Here’s what’s happening around town this week!

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Here's what's happening around town this week!

📚 Wednesday, May 8 – Books & Bites with Mark C. Fava – Meet author and attorney Mark C. Fava at The Beaufort Bookstore for a book signing and discussion from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. 📍 2127 Boundary St Suite 15, Beaufort. Enjoy light bites and explore stories from his latest book, Lessons from the Admiral. Free to attend.

🎶 Friday, May 9 – Live Music at GG's Restaurant – Dance, dine, and enjoy the vibes with live music from Stuck in Time at GG’s Restaurant from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 📍 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Open to the public.

🪖 Friday, May 9 – Military Appreciation Day: Salute to Service – Join the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Military Enhancement Committee for a community celebration honoring active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Enjoy free food, local business giveaways, family activities, and a kickball tournament. Event runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Laurel Bay. 📍 Laurel Bay, Beaufort. Learn more: beaufortchamber.org

🎣 Saturday, May 10 – Cobia Fishing Class – Learn how to reel in one of the Lowcountry’s most exciting game fish at this free hands-on class from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 📍 901 8th Street, Port Royal. Presented by Sea Sea’s Honey Hole and Sea Island Adventures, the event includes instruction from Captain Tommy and light refreshments. Open to all skill levels. RSVP here.

🏍️ Saturday, May 10 – Beaufort County Bike Show - The fifth year of this event revs up from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM 📍 3116 Trask Parkway, Beaufort. Enjoy a showcase of bikes, vendors, and family fun. Details.

🫖 Saturday, May 10 – Mother's Day Tea - Celebrate Mother's Day early with a High Tea at Magnolia Café from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Indulge in delightful treats.   📍703 Congress St. Beaufort. Reservations required.

Saturday, May 10 – Lafayette Soirée at The Castle
Step into an enchanting evening as Historic Beaufort Foundation hosts the Lafayette Soirée in the gardens of the Dr. Joseph F. Johnson House—affectionately known as The Castle. Enjoy French-inspired cuisine, captivating performances by the Andrew Thielen Big Band and the Lafayette String Sextet, and an exciting silent and live auction. 🎟 Tickets available now at historicbeaufort.org/lafayette-soiree or call 843.379.3331.

💃 Saturday, May 10 – Revolution Ballroom Dance Party – Dance the night away at Revolution Ballroom’s monthly social! Kick things off with a beginner salsa lesson from 7:00–7:30 PM, followed by social dancing until 10:00 PM. Expect a fun playlist featuring Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Salsa, Bachata, and Argentine Tango. Light refreshments provided. $20 admission. Open to ages 18+, singles and couples welcome. 📍 Revolution Ballroom, 2121 Boundary St, Suite 207, Beaufort, SC.
Sign up: revolutionballroom.com/may-party

Later This Month....

🎬 Thursday–Friday, May 15–16 – Sankofa Nights: Two Great Nights | One Amazing Cause – This two-day experience includes a documentary screening on Thursday followed by a special dinner on Friday featuring Eternal Polk, award-winning director of Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land. 📍 Details & registration: eventbrite.com

🎭 Friday–Sunday, May 16–18 – Beaufort Children's Theatre: Alice in Wonderland Jr. – Travel down the rabbit hole with young Alice in this whimsical stage production. Performances take place May 16 & 17 at 7:00 PM and May 18 at 3:00 PM. 📍 USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort.
Tickets: $24 adults, $20 seniors/military, $16 students.

🤰🏾Saturday, May 17 – Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Symposium – This free community lunch and wellness symposium at the historic Penn Center explores the impact of maternal and infant mental health in the Lowcountry. Enjoy mini healing sessions, wellness workshops, and a nutritious lunch. Event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. 📍 Frissell Hall, Penn Center, St. Helena Island.

👛 Saturday, May 17 – Designer Bag Bingo & Brunch – Join Madison’s Miracles for a fabulous morning of fun at Frankie Bones Bluffton. Your $65 ticket includes brunch, 8 exciting rounds of bingo (3 boards per round), and chances to win gorgeous Michael Kors purses. Proceeds benefit families navigating grief and healing. Event runs from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 📍 Frankie Bones Restaurant, 26 Discovery Dr, Bluffton, SC.
Learn more: facebook.com/Madisonsmiraclesinc

🎉 Saturday, May 17 – Marshview Mercantile 2-Year Anniversary Celebration – Stop by between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM to browse local artist booths, enjoy a pop-up by Meg’s Sweet Treats, and grab a bite from the Lobster Dog Food Truck. 📍 2631 Boundary Street, Beaufort. Free to attend. Birthday gifts with $25 purchase while supplies last.

