52.5, I will miss you

The news of 52.5 Records' closing hit me pretty hard. When I moved to Charleston in 2003, my first goal was to find a good record store. For me, searching for and buying new music is like a second job. A really cool second job. There's nothing quite like rummaging through a stack of CDs and taking a chance on an artist because of an eye-catching album cover. Or discovering that you still need to buy a few albums by one of your favorite artists to complete your collection.

The idea of music being a tangible art form is slipping away. I will never connect to albums the way I used to because it has become too compressed. Too cold.

52.5 Records is one of the best music stores I've ever been to. Clay Scales has done so much for Charleston, and I am thankful to him for his passion. I visited a lot when it was on Wentworth Street and brought my obsessive-compulsive music buying habits to the King street location as well.

I hope you all visit before it closes Nov. 1. Read more about it on Page 5.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday // location to be announced

Pecha Kucha nights are informal gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts or anything they want. Presenters have 6 minutes and 40 seconds on stage, which keeps the night fresh. Pecha Kucha nights happen all around the world, and Charleston's version is in its seventh installment.

Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha VII will be 7:30 Wednesday. The location will be announced a day before the event, to ticket holders. Admission is $5 and can be purchased at pechakuchacharleston.com/purchase-admission.

The lineup for PKVII is Nathan Durfee (emcee), Brad Ball, David Boatwright, Mitchell Davis, Ayoka Lucas, Leah Suarez and Christopher Zorn. To learn more about Pecha Kucha and see pictures from past events, visit pechakuchacharleston.com.

Escapada Beach Launch Party

6-8 p.m. Wednesday // Market Pavilion Bar, 225 East Bay St.

Charleston has become quite the Southern mecca for fashion, overflowing with talent from designers such as Maria Dobrzanska Reeves of Marysia swim, Carol Hannah Whitfield of Carol Hannah and Rachel Gordon of One Love. Not to mention Charleston Fashion Week. Dive deeper into the fashion world at Escapada Beach Launch Party & Fashion Show, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Market Pavilion Bar, 225 East Bay St. In the past year, local designer Escapada has established itself as a contender in the women's resortwear industry. Guests that evening can enjoy free hors d'eouvres, courtesy of the Pavilion Bar, free samples of sweet treats by Twenty Six Divine, and sexy lounge beats pulsing through the speakers all while marveling at the beautiful Charleston skyline. The first 75 people to enter will receive gift bags. And the best part? It's free to get in.

Comedy at The Tin Roof

8 p.m. Sunday // 1117 Magnolia Road

A few weeks ago, you read about local comedians. Now get a chance to see them at The Tin Roof as the venue celebrates the one-year anniversary of its Little Caesar's Palace comedy night. To honor the special occasion, there will be a roast of the comedy night's creators, Jason Groce and Nick and Lesley of Tin Roof. And, as always, there will be free pizza.