Arts Planner: Party like Gatsby, laugh with the Griswolds

Columbia Museum of Art Contemporaries Announces 2016 Silver Screen Affair

A night in old Hollywood awaits at the Columbia Museum of Art Contemporaries fundraising gala in February, with event organizers announcing Wednesday a theme for 2016 of “A Silver Screen Affair.”

Appropriately, the event will occur just a week before the film industry’s 88th Academy Awards. The gala is the signature event for the museum members’ group and is a major fundraiser for its art acquisition projects.

“We wanted to create an event theme for this year that embodies the glamour and glitz of the 1920s in Tinseltown,” said Caroline Jones who, along with Justin Drafts, chairs this year’s event.

After walking the red carpet and striking a pose for the waiting paparazzi, guests will experience a 1920s-infused evening worthy of Jay Gatsby himself. The evening will feature a silent auction of art from regional South Carolina artists, culinary delights by Hudson’s Classic Catering and event design by Cricket Newman. Partygoers can dance the night away to a blend of motown, R&B and soul music by Carolina band Finesse.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual fundraising gala Feb. 20. $75 individuals, $135 couples; $55 individual Contemporaries members, $135 Contemporaries couples. www.columbiamuseum.org/happenings

Christmas classics at Nickelodeon Theatre

How about seeing some old-school Christmas movies on the big screen?

The Nick this week is showing “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the 1946 film starring James Stewart, and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” about the zany antics of the Griswold family. If watching these movies isn’t already among your holiday traditions, it should be.

“It’s A Wonderful Life:” 3 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Monday; $8

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:” 6:30 p.m. Thursday; $10.

Nickelodeon Theatre is at 1607 Main St. (803) 254-3433, www.nickelodeon.org

‘Sandra Carr: A Retrospective’

There’s still time to see “Sandra Carr: A Retrospective,” featuring the significant works that span the artist’s professional career as well as some new installations. Figurative sculptures of whimsical dancers, solemn sages and fantastic characters from Carr’s imagination will be on display until Dec. 26.

Tapp’s Arts Center, 1644 Main St. www.tappsartscenter.com/events/

New group exhibition at If ART Gallery

Columbia’s if ART Gallery’s December features four artists who are new to the gallery. The work of Michael Cassidy, Mark Flowers, Jaime Misenheimer and Jay Owens will be on view through Jan. 2. The pieces range from highly detailed paintings of plants to mixed media collages.

If ART Gallery is at 1223 Lincoln St. www.ifartgallery.blogspot.com/

Jam Room Christmas Party

The Columbia recording studio presents a party with a free buffet, cash bar, dancing and a surprise musical guest.

7 p.m. Sunday at Art Bar, 1211 Park St.; free. www.jamroomstudio.com

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 4:00 AM.