Annual North Charleston Arts Festival set for May 4-12

Mayor Summey talks about the Arts Festival on 1250 WTMA

Now in its 30th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place May 4-12, 2012. The nine day event draws thousands of residents and visitors each year and is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, highlighting national, regional, and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, Crafts, Photography, Media Arts, and Literature.

Organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the festival strives to maintain the spirit of a public celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and activities 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 offers something for everyone.

My Muse by Elena Barna, winner of the
2012 Arts Festival Design Competition.
Elena's work will be used to promote the festival.

“The Arts Festival is truly a point of pride for the City of North Charleston,” says North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey. “It provides our residents and thousands of visitors with a myriad of opportunities to experience high quality entertainment, exhibits, and programming from every arts discipline in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings.”

The Arts Festival Main Event, held on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and Charleston Area Convention Center, offers free admission and parking to over forty performances on four themed stages: General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands.  Other features include judged fine art and photography exhibits; the 12th annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Exhibit; youth art from Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester county students; the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society show and sale; the Village Antiques & Collectibles show; children's activities at Box City and Creation Stations; art & craft vendors, a food court, and much more. 

The Festival continues with over fifty events throughout the week at various locations.  An exciting array of free and ticketed events include concerts, street dances, theatre presentations, film screenings, art workshops and demonstrations, an art walk, children’s programs, an Art & Fine Craft CoOp Gallery & Sale, the 7th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, and a Grand Finale at the beautiful North Charleston Riverfront Park. This year’s Grand Finale on May 12 features a Tri-County school showcase, dance performances, a slam poetry show, children’s activities, and an evening concert by The Shem Creek Boogie Band. The event concludes with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River.

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the Festival’s Judged Fine Art Exhibition, Judged Photography Exhibition, Art Walk, Opening Processional, and Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition. Volunteer sign-up forms are also available. Applications can be found at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

For more 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including event details and venue information, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854.

Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Award winning cast to host special presentation on May 10.

Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina will host the North Charleston Arts Festival’s annual interactive murder mystery dinner theatre on Thursday, May 10, 2012.  The original production, titled The Ashley Alston Mystery, features award-winning film and stage actor, Clarence Felder, and an ensemble of top professional actors. Tickets are on sale until Monday, May 7.

Southern gentleman, Ashley Alston, is hosting a surprise party and the biggest surprise is yet to come. Chief Detective Rhett Rutledge, played by Felder, has solved some of the most infamous murders in the Lowcountry and will enlist the help of the audience to find the killer! Dinner, catered by Centerplate Catering and served buffet style, will include a garden salad, herb baked chicken, roasted red potatoes, a seasoned vegetable medley, and rolls. Dessert and coffee service will immediately follow.

The Ashley Alston Mystery will be presented at Montague Terrace, the newest addition to the Charleston Area Convention Center Campus located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston.  Doors open at 7:00pm for dinner.  Tickets are $37 per person, with group discounts available.  Ticket price includes dinner, play, and gratuity. Parking is free.  A cash bar will be available. Seating is limited.  To purchase tickets by Monday, May 7, contact Pam Smith with the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843-740-5847.  For more information about the 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival, taking place May 4-12, visit www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

COLUMN by Councilman Ron Brinson: Boeing brings out the best in South Carolina

Boeing-North Charleston's first 787 Dreamliner rollout Friday was quite a show.

But now it's over, and this project that shaped different grades of excitement in Greater Seattle and Greater Charleston is reality.

Boeing is producing planes in South Carolina!

And we South Carolinians love it!

This project is now beyond the economic-development achievement cycle and on to the most important objective — building great airplanes and making a profit for Boeing shareholders.

That's what it's all about, right?

One thing's for sure — Boeing brings out the best of South Carolina.

Consider that its massive brand new production campus at North Charleston evolved from a standing start in 2009 to completion six months early, with nary a construction accident.

This $775 million complex is a world-class, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, laced with large and small environmental features, like a roof covered with solar-energy panels. Hundreds of permits were required, scores of government and intergovernmental actions were necessary. The requisite interagency bureaucracy seemed to flow flawlessly.

