Downtown Alive is one of the events we’ve missed — and it’s back this spring and summer. |
Photo provided by the Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC)
Open those Google cals, GVL (or the paper variety, if that’s more your thing), becausethe downtown arts scene is back (and better than ever). Starting in May, several beloved events will make their triumphant return for the first time since 2019. Looking at you, Downtown Alive.
Here are some of the signature Greenville arts events we’re excited to get back to:
✨ Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive
What we missed: Canceled in 2020 and 2021, Greenville’s weekly street party — presented by Clemson MBA — is finally back.
When to go: Every Thursday night through Aug. 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where it happens: NOMA Square on Main St.
What we love: Seeing local bands and supporting the Metropolitan Arts Council (Downtown Alive is their biggest fundraiser of the year).
What we missed: MAConnect’s annual party is back after being canceled in 2020 and 2021, with this year’s soiree hosted at Greenville Center for Creative Arts.
When to go: Sat., May 21
Where it happens: Greenville Center for Creative Arts, 101 Abney St.
What we love: Supporting MAC’s young professional’s group, MAConnect. Did you know? They host other smaller events throughout the year like Scenic Sundays and curated First Fridays Gallery Crawls, and members get invites to all MAC + Centre Stage exhibit receptions, plus a MAC ArtCard (read: BOGO tickets to 7 local performances).
Shag Dancing Class| Thurs., May 5 | 5:15-6:45 p.m. | The Davenport, 230 Trade St., Greer | $10+ | Learn how to dance the Carolina Shag, no experience required.
Clemson University Bioengineering Senior Design Expo | Thurs., May 5 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | Huguenot Mill and Loft, 101 W. Broad St. | Free | Teams and individual students present their technologies + compete for awards.
Friday
Artisphere | Fri., May 6-Sun., May 8 | Times vary | Main Street | Free | Celebrate Upstate visual, culinary, and performing artists at this three-day festival full of shows and activities that the whole family can enjoy. 🖼
Kentucky Derby Party | Fri., May 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Venue at Falls Park, 631 S. Main St. | $25+ | Dance the night away in your derby hat at this party brought to you by Bored No More GVL.
First Friday at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts | Fri., May 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Greenville Center for Creative Arts, 101 Abney St. | Free | Celebrate GCCA’s birthday by exploring a new exhibition about mental health, participating in a family-friendly art activity, meeting the new CEO + more. 🎨*
Saturday
Annual Reedy River Duck Derby | Sat., May 7 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 601 S. Main St. | $10+ | Do Kentucky Derby Day GVL-style with a rubber duck race down the Reedy River to raise money for local charities.
Shop Sans Souci | Sat., May 7 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | St. Mark United Methodist Church, 306 N. Franklin Rd. | Free entry | Shop the spring edition of this local maker market + neighborhood yard sale.
Sunday
Larkin’s Mother’s Day Brunch | Sun., May 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Larkin’s Sawmill, 22 Graves Dr. | $48 | Treat mom to a brunch including options like Larkin’s four cheese baked macaroni and mini buttermilk biscuits. 🥞
Say What Poetry Open Mic | Sun., May 8 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coffee Underground, 1 E. Coffee St. | $10 | Share your poetry on stage or sit back and enjoy a night of live readings. 🎤
We have amonthly 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.
Picnic’s plans combine over-the-counter and prescription meds for maximum effectiveness. | Photo provided by Picnic
Is allergy season worse this year? Yes, according to the experts — and Greenville is no exception. The good news: You can say peace out to your symptoms with a treatment plan from Picnic. ✌️
Interested? Take Picnic’s allergist-designed quiz to receive a personalized plan that treats your specific symptoms.
Bonus: It’s delivered right to your door,so you have plenty of time to get back to exploring the Conestee Nature Preserve allergy-free.*
A $95 million investment + 600 jobscould come to Greenville County after Greenville County Council unanimouslyapproved a tax break for Project Hands this week. The company behind the project hasn’t been announced yet, but we’ll share updates when we learn more. (The Greenville News)
Breakfast is served.Famous Toastery,an NC-born breakfast, brunch + lunch franchise, wants to come back to Greenville. The chain closed its downtown location in 2019 (104 S. Main St.)but is eyeing Pelham Road or Woodruff Road for its return, saying it’s bringing “an updated playbook for success.” 🍳 (Upstate Business Journal)
Ranked
No. 1. That’s how Greenville ranked on CBS News’ list of best cities for freelancing in 2022. Housing costs, unemployment + tax rateswere low among the top cities. Other notable cities in the top 10 include Raleigh at No. 6 and Chattanooga at No. 8 (hey, RALtoday + NOOGAtoday👋). (CBS News)
Eat
Based on your comments on our Q+A with Khailing Neoh last week, you can’t wait to try the food at Sum Bar when it opens. Get an early taste at Khailing’sSum Bar pop-up at Fireforge Crafted Beer (311 E. Washington St.) Wed., May 11 from 4-8 p.m. 🥟
Listen
Greenville real estate development Union House(915 Rutherford Rd.) was featured on the Invest Local Podcast. Opening this summer, the four homes in the North Main neighborhood feature six suites each and are designed for communal living (think: hybrid home-apartments).Creator Matt McPheely shares the background + future of the project.
Number
14. That’s how many years the Travelers Rest Farmers Market has brought people together over local products + goods. The market kicks off the summer season with a plant sale this Sat., May 7 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at 235 Trailblazer Dr.
45,000. The number of people who havesolddiamonds + other jewelry risk-free with the experts at Worthy. If you’re not wearing that old diamond ring or luxury watch, Worthy can help you turn it into cash with their fast, competitive auctions. Sign up to try it.*
Community
Yappy Hour for National Pet Day + Sip and Paint from Vino & Van Gogh?Sign us up. Residents of Judson Mill Lofts have access to the resident events calendar at the start of each month — making planning (+ getting to know new neighbors) a breeze.*
Kids
Registration is open for summer aquatics camps (including Swim Camp, Swim Academy Camp, and Jr. Lifeguarding Camp) at the YMCA of Greenville (members $100; nonmembers $140). Campers will be split up by age and rotate through free swim, organized group games, and brief learn-to-swim lessons. Register here.*
Finance
We’ve all been there — unexpected expenses pop up and you’re forced to dip into your savings. But what happens if you drain the money you had previously saved? Experts recommend having an emergency fund able to cover three to six months of living expenses — here’s how to build one.*
Correction
We made a Dreher-dful mistake. In yesterday’s conversation about the South Carolina State Parks Artist-In-Residence program, we listed Dreher Island State Park as being in the Low Country. However, its home is on Lake Murray in the Midlands.
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Greenville’s Gift celebrated turning five with a garden party for its volunteers + community partners. The nonprofit has beenproviding baby clothes + other essentials to newborns in need in our area.
How does it work? Prisma Health OB/GYN Center helps identify mothers in need + Greenville’s Gift provides a bag with items like blankets, bibs, pacifiers + more, valued at $300+.Learn more about how you can get involved.
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Editor’s pick: I’m excited for my first Artisphere because I just bought a house and can’t wait to decorate with pieces I find from local artists. Our Artisphere guide helped me figure out what not to miss + if you’re planning to attend, the City says it’s still looking for volunteers to help make the event a success — see what shifts are available.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Upstate artiststake their talents to our state parks.
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