2011/12 North Charleston Dinner Theatre Series Tickets On Sale

Season and individual performance tickets available 

The North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is proud to present its 2011/12 Dinner Theater Series, featuring four fabulous performances accompanied by elegant dining.  Season ticket prices are $120 per person with group discounts are available. Those not wishing to purchase season tickets may purchase single performance tickets one month prior to each Dinner Theater.  Prices for individual performances are $37 per person, $34 per person for a party of 4-7, and $32 per person for a party of 8 or more.  

The series has proven to be a popular program for couples and groups. Productions take place in September, November, February, 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 to take place on Friday evenings in the elegant setting of the Embassy Ballroom at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. A cash bar is available. Parking is free.

Performance details and menus are listed below. Vegetarian alternatives may be requested in advance.

2011/12 North Charleston Dinner Theater Series Schedule

(subject to change)

Friday, September 23, 2011
The Flowertown Players Comedy Radio Hour performed by The Flowertown Players
The days of yesteryear come alive in a comedic evening of adventure, excitement, mystery, and mayhem.  Journey through the magic of old-time radio programming complete with musical scoring and sound effects.
Menu: Grilled Herb Chicken with andouille & tasso queso
   
Friday, November 4, 2011
Romeo & Juliet performed by The Baillie Players
Enjoy an abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s famous play with audience participation.
Menu: Drunken Pork Tenderloin with granny smith apple & red onion relish
   
Friday, February 10, 2012
Lowcountry Delights performed by Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina
Featuring wit, wisdom, and songs about romance in the Lowcountry, you'll meet Miss Magnolia, Mrs. Noah, and a bevy of babes who chat and sing about secrets of friendship and love.
Menu: Carolina Turkey Medallions with lemon & parmesan butter, marsala, and wild mushrooms
   
Friday, April 6, 2012
Mo’ Motown Magic performed by Remnant Productions
A fantastic evening filled with Motown greats that are sure to have you dancing in your seats!
Menu: Grilled Cypress Chicken with garlic-infused tomato concasse and herb aioli

Call 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.

Flyover comparison of two rail proposals - State plan vs. CSX plan

 

Flyovers following proposed rail tracks of two differing rail plans for intermodal facilities to serve the new North Charleston Port Terminal.

The State plan exits the former navy base from north, while the CSX Plan exits the former navy base from the south. The Memorandum of Understating signed between the City of North Charleston and the State Ports Authority in 2002 would be violated if northern rail access is allowed.

Businessweek names North Charleston one of America’s Most Fun, Affordable Cities

Bloomberg’s Businessweek has ranked the City of North Charleston 23rd in a recently released article of America’s Most Fun, Affordable Cities.  The listing was compiled by comparing 6,106 areas around the country for affordable homes and nightlife.

The article cites North Charleston’s bustling retail centers, Centre Pointe and the Northwoods areas, as well as the small, family owned businesses and restaurants in the historic district along East Montague.  These areas are best known for their excellent shopping, dining, and nightlife.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “We are honored to receive this national recognition, and consider it validation of what our residents, businesses, and visitors have always known.  North Charleston continues to offer living at an affordable price, while providing essential amenities and entertainment that rivals any city in America.”

Other recent national recognitions of the City of North Charleston include the National League of Cities Award for Municipal Excellence, Home Depot Foundation’s Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development, Cottage Living Magazine for being home to one of the nation’s Top 10 Neighborhoods, Men’s Journal for one of the nation’s Top 30 ‘Coolest Neighborhoods,’ and by Green Builder Magazine as being home to one of the nation’s Top Green Developments.

In addition, North Charleston has remained the State of South Carolina’s retail sales leader for the past 18 consecutive years.

Watch the August 11, 2011 City Council Meeting

Since this is a free service, the video will load after a short commercial.

Download the Agenda

Park Circle Films announces Lowcountry Indie Shorts 6, opens film submissions

 Photo Credit: Dave Fancher

The Greater Park Circle Film Society, host of the Charleston area's only nonprofit filmhouse, is accepting submissions of short films for the next edition of Lowcountry Indie Shorts. The event will take place September 24th at the Olde North Charleston Picture House, 4820 Jenkins Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Lowcountry Indie Shorts is a semi-annual event with a focus on regional filmmaking, showcasing the best short films from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Animation, comedy, drama, documentaries, music videos, and genre films are all encouraged. Submissions are free, and filmmakers whose works are chosen will be invited to participate in a panel discussion and audience Q&A session afterwards.

Films must have been made in 2011, and are allowed to have been shown in other fests and events. Total running time must be at least 2 minutes and not more than 30 minutes. Submissions must be received by September 15, 2011. Submission forms can be downloaded from http://parkcirclefilms.org/pages/lowcountry-indie-shorts

Admission to a block of shorts is $5 general admission and $2 for Film Society members. Depending on the number of shorts received, there will be one or two blocks, with different films shown at each block.

North Charleston rail battle turns to the courts

Late last week, lawsuits were filed by the City over the State of South Carolina’s unwillingness to honor the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2002 that promised that rail access to the Port would only travel through the southern end of the former Navy Base.

The Federal suit was filed against the State of South Carolina, several state agencies, and the Army Corps of Engineers alleging that the State has embarked on a project that deviates from the permit application previously studied and approved by the Corps.  The State court suit alleges that the State has impermissibly broken its word.  The City is asking each court for an order prohibiting the State from taking any action to construct a rail yard in any manner that would violate the 2002 MOU.

