11.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🍵 Tea time

The 250th anniversary of the Charleston Tea Party

Old Exhange Building downtown Charleston

Come see where the tea was stored in 1773. | Photo provided by @theoldexchange

Think about it: we all remember being in school and learning about the Boston Tea Party as part of American history, but did you know we did it first? Yep, you heard that right. The Charleston Tea Party took place 13 days before the famous Boston one.

The protest

Let’s do a quick history refresh. You may recall the phrase “No taxation without representation,” which colonists used in the mid-18th century. The British government taxed certain goods, and American colonists weren’t amused.

Charleston wasn’t excluded from the opposition, and in December of 1773, more than 250 chests of tea arrived at the Charleston Harbor, and locals decided not to pay, which forced the tea to sit on the boat. After 20 days unclaimed, the tea was taken and stored in the Exchange Building. Read more about the protest.

250th Anniversary party

The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission will host Charleston’s 250th Anniversary Tea Party this Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m.

Banner for the 250th anniversary of the Charleston Tea Party — Come watch the tea.
|
Photo provided by theoldexchange

This free event is open to all and will begin in front of the Old Exchange Building & Provost Dungeon at 122 E. Bay St. The public is encouraged to assemble in front of the building ahead of the starting time. Traffic will be blocked along short sections of Broad and East Bay Streets.

A theatrical reenactment of Charleston’s Tea Party protest will occur on the front portico of the building. This performance includes costumed “townspeople” and help from the audience and will last ~40 minutes. Afterward, attendees can tour the basement of the Exchange and enjoy a tea tasting.

Pro tip: Attendees can also get free admission for the day at:

The Powder Magazine Museum
South Carolina Historical Society Museum
The garden and outbuildings of the Heyward Washington House
Spirit of South Carolina

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Photos with Santa Claus | Wednesday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, 1744 Towne Centre Way, Mount Pleasant | $34.99 | Embrace the spirit of the holiday season with a professional photo of your loved ones + pets with Santa Claus at The North Pole.
Finance Luncheon + Panel | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 12-1 p.m. | Charleston Library Society, 164 King St., Charleston | $25-$65 | Three top business journalists, Rob Copeland, Mary Childs, and Liz Hoffman, discuss some of the most powerful, influential, and mystifying figures in finance.
Tasting Event | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6-8 p.m. | The Porter Room at Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave., North Charleston | $35 | The Lowcountry’s most highly-anticipated restaurants, including many still on the cusp of opening, will provide preview samples of their menus in a taste-around format.
Elf Movie Screening + Holiday Market | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6-9 p.m. | New Realm Brewing, 880 Island Park Dr., Daniel Island | Price of purchase | Get into the holiday spirit with a special screening of the beloved movie, Elf and browse through the stalls and find the perfect presents for your loved ones.

Thursday, Nov. 30

MTP - Meet Talk Partner | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 5-7 p.m. | Farm Haus Butcher and Beer Garden, 604 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant | Free | Join this networking happy hour to meet some new people and make real connections.
Veiled | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 5-10 p.m. | Sweetgrass Vodka Lounge, 1640 Meeting St. Rd., Ste.108, Charleston | $5 | Check out seven artists utilizing various mediums to explore the idea of the theme veil.
Holiday Tree Lighting | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Emeline, 181 Church St., Charleston | Free | Put on your favorite Christmas sweater, don an elf hat, and stop by this festive tree lighting.
Create + Sip | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Westbrook Brewing Company, 510 Ridge Rd., Mount Pleasant | $35 | Create your own DIY textured art wall.

Friday, Dec. 1

Light the Lake | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-9 p.m. | Colonial Lake, 42 Ashley Ave., Charleston | Price of purchase | Admire over 1,000 luminaries, plus enjoy live music, a food village, and a holiday movie.

