More for May – Arts, family fun, learning and more
FAMILY FUN, LEARNING, AND MORE
STRIDES, a nonprofit program, offers individualized instruction for ages 6 – 20 who need to catch up before school starts. Students with disabilities or ESOL are welcome. Virtual instruction is offered. In-person tutoring is available at seven locations. Scholarships are available. For details, call 864-246-9898 or stridestutor.org.
Well Walkers is offered May 2, 7, 9, 14 and 30 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The arena concourse will be open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for anyone who wants to have a temperature-controlled space to exercise. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter mile. Well Walkers is a free event with no registration or prior notice required. Free parking for participants is provided in the VIP lot at the arena, located off Church Street. For details, visit bonsecoursarena.com.
Every Step of the Way, a monthly email newsletter from Greenville First Steps, is targeted specifically to your child’s age and development. The newsletter is completely free. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers can sign up as many children as they need to, from birth to age 5. Sign up at greenvillefirststeps.org/newsletter and learn more about free programs for parents and educators at greenvillefirststeps.org.
Salley Mavor: Bedtime Stitches is open through May 5 at the Upcountry History Museum. Each of the featured 18 pieces of original artwork is stitched entirely by hand and presents a three-dimensional bas-relief sculpture created like a shadow box. Made with a variety of materials, such as fabric, beads, and wire, these fabric arts contain Mavor’s detailed, intricate designs. Assembled like a tiny stage with its own scenery and characters, each scene takes visitors on an international journey from Afghanistan to Ghana to Scandinavia to South America and beyond to illustrate varying cultures and home environments. The common thread centers on what makes each child’s home a warm and welcoming place. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.
Summit Academy of SC, a new digital hybrid middle school is now accepting applications for the 2024 – 2025 school year. The application is open now for rising 6th and 7th graders. For details, visit summitacademysc.com.
Dogs! A Science Tail is open at Discovery Place Science in Charlotte through May 5. Experience first-hand how dogs see, hear and smell the world. For details, visit discoveryplace.org/things-to-do/exhibitions/dogs-a-science-tail.
Little Learners Club, available from the Greenville County Library System, is designed especially for children under age 5 to encourage the development of kindergarten readiness skills using the Palmetto Basics. Details are at greenvillelibrary.org/kids/little-learners-club.
Free Books – Greenville First Steps has launched a pilot of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Greenville County. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is an early literacy program that mails free age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age 5. Currently in Greenville County, children in 29690, 29611, and 29669can sign up for Imagination Library. Registration is available at ImaginationLibrary.com.
Story Time is at 10 a.m. Thursdays at Barnes and Noble at Greenridge. For details, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2221.
Family Story Time for ages birth – 5 is Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Pendleton and Lander Memorial Libraries, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Powdersville Library, and Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org.
Preschool and Toddler Story Times are offered at Spartanburg Library locations. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.
Preschool Story Time for ages 3 – 5 is at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org.
Toddler Storytime for ages 18 – 36 months is at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Anderson Main Library. Visit andersonlibrary.org.
Preschool Storytimes for ages 2 – 5 are offered at the Pickens County Library. Call 864-850-7077 or visit pickenscountylibrarysystem.com.
ARTS
Auditions for Carolina Youth Symphony’s 2024-2025 season are May 12 and 19 at Furman University. For details, visit carolinayouthsymphony.org/programs/auditions.
Summer dance classes begin June 3 at the Caine Halter, George I. Theisen, and Verdae YMCA locations. For details, visit carolinadancecollaborative.org/summer-classes-ymca1.html.
Time Travel: Art Through The Ages (Art History Lite) for young artists is a drop-in class at Yellowbobbypins Art Camp at Hampton Station. Each week, the class briefly “meets” a new artist and then creates art inspired by what that artist made. Paint, print, explore with clay and draw. Each week is a new adventure.
For details and registration, visit yellowbobbypins.com.
Wee Create Playgroup at Yellowbobbypins Art Camp at Hampton Station is an interactive and enriching art program designed to ignite your child's creativity and imagination, centered around beloved children's picture books. It enhances tactile and cognitive abilities through sensory play and process art, and strengthens a child’s love for books. Caregivers are encouraged to let their little ones choose and immerse themselves in what captivates them most. For details and registration, visit yellowbobbypins.com.
Art Classes are offered at the Spartanburg Art Museum. For details and registration, visit spartanburgartmuseum.org.
Display Your Art – The Back Door Art Gallery in Fountain Inn has a kids’ art wall. Children ages 12 and younger can hang one piece of their art for free for one month. For specifications and contact information, visit backdoorartgallery.com.
Art Classes for ages 6 and older are offered at A Cut Above Maker Space in Spartanburg. For cost, registration and details, visit acutabovemakerspace.com.
Art classes are offered at GCCA – Greenville Center for Creative Arts. For details, visit artcentergreenville.org.
Voice, piano, and acting private lessons are offered from Kimilee Bryant Studio. For details, email kimileebryantstudio@gmail.com or call 864-280-9150.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre offers classes for grades pre-K – 12. For details visit, scchildrenstheatre.org.
Spartanburg Youth Theatre offers classes for grades K4 – 12. For full class listings and to enroll, visit spartanburgyouththeatre.com or call 864-585-8278.
Engage in music at the Lawson Academy of the Arts – Private lessons and group classes are offered for musicians of all ages and levels with instruction from Converse University professors and student-teachers. Learn to play piano or enroll in an ensemble. For details, call 864-596-9022.
Arts programs are at TR Makers. Programs include homeschool classes, Afterschool Makers Elementary (grades K5 – 5), Afterschool Art School (grades 2 – 6), and more. For cost and registration, visit trmakersco.org.
Music Adventure Classes are at 10 a.m. Mondays at Swamp Rabbit Café. Classes are geared for pre-K – K but all ages are welcome. The cost is $15 per class ($5 for each additional sibling) and includes a coffee and pastry. For details and registration, visit @musicadventure on Instagram or email musicadventureforkids@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: More for May – Arts, family fun, learning and more
