Go Columbia calendar

SUMTER IRIS FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter. Seventy-fifth annual event will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, boat rides, children’s activities, food and more. On Saturday, the East Coast Scooters will present their golf cart show from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; commemorative laser show, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. at the Sumter County Civic Center (admission is $5; age 12 and younger, free); Sumter’s own Bobby Richardson, MVP of the 1960 World Series, will be on hand all day to sign autographs, share reminiscences and his love for the community; the free Mary Hinson Flower Show will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Alice Boyle Garden Center. Also on Saturday, topiary artist Pearl Fryar will be sculpting shrubs in the Bland Gardens throughout the day, his creations will be auctioned off Sunday to help raise money for future festival activities. http://www.irisfestival.org

ROCKTON, RION & WESTERN RAILROAD: Nature excursions with Rudy Mancke, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, from the South Carolina Railroad Museum, 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro. Travel in open passenger cars and experience the wildlife and surroundings along the line. Tickets are $20. Special one-hour trip pulled by a former Air Force locomotive, 1 p.m. Saturday. Free for active and former members of the armed forces and their families. (803) 712-4135; http://www.scrm.org

BRUNCH & MUNCH FOOD TOUR: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Two Gals and a Fork and Historic Columbia team up for walking and tasting tour in the Vista. Meet at the Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. Tour includes stops at Liberty Taproom, Blue Marlin, Mellow Mushroom, World of Beer and Tin Roof. Individual tickets are $38; http://www.twogalsfoodtours.com

BOOK SIGNING: 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Books on Main, 1209 Main St., Newberry. Dr. Malika Salaam-Ambolley will be signing copies of her book, “My Life Journey … Through My Own Eyes.” The book shares the fears, challenges and personal hardships she encountered on her quest to achieve her educational goals as well as her arrest as a 16-year-old S.C. State College student during the 1960 civil rights college sit-ins in Orangeburg. For more information, email esimalika@yahoo.com.

“ALICE IN WONDERLAND”: 2 p.m. Saturday in Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St. USC Dance Conservatory students will perform an original ballet production of the Lewis Carroll classic. Tickets are $12. http://www.artsandsciences.sc.edu/dance

14th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS AND COUNTRY MUSIC HOEDOWN: 2:15-9:15 p.m. Saturday at Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile, 2212 State Park Road, Santee. Free, family-oriented event (don’t forget to tip the bands). Saturday’s lineup gets going with the Lone Star Picking Parlor performing and providing backup for open stage (crowd participation), 2:15-4 p.m.; Orangeburg’s Flatland Express Bluegrass Band takes the stage from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; followed by Charleston’s Lauren Hall Band, 7-9:15 p.m. Performances are outside, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Sunday’s schedule (in the restaurant’s main dining room) will feature Columbia’s Rockabilly Blues Band, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; Billy Isgett, soloist on clarinet and tenor sax, playing gospel, country and R&B, 1:30-2 p.m.; wrapping up the day will be gospel singing with Sumter’s Russell and Holly Blackwell, 2:15-3:15 p.m. (803) 854-2000

WILLSTOCK: 3 p.m. Saturday at Jake’s on Devine, 2112 Devine St. Fundraiser for local musician and Southern Roots Radio programmer Will Salley, diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Complex. Benefit concert featuring Elliott & The Untouchables, Joe Taylor, Tom Togilo & Friends with Johnny Few, Flat Out Strangers, Ewing & Adell and The Agents. Food and drink specials throughout the day as well as a silent auction. Tickets are $20; http://www.willsalley.com/WillStock.html

SITES & BITES FOOD TOUR: 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday. Two Gals and a Fork and Historic Columbia team up for walking and tasting tour in the Vista. Meet at the Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St. Tour includes stops at Pearlz Oyster Bar, Nonnah’s, SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar, Carolina Strip Club Steakhouse and Hickory Tavern. Individual tickets, $38; http://www.twogalsfoodtours.com

RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: 6-9 p.m. Saturday at West Columbia’s Riverwalk Amphitheatre, 121 Alexander Road. Free concert will feature Prettier than Matt; The Prairie Willows will open. http://www.rhythmontheriversc.com

RACHEL RIZZUTI: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT!: 7 p.m. Saturday at On Stage Performance Center, 680 Cherokee Lane, West Columbia. Showcase will feature love songs, pop/folk, inspirational music and musical theatre. Tickets are $18; couples, $30; age 12 and younger, $16. http://www.onstagesc.com

LINE DANCE PARTY: 7 p.m. Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Charles P. Murray Post 641, 534 S. Beltline Blvd. Pot luck supper, bring a dish to share. $5. (803) 782-5943

“MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Saluda Shoals Park Environmental Education Center, 5605 Old Bush River Road. Chapin Theatre Company PG-13 production features a collection of short theatrical works by award-winning American playwrights, TV writers and novelists in a celebration of motherhood and all its joys and frustrations. Tickets are $15. (803) 213-2025; http://www.chapintheatre.org

