Editor's Picks

FRIDAY

Get the Scoop at free Art Walk

Perhaps one of the best ways to visit the French Quarter is on an Art Walk night. Held monthly on the first Fridays of March-December, participants can visit all of the galleries along S. Market and Tradd streets downtown for free. The French Quarter Art Walks feature wine, food and, of course, a lot of art.

During the walk, be sure to check out Charleston's newest venue on Gallery Row - Scoop Studios, 57 1/2 Broad St. This new gallery by Colleen Deihl and Angel Powell feature the contemporary works of Bill Mead, Charles Williams, Christopher Murphy, Ben Timpson, Karen Ann Myers and others. For more information on Scoop Studios, call 577-3292.

Call 577-7101 or visit www.frenchquarterarts.com to find out more about the French Quarter Art Walk

JUNE 11

The Tidal Event

Charleston Grill and Robert Lange Studios invite you to an event to benefit East Cooper Habitat for Humanity. The Tidal Event, featuring art, food, music by The Quentin Baxter Trio will be at The Tides, 115 Cooper River Drive (off Wingo Way), Mount Pleasant. Robert Lange Studios will be showing works from the following artists: JB Boyd, Robert Lange, Nathan Durfee, Amy Lind, Joshua Flint, Kerry Brooks and John Duckworth. Twenty percent of the proceeds from all art sales and 100 percent of ticket proceeds will go to East Cooper Habitat for Humanity.

Executive chef Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill will be providing light summery treats such as a yellow tomato gazpacho and pickled shrimp with tabouli. Emily Cookson, the pastry chef of Charleston Grill, will be doing desserts.

Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, call 881-2600, ext. 201.

SATURDAY

"Creeps and Some More Paint"

This Saturday 6-11 p.m., make your way to Muddy Waters Coffee Bar, 1331 Ashley River Road, for the opening reception of works by artist Ian McIver Wells, accompanied by music by DJ Kurfu.

Growing up influenced by an artistic family, McIver Wells now finds himself dually immersed in art design with his company "Intact Brain," and as a musician with the Key of Q. His paintings have shown at restaurants and salons locally and in North Carolina and Georgia. Currently, a small body of work hangs in Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta. His most recent labor includes the expansive stage mural at the Pour House on James Island.

Most remembered for his "Intact Brain" images, his art has been described as "urban industrial abstract." This show involves a spectrum of styles, ranging from canvas abstracts to a series he calls "Creeps," a collection of individual characters painted on small wood panels. Check out the "Creeps" at Muddy Waters, along with T-shirts, hats, hoodies and baby cloths all featuring the "Intact Brain" logo.

For more information, call 225-3683. This exhibit will be on display until the beginning of July.

SATURDAY

Ride-A-Thon to promote literacy

Trident Literacy Association's first-ever Ride-A-Thon will be noon-3 p.m. Saturday at 205 N. Goose Creek Blvd., Creekside Shopping Center. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The motorcycle charity run will feature food, music and family activities. The event's goal is to raise $20,000 to support literacy, especially at Trident Literacy's new Goose Creek location. Riders may get more information and register at www.tridentlit.org or by calling 747-2223. Cost to register is $15 per bike and $5 per passenger.

ONGOING

Evolution Arts Festival continues

If you're looking for something a little different during this year's festival season, check out Phillip Hyman's Evolution Arts Festival - a fringe visual arts event featuring all local artists at venues throughout Charleston and North Charleston.

This week, check out a variety of shows including the Evolution Fashion Show 6-10 p.m. Wednesday at The Meeting Space, 1077 E. Montague Ave. There will be fashionable wearable art by Jessica Barringer, Shelly Smith, Heather Koonse, Molly Cox, Christine Burkett, Michael Wiernicki, Jenni Chism, Rachelle Rose, Chris and more. Visit www.myspace.com/evolutionartshow for more information on all the other events taking place through June 13.

JUNE 8-12

Taylor Music Festival

Held annually, the Taylor Music Festival combines musical performance with education and instruction in the classical and folk genres into one unified festival, bringing an array of musicians to the Charleston area for five days of musical activity, including evening concerts, individual instruction, workshops, lectures and master classes. The festival features many of North America's and Europe's classical and folk instrumental artists, instructors and composers, all of whom are experienced in a wide variety of musical styles and disciplines.

This year's festival features headliners Liz Carroll, John Doyle and Ferintosh. For more information, including registering for classes, visit www.taylormusicgroup.org.