First Thursdays are growing!!  For August, the Merchants of Main Street have decided to host their first Cruise In.  That is right, Main Street is going to be taken over with classics, hot rods, and custom bikes.   Come down and check out the “Art In Motion” on the street and the art indoors in your favorite galleries and shops.

"Museums on Us" Free Weekends

July 1, 2012
Location: EdVenture Children's Museum
Address: 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Venue: EdVenture Children's Museum
Recurrence: Recurring monthly on the 1st Sunday

“Museums on Us” is a Bank of America program that offers its card holders free admission to more than 70 museums nationwide.  EdVenture is the only museum in South Carolina chosen to participate in this program.

Abstract Art in South Carolina: 1949-2011

July 3, 2012
Location: SC State Museum
Address: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Venue: South Carolina State Museum
Recurrence: Recurring daily

Fourth of July Congaree Paddle

July 4, 2012
Adress: 905 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Venue: River Runner Outdoor Center

Lake Murray Paddle - Guided Kayak or Canoe Trip

July 4, 2012
Location: Get Your Gear On
Address: 208 Candi Lane, Suite A, Columbia, SC 29210
Venue: Get Your Gear On
Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday

Weekdays 11 am (May - September) – weekend times are available, but by prior arrangement . Sunset trip and 5:30 pm (June & July), 4:30 pm (August & Sept). Prior experience not necessary. Swimming and paddling are outstanding with open water and secluded spots. Wildlife observed may include osprey, heron, water fowl, song birds, and aquatic life. We paddle near the shore so that wildlife, aquatic life, swimming, and sight seeing are the best.

We have three paddle trips down the Congaree river planned for the Fourth of July.  Trips begin at 9 am, 1 pm and 4 pm and each last two hours. Trip cost is $25 per person. Call or visit our calendar for more details. Registration required the Wednesday before the event. For Registration please call (803) 771-0353 or email us riverrunner@sc.rr.com

 

Our Grand Opening will be held Thursday June 7th from 6 - 9 PM at our new location at 1546-C Main Street in Columbia. It will coincide with the First Thursdays On Main Event. We hope everyone will stop in and see our new location and join in the celebration!

As over the past 30 years, we will continue to serve the Columbia and surrounding area for all their floral needs! We may be downtown now, but with a phone call to us, your arrangement can still be delivered anywhere in the Columbia area.

For those not familiar with our shop, we are a full service florist offering fresh arrangements for your everyday needs, as well as custom quality silks! Our style is high design and custom made to your specifications. In addition to flowers, we offer a wide variety of unique vases, plants and plant baskets, as well as gift baskets and accessories for your home.

No matter what the occasion, call us to make your floral needs truly SOMETHING SPECIAL!

Special Florist
1546-C Main St Columbia, SC 29201
(803)-407-7123
www.somethingspecialfloristandgifts.com

Urban Tour on April 5th!

You are invited to the 5th Annual Urban Tour on Thursday, April 5, from 5:00 to 8 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Columbia.

Urban Tour is a free event showcasing all that Columbia’s downtown has to offer. The self-guided walking tour includes special offers and giveaways from retailers, live entertainment such as street performers and musicians, and local artists.

Businesses along the tour will keep their doors open late for the event. Free shuttle rides are available to assist pedestrians.

The event will take place rain or shine with the entertainment adaptable to street performances or inside designated buildings throughout the tour.

Come see why downtown is the place for shopping, living, and entertainment after 5!

For more information, please email Lorri-Ann Carter at la@cartertodd.com or call 803.779.4005 (ext.) 2040.

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Columbia!

We are witnessing an amazing time in Columbia's history. We are growing and have more opportunity than ever. And the good news is there is more to come in 2012! We are proud to announce the Famously Hot New Year celebration taking place on South Carolina's Main Street...and the best part is it's FREE! This event will have plenty of fun activities and an opportunity for all to come ring in the new year.

The Grey Goose Crescent Lounge is the official VIP event within the celebration. It will feature a bar provided by Grey Goose and the Ben Arnold Beverage Company, light hors d'oeuvres, exclusive concert viewing and private restrooms. Purchase your tickets today!
The ESPN Zone will be an area for attendees who don't want to miss any of the college bowl games!

WIS News 10 will broadcast the event so you don't miss out on the festivities!

The Palmetto Tree & Crescent Moon Drop (it's a secret, you'll have to come watch the historic drop!)

To help ring in the new year, we are proud to announce George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will headline the celebration! The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will headline an array of talented, exciting local and regional performers taking the stage for the event.