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE TRUSTUS SONGBOOK: 8 p.m. Saturday at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Musical showcase featuring Trustus performers, part of the Marv’s on Main series. Tickets are $20. http://www.trustus.org

RICK ALVITI: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Newberry Opera House, 1201 McKibben St., Newberry. Alviti’s Elvis tribute is high-energy and full of audience interaction. $37.50; groups, $35 per person. (803) 276-6264; http://www.newberryoperahouse.com

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT”: 8 p.m. Saturday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. King Arthur and his sidekick, Patsy, recruit a few good men from the Knights of the Very, Very, Very Round Table. Upon gathering the assortment of incomparable knights, the group goes in search of the Holy Grail. Additional show times at 3 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. May 28-30. $25; age 65 and older, active military and college students, $20; age 17 and younger, $15. (803) 799-2510

SUMTER IRIS FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter. Seventy-fifth annual event will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, boat rides, children’s activities, food and more. The Mary Hinson Flower Show will be held 1-4 p.m. at the Alice Boyle Garden Center; free. Topiary artist Pearl Fryar’s sculpted shrubs will be auctioned off to help raise money for future festival activities. http://www.irisfestival.org

14th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS AND COUNTRY MUSIC HOEDOWN: 11:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Sunday at Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile, 2212 State Park Road, Santee. Free family-oriented event (don’t forget to tip the bands). Schedule (in the restaurant’s main dining room) will feature Columbia’s Rockabilly Blues Band, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; Billy Isgett, soloist on clarinet and tenor sax, playing gospel, country and R&B, 1:30-2 p.m.; wrapping up the day will be gospel singing with Sumter’s Russell and Holly Blackwell, 2:15-3:15 p.m. (803) 854-2000

FRANK McCAULEY NEW MEDIA FESTIVAL: 2 p.m. Sunday at 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley St., Suite 205. The Sumter artist and curator will introduce Rossina Bossio’s “Holy Beauty Project,” Alvar Martin’s “Stockholm” and Victor Munoz’s “Inerts/Inertes.” Free.

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT”: 3 p.m. Sunday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. King Arthur and his sidekick, Patsy, recruit a few good men from the Knights of the Very, Very, Very Round Table. Upon gathering the assortment of incomparable knights, the group goes in search of the Holy Grail. $25; age 65 and older, active military and college students, $20; age 17 and younger, $15. (803) 799-2510

KERSHAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 3 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Hill Baptist Presbyterian Church, 20 Meeting Lane (off S.C. Highway 97), Liberty Hill. Sherman’s invasion of Kershaw District 1865; program will feature Patricia G. McNeely (“Sherman’s Flame & Blame Campaign”) and artifacts display by Harvey S. Teal. (803) 425-1123; http://www.kershawcountyhistoricalsociety.org

FRANK McCAULEY FILM MAKING WORKSHOP: 3 p.m. Sunday and May 31 at 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley St., second floor. Two- session workshop will explore various examples of mobile film making, using the basics of filming using mobile phone cameras, editing and effects apps. Each student will shoot and edit a short video exercise on their iPhone/iPod Touch. Participants must be age 12 and older. Each student is required to have an iPhone or iPod Touch with iOS7 or later (iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus) and no less than 1GB memory on the phone. Registration is $30; CCA members, $20. (803) 779-4571; http://www.701cca.org/event/the-frank-mccauley-film-making-work

BLYTHEWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Langford-Nord House, McNulty and Main streets. Salute to veterans, living and deceased, followed by a flag retirement ceremony conducted by local Boy Scouts (flags will be accepted at the event).

HONORING THE HEROES: 4 p.m. Sunday at the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Palmetto Concert Band Memorial Day tribute concert. Free.

FORT JACKSON NATIONAL CEMETERY: 9 a.m. Monday at 4170 Percival Road. Wreath laying ceremony and 21-gun salute to honor the service and sacrifice of more than 620,000 American men and women who have died in military service. Fort Jackson’s commander, Maj. Gen. Bradley Becker will give the keynote address.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 10 a.m. Monday at Pine Grove Cemetery, 433 Pineywoods Road. Retired Army Lt. Col. James Simon Cooper will speak on the theme of the Vietnam War. There will be be a Missing in Action prayer and wreath-laying; grave markers, flags and wreaths will be placed on 60 graves of veterans, community founders and civic freedom fighters.

SUMTER COUNTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION: Memorial Day program, 11 a.m. Monday at Gen. Mabry Memorial Park, U.S. 378/76, next to Shaw AFB, Sumter. Program will honor the deceased veterans who gave their lives to protect our country and keep it free. This year is the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Vietnam War and programs around the country are focusing on honoring the veterans of that conflict.

MEMORIAL DAY EVENT: Noon-5 p.m. Monday at the Harriet Barber House, 116 Barberville Loop, Hopkins. Ceremony with World War II veterans, guest speakers, honors, food, entertainment and more.

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA – COLUMBIA CHAPTER 303: Memorial Day ceremony, 1 p.m. Monday at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Memorial Park, 700 Hampton St.

COMMUNITY MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 7 p.m. Monday at Mount Hermon Lutheran Church, 3011 Leaphart Road, West Columbia. Service will feature patriotic songs by the Palmetto Mastersingers, recognition of all veterans and their branches of service and will be followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.

STATE MUSEUM: Second Shift Twosday, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. On the last Tuesday of the month, the public is invited to bring their personal acoustic instruments and jam with members of the Musicians and Songwriters Guild of South Carolina from 6-8 p.m. (inside the Carolina Makers exhibition in the Lipscomb Gallery). General museum admission is two for $10 after 5 p.m. and the Boeing Observatory will be open until 10 p.m. for night viewing. http://scmuseum.org

BOOK SIGNING: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Irmo Branch Library, 6251 St. Andrews Road. Meet New York Times bestselling author Karen White as she signs copies of her latest book, “The Sound of Glass.” (803) 798-7880, ext. 2; http://www.lex.lib.sc.us

“PETER OF NEVERLAND”: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Richland 2 District Auditorium, 7500 Brookfield Road (Richland Northeast High School). Stage play featuring the Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary Players. Free admission (donations will be accepted), refreshments will be available for sale. Come early for the 5 p.m. Red Carpet affair. (803) 736-8730; ext. 3133

SHAG AND LINE DANCE CLASSES: Wednesdays at VFW Charles P. Murray Post 641, 534 S. Beltline Blvd. Shag dancing class, 6-7 p.m.; line dancing, 7-9 p.m. $20 for four-week class. (803) 331-1644 or (803) 463-8446

GET INTO THE ACT: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, lecture on Richland County public transportation led by Bob Schneider, executive director of The Comet, as the Lourie Center celebrates Older Americans Month with a series of lectures open to the community. Free, preregister by calling (803) 779-1971, ext. 12 or email info@louriecentersc.com. The center is at 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park).

SNACK & LEARN – HEALTHY, FIT ’N FRUGAL: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Midlands Technical College Harbison Campus, 7300 College St., Irmo. $15. (803) 732-0432) http://www.midlandstech.edu/learn/training-courses/Wellness

FIVE AFTER FIVE: , 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday at the Five Points Fountain, Saluda Avenue at Harden Street. Free, family-friendly concert series will feature local food, arts and crafts vendors, domestic and craft beer selections, wine walk (complimentary wine, sales and specials in all your favorite retailers) and children’s activities (sidewalk chalk, bubbles, face painting and more). http://www.fivepointscolumbia.com

RHYTHM AND BLOOMS: Jackaroe closes out the series, 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Riverbanks Botanical Garden, 1300 Botanical Parkway. Music and flowers after hours, food concession and cash bar. $5; members, free. (803) 779-8717; http://riverbanks.org

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT”: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. King Arthur and his sidekick, Patsy, recruit a few good men from the Knights of the Very, Very, Very Round Table. Upon gathering the assortment of incomparable knights, the group goes in search of the Holy Grail. $25; age 65 and older, active military and college students, $20; age 17 and younger, $15. (803) 799-2510

FREE DINNER AND A MOVIE: 6 p.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd. Hot dog supper with chili, kielbasa, ice cream and door prizes, followed at 7 p.m. by the movie, “The Good Lie.” (803) 732-1899

“JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT”: 6:30 p.m. Friday in the parish life center at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Sumter and Calhoun streets. Pizza and drinks will be available for sale at 6 p.m. The performance will feature the Cookeville First United Methodist Youth Choir. Free admission, but a free-will offering will be accepted to benefit Family Promise of the Midlands. Limited seating; reserve your seats by emailing kathleen@familypromisemidlands.org

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT”: 8 p.m. Friday at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. King Arthur and his sidekick, Patsy, recruit a few good men from the Knights of the Very, Very, Very Round Table. Upon gathering the assortment of incomparable knights, the group goes in search of the Holy Grail. $25; age 65 and older, active military and college students, $20; age 17 and younger, $15. (803) 799-2510

RHOAD CUP FESTIVAL: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 30 at Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin. Benefit for the family of Brett and Jacob Rhoad, who were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as funding for research for treatment options for DMD. Event will feature 4 vs. 4 format soccer tournament for males and females age 6 to adult, silent auction and raffle, children’s activities, breakfast and lunch. Registration is $20 per player and each player must have a waiver on file. Registration deadline is Monday, May 25, to guarantee a spot but late registration on the schedule but late registration will be accepted if field space is available. http://www.rhoadcupfestival.com

