A Lowcountry full of fantastic February 2016 Events await your arrival. Bring your significant other, or the whole family, and enjoy Charleston and her waterways plus fascinating historic sites. February jacket weather is simply a great time to get out-on-the-water and visit captivating Fort Sumter where the first shot of the Civil War was fired!
TripAdvisor ranked the Holy City 3rd place in its list of top American travel destinations, placing it as more popular than the likes of Las Vegas, San Francisco, New Orleans and the nation’s capital! Fort Sumter Tours is also award-winning. Fort Sumter Tours is the recipient of a “Certificate of Excellence” awarded by TripAdvisor. # 1 Top USA Destination was voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers, for Fort Sumter. And, Travel & Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards ranked Charleston, South Carolina # 1 in the USA & Canada and #2 in World’s Best Cities via the Reader’s Choice Awards.
Guests board at informative Liberty Square’s Fort Sumter Visitors Center. Don’t miss this great opportunity that the whole family will enjoy! Fort Sumter Tours is the only authorized National Park Service concessioner, proudly owned and operated for over 50 years by The Campsens, a local Charlestonian family with generations of maritime heritage. Booking online is a seabreeze via fortsumtertours.com or simply call Toll-Free 1-800-789-3678 or 843-722-BOAT. Cancellations with refunds accepted up to 24-hours in-advance. Walk-in reservations are welcome at 340 Concord Street, Liberty Square’s Fort Sumter Visitors Center on a space available basis. Parking is easy at nearby Aquarium Wharf garage or metered on-street.
Experience another authentic slice-of-history, to pair with your visit to Fort Sumter, by visiting one of West Ashley’s famous Plantation properties…
West of the Ashley
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site ~ Keeper’s Choice Program ~ 02/06 & 02/20/2016
A zookeeper’s day is never the same – and neither is this program! Some days the bear will be the star, or it might be the bobcat or otters. You just never know who’ll be there until you are! Depending on staff schedules and animal needs, this program may discuss topics like animal behavior and biology, demonstrate training techniques that help the keepers take care of the animals, or include enrichment activities that bring out natural behaviors and exercise for the animals. http://southcarolinaparks.com/ctl/introduction.aspx
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site ~ Close Encounters of the Bird Kind ~
02/13 & 02/27/2016
They are alien, strange, and bizarre. They eat what you and I can’t. And we find them ugly and scary. But take a closer look at their lives and you might find you should really appreciate them. So let’s talk turkey – turkey vulture that is! Meet at the Animal Forest Vulture/Turkey Habitat and see the the beauty behind the beast.11:30am. http://southcarolinaparks.com/ctl/introduction.aspx
Middleton Place ~ Beauty & History: Camellia Workshop ~ 02/06/2016
Master Gardener and Middleton Place VP of Horticulture Sidney Frazier will lead a workshop Discussing growing camellias, from propagation to care beginning at 1pm in the Middleton Place Garden Market and Nursery. Workshop is FREE to the public, however reservations are required. https://www.middletonplace.org/
Middleton Place ~ Celebrating Camellias: Lecture & Walk ~ 02/07/2016
The celebration of camellias continues with a special Camellia Walk at 2pm followed by a reception including a lecture by Max Fleming, a Master Gardener. Special camellia items will be for sale during the reception, as well as in the Museum Shop and Garden Market throughout the weekend including plants propagated at Middleton Place. Check back soon for additional details. Walk and Lecture is FREE with paid General Admission to Middleton Place. https://www.middletonplace.org/
Middleton Place ~ Camellia Walks ~ 02/09, 02/11, 02/13, 02/16, 02/18, 02/20, 02/23, 02/25 & 02/27/2016
Special guided tours focus on camellias throughout the original gardens as well as the “new” camellia garden of the 1950s. Admire hundreds of varieties, including the 1786 Reine des Fleurs, one of the first camellias planted in America. Ticket includes general admission to Middleton Place. Tours begin at the Garden Market & Nursery and last approx. 1½ hours. https://www.middletonplace.org/
Middleton Place ~ Celebrates Black History Month ~ 02/01-02/28/2016
Celebrate Black History Month at Middleton Place with daily “Beyond the Fields” Walking Tours and visit Eliza’s House where an exhibit focusing o the daily lives of slaves can be experienced. One-hour interpretive tour focuses on the African American slaves and freedmen that lived and worked at Middleton Place and their contributions to the Lowcountry culture. Trained interpreters discuss domestic life at Eliza’s House, rice cultivation at the Rice Mile where Carolina Gold rice grows May through October, and religion and spirituality at the Plantation Chapel and Slave Cemetery. Costumed craft interpreters in the living History Stableyards recreate the activities once performed by slaves on 18th and 19th century plantations. Garden Overview Tours and Carriage Tours are offered daily. https://www.middletonplace.org/
