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EVENT | You’re gonna need a bigger boat
Duh-nuh. Duh-nuh. It’s coming. After 21 years on the Discovery Channel, Shark Week is cable’s longest-running programming event, and this year’s fishy festivities will be on-air through Sat. Aug. 2. But if your eyes start to get fuzzy from all the man-eating action, head on over to the South Carolina Aquarium for the real thing. In partnership with the Discovery Channel, they’ll have shark-themed educational shows and interactive activities. Scuba divers will relate their own “Encounters of the Deep,” while experts will give you tips on how to survive a real-life shark attack. Sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Great Ocean Tank, where you can get an up-close-and-personal look at the sharks in the 350,000 gallon exhibit. You can even adopt your own Sand Tiger shark at the aquarium. But be careful. We all know what happens when they get hungry. And we can’t all be like the Fonz. —Susan Cohen Through Aug. 2. $17/adults, $16/seniors, $10/children. S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf. (843) 720-1990, www.scaquarium.org.
 ART | Heat relief
The French Quarter Art Walks might be out of commission until the weather cools down (wimps), but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your love of casual, social art strolls — the First Friday events are still going strong on Broad Street. This less-crowded, more local and laid-back event features more than 10 venues on Gallery Row, presenting new exhibitions and, of course, cooling refreshments. The Mary Martin Gallery will offer Orange Julius drinks and the work of local artist Ben Silverman, and Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art will feature the work of Russian husband and wife, Evgeny and Lydia Baranov, known for their unusual technique of bringing their vision to life on the same canvas. Hamlet Fine Art Gallery presents a collection of oils, pastels, and mixed media called Summer Relief, while Ellis-Nicholson Gallery will feature Vickie Ellis’ 95 Days of Summer. The Edward Dare Gallery presents a diverse collection of portraits by various artists giving their unique vision of the gallery’s mysterious namesake. Guests may guess which painting represents the real Edward Dare, and those who get it right will be entered into a drawing for a prize. Need a little more refreshment? Chef Brett McKee invites you to beat the heat at Oak Steakhouse with complimentary chilled gazpacho shots. Coolio. —Erica Jackson Fri., Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. (843) 722-1944, www.charlestongalleryrow.com.
 THEATER | After happily ever after
Inspired by the huge popularity of the Broadway production Wicked, the Flowertown Players have chosen to present a similar musical for their latest production, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. It’s far from a copy-cat of Wicked though — it actually preceded it by almost 20 years, and won its share of Tony awards and other accolades. But like the more modern hit show, Into the Woods takes beloved fantastical characters (in this case, Grimm Brothers’ characters) and looks at a less-familiar side of their lives, particularly what happens after the “happily ever after.” The show is based on the book The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim, and it intertwines plots from famous fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, among others. The production is expected to be one of the most ambitious the Players have put out in quite some time — everything from the set, to the lighting, to the challenging music, to the larger-than-usual cast should set this show apart. In fact, the entire theater will be incorporated into the set, making it seem like part of the fairy tale. It’ll be interesting to see how it compares to the Village Playhouse production back in 2004. Either way, it sounds like this family-friendly show is yet another good reason to drive out to Summerville. —Erica Jackson Aug. 1-2, 8 p.m., Aug. 7-9, 8 p.m., Sun., Aug. 10, 2 p.m., Aug. 14-16, 8 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 17, 2 p.m. $20, $17/seniors and students, www.flowertownplayers.org. James F. Dean Community Theatre, 133 S. Main St., (Summerville), (843) 875-9251, www.flowertownplayers.org.
EVENT | Wastin’ away again in Par-garitaville
Those crazy Jimmy Buffet-lovin’ Parrotheads are at it again with another light-hearted fund-raiser. Like their popular Shem Creek Bar Crawl, this party with a purpose blends fun and drinking to raise money for a good cause, in this case Darkness to Light, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse. Head to the Island Club House in Mt. P. For $15, you’ll receive two rounds of mini golf, two drink tickets, a T-shirt, and a raffle ticket, plus you’ll enjoy happy hour prices during the event. Raffle prizes include golf merchandise and a cruise to the Bahamas. —Erica Jackson Sat., Aug. 2, 5 p.m. $15, (843) 991-4719. Island Clubhouse, 1528 Ben Sawyer Blvd. (Mt. Pleasant). (843) 881-3131.
