Meet Greenville’s new poet laureate
Poet Laureate Glenis Redmond at Unity Park Greenville's grand opening on. May 19, 2022
Glenis Redmond at the Unity Park grand opening. | Photo by John Olson for Community Journals
ICYMI, the City of Greenville has a new (and its first) poet laureate: Greenvillian Glenis Redmond.

Chosen by the City’s Arts in Public Places Commission and approved by City Council on Mon., Sept. 26, Glenis will serve a two-year term starting Fri., Oct. 1, promoting literacy + literature among City residents of all ages.

“I believe poetry belongs to everyone” Glenda tells the City of Greenville.

During her term, she’ll read poetry + speak at public meetings, venues, neighborhood and community events (think: The opening of Unity Park), and schools. She’ll also help the City introduce its first youth poet laureate.

When it comes to poetry, Glenis is no stranger, having shared poetry across the country for nearly 30 years.

Glenis’ poetry career began in Greenville as a student at Woodmont High School + member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. From local coffee shop poetry slams to world travels with the acting troupe Poetry Alive! to the TEDxGreenville stage, Glenis’ career has grown since her start in Greenville.

Over the last 20 years, she’s founded a number of poetry events + movements, including:
  • Greenville Poetry Slam (1995)
  • WordSlam, Asheville, NC (2007)
  • Writer-in-Residence at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Flat Rock, NC
  • Peace Voices (2011)
In addition to being published in a variety of publications, she’s also won multiple awards + honors, including:
  • The SC Governor’s Award for the Arts (SC’s highest award in the arts)
  • South Carolina Academy of Authors Inductee
  • Kennedy Center Teaching Artist
  • Cave Canem Poet
  • North Carolina Arts Fellowship (2005)
  • Vermont Writing Center Fellowship (2022)
Read more about Glenis’ achievements and career + scroll to our Wrap section to share your favorite Upstate, SC poets.
EVENTS
 

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Today
  • Battle of the Bands | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Radio Room, 110 Poinsett Hwy. | $10 | Join the Greenville County Bar for its musical battle featuring five bands — food included with ticket. 🎸
  • Wine + Swine Free Tasting | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 4-6 p.m. | Good to Go GVL, 209 W. Antrim Dr. | Free | Check out Good to Go GVL’s new sections — the Smoking Section, featuring house smoked meats + Grapes to Go, featuring boutique wines. 🍖
Friday
  • Simpsonville Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7-10 p.m. | downtown Simpsonville | Celebrate the German tradition with food + drink, live music by Foothills Oompah Band, German dancing, and more. 🇩🇪
  • Friday Starry Nights: Exploding Universe | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Roper Mountain Science Center, 402 Roper Mountain Rd. | $6 | Learn about explosions in space that have created the universe we know today. 🌌
  • 10th Anniversary Fundraiser | Fri., Sept. 30 | 8-10 p.m. | The Velo Fellow, 1 Augusta St., #126 | $60 | Support the Greenville Jazz Collective through its annual fundraiser featuring heavy hors d’ oeuvres, craft beer + more. 🎷
Saturday
  • College GameDay | Sat., Oct. 1 | 5 a.m. | Clemson University | Free | Be part of the live audience for ESPN’s pre-game show ahead of the Clemson vs NC State game. 🐅
  • Tetrad Brewing Co.’s Third Anniversary | Sat., Oct. 1 | 2 p.m. | Tetrad Brewing Co., 603 E. Stone Ave. | Free entry | Tetrad Brewing Co. is celebrating its third anniversary with new beers + food trucks, live music, cigar table service, Pawdicures and Pints, and more. 🍻
  • Furman Paladins Football vs. Samford University Bulldogs Football | Sat., Oct. 1 | 2 p.m. | Paladin Stadium, 1300 Duncan Chapel Rd. | $25+ | Join Furman for football, family, and fun during Family Weekend as Furman Football hosts Samford.*
Sunday
  • Hispanic Heritage Festival | Sun., Oct. 2 | 12-6 p.m. | Fluor Field at the West End | $5 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food, dancing + entertainment at this annual fundraiser supporting AHAM.
  • Chunky Blanket Workshop | Sun., Oct. 2 | 12 p.m. | Wine & Design, 1175 Woods Crossing | $75 | Prep for winter by hand knitting a chunky chenille yarn blanket. 🧶

With Hurricane Ian on the move, please note events are subject to be postponed or canceled. Be sure to check in with event hosts and businesses via social media to be aware of any cancelations or event updates.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
100+ MORE EVENTS
100+ MORE EVENTS
CAUSE
 

Luncheon aims to ‘ignite’ Greenvillians to help end homelessness

Upstate SC artist mOody bLaCK_Greenville Homeless Alliance_GVL
Upstate SC artist mOody bLaCK partnered with GHA and Triune Mercy Center to create a collaborative art project that will be on display at the luncheon. | Photo provided by Greenville Homeless Alliance
The Greenville Homeless Alliance iGNITE luncheon is more than just a fundraiser — it’s also a “friendraising” event, aiming to get more Greenville County residents involved with GHA and the work of ending homelessness locally.