SPRING VALLEY OPEN CAR AND TRUCK SHOW: May 30 in the Spring Valley High School student parking lot, 120 Sparkleberry Lane. Registration, 8 a.m.-noon, participant judging ends at 2 p.m., award presentations begin at 3 p.m. Dash plaques, food, entertainment, door prizes, 50/50 raffle and an auction (tools, auto parts, household items, gifts) will begin at 1:30 p.m. Capital City Corvette Club member cars will be on display but will not be judged. Preregistration is $20 per vehicle, day of the show, $25; high school student entries, free. Proceeds will benefit the Spring Valley High school automotive program. The event will be held rain or shine. (803) 240-1364, (803) 238-1942

HISTORIC WINDOWS RESTORATION WORKSHOP: 9 a.m.-noon May 30 at the Thompson Cottage, 1623 Richland St. Historic Columbia and the Committee for the Restoration and Beautification of Randolph Cemetery will hold a hands-on window restoration workshop to wrap up Preservation Month. Led by historic preservation professionals, participants will explore the reasons to restore historic windows and techniques for doing so. Light breakfast is included and tools and protective gear will be provided. $10; Historic Columbia members and students, $5. (803) 252-1770, ext. 23; http://www.historiccolumbia.org

“OUR STORIES, OUR PLACES – THE ROLE OF HISTORIC SITES AND MUSEUMS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY”: Historic Columbia roundtable discussion, 10 a.m. May 30 at First Calvary Baptist Church, 1401 Pine St. The event is free and open to the public; registration is not required but is appreciated. (803) 252-1770, ext. 23; http://www.historiccolumbia.org

“CAN YOU DIG IT?” BOOK RELEASE PARTY: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 30 at the State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Join eight-year-old Olivia McConnell at the release of her new children’s book. The book tells the story of how she was able to get South Carolina lawmakers to adopt the Columbian mammoth as the state’s official fossil. Books will be available for sale and signing. (803) 898-4921; http://www.museum.state.sc.us

SHRIMP, SHAGGIN’ AND SUDS: 5:30-9 p.m. May 30 at 104 Hendrix St., Lexington. Fundraiser for Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission’s Meals on Wheels program. Tickets are $40, includes Lowcountry shrimp boil, beer, wine and music. Tables for eight available for $300. (803) 356-5111; http://www.lcrac.com

RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: 6-9 p.m. May 30 at West Columbia’s Riverwalk Amphitheatre, 121 Alexander Road. Free concert will feature Bob Michalski & Friends. http://www.rhythmontheriversc.com

MONTY PYTHON’S “SPAMALOT”: 8 p.m. May 30 at Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St. King Arthur and his sidekick, Patsy, recruit a few good men from the Knights of the Very, Very, Very Round Table. Upon gathering the assortment of incomparable knights, the group goes in search of the Holy Grail. $25; age 65 and older, active military and college students, $20; age 17 and younger, $15. (803) 799-2510

“BILL W. AND DR. BOB”: June 4-13 at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. Story of the pioneers of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sponsored by FAVOR (Faces and Voices of Recovery); concessions will consist of coffees from DRIP, sodas, water, juices and candies. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 6. Tickets are $25; student tickets are $20 and available only at the box office. (803) 254-9732; http://www.trustus.org

LEARN TO DRAW COMICS: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 11 at the Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. One-day workshop will take students ages 8-14 through the steps of drawing some of their favorite super heroes and villains. $30, includes all supplies. Class size is a minimum of four and a maximum of 12. Registration deadline is June 1. (803) 545-3093 or e-mail bloliver@columbiasc.net

GLAZING BASICS WORKSHOP: Noon-3 p.m. June 13 at the Columbia Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Participants should bring one or two bisque pieces of stoneware or porcelain to test techniques (pieces should not exceed 6 inches in any direction. $30; Art Center members, $20. Class size is a minimum of four and a maximum of 12. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 28. (803) 545-3093; email bloliver@columbiasc.net

MOSAIC STEPPING STONE WORKSHOP: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, June 20 and 27 at the Parks and Recreation Art Center, 1928 Calhoun St. Two-day workshop will lead students through creating their own stepping stone from stained glass. $90, includes all supplies. Class size is a minimum of four and a maximum of 12. Registration deadline is June 6. (803) 545-3093 or email bloliver@columbiasc.net

COLUMBIA PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT SENIOR TRIP: Adults 50 and older will travel by charter bus to Washington, D.C., July 17-21. The bus departs from the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way. Scheduled attractions include the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian and Arlington National Cemetery. $369 per person, double occupancy. $50 deposit required, deadline for full payment is Wednesday, May 27. (803) 545-3100; https://www.columbiasc.net/parks-recreation

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 8:21 AM with the headline "Go Columbia calendar."