TODAY
The Senior Men's Club of Aiken will meet at noon today at the Woodside Country Club, 1000 Woodside Plantation Drive. The guest speaker will be Arthur "Buzz" Rich, chairman of the Aiken Corporation. The cost is $25 without dessert and $29 with dessert. For more information about club membership or to make a reservation, call Rick Endler at 803-649-7697 or email afendler@bellsouth.net.
Storytime will be held today and Wednesday, April 24, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. The event features songs and stories for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. For babies, storytime will be held from 10:15-10:45 a.m. For toddlers, it will be held from 11-11:30 a.m., and for preschoolers it will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Children of any age can join. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 803-642-2020 ext. 1121.
A Make A Peeps Diorama event will be held from 4-5 p.m. today at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. Meet in the creative lab where glue, craft materials, boxes and Peeps will be available for anyone wishing to create a diorama for the Peeps Diorama Contest. The contest runs April 8 through May 25. Entry forms are available at the circulation desk. For more information, call 803-642-2020 ext. 1121.
The Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District will hold Pop-Up Free Seed event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. District representatives will distribute flower, herb and vegetable seeds. Packets are limited to two per person. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.
The following programs will be offered today at Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road: Protecting Yourself from Scams and Financial Fraud Part I, 10:30 a.m., $8; Pilates for All, 11:30 a.m., Nicole Sawyer, $10; Fit for Life, Nicole Sawyer, 12:30 p.m., $10; and Barre Balance & Stretch, 1:30 p.m., Nicole Sawyer, $10. For more information, visit aikensenior.org.
An ACBL Sectional Bridge Game is held at 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. A free bridge lesson will be held at 11:30 a.m. For more information, email AikenBridgeClub@gmail.com.
The Savannah River Site Museum, 224 Laurens St. S.W., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum features exhibits and resources related to the Savannah River Site and the Cold War. Admission is free. For more information, call 803-648-1437 or visit srsheritagemuseum.org.
THURSDAY
A lecture titled School Tax Matters: Understanding Act 388 will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in The Alley, 139 Newberry St. S.W. Sarah Young will be the speaker. The event is part of the USC Aiken in The Alley Community Series. For more information, call 803-641-3784.
A National Poetry Month Celebration will be held from 2-7:45 p.m. Thursday at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. The library's Art of Words open mic co-hosts Cathy B and Tamell baily will present an afternoon and evening of workshops and performances. Workshops and a Q&A panel discussion will be held from 2-5:30 p.m. and will feature Al Black, Anthony "SleepyEyez" Carter, Catherine "The Great" Zickgraf and Amy White. Pre-registration for the workshops opens April 2. An open Mic event will follow at 6 p.m. Sign up opens at 5:30 p.m., and Al Black will perform. The theme is Being Heard: A Celebration of National Poetry Month. For more information, call 803-642-2020 ext. 3.
The following programs will be offered Thursday at Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road: Let's Listen Club, 11:30 a.m., Kathryn Isaac, free; A Powerful Journey Into Aiken's African American Heritage Part 3, 1 p.m., Wayne O'Bryant, $8; Still Life Studio Club, 1:30 p.m., A.C. Daniel, free; Sewing Club, 3:30 p.m., Jacque Rees, free; Caregiver Series: Dangers of Opiates, 4 p.m., Jessica McCoy, free. For more information, visit aikensenior.org.
The Aiken Toastmasters Club will meet from 6:45-8 p.m. Thursday in room 3 of the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road. Meetings are free and aim to help people improve public speaking and build leadership skills. FOr more information, visit aikentoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.
Amp The Alley will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in The Alley in downtown Aiken. Bethany and the Southside Boys will perform. Concerts will be held every Thursday through Aug. 29. For more information, visit ampthealley.com.
4 Cats in the Doghouse play jazz from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at The Willcox, 100 Colleton Ave.