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens ~ Life Before and After Freedom ~ 02/20/2016
Four storytellers with blacksmith, cooking and brickmaking demonstrations at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens will present life on a Southern plantation before and after the end of chattel slavery. Following the demonstrations on Feb. 20 award-winning television actress and storyteller Natalie Daise will guide an audience through the development of Araminta Ross as she became the iconic abolitionist and Union Army spy known as Harriet Tubman. Daise’s 60-minute performance, “Becoming Harriet Tubman” at 4:30 p.m. in the Carriage House, will be a fundraiser for Charleston’s proposed International African American Museum. Seating is limited to the invitation-only event. “Life Before and After Freedom” will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the restored cabins that once housed enslaved workers who helped design and maintain Magnolia’s gardens and later were garden guides following the Civil War. Also, Magnolia’s award-winning cabin tour “From Slavery to Freedom” and the storytelling program and craft demonstrations at the cabins will be FREE with garden admission. http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/
Fly Fishing 201 School ~ The Charleston Angler ~ 02/20/2016
Each fly fishing class is typically offered once a month for $75. They run from 9am to 3pm, and include lunch as well as any necessary tackle required for the session. Capt. John will cover everything from fly casting to knots and flies selection for Lowcountry species. Makes for a great birthday present or group activity. Class sizes limited to 10 participants. Call or email to register. 65http://www.thecharlestonangler.com/
Downtown Historic Charleston
Living in History Lunch Lecture ~ 82 Queen Restaurant ~ 02/02/2016
Michael Damich, Co-Founder of Abovit Aerialography, an FAA licensed aerial content firm specializing in preservation, home and business inspections and real estate marketing. Abovit has been working with the Preservation society to produce high definition 3D models for 2 of the “Seven to Save” sites to gain new perspectives. Michael is a graduate of the University of Alabama.
http://www.preservationsociety.org/living-in-history.php
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry ~ Princess of Tides Tea Party ~ 02/15/2016
Once upon a time, in a kingdom not-so-very-far away, beautiful princesses invited little royals-in-training to their table for a celebration with treats, tea and special activities (including a carriage ride!).CML’s loyal subjects are royally summoned to the Princess of Tides Tea Parties. $25 – $30. Plus, CML is open all day, from 9 – 5pm for President’s Day. Bring the little ones and enjoy! http://explorecml.org/calendar/princess-of-tides-tea-parties/
Carnival of the Animals ~ Ballet Evolution ~ 02/19 & 02/20/2016
Sottile Theatre
Based on turn of the century side show acts, Carnival of the Animals brings to life a devious Ringmaster, a menagerie of caged performers and a young girl looking for adventure. Step right up and take a peek into the Big Top to be entertained by Clowns, Mermaids, and Siamese twins; just to name a few. Be transported by the magic of the Circus through the sights and sounds of our talented artists. The professional dancers of Ballet Evolution, acclaimed musicians of Chamber Music Charleston, impeccable set design by BuchananArts, and featuring the accomplished young artists of the Charleston Youth Ballet all collaborate to make “Carnival of the Animals” a fun family event not to be missed. Breaks boundaries in the Charleston arts scene with seamless integration of dance, live music, and story to implement a process that revives and reinvigorates a classical arts model. Tickets: $13-$39. http://www.balletevolution.org/
Bacon and Bourbon 2016 ~ Memminger Auditorium ~ 02/20/2016
Enjoy unlimited samples of bacon dishes from Charleston’s most renowned chefs and the new kids on the block. Try bourbon cocktails from 25 different distilleries and dance the night away with live music. Try your hand at our bull riding championship and test your skills with Laser Skeet Shooting.
Bacon Lovers 7:30 pm, Unlimited Sampling of Bacon Dishes and Bourbon Tastings, Live Music, Bull Riding Championship, Laser Skeet Shooting, Smithfield Bacon Bar. The Junior League of Charleston is the official non-profit partner for Bacon and Bourbon 2016. A portion of the proceeds will benefit their hunger and homelessness initiatives. Craft beer, water, and soft drinks will also be available!
http://www.baconandbourbonsc.com/
“Dorothy in Wonderland” ~ Footlight Players ~ 02/27 & 02/28/2016
The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this fantastically fun romp, adapted from the works of L. Frank Baum and Lewis Carroll and directed by Jo Ellen Aspinwall. Just as Dorothy is clicking her heels, another whirlwind appears, sweeping Dorothy and her friends away to Wonderland. In this strange new place, they meet Alice, who needs their help facing a dangerous foe – the Queen of Hearts. Performances are 2 p.m. Feb. 27 and Feb. 28; 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. http://footlightplayers.net/