Greenvillians are invited to hear stories from people who have faced homelessness and learn how our community is offering hope at the 2022 luncheon happening Tues., Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m. at Grace Church, Pelham Campus (2801 Pelham Rd.).

Interested in supporting the cause? Become a sponsor (like NHE, Inc.) or get luncheon tickets.*
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
NEWS NOTES
 

Weather
  • 72º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Opening
  • Women’s clothing boutique Augusta Twenty is moving and expanding. Formerly The Cook’s Station living + appliance building (26 Augusta St.), the new space will house the boutique’s retail store and a gift shop and cafe — expected to open early October. 🛍️
Festival
  • This weekend’s Oktoberfest in NOMA Square has been postponed to Fri., Oct. 7 + Sat., Oct. 8 (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) due to Hurricane Ian.
  • Calling all food truck fans. Bank of America Fall for Greenville (Fri., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 16) will have a new section at the festival this year: MAU @ BMW Food Truck Row on West McBee Avenue. Grab a bite from local food trucks like Local Pie Pizza Co. between your favorite acts.
Number
  • $10 million. That’s how much Responsive Industries, a vinyl flooring manufacturer, is investing to establish operations in Greenville County (360 Old Laurens Rd.). Inquire here for more information on career opportunities.
  • $50,000. That’s how much Turn90, a nonprofit organization that supports men released from prison with career paths, received from the Power:Ed philanthropy to expand its program services in the Upstate. (Upstate Business Journal)
Ranking
  • No. 25. That’s where Mauldin landed on Fortune’s list, “25 Best Places to Live for Families.” The ranking, which evaluated ~2,000 cities, towns, suburbs, and villages, lauds Mauldin’s “comforts it provides residents and up-and-coming projects.” 🏠 (Greenville Journal)
Edu
  • Furman + Clemson Universities have been named among 32 institutions as honorees for the 2022 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement designation. This honor is awarded by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. (Greenville Journal)
Pets
  • Looking to add a furry friend to your home? Greenville Humane Society is currently offering reduced adoption fees of $50 for all dogs over four months old. The fee includes spay or neuter, microchipping, and age-appropriate vaccinations. See the pups available for adoption. 🐶
Plan Ahead
  • The Professional Network Connections Annual Charity Golf Tournament, which benefits Cancer Survivors Park Association, will take place Fri., Oct. 28 at River Falls Plantation Golf Course (100 Player Blvd., Duncan). Register your team. ⛳
Sports
  • We want to make sure that you’re catching all the sports coverage you need to join the conversation. As the fall season gets going, tell us what kind of sports content you want to see in GVLtoday. By completing the survey, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win team-branded swag up to $100 in value.
Community
  • Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the GVLtoday Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻
Development
  • Hollingsworth Park resident + real estate developer Crossmoor, LLC has contributed land and will complete site work at The Pool at Hollingsworth Park (think: a saltwater pool, outdoor patio + more). Learn about investing in the local project through Vicinity. Bonus: Investors get first priority membership purchases. 🏊‍♀️ *
Travel
  • Stay in a piece of history and enjoy a night on Broadway in the same weekend? Sign us up for a quick fall getaway to the Nashville area in this gorgeous cabin built in the 1800s complete with a fire pit and rocking chairs on the front porch (average price of $145/night).*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
WATCH
 

Movies filmed in the Upstate
GVLtoday_Leatherheads Greenville SC_SEpt
This pre-The Commons mural was in “Leatherheads.” | Photo by GVLtoday reader Marv
As Hurricane Ian’s effects make their way to the Upstate, your plans to get out and about will likely be postponed. If you’re looking for ways to stay entertained indoors, might we recommend a movie marathon featuring flicks filmed in the Upstate:

🎬 “Leatherheads” | 2008 | Starring George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, and John Krasinski | Scenes from “Leatherheads” were filmed in Greenville (at what The Commons used to be), downtown Greer, Travelers Rest + Anderson.

🎬 “Sleeping with the Enemy” | 1991 | Starring Julia Roberts + Patrick Bergin | You may recognize the Converse College swimming pool in Spartanburg, the Abbeville Opera House + some shots of Presbyterian College.

🎬 “Deliverance” | 1972 | Starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, and Ned Beatty | While the Chattooga River is the star of this film, Lake Jocassee’s crystal waters also make an appearance.

🎬 “Radio” | Starring Cuba Gooding., Jr., Ed Harris + Debra Winger | Anderson is featured on the big screen in this film based on the true story of T. L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones + James Robert “Radio” Kennedy.

Are these already on your watch list? Check out more movies filmed in the Upstate + SC and by clicking below.
GRAB THE POPCORN
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kyle.

Editor’s pick: The Upstate is home to a number of poets + poetry organizations like Glenis Redmond, including mOody bLaCK + Wits End Poetry slam. Who are you favorite poets + poetry slams in the region? Let us know.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared an update on the City of Greenville’s Pedestrian Safety Study, here.
Read More
Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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