EVENT CALENDAR

In association with Charles Williams’ SUN + LIGHT exhibition, a panelist of professionals will discuss the Freedom Riders, one of the most successful nonviolent groups that fought against Jim Crow Segregation laws. The panel features Dr. Raymond Arsenault, professor of Southern history and chairman of the department of history and politics at the University of South Florida; artist Charles Edward Williams; and Freedom Rider, Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St. Wednesday, 6pm-7:30pm. $20 for members; $30 for non-members; $10 for students. (843) 722-2706, www.gibbesmuseum.org

Camp Happy Days—which provides free year-round programs to children diagnosed with pediatric cancer—is celebrating 30 years of their annual gala, which was originally a small fundraising house party created by pediatric cancer survivor Allan “Cabooty” Cabading. This year’s fête, Thirty Dancing, will take guests back in time to 1963 with food, signature beverages, and more. All money raised will go towards Camp Happy Days, which has served more than 1,700 individuals across South Carolina. Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. Friday, 6pm-11pm. $150. (843)571-4336, www.camphappydays.org

Camp Happy Days—which provides free year-round programs to children diagnosed with pediatric cancer—is celebrating 30 years of their annual gala, which was originally a small fundraising house party created by pediatric cancer survivor Allan “Cabooty” Cabading. This year’s fête, Thirty Dancing, will take guests back in time to 1963 with food, signature beverages, and more. All money raised will go towards Camp Happy Days, which has served more than 1,700 individuals across South Carolina. Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. Friday, 6pm-11pm. $150. (843)571-4336, camphappydays.org 

No need for binoculars—here’s your chance to get up close and personal with 15 different species of birds of prey. Amateurs and professionals alike have the opportunity to snap the birds outside of their enclosures, as they’re perching or mid-flight, and take a self-guided tour of the Center. The Center for Birds of Prey, 4719 Highway 17N, Awendaw. Sunday, 8:30am-11:30am. $65 photographer, $52 member photographer; Observer prices vary. (843)971-7474, www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org

Head over to The Bend, a 20-acre community redevelopment project on the Ashley River, for Shuck Cancer of Charleston’s inaugural event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Enjoy bivalves on the half shell prepared by Pearlz Oyster House, 167 Raw, and Lady Island Oyster as you partake in wine pairings or sips from Oak Road Brewery. Take in the sunset over the marsh as you participate in the auction and listen to live music by the Paul Stone Project. The auction and ticket sales benefit the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, which offers free accommodations to patients and their caregivers throughout their treatment. The Bend, 3775 Azalea Dr., North Charleston. Sunday, 2pm-6pm. $100-$85. (800)227-2345, www.shuckcancercharleston.org

For more than 40 years, families have raised money for local charities by racing this scenic route, which begins at the corner or Marion Square at Meeting Street, winds all the way down to White Point Gardens, and back up King Street to the square. For the little ones that can’t make the 5K trek, there will be fun runs for various age groups in Marion. After competing, participants are invited to the post-race party that will feature music provided by Melodic Entertainment, free and healthy food, and plenty of activities for the kids. Proceeds will be donated to various nonprofit organizations in the Charleston area. Marion Square, 329 Meeting St. Thursday, 9am. $38-$10. www.turkeydayrun.com

Georgia-based group Drivin N Cryin will be coming to Charleston to promote their latest album, Live the Love Beautiful, which Rolling Stone said “highlights the quality mix of Southern rock, country, and folk that [the band has] been perfecting since forming in the mid-Eighties.” Lead vocalist Kevn Kinney will tear through power-chord studded tunes with his gritty vocals, or let the guitars speak for themselves in instrumental numbers like “Space Eyes” as the group plays new tracks along with those selected from their 15-plus album repertoire. Holy City indie-pop band, Human Resources, will open. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Friday, 8pm. $22. (843)853-2252, www.charlestonmusichall.com

Swing into the holiday season with music performed by an 18-piece big band led by Charleston Jazz Orchestra conductor and artistic director—and Ranky Tanky trumpet player—Charlton Singleton. This concert, which has become a Holy City tradition, will feature holiday favorites like ”Baby It's Cold Outside,” ”Christmas Song,” ”All I Want for Christmas Is You,” and more. Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Saturday, 5pm & 8pm. $60-$25.(843)853-2252, www.charlestonmusichall.com

Jazz up your holiday with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra’s 18-piece band, who will kick-off the holiday season with big band renditions of holiday favorites. Leading the holiday cheer is maestro Robert Lewis, who was a longtime member of the orchestra before taking over the role as music director this year, and is also the lead alto saxophonist for the Darius Rucker Big Band and director of Jazz studies at the College of Charleston. This perennial Charleston Jazz favorite comes to Walterboro, South Carolina, for the first time on December 1. Charlestonians who can't make the drive can catch the Saturday performance of Holiday Swing at the Charleston Music Hall on November 30. Colleton Civic Center, 494 Hampton St., Walterboro. Sunday, 5-6:30pm. $35; $30 senior; $10 student. (843)641-0011, charlestonjazz.com

Based on the beloved and hilarious 2003 Will Ferrell film, Elf The Musical tells the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Raised as an elf and unaware that he is actually a human, Buddy realizes he is different when he grows up to tower over the other elves and finds that he is a disastrous toy-maker. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com

Emmy award-winner Colin Quashie established a unique perspective through creating mixed-media images that spurred important conversations about race. In “Linked,” his latest digitally-rendered photo series which critiques the depiction of people of color in mass media, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet is replaced with slave chains, while Harriet Tubman wears a pair of rose-colored glasses fashioned from shackles. Born in London, but now a Charleston resident, Quashie invites viewers through his artwork to recognize modern stereotypes and to respond with sincerity and sensitivity. Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, 161 Calhoun St. Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm; Thursdays 11am-7pm. Free. (843)953-4422, www.halsey.cofc.edu

When the Herdmans, the worst kids in town, somehow wrangle the leading roles in the local Christmas Pageant it seems everything that is sacred will be lost. Yet, through this motley crew of rough and tumble kids, the true meaning of Christmas is movingly rediscovered. Adapted from Barbara Robinson’s widely acclaimed contemporary Christmas classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever continues to delight kids and their families year after year. Single tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever go on sale September 23. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com

Journey with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy through a magical wardrobe in the magnificent world of Narnia, in C.S. Lewis’s classic tale of adventure and discovery. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com

Discover our common humanity in this simple tale of a boy and a girl who fall in love in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire—The United States of America, The Continent of North America, The Western Hemisphere; the Earth, the Solar System; the Universe—the Mind of God! Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com

Take a peek behind the curtain as an English touring company of actors produce one of the most bumbling (and hysterical) productions ever. Discover the behind the scenes mayhem, torrid love affairs, and high-spirited shenanigans in one of the greatest farces in the English language. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com

Come sneak a peek into the first grade world of the sassy and lovable Junie B. Jones! No one believes in herself quite like Junie B! Join her as she tackles first grade with its best pal problems, meets the new kids on the bus, and meets her new teacher, Mr. Scary. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, www.charlestonstage.com