2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Tickets On Sale Now

Performance of Waiting on You presented by Actors’ Theatre of SC during 2012/13 Dinner Theatre Series

The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is pleased to present its 2013/14 Dinner Theater Series, featuring four fabulous performances accompanied by elegant dining. Season tickets are on sale now for $140 per person. Group discounts are available. Single performance tickets are priced at $40 and are available for purchase one month prior to each event. Patrons interested in forgoing dinner and enjoying the performance only may purchase “play only” tickets for $15.

The series has proven to be a popular program for couples and groups. Productions take place in September, November, January, and March. Guests are served a candlelit dinner at 7:00pm, then sit back to watch lively, and often interactive, performances by professional actors while enjoying dessert and tea or coffee. All programs are scheduled on Friday evenings in an elegant ballroom setting at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Dress is business casual. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. A cash bar is available. Parking is free.

Performance details and menus are listed below. Meals are catered by Embassy Suites and include a garden salad, meat entrée with vegetable and starch, rolls, dessert, coffee & tea. Vegetarian alternatives may be requested in advance.


2013/14 North Charleston Dinner Theater Series Schedule (subject to change):

September 20, 2013 – Sherlock Holmes & the Charleston History Mystery performed by Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre • When a member of the infamous Charles Townson family is murdered, the World's Greatest Detective, Sherlock Holmes, is drawn into a Lowcountry case of mystery, history, spooks, and specters. Join the Master of Logic himself for an Historical City Tour truly for the lazy — where without ever leaving your theatre seat you will explore Charleston's past, present, and...other worldly…and where should you choose to volunteer, you may actually play a victim, villain, or vile vision! Professional actors, volunteer audience roles.
Entree: Trattoria Carbonara – Classic roman dish, spaghetti pasta, glazed onion, crisp pancetta, cracked pepper, creamy egg & Italian cheese sauce

November 15, 2013 – Gullah Roots performed by The Gullah Lady, Sharon Cooper-Murray • The Gullah Lady, Ambassador of the Gullah Culture, will share the rich history of the Gullah community through a captivating collection of traditional stories and songs.
Entree: Pork Tenderloin – sage buttered & roasted slices, mustard & caper sauce

January 31, 2014 – Black & Blue: An Evening w/ Laura Ball performed by Laura Ball • Celebrate the Soul of America's Gifted Women of the Blues with pianist/vocalist Laura Ball and the Gentle Time Band. From Gospel to the Back Alleys of New Orleans, don't miss this exquisite cabaret evening of musical history. Entree: Smoked Chicken & Italian Sausage Penne – mushrooms, sweet onions, zucchini, pesto cream

March 21, 2014 – Love Letters performed by Threshold Repertory Theatre • Written in 1989 by critically acclaimed playwright A.R. Gurney, this drama reveals the bittersweet story of the staid, dutiful lawyer, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, and lively, unstable artist, Melissa Gardner, through the pages of decades of letters. A smash hit on and off-Broadway, The Wall Street Journal calls Love Letters "exhilarating, funny, and moving." Entree: Pecan Roast Salmon – Dijon & maple basted, smoke tomato jam



Space is limited. Contact Pam Smith at 843-740-5847 for tickets or more information. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, cash, or checks made payable to the City of North Charleston are accepted. For information on other City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department programs, visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts or call 843-740-5854.

Hurricane Season Begins — Are YOU Ready?

June 1 marks the beginning of the 2012 hurricane season, but are most people prepared? Are you prepared?

The Charleston County Emergency Management Department wants residents to get their family’s emergency plan in place and put their emergency supply kit together prior to a storm. Residents are also encouraged to “like” the department’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/EMDChasCo so they can have immediate access to new information in the event of an emergency.

Now is the time to get ready, and it’s easy with the help of the new 2012 Charleston County Hurricane Guide.