For economic-development prizes like a Boeing assembly plant, we rise above our inertial temperament and make things happen. And Boeing-North Charleston is a very big prize. With the "Great Recession" peaking in 2009, Boeing gave South Carolina a 9,000-job boost into the aerospace industry — and its presence in our community.

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., said it best: "To have our nation's No. 1 exporter in our state ... this is the game changer of my lifetime!"

Folks in Boeing's Seattle-Everett enclave might forever doubt that South Carolina can build a plant or a plane. And folks in South Carolina will forever remember that Boeing workers' unions and President Obama sicced the National Labor Relations Board on South Carolina and our right-to-work laws.

And what about the gratuitous insults? Like the jokes and the David Horsey cartoon depicting South Carolinians as incapable of producing anything but a backward reputation. In this vacuous truth, South Carolinians can't build airplanes because nobody can, unless the assembly line is in Washington state!

We tend to laugh at such misinformed ignorance. Idiots are idiots, but thoughtful detractors might have checked the record.

We're proud to say our state's greatest market asset is a trainable, scalable workforce and a landscape of beauty and lifestyle that attracts the skilled and talented.

Sort of like Washington state, right?

And we're very proud to note our statewide technical-education system is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Its mission is simple — nimbly train workers for new and expanding companies. In 2012, as the United States steadily regains manufacturing jobs, that means training for high-tech production jobs. South Carolina committed a $45 million training package to Boeing. Some might argue that's an excessive public expenditure — and subsidy. Hugh Leatherman, state Senate finance committee chairman, sees it through a marketing prism: "Training is a key to economic development ... it's an investment in our people that pays the biggest of dividends."

South Carolina is a business-friendly state, for sure, and, yes, those right-to-work laws are attractive to some companies. But the biggest of all these business-friendly assets is a trainable workforce — and a statewide training program with a proven record.

South Carolina thrives in the fiercely competitive foreign-investments markets. Last year, BMW announced yet another expansion of its Greenville-Spartanburg plant. This one will push production to 200,000 vehicles annually. Last month, Michelin announced a $700 million expansion in our state. Over the past 40 years, international firms invested more than $38 billion in South Carolina and created more than 150,000 jobs.

It may take time for Everett and upstart North Charleston to become best friends forever, but North Charleston is now part of the Boeing family. Maybe the two municipalities can become brother or sister cities, or something.

As an aerospace-industry player, we South Carolinians know we have a lot to learn — and we're willing. One thing we clearly understand, though, is that Boeing, wherever it operates, is a big deal! Seeing a brand new Boeing plane flying gracefully over Greater Seattle or Greater Charleston should never become routine for any of us.

Ron Brinson, a North Charleston city councilman, served as president/CEO of the American Association of Ports Authorities from 1979 to 1986 and president/CEO of the Port of New Orleans from 1986 to 2003.

Watch the April 26, 2012 City Council Meeting

City of North Charleston leases former city hall

The City of North Charleston is pleased to announce that the former city hall has been leased to CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing LLC, part of the Amazon group of companies.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “Leasing the former city hall for the expansion of CreateSpace is certainly terrific news for the City of North Charleston with the added benefits of jobs and an investment that will resound throughout the region.  We look forward to a long lasting relationship with CreateSpace and remain committed to being a business-friendly community.”

Works by Elena Barna at City Gallery in May

Works by Elena Barna will be on display at the North Charleston City Gallery during the month of April. Barna, winner of the 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition, will display works in acrylic and oils featuring a variety of subjects, including her winning piece, My Muse.

The artist's work will be on display May 1-31, 2012. A free opening reception will be held at the gallery on May 5, from 10:00am-4:00pm and May 6, from 2:00pm-5:00pm. The artists will be present and the public is invited to attend.

