Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

Center Stage: What’s Hot in the Midlands

FRIDAY, AUG. 28

Two theatrical ballets will debut this weekend at the CMFA Art Space. “Words” and “LOVERS, ” from DANCEWORDZ, a production duo — H.G. Roberts and Wayland Anderson — that melds poetry, ballet and acting, will show at CMFA tonight and Saturday.

These works are about confronting issues: “Words” essays on the influence of language, and “LOVERS,” an adaptation of Roberts’ book with the same title, explores relationships.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. CMFA Art Space is at 914 Pulaski St. $25 online at www.dancewordz.com and $30 at the door; (803) 771-6303

“Night Time at the State Museum” was so popular that it’s back. From 6 to 10 p.m., folks can hang out at the State Museum and watch Ben Stiller’s “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” More than 300 people attended the last event.

Guests will get a free box of popcorn and a drink. Other snacks will be available for purchase. After the movie, guests can take a flashlight (bring your own!) tour of the museum’s darkened galleries. Here’s a bonus: Brooks Garner, a WIS-10 meteorologist, will be in the “Powers of Nature” gallery.

The museum is at 301 Gervais St. $10 to $15; (803) 898-4921

The G.C.S.P.S. (Greater Columbia Society for the Preservation of Soul) will hold a dance party at The Whig at 8 p.m. The soul music will take you back in time.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29

The 8th annual Run Wild Cross Country Festival will be held at Sesqui State Park. The event is all off-road, so wear shoes you might not want to take back into the house.

There’s a 5K run and walk, kids’ fun runs and high school races. The course, a 3.1-mile loop, features grassy fields, dirt roads, wooded trails and a lake-front finish. The racing, which starts at 8 a.m., is hosted by Richland Northeast High School’s cross country team. For more information, call coach Ginger Belka at (803) 556-6285. Visit www.strictlyrunning.com for registration.

The enchanting tale of “Snow White” opens at the Columbia Marionette Theatre. The theater is at 401 Laurel St. $4; (803) 252-7366

Greg Slattery’s Trade Pandemic is an art collective show. Slattery (who plays in Shallow Palace, which will also perform) has cultivated a group of talents artists and friends to exhibit/perform. Here’s a partial list: screen printers, photographers, painters, hair stylists, chefs, metal etchers and glassblowers. And bands, including Twilight Armada, .leavelifealone., Chaos In Gotham, Heart Machine, Dylan Lee and DJ Gldfngr. The show starts at 7 p.m. Art Bar is at 1211 Park St. $5; (803) 929-0198

SUNDAY, AUG. 30

The days of summer are fading fast. In the past week, haven’t you thought, “Isn’t it getting dark early?” The last Southern Patriot Purple Martin Cruise will be Sunday and Monday.

The Southern Patriot is a 65-foot double-deck cruise boat on Lake Murray. It can hold up to 100 people.

The cruises are 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday and 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday. The cruise costs $29. For more information, call (803) 749-8594 or visit www.lakemurraytours.com.

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