Hopelands attraction prepares for Christmas
Several garden clubs descended on the Dollhouse in Hopelands Gardens to string garland, hang wreaths and decorate a tree just in time for Christmas in Hopelands.
Each club was assigned an area of the house to decorate, such as the mantle, kitchen, bathroom and windows to resemble to this year’s theme: Santa’s workshop.
Previous themes have included Birds of Christmas, Victorian Christmas and Winter Wonderland.
“There are eight federated garden clubs in Aiken who decorate the Dollhouse each year,” said Betty Coward with the Sunshine Garden Club. “We have the window wreaths, and we can only use fresh greenery. Artificial greenery is not allowed,” she said. “We hope visitors to Hopelands will walk through and see the Dollhouse, so we want to present it in its Christmas finery.”
The Green Gardeners were in charge of decorating the fresh Fraser fir Christmas tree donated by Cold Creek Nurseries.
The club handmade elf doll ornaments and bought nutcrackers, trains and cars and little stuffed animals to hang on the branches.
“Christmas in Hopelands brings the spirit of Christmas to Aiken, and it’s absolutely free to the public,” said Mary Kay Dunbar, Green Gardeners president. Full Story….
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Museum exhibit artist reception set for Thursday
An exhibit featuring the works of nationally renowned artist Dorothy Chhuy will be featured at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum from Thursday through Dec. 31.
An opening reception for the artist will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.
This will be the sixth time Chhuy’s works will be featured at the Hall of Fame; her work was previously exhibited in 1991, 1994, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
The artist’s watercolors and drawings of equestrian sport and landscapes give distinction and harmony to the form of life, and her work’s delicacy of feeling and tenderness of expression create an atmosphere of elegance. Her work captures the spirit and excitement of steeplechase and flat racing, mounted fox hunting and carriage driving.
Chhuy’s work has been exhibited in a number of juried shows including the Salmagundi Club in New York, the New Jersey and Louisiana watercolor societies, the Fourth International Miniature Print Competition, Pratt Graphics Center in New York, the Salon de Grabado, Museo Espanol de Arte Contemporaneo in Madrid, Spain, and a number of exhibitions in Paris, France.
She also has a number of pieces of art in the collection of the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Va.
A portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum in Hopelands Gardens at 135 Dupree Place.
For more information, call 642-7631 or visit www.aikenracinghalloffame.com.
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Aiken Garden Club Council discusses Doll House issues.
Lisa Hall, Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch supervisor, was the guest speaker. Hall told members she needed to be notified in advance if any of the garden clubs had an event scheduled at the Doll House. She also mentioned a new docent tour program and said she needs people with a general knowledge of the gardens. If an interested person is a senior citizen, then she could use the hours she works as a docent in the senior tax write-off program.
Also, Hall would like to extend the Doll House hours of operation to Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. She asked members to get input from clubs to see if they would agree to acting as hostesses on Saturdays and Sundays. Hall also informed the members that the Iselin family has provided old black-and-white photos of the gardens to the City. In November, Hall will give copies to the council to place in the Doll House.
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Swingsation will take the stage today at Hopelands
Swingsation will entertain tonight’s Hopelands crowd, sponsored by Carriage Hills Living Center.
Swingsation is a 15-piece big band with vocals performing music from the 1930s and ’40s up to today, according to its website. The band specializes in music performed by the great bands of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Woody Herman. Swingsation has performed throughout the CSRA at civic events and private parties.
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue throughout the summer each Monday night until the end of August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and will be held at Hopelands on the Windham Performing Arts Stage.
The concert series is intended to bring the performing arts to Aiken and the surrounding area for fans of all ages. Admission to the series is free.
Hopelands Gardens is located just off Whiskey Road (Highway 19). Public parking is available at the Green Boundary Club on Whiskey Road across from the Gardens.
Handicap, performers and staff parking will be located at Rye Patch. There is no parking on Berrie Road or Dupree Place.
Call 643-4661 for information on concert time/location in the event of rain. Call 642-7631 for more information on the concert series schedule.
Black Bottom Biscuits tonight at Hopelands
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue today with a performance from the Black Bottom Biscuits, presented by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch.
Recognized as one of the hardest-working bands in South Carolina, the Black Bottom Biscuits fuse old-time country and rockabilly into their own unique, crowd-pleasing sound. Since 2002, the band has performed throughout the Southeast at venues ranging from festival and concert stages to barbecue joints and honky-tonks. Their songs tell stories about the people and places they love, and their experiences along the way. It’s music with a country heart and a Southern soul.
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue throughout the summer each Monday night until the end of August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and will be held at Hopelands on the Windham Performing Arts Stage.
The concert series is intended to bring the performing arts to Aiken and the surrounding area for fans of all ages. Admission to the series is free.
Hopelands Gardens is located just off Whiskey Road (Highway 19). Public parking is available at the Green Boundary Club on Whiskey Road across from the Gardens.
Handicap, performers and staff parking will be located at Rye Patch. There is no parking on Berrie Road or Dupree Place.
Call 643-4661 for information on concert time/location in the event of rain. Call 642-7631 for more information on the concert series schedule.
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Hopelands welcomes Aiken Brass tonight
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue today with a performance from Aiken Brass presented by Cumberland Village.
Aiken Brass has been performing together for 14 years. They are the official quintet for the USCA graduation ceremonies and have performed with numerous church choirs.
All members are also active in other local bands especially with the Aiken Community Band. The group has performed at many weddings and parties throughout the state.
This is Aiken Brass’ 12th year performing at Hopelands Gardens.
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue throughout the summer each Monday night until the end of August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and will be held at Hopelands on the Windham Performing Arts Stage.
The concert series is intended to bring the performing arts to Aiken and the surrounding area for fans of all ages. Admission to the series is free.
Hopelands Gardens is located just off Whiskey Road (Highway 19). Public parking is available at the Green Boundary Club on Whiskey Road across from the Gardens. Handicap, performers and staff parking will be located at Rye Patch. There is no parking on Berrie Road or Dupree Place.
Call 643-4661 for information on concert time/location in the event of rain. Call 642-7631 for more information on the concert series schedule.
Front Gate Properties, We’re selling the BEST Real Estate in Aiken, SC.
Ballet to perform today at Gardens
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue today with a performance from the Aiken Civic Ballet, presented by Hearing Associates of South Carolina.
The Aiken Civic Ballet is South Carolina’s longest continuously operating dance company.
Founded by Carl Crosby, the company has been in existence for more than 36 years. Under the artistic direction of Crosby and Diane Toole Miller, the company produces original ballets and contemporary dance works.
The Aiken Civic Ballet is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Hopelands Summer Concert Series will continue throughout the summer each Monday night until the end of August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and will be held at Hopelands on the Windham Performing Arts Stage.
The concert series is intended to bring the performing arts to Aiken and the surrounding area for fans of all ages. Admission to the series is free.
Hopelands Gardens is located just off Whiskey Road (Highway 19). Public parking is available at the Green Boundary Club on Whiskey Road across from the Gardens. Handicap, performers and staff parking will be located at Rye Patch. There is no parking on Berrie Road or Dupree Place.
Call 643-4661 for information on concert time/location in the event of rain. Call 642-7631 for more information on the concert series schedule.
In case of rain, this concert will take place on Thursday.
Front Gate Properties, We’re selling the BEST Real Estate in Aiken, SC.
