Not often is a museum the place to be on a Friday night, but this week is a notable exception as the popular Arts & Draughts series returns to the Columbia Museum of Art, from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Shannon Burke, the museum’s Public Programs Coordinator, started the event as an effort to highlight a space that might otherwise be overlooked as a potential venue or hip hangout. Since the first installment in January 2011, Arts & Draughts has evolved into a quarterly gathering where patrons of culture can get a dose of craft beers and live music, surrounded by a fantastic collection of fine art.
The musical entertainment will commence with DJ Matt Porter, who will spin some vinyl from his vast, eclectic collection of vintage records. After the DJ set, two South Carolina bands will take the stage, courtesy the folks here at SceneSC.
Elonzo, hailing from Rock Hill, will be first to follow the DJ set. I’ve seen them multiple times, and each experience has been better than the one before. Their blend of folk, blues, and southern rock has matured nicely over the years, like a fine bourbon in a smoky wooden barrel.
Next in line is Brave Baby, a Charleston band whose sound evokes the early days of Band Of Horses, former indie darlings of the Palmetto State. It won’t be long before Brave Baby’s combination of passionate lyrics and emphatic downbeats elevates them to similar heights.
The Whiskey Gentry, from Atlanta, is the night’s final act. Their repertoire has everything from sombre, soul-searching hymns to classic barnburners with a fiddle player who must have cut his chops with the devil down in Georgia.
The Whiskey Gentry’s country crooning and bluegrass picking should pair well with this month’s featured brew, a signature wheat beer from the Widmer Brothers brewery of Portland, OR. The Hefeweizen features “bold, clean flavor and pronounced citrus and floral aromas.” The beer and a cash bar will be provided by The Whig.
In addition to the music and booze, there will be a keepsake craft station and tours of the museum available.
ARTS & DRAUGHTS
Friday, August 3, 7 p.m.-midnight
Columbia Museum of Art
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
803.799.2810Â
Tickets are $8 for the general public and $5 for museum members. (Those ready to make a long term commitment can get free admission if they join or renew a membership at the event.)
PS
Don’t forget to check out Noise for the Nick–featuring Magnetic Flowers, Sea Wolf Mutiny, Dead Surf and Trey Mumbles–TONIGHT at Tapp’s Arts Center.
