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Let’s get this show on the road

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Catch a concert at The Senate this month. | Photo by Savannah Bockus
Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Columbia’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.

The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from intimate jazz lounges to grand amphitheaters, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things: Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.

Concert Halls

Township Auditorium | 1703 Taylor St., Columbia
  • This historic venue has been a part of Cola’s culture since 1930. It hosts a variety of events, including concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical performances.

Outdoor Settings

Ice House Amphitheater | 107 W. Main St., Lexington
  • Located in the heart of Lexington, this amphitheater is a community gathering place that hosts various events, including concerts, festivals, and movies.

Intimate Spaces

GROW | 1340 Elmwood Ave., Columbia
  • A grassroots arts and organizing space that hosts intimate concerts, open mics, and cultural events with a focus on local artistry and community connection.
21 more venues

Poll

How would you rate our city’s music scene, on a scale of 1-10?

A. Between 9 and 10
B. Between 6 and 8
C. Between 3 and 5
D. Between 1 and 2
Let us know
Gibbes Museum of Art

Events

Wednesday, April 16

MediaFest | 7 p.m. | Nickelodeon Theater | Free | A celebration of student media hosted by 1080c Productions, featuring awards for acting, directing, cinematography, writing, and top overall films.

Astronomy on Tap | 6-9 p.m. | Bierkeller Brewing Company | Free | Explore the universe — beer in hand — as two local speakers discuss dark matter, black holes, and other interstellar phenomena.

Thursday, April 17

Senior Day Trip - Buc-ees | 8 a.m. | Seven Oaks Park | $30 | Take a short trip to Florence and stock up on Beaver Nuggets.

In the Dark: Live Music in the Planetarium | Thursday, April 17-Friday, April 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10 | Close your eyes as Orange Road performs String Quartet No. 3 “in iij noct” by Austrian composer Georg Friedrich Haas.

Friday, April 18

Garnet and Black Spring Football Game | 7:30 p.m. | Williams Brice Stadium | Free | Get your first look at the 2025 squad under the lights.

The Big Bounce America | Friday, April 18-Sunday, April 20 | Times vary | Historic Columbia Speedway, Cayce | $22+ | Hop through five inflatable courses at this bouncy experience with sessions for families, adults, kids, and toddlers.
More fun this way
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United Way of the Midlands

News Notes

Sports

Columbia native Collin Murray-Boyles is heading for the pros. The standout Gamecock forward has declared for the NBA Draft, which takes place in June, after averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this season. ESPN projects him as the No. 10 pick in its latest mock draft. (ESPN)

Eat

Chipotle is rolling into Red Bank with a new location opening today at Platt Springs Crossing. The burrito chain joins Whataburger in the growing development. Expect bowls, burritos, and honey chicken for a limited time. (The State)

Announced

Stevie Nicks is set to stop draggin’ her tour around and land at Colonial Life Arena on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The Fleetwood Mac legend’s only SC show is part of a 13-city run. Tickets go on sale Friday, with presales starting Thursday.

Development

Scout Motors shared new photos from its 1,100-acre Blythewood factory site, now under construction. The update shows how the $2 billion project is taking shape since breaking ground last year.

Family

Riverbanks Zoo’s Birdhouse is back open and chirping with life after a renovation. Visitors can explore the refreshed habitat now, while Penguin Coast remains closed for continued updates.

Feel Good

Cayce native and two-time Super Bowl champ Jim Stuckey just scored his biggest win yet: beating cancer. The former 49er walked a red carpet at Trident Medical Center to celebrate being cancer-free after battling head and neck cancer. (WCBD)

Listen

Ryan Henkel from The Hockey News joins to talk Hurricanes. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricanes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Learn

Have questions about diabetes? Prisma Health’s Diabetes Self-Management Program is a great place to start. Appointments are approachable, informative, and completely tailored to your needs. See what a session is like.*

Community

Richland County and Columbia Water invite residents to the Home Blue Thumb Landscapers Workshop on Saturday, April 26. This free event covers native plants, composting, and water harvesting. Space is limited, so register in advance.*

Health

Protect your eyes and your wallet when you get personalized coverage with VSP® Individual Vision Plans. Enroll today for as little as $13 a month.*

Job

Small business owners, we know you wear a lot of hats. Let us handle one. Post your job listing on the COLAtoday Job Board for free and get it in front of some of the best local candidates.

Sports

🏀 WNBA bound

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Bree Hall, Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, and Sania Feagin cheer from the sideline. | Photo via USC Athletics
Three South Carolina women’s basketball standouts heard their names called in the 2025 WNBA Draft, continuing the program’s strong legacy of sending players to the pros.

Te-Hina Paopao was selected by the Atlanta Dream in the second round. A two-time All-American, she averaged 10.2 points per game at USC and shot 42.2% from three, the second-best in program history.

Bree Hall went to the Indiana Fever, where she’ll reunite with her former teammate Aliyah Boston and superstar Caitlin Clark. Known for her defense and clutch shooting, Hall played more games than any other four-year Gamecock and helped lead the team to multiple championships.

Sania Feagin rounded out the trio, heading to the LA Sparks. She posted career highs in her senior season, including 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and earned SEC All-Defensive honors.

This marks the fourth time in nine drafts the Gamecocks have had multiple players selected.

The Buy

The best pet supply products to simplify at-home care and keep your fur baby happy:

🐾 Pet ear wipes are a quick, one-step solution to make sure pets don’t develop problems caused by build-up.
🐾 This cat + dog steam brush de-sheds better than plain brushes or combs, thanks to hair-attracting steam.
🐾 Eager to avoid expensive teeth cleaning? Once-a-week dental wipes can get you there without tangling with a toothbrush.
🐾 Swapping water bowls for a pet water fountain keeps water filtered and fresh — and pets tend to love drinking from it.
🐾 As seen on TV, Muddy Mats are designed to trap dirt, mud, and sand from paws, keeping entryways clean — no toweling off required.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

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Camp Discovery and Congaree Land Trust are hosting a family-friendly nature walk on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon as part of the City Nature Challenge. Register to explore 116 acres of forests, meadows, creeks, and wetlands.
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