Otis Taylor

“Conversations on the Civil War, 1863,” an evening conversation series hosted by South Carolina historian Walter Edgar, begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The series will feature Edgar, a former USC professor and current host of ETV Radio’s “Walter Edgar’s Journal,” speaking with scholars about events and issues of 1863, arguably the most critical year of the Civil War. In the first installment, Thavolia Glymph, associate professor of African and African-American studies at Duke University and author of “Out of the House of Bondage: The Transformation of the Plantation Household,” will discuss the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation. Other guests include: Mark M. Smith, a USC professor and author of “Listening to Nineteenth-Century America” and co-editor of “The Handbook of Slavery in the Americas,” talking about the Gettysburg experience on Jan. 24; Winston Groom, author of “Forrest Gump” and multiple Civil War books on Feb. 7; Stephen Wise, director of the U.S. Marine Corp Museum and author of “Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running During the Civil War” on Feb. 14; and Julia Stern, professor of English and American studies at Northwestern University and author of “Mary Chesnut’s Civil War Epic” on Feb. 21 The series is free but requires registration; (803) 777-2340 or ellisrl@mailbox.sc.edu to register

Did you know that the USC Horseshoe is one of the most intact landscapes of slavery in the country? Me neither, but that’s what a joint program between the Columbia Design League and Columbia’s American Institute of Graphic Arts suggests. At 6 p.m. Tuesday at IT-ology, “Ghosts of the Horseshoe,” a critical interactive archaeological tour, will be presented. IT-ology is at 1301 Gervais St. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers; www.columbiadesignleague.org

“Selected Work from the 30 Year Retrospective: Made in America — 1983-2013,” an exhibition of work by abstract painter and mixed media artist Marge Loudon Moody, opens Thursday at City Art Gallery. There will be an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. City Art is at 1224 Lincoln St. Free; (803) 252-3613 or www.cityartonline.com

The next production of the Trustus Side Door Theatre’s “Sexploration” series: “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche.” The production, to be staged in Trustus Theatre’s intimate 50-seat space adjacent to the main stage, begins with the annual quiche breakfast of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein. But communists interfere and chaos ensues. A theater press release included this ominous sentence: “And trust us — the audience has to come along for the ride.” The play, which opens Thursday, runs through Feb. 2. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is no show Saturday, but there is a 3 p.m. matinee Jan. 20. Trustus is at 520 Lady St. $15; (803) 254-9732 or www.trustus.org

The Columbia Baroque Soloists will host its fourth annual gala at 4 today at the Spring Valley Country Club. The gala will feature hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction. The Columbia Baroque Soloists will play Italian baroque music, including works by Frescobaldi, Marcello, Sammartini and Handel. The Soloists include: Jerry Curry, harpsichordist; Jean Hein, baroque recorders; Timothy Hein, baroque recorders; Brittnee Siemon, mezzo soprano; and Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba. The country club is at 300 Spring Valley Road. $30; (803) 727-8555 or www.columbiabaroque.com

Phoenix Tongue, the dormant poetry affair hosted by John “Sildag” Starino, will return to its former space for a reunion at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Red Door Tavern was once known as the Red Tub. Starino and friends will treat guests to an evening of poetry, music and storytelling. The tavern is at 134 1/2 State St., West Columbia; (803) 463-8297

“Passage,” a photography exhibit, opens Tuesday at USC’s McMaster Gallery. For the show, Linda Foard Roberts, a North Carolina-based photographer, focused on the circle of life. “All of my work is inspired by Wabi Sabi, the Japanese word for finding beauty and acceptance in death,” Roberts said in a press release. “Through photographs of my family, landscapes and still lifes, my work weaves together our connection to nature and our surroundings. My work doesn’t answer questions, but opens pathways for thought and discussion.” Speaking of circles, Roberts uses oval-shaped format prints in “Passage,” which runs through Feb. 15. There will be a gallery talk and reception at 5 p.m. Jan. 24. McMaster is at 1615 Senate St.; (803) 777-4236

Jasper Magazine will release its first photography-centric issue at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tapp’s Arts Center. Jasper staff photographers and local photographer Sean Rayford will exhibit some of their work. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a panel presentation on the state of photographic arts in Columbia featuring Jasper staffers, Rayford and USC professors Kathleen Robbins and Gordon Humphries. Tapp’s is at 1644 Main St.; www.facebook .com/jaspercolumbia

The FRESHNIZ: The Live Magazine Experience, a presentation coordinated by Izms of Art, is hosting a food edition at 6 tonight at Rosso Trattoria Italia. Hosted by producer Jah Freedom, The FRESHNIZ will feature Natasha Lorick, Johnny Smith and Bryan Tayara, as well as live food and art demonstrations. DJ B and THE Dubber will perform music. Rosso is at 4840 Forest Drive No. 7. $40, which includes dinner; (803) 315-5920 or email info@theblakmarket.com

The Columbia Museum of Art announced Victoria Cooke as curator of European art last week. Cooke was formerly the director of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at St. Petersburg College in Florida.