Titled Expanding the Horizon, Barna’s first solo exhibition strives to show viewers the many sides of her art. Works on display showcase the breadth of her inspirations and will include portraits, still lifes, and nature scenes. “The first and major inspiration for my art is people,” Barna explains. “I’ve done some body painting in the past and have translated that process onto canvas.” Viewers will enjoy portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Bob Marley, as well depictions of the artist’s friends and family. Other portraits share the same style and inspiration as her winning design, featuring a beautiful woman disappearing into a mosaic atmosphere.

Another prominent source of inspiration for the artist comes from her homeland, Russia. “I’ve done some work with Russian old style painting,” she says. “In general it’s flowers and some flowery designs mainly inspired by masterpieces by Russian artist Mikhail Vrubel.”

Barna’s style is heavily inspired by the Impressionism and Post-impressionism art movements, as well as Art Nouveau. She cites Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Monet, Degas, and Alphonse Mucha as artists she admires. Preferring to work in acrylic and oil, her work features vivid colors, thick application of paint, distinctive brush strokes, and realistic subject matter, mainly people. Form and color are central to her aesthetic and shimmering surfaces and rich dabs of paint characterize her paintings.

Born in 1987 in Volgograd, Russia, Elena Barna came to Charleston in 2008 to work for the summer and learn about life in America.  To her surprise, she fell in love with the city, the Carolina Lowcountry, and resident Josh Barna.  After returning home to complete her education and the long process of legal immigration, Elena and Josh were married following her return to Charleston in 2009.  She currently lives and works in North Charleston with Josh and their bull mastiff, Phoenix.

The North Charleston City Gallery is located in the Charleston Area Convention Center with free parking and admission during regular Convention Center operating hours 9:00am-5:00pm, daily.  Inquiries regarding the artist or purchase information may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854. For information on additional exhibits, programs, and events, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at www.northcharleston.org. For information about the North Charleston Arts Festival visit www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway Series announces shows for 2012-2013 Season

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center Best of Broadway series announced today that LES MISÉRABLES will anchor their 2012-2013 season.  Cameron Mackintosh’s brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo will run February 19-24, 2013 for eight performances.  This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The Best of Broadway series also announced four other productions for 2012-2013:  ROCK OF AGES (October 4-5, 2012); SHREK THE MUSICAL (November 23-24, 2012); WEST SIDE STORY (December 18-19, 2012); BLUE MAN GROUP (January 11-12, 2013).  Best of Broadway will also present a one night only special performance by Mannheim Steamroller on December 1, 2012. All performances will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

“The Best of Broadway series keeps getting better and better!” said Dave Holscher, General Manager of the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. “With great shows like LES MISÉRABLES, ROCK OF AGES, SHREK THE MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY and BLUE MAN GROUP, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

“It’s hard to believe that the Performing Arts Center and the Best of Broadway series are entering their fourteenth year of presenting world class entertainment to the Lowcountry. This season’s line-up features both new and classic shows that audiences will love.” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.

“We’re entering the ninth year of an outstanding partnership with the good people at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. We are committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Lowcountry and it doesn’t get any better than this season’s line-up!” said Nick Scandalios, Executive Vice President of Nederlander Producing Company of America.

Season ticket packages are now available and prices start at only $190.50. Tickets are available at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, by calling the Best of Broadway hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787) or online at www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com. Individual show tickets will go on sale at a later date.

In addition to having the same seat for all performances, Best of Broadway season ticket holders enjoy many other benefits such as free parking, priority access to tickets for Coliseum & Performing Arts Center events before they go on public sale and special discounts & offers not available to the general public.

The Best of Broadway series features the best in national touring Broadway shows and is presented by the North Charleston Performing Arts Center and the Nederlander Producing Company of America.

...and in case you want it, here's even more information!

ROCK OF AGES
October 4-5, 2012
7:30 PM
The worldwide party musical ROCK OF AGES features a mix of 28 rockin’ 80’s tunes including DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’, WE BUILT THIS CITY, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, HERE I GO AGAIN, CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80’s. It’s five time 2009 Tony® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!

