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.

Saturday, February 24, 2024
Virtual Workshop: Literary Journal Submission Strategies with Evelyn Berry
Feb 24 @ 1:00 pm
online

This workshop focuses on the basics of navigating literary journal submissions.

Publishing short stories, poems, creative nonfiction, and art in literary journals and magazines can feel like a byzantine process. There exist many rules, expectations, and guidelines, some of them explicit and others unspoken, that frame how and when to submit your work. This workshop focuses on the basics of navigating literary journal submissions, practical tips on formatting submissions, strategies for submissions, and more. Participants will come away with a knowledge of how to research literary journals, how to strategically submit to get their work published, how to write a professional cover letter, how to compose a professional bio, and more. Workshop instructor Evelyn Berry is happy to answer any questions you might have about the bewildering journey between a finished draft and a published piece.

Evelyn Berry is a trans, Southern writer, editor, and educator. She’s the author of Grief Slut (Sundress Publications, 2024) and Buggery (Bateau Press, 2020), winner of the BOOM Chapbook Prize. She’s a recipient of a 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship, 2022 Dr. Linda Veldheer Memorial Prize, 2019 Broad River Prize for Prose, and 2018 Emrys Poetry Prize, among other honors. Her work has appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, South Carolina Review, Gigantic Sequins, Raleigh Review, Taco Bell Quarterly, and elsewhere. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her partner and their pets, working as a library communications strategist.

Monday, February 26, 2024
Virtual Writers Workshops
Feb 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online w/ Carl Sandburg Home

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

2024 Virtual Writers Workshops

January 23 – Tony Robles
February 26 – Ruba Ahmed
March – Amber Rose Crowtree

2023 Workshop Writers : Angela Evans, Tom Tenbrunsel, Robert Edward Miss, Kenneth Chamblee, Yasmin Mays, Shannon Yong, Jennifer McGaha, Erica Reid, Raymond McNally, Jane Waldrop, Francis Pearce, Eric Nelson, Darren Todd.

Thursday, February 29, 2024
Turning 65? Medicare Education Class
Feb 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Fountain Inn Branch Public Library

Come and learn about enrollment and benefits of MediCare for individuals about to, or recently, turning 65 years old. Medicare can be complicated, and licensed insurance agent Jaime McCabe breaks it down in an approachable way so that you are best prepared to make these important decisions.

Friday, March 1, 2024
30/30 Gentle Exercise Class
Mar 1 @ 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm
Boiling Springs Library
 

Stay healthy with 30 minutes of low-impact cardiovascular exercise followed by 30 minutes of gentle yoga taught by registered nurse, DJ Liner. Charge for the class is $2.00 per person and open to adults 18+

Saturday, March 9, 2024
Spring Awakening + Renewal Forest Bathing Retreat
Mar 9 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum
The changing seasons are rich with wisdom and guidance. Winter is a time for rest and dreaming, followed by spring, ripe with opportunities for renewal and growth. Cultivate those winter dreams and invite them to birth into reality during this enlivening afternoon retreat. Let your most authentic Self emerge from within and flourish amidst the beauty of the early spring! New Graph: Your guide, Christa Hebal, will lead you on a gentle journey through the awakening forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.
Christa Hebal is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Born and raised in the mountains of NE Tennessee, she has lived in Asheville for 23 years. Christa has an adventurous heart, and loves to help others encounter wholeness through embodiment and nature connection practices. She has had a professional bodywork practice for 17 years as a nationally certified Massage Therapist, and is also a practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy®, Usui Reiki Master, Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, and Certified Traditional Herbalist. She is also certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Spring Awakening & Renewal Forest Bathing Retreat | ONSITE | Saturday, March 9, 2 – 5 p.m. Or Saturday, March 23, 2 – 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 23, 2024
Spring Awakening + Renewal Forest Bathing Retreat
Mar 23 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum
The changing seasons are rich with wisdom and guidance. Winter is a time for rest and dreaming, followed by spring, ripe with opportunities for renewal and growth. Cultivate those winter dreams and invite them to birth into reality during this enlivening afternoon retreat. Let your most authentic Self emerge from within and flourish amidst the beauty of the early spring! New Graph: Your guide, Christa Hebal, will lead you on a gentle journey through the awakening forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.
Christa Hebal is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Born and raised in the mountains of NE Tennessee, she has lived in Asheville for 23 years. Christa has an adventurous heart, and loves to help others encounter wholeness through embodiment and nature connection practices. She has had a professional bodywork practice for 17 years as a nationally certified Massage Therapist, and is also a practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy®, Usui Reiki Master, Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, and Certified Traditional Herbalist. She is also certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Spring Awakening & Renewal Forest Bathing Retreat | ONSITE | Saturday, March 9, 2 – 5 p.m. Or Saturday, March 23, 2 – 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Music and Mind: A Conversation with Renée Fleming
Apr 2 @ 7:30 pm
Gunter Theatre

