David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

David Stringer

Newsletter Editor

David is based in Columbia, SC where he’s lived since graduating from UofSC’s School of Journalism in 2006. In his 20+ years in the Soda City, he founded Scene SC, an outlet covering the SC music scene, and has contributed to local publications including SCETV, Jasper Magazine, Free Times, and The Post and Courier. He currently serves on boards for One Columbia for Arts and Culture and the Jam Room Music Festival.

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Sports

Tee it up at these Columbia golf courses

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Scottie Scheffler, these 22 golf courses in Cola are sure to make for a good round.

April 2, 2026

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Small Business

Local love: COLAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses

Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.

April 2, 2026

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Conagree National Park

Events

Catch Congaree’s fireflies glow

Enter the lottery for a chance to experience Congaree National Park’s synchronous firefly display.

April 1, 2026

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Food

Editor’s Pick: Godspeed opens in Five Points

April 1, 2026

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Events

Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Columbia

Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.

March 30, 2026

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Riverfront vision takes shape

Columbia kicks off public input on a 100-acre Congaree Riverfront District with a meeting on Wednesday, April 1.

March 26, 2026

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Three people are working together in what appears to be a warehouse or workshop with doors and windows. Two individuals wear blue "volunteer" shirts, while one person in a hoodie uses tape and a marker. They seem to be organizing or preparing materials for a project.

Culture

Where to make spring cleaning donations in Columbia

Doing some spring cleaning and have items to donate? Check out these 14 spots in the Columbia area accepting clothing and supply donations.

March 25, 2026

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Festivals

Columbia’s newest book festival is turning the page to year two

Columbia’s book festival returns Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 with author talks, panels, and events across downtown venues.

March 23, 2026

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Food

Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Columbia

Dining in Columbia is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.

March 18, 2026

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Arts

Free concerts return to Koger Center lawn

Free concerts return to the Koger Center lawn this year with 10 Levitt AMP shows spanning spring Saturdays and fall Thursdays.

March 17, 2026

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City

Celebrating Women’s History Month through art in Columbia, SC

Women’s History Month is in full swing in Columbia — here are a few ways to support local women in the arts.

March 17, 2026

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Arts

Knight Foundation awards $280K to Columbia arts and civic engagement projects

Six Columbia organizations receive $280,512 from the Knight Foundation to support arts programming, Finlay Park activation, and civic engagement initiatives.

March 16, 2026

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A plate of baked oysters topped with herbs and cheese sits on crushed ice. Beside it is a glass of white wine.

Food

New 865today readers share their favorite Knoxville restaurants

We asked new 865today subscribers to share their favorite restaurant in Knoxville, and these 10 spots were mentioned the most.

March 13, 2026

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Morgan O’Neal

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Sports

The return of the Capital City Bombers

The Fireflies revive the Capital City Bombers at Segra Park July 10–12 with throwback merch, promotions, and Columbia baseball history.

March 12, 2026

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Culture

When and where to spot hummingbirds in Columbia

Birds like the ruby-throated hummingbird will be appearing in Columbia in the spring — find out where you can go to catch a sighting.

March 12, 2026

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Michael Beausoleil

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Arts

Ballet leader honored on stage

South Carolina Ballet’s William Starrett received the Order of the Palmetto during the company’s 65th anniversary performance.

March 11, 2026

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Arts

Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree to receive Visionary Award

Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree will receive One Columbia’s 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, honoring decades of cultural leadership.

March 10, 2026

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New COLAtoday readers share their favorite restaurants

We asked new COLAtoday subscribers their favorite restaurant in the Columbia area. These 10 spots were mentioned the most.

March 5, 2026

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NCAA WOMENS BASKETBALL: MAR 05 2023 Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Championship - Tennessee vs South Carolina

Sports

Gamecocks begin SEC Tournament run in Greenville

South Carolina opens the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 6, in Greenville, with fan deals, downtown events, and the Gamecock Club headquarters.

March 4, 2026

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Outdoors

5 spring plant sales to shop around Columbia

Presales are open and spring temps are rising — here’s where to stock up on natives, heirlooms, and blooms before they sell out.

March 3, 2026

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Cottontown Art Crawl

Festivals

215 artists take over Cottontown’s front porches this Saturday

Cottontown’s front porches transform into an open-air gallery with art, live music, and food trucks on Saturday, March 7.

March 2, 2026

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Musicians on a stage in the daylight. The stage reads "ColaJazz Fest" and there are rows of seated people. The group on the right have lawn chairs while the people on the left sit at tables.

ColaJazz Fest heads to Finlay Park with international jazz talent

The free May 15–16 festival features Martin Bejerano, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Endea Owens, and more at Finlay Park.

February 26, 2026

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Arts

Rodney McMillian returns for major CMA spring exhibition

Columbia-born artist Rodney McMillian debuts a wide-ranging solo exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art this spring.

February 26, 2026

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Events

Spring Game replaced by Darius Rucker concert and block party

Spring football gives way to a Darius Rucker–headlined concert and free Garnet & Black block party on Saturday, April 11.

February 25, 2026

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Small Business

SOCO opens new coworking Space at Gather COLA

SOCO opens a 9,500-sqft coworking space inside Gather COLA in the BullStreet District.

February 25, 2026

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A hand holds a vibrant cross-stitch depicting a witch and a haunted house against a blue, starry sky, bordered with green polka dots. Vinyl records form a colorful background.

Arts

Needlepoint is back: Here’s how to try it in Columbia

Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.

February 23, 2026

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Morgan O’Neal

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Events

Editor’s Pick: Big Percy on display at SC State Museum

A Mount Pleasant artisan’s massive sweetgrass basket is now on display at the South Carolina State Museum.

February 19, 2026

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Outdoors

Wingard’s Market nominated for National Best Plant Nursery Award

Lexington’s Wingard’s Market leads USA TODAY’s Best Plant Nursery vote, and supporters can cast ballots daily through March 9 to keep them at No. 1.

February 19, 2026

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Nonprofits

Anchor Investment Management launches Impact Fund

Anchor Investment Management is celebrating 25 years by awarding $25,000 in grants to Midlands nonprofits focused on health and education.

February 18, 2026

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Sports

7 disc golf courses in the Midlands

Learn how and where to play disc golf in the Capital City.

February 18, 2026

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