2014 North Charleston Arts Festival Gala Set for May 2

The spring festival season is in full swing and the 2014 North Charleston Arts Festival is just around the corner. In honor of the annual event, the City of North Charleston invites the public to don their Lowcountry best and head to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Entrance Hall on Friday, May 2, from 7:00pm to 11:00pm for the Sweetgrass Soirée, a gala celebration. Tickets for the premier event are $50 and can be purchased by calling Sheri Pearson at 843-740-2538.

The soirée begins with a steel drum serenade compliments of Charleston’s most prominent steel drum band, The Island Trio. While enjoying a menu of Lowcountry favorites and the evening’s signature cocktail, the Sweetgrass Sipper, patrons will have an opportunity to meet this year’s Arts Festival design artist, Amiri Gueka Farris. Farris will be auctioning off an original piece and signing posters featuring his winning design, Gullah Islander Toss. Entertainment during dinner service includes a lively performance by Adande African Drum & Dance Company and a shoe tapping, hand clapping program full of traditional Gullah songs, spirituals, and gospel tunes by renowned a cappella singing group, The Plantation Singers. Following the performances, guests can dance the night away to music by Plane Jane. The band is built to keep the crowd on its feet with an extensive catalog of exciting hits from the sixties to the present. The evening’s line-up is sure to entertain and makes for an exciting kick off to the nine days of arts and cultural programs and activities offered during the 2014 North Charleston Arts Festival, taking place May 2-10.

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center Entrance Hall is located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Ticket price includes parking. The Sweetgrass Soirée is co-sponsored by North Charleston Magazine. For more information about the event or the 2014 North Charleston Arts Festival, including the full schedule of events, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

2013 North Charleston Arts Festival Gala Set for April 26

Spring is in the air and the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival is preparing to bloom! In anticipation and celebration of the annual event, the City of North Charleston will host the Arts Festival Gala on Friday, April 26, from 6:00pm to midnight at Montague Terrace at the North Charleston Coliseum. Tickets for the black-tie optional affair are $75 and can be purchased until Tuesday, April 23, by calling Pam Smith at 843-740-5847.

North Charleston POPS (photo by Robert McDaniel)

The 2013 Arts Festival Gala begins with an outdoor reception “under the oaks” from 6:00-7:30pm featuring light refreshments, musical entertainment by the Leonard School of Music Jazz Ensemble, and a live plein air painting demonstration by local artist Deborah Meyer. The garden party will move indoors to Montague Terrace at 7:30pm for dinner service and an unforgettable evening concert by the North Charleston POPS. This full-scale professional orchestra performs a variety of upbeat musical selections that include light classical, film music, Broadway, rock 'n roll, country, and more. Following the concert, guests can dance the night away to music by the 17 South Band. With three horn arrangements, the group delivers a huge and classy sound ranging from Motown and R&B covers to classic beach music and Top 40 hits. The evening’s line-up is sure to entertain and makes for an exciting kick-off to the nine days of arts and cultural programs and activities offered during the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival, taking place May 3-11.

Montague Terrace at the North Charleston Coliseum is located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Ticket price includes parking. For more information about the Arts Festival Gala, contact Sheri Pearson at 843-740-2538. For more information about the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival, including the full schedule of events, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

Earth, Wind and Fire to Bring Guiding Lights Tour to the North Charleston Coliseum, June 26

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey announced today that legendary musical group EARTH, WIND AND FIRE will bring their “Guiding Lights Tour” to the North Charleston Coliseum on June 26 at 7:30 PM. The concert is part of the City of North Charleston’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Earth, Wind and Fire will perform with the North Charleston Pops Orchestra. Opening the show will be the Charleston’s own The Explorer’s Club.

“After 40 years, North Charleston has grown into a thriving city, bustling with business and prime for young families and professionals. To mark the advancements we have made, we are going first class in our 40th anniversary celebration. Both born of the 70s, the City of North Charleston and Earth, Wind, and Fire, we will be celebrating together with an exciting evening of shear entertainment combined with exceptional musicianship,” said City of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.



“With over 90 million albums sold, 20 Grammy Award nominations and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Earth, Wind and Fire are one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music. We are honored to have them play the North Charleston Coliseum as part of the City of North Charleston’s 40th anniversary celebration. This is going to be a very special night,” said Dave Holscher, North Charleston Coliseum General Manager.

Reserved seat tickets for the show go on sale Friday, March 30th at 10:00 AM at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, Ticketmaster outlets (including select Publix stores), online at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are priced at $45 and $25 (plus applicable fees). A limited number of Gold Circle seats will be available.

For more information on the concert, visit www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com. For more information on Earth, Wind and Fire, visit www.EarthWindandFire.com. For more information on The Explorer’s Club visit www.ExplorersClubMusic.com. For more information on the City of North Charleston’s 40th anniversary celebration, visit www.NorthCharleston.org.

4th of July in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston will hold its 4^th of July Festival at Riverfront Park on Monday, July 4, 2011, 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The event is free of charge and all general admission.

The following is a schedule of events:

3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Festivities begin Welcoming remarks from Mayor R. Keith Summey The Calvin Taylor Band The Legends of Beach 7 Once Show of fireworks over the Cooper River

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there will be no seating provided. No alcohol is permissible within the park. A wide variety of food vendors will be on site. Children activities will be available free of charge, including inflatable jump castles, games, the play area, the giant sandbox, and the water fountain.

