TODAY
TOUCAN TUESDAYS AT RIVERBANKS ZOO: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 28, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Two can visit for the price of one with a donation of two cans of non-perishable food items for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Regular adult admission is $11.75; ages 3-12, $9.25, ages 2 and younger, free. (803) 779-8717; http://www.riverbanks.org
INDEPENDENCE FIREWORKS: Tonight at historic Capital City Stadium along South Assembly Street. Gates open at 6 p.m., the Columbia Blowfish take on the Martinsville Mustangs at 7:05 and the fireworks show will follow the game. Adult tickets are $6; seniors, students and children, $5. (803) 254-3474; http://www.blowfishbaseball.com
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. Free. (803) 345-0158 or email billmac85@yahoo.com
TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward St. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 772-9557; http://www.taoist.org
WEDNESDAY
LEXINGTON COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL: 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday at Gilbert Community Park, Rikard Circle, Gilbert. Parade, entertainment, Revolutionary War re-enactment, antique tractor and farm equipment display, car show, beauty pageants, recipe contest, volleyball tournament, children’s rides, arts and crafts, food, 10 p.m. fireworks show and more. http://www.lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com
JAMMIN’ JULY 4th: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday at Dillon Park, 21 N. Main St., Sumter. Free event will feature food and beverage vendors, music by the U.S. Air Force Blue Aces band and 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. Blankets and chairs welcome; no coolers or pets, please. Sponsored by Team Shaw, the city and county of Sumter; organizers encourage people to park at Sumter Mall and take the free shuttle to Dillon Park.
FREEDOM FESTIVAL CELEBRATION: Wednesday at Village at Sandhill, 1081 Clemson Road. Day of carnival rides for kids followed by a free 7 p.m. concert featuring country star Ronnie McDowell, capped off with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
INDEPENDENCE FIREWORKS: 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at historic Capital City Stadium on South Assembly Street. Gates open at 6 p.m., the Blowfish host the Florence RedWolves; it’s also discount beverage night 6-8 p.m., and fireworks will follow the game. Adult tickets are $6; seniors, students and children, $5. (803) 254-3474; http://www.blowfishbaseball.com
CONCERT IN THE PARK: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road. Children’s activities, concessions, performance featuring the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra begins at 8:30 p.m. $5 parking fee.
LET’S GO TO THE DRIVE-IN: Wednesday at the historic Columbia Speedway, 2001 Charleston Highway, Cayce. Bring your blankets, chairs or watch “National Treasure” from your car (the 40-foot screen will be set up in the infield); the movie will start at dusk, around 8:50 p.m. $5 per car, with proceeds going to the Cayce Public Safety Foundation. (803) 665-7620; http:///www.columbiaspeedway.com
SALUTE TO THE NATION: Wednesday at Fort Jackson. Food and drink concessions available at Hilton Field beginning at 4 p.m., lawn chairs and blankets welcome, bleacher and main grandstand seating will be available; games, crafts and children’s carnival rides at the softball complex. Formal ceremony begins at 8 p.m. and will feature a cannon salute to each state and territory of the United States, music by the 282nd Army Band and a fireworks display. Visitors should arrive early for best seats and parking, access through Gate 2 (Forest Drive/Strom Thurmond Boulevard), Gate 4 (Percival Road/Boyden Arbor Road) and Gate 5 (Leesburg Road). This year Fort Jackson honors members of the armed forces from the Vietnam era.
FRIDAY
FIRST AID: 6-10 p.m. Friday at Midlands Technical College Airport Campus, 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia. General principles of first aid covering medical, injury and environmental emergencies according to American Heart Association and National Safety Council guidelines; $45. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com
FIRST FRIDAY RECEPTION: Featured artists will be Janice Haynes and Nita Yancey, 6-9 p.m. Friday at Village Artists Gallery, 631-8 Promenade Place, Village at Sandhill. (803) 699-8886
ZOOVIE NIGHTS AT RIVERBANKS: Fridays through July 27 (except July 20) at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. 500 Wildlife Parkway. Gates open at 7 p.m. for the Endangered Species Carousel, Spots ’n Stripes Railroad and Wild Adventures Climbing Wall; screening of “King Fu Panda” will start at dusk in Palmetto Plaza. Concessions will be available for purchase; bring your lawn chair. Tickets are $5; $3 for Riverbanks Society members. (803) 779-8717; http://www.riverbanks.org
SATURDAY
CPR: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Midlands Technical College Airport Campus, 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia. BLS Healthcare Provider CPA/AED for adult, child and infant is taught using the most current guidelines for healthcare providers and emergency response personnel. Qualification is good for two years; $85. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com
BANK OF AMERICA’S "MUSEUMS ON US" WEEKEND: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday at EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. Bank of America cardholders enjoy free admission the first full weekend monthly. (803) 779-3100; http://www.edventure.org
ART CLASS: Watercolor and acrylics for ages 10 and older, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at Friarsgate Park, 1712 Chadford Road, Irmo. $30, includes all materials needed for a completed painting. (803) 732-3220; http://www.firstclassart.webs.com
COFITACHIQUI AND COLONIALISM: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Camden Branch of the Kershaw County Library, 1304 Broad St. Gail Wagner, associate professor of anthropology at USC will discuss what recent digs have revealed about the Native American chiefdom located near present-day Camden. Sponsored by The Humanities Council, the program is free, but registration is required, call (803) 425-1608.
SUNDAY
XTERRA HARBISON TRAIL RUN: 7 a.m. Sunday at Harbison State Forest, 5600 Broad River Road. 5 and 21K courses, for all ages and skill levels. Entry fees, $20 for 5K, $40 for 21K. http://www.marathonmajic.com
MONDAY
TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at McGregor Presbyterian Church, 6505 St. Andrews Road. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 772-9557; http://www.taoist.org
COLUMBIA BAROQUE SOLOISTS: Summer institute concert, “Playing in the French Manner,” 6:30 p.m. Monday in the USC School of Music recital hall, 813 Assembly St. Works by Couperin, Rameau, Hotteterre and Marais will be featured. $15; students, $6. (803) 727-8555
DEFENSIVE DRIVING: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Monday and July 11 at Midlands Technical College Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road. Eight-hour course consists of lectures, films and classroom demonstrations; successful completion will remove four points on your S.C. driver’s license (except DUI) and may reduce insurance costs. Class fee, $69. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
TOUCAN TUESDAYS AT RIVERBANKS ZOO: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 28, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Two can visit for the price of one with a donation of two cans of non-perishable food items for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Regular adult admission is $11.75; ages 3-12, $9.25, ages 2 and younger, free. (803) 779-8717; http://www.riverbanks.org
FAMILY NIGHT AT EDVENTURE: 5-8 p.m. July 10 at EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. Admission is $1. (803) 799-3100; http://www.edventure.org
OPPORTUNITY SOUTH CAROLINA: 6-8 p.m. July 10 in Bostick Auditorium, Richland County Public Library, 1431 Assembly St. Panel discussion on social and economic mobility is free and open to the public. (803) 463-1865
CALLIGRAPHY: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, July 10-Aug. 14 at Midlands Technical College Harbison Campus, 7300 College St., Irmo. Basics of italic calligraphy for beginners; $99. (803) 732-0432; http://www.mtctraining.com
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. Free. (803) 345-0158 or email billmac85@yahoo.com
TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS: 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward St. Requested donations vary depending on category — adult, senior, student, family. (803) 772-9557; http://www.taoist.org
SHEPHERD’S CENTER OF COLUMBIA: Summer classes for the mature and eager to learn, 9:15 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, July 11-Aug. 1 at Trenholm Road UMC, 3401 Trenholm Road. Topics include “Masters of American Operetta,” “Technology A to Z,” “Potpourri,” “Civil War Public Opinion and Propaganda,” yoga and afternoon music lessons. $15 for four-week session. (803) 779-4449; http://www.shepherdscenterofcolumbia.com
ART CLASS: For ages 21 and older, 2-4:30 p.m. July 11 at the Adult Activities Center, 7494 Parklane Road. $30; includes all supplies needed for a finished painting. http://www.firstclassart.webs.com
LUNCH AND LEARN: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 12 at Capital Senior Center, 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Agape Hospice social worker Leah Watson will discuss “Health Care Options for You and Those You Love.” RSVP to info@capitalseniorcenter.com for lunch.
