The Newberry Opera House lit up for the holiday season. | Photo by COLAtoday
Hey, Cola — David here. I recently visited the Newberry Opera House, a treasure of a venue located halfway between Columbia and Greenville. Built in 1881, the 400-seat Opera House was saved from the wrecking ball and revived in the late 1990s, earning several awards for historic preservation and being named Outstanding Theatre by the League of Historic Theatres.
Here’s more about my experience + their upcoming shows:
What I tried
I attended Ben Folds’ “Paper Airplane Request Tour,” where audience members wrote song requests, folded them into paper airplanes, and launched them onto the stage. My toss flopped, but others soared with requests like “Brick” and “Rockin’ the Suburbs” from the North Carolina artist.
What not to miss
The Opera House’s “12 Days of Deals” is live, offering discounted tickets. Use code “ELFSAVINGS” for 25% off Puccini’s Tosca, “MERRYDEALS” for 35% off Hannah Dasher, or “HOLIDAYTREATS” for 50% off Celtic Angels Ireland.
Paw Print Turkey Making | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Modern Companion, Chapin | $5 | Stamp your pet’s paw using a mess-free method and draw an adorable turkey on the print.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Sleigh Bell Stroll | 6-8 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park EAST | $2+ | Look forward to walking along a route illuminated by vibrant, colorful lights.
Free Locals Giving Show | 6:30 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | Free | Hear music from local artistsYosef, Mel Washington, Hillmouse, and Whistler.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Small Business Saturday — Holiday Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Community Artisan & Farmers Market (Inside Village at Sandhills) between Books A Million and Massage Envy | Free | Shop local from 70 vendors.
Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) | 12-7 p.m. | Bierkeller Brewing Company | Free | The markets feature local vendors, specialty foods, classic Christmas and other live music, festive lights, hot mulled Glühwein, hot chocolate, and, of course, beers.
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The Town of Lexington removed a stop sign near Walmart on Sunset Boulevard to ease congestion and improve traffic flow at one of the area’s busiest intersections. Long-term plans to ease congestion include the “Sunset Split” project, starting in 2026. (WLTX)
Community
The USC Marching Band will head to New York City on Sunday to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Donations, including $25,000 each from Dawn Staley, Shane Beamer, and Darius Rucker, helped fund the band’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade showcase. (Cola Daily)
Plan Ahead
"Cowboy Bebop LIVE” takes over The Senate on Thursday, March 20. Experience Yoko Kanno’s iconic jazz soundtrack, brought to life by the 14-piece Bebop Bounty Big Band, paired with scenes from the legendary anime.
Holiday
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden hosts its first sensory-friendly Wild Lights night on Tuesday, Dec. 3, with dimmed lights, quiet zones, and navigation aids. The event, in partnership with SCDDSN, offering an inclusive holiday experience.
Cause
Lexington’s “Pack the Pontoon” toy drive for Toys for Tots runs through December with collection events at local shops, the Snowball Festival, and the Christmas Parade. Donations are also accepted at the Lexington Police Department.
Sports
Brandon Miller shines with a career-high 38 points in the Hornets overtime win. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
This leading card is one of the best-kept secrets for managing debt. The key: Transfer your existing balance and pay it down as much as possible during the intro period (this one offers 0% interest until 2026).*
For a limited time, you can give the gift of a lifetime of languages for less. Think: Forever access to all of Rosetta Stone’s immersive + engaging lessons at more than 60% off. Snag the deal.*
Travel
Going’s “Best sale of 2024” is here with up to 50% off select memberships for a limited time. Sign up to save an average of $500 on international flights.*
Category
Eat
🥧 A pie from the sky
However you pronounce it, they’re tasty nuts. | Photo via Unsplash
We see a slice of pie, or two, in your not-so-distant future. As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to make sure you’re getting the freshest ingredients. Top of the list? Local pecans.
These sweet and buttery tree nuts have been falling over the place in the Midlands, so grab yours from one of these local farms that will shell ‘em and sell ‘em.
Now that you’ve got your nuts, here are a few local pecan pie recipes to try out this holiday season.
Here’s one from the Women’s Club of Columbia’s 1947 cookbook.
Here’s one from the Time for Action cookbook from 1970.
Here’s one from the classic Piggly Wiggly book of Lowcountry recipes.
Here’s one if you want to make that pecan pie mobile from the classic Heavenly Southern Recipes from the Miller Cemetery Project.
The Buy
The Buy
A king size sherpa electric blanket that’s 22% off for early Black Friday. Save $30 on this warm, washable electric blanket, great for yourself or as a holiday gift for a friend.
The drive to Newberry for the concert wasn’t even long enough to finish the podcast I was listening to. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few familiar faces from Columbia and even a neighbor from a few streets over. Next time I’ll plan ahead for the “Try This: concert carpool edition.”
