Welcome to CHS Happenings, where Charleston connects with what’s new, what’s next, and what’s worth your time.
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Happy Friday morning, Charleston! On this day in 1861, the merchant steamer Star of the West attempted to enter Charleston Harbor to resupply the small U.S. Army garrison at Fort Sumter, commanded by Major Robert Anderson. Cadets from the Citadel (then the South Carolina Military Academy), manning guns on Morris Island, opened fire and struck the ship several times, forcing it to abandon the mission and withdraw.
These shots came weeks after South Carolina’s secession in December 1860 and months before the formal bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861, so many historians treat them as the conflict’s first hostile shots.
Read Erik Larson’s fabulous 2024 book The Demon Of Unrest for an entertaining re-telling of the months leading up to the firing on Fort Sumter.
Quick clarification on Dinner Club #1
Not just for couples — it’s for everyone. Married, single, partnered, solo, looking-to-be-partnered… you’re in.
The email about +1s was meant to explain logistics — not limit who should sign up.
I’m using a matchmaking + seating tool to handle quizzes, pairings, and reservations.
For now, it can’t guarantee couples sit together — that feature is coming soon.
All love, all vibes, all welcome. Let’s eat. 🍽️
If you’re thinking about attending and haven’t signed up, it’s happening Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM. We’re already at 58 RSVPs and I’m going to cap this soon. And if you’d like to meet your publisher, I’ll be at the after-dinner bar at 8:30.
Congrats to Frances B. of James Island who guessed correctly that I was at The Hat Man building downtown, at the corner of Broad and Church. It was built in 1855 and was originally owned by saddle and harness makers. In 1870, Charles Plenge bought the property. The "Hat Man" is a touch-up of the original painting that dates from the late 19th century.
I’m kicking off the year with a quick CHS Happenings reader survey — who you are, what you care about, and how you spend time (and money) around Charleston. It takes ~2 minutes.
Why it matters: I only partner with local small businesses — the mom-and-pop shops, indie cafés, creatives, makers, service pros — and your answers help me connect you with the ones you’ll actually love.
Your responses stay private and help me keep CHS Happenings community-driven, relevant, and small-business first. Appreciate you.
WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday 72° / 59° ⛅ 💧9%
Saturday 73° / 60° ⛅ 💧11%
Sunday 66° / 41° ⛅ 💧10%
CURATED HAPPENINGS
Friday, January 9
What Makes You Strong? Vision Boarding for Grades 5-8 | 4:30 - 5:30 PM | Poe/Sullivan's Island Library | Set your New Year's Resolutions by thinking about your strengths! Are you an executer, and influencer, and relationship builder, or a strategic thinker? For grades 5-8.
Charleston Progressive Supper | 5 - 7:30 PM | Bulldog Tours, Downtown | The Charleston Progressive Supper is a new evening experience that pairs Charleston’s food scene with engaging storytelling and interactive fun.
Comedy on Queen: GABRIEL RUTLEDGE | 6 - 10:30 PM | Queen Street Playhouse, Downtown | "Gabriel Rutledge is a quick thinking, fast talking, hard working badass." - Louisville Weekly.
Candlelight: Tribute to Adele I 6:30 PM | The Unitarian Church, Downtown I Experience Adele’s greatest hits performed by a live string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight at Charleston’s historic Unitarian Church.
WeTouchGrass presents: Anime Rave I 9 PM | Music Farm, Downtown | Music Farm Presents Anime Rave. Tickets available at musicfarm.com or at the Charleston Music Hall Box Office.
Saturday, January 10
Chess Club | 9:30 AM - 1 PM | Daniel Island Library | Play the Game of Kings at the Daniel Island Library! Come to play or come to learn, all ages are welcome. Got a board?--Bring a board!
CHS Grown-Up Book Fair I 10 AM | Music Farm, Downtown | Select one of the 3 Time Slots that are each 2.5 hours in duration: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM 1:00 PM-2:30 PM 3:00 PM-5:30 PM.
Junior Naturalist: Naturally Nocturnal | 5 - 7 PM | Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Highway, Ravenel | Discover Caw Caw's wildlife when the moon rises and the sun sets. Learn about nocturnal animals in a fun way!
PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour I 7 PM | North Charleston Coliseum | The PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour brings the world’s top riders and toughest bulls together for two hours of heart-pounding, high-energy bull riding — complete with music, lights, and nonstop action.
Disco Ball at the Charleston Pour House I 9 PM | Pour House, James Island | The Disco Ball is a high-energy, groove-heavy night bringing Charleston’s top singers and musicians together for a sparkling mashup of classic disco, Motown soul, and surprise jams—where dancing is inevitable and sequins are optional but highly encouraged.
Sunday, January 11
2nd Sunday on King Street | King Street Downtown | 12 - 5 PM I Spend your Sunday strolling a car-free King Street as Second Sunday returns with local shops, restaurants, artisans, and performers turning downtown into an open-air festival in the heart of Charleston.
Family-Friendly Oyster Roast with Lowcountry Land Trust | 2 - 5 PM | Gold Bug Island, 1560 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mount Pleasant | Join Lowcountry Land Trust for our annual family-friendly oyster roast.
We Three Kings | 2 - 3:15 PM | The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad St, Charleston | Join the King's Counterpoint Men's Ensemble REGIS HOMINES as they present a concert of incredible choral music for bass, baritone, tenor and countertenor voices.
The Game's Afoot | 3 - 5:30 PM | The Venue MTP, Mount Pleasant | The Village Repertory Co. is thrilled to kick off Season 25 with Ken Ludwig’s madcap, hilarious whodunit- The Game’s Afoot! A star studded cast of your favorite actors grace our new stage.
For more events than you can imagine, click that button below.
HAZEL AND APPLE NOT OPENING IN CHARLESTON
Hazel & Apple was announced by NYC restaurant operators in 2022
Charleston’s food scene keeps drawing national talent—but not every big-name plan survives contact with King Street reality. The rise and quiet fall of Hazel & Apple reveals what outsiders often underestimate: historic buildings, real costs, and a market that’s anything but easy. A real estate perspective on why Charleston rewards preparation, not hype.
WHERE ARE WE?
We’re somewhere in the Charleston area and it’s your job to guess where. Just 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!
No more holiday lull when it comes to Charleston live music. Check it out below. 👇🏼
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). 👇
