🌴 Charleston’s food critic queen joins us

Welcome to CHS Happenings, the weekly newsletter that keeps you in the know about Charleston events, restaurants & retail.

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Happy Friday morning, Charleston! On the night of July 18, 1863, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts Infantry on an assault of Fort Wagner, located on Morris Island. This would come to be known as the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, and was immortalized in the excellent film, Glory. The 54th was perhaps the most famous regiment of African-American troops during the war.

Fort Wagner was a massive earthwork, 600 feet wide and made from sand piled 30 feet high. The only approach to the fort was across a narrow stretch of beach bounded by the Atlantic on one side and a swampy marshland on the other. Shaw was the scion of an abolitionist family and a veteran of the 1862 Shenandoah Valley and Antietam campaigns. The regiment included two sons of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the grandson of author and poet Sojourner Truth. Union artillery battered Fort Wagner all day on July 18, but the barrage did little damage to the fort and its garrison.

At 7:45 PM, the attack commenced. Union troops had to march 1,200 yards down the beach to the stronghold, facing a hail of bullets from the Confederates. Shaw’s troops and other Union regiments penetrated the walls at two points but did not have sufficient numbers to take the fort. Over 1,500 Union troops fell or were captured to the Confederates’ 222. Despite the failure, the battle proved that African-American forces could not only hold their own but also excel in battle.

Congrats to Bob K. of Connecticut, who was the 1st to guess correctly in our “Where Are We” segment last week! Bob’s daughter lives in Charleston, and he clearly knows stuff about our area. Our photo was of the Richard Pryor mural at Wits End Comedy Club in North Charleston. Including today, I’m on a mural bender that’s lasted 3 weeks. 👇🏼👇🏼

Thank you to those who weighed in last week with your favorite part of CHS Happenings. I wanted the survey to allow multiple responses, but my design didn’t account for that, so this week it’s fixed. I’d really appreciate it if you’d click that button below and take 10 seconds to let me know your fave parts of this newsletter. I’m going to keep the survey live and in the newsletter for the next several weeks so I can get meaningful feedback.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday 92° / 76° ☀️ 💧12%

Saturday 95° / 78° ☀️ 💧13%

Sunday 96° / 79° ☀️ 💧24%

CURATED HAPPENINGS

Friday, July 18

Fairy Hair by The Sparkle Bar at Hermosa Jewelry Mt Pleasant | 11 AM - 3 PM | Hermosa Jewelry | Fairy hair, feathers, and face glitter by The Sparkle Bar.

The Den in Bloom: Summer of Rosé I 5 PM | The Den at Frannie & The FoX | Summer is here and The Den is in full bloom! In partnership with Sewing Down South and Sojourn Pottery, we’ve turned our space into a cozy, floral-filled escape perfect for happy hour, dinner, or a laid-back night out.

Ted Lasso Trivia @ Snafu Brewing Co | 7 - 9 PM | Snafu Brewing Company | How well do you know Ted Lasso? Sweet prizes up for grabs, including match tickets donated by Charleston Battery. RSVP here to let us know you're coming: https://www.snafubrewingcompany.com/trivia.

Saturday, July 19

IOP Beach Run | 8 - 10:30 AM | The Windjammer | Late Registration During Packet Pickup OR the day of the race at the Windjammer starting at 7:00am, CASH OR CHECK ONLY.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical | 2 - 3 PM I Dock Street Theater | Middle school is the WORST. But maybe it doesn’t have to be. Greg Heffley has moved from elementary school to the big leagues and has hatched a brand new plan to make upward moves on the popularity ladder.

Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival 2025 | 3 - 10 PM I Building 64 Navy Yard | The Charleston Caribbean Jerk Festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates the best in Caribbean food, culture, and music.

Sunday, July 20

Shark Week at the South Carolina Aquarium! | 9 AM - 5 PM | South Carolina Aquarium | Whether you’re a shark savant or nervous newbie when it comes to the ultimate apex predator of the deep, we’ve got you covered!

Lady Gaga Drag Brunch Uptown Social | 11 AM - 2:30 PM | Hey kings and queens! Its time or another fun filled themed drag brunch at Uptown Social, Charleston! This months theme..... allllll LADY GAGA!

Handmade Italy: Focaccia & Fresh Pasta Making Class | 3 - 6 PM | Chef's Collective | Step into the heart of the Italian kitchen in this immersive 3-hour class where you’ll learn to make two of Italy’s most iconic comfort foods—fresh handmade pasta and fluffy, golden focaccia.

For a COMPLETE list of events in the Charleston area, bookmark the site below!

In Collaboration With The Food Section

The following feature first appeared in The Food Section, a daily newsletter covering food and drink in the American South. The newsletter was founded in Charleston in 2021 by Hanna Raskin, who spent close to a decade as The Post and Courier's food editor and dining critic; she left the paper with the aim of bringing the kind of coverage she offered readers in the Lowcountry to eaters across the region eager to keep up with restaurant news, culinary trends, and food finds that weren't concocted by PR firms. The Food Section's expert insight and analysis has made the newsletter a must-read for Southern food's boldface names, including chefs, distillers, TV personalities, and magazine editors.

