Dancers go Gaga in Marion Square for Haiti relief benefit

Lady Gaga dance party

Last Friday, a deluge of sequined and pantless Lady Gaga enthusiasts bombarded Marion Square for "It's a Gaga Day in The Square."

The event was concocted and executed by College of Charleston student Joe Quinn and friends.

After watching the dance sequence in the movie "500 Days of Summer" and learning that Friday was National Lady Gaga Day, Quinn decided that Charleston needed it's own major Gaga dance party.

The group quickly set to work establishing a Facebook invite, gaining the support of The Kickin' Chicken and local radio station B92. They also got a permit from the city of Charleston.

By Friday, 1,994 attendees were confirmed on Facebook alone, an enormous dance floor was set up in the park and attendees were amped up to show off their best Gaga moves.

When organizers hit "play," the crowd performed memorized video sequences in attire inspired by the performer.

Rain showers, freezing temperatures, and a temporary musical glitch did nothing to dampen spirits.

T-shirts were on sale with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross in support of Haiti.

Fork and brush

Eye Level Art threw an affair to please all the senses Wednesday.

Fork and Brush was a well-executed dinner inspired by the work of Kevin E. Taylor's solo show, "Half Life Whole Hearted."

Guests mingled about the 103 Spring Street gallery, taking a sneak peek of the show before its official opening the next day.

The intimate setting was warmed by music provided by the artist and friends while appetizers were passed.

To create the menu, Taylor and Iverson Catering worked together on the three-course meal.

A caprese salad tower stared the dinner with greens served in a mini garden pot. Buttery salmon followed with creamy mashed root vegetables. A decadent chocolate cake made from Taylor's grandmother's recipe was served for dessert.

The overall feel of the evening was small, lovely and interesting.

'Sammy' release party

Local children's book author Jonathan Miller celebrated the launch of his second publication, "Sammy on Safari," with a launch party Wednesday.

"Sammy on Safari" is the follow up book to "Sammy's Last Week in Charleston," a story about a "Wonder Dachshund" visiting his favorite places in the Holy City before moving.

The former Nancy Koltes building on King Street housed the celebration.

Windows were painted days in advance with characters from the book, while inside prints from the new release were on display and available for auction.

Miller made time to chat with everyone about his new book, upcoming projects and his work process: He cuts paper into almost microscopic pieces to form each page's image.

The space stayed populated with a revolving crowd throughout the five-hour affair, bulked up by curious passers-by interested in the event.

For more information about the author and his publications, visit www.sammydogbooks.com.

Editor's note: Earlier published versions of this story contained inaccuracies regarding the amount of time for "It's Gaga Day in The Square." The group asked for a 30 minute permit from the city, so that was the allotted time. City officials said they would have given the group a permit for a longer amount of time if they had requested it.