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.

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.