Larry Hembree sings for his birthday at Trustus

Trustus Theatre Executive Director, Larry Hembree, will continue his annual roster of zany fundraisers this week when “Larry’s Favorite Things” debuts at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Music Farm, 1022 Senate St., Columbia.

“Yes, that’s right,” Hembree says, “I am turning 55 years old on June 5 and so I am forcing everyone to contribute to Trustus Theatre in order to celebrate with me so I can get my next paycheck.”

Thursday’s program will feature many of Hembree’s favorite performing artists, who will sing live with no musical tracks. It will include the “sort-of magnificent” Twitty Triplets, who will present a Cher medley from their upcoming Trustus premiere of Robbie Robertson’s “The Twitty Triplets Return.”

The more “legitimate” talent will include Caroline Weidner, Kevin Bush, Janet Hopkins, Courtney Selwyn and Mark Zeigler among others, singing some of Hembree’s songs.

Admission to “Larry’s Favorite Things” is $30 and tickets can be purchased at trustus.org or by calling (803) 254-9732.

An after party will begin at 11 p.m. at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., and will include beer and wine. Admission to the party is $25 and tickets will be available during the Music Farm event or at the Trustus door.

Winners in state park film contest

Nine South Carolina high school students have been named winners in the 2015 Young Filmmaker’s Project.

The project is a joint effort of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Film Office and Trident Technical College and encourages participants to put together a story through film about the state park of their choice.

Azure Allen, a home-schooled student from Conway, claimed first place for her film “The Sharpest Sense,” which was filmed at Table Rock State Park.

Sabri Irizarry, Taylor Irizarry, and Aslan Irizarry, all Columbia home-schooled students, placed second for “Oh Henry,” which was filmed at Sesquicentennial State Park.

Christopher Collins, a home-schooled student from of Pawleys Island, placed third for “The One,” which was filmed at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site.

Honorable Mention honors went to Drew Keefer, Owen Keefer and John Poole of Spartanburg High School for “Choked Up,” filmed at Croft State Park; and to Conner Nyberg of Greenville Technical Charter High School for “Stick People,” filmed at Paris Mountain State Park.

Each entry had to be between 30 seconds and two minutes. Judges rated the films on creativity of concept, overall quality and production value, and strength of story. The several dozen entries were narrowed to 10 that received a public vote on YouTube.

“We are so proud that we have been able to show off the dynamic young film-making talent we have in South Carolina who tell stories about their experiences at state parks,” said Tom Clark of the S.C. Film Office.

The winners received cash prizes and trophies, and their films were screened during last month’s Charleston International Film Festival.

To view the winning video, visit indiegrants.org.