Send event schedules, pricing and other information along with a contact name and phone number to Steven Uhles at steven.uhles@augusta chronicle.com, or to Applause, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928.

SPECIAL EVENTS

DOWNTOWN AFTER SIX: 6-9 p.m. today, downtown Aiken; local and regional artists displaying their work; (803) 649-2221

FORD TRUCKS EQUESTRIAN AMERICAN BALLOON FESTIVAL: 4 p.m. barrel racing Friday, 6:30 a.m. balloon launch Saturday-Sunday; equestrian trade fair, kids playground, food, beverages, four seminars; at the Aiken Polo Club fields on Powderhouse Road. www.poloamerica.com

TRIPLE CROWN OF POLO LAUNCH PARTY: Wednesday, New Bridge Polo and Country Club, 863 New Bridge Road, Aiken; features tournament draw and player introduction; (803) 648-3699, www.triple crownofpolo.com

FREEDOM RIDE: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; begins at Augusta Harley-Davidson and ends at Columbia County Fairgrounds, on Columbia Road across from Patriots Park, where a music festival will begin at 2:30 p.m.; with Swamp DaWamp, D.B. Bryant, Southern Mischief, Jeremy Graham Band and Shameless Dave; benefits Warriors in Transition Fund, the Army Emergency Relief Fund and the Jenny Clark Scholarship Fund; $15; www.freedomrideusa.org

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28; Hammond's Ferry, North Augusta; crafts, interactive dance program Journey from African to America, presented by ABATSU African Drummers; free; (706) 828-3867

BEST OF AUGUSTA BASH: 6 p.m. Oct. 2, Fort Discovery, Riverwalk Augusta at Seventh Street. Augusta Magazine celebration of winners of the 2008 Best of Augusta readers' poll; live music, food and access to Fort Discovery's exhibits; $12 in advance or $17 at door, available at The Augusta Chronicle cashier's office, 725 Broad St.; the Columbia County News-Times office in the Publix Shopping Center, Washington Road, Evans; the Fort Discovery ticket counter; and at www.augustamagazine.com

ART OF CHOCOLATE: 7 p.m. Oct. 3, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez; entertainment, food, including desserts created by area chefs; benefits Child Enrichment Inc.; www.childenrichment.org

BARBECUE COOK-OFF, SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, Lazar's Trailers, 487 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez; gardencity rescuemission.com

AN AFTERNOON OF WINE AND ROSES: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 4, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3000 Evans to Lock Road, Martinez; $30 in advance, $35 at door; csrawinefestival.com

SOUTHERN MIRAGE: 1 p.m. Oct. 4-5; Augusta Fencers Club, 134 Ninth St.; with Moria Chappell; gala show at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, Le Chat Noir, 304 Eighth St.; www.alchemydance.com

AUGUSTA GREEK FESTIVAL: Oct. 9-12; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; live Greek music and entertainment, traditional Greek dancing, Greek market, children's activities and Greek foods and pastries; tours of the church will be scheduled throughout the festival; www.holytrinity augusta.og

HISPANIC FESTIVAL: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 11-12; Augusta Common; with musical enter-tainment, arts, crafts, food and beverages; (706) 821-1754

SUMMERVILLE TOUR OF HOMES: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 18, 1-6 p.m. Oct. 19; Stephanie Reed (706) 922-5000, jrlog@knology.net, www. summervilleaugusta.org

COLONIAL TIMES: A DAY TO REMEMBER: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19; Living History Park, 299 West Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta; featuring meat smoking, pottery making, musicians and colonial industries; free; (803) 279-7560, colonialtimes.us

WINE AND SPIRITS DINNER: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24, The Spring House Tavern in Living History Park, North Augusta; in an 18th-century setting; reservations required; $50; (803) 279-7560

SPIRITS OF HALLOWED EVE: 6 p.m. Oct. 25; Living History Park, North Augusta; free; tours will last approximately one hour and take place every 15 minutes through 7:30 p.m.; reservations required; children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult; (803) 279-7560

OYSTERS ON TELFAIR: 6-7 p.m. Nov. 6, Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; Cajun food by French Market Grille, musical entertainment by the Crosstie Walkers, silent art auction, art; $65; proceeds support the programs and projects of the institute; (706) 722-5495

ONSTAGE

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum : 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Sept. 26-27; 3 p.m. Sunday; adults $20, seniors $18, students $15, children $9; Aiken Community Playhouse, Washington Center for the Arts, 126 Newberry St., Aiken; (803) 648-1438 www.aiken communityplayhouse.org

THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940 : Friday-Saturday and Sept. 25-27; Oct. 2-4; Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, Building 32100, Third Avenue; $37; seniors (65 and older), military retirees, Army civilians, active-duty E7 and above $35; active-duty E6 and below $27; show-only tickets $22; www.fortgordon.com