“Charleston County Government is always preparing for a storm and working with other local and state agencies to do so, but everyone has an individual responsibility to get prepared and make sure their family has a plan,” said Cathy Haynes, Charleston County Emergency Management Department’s Chief of Operations. “Churches and civic groups can also help by printing the guide for those who do not have access to the Internet. Our entire community needs to help spread the word.” 

In anticipation of an evacuation order, which can only be given by the governor, Haynes also reminds the public that they should plan to leave town if at all possible, and everyone along the coast is strongly encouraged to make travel arrangements well in advance. 

“Because of the low-lying areas in our county, we will never have enough safe shelter space for all of Charleston County’s residents,” said Jason Patno, Charleston County Emergency Management Director. “Therefore, we encourage everyone who has the means to leave town to do so and to consider shelters only as a last resort when they have nowhere else to go.” 

Also, those who have the ability to leave should do so as early as possible. 

“You don’t have to wait until an evacuation order is issued,” Patno said. “If you can, leave as early as possible to make your trip easier and to help relieve the traffic congestion on our roads.” 

Citizens who do not have transportation should learn where their nearest evacuation pick-up point is located. The evacuation pick-up points are noted by blue signs with a hurricane and bus symbol, and are located across the county at many CARTA bus stops and popular areas like schools, churches and shopping centers. In the event of a mandatory evacuation, buses will transport citizens from the 79 pick-up points to the nearest available Red Cross shelter. 

“It is vital for residents in our community who don’t have transportation to know where their nearest pick-up point is before the next hurricane approaches our coast,” Haynes said. “It takes all of us working together to make sure our citizens and neighbors are prepared and safe.” 

The procedures for opening shelters have changed for the 2012 hurricane season. Rather than having a list of shelters in advance, emergency shelters will be determined with the approach of a hurricane to South Carolina. In the event of a hurricane or other major disaster, residents are asked to monitor local media outlets for a current list of open shelters. During an evacuation, listen for emergency alerts on the radio and look for road signs for shelter information. 

Information in the 2012 Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide includes:

• What to have in your emergency supplies kit
• Evacuation information and routes out of Charleston County
• Shelter procedures
• What to do if you don’t have transportation – look for pick-up point signs posted around the county!
• Definitions and what you need to do during hurricane watches, warnings and tropical storms 
• Rules to know and items to bring if you and your pet need to stay at the pet shelter 
• Preparations for your home and your family before the storm 
• What to do after a storm, including safety measures and handling debris 
• A family communications plan form to fill out 
• Important phone numbers, including ones that will be activated in the event of an emergency 

The 2012 Charleston County Hurricane Preparedness Guide will also run throughout hurricane season on Comcast’s education and government channel 60.

2010 North Charleston Christmas Events

To celebrate the holiday season, the City of North Charleston hosts the following public Christmas events during the first weekend in December.

Winter Wonderland

Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Armory Park (5000 Lackawanna Boulevard). This free pre-school event provides young children an opportunity to visit Santa, participate in hands-on activities, including holiday arts & crafts, and take part in live performances and music. 

Live Performances

Thursday - Becky Becker of Becky’s Box of Puppets, helping children discover the joy of reading and weaving magical tales that come to life before your eyes are two of Becky's trademarks.

Friday – Julian Gooding, storyteller, takes you on an interactive journey through music, puppetry, and creative play.

For required pre-registration, contact the North Charleston Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 745-1028.

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 4 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Felix C. Davis Community Center (4800 Park Circle). Breakfast with Santa commences the Christmas Festival and gives area children the opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. A hearty meal is provided. Tickets can be purchased Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Felix C. Davis Community Center for $4.00 per person. To purchase tickets, contact the North Charleston Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 745-1028 or visit the Felix C. Davis Community Center.

