TheState.com: Entertainment

Beaufort plans 'American Idol' watch parties

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:39 EDT

Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling says the city will hold watch parties for Candice Glover's final two nights on "American Idol" this week.

Keyserling tells the Island Packet (http://bit.ly/11vMHeN) that Beaufort's Performing Arts Center will host a viewing party Wednesday for the show, which airs at 8 p.m. on Fox.

City officials will decide by Monday whether to hold a viewing party for the two-hour season finale Thursday at the Highway 21 Drive In or at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Because of limited space at the arts center, tickets are required for Wednesday's watch party. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce or the arts center.

St. Helena Island native Glover and Woodville, Texas, native Kree Harrison are the show's finalists.

Regional Concert Calendar

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:24 EDT

Make plans to see your favorite entertainers. Call the venue for showtimes and ticket prices. Some dates might be tentative or might not yet have tickets on sale.

Columbia

Colonial Life Arena, Lincoln and Greene streets. www.LMCtix.com; (855) 456-2849. May 18, Black Expo; June 25, WWE Smackdown; Aug. 5, Justin Bieber

Comedy House Theatre, 2768 Decker Blvd., (803) 798-9898. www.comedyhouse.us. Tonight-Monday, Rudy Rush; May 22-26, John Morgan; June 5-9, Damon Williams and Marvin Hunter

Rhythm on the River, West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater, 121 Alexander Road, West Columbia; www.rhythm ontheriversc.com. Saturday, Jahson & the Natty Vibez Band; May 18, The Blue Iguanas; May 25, Danielle Howle and Randall Bramblett; June 1, Brian Conner & His Amazing Friends; June 8, Mandy Addy & The Diving Horses and Scottie Frier Band; June 15, Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor Jam Session

Things to do and see, May 10-16

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:30 EDT

Friday, May 10

“On the Battlefield: Rev. C.J. Whitaker and the North Columbia Civic Club” will be held at 6 p.m. Friday in the Greenview Park Community Center, 6700 David St. Event includes a panel discussion on the life and legacy of Rev. Whitaker and the formation of the North Columbia Civic Club. An influential political organizer and the first African-American to lead the Richland County Democratic Party, Rev. Whitaker helped established the NCCC in 1963. Speakers include Donna Whitaker Rogers, Joe Brown, James Felder, I.S. Leevy Johnson and Kay Patterson. A reception will follow. Sponsored by Columbia SC 63 and the Greenview Community. www.columbiasc63.com

Saturday, May 11

The Restoration Ranch 5K and kids fun run is slated for Saturday at 812 Fair St., Camden; next to Bethel Worship Center. Race day registration and packet pickup at 7 a.m.; kids fun run starts at 7:40; the 5K run/walk begins at 8. The course will go by some of Camden’s beautiful scenic and historic homes on Fair and Lyttleton streets, with the finish line back at 812 Fair St. 5K, $35; kids fun run, $10. Register at www.strictlyrunning.com. Proceeds benefit the Restoration Ranch, an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.

Otis Taylor’s Picks of the Week

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:28 EDT

8 tonight: John Anderson at Newberry Opera House. John Anderson will be best remembered for “Swingin’,” the early ’80s country hit that won the CMA for song of the year in 1983. Other memorable songs by Anderson include “Would You Catch a Falling Star,” “1959” and “I Just Came Home to Count the Memories.” The opera house is at 1201 McKibben St., Newberry. $37.50; (803) 276-6264

9 tonight: New York Disco Villains at Conundrum Music Hall. New York Disco Villains, a band that accurately describes itself as a “multimedia carnival rock extravaganza,” will be playing Conundrum for the first time. Get ready for a party. “We’ve never played there before so it will be an exciting adventure,” NYDV’s Clark Watson wrote in an e-mail. With The Flannel Chaps, a band comprised of former members of The Thirsties. Conundrum is at 626 Meeting St., West Columbia. $5; www.conundrum.us

Glover's SC hometown holds American Idol watch party

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:07 EDT
Tears flowed freely when “American Idol” aired the footage of Candice Glover’s hometown visit on the show Wednesday — and again when she received prolonged praise from the judges — an “in it to win it” and a “another best performance ever on this show.”
Glover was emotional throughout much of the hometown video segment.
So were the judges.
And so were many of those who packed the watch party at Highway 21 Drive In in Beaufort.
The St. Helena Island native could barely speak after performing Emile Sande’s “Next To Me,” the judges’ song choice for the night.