From Alzheimer patients and those with Parkinson’s disease, to young people battling depression, the documented impacts of music on the mind are profound. Scientists continue to use music to gain a better understanding of the brain’s complex functioning.

In Music and Mind, presented in more than fifty cities around the world, soprano and arts & health advocate Renée Fleming invites leading local scientists, physicians, and practitioners to join her, offering illuminating discussions and sharing the latest findings about this growing field. You are invited to join Renée, in conversation with artist and music therapist Kyshona Armstrong, MT-BC; Converse University professor and music therapist Liz Eggerding, PhD, MT-BC; and more to be announced as they discuss the benefits of music and the impact that the arts can have on members of our broader community.

Additional speakers to be announced.

Renée Fleming, recently named a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health, is a leading advocate for the study of the powerful connections between the arts and health. As Artistic Advisor to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Renée has spearheaded the Sound Health collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and she partners with other leading organizations and initiatives to bring attention to research and practice at the intersection of music, health, and neuroscience. Renée is Co-Chair of the Johns Hopkins/Aspen Institute NeuroArts Blueprint and Founding Advisor for the Sound Health Network at UCSF, and her foundation has supported research projects including the NIH Music-Based Intervention Toolkit and the Renée Fleming NeuroArts Investigator Awards. Renée’s advocacy work has earned her Research! America’s Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion and the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award. Her new anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, will be published by Viking Penguin on April 9, 2024.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Well Walkers
Apr 9 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Thursday, April 11, 2024
Well Walkers
Apr 11 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

POETRY WORKSHOP WITH GLENIS REDMOND
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm
Ramsaur Studio

This National Poetry Month, turn your sparks of inspiration into beautiful poetry in an all-new poetry workshop led by Greenville Poet Laureate Glenis Redmond. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of poetry or you’ve been penning verses for a while, this workshop is tailor-made for you. From brainstorming ideas to crafting captivating lines, Glenis will guide you every step of the way. Unleash your inner wordsmith and explore the magic of poetry with a true master.

The $125 registration fee is for admission to the three-part workshop taking place at 6:00 PM on April 11, 18 and 25. Please bring paper and your preferred writing tool with you. The workshop culminates in a reading during the final session where participants can invite a guest to enjoy their poetry progress.

Friday, April 12, 2024
Healthcare Appreciation Week at Craft Axe Throwing
Apr 12 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Craft Axe Throwing Spartanburg

Join us at Craft Axe Throwing Spartanburg as we celebrate Healthcare Worker Appreciation Week from April 7th to April 12th!

As a heartfelt thank you for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts we’re offering all healthcare workers an exclusive 20% discount on hour throwing bundles throughout the week!

What to Expect:
– A thrilling and safe axe throwing experience
– Expert guidance from our skilled coaches
– Friendly competition and camaraderie
– Relaxing atmosphere to unwind and have fun

Whether you’re a nurse doctor technician or any healthcare professional this is your time to kick back release some stress and enjoy a memorable experience with friends and colleagues!

Book your slots now and let’s make Healthcare Worker Appreciation Week unforgettable together!

