EVENT CALENDAR

The Footlight Players present this dark comedy led by local director Kyle Barnette. Set in a dystopian city where a prolonged drought has led to a ban on private toilets, citizens are forced to use costly public facilities controlled by a corporation. As rebellion brews, the story offers a humorous yet thought-provoking take on contemporary issues and the nature of musical theater itself. Queen Street Playhouse, 20 Queen St. Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm; Sunday, 3pm. $58-$44. (843)722-4487, www.footlightplayers.net

The College of Charleston’s Department of Theater and Dance presents Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, hailed as one of the most beloved comedies of all time. This adaptation narrates the tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who both adopt the alias “Ernest,” triggering romantic complications. Chapel Theatre, 172 Calhoun St. Monday-Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 2pm; 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. $25-$20. (843)953-6277, www.gsbo.cofc.edu

Honor the life of TyWanza Sanders, who was killed during the 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church Massacre. Participants can run or walk solo or as a team from South Windermere Shopping Center down the West Ashley Greenway to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, where they can eat a dozen donuts before heading back using the same route. Race proceeds benefit the TyWanza Sanders Scholarship Fund and other philanthropic outreach programs. South Windermere Center, 61 Folly Road Blvd. Saturday , 7:30-11am. $35-$10. (843)992-8158, www.race4achievement.org

Magnolia Park will be abuzz with activity during the 2024 Bee Expo, presented by the Charleston Area Beekeepers Association and the Charleston Parks Conservancy. This family-friendly festival includes educational sessions with local beekeepers and experts on native plants, as well as live music and hands-on activities for all ages. Browse local honey products and natural hand-made crafts and grab a bite to eat at food vendors. Magnolia Park, 720 Magnolia Rd. Saturday, 10am-3pm. Free. www.charlestonbees.org

Savor a variety of Creole and Cajun foods such as jambalaya, etouffée, andouille sausage, crawfish, and more during this celebration of Cajun culture. Between bites, listen to live Zydeco music and enjoy all-ages activities. James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Dr. Saturday, noon-6pm. $40-$35 per vehicle. (843)406-6990, www.ccprc.com

Illuminated by more than 2,000 candles, members of the Vienna Light Orchestra will perform original arrangements from films and musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins. Founded in 1999, Vienna Light Orchestra has performed in cities across the globe, showcasing world-renowned musicians and composers. Circular Congregational church, 150 Meeting St. Saturday, 4, 6, & 8pm. $85-$45. (843)577-6400, www.circularchurch.org 

Hear full band performances and acoustic sets from local, regional, and national country music acts during this inaugural event. Country fans can take in views of the Ashley River, chow down on catering from Saltwater Cowboys, and listen to the likes of One Flew South, Whey Jennings, Lauren Hall, and George Fox of Big Stoner Creek. Jenkins Youth and Family Village, 3923 Azalea Dr., North Charleston. Sunday, 11am-5pm. $145-$45. www.facebook.com/charlestoncountrymusicfestival 

Now in its 18th year, Blues by the Sea presents a lively evening of jazz, with tunes from the likes of the Nick Moss Band, Gerard Delafose & the Zydeco Gators, and Jon Lee & the Apparitions. Visitors should bring their own chairs, blankets, and refreshments. Freshfields Village, 165 Village Green Ln., Kiawah Island. Sunday, 3-7pm. Free. (843)768-9976, www.kiawahisland.org

Learn more about the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) during this annual week of dolphin-focused events around the Charleston area. Take part in kayaking and yoga sessions, ecotours, and a golfing tournament. Saturday’s highlights include the Dolphin Count, which encourages the public to help LMMN members collect information on local dolphin populations, with an after party at Frothy Beard Brewing Company. Locations, times, & prices vary. Monday-Saturday. (843)991-6953, www.lowcountrymarinemammalnetwork.org

