Nature programs make waves both local state parks | Best Bets

SIX DAYS A WEEK | Through August

State parks plan plethora of summer programs

Both local state parks, open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily for summer, are teeming with nature programs for summer, and most are free with park admission: $5 for ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15.

▪ At Myrtle Beach State Park, on South Kings Highway, abutting the south city limits and across from Seagate Village, the nature center is open 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Sundays, and 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. The slew of program choices includes “Jumping Jellyfish,” 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 9; the “State Park Secrets” movie, 7-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 17; and “Pier Predicaments!” 1-1:45 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 19. Details at 843-238-0874 or www.myrtlebeachsp.com.

▪ At Huntington Beach State Park, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Brookgreen Gardens, visit the nature center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, with feeding time for animal residents at 11 a.m. Programs through August include “Spineless Wonders,” 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays; “Coastal Birding” guided walks, 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays; and “Secrets of the Salt Marsh,” 4-5 p.m. Thursdays. 843-235-8755 or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com.

Also, state park passes, to access sites across South Carolina, are $75 or $99. www.southcarolinaparks.com.

WEDNESDAYS-FRIDAYS | Through 08.05

Enjoy sunsets with Brookgreen’s ‘Cool Summer Evenings’

In “Cool Summer Evenings,” Brookgreen Gardens stays open until 9 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays through Aug. 5.

The gardens, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, open at 9:30 a.m. daily, and otherwise close at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays-Tuesdays. Evening entertainment is free with garden admission, which lasts lasts seven days: $16 ages 13-64, $14 ages 65 and older, $8 ages 4-12, and free ages 3 and younger.

Scheduled concerts are 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays: Locust Honey July 1, U “N” I July 6, Javier Jazz Project July 8, “High Steppin’ Country” July 13, Common Ground July 15, Prettier Than Matt July 20, Mike Frost July 22, PaperWork July 27, Shem Creek Boogie Band July 29, Tru Sol Aug. 3, and Ross Holmes Aug. 5. Also, Thursday evenings, are family nights with “A Pirate’s Journey Along the Creeks” aboard The Springfield pontoon boat, at 5, 6, and 7 p.m., for an extra $8 for adults and $4 for children.

Brookgreen also is home to the “Nature Connects: Legos Bricks Sculpture” exhibit through Sept. 5. Join a “Lego Talk,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 14, with First Lego League members giving demonstrations of robots and talking about their projects, and sharing information about FLL from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., in the Lowcountry Center Courtyard.

Details at 843-235-6000, 800-849-1931 or www.brookgreen.org.

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS | Through 07.30

Carolina Improv heats up stage four times a week

Just like the temperature outside, the stage inside for Carolina Improv Company is cookin’ all July at the Uptown Theater, by Bass Pro Shops in Myrtle Beach Mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres, with all shows at 7:30 p.m.:

▪ “Whose Beach Is It Anyway,” family friendly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, for $15 ages 12 and older ($13.75 advance online), and $13 ages 4-11.

▪ “Whose Night Out Is It Anyway,” for adults, Wednesdays, and two Saturdays – July 9 and 23, for $13.75 advance online, otherwise $15.

Also, two one-time productions, on two other Saturdays, each $13.75 advance online, otherwise $15:

▪ “Cosmo Knows,” for adults, July 16.

▪ Nothing But Treble presents “Vacation Disasters,” for all ages, with symphonic singer hosts Marilou Cook, Pat Van Oss and Petra Sander, July 30.

Details at 843-272-4242 or www.carolinaimprov.com.

TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS | Through 07.24

Free Family Summer Camp workshops at Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops, on the south end of Myrtle Beach Mall, at U.S. 17 and S.C. 22, near Briarcliffe Acres, has a Family Summer Camp through July 24 with this schedule, and each workshop lasting about 20 minutes and free:

▪ Tuesdays – Bird Watching at noon, Fishing 1 p.m., Archery 2 p.m., Hiking and Backpacking 3 p.m., and Backyard Adventure (about wildlife), 4 p.m.

▪ Thursdays – Archery noon, Outdoor Gardening 1 p.m., Hunting 2 p.m., Water Safety 3 p.m., and Camping 4 p.m.

▪ Saturdays – Fishing noon, Water Safety 1 p.m., Hunting 2 p.m., Hiking and Backpacking 3 p.m., and Bird Watching 4 p.m.

▪ Sundays – Hunting noon, Outdoor Gardening 1 p.m., Archery 2 p.m., Camping 3 p.m., and Backyard Adventure 4 p.m.

Also, children will earn a free lanyard, and for every workshop completed, free, collectible pin, while supplies last.

Details at 843-361-4800 or www.basspro.com/summercamp.

NEXT THURSDAY | 07.07

LeAnn Rimes next special guest at Alabama Theatre

The Alabama Theatre will roll out the red carpet at 7 p.m. July 7 for LeAnn Rimes in concert.

Known for such hits as “Blue,” “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” and “How Do I Live?” Rimes also has some acting roles on her resume, along with writing four books: “Holiday in Your Heart,?” “What I Cannot Change,” and for child readers, “Jag” and “Jag’s New Friend.” Tickets are $42.95, $49.95 or $59.95.

The theater, home to “One the Show” several nights every week in Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach, has lined up a busy rest of the summer as part of its Guest Artist Concert Series, mostly at 7 p.m.:

▪ Martina McBride, July 22, for $59.95, $69.95 or $79.95.

▪ Temptations and Four Tops, July 28, for $49.95, $58.95 or $67.95.

▪ Rick Alviti Showband’s “That's The Way it Was – Tribute To Elvis,” 7:30 p.m. July 31, for $27.40 or $34.95.

▪ Hannah native Josh Turner, Aug. 12, for $47.95, $56.95 or $65.95.

▪ Jeanne Robertson, humorist, Aug. 19, for $29.95, $34.95 or $39.95.

▪ Jay Leno, Aug. 26, for $69.90. $98.60 or $109.60.

▪ “Ricky Mokel Comedy Show,” starring Grant Turner, from “One the Show,” Aug. 27, for $29.95, $34.95 or $39.95.

▪ The Oak Ridge Boys, Sept. 10, for $40.95, $48.95 or $56.95.

Details at 843-272-1111, 800-342-2262 or www.alabama-theatre.com.

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Nature programs make waves both local state parks | Best Bets."