FRIDAY
The Imani Milele Children's Choir from Uganda will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Friday at St. James Lutheran Church, 200 Laurel Drive, Graniteville. The choir is a voice for Uganda's orphaned and vulnerable children. Admission is free but a freewill offering will be collected to support the choir. For more information, email stjamesnewsinfo@gmail.com.
A UKC All Breed Dog Show will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at New Ear Farm, 1720 Wire Road. Entry is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show. Pre-entry deadline was April 13. For more information or to register, visit thecarolinadogsociety.com.
A 22-hour workout to raise awareness for veteran suicide will be held Friday through Saturday at Workout Anytime, 3605 Richland Ave. W. All money raised will go to the When Life Sucks Foundation which exists to support veterans and first responders in the fight to heal from trauma and live well. For more information and to make a donation, visit givebutter.com/22hours.
The following programs will be offered Friday at Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road: Motion is Lotion, 10 a.m., Will Durett, $8; Pilates for All, 11:30 a.m., Nicole Sawyer, $10; Fit for Life, 12:30 p.m., Nicole Sawyer, $10; and Chess, 5 p.m., Hany Roman, free. For more information, visit aikensenior.org
SATURDAY
Guided tours of the Gaston Livery Stable will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month. The stable is located at 1315 Richland Ave. E. Tours are also available by appointment. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 803-648-4123.
The Aiken Symphony will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Etherredge Center on the campus of USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway. The concert is part of the MasterWorks Series and will feature Leonore Overture No. 3 by Beethoven, Rüker Lieder by Mahler and La Mer by Dbussy. Bass-baritone Joseph Parrish will also perform. Tickets range in price from $40 and $55. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit aikensymphonyorchestra.com.
The Aiken Poets will celebrate the gifts of poetry from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St. S.W. Visitors will be able to meet poets and list to original works of poetry. For more information, call Roger Brock at 803-646-2141.
Art in the Park will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Walton Heath Park in the Cedar Creek neighborhood. The park is located at the corner of Club Drive and Walton Heath Way. The event will feature items made by Cedar Creek artisans including handmade embroidered cards, greeting cards, watercolors, seasonal wreaths, vintage fusion jewelry, quilted items, glass art, acrylic paintings wood creations and more. Musical entertainment will start at noon.
A BBQ Chicken and Pulled Pork Fundraiser will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at DAV Chapter 43, 2194 Columbia Highway N. Tickets are $10 and include a choice of chicken or pork, two sides and a roll. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Allen at 803-644-0796.
The St. Mary's Catholic Women's Association will hold a card party fundraiser from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Angela Hall on Fairfield Street. The cost is $15 per person and all proceeds will be divided between Aiken Senior Live Services and the Child Advocacy Center. The event will feature door prizes, breakfast breads and a light lunch. For more information or to reserve a table, call 803-648-7188 or 954-560-4907. Reservations were due April 16.
The Aiken-Augusta Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will hold the 22nd Bill Arra Memorial Golf Tournament at Mount Vintage Golf Club, 375 Mount Vintage Plantation Drive, North Augusta, on Saturday. The tournament begins with lunch at 11 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The scoring format is Captain's Choice, four-person teams. Entry is $80 per golfer or $320 per team and includes a round of golf with cart, Penn Stat logo golf ball, pre-tournament lunch, free use of the driving range, door prize ticket and on-course skills competitions. For more information or to enter, email rtpictures@comcast.net or visit site.google.com/fchs.net/billarramemorialgolf/home.
A Breyer Horse Kids Fun Day will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum in Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place. For more information, visit aikenracinghalloffame.com.
“Yellow Rose," rated PG-13, will be shown at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.
The Back to Basics Alcoholics Anonymous group will meet in-person at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 961 Trail Ridge Road. Masks are encouraged for those who are not vaccinated.
SUNDAY
The third annual Toast to Great Oak will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs, 1123 Edgefield Highway. The event will feature a charcuterie table, brunch buffet and live auction. There also will be a Liberty & Trick demonstration by Laurie Wilson. Tickets are $135 per person or $1,000 per table of eight. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit greatoakeap.org.
