WEDNESAY 28
 

Sure, beating a bongo drum looks like the easiest thing in the world, but technique is essential. It could mean the difference between driving your parents crazy and making good music. Luke Quaranta of the Asheville instrumental band Toubab Krewe will be at 701 Whaley for drum workshops, one for beginners at 6 p.m. and another for advanced players at 7:15 p.m. Tickets for the beginner class are $15 or $10 for students; the advanced class is $20 and $15, respectively. Don’t worry if you don’t have a drum. There will be plenty available to use for free. Don’t want to participate? Just want to watch? That’ll be $10. Call 237-1793 for more information.


THURSDAY 29

The Aram Shelton Quartet brings its cool Chicago-based jazz to the 701 Center for Contemporary Art tonight. The group will be celebrating the release of its debut album These Times beginning at 8 p.m. The music section has more on page 59.

When’s the last time you rocked your Chucks? Preach Jacobs and Mo’ Betta Soul are inviting you to lace up your favorite pair and get ready to groove at the Mo’ Betta Soul Chuck Taylor Dance Party starting at 8 p.m. at Immaculate Consumption. Tunes will be provided by The Dirty Drummer and deejay duo Never See Come See. Admission is only $3 and you have the chance to win a new pair of kicks custom painted by artist Cedric Umoja of Izms of Art.  Visit mobettasoul.com — or check out the music section on page 60 — for more information.


FRIDAY 30
 

Physical graffiti: Exit Through the Gift Shop opens Friday at the Nickelodeon Theatre.

Famous British street artist Banksy is finally caught on tape in the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop — or is he? Los Angeles thrift store owner and amateur documentarian Thierry Guetta fell into the world of street artists through a family member — a path that eventually let him to Banksy, whose identity has yet to be revealed. All is well until Banksy decides he wants creative control. Showings are at 3, 6 and 8 p.m. through Aug. 5 at the Nickelodeon Theatre. Call 254-3433 or visit nickelodeon.org for more information.


SATURDAY 31

We don’t know about you, Eight Days reader, but we’ve always been a bit perplexed by the peanut merchant Cromer’s slogan “Guaranteed Worst in Town.” Well, now’s your chance to find out all about it and the company’s history at Cromer’s 75th Anniversary Celebration from 9 a.m. to noon at the peanut merchant’s store at 1700 Huger St. Cromer’s decided to go back in time to the store’s farmers market roots with $1 popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy, fresh produce and plants and even some Model A cars on display from Palmetto A’s. Music will be provided by bluegrass group Amick Junction. For more information, visit cromers.com.

Columbia native and comedian J. Anthony Brown is coming back home to the Capital City and a newly renovated Township Auditorium for an evening with his funny friends. J. Anthony Brown & Friends Comedy Jam will also feature Huggy Lowdown, Sybil, Chris Paul, Myra J and more. Check out the arts section on page 24 for more.

Charleston rockers The Blue Dogs move inland — bring a nice Chucktown breeze with you, fellas ­­— for a show at The White Mule with openers singer/songwriter Darren Flowers and kemp ridley. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit thewhitemule.com or call 661-8199 for more information.

Looking for a chance to eat vegetables, be yelled at by a personal trainer and cry on national television? Here’s your chance, fatty: Colonial Life Arena is hosting the Biggest Loser Casting Call from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit thebiggestlosercasting.com for more information.


SUNDAY 1

For some, summer means hours by the pool, grilling out or trips to the beach, but for the students in the University of South Carolina’s Summer II Chorus, it means hours in the School of Music poring over sheet music of Honegger’s King David. You can hear the fruits of the chorus’ labor — with special guest narrator Peppie Calvar, Janet Hopkins as the Witch of Endor and guest vocalists Tina Stallard, Kristi Meetze and Walter Cuttino — tonight at 4 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall. The concerts are free and open to the public. Call 777-5369 for more information.


MONDAY 2

Join Mayor Steve Benjamin, the Columbia Police Department and Columbia neighborhood associations for the Third Annual National Night Out Kick Off party at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center; the night starts at 6 p.m. with the mayor officially proclaiming August Neighborhood Safety Month, followed by games and prizes. The event is free and open to the public. Call 545-3373 for more information.

The summer is coming to a close, and only a few more movies are left in the Richland County Public Library’s Family Film Festival.  This week, it’s Akeelah and the Bee. Eight Day is sure the kids will appreciate a reminder of the fun to come when school starts up in a few weeks. The movies are free and held at the library’s main branch at 1431 Assembly St. Call 799-9084 or visit myrcpl.com for more information.


TUESDAY 3

Classical guitarist Christopher Berg will create A Little Summer Music with pieces by Federico Moreno-Torroba and Isaac Albéniz at a noon concert at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. The 30-minute concert is free. A box lunch can be reserved by calling 252-1994 by July 30.


WEDNESAY 4

Tired of the same old tunes? Check out New Music Night at New Brookland Tavern with fresh acts Graveside Manner, A Vacant Soul, Modern Day Slave, Kings Last Shot and Experiment 317. (OK, graves, vacant souls and slaves don’t sound so “fresh,” but we’ll give them a chance.) Doors open at 6 p.m. Cover is $5, $8 for those under 21. Call 791-4413 or visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.