GUIDED HCF CEMETERY TOURS: The second Thursday monthly through September at Elmwood Cemetery. Conducted by the Historic Columbia Foundation, tour options include “Secrets From the Grave” iconography tour at 7:30 p.m. and a moonlight tour at 8 p.m. The iconography tour will allow participants to study symbols found on markers and headstones. Moonlight tour includes narrative about the lives, burials, cemetery plots and tombstones of families and prominent citizens from Columbia’s 19th and 20th centuries. Admission is $10 for adults, children, $5; HCF members, $5/$3. Reservations recommended, limit 25 per tour. Registration at http://www.cemeterytours.eventbrite.com
S.C. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY SUMMER WORKSHOP: 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 13 and 9:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. July 14 at the S.C. Archives and History Center, 8301 Parklane Road. Tony Burroughs will be one of the presenters. Registration, $40, SCGS members, $35; add $10.50 for catered lunch on July 14. (803) 775-4555
ZOOVIE NIGHTS AT RIVERBANKS: Fridays through July 27 (except July 20) at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. 500 Wildlife Parkway. Gates open at 7 p.m. for the Endangered Species Carousel, Spots ’n Stripes Railroad and Wild Adventures Climbing Wall; movies will start at dusk in Palmetto Plaza. Concessions will be available for purchase; bring your lawn chair. Tickets are $5; $3 for Riverbanks Society members. (803) 779-8717; http://www.riverbanks.org
CAPITAL SENIOR CENTER DANCE: Friday night dances, 7:30-10:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays monthly at 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Live music featuring the Dancetimers, BYOB; $5. (803) 779-1971; http://www.capitalseniorcenter.com
“JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”: 7:30 p.m. July 13, 14 and 3 p.m. July 15 at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. $20; ages 65 and older, active duty military and full-time college students, $17; ages 17 and younger, $12. (803) 799-2510; http://www.towntheatre.com
MOVIE NIGHT AT IRMO PARK: “Despicable Me,” 8 p.m. July 13 at Irmo Town Park, 1249 Lexington Ave. Hosted by The ART Team with Prudential Midlands. Free, but canned food donations for Harvest Hope will be accepted.
S.C. STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI GREATER COLUMBIA CHAPTER: Summer fling and membership kick-off, 1-6 p.m. July 14 at the Sandhill Research and Education Center Lake House, 900 Clemson Road. Food, fun and games (lunch will be served at 2 p.m.); guests will include Bulldogs’ football coach Buddy Pough and athletic director Charlene Johnson. Alumni and friends, $5; S.C. State students and children, free. RSVP at (803) 767-0104; http://www.capitalcitybulldogs.com
ART CLASS: For ages 10 and older, 2-4:30 p.m. July 14 at Polo Road Park, 730 Polo Road. $30; includes all supplies needed for a finished painting. http://www.firstclassart.webs.com
JAMMIN’ IN JULY MUSIC FESTIVAL: 4:30-11:45 p.m. July 14 at the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, 222 Broad St., Camden. Lineup will feature Delta Moon, Robert Lighthouse, the Mobros, Bakers Moon, Exit 98 The Band, Jim Hayes, Rusty Davis Band, CherryCase, Kathryn Scheldt, Reggie Sullivan Band and the Shape Shifters. Gates open at 4 p.m.; lawn chairs, blankets coolers and kids welcome (no pets or glass bottles, please). Food concessions, children’s activities and free parking. Rain location will be the Venue in downtown Camden. Tickets are $20; seniors and military, $18; ages 6-12, $4. Advance tickets $18/$15 through July 13 at Historic Camden. Schedule at http://www.historic-camden.net. (803) 432-9841
U.S. AMATEUR BALLROOM DANCERS ASSOCIATION: Columbia Chapter dance, 7:15-10:30 p.m. July 14 at the Hugh Dimmery Memorial Center, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. Casual dress; complimentary dance lessons, 7:45-8:15 p.m.; non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments available. $10; USADance members, $7; students, $5. http://www.usadance.us
