We have the need… the need for beads. Tuesday, Feb. 13 is Mardi Gras — or as the French translation states, “Fat Tuesday.” Famously known in the US as a major event in New Orleans, it’s a celebration of indulgence on the eve of Lent featuring fabulous food and flying jewelry.
Don’t sweat it if you can’t make it down to the bayou. You can celebrate right here — 613 miles from the French Quarter.
Here are four events with plenty of Big Easy flair to spare, from traditional desserts and cocktails to tunes. Laissez les bons temps rouler.
Annual Mardi Gras Party | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6 p.m. | Open Art Studios Greenville, 14 S. Main St., Greenville | See local art for sale by ~30 artists, try your luck at getting baby in the king cake, collect some beads (with no strings attached), and enjoy NOLA tunes.
Big Easy Costume Ball | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 7-11:30 p.m. | Artistry Workshops & Gallery, 12 Andrews St., Greenville | $35 | Dress up for this annual ball and enjoy live music + a performance by Secret Cirkus.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Party | Friday, Feb. 16 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | The L, Larkin’s Catering & Events, 211 E. Broad St., Ste. B, Greenville | $30-$400 | Be transported to Bourbon Street and experience the mystique of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Cabaret | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 8-10 p.m. | Carolina Bauernhaus, 556 Perry Ave., Ste. B118, Greenville | $30-$160 | Feast your eyes and ears on this Mardi Gras cabaret featuring aerial silk performances, burlesque dancers, and live music — must be 21+ from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
First Fridays Gallery Crawl | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | Multiple locations, Greenville | Free | Navigate Greenville’s visual arts scene each month as galleries and venues are open to the public.
Cocktail Class | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7-10 p.m. | Six and Twenty Distillery, 556 Perry Ave., Ste. B103, Greenville | $65 | Craft three unique cocktails involving champagne.
Saturday, Feb. 3
LiLi + KoKo Pop-up Sip and Shop | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Coffee Underground, 1 E. Coffee St., Greenville | Free | Shop winter clearance and get a sneak peek at spring arrivals.
Winter Wedding Festivals | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr., Greenville | $10-$45 | Chat with wedding professionals, play games, and win prizes before your big day.
Simpsonville Open Houses | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Empire Holcombe, 25 Holcombe Rd., Simpsonville | Free | Looking for a new home with a large homesite? Located just 10 minutes from downtown Simpsonville, take a tour of available ~1 acre homesites surrounded by quiet farm land this Saturday + Sunday.*
Sunday, Feb. 4
Estate Planning For Your Beloved Pets | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The K9 Shop, 1320 Hampton Ave. Ext., Ste. 10B, Greenville | Free | Learn how to ensure the future well-being of your pets.
Boozy Book Fair | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 1-3 p.m. | Fireforge, 311 E. Washington St., Greenville | Free entry | Relive the excitement of your elementary school book fair, but this time with booze.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Sweetheart Charity Ball | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 6-11:30 p.m. | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville | $175 | Enjoy an elegant evening out in benefit of Greenville County’s homebound — the event features a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, a three-course dinner, and live music.*
Any “The Walking Dead” fans out there? Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero — both known for their work on the show — are bringing their restaurant called Nic & Norman’s to the Smoke on the Water space. It’s the first SC location for the restaurant serving American fare + no opening date has been announced. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Today is
Groundhog Day. This morning, Punxsutawney Phil gives his unofficial weather prediction. Remember: Legend says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter lie ahead. If not, an early spring is expected. Don’t trust Phil? You can always reference our winter weather outlook, too.
Number
~700. That’s how many new homes will be built in three developments near the intersection of Fork Shoals and West Georgia Roads in Simpsonville. All of the homes were approved by the county’s planning commission and will be added to existing subdivisions. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Active
VisitGreenvilleSC is one of the sponsors for the Today Show’s workout program, “Start Today.” At the end of the month on Wednesday, Feb. 28, fitness and wellness enthusiasts will participate in a walking challenge in Greenville. (Greenville Journal)
Shop
Psst…Valentine’s Day is 12 days away. If you’re looking for the perfect, locally made gift, you’re in luck. Maker’s Co. is hosting an Indie Craft Parade Super Mini Market from Friday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 11 + Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 2909 Old Buncombe Rd.
Ranked
To know The Beacon is to love The Beacon. Southern Living recognized The Beacon Drive-In — located at 255 John B. White Sr. Blvd. in Spartanburg — as one of “The South’s Most Beloved Burger Joints.”Pro tip: Order the chili cheeseburger a-plenty. Don’t ask, just do it. (Greenville News)
Plan Ahead
Three cheers for beers. Tickets are now on sale for The Community Tap’s Very Independent Beer Event. On Saturday, Sept. 14, you can sip on brews at this “alternative beer festival” and snack on bites from local spots like Comal 864 and Golden Brown & Delicious.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, the full list of artists that will appear at this year’s Artisphere festival has been announced. Shop these artists as the festival takes over Downtown Greenville Mother’s Day Weekend, Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12.
Biz
Biz Fuel Networking — a local, monthly networking event — teased on its Instagram that it will be “returning soon.” Its last event was in Oct. 2023. We’ll keep you posted on the details.
Arts
The Lehman Trilogy is coming to The Warehouse Theatre from Friday, Feb. 2-Sunday, Feb. 18. The Tony Award-winning, highly theatrical play tells the story of the rise of the Lehman Brothers, from their tiny storefront in Alabama in the 1800s to the financial behemoth that crashed in 2008. Buy tickets and see it yourself.*
Family
Help your kid or teen find the magic in adventure this summer. Registration is now open for Summer Camp at the YMCA of Greenville. Each of the Y’s family branches offers different specialty camps and enrichment experiences — from sports, arts and science, dance, swimming, and more. Learn more + register.*
Announced
Congratulations to our survey winner, Rachel M., for winning $500! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our survey. We’re excited to continue providing positive news and events in our free newsletter.
Learn
Wait, have we done this before?
Greenville’s GIS mapping decoded
Get to know your neighborhood. | Photo by James Simpson Photography
Have you ever wished you had a map that highlighted all the hiking trails in city limits or where all the libraries + voting polls are located? Look no further, Greenville. Meet GIS mapping — a go-to, visual resource used by the city, local organizations, and passionate locals to help us discover data about places in our community.
What is GIS?
GIS (geographic information system) is a tool for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Maps are created through GIS software to analyze physical locations and organize layers of info into visualizations in the form of maps and 3D scenes.
How is it used locally?
Greenville County has a website dedicated to GIS. Here you can find mapping of school districts, emergency services, planning and land development, parcel lookups, and more.
Feeling Déjà vu reading this story again? Don’t worry, you’re not living the same day over and over — but it is Groundhog Day.
The Buy
The Buy 2.02.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A portable phone charger that’s credit card-sized and fits right on the back of your smartphone. Choose your color and store the slim, lightweight device in your pocket or bag.
Member’s Corner
Happy birthday, GVLtoday members Ron Sims (February 5) and Mary Sweeney (February 8). We hope your special day is filled with your favorite things in Greenville! — GVLtoday team
This will be my last newsletter for a while, Greenville. I’m off to Hawaii with my husband for a week and I am so excited, but I’ll miss you. You’ll be in good hands with Danielle and some other members of our 6AM City family.
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