Alright, I didn’t get to make the first Kulture Klash, but I heard it was a rock’n good time. Here’s some pics to get you excited about the next one (scheduled for Spring ‘08):

Warm up those vocal chords, drink lots of fluids and pop in your most inspiring tune… ’cause American Idol is coming to town!

This weekend is sure to be entertaining — at least for Paula, Randy and Simon, who are in town for American Idol auditions. I think it’s pretty cool that Charleston was one of seven cities chosen around the country for this popular singing competition. So, tell your friends, coworkers and neighbors to audition this Saturday. Who knows… perhaps Charleston will produce the nation’s next top singer.

For more information on the audition process, visit the American Idol/Charleston.

ULI South Carolina and the Lowcountry Housing Trust are holding a half-day program called Housing for All: Developing Housing for the Workforce. The event will bring together regional developers, realtors, engineers, planners, government entities and housing providers to discuss the issues related to workforce housing, including local barriers, solutions and implementation strategies. Hear from local and national developers, planners and experts about the latest trends in developing housing for the workforce!

The $25 registration fee includes hot breakfast and resource materials. Visit the ULI website to register online and to get more information. The deadline for online registration is Friday, May 18.

Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Time: 7:30 am- 11:00 am
Location: 10 Storehouse Row (2120 Noisette Blvd) North Charleston

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.

Thousands of people gather annually in Charleston to participate its world-class 10-K run/walk over the Cooper River. This is the second year the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge will be used, spanning 2.5 miles in length and 200 feet high. As I was gathering information on the event to post to our site, I ran across some interesting facts… like did you know the race was created to promote continuous physical activity and a healthy lifestyle? In retrospect, it completely makes sense… but, it’s quite nice to know that the Charleston region is encouraging such behavior. In fact, the Cooper River Bridge Run ’serves as a model of health motivation for other communities throughout the world’ with objectives to:

• increase interest in cardiovascular exercise in the community.
• raise funds for public education on the importance of exercise.
• generate a spirit of community involvement and volunteerism.

It’s wonderful to watch so many people from around the world ‘exercise’ for a worthy cause. I, myself, am a runner but am either to scarred or claustrophobic to tackle the bridge. Regardless, I’m in luck… the Charleston region is full of inspiring trails, roads and paths, all of which are surrounded by the beauty of our natural environment. So whether you prefer to walk along the water, take a stroll down historic roads or run across cable-drawn bridges, you’ve come to the right place.

photo credit: Post and Courier

Join the Sustainability Institute for the first Green Village Tour! The tour is a family-friendly 3.1-mile run/walk open to the public, which will highlight all of the sustainable projects and activities happening in Park Circle and Olde North Charleston. Proceeds benefit The Sustainability Institute. The race begins near the Green House on East Montague Ave, and ends at 10 Storehouse Row at the Navy Yard at Noisette. Along the way, exhibits will showcase sustainable sites, and biodiesel-run buses will take runners back to their cars. The race will be officially timed by Action Carolina, prizes will be awarded in all age categories and race t-shirts will be provided to all participants. Race begins at 9:00am on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

For more information, to donate or register, please visit the website at www.sustainabilityinstitutesc.org

Here’s the route map…