Sunday, December 3

Annual Deck the Hall Oyster Roast | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 2 p.m. | Drayton Hall, 3380 Ashley River Rd., Charleston | $75-$95 | Feast on all-you-can-eat oysters and a chili bar while sipping local beverages — this event is 21+.*

Calendar events here

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Seasonal

Culture

Make Santa-mental memories this season at The Charleston Place

Presented by a CHStoday partner

A family enjoying the snowfall at The Charleston Place

Did you know? There are 162 trees, 72+ wreaths, a custom-built 41-foot tree in Market Street Circle, 400,000 holiday lights, and 20,000+ ornaments used to bring this enchanted holiday delight to life. | Photo provided by The Charleston Place

There’s snow place like The Charleston Place during the holiday season. The iconic landmark will feature ceiling-to-floor holiday decor, complimentary programming (think: snowfall, visits with Santa, and a community concert with the Symphony Orchestra), and so much more.

Inspired by the enchanted tale of The Nutcracker, The Charleston Place transforms into a magical, mythical dream-like state of dancing Sugar Plum fairies, The Waltz of Flowers, and a place where imagination thrives.

Guests are invited to gather with friends and family this season and take the holiday experience to the next level with experiences like:

Nutcracker Tea
Holiday meals at The Palmetto Cafe and Charleston Grill
Private Snowfall Experiences for proposals, holiday parties, or birthday parties
And more

See Signature Seasonal Experiences

News Notes

Community

Make your voice heard. Charleston County wants your feedback regarding its Climate Action Planning efforts, which aim to reduce greenhouse gases. Complete this questionnaire by Friday, Dec. 15.

Traffic

Lane closures on Maybank Highway from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. began earlier this week and will last through Friday. This work is part of a project to create a new road connecting Maybank Highway to Fenwick Hall Allee and River Road. (WCSC)

Art

Calling all artists. Charleston Pour House and Redux Contemporary Art Center’s annual mural competition is here. Submissions are open through Friday, Jan. 5. The grand prize is $500 cash, one year of free shows + free Redux art classes.

Award

The Summerville Orchestra won the American Prize in Orchestral Performance, Community Division, 2023. This award acknowledges the best-performing US artists, directors, ensembles, and composers at various levels. Check out the orchestra’s upcoming events. (Holy City Sinner)

Environment

Join Charleston Surf Rider, The M.A.R.S.H. Project, and Friends of Gadsden Creek for the Gadsden Creek Marsh Clean Up this Saturday from 9-11 a.m. After the clean-up, each volunteer can claim a free coffee and vegan treat from Huriyali.

Seasonal

Reader Alex G. brought it to our attention that the life-sized gingerbread house featured at Hotel Bennett isn’t complete. After talking to the hotel staff, we learned the gingerbread house is in construction + operational but not fully decorated. We will monitor things and provide an update when everything is complete.

Try This

Ready for holiday hosting? You probably will be after trying a workshop offered at Juliska on King Street, like Thanksgiving Wreathmaking, Holiday Centerpiece Creations, or The Art of Charcuterie: Holiday Edition. The CHStoday recently team tried out the Art of Charcuterie: Fall Edition workshop — here’s how it went.*

Shop

Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: the Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*

Finance

We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*

Festival

Shop ‘til you drop on Pitt Street

Old Village Holiday Street Fest returns in Mount Pleasant

‘Tis the season to shop local. | Photo by Saltina Graphics

Save the date. You can buy holiday gifts and support local at the Holiday Street Fest in the historic Old Village neighborhood of Mount Pleasant along Pitt Street on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 2-8 p.m.

The fest will feature vendors, artists, and purveyors showcasing various gifts. Think: baked goods, jewelry, clothing, cookware, and art. Shoppers can enjoy food offerings + live music from the band Motown Throwdown and DJ Mosaic. Plus, there will be activities for the kiddos, and we even heard Santa Claus will visit.

A new addition will include a partnership between Basic Projects and Feed the Need Charleston, whose mission is to combat hunger + homelessness by providing meals and job training.

There is no cost to get in. Parking is limited, and ride-sharing or carpooling is encouraged.

Participating businesses

Ash and Vine
Carolina Creamware
J.Stark
Kennedy Gray
Lia Burke Libaire Art

Here’s a list of all the businesses participating.

The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Erika

From the editor

Last weekend I tried out the Sippin’ Santa holiday pop-up bar at Prohibition. IMO, the team has done a phenomenal job of decorating the space, plus the holiday tunes will surely get you in the Christmas mood. The cherry on top is the fun drinks. I tried the namesake, and it was delicious. See the full drink menu and some pictures I snapped. You can visit through Monday, Jan. 1.

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