Plumbers in Charleston, SC

Charleston’s own Darius Rucker and SRE Entertainment have announced the return of a music festival at North Charleston’s Riverfront Park.

The second annual Riverfront Revival will be Oct. 7-8.

The 2023 lineup has not been announced, but last year’s included Rucker as a headliner in addition to artists such as Brothers Osbourne, Trampled By Turtles, Charley Crockett, Jimmie Allen, The War and Treaty, Nikki Lane, Maggie Rose and Charleston’s own Susto, Lauren Hall, Drew Dangerfield and The Blue Dogs.

The lineup featured artists across genres, from country to rock to soul.

“We were overwhelmed with the support and attendance of our first Riverfront Revival and are thrilled to bring the festival back for more fans to enjoy,” SRE Entertainment partner and Lowcountry concert booker Rob Lamble said. “This is a festival built by Charlestonians who want nothing more than to showcase the best our city has to offer.”

This year’s lineup promises “eagerly anticipated new music from Rucker himself, as well as some of the Lowcountry’s best food, libations, art and culture for attendees to enjoy while they jam.”

Early access presale tickets are available now with prices starting at $140 for general admission and $475 for VIP.

VIP tickets will include an exclusive merch package, dedicated entrance, priority and up-close viewing areas at both stages, dedicated bar and access to VIP lounge areas and premium restrooms.

Go to riverfrontrevival.com to sign up for the festival’s e-newsletter, and you’ll automatically receive a code to secure early access tickets via email.

“Charleston’s hometown spirit was on full display last year and showed us what a local music festival meant to this community,” Rucker wrote in a press release. “We know 2023 is going to be an even greater experience for fans, and we can’t wait to see you there!”

Proceeds from each ticket sold will once again benefit the Arts in Healing program at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner. Charleston is buzzing with those looking forward to watching the Eagles and Chiefs face off, Rihanna’s halftime show and the food. Or perhaps you’re simply looking to celebrate an average Sunday, without the hubbub.

There are tons of events happening this weekend, for sports lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Enjoy the cuteness of the Pup Bowl at Mount Pleasant Town Centre, underdress to impress at the Undie Run or learn to mix cocktails with Little Palm.

Pup Bowl VI

Penalty, 15 yards for excessive cuteness! Check out the 6th annual Pup Bowl noon-3 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Oaks at Mount Pleasant Town Centre. Watch as the adorable puppy teams — the Kansas City Canines and the Pupadelphia Eagles — fight over the football while enjoying live music, food and pet vendors. Spectators are encouraged to adopt the puppy players. Proceeds will go to support the Charleston Animal Society. Tickets are $10; children under 12 are admitted for free. For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/3wZINNa.

Undie Run

Strip down to your delicates and run for charity at noon Feb. 11, starting at Loggerhead’s Beach Grill. The event invites supporters to join in a block party, then jog about a mile down the beach in order to support those suffering from neurofibromatosis. NF is a tumorous genetic disorder affecting 1 in 3,000 births. The run kicks off around 2 p.m. with a dance party following. Registration to run is $45. Register at bit.ly/3YpBhXn.

Valentine’s Cocktail Class

Become a master mixologist just in time to impress your sweetie for Valentine’s Day. From 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, The Ryder Hotel will teach attendees the tricks of the trade when it comes to mixing delicious cocktails. The class includes the step-by-step process for three unique cocktails.

Tickets are $65 and Little Palm will supply all the needed tools and a selection of small bites to eat while you enjoy the class. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/3XCesPZ.

Oboe Concerto

Head to Summerville for an exciting evening of classical music. Cassie Pilgrim, the principal oboist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in Minnesota, will join the Summerville Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10 at the Summers Corner Performing Arts Center.

This is the third concert of the 2022-23 season and will feature an Italian theme with performances of “The Godfather” Orchestral Suite, Oboe Concerto in E-flat Major by Vincenzo Bellini and Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200 by Franz Schubert.

Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/3DRZ9vc.

This is a part of The Post and Courier’s Q&A series throughout Black History Month highlighting Black musicians in Charleston. We feature local Black creatives throughout the year, but wanted to profile some of these Lowcountry talents during February.

