Around Town

EVENTS

•The Beaufort Shrimp Festival is Friday and Saturday.

Thursday is the final day to register for the 5K Run, Walk through History and Popcorn Shrimp Run set for Saturday. Advance registration is required.

The 5K Run and Walk through History begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the corner of Bay and Newcastle Streets in downtown Beaufort. The Richard V. Woods Memorial bridge will be closed from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. The Popcorn Shrimp Run begins at 8:45 a.m. at the same location. Registration fees are $20 for the 5K run, $10 for the walk and $5 for the Popcorn Shrimp Run, which is for ages 7 and younger. All registration forms can be found at BeaufortShrimpFestival.com.

Friday night entertainment will begin at 5:30 with Peyton Tochterman & High Society from Charlottesville, Va., and continues at 8 p.m. with the Blue Dogs from Charleston.

Saturday's events continue at 11 a.m. with live music by the East Coast Party Band from Charleston.

Also, there will be an array of fresh local shrimp prepared by local restaurants. Volunteers are still needed in various capacities to help with the races and the other events during the festival. Details: BeaufortShrimpFestival.com.

•The Beaufort Art Association exhibit, The Thursday Painters, continues through Nov. 1.

The Thursday Painters are a group of Beaufort artists who have been painting together for more than 13 years. Each artist, having chosen his or her medium and subject, works at his or her own pace. Ideas are shared over lunch, and painting continues into the afternoon.

The works of more than 70 member artists also will be shown, including painting, photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, wood and note cards. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Details: 843-379-2222.

•Donations are being sought for the Lowcountry Community Players annual Masque Awards, its yearly fundraiser and its annual presentation to individuals and companies who have participated and supported LCP for the past season. The event, a Bow-Tie & Blue Jeans Affair, is from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Blarney Stone Restaurant, Walterboro.

While developing their theme, "Theatre is FUN for Everyone," the LCP board of directors chose the slogan, "Come 'Play' With Us!"

Admission is $15 for singles or $25 per couple. The price includes beer, wine, food, live entertainment and an auction.

Everyone is asked to wear a bow tie, which will also be available for rent for the evening. Details: 843-908-0746 or 843-908-3551.

CLASSES AND SEMINARS

•Eight Tai Chi classes will be offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 5 at ArtWorks, 2127 Boundary St. The cost is $80. Registration is required. Details: 843-271-3258 or jw@beaufortcountyarts.com.

•A free public play day for all dogs and their well-behaved owners is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Beaufort Dog, 1307 Boundary St.

A behaviorist will be on duty. Parking is available in the back entrance. Details: 843-812-5394 or BeaufortDog.com.

•Campenella Studio of the Arts will have a grand opening Friday.

The studio, a nonprofit, is a safe haven for teens so they can play music and read poetry.

Innovations in Creative Expression for Pre-Schoolers is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays with choreographer Bonita Wreden at the studio. The cost is $10.

Hip hop baton classes are also offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. The cost is $5.

The studio is at 703 Paris Ave., Port Royal. Details: 843-470-0145.

AUDITIONS

•The University of South Carolina Beaufort is searching for Lowcountry voices to form its new University Chorus. The chorus class will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on USCB's Beaufort campus.

Students, as well as members of the community, who love to sing are encouraged to audition for the class, also known as BMUS 129. Instruction will emphasize vocal jazz and other genres. Musical experience and the ability to read music are not prerequisites.

The course will provide one hour of college credit. To request an audition, call 843-592-1953 or vmvarner@hotmail.com.

VOLUNTEERS, CHARITIES

•Lowcountry Community Players is seeking readers who will be available during the day for Reader's Theatre performances for the 2008-09 season.

The group will perform at the Veteran's Victory House in Walterboro, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in Walterboro, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in Allendale, county elementary schools and preschool centers.

More opportunities always come up during the year. Readers do not have to participate in all of them. One or two rehearsals are held before each performance. Details: 843-549-5757.

Send Around Town items, which are published only on Tuesdays and Sundays, at least 10 days before the event date to Features Department, The Beaufort Gazette, P.O. Box 399, Beaufort, SC 29901-0399, to features@beaufortgazette.com or via fax to 843-524-8728.