Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

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Friday, September 15, 2023
Sandburg Home Tours
Sep 15 @ 11:00 am
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

  • Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.
  • Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
    *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
    *You can purchase a pass online at 
    America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
  • 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
  • Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
  • Tours are limited to 6 persons.
  • Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

    Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
    *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.

    (credit card only)
    $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
    $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
    Free for Children age 15 and under

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Sep 15 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Swamp Rabbit Trail Tour
Sep 15 @ 2:30 pm
Reedy Rides

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

Saturday, September 16, 2023
Applications open: 2024 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
Sep 16 all-day
online w/ Asheville Fringe Arts

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW!

Do you have a boundary-pushing, innovative performance piece, short film or installation that you’re ready to share?

We will open applications for the film portion of the festival in fall 2023. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway. Our application fee for films is $5.


NOW CONSIDERING WORKS OF ALL KINDS

We accept live performances from 5 to 60 minutes in length, plus installations and films. We’re open to other types of performance as well – let’s talk! Depending on its length, your piece may be grouped with another show, or scheduled as a Random Act of Fringe. RAFs are free and open to the public, and artists receive a stipend for their performance, rather than relying on door sales.

Typically each artist with a ticketed show gets 2 performances. But in 2024, we’re exploring the option of giving a few shows 3 performances, at select venues only. Our venues range from 20-80 person capacity.

1. FRINGE SHOT

A piece that is
5-15 minutes long

May be paired with another performance, or be selected as a free Random Act of Fringe.

2. SHORT FORM

A piece that is
20-40 minutes long

May be paired with another show.

3. FULL-LENGTH

A piece that is
45-60 minutes long

Ticketed theater-style show.

4. INSTALLATION

A piece that is
Site-specific (any length)

May be in an unusual location, or repeated many times. May be seen by as few as one person at a time.

5. FILM

A piece that is
Designed specifically for film.

May be of any genre & length. Could be combined with other films for a showcase or film night.
Submit on Film Freeway Fall 2023

3. THE ASHEVILLE FRINGE ARTS FESTIVAL IS A JURIED FESTIVAL.

We carefully review each and every submission. You’ll know by late October if your piece is selected. Should your piece get selected, there is a $35 participation fee.

Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 16 all-day
Various Locations Greenville SC

While Downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys–smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail tour is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

Tours include:

• Insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques
• Information about each restaurant’s history and how they got started
• Interesting information about Greenville BBQ history
• A drive through old textile mill villages
• And, of course, a chance to try generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides

Locations we visit:

• Bucky’s Bar-B-Q
• Henry’s Smokehouse
• Mike & Jeff’s BBQ

Open Doors Artist Registration
Sep 16 all-day
online
The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 16 all-day
The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
A plate of barbeque and side dishes.

Greenville’s BBQ scene has been gaining more and more national attention, and it was most notably ranked a Top 10 BBQ City in America by Yahoo.com.

While downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys — smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour, presented by Greenville History Tours, is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

The tours include insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques, information about each restaurant’s history, interesting information about the city’s BBQ history, a drive through old textile mill villages, and of course generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides.

The tours usually take place on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 12:45 am and meet at City Hall. Tickets are $55 per person.

Visit greenvillehistorytours.com/greenville-culinary-tours/bbq-trail/ or call (864) 567-3940 for additional information.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 16 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

5th Annual Juried Exhibition
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

This is the fifth regional, juried exhibition presented by the Collective: An annual event to showcase the amazing diversity of work within this southern region. We honor artists from Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.

 

The competition was strong, 196 artists entered 496 artworks. From which the juror could choose 70 to be in the exhibition.

 

The exhibition will run from September 13th to October 28th in the Solomon Gallery. The winners will be announced on September 23rd, 2023.

 

Please visit our Exhibitions Portal to learn more and see the artworks that were selected this year.

The artwork is coming in for this year’s Juried Exhibition. It is going to be a beautiful show. We are always so thrilled to meet the artists when they bring in their work. The exhibition is free to the public and we invite everyone to visit this lovely show.

Dirty Dancing Festival of Lake Lure
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am
Morse Park, Lake Lure, NC
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LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

We are lining up some GREAT entertainment for 2023! 

Look forward to 3 LIVE Bands AND a guest appearance by Franke Previte and Lisa Sherman!

