Jake Margle Offers a Run-Down on Artsy Halloween Events

As Halloween approaches the Capitol City, venues and various stomping grounds are rolling out their festive best. From Columbia’s modest holes-in-the-wall to our more grandiose institutions, here are just a few of the smattering of events taking place on this Hallo-weekend.

The Tapp’s Center prides itself on tasteful, informing events, and their Halloween special is no different. On Friday they will be hosting Hell’s Belle’s, an event that will combine art–both visual and performing–and discussion. The evening starts at 7 and will be dedicated to exploring and showcasing the history of witchcraft, with the discussion centered around, “exploring feminine identity.” Columbia’s own Ritual Abjects will be conducting a sigil workshop and performance piece. There will be tarot and palm readings as well. Costumes are not mandatory, but encouraged. All donations from the evening will go towards the Tapp’s Nonprofit Programming and Auntie Bellum magazine, SC’s women’s magazine.

Toast Improv is putting on a special Halloween show, Friday at the Benson Theater. Doors open at 8:30 to a $5 cover. The show starts at 9, and according to Toast’s Facebook page, will be very “spoopy”–a term meaning comedic and spooky. Concessions will be provided, and if you know anything about Toast, so will the talent and laughs. Those weary of a cover charge will be pleased to know that all proceeds will be donated to aid the flood relief efforts in Columbia.

On Saturday the State Museum will again be hosting its annual Tricks and Treats gathering. If you’re looking for a more kid-friendly offering, look no further. All day the museum will be hosting a scavenger hunt, potions lab, crafts, balloon art, and a performance of “Hansel and Gretel” by the Columbia Marionette Theatre. Costumes are encouraged as well, with any child under 12 and in costume receiving $1 off admission.

2015 marks the fourth year of Sid & Nancy’s Halloween Explosion. A dance-filled evening starting at 8:30 on Saturday at New Brookland Tavern is sure to put anyone in a festive mood. Music will be provided by local DJ’s Alejandro Florez, Christian Barker, and QT Kapowski. Fort Psych, Columbia’s event and media gurus will supplementing the music with light displays as well. There will be a photo booth set up, so bring your costume game. The two most creative costumes will receive gift certificates to Indigo Rose Tattoo Studio, with first place winning a $100 credit, second place receiving a $60 credit. Those fearful of standing need not worry, as the “most basic” will receive a $10 gift card to Starbucks, and a $20 gift card to Target. There will be a $5 cover for those 21 and up, $10 for under 21. All proceeds will benefit Girls Rock Columbia.

The Whig is hosting the aptly and creatively named Whigoween Saturday at 9. Columbia’s favorite hidden gem is keeping tight-lipped on the details, but costumes are most definitely encouraged.

And there's always the Columbia City Ballet's performance of Dracula, previewed earlier this week by Alivia Seely.

-- Jake Margle

Rosewood Arts Festival, After the Rain, Celebrates 5th Year This Sunday, Oct. 25th

by: Jasper Intern Jake Margle

After a necessary rain check, the Rosewood Arts Festival will be back at Rockaway’s this Sunday, October 25. Hurricane Joaquin may have put a damper on spirits, but with the return of the sun comes Columbia’s much-loved, family-friendly arts festival, back for its fifth year and better than ever.

This year’s festival will have all of the familiar elements that made past festivals such a hit. With around 100 artists booth expected to fill the Rockaway’s parking lot, there is sure to be an eclectic mix of work to view and purchase, all the while keeping the intimate feel that has put the Rosewood Arts Festival at the top of local arts supporter’s favorite annual events.

New for this year is a literary section set to feature 15 authors, including the work of Robert Ariail, a prominent political cartoonist whose work is featured regularly in The State.

The festival makes good on its promise to features artwork of all types. This year the Columbia Children’s Theatre will be performing Pinocchio, sure to keep those performing arts lovers in the crowd happy.

Festival regular and Lexington local “Abstract” Alexandra will be returning once again with her unique brand of contemporary paintings and sculptures. She’s been featured in the festival since its first year and is pleased to see it stick to its roots while also growing.