Riverfront Park is located on the former Charleston Naval Base, easily accessible from I-526 and I-26. Enter the former Charleston Naval Base by the McMillan Avenue or Virginia Avenue gate and turn onto Hobson Avenue. Riverfront Park signs are visible for easy to follow directions. All parking is free and shuttles will be available for the convenience of guests.

Open to the public year-round, Riverfront Park has become a favorite destination for residents and visitors. Set on the banks of the beautiful Cooper River, the park is adjacent to the historic homes once occupied by the Charleston Naval Base officers, surrounded by graceful grand oak trees and peaceful river vistas. Bordered by Noisette Creek, the park boasts a magnificent contemporary Performance Pavilion and meadow.

Riverfront Park is home to the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, erected in honor of the countless military personnel and civilians that served the United States and the Greater Charleston region while the Charleston Naval Base was operational. The Memorial is the only location in the United States that displays both the Lone Sailor and the Homecoming statues. Riverfront Park is also the location of North Charleston’s Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. A component of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival, the Competition and Exhibition features large-scale contemporary sculptures on display throughout the year.

For further information visit the City’s website at http://www.northcharleston.org.

North Charleston Arts Festival Concludes with Grand Finale on May 7

Public invited to enjoy free performances, kid’s activities, and fireworks

The North Charleston Arts Festival Grand Finale will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2011, from 6:00-9:00pm at North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue on the former Charleston Naval Base.  The public is invited to attend this grand celebration of the arts featuring dance presentations, choral performances by Tri-county schools, an evening concert, kid’s activities, food, and fireworks to mark the close of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival. Admission and parking are free.
       
Festivities begin at 6:00pm with events in every area of the park.  Audiences may enjoy The Poetry Show from 6:00-8:00pm at the site of the Navy Base Memorial, featuring spoken word and poetry recitations by locally renowned poets and youth poets from the Speak Freely Foundation. At the park’s boardwalk area, patrons will have the opportunity to see shag, Afro-Latino, and salsa dance demonstrations and try out some of the moves with local dance professionals. The Amphitheater Stage will host choral performances by students from Pinehurst Elementary (6:00-6:15pm), Pepperhill Elementary (6:15-6:30pm), Alston Middle School (6:30-7:00pm), and Cane Bay High School (7:00-7:30pm). School performances will be followed by a presentation of Polynesian dances, including a Maori fire dance, by the Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe. The Fowl Play Band will get the crowd grooving with a blend of beach, classic rock, Motown, and contemporary hits at 8:00pm.

       
Other attractions throughout the park include inflatable jump castles, roving entertainment by The Interactive Theater of Jef, and the newly installed National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. The evening ends with a fantastic fireworks display over the Cooper River by Zambelli Fireworks at 9:00pm. Food concessions will be available for purchase. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a great ending to this year’s North Charleston Arts Festival!
       
Selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, this is the 29th year of the festival, which began as a small community event at Park Circle and has grown into one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state.  The event includes nine days of cultural activities and programs in every arts discipline for the public to enjoy.  Some festival offerings have a modest ticket price, but most are free of charge and parking is free at all locations.

For more information about the Grand Finale or any other 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival events, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843-740-5854 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

4th of July Festival in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston will hold its July 4th Festival at Riverfront Park on Sunday, July 4, 2010, 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The event is free of charge and all general admission.

The following is a schedule of events:

3:00 pm	Festivities begin
3:30 pm	Welcoming remarks, Mayor R. Keith Summey
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm	CoastRunner
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm	The Blue Dogs
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm	Quiana Parler & Friends
9:00 pm – until	Show of fireworks over the Cooper River

Riverfront Park is located on the former Charleston Naval Base, easily accessible from I-526 and I-26. Enter the former Charleston Naval Base by the McMillan Avenue or Virginia Avenue gate and turn onto Hobson Avenue. Riverfront Park signs are visible for easy to follow directions. All parking is free and shuttles will be available for the convenience of guests.

View Riverfront Park in a larger map

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as there will be no seating provided. No alcohol is permissible within the park. A wide variety of food vendors will be on site. Children activities will be available free of charge, including inflatable jump castles, games, the play area, the giant sandbox, and the water fountain.

Riverfront Park is open to the public year-round and has become a favorite destination for residents and visitors. Set on the banks of the beautiful Cooper River, the park is adjacent to the historic homes once occupied by the Charleston Naval Base officers, surrounded by graceful grand oak trees and peaceful river vistas. Bordered by Noisette Creek, the park boasts a magnificent contemporary Performance Pavilion and meadow.

Riverfront Park is home to the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, erected in honor of the countless military personnel and civilians that served the United States and the Greater Charleston region while the Charleston Naval Base was operational. The Memorial is the only location in the United States that displays both the Lone Sailor and the Homecoming statues. Riverfront Park is also the location of North Charleston’s 5th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. A component of the 2010 North Charleston Arts Festival, the Competition and Exhibition features large-scale contemporary sculptures on display throughout the year.

Here's a glimpse at last year's Festival