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ASHEVILLE BALLET

Festival favorites, Asheville Ballet will be teaching all your favorite dance moves and adding some new twists. 

AND, they’ll be performing on stage and encouraging you to get on your feet, too!

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REFRESHMENTS

Come hungry and enjoy the tasty food trucks coming this year – your stomach will thank you.

And, we always have the best local beer, wine, cider, and mead of any festival around!

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ARTISAN VILLAGE

This year’s “Village” will be a blend of handcrafted and quality items you just can’t live without. Added bonus: they will serve as fond reminders of your Lake Lure Dance Festival experience!

Exhibition: The Colors of Nature – From Rivers to Roses – by Carol Story
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

Spartanburg artist Carol Story has long loved nature and all its bright and subtle colors. That love shows in her upcoming exhibition of her oil paintings, “The Colors of Nature: From Rivers to Roses,” set for Sept. 5 through 30 in Gallery II of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.

 

The exhibit includes 18 to 20 small- to medium-sized oil paintings on linen “of familiar scenes,” Story says. “This exhibit is really a random collection of my work over the past year. It includes a couple of florals, landscapes from my wanderings along the coast and mountains, and even several from my series of sheep.

The Art of Glass
Sep 16 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

The Art of Glass

Tom Zumbach

“The Art of Glass,” an exhibition by Tom Zumbach, is set for September 5th – 30th in Gallery III of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.

 

After moving to Greer, S.C., from the Milwaukee area in 1996, Zumbach started a full-time woodworking business and traveled from Michigan to Florida and places in between displaying at art shows. “I became interested in fused glass while working in Tryon, N.C., for 10 years. In 2014, and started my new journey with color and texture that weren’t brown, as wood,” says Zumbach, a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild and the American Association of Woodturners.

Sandburg Home Tours
Sep 16 @ 11:00 am
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

  • Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.
  • Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
    *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
    *You can purchase a pass online at 
    America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
  • 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
  • Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
  • Tours are limited to 6 persons.
  • Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

    Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
    *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.

    (credit card only)
    $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
    $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
    Free for Children age 15 and under

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Sep 16 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

TYLER HOFF “Bones of The Earth” Art Show
Sep 16 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Barnett Gallery

TYLER HOFF “Bones of The Earth” Art Exhibition

Join us for an exciting in-person event at the Barnett Gallery! Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Tyler Hoff’s “Bones of The Earth” art exhibition. Get ready to be mesmerized by his unique and thought-provoking creations.

“I am a self-taught miniaturist based in the Greenville area, with my wife and two sons. Since humankind first developed the spoken word, we have told stories – to remember, to imagine, to escape. My work focuses on trying to create a new perspective for the observer, to inspire each viewer to tell a story about the piece.”

Discover the hidden stories and emotions behind each masterpiece as you explore the gallery. Tyler Hoff’s artistic vision will transport you to a realm where imagination meets reality. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the raw beauty and intricate details of his artwork.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious, this exhibition promises to leave a lasting impression. Mark your calendar and join us at the Barnett Gallery for an unforgettable experience. See you there!

Art show featuring new sculptures by Tyler Hoff. Refreshments will be served. Come see an unveiling of new artwork by Tyler Hoff while enjoying food and drinks.

Sunday, September 17, 2023
Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 17 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Sandburg Home Tours
Sep 17 @ 11:00 am
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

  • Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.
  • Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
    *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
    *You can purchase a pass online at 
    America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
  • 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
  • Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
  • Tours are limited to 6 persons.
  • Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

    Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
    *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.

    (credit card only)
    $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
    $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
    Free for Children age 15 and under

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Sep 17 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Knit-n-Give
Sep 17 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Mission Rathbun House

Are you looking for an excuse to knit or crochet for a good cause? Help make baby hats and blankets and adult hats, scarves, and slippers to support at-risk newborns and homeless adults.  Your handmade knitwear will keep our neighbors warm.  Volunteers with basic skills in knitting or crocheting are welcome. Please bring your own needles or crochet hooks and a pattern.

Check out Knit-n-Give on WLOS: http://wlos.com/news/only-on-wloscom/close-knit-group-of-women-use-their-talents-to-help-asheville-charities

 

 

Say What?! Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Sep 17 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Coffee Underground

Read or perform your own original poems, plus hear great local and touring poets. Sundays 7:30pm-9:45pm. Open Mic–$5. Feature & Slams –$10.