Plus, a new DNA testing facility + a luxe steakhouse.
 
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Today’s Forecast

86º | 17% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:10 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.
High tides 7:43 a.m. + 8:13 p.m. | Low tides 1:44 a.m. + 1:43 p.m.
 

Culture

10 free ways to enjoy the CMA this summer
Presented by Columbia Museum of Art
Adult with small child on her lap, coloring with markers in a museum lobby
This is the kind of news we love to share: The CMA is offering free admission for SC residents all summer long, and we’re rounding up the top ten ways to enjoy it. | Photo by Victor Johnson / the Columbia Musuem of Art
In case you missed it, the Columbia Museum of Art recently announced free admission for SC residents — all summer long and for the next two summers — thanks to a generous grant from Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

The CMA also received a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation to offer a variety of programs and activities on Boyd Plaza throughout the year.

To help you plan your visit, here are the top 10 free things to do at the CMA this summer (in no particular order):
  1. (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art | Check out this featured summer exhibition presented in partnership with Art Bridges.
  2. Morning Blend: A Jazz, Soul, and Coffee Series | Sip, relax, and groove into your day, Wednesday mornings in June.
  3. Yoga on the Plaza | Morning and evening sessions are scheduled throughout the summer on Boyd Plaza.
  4. Daily activities | Think: scavenger hunts, art boards, kid-friendly totes, and more. The museum has also refreshed its all-ages interactive space, The Cross Hatch, with new art and hands-on activities.
  5. Tours | Go on a guided tour of the CMA Collection, exhibitions, and more. We’re marking our calendars (and brushing up on Duolingo) for the Bastille Day tour in French with Dr. Frank Martin.
  6. Plaza Pop-Ins | These family-friendly daytime programs will be offered in July and August, featuring story time, tours of (Un)Settled, scavenger hunts, art projects, opportunities to build with the big blue blocks, and more.
    • Party in the U.S.A. | Tuesdays, July 9 and 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
    • Getting Crafty | Monday, August 5, and Thursday, August 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  7. Read With Art: Silent Book Club at the CMA | Bring along your current book to read among art and new friends on June 27 + July 20.
  8. The CMA Collection | Tip: It’s constantly changing, so there’s always something new to see.

    And keep an eye on the CMA’s website and socials for more details on these upcoming offerings:

  9. Plein Air on Boyd Plaza | Starting in July, morning painting and drawing sessions led by About Face Drawing Group will be held al fresco on Boyd Plaza.
  10. Art in Focus | Love a deep dive into a piece of art? This series of spotlight talks explores themes found in an individual artwork on view, led by fine arts experts like Dr. Anna Swartwood House.
Plan your free visit this summer
Asked

What are you most excited about doing at the CMA this summer?
A. Learning through a guided tour or Art in Focus
B. Unwinding during Morning Blend or a yoga class on Boyd Plaza
C. Enjoying the AC while strolling through the galleries
D. Trying something new like plein air painting/drawing or Silent Book Club
E. Having fun with the family through daily activities and Plaza Pop-Ins
Tell us what you're looking forward to
 