Look out next week for… Rugby, Wilco, Craft bazaar, Tennis block party
Last Sunday morning I went to brunch at Vickery’s downtown. We were seated promptly on the patio, and after a bit of a wait, we got our drinks. After ordering, our food definitely took longer than usual, but we were kept busy with biscuits, refills, and when we got our food we didn’t even consider the elapsed time to be worthy of a complaint — it couldn’t have been much more than 30 minutes. Which is why we were surprised when our apologetic server came out and said that our meal was on the house because it had taken so long. And the tables around us were getting similar comps. I walked out feeling like a dine-and-dasher, but happy with my delicious free brunch and their customer service.
Four days later, I went to Gene’s Haufbrau for dinner after the RiverDogs game was rained out. Again, the drinks didn’t take too long, but it took at least 20 minutes for the waitress to come by and get our food orders, then another hour, at least, to get our food. An hour, for artichoke dip and a hamburger. When we finally got the food, it was lukewarm and some things were incorrect. A friend at another table waited much longer, and when he got his food, it was the wrong order. Most of the tables in the place seemed to be waiting on something. We were not offered a discount, and the waitress was barely apologetic.
Everyone has crappy days, but when you don’t own up to it, it’s inexcusable. The funny thing is, these places are owned by the same people. Gene’s would do well to take a hint from ol’ Vix.
I just wanted to publicly give my notice. Working at Charleston City Paper has been great, but I was made for bigger and better things. Namely, a wonderful man named Bret Michaels.
Wait, there’s more. Have you been missing Daisy, Angelique, Peyton (face time!), and Ashley (who?)? I Love Money not fulfilling that need for entertaining dumb-ass strippers? Get ready for Rock of Love Charm School.
This just in from our Scene girl Svetlana Minx:
Sunday Fun Day, Sun. July 27, 2-9 p.m. Hazel Parker Playground. 70 East Bay St.
Get ready for: a water balloon fight, competitive picnicking, potato sack racing, human wheelbarrow racing, Twister, bocce, croquet, badminton, kites, and more.
What you need to bring: WATER BALLOONS!
Other fun things to bring: drinks, picnic material, bug spray, sunscreen, games, slip’n’slides, kiddie pools, pets, kids, and friends. Furry ones, too!
If you haven’t already checked out this shady playground/park, you are in for a surprise. This adult-centric playground is connected to a baseball field, dog park, and tennis/basketball courts. It is fenced in - for your furry ones. Come drop in any time during the day.
Parking is limited in this neighborhood, so please try to walk, bike, or carpool.
 THEATER | Broadway on John Street
Going to New York City to see a Broadway show, with today’s economic situation, is not a reasonable venture. The show tickets alone — never mind plane tickets and hotel reservations — would burn deep holes into anyone’s pocket. So instead, check out Broadway Showstoppers at the Charleston Music Hall, where for the price of the nosebleed seats at the Majestic Theater, you can see and hear the best of Broadway. Brad and Jennifer Moranz, both vets of the Great White Way, created the revue originally for the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pa. It ran there for five months, receiving standing ovations every night. Brad Moranz says they “researched every popular Broadway show that has ever occurred,” which led them to choose an excellent and well-varied set list. The audience can look forward to songs by Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and yes, even ABBA. “There is such a warm reaction to so many favorites,” Moranz says. How can you not be thrilled by seeing “Memory” from Cats and “Who Loves You” from Jersey Boys in the course of one evening? —Susan Cohen Through July 13. $31.50, $28.50/seniors, military, $21.50/students, $19.50/kids 12 and under, (800) 514-3849, www.charlestonmusichall.com. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.
