Sunday, April 24, 2011

Annual North Charleston Arts Festival Set for April 29-May 7, 2011

Nine-day celebration of the arts offers something for everyone


Now in its 29th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place April 29 through May 7, 2011. The nine day event is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, providing thousands of residents & visitors with a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions, and activities featuring national, regional, and local artists and performers.

Organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the festival strives to maintain the spirit of a community celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performing, visual, media, and literary arts events for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival truly offers something for everyone.

“The Arts Festival unlocks our imagination and gives an opportunity to all residents and visitors of the City of North Charleston to participate in high quality entertainment, exhibits, and programming,” says North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey. “It is a time of the year that we are joined by thousands throughout the Southeast to celebrate the importance of art within our world.”

The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances from national, regional, and local performers on four themed stages: Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, Bands, and General Audience.  Other features include judged art and photography exhibits; the 9th annual SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; Youth Art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Show & Sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; arts & crafts vendors, and much more. 

The Festival continues with over 50 events throughout the week at various locations around the City of North Charleston.  An exciting array of free and ticketed events include street dances, a murder mystery dinner theatre, concerts, literary gatherings, children’s events, film screenings, theatre presentations, art workshops and demonstrations, an Art Walk, an Art & Fine Craft Co-Op, the 6th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, and a Grand Finale at the beautiful North Charleston Riverfront Park. This year’s Grand Finale features children’s activities, performances by school groups, dance troupes, and spoken word poets, an evening concert featuring The Fowl Play Band, and fireworks over the Cooper River.

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Judged Fine Art, Judged Photography, and Tri-County Youth Art exhibitions. Volunteer applications are also being accepted. Application forms are available on the Cultural Arts section of the city’s website at www.northcharleston.org.

For more 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including detailed event schedules and venue information, visit www.northcharleston.org, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854.

Friday, April 22, 2011

North Charleston community garden pilot program

The City of North Charleston is establishing a community garden pilot program at four neighborhood community centers.



Gardens will be planted at the Miner Crosby, Liberty Hill, Northwoods, and Gethsemani Community Centers with each being maintained by the youth utilizing the centers.  Depending on the success and participation in these four gardens, the City of North Charleston hopes to expand the program.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “To further the sustainability efforts of the City of North Charleston, the young citizens of our community will be taught how to plant and nurture a garden and reap the benefits of their labors.  With poor food choices abound and the erosion of exercise in our daily lives, this initiative promotes healthy eating while increasing physical activity.”

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

North Charleston Fire Museum Celebrates Anniversary with 4th Annual Bike Rodeo and Safety Day

The North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center will celebrate its fourth anniversary on Saturday, April 30, 2011 with the Annual Safe Kids Bike Rodeo and Safety Day.

The Fire Museum opened its doors to the public April 28, 2007 and since that time has hosted over 110,000 visitors. As a thank you to the community, the North Charleston Fire Museum, in conjunction with Trident Area Coalition of Safe Kids, will host a full day of family fun activities to entertain while educating to prevent accidental childhood injury.

Children will receive a FREE new bike helmet and can take part in free jump castles, a climbing wall, music and water games.

Snoopy, McGruff the Crime Dog and even Charlie The RiverDog will be in attendance. Guests can visit over 30 different vendors and booths, watch vehicle extrication demonstrations by the North Charleston Fire Department, the South Carolina Highway Patrol roll over simulator and North Charleston Police Department Bike Team exhibitions.
Children can also navigate their way through the bicycle obstacle course after receiving a free bike inspection and tune up. Bring your own bike or use one of the free bikes available for check out.

Attendees can cool off in the museum and enjoy FREE admission for the entire family. The Bike Rodeo runs from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm and the Fire Museum will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with the last admission at 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

For more information contact Max Sterling at (843) 740-5550 x 221 or maxjsterling@gmail.com.