Events
Wednesday, June 5
  • Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition | Wednesday, June 5-Sunday, June 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Marion Square, 309 Meeting St., Charleston | Free | The art festival continues — watch demos and explore works by 60+ fine art artists.
  • Free Classical Organ Concert | Wednesday, June 5 | 10 a.m. | The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston | Free | Student Daniel Carroll performs dramatic masterpieces on the newly renovated and enlarged four-manual pipe organ at Summerall Chapel.
  • 5th Anniversary Celebration | Wednesday, June 5-Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | Indigo Reef Brewing Company, 2079 Wambaw Creek Rd., Unit 1, Charleston | Price of purchase | This five-day celebration will feature food trucks, live music, special beer releases, and trivia.
  • 4th Annual Park Circle Pride Festival | Wednesday, June 5-Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | Commonhouse Aleworks, 4831 O’Hear Ave., North Charleston | Free | This Pride celebration will feature 40+ events including drag brunches, bingo, happy hours, live music, vendor markets, and a bike parade.
Thursday, June 6
  • The Folly Art Village | Thursday, June 6 | 5-9 p.m. | The Washout Restaurant, 41 Center St., Folly Beach | Free | Browse fresh produce, locally made food, art, clothing, jewelry, and sweets while enjoying live music.
Friday, June 7
  • Gone Fishin’ | Friday, June 7 | 5-8 p.m. | Charleston Crafts Gallery, 140 E. Bay St., Ste. D, Charleston | Free | Crafters will showcase their seasonal creations inspired by long, relaxing summer days and outdoor activities.
  • Music on the Green | Friday, June 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Freshfields Village, 165 Village Green Dr., Kiawah Island | Free | Pack a blanket and bring the family to this outdoor concert series featuring regional bands.
Saturday, June 8
  • Sunset Sessions at The Backyard | Saturday, June 8 | 4-7 p.m. | The Backyard at Little Palm, 237 Meeting St., Charleston | Free | Let the music carry you away as you enjoy tropical-inspired cocktails and fresh grill delights in an open-air paradise.
More local fun this way
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Weather
  • Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and experts think it’ll be a busy one due to extreme ocean heat and La Niña. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts 17-25 named storms this summer + fall, with 8-13 achieving hurricane status of 75+ mph sustained winds. (WCSC + NOAA)
Civic
  • Local leaders broke ground on the $29 million Tri-County Biological Science Center at 3765 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston. The 21,480-sqft DNA testing facility — designed to streamline the forensic analysis process — will feature labs, office space, and secure storage for evidence. Construction is slated to wrap up in late 2025.
Opening
  • Neighborhood Dining Group will debut its upscale, modern steakhouse Marbled & Fin on Wednesday, June 12 at 480 E. Bay St. — the former site of a dry cleaning business. The menu features premium cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and extensive wine + spirits lists. Reserve your table. (Eater Carolinas)
Kids
  • Tri-County schools are offering summer meal programs, providing free breakfast and lunch to students in low-income areas during their break from school. Berkeley County School District’s program began this week across nine locations; programs at Charleston County School District and Dorchester District Two start on Monday, June 17. (WCSC)
Sports
  • We can just hear the puck dropping now. The South Carolina Stingrays have unveiled their 2024-2025 regular season schedule, which includes 36 home games. The team’s home opener is set for Saturday, Oct. 19 at North Charleston Coliseum against the Savannah Ghost Pirates; season tickets are on sale.
Trending
  • The HBO series “The Righteous Gemstones” is looking to hire paid extras in the Charleston area for its fourth season. Tona B. Dahlquist Casting says production is looking for extras to portray law enforcement officers, town locals, servers, and “city council types.” Submissions can be emailed to the casting agency. (Holy City Sinner)
Concert
  • Country music legend Robert Earl Keen will perform tonight, June 5, at Charleston Music Hall with special guest Gritty Flyright. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are still available. Fans can expect songs from Keen’s album, “Western Chill” — which highlights his band — plus some older hits. (Charleston City Paper)
History
  • Immerse yourself in history from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 16 at various locations in Greenville, SC. Enjoy free performances at History Comes Alive, featuring portrayals of Maria von Trapp, Cass Elliot, Charles Dickens, “Stagecoach Mary” Fields, and El Vaquero. See locations + showtimes.*
Finance
  • You know a restaurant’s good if other chefs eat there, and you can trust a gym where athletes train. So, we’ll trust this rec: This card recommended by The Ascent has no annual fee and offers up to 5% cash back, a sign-up bonus, and 0% intro APR into 2025.*
 
Seasonal

💦 Make a splash

Makin’ a splash: Charleston County water parks are ready for summer
Charleston County water parks
Charleston County water parks are ready for the summer season. | Photo via @charlestoncountyparks
As the saying goes, the only thing separating Charleston from Hell in the summertime is a screen door. Well, we have an antidote for those sweltering summer days: a visit to Charleston County water parks.

All three splashy attractions have rolled out their summer 2024 hours and with activities for all ages, you’re pretty much guaranteed to cool off a few degrees.

Goggle at these water parks:

Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark
Location: Wannamaker County Park
Highlights: The 65-ft Washout slides, the 27,000-sqft Big Kahuna wave pool, The Rollin’ River — a 870-ft lazy river
Schedule: Now-Sunday, Aug. 11, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. + weekends 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Sept. 1, weekends only 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: $24.99 general admission
2 more parks + pro tips
The Buy

The Buy 6.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The ultimate summer grill accessory: a wireless smart thermometer. Stick it in your food, cook as usual, and the thermometer will notify your smartphone when your meat has reached the ideal internal temp. Hello, perfectly cooked steaks…
 
The Wrap
 
Monica Garske headshot

Today’s edition by:
Monica
From the editor
Hi, Charleston. My name is Monica — I’m a national content editor with 6AM City, happily working with Erika this week. I’ve been on a picnic kick with my family lately, and I can’t help but swoon over the beautiful parks in the Holy City. Y’all know what you’re doing, that’s for sure.
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