The Aiken Civic Orchestra Double Bass Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at South Aiken Presbyterian Church, 1711 Whiskey Road. The concert will feature Milton Masciadri, Laura Camacho, Chris Eughauser and Luca Lombardi. A donation of $20 is recommended. The concert is part of the orchestra's Chamber Series.
MONDAY
The Hopelands Concert Series will be held Mondays through June 24. The Southern Elite Cloggers will perform at 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage at Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place. Lawn chairs and blankets may be brought, as well as picnic dinners and non-alcoholic beverages. Parking is at the Green Boundary Club, 780 Whiskey Road. Handicap parking is available at the Rye Patch parking lot on Berrie Road and the Hopelands Gardens parking lot. In case of inclement weather, performances will be moved to the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road. The rain-out hotline is 803-643-4661. The concerts are free. For more information, call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Let's Go Bingo will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road. There is a $5 cover charge. Game cards are $1 each or $15 to $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/letsgobingoaiken.
APRIL 23
Story Time in the Gardens will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, on the lawn of the Rye Patch, 100 Berrie Road. Storytime is free and will meet on Tuesdays through May. Participants should bring a lawn chair or blanket. Snacks are welcome. In case of inclement weather, Storytime will be held inside the Rye Patch. For more information, call 803-642-7631. For weather information, call 803-643-4661.
A Kids Book Club will meet at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. Read your favorite book then join the club for snacks, a discussion and an activity. For more information or to register, call the circulation desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 1121. This program is designed for ages 5-10.
A Book Club meets on the third and fourth Tuesday of the month in the first floor meeting room from 2:30-3:45 p.m. Group A meets April 23 and will discuss "The Storycatcher" by Ann Hite. Group B meets April 10 and will discuss "The Cowboy and The Cossack" by Clair Huffaker. Sign up at the information desk on the second floor. For more information or to sign up, call 803-642-2020, ext. 3.
A free law talk will be held from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. The event is held in partnership with the SC Bar and SCLegal. The topic will be legal information on Evictions: Landlord and Tenant Rights. A lawyer will give a 30-minute presentation and take questions. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.
The Awesome Aiken Al-Anon group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at First Christian Church, 900 Kerr Drive.
Nar-Anon Aiken For Comfort Family Group will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in person in the conference room near the main sanctuary at St. John's United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. S.W. and via Zoom. For more information, email aikennaranon@outlook.com.
Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step group for men and women, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road.
The Depression Anxiety Bipolar Support Group of Aiken and Surrounding States will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays online via the GoToMeeting App. For more information contact Mindy Harmon at 803-507-2214 or email manicgh@yahoo.com.
APRIL 24
An ACBL Sectional Bridge Game is held at 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior and Youth Center, 841 Edgefield Ave. A free bridge lesson will be held at 11:30 a.m. For more information, email AikenBridgeClub@gmail.com.
The Savannah River Site Museum, 224 Laurens St. S.W., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum features exhibits and resources related to the Savannah River Site and the Cold War. Admission is free. For more information, call 803-648-1437 or visit srsheritagemuseum.org.
APRIL 25
The Aiken Civic Orchestra will perform a concert titled Virtuosity at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Etherredge Center on the campus of USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway. The concert is part of the orchestra's Classical Series and will feature Alexander Borodin's Symphony No. 2 in B Minor and Antonin Dvorak's Chello Concerto in B Minor. Claire Bryant also will perform. Tickets are $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 803-641-3305 or visit usca.edu/etherredge-center.
A Tween Book Club will meet at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. Read one of your favorite books then join the club for snacks, a discussion and an activity. For more information or to register, call the circulation desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 1121. This program is designed for ages 11-13.
Amp The Alley will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in The Alley in downtown Aiken. Rae's Creek Revival will perform. Concerts will be held every Thursday through Aug. 29. For more information, visit ampthealley.com.