"Impossible to resist!”
- Charles Isherwood, New York Times

"Rock and comedy in perfect proportion!"
- David Cote, Time Out

SHREK THE MUSICAL
November 23-24, 2012
November 23 at 7:30 PM, November 24 at 2:00 PM
SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims SHREK THE MUSICAL, “FAR, FAR AND AWAY THE FUNNIEST NEW MUSICAL ON BROADWAY!”

SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

WEST SIDE STORY
December 18-19, 2012
7:30 PM

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." As the Associated Press says, “WEST SIDE STORY remains Broadway’s best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout.”

BLUE MAN GROUP
January 11-12, 2013
January 11 at 7:30 PM, January 12 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Experience the Phenomenon. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” E! Entertainment News exclaims, “BLUE MAN GROUP is what every live performance aspires to be.” The Baltimore Sun raves, “Blue Man Group packs a wallop. It’s a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!”

Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.

LES MISERABLES
February 19-24, 2013
February 19-22 at 7:30 PM
February 23 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
February 24 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

DREAM THE DREAM

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.” The Star-Ledger says "a dynamically re-imagined hit. This 'LES MISÉRABLES’ has improved with age” and NY1-TV proclaims “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Miz’ is born again.”

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.

Season tickets for the BEST OF BROADWAY shows are on sale now at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Window or call the season ticket hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787). For more information or an online order form, visit www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com. 

North Charleston’s Farmers Market opens Thursday

The North Charleston Farmers Market will open Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm in its new location at 1055 East Montague Avenue in the Olde Village of North Charleston off of Park Circle. The market will be open every Thursday until mid-October.

Join and Share the Facebook event

The City of North Charleston’s annual Farmers Market includes a number of local farmers and growers selling local produce, free-range poultry & beef, and locally caught seafood. Local vendors will be on hand offering arts and crafts, and even gourmet dog treats. 

Each week the City’s Cultural Arts Department features a performance or artist to showcase. Musical performances on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday of each month and art demonstrations on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. 

On April 19, Michael Wolk will be featured, playing live acoustic music from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Entries Sought for 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival Judged Fine Art & Photography Competitions & Exhibitions

Fine artists and professional and amateur photographers ages 18 and up are invited to participate in the annual North Charleston Arts Festival Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography Competitions and Exhibitions, which will be on display throughout the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex May 4-12, 2012. Cash prizes are awarded for winning entries. Details for participation are available for download on the Applications page at www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. The deadline for submissions is 7:00pm on Thursday, May 3, for photography, and noon on Friday, May 3, for fine art. Entry fees are $5 and $10, respectively.

Fine artists may submit work in 5 categories: Acrylic, Oil, Drawing/Pastel, Watercolor, and Mixed Media. Entries will compete for cash prizes totaling up to $4425. Awards are at the sole discretion of the juror, Kimberly H. Spears. As the Executive Director of the Anderson County Arts Council, Ms. Spears oversees the rotating gallery exhibitions in the Anderson County Arts Center. She has served as juror for art exhibitions around the state. 

Photographers may submit work in the Professional/Advanced division or Amateur division under the categories of Color or Monochrome. Entries will compete for cash prizes totally up to $1450 and are judged using the Photographic Society of America Print Guidelines. Scoring is done by three competent judges in the field of photography who will score entries using the 3-9 range of scores. Each judge will evaluate each entry as a whole, considering the areas of Impact, Composition, and Technique. However, there is no specific weighting or allotment of points for each category. This system is used efficiently and effectively by many councils, at international exhibitions, and by camera clubs. It allows an adequate qualitative separation of entries while lessening the potential for a large number of the higher scoring entries having identical scores. In the event of a tie-breaker, judges will choose the winning entry. 

Awards for both competitions will be announced at an artist reception on Friday, May 4, from 6:00-7:00pm at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Exhibition viewing times are Saturday, May 5, 10:00am – 4:00pm; Sunday, May 6, 2:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday through Friday, May 7-11, 9:00am – 5:00pm; and Saturday, May 12, 9:00am – 12:00pm. 

