My Charleston Weekend: Books, beverages and bored teachers

Get ready to relax this weekend and explore one of the Lowcountry’s main events looking to brighten up your spirits.

Folly Beach is hosting their annual Taste of Folly event, where local mixologists and culinary craftsmen will certainly meet your ever-growing appetites. Then wash it down at the Charleston Winter Wine Festival, which will feature dozens of wines and alcoholic beverages for you and your friends to sample.

The annual Wild Dunes Author Weekend event is also kicking off with many fictional workshops, book signings and exclusive author talks with local writers such as Mary Alice Monroe.

If you’re still hungry on Jan. 18, then go ahead and visit the Family Oyster Roast and Fish Fry from Cane Bay’s YMCA, which will feature tasty foods, live music and fun. And make some time on Jan. 19 for the Bored Teachers comedy show, bringing some humor back from the classroom.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY (JAN. 17-18)

Taste of Folly

Prepare your tastebuds for a weekend experience like none other with the Taste of Folly annual festivities. This year’s event kicks off on Jan. 17 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Pavilion Ballroom at the Tides Folly Beach Hotel, 1 Center St., Folly Beach. The first night’s activities will feature an exciting cocktail competition amongst Folly Beach’s stellar mixologists showcasing their cocktails for guests. Then the main event kicks off along Center Street on Folly Beach which will be closed off for “Savory Saturday” but open to the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 18. Restaurants along the route will demonstrate their culinary skills with delectable dishes to tempt your appetites. Among the participating eateries, there will be a hot dog-eating competition, an oyster shucking contest and a one-pot showdown where competitors can enter their best chili, stew, gumbo or other one-pot meal. There will be three separate stages set up with live Folly musicians performing, as well as over 70 unique artisans and vendors to peruse throughout the afternoon. Tickets for the cocktail competition are $45 and limited while the main event of Savory Saturday is only $10 to enter. For more information on the event, visit tinyurl.com/4u8zywwz.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY (JAN. 17-19)

20th annual Wild Dunes Author Weekend

Venture into the world of fiction and better understand an author’s craft from a series of local writers at the 20th annual Wild Dunes Author Weekend, with Mary Alice Monroe headlining this year’s festivities. The annual celebration is bringing back their Kick-Off Party at Islander 71, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms from 4-6 p.m. on Jan. 17. enjoy local cuisine with S.C. writers Susan Boyer, Caroline Cleveland and Roger Jones. Tickets are $10 for the kick-off event. The main event starts the ticketed event fun at the Wild Dunes Resort, 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms on Jan. 18 with Books and Brunch with Mary Alice Monroe, “Writing Poetry for Special Occasions” with former poet laureate Marjory Wentworth, and Cocktails and Conversation with Kwame Alexander and Mary Alice Monroe to round out the evening. On Jan. 19, the headline event will feature an in-depth conversation with Monroe. There will be signature cocktails, a silent auction, a Buxton Books pop-up shop and more. Proceeds from the author event and everything made from the silent auction will be donated to local nonprofit Reading Partners SC, which helps support local literacy. General admission for the weekend is $70 and VIP tickets are $155 with included copies from the authors featured works and premiere seating. For more details on the festivities, visit tinyurl.com/4atrj5c2.

SATURDAY (JAN. 18)

Charleston Winter Wine Festival

Raise your glasses because Charleston’s Winter Wine Festival returns to Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St., with two separate sessions on Jan. 18. The first session will take place from noon-4 p.m. and the second will be from 6-10 p.m. This event will host a selection of over 50 different wines, mimosas, ciders and beers for attendees to taste whilst enjoying live music from DJ B Folks. General admission tickets are priced $50 per session and include a souvenir acrylic wine glass to take home after the festivities finish. This event is for ages 21 and older. For more details on the festival, you can email [email protected] or visit tinyurl.com/mr37smbs.

SATURDAY (JAN. 18)

Family Oyster Roast & Fish Fry

Bring your appetites to this celebratory oyster roast and fish fry hosted at the Cane Bay Family YMCA, 1655 Cane Bay Blvd., Summerville. Starting the feast at noon on Jan. 18, this event promises delicious all-you-can-eat oysters for a limited time, more tasty local bits, some greatest hits from DJ Boss Hogg, selections from the Filthy Palate Cigar Shop, a jump castle for the little ones and more. Like in past events, there will also be an opportunity to sign up for memberships at the YMCA to aid in your New Year’s resolutions. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 the day of the event. For more information, check out tinyurl.com/vc93uyyj.

SUNDAY (JAN. 19)

Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

Head back to the classroom because some of the funniest teacher-comedians in the world are on tour and headed to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive starting at 3 p.m. on Jan. 19. Bored Teachers features the comedic talents of Devin Siebold, KC Mack, Jess Merrill and many more relating classroom comedic relief that will have audiences laughing all night long. “The Struggle is Reall!!” tour has brought the comedic campaign to new heights across more than 100 theatres within the U.S. and Canada. Tickets for the event are between $35-$55. For more info on the show, visit tinyurl.com/5h5uw5wf.