 THEATER | Adventures of a librarian
Underneath the Lentel, written by Glen Berger, is returning to PURE after a successful run at Piccolo Spoleto 2006, when it was deemed the Best One-Person Play by our critics in Best of Charleston. It’s the tale of a librarian hero who finds a 113-year overdue book, Baedeker’s Travel Guide, which sparks a life-altering journey across the world in search of the culprit with the belated fine. The librarian, played by Rodney Lee Rogers, experiences life in many cultures from the town of Hoofddorp in The Netherlands, to China, Australia, Germany, and America. He sees Les Miserables in three languages, learns to swing dance, tastes marzipan, and muses about the life that he just started to truly live. PURE Director Sharon Graci says in the press release, “Underneath the Lentel is one of my favorite plays that PURE has produced.” The theater doesn’t usually reopen plays that have already been performed, but with Lentil, the time, talent, and the opportunity are available for a reopening. Lucky us. PURE is sponsoring two “Pay-What-You-Can” performances, one for the preview night of July 9, and another on July 23. —Caitlin Baker Through July 25, 7:30 p.m. $25, (843) 723-4444, www.puretheatre.org. Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. (843) 577-6400, www.circularchurch.org.
 COMEDY | Cool off with some comedy
After a mini summer vacay, Theatre 99 is back in action, and they’ve got visitors. Chicago’s iO Theater brought down some impressive acts for Piccolo Fringe in May (The Reckoning, I Live Next Door to Horses), and the company returns with another offering that’s sure to be just as hilarious. Hunter Family Crest is a one-year-old improv group featuring nine members specializing in the Harold. Don’t remember your Spoleto comedy primer? Basically, they take a one-word audience suggestion and run with it. They’ll perform three scenes, followed by an onstage game, followed by three more scenes. We had trouble digging up much more info on the group (they’re from Chicago, they perform improv), but judging from their lineage (iO has been home to greats like Bill Murray, Mike Myers, and Tina Fey) they will be funny. And you can’t beat this non-Spoleto price. —Erica Jackson July 11-12, 10 p.m. $10. Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St. (843) 853-6687, www.thehavenots.com.
MUSIC | Just stringin’ along
The concert music scene slows down quite a bit in the summer months, but Chamber Music Charleston doesn’t want fans to go hungry. On Monday, Chamber Music Charleston’s string quartet will perform a Kiawah Island House Concert at the Hilstad Home (22 Marsh Edge Lane). Then on Tuesday, you can catch the second installment of the Old Exchange Summer Concert Series. After a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m., the string quartet will perform in the historic Great Hall, where George Washington enjoyed similar music back in the day. Make like a historical figure as the stringy sounds wash over you — the program includes music from Prokofiev and Beethoven, and it should last about an hour. The final concert of the Old Exchange Series is Aug. 19. CMC founder Sandra Nikolajevs tells us that the series is really catching on, so reserve your tix today. —Erica Jackson Mon., July 14, 7 p.m. $25, (843) 763-4941
ART | An impressive archive
One thing that frequenters of art openings can come to expect, besides wine and cheese and well-dressed hipsters, is the show’s out-there title. Something fancy and esoteric that most people are probably only pretending to understand. But at Tim Hussey’s Archive, what you read is what you get. It is literally, fully, and completely an archive of Hussey’s work: paintings from the last eight years and photography from the past year. Hussey says he has no particular theme, but he will show how his different works overlap. The two mediums will be split in the Trusted Palate, with 16-18 paintings displayed in the front of the wine bar and 25 photographs in the back. In his 15 years as an artist, Hussey has worked in graphic design, illustration, fine art, and photography. “Each time I go to one, I bring back something new to the other,” he said. The genres influence each other in Hussey’s work; for example, at the show, both painted and photographed portraits will be on view. —Susan Cohen July 16-Aug. 13, 7-9 p.m. (843) 343-1645, www.husseyart.com. The Trusted Palate, 563 King St. (843) 577-7271
Next week: Midnight Mystery Ride III, Reggae Nights @ James Island, Comedy Night at the Windjammer, First Turtle Release!
 The folks at Red Bull just informed us that they’re hosting a Fourth of July celebration on the water at Morris Island. It’s in conjunction with surf shop Las Olas Oceanmarket and local reggae-tinged bands Dub Island, Ballyhoo, and Lefty @ the Washout. The bands will perform on a floating barge/stage in the water in front of the lighthouse. Here’s the sched:
Dub Island - 12-1:15 p.m.
