Editor's Picks

JULY 4

CelebratI'On Band Blast 2009

The I'On neighborhood, off Mathis Ferry Road in Mount Pleasant, is jumping into the Fourth of July holiday mix with its CelebratI'On Band Blast. The 6-9 p.m. outdoor concert will be at the neighborhood's Westlake Ampitheater and will feature Heart and Soul performing classic rock, Motown and beach music.

The concert tops off a full day of traditional holiday fun. I'On on Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the roundabout near Perseverance Street. The parade will include decorated bicycles, dogs and golf carts as well as adults marching. And a Salute on the Square will be at 10 a.m., featuring patriotic activities and refreshments.

Food and beverages will be available from O'Brion's (beer, wine, soft drinks, water, hamburgers and hot dogs) and Mr. Koolie's (ice cream).

Picnics, coolers, blankets, lawn chairs and tents are welcome.

Visit www.iontrust.org or call Anne Register at I'On Trust at 881-7541.

SUNDAY

Veronika Jackson plays Charleston for the first time

Veronika Jackson will make her Charleston debut, at 7 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St., downtown Charleston.

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fla., Jackson is a child of the '50s who grew up listening to Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, and Mahalia Jackson. As she taught herself to play the guitar, she turned to other folk/roots influences such as Odetta, Richie Havens and Joan Baez, artists who made a lasting impression on the songstress.

Now based in Atlanta, Jackson will perform songs from her latest CD, "Some folk, Some Blues, Sometime." She comes to Charleston after playing at many top acoustic music venues in the Southeast and has toured France, performing at the highly regarded Blues-sur-Seine Festival and Cognac Blues Passions.

Hear Jackson's music at veronikajackson.com or www.myspace.com/veronikajackson1.

Tickets are $10. All proceeds benefit Crisis Ministries. Call the church at 577-6400.

FRIDAY

The Town of Mount Pleasant will officially open Memorial Waterfront Park this weekend. It has taken many years of planning, but the 22-acre park, located at the base of the Ravenel Bridge and just steps from the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, will open to the public Friday.

Beyond the conventional components of a park — greenspace and seating — Memorial Waterfront Park is home to the Kruger B. Smith Visitor Center, Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, War Memorial, a playground and fishing pier.

The grand opening festivities begin at 4 p.m. Friday with free activities for children, entertainment by Susie Summers and plenty of food and drinks for purchase. The park dedication ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn and will honor all organizations and individuals who helped make the park a reality.

The town's official Party Ambassadors, the East Coast Party Band, will kick off music on the pier at 8 p.m., while the Charleston Community Band will play the night away on the lawn.

The festival ends at 11 p.m.

For more information on Memorial Waterfront Park and its opening festivities, visit www.townofmountpleasant.com or call the Community Development & Tourism Office at 884-8517.

JULY 4

Celebrate the music of the late 'King of Pop' on July 4

The impact of the death of Michael Jackson has had ripple effects throughout the music industry. Local Jackson tribute band The Thrillers will help keep the singer's music alive on Independence Day as it fires up the celebration at O'Malley's Bar and Grille, 549 King St., downtown. The band will perform everything from early Jackson 5 hits to Jackson's recent material.

Admission is $5 for the 9:30 p.m. show.