Arts Planner: Dogs Rock (cats, too)
For the first time, the Midlands animal shelter Pets Inc. is recognizing a Philanthropist of the Year.
The recipient is Marty Fort, dog-lover and director of the Columbia Arts Academy and Lexington School of Music. Fort is a longtime supporter of the shelter and has donated more than $60,000 to the organization over the years, according to Pets Inc.
“I was raised in a family with music and dogs,” Fort said of his two passions. “I’m wired that way.”
Fort’s first dog, Chet (named after jazz trumpeter Chet Baker), came from Pets Inc. in 1997. The shelter’s original co-founder Pat McQueen personally brought the mutt to Fort’s house to adopt.
He started the annual concert Dogs Rock, featuring performances by Columbia Arts Academy and Lexington School of Music students. The concert proceeds go to Pets Inc.
Dogs Rock returns Saturday for its third year, at which Pets Inc. will present Fort with the Philanthropist of the Year award. Students will perform classic rock and modern cover songs as well as a few originals. There will also be food trucks on site during the concert at Pets Inc.
It’s safe to say that Fort and his students think dogs rock, he said. “And cats are pretty cool, too.”
3-6 p.m. Saturday at Pets Inc., 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia. The concert is family friendly, pet friendly and free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. www.petsinc.org
OTHER ARTS EVENTS AROUND THE MIDLANDS
Parker Quartet Family Concert
The University of South Carolina School of Music's Quartet-in-Residence ends a week of master classes and community outreach with a free concert. This concert includes Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence,” one of the composer’s rare chamber music works written in 1890. Joining the quartet on this piece are USC faculty members Robert Jesselson, professor of cello, and Daniel Sweaney, associate professor of viola.
5 p.m. Sunday at Johnson Performance Hall, Darla Moore School of Business, 1014 Greene St. Free. www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music
‘ART: A Collection of Collections’
The S.C. State Museum is home to a collection of nearly 4,000 works of art and handmade objects related to South Carolina, dating to 1590. This new exhibit in the Lipscomb Gallery showcases the talents of many creative South Carolina natives and artists who have relocated to this area to continue their craft.
Exhibit opens 10 a.m. Saturday at the museum, 301 Gervais St. Free with general admission. scmuseum.org/explore/exhibits
1865 Battle at Congaree Creek guided walking tour
This 2-mile, hour-long guided walking tour includes stops that feature the history of the 1865 battle, as well as stories of soldier and civilian accounts of what happened during the burning of Columbia.
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays through June 25 at Cayce Tennis Center, 1120 Congaree Trail, Cayce. Free. riveralliance.org/battlefield-tours/
USC Fashion Week
Paris recently wrapped up its latest fashion week. Now, it’s time for USC’s. The week includes a Fashion Symposium on Tuesday and the 5th Annual Student Designer Showcase on Wednesday.
Fashion week begins Monday. Some events are ticketed. www.facebook.com/fashionboardusc
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This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 7:00 AM.