On this episode of Garden Style, host P. Allen Smith will discuss exploring Charleston in South Carolina. Exploring the food and fellowship of one of America’s oldest cities.
Charleston is a true Southern gem, so prepare for a feast for the senses on this tour with Allen.
Topics Include
Black Ink Looks Ahead with Afrofuturism
Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival Announces 2023 Keynote Speaker
[Photo attached: Keynote Speaker Namina Forna]
CHARLESTON, SC – Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival has announced the keynote speaker for the free hybrid festival, which will take place January 12-14, 2023. The 2023 Black Ink Book Festival theme is Black to the Future, and the festival will feature New York Times best-selling author Namina Forna as the keynote speaker. Other notable guests include renowned authors Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due. This free festival, celebrating Lowcountry Black authors and beyond, will feature Forna’s keynote address along with programs, panels, and workshops.
Namina Forna is the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers The Gilded Ones and The Merciless Ones, the first two books in an epic fantasy trilogy. She has an MFA in film and TV production from USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BA from Spelman College. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, she moved to the US when she was nine and has been traveling back and forth ever since. She now works as a screenwriter in Los Angeles and loves building fantastical worlds and telling stories with fierce female leads.
“The Black Ink Book Festival has quickly become a staple event in Charleston as we highlight and uplift the work of Black authors to local and national audiences,” says Black Ink Committee Chair, Djuanna Brockington. “Our romance theme for the 2022 festival was such a hit, it was hard to know where to go next. But the success of Marvel’s Black Panther franchise made it a no brainer to make Afrofuturism the focus of the 2023 festival. We are excited to examine the different aspects of Black speculative fiction on our culture, both now and in the future.”
In its seventh year, Black Ink: A Charleston African American Book Festival will take place from Thursday, January 12, 2023, to Saturday, January 14, 2023, with an in-person book signing on Saturday, January 14 at Trident Technical College in North Charleston (7000 Rivers Avenue, Bldg 920). Because this year’s festival will be presented in a hybrid, we are able to offer expanded content and workshops designed to reach a broader audience. On the virtual platform, we expect readers and authors from around the country and, indeed, around the world, to participate in the festival that exposes them to Black authors and new perspectives. For the in-person book signing, we hope to welcome hundreds of local and regional attendees interested in learning more about Black Ink Book Festival authors.
For sponsorship opportunities or for more information about the Black Ink Book Festival and events, which is hosted by the Charleston Friends of the Library in partnership with the Charleston County Public Library and the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, visit www.blackinkcharleston.org.
Family Destination Guide has just published this beautiful video of 35 free things to do in Charleston, SC, and surrounding areas.
About the video
Charleston is an elegant and charming place that ensures an unforgettable trip for your family and friends. You have tons of things to do in this city without worrying about your budget, such as free-access routes for you to bike through, walking on picturesque seashores, window shopping on trendy street markets, and checking out free-access events in museums.
College of Charleston holiday tradition returns this month to mark the start of the season.
The sixth annual Cougar Night Lights holiday light show kicks off in historic Cistern Yard on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, with a special showing for College of Charleston students. Starting at 5 p.m., students can enjoy light refreshments and activities. President Andrew Hsu will give remarks at 6 p.m. followed by the light show.
Cougar Night Lights captures the magic of the holiday season with dazzling light displays set to classic holiday tunes as well as popular contemporary songs. This year’s show will feature new songs and lighting displays.
Cougar Night Lights will open to the public on Dec. 1, 2022, and run nightly through Jan. 2, 2023. The musical light show will run every half hour, between 6 and 9 p.m. Cougar Night Lights is a free event.
“I think Cougar Night Lights adds something to the lives of all who view it,” says Alicia Caudill, executive vice president for student affairs. “It provides joy and fun in the most beautiful of settings.”
The show is produced and designed by CofC alumnus John Reynolds ’97, an Emmy Award-winning lighting designer who has done work for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Super Bowl.
The Cistern Yard is located at the corner of George and St. Philip streets. Public parking garages are available at two locations, including the George Street Garage and St. Philip Street Garage.
We are all excited to have a brand new addition to the Charleston community of coffee houses. Bad Bunnies has been working diligently since the summer for their big grand opening coming very soon to 116A Spring Street.
Welcome, Carol and Rick, and the entire family at Bad Bunnies. We are caffeinated with excitement.
Follow the website and Instagram for more details on the opening
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES, November 18, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery one of the nation’s largest cookie dough franchise systems, opened its newest store in Charleston, SC to serve edible cookie dough fans with its newest store. The beautiful new location has completed a soft-open and is excited to welcome the community at 3863 W Ashley Cir, Charleston, SC.
“With over 20 hand-crafted cookie dough flavors, Ice Cream, shakes, pies, and more there is a comforting blissful dessert for everyone to enjoy at our West Ashley location, “ said local Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery Charleston location owner Jason Keyser. “We are really excited to bring these amazing dessert experiences to our community,” added Kitty McDowell store General Manager & Partner.
The Charleston Cookie Dough Bliss location opened making premium, small-batch, ready-to-eat cookie dough without any baking needed. Cookie Dough Bliss offers so many different ways to enjoy cookie dough, including scoops served in freshly made waffle cones, as a pie, dough pops and even cookie dough ice cream sandwiches! The flavor selection of over 20 edible cookie doughs with some vegan and gluten-free options as well. The Charleston location will be the chain’s 10th location. The new locally-owned store has provided over 15 new jobs within the community.
About Cookie Dough Bliss
Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery mission of Creating Blissful Dessert Experiences one Scoop at a Time was founded in 2017 in Concord, North Carolina. Our wonderful selections and delicious products are sure to bring you back to your childhood and introduce your children to a treat they will enjoy for a lifetime. Now with locations in 7 states, Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery is poised to lead the national cookie dough craze. Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery is open from 12 pm – 9 pm Tuesday – Sunday, and closed on Mondays in Charleston. Visit Cookie Dough Bliss online at cookiedoughbliss.com to find the closest location or order your pint online.
Soon you will be able to purchase custom, gourmet cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies & more.
Here is the special part: They are all vegan.
Atlanta based Cinnaholic will be opening soon on Upper King Street at 415 King St Suite B, Charleston, SC 29403.
Follow on Instagram @cinnaholic.kingstreet for updates on the official Grand Opening!
The location at 375 King Street, formally Spring Rolls Asian Cuisine will soon be the home to Charlottesville, VA based Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters.
Keep an eye out for this new addition to the King Street family.
We are so thrilled to announced ther LaBonne Franquette will be opening soon in West Ashley. This new restaurant will be located at 652 St. Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC
They will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Follow on Instagram for the latest updates on the opening
By Mark A. Leon
If you never took an economics course in college, you may think the surge in population in the Lowcountry translates to a booming economy, but the recent rash of restaurant closings and staggering growth for other businesses paint a very different picture.
In fact, we may be struggling worse than it appears. From restaurants to retail to galleries, the financial health of our local businesses may be getting hurt by the growth in the Lowcountry
Here are a few reasons we feel things could get worse before getting better.
When you take a step back and look at these seven factors along with other underlying issues, we believe more people does not mean a healthier economy. As you think about Tuesday’s election and beyond, put thought into what you want you home to be and begin to have the right conversations.
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