Rosewood Crawfish Festival's music maker

Wed, 08 May 2013 23:24 EDT
Is there anything Dave Britt hasn’t done in the music business?
He’s a musician. As a former part-owner of All-In Entertainment, he helped run the concert calendar of regional clubs such as Amos’ Southend in Charlotte, The Music Farm in Charleston and Headliners (now defunct) in the Vista. Britt was a co-owner of The White Mule, the sorely missed Main Street bar and listening room.
Britt, who has long been a player in making St. Pat’s in Five Points happen, also puts music together for the River Rocks Festival and this weekend’s Rosewood Crawfish Festival. The latter is part of his duties as executive director for the Greater Rosewood Merchants Association.
The association is partnering with Sustainable Midlands’ Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival, so Britt is also taking a bite out of the July 20 festival.
“It had a really good showing last year, and I think we can really build on it,” Britt said, noting that in its fourth year the festival, usually held on a Sunday, is moving to a Saturday.

Not all ‘mammas’ in the animal world are nurturing

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:12 EDT
Isabella Rossellini’s search for the meaning of maternal instinct in “Mammas” looks at nine animals where things like polygamy, lying and dying convince her that “anything goes.”
The program timed to air Mother’s Day on the Sundance Channel is just the latest offbeat offering from the model-actress, who gets in costume and plays the parts of the animals.
In “Mammas,” Rossellini dresses as a mother spider, wasp, hamster, toad, cuckoo, dunnock, oil beetle, piping plover and cichlid fish to show how each brings her young into the world. The shorts also launch on sundancechannel.com on Mother’s Day.
“Mammas” is suggestive, but the episodes are mostly for comedy and entertainment, Rossellini said. They are also food for thought, the 60-year-old New Yorker believes.
Several women biologists, challenging popular thinking about maternal instinct, recently studied how animals behave, Rossellini said. Many people believe all mothers are altruistic, nurturing, protective and unselfish but they are not, she said.

Meet the last women standing on 'American Idol'

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:01 EDT
It hasn't been an easy road for the three final "American Idol" contestants.
Candice Glover was twice rejected by the show before making it to the final three. Kree Harrison chased her dream for so long in Nashville, she thought it might be time to give up. And Angie Miller sang despite having suffered ruptured ear drums and impaired hearing.
Now the three women will duke it out Wednesday night on Fox as the journey winds down for two of them - and one is crowned the winner on next week's finale. Here are their stories.
---
CANDICE GLOVER

‘Myrtle Manor’ to wrap first season Sunday, with local reaction stubbornly mixed

Sun, 05 May 2013 19:49 EDT
For nine episodes, an average of 1.1 million viewers have tuned in to “Welcome to Myrtle Manor.” Friday’s announcement of a second season means those 1.1 million fans will have at least 10 more episodes to enjoy.
“Myrtle Manor,” a “docu-drama” series filmed at Patrick’s Mobile Home Park on Highway 15 last year in Myrtle Beach, will air its season finale Sunday. It’s not yet clear when filming will start again or when the second season will hit the air.
But even before the show even premiered on March 3, it had been the talk of the town with many bracing themselves for what they thought would cast the city in a negative light.
“It ends on Sunday?” asked Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes on Thursday. “That tells you how much I’ve been watching.”
Rhodes said he hasn’t heard much talk about the show from residents since the first few episodes aired. The show premiered to 1.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen, the company that measures the ratings of television shows. It’s averaged about 1.1 million viewers over nine episodes, pulling in that many viewers on the April 28 episode.

