This is a short but crowded stretch on the Charleston calendar. Most of the action lands on Thursday, November 5, when four separate events start within ninety minutes of each other. If you only have one free night, that is the one to plan around, although the bookends on Wednesday and Friday deserve a spot on your list too. Here is how the week breaks down, along with some notes on picking between overlapping shows.
Wednesday, November 4
Mountain Grass Unit at Charleston Music Hall
The week opens with Mountain Grass Unit at Charleston Music Hall, with the show starting at 8:00 PM. The name tells you where this one lives musically, so it should suit anyone who likes string band music and wants a midweek night out that does not run too late. A Wednesday show is also a good way to see the Music Hall before the busier Thursday crowd arrives, since the same room hosts another big bill the following night. Grab tickets ahead of time rather than counting on the door, and leave a few minutes for parking downtown, which can take longer than you expect even on a weeknight.
Thursday, November 5
Thursday is the busiest night of the week, and three of the four events start at 7:00 PM. You will need to pick one early show, although a late add is possible if you plan your route carefully.
The Great American Songbook With Joe Clarke at Forte Jazz Lounge
For a quieter, sit-down evening, The Great American Songbook With Joe Clarke at Forte Jazz Lounge begins at 7:00 PM. The Great American Songbook covers the standards that generations of singers and jazz players have returned to, so this is a strong choice for a date night, for anyone visiting with parents, or for people who want to hear familiar melodies over a drink. Lounge seating tends to go fast for a themed night like this, so booking ahead is the safer move if you care about where you sit.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. Columbia International Rams at Buccaneer Field House
Sports fans have their own 7:00 PM option with Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. Columbia International Rams at Buccaneer Field House. A home game at a campus field house is an easy, low-key outing for families, alumni and students, and it is a good way to spend a weeknight cheering for a local team. Bring layers, wear school colors if you have them, and arrive a little early so you are settled before tipoff.
Bitch Cabal Tour: Wednesday - Band & Mannequin Pussy at Charleston Music Hall
The loudest ticket of the week is Bitch Cabal Tour: Wednesday - Band & Mannequin Pussy at Charleston Music Hall, also starting at 7:00 PM. This double bill is aimed at fans of indie rock and punk, and a touring package with two named acts on the poster usually draws people who want to catch both sets in full. Note that "Wednesday" here is the name of a band, and the show itself takes place on Thursday, so check your calendar before you head out. Buy early, since co-headlining tours tend to sell more tickets than a single act, and plan to arrive for the start time so you do not miss the opening set.
Tommy Prine at Charleston Pour House
The latest start of the night belongs to Tommy Prine at Charleston Pour House, with music at 8:30 PM. This show suits singer-songwriter fans and anyone who prefers a relaxed club setting to a larger hall. The later start also makes it the most realistic option for a double feature, because you could catch the early part of another 7:00 PM event and still reach the Pour House in time, provided you budget for the drive and parking. A Thursday night at a popular club fills up quickly, so getting tickets in advance is wise.
Friday, November 6
Candlelight: Tribute to Adele at The Unitarian Church
The week closes with Candlelight: Tribute to Adele at The Unitarian Church in Charleston, which begins at 6:45 PM. A candlelit tribute in a church setting is built for listening, so this is a good fit for Adele fans, couples, and anyone who wants an early Friday event that still leaves time for dinner afterward. The early start is the main thing to watch here, because seated events of this kind expect the audience in place before the music begins. Arrive with time to spare, silence your phone, and expect a quiet room.
Planning Notes for the Week
Charleston Music Hall hosts shows on both Wednesday and Thursday, so if you want to make two trips, you already know the route and parking options after the first night. On Thursday, choose your 7:00 PM event first and then decide whether the 8:30 PM Pour House set is realistic for your evening. Every event on this list has a set start time, and none of them is a drop-in affair, so buying tickets ahead and arriving early will make each night run smoothly.