This is our final STUFF TO DO before Christmas lands next week, and we have a lot to tell you about.

Thursday, December 19, Charleston’s ArtWalk returns for a pre-holiday edition before its long Winter hibernation. The Downtown Charleston ArtWalk is the Capital City’s premiere art event bringing you fine art, fashion, crafts, antiques, food and much more by downtown businesses and organizations and the Downtown Charleston Association, and it’s a great way to find last-minute artsy (and occasionally fartsy) gifts for your loved ones.

As always, it’s a free self-guided walking tour of Charleston’s shops, galleries and businesses featuring regional art and performances. This is when participating shops and organizations extend their hours for browsing, shopping and mingling.

Participating shops are located along Quarrier, Capitol, Lee, Summers and Hale streets in Downtown Charleston and feature a variety of art – from paintings and sculptures to photography and music. Attendees can stroll along at their own pace, dip in and out of stores and stop off along the way for a bite to eat at a downtown restaurant.

This well-loved family-friendly event takes place from 5 to 8 PM, Thursday, and attracts art aficionados as well as folks who just want to get out and try something new.

A new ArtWalk website is live now, and if all goes according to plan, it’ll be complete with a list of participating venues, and a map so you can find you way around.

This is a great way to get out, experience Charleston’s surprisingly robust arts environment and support the local scene and if affords an extra chance to check out the Holly on Brawley trees and Charleston’s fancy beer alley.

Aside from the walk of the art, there’s tons of other STUFF TO DO in Charleston and the rest of the Mountain State and beyond over the next few days so you can just read below and find out all about it.

Even with our unpredictable weather, there are still some outdoor events happening, so I will continue to implore you to not be a Grinch and vape or smoke around other humans who may not share your addictions. Lots of folks get really sick when exposed to that garbage and it would be really nice to get through the holiday without sounding like a pair of mating walruses.

As I have been copying and pasting for some time now, this a good time to remind you that THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS.  It’s just a starting point, so don’t expect anything comprehensive, and if you feel strongly about me leaving anything out, feel free to mention it in the comments. And if you have a show that you’d like to plug in the future, contact me via Social Media at Facebook or Twitter.

Live Music is on tap at Taylor Books. There is no cover charge, and shows start at 7:30 PM.  This week’s shows are not yet announced.   There’s a fun-sounding open mic at Pumzi’s Sunday night at 7 PM.  Check out the FB event page.

As  always, The World Famous Empty Glass Cafe has some great stuff this week  to tell you about. Wednesday at 6 PM it’s time for the annual Empty Glass Gift Exchange, followed by Joe Rosenfeld & Friends.  Thursday at 9:30 PM Johnny Spolarich takes the stage. Friday at 10 PM it’s a Hometown Christmas Bash with The Charleston Rogues.  Saturday SPACE FREQ lands on the EG stage, with special guests, BRRO at 9 PM.

Please remember that viral illlnesses are still a going concern with the ‘rona still lurking about all robust and reinvigorated and just waiting to ruin your holiday. Plus there are nasty seasonal ailments, incotinent reindeer, loose cabinent nominees, Mid-Century Uranium Christmas Trees and other damned good reasons to be careful. Many people who have very good reasons are still wearing masks, and many of us, understandably, are still nervous about being in crowds, masked or not. Be kind and understanding  while you’re out.

Keep in mind that all shows are subject to change or be cancelled at the last minute.

Here we go, roughly in order…

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