{"id":1957630,"date":"2025-08-13T09:24:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T09:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1957630"},"modified":"2025-08-13T09:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T09:24:07","slug":"free-times-best-of-columbia-2025-arts-music-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/free-times-best-of-columbia-2025-arts-music-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Times Best of Columbia 2025: Arts, Music, Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Honorable Mention: Travis “TLink” Lincoln, Phil Carter<\/em><\/p>\n

Best Local Comedy or Improv Group \u2014 The Mothers<\/h4>\n

Runner-Up: Tomorrowquest Theater<\/strong><\/p>\n

Their name might suggest Zappa\u2019s backup band or that cat Shaft, but their moniker is actually a nod to the \u201cWe\u2019re Not Your Mother Players,\u201d seen at Trustus Theatre in the \u201890\u2019s. Presenting original sketch comedy, theater games, topical satire and improvisational mirth in between season shows at Trustus and other Midlands venues, these Mothers carry on the rich tradition of live local comedy.<\/p>\n

Honorable Mention: Local Jokels, The NiA Company<\/em><\/p>\n

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Preach Jacobs DJs at a Columbia Food and Wine Festival event at Dragon Room.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n Forrest Clonts<\/span>
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Best Local Hip-Hop Artist \u2014 Preach Jacobs<\/h4>\n

Runner-Up: PATx<\/strong><\/p>\n

A one-man brand unto himself, Preach has found success as a gallery owner, podcaster, award-winning columnist (and frequent Free Times contributor), host, stage actor, voice for social justice and awareness and Columbia, S.C. ambassador \u2014 so it might be easy to forget that he\u2019s a proficient musician and DJ. Whether spinning to create an ultra-smooth vibe for a corporate gig or laying down the beat at a high-energy festival, Preach reigns at the top of the local creative scene.<\/p>\n

Honorable Mention: Master Splinta\/Fat Rat Da Czar, Daya Carter<\/em><\/p>\n

Best Local Jazz or Blues Artist \u2014 Mark Rapp<\/h4>\n

Runner-Up: Reggie Sullivan<\/strong><\/p>\n

He might be collaborating with a theater or ballet company, leading a procession in celebration of Mardi Gras, jamming outdoors at a brewery or indoors on a concert stage or providing mellow background accompaniment for some formal occasion. Whatever the context, you recognize that hat, that grin and that trumpet. Mark Rapp has popularized live jazz in Columbia in countless ways, and is its most eloquent ambassador.<\/p>\n

Honorable Mention: Easy Does It Duo, Terence Young Music<\/em><\/p>\n

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Two visitors walk down the steps between the fourth and third floors of the South Carolina State Museum.<\/p>\n

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\n Sydney Dunlap\/Staff<\/span>
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Best Local or Regional Museum \u2014 SC State Museum<\/h4>\n

Runner-Up: Columbia Museum of Art<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n