4 Cats in the Doghouse play jazz from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at The Willcox, 100 Colleton Ave. RUN EVERY THURSDAY
APRIL 26
The Cumbee Center will hold its 2024 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Professional Training Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Piedmont Technical College, 506 Main St., Edgefield. The training will offer a closer look at the complexity of a survivor's journey and process and the importance of the S.C. Sexual Assault Evidence kit. The free training will be accredited for CEU, VSP and CLEE hours. For more information or to register, visit eventbrite.com.
The Aiken High School Class of 1974 will hold its 50th class reunion April 26 and 27. There will be a drop-in party April 26 at the Inn at Houndslake, and the reunion will be held April 27 at Newberry Hall. For more information, call Frankie Fulmer at 803-270-5653 or Hattie Thurmond at 803-649-5825.
“Cyrano," rated PG-13, will be shown at 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org.
APRIL 27
Aiken Electric Cooperative will hold its annual Run United event beginning with check-in at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 27, in downtown Aiken. Half-marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run races will be held. Entry in the half-marathon is $80, 10K entry is $65 and 5K entry is $55. For more information, visit aikencoop.enmotive.com.
The Aiken Master Gardeners will hold its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27, in the gym of Millbrook Baptist Church, 233 S. Aiken Blvd. The sale will feature a variety of plants and rummage sale items.
Horses and Harmony IV will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Stable View Farm, 117 Stable Drive. Gates open at 2:45 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person, and include accomplished riders showing their horses accompanied by the Aiken Symphony, dinner, cash bar, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit aikensymphonyguild.org.
The Southern Spring Classic Round Robin Mixed Doubles Pickleball Tournamet will be held Saturday, April 27, at Houndslake Country Club, 901 Houndslake Drive. The tournament is for players 13 and older and will be held at Houndslake's outdoor pickleball facility. Registration is $35 per player. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Southern Pickleball Academy's effort to grow pickleball in schools and establish a scholarship. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/pbclassic.
Gershwin on Broadway will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Etherredge Center on the campus of USC Aiken, 471 University Parkway. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, military members and USCA faculty and staff or $5 for students and children. The performance is part of the Etherredge Center Cultural Series. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 803-641-3305 or visit etherredgecenter.universitytickets.com.
The 2024 Aiken Brunch Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in downtown Aiken. For more information, visit downtownaiken.com.
The Back to Basics Alcoholics Anonymous group will meet in-person at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 961 Trail Ridge Road. Masks are encouraged for those who are not vaccinated.
APRIL 28
APRIL 29
The Hopelands Concert Series will be held Mondays through June 24. The SureFires (Jaycie & Brooke) will perform at 6:30 p.m. April 29 at the Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage at Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place. Lawn chairs and blankets may be brought, as well as picnic dinners and non-alcoholic beverages. Parking is at the Green Boundary Club, 780 Whiskey Road. Handicap parking is available at the Rye Patch parking lot on Berrie Road and the Hopelands Gardens parking lot. In case of inclement weather, performances will be moved to the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road. The rain-out hotline is 803-643-4661. The concerts are free. For more information, call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Let's Go Bingo will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Aiken Senior Life Services, 1310 E. Pine Log Road. There is a $5 cover charge. Game cards are $1 each or $15 to $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/letsgobingoaiken.
APRIL 30
The Stormwater STEM Club will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. There will be interactive STEM lessons and hands-on water science activities. The focus of March will be water pollution. To register, call the circulation desk at 803-642-2020 ext. 1121. This program is held in partnership with Aiken County Stormwater.
The Awesome Aiken Al-Anon group meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at First Christian Church, 900 Kerr Drive.
Nar-Anon Aiken For Comfort Family Group will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in person in the conference room near the main sanctuary at St. John's United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. S.W. and via Zoom. For more information, email aikennaranon@outlook.com.
Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step group for men and women, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Cedar Creek Church, 3001 Banks Mill Road.
The Depression Anxiety Bipolar Support Group of Aiken and Surrounding States will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays online via the GoToMeeting App. For more information contact Mindy Harmon at 803-507-2214 or email manicgh@yahoo.com.