Christmas Festival

Saturday, December 5 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm around Park Circle with the Christmas Parade beginning at 6:00 pm. The Christmas Festival includes a Holiday Market with children activities craft vendors, food vendors, and live musical performances on three stages. The Christmas Parade begins at the corner of Montague and Mixson Avenues, proceeds down Montague, around Park Circle, and concludes at Armory Park. Immediately following the Christmas Parade, Mayor R. Keith Summey lights the City’s Christmas tree located outside the front entrance of the Felix C. Davis Community Center.

Christmas Festival Schedule
3:00 pm - Police will close traffic circle to vehicular traffic
4:00 - 5:30 pm - Children activities (jump castles, petting zoo, carriage rides)
4:00 - 6:00 pm - Performances prior to parade
6:00 - 7:00 pm - Parade / Mayor’s Tree Lighting
7:00 - 9:00 pm - Performances on all stages
9:00 pm - Road opens for traffic

Performances and Entertainment

Christmas lights and displays shine at Park Circle and on the eight exterior islands nightly from the beginning of December until New Years Day.

For pre-registration, ticket purchases, and general inquiries, contact the North Charleston Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 745-1028.

North Charleston Christmas Events

To celebrate the upcoming holiday season, the City of North Charleston will host the following public Christmas events.

Holiday Concert
The USAF Heritage of America Concert Band
The United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band will perform at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, but advance tickets are required. The performance, titled “Celebrating the Holidays Around the World,” is free, but advance tickets are required.

The 90 minute concert will feature the full 50-piece orchestra, as well as several smaller ensembles that will break away to thrill audiences with their renditions of holiday classics. These specialty ensembles include the USAF Heritage Aire Celtic Ensemble, performing traditional holiday tunes with an Irish flare; Satellite, a 9 piece jazz fusion group presenting spicy winter selections; and the Dixie Players, cooking up some yuletide favorites, New Orleans style. The Langley Winds will set the tone as they musically greet guests in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

Tickets may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope by December 1, 2009 to: Tickets, City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC, 29419-9016. Tickets are also available for pick up from the Cultural Arts Department offices on the 2nd floor of North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM. Please limit 6 tickets per request. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Any unclaimed seats will be available to non-ticket holders 15 minutes prior to concert time.

For more information, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

Winter Wonderland
Thursday, December 3 and Friday, December 4 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Armory Park (5000 Lackawanna Boulevard). This free pre-school event provides young children an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, including holiday arts & crafts, live performances, and music. Pre-registration is required.

Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 5 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Felix C. Davis Community Center (4800 Park Circle). Breakfast with Santa commences the Christmas Festival and gives area children the opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. A hearty meal is provided. Tickets can be purchased Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Felix C. Davis Community Center for $4.00 per person.

Holiday Film Festival
Saturday, December 5, 2:15 pm and 3:00 pm. The Olde North Charleston Picture House will be participating again this year in the City’s Holiday Festival. Two films will be shown: Bill & Opus (a 24 minute cartoon); Joyeux Noel (the feature award-winning film). The cartoon begins at 2:15 pm. There will be a 15-minute intermission with the feature film, rated PG-12, beginning at 3:00 pm. Admission is free. Seating is limited to 75 persons.

Christmas Festival and Parade
Saturday, December 5 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm around Park Circle with the Christmas Parade beginning at 6:00 pm. The Christmas Festival includes a Holiday Market with craft vendors and local farmers, food vendors, and live musical performances on three stages. The Christmas Parade begins at the corner of Montague and Mixson Avenues, proceeds down Montague, around Park Circle, and concludes at Armory Park. Immediately following the Christmas Parade, Mayor R. Keith Summey will light the City’s Christmas tree located outside the front entrance of the Felix C. Davis Community Center.
Schedule of events, including performances and entertainment

Christmas lights and displays will shine at Park Circle and on the eight exterior islands nightly from December 5 until New Years Day.

For pre-registration, ticket purchases, and general inquiries, contact the North Charleston Parks & Recreation Department at (843) 745-1028.


View North Charleston Christmas Events in a larger map