Looking for something to do in Greenville? Have you heard about the Sigal Music Museum? Joining many high-quality museums in Greenville’s Heritage Green, the Sigal Music Museum displays the history of music in the Carolinas through historically and culturally significant instruments. We sent KAG Contributor Anna Artz to the museum so she could find out all the details. Read on and you’ll find out just what you can expect to see and hear at the Sigal Music Museum.
The Sigal Music Museum, formerly called The Carolina Music Museum, opened its doors in 2018 at the old Coca- cola building at Heritage Green. The music museum is a great addition to the cultural offerings found in downtown Greenville, with a beautiful collection of over 40 harpsichords and pianos dating from the 1570 to 1845.
The museum’s calendar of events features a great line-up of concerts, music lectures, and other events. Their current exhibition, A Measure of Music: S.T.E.A.M. and the Musical Mind, highlights the relationship between science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and music.
Make the Most of Your Sigal Music Museum Visit
The museum is conveniently located in Heritage Green, so it can always be combined with a visit to its other neighboring museums; The Upcountry History Museum, Greenville County Museum of Art, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate or the Greenville County Library. Expect to spend up to an hour or so of walking through the bi-level exhibition venue and learning the history of each instrument.
My kids enjoyed the interactive audio guide stations that accompanied each instrument on display. The exhibition panels also gave a rich overview of the significance of these instruments. Did you know that harpsichord’s preceded the piano but was gainfully unseated in the concert hall due to the piano’s dynamic range? Kids were curious about the intricate engineering of the instruments while we adults were fascinated with the craftsmanship and historical details.
In our visit, we were lucky to catch one of the founders and museum curator Mr. Tom Strange who gave us an immersive tour of the galleries (some of the pieces are from his private collection). It was Mr. Strange, along with his vintage instrument aficionados, who conceptualized the idea for this museum.
He and his peers collect and recondition historic instruments and this museum is a fruit of their labors. He even built the small piano in the center of the room that says “Play me”, which my daughter happily tinkered, a welcome relief to a child surrounded by finely made antique pianos which were understandably “For Display Only.”
It will be hard to absorb everything in one visit, with all the interesting facts and anecdotes, including how pianos played a distinct role in the Carolinas’ history. Each piece has a unique story to tell. Look out for the piano played by composer Chopin in the photo with Mr. Strange.
Also, look for the Johann Schanz Grand piano equipped with five pedals. This one caught us by surprise as we heard drum and bells activated by one of the pedals! Truly, this is one museum that comes with bells and whistles (literally). We will most definitely be back for another visit to the galleries or to attend a concert.
Sigal Music Museum 516 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC 29601 Telephone: 864.520.8807
Have you ever watched a viral video of a flash mob and wished you had been a part of it? Would you jump at the chance to limp through downtown Greenville in full Zombie fashion? Are you a child of the ’80s and have been dying to learn the “Thriller” dance?
If you said “YES!” to any of these questions, your opportunity is here!
Whether you want to use this as a fun couples activity or include the kids, we have the info you’ll need to participate in this flash mob event that starts rehearsals on October 3rd, 2024.
Carolina Dance Collaborative: “Thrilling” Downtown Greenville With Their Annual Flash Mob
Carolina Dance Collaborative, a 501c3 non-profit mobile dance outreach organization, was founded by Alyson Amato and Kelsey Crum in 2015. The two women saw a need for dance in the community to be accessible to everyone and brought it to the Upstate in a mobile fashion.
CDC performs many flash mobs throughout the year, including CDC & Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery staff at their 80’s Prom Fundraiser, the Pickens County Disability and Special Needs Board at an upcoming event, as well as their Adaptive Christmas Flash Mob opening the Christmas Parade each year. Outdoor flash mobs are a large part of their organization’s vision, in seeing the community come together through dance. This newly formed flash mob brings all their student groups together, fulfills their community collaboration mission, and values all people as artists. Additionally, they are bringing together dancers & non-dancers alike for an Inclusive Thriller-themed flash mob this October.