It's no secret Famously Hot Columbia is becoming the premier place to live, work, and play! We encourage you to visit www.FamouslyHotNewYear.com to find out more about the event. Come out at 7:30pm on December 31st on South Carolina's Main Street to witness the beginning of a historic tradition that will be the biggest party in the Southeast!

Mingle and Jingle is coming soon! December 1st!

Some of the highlights you can expect at Mingle and Jingle this year:

-Columbia Fire Department will be here with a truck and doing roasted marshmallows for the crowd.
-A singing Santa Claus will be in Boyd Plaza
-Hand bell choirs will be in key locations
-Alternacirque will be back in the Free Times space with Anastasia (and they may some extra surprises in store)
-The Nick will be screening some Christmas classics on the façade of the old Fox/new Nick.
-The Art Shows will be running full blast (as usual)
-The 1500 and 1600 blocks will be closed w Taylor St remaining open

Family Fall Festival at the end of this month!

Vote Captiol Places for Free Times's Best of Columbia!

Greetings! It is that time of year again, and we would like to ask each of you to vote for Capitol Places for The Best Apartment Complex! It only takes a bit of time!

To vote, visit this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3SWJM55.

It is number 17 on page 3 for those of you who are not interested in voting in all the categories.

Thanks so very much!

Playing After Dark presents "Not of the Ordinary"

Join Pocket Productions for an eclectic evening “Not of the Ordinary,” part of their Playing After Dark series, in downtown Columbia on Friday, June 24. Like past Playing After Dark galas, “Not of the Ordinary” will introduce the audience to unique, unsuspecting art forms beginning with the culinary genius of local legend Chef Malcolm Hudson.

A beautiful four-course meal prepared by Chef Hudson will be served as audience members discover the hidden artists harbored in the thick, sticky air of a Carolina summer night. The meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and horederves in the upstairs reception area of 701 Whaley St, where audience members can mingle surrounded by the evocative works of metal sculptor Mike Pope.

Dinner will be served promptly at 7 p.m. by the stage where DayClean, comprised of Marcus Thomas, on acoustic guitar and vocals and Idris Chandler, on cello, will carry audience members to another dimension with their enchanting, soulful melodies. Software engineer David Hamiter will pick the audience up from their DayClean induced trance and take them into new worlds with his one-of-a-kind digital creations.
Come redefine the audience with us.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.playingafterdark.net. Tickets include admission, four-course meal and two glasses of wine. The event will be held at 701 Whaley Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Guests are invited to mingle in the lobby and enjoy horederves until dinner is served at 7 p.m. This event is open to the public.

The Columbia Marionette Theatre presents: The Little Mermaid

Check out this unique theatre experience on 401 Laurel Street!

"This modern twist on the classic Hans Christian Anderson follows our heroine to the surface of the sea on her quest to find love. Using wide-ranging scales of marionettes and shadow puppets, our 30 foot stage becomes a vast ocean, and the perfect setting for our story. Vibrantly colored marionettes float suspended above the stage, as if gliding beneath the ocean’s surface." - The Columbia Marionette Theatre

Performances every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and the third Monday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $5 each and are available online or at the door.

Mast General Store Opens in Columbia!

Mast General Store has just opened its Columbia location this morning with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:45 am. Hundreds of excited shoppers eagerly made their way into the new store, which offers everything from outdoor goods and clothing to accessories, gifts, and candy. Today marks a new turning point for retail on Main Street and we are very excited to have Mast General here! Go check it out!

While you are in the store, take a sneak peek through the back courtyard at our new apartments opening up in August, called Lofts at Lourie's.

Mast General Store is located at 1601 Main Street, right in between Taylor and Assembly streets.

Brazilian Steakhouse coming to Main Street!

Capitol Places is proud to welcome a new restaurant to the Main Street area called Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse. It will be located in our Kress commercial space and expected to open later this summer. Traditionally named Gauchao Brazilian Steakhouse in the Myrtle Beach location, the restaurant will serve all-you-can-eat meat and the waiters come to your table to slice it for you. They will be open for lunch and dinner, which includes 17 cuts of beef, chicken, lamb and poultry, as well as a salad bar with more than 30 items.

This unique restaurant will be a prime destination for people coming to Main Street and it joins the new Mast General Store opening this month.

For more information about the Gauchao Brazilian Steakhouse experience, visit their website at www.gauchaobraziliansteakhouse.com.

Check out our Lourie's building online!

We have added our newest building on Main Street to our website with floor plans coming very soon! Lofts at Lourie's will be available August 1st for move-in!

Capital City Music Fest and Wing Fling is back!!

The Capital City Music Fest & Wing Fling will take place on Saturday May 14, 2011 at the 1400 block of Main St. It will start at 12 pm and go until 8 pm. Tickets will be available for $5 in advance at The White Mule 1530 Main St., Loose Lucy's, Natural Vibrations, Old Towne Tavern, most restaurant vendors, and online at www.etix.com. Tickets will also be available at the gates opening at noon.

