An Evening of Art & Music • September 30 • 4:30 – 7:30 pm
We, here at Bella, are excited about small scale events coming back to life. Not only have our beloved Bella Buzz pages been empty, but no events have occurred to fill the famous “Scene Around Town” section, leaving the pages of Bella empty of the faces of Aiken. A duo of women, Peggy Penland and Katy Lipscomb, are rallying for indoor/outdoor events featuring music, art, and community to entice us to get out and experience life. And so was born An Evening of Art & Music, scheduled for September 30, 4:30 – 7:30 pm.
The past few years have seen a growth in the live music scene in Aiken, with Amp the Alley and Aiken City Limits. We have come to enjoy the music as well as the sense of community that live music fosters. Not only do they draw the residents of Aiken, but also those across the state looking to leave the safe confines of their local towns to experience South Carolina’s musical talents.
With social distancing becoming the “new normal,” we have had to become creative with new ways of enjoying music and art.
Peggy and Katie brainstormed to bring together two things they love at The Inn At Houndslake. The Inn has been a part of Peggy Penland’s family since she was a young child. Following in her father’s footsteps, she has maintained the Inn as a getaway for weddings and golf enthusiasts. With the current constraints imposed by the pandemic, Peggy has had to innovate her way of thinking in drawing those to her beloved property. Music and art have always been a passion of hers, and with the recent change in trend at the Inn, she is able to offer opportunities that have not been available before.
The Inn At Houndslake will host an event on September 30 to kick off a monthly series of cultural events on the south side of Aiken. The Connect Aiken Partners have come up with a creative and safe plan for connecting local artists, musicians, artisans, and lovers of art and music with each other to benefit the ACTS Food Program.
Peggy Penland’s goal is to support those in need of food while at the same time providing a venue for musicians and artists who have had little opportunity to share their talents with the community during the COVID-19 virus. Attendee access at these drop-in events will be limited to ensure safe social distancing. Masks will be required. The art will be spread out across 3 different interior spaces as well as outside on the Inn’s patio, which overlooks a beautiful fairway and green. Individuals may stroll through the lobby and hospitality rooms, sipping a tasty beverage while viewing the various artistic displays, jewelry, etc. In the background, from 5 – 7 pm, Keith Gregory and Gavin Reily will play popular acoustic guitar selections.
The sponsors are all local, family-owned businesses whose owners want to support a south side cultural corner that will promote established artists as well as new ones who have relocated to our community. Among the sponsors are Bella Magazine, Material Things, and the Penland Company.
Proceeds from the $10 entry fee will go to ACTS, a well-managed local nonprofit organization whose Food Program is experiencing tremendous growth due to the increase in unemployment during the pandemic. This event is an effort to create a very special evening while helping our fellow citizens weather this storm.