THE GLASS MENAGERIE : 8 p.m. Oct. 2-4, 2 p.m. Oct. 5; Etherredge Center, University of South Carolina Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken; $15 adults, $12 seniors, faculty, staff; $7 students www.usca.edu

THE BIG SCREEN

SCREEN ON THE GREEN: Saturday, Casablanca; Columbia County Amphitheater, 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans; $2; bring picnics, blankets, chairs; www.columbiacountyga.gov

MOVIE NIGHT: 7 p.m. Monday: Colonel Effingham's Raid; 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29: Stop Loss; free; Main Branch Library, 902 Greene St.; (706) 821-2600

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS: The Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.; Beyond the Call, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11; TJUBA TEN (The Wet Season) and Other Experimental Ethnographies, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8; Tru Loved, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7; Random Lunacy: Videos from the Road Less Traveled, 7:30 p.m. March 15; 'Bama Girl, 7:30 p.m. April 18; series tickets $45 ($30 with student ID), includes reception; individual tickets $10 ($6 with student ID); (706) 722-8341

MUSIC NOTES

Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival: Friday-Sunday; Elijah Clark State Park, seven miles northeast of Lincolnton, Ga., on U.S. 378; 6-11 p.m. Friday: Etterleeroad, Southern Bluegrass, Newfire, Split Rail; 11 a.m. to 11:25 p.m. Saturday: Solid Ground, Old Virginia Homestead, Union Highway Grass, Abney Road, Mountain Angels, King James Boys, Lamb Family Bluegrass, Southern Bluegrass, Blazing Bluegrass; noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday: Old Virginia Homestead, Etterleeroad, Mountain Angels, Lamb Family Bluegrass; free, but $3 parking fee; bring lawn chairs and blankets

PIANIST SUSAN OSBORN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Marvin United Methodist Church; free

MOSCOW NIGHTS: Noon Tuesday, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St.; concert free, lunch $10; part of Tuesday's Music Live; (706) 722-3463

OKEFENOKEE JOE AND CARL BLACK, WADE AND ERIN TESTON: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 26; American Legion Post 71, 300 block E. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta; $5 in advance, $6 at door; (803) 215-7110

MUSIC AT THE CROSSROADS: 8 p.m. Oct. 2-3, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 124 Newberry St.; $40; aiken performingartsgroup.org

CELTIC MUSICIAN COLIN GRANT-ADAMS: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way; reception afterward; free; (706) 738-5012

PARTICIPATORY EVENTS

WALK FOR AUTISM: Sept. 27; Eighth Street plaza; sponsored by Kids Care Connection

LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK: Noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 4, Augusta Common; with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual walk; (800) 399-7312

MAKE-A-WISH TOURNAMENT: Registration 11:30 a.m., lunch noon, tournament 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, The River Golf Club, 307 Riverside Blvd., North Augusta; benefits local Make-A-Wish Foundation; prizes awarded to top two teams; sponsorships and team play available; Natasha Pratt (706) 631-1910

1/2 MARATHON FESTIVAL: FIT Expo Friday-Saturday, Oct. 24-25; Family Y 5-K Oct. 25; Augusta Trick or Trot Halloween Carnival, 5 p.m. at Augusta Common, with live music, rides, games and movies; The Augusta Chronicle half marathon, 7 p.m. Oct. 26; sponsorship opportunities and FIT Expo space available; augustahalf.org

SPECTATOR SPORTS

steel horses tour 2008: Gates open 6 p.m., rodeo begins 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Barton Field, Fort Gordon; adults $10 advance, $15 gate; children 10 and younger $5 advance, $10 gate; (706) 791-6779, www.fortgordon.com

TRIPLE CROWN OF POLO FIRST SUNDAY FEATURE GAME: Sept. 28, New Bridge Polo and Country Club, 863 New Bridge Road, Aiken; first Sunday feature game of final leg of Triple Crown of Polo Championship Series; (803) 648-3699, www.triplecrownofpolo.com

IPRA SANDY OAKS PRO RODEO: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24-25; Lazy J Arena, 2237 U.S. Highway 23 W., Edgefield, S.C.; $12 in advance, $15 at door; (803) 637-5369

THE LITERARY LIFE

DON RHODES BOOK SIGNING: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Borders bookstore, 257 Robert C. Daniel Parkway, (706) 737-6962 and 1-3 p.m. Oct. 25, Barnes & Noble's new bookstore, Augusta Mall

JEWISH LITERATURE -- IDENTITY AND IMAGINATION: Oct. 6: Maus I II; Oct. 27: Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: Stories; Nov. 17: The Quitter; Dec. 4: The Rabbi's Cat; Reese Library, Augusta State University, 2500 Walton Way; discussion series explores graphic novels and Jewish literature; (706) 737-1745