There will be a great lineup of at least 10 featured restaurants showing they're chicken wing skills, with a variety of flavors and styles. Sample size orders will be available so you can try them all!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS

CRAVIN MELON 6:30 - 8:00

ANGIE APARO 5:00 - 6:00

TOOTIE & THE JONES 3:40-4:40

THE CASUAL KINGS 2:20 - 3:20

HALEY DREIS 1:20 - 2:00

FALLEN KINGS 12:15 - 1:00

The White Mule is back open for lunch!

Don't forget to use your VIP card!

Residents have received their VIP cards and they can use them at many businesses right here in the Main Street area! Visit capitolplaces.com/vip to see your deals and steals!

Rent a Kress apartment and receive a free iPad!

Help The Animal Mission this Holiday!

We are helping The Animal Mission collect new or lightly used toys for the shelter pets this year. We will also accept treats, leashes, etc. If you have anything to donate, please bring it to the Capitol Places office.

If there are a lot of toys donated, we will be able to share with neighboring counties!

For more information about the organization, please visit their website at:
https://animalmission.org/.

Mingle and Jingle on Main is this Thursday!

Mingle and Jingle is the retail kickoff for the holiday season in downtown Columbia. It takes place on December 2nd (the First Thursday of the month) and is designed to highlight the businesses in the downtown corridor. The festivities include live performances by the Capitol City Playboys, Isabelle's Gift, Columbia Alternacirque, DayClean, the Mingle and Jingle Jazz Band, the Dark Dolly (living statue) and special guest Lady Chablis. And, art will be the name of the game as there will be at least five different art shows going on inside businesses up and down the street.

Participating businesses include Mac's on Main, Villa Tronco, Hennessey's, S&S Art Supply, Tapp's Center Art Project, Sammie's Deli, Army Navy Store, The Nickelodeon, Columbia Museum of Art Store, Anastasia & Friends, Free Times, Capitol Places, White Mule, Frame of Mind, City Center City Partnership, Artist in the Arcade, Uptown, and the Whig.

This month Frame of Mind wraps up FOM Series 2010 and kicks off the holiday season at the same time. Bonnie Goldberg is the featured artist of the month and what a wrap up show it will be.

Anastasia & Friends: This month, the gallery will feature paintings, sculpture and mixed media by Paul Kaufmann, Thomas Crouch, Michael Krajewski and Anastasia Chernoff, video by Jason Stroud and Delirium will return with its legendary dancing on top of the bathrooms.

The Columbia Museum of Art's Museum Shop will be open and featuring artist Steve Harrell, a skilled wood turner. His pieces are in collections throughout the United States and Europe. What a wonderful opportunity to finish your Christmas shopping: all customers will enjoy a 10% discount on selected items. Museum members will receive an additional 10%. In addition, Columbia Museum of Art t-shirts will be on sale for $5.00.

S & S Art Supply - Michael Bolin will be exhibiting works including the new large scale series - Envisage. This is a series of large scale portraits of people as they would envision themselves - producing shared interpretations of the artist and his subjects. Awesome vegetarian fare will be provided by Cabo Fresh Taco.

Studios in the Arcade - The 9 artist studios that make up Studios in the Arcade will be open for all patrons to visit.

Vista Lights is Tonight!

WHAT: The Vista's signature open house kicks off the holiday season with a night of culture, cuisine and artistic performances. More than 60 galleries, shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues will open their doors for the evening to showcase holiday treasures, and this year expect a little more excitement from the annual tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Steve Benjamin.

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, November 18.

WHERE: The Congaree Vista, with pedestrian-only traffic on Gervais Street stretching from Assembly to Gadsden; and Lincoln and Park Streets between Senate and Lady.

TREE LIGHTING: The evening's highlight is a tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Gervais and Lincoln streets, featuring Mayor Steve Benjamin and other local dignitaries.

MORE: Attendees can get into the spirit of the season with horse-drawn carriage rides. Many businesses offer complimentary refreshments, which guests can enjoy while visiting them.

BRING YOUR SOCKS: Fabric artist Susan Lenz will be collecting socks for her artwork called "Find a Mate," a community art project to educate the public about art quilts. You'll be able to try your hand at creating, and if you bring a sock---children or adult; serious or comic---you may discover it in the final quilt, which will be unveiled at Artista Vista in April 2011.

THIS SEASON: Vista Studios/Gallery 80808 will host a special anniversary show to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Attendees will enjoy carols by several local groups, and the entire Vista will be decorated in lights.