Arts Planner: Vista Lights brighter than ever in 30th year

The Vista lights up this week

For those of us who don’t mind getting in the holiday spirit before the Thanksgiving turkey has had a chance to thaw, Vista Lights is Christmas creep in the best way.

Now in its 30th year, Vista Lights is a tradition of businesses opening their doors for a night of complimentary beverages, hors d’oeuvres and shopping discounts. And of course, there’s the lighting of the tree (which is actually a holly bush).

This year, the “tree” will be brighter than ever with more than 25,000 lights, Vista Guild Executive Director Meredith Atkinson said. And for the first time, it will have a topper created by Lewis + Clark owner Clark Ellefson.

“The first year we put a bunch of pink flamingos all over it,” Ellefson said with a chuckle.

His Sputnik-inspired topper is a steel sphere with 25 lighted stems radiating out of its center.

“It's kind of a big deal,” he said of the endeavor. “This is the neighborhood tree.”

Vista Lights is 5-9 p.m. Thursday. Attendees should gather around the stage and tree at Gervais and Lincoln streets by 6:30 p.m. to see holiday music and dance performances. Mayor Steve Benjamin and Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier Jr. of Fort Jackson will light the tree at 7 p.m.

Free parking is available in the garages at 820 Washington Street and behind the Hilton Hotel. Gervais Street from Assembly to Gadsden streets will be closed to traffic from 6-10 p.m. Park and Lincoln streets from Lady to Senate streets will also be closed.

New this year is a VIP area for members of the military and their families outside Blue Marlin at 1200 Lincoln St.

For more information and a detailed list of store offerings, visit www.vistalightssc.com or call 803-269-5946.

The chill side of classical music

Who knew classical music could be so… laid-back? Two events this week show a relaxed side of the genre. On Sunday, get casual at the South Carolina Philharmonic’s Beethoven and Blue Jeans concert. The S.C. Phil Youth Orchestra will play at 1:30 p.m. at the Koger Center followed by the William Tell Overture by Rossini and Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony. After the musical festivities, there will be a ’Que and Brew dinner with beer from River Rat Brewery and barbecue from Doc’s BBQ for $15. The symphony is $17-$47. For more information, call 803-251-2222 or visit www.KogerCenterForTheArts.com.

On Saturday, the fun continues at the Bach and Beer event at Hunter-Gatherer, where cellist Steuart Pincombe will help audiences discover the connections between the art of brewing and the art of playing Bach’s music. 4 p.m. at 900 Main St. Name your price at the door.

USC Symphony Orchestra: Viva Espana!

Metropolitan opera veteran Janet Hopkins sings Manuel de Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” (“Love, the Magician,” is the literal translation).

7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Koger Center, 1051 Greene St., 803-777-7500, www.kogercenterforthearts.com; $30 general public, $25 senior citizens, USC faculty and staff, $8 students.

Theater: ‘Blithe Spirit’

In this farce, a writer invites a psychic into his home, but gets more than he bargained for when the medium summons his dead wife.

8 p.m. Wednesday at Drayton Hall Theatre, 1214 College St., 803-777-2551, artsandsciences.sc.edu/thea/draytonhall; $18 general public, $16 seniors, $12 USC students, faculty and staff.

Shop vintage vinyl

Peruse through 30 tables loaded with CDs, vinyl records and music memorabilia at the Cola CD and Record Show. Hunt for a long-lost record or discover something new.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Columbus Meeting Hall, 1623 Marion St. Free admission.