UNITARIAN CHURCH WELCOMES ALL, PROMOTES DIVERSITY

Almost every church prides itself on being friendly, but one Bluffton church is officially a “welcoming congregation.”

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition that values people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender identities. The Welcoming Congregation Program — with its slogan “Standing on the side of love” — is a volunteer initiative to help congregations take intentional steps toward the LGBTQ community.

Palmetto Animal League has something for everyone at its upcoming auction fundraiser.

“Want to golf in Hilton Head, shop in Bluffton and dine in Beaufort?” asked Stephanie Bashaw, who is heading up this year’s event. “The sky is literally the limit with items, including a zip line adventure and other family-friendly activities.”

JAZZ CORNER MARKS 20 YEARS OF WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES

For 20 years, some of the biggest names in jazz have flocked to Hilton Head Island to perform at The Jazz Corner, tucked away in The Village at Wexford. Since its opening in 1999, the restaurant has been a cornerstone of island entertainment, evidence of how one man’s vision can influence the community around him.

WINE DINNER FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT SPECIAL-NEEDS PROGRAMS

Enjoy “An Evening in Italy” without leaving the Lowcountry at a March 15 wine dinner fundraiser for the Children’s Relief Fund, to benefit local special-needs children and their families.

LEAN ENSEMBLE EXPLORES THE NATURE OF MEMORY

Following an accident, Kate’s fiancé is left with selective amnesia and does not remember her. Their engagement broken off, Kate returns to the comfort of her childhood home in the suburbs to pick up the pieces of her life. This dark comedy is an exploration of growing up, the nature of memory, and the process of letting go.

Hilton Head Dance Theatre will present classical and contemporary dance “Terpsichore,” named after the Greek muse of dance, at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and 2:30 p.m. April 7.

MAR. 17
PARADE DAY 
ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION HEADING TO HILTON HEAD STREETS
David Lauderdale, senior editor and columnist for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette, is the grand marshal for the 36th annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Cost to participate in the parade are $400 for businesses; $200 for nonprofit organizations. The parade starts at 3 p.m., Pope Avenue, south end of Hilton Head Island. www.hiltonheadireland.org or Bill Harper at 843-616-3604.

ST. ANDREW BY-THE-SEA UMCSERVING HILTON HEAD, BLUFFTON & THE WORLD

The day is about to dawn, and hundreds make their way at 7 a.m. to Coligny Beach to see the sunrise on Easter morning and to hear Good News from the pastors at St. Andrew By-The-Sea.  For over 40 years, the church has provided the community with a place to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as the sun appears across the ocean’s horizon. This year, at 7 a.m., St. Andrew will hold a new sunrise service at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park by the May River where the church also hosts Christmas Eve under the Stars.

Mitchelville Preservation Project will present “The Women of Mitchelville” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 2 during its annual Freedom Day program, in partnership with the monthlong Gullah Celebration on Hilton Head Island. This program is part of a series focusing on the untold stories of the people of Mitchelville and their experiences during the Reconstruction Era. It will include a follow-up to the BBC series “The Hidden Dawn of Freedom” by Peter Jackson with an in-depth conversation between a descendant of Mitchelville and a descendant of Gen. Ormsby Mitchel and a performance by the renowned Marlena Smalls. Mitchelville is a testament to the perseverance of people who struggled to gain independence and went on to become a thriving community on Hilton Head.