We are squeezing out the last few days of Spring, and there’s a Canadian-supplied weird haze in the air, but it’s time once again for your guide to things you can do in and around Charleston and maybe further afield.

In Charleston, FestivALL kicks off this weekend, and rather than repeat the many, many things I’ve written about this cool arts festival in Charleston over the years, I’m just going to point you to their website, and let them do all the heavy lifting.

Over the summer there are many festivals all over the state, and your humble blogger will strive to tell you about them even though stuff that happens out of doors is not exactly in his wheelhouse and he has to dig to find info and graphics for such things.

Live Music is back at Taylor Books. There is no cover charge, and shows start at 7:30 PM. Friday it’s Andrew Pauley. Saturday Ken Kruger and Anne McConnell entertain the crowd at Charleston’s beloved Bookstore/Coffee Shop/Art Gallery.

The World Famous Empty Glass Cafe has some great stuff through the week to tell you about.  Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Swingstein and Robin play fiddle and piano and sing swing and early jazz standards. Each week they donate their tips to a local nonprofit or worthy cause.  Friday Tim Courts plays during happy hour.  Saturday BRRO will be hitting the stage and delivering folkie rock and blues elements featuring sweet electric viola solos and smooth bass licks.  Next week The Empty Glass has an open mic hosted by Eric Robbins on Monday  and Tuesday sees Songwriter Showcase with Chet Lowther. Check the graphics below for cool shows at the Glass Thursday and Friday.

Please remember that the pandemic is not over yet. It’s still a going concern. And now there are seasonal allergies, the flu, raging wildfires, global climate castrophes 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.

If you’re up for going out, here are a few suggestions for the rest of this week, roughly in order.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY