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

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Power Up Workshops – How to Start Your Business
May 16 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
OneSpartanburg, Inc. | Milliken Board Room 105 N. Pine St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

Power Up Workshops – How to Access Capital
May 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
OneSpartanburg, Inc. Milliken Board Room

Make plans to attend this Power Up Spartanburg Workshop – Access to Capital. Offered every month in partnership with the SC Small Business Development Center, join Katrina Meeks to learn about the topics below.

 Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Cash Flow Management

This event will equip you with the knowledge of:

  • Access to Capital ( what do I need for a bank loan?)
  • Who will Fund my Business
  • The Five C’s of Credit
  • Skin in the Game
  • Terms and Conditions (do I sign on the dotted line? )
Saturday, May 20, 2023
SpringBoard Conference 2023: Training for Boards + Commissions
May 20 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
online

The fourth annual SpringBoard Conference will help South Carolina women who have yet to seek positions on appointed boards and commissions gain the knowledge and confidence to do so and help women already serving become more effective board members. Learn the important role boards and commissions play in our government, understand the responsibilities associated with serving, and how to stand out in the application process. We’ll help you find the right board for your interests and experience, submit, and follow up on your application.

New this year–learn about service on corporate and nonprofit boards and hear from the officials who oversee appointments to statewide boards!

This is a virtual only conference.

 

Leading in the Private Sector: Serving on a Corporate or Non-Profit Board
Learn what it’s like serving on a private board, how to know if it’s the right fit for you, what experience you need, and how to find opportunities.

Presented by:
Karen Jenkins, President, Columbia Chamber of Commerce and member, SC Chamber of Commerce Board
Naomi Lett, Executive Director, United Way of SC


Starting at Home: Serving on a Local Appointed Board

Learn the roles boards and commissions play in local government, how they function, and the type of boards you can expect to find.

Presented by:
Dr. Kim Roberts, Fairfield County Clerk to Council

 

A New Solution: Appointments in the Digital Age
Learn how the innovative new MatchBoard app can help you find and apply for boards in your area.

Demonstration presented by:
Emily Bowerman, MatchBoard Director, SC Women in Leadership
Christie Lindsey, Clerk, City of Spartanburg


The Secret Formula for Being Appointed

What makes a candidate stand out to the council members and mayors making appointments? What skills should you have? Can networking help? What should you do before and after you apply?

Panelists:
Brandy Amidon, Mayor, City of Travelers Rest
David Kenner, Barnwell County Council
Daniel Rickenmann, Mayor, City of Columbia


How to Become a (More) Effective Board Member

What’s it like to serve? What’s the time commitment involved and how do you juggle it with other responsibilities? How many hours a month are you working outside of meetings? How do you handle conflict during meetings? How can you build a relationship with council members and officials? How do you increase your value to and status on the board?

Panelists:
Aisha Grant TaylorWorkers Compensation Commission
Kelly GlynnColumbia HTAX Committee
Ashlye WilkersonWinthrop Board of Trustees


Expanded Horizons: Serving on a Statewide Board

Learn more about opportunities to serve at the state level and how the appointment process varies from local appointments.

Panelists:
S.C. State Senator Sandy Senn, District 41 – Charleston & Dorchester Counties
S.C. State Representative Beth Bernstein, District 78 – Richland County, Member, S.C. House Judiciary Committee and Secretary, S.C. House Ethics Committee

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
South Carolina Women In Leadership: Office Hours Workshop: Opportunity Seats
May 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
online

Learn which offices are most likely to be winnable in your area! Using public data and SC WIL proprietary research, we will walk through which offices position you best to be elected. This is a great place to start if you’re thinking about running but aren’t sure what position you’re interested in. Sign up here.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tom Tenbrunsel Virtual Writers Workshop: Poetry on my Mind
May 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online w/ Carl Sandburg Home

You will find Tom Tenbrunsel a delightfully refreshing poet with a wide variety of subject matter and a style somewhere between Sandburg, Frost and the late Appalachian poet James Wright. Tom challenges one’s whit with a refreshing array of non-conforming rhyme, structure, rhythm and oft made-up words and hidden meanings. Uniquely Tom includes a photo and Author’s Notes with each poem. Join us in May to engage the spirit and myth of poetry with Tom’s “Poetry on my Mind”

Casual Poetry/Poetry on my Mind. Tom will read a couple poems for fun. He will ask guests to write a
short poem from a prompt with feedback from the group. Tom would like guests to feel free to bring short
poems to read and discuss. He encourages questions about writing poetry, about a poem of his or his
journey as a poet or his Self Help Series. So familiarize yourself with his works by scanning his website,
tenbrunsel.com Comments or questions are welcomed. Or feel free to email him in advance at
[email protected].  Check out his website tenbrunsel.com before the workshop. Send in one of your
poems to be commented on by Tom.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop here!

A writer and a poet, Dr. Tenbrunsel enjoyed a long successful career in Clinical Psychology. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tom graduated from Bellarmine University, obtained his doctorate from St Louis University in 1969. He taught, published and was in administration at Michigan State University and was VP for Advancement at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He and his wife reside in the Appalachians of Western North Carolina. They have three successful children and eight grand grandchildren. Dr T. enjoys photography, gardening, cycling, hiking, camping and stalking the elusive trout. His writings and publications speak for themselves. He has published numerous books including:  Casual Gardening,  Poetry on My Mind, The Fund Raising Resource Manual,  The Fund Raising Handbook, Fund-Raising and Grantsmanship:  Getting Money from the Community for the Community, The Lansing Area Doctors Directory, 1&2,   Dissertation “A Group Coupon Economy Program in Treating Mental Illness:  An Experiment in Social Innovation”,   A Wrinkle in My Time: My Memoirs (a work in progress)

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Upstate Homeschool Expo
Jun 1 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
North Greenville University

All the best resources for homeschooling in the Upstate in one place,
on one night! And, this year we have more space, and more time!

Gather resources for your homeschool. Get answers. Find your tribe!

Co-ops, associations, sports, community groups, field trips, arts, & more all in one fun place for the whole family.

NEW THIS YEAR: Learn about homeschooling in breakout sessions, & experience educational, & fun, mini-field trips as a family.

COST
$6.75 per adult.
Children are free.

Expo admission includes breakout sessions, & one tote bag per family.

Dinner, drinks, & snacks, are available for purchase in the cafe downstairs,
& snow cones will be just outside.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Time Travel 101: A Workshop With Author Mickey Dubrow
Jun 20 @ 2:00 pm
Hub City Writers Project

Join Hub City Bookshop for a writing workshop with author Mickey Dubrow! Perfect for budding writers and those with experience. Open to all ages.

Please bring your own writing materials.

About the Workshop

Time travel doesn’t exist…yet. Until it does, it’s up to writers to explore how and why people travel through time. In this 90 minute hands-on workshop, participants will explore the elements of writing compelling time travel fiction for young adults.

Participants will:

-Learn the basic rules of time travel (there really are some)

-Generate new material

-Craft engaging scenes

-Engage in teamwork exercises

No prior writing experience required.

About the Author

Mickey Dubrow is the author of Always Agnes and American Judas. For over thirty years, he wrote television promos, marketing presentations, and scripts for various clients including Cartoon Network, TNT Latin America, and HGTV. His short stories and essays have appeared in Prime Number Magazine, The Good Men Project, The Signal Mountain Review, Full Grown People, and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. His first novel, American Judas, was a Finalist for the 2020 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the category of First Novel. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, author Jessica Handler.

Thursday, June 22, 2023
DigiMarCon Florida 2023 – Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference + Exhibition
Jun 22 all-day
JW Marriott Miami Hotel

“DigiMarCon Florida 2023 is your chance to …

– Hear from some of the most audacious and thought-provoking speakers in the digital marketing, media and advertising industry.
– Gain insight into emerging strategies, the latest innovative technologies, and best practices to move your business to the next level.
– Network with thought leaders, reunite with your peers, and build your professional network.

The 3rd annual DigiMarCon Florida, the Premier Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition in Florida, returns June 22nd and 23rd, 2023 to the luxurious JW Marriott Miami Hotel in Miami, Florida. Join your peers in-person or online for 2-days jam-packed with digital marketing best practices, latest trends, practical solutions, strategy, and networking, also check out the next generation of technology & innovation; Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech & SaaS Technology.

Expand your knowledge on the following topics: Account-Based Marketing, Behavioral & Neuromarketing, Content Marketing, Conversational Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization, Data Science & Big Data, Email Marketing, Geo-Targeting & Proximity Marketing, Growth Hacking, Inbound & Outbound Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Native & Contextual Advertising, Omnichannel Marketing, Paid Search Marketing, Personalization & Privacy.

You’ll also learn the following: Podcast & Webinar Marketing, PR & Cause Marketing, Predictive Analytics & Attribution, Programmatic Advertising, Sales & Marketing Automation, Search Engine Optimization, Shopper Marketing, Marketing & Customer Experience, Social Commerce, Social Media Marketing, UI / UX Design, User-Generated Content, Video Marketing, Viral & Buzz Marketing, Visual & Voice Search, Web Analytics, and much more!

At DigiMarCon Florida 2023, you will receive all the elements you need to achieve digital marketing success! Conventional thoughts will be challenged, and new ways of thinking will emerge. You will leave with your head, notebooks, and professional toolkit full of action items and ideas to lead and supercharge your agency/team/account to even greater success.

Be a part of DigiMarCon Florida 2023 and discover how to thrive and succeed as a marketer in a rapidly evolving digital world. Top keynotes, case studies, strategy sessions and networking!

See why people keep coming back year after year to this must-attend event! Register and secure your seat today.

For more details visit https://digimarconflorida.com.”

Monday, June 26, 2023
DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2023 – Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference + Exhibition
Jun 26 all-day
The Westin Charlotte Hotel

“DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2023 is your chance to …
– Hear from some of the most audacious and thought-provoking speakers in the digital marketing, media and advertising industry.
– Gain insight into emerging strategies, the latest innovative technologies, and best practices to move your business to the next level.
– Network with thought leaders, reunite with your peers, and build your professional network.

DigiMarCon South Atlantic, the Premier Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition in the South Atlantic United States, returns June 26th and 27th, 2023 to the luxurious Westin Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. Join your peers in-person or online for 2-days jam-packed with digital marketing best practices, latest trends, practical solutions, strategy, and networking, also check out the next generation of technology & innovation; Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech & SaaS Technology.

Expand your knowledge on the following topics: Account-Based Marketing, Behavioral & Neuromarketing, Content Marketing, Conversational Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization, Data Science & Big Data, Email Marketing, Geo-Targeting & Proximity Marketing, Growth Hacking, Inbound & Outbound Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Native & Contextual Advertising, Omnichannel Marketing, Paid Search Marketing, Personalization & Privacy.

You’ll also learn the following: Podcast & Webinar Marketing, PR & Cause Marketing, Predictive Analytics & Attribution, Programmatic Advertising, Sales & Marketing Automation, Search Engine Optimization, Shopper Marketing, Marketing & Customer Experience, Social Commerce, Social Media Marketing, UI / UX Design, User-Generated Content, Video Marketing, Viral & Buzz Marketing, Visual & Voice Search, Web Analytics, and much more!

At DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2023, you will receive all the elements you need to achieve digital marketing success! Conventional thoughts will be challenged, and new ways of thinking will emerge. You will leave with your head, notebooks, and professional toolkit full of action items and ideas to lead and supercharge your agency/team/account to even greater success.

Be a part of DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2023 and discover how to thrive and succeed as a marketer in a rapidly evolving digital world. Top keynotes, case studies, strategy sessions and networking!

See why people keep coming back year after year to this must-attend event! Register and secure your seat today.

For more details visit https://digimarconsouthatlantic.com.”

Saturday, July 1, 2023
Pop-Up Author Martha LaGuardia-Kotite
Jul 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
M. Judson Booksellers

Join us for a Pop-Up with author Martha LaGuardia-Kotite and her book Changing the Rules of Engagement!

Changing the Rules of Engagement brings to life the authentic, vivid stories of leadership from inspiring and adventurous women who achieved the extraordinary by serving their country in the U.S. military. These women shattered the glass ceiling and performed extraordinary feats by refusing to take “no” for an answer and learning how to lead in traditionally male-dominated environments. Martha LaGuardia-Kotite skillfully captures their leadership lessons, struggles, and successes—showing how courageous and tenacious women can achieve their goals and help change policy, insights also applicable to today’s leaders in corporate and business boardrooms.

Whether soaring into outer space with the second woman to command a space shuttle or plunging to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean with a combat veteran special operations diver, these profiles in leadership highlight a range of powerful examples: from Vivien Crea, a vice commandant of the Coast Guard, who rose to the highest position of any woman in the history of the U.S. military, to Tammy Duckworth, who demonstrated her resilience after being shot down while piloting a helicopter in Iraq and went on to serve as a U.S. senator. Also included are the inspirational stories of women Marines and the first women members of the military service academies’ gender-integrated classes, who recall the highs and lows of their trailblazing journey.

Representative of a widely diverse group of enlisted women and officers of different races and cultures, these women have succeeded since the mid-1970s at combating prejudices and aiding change in the military culture with grit, intelligence, leadership, and honor.

Come here more about it from the author Martha Saturday morning from 10am to noon!

Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Caffeinated Conversations: The Urban League of the Upstate
Aug 8 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am
OneSpartanburg, Inc. Milliken Board Room

The Urban League of the Upstate has been creating change and advocating for equity among it’s constituents, serving as a gateway for educational and community resources across the region for 50 years. Join us for a conversation with the the Urban League, including their push into the film industry.

Thursday, August 17, 2023
Simpsonville Writers’ Round Table
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Simpsonville Library

Join us for an informal writing workshop. Registration required. Email [email protected] or call 864-963-9031.

Saturday, August 26, 2023
Veterans Therapeutic Art Program Art Show
Aug 26 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
White Rabbit Fine Art Gallery

The White Rabbit Gallery is pleased to hold an exhibition of veteran art work from August 12th though the 26th. This exhibition features artwork created by the participants of the Therapeutic Art Program through Upstate Warrior Solution. The TAP offers various workshops to the members of the military, first responders, as well as their family members and care givers, as a form of creative release and relaxation. The artwork in this exhibition represents a few of the different visual artforms that are offered through the program. Please come out to the White Rabbit gallery to see the artwork!”

Veteran’s Art Show Drop In @ White Rabbit Fine Art Gallery
Aug 26 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
White Rabbit Fine Art Gallery

VETERANS ART SHOW RECEPTION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 3-5PM
@ WHITE RABBIT FINE ART GALLERY

DROP-IN – OPEN TO ALL. We are pleased to hold a reception for the participants of the Therapeutic Art Program through Upstate Warrior Solution. The artwork in this exhibition represents a few of the different visual artforms that are offered through the program. The program is open to military, first responders and their families who want to explore their creative side and for relaxation. Drop in to show your support and/or inquire about your participation in the program. See you Saturday, August 26, 3-5PM. Light Refreshments provided.

Friday, September 8, 2023
Upstate Connect
Sep 8 @ 9:00 am – 10:15 am
George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business

Join Ten at the Top and the Urban League of the Upstate for an informal networking event to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Friday, September 8 at the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics at USC Upstate.

The Topic Leaders for this event are:

  • Dr. Sam Cooper, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects, USC Upstate
  • Dr. Uma Gupta, Director of Business Analytics & Associate Professor, USC Upstate
  • Midas Hampton, Executive Director, Strategic Spartanburg
  • Paige Stephenson, President & CEO, United Way of the Piedmont
  • Dean E. Jones, Director, Greenville County Workforce Development Board

Upstate Connect is a free event, but registration is required as we will be limiting the number of participants to 30 people to allow for group conversation. 

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Writing Workshop: Telling Poems with Eric Nelson
Sep 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

The oldest and most common advice poets hear is “show don’t tell.” But what does that mean, exactly? What is the difference between showing and telling? Why is “showing” better? Most of us write poems to tell readers something, to share our ideas. Many poets—from as far back as John Donne to as recent as Stephen Dunn–do a lot of telling in their poems. So why are we always advised not to tell? In this workshop we will discuss these questions. In the process, we will look at a few well-known poems to see how–or if—they show rather than tell, and we will do some writing exercises that may help us arrive at some conclusions about this persistent advice.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop link

Eric Nelson’s most recent poetry collection, Horse Not Zebra, won both a Da Vinci Eye Award for cover art and an Honorable Mention in Poetry from the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Awarda. His poems have appeared in many journals, including Poetry, The Sun, The Oxford American, and The Missouri Review. Among his awards are the 2014 Gival Press Poetry Book Award for Some Wonder; the 2004 X.J. Kennedy Poetry Award for Terrestrials, chosen by Maxine Kumin; the Arkansas Poetry Award for The Interpretation of Waking Life (1991); the Split Oak Press Chapbook Award for The Twins (2009); the Georgia Author of the Year Award (2005), and fellowships to the Hambidge Center for the Arts and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. He taught writing and literature courses at Georgia Southern University for twenty-six years before retiring in 2015 and moving to Asheville, where he lives with his wife, Stephanie Tames, and teaches in the Great Smokies Writing Program. www.ericnelsonpoet.com.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Five Forks Library: Business Technology Trends
Sep 19 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Five Forks Library
Collaboration Space

Technology is always changing, making it tough for small business owners to know what to adopt and what to avoid. Explore some of the latest tech-topics and how they apply to small businesses. Led by South Carolina Small Business Development Centers.

Part of the event series: Small Business Development Center Training

Lose Weight and Keep It Off
Sep 19 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
focus.upstate

Many programs say that they’ll help you lose weight but how many really teach you how to live healthier?

Healing Head To Toe isn’t about making you a lifetime client but instead a walking testimony to what happens when you take your life back.

Learn To
– Eliminate chronic illnesses
– Increase energy
– Decrease pain
– Live longer

PLUS an exclusive opportunity for a consultation to join the Healing Head To Toe community.

Secure your spot at the next session by registering using the link below:
https://book.stripe.com/dR6aFq58Y32RemAeUY

FREE to attend. No shows will be charged $25. A card must be on file to register. HSA and FSA are both accepted.

Waters and light refreshments will be provided.

Sunday, September 24, 2023
Triple Tree Fly-In
Sep 24 all-day
Triple Tree Aerodrome

The annual Triple Tree Fly-In has turned into a “can’t miss” event on everyone’s Fly-In Calendar. Aviators from across the globe anxiously await for the Fall to make the annual pilgrimage to our manicured 7,000-foot grass runway to experience one of the fastest-growing general aviation events in the country.

During our 2022 Fly-In, we had over 800 airplanes visit throughout the week from 43 states nationwide. During that week, the Triple Tree Aerodrome had over 1,700 aircraft movements and a record 804 movements on Saturday. These statistics made the Triple Tree Aerodrome one of the busiest airports in South Carolina (for that week).

NONE of this could happen without your support! Despite all the growth, we still hold true to our core values of Fun, Fellowship, and Hospitality. Please mark your calendars for September 18-24, 2023 for our 16th annual Triple Tree Fly-In. See you soon!