Lefty @ the Washout - 1:30 -2:45 p.m.
Ballyhoo - 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Sounds purty fun!
 SPORTS | Charleston RiverDogs
With everyone so adamant about supporting everything locally grown these days, why not support your local baseball team, the RiverDogs? After nearly a week in Georgia (and lending their venue to Mr. Matthews for a day) the ’Dogs will return on Monday for a full week of games against the Lexington (Ky.) Legends (July 7-10) and the West Virginian Power (July 11-14). Monday, July 7 at 7:05 p.m. is a Dogs with a Cause game, benefiting Children’s Miracle Network. Bring your Bi-Lo card to Tuesday night’s 7:05 p.m. game, to take advantage of Two-for-Tuesday. Next Wednesday, July 9 is Big Splash Day, a fun-filled day perfect for kids. The entire stadium is converted into a giant splash-park filled with pools; there’ll be both water balloon and water gun fights. Heck, even the local fire department will be there with their trucks and water hoses. The exciting promos continue into next week; check www.riverdogs.com for the full schedule. —Buster Brown $5-$10, (843) 577-3647, www.riverdogs.com, Joseph P. Riley Jr. Stadium, 360 Fishburne St.
 EVENT | City of North Charleston Fourth of July Celebration
A free July 4th celebration with a variety of musical entertainment, including evening performances by The Drifters and the Marshall Tucker band, as well as fun children’s activities taking place throughout the afternoon. A grand fireworks display over the Cooper River will close out the day with a bang. Fri., July 4, 3-10 p.m. Free, (843) 740-2538, www.northcharleston.org. Riverfront Park, on the old Navy base
EVENT | Patriot’s Point Fourth of July Blast
Fourth of July Blast begins at 4 p.m. with a fantastic food court, beer garden, and children’s area. As the sun starts to set center stage heats up with The East Coast Party Band. Then at 9:30 p.m. a Charleston Harbor tradition comes to life; fireworks launched from the flight deck of one of America’s most famous ships, the USS YORKTOWN. Fri. July 4, 4-11:30 p.m. Free, (866) 831-1720, www.patriotspoint.org. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant.
EVENT | Fourth of July at the Aquarium
Celebrate this Fourth of July with views of the Charleston Harbor, delicious food, and live music on the Riverside Terrace. Give your grill a break and enjoy a barbecue dinner from Jim ‘N Nicks featuring pulled pork, baked chicken, potato salad, and more, dessert by Cupcake, cold refreshments by Pepsi, live entertainment by Lee Edwards Entertainment, and spectacular fireworks overlooking the Charleston Harbor courtesy of Patriots Point. Limited seating is available and guests are encouraged to reserve a space early. Tickets include beer, refreshments and food. Fri., July 4, 7:30-10 p.m. $55/adults, $25/children, (843) 577-FISH, www.scaquarium.org. S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, (Downtown), (843) 720-1990, www.scaquarium.org.
For more information on Fourth of July events, go here.
Next week: Tim Hussey’s Archive, Hunter Family Crest, Underneath the Lintel, Old Exchange Concert Series, and more!
If you want to do more than stuff your face and watch fireworks on the Fourth (not that there’s anything wrong with that), head to Holy Cow Yoga Center (10 Windermere Blvd., James Island) for some downward-facing dogs, crows, and sun salutes. They’re offering a free community class at 10:30 a.m. It’s open to all levels, and it should last just over an hour. Get there early!
The Rilo Kiley show was amazing. Look for Susan Cohen’s live review later today.
 Charlottesville-Va.-based band Sparky’s Flaw is currently touring the East Coast, and they’re hitting up the Oasis this Saturday. Describing their music as reminiscent of Maroon Five and The Fray, my very professional opinion is that Will Anderson (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Kit French (sax), Alex Hargrave (bass), Johnny Stubblefield (drums), and Nate McFarland (lead guitar) are destined for stardom. Their catchy songs paired with their dashing good looks pretty much guarantees it. They’ve been playing together since high school, they signed with Mercury in 2007, and they recently graced the cover of Playlist magazine. Check them out at www.sparkysflaw.com or myspace.com/sparkysflaw
Listen to them here
And be there.
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