Sunday Calendar

Today

"Celebrating Colonial Lake": A picnic sponsored by the Harleston Village Association. Activities feature a Parade of Boats, model boat demonstration and activities especially for children. There will be live music and complimentary beverages. Attendees may bring a picnic for their family. Free. 2-5 p.m. Ashley Avenue at Colonial Lake and Moultrie Playground. Call 722-1185.

"Fun with Baroque": Concert of baroque music with flute, organ and bass violin. High tea reception to follow in Ministry Center. Free. 4 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, 1872 Camp Road, James Island.

big read finale, part i: Sponsored by Charleston County Library. Bring chairs, blankets, cooler. Features Nia Production African Dance Company and performing arts students from area schools. 2 p.m. Riverfront Park, North Charleston. Call 805-6819.

big read finale, part ii: "Their Eyes Were Watching God: Expressions of Praise in the Southern Folk Tradition." Song, dance, prose, more in various expressions of faith. 5:30 p.m. Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St. Call 805-6819.

Children's Day Festival: 20th annual Mount Pleasant Children's Day Festival. Concessions for sale, with proceeds benefiting participating East Cooper schools. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Park West Recreation Complex, 1251 Park West Blvd. Call 849-2061.

concert: Charleston County School of the Arts students play selections in courtyard at the Charleston Symphony Orchestra showhouse in I'On (59 Sanibel St.) Light refreshments offered courtesy of Publix Supermarkets. Tickets to the Showhouse are $10, 100 percent of cost benefits CSO. 1-4 p.m. Call 881-6142.

Tuesday

international piano series: Concert by Leon Fleischer and Katherine Jacobson-Fleisher. 8 p.m. $20. Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. For tickets, call 953-6575 or purchase at the door the evening of the concert. College of Charleston students and those under 18 will be admitted free.

Wednesday

Wine and Art Party: Discuss global wine topics and local wine events while meeting local featured artist, host, wine educator and friends. Showcased artist is German-born abstract artist ANJ Kocol. $15 for members/$20 for nonmembers. O'Hara and Flynn, Towne Centre, Mount Pleasant. Call 810-0088.

Thursday

fall concert: College of Charleston's department of music presents fall concert by its Concert Choir, led by Robert Taylor. 8 p.m. Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St. Admission: $5 at door and free for College of Charleston students with valid ID. Call 953-8228.

"The Creeps Come out at Night": Ghoulish works by Lowcountry artists. Meet the artists. 7-9 p.m. Vickery's Bar and Grill, 15 Beaufain St. Call 345-3670.

Saturday

Shuckin' and Shaggin: Grab the oyster knife and pack the gloves. Enjoy beach shaggin' music while shucking oysters prepared by Mount Pleasant Seafood (hot dogs available). Tickets: $10 for adults, children 10 and younger free. 5-8 p.m. Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St., Sullivan's Island. Call 883-3226.

"Special Night for Special Olympics": Features silent and live auctions, live music, food and drinks. 7 p.m. under the big tent at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island. Call 856-3205 or visit www.so-sc.org.

a walk in the woods: The Lowcountry Chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society leads wildflower walk from the Sewee Center to the area of peak bloom or botanical interest in the Francis Marion National Forest. Meet at Sewee Center and bring water, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera. This walk is free. 10 a.m. Sewee Center, 5821 U.S. Highway 17, Awendaw. Call 928-3368.

used-book sale: The second annual Used Book Sale sponsored by the Pastoral Council of Holy Spirit Church, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Parkway on Johns Island, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hardbound books will sell for $3 and paperbacks for $1. Payment by cash or check only. Call 768-9039.

Spinning and Weaving Basics: Palmetto Fiber Arts Guild open house with hands-on spinning and weaving demonstrations by guild members. 2-4 p.m. The Meeting Place, 1077 E. Montague Ave., North Charleston. Visit www.palmetto fiberarts.org. To register, call 327-3540.

NIGHT WALK: Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. Naturalist- guided moonlit walk along the boardwalk through virgin section of Four Holes Swamp. Watch for gators and spiders, talk to owls, listen to bats. $8 per person. 7 p.m. Audubon Center, 336 Sanctuary Road, Harleyville. Reservations, call 462-2150.

Kidstories!: Tim Lowry tell tales of S.C. haunts and hags. Stories appropriate for all ages. Event is free for Charleston Museum members and free with admission ($10/adults, $5/children, 3 and younger free). 11 a.m. 360 Meeting St. Call 722-2996.

Next Sunday

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: Join seafood lovers from throughout the state for the fun and free South Carolina Aquarium's fourth annual Sustainable Seafood Festival. This year's seafood selection, featuring clams, shrimp and wreckfish, will be prepared by local chefs from some of the Lowcountry's finest restaurants. Noon-6 p.m. Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside St. Call Jessica Wilson at 579-8632.

Theater

"A Tuna Christmas" auditions: Up to four actors (male or female) will be chosen for 10 performances running Nov. 30-Dec. 16. Prepare an appropriate comedic monologue. Additional actors needed onstage throughout for parts for which they will wear costumes, have bios in the program and acknowledged at curtain calls. Oct. 14-15. 7 p.m. at Footlight Players, 20 Queen St. Call Mary Cimino at 821-3527.

"DEFIANCE" AUDITIONS: "Defiance" is the second play in John Patrick Shanley's trilogy that began with "Doubt." Making its Southern premiere at the Village Playhouse in February. Rehearsals will begin in late December. Looking for 5 men and 1 woman. Come prepared with a short contemporary monologue. 11 a.m. Oct. 20. The Village Playhouse, 730 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant in the Brookgreen Town Center. Call 856-1579 with questions.

"of mice and men": By John Steinbeck, presented by Flowertown Players. 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Oct. 18-20. $20 for adults; and $17 for seniors age 60 and over, and full-time students. James F. Dean Community Theatre, 133 S. Main St., Summerville. For tickets, call 875-9251.

"gypsy": Presented by Company Company and the Village Playhouse. 8 p.m. Oct. 18-20, 26. 27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 23-24, 29 and 3 p.m. Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. $24 adults, $22 students and seniors. Village Playhouse, 730 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant. For tickets, call 856-1579.

'Tick, Tick ... Boom!': Presented by Charleston Stage Company. The story of Jonathan Larson's journey that led to the Broadway blockbuster, "Rent." 8 p.m. Oct. 17-19, 25-26, 9 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27, and 6 p.m. today, 20, 21 and 27. $30 adults, $21 students, $26 seniors. American Theater, 446 King St. For tickets, call 577-7183 or order online at http://tickets.charles tonstage.com.

"things you shouldn't say past midnight": Presented as part of the Footlight Players' Salt and Battery series. Three beds, three partners, 3 a.m. For adult audiences. 9 p.m. Oct. 18-20. $10. Footlight Players Theatre, 20 Queen St. For tickets, call 722-4487.

The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Jam: 8 p.m. Fridays. Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St., above The Bicycle Shoppe, Charleston. $10. 853-6687 or www.thehavenots.com.

The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company: 8 p.m. Saturdays. Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St. $12.50. 853-6687.