Jordan Keys, known by stage name Ivory Keys, is a local rapper, singer and music creator.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born in 1997 in San, Antonio, Texas, grew up in Summerville and started making music around 2016. I then started performing in Charleston around March of 2018. I’m 25 years old.

Q: Where does the stage name Ivory Keys come into play?

My real name is Jordan Keys. I got the name “Ivory Keys” after finding out what ivory was and that it was used to make keys for the original pianos.

Q: What influences you musically?

A: Other creatives and anybody making anything good the best way they know how. My process is arbitrary; there is no real structure to it.

Q: Tell me more about the music you’ve released.

A: I put an EP out called “Ain’t Much To Do” about a year ago that I think is pretty dope, and everyone should go listen. (Keys has also released videos for singles “In the Mix” and “Independent.” He’s performed at venues such as Purple Buffalo and The Royal American.)

Q: What’s next for you?

A: More performing, recording and being better than I was last year.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — “Well, look at you in that fancy skirt! Don’t you look sassy,” said the woman at the front desk of the Charleston Place hotel. Frankly, we’d fly two hours from Boston just to be called “sassy” by someone with a Southern accent.

How was it that we’d never visited Charleston before? This gorgeous, historic city in South Carolina has cropped up on so many “best” lists, it should have its number retired. We decided to plan a girlfriend getaway to the Holy City — so-called due to its 400 places of worship — to meet up with an old friend, Courtney, and see what we’d been missing. Would this coastal Carolina burg (population around 60,000) live up to the hype?

We’re suckers for beauty, and this place nails it. The oldest city in South Carolina, Charleston has nearly 3,000 historic buildings reflecting eight architectural styles: Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classic Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco. Not to mention, it’s a short (just over two hours), nonstop flight from Boston. And the weather is pretty darn fine.

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Since we love to explore on foot, we chose lodgings in the heart of the action, the independently-owned Charleston Place (from $400; www.charlestonplace.com). It sits alongside King Street, a major shopping and dining zone. Good museums are a short stroll away. Oh, and one of Charleston’s must-do restaurants, FIG, is just down the block. Plus, the hotel has a terrific on-site spa — a girlfriend getaway requirement and its own much-lauded eatery, Charleston Grill. (Chef Michelle Weaver, props to you for the best scallops we’ve ever had.)

Everyone you meet is quick to tell you how friendly Charlestonians are, lest you expect a passel of sour-pussed Lindsey Grahams. “Good cheer” seems to be the default setting. But it’s not all sunshine and sweet tea. Local folks — tour guides, museum docents, pedicab drivers — aren’t shy about discussing the horrifying aspects of hometown history.

In Colonial America, Charleston was the fourth largest city, and the richest, its wealth built on the backs of enslaved people who farmed rice, indigo, and Sea Island cotton. “About 40 to 60 percent of enslaved people in the US came through the port of Charleston,” says Tyler Page Wright, tour guide and owner of Walk & Talk Charleston ($30; www.walkandtalkchs.com). Placards marking slave auction sites dot the city. The Charleston Museum (adults, $12; www.charlestonmuseum.org) offers an in-depth look at the lives of enslaved people on Low Country plantations. And everyone is buzzing about the new International African American Museum, slated to open later this year.

Set between the Cooper and Ashley rivers, which meet to form Charleston Harbor, Charleston is a peninsula. Handsome pastel-hued stucco homes with ornate ironwork line downtown streets, comprising a 2-square-mile historic district. A walking tour offers an excellent overview of all this, including famous sites like the Circular Congregational Church. Horse-and-carriage tours are also popular. Wright is a gregarious guide, happy to answer questions like: What is a haint? (Answer: A trapped spirit.) Why does Charleston have so many window boxes? (Answer: It’s a thing here, and residents are super-competitive about it.) And, who are the ladies selling woven sweetgrass baskets? (Answer: Gullah Geechee women, who are descendants of the enslaved Africans who worked on the plantations.) Their beautiful baskets are the ultimate Charleston souvenir.

Besides sweetgrass baskets, what else makes a wonderful souvenir of Charleston? After prowling the shops on King Street, we’d say a goldbug from Croghan’s Jewel Box (www.croghansjewelbox.com), a century-old jeweler known for designing every Charlestonian’s engagement ring. This sparkly shop sells Charleston-themed pieces like cuff bracelets inlaid with the city skyline. But we fell hard for goldbugs, a whimsical take on the cockroach (a.k.a. Palmetto bug), designed by founder William Croghan’s great-granddaughter, Mini Hay, and featured in Vogue magazine. Yep, we’re talking gilded cockroaches.