CDC established an adaptive branch of their organization that teaches individuals, child through adult, with disabilities. This branch reaches special education classrooms in Greenville County High Schools and autism therapy clinics, adult day service facilities, and more. Kelsey and Alyson wanted their adaptive component to intermingle with their YMCA, after-school, and adult through senior-citizen branches to create a place where all feel welcomed and accepted; a position where different kinds of people, regardless of their abilities, can have fun together through dance.
You Can Be a Part of the Flash Mob, Too!
In past years, over 100 people of all ages and abilities participated in this free event!
All people, ages six and up, regardless of their ability, are encouraged to join in on the fun. Participation is free; they only ask that each participant commits to being present for the rehearsals and the performance.
October 3rd, 2024 – Rehearsal | 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Kroc Center
October 10th, 2024 – Rehearsal | 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Kroc Center
October 17th, 2024 – Rehearsal | 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Kroc Center
October 24th, 2024 – Performance | at Falls Park Prior to Moonlight Movie
October 26th, 2024- Performance | at TD Saturday Market Specific meeting time for performance will be given to performers at rehearsal
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This video includes the routine from the 2018 CDC Thriller Flash Mob to give you an idea of what you will be doing if you participate.
Helping Behind The Scenes
If you are unable to participate, there are a few ways that you can still be a part of supporting this organization and its vision to see all people interact, understand, and embody the life-changing power of dance. If you are a makeup artist, photographer, and videographer who would like to donate your time and efforts, please reach out to CDC. This free project is only made possible through the support of donors and volunteers alike.
Greenville County Schools start on Thursday, August 8th, 2024- are you ready? We’ve put together a great list of back to school tips to ensure your kids’ school year gets off to a great start! We hope these tips from a teacher help your family get off on the right foot this year!
Are you ready for the first day of school? It’s that time!! I know, I know, you’re a hot mess of super sad to see them go back but very glad for a little extra quiet time. Here are a few tips to make sure everyone in the family is ready. ~Andrea Beam, KAG Contributor
The best way to be sure you and they feel comfortable is to have the necessary supplies. Supplies are easy to check off the list as you get them and you know just how awesome it feels to check things off the to do list! Be sure to think of the things the teacher doesn’t have down- lunchbox, bookbag, Kleenex (for you), extras for your house (you’ll need notebook paper for homework)…things like that.
Give it time
You and your child will both need time to adjust to the new schedule, teacher, and routines. Be patient with them and give yourself room for mistakes (theirs and yours). Build in a few extra minutes if you’re at a new school because, inevitably, you’ll start driving the same direction you’ve gone before and have to turn around. (Not that I’ve done anything like this before…)
Touch base with the teacher
Your child’s teacher wants to hear from you! Not all the time, naturally, but trust me- I love when a parent checks in to be sure there aren’t things on my wish list that I need or checks to see if there’s anything I need prayed over. Letting the teacher know you care about more than just the grade she’ll give will warm her heart!
Be sure you’ve signed up
Sign up for everything as early as possible. Join PTA, even if you can’t volunteer time. (It helps your child’s class win a prize.) Sign up to volunteer if you can- we need help! Get your kids registered for any programs you’d like them to participate in, such as Good News Club, after school, etc.
Take pictures for just you
Yes- post away with the first-day pictures, but be sure to take some personal ones just for you, like the kids brushing teeth and hair while getting ready or the oatmeal faces that laugh at breakfast. Those are really the memories we love anyway, right?!
Enjoy the school year. You’ll do great and they’ll be fine! (I say that to you as well as to myself!) Happy new year!!!
What’s your best tip for being ready for the new school year?
Looking for more parenting tips, tricks, and content to help you? Check out our Parenting Hub.
If you’re searching for a park that has designated play spaces for little kids and big kids plus some other features too then you have to check out Butler Springs Park! This awesome park includes multiple playgrounds, a walking trail, tennis courts, and more! Plus, it has some much needed morning shade.
About Butler Springs Park
What if you could sit in the shade for just a minute or two while your toddler happily plays on an age-appropriate playground? When my boys were all under 4, that idea felt like a dream. Butler Springs Park has an exciting playground for little ones that is fully enclosed and mostly shaded. The fenced-in area even has baby swings and a couple of benches. Restrooms are just steps away.
