Cool event at Redux this Saturday (4/21) …and one you should attend to support the gallery/studio….

REDUX ART FACTORY FUNDRAISER
12pm- 9pm ALL DAY EVENT!!!
Admission Free- All works $5-$75

Live artists create original work for immediate purchase. Audience participation is encouraged. You’ll take home: Drawings, Paintings, Original Prints, Sculptures, Jewelry, Digital Photos, Music Compositions + Much More…

For those of you not familiar (both of you)…..Redux Contemporary Art Center is a non-profit gallery and studio center created to encourage and promote all contemporary visual art media. They assist emerging and under represented visual artists through providing affordable 24 hour access to professional studio facilities, financial and technical assistance to artists, innovative educational programs, public lectures, and original exhibitions.

It’s spring in Charleston…the weather is awesome..and it’s time to get up and out. In case you didn’t notice, this weekend there’s a smorgasborg of outdoor adventure for you to dive into. Or at least watch. Here’s a run down:

17th Annual East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival - You’ll find all things paddling related at James Island County Park this weekend. The festival runs Friday through Sunday and features classes, demonstrations, kids stuff, bbq/lowcountry boil and more.

East Cooper Coastal Triathlon - This is the 3rd inagural racing of this IOP-based triathlon. Swim in the ocean (.6 miles), ride along IOP and Sullivan’s Island (16 miles) and then run over the IOP Connector to Mt. Pleasant (5 miles) to make it official.

Sixth Low Country Volkswagon Race Weekend - Held in I’On Village, this bicycle race will bring out the big guns as they compete in the I’On Village Smackdown on Saturday and in Hampton Park on Sunday. Apparently there’s a heated rivalry brewing between the VW team and the Charleston Bicycle Company team…so that should keep things interesting. Slip on your short tights and come out to cheer.

And for you nature lovers…this weekend is Earth Day and there’s a Forest Trails Day event in Awendaw on Saturday, a Wine & Warblers event at Audubon’s Francis Beidler Forest in Harleyville on Saturday, and Congaree National Park’s NatureFest off of 26 near Columbia on Saturday and Sunday.

So there it is…..get out and enjoy.

What’s better than a fine bowl of grits? The World Grits Festival..that’s what. From tomorrow (4/13) through Sunday at the World Grits Festival you can eat more ground corn than you care to imagine, learn how to make/cook them, enjoy live music, and even roll in them. It all takes place in charming St. George…just an hour away from downtown Charleston. See you there.

Terry Tamminen…author and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s former head of California EPA….will speak tonight on his new book “Lives Per Gallon, the True Cost of Our Oil Addiction.” The talk is part of the College of Charleston’s ongoing lecture series Eco-Topics at the Addlestone: From Activism To Activism. It’s free…and it takes place at the CofC’s Admissions Auditorium at 175 Calhoun Sreet. 6:00 pm. Visit livespergallon.org for more on the book.

It’s early April and that means the Family Circle Cup is in full gear. Starting this past weekend, it runs through April 15 when a new lady champion will be crowned at the Daniel Island Tennis Center. The matches run all day and into the night, there’s a good bet that your friends will be playing hooky to soak up sun, enjoy food and drink and watch the hard court action. Will you?

Get the latest results on the Family Circle Cup website.

It’s no hidden secret that Charleston boasts of history, culture and beauty… but, recently national publications have been recognizing our region for much, much more. Take our business environment, community assets and world-class amenities; everything from five-diamond resorts to internationally-renowned festivals… we have a lot to be proud of. Check out this diverse list (just to name a few):

• Best of the Best/Destination of the Year by BestWeekends
• New American Dream Towns by Outside
• Charleston ranked 4th Best City in America by Travel + Leisure
• Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur
• Charleston named a Top Art Destination by American Style Magazine
• “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” for business expansion by Expansion Management

So whether you’re enjoying our finest restaurants and entertainment or creating strategic plans for your next business venture, you’re doing so in an award-winning environment… all the tools necessary to getinspired.