🐢 Saturday, May 17 – Make Your Own Mosaic Turtle (Art Class) – Join artist Tatiana Tatum for a hands-on mosaic workshop at 11:00 AM at 📍 Thibault Gallery, 815 Bay Street, Beaufort. All materials provided. Participants will create a 15-inch mosaic turtle to take home.

Saturday, May 18 – 10:30 AM - Papermaking Workshop at Port Royal Sound Foundation
Turn scrap paper into something beautiful! Learn the art of papermaking in this hands-on workshop—perfect for all ages (kids must be with an adult). $15 plus fees. More info HERE.

🧘 Tuesday, May 20 – Rooted in Wellness: Yoga & Wine at Windhorse – Join Effervescence Yoga Studio for an evening flow from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a guided tasting of skin-contact wines with the Windhorse Wine Guru. 📍 809 Paris Ave, Port Royal. Part of the Windhorse “Rooted In Wellness” series. All levels welcome.

🎬 Friday, May 23 – Lilo & Stitch Movie Night – Join The Village Co-Op for a family-friendly night under the stars at Hwy 21 Drive-In Theater from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 📍 55 Parker Drive, Beaufort. Bring your blankets, snacks, and ohana for a summer movie kickoff. Open to the public.

📚 Friday, May 24 – Silent Book Club Beaufort Meetup – Join host Ashley Meijerink and fellow book lovers for this popular monthly meet-up. Bring any book you like and enjoy two hours of silent reading and literary connection in a cozy community setting. Meetup runs from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. 📍 Pat Conroy Literary Center, 601 Bladen Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: silentbook.club

🐢 Wednesday, May 28 – Make Your Own Mosaic Turtle (Art Class) – A second session with Tatiana Tatum will be held at 6:00 PM at 📍 Shellring Aleworks, 1111 11th Street, Port Royal. Great for art lovers of all skill levels.

The Original Gullah Festival

The Original Gullah Festival is coming up. Want to volunteer? Click here sign up.

🎭 Thursday, May 22 – Decoration Day Play – Step back in time with this entertaining, informative, and historical re-enactment of the City of Beaufort, highlighting the rich culture of the Sea Islands. The performance begins at 7:00 PM at the USCB Center for the Arts. Tickets are $55 online, $60 at the door, and $20 for children 12 and under. 📍 USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: originalgullahfestival.org

🤎 Friday–Sunday, May 23–25 – The Original Gullah Festival – Celebrate the rich Gullah heritage with a weekend of music, dance, storytelling, and traditional cuisine. Highlights include cultural workshops, live performances, and community celebrations. Events run daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. 📍 Downtown Beaufort.
Learn more: originalgullahfestival.org

📍 Festival Overview

• Dates: Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 25, 2025
• Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, 1010 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC
• Admission: General festival entry is free; select events and workshops require tickets.
• Website: originalgullahfestival.org(Original Gullah Festival)
  

🎭 Weekend at A Glance

Friday, May 23

• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Lest We Forget – Times to Remember exhibit at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 901 Craven Street.
• 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Beaufort County school performances, including choirs and bands.
• 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM: All White Attire Party featuring DJ Sissy The Entertainer and Fresh Vibe Band. Tickets: $55 online, $60 at the gate.(Original Gullah Festival)

Saturday, May 24

• 10:00 AM: Drum Call – Spiritual Vibrations.
• 10:20 AM – 6:50 PM: Continuous performances, including Aunt Pearlie Sue & Gullah Kinfolk, Wona Womalan African Dancers & Drummers, Dr. Marlena Smalls & The Hallelujah Singers, and more.
• 3:00 PM: Decoration Day musical at USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street.
• 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Saturday Night Concert featuring the Terence Young Band.(Original Gullah Festival)

Sunday, May 25

• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Hour of Power Worship Service at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
• 11:00 AM: Rededication of the Commemorative Marker Honoring Ancestors at the foot of 11th Street, Port Royal.
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Main stage performances, including community choirs and inspirational dances.(Original Gullah Festival)

🏊🏽‍♀️ Saturday, May 31 – 19th Annual Beaufort River Swim & 5K Run – Participate in this exciting event offering multiple race options: 3.2-mile swim, 1-mile swim, 3.2-mile swim with 5K run, 1-mile swim with 5K run, and relay options. The event starts at 7:30 AM at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. All proceeds benefit the Wardle Family YMCA's Learn to Swim program. 📍 Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.
Learn more: trisignup.com

📕 Saturday, May 31 – An Evening with Annelore Harrell – The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an afternoon with Annelore Harrell, author of Et Cetera Y’all, Volume 1. This free event includes a book talk, signing, and conversation with a Southern storyteller whose work has touched generations. Seating is limited—please call 843-379-7025 to reserve. 📍 Pat Conroy Literary Center, 601 Bladen Street, Beaufort.
Learn more: patconroyliterarycenter.org

If you know of any other local events happening in May send us a message or comment below and we’ll add them to the list!

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