I’m a subscriber and love The Food Section’s unique and entertaining takes on culinary culture and traditions in the South.

If you’d like to give The Food Section a try, use code chshappenings at checkout to get your first three months free, or just click here for the promo deal.

IN THE COMMUNITY

• Stuck for something good to read? 5 CHS bookstores give their picks.

• E-bike use is exploding around Charleston. Safety issues are increasing as a result.

• Widely-known CHS commercial fisherman’s boat was severely damaged by lightning a few weeks ago. F&B community has rallied and raised $50K to assist.

3 MOST-CLICKED FROM LAST WEEK

• Charleston cedes the 12-years-and-running top spot. You wanted to know why.

• CHS has an intricate and widespread tunnel system. Including 10 miles of brick arch tunnels.

• Our events calendar. Usually in the #1 or #2 spot.

WHERE ARE WE?

Each week, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Charleston. Where are we? Just hit reply to this email, or if you’re reading on our website, email me here. The first person to guess correctly will get a shout-out at the top of our issue next week!

Here’s your chance to submit YOUR photo. But only if you think it will stump our eagle-eyed community. Click the button below if you do! Landscape (horizontal) orientation works best.

THE BULLETIN

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to thousands of friends?

Charleston Battery, Charleston’s #1 team. Food trucks, cold beer, mini pitch for the kids. First-place soccer for the whole fam. And for tomorrow' night’s match against Miami FC, CHS Happenings subscribers get 15% off. Click here for your discount code.

Holy City Bike Rentals is the Charleston area’s only free delivery/pick-up valet bike rental company that also does repair, service, and wash in the entire Charleston area. Do you want to blend in like a local? We rent unique, vintage, and stylish bikes. Click here for 10% off your first rental.

The Farrell Group is Charleston’s no-fluff, no-ego, no-Instagram-influencer real estate team. Just real results from pros who’ve seen it all and know this market cold. No selfies, no drama—just straight talk and serious strategy, always with you in mind. If you're done with the show and ready to actually buy or sell, we're your people. Contact us now and let’s get moving.

LIVE MUSIC LOCALLY

Friday, July 18

Aden & Austin Duo I 4 PM | New Realm Brewing | Aden Webb is a passionate country rock artist from South Carolina, known for his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence.

of good nature | 6 - 9 PM | Pour House | Don't miss Of Good Nature as they bring their energetic blend of rock, reggae, and funk to the Charleston Pour House.

Motown Meets Jazz with Jazz Trumpeter Mark Rapp | 7 - 9 PM | Forte Jazz Lounge | Listen to your favorite Motown hits reimagined through a jazz lens.

The Wildflowers - A Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers I 8 PM | Charleston Music Hall | Doors at 7:00 pm | Show at 8:00 pm ACCESSIBILITY - Accessible seating is available online through Ticketmaster.

Saturday, July 19

Mr. Fahrenheit - A Tribute To Queen on the NÜTRL Beach Stage I 6 PM | The Windjammer.

Chatham County Line | 6 - 9 PM | Pour House | Join acclaimed Americana outfit Chatham County Line for an intimate, early evening performance on the Deck Stage at Charleston Pour House.

Legacy: Greatest R&B and Motown Hits of the 60's, 70's & 80's | 9:30 Show | 9:30 - 11:30 PM | Forte Jazz Lounge | Charles Grant leads this Vocal trio through the greatest R & B and Motown Hits of the 60's, 70's & 80's.

Sunday, July 20

Motown Throwdown | 1:30 - 5 PM | Pour House | Patrons of the farmers market will have access to the deck bar and deck restrooms throughout the market.

The 502s on the NÜTRL Beach Stage I 6 PM | The Windjammer.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit I 7 PM | Gaillard Center | Critically acclaimed for his raw emotional honesty, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor Jason Isbell has steadily earned his place as one of music’s greatest performing songwriters.

The Wallflowers w/ Special Guest Jackson Melnick I 8 PM | Charleston Music Hall | Accessible seating is available online.

ICYMI

Of course we’re known for our seafood restaurants. Here’s Eater Carolinas’ 14 best.

Charleston’s acclaimed Filipino restaurant is moving. To a bigger and better space.

Can Charleston have too many bagels? Maybe we’re about to find out.

Our top chef is surprised by his recent acclaim. Shuai Wang reflects on what being on Top Chef has meant to him.

Y’all know I love donuts. Sounds like I MUST try this Folly Beach newbie.

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FEEDBACK

Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by voting in the poll below (you’ll be done MUCH faster than cars on Johnnie Dodds at 4:00 PM on a Friday). 👇