Plus, Riverbanks Zoo wins two awards.
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🍕 Pie hard

Village Idiot
Village Idiot Pizza has been a Five Points institution for over 30 years | Photo provided by Village Idiot Pizza
Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. Cola’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — and we keep finding ways to top ourselves. If you’re on the quest for the perfect slice, we’ve pie-oneered a list of 20+ places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.

Pizza Palace, Columbia
A local favorite on Leesburg Road, this spot serves up classic pies, hot subs, and Greek specialties in a classic, cozy setting. Pro tip: Try it supreme style with the house special pizza.

Il Giorgione, Columbia
A Devine Street favorite since 2012, Il Giorgione is recognized for its high-quality ingredients and Italian classics. Known for its focus on quality ingredients and a menu featuring pasta, pizza, and more, it’s a go-to spot for both romantic evenings and family gatherings.

Luca’s Wood Fire Pizza & Restaurant, Northeast Columbia
Luca’s Wood Fire Pizza has been serving up handcrafted, wood-fired pizzas since 1974, offering a cozy spot for classic Italian flavors, fresh ingredients, and a menu featuring everything from specialty pies to pasta and desserts.
24 more spots

Events

Friday, March 21

Taste of the Track | 12 p.m. | Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw | $10 for spectators, $149 per driver | Drive 10 laps on a pro track — no experience needed.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” | Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22 | 8-10 p.m. | Trustus Theatre | $35+ | Swing by for this play that celebrates the music of Fats Waller with rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs.

Saturday, March 22

Curing Kids Cancer Fire Truck Pull | 8:30 a.m. | Soda City Market | Free | Teams compete to pull a fire truck the fastest, with proceeds benefiting Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.

Midlands Spring Arts + Crafts Market | Saturday, March 22-Sunday, March 23 | Times vary | South Carolina State Farmers Market, West Columbia | Free | Spruce up your home decor with the Midlands’ largest handmade vendor event showcasing over 160 artists and creators.

Mac & Cheese Festival | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Segra Park | $10+ | Have a gouda time by exploring pasta-tively delicious dishes and drinks as live music plays.

“Giselle” | 5:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $42+ | The South Carolina Ballet transports you back to 19th century England with this romantic show set to Adolphe Adam’s score.

Sunday, March 23

Car Cruise In + Cookout | 12-4 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Zoom by to check out classic cars, hotrods, and muscle cars as food is on the grill and live music is playing.

Friday, May 2

Lovin’ Life Music Fest | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | 1-11 p.m. | Lovin’ Life Music Fest, Charlotte, NC | $345+ | The Lovin’ Life Music Fest Fan Appreciation Sale ends tonight at midnight — lock in your single day or 3-day tickets now before prices go up.*
Plan your weekend
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Concert

Classical music meets casual cool

Presented by South Carolina Philharmonic
SC Phil
Thanks to the SC Phil, Soda Citizens have access to world-class performances by top-of-their-game musicians, conducted by the steady hand of music director Morihiko Nakahara. | Photo provided by the South Carolina Philharmonic
Straight leg, boot cut, or flare, you’re invited to don your favorite denim for “Beethoven and Blue Jeans,” coming to the Koger Center on Saturday, March 29.

Building to Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” this fan-favorite SC Philharmonic concert is perfect for music lovers who prefer their symphonies with a side of laid-back style.

Never experienced a symphony before? This would be a great one to start with.
Check out the program

News Notes

Civic

SCDOT is seeking public input on Momentum 2050, a long-term transportation plan paving the way for SC’s future. The plan covers roads, transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure. Comments are accepted through Saturday, April 19.

Biz

EnerSys is charging ahead with a $6.7 million expansion in Sumter County, adding 34,000 sqft and 14 jobs to meet rising battery demand. Operations power up in May. Interested applicants can find openings on the company’s careers page.

Sports

The SC High School League approved a new one-time transfer rule for student-athletes, allowing a penalty-free move during their first three years. The new rule will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year. (The State)

Tech

Richland County roadways may soon roll out the welcome mat for delivery robots as lawmakers consider expanding regulations beyond USC’s campus. A new House bill aims to set ground rules for the roaming couriers, with a city report on the tech expected in April. (The Post and Courier)

Award

Riverbanks Zoo secured No. 9 Best Zoo and No. 7 Best Zoo Membership in USA Today’s 10Best Awards. As the Southeast’s most-visited zoo, Riverbanks continues to grow, with the highly anticipated Saluda Skyride set to open later this year.

Listen
Find out whose NFL draft stock soared at USC Pro Day. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Festival

Save the date — Soiree on State is taking over Cayce’s State Street on Saturday, March 22, from 2 to 8 p.m. Get ready for a fun-filled day featuring artists, bounce courses, face painting, tasty eats, live music, and so much more. See the full lineup.*

Finance

Need extra cash? A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) lets you tap into your home’s value for renovations, unexpected expenses, and more. Plus, for a limited time, AllSouth Federal Credit Union will cover your closing costs. Take advantage of this opportunity + learn more. Equal Housing Lender.*

Festival

Don’t judge this party by its cover — it’s anything but quiet. Start your Read Freely Fest weekend at Richland Library’s “Overdue” kickoff party on Friday, March 28. Enjoy an author panel on comics, hands-on activities, plus live music from TOUNDS, Moses & the Wilderness, and TiffanyJ & No Space Gang.*

Seasonal

Nordstrom’s Spring Sale has up to 50% off all your favorite brands, from Tory Burch to Beyond Yoga. Our favorite finds are this tiered gingham dress and this cowl neck blouse.*

Number

$1,300. That’s how much money per year you could save on car insurance, according to a 2024 survey. Are you overspending? View Money’s best car insurance list to compare providers.*

History

Celebrating 75 years of the CMA

Presented by Columbia Museum of Art
Black and white photo of two men unpacking boxes with paintings
Dr. Jack Craft (right), the CMA’s first director, unpacking crates for the museum’s first exhibition. | Photo provided by the Columbia Museum of Art
Did you know the historic Thomas Taylor House was the original location of the Columbia Museum of Art?

The museum opened its doors in this space on March 23, 1950, with a historical portrait exhibition from the National Gallery of Art titled “The Face of American History.”

Fast forward 75 years, and the CMA is undertaking an exciting anniversary project to revamp gallery lighting throughout the museum. (Want a peek behind the scenes? Check out an upcoming hard hat tour.)
Learn more about the 75th

The Buy

A breathable long-sleeve tee, great to pair with jeans and jackets on cool spring days.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

COLA DAVID City Editor-Wrap.png
I love a historic home tour, and the sixth annual Palladium Tour | A Century of Style has definitely piqued my interest. On Sunday, April 6, you can stroll through Forest Hills, take in the architecture, and celebrate the neighborhood’s 100th birthday.

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