Make plans for Ratstafest, Brew at the Zoo

Farm to Gallery Dinner, 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 30 at SC State Museum. In conjunction with the Carolina Makers art exhibition, the museum will host a dinner in the middle of the exhibition gallery. Dine on local foods while enjoying the work of local craftspeople. Participating chefs include Kristian Niemi of Bourbon and Rosso, executive chef Frank Bradley of Bourbon, executive chef Travis Rayle of Rosso and Chef Brandon Vielle of Juniper in Ridge Spring. River Rat Brewery will supply craft beers. Live music from the Ruby Brunettes. Tickets: $150 per person, general public; $120 for museum members; available at scmuseum.org, or call (803) 737-4767.

Ratstafest at River Rat Brewery begins at noon Aug. 1. A $5 cover gets you into the Rat Cave, where you can enjoy live music, River Rat BBQ Jamaican Jerk pulled pork and chicken, M&M Italian Ice, KC Hot Dogs and Caribbean Wrap Wagon. Information at riverratbrewery.com.

Brew at the Zoo, rain or shine 7-9:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Riverbanks Zoo. Enjoy microbrew, domestic and import beers while wandering through the wildlife, or hang out in the plaza and listen to live music. Ages 21 and older only. Advance tickets: $35, Riverbanks members, $45, general public, $55, day of event. www.riverbanks.org.

Catch island fever at the Newberry Opera House Guild’s Luau, 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the West Home, 13074 S.C. 34, Newberry. There will be live music, a silent auction, a roasted pig, beer, wine, island drinks and a prize for the best island costume. Sponsored by the Newberry Opera House Guild, tickets are $40 available at the Opera House Box Office, (803) 276-6264, or from any NOH Guild member. Proceeds benefit Newberry Opera House.

Chefs, now’s your time to show off during the Columbia Small Plate Crawl Sept. 22-24. Presented by Six and Twenty Distillery, early registration (and reduced fee) for Columbia-area restaurants is Aug. 9; regular registration ends Sept. 4. During the three-day crawl event, restaurants will offer special small-plate menus, priced from $4 to $10, to showcase their cuisine. Restaurants may choose the block of time to participate (breakfast, lunch, dinner or all day). For information, contact Nichole Livengood at Nichole@CarolinaEpicurianEvents.com or call (864) 320-3002. Latest news at facebook.com/columbiasmallplatecrawl.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 5:13 PM.