Deborah Brevoort’s “The Velvet Weapon,” winner of the 2013 Trustus Playwrights’ Festival, runs Friday through Aug. 16 at Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St. The play, directed by Dewey Scott-Wiley, is a metaphorical examination of the Velvet Revolution, a nonviolent transition of power in what was Czechoslovakia in 1989. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $22 for the general public, $20 for military and seniors and $15 for students. Half-price Student Rush tickets are available 15 minutes prior to curtain. (803) 254-9732; http://trustus.org
Nearly two dozen artists will share their latest creations at Across the Board: New Works, Friday through Aug. 30 at if ART Gallery, 1223 Lincoln St. The exhibition will kickoff with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday. Artists include Mary Gilkerson, Edward Rice, Laura Spong and Leo Twiggs. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. (803) 238-2351; http://ifartgallery.blogspot.com
Saturday, Aug. 9
Bring your four-legged friend to Hogs and Dogs for American Heroes, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson, 190 Pontiac Business Center Drive, Elgin. The event is a fundraiser for the PAALS Bob’s Best Friend Fund, which benefits local veterans in need of assistance dogs, companion dogs or therapeutic programs. The event will feature a Chinese raffle, dog wash, food and drinks, microchip vendors, woodworking crafts and demonstrations of PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services) service dogs. The local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter will organize a two-hour benefit ride; kickstands up at 11 a.m. Registration is $25 and includes a commemorative T-shirt and lunch (passengers are $10). Family dogs are welcome to attend. http://thundertowerharley.com\
Wake up early for the Springdale 5K at Sunrise, 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Springdale Race Course, 200 Knights Hill Road, Camden. The race includes a one-mile Family Fun Run, so bring the whole family. Race day registration is $35 for the 5K and $10 for the Fun Run. www.springdale5k.com
Columbia’s Summer Concert Series continues with Coconut Groove Band, 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St. Karaoke Idol will start at 6 p.m., with weekly winners for a cash prize and the finals will be held Aug. 16. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. The free series is sponsored by the Columbia Parks and Recreation department. (803) 545-3100; http://columbiasc.net
See “The Little Prince,” the next movie in the Stanley Donen film festival, 10 a.m. Saturday at Nickelodeon, 1607 Main St. The 1974 musical fantasy is based on the classic Antoine de Saint-Exupery children’s parable. Free. http://nickelodeon.org
If you like spending your Saturdays on the lake, don’t miss Electric Lake 2014: Reggaetronic, noon Saturday at Spence Island on Lake Murray. Performing are Ras Bonghi Reggae All-stars from noon-1:45 p.m., Frank N Wang from 1:45-2:45 p.m., Lefty at the Washout from 3-5 p.m., Bois Obscur from 5-6 p.m. and Guy Lugenbeel from 6-7 p.m. The event is accessible by boat only. www.facebook.com/events/143559492513475/?source=1
Sunday, Aug. 10
Tour Eastover’s historic Goodwill Plantation as part of Historic Columbia’s Second Sunday Roll, 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Meet at the Robert Mills Carriage House, 1616 Blanding St. Admission includes transportation and refreshments. Registration is required. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth (or $15 and $10 for HC members). (803) 252-1770, ext. 33; reservations@historicolumbia.org
Columbia’s Parks and Recreation Department presents Dive-In Theater, 8:30-10 p.m. Sunday at the Maxcy Gregg Pool, 1655 Park Circle. Relax in the pool with tubes and rafts while you watch “Rio 2.” Admission is $3 per person. (803) 545-3100
Monday, Aug. 11
Catch “Royal Wedding,” the next installment of the Nickelodeon’s Stanley Donen film festival, 5:30 p.m. Monday and 3 p.m. Tuesday at 1607 Main St. The 1951 MGM musical stars Fred Astaire and Jane Powell. Tickets are $10 for the Monday screening and $8 on Tuesday. (803) 254-3433; http://nickelodeon.org
Tuesday, Aug. 12
It’s time once again for Family Night at EdVenture Children’s Museum, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at 211 Gervais St. Admission is $1. (803) 779-3100; http://edventure.org
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Legendary rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash comes to Columbia, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St. Tickets are $50.50-$100. www.ticketmaster.com
Thursday, Aug. 14
Experience Columbia’s spookier side at Historic Columbia’s Cemetery Tours, Thursday at Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave. There are two guided tour options — the Secrets From the Grave tour starts before dark at 7:30 p.m. to allow for study of the iconography symbols on many of the markers and headstones in the cemetery. The Moonlight Cemetery tours at 8 and 8:30 p.m., discuss the lives, burials, cemetery plots and tombstones of families and prominent Columbia citizens from the 19th and 20th centuries. Bring a flashlight. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for age 17 and younger (or $8 and $4 for HC members). (803) 252-1770, ext. 23; www.historiccolumbia.org; reservations@historiccolumbia.org
Have fun while supporting a great cause at the 10th annual Give to Gain Gala, 7-11 p.m. Thursday at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 200 Stoneridge Drive. Enjoy an evening of glitz, glamor, dining, dancing and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics South Carolina. Donations help build additional programs, continue year-round competitions and cover travel costs for athletes and volunteer coach. Tickets are $50 each or $80 for couples; tables for 10 are $1,000. The event includes dinner, music by the Root Doctors and live/silent auctions. http://so-sc.org