Saturday, April 13, 2024
Community Yoga Class
Apr 13 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Courtyard Greenville Downtown

If you’re looking for a way to relax and unwind, you may want to check out a free community yoga class being offered by Crunch Fitness this Saturday, April 13 in the Courtyard. With a new location in Cherrydale, they’re celebrating by offering a free yoga classes and a chance to win a membership. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get in touch with your inner zen.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Well Walkers
Apr 23 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Well Walkers
Apr 25 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Well Walkers
Apr 30 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Saturday, May 4, 2024
In Time for Mother’s Day: DIY Self-Care Products
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Looking for a chance to celebrate mom and make her a unique gift?  Or are you wanting to learn a new skill?  In this fun introductory class led by Judy Peacock, you will learn to make your own herbal self-care products including an oatmeal rose honey scrub, a rose clay mask, and herbal tea blend. It’s the perfect way to spend time with mom, or make something for yourself.  Each participant will take home a honey scrub, a clay mask blend, and an herbal tranquil tea blend.

Friday, May 10, 2024
Ask2BSure’s Huddle Up for Health: Tackling Meningitis
May 10 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
YMCA of Greater Spartanburg

You’re invited to Ask2BSure’s Huddle Up for Health: Tackling Meningitis

Join GSK and the Johnson Family in honor of Keegan Johnson for a community-filled evening, including football-inspired activities and an educational panel moderated by football legend Greg Olsen.* (Doors open at 5:15pm ET)

Please RSVP here: https://www.spartanburgymca.org/programs/22000405/gsk-meningitis-b-tribute-event/#division_22001273

*Greg is a paid GSK spokesperson.

More About the Event:
We’re gathering the local Spartanburg community to increase awareness around meningitis B, an uncommon but serious illness that took the life of a local high school football player, Keegan Johnson, four years ago.

While anyone can get meningitis, those 16 to 23 years of age are at increased risk.

The event will help to educate parents to talk to their teens doctor about how to help prevent meningitis.

Parents, bring your families along for an evening of education, remembrance, fun and food.

About Ask2BSure:
Ask2BSure is GSK’s public health campaign that raises awareness of meningitis B and meningitis vaccination. For additional information, please visit Ask2BSure.com

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Virtual Writers Workshop Greg Lobas
May 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

Greg Lobas will lead a virtual writer’s workshop titled: “Writing Your Life into Poetry.”

“Write what you know” is one of the first and best maxims for the aspiring writer. But what if “what you know” is ordinary, even mundane? This workshop will look at ways to mine the gold that is in everyone’s life and turn it into poetry. It may take some digging. It may take a little change in perspective. But it is there, and it is material only you can use. We will focus on the narrative poem as a means of story-telling but will consider the lyric poem as well.

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 Zoom for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop here:

Greg Lobas has been published extensively as both an outdoor writer and a poet. His debut book, Left of Center, won the 2022 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize, and placed second in the Delaware State Press Association awards. The book deals with his real life experiences as a fire captain and paramedic. His poems have been published in many journals. He is an experienced poetry workshop facilitator at Isothermal Community College.
Greg lives with his wife Meg and his dog Sophie in Polk County North Carolina.

Saturday, May 25, 2024
Arts Jam: Art Vendors + Music, Dance, and Poetry Show
May 25 @ 12:00 pm
The Artistry Gallery

Music, poetry, art, and dance collide for Carolina Muse: Arts Jam, a celebration of our multimedia literary & arts magazine’s published creators based in the Carolinas.

This intimate, immersive arts event features local musicians, dancers, writers, and visual artists all in one show. Shop art pieces & crafts made by local artists and enjoy performances & readings from talented creators of several styles & genres. We’re excited to build community with fellow artists & arts-lovers of several creative mediums.

– Music & dance performances
– Poetry readings
– Art & crafts for sale
– Raffle tickets!

📆 Saturday, May 25, 2024
🕰️ 1pm-4pm (art sale starts at 12pm)
📍 The Artistry Gallery, GVL, SC
💵 $15

Saturday, June 1, 2024
2024 Community Health Awareness Day (CHAD)
Jun 1 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Carver Middle School

Come out to this FREE community health fair with health screenings, activities for the family, food, entertainment, and more!

Get ready for 2024 CHAD! Join us for a day of FREE activities for all ages including:

  • 5k health awareness walk
  • food
  • health screenings
  • entertainment
  • kid’s zone
  • community resources
  • raffle giveaways
  • and more!

Thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event possible:

  • Greater Spartanburg Divine Nine
  • Janssen Scientific Affairs
  • Live Healthy Spartanburg
  • Mary Black Foundation
  • ReGenesis Health Care
  • Spartanburg County Foundation
  • Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
  • United Way of the Piedmont

See you there!