Plus, A'ja Wilson on the cover of NBA 2K25.
 
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Meet Chef Alex Strickland

Q+A with Alex Strickland, chef at The Dragon Room and frontman of local band Abacus
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Chef Alex Strickland hitting the books in the kitchen at The Dragon Room. | Photo by Monica McFleury
On Sunday, July 14, Transmission Arcade will transform into a rock club for the evening featuring local bands Abacus and Mids, and swap its regular kitchen service for pizzas from Chef Hector Sanchez.

From kitchen to stage, chefs Alex Strickland (from The Dragon Room) and Josh Bumgarner (from Transmission Arcade) will leave their aprons behind for the night to perform in Abacus. We caught up with Strickland to chat about his favorite dishes, local spots he thinks Columbia foodies should try, and the creativity he brings to both his culinary creations and his music.

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Temaki Crunchwrap was inspired by a similar dish chef Alex Strickland tried on a research trip.

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Photo via The Dragon Room

What’s your favorite dish you’ve created at The Dragon Room?

I’m proud of all of them, but my favorite is the Temaki Crunchwrap. On an R+D (research and development) trip, I ate at a place that had a nori sheet taco shell that was super crispy on the outside. I was astounded.

How does your culinary creativity influence your music, or vice versa?

I think they both lend themselves to each other. Breaking down ingredients to create a dish is a lot like writing a song or part of a song.

What are three local dishes or restaurants you think all Columbians should try?

Bodhi Thai, Terra, and Transmission Arcade are all at the top of their games. All push me to be a better cook, but they are all quintessential Columbia places to me.

What do your bandmates and restaurant staff think about your dual life as a chef and a leader of a hardcore band?

It’s daunting to do so many things at once sometimes, so I hope I’m not a total monster when life gets hectic. I know my bandmates get it; we’ve been doing this together for 10 plus years now.

How do the music and food communities intersect for collaborations like your BBQ sauce?

Abacus BBQ sauce was born from Josh and my love for cooking. It’s our sauce, as a band, but we wouldn’t have that sauce without us both being involved.
Dive deeper
 
Events
Friday, July 12
  • Gentle Morning Yoga | Friday, July 12 | 7-8 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | The class takes place on Boyd Plaza and can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both will be provided.
  • Park Paint and Picnic | Friday, July 12 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd., Columbia | $100 | Each date night consists of a series of two canvases that you are guided to complete.
  • Pigskin Poets | Friday, July 12 | 3-4:30 p.m. | The Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | The USC football team and special guests are taking the field with Richland Library for an afternoon of stories, games, and autographs.
  • Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, July 12 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights features talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances.
Saturday, July 13
  • Accessibility Morning | Saturday, July 13 | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, young adults, and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly, and disability-adapted experience at the museum.
  • Soda City Market | Saturday, July 13 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street, 1300-1600 Main St., Columbia | Free | Find everything to satisfy your brain, body, and belly — and made with love by local vendors.
  • Craft and Draft 10 Year Anniversary Party | Saturday, July 13 | 12-8 p.m. | Craft and Draft, 2706 Devine St., Columbia | Free | Dress in your favorite Taylor Swift-inspired attire and celebrate all the eras of Craft and Draft.
Sunday, July 14
  • A Day in Paris | Sunday, July 14 | 12-3:30 p.m. | The Venue |1626 on Main, 1626 Main St., Columbia | $5 | Enjoy a drag birthday celebration hosted by the one and only, Paris Lefaris.
  • Bastille Day Dinner | Sunday, July 14 | 5-8 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $85 | Guests will be treated to six classic French dishes with an option to add wine pairings.
More fun this way
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News Notes
Coming Soon
  • A new Mexican restaurant, Arroyo, by the team behind Saluda’s is coming to Five Points. Located at 819 Harden St., next door to Eddie’s Calzones, Arroyo plans to open in August, offering Mexican specialties, twists on classic dishes, and a full-service tequila bar. (The Post and Courier)
Sports
  • Heathwood Hall graduate A’ja Wilson was selected as the cover athlete of NBA 2K25’s WNBA edition. The Las Vegas Aces star player recently became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. (Just Women’s Sports)
Transit
  • The price for parking permits on campus at USC are going up for the first time since 2016-17. The rising cost will support student safety, renovations, and the development of the ParkUSC app. The largest increases affect garage and Greek Village permits, each rising by $80 annually. (Daily Gamecock)
Eat
  • Bust out your crackers and bib, the Southeast Crab Feast is happening this Saturday, July 13 at Saluda Shoals Park, offering all-you-can-eat blue crabs, fish + chips, music, and a family-friendly environment. Tickets are limited.
Community
  • Ready to transform a parking spot into a mini-park? PARK(ing) Day returns on Friday, Sept. 20 to downtown Columbia. Sign up by Tuesday, Aug. 20 to parkticipate.
Listen
  • Shawn Elliott will be the key to success for Gamecock Football this season. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Older Adults
    • Did you know research shows that seniors living in Continuing Care Retirement Communities not only live longer, but also enjoy a better quality of life compared to those who choose to stay at home? Learn more about why this might be the key to a longer and healthier life.*
    Eat
    • If you’re like us, you’re always on the go. Pro tip: This tasty sandwich alternative is perfect for the beach, the pool, or the park.*
    Finance
    • There’s a lot to consider when preparing to buy a new ride, so we asked the experts at AllSouth Federal Credit Union to help steer us in the right direction. Here are six things to do before heading to the car dealership.*
    Wellness
    • Feeling lost in a sea of generic health advice? Lumen analyzes your unique metabolism with a single breath in the morning — and we scored you 15% off.*
     
    Concert

    Dancin’ in the streets

    Five after Five lineup announced
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    Check out some of the changes happening in Five Points. | Photo by COLAtoday
    After a seven-year hiatus, the Five Points Association is bringing back the Five After Five outdoor concert series for its 20th season. The free, family-friendly event will take place at the Five Points Fountain on Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. on select dates, featuring a diverse live music lineup, local brews, and food trucks.

    Upcoming events

      Parking is available throughout the district, with free parking at 2221 Devine St.
      The Buy

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      The Wrap
       
      David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

      Today’s edition by:
      David
      From the editor
      The Columbia Fireflies are going prehistoric for their next weekend series beginning Friday, July 19. Don’t miss out on Dino Weekend, featuring three nights of fun including Mason Triceratops Bobblehead Giveaway, Jurassic World Night, and Ed’s Dinosaurs: a live interactive dinosaur experience. It’s hard to believe there only five weekend series left.
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