But, do not think that Butler Springs is just for toddlers! The playground designed for ages 5-12 has tall slides, challenging balance beams and monkey bars, swings, shifting stepping blocks and so much more. The crazy, rotating disc is thrilling, and there are even some monkey bars hidden under the fish. A bench under the tall trees allows you to watch your children in the shade.
The large, covered pavilion complete with restrooms, drinking fountains, and grills is situated between the two playgrounds. You will also find many picnic tables scattered throughout the park. We have brought dinner to this park and had large family gatherings.
We love the paved trail that weaves between the playgrounds, lighted tennis courts, and baseball fields. Much of the trail is also shaded. You’ll discover some fun activities to do with your children along the way including hop-scotch.
The park is surrounded by quiet neighborhoods and is only five minutes from Haywood Mall. Get your children, young and old, to this park the next time you want some good family time!
Are you looking to have a fantastic time salsa dancing in Greenville, SC? If you love salsa dancing and wish you could escape to the exotic nightlife of South Florida, you can for just the cost of a babysitter for a few hours right here in Greenville! Whether you are looking for an escape from the kids in the form of a fun date night or a family date night including the kids– we’ve got a free event you have to check out: Salsa at Sunset.
Embrace Salsa Dancing: Greenville, SC Dancers Will Love Salsa at Sunset
The Salsa at Sunset event sponsored by Upstate International & Pura Alegria dance company will get you as close as you’re going to get to Calle Ocho in Miami without traveling for half a day.
This free event is held during the summer months once a month in June, July, and August. An hour-long complimentary salsa dance lesson starts at 6:15 pm and the live music starts at 7 pm plays until 10 pm. In 2021, the event moved from the plaza in front of the Peace Center to Camperdown Plaza and it’s awesome. The space is beautiful and you can grab cookies from Insomnia or ice cream at Jeni’s right there. So fun.
If there were a way to somehow import the smell of ocean air and fill the airspace in front of the Peace Center with it, you’d never know that you were in the foothills of South Carolina and not Miami.
Grab your preferred dance partner and head downtown. I couldn’t believe how many people were there dancing! Every generation was represented on the dance floor, older couples, young couples, parents on a much-needed escape & families with their little ones in tow.
The bar at CAMP is open and the live music will keep you moving. This event is family and stroller-friendly. I strongly suggest bringing an ample supply of ice water for your entire dance troupe, because you’ll need it after several hours of salsa dancing.
How To Turn This Free Event Into The Ultimate Date Night
Dressing For The Occasion
For women: A shoe with a smooth bottom and a heel not more than two inches is preferable (tennis shoes aren’t the best because they stick to the floor but I’ve seen women wear them and do fine). If you think Salsa dancing is something you’ll want to do often, then invest in a pair of salsa shoes. You’ll look like you just got back from Dancing With The Stars, and it will give you an extra boost of confidence on the dance floor. The Exotic Salsa shoe site is a great place to start looking.
Dresses allow you to move freely and are a good choice, just be sure to wear spandex shorts underneath if you plan to really show off your moves on the dance floor. Whatever you wear, make sure it’s lightweight and comfortable because you’ll be moving around a lot in the summer heat.
For men: Shoes with smooth bottoms are ideal as well. This isn’t the place to be sporting those Jordans. If you want to dress the part and impress your date choose linen or lightweight pants, paired with a button-up shirt. A Guayabera is what you’ll probably see on the serious salsa dancers in the crowd.
Practice Makes Perfect
Can’t make it to a practice event? Just tell Alexa to play anything Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Hector Lavoe, and Fania All-Stars, then follow what your hips tell you to do. Don’t worry. Hips don’t Lie.
Has your family been to Otter Creek Water Park in Greenville, SC? As one of three waterparks operated by Greenville County Recreation, Otter Creek has multiple waterslides, a big sprayer pad, and a beach access pool to splish and splash around with your kids. Find out what we love most, and check out our Otter Creek Water Park review before you visit.