Arts Planner

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:33 EDT
If you’re looking for puppets to hang out with this weekend, don’t ask for directions to Sesame Street; go to Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College at 2 p.m. Saturday for the Southeastern Family Puppet Slam. The slam, produced by Kimi Maeda and Lyon Hill of Belle et Bete, the coordinators of the Spork in Hand Puppet Slam at the Indie Grits Festival, will present colorful family humor. These puppets are cool enough for kids and adults to enjoy. Artists from Columbia and Asheville and Chapel Hill, N.C., will perform. The theater is at 7300 College St., Irmo. $10; www.harbisontheatre.org
“Red Social: Portraits of Collaboration by Alejandro Garcia-Lemos,” an exhibition of more than 20 portraits of people who orbit Columbia’s arts scene that opened in September at Columbia College’s Goodall Gallery, is being revisited. On Thursday, Muddy Ford Press will release “Red Social – Portraits of Collaboration,” a book that will feature Garcia-Lemos’ portraits and short fiction stories about the characters by Cynthia Boiter. Boiter also edits Jasper Magazine. This has the potential to be the most interesting art piece of the year. The book launch party is at 8 p.m. Thursday at The Friday Cottage, corner of Richland and Henderson streets. $25 per person or $30 for couples, which includes an open bar and signed copy of “Red Social”; www.muddyfordpress.com

Hometown fans turn out for 'Idol' finalist Candice Glover

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:02 EDT
In impossibly high heels, black jeans and a white-studded jacket familiar to her “American Idol” fans, Candice Glover shone Saturday evening before a sea of fans, who packed the streets for a parade and concert in downtown Beaufort despite gray skies and intermittent rain.
It was a long and emotional day for Glover — filled with appearances, autographs, family reunions and filming — but the Top 3 “Idol” finalist didn’t hold back, showing her hometown exactly why she’s made it this far. She performed for about 45 minutes and sang five songs, including “Idol” familiars “Girl On Fire” and “Lovesong.”
“I have to save my voice as much as possible,” she said before singing “Come Together,” which she allowed the crowd to choose.
Fans held signs and chanted “Candice,” and although they seemed to enjoy themselves, “Idol” production starts, stops and instructions reminded them that they were, in fact, there to film segments for this week’s show.
During the concert, Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling gave Glover a giant key to the city — something he has not done before. Designing the key required some improvisation, he said, requiring him to consult with local businesses and members of the arts community. Keyserling told Glover: “We’re going to open a recording studio here. That way you can enjoy some macaroni and fried chicken any time you want.”

‘Thrash metal’ guitarist, 49, dies

Sat, 04 May 2013 23:08 EDT
Jeff Hanneman, a guitarist for the influential metal band Slayer, who helped shape the group’s sonic assault and wrote some of its most popular — and controversial — songs, died Thursday at a hospital near his home east of Los Angeles. He was 49.
The cause was liver failure, according to the band’s website. The band reported in recent years that Hanneman suffered from a rare flesh-eating disease that doctors said he might have contracted through a spider bite.
Hanneman, who grew up in Southern California listening to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, was still a teenager when he formed Slayer with another guitarist, Kerry King, in 1981. With Tom Araya on bass and Dave Lombardo on drums, Slayer began creating some of the darkest music and imagery in metal, conveyed with the furious finger work and nearly nonstop down-strumming that are often part of the subgenre known as thrash metal.
Hanneman wrote about serial killers and terrorists, rapists and dead women. The release of the band’s albums was sometimes delayed by record labels’ concern about graphic lyrics and cover art.
Hanneman wrote perhaps the band’s best-known song, “Angel of Death,” from Slayer’s breakthrough 1986 album, “Reign in Blood,” produced by Rick Rubin. The song describes torturous experimental surgeries performed by Nazi physician Joseph Mengele at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Some critics have accused the band members of being Nazis and racists; Hanneman said Slayer was simply interested in history and evil.

‘Myrtle Manor’ picked up for second season

Sat, 04 May 2013 13:39 EDT
Get ready for another season of “Welcome to Myrtle Manor.”
The docu-drama, filmed in Patrick’s Mobile Home Park off S.C. 15 in Myrtle Beach, has been picked up for a second season that will air in 2014, TLC announced Friday, just two days before the finale of the first season.
The network picked up the show for another 10 episodes, each lasting an hour, said TLC spokeswoman Shannon Martin. Martin declined to comment further about the show and TLC’s decision to order more episodes.
It’s unclear when filming will start, whether all the stars will return and when in 2014 the show will air.
The news comes less than a week after three of the stars on the show were arrested in Myrtle Beach within three days, two for DUI and one for criminal sexual conduct with a minor under age 16.