“I love how every year they get new collectors and performances to come,” she said. “There’s always something new to see.”

In five years the festival has grown steadily out of the single parking lot behind Rockaway’s, where they had just a few booths and one stage. The growth has been far from explosive, but Festival Director Arik Bjorn thinks that its small size is part of the allure.

“The point of the festival has always been to be a family-friendly, pro-artist, pro-patron festival,” Bjorn said. “We’ve got a community that really likes art. We’ve got Shandon right over here and other neighborhoods that really aid in that community feel.”

Patrons and artists alike benefit from the intimacy of the event. Entering a booth in the festival only costs the artist $30, less than half of what other festivals charge. The public pays nothing to enter, an aspect that Bjorn thinks inspires more people to attend and may increase the likelihood that they will purchase a piece.

“They do a very good job at organizing,” Alexandra said. “Artists, we’re marathon runners. We have to create the art and then set up this little retail outlet and fix that up, we do so much work already. Arik and all the volunteers pick up any slack and offer so much help, and that means a lot to the artist.”

The question on everyone’s mind is, will the festival expand past its current state?

“Oh no, it will always be here,” Bjorn said. There are plans to make room for more booths in the surrounding areas, but Rockaway’s will always be its home.

“We do this so artists can showcase their wares and make it worth their while,” Bjorn said. “We’re very content right now just to grow at the speed that we are.”

Art Bar Rocks for the Jam Room Music Festival by Jake Margle

The Jam Room is hosting a barbecue fundraiser this Sunday, September 13^th at the Tapp’s Arts Center, with all proceeds benefiting the Jam Room Music Festival. The festival is in its fourth year and the Jam Room’s Linda Toro has hopes that the fundraiser could help double the number of attendees they had at the first festival. Toro says that the first year of the festival saw about 5,000 attendees, and she would love to see such a large increase in just four events. “We’re always hoping for more people! We’d like to see about 10,000 down on Main St. this year,” Toro says.

The fundraiser will be held at the tried and true Tapp’s Arts Center located at 1664 Main St. The barbecue buffet is being provided by Joe Turkaly Catering with beer and wine supplied by The Whig. Tastings will also be provided by Columbia’s own Crouch Distilling Company. Owned by Phil and Jessica Crouch, they’ve been making whiskey, bourbon, and ryes in small batches since 2014. Our non-carnivorous friends will also be catered to, with plenty of vegetarian options on the buffet.

Tickets are still available for the fundraiser for the price of $26.87 with all proceeds backing this year’s festival.

The Art Bar Rocks Lineup includes: Italo and the Passions Bully Pulpit Boo Hag Due east and more ...

Doors: 6:00 p.m.

This year’s festival is back on Main and Hampton streets with acclaimed alt-rock band Blonde Redhead head-lining for what’s always been an eclectic lineup of artists from around the southeast.

Eleven other bands, ranging from the blues-rock of The Distributors to Mississippi-turned-Nashvillian Cory Branan, who rides a wavering line between punk and country.

The JRMF has become something of a Columbia staple since its inception, and seeing as it only had 9 bands on the roster in 2012, we’re excited to see this labor of love grow steadily.

Here's the lowdown on this year's fest.

The Jam Room Music Festival returns to Columbia's Main Street for it's fourth year!

Don't miss South Carolina's biggest FREE music party featuring:

BLONDE REDHEAD Hiss Golden Messenger Cory Branan The Distributors Patois Counselors Junior Astronomers Rev Matthew Mickens and The Highway Travelers Debbie and the Skanks Colorblind She Returns From War Stefanie Santana Grace Joyner

Not only is this incredible all day show FREE, but admission to Columbia Museum of Art is FREE as well.

FOOD: Village Idiot Pizza and Pub The Wurst Wagen Drip on Main Happiness Bomb Boiled PNUTS Crepes & croissants KC Hotdogs Lowcountry Rocks Lobster K&K Gourmet Sweets

BEER GARDEN by @weirdbeerguysc Featuring: Palmetto Brewing Company Widmer Brothers Redhook Goose Island Kona and more.