COMMUNITY

AUGUSTA AREA NEWCOMERS CLUB: 9:45 a.m. Today, monthly luncheon and business meeting; call (706) 210-7547

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS: Friday, stables at Rose Hill Estate, 221 Greenville St. N.W., Aiken; Dr. Whit Gibbons will bring animals to this presentation; hors d'oeuvres, beverages; $25; advance registration and payment required; (803) 649-7999

MACH ACADEMY FALL CAR WASH: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, MACH Academy, 1850 Chester Ave.; $5 car wash, donations accepted; (706) 796-5046

CHEROKEE ROSE GARDEN CLUB PLANT EXCHANGE AND SALE: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 Evans to Locks Road; bring plants to trade or sell, or just browse and buy; (706) 854-8215

CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aiken Technical College, with children's authors, illustrators; (803) 643-3198, www.aiken bookfestival.org

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SEMINAR: 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 25; Room 100 in Adult Building at First Baptist Church; 706-738-3962

YOUTH WING MEETING: 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry Street Aiken; open to middle school and high school students. (803) 648-1438, aikencommunity playhouse.com

FALL AUCTION: 6 p.m. Nov. 8, Grand Dining Hall, Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave.; heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, silent and live auction featuring vacation homes, frequent-flier miles, artwork, sports memorabilia, fine wines, portraits, clothing, golf art and collectibles; $60; after Nov. 7 tickets $70; (706) 736-5516

ATTRACTIONS

AIKEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 433 Newberry St. S.W., Aiken; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; free; (803) 642-2015

AUGUSTA CANAL INTERPRETIVE CENTER: 1450 Greene St., Enterprise Mill, Suite 400; center open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, with boat tours at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3 p.m.; 1-5:30 p.m. Sundays, with one-hour boat tours 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m.; Canal Music Cruise, 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, John Krueger; music cruise tickets $24; one-hour boat tours $12; three-hour tours, $20; $6 admission without boat tour; (706) 823-0440

AUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY: 560 Reynolds St.; The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit; $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays; www.augustamuseum.org; (706)722-8454

BOYHOOD HOME OF PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON: 419 Seventh St.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; $5 adults, $4 for 60 and older, $3 for 6-17 and free ages 5 and under; (706) 722-9828

DUPONT PLANETARIUM: 471 University Parkway, Aiken; general shows $4.50 adults, $3.50 senior citizens, $2.50 students, $1 University of South Carolina Aiken students, faculty and staff; reservations recommended; rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/; (803) 641-3654

EZEKIEL HARRIS HOUSE: 1840 Broad St.; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; $2 adults, $1 children; (706) 737-2820

FORT DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER: Riverwalk Augusta at Seventh Street; The Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci exhibit through Oct. 19; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; $8 for ages 18-54, $6 for 55 and older, active-duty military and 4-17; half-price after 3 p.m.; (706) 821-0200

GROVETOWN MUSEUM: 106 W. Robinson Ave.; artifacts and photographs of Grovetown, Columbia County and Georgia; 1-4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; $1; (706) 863-4576

HICKORY HILL: 502 Hickory Hill Drive, Thomson; home of Tom Watson, populist politician in late 1800s and early 1900s; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, closed holidays; (706) 595-7777 or www.hickory-hill.org

LAUREL AND HARDY MUSEUM: 250 N. Louisville St., Harlem; exhibits pay tribute to Harlem native Oliver Hardy; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; (706) 556-0401

LUCY CRAFT LANEY MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY: 1116 Phillips St.; The Ebony Legacy, the Alice Davis Collection; Pilgrim Health and Life exhibition; $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. Sundays; www.lucycraftaneymuseum. com; (706) 724-3576

MEADOW GARDEN HISTORIC SITE: 1320 Independence Drive; 1792 home of George Walton, Declaration of Independence signer; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Saturdays by appointment; $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $3 students, $1 children; (706) 724-4174; www.geocities.com/meadowgarden3

MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART: 1 10th St.; Notes on the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries: Realist Paintings by Bryan LeBoeuf through Sept. 28; Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation in American Art through Oct. 19; admission $5 adults, $3 seniors, students and military with ID; free for members and ages 5 and younger, free Sundays; regular hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; (706) 724-7501, themorris.org

PHINIZY SWAMP NATURE PARK: Off Lock and Dam Road, near Augusta Regional Airport; dawn to dusk, Saturdays-Sundays and holidays; noon to dusk Mondays-Fridays; (706) 828-2109

REDCLIFFE PLANTATION STATE HISTORIC SITE: 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island; Redcliffe Plantation Archaeology Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; learn about archaeological research conducted at Redcliffe and surrounding area; free; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays, house tours 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; admission $4 adults, $3 students; (803) 827-1473

SACRED HEART CULTURAL CENTER: 1301 Greene St.; tours of 103-year-old former church noted for architecture; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; (706) 826-4700