In partnership with Buxton Books, the Charleston Library Society welcomes author and journalist Jeanette Walls on the national tour for her most recent novel, Hang the Moon, released in spring 2023. Set in rural 1920s Virginia, the novel delves into the effects of Prohibition on middle and lower-class individuals who relied on the illegal sale and production of liquor as seen through the eyes of a young woman from Virginia. Charleston Library Society, 164 King St. Tuesday, 6pm. $38-$28. (843)723-9912, www.charlestonlibrarysociety.org

This immersive traveling show features live music, drama, aerial acts, and modern dance to tell the story of God. Key moments in the production include the creation of the world; the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus; and the emergence of early Christianity. North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston. Tuesday & Wednesday, 7pm. $157-$39. (843)529-5000, www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

TEDxCharleston offers a half day of inspiring, thought-provoking, and entertaining local speakers and performers. Listen to presentations from immigration lawyer Nina Cano Richards, restaurateur Ben Towill, contemporary dancer Jordan Benton, and others as they discuss this year’s theme, “Uncharted.” Other noteworthy speakers include featured artist, curator and folklorist Cookie Washington, as well as singer Manny Houston. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Wednesday, 12:30pm. $58. www.tedxcharleston.org

Now in its 26th year, this annual sailboat regatta is hosted at Patriots Point, which will provide more than 200,000 square feet of space for race  viewing, events, and sponsor exhibitions. Patriots Point Naval and Wartime Museum, 40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant. Thursday-Sunday. $100 shore passes. (843)628-5900, www.charlestonraceweek.com

Now in its ninth year, this festival draws music lovers from around the globe for a four-day celebration of the Holy City’s jazz heritage and a lineup of stellar musical talent. Hear Americana roots artist René Marie & Experiment in Truth as they pair selections of calypso music from Harry Belafonte with facts about the late artist’s use of music to bring about social change, as well as Arturo O’Farrill, a Cuban jazz pianist and educator who regularly travels to Cuba, working with musicians, dancers, and students and bringing them to America. Other can’t-miss acts include Preservation Hall Jazz Band (pictured), rooted in the Afro-Cuban music of New Orleans, and two-time Grammy Award winner Charlton Singleton and his band, Contemporary Flow. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Days, times, & prices vary. (843)641-0011, www.charlestonjazz.com

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Edmondston-Alston House, a Federal-style home built in 1825 that showcases architecture, furnishings, and artifacts from more than 200 years ago. Then, head to the second-floor piazza for views of Charleston Harbor and a glass of red or white. Edmondston Alston House, 21 E. Battery. Thursday, 4:30-6pm. $30-$25. (843)556-6020, www.middletonplace.com

This annual fundraiser by the Shifa Clinic features a silent auction and a vibrant menu of Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican cuisine. The event is part of the local nonprofit’s mission of providing low-cost health care, family services, and housing assistance to residents who are uninsured and combating food insecurity. Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Dr. Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm. $80. (843)352-4580, www.icnarelief.org

Enjoy adult beverages and live music from guitarist Lane Doss under John’s Island County Park’s canopy of oak trees. This month’s food truck fare includes Empanada Cuisines, Lib’s Diner, and Travelin’ Tom's Coffee Truck. John’s Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Rd., John’s Island. Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm. (843)795-4386, www.ccprc.com

Now in its eighth year, this intimate concert at the Center for Birds of Prey features a lineup of talented Nashville songwriters performing in the spirit of the famous Bluebird Café. Guests will enjoy musical performances from country artists, as well as a Lowcountry-inspired supper, in support of the center’s educational, conservation, and research initiatives. The Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Hwy. 17 N., Awendaw. Thursday, 6-9pm. $200. (843)971-7474, www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org

Now in its 16th year, the iFiveK race returns, starting and finishing at the Charleston Tech Center downtown. Cool down after the run with food and drink from neighborhood eateries and microbreweries including Kickin Chicken, Edmunds Oast, and Revelry Brewing Co. Proceeds support the Charleston Digital Corridor’s Diversity initiatives. Charleston Tech Center, 997 Morrison Dr. Thursday, 6:30pm. $30. (843)607-1264, www.ifivek.com