The North Charleston Arts Festival, scheduled May 4-12, is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the Lowcountry, providing thousands of residents & visitors with a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions, and activities. The Main Event, held the first weekend in May, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances on four stages. Other Main Event activities include exhibitions, a gem and mineral show, an antique show, children’s activities, art and crafts booth, and food court. The Arts Festival continues with over 50 free or moderately priced ticketed events throughout the week at various locations and concludes with fireworks over the Cooper River at the Grand Finale at Riverfront Park. 

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, or to download applications for the Judged Fine Art and Photography Competitions and Exhibitions, visit www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. For more information about other exhibition opportunities, visit http://bit.ly/culturalarts or call the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843-740-5854.

Watch the April 12, 2012 City Council Meeting

Download the Agenda

North Charleston Police Officer Named State DUI Officer of Year

On Tuesday, April 3rd, North Charleston Police Private First Class Jonathan Lawrence was named DUI Officer of the Year by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Network. Last year, Lawrence made 144 DUI arrests; and 115 in 2010. For the past two years, Lawrence has also received the Gold Award for his work in DUI Enforcement.

Lawrence has a “never quit” attitude. He can be counted upon to help out his fellow officers, not with only DUI cases but with any call. Chief Jon Zumalt said, “As a result of Lawrence’s hard work and that of the other members of the department traffic fatalities have been well below yearly average. Of those fatal accidents we do have, intoxicated drivers as the cause have dropped substantially during his tenure on the DUI Enforcement Team.”

2012 Annual Raptor Classic at Wescott Golf Club

Golfer Entry Fee is $100 non-golfers $25, to ride along or hang out at the tent and enjoy the fun!

Sponsorships start at $500 per hole.

Raptor Nation Donation. Anyone at Anytime can donate to support AMHS Student Athletes!

Art & Fine Craft CoOp Gallery Opening in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston will host its annual Spring Art and Fine Craft CoOp Gallery and Sale at the Meeting Place each Friday and Saturday from April 6 through May 26.

The annual pop-up gallery and temporary artist cooperative is dedicated to presenting works by many Lowcountry artists of varied backgrounds in a diverse array of media and styles, from representational to contemporary, in both two and three dimensions. All pieces on display will be available for sale. Artwork ranges from original oils, watercolors, and mixed media, to photography, fused glass, prints, note cards, and more.

Participating artist include Dorothy Allston Rogers, Sherri Bardsley, James Black, Jack Devlin, Kate Fortney, Jeffrey Hair, Michael Kaynard, Muriel Lanciault, Keller Lee, Karol-Ann Skelly, Francina Smalls-Joyner, Denise Spates, and Vordai. 

The artists will host a free public reception on Wednesday, May 9, from 5:00-8:00pm during the annual Art Walk in the Olde Village area of North Charleston. Both the Art Walk and the Art and Fine Craft CoOp are components of the 2012 North Charleston Arts Festival, held May 4-12. 

The Meeting Place is located at 1077 East Montague Avenue in the revitalized Olde Village area of North Charleston. Parking is free. CoOp gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00am-7:00pm. Inquiries about this exhibition and other exhibition opportunities may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854. For information on exhibits, programs, and events like the North Charleston Arts Festival, visit the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at www.northcharleston.org

Plant swap at Park Circle

On April 28, 2012 a community inspired Plant Swap will take place at the Gazebo in Park Circle.  Set up and browse at 10:00am, with the swap beginning at 11:00am.

So how will this work? Bring ALL of your extra plants, if it grows it will go. Both outdoor and indoor plants, edible and decorative.  Also, bring any garden related items, hoses, garden art, containers, etc. The swap is a fun and exciting free-for-all.  The organizers will prompt the attendees to grab one item, and after everyone has a plant, the process is repeated.  Nice and simple!

There will be a potluck style picnic after the plant swap.  Plates, napkins and hot dogs will be provided, but bring your own drinks and your favorite hot dog side dish to share amongst the group.

For more details, visit http://www.facebook.com/NorthCharlestonPlantSwap, email thecitrusguy@netzero.com, or call 200-5818.