Kenny’s Columbia comeback

Sun, 05 May 2013 11:55 EDT
If you are using our new tablet app for the iPad, please view the concert photos in the Galleries section
Kenny Chesney’s return to Williams-Brice Stadium was triumphant, and it was apparent early in the afternoon that the threat of poor weather wasn’t going to keep No Shoes Nation, the name given to Chesney’s fervent fans, from hanging out with their best friend. Hours before Saturday’s concert, they arrived to party at the pre-concert tailgate called KennyGate.
Though official numbers won’t be released until this week, organizers estimated the attendance at 45,000, an impressive number since walk-up ticket sales may have been hampered because of the cool temperatures. The following are a handful of observations from the daylong event that began at 10 a.m.
Get on the good foot: On the very first song of his 2008 stadium concert, Chesney broke his foot because of a stage malfunction as he was lifted from beneath the structure. There weren’t any such problems this time around, as Chesney chose a simpler entrance by just standing at center stage. Before he appeared, there was a video montage that included a shot of him at the top of the stadium wearing a USC Gamecocks helmet.
Rain, rain, go away: It was the misty, annoying rain. Poncho and baseball cap rain. Not run-for-cover rain. Those who opted for shorts and short sleeves or dresses and cowboy boots, probably regretted the wardrobe decision by nightfall. When Chesney last played the stadium, a tent-blowing storm kicked through the area, dampening the festive atmosphere for not longer than an hour. By the time Chesney played Saturday, the rain had stopped.
Monster truck: Most of the doors on Jack Payne’s truck were open as “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band pumped hard through speakers. It was as if his custom-built Ford truck was in a car show because people kept stopping for pictures and asking to peek inside. More of a tank than a truck, the F-650 model, which seats 10, had bottles of liquor on the truck’s tail. Instead of a Ford emblem on the grill, Payne has “Pain” in Ford’s font. Below it a No Shoes Nation vanity license plate. What makes Chesney so great?

American Idol finalist a winner in SC hometown

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:32 EDT
When Candice Glover watched previous seasons of “American Idol,” she used to imagine what it would be like to experience the hometown parade and concert that the Top 3 contestants on the show receive.
“I had dreamed about this,” she said when she arrived Friday evening at a private air terminal at the Savannah-Hilton Head Island International airport. Glover, who made it to the Top 3 in the reality singing show on Thursday night, was returning to Beaufort County to have her own parade and concert, which will be Saturday in downtown Beaufort.
About 125 fans from Beaufort, Yemassee and Savannah were ready and waiting at the airport for the St. Helena Island native. They held colorful signs, shouted welcomes and took plenty of pictures on their cellphones.
The crowd swarmed her as she came down the stairs from the jet. Glover stood in the rain, giving hugs and signing autographs before she made her way into the terminal. After meeting her, one little girl ran away screaming, "Can you believe that’s her?"
This was Glover's third try at "American Idol." She had auditioned in 2009, 2011 and again last summer.

Chesney last-minute guide

Fri, 03 May 2013 23:33 EDT
What you need to know for Saturday’s No Shoes Nation tour:
Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium
Tickets: $31.50-$227

Things to do and see, May 3-9

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:43 EDT
FRIDAY, MAY 3
“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, draws upon the films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood with a production accentuated by film and photography. The play, directed by Dewey Scott-Wiley, opens at 8 p.m. Friday and runs through May 18 at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Multimedia segments include pieces filmed in a Victorian home in Columbia and still shots of Vera “in the gutter” (the parking lot surrounding the theater) while concerned patrons from neighboring businesses stared on in alarm. (803) 254-9732; www.trustus.org
SATURDAY, MAY 4
The Humane Society will hold a giant yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Woodhill Storage Centre, 6000 Garners Ferry Road. Food trucks will be on site and cats and dogs will be available for adoption. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and its efforts to end the overpopulation of unwanted animals by offering low-cost spay and neuter surgeries and investigation of animal cruelty and neglect cases. (803) 783-1267; www.humanesc.org

Otis Taylor’s Picks of the Week

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:44 EDT
10 a.m. Friday: Black Cowboy Festival at Greenfield Farm. The Black Cowboy Festival, which began Thursday, continues through Sunday. On Friday there’s a cowboy trail ride at 10 a.m., as well as line dance classes. At night, there’s a western dinner and dance. The fun begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and the entertainment includes a horse competition, live music, hay ride and a petting zoo, among other attractions. Some events require reservations. Bring your lawn chair. The farm is at 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. (803) 499-9658 or www.blackcowboyfestival.net

