A physician takes a patient’s pulse to tell how well the heart is working. In the world of the arts, there is an equivalent with large-scale juried exhibitions.

The Neil Simon play opens on Oct. 15 in Drayton Hall Theatre and features a whimsical crew of yuppies thrown into a chaotic situation.

​​The South Carolina State Fair makes its triumphant return on Oct. 13.

On Sept. 25, the theater launched “The Grain” a podcast about big issues on a local level.

The Trustus's "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change" features fast-paced action, impeccable timing, and spot-on characterizations.

The stunning size of "30 Americans" belies a deep diversity in its works, not a monolithic Black perspective. The touring exhibit opens Oct. 9 at the Columbia Museum of Art.

How does an actor survive being in one of the worst movies ever made? It’s a question that Greg Sestero has dealt with since 2003.

Cult bands are often difficult for outsiders to understand.

Two local theaters. Two small casts of veteran performers. Two plays that open Oct. 1.

Kay Thigpen, co-founder of Columbia’s most provocative and progressive theatre, passed away on Sept. 20.

In Nunsense, The Arts Center of Kershaw County leans on a comedic staple to debut their new Black Box Theatre amid trying times.

Columbia's Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture returns for its 43rd year this week, and like one might expect for an event with that kind of longevity, the programming for this outing looks both forward and behind.

The Carolina Film Network and the Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 have started a partnership with the hopes of creating “Columbia’s Newest Arthouse Theater.”

Essentially a show within a show, “42nd Street” recounts the efforts of a once-successful producer to stage a comeback with a musical extravaganza starring a past-her-prime prima donna.

The centerpiece of the festival will feature the one and only Vanessa Williams, the former Miss America and singer/actress who has sung with some of the most preeminent pops orchestras in the world.

The Columbia Film Society, the body that oversees the Nickelodeon Theatre  and its Indie Grits festival, has named a temporary leader.

The impressive show crams all the museum’s first-floor galleries with a veritable feast for the eyes and mind.

Dogon Krigga’s pieces focus on the spiritual realm of the Black experience.

In addition to remaining closed for most of last year due to COVID-19, the organization continues to address cultural issues after a June 2020 open letter from former employees cataloged allegations of systemic racism.

"People (UN) Seen,” the current exhibition at Tapp’s Outpost by emerging artist Siri Cortez, features simple portraits of homeless folks she has befriended around town.

“We've seen most of our earned income initiatives, like beer, wine and ticket sales, completely curtailed.”

The debut full-length from Aim High is infectiously audacious.

The 701 Center for Contemporary Art’s Young Artists Festival returns this week.

2020 has spawned pandemic-informed albums, paintings and other forms of art, so why not a pandemic-themed ballet?

It’s a more natural transition than one might think. And a logical career move for a well-known local theater artist who is still just midway …

The leader of both the Nickelodeon Theatre and the associated festival and media education organization Indie Grits has resigned.

“We didn’t know where it would go — we just knew we wanted to do a show.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every part of the arts community hard, but it’s been a particularly trying time for the fledgling alternative co…

The leader of Columbia’s premiere professional theater company has resigned.

It might sound strange, but Morihiko Nakahara’s decision to remain with the South Carolina Philharmonic was crystallized by the organization’s…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course July 27 on its recommendations for masks amid spiking COVID-19 case numbers and…

As arts organizations begin to regroup in the wake of more than a year of COVID-induced lockdown, one group of local artists is not only getti…

Before this week, WWE’s August return to Colonial Life Arena was notable mostly because live professional wrestling would be back at the state…

There’s an eerie, atmospheric feel to Jena Thomas’ work. The Columbia artist is interested in the intersection between man and the natural wor…

Columbia native Malik Greene still remembers when he found his artistic calling.

There are pieces in the new exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art you were never supposed to see. That is, if the former Soviet Union had its way.

First Thursday on Main exists on a different street these days.

“To rewrite history”? No. “To right history.” That’s the mission set out by the trailer for “Summer of Soul,” the new documentary directed by Questlove.

The greatest challenge to The NiA Company bouncing back with outdoor shows this month wasn’t COVID-19.

Dolly Patton didn’t set out to be an arts administrator. But somehow, the arts found her.

Sitting at the top of the steps at the South Carolina Statehouse, John Sims sees both progress and work to be done.

There’s nothing like a steady and experienced hand during turbulent times.

There was going to be a Southeastern Piano Festival this year, no matter what.

When Raj Aluri first emigrated from India to Columbia, he didn’t see a lot of diversity.

Running the South Carolina Pride Movement is never easy.

John Sims, the Black artist-in-residence who was awoken and detained by Columbia Police in his provided apartment at the 701 Center for Contem…

Not everything lost to the COVID-19 pandemic is permanently gone.

We’re very nearly there.

When First Thursday on Main returns next week, it will do so without one of its primary features.