay at Segra Park. | Photo by COLAtoday
The Columbia Fireflies announced their theme nights for the upcoming season, kicking it off with a par-tee in Segra Park.

Coinciding with Masters weekend, the theme for the home opener is The Back Nine, a golf-themed outing on Friday, April 7, against the Augusta GreenJackets.

For the upcoming season, the team is bringing back popular nights like Grateful Dead Night, Star Wars Night — and a fan-favorite — Princess Knight where fans can meet their favorite princesses during the game.

In addition to the theme nights, the Human Cannonball will return along with Dino Weekend, featuring interactive pre-historic entertainment and Copa de la DiversiĂłn Weekend to celebrate the multi-cultural LatinX community in the Midlands.

Track down your lost shaker of salt — the first 1,000 fans through the gates on Friday, April 21 for Margaritaville Night will get a free Hawaiian shirt.

Tickets for individual games, value nights, and season passes are available now.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: It wasn’t hard to convince her, but Sam and I are headed to Riverbanks Zoo today for the free Friday admission for locals. Stay tuned to our Instagram account for a peek at the latest zoo babies — a meerkat pup and a koala joey.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore these eight trails in Jackson County, here.

Golden Hippo
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Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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