7 p.m. Friday: Arts & Draughts at Columbia Museum of Art. Arts & Draughts will feature a Widmer Brothers Brewing beer tasting hosted by The Whig; music by Dead Surf, The Kernal, Diali Cissokho & Kairaba and The Restoration; and food by Earth Fare and Bone-In Artisan Barbecue on Wheels. There’s also a scavenger hunt, interactive Simon Says game, live figure drawing by Dr. Sketchy’s and a unique perspective tour through the collection with MVS Chandrashekhar. The museum is at Main and Hampton streets. $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers; www.columbiamuseum.org/artsanddraughts

Regional Concert Calendar

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:12 EDT
Make plans to see your favorite entertainers. Call the venue for showtimes and ticket prices. Some dates might be tentative or might not yet have tickets on sale.
Columbia
Colonial Life Arena, Lincoln and Greene streets. www.LMCtix.com; (855) 456-2849. Saturday, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band and Eli Young Band at Williams-Brice Stadium; May 18, Black Expo; June 25, WWE Smackdown; Aug. 5, Justin Bieber
Comedy House Theatre, 2768 Decker Blvd., (803) 798-9898. www.comedyhouse.us. Wednesday-May 12, Rudy Rush; May 22-26, John Morgan; June 5-9, Damon Williams and Marvin Hunter
Rhythm on the River, West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater, 121 Alexander Road, West Columbia; www.rhythmontheriversc.com. May 11, Jahson & the Natty Vibez Band; May 18, The Blue Iguanas; May 25, Danielle Howle and Randall Bramblett; June 1, Brian Conner & His Amazing Friends; June 8, Mandy Addy & The Diving Horses and Scottie Frier Band; June 15, Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor Jam Session

SC woman makes ‘American Idol’ Top 3

Thu, 02 May 2013 23:39 EDT
On Saturday, Candice Glover will get to do what she’s wanted to for weeks: thank Beaufort County for supporting her on “American Idol.”
After being named to the show’s Top 3 on Thursday night, the St. Helena Island native will return to Beaufort for a hometown concert and parade on Saturday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
Glover, Angie Miller of Beverly, Mass., and Kree Harrison of Woodville, Texas, all get hometown trips this weekend. Eliminated Thursday night after the contestant performances Wednesday night was Amber Holcomb of Houston.
“I’d love to come home and see all the buzz people are talking about,” Glover said in a phone interview last week.
But she’s most excited about visiting with her six siblings whom she hasn’t seen since leaving for the contest in February.

He’s back: Your ultimate guide to Kenny Chesney concert Saturday

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:38 EDT
In 2008, it was apparent that Kenny Chesney was too big to play at the Colonial Life Arena. So the arena brought Chesney’s “Poets & Pirates Tour 2008” to Williams-Brice Stadium. Here are my favorite moments from covering the concert.
1. I do: Not a moment from the show, but a detail that makes the concert memorable. I missed my college roommate’s wedding to cover the show. Five years later, I still wrestle with that decision. Chesney did break his foot, and my story blanketed the web — well, my reporting, rather, as it was repurposed without credit. Who knew that would be such a problem for newspapers? I was in the wedding party and I didn’t show up. I still received a gift, a Coach money clip. “I wanted to give a practical gift that people would actually use and since you guys are all ballers,” my former roommate wrote.
For what it’s worth, Neil, I balled so hard at the concert that I should’ve been fined. The party was that “cray.”

Kenny Chesney and Steve Spurrier, together again

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:38 EDT
The friendship between Steve Spurrier, the University of South Carolina football coach, and Kenny Chesney dates back to at least 2007.
In April of that year at a concert at the Colonial Life Arena, the country music superstar brought Spurrier on stage. Chesney sang “Happy Birthday” to Spurrier and gave a cake to the coach, who, naturally, took a poke at Clemson fans.
“If they weren’t friends before that, I’m sure they’ve been friends since,” Global Spectrum’s Lexie Boone, general manager of Colonial Life Arena, said.
It seems like an unlikely friendship, given their professions. But also because Chesney, who was a guest picker for ESPN’s “CollegeGameday” last season, is a Tennessee fan.
Wasn’t it Spurrier who once said, “You can’t spell Citrus without UT,” an obvious dig at Tennessee’s previous bowl fortunes?