Otter Creek Water Park in Greenville, SC
A special thanks to Greenville County Recreation for providing us with media passes to help write our 7th Inning Splash, Discovery Island, and Otter Creek Water Park reviews!
What Fun You’ll Find at Otter Creek Water Park
Otter Creek is the perfect waterpark for your family to cool off from the humid southern heat or lounge by the pool under the gigantic sun shade umbrellas. Your family can spend a day of fun in the sun at a waterpark, without ever having to leave Greenville!
Waterslides
The water park has four awesome water slides in total. The 32 ft tall tower houses three of the slides, including two body slides and a tube slide. The body slides require you to be 42” or taller to enjoy, but children shorter than 42” can enjoy the tube slides with an adult.
The green body slide has lots of twists and turns, which I thought was exciting and not too intense. This slide goes fast but not too fast, so younger kids can enjoy it. The white slide, however, is for the more adventurous at heart. It features a steep drop at the beginning that will have you slightly hovering during takeoff (as my husband says) and is pretty fast. The blue tube slide has inflatables, and my two year old had a blast riding down the 100-yard slide with me.
There is also an adorable kiddy slide where younger children get a taste of what a water slide is like. The slide is very wide so parents can go down with their children, or multiple children can slide down together into the pool below.
Beach Entry Leisure pool
The beach entry pool is wonderful and baby-friendly! It is large enough so that you can have some space between you and those around you, which is nice considering how packed the waterpark can get a prime time. There is a shallow area for small children to practice their swimming skills, and a slightly deeper area if you want to go for a swim yourself. Surrounding the pool are lots of lounge chairs, so you can find a spot to lay out a towel before going in and out of the pool. There are also a dozen or so extra-large umbrellas that provide ample shade, but be sure to get to the waterpark early to secure a spot.
Splash Pad
The splash pad was the highlight of my three-year-old daughter’s waterpark adventure. The 2,400 square foot splash pad has several sprayers, a bucket dump, and geysers that my 8-month-old enjoyed sticking her toes in. The splash pad is a great size, and it is something everyone can enjoy to cool off from the heat, even if you are just enjoying the lounge chairs instead of a swim.
Party Hut Rentals
Otter Creek offers party hut rentals located at the back of the park closer to concessions. Otter Creek party packages are for groups of 10 children and two adults. The package includes waterpark admission, a 2-hour hut rental, 2 pizzas, cake/ice cream, drinks and cutlery, and downloadable invitations. Birthday party packages cost $20 per child with a 10 child minimum. And just an FYI, you can also rent the entire waterpark during evening hours for a couple thousand dollars!
Otter Creek Splash Pad in Greenville, SC
Before Going Into Otter Creek Water Park
Tickets
Otter Creek offers affordable ticket prices that include reentry if you need to leave for a few minutes to have a picnic or grab something from your car. Tickets purchased online for adults and kids over 42 inches are $14.50 while anyone under 42 inches is $11.00. Children 2 years old and under are free!
Just be aware that if you purchase your tickets online, they are all $14.50 because of the inability to check height beforehand. You can also purchase an individual waterpark season pass, including the Rec’N Crew Annual Pass which allows you to visit all three parks for the summer season.
What to Bring
Of course, bring towels and your swimsuit.
Bring sunscreen to avoid those pesky sunburns.
Water shoes or sandals are amust so that you and your kids can easily travel from the water areas to the concessions or your lounge chair. The ground gets HOT!
If your child is under 42”, they will be required to wear a lifejacket, so bring your own or borrow one for free from the waterpark.
Non-potty-trained kids will also need a swim diaper that is fitted and snug.
Lockers are available if you would like to store anything valuable while out for a swim.
Concessions Offered
Otter Creek does have limited concessions to purchase, with treats like ice cream and freeze pops available. They also have pizza, soda, water, chips, and a few other simple foods. You can purchase a whole pizza (if they haven’t run out). If you are looking for something more satiating, I recommend bringing a cooler with water and lunch with you and leaving it in the car (you will not be allowed to bring it inside.) You can go have a picnic lunch and come back afterward for more water time.
