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All that jazz
Get to the festival early if you want to get a spot closer to the stage. | Photo via ColaJazz Foundation
ColaJazz is moving to a bigger stage this spring. The ninth annual ColaJazz Jazz & Roots Festival will take over the newly renovated Finlay Park for the first time on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, marking a new chapter for the homegrown festival.
What started as a grassroots jazz gathering on Main Street has evolved into a staple spring event in the Soda City, bringing in nationally recognized artists and pairing them with local and regional talent. This year’s “Jazz & Roots” branding shows the fest expanding, leaning into blues, soul, folk, and other genres shaped by jazz tradition.
As always, admission is free, with food vendors and art woven into the weekend.
A Conversation on Faith, Family, and Feminism | Thursday, March 5 | 6 p.m. | Joseph F. Rice School of Law | Free | Hosted by USC’s Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse, Erika Bachiochi (ASU) and USC Department of Philosophy faculty discuss the intersection of religious faith and modern feminism.
March is Women’s History Month, a dedicated time to celebrate the achievements of women throughout US history. Here in the Capital City, the Columbia City of Women highlights women who have shaped our local history.
Voting is open for the European Tree of the Year award, the annual contest that honors the continent’s most lovable tree. The contestants span 12 countries and boast centuries of history within their sprawling branches. No need for a flight — beautifuldogwood trees will bloom here.
On This Day
March second’s the date, hip hip hooray: Dr. Seuss was born on this day. To the Richland Library, don’t wait up. For fun times reading, you can fill your cup. A child’s first book, a joyful start — a love of reading, straight from the heart.
Arts
“Fashion is art.” That’s the dress code for the 2026 Met Gala, which is set for Monday, May 4. Want to join in on the fun? Columbia Fashion Week, happening Saturday, May 9, is following the theme. (Vogue)
Try This
Paleontologists recently discovered a new species of Spinosaurus in the Sahara desert. They believe the dinosaur lived roughly 95 million years ago and weighed up to seven tons. There’s no need to travel across the world to uncover our planet’s history — we have plenty on display at Cola’s museums. (Reuters)
Trending
Punch, a lonely baby monkey at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has captured hearts worldwide with his sweet nature and beloved orangutan plushie. Closer to home, you can show some love to Hoffman’s two-toed sloth at Riverbanks Zoo. (Forbes)
Shop
These best-selling doormats are your key to a spring home refresh, designed to be beautiful and functional (including being stain-resistant — no more sad, muddy rugs greeting your guests at the front door). Shop our favorites like the popular natural chevron Innerweave.*
Job
When you’ve got key roles to fill, skip shouting into the void and let us connect you with top talent. List your open positions with our business promo portal to simplify the search, and watch the applications start rolling in.*
Editor’s Pick
Locals love the chicken at this long time lunch staple. | Photo by COLAtoday
Let us introduce you to a surprising, tasty trend taking over fridges and Publix grocery carts across Columbia: Rotisserie chickens are more popular than ever, according to Google Trends.
No judgment if you want to house one straight from the bag with your hands, but we’re using the surge in interest as an opportunity to highlight some of the best local spots to scratch that scrumptious itch:
Enzo’s Italian Specialties has an entire section of its menu dedicated to chicken cutlets — we’re fans of the That Mikey, made with pesto, fresh mozzarella, and tomato.
For wings, don’t sleep on Nothin’ But Wings, the top-rated wing spot on Google with 4.7 stars and ~300 reviews.
Drake’s Duck-In on Main Street flew to the top of The State’s poll of the best place to grab fried chicken.
The Buy
Upgrade your hair and skincare routine with these top-rated products under $25:
🌿 These 4.8-star rated single-use face towels that don’t harbor bacteria like your old washcloth.
🧴 An argan oil hair mask that delivers intense hydration to repair + revitalize weak and damaged hair.
🌿 This set of collagen face masks that visibly boost firmness, smoothness, and radiance.
🧴 The Buy Editor Emily’s favorite pink peptide serum that leaves skin plump and glowy.
🌿 Premium hair serum capsules for on-the-go nourishment that is lightweight + non-greasy.
Tears were shed by longtime customers last week as No Name Deli said goodbye to its original location at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Bull Street. The good news is you won’t have to wait long to try the new spot a few blocks away on Laurel Street. It opens tomorrow, March 3.
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