No Shoes Nation guide: Other performers

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:38 EDT
Other performers
The openers for Kenny Chesney’s concert at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2008 were LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan. Here is a bit more about who is opening Saturday.
Zac Brown Band: The Zac Brown Band is one of a handful of groups who will lead the country music genre for the foreseeable future. The band, which performed at the Colonial Life Arena in March 2012, took home Grammy awards for best new artist in 2009 and best country collaboration with vocals in 2010. It also won the CMA’s new artist of the year award in 2010. Nine ZBB singles — “Chicken Fried,” “Toes,” “Highway 20 Ride,” “Whatever It Is,” “Free,” “Colder Weather,” “Keep Me in Mind,” “As She’s Walking Away (featuring Alan Jackson)” and “Knee Deep (featuring Jimmy Buffett)” — have topped Billboard’s country charts, as the band’s blend of traditional country, jam, reggae and Southern rock has resonated. “Uncaged,” the band’s album that was released in July, won the 2013 Grammy Award for best country album.
Kacey Musgraves: The 2012 top 15 single “Merry Go ‘Round” is the biggest hit for the former “Nashville Star” contestant who has toured with Lady Antebellum. Songs she’s written have been recorded Gretchen Wilson and Miranda Lambert, the latter who was on “Nashville Star” but didn’t win. That is a good sign for Musgraves.
Eli Young Band: Mike Eli (vocals and guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass) and Chris Thompson (drums) have been playing together for more than a decade. In the last two years, the band has become an elite country music touring act. “Crazy Girl,” released in March 2011, was the top country song of 2011, according to Billboard Magazine. Written by Liz Rose and Sumter’s Lee Brice, “Crazy Girl” won song of the year at the 2012 ACM Awards. “Even if it Breaks Your Heart,” the second single off “Life at Best,” the band’s 2011 album, was released in January 2012 and also reached No. 1. The band played at the South Carolina State Fair with Jake Owen in October.

3-for Thursday

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:24 EDT
Cowboy Festival
The Black Cowboy Festival will be held through Sunday on Greenfield Farm in Rembert. On Thursday, there are workshops on agriculture and self-reliance and a fish fry at 6 p.m. On Friday, there’s a cowboy trail ride at 10 a.m., as well as line dance classes. At night, there’s a western dinner and dance. The fun begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the entertainment includes a horse competition, live music, hay ride and a petting zoo, among other attractions. Some events require reservations. Bring your lawn chair. The farm is at 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. (803) 499-9658 or www.blackcowboyfestival.net
Five After Five
There are three concerts left in the Five After Five series that began last week. The Rival Brothers and The Casual Kings play Thursday. (Weaving the Fate on May 9 and Bryson Jennings the following week.) The free show is from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Five Points Fountain; www.fivepointscolumbia.com
First Thursdays

Band of Horses’ homerun trot

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:22 EDT
It was in the later innings of baseball games, particularly during the ones that were close, when I would be most vocal. Instead of cheering on my team, I would sing songs.
In the summer of 1990, while playing in the Major A league on the fields at Seven Oaks Park, my go-to song was “Between the Sheets” by the Isley Brothers. I played shortstop for FSI, and our ace pitcher, John Fraser, would frequently tell me to shut up. As I recall, the team’s third baseman, Ben Bridwell, was amused as I strained to mimic Ronald Isley’s smooth falsetto: “Ooh baby, baby. I feel your love surrounding me.”
Bridwell, like my other teammates, chose not to join me. I was 12, relatively new to Columbia, and dreaming of a singing career while playing my way toward baseball stardom. Neither quite worked out.
But more than 20 years later, Bridwell, the lead singer of Band of Horses, the country-inflected indie-rock quintet that plays at Township Auditorium Friday, has one of the most recognizable voices in rock music. His voice, a “honeyed whine,” as described by a Pitchfork writer, haunts and soothes at the same time.
“I never really tried it,” said Bridwell, who participated in performing arts in middle school, when asked why it took so long to discover his voice. “It’s not like I was stealing the lead from Chase Sternenberg. He wasn’t in danger.”