Parking
There is deceivingly a lot of parking (that I didn’t notice until I was waiting at the top of the water slide). The main lot is located off Darby Road, and it gets full quickly, but drive up past the fork and you will find additional parking. If you are lucky, you may even find a spot in the shade!
Hours
The water park is open from May 23rd 2026 through Labor Day. Starting August 9th, it is only open on weekends through Labor Day. The hours are below. Monday – Saturday, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm Sunday, 1:00 – 5:30 pm
Have you explored the wonderful local artists at GVL Art Gallery & Shop? Located in the heart of Downtown Greenville, this gallery is where you will find some of Greenville’s best art, all in one place. Plus, you can grab a cup of coffee from Flying Fox Coffee Co. while you are there!
Looking for a playground to visit? You may want to check out West Greenville Community Center’s playground in Greenville!
It’s winter and, yes, it can be cold. Really cold. However, we also get the occasional 60 degree day, in January. You know the kind. When you absolutely must spend as much time outside as possible, before it turns cold again. That’s the perfect day for one of the many awesome parks in Greenville!
Recently, I took the kids to a playground at the West Greenville Community Center. In case you haven’t noticed, Greenville’s West End is bursting with new life. The small, quaint streets are lined with art galleries, vintage shops and to-die-for restaurants. Tucked off the main road, away from all the activity, we found Greenville Rec’s newest addition to the community. It’s not very big, but the boys and I were impressed.
A little about West Greenville Community Center’s playground
There’s ample space to throw down your picnic blanket. The next time we go, I plan to park myself under the huge Oak Tree. If the ground doesn’t appeal to you, there are two really nice, new tables and benches. The park has two regular slides, one double slide, several climbing apparatus and monkey bars. In spite of the cold, we had a really nice time.
There’s good news and bad news for parents of younger children. The good news is, there’s mulch. The bad news is, there’s mulch. You’ll want to use the set of eyes in the back of your head for the little ones who put anything and everything in their mouths.
Honestly, there’s only so much a girl can write about a playground. So, here’s a short list of comments thrown at me from the back seat on our way home:
“Do we have to leave?”
“Even though there aren’t any swings, it was still fun.”
“Can we come back tomorrow?”
“I’m glad we didn’t have to drive far.”
“I really want to ride that spin around-thingy again!”
Visit West Greenville Community Center for yourself
The action-packed Jurassic World Live Tour is back in 2024! Are you wondering if you should get Jurassic World tickets for your family? We have a full review of what to expect when you see this live dinosaur show! We were given media tickets so we could review the show – all opinions are our own. The show is coming to Columbia, SC, and Charlotte, NC in January 2024, and will be in cities across the United Statesthrough March 2024, including Charleston, Birmingham, Baltimore, and Fairfax.
I’ll tell you all about the live show, what to expect, what ages this may be good for, and some mildly scary parts to think about before you go. So let’s go on with this Jurassic World Live Tour review!
I’m a big fan of the Jurassic Park movies and my kids have seen most of them – and we just really think dinosaurs are cool – so when the Jurassic World Live Tour came to town and we had the opportunity to go, I jumped on that like a T-Rex on the bad guys. After all, this is Jurassic World comes to life.
Sneak Peek: Here’s What You’ll See at the Show
About the Jurassic World Live Tour: The Pre-Show
The Jurassic World Live Tour starts with a pre-show that anyone who has a ticket can go to. But you have to get there when the doors open an hour before the show. You’ll get to go right on the floor of the arena and see two dinosaurs – a Stegosaurus and a Triceratops – plus the baby dinosaur, baby Bumpy from Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. The Jurassic World Jeep is on display as well as the glass globe that you’ll recognize from the movie.
Jurassic World Live Pre-Show
You’ll have the opportunity to take as many photos as you like and get pretty close to the dinosaurs as they move and blink. The show did a really great job with these creatures, making them life-size and super cool to see.
The floor will close to guests 20 minutes before the show starts so you’ll have time to go to the restroom and get to your seats.
Jurassic World Live Tour Reviews: The Main Show
The story line of the Jurassic World Live Tour centers on Jeanie, a Troodon dinosaur, and Dr. Kate Walker, her trainer and a scientist herself. Dr. Walker creates a device that goes atop Jeanie’s head and transmits what she is feeling, which the evil guys from Ingen want and try to get throughout the live show.
