<b>Art of rice to be </b><b>focus of program</b>

Aerial photographs of the Lowcountry’s expansive rice fields will be the topic of Dinner &amp; a Lecture from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the Verdier House at 801 Bay St. in Beaufort.

Artist David Shriver Soliday will talk about the perspectives shot from a low-flying aircraft along hundreds of miles of coast over several decades. Over 50 of his large-formats photos infused on aluminum are on exhibit at the Verdier House through March 2017. Soliday is a freelance photographer whose editorial credits include National Geographic, National Wildlife and the Smithsonian.

A wine and hors d’oeuvre reception begins at 5:30; the program is from 6-7 p.m. Reservations are necessary as seating is limited. Admission for members is $15; nonmember admission is $20. Call 843-379-3331 to make reservations. Reservations for Saltus River Grill’s special for lecture ticket-holders may be made by calling 843-379-3474.

<b>SOBA Gallery to  welcome artist</b>

The SOBA Gallery will hold an opening reception for “From Maui to Maine and Back to the Lowcountry” from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at 6 Church St. in Bluffton.

The featured artist is Joan Moreau McKeever. Her work is a range of scenes inspired by her travels, painted with skill and attention to detail. You can almost smell the salt air viewing her coastal landscapes and the scent of Plumeria in a gorgeous floral scene.

The SOBA gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Visit sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586.

<b>10K, 5K bridge runs </b><b>to be held Nov. 12</b>

The Hargray Hilton Head Island Silver Anniversary Bridge Run will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. The runs will start and finish at Crossings Park on Hilton Head Island. This is the 25th anniversary of the Hargray Hilton Head Island Bridge Run 10K and 5K. The events will take participants over the Broad Creek Bridge and on the Cross Island Bridge. For additional information, visit bearfootsports.com or call 843-757-8520.

<b>‘Elf The Musical Jr.’ </b><b>coming to Beaufort</b>

Lowcountry residents will embrace their inner “elf” when Beaufort Children’s Theatre presents its production of “Elf The Musical JR.” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. The show will feature 70 aspiring actors ages 7-18.

“Elf The Musical JR.” is an uplifting musical about one boy’s quest to find his true identity.

The performances will be held at the USCB Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15-$25 and are available online at USCBCenterForTheArts.com or at the box office at 843-521-4145.

<b>Taste of Waddell </b><b>to be held Nov. 13</b>

A celebration of the Port Royal Sound Ecosystem, A Taste of Waddell, will be held from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

The event, which will be held at the Waddell Mariculture Center on Sawmill Creek Road in Bluffton, is sponsored by the Friends of Waddell, the Hilton Head Island Sportfishing Club, the Bluffton Marine Rescue Squadron and West Marine and Glidden Professional Paint stores. There will be shrimp from Hudson’s, buckets of May River oysters, beer and wine; music by Lowcountry Boil; and a raffle and a silent auction. Tickets are $30 per person; beer, wine and oysters extra.

This event benefits Waddell’s local cobia and red drum research, the summer intern program and the dolphin/turtle stranding program. Limited reservations are available. Visit www.friendsofwaddell.org to register or call Dave Harter at 843-785-4106.

<b>Zonta to host oyster roast</b>

The Zonta Club of Beaufort will hold its 18th Annual Oyster Roast from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. There will be entertainment, oysters, beer, hot dogs, chili, soft drinks and desserts. There will also be raffle prizes and fun for the whole family.

Tickets are $25 per person; children under 10 are free. Money raised helps to fund the many Zonta community activities and its scholarship program. Purchase tickets in advance at Hair Studio 280, Parris Island Gateway, 843-525-1224; Myrna Breland, CPA, 1 Professional Drive, 843-986-1175; or email zontabeaufort@yahoo.com.

<b>Bluffton book fest </b><b>coming Nov. 19</b>

The first Bluffton Book Festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, in historic Old Town Bluffton. The day-long event will feature author presentations, book signings, children’s activities, raffles and a “taste of Gullah” with more than 30 local authors in attendance.

All proceeds from the Meet the Authors VIP Party and raffles will benefit The Literacy Center along with the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.

<b>Annual turkey shoot </b><b>to be held Nov. 19</b>

The Parris Island Rod &amp; Gun Club’s Annual Turkey Shoot will be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. The public is welcome. There will be opportunities to win turkeys and hams, firearms, fishing tackle and cash. The cost is $2 per shot and the club provides all ammunition. There will also be refreshments available. Bring your own gun in your car trunk (no ammo, no scopes, no barrels over 32 inches). There will also be a few guns on hand. Attendees must register online by Sunday, Nov. 13, at PITurkeyShoot.eventbrite.com.

<b>History museum to hold dinner, lecture</b>

The Beaufort History Museum, in partnership with the Beaufort County Library, will present Native American Myths, Poetry &amp; Trickster Tales from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30.

November is Native American Heritage Month. This interesting and entertaining talk will transport you to a magical past through the poetry, myths and trickster tales of Native Americans. The lecture will be held at the Beaufort Branch Library at 311 Scott St. It is free to the public but donations will be accepted.

<b>Beaux Arts Ball to be held Nov. 12</b>

You may not recognize Tabby Place in Beaufort on Saturday, Nov. 12, as it is transformed into “a celebration of the senses and emotions” for the Beaufort Art Council’s Beaux Arts Ball.

The BAC’s Beaux Arts Ball will be an evening of art, music, design and flavor. There will be performing artists including a contortionist, aerialist and flame breathers; craft artists including sweetgrass basket-makers and indigo dye-makers demonstrating their craft and offering items for auction; and edible art. At individual stations, chefs will create and explain their culinary masterpieces, everything from signature cocktails to hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Guests will also be able to bid on art from professional artists, local packages, and several high-end trips with destinations as varied as Bali, New York Fashion Week and the 2017 U.S. Open golf tournament.

The Beaux Arts Ball will take place from 7-11 p.m. at Tabby Place. All proceeds raised by the ball will go to supporting artists and arts education through Beaufort Arts Council programs and services, including Mather Academy. For tickets and information, visit www.bacbeauxarts.com.

<b>Holiday hilarity on tap with ‘Christmas Belles’</b>

Coastal Stage Productions returns for the holiday season with the holiday comedy “Christmas Belles.”

“Christmas Belles” will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, at The Shed Event Venue, 809 Paris Ave., Port Royal; and at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head.

Tickets are $15 for students (18 and under); $18 for adults in advance, $20 at the door. Visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call the box office (including for group pricing) at 912-656-1598.