Fireworks finale
The last round of performances for Spoleto Festival USA finishes up this weekend, and it's all capped off by the Festival Finale at Middleton Place . The celebration, on the grounds of a preserved 18th-century plantation and gardens, includes a sunset orchestra concert and a fireworks show afterward. Attendees are invited to get there early and wander about the gardens. Bring lawn chairs and picnics baskets and spend the afternoon relaxing. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, or $15 for kids younger than 12.

Barbecue bliss
If the smell of fresh barbecue whets your appetite, head over to Daniel Orchard in Summerville for a down-home 'cue competition with a side of bluegrass. Summerville Miracle League is hosting its first Pickin' in the Orchard fundraiser this weekend. On Friday, there will be an "Anything but BBQ" cookoff from 5 to 9 p.m. Then, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a barbecue and rib contest, pitting more than 20 teams against one another. Tickets are $10 for each day and proceeds benefit the baseball field for kids with special needs.

Walk the French Quarter
Sample some local and national art during the French Quarter Art Walk this Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Galleries in this quaint downtown neighborhood open their doors after hours to let art fans enjoy wine, food and art, plus they can meet the artists who created the works. Participating galleries include the Corrigan Gallery and the Carolina Galleries, both of which are hosting opening receptions at the same time for their newest exhibitions. The Martin Gallery and Ann Long Fine Art are participating as well. There is no charge to attend.

Piccolo wrap-up
This weekend is the last chance to catch Piccolo Spoleto events going on around town. Season to Season, a play about painter Jackson Pollock and his wife in their artistic ascent, will be finishing up performances tonight, Friday and Saturday at The Footlight Players Theatre (pictured). You could catch one of the many inexpensive comedy shows, such as The Complete History of Charleston for Morons or the Improv Marathon. Or see some ballet, maybe the Magical Mystery Tour featuring Beatles music. The sister festival's finale, titled A Global Village of World Music, is from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Hampton Park.

Microbrews and gourmet food
Sample beers from Spartanburg brewery RJ Rockers at a beer dinner held tonight at Laura Alberts Tasteful Options . The five-course dinner will start out with Son of a Peach gazpacho paired with a peach ale, then a salad. After that, a pecan-crusted flounder will be served with a honey amber ale, followed by barbecue pulled pork paired with a bell ringer ale. Lowcountry mud pie with a stout will provide a sweet finish. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45, not including tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 843-881-4711. For more information, go online.

New money vs. old money
Plie into the privileged world of Nick Carraway, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, the eponymous Jay Gatsby and the Jazz Age in the Charleston Ballet Theatre's interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby . Watch as worlds intersect and commonalities emerge in this slice of life in New York and Long Island during 1922. The dance drama features narration set to George Gershwin. Performances run tonight and Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.

 

 

Night at the (Charleston) Museum
Take a page out of the movies and indulge your kids' imaginations at the Charleston Museum's Nighttime at the Museum event Friday. Bring a flashlight to explore the museum after dark, and you might just run into George Washington, a viking, a mummy or other relics who've come to life. Curators will be stationed around the museum to share stories and tall tales about the exhibits. Kids can also play Colonial games like nine pins or make their own American Indian vests. Tickets are $10 for members and $5 for kids, or $20 for nonmembers and $10 for kids, and admission includes a light supper. Reservations are required; call 843-722-2996, ext. 264.

Folly festival
Head down to Folly River Park this Saturday for the Summer Celebration hosted by the Folly Beach Arts and Crafts Guild . The park will fill up with arts and crafts vendors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shrimp City Slim will be playing live blues music from 2 to 5 p.m. under the pavilion. Browse the unique gifts, which include photography, original art, handmade jewelry and pottery, and bring a picnic to spread out at the park. There is no charge.

Float to the finish
In what can safely be said is the biggest rubber duck race in town, watch Saturday morning as 15,000 of the bathtime pals are dropped from the Interstate 526 bridge over the Wando River. Adopt a duck for $10, or just watch them all float to the finish line at Daniel Island Waterfront Park. The first 25 ducks to finish will get awards ranging from $100 to $15,000, and one lucky duck will have the chance to take home $1 million. Festivities start at 10 a.m., and the big drop takes place at 11 a.m. The race takes about 30 minutes, and plenty of activities are scheduled afterward. Food will be available for purchase from Ali Baba, Chick-fil-A, Sonic and several other places. The Charleston Duck Race is presented by the Rotary Club of Daniel Island and the proceeds will benefit local charities, clean water missions and other projects. Buy a duck online or from a member of the Daniel Island club, East Cooper Breakfast Rotary Club or Summerville Rotary Club.

Noche Flamenca
For a taste of Spanish culture, catch a performance of Noche Flamenca as part of Spoleto Festival USA 's dance series. Dancers, singers and Spanish guitarists will heat up the night, presenting native Spanish flamenco, a powerful style of dancing full of elegant flourishes and staccato movements. The performance takes place at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at The Cistern at the College of Charleston. Tickets are $30-$45. (photo by Zarmik Moqtaderi)

Eastside Surfblog
The surfblogger is traveling around the state this week, so you'll have to wait for the next episode in his tales of surf and sand. Check out the surfblogger's latest post here, drop him a note ... or, better yet, go surf!

 

Coming soon:

Circa 1886 Wine Dinner: 6 p.m. June 12 at Circa 1886. Lambert Bridge wines will be paired with a four-course dinner featuring poached prawn and beef tenderloin. Cost: $75. To make reservations or for more information, call 843-853-7828 or go online.

Halls Chophouse Whisky Dinner: 7 to 10 p.m. June 15 at Halls Chophouse. Celebrate World-renowned Dutch author and whisky expert Hans Offringa's new book, Whiskey and Jazz. The night includes a four-course dinner, live jazz and tastings of four kinds of single-malt Scotch whisky. Offringa will be there to sign books and offer his expertise. Tickets are $125 for one person or $199 for a couple. The price includes a book, tax and gratuity.

Boone Hall Beach Blast: 4:30 p.m. June 27 at Boone Hall Plantation. The start of the plantation's Summer Concert Series features plenty of beach music, shagging and musical groups, including The SugarBees. Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Purchase tickets online.