Want to get a conversation going? Ask a Charlestonian about pluff mud. This squishy marshland material, made of decomposed grasses and sea life, smells foul to visitors, but to locals, it smells like home. We got a good whiff (it smells earthy and slightly rotten-eggy) on a sunset kayak tour of Shem Creek with Coastal Expeditions (from $65; www.coastalexpeditions.com), just over the bridge from Charleston in Mount Pleasant. On this guided sea kayak tour, fine for beginners and families, you paddle alongside tall spartina grass and, yes, pluff mud. We saw great blue herons and egrets along the creek; sometimes paddlers spot manatees. Heading back toward a passage lined with seafood shacks, we encountered a pod of dolphins, who came thisclose to our vessels. “Paddles up!” our guide, Morgan, instructed, so we wouldn’t coldcock the cetaceans. After that, the creamsicle-hued sunset was anticlimactic.

Speaking of creamsicles, we quickly discovered the place to go for that girlfriend getaway staple, a spiked milkshake: Carmella’s Café & Dessert Bar (www.carmellasdessertbar.com) on East Bay Street. And they do mean bar; there’s a full bar at this spot, along with gelato, excellent cookies, Italian pastries, and sandwiches. Carmella’s has indoor seating, and some outdoor bistro tables, but it’s double the pleasure if you munch/sip as you walk along the waterfront. In Charleston, winter temps are typically in the high 50s and lower 60s — that’s shorts-and-T-shirt weather here in Boston.

Charlestonians — and the 6 million tourists who visit each year — are obsessed with food. We were practically delirious to secure a coveted reservation at FIG (Food Is Good; entrees from $39; www.eatatfig.com ), a Charleston mainstay co-owned by James Beard award-winning chef Mike Lata. It’s a splurgy night out but, wow: The ricotta gnocchi ala Bolognese was a triumph of pillowy deliciousness. Chef Lata also operates a seafood restaurant in the city, The Ordinary. But we were eager to try another buzzed-about seafood place, 167 Raw (from $8; www.167raw.com). The owners also operate a place on Nantucket (which may explain the lobster roll on the menu), but we went local, opting for crab dip, a shrimp po’boy, and shrimp tacos. We never got around to ordering shrimp and grits during our trip, the most popular dish among the tourist set.

We never made it to the beach, either. Oops. “Everyone comes for the history and the food, so the beaches are kind of a secret,” says Ike High of Explore Charleston. Located about 25 minutes from the city proper are beaches including Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Sullivan Island, Seabrook Beach, and Folly Beach. We’re told they’re wide and firm, with tawny sand, but we’ve never actually seen them. And it wasn’t until we were at the airport that we realized we’d forgotten another major item on our to-do list: the 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake at the Peninsula Grill (www.peninsulagrill.com). It is, quite possibly, the best thing to eat in food-crazed Charleston, says everyone.

Guess we’ll be back for some cake — maybe in springtime, when the temps edge up to the 70s or so. We’ll pack swimsuits for the beach — and a fancy skirt or two. We’re aiming for sassy.

www.explorecharleston.com.

We’re following up on our new and coming soon developments story with a guide to development terminology. Check out these definitions of common terms paired with ongoing projects and examples you might recognize in the Holy City.

These are projects that provide more than one purpose in the community, like a building with apartments on top and shops on the bottom. Expect to see combinations of housing, retail, parking, commercial, and industrial components.

Think: Plans for the Union Pier redevelopment, which include a mixed-use neighborhood with housing, hotel rooms, civic spaces, and public parks. Check out the Master Plan.

This changes an area of land from the city’s designated use. Examples of rezoning requests include developers looking to build a high-rise in a neighborhood with a certain building height restriction, or open a business in an area marked residential.

Think: Zoning changes approved by the City of Charleston Planning Commission for a proposed luxury hotel on Meeting Street where the Days Inn used to be. (The Post and Courier)

PUD stands for Planned Unit Development. Instead of following standard zoning requirements, these housing developments work with the local government to determine guidelines for public and private areas. The PUD acts as a framework for future development.

