Record Store Day in the Midlands | Score that exclusive Taylor Swift release and celebrate Record Store Day while supporting your favorite local record shop.
Arboretum: Bassoons in the Congaree National Park | 2 p.m. | Congaree National Park, upper boardwalk area | Free | Experience a unique soundscape as woodwinds bring Brad Balliett’s nature-inspired composition to life.
Artista Vista | Saturday, April 12-Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | The Vista | Free | Celebrate the area’s arts and culture with a weekend of events including art crawls, live displays, an art market, and an art scavenger hunt.
CatVideoFest + DogVideoFest | Saturday, April 12, Saturday, April 12 | Times vary | The Nick | $10 | These two screenings explore the unique bonds between humans and pets through films that educate, entertain, and inspire.
Alley Golf in the Vista | 1-6 p.m. | Steel Hands Vista | $20 | Take a swing at three custom mini golf holes to win prizes — 100% of proceeds support art projects in the Vista.
Sunday, April 13
Spring Fairy Flea Market | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Flora & Fauna Marketplace, Lexington | Free | This magical market features artisans showing off their talents, photo ops, and food vendors.
Poetry Ball | 5-10 p.m. | Luxe Life | $20+ | Wintah Storm and Bugsy Calhoun host this night of poetry that also includes food, a cash bar, and an open mic.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s Sunday Funday: Sundays are for family fun and post-game autographs. Kids can run the bases post-game.
SC ranked No. 28 on WalletHub’s list of best states for working from home. If you’re a remote-working Columbian who’s seeking a little change in scenery, check out these local coffee shops with plenty of outlets and internet connections.
Number
$5. That’s how much a Mega Millions ticket will cost you now, up from $2. According to Mega Millions, the costlier ticket could get you bigger prizes; previous $500 winnings would now be $1,000-$5,000. You could buy ~555 slices of carrot cake from Sour and Salt with that money. (CNN)
Read
Tomorrow is the last day of National Library Week, and the best way to observe the occasion is by paying a visit. If you’re overdue for a trip to one of the Midlands libraries, find a branch near you and see what it offers beyond books.
Outdoors
Keep your eyes to the sky tomorrow to catch a glimpse of the “Pink Moon” — but no, it won’t be a different color. April’s full moon has the rosy nickname because the month is associated with spring flowers. See what’s in bloom by strolling through one of Columbia’s parks.
Sports
Jordan Staal is nominated for the Masterton and King Clancy trophies. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
Make the most of April
A masked luchador hypes up the crowd at Segra Park’s Taco & Margarita Festival. | Photo via Columbia Fireflies
April events are in full swing, and so is COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead — your monthly guide to some of the biggest events happening around Columbia.
Pull out your calendar, text your group chat, or dust off that day planner — here are the events we’re most excited about this April. Pro tip: Bookmark this page and check back often. We update it monthly.
Festivals
Columbia Food & Wine Festival | Tuesday, April 22-Sunday, April 27 | 6 p.m. | Various locations, Columbia | Prices vary | Celebrate local flavor with multi-course meals, wine pairings, and foodie events across the city.
6th Annual Kinetic Derby Day featuring iMAGINE | Saturday, April 26 | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | State & Meeting Streets, West Columbia | Free | Enjoy a day of creativity, competition, and family fun in West Columbia, featuring the Kinetic Sculpture Parade, soapbox races, and the iMAGINE STEAM Festival.*
Harambee Festival | Saturday, April 26 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Charlie W. Johnson Stadium | $15 | Celebrate community, culture, and music with live performances, food, exhibits, health screenings, and a special 25th-anniversary gospel concert.
A targeted red light therapy device — use it to help accelerate wound healing, ease muscle soreness, target cold sores and fever blisters, soothe achy finger joints, and more.
If watching the Masters has you itching to swing a club, Pro Swing Columbia has open time slots. It’s not quite Augusta National, but you can virtually play world-famous courses and scratch that golf itch.
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