<b>ARTworks Open House:</b> ARTworks will host an Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, to celebrate the new year and new creative pursuits, and to meet the new Managing Director of ARTworks, Laura Maxey. Ms. Maxey holds an MFA from New York University, has lived in the Lowcountry since 1998, and brings with her experience in nonprofit arts organizations, contract administration, local government, and grant writing. This event will be surrounded by a gallery show from the Photography Club of Beaufort located in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, Beaufort, 29902. For more information, visit www.artworksinbeaufort.org or call 843-379-2787.

<b>Fat Tuesday at Fat Patties:</b> The Beaufort Art Association announces its Fat Tuesday at Fat Patties fundraiser. Each Tuesday this local restaurant sponsors a “Community Give Back” program. Ten percent of the sales that evening are donated to a local charity, school or nonprofit. On Tuesday, January 21, the proceeds will be donated to the Beaufort Art Association. The funds will help with the group’s 2014 project to bring art to children and afterschool programs held at Thumbs Up will be the main focus this coming year.

<b>Writers in the Round: Stories we tell and songs we made up:</b> On Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. at ARTworks, expect a delightful evening and bring along someone to share a good laugh. Carroll Brown, Big Frank Waddell and Michael Reno Harrell are accomplished writers, born and raised in the Carolinas, from the North Carolina Mountains to the South Carolina Lowcountry. They each tell engaging real-life stories, in rhyme and song and in knee-slapping prose. Some are humorous, and some will tug at your own memories. This gifted trio has performed around the country and across the world, together and separately, in festivals and concert venues, churches, pubs and house concerts. Come enjoy an evening of original music and knee-slappin’ Carolina story-telling. Tickets are $17 per person, $12 for students (13+), $7 for children (12 and under) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. ARTworks is located in Beaufort Town Center, 2127 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902. Visit www.artworksinbeaufort.org or call 843-379-2787.

<b>An evening with Cassandra King:</b> Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry presents a special evening with New York Times best-selling author Cassandra King. She will make a special appearance on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Chart House, 2 Hudson Road on Hilton Head Island from 4 to 6 p.m. King will talk about her latest book, “Moonrise” and share her insights about her inspiration, craft and more. Tickets are $60 per person and include hors d’ oeuvres and a signed copy of “Moonrise.” A cash bar will be available Seating is limited and all proceeds will benefit Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry. To RSVP, call 843-815-6616 or email Dodi at daeschenbach1@lowcountryliteracy.org.

<b>Vega String Quartet performs at Fripp:</b> After their Lincoln Center debut in 2001, The New York Times raved about the Vega String Quartet’s “playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling the listener along ... the musicians took real risks in their music making.” And The Los Angles Times praised its “triumphant L.A. debut”. They tour throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, and have recently performed in Brussels, Paris, Cologne, Mexico City, New York, Tokyo, and Vancouver. They have been quartet-in-residence at the Van Cliburn Institute and on the artist roster of Carnegie Hall’s New York City Neighborhood Concert series. The quartet will perform Sunday, January 26 at 5 p.m. at the Fripp Island Community Center, 205 Tarpon Boulevard, Fripp Island, SC, 29920. Tickets at the door: Adults $25 per person/$10 for students. All attendees receive an entry pass at the Fripp Gate and are invited to join the artists at a catered event following the performance. For more information, call 843-838-6655 or visit www.islc.net/friendsofmusic.

<b>Auditions being held for ‘A Piece of My Heart’:</b> Open auditions will be held on February 4 and 5 for the award-winning “A Piece of My Heart,” a powerful, true drama that follows six women before, during, and after they serve in Vietnam. Roles are available for at least six women and one man. Director Gail Westerfield may expand the cast. No experience is necessary, and actors in their 20s to 60s are encouraged to audition. Particularly needed are an African American woman, an Asian or Amer-Asian woman, and a woman who can sing and play guitar. Auditions will begin at 7 p.m. at USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the audition time to fill out audition sheets and read through a side. Bring a non-returnable current photo or headshot and a theatrical resume, if you have one. For more information on the play or auditions, contact Gail Westerfield at e.gail.w@gmail.com.