Additionally, last Friday the Supreme Court of South Carolina denied a request filed by the State of South Carolina that asked for the 2002 MOU to be ruled upon in an expedited fashion by dispensing with normal court procedures.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “We believe that this decision made by the Supreme Court and the lawsuits filed in federal and state court are positive steps toward a meaningful outcome to this dispute for the citizens of North Charleston.  The State’s refusal to honor the 2002 MOU has led us to this point. Despite recent events, we would still prefer a solution to be found outside of the court room.  If the State will simply keep its promises I am confident that together we can find a solution.”

Mayor Summey on 1250 WTMA discussing rail lawsuits

Lawsuit filed in Federal Court
Lawsuit filed in State Court

Have you received your Charleston County reassessment notice?

Those who haven’t received notices need to call the County Assessor’s Office at (843) 958-4100.

Charleston County Government’s Assessor’s Office has remailed over 8,100 reassessment notices due to address changes. The follow-up mailing comes after the office mailed 170,000 real property notices and 9,000 mobile home notices on June 30 to implement a required, countywide real property reassessment.

The opportunity to appeal the reassessment expires on Wednesday, Sept. 28. If a taxpayer has not received a notice they need to contact the Charleston County Assessor’s Office at (843) 958-4100 as soon as possible. County staff will instruct callers on how to file a change of address and will mail them a copy of their notice.

“These assessment notices may ultimately affect property owners’ taxes, so we’re making special efforts to reach everybody,” said Toy Glennon, Charleston County Assessor.  “Even though it is the owner’s responsibility to update mailing addresses, we’re making special efforts to reach as many people as we can.”

Other notices that had to be resent were due to the owner being temporarily away and having their mail stopped, notices being returned even after a second attempt to reach the owners at an updated address, and notices to LLC’s being returned because the U.S. Post Office was not aware the LLC was housed at a particular address (as did some notices to trusts).

“Our office is required to send reassessment notices to the most recent address of record. And although we are not required to track down changed addresses, we have done so to the extent that we can,” Glennon said.

The Charleston County website has information and answers to general questions about reassessment notices.

Community back to school initiative and supply give-a-way

The City of North Charleston Community & Police Panel, along with area churches and businesses, announce its 4th annual “It’s Cool to Be In School” initiative. The free back to school supply give-a-way will take place on Saturday, August 13 from 10 am until noon at the Charleston Area Convention Center, while supplies last. Parents must bring the student with them.

The campaign is designed to ensure that North Charleston students in Charleston County Schools are present on the first day of school on August 16th.

Community & Police Panel Chairman Pastor Augustus Robinson calls the event a “great opportunity to help parents in need of assistance.” Churches sponsoring this year’s event include: Cathedral of Praise, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Evening of Prayer Church of God In Christ, Truth and Fellowship Ministry, Royal Baptist Church, and others.

Any organization that would like to become a sponsor should contact the Police Community Panel at 740-2845.

Montague Terrace at North Charleston Coliseum to open Fall 2011

The North Charleston Coliseum’s latest expansion, the Montague Terrace, will open this fall. Montague Terrace expands the North Charleston Coliseum by 7,400 square feet and will provide a new experience for patrons, as it will be used as a food court for Coliseum events, a special event space for private receptions, and also as an entertainment venue for small concerts, theater performances, and comedy shows.

For private gatherings, such as corporate receptions and weddings, Montague Terrace provides a state-of-the-art venue with LED lighting, full production capabilities, and accents of modern décor.  The space can host up to 740 people for a reception and up to 340 people for a seated banquet.

Montague Terrace is also a unique venue for entertainment events, as shows will be presented in a cabaret theatre setting that will include seating at round tables for four guests with full food and beverage service.

During large concerts and hockey games at the Coliseum, Montague Terrace will serve as a gathering area for patrons.  All concessions will be offered out of Montague Terrace, and various bands will be featured on the Montague Terrace stage before Coliseum shows and during intermissions.

“We are all anxiously awaiting the opening of Montague Terrace,” says North Charleston Coliseum General Manager, Dave Holscher, “as it will enable us to deliver a superior experience for our patrons on a number of levels.  Not only does Montague Terrace allow us to host smaller entertainment show, such as Glorious Gershwin, which will be Montague Terrace’s premiere performance this September, but it also allows us to host private functions, therefore serving the community in a way we have not been able to in the past.”

With the addition of Montague Terrace, the North Charleston Coliseum’s exclusive caterer, Centerplate Catering, will expand its catering menu to offer a wider variety of high-quality food and beverage items.

Montague Terrace is being built for LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it one of the largest eco-friendly event venues in the Charleston Area.  Once completed, Montague Terrace, as well as Centerplate Catering, will continue to operate in an eco-friendly manner.

Charleston area public safety representatives and military personnel planning 10th Anniversary 9/11 Service

A memorial service commemorating the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 is being planned by local first responders, Charleston Air Force Base officials, the Charleston Fire Chief’s Association, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, and other public safety agencies for Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:00 am at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

Apart from music brought by Royal Missionary Baptist Church, the entire program will consist only of public safety and military personnel.

The public is invited to attend the event.  There will be no charge for admission or parking.