Think: Union Pier, again. The project’s PUD application is currently under review by the city’s Technical Review Committee and is expected to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council as well.

Opportunity Zones are a community development program in SC with the goal of encouraging long-term private investments in low-income communities.

Example: The Holy City has four designated Opportunity Zones that make up approximately 7% of the city’s total population.

This type of path is separate from vehicular traffic and may be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters, joggers, and other non-motorized users.

Think: A county project is underway on James Island to build a 10-ft-wide multi-use path along Riverland Drive, set to continue through September.

This is a freestanding building that shares no walls with other homes or structures. Single-family is a type of zoning district in the city.

Think: Historic homes in downtown Charleston.

This is a building that contains multiple housing units.

Think: Apartments and residential condominiums.

The principal use is the primary activity or function of a site. A site’s principal use must be aligned with the zoning ordinances of the land it’s on.

Example: Living in a home within a residential zone is an allowable principal use.

An activity or function of a site labeled subordinate or incidental.

Example: The garage or shed on your home property might be labeled an accessory use.

Charleston Southern Buccaneers (9-20) vs. UNC Asheville Bulldogs (24-7)

The Line: UNC Asheville Bulldogs -8 / Charleston Southern Buccaneers +8; Over/Under: - (Get latest betting odds)

The Charleston Southern Buccaneers and the UNC Asheville Bulldogs meet Friday in Big South Tournament college basketball action from Bojangles’ Coliseum. Charleston Southern is coming off a tournament win Wednesday versus High Point. As for UNC Asheville, they’re sitting at 24-7 overall on the year following a win over Longwood over the weekend. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Charleston Southern Buccaneers

The Buccaneers limped to a pretty rough 8-14 record over their first 22 games this year. Charleston Southern finished off the year with a 1-6 run, taking losses to High Point, USC Upstate, Radford, Campbell, Winthrop and UNC Asheville.

In the tournament game versus High Point on Wednesday, the Buccaneers were down 40-30 by halftime. Charleston Southern rallied on a 42-30 second half and won 72-70. Claudell Harris topped the team with 20 points and four rebounds.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs

Over on the UNC Asheville side, they managed an 18-6 run through their first 24 outings. The Bulldogs then took a loss to USC Upstate before beating Winthrop, Presbyterian, Radford, Gardner-Webb, Charleston Southern and Longwood in succession.

Matched up against Longwood on Saturday, UNC Asheville was down 38-33 going into the second half. The Bulldogs came back on a 43-28 run and took the win 76-66. Fletcher Abee put up 20 points and Drew Pember added 19 points in the victory.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK

I’ll probably stay with UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs are on a six-game win streak right now, and they’ve scored 70 or more points in nine of their last 10 games. UNC Asheville won both meetings between these teams this year. The first was 73-63 on January 18 at CSU Field House, then at Kimmel Arena on February 22 the Bulldogs won 80-62 thanks to a 43-26 second half. The Buccaneers have been a very shaky team lately and I don’t think they’ll be able to keep pace if UNC Asheville gets going.

There are numerous reasons South Carolina should be one’s next travel destination, from the delicious Southern food to the amazing golf courses to the luxurious resorts. One specific city in South Carolina worth a visit is Charleston. This lovely city, founded in 1670, embodies Southern charm. Guests enjoy wandering along the cobblestone streets, admiring the pastel-colored homes on Rainbow Row, and embarking on horse-drawn carriage rides.

Winter is the perfect time to explore Charleston, South Carolina, with the mild temperatures and abundance of winter festivals. This city is picturesque all year round, however. Amazing things to do in Charleston any time of year include enjoying live music and shopping at The Shops at Charleston Place.

Another way to explore the city is via a guided tour. Charleston is filled with unique tours around the city, from sunset cruises to ghost hunting!

Related: 10 Awesome Things That You Can Do In South Carolina

10 Get A Photoshoot And A Tour In Charleston

What better way to capture a perfect vacation than with a photograph? This unique Charleston tour includes a tour of Charleston’s historic district, as well as professional portrait photography at numerous locations. The tour begins at the beautiful Washington Square Park, then heads to the French Quarter, South of Broad neighborhood, and High Battery. Once the tour is complete, guests receive a link to view and purchase the photographs.