2012 Earth Day Festival on April 14 at Riverfront Park

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department will host the 2012 Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The new location for this year’s festival is Riverfront Park on the former Naval Base in North Charleston.

The County’s 13th Annual Earth Day Festival is a celebration of Charleston County’s environmental community. The festival provides hands-on educational opportunities highlighting Charleston County’s environmental programs and community in an entertaining atmosphere.

“Our Annual Earth Day Festival provides an ideal opportunity for Lowcountry residents to learn how they can make a difference in our community at home, work and play,” said Carolyn Carusos, Charleston County’s Environmental Management Recycling Programs Manager. “The new location for this year’s festival at Riverfront Park offers a beautiful waterfront setting to enjoy all the diverse, fun, family-oriented activities.”

Charleston County’s Earth Day Festival has attracted as many as 8,000 people to the free event each year. All participants are asked to commit to reducing waste at the event. Resource Recycling Centers will be strategically located throughout the park to collect recyclable materials and organic waste generated by attendees.

Charleston County’s Earth Day Art Contest was held again this year. Students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade were asked to submit drawings on Earth Day subjects with the theme of “Put Your Green Foot Forward.” The winning artwork will be featured at the event and will be printed on the back of the volunteers’ T-shirts.

Schedule of Events:

Main Stage

• 11:30 a.m.: Event kickoff with Bishop England’s Marching Band
• 12 p.m.: Opening remarks by Charleston County Council Representatives in attendance / Awards & recognition of Earth Day art contest winners and recognition of festival volunteers
• 12:30 p.m.: “We All Live Downstream” by speaker Kim Counts with the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
• 1 p.m.: Live performance by Shrimp City Slim, piano/vocals, specializing in Lowcountry blues & original songs
• 2 p.m.: Live performance by The 3 Dudes, Charleston’s youngest & most rocking rock band
• 3 p.m.: Live performance by Yeehaw Junction, Charleston's premier bluegrass band specializing in playing traditional bluegrass music
• 4 p.m.: Live performance by Adande African Drum & Dance Company, exploring the elements of history and entertainment combined in a single musical experience

Educational Stage

• 12:30 p.m.: Nature walk with Christine Poole / Music provided by singer, songwriter Estee Gabay
• 1 p.m.: Storytelling by Hawk Hurst
• 1:30 p.m.: Mad Science demonstration
• 2 p.m.: Birds of Prey demonstration by Stephen Schabel with The Avian Conservation Center
• 2:30 p.m.: Storytelling by Hawk Hurst
• 3 p.m.: Nature walk with Christine Poole/Reading of “The Lorax” by Bronwyn Santos with Charleston County Environmental Management
• 3:30 p.m.: Judo demonstration by Tom Rieff with Charleston Martial Arts

Other Highlights of the 2012 Earth Day Festival:

Over 60 environmental activities and educational displays on alternative energy, conservation, local and organic agriculture, animals and habitat preservation, litter, water and air quality, seedlings, recycling and composting

• Hands-on fun with Mad Science play stations
• Water buffalo by Charleston Water Systems
• Pet Helpers will be on site providing information on animal rescue and adoptable animals
• Local food vendors and food trucks offering classic festival fare plus some vegetarian options
• Returning Trash-to-Treasure guest, The Yo Art Project, to assist with craft-making using recycled materials

Charleston County Environmental Management staff will:

• Collect electronic waste, such as old TVs and computers for recycling. Bring your unwanted electronic items with you to avoid these items being disposed of in the landfill.
• Provide reusable bag giveaways for first 100 attendees
• Feature demonstrations showing the new single stream recycling truck
• Host a recycling tent with information, giveaways and prizes
• Have recycling bins for available for residents to take home
• Provide home compost information, backyard composting demonstrations and free compost samples

Plus a whole day of fun activities, prize drawings, contests and interactive live performances

Charleston County Government’s Environmental Management Department thanks their contributors:
City of North Charleston
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

For more information on recycling or the Earth Day Festival, visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org or call (843) 720-7111.