The show starts at Isla Nubar and gets right into action immediately with dirt bikes and fighting and Jeanie being captured by Ingen. But Dr. Kate Walker and her crew of scientists and hilarious interns track Jeanie down in Chile and then have to fight the bad guys even more, especially when the raptors (my favorite!) show up.
Jeanie and Dr. Kate Walker
There are a lot of surprises that may make guests jump, like pyrotechnics, but overall, the show is fast-moving and pretty fun to watch. The 20-minute intermission comes about 35 minutes into the show when Dr. Kate and her team have to travel back to Isla Nubar to help Jeanie find her eggs and save the day.
The second half starts off with a possible Triceratops fight after one of the interns mistakes her eggs for Jeanie’s. The Stegosaurus and her baby make an appearance here, as do more Raptors and the flying dinosaurs. The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex rounds out the show with a bang and a lot of fire on the stage.
Appropriate Ages for the Jurassic World Tour
What age is Jurassic Live suitable for?
I took kids ages 8-12 and all of them loved it. They got the gist of the storyline, which I don’t think younger kids will understand. But younger kids also won’t care because the show has big, lifesize, and live dinosaurs so really, what’s better than that?
The arena was filled with families who had babies through tweens. I’d say most of the kids were preschool through elementary-aged. I saw some kids cuddle up next to their parents if they were scared but I didn’t think there were a ton of scary parts. It really depends on each child.
Jurassic World Live Dinosaurs
There was a lot of (fake) fight scenes between Dr. Kate and her team and the Ingen guys. Dr. Kate gets into a one-on-one fight with a burly guy during the second half of the show and he really looks like he hits her but she gives it right back to him. One of the scientists on her team has a crush on her and saves her from this dude and they share a short kiss before heading off to rescue the rest of their team, who Ingen had captured.
There is one part where a flying dinosaur takes off with one of the bad guys, which is typical Jurassic Park style. There is no inappropriate language and overall, the show is very family-friendly. Some older kids may think it’s cheesy but thankfully my 12-year-old thought it was great.
As for the noise level of the Jurassic World Live Tour show, it wasn’t that loud at all. The biggest noise makers were the surprise pyrotechnics and maybe some of the music and the roars from the T-Rex. If you’ve been to a Monster Jam show, this was less than half that noise level and I don’t think ear plugs are needed.
And if you haven’t ever seen any of the Jurassic Park movies, don’t worry, you’ll still enjoy the show. You don’t need to have seen the movies to enjoy all that the show has to offer.
Jurassic World Live Tour Reviews: The Dinosaurs
OK, the dinosaurs are awesome. The Raptors and Jeanie are obviously people and you can see their legs, which are covered in black leggings but honestly, I hardly noticed because the movements and sounds of the dinosaurs is so real. I thought the show did such a great job with this.
If you sit in the premium floor seats, the dinosaurs will come right up to you. It looked super cool and I was mildly jealous.
Jurassic World Live Tour Raptor
The bigger dinosaurs are on rolling floor things that make them move so that may take away the “real” look of the dinosaurs but their heads and tails move independently and their eyes even blink. The T-Rex was impressive. It also moves by a controlled floor machine but man, that thing can turn on a dime. It was awesome. The jaws on all the dinosaurs move like you would think a real dinosaur would move so I felt like I wasn’t even watching the animatronics or the people that moved the dinosaurs because just watching them as a whole was pretty captivating.
The set was also fantastic. The show did a great job making it seem like the actors and dinosaurs were in the rainforest in Isla Nubar or the desert in Chile. It was a very thought-out show all the way through and truly, a lot of fun.
The entire Jurassic World Live Tour show runs about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which includes the 20-minute intermission. Ticket prices start at $20.
Have you seen the Jurassic World Live Tour?
More Family Fun
Another big arena family entertainment favorite is Monster Jam. Thinking about bringing your kids to Monster Jam when those giant Monster trucks come to town? Don’t miss our Monster Jam review, where we tell you everything you need to know!