This tour is for ages 10 and up.

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Outer Banks Film Locations Tour

Netflix’s hit drama series Outer Banks was filmed primarily in Charleston. An exciting and unique Charleston tour is the Outer Banks Film Locations Tour. This three-hour tour, led by an Outer Banks extra, features stops at 13 film locations in Charleston, as well as film sites in nearby Mount Pleasant. Guests also learn about the cast and the show’s production. This tour is popular among teens and their families but is open to all ages.

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Undiscovered Charleston: Half-Day Food, Wine & History Tour With Cooking Class

Charleston, South Carolina, is known for its delicious oysters. Enjoy a variety of Lowcountry classics with a food, wine, and history tour. This unique tour begins with a 1.5-hour walking tour in which guests learn about Lowcountry food and how it relates to the city of Charleston. The afternoon ends with a delicious lunch and cooking demonstration at a local bistro. At the end of the tour, guests take home some mouthwatering recipes to try at home.

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Charleston’s Pleasing Terrors Nighttime Walking Ghost Tour

While South Carolina is famous for its historic market and delicious Southern food, the city also possesses a spooky side. Learn all about scary Charleston ghost encounters folklore on tour led by Mike Brown, esteemed storyteller and the host of Pleasing Terrors Podcast. Guests visit Poogan’s Porch, the Charles Library Society, Philadelphia Alley (aka “Bloody Alley”), and St. Michael’s Church. Guests describe this tour as interesting, intriguing, and above all, spooky.

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Interactive Ghost Hunting Experience

Another unique and spooky tour to try in Charleston is the Interactive Ghost Hunting Experience. Perfect for families, this tour includes ghost stories and allows guests to become paranormal investigators themselves. The host explains how to use the ghost-hunting equipment, including thermal tools, then guests embark on a ghost-hunting expedition. Typical ghost hotspots include Philadelphia Alley, St. Philip’s Church, Washington Square, and Lawrimore Park.

Wear comfortable tennis shoes, as this is a walking tour.

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Related: Charleston In 24 Hours: Where To Eat & What To Do In A Day

5 Charleston Marsh Eco Boat Cruise With Stop At Morris Island Lighthouse

When deciding whether to spend the summer in Charleston or Savannah, consider Charleston’s beautiful beaches and natural beauty. A great way to take in Charleston’s natural landscape is via boat tour. The Charleston Marsh Eco Boat Cruise Tour takes guests through the area’s marshes and tidal creeks, including a trip to Morris Island and the Morris Island Lighthouse. Guests frequently see bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles while embarking on this tour.

Pack water and sunscreen, as these supplies are not provided by the tour.

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4 Charleston’s Hidden Alleyways & Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

Vacationers in search of a unique walking tour need to check out this Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Tour. During this tour, a knowledgeable guide takes guests to Charleston’s most enchanting locations, providing historical background on each location. This tour prides itself on taking guests “off the beaten path” to unique spots around the city. Guests can’t get enough of knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

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3 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour In Charleston

Another fun way to explore Charleston is via a guided kayak tour. This intimate tour caps at twelve people, and the guide leisurely leads guests through the tidal marshes. The marshes are rich with biodiversity, and guests enjoy spotting bottlenose dolphins and Loggerhead turtles while paddling along. The guide also shares valuable information about the area’s wildlife and ecosystems.

This kayaking tour is beginner-friendly, making it a great option for families with children.

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2 Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise

Enjoy an evening on the water with the Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise. Board a 45-foot catamaran, grab a seat on the deck and watch as the sky turns beautiful shades of pink, orange, and purple. This cruise is perfect for couples craving a relaxed and romantic evening, as well as travelers wishing to witness a lovely sunset while in Charleston. Besides the sunset, guests enjoy the views of the Battery, Fort Sumter, and Fort Moultrie.

Meet at the Charleston Maritime Center 30 minutes prior to departure.

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1 Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

No visit to Charleston is complete without a carriage ride. Combine a fun carriage ride with a history lesson by embarking on Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour. During this scenic ride, guests learn about the city’s history, view antebellum homes, pass by beautiful gardens, and admire the charming cobblestone streets.

In the summer, consider booking a morning or evening tour to beat the heat.