Influenced by musical artists like The Police and Led Zeppelin, this improv-rock jam band hits the Windjammer’s beach stage to play tracks from their latest album, 2022’s Asking for a Friend. Percussionist Andy Farag and bassist Ryan Stasik both call the Lowcountry home. The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms. Thursday & Friday, 5pm. $95-$55. (843)886-8596, www.the-windjammer.com

The Miller Gallery and Hed Hi Studio present a group exhibition featuring the works of more than 35 contemporary artists tasked with selecting a song meaningful to them and creating a piece with it in mind. During the show, song selections will be played on a loop to create an engaging multi-sensory experience. Participants include AK Hardman, Julia Deckman, Kate Hooray Osmond, Scot Rittenbaum, and Trevor Mikula. Hed Hi Studio, 654 King St. Saturday, 10am-4pm & Sunday, noon-2pm. Free. (844)866-0020, www.hedhistudio.com

The City of Charleston shuts down King Street from Queen to Calhoun on the second Sunday of every month. Enjoy live music, food, and beverages, plus vendors selling goods for people and pups. King Street. Sunday, noon-5pm. Free. (843)303-1113, www.shop2ndsunday.com 

Charleston Jazz Festival presents René Marie & Experiment in Truth as they pair selections of calypso music from Harry Belafonte with facts about his use of music to bring about social change. A composer, playwright, and social justice activist, René is an Americana roots artist with serious jazz improvisational chops who draws from her Southern roots. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Friday, 5pm. $65-$10. (843)641-0011, www.charlestonjazz.com
 

The Charleston Coliseum transforms into a massive dirt arena fit for 12,000-pound monster trucks driven by pros from across the country. This action-packed event includes racing, two-wheel tricks, freestyle, and donut competitions. See the trucks up close before the race, participate in a Q&A with the drivers, and get autographs after the show. North Charleston Coliseum, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston. Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 1pm & 7pm; Sunday, 1pm. $150-$15. (843)529-5000, www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

In the grand finale of its Masterworks Series, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra presents compositions that incorporate folk music with classical pieces, including Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto” and Antonín Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 7.” The Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St. Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm. $154-$29. (843)242-3099, www.gaillardcenter.org

Audiences can watch Harry Potter navigate his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during this orchestral performance from North Charleston Pops. The film will be projected on screen with John Williams’s iconic score performed live by musicians. North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston. Friday & Saturday, 8pm. $95-$45. (843)529-5000, www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

Learn about the legacy of rice cultivation in the Lowcountry while exploring the scenic nature reserve at Caw Caw Interpretive Center with a naturalist. Learn more about the property, a former 18th- and 19th-century rice plantation home to enslaved Africans. Advance registration required.  Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy., Ravenel. Saturday, 10am-noon. $10. (843)795-4386, ww.ccprc.com 

High Water returns to Riverfront Park with headliners Noah Kahan and Hozier. Other musical performers include Fleet Foxes, Grace Potter, The Flaming Lips, and festival curators Shovels & Rope. The weekend-long music fest offers shopping, food, and beverages from local vendors, plus views of the Cooper River. Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave., North Charleston. Saturday & Sunday. $1,750-$180. www.highwaterfest.com

The Charleston Festival highlights this group that finds its roots in the Afro-Cuban music of New Orleans. Showcasing the Big Easy’s iconic jazzy sound, the band has shared the stage with both legendary acts, such as Stevie Wonder and Grateful Dead, and contemporary acts like My Morning Jacket, and the Black Keys. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Saturday, 5pm. $65-$10. (843)641-0011, www,charlestonjazz.com

Since 2014, local nonprofit We Are Family has invited middle and high school students to dance and celebrate free from anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Attendees are invited to don formal attire or match this year’s Wizard of Oz theme. Park Circle Community Building, 4800 Park Cir., North Charleston. Saturday, 6-10pm. Free.  (843)722-2706, www.wearefamilycharleston.org