Name a better place to watch a match, we’ll wait. | Photo by CHStoday
The Charleston Battery’s season is in full swing.So, we figured now’s a great time to reintroduce you to the basics about our home team.
The club was established in 1993, competes in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, and is led by 2022 USL Championship Coach of the Year Ben Pirmann.
Home turf is in Mount Pleasant + the stadium seats 3,900 (expandable to ~5,000).
Major accomplishments:
The team has been recognized as one of the most successful lower-division soccer clubs, having won multiple championship titles.
USISL Pro League champions in 1996
USL-A League champions in 2003
USL-2 champions in 2010
USL Pro champions in 2012
Southern Derby champions in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2024
Catch the team in action tomorrow, May 31. Pro tip: College of Charleston legend + SC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Ralph Lundy will be the honorary captain.
Asked
Asked
What league do the Charleston Battery play in?
A. National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) B. United Soccer League (USL) Championship C. Major League Soccer (MLS) D. United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Drayton Hall Kids | 10 a.m. | Drayton Hall | $0+ | Bring the little ones for story time, followed by crafts or games, then take your time enjoying the home + museum’s landscape together.
Spoleto Festival | Through Sunday, June 8 | Times, locations + prices vary | Find an event and experience renowned artists as well as emerging performers right here in the Holy City.
Piccolo Spoleto Festival | Through Sunday, June 8 | Times, locations + prices vary | Explore visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theater, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts, and film.
Saturday, May 31
Classic Car Show | 12-3 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, North Charleston | Free entry | Rev up your engines and make your way to Park Circle to celebrate classic cars.
Spring Candle-Making Workshop | 1-3 p.m. | Indigo Reef Brewing Company | $46 | Welcome the warmth and renewal of spring with a hands-on candle-making workshop.
Sweat on the Ship 2025 | 6-9 p.m. | USS Yorktown, Mount Pleasant | $32 | Sweat on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, then mingle with local vendors.
Food, an open bar, prizes, and a whole lot of fun are in store at this year’s Charleston Gay Bingo fundraiser. | Photo by Jenni Lauren
After three long years, a beloved event is making its way back to Charleston, just in time for Pride Month.
Palmetto Community Care’s marquee fundraiser, Charleston Gay Bingo, is happening Friday, June 13 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the North Charleston Convention Center — and this year, everythingis included. For $125 per ticket (and tables starting at $1,250), attendees get:
Cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres
Delicious catering
An open bar (you read that right)
Performances from Jessica Wild and Bruno Alcantara, as seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race
Lively bingo games called by the lovely Patti O’Furniture
This year’s theme is Love Out Loud, and attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite Pride attire — and to remember what Laverne Cox had to say: “Who you are is beautiful and amazing.”
Ready for a fun night out while raising money to help end HIV? Snag a ticket for yourself or reserve a table of 10 for you and your crew.
It’s a brew-tiful sight — Oliver Pluff & Company is officially open. You can now get your teas, toddies, and coffees in the former Spicewalla space at 49 John St. Stop by Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. + Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Development
Leaders from the City of North Charleston broke ground on a new community center for the Union Heights community. Fun fact: The project will restore one of the city’s oldest buildings. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. (WCIV)
Civic
Also in North Charleston, voters filled two city council seats in a special election. Stephanie Ganaway-Pasley claimed District Three + Christopher Emde won District Five. County officials say voter turnout for the races was 11.28%. (WCSC)
Traffic
The City of Charleston could take ownership of Maybank Highway from River Road to the Paul Gelegotis Bridge, currently owned by SCDOT. This would allow the city to add a new lane while preserving beloved grand oak trees. Current plans show the project taking over two years + removing several trees. (WCBD)
Opening
A new fire + EMS station and a public recreation area are set to open in West Ashley this fall. Leaders broke ground on the project in October 2024, and it’s located near the intersection of Ashley River Road and Old Parsonage Road. (WCIV)
Number
$14 billion — that’s the amount lawmakers approved for the state budget, which will take effect on Tuesday, July 1, if Gov. Henry McMaster signs it into law. The budget includes bridge repairs, tax cuts, teacher raises, and more. (WLTX)
Try This
Join Wild Common’s Executive Chef Orlando Pagán as he celebrates his roots with a Puerto Rican Summer Dinner Series on the last Sunday of each month throughout August. The multi-course tasting menu can be paired with Caribbean-inspired cocktails. Tickets are $85 per person.
Festival
Isaac Mizrahi, a fashion designer, actor, singer, and TV presenter, is making a stop in the Holy City for Spoleto Festival USA. He will perform his variety show “I Know Everybody” at the Charleston Music Hall on Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. + Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (The Post and Courier)
The Word
Cheyney — that’s the word that knocked John Donato, Woodlands Middle School student, out of the semifinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Finishing 20th out of 243 contestants is pretty impressive. (The Post and Courier)
Pool day at The Mills House, anyone? | Photo via The Mills House
These rainy days have us longing for sunny Charleston weather, so we can plan a relaxing, summertime pool day.
Several local social clubs + hotels offer day passes to their swimming pools, giving you a perfect excuse to plan a mini staycation. Let’s dip our toes into some options.
Paradiso, North Charleston
This family-friendly social club offers a couple of day pass options for its pool, open from 9 a.m. to sunset.
A great find in Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale. Get up to 60% off dresses, shoes, tees, and beauty before the sale ends this weekend. Here’s what we’re eyeing:
☀️ Don’t worry — sunshine is coming soon. When it does, we recommend eating outdoors + enjoying some time on the Charleston Harbor at Fleet Landing. Pro tip: Check out the raw bar that debuted last winter.