City offers plenty of activities for week away from class
Spring break is finally here. It seems like at least half of the student body left town already, and many of the ones with Friday classes will be hitting the road soon. But there’s a whole other group out there who is staying put for spring break because they’re still swamped with assignments, working a non-university job, lacking funds or they don’t feel like leaving.
Stuck in Columbia for the next nine days? You can still have a relaxing, fun-filled spring break, because there are a lot of cool events in town next week. Here’s a taste of what the city has to offer.
Soda City Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday
1500 block of Main Street
Buy organic fruits and vegetables, tasty desserts and a slew of handmade arts and crafts while enjoying the atmosphere of Columbia’s Main Street. The market is open every Saturday, but you’ll have eight more days to sleep in this week, so check it out.
Daryl Hall and John Oates
at Township Auditorium
Tuesday, March 12
7 p.m. doors / 8 p.m. show
Tickets: $58 for second balcony and gallery / $73 for orchestra and first balcony
You may only know that one song that Joseph Gordon-Levitt happily danced to in “500 Days of Summer,” but Hall and Oates have been cranking out peppy pop/rock for decades. The dynamic duo will play the capital city this week, and it’s going to be filled with high-energy performances and groovy tunes. While the ticket prices are a bit steep for a student’s budget, it’s cheaper than taking a cruise or renting a hotel room.
St. Pat’s in Five Points
Saturday, March 16
All day
$12 in advance/$15 at the gate
While the city is usually a sea of garnet and black, Columbia goes green one day each year for the biggest party in Five Points. The fun starts early in the morning with 5k and 10k races and keeps the festivities going all day with a parade, beauty pageant, food trucks and four stages with 20 bands playing live music until the sun goes down. This year’s big draws are South Carolina native Bryson Jennings, country singer Josh Thompson and rock group Chevelle. Advance tickets are available at stpatscolumbia.com or at Five Points retailers.
“The Room” at Nickelodeon Theatre
Friday, March 15
11:15 p.m.
$10
Dubbed “the worst movie ever made” by many critics, “The Room” is a cult classic. The 2003 dark comedy hardly earned a profit during its original theatrical release but has gained an odd following in recent years, spawning reenactments a la “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Hit up The Nick to see the hilarity and insanity for yourself.